Kaius barely registered the voices of Professor Delgado and Professor Villanueva exchanging notes across the table. Their words blurred into background noise, like the low hum of the coffee shop's music, drowned further by the rain tapping softly against the glass windows.
Because all his attention was elsewhere.
His gaze rested on Eliot.
The man sat across from him, posture straight yet not stiff, fingers tapping lightly against the side of his cup. His face was calm, composed, almost nonchalant, but for Kaius, it was anything but ordinary.
It was the same man from yesterday. What amazes him more is, his own heart... there's something wrong in it. He knew it, but it's way too early to conclude.
The man in the shed, haloed by rain. The one he had captured through his lens, unaware that he had already become someone's subject.
Now, seeing him up close, Kaius felt the odd confirmation of something he already suspected, that he really wasn't mistaken. His camera never lied. What it had caught yesterday, the serenity... the rawness... the quiet magnetism that felt like it was pulling him closer—wasn't just an accident of angle. It was real. It was here, sitting across from him, sipping coffee like he hadn't just unsettled someone's entire perspective on beauty.
Kaius smirked faintly, leaning back in his chair. So, this is him. This is my partner.
He let his eyes trace the details, the curve of his jaw... the way his eyes, though seemingly disinterested, held depth... like they were keeping stories tucked away.
Beautiful. The word echoed in his mind, quiet but insistent. It felt natural for him to use that word.
Not the kind of beauty you flaunt, but the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The kind that doesn't fade even when the world around it shifts. Proven and tested, didn't he keep him awake last night? Thinking about him before sleeping, and he was still the content of his dreams. Is he going to be nervous now?
Kaius' lips curved slightly, almost involuntarily. My camera was right, oh, well... what can he say? he's really talented, see, he captured one of the most beautiful views in the Philippines.
He remembered the click of the shutter yesterday, that fleeting capture. At the time, he thought it was just instinct, what photographers did when they stumbled across a compelling scene. But no, looking at Eliot from only a few feet away, he realized it wasn't just instinct. It was gravity, pulling him towards him. For some reason...
"—and of course, deadlines will be flexible depending on the scope of your chosen theme," Professor Delgado was saying.
Kaius nodded faintly, though he hadn't heard half of what was said. His eyes flicked back to Eliot, catching the man's subtle movements, how he adjusted the pen in his hand, how he pressed his lips together briefly as if holding back words.
He could imagine photographing him even now. A candid shot, maybe, capturing that slight furrow in his brows, the quiet intensity in his stillness. No props, no elaborate set-up. Just him, in his raw form. What a waste, it could have been an addition to his collection.But it would be inappropriate to do it now.What excuse would he even give?That he's just testing if his camera can still fight?Psh, even if he managed to convince Professor Delgado, he's just arriving, while the professor is already leaving.
Kaius smirked again, a private smile this time. Partner, huh... interesting.
The word carried weight now. More than the professors' speeches about collaboration, more than the academic formality of the project. Partner. Not just a label, but a connection, whether Eliot liked it or not.
For a moment, Kaius imagined what it would be like working with him. Would Eliot be the kind of partner who challenged him, who made things complicated? Or would he be quiet, letting Kaius take the lead? Either way, Kaius felt an odd anticipation stir in his chest. The idea of discovering the answers firsthand excited him more than he cared to admit.
He glanced at Eliot again, catching the man's eyes for a fraction of a second before Eliot looked away quickly, sipping from his cup like it was the most important thing in the world. That tiny gesture alone made Kaius bite back another smirk. So, you're not as unaffected as you look, are you?
He rested his chin on his hand, studying Eliot as if he were another photograph to develop, another negative waiting for light. It wasn't obsession, not yet, but it was curiosity, sharp and undeniable. Oh, well... he's not denying it, will never do. Denying things are not his way of handling situations. He rather goes with the flow and let it be as it is. In other words, it is what it is. No need to waste his energy in denying the freakin' obvious.
Beautiful, yes. But also, a puzzle. That's what he thinks of Eliot.
And Kaius never walked away from puzzles. The rain outside softened, its rhythm syncing with the steady thud of his heartbeat. Professor Delgado and Professor Villanueva's voices finally settled into silence, signaling that the meeting was nearing its end. Kaius straightened, masking his amusement, though the faint curve of his lips betrayed him.
Partner. Ahhhhh!!!! He really felt like he was going crazy. He didn't know why, there's something in what he feels that is like... he wants to keep saying the word 'partner' in his mind that it's... Eliot.
He extended his hand earlier out of courtesy, but now, the word lingered like an echo in his mind, shaping itself into possibility.
Maybe this project wouldn't just be about photographs and words. Maybe it was about discovery—the kind his camera had hinted at long before he even realized it. He hoped so.
Kaius leaned back once more, fingers brushing against the camera strap around his neck. Interesting indeed, he thought, the smirk returning for the countless time.
Across the table, Eliot was quiet, his face unreadable. But Kaius knew what his camera had taught him over the years: the most ordinary expressions often hid the most extraordinary truths. Which is a big big FACT... because
Eliot swore he could feel it, like an invisible thread pulling at the back of his neck. That stare.
He had been feeling it for a while now, ever since Kaius sat in the chair across from him. Every so often, he'd glance up and, sure enough, Kaius' eyes would already be there... steady... unwavering... studying him in a way that felt like he wanted to read something from him. Not creepy, no. Far from it. But it was unnerving, sending a strange chill down his spine. Not the kind of chill that made him want to run, but the kind that whispered something's happening here.
"What is this?" Eliot muttered inwardly as he pretended to reread the notes he'd scribbled in his notebook. He even doodled random shapes just to avoid looking up. "Why is he staring like that? Doesn't he have anywhere else to look?"
When he dared to peek again, Kaius wasn't even subtle anymore. His lips were tugged into the faintest smirk, like he knew something Eliot didn't. He wanted to roll his eyes because of the irritation he was feeling. Isn't he aware that it's rude to stare too much at a person, because maybe... they'll feel uncomfortable.
Eliot clenched his pen tighter, his jaw twitching. Damn it."Keep on smirking. You're so arrogant, so thick-skinned. Don't you have any other hobby? You must be crazy." He took a long sip of his coffee, as if caffeine could drown out the irritation simmering in his chest. The way Kaius was smirking at him came across as so arrogant.
But irritation was only half the truth. Because deep beneath it was another feeling he refused to admit, something between curiosity and a pull he couldn't explain. Curious as to why Kaius was staring at him as if he had seen a very interesting subject for his clicks.
Still, denial was easier. That's why in his mind, he kept bashing Kaius over and over.Does he think his smirking makes him handsome? Is this what happens when you're the professor's favorite? The air goes to your head.I wish I was him, crazy.Ugh, why did I even agree to this?
The low murmur of conversation between Professors Villanueva and Professor Delgado barely registered to Eliot. For him, the entire coffee shop seemed to shrink into just two presences: himself, trying hard to act indifferent, and Kaius, watching him with the patience of someone who had all the time in the world.
Finally, the professors exchanged a glance and chuckled quietly, as if both had silently agreed on something.
"Well," Professor Delgado said, standing and straightening his coat, "I think we've covered all the logistics."
"Yes," Professor Villanueva added with a smile, turning to the boys. "Now it's your turn. It's best if you two talk, get to know each other better. Collaboration isn't just about skills, it's about connection. So, we'll leave you to it."
Eliot's eyes widened. "Sir, now? As in... just us?" And he couldn't stop his mouth anymore. He even bit his lower lip. Because darn it, it seemed like his attempt at being nonchalant earlier was all for nothing. His expression was clearly surprised.
Professor Villanueva patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Exactly. Think of it as your first exercise, listening and understanding each other."
Exercise? Do I look like I exercise? I don't even do simple squats, jumping jacks, or jogging.Eliot complained in his mind.He didn't have the guts to say that out loud.
Before Eliot could protest further, both professors were already heading toward the counter to settle their bills. Moments later, the café door chimed, and the two were gone, leaving Eliot and Kaius alone at the table.
Great...just great. Mark the freakin' sarcasm.
Eliot busied himself with rearranging his notebook, tapping his pen unnecessarily, pretending like the silence didn't feel heavier now. He could practically feel Kaius' stare again, burning holes through the air.
Finally, Eliot looked up, exasperated. "No offense meant, ah. But, what's your problem? You've been staring for a while now. It's getting irritating."
Kaius tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening. "Problem? None at all." He answered feigning innocence.
"Then why are you staring like that? Do I have something on my face?" Eliot snapped, though his voice cracked just a little, betraying his nerves.
Kaius chuckled softly, low enough to blend with the jazz playing in the background. "No. You don't have anything on your face."
"Then stop staring," Eliot muttered, glaring down at his notebook again.
But Kaius didn't. If anything, his gaze grew steadier, more deliberate. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, studying Eliot like one would study a photograph.
"You know," Kaius said casually, "my camera is never wrong. It always manages to find beauty in places most people overlook."
Eliot's head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Kaius shrugged, smirking again. "Nothing. Just an observation."
Damn it. Really damn it. Eliot wanted to slam his notebook shut, wanted to roll his eyes so hard they'd disappear into his skull. But his body betrayed him, his heart thudded faster, his palms grew clammy, and he had to curl his fingers under the table just to hide its trembling.
"Crazy," he muttered under his breath.
Kaius only smiled wider, as if he'd heard it anyway.
The silence stretched again, but it wasn't empty. It was charged, thick with something Eliot couldn't quite name. He tapped his pen against the page, trying desperately to think of anything else. Get to know each other, the professors had said. How? When the man across from him looked at him like that?
Minutes passed. Eliot dared to glance at Kaius again, half-expecting the smirk to still be there. It was. And worse, it wasn't mocking, it was... curious?
It sent another shiver down Eliot's spine, the kind that confused him more than scared him.
"Partner, huh..." Kaius murmured suddenly, his voice low, not intending for him to hear... but he heard it...
Eliot blinked. "What?"
Kaius leaned back in his chair, his smirk softening into something almost contemplative. "Nothing. Just thinking. This might be... interesting."
Eliot scoffed, though his throat felt tight. "If you're saying it's interesting to mess with me, then sorry. You chose the wrong partner."
Kaius chuckled again, the sound deep and disarming. "We'll see."
Eliot rolled his eyes and went back to doodling on his notebook, determined not to let Kaius get under his skin any further. Yet even as he tried to drown himself in scribbles, he couldn't ignore the way his chest felt, like his heartbeat was out of rhythm. Is he nervous? If so... the question is, why?
After a few more beats of silence, Kaius suddenly spoke again, this time without the smirk. His tone was calm, deliberate, almost like he was reciting something he'd carried for a long time.
"You know," he began, his gaze steady on Eliot, "I don't believe in giving up on something just because people say it's unachievable. If I want it, I'll find a way. That's who I am."
Eliot froze. The words hit him like a wave, startling in their intensity. He looked up sharply, meeting Kaius' eyes, and for the first time, there was no teasing smirk, no playful glint. Just raw conviction.
For a moment, Eliot forgot how to breathe.
And just like that, he couldn't help but say to himself that... it was really a mistake to accept this interdepartmental collaboration.