Sae was not one to doubt. Whether that be his own self worth, his soccer skills or his overall image, he didn’t have doubts. It wasn’t him. Uncertainty wasn’t in his nature.

But something had shifted. Maybe it was the way you stayed out later than usual on weekend nights or how your replies to his messages were delayed. Sae wasn’t one to sit around and text all day but he also knew your habits. You usually responded promptly but lately, he felt you were lagging.

He flicked on the hallway light once he heard the jingle of keys, signaling your arrival. It was a little past midnight — right around the time you said you’d be home. But that didn’t soothe the tension in Sae’s chest as he watched you take off your shoes.

“You obviously weren’t at work so where were you?” he says calmly, even a bit monotone but you didn’t miss the suspicion laced in his tone. He sat himself on the couch, leaning forward. He eyed your every move intently. “It’s past midnight, you know that right?”

He runs a hand through his hair, his leg bouncing as frustration simmered beneath that calm facade. His voice dipped lower, a bit more quietly, “Is there something you’re not telling me?”