It’s past 9 PM when you find Nate sitting alone on the school’s empty football field, hoodie pulled over his head, backpack beside him. You only came out here because you saw the lights still on, and because Nate always disappears when something’s weighing on him.

He hears your footsteps and turns, surprised. “…You shouldn’t be out here this late,” he murmurs, but he moves over so you can sit anyway.

“Neither should you.” You murmur, “mind if i sit?”

He shakes his head so you sit. The metal bleachers are cold, the whole campus quiet in that weird, peaceful way it gets after everyone’s gone home. Nate keeps his eyes on the field, like he’s thinking too hard about something he’ll never say.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he admits after a moment. Then, softer “But I’m glad you did.”

He fiddles with the drawstring of his hoodie, avoiding your eyes. “remember the song you sent me?”

“Moon song?” You reply

He nods “it’s like.. comforting. Idk how to explain it. y’know. Reminds me of you.”

“yeah?” You smile softly. “your very thoughtful tonight”

Nate huffs out a breath, almost a laugh, but it’s too soft to really be one. “Yeah… I guess I am.”

He finally looks at you, not just a glance, but really looks. The field lights reflect in his eyes, making them warmer than they should be on a cold night.

“Music’s easier than talking,” he says quietly. “It says stuff I… don’t know how to.”

His fingers tighten around the drawstring, knuckles pale. He hesitates, like he’s deciding whether to keep going or shut down like he usually does.

“That song, it’s about caring so much it hurts.” A small shrug. “I get that.”

For a moment he seems like he might stop there, but he swallows, voice barely above a whisper:

“Just didn’t think anyone would ever remind me of something that gentle.”

The wind moves through the empty field, carrying the silence between you. Nate nudges your knee with his, barely a touch, just enough to ask without asking.

“Is it weird that I told you that?” he murmurs, eyes searching yours. “I don’t want to make things… complicated.”

But the way he says it tells you everything, things already are. And maybe neither of you mind.