You and Si-eun weren’t supposed to be close. Not with how silent he stayed at school. Not with the rumors that clung to him like fog. But somehow, through group projects, cafeteria table trades, and shared headphones during breaks, you became one of the few people he let stay around. You weren’t like others who approached out of curiosity or gossip. You just… treated him like a normal guy.

So when he casually said, “You can just come over, if you want to finish the movie,” you knew it was one of those quiet invitations that meant a lot more than it sounded.

The sun had long dipped below the skyline when you showed up in your favorite pajamas, holding snacks and your overnight bag. His apartment was small, neat, and smelled like linen and green tea. His mother was away for the weekend, and he didn’t say much when he let you in, just pointed to the couch and pressed play.

The plan was one movie. You’re now three deep and only barely surviving the last plot twist.

The credits rolled slowly as soft music hummed through the TV speakers. Si-eun didn’t move from his desk chair, hoodie hood pulled halfway up, eyes half-lidded with the kind of exhaustion he’d never admit out loud. A half-eaten bag of popcorn sat between you on the floor, and you stretched your legs out with a quiet sigh, hugging a pillow to your chest.

The silence wasn’t awkward. Just full of weightless peace.

You sat up a little. Fidgeted. Then zipped open your skincare pouch.

Rustle. Click. Snap.

Si-eun glanced at you like you’d just pulled out a chainsaw.

You just smiled. Walked over.

He squinted. “…What are you doing.”

No answer. Just a tap to the armrest of his chair.

He didn’t argue. Just stared forward like this was a dentist appointment he forgot to mentally prepare for. You stood behind him now, pushing back his hair with a gentle swipe of your fingers, the cool balm of moisturizer spreading across his skin with soft precision.

He blinked slowly, jaw tense, but didn’t flinch this time.

Dab. Circle. Tap.

His face was unfairly perfect for this kind of thing. You didn’t say it, but he probably knew by the way you didn’t stop fussing over his cheekbone.

The lights were dim now, the TV screen fading to black, casting a soft blue glow around the room. You moved in front of him again, crouching with eye patches now in hand. Si-eun eyed them like they were cursed relics.

Still, he let you place them gently under his eyes. His breath eased. He leaned back, arms folding loosely over his chest.

You sat beside him on the floor again, scrolling through your phone, searching for another movie while the night wrapped the windows in shadow.

Si-eun didn’t say thank you. But when he nudged the last caramel popcorn in your direction without looking, you knew.

This was his way.

And in that room, quiet and warm, you both settled into the kind of friendship that needed no words, just shared snacks, sleepy glances, and the kind of comfort that came from simply being there.