The night passed in quiet closeness.
Neither of them remembered when exactly they fell asleep—
only that they didn't let go.
Morning came with a soft jolt.
The bus slowed down.
Golden sunlight slipped
through the curtains.
The distant sound of waves could already be heard.
One by one, students began
to wake up.
Ryan stirred first.
He blinked slowly—
then froze.
He was still in Victor's arms.
His head resting comfortably on Victor's chest.
Victor's arm wrapped
securely around him.
Ryan's face turned red instantly.
He tried to move—
but Victor tightened his hold slightly.
"Morning already…" Victor murmured, half-asleep.
Ryan panicked.
"Let go!"
Victor opened his eyes
lazily and smirked.
"You didn't complain at night."
Ryan hit his shoulder lightly and quickly got up.
On the other side—
Ethan woke up slowly.
For a moment, he stayed still.
Warm.
Safe.
Then he realized—
He was holding onto Adrian.
His face buried near his chest.
Ethan immediately pulled away.
Adrian opened his eyes.
"You move closer every time."
Ethan looked away, embarrassed.
"…Sorry."
Adrian just watched him.
Quietly.
The bus finally stopped.
Everyone got down one by one.
The view—
It was breathtaking.
The endless blue sea stretched across the horizon, waves crashing gently against the shore.
The salty breeze brushed
against their skin.
The sky was bright, almost glowing.
And the sound of the ocean—
calm.
Endless.
Alive.
Ethan stood still for a second,
taking it in.
"…Beautiful."
But the peaceful moment didn't last long.
Soon—
their classmates started teasing.
"Ooooh look who slept so comfortably!"
"Same beds or what?"
"Didn't even leave space, ah?"
Ryan covered his face.
"Shut up!"
Ethan looked like he wanted to disappear.
Adrian and Victor didn't react much—
but their expressions clearly said they weren't denying anything either.
As they walked toward the resort—
Adrian and Ethan walked in front.
Victor and Ryan followed behind.
Victor leaned slightly toward Ryan.
"Something's going on between them."
Ryan nodded.
"Yeah… I noticed too."
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"He didn't tell you?"
Ryan shook his head.
"No."
Then Victor smirked.
"Then what about us?"
Ryan immediately looked away.
"…Nothing."
Victor chuckled softly.
"Sure."
Ryan's ears turned red.
Soon, room keys were distributed.
As expected—
Adrian & Ethan got one room.
Victor & Ryan got the room
opposite to theirs.
The moment Ryan entered the room—
he jumped straight onto the bed.
"This is so soft!"
Victor laughed.
"Childish."
Ryan grabbed a pillow
and threw it at him.
Victor caught it.
"Oh, you want to play?"
Within seconds—
they were having a pillow fight.
Laughing.
Teasing.
Until both of them got tired.
They finally dropped onto the bed, breathing heavily.
After a while, Victor turned his head.
"I heard watching stars at the beach here is beautiful."
Ryan looked at him.
"Really?"
Victor nodded.
"We can go tonight."
Ryan smiled.
"Let's go."
Victor's eyes softened.
"Yeah."
Meanwhile—
In the opposite room—
Ethan stood near the balcony.
The sea stretched
endlessly in front of him.
The wind played with his hair.
He smiled softly.
"…It's so beautiful."
He turned—
And froze.
Adrian was standing right behind him.
Close.
Too close.
Before Ethan could react—
Adrian grabbed his waist and pulled him closer.
Ethan gasped slightly.
"Adrian—"
Adrian leaned in.
Slowly.
Their faces inches apart.
Ethan's heart pounded.
Just before their lips could meet—
Ethan quickly covered Adrian's mouth with his hand.
Adrian paused.
Then—
instead of pulling away—
he pressed his lips lightly against Ethan's hand.
Ethan's breath hitched.
The air around them shifted.
His pheromones slipped out unconsciously—
soft, sweet, delicate.
Adrian's grip tightened.
He could feel it clearly now.
That scent.
That truth.
Adrian looked straight
into Ethan's eyes.
"Do you know how cute you are?"
Ethan froze.
Completely.
His mind went blank.
For a second—
he melted.
Then suddenly—
Ethan pushed him away.
"I—I need to change."
He quickly grabbed his bag and rushed into the bathroom.
The door closed.
Inside—
Ethan leaned against it.
His heart racing uncontrollably.
He quickly reached for his scent blocker.
Outside—
Adrian stood still.
Watching the closed door.
His expression changed.
Serious.
Determined.
You're hiding it…
Why…
He clenched his fist slightly.
I'll find out.
And beneath that—
another thought lingered.
Something he wasn't
ready to admit yet.
And when I do…
I won't let you go.