For the first time in ages, Robin was the first to enter the politics classroom. The window in the far corner was empty, the usual tall figure absent, no smoke trailing out into the morning air.

     Robin had spent the previous night, anxiously awaiting a reply from Yohan, checking his phone every five minutes, desperate for a notification. It hadn't come, and Robin awoke, phone still in hand and a rectangular imprint on his cheek. In his sleepy state, he'd checked his phone, finding that Yohan had finally replied at two in the morning with a simple "Sure."

    The Form room was hardly the place to talk to Yohan. As soon as he walked in, Jemma practically pounced on him. Even from the back of the room, where Robin slouched, trying to avert his eyes, it felt suffocating. His chest tightened, and he could feel his fingernails digging into his palms.

     And now he was here, waiting to talk to Yohan in the politics classroom. What exactly he was going to say, he wasn't sure. Part of him wanted to shout and scream, to demand how Yohan could use him like that and then betray Jemma. Another part of him just wanted to pretend Jemma didn't exist, to continue their flirtatious dance as if nothing had changed.

     Robin stood in the middle of the room, gazing out of the window. He always enjoyed how the classroom faced mostly greenery, like he could get lost in the nature outside the glass. But summer had officially left, and now he was left with a starker view. The brown leaves had all fallen from the trees, leaving them bare and naked, almost vulnerable. The bushes lining the outside windows were also stripped, revealing the rubbish that careless students had tossed into them. Crushed Pepsi cans, crisp packets, and a few cigarette butts dotted the ground, exposing the bushes' ugly secrets.

    Robin was startled by the sound of the door. He turned to see Yohan, panting slightly as he leaned forward onto his knees, trying to catch his breath.

    "I'm sorry, I... Jem... I was held up," Yohan said, trying to compose himself as he stood upright and ran his fingers through his unruly ringlets. He moved into the classroom, letting the door swing shut behind him.

    There they were, just the two of them, alone again.

     Expecting Yohan to make his usual way towards the window, Robin was surprised to see Yohan edging closer to him. Robin stepped back slightly until he bumped into one of the tables, halting his movement.

     "So... you wanted to talk?" Yohan said, his voice calm and cool. But there was a slight nervous energy about him, as Robin noticed his left eyebrow twitching.

     Robin tried to speak, but he couldn't swallow the thick lump in his throat. He looked up at Yohan. His curls fell over his slightly sweaty brow, eyes dark and narrow as they gazed down at Robin. His lips were slightly parted as he caught his breath, the warmth of each exhale brushing across Robin's face.

     For fuck's sake... Why does he have to be so goddamn beautiful?

     "I, uh..." Robin managed to croak, screwing his eyes shut to stop his mind from racing with the distraction of Yohan in front of him. "We can't keep... y'know..."

     "What?" Robin heard Yohan reply. He kept his eyes shut but felt Yohan's presence coming closer. He felt a warm touch on his face, and then something gently squeezed his cheeks. "Going shy on me all of a sudden?"

     Robin opened his eyes. Yohan was mere centimetres away, gazing down at him with a look Robin had become all too accustomed to lately. The let's make out look.

    Robin felt his heart melt as Yohan began to lean in closer.

     "No, stop!" Robin snapped out of his love-struck gaze and pushed Yohan's chest, causing him to stumble back in surprise. "You and Jemma! We can't! Also, what the fuck? You said you'd sort it!"

     Yohan's looked slightly stunned, his mouth hanging open. Robin tried to compose himself, standing up straight and letting out a deep breath in an attempt to slow his heart rate.

      I need to tell him straight. I can't let this drop-dead gorgeous man distract me.

      "I..." Yohan stuttered, digging his hands into his pockets and averting his eyes to the floor. "I... It's not what it looks like."

     "What do you mean it's not what it looks like?" Robin retorted, his voice rising slightly.

      Yohan kept his eyes glued to the floor, his hair partially covering his face, making it hard for Robin to read his expression. After a moment, Yohan raised his head, his eyes locking with Robin's as he let out a deep sigh.

      "I didn't want to say yes, but I was worried... y'know, with the band, and how it could break us up, and it's not serious or anything."

     "Well, Jemma seems to think it's pretty serious," Robin snapped, crossing his arms. "And I don't want to be involved anymore."

     "You didn't seem to have a problem with it before." Yohan took a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

     "Well, I..." Robin stammered, unsure of what to say. He pulled his eyes away from Yohan's and stared at the floor. He knew he was a hypocrite. He had reciprocated, knowing full well that Yohan and Jemma were seeing each other, yet he had continued anyway.

      "I mean... I didn't hear any complaints." Yohan took another step closer, his eyes locking onto Robin's as he regained the closeness they had before Robin pushed him away.

     "I don't... I don't get why you said yes." Robin's voice wavered, lifting his head, his eyes searching Yohan's for answers.

     A long pause filled the space between them, Yohan shifting awkwardly, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Like I said, it was never that serious."

     "You can't keep saying that! If Jemma found out, she'd be so fucking hurt," Robin exclaimed, frustration evident in his tone. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he tried to maintain his composure.

     Robin took a shaky breath, meeting Yohan's eyes once more. "We can't keep going on like this. It's not fair to her."

     Yohan's brows furrowed, concern lining his face. "It's complicated, Robin."

     "Complicated? It doesn't seem too complicated to me. You should have just turned her down."

     "But the band–"

     "Why did you start seeing her in the first place?" Robin interrupted. "No, even better, why did you start seeing me?"

     Robin watched as Yohan's face fell, a familiar expression crossing his features. It was the same look he had seen in the alleyway that night, and the same one that appeared whenever Robin brought up their secret relationship. Vulnerability, like a mask subtly slipping from Yohan's face.

     "Look, man, I..." Yohan's voice wavered. "You're in the closet, right?"

      The bluntness of the question startled Robin. He stuttered, "I... uh... I guess, yeah."

      "So, this benefits you too, right? Keeping it a secret and all?"

     "Well... I suppose."

      "Then," Yohan let out a sigh, "I don't really see what the problem is. We both get something out of this, right? And as long as we keep it to ourselves, and no one finds out, it'll be fine."

     "But–"

      "But what? I know you enjoy this," Yohan responded. "And like I said, the thing with Jemma, it's easier said than done, you know. Try not to worry your pretty little head about it." He ruffled Robin's hair teasingly.

     "Hey! Don't say that! She's my friend and I–" Robin attempted to raise his voice, but Yohan interrupted him again.

      "You look cute when you get mad," Yohan said softly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. He reached out, gently cupping Robin's face, his thumb brushing over his heated cheek.

     Robin's breath caught, his anger melting into a blush as he looked up at Yohan, conflicted emotions dancing in his eyes.

     "Look... I don't want this to end," Yohan whispered, his breath warm against Robin's skin as he moved closer, their bodies almost touching. "I'm sorry about the situation with Jemma, but it's complicated. I'll sort it out, okay?" He leaned in, his lips hovering tantalisingly close to Robin's. "Promise."

     Their lips met, a spark igniting between them. For a split second, Robin considered pushing Yohan away again, but his body betrayed him, responding to the undeniable connection they shared. Thoughts of Jemma retreated to a distant corner of his mind, replaced by the intoxicating mix of passion and emotion that Yohan evoked in him—a feeling he had only ever experienced with this boy.

      Their familiar dance unfolded, the two boys alone in the classroom that had become their secret haven. Their breaths grew heavier, hands exploring with increasing urgency. Gentle touches escalated, Yohan's grip tightening on Robin's clothes as he trailed kisses and nibbles along Robin's neck.

     "I want to do more..." Yohan whispered breathlessly between kisses, their mouths filled with soft moans.

     Robin's cheeks flushed bright red, halting Yohan for a moment. "More...?" he questioned, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

     "Yeah..." Yohan's playful smile returned, his eyes scanning Robin's body. "Only if you want to, of course."

     "I want to!" Robin blurted out without hesitation, his heart racing.

     "Wow, so eager," Yohan teased, wrapping his arms around Robin's waist and pulling him closer.

      Robin's cheeks grew even hotter, flustered by Yohan's playful remark. "Hey! I just mean... I want to, but I think we should take things slow... I've never done this with a... guy before."

     "You haven't?" Yohan raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his gaze.

     "No..." Robin admitted, feeling vulnerable and yet safe in Yohan's presence.

      "Oh, I always thought maybe you were a little gay man-whore back in Cov," Yohan chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

     "Hey! Quit it!" Robin protested, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

     "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Yohan apologised, his tone sincere yet still teasing. "You just make it so easy to tease you, and you get all cute when you're flustered."

      Robin was at a loss for words, caught between annoyance and affection, unsure how to respond to Yohan's playful banter.

      "Look..." Yohan began, his fingers gently tracing patterns on Robin's back. "I haven't done this... well, not with a guy either... So yeah, we can take things slow."

    "Okay..." Robin replied softly.

     "Maybe we could, like, hang out? Just the two of us?" Yohan suggested, his eyes searching Robin's for a sign of agreement.

     "Um... sure." Robin hesitated, uncertainty evident in his voice.

     "Next weekend? It's my birthday that week," Yohan said, a hopeful glint in his eyes.

     "Oh, um yeah, I think I'm free," Robin responded, trying to hide the surprise in his voice.

     "Think of it as a birthday present," Yohan murmured in a sultry tone, capturing Robin's lips in another kiss.