Ryan and Ethan sat on the couch in the living room
, talking about random things.
College gossip.
Professors.
Assignments.
Ryan looked much better compared to the morning, though
he still sounded a little tired.
Meanwhile, across the room, Adrian sat at the dining table with his laptop open, typing something quietly.
Ethan tried to focus on
what Ryan was saying.
But his eyes kept drifting toward Adrian.
He didn't even realize
how obvious it was.
Adrian was wearing simple black clothes, his sleeves rolled slightly as he worked.
For some reason, Ethan felt strangely nervous around him.
Ryan suddenly stopped talking.
"Why are you staring at my brother?"
Ethan almost jumped.
"I wasn't staring!"
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"You were."
Before Ethan could argue, Adrian finally looked up from his laptop.
Their eyes met.
Ethan immediately looked away.
Adrian didn't say anything, but he found the reaction… amusing.
He really is cute, Adrian thought.
But at the same time, another thought crossed his mind.
That strange scent from the other day.
It was faint.
Almost hidden.
Yet he was certain he had
sensed something.
Now, sitting in the same house with Ethan nearby…
He still couldn't smell anything.
Was I imagining it?
"Anyway," Ethan suddenly said,
standing up.
"You're sick, Ryan.
You shouldn't cook today."
Ryan blinked.
"What are you planning?"
"I'll cook."
Ryan looked surprised.
"You can cook?"
Ethan grinned.
"Of course I can."
Adrian quietly watched as Ethan walked into the kitchen.
About thirty minutes later, the smell of food filled the house.
Ryan looked impressed
the moment he tasted it.
"Whoa! This is amazing!"
Ethan laughed.
"Told you."
Ryan then looked at Adrian.
"What do you think?"
Adrian took another bite.
He didn't say much.
He simply nodded once.
Ryan gasped dramatically.
"Did you see that?"
Ethan blinked.
"See what?"
"My brother nodded."
Ethan looked confused.
Ryan leaned closer and whispered.
"That's a big compliment. He's always cold to everyone."
Ethan looked at Adrian again.
For some reason, that small nod made him feel strangely happy.
By the time they finished eating and talking, it was already very late.
Rain had started pouring heavily outside.
Ryan checked the time.
"Ethan… it's almost midnight."
Ethan looked toward the window.
The rain was getting stronger.
"You can't go home in this weather,"
Ryan said.
"Just stay here tonight."
Ethan hesitated.
But the rain outside made
the decision easy.
"Okay… I'll stay."
Ryan smiled.
"Good."
Ryan and Ethan went to
Ryan's room to sleep.
Adrian's room was directly
across the hallway.
A few hours later, Ethan woke up.
His throat felt dry.
Water…
Carefully, he got up so he wouldn't wake Ryan and quietly walked downstairs.
The house was silent.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
Ethan grabbed a glass and poured himself some water.
As he drank, he suddenly felt something.
A warm breath behind his neck.
Ethan froze.
His heart jumped.
Slowly, he turned around.
His hand slipped slightly, spilling some water onto the floor.
Standing behind him was Adrian.
Ethan stared at him in shock.
"You scared me!"
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"You're the one sneaking around the house at night."
"I just came for water," Ethan said quickly.
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
Then he smiled faintly and gently patted Ethan's head.
"You should sleep earlier."
Ethan blinked, surprised
by the sudden gesture.
"Y-yeah…"
Feeling awkward, Ethan turned to go back upstairs.
But the water he spilled
was still on the floor.
His foot slipped.
"Ah—!"
Before he could fall, a strong arm caught him.
Adrian had grabbed him quickly.
Ethan's back pressed lightly against Adrian's chest.
For a moment…
Neither of them moved.
They were very close.
Too close.
Ethan could hear Adrian's heartbeat.
And strangely—
Adrian's heart was racing too.
Adrian looked down
at the boy in his arms.
Ethan's face had turned red.
For a brief second, Adrian caught something again.
A faint scent.
So faint it almost disappeared instantly.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
That scent…
But Ethan quickly stepped away, embarrassed.
"I—I'm okay!"
Without waiting for a reply, Ethan hurried upstairs.
Adrian remained standing there quietly.
For the first time in a long time…
His heart was beating faster than usual.
Back in Ryan's room, Ethan quickly slipped into bed.
His face was still warm.
Why was my heart beating so fast…
He buried his face in the pillow.
But no matter how hard he tried—
He couldn't stop thinking about that moment.
Across the hallway, Adrian leaned against his door.
That faint scent still
lingered in his mind.
And one thought kept repeating.
That boy…
There's definitely something strange about him.