Early morning at Beaumont Preparatory School was rarely quiet. Most students filled the corridors and courtyard, laughter and chatter blending into a familiar rhythm. Yet a few classrooms remained occupied.
There was nothing unusual about that - it happened every day. What drew attention instead was the boy seated alone at a desk in the second row by the window, his chestnut-brown hair falling gently across his forehead.
Sunlight spilled across his face, his skin catching the light easily, warm and clear, as if it belonged there, tracing the sharp lines of his features and giving him an almost otherworldly air. His long eyelashes cast faint shadows against his cheeks as he continued to write in his notebook, completely absorbed, as though the noise of the world could not reach him.
Fragile was not a word one would use for him. There was a quiet intensity in his focus - the kind that made interruption feel almost like a crime.
But the peaceful morning was soon interrupted.
"Ran! Ran, where are- oh! There you are. I've been looking for you for ages!"
A boy hurried toward his desk, calling out as he ran. He only stopped once he reached Eiran, slightly breathless from the effort.
Eiran looked up, irritation flashing across his hazel eyes for only a second before melting into a faint smile.
"Everywhere? You checked one classroom."
"Three classrooms."
"How dedicated."
"Forget that! I came for something important."
The boy slumped against him, half-hugging him as he tried to catch his breath, clearly exhausted from running around.
"I just saw Valerian's father."
"So?" Eiran chuckled, patting his hand against Kael's shoulder. "He might be here to drop Vale. What's wrong with that, Kael?"
"I don't think he was here for him..."
Kael hesitated, studying Eiran's face as though debating whether he should say it.
"He came, picked up Elera, and left," he continued quietly. "I didn't see Valerian with them. I was wondering why."
Eiran's fingers tightened briefly around the edge of the notebook, but he said nothing.
"Tsk, don't act like you don't know."
Kael waited for a reaction. When none came, he sighed in frustration.
"Keep pretending if you want," he said at last. "At this rate, your cousin will impress your future in-laws before you even blink."
His voice dropped slightly.
"You do know her eyes have been on your man for a long time... don't you?"
"She can like whoever she wants. It's not my place to stop her."
Eiran sighed and tried to push him gently. "Get up. My uncle probably just asked his driver to pick her up."
"Tsk, so young and already so weak? Eat more, Ran."
Kael rolled his eyes, clearly having no intention of moving. "As if your family doesn't have a car and a driver."
"Where is Vale?" Eiran said after a moment. "Let's ask him directly. Why so much fuss?"
Kael's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's more like it," he grinned. "I really hate it when you pretend you don't care."
"Alright, go to your seat now."
Eiran pushed Kael again, this time with a little more force. "Or else our class president won't let you off so easily."
"Our?" Kael scoffed, pretending to be offended. "You might as well call him yours. That Valerian doesn't give face to anyone - let alone me."
Eiran lowered his gaze back to his notebook and picked up his pen. He didn't rush to continue writing. After a brief pause, he spoke quietly.
"No proposal. No confirmation."
His grip on the pen tightened just slightly.
"So there's no relationship either. He doesn't necessarily have to be mine."
Kael looked at him in silence before patting his back in quiet reassurance.
"He's just too slow," he said lightly. "Why don't you take the lead?"
Eiran nodded and offered him a small smile. Kael returned it before heading back to his seat, giving a brief wave in farewell.
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Soon after, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom.
But there was still no sign of Valerian.
Eiran couldn't help but worry.
Valerian never missed his classes without informing him in advance - especially now, when their college entrance exams were only a few days away. Even if these sessions were merely revision classes, they were still important.
And Valerian knew that. After all, they had decided to attend the same university.
Kael noticed Valerian's absence as well. From time to time, he turned back to glance at Eiran.
This guy worries too much.
Kael and Eiran had known each other since they were children - long before Valerian ever entered their lives. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say they had grown up together. Kael was his neighbor, his best friend, and someone closer than a brother.
When Eiran met Valerian for the first time, he was only six years old. They were nearly the same age, Valerian older by just a few months.
That was also the year Eiran lost his father.
Since then, his mother had become his only family - the one who supported him at every step of his life. Even when Eiran told her that he might be into men, she accepted it calmly. Even when their relatives mocked her, she always told him to ignore them - or fight back if needed.
"Never back out, because you've done nothing wrong, Ran. Live your life well, and never bow your head to those who look down on you."
Those were the words his mother once told him.
It had been his fifteenth birthday. The memory of that day was still vivid in his mind.
Eiran shook his head slightly, pulling himself back to the present, and lowered his gaze to his notebook.
It wasn't just a notebook.
He was writing his confession - the words he planned to say to Valerian, the words that would seal their future together. He knew Valerian liked him too.
And yet, he couldn't stop feeling nervous.
After all, it was his first time proposing to someone.
And it was the man he had loved for years - his first, and his only.
"May I come in, sir?"
A low, steady voice sounded from the classroom entrance.
Eiran's attention snapped up instantly - that voice was far too familiar.
His gaze found its owner at once, roaming over him in quiet panic. Only after confirming that Valerian wasn't injured did his eyes finally return to his face.
Sweat slid down from Valerian's deep black hair to his pale neck. It looked like he had been running for quite some time.
"Why are you late, Valerian?" the homeroom teacher asked sharply. "Where have you been?"
Mr. Lioren was strict about punctuality and rarely let anyone escape punishment.
"My car broke down on the way," Valerian replied casually. "I waited for another one."
As he spoke, his deep green eyes swept across the classroom - until they locked onto the person he had been searching for.
Only to find that Eiran's gaze had already been fixed on him long before.
"Fine," Mr. Lioren said after a pause. "Since this is unusual for you, I'll let it slide this time. But you'll write a self-reflection essay and submit it tomorrow."
Valerian nodded and thanked him before heading to his seat - in the third row, right behind Eiran.
As soon as he sat down, he tapped Eiran's shoulder lightly.
With the teacher still present, Eiran couldn't turn around. Instead, he leaned back slightly so he could hear.
"Ran," Valerian whispered, his low voice making Eiran's ears itch.
"Hm?"
"Sorry. I couldn't text you earlier. My phone's battery died."
"Hm... it's fine," Eiran replied, pretending to be nonchalant - as if he hadn't been restlessly waiting just minutes ago. "You don't need to inform me about everything you do."
"Act. Act as much as you want," Valerian muttered, poking his back, clearly annoyed by the indifferent tone.
"Don't come looking for me later when you miss me."
Eiran tried hard to hold back his smile.
Vale is really cute when he sulks like a kid.
"Delaire," he whispered urgently, "stop poking me. The teacher's still here."
"I'm not afraid," Valerian scoffed softly. "I have to write one essay anyway. Adding one more won't change anything."
Eiran noticed Mr. Lioren looking in their direction, so he kicked his leg lightly under the table.
Valerian took the hint. He wasn't stupid-just teasing.
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Twenty minutes later, class ended. Another began immediately.
By the time lunch arrived, both were exhausted.
"Let's go," Valerian said at once. "I skipped breakfast."
Before Eiran could answer, Valerian grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the cafeteria.
Eiran could only stare at his broad shoulders, letting himself be half-dragged along.
This was the man he loved-Valerian Delaire,
flawless in ways that made Eiran's chest tighten,
perfect enough to make him question whether he deserved to stand by his side at all.
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