Chapter 20

As the final note of Elias’s song faded into the quiet air, Adrelo sat frozen in his chair, his hands trembling slightly on his lap.

His chest felt tight, as if the emotions welling up inside him were too vast to contain.

His vision blurred, and before he could stop himself, a single tear slipped down his cheek. Then another.

Elias, who had been watching Adrelo’s reaction with a gentle smile, widened his eyes in surprise when he noticed the tears.

“Adrelo?”

He called softly, concern threading through his voice. He placed the lute aside and knelt in front of him.

“Are you okay? Did my singing upset you?”

Adrelo shook his head quickly, embarrassed by his sudden outburst.

He tried to wipe his tears away, but they kept coming, his composure crumbling under the weight of emotions he hadn’t even realized he was holding back.

“N-no,” he stammered, his voice trembling.

“It’s not that. Your song… it just…”

His words trailed off as he struggled to explain the ache in his heart.

Elias’s gaze softened as understanding dawned on him.

He reached out hesitantly, his fingers brushing against Adrelo’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice as soothing as the song he had just sung.

“You don’t have to explain. Sometimes music brings out feelings we didn’t know were there.”

Adrelo bit his lip, trying to stifle a sob, but it was no use. The warmth in Elias’s voice, the kindness in his touch—it all felt too much, too safe. And for someone like Adrelo, who had spent so much of his life on edge, the safety was overwhelming.

Elias shifted closer, his hands now resting gently on Adrelo’s shoulders. “Come here,” he murmured softly, his blue eyes filled with genuine concern.

Before Adrelo could protest, Elias pulled him into a comforting embrace. The warmth of Elias’s arms around him and the steady rhythm of his breathing made Adrelo’s walls crumble further. He buried his face in Elias’s shoulder, his tears soaking into the soft fabric of his uniform as he let out quiet, choked sobs.

Elias said nothing at first, simply holding him and stroking his back in slow, soothing circles. His touch was careful, as if afraid Adrelo might shatter if he wasn’t gentle enough.

“You’re okay,” Elias whispered, his voice steady and reassuring.

“Whatever it is, you’re okay.”

Adrelo’s sobs gradually quieted, though the tears kept falling. He didn’t understand why he felt so safe, why Elias’s presence felt like a balm to wounds he didn’t know he still carried.

“I… I don’t know why I’m crying,” he admitted shakily, his voice muffled against Elias’s shoulder.

Elias pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Adrelo’s tear-streaked face. He gave him a small, understanding smile, his hands still resting gently on his shoulders.

“Sometimes our hearts hold onto things we’ve forgotten, things we’ve buried,” he said softly. “And sometimes, all it takes is a song or a moment to bring it all to the surface.”

Adrelo stared at him, his chest tightening again—not with sadness this time, but with a strange sense of comfort. He had never been comforted like this before, never felt so safe in someone’s presence.

Elias’s gaze was unwavering, his blue eyes filled with a kindness that felt almost otherworldly. “You’re not alone, Adrelo,” he said quietly.

“Whatever it is you’re feeling, it’s okay to let it out. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”

Those words broke something in Adrelo. He leaned into Elias again, his tears flowing freely as he clung to the boy’s warmth. Elias held him without hesitation, his hands never faltering in their comforting rhythm.

For the first time in a long time, Adrelo let himself feel vulnerable, and in that vulnerability, he found a strange sense of peace. He didn’t know what this connection with Elias meant or why the boy’s presence affected him so deeply, but in that moment, he didn’t care.

He was safe. He was seen. And for the first time, he allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as alone as he had always thought.

****

Elias’s steady embrace had an almost lulling effect on Adrelo, who had never felt this kind of warmth before. But as the moments stretched on, a flicker of awareness broke through the haze of comfort enveloping him.

‘What am I doing?’

Adrelo’s breath hitched as the realization struck him. He was leaning so freely into Elias, letting himself cry, letting his guard down—something he hadn’t done in years, if ever. A flush began to creep up his neck, spreading rapidly to his cheeks as embarrassment set in.

With a sudden jolt, he pushed away from Elias, his movements hurried and clumsy. “I-I’m sorry!”

Adrelo stammered, his voice sharper than he intended. His hands went to his face, trying to wipe away the evidence of his tears as he stumbled to his feet.

Elias blinked, surprised by the sudden shift, but he didn’t move to stop him. “Adrelo?” he asked softly, his voice still gentle.

“I-I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t trying to—”

Adrelo’s words tumbled over themselves as he backed away, his hands still fidgeting.

“I don’t know why I…” He trailed off, his eyes darting everywhere but at Elias.

Elias stayed where he was, his hands resting on his knees as he gazed up at Adrelo with patient understanding. “It’s okay,” he said again, his tone calm, steady.

“You don’t have to apologize.”

Adrelo glanced at him, his face still flushed. The sincerity in Elias’s expression made him feel both seen and unbearably vulnerable, and he looked away again.

“I just…” Adrelo paused, struggling for words. Then he sighed, defeated, and sat back down—this time a bit farther away from Elias.

Elias didn’t press him, letting the silence settle between them. After a moment, he leaned back slightly, crossing his legs comfortably.

“You don’t have to explain anything if you’re not ready,” Elias said lightly. “But if it helps, I can just sit here with you.”

The simplicity of the offer took Adrelo off guard. His usual instinct was to deflect or push people away, but something about Elias’s presence made that feel… unnecessary.

Adrelo hesitated before glancing at Elias again. “You… really don’t mind?” he asked quietly.

Elias shook his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“Not at all.”

The conversation that followed started awkwardly, with Adrelo speaking in halting sentences, unsure of what to say.

But Elias was patient, listening attentively and chiming in occasionally with gentle questions or observations that encouraged Adrelo to continue.

As they talked, Adrelo found himself relaxing again. The initial embarrassment faded, replaced by an unfamiliar ease. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed simply talking to someone—sharing thoughts, hearing another voice respond, feeling a connection.

The topics ranged from the mundane—like the peculiarities of their studies or the weather—to moments that felt more personal.

Elias shared little stories about his love for music and how it had helped him through difficult times. Adrelo, feeling strangely comfortable, began opening up about his own frustrations and dreams, things he hadn’t voiced aloud in a long time.

Time slipped away unnoticed as their conversation flowed. The dim light of the setting sun cast warm hues through the room, and the cool evening air began to settle around them.

It wasn’t until Elias glanced out the window, noting the deepening twilight, that he chuckled softly.

“I think we’ve lost track of time,” he said, a playful lilt to his voice.

Adrelo blinked, startled, and looked at the window as well.

“Oh… I didn’t even realize,” he murmured, a hint of surprise in his tone.

Elias grinned, stretching his arms over his head.

“That’s a good sign, isn’t it? Means we had a lot to talk about.”

Adrelo’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “I guess so.” He hesitated, then added softly, “Thanks. For… everything. For listening.”

Elias tilted his head, his expression kind. “Anytime,” he replied.

****

As Adrelo made his way back to his dormitory, the quiet of the evening settled around him. The air was cool, and the faint chirping of crickets filled the silence. He walked slowly, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his mind replaying the events of the afternoon.

That smile… the way he listened… how his voice felt like warmth itself.

Adrelo’s steps faltered for a moment, and he let out a sharp exhale, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. He felt a strange, fluttering sensation in his chest, one that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks warming again at the memory of Elias’s embrace, the way his arms had felt so safe, so natural. Adrelo had never experienced anything like it before.

“That was close,” he muttered under his breath, his tone half-joking, half-exasperated.

Stopping in his tracks, he glanced up at the star-speckled sky and let out a dry laugh.

“I almost fell in love with that guy.”

The absurdity of his own words hit him, and he groaned, covering his face with one hand.

“Get a grip, Adrelo. He was just being nice. That’s all.”

But as he resumed walking, his steps a little quicker this time, he couldn’t ignore how dangerously comfortable he had felt. Elias had a way of breaking down his walls without even trying, and that... that—was something Adrelo wasn’t sure he was ready for.

He clutched at his chest, as if trying to steady his erratic heartbeat.

“That guy’s dangerous,” he muttered to himself, though there was a faint, almost fond smile tugging at his lips.

The dormitory lights came into view, and Adrelo quickened his pace, hoping that some distance, and maybe a good night’s sleep, would help him sort through the strange emotions swirling inside him.

But as he closed his door behind him and leaned against it, staring into the quiet of his room, the thought lingered, unbidden:

‘What if falling for him wouldn’t be so bad?’

****

The morning light filtered through the tall windows as Adrelo meandered through the halls. He hesitated outside the music room, his hand hovering just shy of the doorknob. For days, he'd been avoiding this place, unwilling to face Elias after how vulnerable he'd been during their last encounter.

But today was different.

With a deep breath and a quick mental pep talk, Adrelo finally mustered the courage to open the door.

As soon as the door creaked open, he froze.

A soft humming filled the air, clear and melodic, wrapping around him like a gentle breeze. His gaze was drawn to the figure sitting by the window—Elias.

The sunlight spilled through the panes, casting a golden glow over him. His soft, ash-blond hair shimmered in the light, and his profile, delicate yet defined, seemed almost too perfect to be real. His eyes were half-closed, a serene expression on his face as the tune left his lips, effortless and enchanting.

Adrelo's breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening in a way that felt both familiar and foreign.

Damn, he thought, stunned.

‘No wonder he was the female lead’s first crush. He’s utterly beautiful!’

For a moment, he simply stood there, rooted to the spot, his heart pounding. He felt ridiculous, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the sight.

As if sensing his presence, Elias stopped humming and turned his head, his lips curving into a soft smile. His blue eyes sparkled as they met Adrelo’s, and a light chuckle escaped him.

“Adrelo,” Elias said warmly, standing and making his way over to him.

“I was wondering when you’d stop avoiding me.”

Adrelo flinched at the teasing tone and quickly straightened up, crossing his arms in an attempt to look nonchalant.

“I wasn’t avoiding you!” he retorted a bit too quickly, his ears betraying him by turning red.

Elias stopped a step away from him, his smile widening knowingly.

“Oh? Then why hasn’t the music room seen you in days?”

Adrelo sputtered, scrambling for an excuse.

“I-I was busy! Lots of things to do, you know? Studying, assignments… the usual.” He waved his hand vaguely, trying to appear casual.

Elias raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

“Busy, huh? You don’t strike me as the type to overwork yourself.”

Adrelo glared at him half-heartedly.

“You don’t know everything about me, you know.”

Elias chuckled again, the sound light and teasing but not unkind.

“Fair enough. But I’m glad you’re here today.”

Adrelo shifted, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Elias’s gaze.

“Well, I’m here now, so… don’t make a big deal out of it,” he muttered, his voice trailing off.

Elias grinned and stepped aside, gesturing toward the room.

“Come in, then. The music room has missed you, too.”

Adrelo hesitated for a second before stepping inside, his heart still beating a little too fast. As he passed Elias, he caught a faint whiff of something warm and comforting, like cedarwood and sunshine.

“By the way,” Elias said casually as he walked back to the window,

“your reaction when you opened the door was adorable. You looked like you’d seen a ghost—or something much nicer.”

Adrelo nearly tripped over his own feet, his face turning crimson. “I-I did not!” he stammered, his voice rising a pitch.

Elias just laughed, his lighthearted amusement filling the room.

As Adrelo took a seat near the piano, he couldn’t help but think to himself

‘This is going to be dangerous for my heart.’