THIRD PERSON'S POV
The morning sun barely crept through the blinds when Ian's phone buzzed softly beside his pillow. Half asleep, he reached out and squinted at the screen, a notification from Instagram.
@Skateandbite: You there?11.34pm
@Skateandbite: Sorry for ghosting. At least talk to me?5.30am
The last message was just thirty minutes ago. He stared at it for a few seconds before tossing the phone back with a scoff, "who is ghosting who? Watch me do it" well, two could also play the game. He made sure to leave the message on seen deliberately while he rolled over. Suddenly the door swung open and in walked Sabby. He was already dressed, radiant and suspiciously glowing. His hair combed, clothes still intact and not a hickey in sight. "Oh wow, you look….alive" Ian mumbled, blinking at him.
"This is what I look like when someone finally takes care of me" Sabby grinned, striking a ridiculous pose. Ian's lips tugged into a brief smile, then Dominic's words echoed back 'you look fake'. Sabby noticed the change in his expression, "what?" he asked, "hey Sabby…." Ian began slowly, "do I look fake to you? Like…do I seem like I'm pretending?". Sabby blinked at him, clearly caught off guard with that question, "What? No! Wait, who said that? I'll fight them". Ian chuckled, brushing it off as he got up, "never mind, just curious".
As he headed into the bathroom, Sabby's eyes fell on a folded chit near the nightstand. Curiosity got the better of him. Unfolding it, he read the words scribbled harshly in a familiar hand. Sabby let out a long sigh, lips pursued "oh baby, no you're not" he whispered to himself. He might not know everything about Ian, but he knew enough to see he was not fake. Just a tough little bear, hiding more than he let on.
…
…
Dominic was up earlier than usual. Not out of habit but guilt. Not that he'd ever say it loud. Pride was one coat he wore too well. He sat at the edge of the bench, phone in hand, staring at the string of messages he'd sent. Five, maybe six "and left me on seen" he groaned "no one ever let me on seen" he was in disbelief, but again Ian was stubborn as hell and Dominic for once was running out of clever ways to break the silence.
He didn't mean to be that harsh earlier. Okay, perhaps he did. But he hated the way Ian took everything with grace, the way he carried himself like no one's words could dent him. He hated that he admired it too.
The door clinked open and Ian walked in, same hoodie thrown over his shoulders, coffee in one hand and fresh from his jog still untouchable. Dominic straightened up, ready to toss in a sarcastic remark, Ian passed by him without a glance, it all fell flat.
No comeback.
No eye roll.
No curse.
The silence hit harder than anything else.
Dominic watched Ian from the corner of his eye as he cleaned, no words exchanged but watching his moves like a hawk, maybe waiting for the right moment to throw in a joke, but Ian never let him. Suddenly Ian turned to him "at the coffee shop, evening" Ian said flatly. Dominic raised an eyebrow, trying to find something snarky to shoot back, but Ian's sharp glare cut through him, "Don't. Be. Late." Dominic swallowed, his mouth closed and all he could do was nod as Ian walked away, again with all the power. "Unbelievable" he muttered under his breath, watching Ian's retreating figure. "How the hell does he always get the last word?". And just like that, the morning was over before it even started.
...
...
AT THE COFFEE SHOP.
In the late evening, the coffee shop was nearly empty, bathed in the soft glow of amber lights and indie jazz humming low from the speakers. Ian was already seated, scribbling into a notebook, steam curling from the two mugs beside him. Dominic of course arrived minutes late, that ever cocky smirk halfway in place.
"I didn't think you'd wait" he muttered, sliding into the seat across from Ian. "I didn't. I'm here for the grade" Ian answered without missing a beat. Without wasting more time, they got to work,…well, kind of. Subtle insults and sharp jabs between the discussion, and then something shifted. Dominic even surprised himself when he started opening up about being a team captain. "You know what sucks?, being the guy everyone expects to be perfect. Coach acts like I am some chosen golden boy. My dad? He wants results, not effort. The team watches me like I'm not allowed to screw up. I breathe wrong in the rink and suddenly am a failure".
Ian looked up slowly. For a second, his guarded eyes softened. Dominic kept going, words rising like a tide. "And you? You just show up, you don't even try to please anyone. You just exist. And somehow that's enough for you". Ian didn't answer right away. He scribbled something down. "I don't exist just to be enough for them" Ian said quietly, "but I do exist for me". It wasn't smug. It wasn't deep. Just honest. And that stung Dominic more than he'd admit.
Ian checked his watch, "closing time. Grab the chairs, I'll lock up" and shockingly Dominic helped without protest.
The air outside was sharp while walking together silently through the streets until-
"Hey" a shadow stepped into their path from nowhere. A man, wild eyed, demanding Ian's bag. Ian was stunned, backing up.
Dominic stepped forward, jaw clenched, "wrong guy, man". It escalated so fast as the man didn't want to talk, Ian retaliated while Dominic followed and as if overpowering the unknown man, he ran. "Did you see that" Dominic was showing off his biceps, "oh look back" Ian warned. Behind them, the guy returned minutes later with friends. "Oh, come on, brought reinforcements?" Dominic groaned.
"Run?", Ian asked, already half turned. "Run!" They bolted down the street, laughing like lunatics as adrenaline spiked. Past alleys, over benches, and they didn't stop until they reached a quieter block near campus. Breathless, flushed, they leaned against a brick wall, laughing.
"That was insane" Ian huffed. "You think?" Dominic said, chuckling "you even elbowed one in the face" "and you punched him square in the face", they huffed trying to get their breathing normal.
Silence fell between them, a little too long, a little too close. And then like clockwork,..."see you around coffee boy" Dominic muttered, turning towards the dorms. "Don't be late next time, captain" Ian replied, watching him disappear around the corner.
And neither of them knew yet, this was only the beginning of something.
.
.
.