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The café had closed early that night. Rain clung to the streets like fog, and the sky outside was wrapped in velvet grey. It wasn’t a storm — just the kind of rain that lingered for hours, gentle and steady, like the world was breathing slower.
Ren had stayed late to clean.
Ric stayed too.
He always did now.
---
🪟 Inside Mali’s Café – 9:03 PM
“You don’t have to wait every time,” Ren mumbled, wiping down the last table.
Ric was leaning back in a chair, arms behind his head, watching him like he was watching a favorite movie.
“I want to,” Ric replied. “Besides… it’s raining.”
“You like the rain.”
“I like the rain when it means I can walk you home.”
Ren didn’t look at him, but his lips tugged upward slightly. “Smooth.”
“You’re getting used to it.”
Ren finally looked over. “What if I don’t want to walk home?”
Ric raised an eyebrow. “Then I guess you’ll have to stay somewhere else.”
Ren bit his lip. “What if I asked to stay with you?”
There was a pause. Then Ric stood.
“Then I’d say yes.”
---
🏠 Ric’s Apartment – 10:12 PM
Ren stood at the doorway, umbrella dripping onto the welcome mat. He looked hesitant — as if stepping inside meant something he couldn’t yet name.
Ric reached past him and flicked on the hallway light.
“It’s small,” he said casually, “but I have ramen, a working heater, and two toothbrushes.”
Ren blinked. “Why two?”
Ric shrugged. “Guess I was hoping one day you’d use the second.”
Ren stepped inside.
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That was answer enough.
---
🍜 In the Kitchen – 10:44 PM
“You cook like someone who lives alone.”
Ric laughed as he stirred the ramen. “I live with Film. He cooks worse than I do. So I had to learn.”
Ren sat on the counter, watching the steam rise. His shoulders were finally relaxed. There was a gentle look on his face Ric hadn’t seen before.
“Thanks for letting me stay.”
Ric turned, lifting two bowls. “Thanks for asking.”
They ate side by side, sharing from each other’s bowls, teasing over who had more toppings, until the laughter melted into quiet again.
A kind of comfortable hush.
A kind of warmth that didn’t need words.
---
🛏️ Ric’s Bedroom – 12:17 AM
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” Ric offered, grabbing a spare pillow.
Ren stared at him. “Your bed’s big enough.”
Ric froze. “Are you sure?”
Ren nodded. Then added, almost too softly:
“I sleep better when you’re close.”
That was it.
Ric dropped the pillow and climbed into bed, leaving enough space between them for comfort — but not too much.
They lay there in the dark, the sound of rain still outside, the soft hum of the ceiling fan above.
Ric turned slightly. “Ren?”
“Hm?”
“Why me?”
Ren didn’t open his eyes, but he smiled. “Because you make silence feel safe.”
Ric’s throat tightened.
Because he understood. Ren didn’t fall for loud gestures. He didn’t need fireworks or declarations.
He needed peace.
He needed presence.
And Ric had given him that.
---
💤 A Little Later…
At some point, Ren moved closer.
Not fully.
Just enough that his hand brushed Ric’s arm.
Ric, barely breathing, reached out and linked their pinkies again.
Like always.
But this time… Ren didn’t let go.
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