"Go rest now."

Myles got to his feet, reaching over without much ceremony to pull the notebook out of Blake’s line of sight before putting it neatly into the backpack.

Not that it was necessary.

’Jeez, I’m seriously tired.’

He stretched his arms over his head, yawning as his shoulders loosened, the tension from earlier finally catching up to him.

Now... this was the moment.

"So, did you see Anthony and Asher around?"

Myles stepped closer, his pace unhurried. He stopped just in front of Blake, bending slightly at the waist as he let out a quiet sigh.

"I did."

"Ah, I see..."

Blake’s response came slower than usual.

He was the one who asked, but that didn’t mean he liked the answer. If anything, he had hoped for the opposite. A simple no would’ve been enough.

"Did you talk to them?"

"No."

That definitely helped, since a small, quiet relief settled in his chest, even if his face didn’t show it, of at least he hopes it doesn’t.

"I see. Well, I still feel a little sad, not being able to be his guide."

It wasn’t completely false.

Maybe not entirely true either, but not false. It was inconvenient in its own way. Still, getting to know more about Asher wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Blake had been sitting cross-legged, but when he pushed himself up, he did it too quickly.

The dizziness hit instantly.

"Careful."

"Ah, thanks..."

Perfect, why not take advantage of that?

Blake leaned forward without hesitation, letting his weight fall into Myles as he buried his face against his shoulder. A quiet breath slipped out of him.

"Sorry, man. Just, give me a second. I need to stay like this to get my balance back. You understand, right?"

"Blake."

That tone again. It wasn’t sharp, not exactly, but not light, either.

"Mh?"

"That new student."

"Uh... you mean Asher?"

"Yes."

"What about him?"

Myles’ hands, which had been steadying Blake’s arms, loosened slightly before sliding down to rest at his sides instead.

"It seems like you don’t want to be around him."

Blake blinked.

That was a bit too direct. Had it really been that obvious?

Back then, when they first crossed paths, it had been more surprise than anything else.

...Right?

Or was it fear?

Either way, something about this felt off.

The way Myles said it, there was an intense pressure behind it. The kind you don’t notice at first, but once you do, it just stays in your chest and refuses to leave.

And now that Blake felt it, he couldn’t not notice it.

Myles was staring at him.

Not casually or idly, but intently.

Did he figure something out?

Blake’s thoughts began to spiral faster than he could keep up with them.

’About who, exactly? Me... or Asher? It has to be Asher. Yeah. There’s no way it’s me. It can’t be. It can’t...’

A sharp throb shot through his head.

Blake flinched, pulling back abruptly as one hand came up to press against his forehead.

But even though Myles’ grip had been loose, that didn’t mean he was letting him go.

If anything, the opposite happened.

His arm tightened around Blake, pulling him closer as he lifted him slightly off the ground with ease, then...

[ Mission complete ]

[ Reward: 50 coins ]

Myles sat down on the bed, settling Blake onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"At the same time, it seems like you also want him around."

His hand came up again, resting against Blake’s forehead. His fingers were cool, steady, grounding, as he leaned in just enough to meet his gaze directly.

Why did this feel like this?

Blake’s heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, loud enough that he was sure, sure, it could be heard outside of him.

That fear building inside him, it felt different.

’Ah... I’m way more scared of being found out than I thought.’

Because if Myles understood, if he really understood Blake’s goal, everything would fall apart. This, whatever this was, would disappear.

And he didn’t want that.

Not even a little.

"It’s true that I didn’t really feel comfortable around him," Blake said, forcing his voice to stay even. "But that’s only because I already knew him before he transferred here."

Myles didn’t pull away.

Instead, his hand slid from Blake’s forehead to the back of his neck, his thumb pressing down with quiet precision.

"You know I got a tour at SSRT. While I was looking into other successful applicants... I saw his picture."

Blake exhaled slowly.

Weirdly enough, that pressure helped. The pounding in his head dulled, just enough to make it bearable.

"That’s why I was surprised."

Silence lingered between them.

Maybe Myles believed him.

Maybe he didn’t.

Blake knew lying wasn’t ideal, but Myles wasn’t being completely honest either.

So for now...

They were even.

Until one of them slipped.

Blake lifted his eyes again, forcing a faint smile as the tension in his chest eased just slightly.

Myles didn’t respond with words.

Instead, he rested his head against Blake’s shoulder.

One hand came up, patting his back slowly in a steady, rhythmic way.

It was comforting, just a bit too comforting.

’How does he always manage to hit the exact right spots? Seriously, I’m getting sleepy.

That wasn’t good, or was it?

Honestly, this was better than resorting to anything suspicious like hidden sleeping pills.

Blake let his eyes close briefly, just for a moment.

Just to pass time.

Still smiling faintly.

Why was it this comfortable?

’Must be the muscles. Though, aren’t they supposed to feel harder than this...?’

A light poke met his forehead.

Blake’s eyes opened again, a quiet laugh slipping out of him.

"So let’s just say... it wasn’t exactly about him."

Myles didn’t answer.

He just quietly looked at him, saying many things without actually saying anything at all.

Blake sighed softly, one hand coming up to idly stroke along Myles’ shoulder.

There was a faint weight in his chest.

Guilt.

Not because he lied, but because he didn’t say everything.

"Are you tired?" Blake asked after a moment.

"No."

"Mm, I am."

A short pause.

"I kinda want to lie down."

Myles didn’t question it, of course.

He adjusted his hold, carefully guiding Blake off his lap and down onto the bed. His movements were steady, controlled and gentler than expected.

The blanket was pulled over him, tucked just enough.

Blake watched him for a second.

Then, slowly, he lifted his hand and patted the empty space beside him.

Myles hesitated.

"I’m still in my uniform. It wouldn’t really be—"

"I don’t care, I just want you here."

Closer, that was all.

Myles stared at him for a moment longer.

Then stood.

He walked around the bed, on the other side. He didn’t lie down fully, just sat, leaning slightly against the pillow.

It wasn’t enough.

Blake shifted, inching closer until the distance between them felt manageable.

"Are you annoyed?" he asked quietly.

"No."

No hesitation.

"I’m not."

Blake studied his face for a second longer before reaching out, taking his cold hand.

He closed his eyes again, adjusting his position as he tried to settle into something comfortable.

"Have you ever gotten sick like this?" he murmured.

"No. Not really. I didn’t get sick much as a kid."

Blake’s eyes cracked open slightly.

"Seriously...? How’s that even possible?"

"It runs in my family."

Blake raised an eyebrow, though the motion felt heavier than usual.

"Does it work like that?"

He tried to think about it.

Actually think.

But the moment he focused too hard, a light poke interrupted him again.

Blake huffed softly, catching Myles’ hand this time without even opening his eyes.

His grip wasn’t strong.

Just, there.

Half-asleep now, his breathing slowed as his thoughts blurred together.

His fingers loosened slightly around Myles’ hand.

And just like that, his eyes finally closed.