Drake
We walked toward the residential wings together, slower than usual because Kael kept matching his pace to mine.
He pretended he wasn’t doing it, which was adorable. Every now and then our shoulders brushed. Neither of us moved away.
Once, his fingers grazed mine, and I thought he might pull back from the accidental touch. He didn’t. Instead, he took my hand.
No performance.
No speech.
No irritated explanation.
Just his fingers sliding through mine like they belonged there.
For once, I didn’t tease him.
Mostly because the moment felt too fragile for that, and despite all evidence to the contrary, I did occasionally know when to shut up.
We reached my room first.
I slowed automatically and reached for the handle.
Kael caught my hand before I touched it.
“No.”
I looked a
