The evening felt unusually quiet after the Yan's message.

Kim didn’t say much afterward—just disappeared into his room 

Ray tried not to overthink it.

Tried not to replay the way Kim sounded almost… disappointed? Or tired?

Or maybe Ray was imagining things again.

He was halfway through reheating leftovers when the doorbell rang.

Ray frowned.

They weren’t expecting anyone.

When he opened the door, Yan was leaning against the frame, hands in his pockets, wearing the easy smile he always used when he knew he was being inconvenient on purpose.

“Yo,” Yan said. “Kim home?”

Ray didn’t respond right away.

Yan raised an eyebrow. “What? I can’t visit my friend?”

“…He’s not back yet,” Ray said flatly.

Yan chuckled as he walked inside like he owned the place. “Relax. You look like you’re about to interrogate me.”

Ray didn’t argue—he simply followed as Yan plopped onto the couch.

Yan glanced around. “You two cleaned up? That’s new.”

Ray didn’t take the bait. “Why are you here?”

Yan grinned wider. “Wanted to check on Kim. He sounded off earlier.”

Ray’s jaw tightened.

Off?

Kim didn’t sound “off” when he talked to Ray.

He only sounded off afterward.

Before Ray could decide how to respond, the front door opened.

Kim stepped in—hair slightly messy, eyes tired, scarf lopsided like he’d walked too fast.

He froze when he saw Yan.

“…Oh. You’re here.”

Yan waved casually. “Missed me?”

Kim shot him a look that was somewhere between annoyed and amused. “Not really.”

But he sat down on the chair anyway, dropping his bag beside the table.

Ray handed him the plate of food he’d kept warm.

Kim blinked. “You… kept this for me?”

Ray didn’t look at him. “You didn’t eat.”

The way Kim smiled—soft, small, and surprised—made Ray feel something warm twist in his chest.

Yan noticed.

Of course he noticed.

“Ohh,” Yan said, leaning back. “Ray’s really acting like a house wife today.”

Ray glared. “Shut up.”

Kim choked on his food.

Yan smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “Careful, Ray. Someone might think you’re trying to impress him.”

Ray opened his mouth to respond—

—but Kim beat him to it.

He wiped his mouth, then said calmly,

“Why does it bother you?”

Yan blinked, startled.

Ray stared too.

Kim rarely challenged anyone. But now… his voice held something sharp. Almost protective.

Yan recovered quickly, grinning again. “Touchy, aren’t you? I’m just teasing.”

Kim didn’t answer.

He just kept eating, quieter now.

Yan watched him for a moment before turning to Ray. “By the way, tomorrow—”

But Kim interrupted again, softer this time.

“I can handle it, Yan.”

The silence stretched.

Yan looked between them—first at Kim, then at Ray—like he was realizing something he hadn’t quite put together before.

Finally, he stood up. “Alright, alright. I get it. I’ll leave you two to… whatever this is.”

Kim flushed. Ray stiffened.

Yan laughed on his way to the door. “Don’t look so scared. I’ll visit again soon.”

When the door closed, Ray exhaled slowly.

Kim didn’t look up from his plate.

His shoulders, however, were tense.

“…You okay?” Ray asked quietly.

Kim nodded, though it wasn’t convincing. “Just tired.”

Ray watched him for a moment.

Something unspoken hung between them—too heavy for the room, too fragile to touch.

And then Kim muttered, almost too soft to hear,

“You didn’t have to keep the food warm for me… but I’m glad you did.”

Ray’s chest tightened.

“Anytime,” he said.

Kim finally looked up.

Their eyes met.

Warm. Confused. Curious. A little jealous. A little protective.

Complicated.

Very, very complicated.

And getting worse in ways neither of them understood yet.