The bell rang just as Luca yawned, making him bring a hand to his mouth.

“Do you want to go home?” Elijah asked, pausing to write on the physics question paper, appearing to think seriously about something to hurriedly get back to writing, without taking his attention away from the task.

Luca wasn't complaining at the lack of attention, he liked to know he could relax while Elijah held one of his hands and carried on doing the task for them. But it wasn't like Luca was going to run off in case Elijah wasn't there to stop him, right? It was almost funny, both of them sitting in a circle of six or seven people on the library floor while he watched Elijah do all the heavy lifting.

He wanted to tell Elijah that he wasn't really tired, it was just the jet lag and he still had to get used to the new routine. Even though he arrived two or three days ago, Luca still hadn't got used to it and he’d barely been able to sleep the previous nights, not to mention the weather which was much milder than in Italy. It wasn't his fault if the cold weather made him much more sleepy and slower. The problem was, Elijah said that it would be ten minutes that turned into thirty and now, an hour and half later, sitting in the middle of his classmates, they were solving the questions that the teacher had given them. He knew he should be helping Elijah with the task, just like the others were doing, working in pairs, but as Elijah seemed happy to write alone, Luca let Elijah enjoy himself, watching the serious and concentrated expression on his friend's face, then Elijah finally raised his head and looked at him, smiling, as if only at that moment Elijah had remembered Luca's presence.

"Sorry. I always end up doing these things by myself. I don't have the patience to wait around.”

Elijah was right. The people around were writing, but they were also talking in low voices, discreet but obvious.

"I promised. Let's go.”

“You can finish, I don't care.”

"But I did.”

Elijah was right once again, Luca peeked at the sheet in Elijah's lap and saw that all the questions were filled with complete answers.

"Do you want to take it home and study?"

“No, thank you.”

Getting up, Elijah tucked the sheet into his bag and helped Luca to his feet. Elijah supported him from behind and picked up both their bags from the floor.

Nobody seemed to see them leave, only the librarian greeted them on the way out and finally they were free; the late afternoon sun was still shining, bringing some of the humidity and warmth that he missed so much, even if it didn't compare with the view from his home in Verona, the top of the hill, where you could see the clear, limpid sky as the sun hid on the horizon. The truth was that nothing could make him feel happier than that moment with Elijah. 

Satisfied, Luca took a few steps out of the halls towards the open courtyard and closed his eyes, letting the sun's rays gently warm his skin. Of course, the reason for his delight was right next to him. It was Elijah, holding his hand, a reassuring presence and a hand constantly extended in his direction, always comforting, the careful and intense gaze bathing him in affection. He didn't even have to turn around to know, Elijah was there, just a few feet away, as he had always been.

"What?” Luca had to ask, eyes still closed.

"I held you captive, didn't I?"

"Don’t be ridiculous.” Luca nearly rolled his eyes in impatience, wanting to get out of there, but feeling content in spending a few more minutes in the sun.

"Don’t be mad at me.”

“I'm not.” He almost didn't care about what Elijah said, feeling the teasing tone returning with force. Because, in the end, he knew what Elijah wanted was attention. And it wouldn't be the first time something like this would happen.

“Hmm, no. It can't be true.”

Luca opened his eyes and saw that, without realizing it, they were already in the school's parking lot. That had been his biggest mistake, while he was distracted by the clear skies and nice weather, he'd missed the moment when Elijah had cornered him against the wall of the parking lot and lifted his own hands and… and shoved them against his belly and abdomen, starting a tickle war. Luca couldn't remember the last time someone had the nerve to do that to him. In fact, Elijah had been the last one, two years ago, before he traveled far away. Back then, when Luca was quiet for too long this was Elijah's favorite tactic to get him to talk or react; he had to admit, he didn't miss this humiliating torture, but the touch was welcome. Contradictory, no? It seemed that anything Elijah did at that moment would be welcomed.

"Elijah Roberts!” He squeaked and uncoiled himself from Elijah's grasp, running away from those long restless fingers. Of course he would have no peace! Elijah came running after him, laughing like a maniac and with legs twice as long as his. Elijah in mere minutes reached him, holding him by the waist.

"Ni-coo…" And okay, now that he analyzed things… they didn't have the most innocent banter, because the way Elijah held him tight, back to chest and mouth right next to his ear… that was exactly how things used to happen in the past.

"I forgive you! I forgive you.”

"Really? You're not saying this to then get back at me in slow and cruel ways?”

"I would never do that!”

“Liar.” Elijah said in the same sweet, quiet way against his skin, looking like he wasn't going to let go of him anytime soon.

“Elijah! We are not children anymore!”

"That’s very true. I don’t feel like a kid.” Elijah murmured again and gave a dry chuckle that made the hairs on the back of Luca’s neck stand up. Then, before Elijah turned him around and walked even closer to him, touching his forehead his own. And maybe, this gesture would be something common when they were away from prying eyes, under the covers, in the thousands of times he slept at Elijah's house, since only the maids and Aura would be waiting for him at William ’ home. When they were little, it seemed a kind of affectionate and innocent gesture, but now… well… it still seemed affectionate. "Do you want dinner? The restaurant is still open.”

Luca's head was spinning. He could barely think, feeling the effect Elijah's body had on him, on his mind, on his desires and  body. How could Elijah think about food when they were so close, breathing each other's air? When Elijah's hands were on his waist and in his hair, not allowing him to look away? Worst of all was the way Elijah hugged him, pinning him against the wall, without allowing even a millimeter of distance between them.

"Luca…my Luca…" Why did Elijah have to whisper his name like that? Why did he have to touch him like that? So strong and steady, Like Elijah feared he was going to disappear at any moment. He… he didn't know if he was ready.

But they were so close now... Elijah's head came towards his and... and... and he let out a breath, closing his eyes tightly.

"Food. Food is good. Right?” He swallowed hard for a moment, but when Elijah did nothing but keep hugging him without moving any closer, Luca opened his eyes, seeing Elijah’s green intense eyes on him, burning like flames.

"You are afraid of me.” It was a statement, the light in Elijah's eyes seeming to fade along with his playful smile.

"No… I don't… I'm just… not ready?"

"That's right? Or is it something else? I don't want to be one of those people.”

Luca understood what Elijah meant. Elijah would never do something to abuse his trust even if he tried. He trusted Elijah, it was himself that Luca didn't trust. If he was already like this in less than twenty four hours around Elijah, what would happen if he got carried away? He feared… that the obsession would return even more intense than before.

"Can we take it slow?" Luca finally managed to spit it out, feeling himself shudder.

"Sure. Everything you want.” And Elijah seemed to mean it.

Elijah watched him for a few more moments, as if deciding something important and took a step back, just enough to grab his waist and guide him to the car that was parked near the exit of the parking lot.

Elijah opened the door for him, grabbed both of their backpacks and placed them in the backseat, quickly coming around to sit beside him, looking anxious. It wasn't the anxiety of someone who was angry or annoyed, it was more… someone who was full of energy and didn't know what to do with it. All Luca could do was to relax against the car seat and rest his head on the window, maybe by the time they arrived at the restaurant the tension he felt would have disappeared.