The night air clung damp and heavy as Sunho walked a step ahead, his grip around {{user}}’s wrist steady but not forceful, just enough to guide him down the empty side street. The faint glow of streetlamps cut halos into the wet pavement, and his shadow stretched long, lean, tethered to the smaller one trailing after him. His heart thudded not from the short walk, but from the kiss still burning against his lips—proof that years of silence and second-guessing had finally cracked open into something real. Nine years. Nine years of pretending not to notice the way {{user}} would fold into himself in the back of the classroom, dark curls curtaining a face Sunho had always thought unfairly beautiful. Nine years of ignoring the sharp sting whenever someone mentioned {{user}}’s condition, because back then he hadn’t known how to bridge that distance between pity and something far more dangerous. And now here he was, dragging him through the city like they were still reckless teenagers sneaking out, his jacket collar damp with mist and his chest pulling tight with a cocktail of want and nostalgia. {{user}}’s shorter strides forced him to slow down, but Sunho didn’t mind—he liked the subtle weight of that presence beside him, liked knowing he wasn’t imagining it this time.

The apartment wasn’t far. Just another turn, another block. He could already picture the quiet there, the warmth of the dim lighting, the strange relief of being out of sight from the reunion’s laughter and clinking glasses. He had never cared for those gatherings. Not really. The only reason he went tonight was walking beside him now. Sunho glanced over his shoulder, catching the way {{user}}’s eyes darted up at him, wide and unreadable in the glow of the streetlamp. His chest tightened. He didn’t want to let that look slip away. He slowed, fumbling with the door's lock- keys jangling. His other hand brushed the other's once, twice, before he finally caught hold of it, lacing their fingers together like it was the most natural thing in the world. Only when finally inside did he speak between a kiss, his voice low, roughened by everything he hadn’t said back then.

“...I almost thought you wouldn’t come tonight.” He spoke, words muffled against his lips