Silence.

Just… silence.

The once dense atmosphere became as light as a feather fluttering in the air.

Mine looked at the window, watching the lazy leaves fall from the trees.

They rustled softly, brushing against one another as a gentle breeze stirred the branches.

Some leaves fell inside the room, resting on the cold floor. Their green and yellow hues gave more colors to the wooden floor.

One landed beside Addai, who slept soundly in Mine’s lap, breathing slowly and calmly.

The room was still.

Peaceful.

Mine sighed softly, his hand gently brushing through Addai’s fuzzy hair.

When he tried to shift slightly, he realized Addai—despite being fast asleep—was still holding onto his hand, as if to quietly remind him of the promise he’d made to stay.

Mine sighed, again.

He brushed Addai’s bangs, trying to see his sleeping face. But Addai unconsciously nuzzled into the pillow, hiding his face.

“Seriously? What are you? A cat? Weren't you a fox?” Mine teased, pinching Addai’s cheek. Then, he approached and sniffed his friend’s hair. “Hm? You even smell like a cat!” he chuckled.

Addai grumbled and nuzzled on the pillow again, however, his face was now visible again. Mine couldn’t help but chuckle and touch his face.

Addai’s sleeping face was peaceful, though Mine could still see faint reddish spots around his eyes and nose. He gently traced them with his fingertips, noticing the subtle changes in temperature across each patch of surprisingly soft skin.

When Mine least expected it, a small smile appeared on Addai’s face.

A natural, and timid smile.

Mine stared at that.

“What a silly smile…” Mine softly chuckled. “You don’t smile that much, why that?” he asked, knowing he would have no answer.

He touched Addai’s cheek again—and felt him gently nuzzle into his hand.

Mine’s face flushed instantly, heat rising to his cheeks. The tips of his hair turned light pink, and so did the tips of his fingers. He felt fuzzy and funny.

Trying to ignore those sensations, Mine lay down on the mattress with Addai still clinging to his hand.

One. Two. Three minutes passed.

Ten. Twenty. Thirty.

The warmth in Mine’s cheeks had finally faded.

Beside him, Addai snored softly.

Lazily blinking, Mine looked at his face. Addai was sleeping so nicely and peacefully that it was a crime to annoy him while he slept.

So, Mine just kept observing his friend.

Then, Mine started tracing his friend’s moles like a map. His slender fingers moved slowly on the soft, slightly cool surface. He traced his jaw and chin, faintly lifting his face to look at his closed eyes.

His fingertips were ticklish, but Addai just sighed peacefully.

Mine chuckled and looked away. Somehow, he felt sleepy.

But the sniffling sounds coming beside him caught his attention. He quickly turned to see what was going on.

Silent drops started rolling down Addai's cheeks. They were warm and melancholic, contrasting with the peaceful expression drawn in his sleeping face.

Mine reached for Addai’s face and wiped it, one by one.

Then, more drops started falling, but not in front of him.

"Huh?" Mine gazed at the window.

Outside started to pour, staining the window's glass with cold water droplets.

Some drops could be wiped, and some others couldn't. But Mine wished he could wipe them away anyway, so he started with Addai's silent tears.