The studio was empty after hours. Rain tapped against the skylight above like impatient fingertips. Ayden stood by the tall windows, staring out at the slick Parisian streets. His heart was a drum, thudding against ribs that felt too tight.
Luca had followed him in silence after class. He leaned against the wall now, watching him.
"You've been avoiding me," Luca said softly.
Ayden's jaw clenched. "No."
"Liar."
Luca stepped closer.
Ayden didn't move.
"I told you I see you," Luca whispered, voice rough. "Even when you hide behind your genius."
"You think you know everything."
"No. But I know what desire looks like."
Ayden finally turned, eyes sharp but unsure.
"Desire doesn't change anything," he said.
"It changes everything," Luca replied, stepping even closer. "It's already changing you."
Silence stretched like a string pulled too tight.
Then it snapped.
Ayden moved first.
Their mouths met with the fury of every held breath and stolen glance. Lips crashing, teeth grazing. A kiss that wasn't gentle — it was desperate. A battle and a confession wrapped in one.
Luca gripped Ayden's waist and spun him against the table. Ayden's hands tangled in Luca's hair, pulling, demanding.
Luca's tongue slid into his mouth like a challenge. Ayden bit down in response.
They gasped into each other.
Ayden shoved Luca back slightly, panting. "We're not supposed to—"
"To what?" Luca stepped forward again, thumb brushing Ayden's cheek. "Want? Need?"
"This ruins things."
"Then let it."
Ayden looked up into those golden eyes and saw no mocking, no games. Just want.
He kissed him again — slower this time. Like he'd stopped fighting.
For now.
That night, Ayden sat on his bed, fingers pressed to his lips. They were still tingling.
He had kissed someone.
He had kissed Luca Moretti.
And it had felt like flying too close to the sun.
He didn't know if he'd just found something real…
…or lit the match that would burn them both down.