"Just because."
Yes. Of all things, that was what he ended up saying.
Xavier could have sworn he had practiced something better. There were smoother lines and strings of phrases that could have been worthy of the moment. And yet beneath the softly glowing lights, with water rushing nearby and voices drifting in the distance, he would've been lucky to be able to think.
For amidst all that glittered and glowed was his person who shone even brighter.
Luca.
He stood there, soft hair just a little tousled. With surprise flashing across his face.
But what caught the frozen prince was how his widened and unguarded eyes shifted as color rushed up his neck and into his cheeks. From being stunned, it was as if Luca was shaken awake, his lashes fluttering and his mouth curving upward.
A wide smile. Bright. Unrestrained. The kind that made Xavier feel like he had chosen the right answer without even knowing the question.
