Shit was getting seriously weird. Back from Ronny's, Enzo walked into his place and just knew something was up. It was like... freakishly clean. Not regular clean, but the kind of clean that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His dirty clothes, the ones he'd chucked in the laundry basket? Gone. And instead? Freshly washed shirts hanging in the closet like magic. He just stood there, staring, totally dumbfounded.

What the actual fuck? Nope. Forget protecting himself, forget everything. Fuck no, he was done. So fucking done. He'd rather be broke and sleeping under a bridge than deal with this creepy shit. He'd find some hole in the wall to crash in.

But first, the cops. He grabbed his phone, punched in the number, then hesitated. His finger hovered over the call button. Just do it, Enzo. Report it. Even if they couldn't catch whoever did this, at least give it a shot.

The dispatcher surprised him. No dismissive attitude, just helpful questions and a quick response. They were at his place in no time, checking everything, dusting for prints. But nothing. No clues, no leads, just…nothing.

Back on his bed, Enzo scrolled through room listings, his stomach sinking with each price he saw. Cheapest option? Still more expensive than his current rent. Nowhere to go.

"First year of uni, and it's already this messed up," he chuckled to himself. Wait a minute… first year. That meant…

"The dorms…" he muttered. It was almost second semester, they'd be packed. But maybe, just maybe, there was a chance. A slim one, but still…

He didn't waste a second. He fired up his ancient laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. Dorm application submitted. Please, let the RA still be working during spring break. Please.

.

.

.

The next five days after the incident, spring break finally ended and the second semester began, and Enzo's luck? Nowhere to be found. No email from the RA, no dorm room offer, nothing. He was stuck in his creepy ass room. paranoia gnawing at him with every creak and shadow.

He might have been all brave talk about living under a bridge, but words were cheap. Still, semester starting was a lifeline. The band's room – messy, chaotic, but a refuge. He could crash there, eat there, exist somewhere that didn't feel like a horror movie set.

"Fuck," Enzo mumbled, dark circles under his eyes like a raccoon. Sleep? Who could sleep? Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle outside the window, had him on edge.

Now, he was nodding off on the toilet, toothbrush dangling from his mouth… He jolted awake, heart pounding. Enough was enough. He hauled himself up, grabbed his backpack, and stumbled out of that room like it was on fire.

First day of classes, and he was running on fumes, a zombie in a hoodie. He almost face-planted into some stranger's lap on the bus, catching himself at the last second with a mumbled apology.

He stumbled off the bus, the morning sun a blinding assault on his sleep-deprived eyes. He swayed, almost collapsing on the sidewalk. Damn, this day was already kicking his ass. He finally made it to the band room, thankfully empty, and practically threw himself onto the giant beanbag near the mirror. Sleep swallowed him whole. Classes? Screw it. He just needed to shut down, recharge, escape. Even if it was just for a few hours.

He had no idea how long he'd been out, but the band room was buzzing when he finally surfaced. He felt a warmth pressed against his back, arms wrapped securely around him. His vision swam as he blinked awake, Harry's voice cutting through the haze.

"Are you guys a newlywed or something?"

Harry stood beside him, a mischievous grin on his face, sheet music and drumsticks in hand.

Enzo blinked, then turned to look behind him and even though he couldn't see the face behind him, but the silky blonde hair spilling over the beanbag was a dead giveaway. It’s Ronny. He must have curled up behind Enzo while he was asleep.

Enzo tried to gently extract himself, not wanting to disturb Ronny's sleep, but the moment he shifted, Ronny's eyes fluttered open. He smiled softly at Enzo, tightening his grip.

"Now that you two lovebirds are finally awake," Harry announced, dropping down onto the beanbag. His drumsticks twirled between his fingers – a nervous habit he'd never shaken. "Got something interesting from the fourth years."

"What is it?" Ronny mumbled, still clinging to Enzo, who was now sitting up and trying to blink the sleep from his eyes.

"New compositions. They specifically asked for the composers to take a look," Harry said, shuffling through the sheets. The band wasn't huge—maybe 15 or 20 people max and six composers in total. As first-year composers, Enzo and Ronny were the newest additions. Enzo usually focused on lyrics, but he could write music too.

"What about the other second and third years?" Enzo asked, stifling a yawn. His brain felt like it was swimming through molasses.

"Screw them," Harry said with a grin, thrusting the sheet music at Enzo. "I want your expert opinion instead. Fresh eyes, fresh perspective."

Enzo squinted at the notes, trying to force his tired eyes to focus. The symbols danced across the page like drunk ants at a picnic. He couldn't make sense of a single bar

"Hey, wake up," Harry said, giving Enzo's shoulder a gentle shake.

"Sorry," Enzo mumbled, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Let me play it real quick. Is the keyboard free?" He glanced across the room.

Nope, it’s occupied. "Guess not," he sighed. "I'll wait. Just let me know when it's free." He slid back down, resting his head on Ronny's arm, and closed his eyes.

"Alright then," Harry chuckled. "I'll let you lovebirds nap for a bit." He wandered off, leaving them

Man, that Harry. Always with the nonsense, but a good guy nonetheless. Enzo was drifting off again when he felt Ronny shift closer, wrapping him in a warm embrace. He snuggled in, feeling safe and secure for the first time in days.

Maybe 10 or 15 minutes later, a shake woke him up. Harry again. Nap time was over. As Enzo sat up, Ronny let out a sleepy whine, clinging to him like a Koala. He hadn't realized how tightly they were holding each other.

"Sorry, sleeping beauty," Harry grinned. "Keyboard's free now. Time to wake up."

Enzo walked over to the keyboard, carefully placing the sheet music on the stand. He began to play, the notes flowing out with an upbeat, summery vibe. But something was missing, a subtle but noticeable absence. It was like a dish missing salt, lacking that essential spark.

"What do you think?" Harry asked, leaning over Enzo's shoulder.

"I feel like something's missing," Enzo admitted, frowning in concentration. Even though he was still half-asleep, his musical instincts were kicking in.

"Really?" Harry asked, sitting down beside him.

"Yeah," Enzo nodded, jotting down a few notes on the sheet. He wasn't sure if his changes would work, his mind still foggy, but his fingers danced across the keys instinctively.

He played the piece again, the melody now richer, more complex. The missing ingredient had been added, though something still felt off. He made a few more adjustments, erasing and rewriting notes, experimenting until the music finally came alive.

"Dang it, that sounds…" Harry trailed off, then finished with a low "good."

Enzo smiled, feeling a flicker of his old self returning. The music, his friends, the escape from his creepy ass apartment—it was all a welcome balm to his frazzled nerves.

"Anyway," Harry said, finally tearing his gaze away from his phone, "why'd you come here and sleep, anyway? Don't you have class today?"

Enzo's heart skipped a beat. Fuck. Why did Harry have to ask that now? He needed a believable excuse, and fast. Ronny was approaching, and Enzo didn't want to raise any suspicions.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep last night," he said, forcing a casual tone. "My neighbor was making noise all night."

"Is that so?" Ronny asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Damn, could he hear the lie in Enzo's voice?

"Yeah," Enzo replied, trying to sound convincing.

"Okay," Ronny smiled, thankfully dropping the subject. He headed over to the water dispenser, leaving Enzo alone with Harry.

Harry turned back to Enzo, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Enzo," he whispered.

"Yeah?" Enzo replied, bracing himself for whatever Harry was about to cook up. This guy was always up to something.

"Are you and that blonde dude," Harry asked, nodding towards Ronny, "have something going on?"

Bruh, this guy… He was definitely onto something

"No," Enzo said flatly, refusing to give Harry the satisfaction. "We're just friends."

Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Just friends who cuddle on beanbags?" he teased.

"Can't friends cuddle? I can cuddle with you too, if you're that jealous," Enzo shot back, playfully bumping Harry's shoulder.

"Oh yeah?" Harry smirked, slinging an arm around Enzo and leaning in close.

"The fuck are you two doing?" Ronny's voice cut through the air, laced with a hint of annoyance. He pushed Harry away from Enzo, a frown creasing his brow.

"Nothing," Harry said with a shrug, straightening up. He glanced at his watch and started backing away. "I have class, gotta go."

"Okay," Enzo said, watching Harry disappear out the door. He turned to Ronny, who was still scowling.

"What was that about?" Ronny asked, crossing his arms.

"Just Harry being Harry," Enzo replied with a shrug. "He's always messing around."

Ronny didn't look convinced. “But ain’t that too close?”

"Why? Are you jealous?" Enzo smirked,

Ronny averted his gaze, muttering, "No, I'm not."

Enzo chuckled. "Sure you're not," he teased, gently bumping Ronny's shoulder.

Ronny looked up, a playful glint in his eyes. "Maybe a little," he admitted.

Enzo smirked, his heart doing a little badump, but whoa, hold up. He wasn't about to get swept up in whatever this was. He glanced at his phone, suddenly remembering he had a class to get to. He'd already missed the morning session, couldn't skip another.

"Alright, stop playing," he said. "I have class too." He walked over to the beanbag and scooped up his backpack.

"See you around," he said with a smile, giving Ronny a playful wink before heading out the door.

He hurried across campus, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows that stretched out like grasping fingers. The hallway pulsed with students, a river of backpacks and hurried footsteps. Enzo weaved through the crowd, dodging elbows and apologies.

He finally arrived at the classroom, a large lecture hall filled with students from various majors. It was a combined section class, a melting pot of different disciplines. Enzo scanned the room, searching for an empty seat or a familiar face. He spotted a few empty rows at the back and made his way towards them, sinking into a seat with a sigh of relief.

He pulled out his notebook and pen, then absently scrolled through his phone, waiting for the class to start.

Suddenly, a notification popped up. It was from the RA. Enzo's eyes widened, his heart pounding.

Was his luck finally turning around?

He clicked on the email, and a grin spread across his face.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Fucking finally!

He'd been approved for a dorm room. It was a shared room, but he didn't care. Anything was better than living in that creepy ass apartment. He reread the email, making sure he hadn't missed any details. He needed to move in as soon as possible.

A wave of relief washed over him. He could practically feel the tension draining from his shoulders. No more sleepless nights, no more paranoia, no more weird vibes. He could finally have a safe and normal place to live.

As the professor began the lecture, Enzo found himself struggling to focus. His mind was already racing with plans for his new room. He needed to pack, find a way to move his stuff, and figure out who his new roommate was.

Class ended, and Enzo practically sprinted back to his apartment. He burst through the door, adrenaline surging through him. He grabbed boxes and suitcases, tossing clothes, blankets, and random belongings into them with a sense of urgency. He didn't have much to pack, but every item he touched felt tainted by the unsettling atmosphere of the apartment.

Enzo hummed a triumphant tune as he carefully packed his instruments, a sense of liberation bubbling inside him. Packing up the rest of his belongings, he double-checked the RA's email—move-in was tomorrow.

Perfect. He had no classes, which meant he could spend the entire day settling into his new space. He pictured a clean, bright room, maybe with a desk by the window. He could already see himself studying there, writing music, and finally feeling at home.

He'd deal with the landlord later. Right now, he had a shower to take, clothes to change, and a one-way ticket to freedom to catch.

Just crashed at the band room tonight and that’s all he needed. Enzo practically danced back to the band room, a goofy grin plastered on his face. He even skipped a little on the way to the bus stop, drawing curious stares from passersby, but he didn't care.

By the time Enzo arrived at the band room, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The usually bustling space was now quiet and still. The well-worn beanbag, with its familiar indentations, seemed to beckon Enzo, promising a night of peaceful sleep. He smiled and flopped onto it, the soft embrace of the beanbag welcoming him like an old friend.

Enzo sank into the comfort of the beanbag, his earlier excitement and energy gradually giving way to a sense of calm. After the chaos and uncertainty of the past few days, the band room's tranquillity felt like a warm bedroom. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth and familiarity of the space wash over him, and felt the last vestiges of tension melt away.

"Ah, this feels so good," he sighed, sinking into the comforting softness. He pulled the well-worn blanket over himself.

Just as Enzo was drifting off, the door creaked open, shattering the peaceful silence. His smile vanished, replaced by a groan. Please don't be Ronny, Please don't be Ronny.

"What are you doing here?"

Speak of the devil. It was Ronny, his silhouette framed in the doorway. Enzo's stomach sank. His luck had officially run out. Now, he had to come up with a believable excuse, and he had a feeling Ronny wouldn't buy it.

"Uh… hey, Ronny," Enzo stammered, trying to sound casual. "Just, uh… taking a nap."

Ronny raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of amusement and suspicion. "A nap? On the beanbag? With a blanket? At this hour?"

Ronny stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He walked towards Enzo, his footsteps echoing in the quiet space. Enzo held his breath, bracing for the interrogation.

"You know," Ronny began, his voice soft, "you can just tell me if something's wrong."

Ronny walked over and sat beside him, a soft smile gracing his lips. He gently patted Enzo's head, a gesture that sent a shiver of warmth through him.

"I will… just not now," Enzo mumbled, still a bit hesitant to spill all the details. He wasn't emotionally prepared to fully open up just yet.

Ronny nodded in understanding, his eyes holding Enzo's with a quiet intensity. "What?" Enzo asked, feeling a nervous flutter in his stomach. What was with this guy again?

Ronny's lips curved into a soft smile. "Nothing," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just…you looked…nevermind”

He playfully shoved Ronny's shoulder. "Weird ass,"

Ronny didn't say a word, but his intentions were clear. He cupped Enzo's face with both hands, his touch gentle but firm. "You know what I'm about to do, right?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Yeah," Enzo breathed, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew exactly what Ronny was about to do.

"Can I?" Ronny asked again, his face moving closer, his warm breath ghosting over Enzo's lips.

"Of course," Enzo answered, his voice barely a whisper.

Ronny leaned in, his lips brushing against Enzo's. The kiss was soft and tentative at first, a question seeking an answer. Enzo responded by tilting his head, deepening the kiss. Ronny's hands slid into his hair, holding him close. The warmth of his breath, the faint scent of coffee lingering on his lips, made the kiss even more intoxicating.

It was a slow and tender kiss, full of unspoken emotions and a sense of discovery. Enzo felt a wave of warmth wash over him, melting away the last vestiges of anxiety and fear. In that moment, there was only Ronny, his touch, his taste, and his presence filling Enzo's senses.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their cheeks flushed. Ronny rested his forehead against Enzo's, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of unspoken feelings.

a shy smile gracing Ronny’s lips. "Was that okay?" he asked.

Enzo grinned, his heart overflowing with affection. "More than okay," he whispered, leaning in for another kiss.

This kiss felt different—bolder, more certain. Enzo’s hands slid up to wrap around Ronny's neck, pulling him in closer as he leaned back into the beanbag, deepening the kiss until they were both breathless. For those moments, the world outside faded to nothing.

When they finally pulled apart once agian, Enzo noticed how red Ronny’s face was. He’d never seen him this flushed, not even that one time they’d crossed the line. Something in Ronny's expression felt new, softer yet charged. And then, without a word, Ronny collapsed onto him, wrapping his arms tightly around Enzo.

“You know, you can sleep at my place,” Ronny whispered. Enzo knew he meant it—he’d already stayed over a couple of times, but crashing again? He didn’t want to feel like he was overstaying his welcome.

Enzo grinned, catching the shift in Ronny’s eyes. “Man, I know what you're really saying here. You're hard.” He couldn’t help but laugh softly, feeling Ronny pressing against him.

“Yeah… kinda hard to hide that, isn’t it?” Ronny’s voice dipped as he leaned close, his breath warm against Enzo's ear. “I’m definitely in the mood right now.”

A slow, thrilling tension spread through Enzo as Ronny’s lips found his neck, teasing with light licks that set his skin tingling.

“Uh, you do realize we’re still in the band room, right?” Enzo muttered, but he flinched when Ronny nipped his ear.

“I locked the door,” Ronny replied, his tone low.

Damn, he came in here with a purpose. Enzo couldn't blame him, though. He wanted this too anyway.

“Please,” Ronny whispered, voice low and urgent, his lips exploring Enzo’s neck, then his chest, leaving a warm trail that made Enzo laugh and squirm a little under the attention.

“We can’t go all the way here, but…” Enzo paused, grinning as Ronny’s hand lingered. “I can lend you a hand.”

“That’ll do,” Ronny replied, a smirk lighting up his face before he leaned in, capturing Enzo’s lips in a slow kiss.

But then, before he could finish that thought, Ronny’s hand slipped down into Enzo’s pants, moving with deliberate, teasing touches that set his heart racing. Enzo tugged at Ronny’s shirt.

“Hey,” Enzo gasped, his voice caught somewhere between a laugh and a whimper. “I told you…I’m the one lending a hand, remember? Why’re you doing it for me?”

Ronny just chuckled, his grip never wavering. “I’m not really the type to just sit back and take. Gotta give something back, don’t I?” And before Enzo could even think of a response, Ronny had tugged his pants down, leaving him breathless, and caught him off guard.

“Just… don’t make a mess of the beanbag, alright?” Enzo muttered, half-joking, his breath catching as he watched Ronny move lower. Ronny just looked up, a playful gleam in his eye, flashing him a grin

“Don’t worry, I’ll lick it clean.”

And with that, Ronny leaned in, taking Enzo fully into his mouth, his movements slow and unhurried, each touch deliberate. Enzo watched, his breath catching in his chest, feeling as if the air itself had thickened around them.

Enzo wasn’t the type to come that fast, not just from a little lick and kiss. But, damn, Ronny’s tongue—soft, warm, and thorough and every gentle movement was peeling away his restraint, layer by layer, until he felt like he could melt right then and there.

“I’m… close…” Enzo muttered, his fingers tangled in Ronny’s hair, pulling, knowing full well that Ronny wouldn’t move an inch. Ronny was relentless, almost insane in his intensity. And that was all it took—Enzo’s body curled up, tensing as he released, his breathing coming in gasps. He collapsed back, staring up at the ceiling, catching his breath as Ronny crawled up beside him, wearing that sly, satisfied grin.

Ronny leaned in for another kiss, and just as he’d promised, he’d left nothing behind. The taste lingered in Enzo’s mouth, unmistakably his, and he could only laugh as Ronny settled in close, not even slightly shy about it.

“Now,” Ronny said with a smirk, pulling out his own painfully hard length, “I think it’s time for you to return the favor.” The way he looked right then—cheeks flushed, sweat glistening along his forehead—made Enzo grin. Dang, he’s already leaking pre-cum. There was no mistaking that he needed this, badly.

“What do you want me to do?” Enzo’s fingers wrapped around Ronny, feeling the heat, the heavy pulse beneath his grip. He looked up, seeing Ronny’s face turn a deeper shade of red as he gasped, his expression somewhere between desperation and restraint.

“Just… whatever you want,” Ronny’s voice came out shaky, a side of him Enzo rarely got to see. He looked so endearing like this, and it made Enzo want to tease him more.

“Well, what I want…” Enzo leaned up close, his voice low. “We can’t exactly do it here.”

Ronny ran a hand through his hair, the messy strands falling back as he caught his breath, bit his lip, then closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Enzo’s fast and deep. There was an urgency there, an unspoken hunger.

“If you keep giving me that look, Enzo..." Ronny whispered, his forehead resting against Enzo’s, his breathing ragged. He was on the edge.

“Damn Mister,” Enzo teased, stifling a laugh. “Guess it’s time I return the favor.”

Enzo gently guided Ronny onto the beanbag, settling himself between Ronny’s legs. As he leaned down, taking Ronny into his mouth, he noticed he felt even fuller than the last time—harder, somehow, like he’d been holding back more than Enzo realized. Ronny’s breath hitched, and then he let out a low, throaty moan that sent a thrill through Enzo.

Each time Enzo moved, his tongue teasing just so, Ronny’s fingers would tighten in his hair and then release, giving Enzo full control. Enzo felt him shuddering, his body arching, and just as Ronny’s breathing grew erratic, he tried to pull Enzo away. “Hey, stop, I’m—”

But Enzo wasn’t about to move. He held steady, keeping the rhythm, even as Ronny’s grip tightened, his body trembling as he finally let go, releasing in hot, pulsing waves. Enzo swallowed, feeling the salty taste hit the back of his throat—not the best flavor, honestly, but he took it, letting it settle.

When he finally pulled back and stood, Ronny’s face was flushed to the roots of his hair, a mix of surprise and excitement shown in his eyes.

“You…” he muttered, looking away, cheeks still red, and maybe even a little teary-eyed. He acted confident, almost cocky, the first time they did this. But now he was being so naive.

Too late for that

“Why did you…” Ronny murmured, pulling Enzo into his arms and giving his shoulder a gentle bite, just enough to leave a little sting.

Enzo chuckled, looking up with a smirk. “You think you’re the only one who can pull off a move like that?”

Ronny shook his head, a little embarrassed. “No, it's just... I've fantasized about that before, but…” He trailed off, twirling a lock of Enzo’s hair around his finger, his expression softening. “When it actually happened, it kind of took me by surprise, you know?”

Enzo couldn’t help but laugh at how flustered Ronny looked. He was always a little disarmed by this side of him, the way he could go from assertive to bashful in moments like these. “You’re way too cute when you get like this,” Enzo teased, giving him a quick squeeze before slipping out of his hold. He reached over, grabbing the pants Ronny had tossed aside, and stretched his arms over his head.

“You sure you don’t want to come back to my place tonight?” Ronny asked

“I’m good,” Enzo said with a small smile, reaching for a bottle of water and taking a sip. “I’ve got my reasons.”

Ronny let out a sigh but didn’t push. “Alright… but are you sure you don’t want me to stay here with you?”

Enzo shook his head. “Not tonight. I need some time to myself.” gently nudging Ronny off the beanbag. “Go home already.”

Ronny rolled his eyes, clearly reluctant but understanding. “Alright, alright. Just call me if you need anything—and don’t forget to lock the door.” He leaned in to brush a quick kiss against Enzo’s cheek before gathering his things. Pausing at the door, he turned back, lingering in the doorway for a bit before finally leaving.

Enzo let out a heavy sigh and lay flat on his back, feeling the tension finally leave his body. He didn’t want to think about anything right now, and thanks to Ronny, his mind was blissfully clear for once. Just sleep, he told himself, closing his eyes.

.

.

.

The sharp sound of his alarm jolted him awake. It was 6 a.m., time to go. Groggy but with a lingering sense of satisfaction, Enzo gathered his things, slipping out of the band room and making his way back to his apartment, the early morning chill nipping at his skin.

When he unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside, a wide smile spread across his face. Everything looked just as he’d left it, his little corner of the world, untouched and quiet. But as his gaze drifted to his bed, that smile faltered.

The daffodils glared yellow on his pillow,

The last place he expected to find anything

After a night of warmth and safety,

After kisses that tasted like promises,

After thinking he was finally free.

Their faces too deliberately arranged,

Too perfectly placed - someone's message,

Someone who knew he was leaving,

Who'd been here while he felt safe elsewhere,

While his lips still tingled with memory.

The envelope beside them wore gold filigree,

Its edges catching morning light Like a final warning.

His half-packed boxes from yesterday

Still gaped open around the room,

Evidence of an escape

That someone wouldn't let him make.

They had been here again,

In his space, in his sanctuary,

While he'd let his guard down,

While he'd dared to feel happy.

He backed away slowly,

Phone already in his trembling hand,

This time he wouldn't hesitate,

This time he'd make the call .

Before they left him more

Than just freshly washed clothes

And yellow flowers