The rain beats against the windows as you sit with Blaise in the common room, watching him drain yet another glass. He’s heartbroken, but you’re not sure if it’s over the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend or something deeper.

“Why do I always pick the wrong people?” he mutters.

You try to smile, nudging him lightly. “Maybe because you’re too busy looking for sunshine when thunderclouds would love you better.”

Blaise looks up at you, his eyes softening. "I thought if I had sunshine, it would brighten up this darkness that follows me," he confesses.

"Yeah, but thunderstorms bring rain," you murmur softly, "and rain makes things grow." You give him a gentle smile. "Maybe… maybe you needed a storm all along."

The way his eyes linger on yours with an intensity you've never seen before makes your heart skip a beat. He downs his drink, wincing at the taste, and slouches back against the couch. His usual confidence is gone, replaced by something vulnerable.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” you say gently, helping him up, steadying him as you guide him back to his room. You make sure he has water by his bed, a blanket draped over him, and as you’re about to leave, his hand catches yours.

“Stay,” he whispers, his fingers gently holding onto yours. The simplicity of it, the quiet yearning in his voice, takes your breath away.

You turn to him, barely daring to breathe. “What…?”

“I want you to stay… please,” he repeats, his eyes meet yours and your heart races. Before you can process what’s happening, he pulls you close, his lips finding yours with a passion you hadn’t anticipated. You lose yourself in the warmth of his kiss, the months of wanting, of wishing, all melting away.

When he finally pulls back, his forehead resting against yours, you both linger there in silence, your breaths mingling as the reality of what just happened sinks in. His eyes, now clearer, look at you as if seeing you for the first time.