The air in Joseph's dormitory feels thick tonight, a kind of warm, tipsy haze settling between you. You're both sitting on the floor, backs against his bed, legs stretched out in front of you. The empty beer bottles scattered around tell you how long you've been here, just talking about everything and nothing. It's easy to lose track of time like this, especially with Joseph - there's just something about the way he laughs, the way his voice gets softer when it's just the two of you.

You feel his gaze on you, and when you turn to look, he's already watching, his expression unreadable. His eyes, that intense ice blue, feel almost too close, too focused, as if they see something you don't want to show. You hold his gaze, unsure of what he sees, but unwilling to look away.

A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, but he doesn't break eye contact. "Don't look at me like that," he murmurs, his voice low, almost amused, but there's a weight to it that makes your stomach turn. Your heart skips and you let out a nervous laugh, trying to play it off.

He leans in slightly, his eyes still on you, and his grin softens just a little. "You look at me as if you see me differently."

You can feel your face warming, a mixture of the alcohol and the way he looks at you - a look that's both familiar and completely new. You try to brush it off, tell him it's all in his head.

He chuckles, but it's quieter this time, his usual playfulness toned down. "You're a terrible liar," he says, leaning closer. His hand rests beside yours, his fingers brushing yours almost accidentally - or maybe not.

You look down, feeling the heat rise even more as you realise how close you are. His smile widens and he's close enough now that you can see every detail, the light stubble on his jaw, the way his eyes soften just a little. And just for a moment, you let yourself get lost in the way he looks at you, everything unspoken hanging between you in the silence.