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Ivan is late. Again.
The timer in the sky was still ticking down, just like it had been for the past few months. Every time he looked up, it was there, glowing brightly, reminding him that he was always behind. But today? Today, it was especially irritating. It was ticking so loud as if it not knowledge by him, it'd blow off. He didn't have time for this cosmic countdown.
He pushed his way through the crowded courtyard, avoiding students left and right, when—
Thud.
Ivan was knocked off balance, his shoulder colliding with someone else. He stumbled slightly, and then the other guy— who had messy grey hair and a quiet air about him— dropped a notebook and a few pens.
“I'm so sorry,” Ivan blurted out, quickly crouching down to help him pick up his things. His voice came out a little sharper than usual, frustration from running late leaking into his words. “Didn’t see you there.”
The guy didn’t seem fazed at all. He just kept gathering his things in silence, his movements calm and deliberate. Ivan caught a glimpse of him and handed him a pen, glancing at him for the first time. He was shorter than him, with those messy grey strands of hair that looked like they’d been styled by the wind itself. There was a calmness about him that made Ivan feel like he should apologize even more.
“No, really, I should’ve watched where I was going,” Ivan said again, his tone softening. “Campus is always this crowded. I should've look up once in a while.”
The guy— finally met his eyes for a brief moment, and Ivan felt a strange jolt in his chest. There was something oddly familiar about him. Something Ivan couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the way the guy carried himself, or maybe it was just that unsettling timer above him. Ivan wasn’t sure.
“Thanks,” The guy said, his voice low and even. Then he started to stand, gathering the last of his things. “It’s alright.”
Ivan stood up too, a little too quickly, still a little unsure of how to end this interaction. His friends were waiting, and he was in a rush, but this guy— there was something about him that made Ivan hesitant. What are these feelings?
He glanced up at the timer again, still glowing brightly in the sky. It's ticking slowly now, less loud than before. It was hard to not notice it, but he didn’t want to bring it up out of nowhere.
“Well... I guess I should get going,” Ivan said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “But hey, I didn’t catch your name.”
The shorter glanced at him for a moment, but instead of answering, he simply gave a small nod and turned to walk away.
Huh? Ivan’s mouth opened to say something—
“Ivan! Hey!” He hears his friends called as they jogged toward him, completely oblivious to whatever the hell he just experienced.
Ivan let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair as he glanced back toward the guy he bumped. Ivan sees a small sight of his grey hair walking the opposite, disappearing into the crowd. It felt like something important had just slipped through his fingers. He hadn’t even gotten the guy’s name.
His friends reached him, laughing at his expression and pulling him along. “Come on, man, what’s taking you so long? We’re gonna miss it!”
Ivan barely registered their words. His mind was still on the guy with the awfully, perfectly, messy grey hair and the timer. He couldn’t help but feel like that brief encounter meant something more— something he couldn’t quite explain.
“Yeah, yeah, let's go,” Ivan muttered. The strange pull he’d felt earlier still lingered, as if the universe had nudged him toward this person for a reason.
No. He's feeling something else. It's like he's been into this situation before— What is it called again?
Though for now, Ivan was left with nothing but a feeling of unfinished business—and that damn timer, still ticking away above him. He huffed loudly, as he continued to step away with his friends, yet again.
———
Ivan had been trying to find the guy he bumped into for days.
Ever since their brief encounter on the crowded campus grounds two days ago, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was pulling him toward that quiet, grey-haired guy. But every time he tried to track him down, it was like the other vanished into thin air. Ivan had seen him from afar a few times, but never close enough to talk to him. It was as if the universe itself was playing some kind of cruel game, teasing him with the idea of their next meeting but never letting it happen.
That was until today.
It started with a stupid bet. Ivan had never been good at cards, and his friends were quick to take advantage of that. He lost, and as punishment, they sent him to the campus café to buy everyone drinks. Ivan, of course, grumbled about it, but it was all in good fun. He was used to their teasing by now.
As he trudged toward the café, still muttering to himself, he glanced around— mostly out of habit now. Looking for God-knows-who. Not that he actually thought of finding him today. He'd been looking for so long (only two days) so, what were the chances?
The campus café was packed as usual, a few students studying at the tables, some sitting by the windows with their heads buried in books. Ivan ordered the drinks, his mind still half on the bet and half on that mysterious pull toward the pretty grey haired man.
And then, just as he turned to grab the drinks, he froze.
There, sitting at a corner table by the window, was him. The, him. Ivan didn’t know if it was luck or fate, but there he was— grey hair, calm demeanor, just sipping his drink with an almost distracted look on his face.
Ivan couldn’t believe it. After all this time, after all those frustrating two days of searching, there he was. Popping in front of Ivan with no efforts needed.
For a moment, Ivan just stood there, staring, like a complete idiot. The timer above them, still glowing in the sky outside, seemed to tick louder in his ears. It was like a sign, like this was the moment he’d been waiting for— except he had no idea what to say or do.
He shook his head and started toward the table, determined to at least say something this time. As he approached, he couldn't help but feel the familiar flutter in his chest, the strange connection he’d felt before creeping up again.
The guy looked up, catching his gaze, but this time he didn’t turn away. His expression was neutral, almost bemused. He didn’t seem surprised to see Ivan at all.
“I didn’t think I’d see you here,” Ivan said, trying to sound casual, but his voice came out a little breathless. "Small world, huh?"
He raised an eyebrow, an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. “I could say the same.”
Ivan stood there for a second, awkwardly holding the drinks, unsure of what to do next. The last time they met, it had been a rushed, too much going on. This time? It felt a little different. More... relaxed.
"Guess I owe you an apology," Ivan said, suddenly remembering their first meeting. "I bumped into you that day. Didn’t really get a chance to say anything proper."
Ivan awkwardly rubs his neck, avoiding eye contact. The guy looked at him, his expression softening just a bit. “It’s fine. No harm done.”
Ivan chuckled nervously, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Damn it. "Well, I’m Ivan, in case you didn’t catch my name."
"Till," he replied, giving him a small nod. "Nice to meet you, officially."
Officially.
Ivan couldn’t help but smile. It was a simple moment, nothing dramatic. But, it felt like a small victory— like they’d finally broken through the awkwardness.
“So, what’s your deal with sitting in the corner all the time?” Ivan asked, trying to steer the conversation to something less uncomfortable.
Till hums and shrugged, looking out the window. “It’s quiet here. Peaceful. I like it.”
Ivan nodded, taking in the calm atmosphere of the café. It was definitely different from the usual chaos of campus. "I get that. Sometimes I just need to... I don’t know, get away from everything, you know?"
“Yeah, I know the feeling.”
There was a pause, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Ivan caught himself glancing at the timer in the sky again, but this time, it didn’t feel as overwhelming. The countdown was still there, ticking away, but he wasn’t as focused on it. For once, it wasn’t the only thing on his mind.
“Well,” Ivan said with a grin, feeling more confident now. “I guess I’ll leave you to your peace. I’ve got a bunch of drinks to deliver before my friends think I’m slacking off.”
Till gave him a small smile in return. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Ivan.”
Ivan turned to leave, but then hesitated. He glanced back at Till who's already watching him. “Hey, maybe.. I’ll see you around again?”
Till gave him a thoughtful look. “Maybe.”
With that, Ivan walked back toward his friends, feeling like the brief interaction meant more than he’d expected. His heart was still racing, but this time, it wasn’t from the rush of trying to find Till. It was from the anticipation of what might happen next.
The next few days felt a little different for Ivan. There was a shift in the air, an odd sense of excitement, even though he hadn’t seen Till since the café encounter. He couldn’t quite explain it, but his mind kept drifting back to that conversation. Every time he thought about it, he found himself smiling a little, even if he tried to hide it. It was strange— this feeling of something starting without him even realizing it.
But life, as always, kept moving forward. He still had classes, practices, and his rowdy group of friends to keep him busy. But even amidst the chaos, there was a quiet thought in the back of his mind: Maybe I’ll run into Till again soon.
And, of course, the universe seemed determined to answer his unspoken wish.
It was a week later when Ivan saw him again.
This time, it wasn’t at the café. It wasn’t even on campus. It was during a late-night study session at the library. Ivan had come to pick up a book for his next class and, after spending way too long looking for it, was heading toward the exit.
And there, by one of the study tables near the back, was Till. He was sitting with his headphones on, scribbling notes in a notebook. His grey hair looked messy in a way that somehow suited him perfectly, and his posture was relaxed, but there was a sense of focus in the way his pen moved across the paper. Ivan caught a glimpse of his face, and for some reason, it felt like his heart skipped a beat.
He almost turned around to leave, not wanting to disturb him, but then he remembered the last time they’d spoken. He’d barely gotten to know him. And for some reason, Ivan didn’t want to let this moment slip by. Not this time.
So, like a man on a mission, Ivan walked toward Till’s table, feeling his nerves rise with every step. He knocked the table softly.
“Hey,” Ivan said, his voice a little louder than he’d intended. Till looked up, surprised but not shocked. He didn’t seem upset, just mildly curious.
“Oh, it’s you,” Till said, taking out his headphones and setting them down on the table. His tone was calm, almost... amused? Ivan wasn’t sure, but it felt nice.
“Yeah,” Ivan grinned, awkwardly scratching his head. “I swear, I keep bumping into you everywhere.”
“Guess it’s a small world after all,” Till replied, a slight grin tugging at his lips.
Ivan chuckled, then awkwardly shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I didn’t expect to see you here, though. Are you a regular?”
Till shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “I come here to study sometimes. It’s quiet. More my pace than whatever it is outside.”
Ivan nodded, glancing around the quiet library. He’d always preferred the buzz of activity, but there was something calming about the way Till spoke, something that made the usually crowded, noisy world seem distant.
“Mind if I join you?” Ivan asked. It was a bit forward, but he couldn’t help himself. He was drawn to Till, and this felt like a good opportunity to talk more.
Till seemed to consider it for a moment, then nodded. “Sure. But I can’t promise I’ll be entertaining.”
Ivan sat down, feeling a little out of place at first. His usual hangout spots didn’t involve long study sessions. But he tried to relax, his mind working in overdrive, wondering how to keep the conversation going.
“Are you studying for something specific?” Ivan asked, looking at the notebook on the table. It was filled with neat, precise handwriting— so much different from the scribbles Ivan was used to seeing in his own notes.
Till glanced down at the pages, then back up at Ivan. “Just a philosophy assignment. I like how it makes me think about things differently.”
Ivan raised an eyebrow. “Philosophy, huh? You’re a deep thinker, I see.”
“I guess you could say that,” Till replied, his eyes flicking back to his notes. “I like questioning things. Makes life more interesting.”
Ivan nodded thoughtfully, genuinely impressed. “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out. Me? I just play soccer and try to avoid too many deep thoughts.”
Till smiled faintly. “There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple.”
For a moment, the conversation seemed to shift into something more comfortable. The awkward tension was fading away, and Ivan found himself opening up in ways he hadn’t expected. It was like talking to Till didn’t require him to act like someone he wasn’t.
Ivan leaned back in his chair, feeling oddly at ease. “I’ve been meaning to ask. How long have you been at this school?”
Till paused, his eyes scanning the notebook before he responded. “A couple of months. Transferred in after the last semester started.”
“Ah, so you're the new guy,” Ivan grinned. “That explains the mysterious vibe.”
Till roll his eyes, but there was a softness to his expression now. “I wouldn’t call it mysterious. Just, not looking to stand out.”
Ivan chuckled. “I get that. I mean, look at me. I’ve got enough friends to fill a stadium, and it’s always chaos.”
Till raised an eyebrow. “Must be so exhausting.”
“You have no idea,” Ivan replied with a laugh. “But hey, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them just enjoying the moment. The timer above them ticked on, but this time, Ivan didn’t feel rushed. It was like time had slowed, and for once, it felt like everything was happening at the right pace.
“You’re welcome to join my group sometime,” Ivan said, as he stood up to leave. “If you ever need a break from the library or... you know, the deep thinking.”
Till looked at him, a glimmer of something— amusement, maybe— flashing in his eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind, Ivan.”
Ivan hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. He could feel his heart pounding a little faster. Maybe it was the quietness of the library or the fact that he actually enjoyed spending time with Till, but he found himself blurting out the next words before he could stop himself.
“Uh... hey, would you want to maybe... text sometime?” Ivan asked, rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. “I mean, we could talk more about deep thinking... or whatever. If you're into that.”
Till tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. Ivan could feel his cheeks burning, suddenly self-conscious.
"Are you asking for my number?" Till's voice was calm, but there was a teasing edge to it, like he was enjoying this moment a little too much.
Ivan’s flustered expression only deepened. “Yeah, I—uh, I guess I am. I mean, it's not like— it’s just, I could use someone to talk to about... deep stuff, you know?”
There was a brief silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Till finally nodded, a hint of amusement still dancing in his eyes. “Sure. I’ll text you.”
Ivan blinked in surprise, his nerves slowly easing. Till scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it to him with a small, almost teasing smile.
“Don’t overthink it,” Till said softly. “It’s just texting.”
Ivan chuckled, his face still warm. “Right. Definitely not overthinking it,” he said with a wink, trying to play it cool. He stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket and gave a small, awkward wave. “I’ll see you around, Till.”
"See you."
As Ivan walked away, he couldn’t help but smile to himself. His heart was still racing, but in a good way. The timer above him ticked on, but for once, it wasn’t about the timer. It was about the quiet moments he was starting to share with Till. And maybe, just maybe, this was how it was all supposed to unfold.
Over the last few days, Ivan found himself glancing at his phone more often than usual, especially during the quieter moments of his day. Every time he opened his messages, he would find himself staring at Till's number, wondering when— or if— Till would actually text him.
It wasn't that Ivan was impatient. Not really. He just... well, he had a lot of time to think between practices, classes, and hanging out with his friends. And for some strange reason, his thoughts always wandered back to that brief but strange encounter with Till at the library.
Ivan wasn’t exactly used to being nervous about something as simple as a text, but here he was, trying to figure out the right words for a message. After all, he didn’t want to mess this up. He’d already made a fool of himself once by blushing like a teenager, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle doing that again.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of deliberating, Ivan typed out a message:
Hey, it’s Ivan. Just thought I’d check in, see if you were still into that deep thinking stuff. If you are, I’m all for it. Let me know!
He hit send before he could second-guess himself.
It wasn’t long before his phone buzzed, and Ivan’s heart skipped a beat. He eagerly unlocked his phone, already grinning like an idiot before he even saw the message.
im still into deep thinking, sure. but i wouldn’t mind talking about something else for a change. what’s your favorite sport?
Ivan laughed out loud. He could almost hear Till’s calm, teasing voice in his head as he read the message. So, he decided to keep it lighthearted too, not wanting to overthink this.
Soccer. Obviously.
He added a quick follow-up with a wink emoji, trying to play it cool, though the grin on his face was anything but casual.
After a few moments, the reply came:
figures. you’re the type to kick a ball around for fun
Ivan couldn’t help but chuckle. There was something about Till’s straightforwardness that kept him on his toes. It was like he was peeling back layers of a mystery, but in the most casual way possible. And Ivan— well, he found it more than a little intriguing.
What about you? Ivan typed, feeling a bit bolder.
What do you do when you're not, deep thinking?
The message lingered a bit longer this time, and Ivan found himself second-guessing whether Till would even reply. But then, the phone buzzed again, and Ivan felt a little surge of excitement.
i write. mostly. but im also really into old movies
Ivan smiled to himself, enjoying the easy flow of their conversation. He hadn’t realized how much he was looking forward to these small exchanges until now.
Old movies, huh? Like what?
Ivan asked, feeling genuinely curious. This time, the reply came quicker.
anything with a classic twist. think black-and-white stuff. old-school noir
Ivan raised an eyebrow, impressed. He’d always thought of himself as more of a modern movie buff, but there was something intriguing about the way Till liked to enjoy things. It wasn’t just about watching a film; it was about appreciating it in a way that not many people did.
You’re a man of culture, then.
i try
Till responded, and Ivan could practically hear the playful smile in his words.
It was in that moment that Ivan realized how much he’d been enjoying their back-and-forth. It was natural, easy, and way less nerve-wracking than he had anticipated. He could sense that maybe, just maybe, there was something real starting to form between them.
But just as he was about to type another message, a group chat notification from his friends popped up, and Ivan groaned in frustration. He quickly checked it, knowing it would be one of those ‘urgent’ situations that would drag him away from his phone.
He quickly typed:
I gotta go, friends calling me. But let’s talk more later, yeah?
sure thing
take care
Ivan smiled, feeling a little giddy as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. It was small, it was simple, but it felt significant. Maybe things were moving slowly, but in the best way possible.
After practice, he found himself glancing around campus more than usual, half-expecting to bump into Till again. But like always, the universe seemed to have a strange sense of timing, and Till was nowhere to be seen.
Their conversations became a daily thing—sometimes short and sweet, other times filled with long exchanges that made Ivan feel like he was slowly getting to know Till in a way that was both exciting and comfortable. It was a balance he hadn’t expected, but he liked it. A lot.
One afternoon, as Ivan was grabbing a coffee from the campus café, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out quickly, hoping it was a message from Till. He grinned like an idiot when he saw it was.
are you free this weekend?
Ivan’s heart skipped a beat. Till had never directly asked him to hang out, and the thought of spending time with him outside of their usual texting felt like a big step. But Ivan wasn’t about to overthink it— he’d learned his lesson there. He typed back almost immediately.
I am! What’s up?
There was a brief pause before the reply came:
i was thinking of checking out a local art gallery. if you’re into that sort of thing
Ivan paused for a moment, his fingers hovering over the keys. An art gallery? That was... different. But not in a bad way. It wasn’t something he’d normally do on a Saturday afternoon, but he liked the idea of spending time with Till, doing something a little out of the ordinary. Plus, he was curious about what kind of art Till was into.
That sounds fun. I’m in!
He hit send, his smile growing as he read the message again. Till had a way of pulling him out of his comfort zone in the best way possible. Ivan didn’t know why, but he was genuinely excited for the weekend to come.
The day of the gallery visit arrived a lot quicker than Ivan expected. Not that he'd complain about the chance of meeting Till faster but, it'd be bland lies if he says he's not nervous. Ivan found himself in front of the café where they had agreed to meet, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. He dressed casually, nothing too fancy, but still trying to make a good impression. He was early, as usual, pacing around while checking his phone, waiting for Till.
He didn’t have to wait long. A few minutes later, he spotted Till walking toward him, dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans, his usual effortless style. Ivan couldn’t help but smile when he saw him. There was something about the way Till carried himself— so calm, so unbothered by the world, that made Ivan feel even more self-conscious about his own slightly frantic energy.
"Hey," Till said as he approached, his voice casual as always. He gave Ivan a quick smile, his eyes briefly flicking down to Ivan’s outfit. "You look... good."
Ivan laughed nervously, ignoring the heat across his cheek while rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. You look.. pretty."
Ivan wants to slap himself. Or rather, jump off. Both, preferably.
Till just nodded, a small grin playing at the corners of his lips. Ivan has this urge to eat him. Affectionately. "Let's get going, yeah?"
The walk to the gallery was easy, the two of them chatting about random things— movies, classes, how annoying it was that the campus is always so crowded. Ivan found himself laughing a lot, the sound of it a little too loud for the calm pace they were setting, but he didn’t mind. It was nice, this easy back-and-forth.
When they arrived at the gallery, it was quieter than Ivan had expected. The soft hum of the music in the background and the peaceful ambiance gave him a chance to relax and actually enjoy the art. He didn’t really know much about art, but he found himself intrigued by the pieces on the walls. They were abstract, with splashes of color and intricate designs that made him think about the world in a different way.
"You like this kind of stuff?" Ivan asked, turning to Till as they stood in front of one of the paintings.
Till glanced at the painting for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. It’s a good way to think about things without overthinking them." His tone was casual, but there was something in the way he spoke that made Ivan want to dig deeper.
"Overthinking... like how you’re always thinking too much?" Ivan teased lightly, nudging Till with his elbow.
Till snickers lightly, giving him a side-eye. "Says the guy who can’t stop checking his phone every five minutes."
Ivan laughed, feeling a little embarrassed but also a little charmed by the way Till teased him. "Touché," he said, feeling the heat across his cheek. "But, hey, at least I don’t look like I’m ready to fall asleep standing up."
"Maybe I am. Ever think of that?" Till replied with a grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
It was moments like these that made Ivan feel like this wasn’t just some random outing— it was the beginning of something real. They weren’t rushing, there was no pressure, and yet Ivan could feel something shifting between them. It wasn’t just about hanging out anymore. It was about them, about the way they fit together, even if they were still figuring it out.
As they moved through the gallery, Ivan found himself glancing at Till more often than not. He was more relaxed now, his usual nervous energy slowly being replaced with a quiet excitement. They didn’t have to say anything, but there was this sense of understanding between them, something that made Ivan want to keep this feeling for as long as he could.
Later, as they sat down in the small café attached to the gallery, sipping on their drinks, Ivan caught himself staring at Till for a moment too long, again. He quickly looked away, embarrassed by his sudden shyness.
Till noticed, of course. He always did. "What’s up?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "You look like you’re about to say something."
Ivan opened his mouth to reply, but then, with a small laugh, he just shook his head. "Nothing," he said, feeling his cheeks flush slightly. "I'm just.. really happy."
Even while avoiding Till's eyes to hide his— unfortunately very, red cheeks, in the corner of Ivan's eye he can see Till smiling. At him, he hopes. And for the first time in a while, Ivan realized that he wasn’t just saying that. He really was happy.
The weather had shifted from warm to crisp, and the leaves around campus had started to turn vibrant shades of red and gold. Ivan found himself spending more time with Till. Not always in big, dramatic ways, but in the small, everyday moments that seemed to stitch their lives together more seamlessly.
They’d walk across campus together after class, exchanging quiet conversation as they made their way to their next destinations. Sometimes, they’d grab a quick coffee, or just sit under a tree, letting the world around them fade into the background.
One afternoon, as they were sitting on a bench near the library, Ivan couldn’t help but glance up at the sky, where the timer still hung, an ever-present reminder of the strange force at work between them. It was ticking. Not as loud as it had before, but there was something different about it. The seconds were moving faster now, and Ivan’s gaze lingered on it longer than he intended.
He shifted slightly, trying not to let his discomfort show. He hadn’t mentioned it to Till before, but something about the way the timer was ticking made him feel antsy. What if it meant something? What if it was all leading up to something inevitable?
Till, as if sensing his unease, also glanced upward. Ivan caught the subtle shift in Till’s expression, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes as he stared at the timer. It was a momentary thing, gone as quickly as it came, but Ivan couldn’t ignore the fact that Till had seen it, too.
“You notice that?” Ivan asked quietly, not sure why he was even bringing it up. He had been avoiding thinking about it, pretending it wasn’t there, but now that they were both looking at it, it felt impossible to ignore.
Till’s gaze snapped back to Ivan, his brows furrowed in a mix of confusion and curiosity. “You can see it too?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it too loud would make it disappear.
Ivan nodded, his heart thumping in his chest. “Yeah. It’s been there for a while now. But... it feels like it’s going faster, doesn’t it?”
Till looked back up at the sky again, his expression still unreadable. Ivan couldn’t help but wonder if Till was thinking the same thing: Was this just a coincidence? Or was it something else altogether?
After a long pause, Till exhaled slowly, almost as if he was trying to gather his thoughts. “I didn’t realize it was moving faster. I thought it was just, stuck or something,” he admitted, his voice low.
Ivan chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought that too. But now I’m kind of freaking out, honestly. I don’t know what happens when it runs out of time.”
Till shifted, his posture was still calm, but Ivan could sense that the question hung in the air between them, unspoken but understood. What would happen when the timer hit zero?
"Maybe it’s nothing,” Till said after a moment, as if trying to reassure himself as much as Ivan. “Maybe it’s just, there for the show.”
Ivan wasn’t convinced. He had always felt like there was more to it, but now that they were both acknowledging it, he wasn’t so sure it was something he could ignore any longer.
"Maybe," Ivan murmured, but his voice trailed off. He didn’t feel entirely sure of that answer. There was something about the way the timer was ticking now that felt like they were running out of time, like something was pushing them to make a decision.
They both fell into a quiet silence, each lost in their thoughts. The air between them was charged, but neither of them spoke. It was strange how something so small could make them feel so heavy, but there it was.
Finally, Ivan broke the silence, unable to shake the feeling that they were both caught in something that neither of them fully understood.
“So,” Ivan began, his voice a little softer now. “What happens if— if we don’t figure it out in time?”
Till’s eyes met his, the moment stretching longer than usual. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave a small shrug, his gaze drifting back to the timer in the sky.
“Guess we’ll find out,” Till said with a hint of a smile, though there was something in his tone that made it clear he was just as unsure as Ivan. Still, it was oddly reassuring to hear him say it.
Though, Ivan still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change. The timer was ticking faster, and whatever happened next, he knew it was coming soon.
Later, as they were about to part ways, Ivan hesitated for a moment, his heart racing again. He knew he had to ask.
“Hey,” Ivan started, suddenly feeling shy again. "I was thinking maybe we could grab dinner sometime. You know, just us?”
Till glanced at him, a soft smile playing on his lips. “What, you want to spend more time with me?” He teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Ivan flushed but, held his ground. “Yeah. I mean, why not?”
Till raised an eyebrow but didn’t hesitate for long. “Alright. Saturday?”
Ivan’s heart leaped. "Saturday it is." The thought of spending more time with Till, without the pressure of the timer hanging over them, was enough to make his day feel a little brighter.
As they parted ways, Ivan felt the familiar rush of excitement through him. The timer was still there, still ticking down in the background, but for the first time, it didn’t feel like a countdown to something inevitable. It felt like a countdown to something they were building together.
And Ivan had never been more excited to see where it would take them.
The days leading up to Saturday felt like they crawled by. Ivan found himself thinking about Till more often, like a prayer. His thoughts drifting back to their quiet moments together. The timer, ever-present above them, seemed to pulse with a quiet urgency, like it was waiting for something to happen. Or maybe it was waiting for them.
Saturday arrived sooner than Ivan had anticipated, and as he prepared to meet Till for dinner, there was an unfamiliar flutter in his chest. He hadn’t felt this kind of nervous excitement in a long time, and it made him feel almost unsteady.
He arrived at the restaurant early, wanting to make a good impression, but also wanting to be sure he didn’t look too eager. His friends had teased him endlessly about how he's finally giving a thought to dating. Ivan refused to admit that it was, a date but there was something about Till that made everything else fade into the background. He just wanted to get to know him better.
When Till finally walked through the door, Ivan couldn’t help but notice how effortless he looked. He was dressed casually, wearing a simple hoodie and jeans, but there was something about the way he moved, the way his eyes locked onto Ivan’s as he spotted him across the room, that made Ivan’s heart beat a little faster.
“Hey,” Till greeted, his voice warm, but there was a subtle hint of something deeper in his tone that Ivan couldn’t quite place. “Sorry I’m late. Got caught up with something.”
“No worries,” Ivan said, smiling as he stood up to pull out a chair for Till. “I just got here too.”
As Till sat down, Ivan felt the space between them grow a little smaller, the quiet between them almost comfortable now. The hum of the restaurant, the clinking of glasses, and soft chatter around them faded into the background as the two of them settled into their conversation.
For a while, they talked about everything and nothing— class, plans for the weekend, movies they liked— but there was an underlying current between them. Each laugh seemed a little more genuine, each glance lingering just a little longer. Ivan could feel it in the way Till's eyes softened when he spoke to him, in the way he seemed to hang on every word Ivan said.
As the evening wore on, the space between them seemed to shrink. Ivan found himself leaning a little closer, caught up in the warmth of Till’s presence. It felt natural, like they’d been doing this for years rather than only a handful of weeks. They were just two people, sitting across from each other, talking about life like it was the most important thing in the world.
“I didn’t think you’d be the type to be into this kind of food,” Till said with a raised eyebrow, his voice teasing but also a little curious.
Ivan shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I can surprise you,” he said, his eyes meeting Till’s with a playfulness that he wasn’t sure had been there before. “But I guess I should be asking you that— how’d you end up at this place?”
Till hesitated for a moment, and Ivan noticed how the faintest blush tinged his cheeks. It was subtle, but it was there. If Ivan blinked, he wouldn't have seen it. “My friend recommended it. But I didn’t think I’d be eating here with you tonight.”
Ivan’s heart skipped a beat. There it was again— the little moments that made him feel like everything was building toward something bigger. It was in the way Till spoke, the way his voice seemed to drop just a little lower when he said things like that. Ivan was starting to realize that Till wasn’t just talking about the food. He was talking about them.
The conversation drifted again, this time a little quieter, more softer. It was as though the space between them had disappeared entirely, and Ivan couldn’t stop himself from leaning in a little closer, the impulse growing stronger the more time they spent together.
They shared a dessert, and when Till reached for the last piece of cake, their fingers brushed briefly. The touch was light, but it sent a jolt through Ivan. His breath caught for a split second, and he saw the same surprised look on Till’s face. It was fleeting, but there was something about it that made Ivan’s heart race.
“Sorry,” Till murmured, his voice suddenly softer, quieter. “Didn’t mean to take the last piece.”
I could care less about the last piece, is what he wants to say.
Ivan chuckled, though his voice was unsteady. “It’s fine,” he said, almost too quickly, “but you can share it with me if you want.”
There was a pause, a beat where they just looked at each other, neither of them knowing exactly what to say next. But the silence didn’t feel awkward. It felt.. gentle. Like there was something unspoken hanging between them, and neither of them was ready to put it into words just yet.
“I— uh—“ Ivan started, his voice faltering slightly as he tried to regain his usual confidence. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Till gave him a sideways glance, his curiosity piqued. “What’s up?”
Ivan hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip. He had to be careful with this. He couldn’t just blurt out how he was feeling, could he? But, as he watched Till’s eyes flicker from his lips to his eyes, Ivan found himself saying the words before he could stop them.
“Do you ever feel like we’re supposed to be here? Like, maybe the timer’s trying to tell us something?”
Till blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation. His expression softened, and for a moment, there was something in his eyes that made Ivan feel vulnerable, like he was being laid bare for the first time.
“You think that too?” Till asked, his voice a little quieter now. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve been thinking about it more lately. It feels like— it’s leading somewhere, right?”
Ivan nodded, feeling the weight of the moment settled between them. This was it. The thing they had both been dancing around for weeks. The timer. The strange, inevitable pull toward one another.
“Yeah,” Ivan whispered, his voice almost a breath. “It’s like we’re running out of time. And I don’t know what’s gonna happen when it hits zero but, I don’t want to miss it.”
Till’s eyes met his, and there was something raw and honest in them now. It wasn’t just about the timer anymore. It was about the two of them, and whatever this was that they were starting to build.
“Neither do I,” Till said, his voice low but sure.
And for the first time, it didn’t feel like the timer was a countdown to something they had to hurry through. It felt like the countdown had already begun, and all they needed to do was let it unfold.
Ivan could feel the weight of the moment— the tension in the air between them, the unspoken things lingering in the space between their words.
Till shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes meeting Ivan’s with an almost hesitant expression. There was something he wanted to say, but he wasn’t sure how to put it into words. Ivan couldn’t help but lean in just a little, intrigued.
“You know,” Till began, his voice softer than usual, “I’ve been thinking about something. About when we bumped into each other last semester.”
Ivan raised an eyebrow, confused for a moment. “Bumped into each other?” he asked, tilting his head. “When was that?”
They've met before? Ivan thinks back to the first time they met.
Till smiled, a little sheepish, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Ivan softens at the sight. “The campus festival,” he said, his voice low but clear enough.
“I was with my friend, and you were with your friends. We bumped into each other, remember?”
Ivan blinked, the memory slowly resurfacing. It had been so disrupted back then, so much noise and too many people. He hadn’t even gotten a good look at Till at the time, just the flash of someone’s figure on his back before he apologized and walked away.
The festival!
“Oh, right,” Ivan muttered, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, I do remember. I didn’t really get a good look at you though. Everything was so crowded, and I was in a rush. ”
Till’s gaze softened, and he chuckled, almost as if he were remembering the same moment with a bit of amusement. “I noticed you,” Till said, his voice quieter now, more gentle. “I noticed you because of your— well, your ridiculous hair back then. But, what really caught my attention was the timer in the sky.”
Ivan’s heart skipped, totally ignoring the hair comment. “The timer?” he echoed, suddenly realizing what Till was talking about. “You saw it too back then?”
Till nodded, his expression a little more serious now. “Yeah, I did. It showed up right after we bumped into each other. It wasn’t like I could’ve ignored it. And after that, I thought maybe it was a sign that I was supposed to meet you. But then I never got the chance to actually talk to you.”
Ivan’s chest tightened, his heart racing as he processed Till’s words. He’d always known the timer was connected to him, but hearing Till speak about it so openly, so casually, made it feel real in a way that had him almost breathless.
As if they're bound to meet. As if they're meant for each other.
“And then this semester,” Till continued, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, “we bumped into each other again. Same way, same chaos. I guess the universe really wanted us to meet.”
The subtle sweetness of his words made Ivan’s heart flutter. He’d been thinking the same thing, but hearing Till say it out loud made everything feel more, possible. More real.
“I guess so,” Ivan said quietly, his voice thick with emotion as he looked at Till. “I’m really glad it was you.”
There was a long pause then, the quiet between them wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Ivan could feel his pulse quicken, the warmth of Till’s gaze making him feel as though the rest of the world had faded away. There was no timer above them, no countdown hanging in the air— just the two of them, sharing this moment.
Till’s eyes dropped to Ivan’s lips, then back to his eyes, and in that moment, it felt like time slowed down. Neither of them said anything. Neither of them needed to. It was as if they both knew what was coming next, and neither was afraid of it.
Ivan leaned forward just a little, almost hesitating, but the impulse was too strong. Till didn’t pull away. He stayed where he was, watching Ivan with those eyes— calm, steady, and full of something Ivan couldn’t name.
When their lips finally met, it was soft and tentative at first, like they were both testing the waters. Ivan’s heart pounded in his chest, his hand reaching for the back of Till’s neck, pulling him closer just a little bit more. The kiss deepened, slow and sweet, the kind of kiss that felt like it was filled with everything unspoken between them, everything they’d shared in these past few weeks.
When they finally broke apart, breathless but smiling, Ivan couldn’t help but laugh softly, his forehead resting against Till’s.
“Well,” Ivan said with a mischievous grin, “I guess that’s one way to make up for not talking to you last semester.”
Till chuckled softly, his thumb gently brushing Ivan’s cheek. “Yeah,” he said, his voice low and tender. “But I think this was worth the wait.”
Ivan’s smile widened, his heart a little lighter than it had been before. His eyes flutter the moment Till caresses his cheek softly— didn't catch the sight of the timer above them slowly disappear into the abyss, the sky somehow looks a lot brighter and softer. The same way Ivan seen in Till's eyes when they met.
I like this, he thinks. He refuses to look anywhere other than the man in front of him.
I like him.