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Osora was overwhelmed. Their final exam was tomorrow, and they felt nowhere near prepared. Sitting in the library, surrounded by notebooks, textbooks, and pens, everything felt suffocating. I’m so gonna fail, they thought, tugging at their blond hair in frustration. The pressure kept building, each passing minute only making it worse.
“I brought reinforcements.”
Osora looked up from their laptop to see Arias standing in the doorway, holding a grocery bag filled with energy drinks and snacks. Their heart softened. Even with how little time they’d had for him lately, he still found ways to be thoughtful. Eleven months together—nearly a year—and it had been the best of Osora’s life. Their relationship felt like their friendship, just deeper, freer.
They took the bag, offering a faint smile. “Thanks, Arias… you didn’t have to do this.”
Arias sat beside them with an easy grin. “It’s nothing. You’re the one doing all the work,” he said as Osora cracked open a 20-oz Red Bull. If I live past thirty, it’ll be a miracle, they thought grimly.
Arias wanted to tell them to rest—to go to bed and take a break—but he knew better. Osora wouldn’t listen, and arguing would only stress them more. He’d make sure they got rest after the exam, even if it meant forcing them to.
“Oh, and I know you wanted to review the dates for the major events,” Arias said, pulling out a deck of flashcards. “If you need a break from reading, I can quiz you.”
Despite their anxiety, Osora smiled. “Yeah, read me the first one,” they said, swiveling their chair toward him.
—--------------------------------
Arias had been sitting next to Osora for two hours now, watching them alternate between clicking and tapping their pen as they studied. Even exhausted, they were still the most captivating person he’d ever seen—though the dark circles under their eyes were starting to take over their face.
Osora had long since grown used to his lingering gaze. Apparently, he’d always looked at them that way—he was just worse at hiding it now. Normally, Osora hated being the center of attention. But not with Arias. With him, it didn’t feel like scrutiny. It felt like admiration. How did I get so lucky? they thought. How did I end up with someone like him?
Eventually, Arias’ legs began to cramp. “I’m gonna take a lap,” he said, standing. “Be back in a few.”
“Uh-huh… okay,” Osora mumbled, stifling a yawn.
“Please take a break before you fry your brain,” Arias chuckled, kissing their lips before heading out of the library.
The sun had long set, the full moon hanging high. I can’t believe Osora can spend longer looking at books than I can spend looking at them, Arias thought, shaking his head. They really need to stop pushing themselves so hard.
When he returned, Osora was asleep, cheek pressed against an open book, still holding a pen. Told you to take a break, Arias thought fondly.
They looked peaceful, Arias’ hoodie sleeves swallowing their hands. He started quietly packing up: books, highlighters, notebooks. He pried the pen from their fingers, tucked it in their pencil case, and shouldered their backpack. Then, he gently scooped them into his arms. Didn’t even take their glasses off, he thought with a small smile, removing them and sliding them into the bag.
The dorm wasn’t far. And compared to his gym weights, Osora felt light. He listened to their even breathing as he walked, glad they were finally resting. After days of stress and caffeine, they deserved it.
Once inside, he kicked off his shoes, carried them to bed, and started removing their shoes—only for Osora to stir. Why can’t I ever do this without waking them up? He sighed.
Osora blinked, half-asleep, but relaxed when they recognized him. “…This is like déjà vu,” they muttered.
Arias smiled, brushing their hair back. “Hey, I know you’re tired, but you need to get ready for bed, okay, love?”
“Help me?” they asked, holding their arms out.
“Of course,” he said, scooping them up again and carrying them to the bathroom.
He set them on the counter and turned on the shower. When he turned back, Osora was already clinging to him, face buried against his chest.
“Help me?” they mumbled again, eyes heavy.
Arias laughed under his breath. “The things you do to me.”
He undressed them carefully—lifting their arms, sliding off their clothes. When he reached for their binder, he hesitated. “Do you want me to take this off, too, or do you want to do it yourself?”
“…You can do it,” they murmured.
He nodded, unhooking it with care. They trusted him completely, and the thought hit him hard. He kissed their forehead. “You’re gorgeous.”
“You tell me that every day.” They said, rolling their eyes.
“It’s true,” he said simply.
When they were finally in the shower, Arias tossed a towel into the dryer to warm. He listened to the water running, feeling oddly at peace. When it stopped, he grabbed the towel and walked back in.
Osora peeked past the curtain, spotting the empty hook. “I thought you were messing with me,” they said.
“You think so little of me,” he teased. “Come here.”
He wrapped the warm towel around them, helping them dry off and dress before tucking them into bed. Within seconds, they were out cold.
Who would’ve thought four hours of sleep in three days would do that? Arias thought sarcastically with a laugh.
After his own quick shower, he joined them in bed. As soon as he lay down, Osora latched onto him like a koala. They’re so clingy, he thought, grinning. He’d never imagined that Osora of all people liked being cared for, but he loved every second of it. He’s wanted to protect them since they were kids, and now he finally can.
He set an alarm and plugged in his phone, pulling Osora closer. This is where I belong, he thought as sleep crept in.
—------------------------------
BEEP—BEEP—BEEP.
Osora groaned, dragging the blanket over their head. Arias silenced the alarm and immediately yanked the sheets away.
“Hey!” Osora glared. Arias only grinned and marched toward the blinds.
“No, no, no—don’t you dare!”
“It’s for your own good, your highness,” he said, throwing them open. Sunlight flooded the room.
“You just murdered my retinas,” Osora groaned, hands rubbing their eyes.
Before they could blink again, Arias grabbed their ankles. “What the—AHH!” they yelped as he pulled them off the bed, laughing.
“You’re the worst,” Osora grumbled from the floor—but the small smile gave them away.
—------------------------
“Oh, come on! It was funny! Don’t be mad,” Arias teased as they walked toward campus.
“It was not funny,” Osora huffed, trying to stay mad.
“You have to admit it woke you up.”
Osora ignored him, but their lips twitched.
They reached the building just before the exam started. Osora paused, turning to him. Arias squeezed their hand. “You’ll do great.”
“Thanks for putting up with me,” Osora said quietly. “I know I’ve been a mess this week.”
Arias kissed their palm. “It’s fine. Just promise you’ll rest after this?”
Osora nodded and kissed him goodbye before heading inside.
—--------------------
A few hours later, Osora stepped out to find Arias waiting by the wall, takeout in hand. He smiled when he saw them.
“So? How’d it go?”
Osora exhaled, shoulders dropping. “I think I did well,” they said, leaning into him. “Can we go to bed now?”
Arias smirked. “Need me to carry you again?”
“I can walk just fine, thanks.”
He leaned down, voice low. “You won’t be able to after I—”
Osora slapped a hand over his mouth, face red. “What is wrong with you?! We’re in public!”
Arias laughed, taking their hand as they started walking. “Guess we’ll find somewhere more private, then.”