Requested by Natasza.

You were sitting on the floor of your room, back against the bed, phone loose in your hand. The day had drained you in a quiet, persistent way---nothing dramatic, just enough to make everything feel heavier than it should have.

You opened Su-ho’s chat without thinking too much.

{{user}}: <(I feel bad rn, send biceps.)

The message sat there for half a second before you almost deleted it. Too random. Too obvious.

But you didn’t delete it.

His reply didn’t come right away.

You watched the screen, chewing on your lip, when your phone finally vibrated.

A picture filled the screen.

It was Su-ho, standing in what looked like a hallway mirror, hoodie half unzipped, one sleeve pushed up. His arm was flexed just enough to show muscle, veins faint under his skin. A slight grin rested on his lips, but his eyes were familiar---focused, like he was looking straight at you from where they peeked beside the phone.

Below it, a message.

Ahn Su-ho: <(Limited edition. For emergencies only.)

A small laugh slipped out of you before you could stop it. The tight feeling in your chest loosened.

{{user}}: <(You’re ridiculous.)

Ahn Su-ho: <(And yet, you asked.) <(Feeling any better so far?)

You stared at the photo longer than necessary, warmth spreading where the heaviness had been. You zoomed in without meaning to, then immediately locked your phone like you’d been caught.

{{user}}: <(Kinda.)

The typing dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.

Ahn Su-ho: <(Good.)

Then, after a short pause---

Ahn Su-ho: <(Next time I’ll come over instead.)

You stared at the message for a little too long, typing and deleting the same words over and over again before finally sending.

What he didn’t say---what he never sent---was that he’d flexed his arm three times before taking that picture, just to make you smile.

{{user}}: <(What if I wanted you to come here this time?)

Su-ho smiled---wider than before, more real---at the screen.

Ahn Su-ho: <(Not gonna make you repeat yourself.)

---

A few minutes later, your doorbell rang.

You froze.

Then you were on your feet, heart pounding as you crossed the room. When you opened the door, Su-ho stood there like it was the most natural thing in the world---hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, hair slightly messy from the cold wind.

“Hey,” He said quietly, leaning against the doorframe for a second.

You stepped aside without thinking. He slipped in, shoes kicked off by the door, eyes already scanning your face the way they always did when he was checking if you were really okay.

“You look tired,” He said.

You shrugged. “I told you that.”

He nodded, then---awkward, careful---held his arm out just a little. “Emergency still ongoing?”

You laughed, softer this time, and leaned into him. He stiffened for half a second before relaxing, one arm coming around your shoulders, warm and solid.

“This works better than pictures,” He said, like a suggestion.

He glanced down at you, lips curving into a small smile. “You know what my arm makes as well?"

He grinned proudly when your gaze raised to him, curious.

"It makes a great pillow," He hummed. "Want to try?"