twenty-four
"Ammor magnus doctor est."
- Saint Augustine of Hippo
HIDDEN HIDEOUT
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William threw a lazy arm over his forehead, shielding himself from the bright, flickering light above his library table. Its surface was smooth (he imagined it would look better gilded, shining with gold-though this was just an old, jaded table, somehow its surface still pristine). He wondered if he'll ever be able to sit at a gilded table, though the thought drifted from his mind like the tide sweeps shells from the shore-gone, in one swift swell-as Lucien slid into the seat opposite his.
He was silent as he took a seat into the chair, lips pulled in his familiar taught line, eyebrows furrowed. His pace was pale, and his hair sat wilder than it normally did, messy golden waves-just on the brink of curls-falling.
William slouched against his chair, then mused, "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we were just meeting for the first time today?" He didn't know where the question came from, but he let it spill from his mouth all the same.
Lucien arched a brow, confused. "I imagine it'd go as it did the first time, William."
"You don't know that."
"I don't."
"Then indulge me, darling?" He tilted his head to the side, a curve of a smile dancing across his lips. William was bored-no, tired-of the same painstakingly sorrowful days. Tired of the pain. "Pretend you have no idea who I am."
Lucien sighed, rolled his eyes, but let his face fall into a blank stare. He stuck out his hand and said, "I'm afraid we've never met before."
At that, William smiled, really smiled. "The name's Thomas."
Lucien lifted a brow. There was a hint of a coy grin pulling at his lips, but it never evolved any further. "Well, Thomas," he said, grasping his hand. It was warm, unfamiliar. William didn't think they'd ever shook hands before. He tried to remember the feeling, etched it into his brain. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
William-or Thomas-dipped his head closer and lowered his voice. "The pleasure is all mine."
His cheeks turned a slight pink, but he managed to ask, "And what brings you to the library at such an awful hour?"
William pretended to think on it, pressing his chin to his hand. "I had this project with someone. They insisted we finish it early. He says he doesn't want to spend anymore time with me than he has to, but, between you and me, I think it's a lie."
Lucien paused, but faltered. His hazel eyes were darker in the dim lamplight of the library. "Oh? And what's this boy like?" he asked.
"He's stubborn and if I'm being honest quite annoying, but he's also kind. He cares a lot for people, even if you can't tell at first, but it's there. He's also a hell of a good kisser, too." He added it as an afterthought, but the truth was, he hadn't been able to get their kiss out of his mind for a long while. "I think I scared him away."
"What a coward," Lucien mumbled. His somewhat improved mood for the day seemed to turn the other way.
William didn't want that. He frowned. "I don't think so."
"And why not?" Lucien was frowning. "Thomas," he added.
"Because courage is hard to come by, and I know it when I see it. He's one of the bravest boys I know."
"William-" Lucien started to say, but he was cut off.
"No," he replied. "The name's Thomas."
Lucien, it seemed, had had enough of this game. "Where did you even get that name?"
YOU ARE READING
He Bleeds Flame ✔️
Romance(bxb) After a year of surviving an all boys boarding school, William Brown thought he had finally navigated the ups and downs that the rich, private school had to offer. He'd even managed to make a few friends, as well as a rightful enemy. Lucien Ha...
