Adrien didn't say anything at first.
He just looked at Zane.
Really looked at him.
At the way his hands were still slightly trembling from everything he had just said… at the way his eyes avoided his, like he was waiting—bracing—for judgment.
Adrien didn't give him that.
Instead, he leaned forward and kissed him.
Soft.
Slow.
Intentional.
Zane froze for half a second before melting into it, his breath catching as Adrien's hand slid up to cradle his jaw, thumb brushing gently against his cheek.
When Adrien pulled back, their foreheads rested together.
"I'm so sorry you went through all that," Adrien murmured.
Zane's lips parted slightly, his chest rising unevenly.
"…I hate it," he admitted quietly. "Talking about it. Thinking about it."
Adrien didn't move away.
"Then don't think about it alone anymore."
Zane swallowed hard.
Silence stretched between them again—but this time, it wasn't heavy.
It was fragile.
"…I'm ashamed of it," Zane added after a moment, voice barely above a whisper. "Of my past. Of everything."
Adrien's brows knit together slightly.
"You shouldn't be."
Zane shook his head faintly. "I am." A pause. "You're the first person I've told… besides my therapist."
That made Adrien still.
Something shifted in his expression—something deeper, quieter.
"…Then I won't tell anyone," he said firmly. "I swear."
Zane finally looked at him.
Really looked at him.
And for the first time since he started talking—
He believed it.
Adrien smiled faintly, wiping the faint trace of tears from Zane's face with his thumb before leaning in again, this time pressing soft kisses along his jaw… his cheek… then his neck.
Zane exhaled shakily, his hands instinctively settling on Adrien's waist.
Adrien chuckled softly against his skin. "You look better already."
"Shut up…" Zane muttered, but there was no bite in it.
Adrien shifted slightly—still straddling his lap—and that's when he felt it.
He paused.
Then slowly smirked.
"…Already?" he teased under his breath.
Zane froze.
"…Don't—" he started, flustered.
Too late.
Adrien pressed down slightly, just enough to make Zane's breath hitch, burying Zane's face briefly against his chest as he leaned closer.
"Relax," Adrien murmured, amused.
Zane let out a low groan, hands tightening on Adrien's hips. "You're not helping."
"I'm not trying to."
Their laughter came easier after that.
Lighter.
The tension from earlier dissolving into something warmer, something almost… normal.
Eventually, Adrien pulled back, sliding off his lap.
"Come on," he said, grabbing his sunglasses from the table. "Let's go out."
Zane blinked. "Now?"
"Yes. Before you spiral again."
Zane snorted softly. "…Rude."
But he stood up anyway.
The evening air was warm, the sky painted in soft hues of orange fading into blue.
They walked side by side toward a small ice cream shop a few streets away, both wearing sunglasses like it would somehow make them less noticeable.
Adrien had thrown on an unbuttoned short-sleeve shirt over a simple white singlet, paired with loose, flared pants that moved with every step he took. His hair was slightly messy, falling just right around his face like he hadn't tried—but still looked perfect.
Zane, on the other hand, wore a tight black singlet that clung to his frame, layered under an oversized unbuttoned shirt that hung loosely off his shoulders, paired with baggy shorts that hit just below his knees.
They looked… different.
But together?
They worked.
And they definitely didn't go unnoticed.
A few heads turned.
Whispers followed.
And somewhere—unseen—
A camera clicked.
Inside the shop, they ordered quickly before sitting down at a small table near the window.
Zane leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms slightly. "You dragged me out for ice cream."
"You're welcome."
Zane smirked. "I didn't say thank you."
"You're thinking it."
Zane chuckled softly, taking a bite of his ice cream.
For a moment, everything felt… easy.
Normal.
Like they were just two people hanging out.
Not everything else.
Not the pressure.
Not the expectations.
Just them.
After a while, they stepped outside again.
Zane held the door open for Adrien without thinking.
Adrien noticed.
But didn't comment.
They leaned casually against Zane's car, continuing their conversation, voices low, relaxed.
That's when—
"Adrien?"
They both turned.
Ji-Won.
She stood a few steps away, sunglasses perched perfectly on her nose, dressed in a sleeveless top with a sheer boléro draped over her shoulders, short shorts accentuating her long legs. In one hand, she held a smoothie.
In the other—
A leash.
At the end of it stood a large, beautiful dog, its fur shining under the fading sunlight.
Zane straightened slightly.
Adrien didn't miss the shift.
"We just… ran into each other," Adrien said smoothly. "Got ice cream."
Ji-Won's gaze flicked between them.
Assessing.
Then she smiled lightly. "What a coincidence."
Zane crouched slightly, reaching a hand toward the dog. "Hey there…"
The dog sniffed him before wagging its tail.
"What breed is it?" Zane asked, glancing up.
"Doberman," Ji-Won replied. "His name's Haneul."
Zane nodded, petting the dog gently. "He's beautiful."
Ji-Won smiled faintly, clearly pleased.
After a short moment, she adjusted her sunglasses. "Anyway, I won't interrupt."
She gave Adrien a look.
Then waved lightly.
"See you."
And just like that, she walked away.
Silence lingered for a second.
Then—
"I used to have a dog," Zane said suddenly.
Adrien turned to him.
Zane's gaze stayed on the ground.
"…He died," he added quietly. "Hunger."
Adrien's expression shifted immediately.
Zane let out a soft breath. "After that… I just… I don't feel like I deserve one anymore."
Adrien frowned slightly.
"That's not your fault."
Zane shrugged faintly. "Still feels like it."
Adrien didn't argue.
But he remembered.
Zane likes dogs.
He stored it away quietly.
Then Zane looked at him again, something lighter returning to his eyes.
"If I make it to the finals…" he started slowly, "will you come with me somewhere?"
Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Where?"
"…Amusement park."
Adrien blinked.
Caught off guard.
"That's your big request?"
Zane shrugged, a small grin forming. "What? Too much?"
Adrien hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…Fine."
Zane's grin widened instantly.
"Pinky promise."
Adrien rolled his eyes. "Are you five?"
"Pinky. Promise."
Adrien sighed dramatically—but extended his hand anyway.
Their fingers hooked together.
And right at that moment—
Another camera clicked.
Capturing them mid-laugh.
Mid-promise.
Something real.
Later, Zane dropped Adrien off at his penthouse.
They didn't say much before he left.
They didn't need to.
Adrien watched him drive off before heading inside.
The moment the door closed behind him—
He exhaled.
Then collapsed onto the couch.
Staring at the ceiling.
His phone buzzed.
He picked it up lazily.
Missed calls.
From his father.
A text followed.
Photoshoot soon. With Zane.
Adrien stared at the message.
Then—
Before he could stop himself—
He smiled.