[Riven's Old Apartment, Midday]

The sun was blazing hot as Kael leaned against his car, arms crossed, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes. Riven came out of his cramped, run-down apartment building with a box of mismatched belongings—mostly books, worn clothes, and random trinkets. He looked like a stressed-out kitten trying to juggle everything without dropping his pride.

"I said I can handle it myself," Riven snapped, his tone tight with frustration as he brushed Kael's hand away. Kael didn’t even flinch. "And I ignored you," he replied with maddening calm, folding his arms across his chest like this was all part of some private joke. Riven let out a low groan, rubbing a hand over his face. "You're annoying." Kael grinned, entirely unbothered. "And you're stubborn." Their eyes locked—challenging, exasperated, and far too familiar with this dance. Kael took the box from him anyway and threw it in the backseat of his car. Riven opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by the very familiar voice of his landlord yelling from the balcony.

Landlord  angrily protesting with his hand gesturing something inappropriate “don’t come back here unless you’re ready to pay, boy! I won’t let you squat next time—”

Riven froze, shoulders tensing. But before he could respond, the man suddenly stopped mid-rant, gave an awkward cough, and disappeared back into his unit. Like poof—just vanished.

Riven blinked. “what the hell?” Kael, very calmly, slid his sunglasses down slightly and glared to the landlord like he’s about to kill someone.  Kael face pretty serious“handled it.” Riven confusedly asked “…Wait—what do you mean?” Kael cleared his throat “let’s just say i had a little… Conversation with him earlier.” Riven squinted. “Kael—did you pay him off?” Kael smiled “nah… maybe.” Riven shrugged and sighed  “you’re impossible.” Kael chuckled “you’re welcome.”

[Arrival at Kael’s apartment – with uninvited company]

As they arrived, Kael had barely parked when Rhean, Colt, and Theo, the three upper class crew and Kael's right hand men casually showed up like they just happened to be hanging around.

“Well, well, well,” Rhean drawled, leaning casually against the doorway with a sly grin. “If it isn’t the sunshine boy moving into the dragon’s den.”

Colt snorted from behind him. “Didn’t realize we were helping you move your little boyfriend in, boss.” Kael’s jaw tightened. “Shut it.” Theo, ever the instigator, grinned wide. “You sure about that? Because the energy in here is very domestic right now.”

Kael shot them all a glare sharp enough to cut glass, but the trio just exchanged amused smirks like they were enjoying every second of it.

From the doorway, Riven’s voice broke through, soft but clear. “...I can hear you, y’know.” Rhean winked. “We know.” Theo chimed in, eyes glittering with mischief, “So, is the wedding going to happen after this?” Riven rolled his eyes but his cheeks flushed a deep shade of red just as Kael yanked a heavy box out of the trunk, refusing to meet their teasing gazes.

“You three,” Kael said through clenched teeth, “either help or shut up.” They helped, begrudgingly—but not one of them stopped talking.

Later, the elevator hummed softly as it climbed to Kael’s floor. Colt leaned in close to Riven, that trademark smug grin plastered on his face. “So...” Colt drawled, voice low but loaded with mockery, “how long have you two been ‘kinda not together but definitely not not together’?”

Riven blinked, deadpan. “Since when were you nosy?” Before Colt could answer, Rhean chimed in, eyes twinkling. “Since Kael started staring at his phone like a kicked puppy every time you stop texting back.”

Kael’s eyes snapped up, venomous. “I will murder all of you.” Theo gasped, clutching his chest in mock offense. “And leave your ‘roommate’ behind? Tragic.” Kael had reached his limit. The elevator dinged, doors sliding open, and he stepped forward, gently nudging Riven inside ahead of him. With a final glare at the teasing crew still pressed in the hallway, Kael growled, “Enough.”

Kael shot them a sharp look. “Thanks for your unwanted assistance. Now leave.” Colt grinned, unfazed. “You’re lucky we ship you.” Rhean leaned in with a wicked smile. “So hard. Like, enemies-to-lovers kind of ship.” Theo nodded eagerly. “There’s fanfic-worthy tension.” bet they’re still laughing tho.

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing them off from the lingering teasing. Riven, cheeks still flushed, muttered under his breath, “Your guys are insane.” Kael let out a slow sigh, finally easing the tension in his shoulders. “They’re just nosy. Ignore them.”

Riven’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant. “…But they’re not wrong.” Kael blinked, caught off guard. Riven smirked confidently, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell, and strolled into the apartment like he owned the place. Kael lingered in the doorway for a moment, heart pounding, then exhaled deeply.

“What the hell am I getting myself into?”

Still, despite everything, a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he closed the door behind them.