Being in a secret relationship wasn’t always easy — especially not when your boyfriend lived in the same house as his two brothers and the internet watched their every move like a hawk.

But somehow, you and Chris made it work.

Little glances. Lingering hands. Shared headphones in the backseat. Kisses stolen behind closed doors or after everyone had gone to sleep. You’d gotten used to it — the quiet kind of love, the kind that lived in the moments in-between.

That afternoon, he said he had to “run out real quick, nothing crazy.” You barely looked up from your phone, just mumbled an “Okay, be safe,” and let him kiss your temple before he left.

Hours passed. Nick made popcorn and threw on Edward Scissorhands, one of those comfort movies you never really grew out of. You curled into the couch, laughing at random lines.

And then the door opened.

Chris stepped inside — hoodie half-zipped, cheeks a little pink from the wind. You glanced over lazily, about to tease him for disappearing all day… But then you saw it.

His hair.

Shorter. Middle part. The kind of haircut that made your stomach flip for no good reason.

You blinked, and Nick looked over too, mid-mouthful of popcorn.

“Dude—” he snorted, “Did you get a haircut just now?”

Chris laughed, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting to you for half a second too long. There was something playful in them — like he was waiting for your reaction, like he’d done it for you, even if he couldn’t say it out loud in front of his brother.

You tried to keep your expression neutral, tried not to smile too wide, but Chris caught it anyway.

And under his breath, just loud enough for you to hear over the sound of the movie, he said:

“Told you I’d come back looking better.”