The rain had stopped just as Seungmin and Jeongin stepped out of the bookstore, the scent of damp pavement lingering in the air. The streets were quiet, streetlights casting soft golden halos onto the empty sidewalks.

Jeongin stretched, tucking a book under his arm. “We could’ve stayed inside longer.”

Seungmin scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “You would’ve bought the whole store if we did.”

Jeongin grinned. “And?”

Seungmin rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it. They started walking, their pace slow, unhurried. Nights like this had become routine—meeting up with no real plan, just existing in the same space.

As they passed by a small park, Jeongin suddenly stopped. “Let’s sit for a bit.”

Seungmin hesitated but followed, dropping onto the damp bench beside him. The world felt smaller here, quieter.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Then, Jeongin glanced at Seungmin, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Do you even like hanging out with me, or do you just tolerate it?”

Seungmin exhaled, tilting his head back to look at the sky. “If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be here.”

Jeongin hummed, a small smile tugging at his lips. He shifted slightly closer, just enough for their shoulders to brush.

Seungmin didn’t move away.

They sat there, side by side, the space between them smaller than before. Neither of them acknowledged it, but neither of them needed to.