Adrien stepped out of the school gates, the late afternoon sun warm against his face as he headed toward the black car waiting by the curb.
The driver opened the door for him.
Adrien slid inside, tossing his bag beside him and pulling out his phone.
A message appeared immediately.
Zane: I'm already at your house.
Adrien frowned.
Then another message appeared.
Zane: Waiting in front of your door.
Adrien blinked.
A small shiver ran down his spine.
Already?
He checked the time.
School had ended barely ten minutes ago.
"How fast did he drive…" Adrien muttered under his breath.
The car began moving.
Adrien leaned back against the seat, staring out the window as the city passed by in long streaks of glass and sunlight.
For some reason, the thought of Zane sitting outside his penthouse made his chest feel strangely warm.
He shook his head slightly.
He's ridiculous.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Adrien stepped out into the quiet hallway.
And there he was.
Zane sat on the floor in front of the door, his back resting against the wall, one leg stretched out while the other was bent.
He looked up the moment he heard footsteps.
Their eyes met.
Adrien sighed.
"You're unbelievable," Adrien said, walking toward the door.
Zane smiled sheepishly.
"I might have left the gym a little fast."
"A little?"
Adrien unlocked the door.
The penthouse opened into the familiar quiet luxury of glass windows and soft lighting.
They stepped inside.
Zane kicked his shoes off and walked straight toward the couch, collapsing into it like he had been there a hundred times before.
Adrien placed his bag on the counter and loosened his collar slightly.
Silence settled for a moment.
Then, out of nowhere—
"Where did Ji-Won sleep yesterday?"
Adrien turned his head slowly.
Zane sat on the couch pretending to look casual, but his fingers were tapping lightly against his knee.
Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"In my bed, duh."
The answer came so naturally.
So casually.
Zane's chest tightened.
For a split second, something inside him cracked.
He had hoped.
He didn't even know what he hoped for.
But hearing it like that still hurt.
"Oh."
That was all he said.
Adrien had already turned away, heading toward the staircase.
"I'm going to change."
Zane nodded quietly.
"Yeah… sure."
Adrien disappeared upstairs.
The house grew quiet again.
Zane leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.
His eyes stayed on the floor.
Of course she slept in his bed.
What else had he expected?
Adrien had a girlfriend.
A real one.
Not whatever confusing thing existed between them.
Zane ran a hand through his hair.
Still, the jealousy burned inside him like acid.
After a few minutes he stood up and walked slowly toward the staircase.
He climbed halfway before stopping.
The hallway upstairs was quiet.
Adrien's bedroom door was slightly closed.
Zane stood in front of it.
His heart was pounding.
What are you doing?
He didn't know why he came up here.
Or what he expected to happen.
His hand lifted slightly toward the door—
Then he slapped himself lightly on the cheek.
"What the hell am I doing…" he whispered.
Embarrassed, he turned around quickly, ready to go back downstairs.
The bedroom door suddenly opened.
Adrien stepped out wearing a loose shirt and soft gray sweatpants.
He blinked when he saw Zane standing there.
"What are you doing here?"
Zane froze.
His brain emptied completely.
"Uh—"
He panicked.
"I'm hungry."
Adrien stared at him for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Come on."
The kitchen lights cast a warm glow across the marble counters.
Adrien opened the fridge and pulled out a container.
"Leftovers," he said.
"What is it?" Zane asked.
Adrien placed the dish in the oven.
"A French dish my chef made earlier."
A few minutes later the smell filled the room.
Warm butter.
Herbs.
Soft baked pastry.
Adrien plated the food and placed it on the counter in front of Zane.
Zane tasted it.
His eyes widened slightly.
"That's amazing."
Adrien smirked faintly.
"I know."
They moved to the couch with their plates and turned on a movie.
The living room lights dimmed.
For a while they simply watched.
Or at least Adrien did.
Zane kept glancing at him.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Adrien eventually noticed.
"Why are you staring?"
Zane looked away quickly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm watching the movie."
"You've been looking at me for ten minutes."
Zane rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
Adrien leaned back into the couch.
The movie continued playing.
Time passed.
Gradually, without either of them noticing, Zane had moved closer.
Their shoulders almost touched.
Adrien finally turned his head toward him.
Their eyes met.
And Zane's brain stopped working.
For a moment they simply stared at each other.
Then Zane spoke quietly.
"You have beautiful eyes."
Adrien blinked.
For once he didn't have a sarcastic response ready.
"…Thanks."
The movie kept playing.
But neither of them were paying attention anymore.
Hours Later
Time slipped by strangely fast.
Zane followed Adrien everywhere.
Kitchen.
Living room.
Balcony.
Back to the couch.
Like an overly loyal puppy.
Adrien eventually laughed.
"Are you going to follow me all night?"
"Maybe."
"You're weird."
"You let me stay."
Adrien didn't answer that.
By the time they noticed the clock again, it was already 11:07 PM.
Zane looked at the time.
Then at Adrien.
Then back at the time.
He didn't want to leave.
Not yet.
Maybe not at all.
Adrien noticed the look.
"You can stay a bit longer if you want."
Zane's shoulders relaxed instantly.
"Yeah?"
Adrien shrugged.
"I don't mind."
Zane smiled.
Adrien stood up and stretched.
"I'm going to shower."
Zane blinked.
"Oh."
Adrien started walking toward the stairs.
Halfway there Zane spoke.
"Can I join?"
Adrien stopped.
Turned.
For a moment he just stared at him.
Zane instantly regretted saying it.
But to his surprise—
Adrien shrugged.
"Sure."
Zane's heart skipped.
Steam slowly filled the room as hot water poured from the shower.
The space was warm and quiet except for the sound of running water.
Zane tried to act normal.
But it was nearly impossible.
Adrien stood only a few inches away beneath the shower stream, water sliding down his shoulders.
Zane forced himself to look anywhere else.
The tiles.
The ceiling.
The soap bottle.
Anywhere but—
His body betrayed him anyway.
His breathing grew heavier.
Adrien noticed the shift in tension.
But he didn't say anything.
He simply continued rinsing his hair under the water.
Zane stepped closer without really thinking.
Too close.
Adrien turned slightly toward him.
Their eyes met again.
For a moment neither moved.
Then Zane leaned forward and kissed him.
Adrien froze.
Completely still.
The water ran over both of them.
Then slowly…
hesitantly…
Adrien kissed him back.
The moment didn't last long.
But it was enough to leave both of them breathless.
Eventually they pulled apart.
Neither spoke.
They finished showering in quiet silence.
Wrapped in towels, they stepped back into the bedroom.
Adrien pulled on fresh clothes.
Zane leaned against the wall, still slightly flushed.
Adrien glanced down for a moment.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"You have that… pierced?"
Zane looked down.
"Oh."
He chuckled slightly.
"Yeah."
Adrien tilted his head curiously.
"Didn't that hurt?"
Zane laughed softly.
"Like hell."
Adrien looked mildly impressed.
"And now?"
"It was bad at first," Zane admitted. "But it's fine now."
Adrien nodded thoughtfully.
Then he walked toward the bed and sat down casually.
Like nothing unusual had happened.
Like they hadn't just kissed.
Like the moment in the shower didn't exist.
Zane stared at him.
Confused.
Flustered.
Still processing everything.
Adrien picked up his phone.
"So," he said casually, "what movie do you want to watch next?"
Zane blinked.
Then slowly smiled.
This night clearly wasn't over yet.