Semiel slowly opened his eyes, feeling the familiar warmth of the body beside him. Saval was still asleep, breathing calmly, his face relaxed and lips slightly parted. His arm remained wrapped around Semiel's waist, as if afraid sleep might pull them apart.
I don't want to get up. I could stay like this all day. Or forever. There's no safer place than this.
He shifted just enough to look at him better, tracing the line of his jaw and the curve of his brows with his gaze.
Saval murmured something and half-opened his eyes.
—It's late... we have class.
Semiel buried his face in Saval's neck and mumbled:
—Let's skip.
Saval chuckled sleepily.
—We can't.
—We can. Just for today.
—You said that yesterday.
—And wasn't it the best Monday of your life?
Saval fell silent for a moment, closing his eyes again. The quiet was comfortable. They were tangled in the sheets, weighed down by the laziness of not wanting to let go of the peace of being together.
Maybe he's right... just a little longer. Only a little longer.
Semiel smiled when Saval didn't protest further. He pulled him closer, hugging him tightly. Saval rested his chin on Semiel's head.
—Just one more hour, —he finally said.
—Deal.
The hour passed in slow kisses, shared silences, and gentle touches. Time itself seemed to stretch just for them.
But then, Saval's phone buzzed insistently. It was Mia.
—Yeah? —he answered, voice rough.
On the other end, Mia's tone was sharp and alarmed.
—Saval! Where are you?! You have a presentation today! Don't tell me you forgot!
Saval bolted upright.
—What?! No! I mean—yes, but—we're coming!
He hung up and looked at Semiel, who stared back with a mix of shock and resignation.
—Presentation?
—Today. With Mia. Group project.
Semiel covered his face with both hands.
—I'm in pajamas. Damn it, I don't even remember the topic.
—Me neither, but we have ten minutes to change and leave.
They jumped out of bed, scrambling for clean clothes. In their rush, they both pulled off their shirts at the same time—and froze when their eyes met.
Saval's cheeks were flushed, his shirt half on. Semiel stood motionless, clutching his own. They stared. Then, simultaneously, looked away.
—You first, —Saval muttered, turning his head.
—No, you.
—Just change already!
—You change!
They ended up dressing at the same time, laughing under their breath.
I've seen him so many times on stream or with his shirt off at the pool... why does today feel like the first time? Semiel thought as he adjusted his clothes.
Since when do I blush around him? Saval wondered, his cheeks still warm.
They rushed downstairs, grabbing whatever food they could find—a couple of rolls stuffed with sausage, avocado, and tomato.
—Looks like a Completo, chilean dish —Semiel grinned.
—It's what we've got. Eat.
They chewed between frantic movements, haphazardly stuffing their bags before bolting out the door toward campus.
As they ran down the street, laughing between bites, Saval thought:
Doesn't matter if we're late. Mornings like this are worth it.
And Semiel, watching him laugh while balancing his backpack in one hand and his sandwich in the other, thought:
If this is how our days start, maybe everything else will be okay too.