You stirred awake slowly.
Not because of noise. Not because of a nightmare.
Because your throat felt like sandpaper.
Dry. Burning. Miserable.
You blinked up at the dim ceiling of your room, groggy and disoriented, before reaching for your phone on the nightstand. The screen lit your face with pale blue light.
1:24 AM.
You groaned softly and dragged a hand over your face.
Of course.
Your body had decided hydration was suddenly a life-or-death emergency in the middle of the night.
With a sigh, you shoved the blanket off and swung your legs over the side of the bed. The floor was cold against your bare feet, sending a little shiver up your spine.
You didn’t bother changing.
Just loose sleep shorts and an oversized shirt that slipped slightly off one shoulder as you shuffled down the hallway, half asleep.
The apartment was quiet. Dark. Peaceful.
Only the soft hum of the refrigerator filled the silence when you stepped into the kitchen.
You rubbed at one eye and opened the fridge, squinting at the sudden burst of light as you reached for a bottle of water.
Cold air brushed against your bare legs.
Perfect.
You twisted the cap—
Smack.
The sharp slap landed squarely on your backside.
You shrieked.
The bottle nearly slipped from your hand as you spun around, heart jumping straight into your throat.
Standing there—leaning casually against the kitchen counter like he owned the place—was your roommate.
Ryuu.
Of course it was Ryuu.
Dark hair messy from sleep, loose black sweatpants hanging low on his hips, one hand shoved lazily into his pocket like he hadn’t just assaulted you in the middle of the night.
And that stupid smirk.
That infuriating smirk.
You stared at him in shock.
He lifted his hands in mock surrender.
“Sorry,” he said, completely unapologetic.
His eyes flicked downward briefly before meeting yours again, amusement dancing in them.
“Couldn’t help it.”
You blinked once.
Twice.
“…You what?”
His grin widened.
“Too perfect of an ass not to slap.”
For a moment the kitchen went completely silent.
Your brain struggled to catch up with what had just happened.
Then your face heated.
“You absolute idiot—!”
You grabbed the nearest thing within reach—
A dish towel—
—and whipped it straight at his face.
Ryuu barely dodged it, laughing under his breath as it hit his shoulder and slid to the floor.
“Oh relax,” he said, pushing himself off the counter. “You act like I committed a crime.”
“You did commit a crime!”
“It was a compliment.”
“You smacked me!”
“You’re welcome.”
You gaped at him.
He looked entirely too pleased with himself.
“You’re unbelievable,” you muttered, turning back to the fridge in frustration. “It’s one in the morning.”
“Exactly.”
You took a long drink of water, trying to calm your racing pulse.
Behind you, Ryuu moved closer.
You could hear his bare feet against the tile.
“You know,” he added lazily, “if you’re gonna wander around the apartment in shorts like that, you can’t blame a guy for reacting.”
You lowered the bottle slowly.
Then turned your head just enough to glare at him over your shoulder.
“…Reacting?”
He leaned his hip against the counter beside you, arms crossing loosely over his chest.
“Reflex,” he said simply.
You scoffed.
“Your reflexes need therapy.”
He snorted.
Your eyes drifted to him for a second longer than you meant to.
Ryuu looked annoyingly comfortable for someone who had just woken up—broad shoulders relaxed, hair falling messily into his eyes, lips still curved in that smug half-smile.
He caught you looking.
His brow lifted.
“What?”
You immediately looked away.
“Nothing.”
“Mhm.”
You took another sip of water, pretending to be extremely interested in the fridge shelves.
Ryuu leaned closer.
Close enough that you could feel warmth at your side.
“Still mad?” he murmured.
You shut the fridge door a little harder than necessary.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
He studied you for a moment.
Then—
Smack.
You gasped, spinning around again.
“RYUU—!”
He was already backing away, laughing quietly.