They stood near the stone steps just behind the east building, where the shadow of the old tree broke the afternoon light.
Luca leaned against the railing, half-listening to Emily and George bantering about some lecturer's obsession with pop quizzes.
He sipped the last of his drink, eyes scanning the walkway beyond.
Then he straightened. "I'm heading out."
"Where to?" Emily asked, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Just… heading back."
Before she could tease him, a voice called out.
"Luca?"
He turned, blinking.
It was Kian—lean, sharp-jawed, with that same crooked smile he always wore like a secret.
His hair was still a mess, dyed at the ends now, and he wore a hoodie that hung low off one shoulder. Kian gave a lazy wave as he crossed the short distance.
"Didn't think I'd see you around campus this early," Kian said, grin widening.
"Didn't think you were still on campus," Luca shot back, smiling despite himself.
"Skipped last semester. Got bored. I'm back now though." Kian's eyes flicked to George and Emily, then back to Luca. "You got time?"
Luca shrugged, "I was just heading to the dorm."
Kian tilted his head. "Mind if I join?"
Luca hesitated. Just for a second. Noel wasn't around. Probably still buried in the library. The dorm would be quiet. Maybe too quiet.
He nodded once. "Sure."
"Cool."
Emily raised a brow. "New friend?"
Kian flashed her a smile. "Old friend."
"Very old," Luca added dryly, already turning.
George gave a low whistle under his breath. "That guy's your type, huh?"
Luca didn't answer. He just walked ahead, Kian falling into step beside him, hands stuffed in his pockets, his shoulder brushing Luca's just slightly as they crossed the campus path.
The hallway was quiet, save for the faint hum of someone's music leaking through a door down the corridor.
Luca pushed the dorm door open, stepping inside without flipping the light.
"Still looks the same," he muttered.
Kian stepped in after him, letting the door shut with a soft click. He gave the room a slow look, his gaze pausing briefly on Noel's side of the room—stacked books, neat desk, and folded blanket—then over to Luca's, which was less neat and more lived-in.
"You've really gone full dorm life," Kian said, dropping his backpack near the foot of Luca's bed.
"It's temporary," Luca said, tossing his hoodie to the side.
Kian dropped onto the edge of the bed without asking, leaning back on his hands.
"Didn't expect to find you actually in school this morning. What's gotten into you?"
Luca shrugged, grabbing a water bottle from the table. "Trying something new, I guess."
Kian raised an eyebrow. "Like waking up before noon and actually attending lectures?"
"Don't push it," Luca said, but there was no bite in his voice.
Kian chuckled, then leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "You and your roommate get along?"
"Yeah," Luca said, too fast. Then added, "He's alright."
Kian glanced at the other side again. "Neat freak?"
"Big time."
"Must be fun living with someone that uptight."
Luca didn't reply right away. He sipped his water, eyes drifting toward Noel's side of the room, the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to the air. Quietly, he said, "He's not that bad."
Kian looked at him, head slightly tilted. "You sure you're not softening up on me?"
Luca let out a breath, a half-laugh. "Shut up."
Kian smirked. "There he is."
They sat like that for a while—just silence and distant dorm noise.
Then Kian stretched. "Wanna grab food later?"
"Maybe," Luca said, reclining back on his bed. "Depends."
"On what?"
Luca closed his eyes, the weight of memories pressing behind them. Saying nothing was easier than explaining the ache he hadn't named yet.
Kian leaned back slightly, his fingers brushing the edge of Luca's shirt. "Hope you didn't forget about me," he said, voice lower now, eyes on Luca.
Luca let out a small laugh, more out of habit than amusement. "You're hard to forget."
"That's what I thought," Kian murmured, sliding a little closer on the bed, one hand resting casually near Luca's side.
Luca didn't move right away. He let his head rest against the wall, one knee bent up, gaze fixed on the ceiling. "You haven't changed."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Not sure yet."
Kian's hand moved, fingertips barely skimming across Luca's stomach. "C'mon. Don't tell me dorm life has tamed you."
Luca turned his head, finally meeting his eyes. "I'm not in the mood."
Kian smiled, though it was thinner now. "Since when do you say no to me?"
"Since right now." His voice held, but behind it was the faint tremor of someone choosing distance for the first time, not just deflecting.
For a second, Kian didn't say anything. The silence between them pulled tight.
Then he leaned back, raising both hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just checking."
Luca's shoulders relaxed a little. He ran a hand through his hair, letting the silence fall again.
Kian stood up, stretching. "Let me know if the mood changes."
Luca didn't answer, just watched him move across the room and flop onto the chair by the desk.
Kian grabbed his phone, unlocking it with a quick flick. "You've changed, man. Something's different."
"He tried to sound amused, but his eyes flicked away too quickly."
Luca looked back at the ceiling. "Maybe just a little."
Kian tore open a snack wrapper, the crinkle cutting through the quiet.
He plopped into Noel's chair like he owned it and threw his legs up against the edge of the desk.
"This your roommate's stuff?" he asked, taking a bite, crumbs already on his shirt.
"Yeah," Luca said, not looking away from his screen. "Don't mess with it."
Kian raised a brow. "Damn. You sound like a teacher."
Luca smirked, brushing his thumb over the condensation on his drink. "Just saying... He's not the type to take things lightly."
Kian's eyes scanned the neatly stacked books, the tidy row of highlighters, and a closed laptop centered on the desk like it lived there.
"Serious type, huh?" he said, mouth full. "Explains the matching socks I saw."
Luca didn't respond, but he smirked.
Kian swiveled slightly in the chair. "So… is this the guy who's got you acting different?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. You used to be out every night. Parties, rooftops, girls, guys—whatever you wanted.
Now you're playing games at eight in the evening, telling me 'I'm not in the mood.'"
He tossed a peanut into his mouth. "Don't tell me it's for school."
Luca paused the game. "I didn't say it was."
Kian gave a short laugh. "Then what is it?"
Luca shrugged. "People change Kian."
Kian leaned back and whistled low. "Change looks good on you. But it's weird as hell."
Luca grabbed his drink and took a long sip. "You don't have to understand it."
"I don't," Kian agreed, licking salt off his finger. "But I'm not leaving till you play one match with me. For old time's sake."
Luca eyed him for a second, then passed him the second controller. "Just one."
Kian grinned. "That's my Luca."