Anore hesitated, then smiled faintly. "If that's the plan, I guess I'll cooperate."
"See? He's smarter than you.." Evan said, passing him another piece before Eiden could protest.
Eiden put on an exaggerated scowl. "This is favoritism."
"Correct. " Evan said without a trace of shame. "Eat your vegetables too. You'll need it for all the knowledge you're about to get tomorrow..."
-_-
"Go easy on him Mister Evan. So he won't run away like the rest." Eiden smiled, swirling the wine glass but never drinking it.
"It's not my fault, they can't take a challenge.." Evan huffed, still annoyed that each student had eventually switched over to Eiden's side.
"So go easy on Anore, even though I know he's going to be a fast learner..."
Dinner ended not long after. Eiden excused himself first, pushing back from the table with a lazy stretch. "I'll be in my room.." he said, disappearing down the hallway.
Once inside, he leaned against the closed door for a moment, exhaling a long, quiet sigh. The day had been heavier than he'd admit aloud.
He stripped off his shirt, then the rest, letting the fabric fall carelessly to the floor before wrapping a towel loosely around his waist.
His bathroom, more like a private indoor pool, was warm and still. Steam curled along the edges of the water.
Eiden dropped the towel without a thought and stepped in, the heat wrapping around him like a living thing.
The tension in his shoulders eased as he sank deeper, head tipping back against the smooth stone edge. He didn't know how long he stayed there just that the quiet felt… safe.
When he finally stepped out, the air felt cool against his skin. He ran a hand through his damp hair and padded back into the bedroom, only to stop short.
Anore was there, halfway through the door.
Their eyes met.
Anore froze for a heartbeat, gaze flickering over Eiden's tall, lean frame, broad shoulders, toned arms, the defined lines along his abdomen.
The sight stole his breath before he could stop it.
Eiden's skin still glistened from the water, droplets sliding down the sharp cut of his collarbone.
Anore's throat bobbed. "…I—" He hesitated, then gave a faint, awkward smile. "Sorry. I didn't realize you were… busy."
Eiden's mouth curved faintly. "It's fine. Sit on the bed while I get dressed."
Anore hesitated, clearly flustered, before shuffling toward the edge of the mattress.
The way his ears turned pink didn't escape Eiden's notice and it sparked an idea.
"Actually.." Eiden said, voice casual but laced with something else, "think you could help me lotion my back? There are places my hands can't reach."
Anore's head snapped up. "W-what?"
Eiden only arched a brow, holding out the bottle. "You heard me."
Reluctantly, Anore took it, his fingers brushing Eiden's as he twisted the cap. He stepped closer, his touch tentative at first, smoothing the lotion over Eiden's shoulders and down along the planes of his back.
It was supposed to be harmless—practical, but the slow drag of those smaller hands over his skin was anything but.
Eiden's breath hitched before he could hide it. The warmth of Anore's palms lingered even after they passed, and every stroke seemed to spark something low and dangerous in his chest.
He told himself to keep still, but his thoughts had already gone somewhere they shouldn't.
The heat pooled lower, and before he could stop it, he felt himself stirring beneath the towel.
"Stop.." he said abruptly, his voice sharper than intended.
Anore froze. "Did I—"
"Sit back down." Eiden's tone brooked no argument. "Close your eyes."
Confused, Anore obeyed, perching at the edge of the bed again.
Eiden turned away, one hand pressing the towel against himself as if that could hide the truth from the air.
The realization of just how quickly his body had betrayed him made his pulse pound in his ears.
He dressed fast, quicker than usual and slipped under the covers without meeting Anore's eyes.
Anore glanced over, as if he wanted to start a conversation, but Eiden's voice came low and final. "Let's just sleep."
The room settled into silence, heavy with the echo of something neither of them dared to name.
Anore lay still for a long time, eyes half-lidded but not yet surrendered to sleep. His gaze lingered on Eiden's profile in the dim light, the strong lines of his jaw, the faint crease between his brows.
Eventually, his breathing evened out, and he slipped under.
Eiden waited, listening to the steady rhythm for a minute longer before turning toward him.
He studied Anore's sleeping face, soft and unguarded in a way it never was while awake. Without thinking, his hand lifted, fingers brushing against the curve of his cheek.
The temptation to lean in, to press his mouth to those parted lips, burned hot in his chest.
He bit the inside of his lip hard, forcing himself to pull back.
No.
He couldn't have him not like this.
It wasn't long before the peace shattered.
Anore's brow furrowed, his body tensing, breath growing shallow and rapid. His lips moved, and the words slipped out broken and pained. "Mother… don't leave me…"
Eiden's chest tightened.
Suddenly, Anore jerked as if caught, his hands clawing at the sheets. "No—let me go!" His voice cracked into a scream, and he thrashed as if being dragged under.
"Anore!" Eiden shot upright, reaching for him. But when he shook him, there was no response, only those frantic, gasping words: "I can't breathe—I can't—"
Panic flared in Eiden's veins. He bit his lip hard, laying Anore flat on his back. Without hesitation, he leaned down, sealing his lips over Anore's and forcing a steady stream of air into his lungs.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
By the fifth breath, Anore's chest finally expanded with something more than panic.
His eyelids fluttered open, tears spilling over as he coughed, dragging in desperate gulps of air.
Eiden's voice was low but urgent. "You're okay. I'm right here."
The words barely had time to register before Anore moved, sudden and desperate, throwing himself forward into Eiden's arms.
He clung to him with a strength born of fear, burying his face in his chest.
Eiden wrapped him close, one hand cradling the back of his head. "I've got you," he murmured, holding him tighter. "You're not going anywhere."
Anore shook, breath hitching, but in the steady circle of Eiden's arms, the drowning feeling began to fade.