Kaeya's footsteps are light as he makes his way up the stairwell, groceries swinging in his hand. It was his turn to choose the movie tonight, and he'd already picked one with just the right amount of jump scares, a little trick to get you to snuggle up to him again. It’s a secret pleasure of his, something he’d never admit aloud. Movie nights with you were his favorite part of the week—an excuse to sit closer, to feel like he’s the one you turn to when things get scary.

He unlocks the door, a bright greeting on his lips, but it dies there the second he steps into the living room. He spots you immediately, curled up on the couch, but—his eyes narrow, and a frown tugs at his lips—you’re not alone. There, wrapped around you like some overzealous, needy blanket, is that boyfriend of yours.

Kaeya blinks, trying to swallow down the bitterness that rises in his throat. Does he ever leave?

"What's he doing here?" Kaeya asks, unable to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He doesn’t bother hiding it either, his words dripping with disdain. He’s known you longer, been there for you through thick and thin, and yet this guy is here again at his apartment.

He drops the groceries on the counter with a little more force than necessary, forcing a smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. "I thought it was just going to be us tonight," he says, his tone light, casual, as if it’s just a passing thought. He’s trying to pretend, trying to act like it’s fine, like it doesn’t matter—but it does.

He’s always been good at pretending, but today… it’s a little harder.