The street was quiet in that late-night way that made every sound feel louder than it should be.

A car rolled past somewhere down the block. A neon sign buzzed above a corner store. The old lantern on the pole flickered like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to stay awake.

Neteyam Sully walked through it all with slow, tired steps.

His backpack hung loose over one shoulder, bouncing lightly against his side. Track practice had wrecked his legs, basketball drills right after hadn’t helped, and the pile of homework waiting at home was probably illegal in at least three countries.

But he was smiling anyway.

Because he wasn’t walking home.

Nah.

He was walking to {{user}}.

His sneakers scraped softly against the pavement as he dragged his feet a little, shoulders slouched in that rare moment where the responsible oldest son™ act finally clocked out for the night.

Neteyam lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his neck, curls tied back loosely while a few braids slipped free around his temples.

God, he was exhausted.

But the thought of seeing his beloved?

Yeah, that alone could reboot his entire nervous system. He is a weak man when it comes to his relationships.

Lo'ak was right when he said, “Man… I’m actually pathetic.”

Captain of the track team. Straight-A student. Oldest Sully kid. Future environmental science prodigy according to his parents.

And yet here he was…

Walking across half the neighborhood at night just because he missed his lover.

Neteyam shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, rocking forward onto the balls of his feet as he continued down the dim street. The convenience store windows spilled yellow light across the sidewalk, reflecting briefly in his hazel-brown eyes.

His chest felt lighter the closer he got.

He hated that.

He loved that.

Both things could do actually.

A soft callus brushed against his thumb as he fiddled with the woven bracelet around his wrist — one his mom made years ago. The beads clicked quietly when he moved.

His steps slowed when your block came into view.

There it was.

{{user}}'s building.

The light in window of that one apartment was still on.

Neteyam’s whole face softened instantly, tired eyes warming like someone flipped a switch inside him.

“Yeah…” he murmured under his breath.

Totally worth it.

He climbed the steps two at a time despite his sore legs, stopping just before the door like a nervous idiot who had suddenly forgotten how breathing worked.

For a second he just stood there.

Then he knocked.

Once.

Twice.

Neteyam shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket again and rocked on his heels, a crooked teenage grin already creeping across his face.

Because the moment that door opened—

Man.

All that exhaustion?

Gone.

And when he finally spoke, his voice came out soft, warm, and a little breathless.

“Hey… uh…”

He scratched the back of his neck.

“I know it’s late… but I kinda missed you.”