.
They didn't usually eat there.
The university cafeteria was loud, crowded, and honestly a little chaotic, which is exactly why Adrián and Lucien always avoided it. They preferred quieter places, restaurants outside campus where Lucien could sit comfortably and Adrián wouldn't complain every five seconds about the noise.
But that day was different.
They were sitting side by side at one of the long tables, their trays pushed slightly forward while books and notes took over most of the space. Their shoulders occasionally brushed when one of them moved, but neither of them paid attention to it. They were used to that kind of closeness.
Lucien looked exhausted.
Not just tired, but mentally drained, the kind of tired that sat behind his eyes and made everything feel heavier than it should.
Adrián noticed, of course.
He always did.
—You've been staring at the same line for five minutes —Adrián said, leaning back slightly, turning his head just enough to look at him— either it's the most interesting sentence in the world or you're about to pass out.
Lucien exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple.
—This class makes no sense. The professor explains everything like we're supposed to already know it.
—Maybe you are supposed to know it.
Lucien turned his head and gave him a flat look.
—You didn't understand it either.
Adrián smirked.
—That's not the point.
Lucien was about to reply when—
A chair scraped softly against the floor.
Someone sat right in front of them without asking.
Adrián's gaze lifted immediately.
Lucien followed a second later.
William.
A year younger, but you wouldn't guess it by the way he carried himself. He had that polished look, the kind that screamed effort disguised as natural charm. Always dressed well, always aware of who was looking at him.
And people did look.
A lot.
—Hi, Lucien —William said smoothly, resting his elbow on the table like he belonged there— I heard you were looking for a new jacket.
Lucien blinked, slightly confused.
—Yeah… why?
William smiled, just enough to be intentional.
—You mentioned what you liked a few days ago. I kept it in mind.
He placed a neatly folded bag on the table and pushed it toward Lucien.
—So I got you one. Something similar. I thought it would suit you.
There was a small pause.
Lucien looked at the bag, then at William.
—You… bought me a jacket?
—Yeah —William shrugged lightly— you seemed worth the effort.
Silence.
Not loud.
But sharp.
Adrián hadn't said anything.
He was sitting right next to Lucien, close enough to see the small shift in his expression, the hesitation in his hands, the way his eyes lingered on the bag without touching it.
And something about that…
Didn't sit right.
—It doesn't even make sense —Adrián said finally, voice calm but edged, leaning forward slightly— you barely know him.
William didn't look at him at first.
—And?
Now he did.
—Do I need a reason to give someone something?
Adrián's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
—Yeah. Usually people do.
Lucien shifted slightly beside him, feeling it now.
That tension.
That thing Adrián did when something bothered him but he wasn't fully saying it.
William tilted his head.
—Maybe I just wanted to.
Adrián let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh.
—Right.
Lucien glanced at him.
Then back at the bag.
He still didn't open it.
And Adrián noticed that too.
Adrián didn't even hesitate.
—So just because you felt like it, you went and bought him a jacket he's been talking about for weeks? —his voice was still calm, but there was something underneath it now, something tighter— That's not thoughtful. That's weird.
Lucien shifted slightly beside him.
—Adrián—
But he kept going.
—First of all, no one asked you to sit here —he added, finally turning fully toward William, his expression no longer amused— you're making this uncomfortable.
William's smile faltered just a little.
—And I'm pretty sure Lucien's not going to accept anything from you —Adrián continued, his tone dropping just enough to feel heavier— so maybe you should leave before this turns into a whole problem. Just between you and me.
A pause.
Not loud.
But suffocating.
Lucien could feel it now, the shift in the air, the way people nearby had started glancing over without being obvious about it.
William's eyes flickered between the two of them.
Then he leaned back slightly, folding his arms.
—You're a bit intense, aren't you?
Adrián let out a quiet breath through his nose.
—And you're a bit too comfortable.
That did it.
Lucien finally stepped in, placing his hand lightly on the table, grounding the moment before it snapped any further.
—Okay, that's enough.
Both of them looked at him.
Lucien glanced at the bag again, then at William.
—Look… I didn't ask for this. And I'm not taking it.
His voice wasn't harsh.
But it was clear.
Final.
William's jaw tightened slightly, but he quickly covered it with a small shrug.
—Suit yourself.
He grabbed the bag, standing up a little too quickly for someone who was supposedly unbothered.
—Didn't think it'd be such a big deal.
Adrián didn't reply.
He just watched him.
And that, somehow, was worse.
William exhaled, then finally turned and walked away.
The noise of the cafeteria slowly filled the space again, like nothing had happened.
But something had.
Lucien let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
—You didn't have to go that far.
Adrián leaned back in his seat again, eyes still on the direction William left.
—Yeah.
A pause.
Then, quieter—
—He was too close.
Lucien blinked.
—What?
Adrián shook his head slightly, like brushing it off.
—Nothing.
But he didn't look at him.
And that said enough.
Lucien was still eating like nothing had happened.
Like the whole interaction with William had just… passed through him without leaving a mark.
He sat right next to Adrián, one leg slightly bouncing under the table, focused on his food, occasionally mumbling something about the topic they had been discussing earlier.
Adrián wasn't listening anymore.
Not really.
His fork hovered over his plate, unmoving.
His eyes shifted, just slightly, toward Lucien.
There it is again.
That same feeling.
Annoying.
Persistent.
Uninvited.
Lucien took another bite, then spoke mid-chew, completely relaxed.
—You didn't finish your food.
Adrián clicked his tongue softly, finally lowering his fork.
—I will.
But he didn't.
Instead, he leaned back a little, eyes narrowing just enough to study Lucien's expression.
Normal.
Too normal.
—You're acting like nothing happened.
Lucien glanced at him, confused.
—Because nothing happened.
That answer came too easily.
Too fast.
Adrián's jaw tightened.
—He was practically on top of you.
Lucien blinked, then frowned slightly, as if trying to replay it.
—I mean… yeah, he was close, but—
—Too close.
Lucien paused.
Actually paused this time.
Adrián noticed.
And for some reason, that made something twist in his chest.
—You didn't even move.
Lucien lowered his fork slowly, now actually looking at him.
—Why does that matter?
There it was.
The question.
Simple.
Direct.
And suddenly, Adrián didn't have an answer ready.
His fingers tapped once against the table.
Then again.
He looked away for a second, jaw tense.
—It just does.
Weak.
He knew it sounded weak.
Lucien raised an eyebrow, studying him now with more attention than before.
—Since when?
Adrián let out a quiet breath, running a hand through his hair, slightly frustrated.
—Since he got in your space like that.
Lucien tilted his head just a little.
—You've never cared before.
And that—
That hit.
Adrián's eyes snapped back to him.
Sharp.
—Yeah, well, maybe I should've.
Silence.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just… heavy.
Lucien stared at him for a second longer, like he was trying to understand something that wasn't being said out loud.
Adrián broke eye contact first, grabbing his fork again, finally taking a bite just to have something to do.
Why am I even arguing about this?
He chewed, slower than usual.
Annoyed.
Not at Lucien.
At himself.
Lucien, meanwhile, didn't go back to eating immediately.
He kept looking at him.
Quiet.
Observing.
And that somehow made everything worse.
Adrián exhaled through his nose, not meeting his gaze.
—I just think it's weird.
Lucien finally spoke again, softer this time.
—You think everything is weird.
Adrián almost scoffed.
—Not everything.
A small pause.
Then, more quietly—
—Just… that.
Lucien didn't respond right away.
But he didn't look away either.
And that silence?
It stretched.
Like something was about to be understood.
Just not yet.
After that whole exchange, they didn't say much.
Not on the way.
Not even when they arrived.
Now they were at the mall, walking side by side like always, close enough for their shoulders to occasionally brush, but the silence between them felt… different.
Heavier.
Lucien had his hands in his pockets, looking around casually at the stores, like nothing was wrong.
Adrián, on the other hand, was very aware of everything.
Of the people.
Of the noise.
Of Lucien.
Especially Lucien.
—So… the jacket.
Lucien spoke first, breaking the silence as he slowed down in front of a store display.
Adrián stopped beside him.
—What about it?
Lucien shrugged slightly.
—I still need one.
Of course he does.
Adrián glanced at the store, then back at him.
—Then let's buy one.
Simple.
Direct.
Lucien looked at him for a second, like he was trying to read between the lines.
—You're paying?
Adrián scoffed softly.
—Don't push it.
Lucien smirked a little at that, the tension easing just a bit as he stepped inside the store.
Adrián followed.
Inside, racks of jackets lined the walls. Lucien moved ahead, running his fingers over different fabrics, occasionally pulling one out to check it.
Adrián stayed a step behind.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Lucien grabbed a black one, holding it up against himself.
—What do you think?
Adrián's eyes flicked over him.
Too fast at first.
Then again, slower.
—Too big.
Lucien rolled his eyes slightly but put it back.
He picked another.
—This one?
Adrián stepped a little closer this time.
Closer than necessary.
—Better.
Lucien turned slightly toward a mirror, checking the fit.
Adrián's gaze didn't leave him.
Not even for a second.
And then—
—Lucien?
A voice.
Familiar.
Annoying.
Adrián's expression hardened instantly.
Of course.
William.
Lucien turned his head.
—Oh.
That was all he said.
Just that.
Oh.
William walked over, smiling like he belonged there.
Like this wasn't awkward.
Like earlier hadn't happened.
—Did you come to look for the jacket?
Lucien nodded lightly.
—Yeah.
William's eyes shifted to the one Lucien was holding.
—That one's nice… but I think the one I got you suits you more.
Adrián let out a quiet breath through his nose.
Here we go again.
Lucien hesitated, just slightly.
—You didn't have to buy it.
William smiled.
—I wanted to.
That was enough.
Adrián stepped forward.
Not aggressive.
But firm.
Placing himself just a little closer to Lucien.
Enough to be noticed.
—And he didn't ask for it.
William's smile faltered just a bit, eyes shifting to Adrián.
—It's just a gift.
Adrián tilted his head slightly.
—It's weird.
Lucien glanced at him.
Again.
That word.
William frowned.
—I don't see why—
—Because you keep showing up.
Adrián's voice stayed calm.
Too calm.
—And getting too close.
The air shifted.
Customers moved around them, unaware, but inside that small space, the tension tightened like a pulled string.
Lucien looked between them.
—Adrián—
But Adrián didn't look at him.
Not yet.
His eyes were still on William.
—He said no.
A pause.
Then, colder—
—So stop.
Silence.
William looked at Lucien, like he was waiting for him to say something.
To defend him.
To agree.
Lucien hesitated.
Just for a second.
But Adrián noticed.
Of course he did.
And something in his chest tightened again.
Lucien finally spoke.
—…I don't need it.
Soft.
But clear.
William's expression dropped slightly.
Not dramatic.
Just enough.
—Oh.
There it was again.
That same word.
But this time, it meant something else.
He nodded once, forcing a small smile.
—Alright.
And just like that, he stepped back.
—See you around.
Then he left.
Adrián watched him go, jaw tight.
Only when William disappeared into the crowd did he finally look at Lucien.
—You should've said that earlier.
Lucien frowned slightly.
—I was going to.
Adrián raised an eyebrow.
—Didn't look like it.
Lucien sighed, running a hand through his hair.
—Why are you making this such a big deal?
And there it was again.
That question.
Adrián looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Closer now.
Too close.
—Because it is.
Lucien held his gaze.
—Why?
Adrián didn't answer immediately.
His eyes dropped briefly to the jacket Lucien was holding.
Then back to his face.
And quieter this time—
—Because I don't like it.
Not a full answer.
Not even close.
But enough to hang in the air between them.
Lucien didn't push.
Not this time.
Instead, he turned slightly toward the mirror again, adjusting the jacket.
—So… this one?
Adrián exhaled slowly.
Still tense.
Still thinking.
—Yeah.
A pause.
Then, almost unconsciously—
—It suits you.
Lucien glanced at him through the reflection.
And for a second—
Just a second—
That tension shifted into something else.
Something softer.
Not resolved.
Just… different.
Nice, vamos a hil
They moved to another section of the store.
This time, quieter.
Just the soft sound of hangers sliding and distant chatter filling the space.
Lucien kept looking through clothes like nothing had happened, but his movements were a little slower now. More distracted.
Adrián stayed close.
Not as tense as before.
But not relaxed either.
Lucien pulled out another jacket, checking the fabric between his fingers.
—This one feels better.
Adrián glanced at it briefly.
—Try it on.
Lucien did, adjusting the sleeves as he looked at himself in the mirror.
A pause.
Then—
—About William…
Lucien spoke without turning.
Adrián's expression shifted slightly.
—What about him?
Lucien shrugged.
—You were kind of harsh.
Adrián let out a quiet scoff, looking away for a second before answering.
—He deserved it.
Lucien turned his head just a little.
—You don't even know him.
Adrián's jaw tightened.
There was a short silence.
Then, more bluntly—
—I do.
Lucien frowned slightly.
—How?
Adrián crossed his arms, leaning back just a bit against one of the racks.
—Enough.
Lucien studied him through the mirror.
Suspicious.
Curious.
Adrián held his gaze for a second… then looked away.
And casually, like it didn't matter—
—About William…
A small pause.
Then, flat—
—I never liked him.
Lucien blinked.
—Never?
Adrián shrugged.
—No.
Lucien let out a soft breath, half amused.
—That sounds personal.
Adrián looked back at him.
This time, directly.
—Maybe it is.
That made Lucien turn fully now.
—Did he do something to you?
Adrián hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then shook his head.
—No.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
—Then what?
Adrián clicked his tongue softly, clearly a little annoyed now.
—Not everything needs a reason.
Lucien smirked a little at that.
—So you just… randomly dislike people?
Adrián stepped closer.
Again.
Closing that space without even thinking.
—Not randomly.
A pause.
His eyes flicked briefly to Lucien's lips… then back up.
—Just him.
Lucien held his gaze.
And this time, he didn't look away.
—You're weird.
Adrián huffed quietly.
—Yeah?
Lucien nodded, a small smile forming.
—Yeah.
A beat of silence.
Then Adrián glanced at the jacket again.
—That one's better than the others.
Lucien looked down at it, then back at him.
—You've said that about three already.
Adrián smirked slightly.
—This time I mean it.
Lucien rolled his eyes, but there was something lighter in his expression now.
Still curious.
Still wondering.
But not pushing.
Not yet.
And Adrián?
He stayed close.
Like that was the most natural thing in the world.
Even if, deep down—
He still didn't like how William looked at him.
At all.