Ever since Ruan Nanzhu and Lin Qiushi had started going through doors together, eating out side by side, and even sharing a bed on occasion, life had taken on a strange sort of rhythm.
Time slowed in Ruan Nanzhu's company. At first, Qiushi told himself it was nothing—just the comfort of familiarity, perhaps, or the bond forged between people who faced death together. But the longer they were together, the more he caught himself feeling… odd. A warmth that lingered too long. A quiet urge to never part ways.
He tried to brush it off, telling himself he was overthinking. He didn't understand these feelings, nor did he care to pick them apart. Ruan Nanzhu had been nothing but attentive—dropping hints and sending glances that any fool could read. But Lin Qiushi was not just any fool. He was this fool, and the signs slipped past him like water through cupped hands.
It wasn't until much later, after countless shared meals and silent moments, that the truth hit him. That "odd" feeling? It was the feeling to keep Nanzhu by his side forever—to see him every day, to never let him fade into memory.
Confused and restless, Qiushi turned to his oldest friend.
"Wanna go out? My treat," he said over the phone.
"You got rich or something?" Wu Qi's laughter carried through the line. "Well, if my best friend's offering a free meal, who am I to say no?"
They met at a small restaurant they'd frequented since their school days—a cramped place whose fried noodles had no rival.
"You don't usually call me out like this," Wu Qi said, eyeing him with mild suspicion. "Something happen?"
Qiushi poked at his noodles. "What do you feel when you're with your girlfriend?"
Wu Qi paused mid-bite, blinking. Then he grinned. "Why? You like someone? Didn't even tell me? Tsk—what a fake friend."
Qiushi glared and looked away.
"You do like someone." Wu Qi leaned forward, a shark scenting blood.
After a long silence, Qiushi gave a small, almost embarrassed nod.
"Well," Wu Qi began, settling back, "when you really like someone, you want them to stay by your side forever. If they're not with you, you miss them. Simple as that."
Qiushi mulled over his friend's words, the truth threading itself neatly through his thoughts.
"So… who is it?" Wu Qi pressed, eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Qiushi met his gaze. "The one you said looked handsome last time."
Wu Qi nodded—then froze. His chair scraped back as he shot to his feet. "What? You like men?!"
"Sit down, you idiot!" Qiushi hissed, yanking him back before the whole restaurant heard.
Wu Qi leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Man… I never thought you swung that way, but it's fine. My brother, I support you."
Qiushi snorted. "I don't like men. I only like him."
Wu Qi made an expression halfway between disbelief and disgust, but said nothing more. His earlier explanation echoed in Qiushi's mind. And at last, he understood.
Yes. He wanted Ruan Nanzhu to stay by his side. Always.