The hallway was quiet, the soft hum of the dorm lights filling the silence between footsteps. Elise walked slightly ahead, clutching the shopping bags like a shield, her heart still thumping from everything that had happened that day.
Behind her, Davon's voice came in that teasing, smooth tone she both loved and dreaded.
"So," he said, his lips curling into a smirk, "are we just going to pretend you didn't almost kiss me back at the mall?"
Elise froze mid-step. "Davon—don't start."
"Oh, come on," he drawled, stepping closer until his shadow swallowed hers. "You can't deny it. You were totally leaning in."
"I—was not!" she blurted, spinning around. Her cheeks were already betraying her, the blush rising fast.
Davon raised a brow. "Really? Because from where I stood, your eyes were right on my lips."
Elise turned away quickly, pretending to dig through the shopping bag. "You're imagining things."
He chuckled softly. "Am I?"
There was something in his tone that made her heart skip. He was teasing, yes, but there was a warmth behind it — something that made her pulse flutter. She glanced up just long enough to meet his gaze, and instantly regretted it. His eyes held that same playful glint… and something deeper.
"Davon," she whispered, her voice suddenly softer. "Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?" he asked, stepping closer again.
"Like you're about to—"
She didn't get to finish.
He tilted her chin up gently, his breath brushing her skin. "Like I'm about to kiss you?" he murmured.
Her eyes widened, and for a second, neither of them moved. The air between them was charged — the kind of silence that hummed with something unspoken, fragile, and beautiful.
"Davon," she said again, but this time her voice trembled, the word breaking apart in her throat.
He smiled faintly. "You can tell me to stop."
She didn't.
Instead, her fingers curled into his shirt, drawing him just a little closer. And that was all he needed.
Their lips met — soft, uncertain at first, then slow and real. It wasn't like the stolen glances or teasing words; this was something that silenced the world around them. Her heart raced, her thoughts scattered, and all that remained was warmth.
When they finally broke apart, Davon pressed his forehead against hers. "You know," he whispered, "I think that's the moment we were supposed to have earlier."
Elise laughed quietly, still breathless. "You're impossible."
He smiled. "And you're blushing again."
She smacked his arm lightly, but her laughter gave her away.
They made their way to his room, still talking in hushed tones and small smiles. Somewhere between laughter and stolen glances, exhaustion began to creep in.
By the time they reached his bed, Elise was already half-asleep. Davon tucked the blanket around her, but when he tried to move, she reached out, fingers curling around his wrist.
"Stay," she murmured.
He froze for a moment, then smiled softly. "Alright."
He lay down beside her, careful not to startle her. She shifted closer, resting her head on his shoulder, and without thinking, he wrapped an arm around her.
The world outside was still and silver with moonlight. Inside, their breaths evened out — one heart's rhythm melting into the other's.
By the time morning light slipped through the curtains, Elise was still wrapped in Davon's arms, safe and warm. And though neither of them said it aloud, something between them had quietly changed — something they both knew would never go back to the way it was before.
— ✦ —