Marisol hurried across campus as the early evening sky turned the color of bruised peaches. The path from Sarah’s house to Smith Hall felt longer than it should have, even though she was practically running. Her sneakers spped against the concrete, her backpack bounced against her spine, and her heart kept insisting that every second away from Bharath had been too many.

  She had left Sarah only a little while ago, but the quiet of the walk had given her thoughts too much room. In just a few weeks Bharath had become the center of her world. She could not believe how completely he had taken up residence inside her chest. The idea of spending even one full day apart from him now seemed impossible. She missed the way his voice softened when he said her name, the steady warmth of his hand on her back, the small crinkle at the corner of his eye when he smiled at something only the two of them understood.

  When she reached Smith 202 she stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Her knuckles rapped against the door, quick and impatient.

  Inside, Bharath had been deeply asleep. The knock pulled him up through yers of dreams. He rubbed his eyes, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and shuffled to the door in his rumpled gray t-shirt and basketball shorts. His hair stood out in every direction. He expected Jorge or Tyrel, probably coming to drag him out for food or study group.

  He opened the door and froze.

  Marisol stood there, cheeks flushed from the run, eyes bright and shining.

  For a heartbeat neither of them moved.

  Then Bharath stepped forward and pulled her into his arms so fast she gasped. She wrapped herself around him, face buried in the crook of his neck, and the tears came without warning. His own eyes stung. They clung to each other as though months had passed instead of a single afternoon.

  “I missed you,” she whispered against his skin. “I missed you so much it hurt.”

  “I missed you too.” His voice cracked. “God, Mari, I missed you.”

  They stood in the doorway crying like fools, ughing through the tears, holding on tighter every time one of them tried to pull back. It was ridiculous. It was beautiful. It was them.

  Eventually he guided her inside and shut the door. They sank onto the narrow bed together. She curled into his side, head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart while he stroked her hair.

  “I love you,” she said quietly. “More than I knew I could love anyone.”

  He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “I love you too. Always. No matter what.”

  They stayed like that for a long time, breathing together, letting the words settle between them like a vow renewed.

  After a while the tears dried and ughter bubbled up again.

  “This is insane,” she said, wiping her eyes. “We’re crying like we’ve been separated for years.”

  “I know.” He grinned, sheepish. “But I felt every minute you were gone.”

  She ughed and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Me too.”

  They shifted so they were lying properly now, legs tangled, her head tucked under his chin. The room was quiet except for the distant hum of campus life outside the window.

  Marisol traced slow circles on his chest. “I talked to Sarah.”

  Bharath’s hand stilled in her hair. “Yeah?”

  She nodded against him. “She told me things. About Derek. About how he used her submission against her. About foster care and losing her parents young and building everything by herself. She’s been so alone, Bharath. No one has ever loved her the way she deserves.”

  Her voice thickened. Tears slipped down her cheeks again.

  Bharath pulled her closer. “I’m sorry she went through all that.”

  Marisol swallowed. “I cried when she told me. I kept thinking how unfair it is. She’s brilliant and kind and beautiful and she’s never had anyone protect her heart. Not really.”

  He kissed her forehead. “We can be that for her. Not in a rush. Not pushing. But if she wants us, if she ever wants us, we’ll be her anchors. No conditions. No expectations. Just there. I don't about any retionship other than friendship.”

  Marisol lifted her head to look at him. “You mean that?”

  “Completely.”

  She smiled through fresh tears. “I told her the same thing.”

  They y quiet for a moment.

  Then Bharath cleared his throat. “So. About this morning.”

  Marisol propped herself up on one elbow, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re still mad about how loud I was?”

  “Mad?” He raised an eyebrow. “You practically announced it to the whole house.”

  She ughed. “I couldn’t help it. You feel too good.”

  He groaned and covered his face with one hand. “You’re impossible.”

  “Admit it. You loved it.”

  “I did.” He dropped his hand and met her gaze. “But seriously, Mari. Sarah. I’m attracted to her. I won’t lie. She’s stunning and smart and the way she’s fought her way through everything… it’s incredible. But you are my world. That hasn’t changed. Not even a little.”

  Marisol leaned down and kissed him softly. “I know.”

  He cupped her cheek. “It’s happening too fast. For all of us. Sarah especially. The way she responded to you this morning… it was beautiful, but it came from a pce that’s still raw. She needs time to heal. To figure out who she is when no one is telling her who to be. Jumping into anything with us right now would be bad for her.”

  Marisol nodded slowly. “I told her the same thing. That we’ll wait. As long as she needs.”

  “Good.” He exhaled. “Now you. Tell me the truth. Why were you okay with it? With showing her to me? With any of this?”

  Marisol settled back against his chest. “I told Sarah this too. I’m not attracted to women. I never have been. But when I was holding her st night while she cried, and then this morning when we were all together… something shifted. It wasn’t about wanting her body. It was this bone-deep feeling that she belongs with us. That she’s part of whatever future we have. I can’t expin it. I just know it the way I know I love you.”

  Bharath was quiet for a long moment.

  “That’s a lot to carry,” he said finally.

  “I know.” She traced the line of his colrbone. “But I’m not scared of it. I’m only scared of losing either of you.”

  “You won’t.”

  They curled tighter together. Outside, the campus lights began to flicker on. Voices drifted up from the quad. Students heading back from te csses, ughter echoing off brick walls.

  Marisol yawned against his shoulder. “The gang will be back soon. Jorge will probably try to drag you to py some silly game again.”

  “Let him try.” Bharath pulled the bnket over them both. “I’m not moving.”

  She smiled into his neck. “Good. Stay right here.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Always.”

  They y wrapped in each other, listening to the building come slowly alive around them, content to wait for whatever came next—together.