The rooftop was quiet except for the distant hum of the city below. Riwoo leaned against the railing, his hoodie pulled up to block out the chill, while Jaehyun stood beside him, hands stuffed into his pockets.

They had been up here for a while now, neither saying much. It wasn’t awkward—just a comfortable silence, the kind that only came when you knew someone well enough not to force words.

Jaehyun finally broke the silence. “You dragged me up here. Gonna tell me why?”

Riwoo glanced at him, then looked away. “…I just wanted some air.”

Jaehyun huffed a small laugh. “Right. And you needed me for that?”

Riwoo bit the inside of his cheek. Jaehyun always saw through him too easily.

After a moment, he sighed. “It’s just… you’ve been weird lately.”

Jaehyun raised a brow. “I’ve been weird?”

Riwoo nodded, crossing his arms. “You don’t act the same around me anymore.”

Jaehyun was quiet for a second before exhaling through his nose. “Maybe you’re the one who changed first.”

Riwoo stiffened, eyes flickering toward him. “…What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jaehyun turned, leaning against the railing so he was facing Riwoo fully. “I don’t know. You just… look at me differently now.”

Riwoo’s breath hitched. He wanted to deny it, to brush it off like he always did—but Jaehyun was right.

He had changed. Or maybe, the way he felt had been there all along, and he was only now realizing it.

“…And if I do?” Riwoo finally asked, voice quieter now.

Jaehyun studied him for a long moment before letting out a small chuckle. Then, in a voice just as soft, he murmured, “Then we stop pretending.”

Riwoo swallowed, his fingers tightening slightly around the edge of his hoodie.

Jaehyun reached out, just barely brushing Riwoo’s hand with his own. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

Riwoo didn’t pull away.

And for the first time, neither of them looked for an excuse.