The hallway was narrow enough for their shoulders to brush if either of them so much as breathed wrong. Kairo's bag strap caught on the doorframe as he tried to slip past, the tug forcing him to stumble — right into Ayan's chest.
Ayan didn't move back.
Didn't need to.
"Move," Kairo muttered, shoving lightly at his shoulder.
Ayan's palm caught Kairo's wrist mid-motion, fingers warm and firm, holding just long enough to make it clear this wasn't an accident.
"You keep running into me," Ayan said, low and calm, his breath brushing Kairo's cheek. "Makes me wonder if you actually want to be here."
Kairo's jaw tightened. "Or maybe you're just always in my way."
That little smirk from Ayan — dangerous, knowing — didn't fade. Instead, he stepped in closer, the scent of his cologne mixing with the faint paint-smudge smell clinging to Kairo.
Kairo's pulse spiked.
Not because of him. Obviously not.
It was just—proximity. Heat. The surprise of it.
…Right?
Ayan's fingers tilted Kairo's chin up, holding him there.
The air between them felt thick enough to drown in.
Kairo's breath caught, but he forced his face into a mask, hoping Ayan couldn't hear the hammering in his chest.
Their eyes locked.
One more breath and their lips would meet.
Footsteps echoed from around the corner.
Ayan released him slowly, almost deliberately, as if to remind Kairo that he was choosing to let go.
"See you at practice," Ayan murmured, brushing past.
Kairo stayed frozen for a moment.
His heartbeat was still racing — ridiculous, irritating — and he told himself it was adrenaline.
It had to be.
---
Thank you for reading please comment if you like it 🫶