Haphephobia: the fear of being touched.
Blake, a second-year Psychology student, hadn't ever heard of such a phobia, until the day he was hired as a guide for Dean, the heir of a rich family.
Even though Dean had the appearance and behaviour of a ge...
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- Does anyone know why Collin asked for all of us to be here?
Blake looked to Mark, who sat at his left with his back leaning on the first's shoulder.
- No idea. – he looked at May, across for him. – Do you know?
- Yeah, but he wants to be the one to tell you.
The answer caused the two psychology students to glance at each other, with Mark verbalizing what both knew.
- He got the part.
Blake agreed with a silent nod, but he didn't have the chance to continue the conversation, with a movement at his right catching his attention.
Dean moved uncomfortably in his seat, causing Blake to look down at the bench to check the distance between them, but they weren't touching, so it shouldn't be that. Lifting his eyes to the other's face, his worry increased considerably upon seeing the colour of his skin.
Although he would always have a fair complexion, Dean had gained a bit of colour since the beginning of the academic year, but at that moment the man looked see-through.
- Dean, are you okay?
He looked back, showing a weak smile with a slow nod.
Blake wanted to scold the heir for lying to him, but that wasn't a priority at the moment. Apparently, he hadn't been the only one to notice the change in the boy beside him.
- You don't look okay. – May agreed, staring him with a slight frown. – You look like you just saw a ghost.
A few drops of sweat glistened on the heir's forehead, causing strands to stick to the skin. Not able to wipe his forehead clean as he wanted, he leaned a bit more instead, making sure Dean was looking him in the eyes, knowing it was harder for the other to hide the truth that way.
- Are you feeling okay?
- I'm a bit dizzy... - he finally admitted in a low voice, his eyes moved slowly like there was trouble focusing. – But you don't need to worry.
- Are you sick?
Although Blake's instincts were already engraved with Dean's personal space rules, it proved harder to follow them every time his friend felt unwell. Just like two days before, when he spent the night at the Metharom Mansion, and Dean was obviously being plagued by some bad stuff. That night, Blake had spent hours hearing Dean moving with breath stuck in his throat, and every time Blake just wanted to jump onto the bed to hug him and assure him everything would be okay. Even after their conversation, he only allowed himself to fall asleep once he was sure Dean was too.
