Brushstrokes of Desire

Daniel had no idea Ethan was following him.

The city was quieter tonight. Streetlights flickered softly above slick cobblestones, the kind of damp chill in the air that curled into your coat sleeves and clung to your bones. Daniel's steps were steady, but heavy. The kind of tired that no sleep could fix.

He didn't know if he was running from something or toward it.

The pub he found was tucked between a boarded-up bookshop and a late-night florist. Small, discreet the kind of place where no one asked questions. Just how he liked it.

He pushed the door open and stepped into the warmth, welcomed by the low hum of conversation and the soft clink of glasses. Muted lighting cast golden shadows across worn wooden floors and faded velvet booths. A few regulars nursed their drinks. The bartender gave him a brief nod, no words exchanged.

Daniel took a stool at the bar, elbows on the counter, head down. His coat stayed on. The bartender placed a whiskey in front of him without asking.

He drank.

Ethan stood across the street, heart pounding.

He hadn't meant to follow him; not at first. But when he saw Daniel leaving campus alone, something had pulled him along. A hunch. A strange worry. Or maybe something deeper. Maybe he just didn't want to let Daniel disappear into the night, not when he looked so... worn.

Ethan crossed the street and hesitated outside the pub door. He almost turned back. Almost.

Instead, he slipped inside quietly and stayed near the entrance, eyes scanning until he found Daniel.

There he was; alone at the bar, shoulders hunched, a glass gripped tightly in one hand. His fingers trembled just enough for Ethan to notice. The sight hit Ethan in the chest like a punch.

He didn't approach. Just watched. Waited.

Until someone else did.

A man; mid-thirties, cocky, dressed in a fitted shirt and confidence. He eyed Daniel like a challenge and made his way over.

Ethan's stomach twisted.

The man slid onto the stool next to Daniel, far too close.

"Hey there," he said, grinning like he owned the room. "You look like someone who could use some company."

Daniel didn't even glance at him. "I'm fine," he said flatly.

The man chuckled. "Tough day, huh? I can help with that."

Daniel exhaled through his nose. "Not interested."

That should have been the end of it. But the man leaned closer, undeterred.

"Come on, don't be like that. You've got that whole quiet, brooding thing going on. It's hot."

Ethan's hands curled into fists at his sides.

Then the man touched Daniel's arm just a brush of fingers, casual and invasive.

Ethan moved before he could think. He crossed the room in a heartbeat, voice low but sharp.

"Back off. Now."

The man turned, surprised, taking Ethan in with a scoff. "And who the hell are you? His bodyguard?"

Daniel's head snapped toward the voice. His eyes landed on Ethan; and something flickered there. Not anger. Something closer to alarm.

But he masked it quickly.

Daniel stood slowly, deliberately, placing himself between the two men.

"It's fine," he said to Ethan, voice controlled. "I've got it."

The man chuckled. "You know this kid?"

Daniel's jaw tightened. "He's a student. That's all you need to know."

"Whatever," the man muttered, rolling his eyes. "Too much drama anyway."

He walked off, muttering to himself, back to his drink.

Daniel didn't speak right away. Just looked at Ethan; hard.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked quietly.

Ethan swallowed. "I... saw you leave. I just... wanted to make sure you were okay."

Daniel's voice dropped even lower. "So you followed me."

Ethan flinched.

Daniel exhaled sharply. "Come with me."

His tone left no room for discussion.

Ethan followed, head bowed, guilt heavy in his chest. Outside, the night had grown colder. Mist kissed their cheeks, and the city was still.

Daniel said nothing as they walked. Ethan didn't dare speak.

They reached a side street, quiet, empty. Daniel stopped and turned, facing him fully.

"So," Daniel said, tone clipped. "You're into men?"

Ethan froze.

"I" His voice failed.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You look surprised. So, if not... what are you doing in a gay bar?"

Ethan's throat worked around silence. He couldn't look Daniel in the eye.

Daniel shook his head slowly. "Don't tell me you followed me here just to babysit me. That's not noble. That's reckless."

Ethan's voice cracked. "I wasn't trying to"

"Think," Daniel snapped, not cruel, but stern. "You don't know who I am outside that classroom. You don't know this world. You're a student. And you have no idea what kind of mess you could've walked into. And you had no right none to track me down like that."

Ethan lowered his head.

"I wasn't trying to cross any lines," Ethan said, quieter now. "I was worried."

"I'm not your responsibility," Daniel said sharply. "I'm not your friend. I'm your lecturer. There are boundaries. You don't get to ignore them just because your feelings are confused."

Ethan's face flushed with something between embarrassment and hurt.

Daniel sighed, less angry now, more tired. "I know you meant well. But this" he gestured between them, vague but heavy, "is not something you should be messing with. Not because you're not old enough, but because you're not ready for what it really means. Not emotionally. Not professionally. And certainly not here."

Ethan looked down, ashamed. "I just thought"

"No," Daniel interrupted. "That's the problem. You didn't think."

A silence settled between them, heavy and sobering.

Then Daniel's voice softened, but didn't lose its edge. "Go home, Ethan. And don't follow people into places you don't belong. Not for curiosity. Not for misplaced affection. You have no idea what kind of risks that invites for you, and for me."

Ethan nodded slowly, the words sinking in.

"I'm not angry," Daniel said. "But you need to learn where the line is. And how to respect it. Tonight, you didn't."

There was nothing more to say. Daniel turned slightly, back toward the empty street.

"Goodnight, Ethan. Go home. Don't do this again."

Ethan stood there for a moment longer, eyes stinging with something unspoken, then finally turned and walked away.

Daniel didn't watch him go.

But the echo of his footsteps lingered.