GEMINI.
The journey to Percy's place was swift and silent. He called for a car, and within minutes, a sleek black Bentley was idling at the curb. The ride was quiet, the city lights blurring past the windows, but the silence wasn't awkward. It was a comfortable, shared quiet, the kind that only comes from a long-established routine.
I was still reeling from the shock of finding him in my dorm, of him knowing my code, and of his simple, breathtaking confession: "I can't seem to get a good night sleep without you." The words replayed in my head, a low, constant hum that made my stomach flutter with a mix of nerves and something else entirely.
When we arrived, the building was a towering structure of glass and steel. The driver drove away and we headed inside, straight to Percy's room on the top floor.
Before that, we walked past the dark, sitting room downstairs. His sister has probably gone to bed. Upstairs, the door to his bedroom opened revealing the familiar luxurious space. The minimalist, sleek design was a stark contrast to my messy dorm room, and it felt like a sanctuary, a place where the chaos of college couldn't touch us. He walked past his desk and into a spacious sitting area, a space I knew well from our previous overnights.
"You know where the bathroom is," he said, gesturing to the familiar door on the right. "You can get ready first if you want."
"Thanks," I mumbled, a soft smile on my face.
I went into the bathroom, which was a mirror of the main office in its clean, modern design. I took a few minutes to brush my teeth and wash my face, the cool water a welcome relief. Staring at my reflection, I saw the weariness from the week finally start to fade, replaced by a strange mix of calm and anticipation. This felt so different from our usual study sessions or quick lunches.
This feels… like coming home.
It's funny how quickly this has become normal. A few weeks ago, I would have thought a guy like Percy was completely out of my league, and I mean that in every sense. He's so put-together, so quiet and intense. And I'm just…me. A mess of a first year student trying to find my foot. But somehow, we fit.
The first night I came here, it was for a dinner invite that turned into an emergency study session, and I ended up catching a cold which made him take care of me. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in his arms, and for some reason, he just…decided to keep me by his side. I guess you can say, it started with him just needing me to be in the same room because he liked how I smelt. Then, it turned into me sleeping in his bed. It's a strange arrangement, but it works. It's comforting. And now, after the hell of midterm week, I feel like I'm exactly back to where I belong.
When I came out, Percy was already in the bedroom, pulling back the covers on his large bed. The light in the room was dim and the space was quiet, the only light coming from the soft glow of the city below. He didn't say anything, but simply walked over to the desk, turned off a lamp.
I walked in and found him already lying in bed, his phone in his hands, the screen a soft glow in the darkness. He looked up, his green eyes meeting mine. He didn't have to say anything; the space beside him was an open invitation.
I padded over and slid under the covers. The sheets were cool and smelled faintly of him—a mix of expensive cologne and something warm and clean. I laid on my side, my back to him, and let out a long, slow sigh. My body felt heavy with fatigue, but my mind was finally quiet.
A moment passed, then I felt his hand gently brush against my shoulder. I stiffened for a second, then relaxed. He wasn't touching me, just letting me know he was there like he always does.
"You should get some rest," he said, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room. "You've earned it."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest. "Thanks," I mumbled, my voice already thick with sleep. "Good night, Percy."
He didn't answer, but after a moment, I heard the faint click as he turned off his phone. I felt the mattress shift as he settled in, his presence a warm, solid weight behind me. And just like that, the chaotic storm of the week finally faded, and I fell into the deepest, most peaceful sleep I'd had in days.