Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 30

The day Luca was set to return became a full-day event for Elara, though she'd never admit it aloud. He'd told her his flight landed late afternoon, and she'd waited eagerly through each slow tick of the clock, already planning the evening in her head. She'd gotten up early, tidied her room more thoroughly than usual, and spent an embarrassing amount of time picking out the perfect outfit—a soft sweater in a colour he'd once said he liked on her, and jeans that felt both casual and perfectly flattering.

By mid-morning, she texted Emmy, "Lets hang out—need a full distraction before I lose my mind."

Emmy, amused but understanding, dragged her out to grab coffee and do a bit of last-minute shopping. They chatted about everything and nothing, and Emmy managed to keep her laughing and occupied through lunch, even though Luca was in the back of her mind the entire time. When she got back to her dorm, her phone buzzed.

"I'm here :). Can't wait to see you tonight."

Her heart skipped. She quickly typed back: "Can't wait! I'll be ready <3."

The afternoon drifted by in a pleasant daze as she got ready, double-checking every detail, and by the time evening finally arrived, she was practically buzzing. Just then, a knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts. She opened it, only to be met by Luca's easy grin and his piercing eyes, which lit up when he saw her.

"Elara." His voice was warm, a hint of something softer under the usual confidence, and he pulled her into a hug that she gladly melted into.

"You're here," she whispered, feeling the words more deeply than she'd expected.

"Finally," he murmured back, holding her close for a moment before pulling away and looking at her with a small, amused smile. "Ready for tonight?"

He led her to a charming French restaurant a few blocks from campus. Inside, the place was quiet, with candle-lit tables and an intimate ambiance that made her feel like they'd entered a different world. As they settled into a corner booth, he began talking about his trip, filling her in on the family dinners, the beautiful views, the little moments he'd missed while he was away. She loved the way he talked with his hands, the sparkle in his eye as he described each detail. And she noticed, too, the way his hand drifted over to hers now and again, their fingers intertwining naturally.

The night slipped by faster than she'd anticipated. They'd long finished their meal when he suggested a walk, and she agreed, happy to prolong their time together. The cool air outside wrapped around them, adding to the quiet intimacy of the evening. He pulled her close, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she leaned into him, content just to be near.

Finally, they arrived back at the dorm, and with a shy but knowing smile, she invited him to her room.

Once inside the room, she closed the door softly, feeling an anticipatory hum in the air. Luca leaned against her desk, his gaze intent as he took in the room, then her. "Feels like forever since I've been here," he murmured, his voice low, laced with the slightest trace of nervousness that made her heart race even faster.

The space between them dissolved as he reached out, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She rested her hands on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her fingertips. When he kissed her, it was soft at first, slow, a question she was eager to answer. The warmth of his touch, his hand brushing her hair, his lips moving gently against hers—it was both familiar and electric, every small motion somehow both comforting and thrilling.

They didn't rush. Each kiss deepened gradually, an unspoken conversation unfolding as his hands moved from her back to her shoulders, then cupped her face gently. She let her fingers trace the outline of his jaw, down his neck, savouring each small, gasping pause between their breaths. There was a reverence in the way he touched her, a tenderness she hadn't realised she craved.

At one point, he chuckled softly, whispering, "I missed you. You have no idea." He kissed her again, his touch becoming more confident, his lips grazing her neck, his hands exploring as he held her close. She felt the weight of him leaning her back onto the bed, and her own heartbeat quickened.

They shared quiet laughter between breaths, a playful exchange of whispers and reassurances, and she found herself feeling closer to him than ever. His touch was gentle yet possessive, his gaze intent as he met her eyes, and she felt herself completely absorbed by his presence, losing track of time and everything else.

As the night deepened, Luca's touch grew more passionate, his hands more certain, and they moved together in a rhythm they instinctively knew. Every glance, every small movement, seemed to say what words couldn't quite capture. She didn't feel the need to hold back with him, their breaths and sighs the only sounds that filled the quiet of her room.

When they finally lay tangled together, the last hints of the night stretching into early morning, he brushed his fingers over her shoulder, tracing soft patterns that felt like quiet promises. He kissed her forehead, his breathing steady, and she felt a warmth settle in her chest, a sense of certainty that was both exhilarating and calming.

"I should go," he murmured, his voice reluctant but laced with regret. "I have to catch up on a few things, but I'll see you soon." He sat up, gathering his things, then turned back to her with a smile, pressing a final kiss to her cheek.

"Promise you'll text me?" she asked, half-joking, but with an undercurrent of hope.

"Wouldn't dream of not," he replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before he slipped out the door.

As the morning sun began to light her room, she lay back on her bed, a lazy, contented smile spreading across her face.