three years had passed since he’d last seen iván; three years of incredibly hard, heartbreaking work, doing everything in his power he possibly could to get over him. three years... completely down the drain. in mere seconds, he’d been transported back in time, once again trapped in iván’s spell. all those restless nights, time wasted in the beds of those he didn’t love, party after party... all of it had been for nothing. even if he left now, before the other man had seen him, it’d be too late. he was stuck back at square one, right where he’d started the day he left iván’s side, starting anew with his family in a different city. 

what the hell was he doing here? of all places, he had to show up at this university? sure, it was a good school - that’s why patrick was here in the first place, but last he checked, iván barely even spoke any english. the only possible explanation was that the universe was conspiring against him, getting revenge for all the messes he’s made in his teenage years.

tempting as it was, he couldn’t simply ignore the other man. not for an entire semester, anyway. eventually, iván would notice him, and then what? the silent treatment, especially towards someone that didn’t deserve it, could only be maintained for so long. no. he had to say something. if nothing else, iván deserved a friend, someone that spoke his language, and could help him find his way around. besides - as difficult as having him around might be... he missed him. before they were boyfriends, they’d become best friends, and neither of those relationships had even come close to being replicated in the time since they’d parted ways. ...not even with his current partner, despite what he’d tried to convince himself. 

“hey. is this seat taken?” after a long, few moments of trying to hype himself up, he finally worked up the courage to approach iván, gesturing to the empty chair beside him. one that probably wouldn’t remain empty for long, based on the glances and giggles pointedly in the direction of the handsome new student from brazil. not on his watch. “you know, i didn’t take you for a front of the classroom kinda guy.” it was a pity that they’d been placed in different classes back when they’d both attended las encinas - though, arguably, it was probably the best thing for their education, considering how easily distracted they’d managed to get during their study dates.