“Are you alright, professor?” Sergio murmured; his concern was evident.

Lucas tried to force a smile but failed. “It’s nothing,” he replied.  

Sergio nodded slightly, as if trying to decipher the unspoken emotions in Lucas’s words. After an awkward silence, the professor noticed Sergio watching him with a mix of compassion and kindness, as if he could somehow understand and offer support without needing an explanation.  

“Thank you for asking,” Lucas said softly, feeling an unexpected comfort in the man’s presence. “It's something personal, but I can handle it on my own. It's nothing.”  

The custodian offered a faint smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Amery.”  

He hesitated, unsure whether to cross the boundary of personal space, but eventually moved a little closer. Extending his hand toward Lucas’s shoulder, he stopped short of touching him. The gesture alone spoke volumes, and the professor, noticing this, felt something stir within him —a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years. Unbidden, his thoughts drifted back to a childhood friend, the only person who had ever truly understood him.  

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the space, pulling them back to the present.

Sergio quickly withdrew his hand, picking up his tools as he stood. “I… I need to get back to work,” he murmured, his tone awkward. He wanted to stay, more than anything, with the man he now recognized as his friend. “If you need anything… I’ll be around.”  

Lucas gave a slight nod, watching Sergio walk away. His gaze lingered on the man’s back, his hair, his deliberate walk, trying to process the strange connection between them. “Jairo” was no longer just a passing figure in his life.  

**

Weeks passed, and Lucas and Sergio’s encounters remained sporadic. Their schedules rarely aligned, making it almost impossible to cross paths in the same hallway, let alone in a classroom. When they did meet, they exchanged polite, formal greetings like any two university staff members. Yet, other times, as if by some unspoken agreement, they seemed to seek each other out. In those moments, they behaved like two people tentatively exploring feelings they couldn’t yet name.  

They noticed the quiet gestures and shared silences. Occasionally, their gazes lingered, carrying hints of mischief, even curiosity. The professor found himself captivated by Sergio’s freckles, his soft smile, his broad back, the way he walked, and how he tied his hair. He admired Sergio’s unwavering kindness and his dedication to his work.

The custodian, in turn, was drawn to Lucas’s piercing green eyes, his unruly curls, his strong, muscular arms, and his well-toned physique —clearly the result of regular exercise. Most of all, he loved Lucas’s commanding voice, the way he carried himself, and the passion he exuded while teaching. Countless small details about each other delighted them both, even if they hadn’t fully realized it yet.  

Despite Sergio’s efforts to remain invisible, his presence became a quiet source of comfort for Lucas. The professor, who rarely smiled —a habit ingrained during years of caring for his mother— found unexpected moments of joy in seeing Sergio. The professor wanted to take a step toward friendship but hesitated, unsure how to do so without risking misunderstanding his intentions.