Quietly, he rose from his seat and turned to the stairs.
He changed into a new outfit without even caring what was wrong with the previous one. His mind felt heavy, his heart even heavier. He was tired, worn down by Win's constant restrictions, but something inside him whispered that he couldn't give up, not now, not yet.
Once he was dressed for work, he came back downstairs. Win was already ready, waiting with that substandard expression he always wore. Without exchanging many words, they left the house together.
At the company, King's mood shifted slightly. The moment he walked through the doors, he greeted the staff warmly as always. Smiles lit up around him, as if his presence brightened the atmosphere. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to see him, so unlike the cold reception Win often received. King's kindness made him loved by the workers, and deep down, Win knew it.
To avoid any unnecessary drama today, King didn't even bother going to his own office. Instead, he quietly followed Win and slipped into his office.
"I'll work from here today," King said softly, taking a seat without asking permission.
Win glanced at him but didn't object. In truth, he didn't mind. Having King nearby meant he could keep an eye on him, making sure there was no chance of him sneaking off to meet that so-called classmate. If King thought Win was bothered, he was wrong, Win was actually relieved. With King by his side in his office, he wouldn't have to worry about losing control.
The day was going well until King's phone started buzzing nonstop on the desk beside him. He glanced at the screen, his chest tightening when he saw the name—James.
King hesitated, his thumb hovering above the screen. He didn't want to answer, not here, not with Win sitting so close. The phone finally went silent, only to light up again with a string of messages.
Hey King, how are you? How do you feel now? I tried calling but you didn't pick up. Anyway, when you read this, reply to me.
The texts came one after another, stacking up in the notification bar like little reminders of a life outside Win's shadow. King's lips opened, ready to type a quick reply.
But before he could even move, Win's voice cut through the silence.
"Are you here to work, or to press your phone?" Win asked coldly, not even looking up from the document in his hand.
King froze, guilt rushing through him. His fingers trembled against the phone before he finally locked the screen and set it face down on the desk. The messages from James remained unread, unanswered.
With a small sigh, he whispered to himself, I can't reply… not now.
And just like that, the little connection James tried to make with him slipped away into silence.
Since morning, King hadn't eaten a single thing. He was so used to Win making sure there was always food for him but now, sitting in the same office with him yet being ignored, he felt hollow inside. Even with Win so close, it was like there was an invisible wall between them.
As lunchtime neared, his stomach twisted painfully, but he didn't dare ask Win for anything. Instead, he slipped quietly out of the office and wandered into the storage room, shutting the door behind him. There, hidden in the low-light space, he curled up in one corner.
The tears came fast, spilling before he could stop them. He pressed a hand over his mouth to silence the sobs, hating himself more with every breath.
Why can't I be normal? He thought bitterly. Why do I have to love him instead of someone else?
The shame and loneliness crushed him. More than anything, he wished he had the courage to move out, to live on his own. But the thought of being left truly alone, forgotten by everyone, terrified him more than anything.
He was still trembling when suddenly, a hand wrapped around him from behind. Strong, familiar. He didn't even need to turn, he knew it was Win. King's breath caught. He hadn't realized Win had been standing there, silently watching him break down before finally pulling him into his arms.
King quickly wiped his face, trying to cover up the evidence. He turned halfway, forcing a weak smile. "Do you… Need me to do something?"
Win didn't answer immediately. He just studied King's red, swollen eyes, his voice softer than usual when he finally spoke.
"Why are you crying here alone?"
King shook his head quickly. "I'm not crying, I just… I just came to…"
"King." Win cut him off, his tone firmer. "You suck at pretending. Just talk to me."
That was all it took for him to break again. King looked straight at him, tears spilling freely. "Can you just please forgive me? Can you stop being harsh with me?" His voice cracked as he pleaded. "It's hurting me so much… I can't take it."
Win's chest shrank as he watched the man in front of him crumble. A single tear slipped from his own eye before he could stop it. Still, his voice was steady when he said, "King… I'm sorry for hurting you. But do you realize? You're like this only because I treat you this way. Do you like it?"
King shook his head desperately. "No… I don't like it."
"Then understand," Win continued quietly, "just because I don't cry out doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I work from morning until night, and when I come home, I still make sure you have food. If I know I'll be late, I'll order something for you so you won't starve. I care for you." He paused, searching King's eyes. "Don't you think I deserve the same care from you?"
King swallowed hard and nodded, his voice a whisper. "You deserve it… more than anyone."
Win exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing. He reached out, brushing away one of King's tears with his thumb. "Then let's look after each other, hm? Not just one person carrying everything. I want us to care for each other."
King nodded again, relief softening his face.
But then Win's expression hardened slightly. "And one more thing, I don't want to see you with James anymore. Do you understand?"
King lowered his head, paused for only a moment, then whispered, "Okay."
The two of them hugged there in silence, the air heavy but calmer than before. They had finally spoken, not in anger, but in something that almost felt like understanding.
Win's voice softened, breaking the quiet. "I'm sorry… for hurting you, King."
King shook his head quickly, pressing his face against Win's chest. "It's okay. I'm just glad you've forgiven me. That's all that matters to me."
They stayed like that for a few minutes, neither one moving, just holding on. Then Win finally pulled back slightly, his hand still resting on King's shoulder.
"Come on," he said gently. "Let's go get you something to eat. You haven't eaten since morning."
A faint smile tugged at King's lips as he nodded. He slipped his hand into Win's, holding it tightly, as if afraid to let go.
Together, they walked out of the storeroom, no longer weighed down by silence, but lighter, side by side again. To King, it felt like they had found their way back, not just as friends but as brothers, bound by something deeper than words.
As they stepped out of the storeroom, Win excused himself to quickly return to his office to grab his wallet, leaving King standing just outside in the hallway.
King leaned against the wall, still lost in the warmth of the moment they'd just shared, when Than came walking by. His eyes brightened the instant he spotted King.
"Boss, wait," Than said, hurrying over. "Something's on your face." Without thinking, he raised his hand, fingers reaching gently toward King's cheek to brush it away.
But before his hand could make contact, a sharp voice cut through the corridor like glass.
"Take your hand off him."