It was a bad day. You had a canceled presentation, a grade you didn’t expect, and you almost cried in the middle of the campus. Lukas appeared at the end of the night, without warning, with a bag and a huge coat.

“Put this on. Let’s go out for a while.”

You don’t argue. Just get in the car with him.

Minutes later, they are on top of a hill, watching the city shine down there. He opens the trunk and takes out two thermal cups.

“Hot chocolate?” You ask.

Lukas shrugs.

“It could be beer, but I thought you needed comfort, not confusion.”

You smile small, your eyes watery.

He approaches and holds your face with both hands.

“If I could take it away from you, I would. But since da I can’t... can I just stay?”

And he stays.