You Look Like Love

Ethan felt restless that night, an unsettling unease churning within him. He got out of bed and paced quietly across the dorm room floor, careful not to disturb Gabe and Tim. Tim lay silently, feigning sleep but watching Ethan's anxious movements through half-closed eyes. Tim's mind swirled with complex emotions—admiration, gratitude, uncertainty—and something deeper he was hesitant to admit.

"Attraction," he reluctantly confessed to himself, mentally sighing. "Him walking around shirtless definitely isn't helping." Tim struggled internally, desperate to calm the flood of thoughts racing through his mind. Ever since Ethan and Gabe had healed him, Tim had begun noticing the faint shimmer of divinity emanating softly from their skin, like gentle waves in a bioluminescent bay.

Meanwhile, Ethan grew increasingly claustrophobic. The dorm room felt oppressively small, confining his very being. He knelt slowly onto the cold concrete floor, the chill seeping into his knees as he closed his eyes, focusing inward. With his back turned toward Tim, Ethan knew he needed to stretch—to release the pressure of suppressing his celestial form.

Tim's eyes widened as he observed a strange stirring beneath Ethan's skin, watching in awe as the faint metallic shimmer of Ethan's halo gradually appeared around his neck. Ethan concentrated deeply, striving to quietly control the release of his divine energy. Tim's breath caught as he watched the mesmerizing sight: the skin across Ethan's back rippling gently, giving way as majestic wings slowly emerged, unfurling gracefully from beneath his skin with an ethereal glow.

Ethan rose, standing tall, stretching his powerful limbs with ballet-like grace, his glowing wings spreading gently across the room. Tim stared, tears beginning to fill his eyes as the overwhelming beauty and purity of Ethan's true form captivated him completely. Though he'd briefly glimpsed Ethan's angelic form once before, this was different—clear, controlled, awe-inspiring, and radiating pure love.

Ethan's wings folded delicately against his back, still softly luminous. He turned slowly toward the window above Tim's bed, noticing Tim hastily closing his eyes. Ethan's heart softened as he spotted the tears silently trailing down Tim's cheeks.

"Tim?" Ethan whispered softly, his voice resonating with gentle, angelic warmth.

Tim swallowed hard, his voice trembling with vulnerability. "I'm sorry, Ethan."

Ethan sat down gently beside Tim. "Sorry for what?" he asked softly.

"Spying on you," Tim whispered, embarrassed.

Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'm right in front of you—it's not spying, silly." He gently reached over, brushing the tear from Tim's cheek with his thumb. "What's with the tears, though?" he asked, his voice full of genuine concern.

Tim felt inexplicably compelled to speak the truth. Despite desperately wanting to say something casual, the words slipped out softly: "You look like love."

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks instantly turning bright red. He was speechless, completely unsure how to respond. Realizing how overly sentimental and embarrassing his words must have sounded, Tim panicked.

"I'm sorry! I don't know why I said that!" Tim quickly pulled his covers over his head, silently scolding himself. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," he repeated inwardly. "Oh my god, I'll never be able to face him again."

Ethan, feeling slightly embarrassed himself, decided to gently end the conversation. He stood up and headed toward the bathroom, mumbling quietly through toothpaste foam, "Halo… cloak." When he emerged, Tim was still hiding beneath his comforter. Ethan smiled affectionately and climbed into his own bed.

Meanwhile, in the girls' dorm, Steph, Eliza, and Kelly were busily preparing for their anticipated trip to City Island. Steph, athletic and confident with dark curls framing her mischievous grin, was rummaging through her wardrobe. Eliza, effortlessly pretty with sandy blonde hair perpetually tied back, lounged gracefully on her bed, watching Steph with mild amusement. Kelly, petite and fiery, her red hair woven into an elaborate braid, meticulously examined her reflection in a compact mirror.

"You've known Ethan forever, right?" Eliza asked Steph casually, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "What was his last girlfriend like?"

Steph laughed out loud, shaking her head dramatically. "Girlfriend? Ethan? You're joking, right? He spent most of his childhood practically dating his computer. Seriously, I think his first kiss was probably with a USB port."

Eliza nearly choked on her laughter. "Stop! No way, he's so gorgeous now!"

Steph grinned broadly. "Yeah, nature pulled a miracle. Honestly, I left town for a few months, and when I came back, he looked like someone hit him with a 'hotness' stick." She quickly grabbed her tablet, scrolling through her photos. "Look!" She dramatically displayed an old photo of Ethan, all awkward smiles, thick glasses, and questionable fashion choices.

"Oh my gosh," Kelly gasped, dramatically clutching her heart. "Is that… a sweater vest?"

Eliza burst out laughing. "Wow. From geek chic to Greek god. Talk about a glow-up."

Steph snorted, scrolling further until a recent picture of Gabe appeared. "Speaking of glow-ups, how about Gabe? I mean, those muscles should be illegal."

Eliza smirked knowingly at Steph. "You totally have a crush on Gabe."

Steph's eyes lit up instantly. "I do. And he totally knows it. At this point, I think even the trees know it."

"You should ask him out!" Kelly urged excitedly, adjusting her braid. "Then we could double-date! Tim and I could—"

Steph and Eliza exchanged rapid, panicked glances.

Kelly immediately noticed their reaction. "What? What did I miss?" she asked sharply.

Steph winced slightly but plunged ahead with her trademark bluntness. "Kelly, sweetie... Tim is gay."

Kelly stared blankly, blinking rapidly. "No… he's just quiet and sensitive."

Eliza gently chimed in, "Kelly, sensitive doesn't usually mean interested in girls."

Steph patted Kelly's shoulder sympathetically. "Look, he didn't outright say 'I'm gay,' but it was pretty clear. He practically radiates rainbow energy."

Kelly's expression shifted from denial to confusion. "Wait… so who's he into then?"

Stephanie offered a hesitant smile. "I think Ethan."

Eliza's mouth fell open dramatically. "Ethan? My Ethan?"

"Technically, he's nobody's Ethan yet," Steph pointed out dryly.

Eliza groaned, flopping dramatically backward onto her bed. "Is Ethan even gay?" she wailed theatrically.

Steph shrugged, fighting laughter. "Who knows? He's been single his whole life—equal opportunity single."

Eliza covered her face, giggling. "Can we just sleep now? Before this conversation permanently breaks my brain?"

The trio climbed into their beds, each quietly laughing or murmuring softly. Kelly finally sighed loudly, her voice muffled by her pillow. "Fine. I'll get over it. Eventually."

But Kelly lay quietly in her bunk, the soft glow of her tablet casting gentle shadows on her delicate features. Her fiery red hair spilled across the pillow, unbound, reflecting her unsettled thoughts. The dorm room was quiet, punctuated only by the faint sounds of Eliza and Steph breathing softly in their sleep. Yet sleep eluded Kelly, her mind preoccupied with the conversation they'd just shared.

"Tim is gay," Steph had stated bluntly.

Kelly had initially dismissed it, instinctively defending Tim. "No, he's just quiet," she'd protested. But as she lay staring at the ceiling, clarity settled slowly, painfully, like fog lifting to reveal a stark landscape.

She replayed memories of Tim in her mind, examining them carefully, like scenes from a film she hadn't fully understood before. His quiet voice, soft and hesitant, carried an innate sensitivity she'd admired deeply. Kelly remembered the gentle care he took with words, as though he feared they could wound as easily as comfort. She recalled how he often stayed behind, preferring the background yet always offering support in subtle, thoughtful ways.

Then, with a painful sting, she remembered his eyes—the fleeting glances toward Ethan she'd subconsciously chosen to ignore. The admiration, warmth, and subtle yearning she'd mistaken for friendship or simple shyness suddenly took on new meaning. How had she missed those signs?

A soft sob escaped Kelly's lips as hot tears welled up, silently trailing down her cheeks. She felt a complex blend of embarrassment, sadness, and quiet acceptance settling deep within her chest. It wasn't anger or bitterness that overwhelmed her; rather, a gentle ache of loss and understanding. Tim was someone special—genuinely kind and compassionate—and she'd been too caught up in her own attraction to truly see him.

"Oh, Kelly," she whispered to herself, brushing away her tears. "How could you be so blind?"

She rolled onto her side, pulling the blanket close around her, feeling suddenly vulnerable yet strangely lighter. Tim's kindness, his quiet sensitivity, his heart—they were all still things she deeply valued, even if they weren't hers to hold.

"It's okay," she murmured softly into the pillow, reassuring herself as fresh tears gently dampened the fabric. "He deserves happiness too."

As sleep finally began to claim her, Kelly made a quiet resolve within herself. She would be there for Tim—as a friend, a confidante, whatever he needed. And though tonight felt heavy and bittersweet, she knew tomorrow would come, bringing new understanding and the strength to support a friend who deserved all the kindness he so freely gave.

Kelly wasn't the only one awake deep into the night. Ethan lay quietly in his bunk, eyes fixed on the dimly lit ceiling, his mind racing through unfamiliar emotional territory. For years, his life had revolved around video games and coding, a safe haven untouched by the complexities of human relationships. The thought of romance had never seriously crossed his mind—until recently.

Initially, Ethan had felt something powerful ignite within him when Gabe arrived. It was immediate, magnetic, overwhelming. But as the days passed, filled with shared experiences, training, laughter, and struggles, that burning attraction had begun to transform. Ethan felt it evolving into something deeper yet different—a brotherly love, a friendship so profound that it transcended romantic impulses. Gabe was becoming family in a way Ethan had never known.

Yet tonight, as he lay contemplating, Ethan's thoughts gradually drifted toward Tim. His heart stirred with confusion as he replayed subtle moments he'd previously overlooked—the lingering glances Tim offered, the gentle blushes, the shy smiles. Tim's kindness, sweetness, and genuine naivety had gone unnoticed in Ethan's earlier distraction. But now, with startling clarity, those interactions took on new significance.

A deep conflict bloomed within Ethan. His friendship with Tim had always felt natural and effortless—but now he wondered if there was more beneath the surface. Tim's quiet vulnerability and earnest warmth drew Ethan in, creating an emotional pull that felt both surprising and right. Could it be possible that Tim was someone he genuinely cared for in more than just a friendly way?

He sighed softly, turning on his side to glance across the room at Tim's sleeping form. The faint moonlight outlined Tim's lanky silhouette, and Ethan felt an unexpected tenderness rise within him. Tim, shy and kind-hearted, had quietly become an essential part of Ethan's life in ways he hadn't fully realized until this moment.

Ethan's heart quickened as he considered these new feelings. Fear mixed with excitement, uncertainty blending with curiosity. He didn't know how to navigate this unfamiliar territory, but for the first time, Ethan felt ready and willing to explore beyond the digital realms he'd long inhabited.

Closing his eyes, Ethan resolved quietly within himself. Tomorrow was another day—a day filled with potential, discovery, and perhaps the beginning of something beautiful and real. Tonight, he would allow these feelings to settle, trusting that clarity would arrive with time.

Realizing he hadn't checked in with the Halo system recently, Ethan took a calming breath and mentally summoned his status. Almost immediately, the familiar, gentle chime resonated within his consciousness, softly illuminating the quiet room:

System Status: 

User: Ethan Blade Current Level: Archangel Level 2 

System Mode: Training Mode (Active) Total XP: 375 of 1000 (Progress toward Archangel Level 3)

Unlocked Abilities:

Advanced Technological Integration Increased Strength Enhanced Flight Capabilities Improved Healing and Celestial Energy Manipulation

Active Assignments:

Successfully complete EarthCorp training (Reward: Instant Level-Up) Execute Guardian Program when prompted (Reward: Instant Level-Up)

Ethan studied the notifications carefully, reassured by the clear presentation of his progress and ongoing responsibilities. A steady determination washed over him, reinforcing his resolve as he drifted into peaceful sleep, ready to embrace whatever tomorrow might bring.