Arriving at his humble residence on Lotus Street, Mine suddenly remembered—his keys were in his bag, and no one had a clue where that bag ended up. The only things that survived the train incident were his phone… and Addai.

Well, the incident was a huge thing. He barely had time to process anything, let alone figure out where his keys ended up.

While looking for his keys in the flowerpots, Mine’s mind returned to the hospital.

When Mine was about to be discharged, the television in the waiting room caught his attention. Every channel was covering the incident. Reporters and police were working nonstop, but no clear cause had been found until a mana trace—his—was detected, prompting the involvement of the magic police.

Despite the specialists’ efforts, all they could identify was an irregular miasma variation at the site of the instability’s core. Mine had been so absorbed in the coverage that he barely blinked… until Addai’s warm hand reached for his, grounding him again. After that, he had no further clue about the incident – which was fine by him.

However, on the ride home—seated in the back of the Uber—Mine couldn’t stop thinking about the instability core. They were rare phenomena, and it had been a long time since he’d even seen one. Rarer still to be that close to one of such magnitude.

Instability Zones could only happen if there was a high concentration of foreign energy, like miasma, and most of the time they are triggered on purpose. Something must have set that one off, but the reason was still unknown.

Back in the flowerpots, Mine still had not found his spare keys.

Anxiety started itching his sore skin, but he pretended to be cool about it.

“Ha ha ha… They’re around here for sure…” Mine laughed awkwardly.

“Are you sure about it?” Addai crossed his arms.

“Yeah, yeah… I just need to lift this thing here…” Mine lifted the carpet at the front door, but no trace of the keys. “Ha ha ha… it’s not here either… ha ha ha…”

Dragging his tired body to the bushes near the front gate, Mine patted the leaves but no trace of a hidden spell was found, much less of his keys. He then looked at the door and clenched his fists.

I’ll break this shit. Mine cursed mentally and turned his head to where Mashitsu left his gardening equipment.

Amid the shovels, fertilizers, garden rake, and toolbox, Mine picked up a heavy hammer with both hands. He was just about to smash the door handle and force his way inside. If the door didn’t open, then he’d break the windows.

“There,” Addai turned the door’s handle, and it opened.

Mine gasped and threw the hammer aside. “How did you do it??” he dashed to Addai’s side.

Addai looked at the hammer left behind and turned his gaze to Mine again, “The key was inside this small succulent pot,” he showed the pinkish succulent next to the biggest flowerpot.

Wow, that’s so clever, Mine. Mine cursed himself mentally, grinning as he entered his humble home.

But Addai didn’t follow. In fact, after a painfully long second, he turned his back and began walking away. Just like that!

Noticing that Mine spun on his heels and dashed after him. He didn’t know exactly why his body reacted that way. But he had a vague and strong feeling that if Addai left, Mine wasn’t sure he’d have the strength to call him back again.

His heart pounded in his chest, his body feverish—maybe from the wounds, maybe from something else.

“Don’t go,” Mine blurted out, his hand gripping Addai’s arm.

“I don’t want to disturb you,” Addai replied, not turning to face him.

A cruel chuckle echoed inside Mine’s mind—the sadistic creature within stirring. Mine forced the voice down, swallowing its venom. He was still tender after coming back, so he would have to deal with that thing until he stabilized, ignoring every nonsense from it. And, without thinking, he yanked Addai back and pulled him inside.

“Stop being so damn stubborn and come in. It’s going to rain!” he snapped. As if on cue, thunder rumbled and the clouds above darkened.

Addai resisted for a moment, but Mine’s grip was surprisingly strong. Finally, he gave in and let himself be dragged through the door.

The reminiscent smell of lavender and patchouli incense welcomed the duo, who still reeked of hospital disinfectants. The decorations at the entrance bloomed into Addai’s eyes as their colors made Mine’s hair oddly colorful for a brief second.

As Mine placed his keys in the drawer, a faint smile tugged at his pale lips. His slim fingers traced the edge of the couch, then the paintings on the walls. Home. He was back home.

Mine’s eyes glimmered under the house’s warm lights, and Addai was almost sure he saw faint, glowing patterns in his arms. He looked at Addai and made a gesture for Addai to follow him, so Addai did so.

Mine’s body was currently fragile, yes—but his spirit held like tempered glass. Something in that quiet strength made Addai’s shoulders ease, the weight he carried lightening, if only for a moment.

Taking off the borrowed coat, the first thing Mine did was to put it on the washing machine. He hovered over the start button, waiting for the rest of Addai’s clothes—Addai, who was currently in the shower at Mine’s insistence, to avoid tracking dirt through the house.

Thankfully, Mashitsu had left behind a couple of blouses and a pair of shorts. They’d have to do.

"Hey, I got my cousin’s undies—hopefully they’ll fit you!" Mine shouted from the guest bathroom door. He was already showered and fresh, unlike his friend—well, almost.

“Isn’t it already used?” Addai asked, muffling his flustered voice.

“Ew! Do you think I’d give you used undies?” Mine protested.

“I don’t know what you’re capable of!” Addai replied. “So, are they used or not?”

“Of course they aren’t!” Mine huffed. “My cousin bought more than necessary. Here, take it,” he tried to open the bathroom door, but a shadow closed it right away.

Half startled, half annoyed, Mine banged on the door three times and shouted, “HEY! I’M NOT GONNA PEEK!”

A mortifying silence lifted.

“…J-Just leave it on the floor,” Addai broke the silence with a small voice.

Mine, still fuming, huffed, “Ah, c’mon! I’ve got the same thing you do, and I said I wouldn’t peek. Why would I—”

He was cut off when Addai slightly opened the bathroom door.

Oh.

Oh.

Mine was no better than any other man. Well—he was a man. His eyes instinctively wandered over Addai’s body, which was covered only from the hips down by a towel. And oh, what a view.

He’d never imagined what was hiding beneath all that bitterness and always brown, tall-necked shirt… nor how thick his thighs were… nor how he could oversee some more details his eyes weren't tired of surveying right next to the towel's knot– oh if it just slipped a little bit…

Addai’s wet hair clung to his face and neck, the water droplets trailing slowly down his cheeks, chest, and abs before stopping at the edge of the towel.

“Where are the undies?” Addai asked, feeling his skin itchy somehow.

Mine couldn’t help but blush hard. “Goddamn,” he muttered, loud enough for Addai to hear. “God really does have favorites, huh?”

Addai flushed, snatched the underwear from Mine’s hand, and slammed the door shut. Mine slowly turned away, face crimson.

Their orders arrived earlier than expected. Mine was in no condition to cook for his guest, and his pride couldn’t allow Addai to cook for him – he was his guest after all. So, Mine took his phone with a huge crack on the screen and searched for something they both could enjoy. Neither of them was a picky eater, so he ordered two bowls of vegetable soup and meat.

The meal, as delicious as it looked, wasn’t very pleasant to eat. The silence lifted between them made the food taste stale. The discomfort was palpable, and Mine refrained from commenting on anything until Addai placed the empty bowl aside and looked at Mine right in his eyes. His pupils were thin and there was a faint glow behind the heterochromatic gems.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” Addai said, his voice deep and warm. But that warmth was somehow suffocating.

Mine uncomfortably moved on the chair and placed the spoon aside, his bowl of soup was half eaten and maybe he wouldn’t finish it too soon. “I…” he stuttered, words swarming his mind but shutting his mouth.

Addai sighed and reached for Mine’s hand, warming it up. “Don’t speak. Finish your meal,” he said and gave Mine the spoon. Mine took the spoon and scooped a bit of his half-cold soup.

The dark circles below Addai’s sharp and surprisingly gentle eyes made it clear that he had a stressful and tiresome day. Curiously, he had no harm over his body, nor his face or arms.

Unconsciously, Mine blamed himself for being reckless and falling for the sadistic creature within his insides. What made it worse was how fragmented his memory had become. All he could recall were flashes, like random pictures from a Polaroid. The rest was a haze as if the creature did the favor of erasing his euphoria moments’ records as if it burnt all the pictures freshly taken.

He barely managed to get another spoonful of soup before his stomach revolted. He gagged, coughing hard, and spat the mouthful onto the floor. Addai rushed to wipe his mouth and gently patted his back.

But the kindness—right now—felt suffocating.

Mine slapped Addai’s hand away, as if his touch burned, and looked at him right in the eye. He couldn’t accept it anymore. The blame made his skin feel itchy and his sore body protested every second. His guilt was eating him alive, tearing his skin and mind while the sadistic creature laughed inside him.

Addai needed to leave.

Even if, deep down, Mine didn’t want him to.

“I’m nothing less than a colleague… someone you can casually let go and forget,” Mine started, his words filled with venom and would make Addai go away. “So… why are you acting like you care way too much about me?” he asked, his eyes’ borders turning reddish.

That question made Addai’s eyes widen slightly as if Mine had said something sinful. His nose wrinkled in subtle distaste.

“I am your friend, isn't it enough?” Addai sharply replied. Mine fell silent, his eyes bulging in a silent shock. Addai huffed and looked away, “But it seems I'm the only one who sees it that way.”

Addai noisily stood up, took his empty bowl, and put it in the sink. He grabbed his still-wet clothing from the washing machine and placed it over his shoulders.

Mine sat frozen. His plan had worked—Addai was leaving. So why did his chest feel so… empty?

A bad habit. That was all it was. His worst one, rising to the surface again.

Before he could think, he was at the front door, grabbing Addai’s arm—for the second time that evening.

Twice now. Strange. His mind was tangled and contradictory, but maybe his body was the only part telling the truth.

“Let go of me,” Addai said, his voice now acid.

Mine’s mind wasn’t working properly. Still, his mouth and throat worked well, “I… I see it the same way,” he finally said, his cheeks blushing a little bit.

Mine’s eyes darted everywhere but at Addai, while Addai’s gaze remained fixed on him, eyes slightly widened. A peculiar watercolor palette began to blend the colors of his blue and golden eyes as if they were adding a little more vibrancy to the once vivid colors… and returning them to their bright state once again.

That same strange palette reached Mine as well. The grayish tones in his hair were slowly repainted, touched with hints of yellow and blue that swirled into his familiar green. His eyes once dulled to a pale pink, deepened again into their usual soft hue—sweet, warm, like the peach color blooming across his cheeks.

Mine looked away, his cheeks feeling hot. “Please, stay,” he quietly said, almost like a whisper.

Mine felt those warm hands—no longer suffocating—gently wrapping around his cheeks, cupping his face. His eyes couldn’t now look away, so he looked forward, meeting Addai’s gaze.

“Then… I will,” Addai said softly, his voice breathy, as he leaned in and pressed their foreheads together.

Mine felt his body being filled with a good euphoria from his head to the toe. Despite his heart racing like mad, it was surprisingly comfortable.

He was a mess.

Addai began gently caressing Mine’s sides as if trying to cuddle him—a comforting gesture, like a good cafuné—the act of softly scratching someone’s head with your fingertips, a sweet expression of care and affection. It was so soothing, so addictive, that Mine instinctively tilted his head toward the spot Addai was scratching more, not caring that his hair was getting messier and messier.

Wanting to reciprocate, Mine reached up and began gently stroking Addai’s ears. Their foreheads were still pressed together.

It was funny. Addai's ears were soft and cold, contrasting with his warm forehead and hands, which had paused the cafuné.

Then Mine’s fingers trailed down to the shaved sides of Addai’s head.

That felt funny too. A ticklish sensation buzzed against his hand, making him chuckle softly—but he kept running his fingers along the textured surface, curious and amused.

Moving up to Addai’s hair, Mine was surprised at how fluffy it felt. He made a mental note to tell Addai to grow it out—skip shaving the sides— so one day he could feel its whole fuzziness and softness.

Mine didn’t know how much time had passed and how much he was exploring those new textures. It was oddly comfortable until he noticed Addai looking at him. The pair of heterochromatic eyes were very close to his pinkish eyes.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been caught up in exploring these new textures. It was oddly calming—until he realized Addai was watching him.

Those heterochromatic eyes were right there, staring into his soft pink ones, closer than they ever were.

“S-Sorry,” Mine apologized, not knowing where to place his hands (and face).

Addai leaned and dropped his head on Mine’s chest. “You can touch more if you want to.”

Mine blinked then let out a soft chuckle at how red Addai’s ears and neck had turned. He kept twirling a few strands of his hair. It was so cozy and fluffy that Mine couldn’t help but lean in and rub his cheek against Addai’s soft curls.

"Hey, I'm not a puppy," Addai grumbled.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” Mine laughed, then began counting the moles he found on Addai’s flushed neck.

One, two, three… Mine hadn’t realized Addai had so many moles on his neck. He wondered if there were even more since he usually only noticed four or five when looking at him face-to-face.

Addai was a funny person. He was a funny person full of moles.

"You know," Mine started and Addai faced him, "my sister tells me that moles mean your lover kissed those spots very often in your past life. So, it seems you were very loved,” he chuckled, not realizing the weight of those words.

Suddenly, Addai pinned Mine against the couch, who couldn’t help but feel breathless by being caught off guard. The couch was small and narrow, very uncomfortable, but perfect for two bodies to feel each other's warmth.

Those heterochromatic eyes were a menace, and Mine could feel the gaze burning him from the inside out in a pleasant wildfire.

That could be dangerous.