Just as Lucas was beginning to wonder if Kyle would show up at all, he spotted a tall, lean figure approaching in the dimming light. The man moved with an effortless grace that caught Lucas's attention. Lucas's breath caught in his throat as he realized who it was: the handsome stranger from the metro station with golden eyes who had warned him against sleeping in such a vulnerable position.

Kyle's silhouette, outlined against the fading hues of the evening sky, made his skin look glowing. The man smiled lazily, breaking any remaining defenses Lucas had.

"Lucas, isn't it?" Kyle's voice carried efficiently across the quiet courtyard, laced with a hint of excitement.

Relief flooded through Lucas as he nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that's me. You must be Kyle."

Kyle flashed a charming smile, his golden irises sparkling with mischief, as he reached to shake Lucas's hand. "Guilty as charged. Sorry for the dramatics, but I couldn't resist a bit of mystery."

Lucas returned the smile, feeling curious about this intriguing stranger. "No worries. Shall we head to Argüelles and check out those rooms?"

"Alright, let's bounce," Kyle said, stepping beside him.

Kyle and Lucas strolled through the campus as the sun dipped below the horizon. Lucas couldn't help but be struck by Kyle's easy demeanor and confident stride. Kyle was no stranger to the campus, which piqued Lucas's interest even further.

"So, what brings you to Madrid?" Lucas asked, eager to learn more about his potential roommate.

"The weather and the food, of course," Kyle chuckled.

The breeze carried the comforting scent of freshly made bread as they approached a busy churro stall near the bus station. Kyle bought churros for both of them as they waited for the bus.

"I'm here doing a PhD in organizational behavior," Kyle explained, his tone casual but excited. "It's fascinating how it intersects with everyday life, from public transport to cultural change. Spain is exciting."

Intrigued, Lucas asked, "How does that relate to public transport?"

"Have you noticed how GPS bus apps often miss the mark?" Kyle asked, scrolling through his phone and then handing Lucas a churro.

Lucas nodded, taking a bite. "Yeah, waiting forever for a bus that's supposed to arrive any minute is frustrating."

"Exactly," Kyle agreed, his eyes lighting up. "Drivers speed up to avoid penalties, and passengers delay going to the stop to do other things. Plus, GPS signals can be slow to update. It all leads to missed buses."

"So, even with these apps, we're still stuck waiting," Lucas concluded, shaking his head with a slight smile.

"Seems like it," Kyle said, chuckling and shaking his head. "It's like the system doesn't understand basic human behavior."

Just then, line 75 arrived, and they hopped on. Lucas examined his companion's features as the bus moved slowly toward Argüelles. Kyle's strong jawline and dark curly hair suggested southern European origins, but his almond-shaped eyes hinted at Middle Eastern descent, reminiscent of a figure from ancient Persian fables. The golden hue of Kyle's eyes caught the last light of the setting sun, giving them an almost mystical glow.

Lucas thought of himself as handsome; with his oval face, full lips, dark eyes, and easy smile, he could quickly gain people's goodwill. However, Kyle exuded a magnetic allure that was both captivating and intimidating. Feeling drawn to know more, Lucas asked, "So, have you lived elsewhere besides Spain?"

Kyle's golden irises sparkled. He nodded, "I've lived in many big metropolises over the last ten years: Paris, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires, just to name a few. Each culture offers lessons. Sometimes, I study there, work there, or have fun. It depends on the opportunities."

Lucas wondered how Kyle and Professor Ortiz met and asked, "Do you have specific interests in working with some subjects?"

Kyle grinned, leaning back against the bus seat. "I'm a nerd when it comes to digging into the psychology of organizations. I got interested in leadership, dealing with infernal bureaucracy, managing unruly souls, and all that jazz. But let's face it, it's not a goldmine for grants."

Kyle shrugged and settled back into his seat. "So, why not switch gears and dive into the neurobiology side? It's wild how different chemicals can light up the brain—I snagged this gig at the neuroscience lab near the Medicine faculty. Pay's not stellar, but our boss is a chill dude."

Kyle looked out the window and signaled the big trees outside as their ride approached the West Park of the city. "I live close to El Retiro Park since I like a bit of nature, but I need about 40 minutes to arrive at the lab.  So, living in Argüelles is a sweet deal. It's close to work, the nightlife's decent, and the rent's not breaking the bank. What's your story?"

Lucas nodded, trying to keep it low-key. "Right now, I'm knee-deep in med school, focusing on endocrinology. You know, how what we eat messes with our hormones and all that."

Kyle's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Fascinating. My boss is interested in some mushrooms from Patagonia that have a curious effect on your mood. Is there any niche you're into?"

Lucas paused, mulling over his response. "I'm investigating how the endocrine system handles metabolism, appetite, and energy levels."

Kyle nodded, impressed. "It's interesting to meet you, Lucas."

Kyle shifted gears, a playful glint in his eye. "So, spill the beans. Is there any special someone in your life? Girlfriend? Boyfriend?"

Lucas shook his head, feeling a pang of vulnerability. "I have no one right now."

Lucas opened his mouth, but nothing else came out. He had promised himself not to reveal much until he knew it was safe, but this man could disarm him with his lazy smile and charm. He nervously fiddled with a button on his jacket, trying to deflect.

Kyle noticed the change and quickly changed his track, his tone shifting from playful to reassuring. "Hey, no need to spill your guts if you're not ready. I saw you this morning and recognized you from yesterday at Puerta del Sol metro station. Did Prof. Ortiz recommend you? You're already ticking the responsible box. Don't worry; I won't pry unless you want me to. I also have my demons, my skeletons in the closet, and some crazy relatives. As long as you can manage to get the money for the rent, we'll be fine."

Lucas felt relief and gratitude for Kyle's understanding as they exited the bus. Old buildings stood tall alongside modern structures, creating a dynamic contrast that reflected the neighborhood's rich history. Navigating the crowded sidewalks, Lucas and Kyle seamlessly weaved towards Ferraz Street 25.

"The building has been remodeled to breathe life into traditional neighborhoods, so despite its appearance, the apartment is very modern; at least, that's what the landlady, Mrs. Hutchinson, told me on the phone," Kyle said.

When they rang the bell, a gray-haired woman with pale skin opened the door. She wore a light blue blouse and jeans. The woman smiled faintly, her thick German accent coming through. "I assume you two are Kyle and Lucas, the ones coming to check the rooms. You're a bit late, so give me a minute to grab the keys to the rooms."

The two followed the lady to the third floor and examined the place. The apartment had two cozy bedrooms and a big, open living area with minimal furniture, illuminated by two large windows. The moment Lucas stepped inside, he felt a sense of warmth and comfort wash over him.

"I think you'll like it here," Kyle said, gesturing around the room. "It's quiet, comfortable, and conveniently located near the university."

Lucas couldn't help but smile as he took in the inviting atmosphere. "It's perfect," he said, grateful for the opportunity to call this place home.

Kyle continued, "I speak for both of us when this place suits us. We could discuss the details over dinner if it's not a hassle. There's a good Brazilian coffee shop nearby, and the owner, Isabela, is a good friend of mine."

Mrs. Hutchinson beamed, "I'm a fan of apple strudel; my grandma's recipe is awesome, but I guess a change of flavors might be good occasionally."

She closed the door, and their trio headed towards the bustling streets of Argüelles. The lively area transitioned into a modern neighborhood, where a small three-floor building stood out amidst the skyscrapers. On the ground floor, colorful flowers adorned planters at the entrance of a quaint coffee shop.

As Lucas, Kyle, and Mrs. Hutchinson entered, they were greeted by the lively strains of bossa nova music and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of tropical flowers. Behind the counter stood a lady with dark curls cascading over her shoulders, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

When the woman saw Kyle, her eyes lit up. "Hey, boss, it's been a while since I've seen you."

"Hello Lilian, I'd like a table for myself and my friends and some of your specially brewed coffees," Kyle responded, winking at her.

They settled at a cozy table adorned with a bowl of fresh fruit and savored the flavors of Brazil. They chatted over coconut, honey, guava pastries, hot drinks, and sodas. Little by little, the animated atmosphere made the conversation easy.

Lucas felt relaxed in the warm environment, reminiscent of being back in his grandma's kitchen. He glanced at Lilian, busy preparing coffee, and couldn't shake the feeling that she was much like his grandma. As if on cue, Lilian looked at him and smiled. He smiled back before returning to the conversation about practical matters like bills.

"Indulge me for a moment," said Mrs. Hutchinson, leaning forward. "I want to ensure you're serious about renting the place."

Kyle explained, "Grants for Ph.D. students aren't enough, especially in fields like neuroscience. My salary can't cover a place close to work, and I refuse to live far away. Weekend work helps, but living solo is still out of reach."

Lucas added, "I was studying Medicine, but a falling out with my partner led me here. I have a few months' rent saved up and hope to find weekend work soon."

"Do you have a backup plan?" asked the old woman, her gaze piercing.

They both shook their heads. Lucas said, "I've talked to my mom; she might help if needed."

"What's her name?" Mrs. Hutchinson inquired.

"Sophia," Lucas replied.

"I haven't talked to my dad in ages," Kyle admitted, "but I have brothers who might help if things go south."

"And the owner of the café?" asked Mrs. Hutchinson.

Kyle shook his head. "She called me boss, but she doesn't work for me. I just helped her start her gig long ago, but she doesn't owe me anything."

Pleased with their answers, Mrs. Hutchinson handed them the keys and said, "I assume you'll need a roof over your heads soon enough."

As they discussed the logistics of sharing the space and splitting the rent, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that he had stumbled upon something special—a friendship that had the potential to grow into something significant.

After paying the bill and leaving Mrs. Hutchinson back at her apartment, Lucas moved his things to the new place and agreed to meet with Kyle the next day to pick up his stuff.

That night, in the darkness of his new room, Lucas scrolled through his friends' Instagram accounts and discovered that his best friend in Ecuador, Andres, had gotten a new girlfriend. He wished them happiness and started to doze off. Andres was responsible for his first trip to Spain since he had pushed Lucas to take a long holiday. If Lucas hadn't gone there, he would have never met Jacob.

He started dreaming about his first time in Madrid when he was trying to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Instead of it being early morning, the sun was about to set, and a swirl of wind started to blow, shaping the middle of Plaza del Sol and forming a gateway that shimmered with otherworldly energy. A figure emerged through the mist that veiled the gate, flickering with ethereal light: Kyle. His presence was commanding yet comforting, like a beacon of darkness and hope.

As Kyle stepped through, the air crackled with energy, infusing the surroundings with enchantment. Kyle's eyes, aglow with mischief and delight, met Lucas's gaze. With a grin, he beckoned Lucas to join him. Lucas hesitated but ultimately went to Kyle's side.

The streets of Madrid transformed before Lucas's eyes. The buildings' facades were adorned with intricate, colorful patterns that seemed to shift and swirl with every breath. Lucas and Kyle wandered the streets of Madrid, exploring hidden corners and forgotten places. The city's sounds became a symphony of joy, laughter, and music, echoing through the cobblestone alleys.

As dawn approached, bathing the skyline in hues of gold and rose, they ended up in Argüelles again. Kyle turned to Lucas with a knowing smile. With a farewell gesture, he vanished into the morning mist, leaving a sense of warmth and possibility behind. Lucas entered the apartment, still in awe of the exhilarating stroll and the tingling sensation of the adrenaline rush.

When the morning light came through the windows, Lucas woke up feeling like feathers had been brushing against his skin. It was a pleasant but odd sensation as he tried to recall his charming dream. It had something to do with Kyle, though.

Later that morning, Lucas met with Kyle and carried several boxes and suitcases to the apartment: Kyle's belongings. They gradually settled down and organized the boxes. When they emptied the last box, Lucas and Kyle exchanged a satisfied glance before venturing to explore their new neighborhood. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the quaint streets with charming cafes and boutique shops.

Now, Lucas had to face a new challenge: devise a plan to retrieve his belongings from his ex and find a gig to pay the rent without abandoning his studies.

Word count 3150

Complutense de Madrid University