Evan was discharged three days later.
Not fully healed.
Not fully steady.
But breathing without machines.
Noah insisted on driving him home.
"I can take a cab," Evan said, standing awkwardly outside the hospital doors.
Noah already had his keys out. "You look like a strong wind would file a missing person report."
"That's rude."
"That's medical."
Evan didn't argue again.
The car ride was quiet in a comfortable way. Not empty. Just… soft.
The city passed by in tired colors—dusty gold streetlights, shuttered shops, rain drying into dark stains on pavement.
"You don't have to babysit me," Evan said.
Noah kept his eyes on the road. "I'm not."
"You literally asked the nurse what I ate today."
"That was… investigative curiosity."
Evan smiled to himself.
His apartment was small. Clean. Almost painfully neat, like someone who tried to control at least one thing in his life.
Noah stood awkwardly near the door.
"Sit," Evan said.
"I'm fine."
"You look like you're about to arrest my sofa."
Noah sighed and sat.
Evan went to the kitchen.
Noah watched him too closely.
The way his shoulders tensed when he reached for a glass.
The slight tremor in his fingers.
How he breathed before moving, like his body asked permission from fear.
"You don't need to be careful around me," Evan called softly.
Noah didn't answer.
Evan returned with two glasses of water.
He handed one over.
Their fingers brushed.
Neither mentioned it.
"So," Evan said, sitting across from him, curling his legs under himself. "You going to tell me what's happening with the case?"
Noah hesitated.
"Someone else confessed yesterday," he said finally.
Evan's face drained of color.
"…What?"
"A man. History of violence. Addictions. No connection to the victims except geography."
Evan's breath became shallow.
"That's… that's wrong."
Noah leaned forward instantly. "Hey. It's fine. We're checking it."
Evan shook his head.
"It doesn't feel right."
Noah frowned slightly. "How do you mean?"
Evan pressed his palm to his chest.
"There's nothing. No pressure. No… signal."
He forced a laugh. "I sound insane."
Noah didn't laugh.
He just said quietly, "You don't."
Evan exhaled slowly, embarrassed.
"I'm probably just tired."
Noah nodded.
But something had shifted behind his eyes.
Later that evening, there was a knock at the door.
Just once.
Evan opened it to find Kai holding a paper bag.
"Emergency delivery," he announced.
Evan smiled instantly. "You didn't have to."
"Didn't have to," Kai said. "Wanted to."
He stepped inside, casual, familiar.
Noah stiffened slightly.
"Kai."
"Noah."
They exchanged a short nod.
Kai set the bag on the table. "Food. Actual food. Not hospital cardboard."
Evan laughed softly. "You're a lifesaver."
"Career change pending."
They ate together.
Kai talked about small things...traffic, a rude cab driver, a neighbor who practiced violin at midnight.
Nothing important.
Nothing dark.
Evan listened like the weight had finally lifted off his chest.
Kai stood after a while.
"Oh...almost forgot."
He reached into the bag again and pulled out a small juice bottle.
"They were giving these out at the store. Electrolytes or something. Thought you might need it."
Evan took it easily.
"Thanks."
Kai smiled. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"You're a good guy," Evan said without thinking. "Seriously."
Kai blinked, then laughed softly. "Glad my reputation survives."
After he left, the apartment felt quieter.
Evan opened the bottle and drank while Noah watched TV.
"It tastes weird," Evan said.
Noah glanced over. "Bad weird?"
Evan shrugged. "Healthy weird."
He kept drinking.
Later, when Noah finally left, Evan lay on his bed staring at the ceiling.
The room felt heavier than before.
He blamed the long day.
His fingers trembled slightly.
He didn't notice.
Somewhere in the city, a streetlight flickered.
Someone crossed a road.
Life continued...ordinary, careless, trusting.