Before Kael could react to Zayden's drunken confession, Zayden suddenly leaned forward and pulled Kael into his arms again — but this time, it wasn't tight or desperate.
He rubbed his face against Kael's shoulder like a sleepy cat.
Kael froze.
"W-What are you—?!"
Zayden didn't answer.
Because he suddenly slumped forward…
And fell asleep right on Kael.
"…Huh?" Kael blinked, trying to process. "Zayden? Are you… asleep?!"
He tapped Zayden's cheek.
No answer.
Just slow breathing.
And his full weight on Kael.
"Ugh— you're so heavy, idiot…" Kael groaned, struggling to keep his balance. "Why do you sleep NOW of all times?"
He slowly dragged Zayden toward the bed, nearly falling twice. After finally getting him onto the mattress, Kael noticed Zayden's clothes were uncomfortably tight—collar, wrist buttons, everything.
Zayden shifted in discomfort, frowning in his sleep.
Kael sighed.
"Fine… fine. I'll loosen it," he mumbled, unbuttoning the collar carefully. "Hey, I'm just helping you, okay? Don't you suddenly wake up and misunderstand everything, you drunk fool."
Just then, Zayden mumbled in his sleep, lips dry.
"...Thirsty…"
Kael sighed again. "You're unbelievable…"
He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.
But when he reached the doorway of his bedroom—
He stopped.
Zayden was hugging Kael's pillow tightly, burying his face in it. His fingers were gripping the bedsheet as if it were precious.
And he was sniffing it.
"Hmm… smells like Kael…" he murmured in a soft sleepy voice.
Kael's entire face turned red.
"Z-Zayden!!!" he hissed. "You pervert!"
He quickly placed the water down and fled the room before he overheated completely.
Kael stood in the living room, face burning.
"Ugh… why is it suddenly so hot in here…" he muttered, pulling at his collar. His heart was racing and his cheeks wouldn't cool down no matter what.
He opened the fridge, grabbed a cold drink, and took a few gulps before dropping onto the sofa.
"I swear… if you weren't drunk, I'd kick you out," he mumbled, hiding his face in a cushion.
Eventually, exhausted from everything — the day, the emotions, the embarrassment — Kael fell asleep on the sofa.
---
The next morning…
Zayden was the first to wake up.
He blinked slowly, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.
"…Huh…? Where… am I?"
He sat up, confused, then looked around the room.
His eyes widened.
He was in Kael's room.
On Kael's bed.
With Kael's pillow in his arms.
His cheeks turned red instantly.