27 Accidental Kiss

At S. University the next morning

A nondescript black sedan pulled over the campus parking lot. A moment later, the car doors opened, and two attractive men came out.

One was younger and fresh-looking; his face was too pretty for a boy. And the other, taller and mature; his chiseled face can give a few magazine models a run for their money.

Just for today, Draco traded his Maybach for an ordinary sedan to blend in and not draw too much attention.

It was Riley's request. He didn't want a high-profile college life. And driving a Maybach Pullman to school was definitely screaming for attention.

Anyway, Draco had several cars ready in the garage. It was no problem at all.

However, though the car did not draw any untoward notice, its passengers immediately turned heads.

Oblivious to the stares, Riley was on his phone scanning the itinerary he outlined for today. Riley had already mapped out the places and activities he wanted to explore.

He's decided on his course and decided not to attend talks and course presentations anymore. Instead, he's more interested in tours around campus; the classrooms, living accommodations, and cafeteria.

Now, looking at the campus map on his phone, Riley asked Draco, "Should we check out the dorms first? It's a bit farther. But I think it's better to start from there, then move around all the way back here." Then he looked up at Draco, waiting for his response.

The older man agreed. "Then, let's do as you say."

Pointing the direction to the dorm, Riley declared, "This way. Let's go."

Side by side, the two leisurely walked while Riley chattered about S. University facts.

"Wow! It says here that the building is a hundred years old."

Draco, enjoying his time with the boy, gave his opinion from time to time. But mostly, he just hummed his response.

He loves the boy's inquisitive nature. Especially, how his face brightens every time he finds something interesting.

Draco was enthralled.

Occasionally stopping to admire the surroundings, it took the two of them a good ten-minute before they saw the facade of the dorm building. There were people waiting in line to get assisted at the lobby. Approaching the person at the end of the line, Riley inquired, "Excuse me. Hi! Is this the line for the dorm tour registration?"

A guy around Riley's age but taller turned around. He stared for a while at Riley's questioning face before he answered with a smile, "Yes."

Riley nodded, smiling too. "Thank you."

The lad beamed as he ogled at Riley. "I'm Billy. Are you also an incoming student?"

Riley, eager to find new friends, did not see any harm in starting with Billy. The other guy seemed friendly and nice.

"Yes. I'm Riley," he replied, offering his hand for a shake.

Looking pleased with Riley's gesture of friendship, Billy was about to grab Riley's offered hand when he felt the hairs on his back stand up. His hand hung in mid-air as he looked over at Riley's shoulder and found himself staring at steel grey murderous eyes.

Billy backed away from Riley, completely ignoring his outstretched hand, his face pale and scared as if a feral dog was aggressively barking at him.

Perplexed at Billy's sudden change of attitude, Riley tried to come closer. But the boy stuttered a sorry before incoherently telling him something about he needed to go somewhere. Riley was astonished as he watched Billy turn on his heels and walk away.

"Hey, Billy!" Riley called out. But Billy didn't glance back at all.

Then with wrinkled brows, he glanced back at Draco and asked, "What's wrong with him? He suddenly turned tail and away like someone was chasing him. Strange…"

Draco schooled his expression, looking innocent and devoid of the previous deviousness. He shrugged and then cautioned, "Hmmm… In the future, avoid that guy."

Convinced by Draco's excellent performance, Riley nodded his agreement. "Okay. I will."

Draco, not feeling any guilt at all for the possible trauma he brought to the guy, Billy, raised his arms and patted Riley on the head. "Good."

When it was their turn, the manager, a portly and bubbly lady called Aunty Non, led Riley and Draco to an empty dorm room.

"This is a standard room for Freshmen students. Four students in one room, but as you can see, it's spacious enough. Built-in beds, one for each student. You also have your own desk and cabinet."

What the aunty said was true. Riley saw that although the room was not that big, it was not cramped. All the beds were tall and sat high on the wall with ladders hanging on the side, two on each side of the room. Below each bed was a desk and a chair. Then on one end was a tall cabinet with drawers. Unexpectedly, Riley loved the set-up of the room.

Looking at Riley's beautiful smile, the aunty was so dazzled she let them stay for a while to examine the room.

  "Take your time. No one is using this room anyway. And there's another room I can show others. Just come down and leave the room once you're finished."

Happy with the favor, Riley thanked Aunty Non and went further into the room. He checked the cabinets and found them big enough for a student wardrobe. Then he moved to sit at the desk and tried to imagine his life for the next few months.

Leaning on the door, Draco was content to gaze at Riley, following his every move around the room.

However, when the boy started to climb the ladder, he immediately came closer, worried.

Riley was standing on one of the steps, chattering as he began to climb down. 

"I thought the steps would be a little wobbly since the legs were high. But surprisingly, it's secure. Have you ever stayed in a dorm like this before, Draco?"

"No," Draco answered. The other man's voice sounded so close it startled Riley, who thought Draco was still standing by the entrance. Riley turned his body so fast that he ended up losing his balance and started to fall face forward.

As if the whole thing was on 0.5 play speed setting, Riley started to fall, pulled by gravity. His hands outstretched, grasping nothing but air, hair flying away and around his head. His eyes got bigger, his mouth forming an O, all these happening in a short span of milliseconds.

At that same time, Draco, standing behind him, took a step back, prepared for the impact and catching Riley. And he did, and more.

Falling, Riley's hands missed Draco's shoulders, slipping to his back. As a result, his face smacked right into Draco's, their lips accidentally colliding.

Riley, who shut his eyes moments before it happened, felt something was not right. Opening his eyes again, he was shocked to find himself staring at Draco's grey ones.

Riley's lips quivered. Blood pumped away from his heart faster than usual. Then his mind went blank.

Riley did not move.

Draco didn't either.

The two men stayed connected for a while before Riley's brain finally decided to function, though not properly. 

Leaning back, Riley managed to detach their lips but still stayed held in Draco's embrace, his feet not even touching the ground.

At first, Riley was still addle headed and didn't know what to do. He was embarrassed. Riley wanted to apologize and ask Draco to let him down, but his vocal cords were not cooperating at all. Lord, he couldn't get any sound out!

Then there were Draco's intense eyes, boring on him, holding him immobile.

Giving himself a mental shake, Riley sought to be released when his eyes caught Draco's split lips. Concern immediately mars his flawless face.

"Your lips are bleeding," Riley said. His hand came up to lightly touch Draco's cut lips with his finger.

Draco winced.

"I'm sorry… Does it hurt much? Let me take a look." As he said that, Riley bent closer to examine it.

"It's fine. Don't worry," Draco replied, his voice softer than usual. Inside, he felt ticklish in his heart. He was very delighted at Riley's show of concern for him.

Later, face burning, Riley asked Draco to let him down. Then taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he used it to dab the blood on the wound while saying, "I'm really sorry. You got hurt because of me. Let's go to the infirmary to put medicine on it."

Although it was nothing, just a small cut, Draco was actually enjoying Riley fussing over him.

"We can just go and buy one later on the way home," Draco countered, unconcerned.

But the boy insisted. "No, it might get infected. Let's go. Anyway, the infirmary, if I remember correctly, is just close."

Draco smiled. "Alright."

A few minutes later, they entered the university clinic.

An attending nurse, whose nameplate says Bless, was the only person inside. Riley politely asked for help from her.

The nurse, Bless, captivated by Riley's handsome face was so eager to assist.

"Medicine for a cut? Are you hurt somewhere, dear?" She asked Riley while trying to find any signs of injury on him.

Riley shook his head. "Not me, my friend. He cut his lips just now."

Then Riley pointed at Draco, silently observing a few feet away.

Bless followed his finger and saw Draco. Wow! Fortunately, she wore makeup today! The moment she laid eyes on the tall man Bless immediately thanked the heavens for sending two gorgeous men to her.

Thrilled, Bless said, "Please wait. Let me get the medicine."

"Thank you," Riley replied.

Afterward, the nurse's eyes kept going back and forth between Riley and Draco. She couldn't resist it! They are just so strikingly handsome! So, eye candy!

Bless was so happy. Then suddenly, she noticed something peculiar. Her smile froze. She looked at the young man's red lips… then next to that of his friend.

And her heart sank. Damn, she did not want to believe it at first.

But it was really there! The obvious evidence: one bruised lip, the second one cut.

Bless- one red healthy untouched lip.