All That's Wrong With Us

07. The Point of No Return

"His place." Easter rubbed the back of the neck, glancing away. "He's been busy lately, so we're just catching up."

North tilted the head, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Doing what? Gazing into each other's eyes? Whispering sweet nothings?"

Blushing, Ter flicked him in the forehead.

"Ow. Rude."

"You deserved it."

"Fair," North admitted, rubbing the spot with a smirk.

"Anyway, I'll be back late. Try not to burn the dorm down while I'm gone."

"Don't worry, I won't even be there. Going out with friends." North shrugged, shoving hands into the pockets.

Ter raised an eyebrow. "Out?"

"Yeah. Drinks."

Mildly unhappy, Easter crossed his arms, giving North a skeptical once-over. "Great. Just don't do anything stupid."

"You doubt me?" he placed a hand over the chest.

"Absolutely," Ter shamelessly admitted. "Trouble always finds you, somehow."

North laughed, shaking his head as he turned in the opposite direction. "See you later, mom."

"Be careful, brat," Easter called after him, but despite himself, a smirk tugged at the lips.

North picked up speed, pushing through the crowd with newfound urgency. Bag bounced against the shoulder as he broke into a sprint. Weaving between students, he barely dodged a couple holding hands, nearly tripping over someone's leg. His heart hammered in the chest, mind a blur of apologies and curses. Then he crashed into something. No. Someone.

A solid wall of unmoving muscle.

The impact sent North reeling, gravity yanking him down, until firm hands caught him, fingers gripping his waist in a sharp, unyielding hold.

North sucked in a breath, the world tilting for a split second as he was jerked forward, pulled flush against a broad, warm chest. A heartbeat of silence.

Dark eyes. Sharp, focused. Watching.

The guy was tall. Much taller. Dressed in deep red, all sleek lines and quiet confidence, an expensive leather jacket fitting way too well on his frame. The scent of cologne surrounded them, faint but clean, like something effortlessly refined. And most importantly, he wasn't letting go.

North's brain short-circuited. Panic buzzed somewhere in the torso, but also... an unsettling thrill.

Warm. His grip was warm. And firm.

It took an embarrassingly long moment for North to realize he was still pressed up against this stranger, close enough to feel the steady rise and fall of the breathing scorching his ears.

"Uh..." Voice cracked gently. "Thanks for catching me."

No response.

The guy just stared. Unreadable, unwavering, like he was studying every inch of North's face. Okay. Weird. North shifted, trying to step back, but the grip remained firm. Alright. Weirder.

"Um." He tilted head, blinking up at tall man. "You can let go now?"

Nothing. Not even a blink. Okay. This was getting awkward. North sulked, lips curving into an exaggerated, dramatic pout as he tried again, dragging out the words with deliberate slowness.

"You. Can. Let. Go. Phi?"

The stranger twitched. The grip loosened, just slightly, but not immediately. Almost like he was hesitating.