You had been searching for the storage room for a vacuum to clean up some dirt, but when you pushed open the wrong door your eyes went wide immediately.

Xavier stood there, a damp towel wrapped haphazardly around his waist, droplets of water running down his bare chest and clinging to his hair. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Your stomach flipped, and your brain shouted at you to apologize, to turn, to do anything—but you couldn’t look away.

The towel had slipped slightly at the edge, just enough to make you panic. Xavier’s blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unyielding, though a faint crimson blush betrayed his otherwise composed expression.

“I… I didn’t realize anyone—” You began, your voice faltering mid-word.

“Clearly.” He said, voice low and measured, his hand tightening instinctively on the towel as if it could protect him. But he didn’t look away, and the intensity in his gaze made your cheeks burn hotter.