Intimate
"Hey, we can rest when we die!" he said, trying to be positive.
I got up and went to the buffet table. From the corner of my eye I could see Felix getting up from his table. I smiled at the floor, hoping he was going to the same place I was.
As I poured more coffee into my mug, Felix stood a few feet away, scanning the bread basket.
"Well good morning," he said, not looking up at me. I looked at him up and down, his casual clothes fitting him so well.
"Good morning Dr Reynolds," I replied. "At what time did you go to sleep?"
"Ask your friends at what time they arrived and you'll get your answer."
Yikes. I wondered how he was able to stand given how low on sleep he was.
"After the Louvre visit I'm coming straight back here for a nap. I really need it."
His eyes looked so tired, yet he still managed to give me his handsomest smile. I wanted to reach out to him so badly that not being able to physically pained me.
Then, in a quiet voice, I looked up at him wide-eyed. "I know something that would wake you right up, Professor."
He cleared his throat, obviously understanding what I meant.
"Oh yeah? What is it?"
Smirking, I served him a new cup of coffee. He winked at me when I handed him the white mug before turning away.
As I walked back to my friends, my eyes glanced around the room lazily and a pair found mine. To my utter horror, David had a grin on his face and a mischievous look in his eyes. I gulped. I knew he had seen something.
"You and Dr Reynolds are awfully close," he said in a quiet voice when I sat back down. I was trying to act as cool as possible.
"Oh, you know, it's a bit hard not to like him after he stood up to me at Gary's studio," I said, drinking my coffee and acting unbothered. "He's cool."
"Right, that's true..." He trailed off. "Do you guys talk a lot? After classes?"
I looked up at him this time. Thank God he was sat next to me and no one was paying attention to our conversation.
"Come on David, don't be ridiculous..." My stomach turned into knots.
He just looked at me attentively, his eyes narrow.
"Alright boy, I'm just saying..."
Bile rose up my throat. Fuck, we had to be more careful, especially now that I knew people were watching us.
After breakfast, we all gathered in the lobby to discuss what we'd be doing for the day. Despite the tired eyes, it was undeniable that everyone was extremely excited to be going to the most famous museums of the Western world.
And they truly delivered. I had to catch my breath at every corner of the museums, at every art piece that I lay my eyes upon. Mr Turner and Felix were equally starstruck, and I found it fascinating to see Felix's eyes light up like a little kid. As I watched him from a distance, his mouth literally fell to the floor when he saw The Raft of the Medusa and The Wedding at Cana. In a way, he made himself much more approachable, humbling himself in the presence of masterpieces.
"This was the apex of French Romanticism," he spoke passionately about the painting of Medusa. "Like the Baroque era, romantics favored heavily dramatized scenes with intense stories. This entire painting curses a French Naval frigate that ignored their plea for help. It outlines the horrors that must have taken place there after."
I wasn't the only one to notice Felix's excitement. Everyone was gossiping about how Dr Reynolds was uncharacteristically lively, upbeat, almost electrified. Those hours he spoke to us about the paintings were truly well spent.
Mr Turner decided to take over halfway through the visit, Felix making his way to the back of the group. I glanced back at him once in a while. Felix was completely ignoring the other professor, taking his time admiring the beauty that surrounded us.
I made my way strategically to the back of the group so I could be closer to him, pretending that I was taking notes of some painting so I could lag behind without raising suspicions.
He didn't make a sound as he walked next to me, right behind the crowd of students with their eyes glued to the paintings.
Suddenly, I felt his fingers brush against mine. I pulled my hand away, afraid that we'd be caught. However, Felix reached for it again, his eyes looking anywhere else other than me.
Hesitantly, our fingers slowly found each other. I wasn't looking at him, but we didn't need eye contact to communicate. Felix squeezed my hand lightly, our palms finally touching.
I couldn't believe we were holding hands in public, with my friends walking right in front of me. I knew we couldn't hold hands for long, so I enjoyed it for as long as possible. I caressed his skin with my thumb, and he did the same.
When Mr Turner spoke again, his attention now to the crowd, I had to let go of Felix's hand. Just as I did that, I turned to him and said:
"You spoke so passionately about the paintings, Dr Reynolds. It was really inspiring."
He looked at me up and down, his eyes landing on mine.
"It's not every day that I have the privilege of walking among masterpieces."
I smiled, looking at the floor.
"It's not every day that I have the privilege of walking among masterpieces with you. You bring them to life."
He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head with his hands in his pockets.
"Join the rest of the group, Mr. De Montmorency," he said in a low voice. "Pay attention to Mr Turner."
I did just that. I rejoined Maddox who didn't even notice I was gone. I looked back, glancing at Felix one last time. This trip was equally as life changing for him as it was for me.