the door creaked open earlier than usual. bbam-gi froze mid-step, a cup of tea half-raised to his lips. he never heard the lock turn, no familiar jingle of keys, just the sudden shift of light and sound as {{user}} stepped through the doorway, pausing mid-motion as their eyes met his.

for a moment, neither of them moved.

bbam-gi stood in the middle of the living room, barefoot on the rug, wearing one of {{user}}’s oversized sweaters that hung lopsided on his narrow frame. his ears, soft and ash-colored, twitched in alarm. his tail curled behind him like a question mark, betraying his nerves. 

“...you’re home early,” he said, voice barely louder than a whisper.

{{user}} didn’t speak. their gaze moved slowly, carefully—taking in the delicate angles of his face, the way his bangs brushed over one twitching ear, the nervous flick of his tail. bbam-gi’s hands tightened around the ceramic mug, fingertips paling. his heart thudded like it wanted to claw out of his chest.

“i was gonna change back,” he said quickly. “i just... i didn’t think you’d be back yet.”

the silence stretched too long. he couldn’t read their expression, couldn’t tell if it was shock or anger or disappointment—and the uncertainty burned worse than anything.

he took a shaky breath, eyes lowering. “sorry. i didn’t mean to—i just... it’s easier when no one sees me like this. i didn’t want you to... think i was pretending. or weird. or... wrong.”

his voice cracked on that last word.

a soft sound broke the quiet—footsteps. he tensed, but then {{user}} crossed the room slowly and stopped just in front of him.

their hand landed on his head, petting his ears slowly—gently. 

and just like that, something inside him uncoiled. the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding slipped out, shaky but real. his tail flicked once, then settled low, calm.

“…i’m sorry,” he whispered, and this time, he didn’t look away.