Crossing States

Chapter 8

The first few weeks of living together were surprisingly... calm. Ethan and Luca gradually adjusted to the rhythm of sharing a space, their interactions growing less awkward and more natural as time passed. Despite the initial tension of their reunion, the familiarity of their childhood friendship made it easier to slip into old patterns, even if things weren't quite the same.

Luca hadn't expected to feel so comfortable with Ethan again so soon. At first, he kept his guard up, avoiding anything beyond casual conversation. He figured they'd coexist without ever really getting close. But as the days turned into weeks, something shifted. Ethan, to Luca's surprise, seemed determined to break through the emotional walls Luca had spent years building.

It started with little things—Ethan offering to grab them dinner when he knew Luca was deep in his books, or suggesting they watch a movie together when neither of them had much to do. He was attentive, in ways that Luca hadn't experienced in a long time. It wasn't just casual roommate behavior either. There was an underlying sincerity to everything Ethan did, as if he was trying to make Luca feel at ease, trying to recreate the bond they'd lost.

At first, Luca was wary of these gestures. He wasn't used to being taken care of, especially by Ethan. But gradually, as the weeks passed, he found himself softening. One evening, they sat across from each other at their small dorm table, both working quietly on their respective assignments. It was an ordinary moment, but it felt significant to Luca. The silence between them wasn't strained anymore. It was comfortable.

"You know," Ethan said suddenly, breaking the quiet as he looked up from his laptop. "I'm glad we're roommates."

Luca glanced up, taken aback by the sincerity in Ethan's tone. He hesitated for a moment before nodding, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, me too."

The conversation was brief, but it stayed with Luca long after. There was something different about Ethan now—he wasn't just the carefree boy from their childhood. He had grown more thoughtful, more aware of the space between them. Luca began to notice other subtle changes too, like the way Ethan's gaze lingered on him just a little longer than usual, or how he always seemed to position himself close to Luca, whether they were studying, eating, or just hanging out.

Late at night, when they were both too tired to pretend they weren't thinking about the past, they would talk. Really talk. At first, their conversations were light—joking about their childhood adventures, laughing about how awkward middle school had been. But as the nights wore on, their discussions deepened. Luca found himself sharing things he hadn't told anyone in years—his fears, his uncertainties about the future, the loneliness he had felt after Ethan moved away.

Ethan listened, really listened, in a way that made Luca feel seen. It was disarming, and for the first time in years, Luca felt like he could trust someone. He hadn't realized how much he missed having someone who knew him so well, who could understand him without needing explanations.

One evening, after a particularly heavy conversation about their drifting apart, Ethan leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. "I'm sorry, Luca," he said quietly. "For disappearing. I didn't realize how much it affected you. I wish I'd done more to stay in touch."

Luca stared at him, surprised by the sudden vulnerability in Ethan's voice. He had never expected an apology, and hearing it now made something shift inside him.

"It wasn't just you," Luca replied after a moment, his voice softer than usual. "I could have done more too. We were kids... things happened. I get it."

Ethan nodded, but the look in his eyes said he wasn't completely convinced. "Still... I just want you to know that I care. I always have."

Luca's chest tightened at Ethan's words. He wasn't used to people being this open with him, especially not Ethan. It made him feel exposed, but in a strange way, it also made him feel closer to Ethan than he had in years. The distance that had once felt like a gaping chasm between them was slowly shrinking.

But as their friendship began to rebuild, Luca couldn't ignore the growing tension between them. It wasn't just the past that weighed on him now. It was the way Ethan's presence filled the room, the way his smile made Luca's heart race in a way it hadn't before. He noticed little things, like the way Ethan's laugh lit up his whole face, or the warmth in his eyes when he looked at Luca.

And there was something in the way Ethan acted too—small, almost imperceptible changes in the way he interacted with Luca. He was always looking out for him, going out of his way to make sure Luca felt comfortable, as if he was trying to take care of him in ways that went beyond friendship.

Luca tried to push those thoughts away. He told himself that he was reading too much into things, that Ethan was just being a good friend. But deep down, he knew there was more to it. There was a tension between them that was hard to ignore, and the more time they spent together, the more palpable it became.

One night, as they sat together in the dim light of their dorm room, watching a movie they had both seen a dozen times, Luca found himself stealing glances at Ethan. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel the familiar pull of something he didn't quite understand. He wasn't sure when it had happened—when his feelings for Ethan had shifted from nostalgia to something deeper, something more confusing. But now, sitting so close to him, Luca couldn't deny it any longer.

There was something building between them, and Luca had no idea where it would lead.

＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／