The rain was merciless, soaking through my shirt in seconds. The London wind only made things worse, biting against my skin as I stood under the frail shelter of the bus stop. I tried hugging my arms to my chest, but it did little. My shirt clung to me like second skin—nearly see-through now. Great.
And then—his car pulled up.
Theo leaned across the window, lips curled in that smirk of his. "You planning to stand there and audition for pneumonia?"
I didn't say anything. Just got in, dripping all over the passenger seat. He glanced at me once and wordlessly shrugged off his jacket, wrapping it around me without another word. I swear I saw his jaw tighten, but he said nothing about my appearance.
We didn't speak much on the drive—his hand rested casually on my knee, thumb tracing lazy circles. That simple touch burned warmer than the heater.
When we arrived, I blinked. "Wait—this isn't mine."
"Austin and Ava are in your room," he said, unlocking his. "Mine's empty. Dry off."
I stepped into the bathroom and let the hot water pour over me. My heart was racing for reasons that had nothing to do with the storm. His bathroom smelled like him—woodsy, citrus, Theo. I didn't want to leave.
When I came out, I was in his hoodie—massive on me, hanging halfway down my thighs. My damp hair clung to my neck. I caught him staring, stretched out on his bed, one arm behind his head, the other lazily scrolling through his phone.
"You look," he said, eyes darkening, "dangerous."
I blinked. "Dangerous?"
He sat up, slowly, his gaze never leaving me. "Yeah. Like you're going to ruin me in the best way possible."
My cheeks heated. I looked away, chewing my lip.
Theo stood, walked over, and stopped in front of me. He reached out, gently pushing a strand of wet hair behind my ear.
"You okay now?" he asked, his voice low. "Warm?"
I nodded slowly, eyes wide.
He leaned closer, mouth brushing against my ear. "Good. 'Cause if you keep looking at me like that in my hoodie, I might forget I'm trying to be a good guy here."
I looked up, heart pounding.
He kissed me. Slow. Deep. Like he'd waited forever to do it again.
---
He kissed me like the world had gone still.
His lips were warm, soft, yet filled with something so intense it made my knees weak. His hands cupped my face like I was something precious. His hoodie still clung to my damp skin, and his scent—God, that scent—wrapped around me like silk.
When we broke apart, I stayed close, forehead against his chest, his heartbeat thundering in my ears.
"You okay?" he whispered, fingers brushing my back, slow and gentle.
I nodded, breathless. "I think I forgot what day it is."
Theo chuckled, low and warm, pressing another kiss to my temple. "It's still raining outside. You're stuck here. With me."
I sighed, content, curling my fingers in the hem of his shirt. "What a tragedy."
He pulled me toward the bed. "Come here, clingy girl."
I squeaked but followed anyway. We lay there, limbs tangled. He let me lie half on top of him, my cheek against his chest, while his fingers absentmindedly combed through my hair.
"I hate the rain," I mumbled.
"You love it. You just hate being cold."
"I only like it when I'm not stuck in it."
He smiled. "Well. Next time it rains… text me. I'll come with an umbrella. And snacks. Maybe a spare hoodie. Maybe I'll kiss you stupid again."
I bit back a laugh and pressed a kiss to his collarbone. "Maybe?"
He hummed. "Okay. Definitely."
We were quiet for a while, the storm outside muffled by the thick windows, the dim golden light of his room cocooning us in something safe.
Then I whispered, "I didn't want to leave. I liked being here. With you."
His arms tightened around me, voice soft but fierce. "Then don't leave."
I looked up at him.
He tucked a strand of my wet hair behind my ear. "Stay. As long as you want. I like my clingy girlfriend just like this—soaked, hoodie-thief, pouty, and in my bed."
I flushed. "You're so annoying."
He grinned. "And you're so whipped for me."
"I am not—"
"You are," he whispered, pressing a slow, teasing kiss to my lips again. "And I love it."
---
Theo's POV
The first thing I registered was warmth.
The second… weight.
I blinked slowly, groaning as I tried to move—but I couldn't. Something was on top of me.
Correction: someone.
And that someone was curled against me like a koala.
Meilin.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, one of her legs thrown over mine, and her face was buried against my neck. She was clinging onto me like I'd vanish if she loosened her grip.
I smiled.
God, she was cute.
My hand instinctively found the curve of her back under the hoodie—my hoodie—that she still hadn't taken off. She was completely knocked out, her damp hair now dry and tousled against my chest, her mouth slightly parted in sleep.
She looked like a dream.
I tried to shift again, but she only clung tighter, mumbling something incoherent and snuggling impossibly closer.
I laughed quietly. "Meilin," I whispered, brushing my thumb against her cheek. "Babe, I need to breathe."
She whined and buried her face deeper into my neck.
I gave up.
There was no way I was moving her without starting a war.
So instead, I rested back, arms cradling her to me, letting the soft rhythm of her breathing lull me again. This was new—this peaceful, sleepy version of her. No yapping, no dramatic flailing, no textbook in hand, no scolding me for skipping class or wearing ripped jeans to a formal seminar.
Just her. Quiet. Warm. Mine.
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
She shifted slightly, mumbling a sleepy "mmmhmm," before settling again.
I smiled to myself.
"I'm never letting you go," I whispered, tightening my hold on her. "Cling all you want, baby. You're stuck with me."
---
Ava's POV
I shoved the door open with my foot, balancing two takeaway cups of coffee while Austin carried the greasy breakfast bag like it was made of gold.
"You're seriously not gonna shut up about that croissant, are you?" I muttered.
Austin grinned. "It's not just a croissant, babe. It's the only thing keeping me alive after that 8 a.m. class."
I rolled my eyes and stepped inside Theo's room—only to freeze mid-step.
Austin walked right into my back with a dramatic oof.
"What the hell—" he started, then fell silent too.
On Theo's bed—his bed—lay the most sinful sight I had ever witnessed before 10 a.m.
Meilin.
Asleep.
On top of Theo.
Dead center. Arms like vines. Legs tangled with his. His hoodie swallowing her frame. Her face buried in his neck.
Theo, to his credit, looked smug as hell when he spotted us standing there in stunned silence.
Austin dropped the paper bag.
"Oh my God," I whispered.
"I'm blind," Austin gasped. "Ava. AVA. My eyes. I can't unsee this. Why didn't you warn me?"
"You live with him!" I snapped.
"Yeah, but I wasn't mentally prepared!"
Theo raised an eyebrow, one arm still lazily curled around Meilin as she slept peacefully, completely unaware of the scandal she was causing.
Austin dramatically shielded his eyes. "I need holy water. Bleach. Therapy."
Theo just smirked. "Don't be jealous, mate. Not everyone gets a personal heater."
"I hate you."
"Understandable."
I covered my mouth to hide the squeal threatening to escape. "She's gonna die when she wakes up and realizes we saw this."
"She's gonna kill him," Austin whispered. "Slowly. Publicly. With words and shame."
Meilin stirred a little, groaning in her sleep and nuzzling deeper into Theo's chest.
The room went silent again.
"Nope," Austin hissed. "I'm out. Goodbye. I refuse to third-wheel this love nest."
I giggled, pulling him out the door. "Let's leave them before she wakes up and makes this so much worse."
Theo gave us a lazy wave. "Thanks for the coffee."
"You're paying for my eye surgery."
"Not happening."
We shut the door behind us as Meilin let out a soft sigh, still oblivious.
---
Meilin's POV
I woke up warm.
Like, really warm.
Soft cotton under my cheek. A familiar scent wrapping around me—something like cedar and expensive cologne and him.
I blinked slowly.
Pillow?
No.
I was definitely lying on something… firmer.
Moving.
Breathing.
Oh my God.
I lifted my head.
Theo.
I was basically plastered to his chest like a koala bear. His arm was draped lazily over my waist, his face half-buried in the pillow, one eyebrow twitching in his sleep. His shirt was slightly crumpled, and my hand was on his abs. Right there. Just resting like it belonged.
I blinked again.
Then noticed the hoodie I was wearing.
His hoodie.
Not mine.
And then it hit me—the bus stop, the rain, the shower, the hoodie, the bed—
And now I was in his bed.
Wearing his clothes.
Snuggled into him like I paid rent.
I was about to scream when I noticed something else.
Two coffee cups on the desk.
A paper bag on the floor.
No. No no no no—
"Ava," I whispered, horror dawning. "She was here. They saw. They were here."
Theo groaned and cracked one eye open. "Morning, sunshine."
"You let them see me like this?!"
He yawned. "Didn't exactly plan for it."
I grabbed a pillow and smacked his chest. "I was drooling on you! I had your hoodie! My hair was probably sticking to my face like seaweed!"
He grinned sleepily. "Yeah. You looked adorable."
"Adorable?" I shrieked.
He sat up, pulling me back into his arms like it was nothing. "Too adorable. You were hugging me like I'd vanish if you let go. I think you kissed my neck in your sleep."
I let out a mortified squeak and buried my face in his shoulder. "I'm never showing my face again. I'll switch majors. I'll transfer schools. I'll fake my death—"
He chuckled, brushing my damp bangs out of my eyes. "Relax. Austin was more traumatized than you."
"You're not helping!"
He tilted my chin up and looked me in the eye. "Want to know what I told them after you fell back asleep?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What?"
"That I don't care how clingy or chaotic you are. You're mine."
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
And promptly melted.
"…Still want to fake your death?" he whispered, pressing his forehead to mine.
I mumbled, "Maybe just change my name…"
He laughed. "Fine. Meilin Ashford it is."
"Theo!"
---
Ava's POV
It was Sunday morning, and as per tradition, I was in our dorm kitchen in my fuzzy pink slippers, sipping coffee and scrolling through the chaos that was the university group chat.
And there it was.
Meilin. In Theo's hoodie. Fast asleep. In his bed.
I choked on my coffee.
"AUSTIN!" I screeched like a banshee.
He stumbled out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in his mouth, eyes wide. "Whah? Whah'd I do?"
I turned my phone toward him.
He blinked. Then snorted toothpaste foam. "Oh my god. She's literally latched onto him like a baby panda."
I narrowed my eyes. "Do you want to die this early in the day?"
Suddenly, our door burst open like we lived in a sitcom and not a co-ed dorm.
Theo.
Wearing joggers. Hair a mess. Looking like he just rolled out of bed in a romance novel.
"Okay, before you yell," he began, raising both hands.
"No yelling," I said sweetly, "I just want to know why my best friend is all over you like whipped cream on waffles and the entire university knows before I do."
Austin wheezed. "Whipped cream on—babe what—"
"Shut up."
Theo scratched the back of his neck. "It was raining, she was soaked, I brought her over. She showered. Borrowed my hoodie. Fell asleep. I didn't… plan for her to be attached to my soul all night."
I squinted. "And the hoodie was necessary?"
"She was cold! What did you expect me to do, not give her my clothes?"
I opened my mouth.
Paused.
"Okay, fair."
He sighed. "Look, I like her. A lot. Like... a lot a lot. If you're gonna kill me, just—do it quick."
Before I could say anything, a small, pitiful voice whined from behind him:
"Avaaaaaa…"
Oh no.
Meilin appeared.
Hoodie sleeves flopping over her hands.
Hair still slightly damp. Eyes sleepy. Face tragic.
She launched herself into my arms like a toddler who'd just been told Santa wasn't real.
"I ruined everything! Everyone saw! I'm going viral for being a koala!"
"You already are," Austin muttered helpfully.
I kicked him in the shin.
"Ow!"
"I can never show my face again," Meilin wailed dramatically, clutching me like I was her emotional support human. "I snored on him."
"You didn't snore," Theo said, placing a hand on her back.
She turned to him, eyes wide. "How would you know?! You were asleep too!"
He just gave her a lazy smirk. "I wasn't. Not the whole time."
Meilin made a high-pitched noise and buried her face in my shoulder again.
I sighed. "Well. This is your circus. And these are your clowns."
Austin beamed. "I'll be the ringmaster!"
I glared.
He corrected himself. "Fine. Supportive clown boyfriend."
Theo leaned against the doorframe. "Still taking her to brunch though."
"Like this?" I asked.
He shrugged. "She looks cute."
Meilin let out a whimper. "I hate Sundays."
I patted her hair. "No you don't. You're just humiliated and in love."
She peeked up. "Can't I be in love privately?"
"Not when your boyfriend's the prince of campus and everyone ships you."
Theo reached out and took her hand. "Then I'll give them something to really scream about."
"Oh no."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Mine."
Meilin melted like butter on a waffle.
Austin fake gagged. "I'm blind. I'm legally blind."
I rolled my eyes. "And that's your fault."