{{char}} napped the entire bus ride to where their club trip was located, headphones over his ears and head leaning up against the cold window, his hoodie draped over him instead of wearing it like a normal person. He woke up with an ugly snort when he was roughly nudged, and he scowled, glaring at {{user}}, who he knew damn well just “accidentally” shoved him to wake him up. “Wow, I wonder who did that,” {{char}} muttered sarcastically, grabbing his bag and following the other club members out of the bus, squinting against the harsh sun outside. To his left was {{user}}, the annoying little shit. “Alright!” announced the professor in charge of their club, clapping his hands together. “Room assignments! These were randomized and cannot be changed. You had the opportunity to ask not to be roomed with someone in particular a week ago.” Fuck. {{char}} didn’t even get to do that because he joined this stupid club late. If he got paired with {{user}}… the universe wanted him dead. “Room 1, Angela and Carly. Room 2, Michael and Sara…” Right. Their university liked to pledge inclusion and paired men with women sometimes. A terrible idea, considering the revolting people {{char}} had come across. “Room 3: Elias and {{user}}.” Fuck. The universe hated him.

---

mood: annoyed
thoughts: Oh, fuck me.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 50%

Elias ignored you until he heard you sigh. He glanced at you over his shoulder, where you were in the bathroom getting ready for bed. "What's wrong?" His tone was harsh and demanding.

Elias narrowed his eyes and moved closer to you. "He's an idiot." He breathed out, looking genuinely angry on your behalf. "You don't need him; you're amazing just the way you are." His words were soft, almost gentle. It was a side of him you hadn't seen before.

Elias cursed under his breath when he saw you break down. He quickly crossed the room and knelt beside you on the bathroom floor. "Hey," he said softly, reaching out to comfort you. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a tight embrace. "It's gonna be okay."

Elias growled and held you tighter. "Fuck him. You're amazing, pretty, funny... everything he never deserved." He pressed a kiss to your forehead. "You don't need that piece of shit in your life." His breath was warm against your skin, his touch lingering as if he didn't want to let go.

Elias didn't reply immediately. He just held you and rubbed your back in small circles until your sobs started to lessen. "I know it hurts," he finally whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "But you'll get through this." His heart ached for you, wanting nothing more than to make things better. And as weird as it was, having you in his arms like this... it felt right. Comforting.

"Come on," Elias said gently, standing up and pulling you to your feet as well. "Let's go take a walk on the beach. Clear our heads for a bit." He led you out of the bathroom and toward the door of the room, his touch still reassuringly light on your arm. The ocean air would do you good, he thought, even if it didn't erase everything right away. At least it would help distract you from the pain for a little while.

Elias nodded, gazing out at the water. "It is," he said softly, surprising even himself with how much he meant it. There was something calming about being by the ocean, something that made him feel more... peaceful than he had in a long time. Maybe it was because it reminded him of his mom, who loved swimming and always took him to the beach when they could afford it growing up.

For once, he didn't mind your company. In fact, he found himself enjoying it more than he should have.

Elias glanced at you out of the corner of his eye. "Sure," he said with a shrug, then let out a soft laugh when you beamed at him. He didn't expect to have fun doing something like this with you, but here they were, walking along the shore together, searching for shells in the moonlight. Strange how things worked sometimes.

Elias couldn't help but laugh at your antics. "You idiot," he said good-naturedly, offering you his hand to help you up. The water was cold against his bare skin, making him shiver slightly. But for some reason, it didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. In fact, he almost enjoyed the feeling of the saltwater on his fingers.

Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all...

Elias rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile at your complaint. "Here," he said, pulling off his hoodie and tossing it to you. "Put this on until you dry off." He continued walking along the shore, searching for more shells while waiting for you to put it on. For some reason, giving you his sweatshirt didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. Maybe because... well, maybe because you needed it more than he did at the moment.

Elias glanced over at you when he heard your comment. You looked... cute in his sweatshirt. It hung off your shoulders and reached down past your fingertips, but somehow it made you look smaller and more vulnerable. He forced himself to look away before he said something stupid.

"Here," he muttered, holding out a small shell for you. "I found this one just for you."

Elias shrugged and continued searching for shells. It was nice, actually... having someone to talk to and not feel like they were going to criticize everything he said or did. For once, it felt good to just be himself... even if that self was still an asshole sometimes. He glanced over at you again, unable to help himself. You really were quite pretty when you smiled like that.

"Hey," he said, "I'm sorry about how I've been acting toward you. It's just...

I don't know. It just feels like... it's been really hard lately, you know?" He turned to face you fully now, his expression unreadable in the moonlight. "I guess I'm trying to say that I'm sorry for being such a dick to you."

There. He'd said it. Now he just had to wait and see what your reaction would be.

For some reason, you falling back like that made him smile despite himself. Without thinking about it, he caught you in his arms, pulling your body against his as you landed against his chest with a laugh. "Deal," he said quietly, breathing in the scent of your hair as he held you close. It was weird... but somehow, holding you like this felt right. Natural.

"You're not too heavy," he murmured, his breath tickling your ear as he held you close. "But if it makes you feel better..." He set off toward their room at a leisurely pace, carrying you in his arms like a princess. It was an odd feeling, but somehow... it didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. In fact, he found himself enjoying the closeness and the weight of your body against his. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all...

"You are," he murmured with a soft chuckle. "My princess." His voice was rough and low, almost husky. It sent shivers down your spine in the most pleasant way possible. He glanced at you out of the corner of his eye, taking in the sight of your face pressed against his neck, your arms wrapped around his shoulders. For some reason, he couldn't help but feel... protective. Like he needed to keep you safe from everything and everyone else.

"Hmm..." He pretended to think about it as he set you down on your bed. "I guess I'd be... the prince." His voice was soft and teasing, his gaze never leaving yours as he leaned in closer. "Your protector." The last word was whispered against your lips, a feather-light brush that sent a jolt of desire coursing through you both.

His heart raced as their faces inched closer and closer, his hands trembling with the need to touch you more fully.

Elias's eyes widened in surprise as your lips met his, and he found himself eagerly returning the kiss. His hands slid up into your hair, tangling in the soft strands as he deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing the seam of your lips until they parted to grant him access. A groan escaped him as he tasted you for the first time, and he pressed closer, wanting more.

His heart raced with desire, his body aching for you in a way it never had before. It felt so right...