The rain outside hadn't stopped.
Thunder echoed softly in the distance as Ethan stood awkwardly in Adrian's room, still wearing his college uniform, which had become slightly damp earlier.
Adrian noticed it.
"You'll get uncomfortable
sleeping like that."
Ethan looked confused.
Adrian opened his wardrobe and pulled out a loose T-shirt and sweatpants.
"Wear these."
Ethan blinked.
"But—"
"They're clean," Adrian said simply.
Ethan hesitated before accepting them.
"Thanks…"
He quickly went to the
bathroom to change.
When Ethan came back, the clothes looked slightly oversized on him.
Adrian looked up from his laptop.
For a moment he didn't say anything.
Something about Ethan wearing his clothes felt strangely… nice.
Ethan noticed Adrian staring.
"What?"
Adrian shook his head lightly.
"Nothing."
But as Ethan walked past him, Adrian noticed it again.
That very faint scent.
Not strong.
Not obvious.
But definitely there.
Adrian's own scent was deep cedarwood, a calm yet powerful alpha scent that usually made others instinctively step back.
But Ethan's scent was the opposite.
Soft.
Warm.
Like rain-soaked kudupul flowers.
It was faint, almost hidden.
As if someone was trying very hard to conceal it.
Adrian frowned slightly.
Why does he smell like that…?
It doesn't seem like a alpha's scent....
Before he could think further,
Thunder boomed again outside.
Ethan flinched slightly.
Adrian noticed.
"You're scared of thunder?"
Ethan quickly shook his head.
"No!"
Adrian looked unconvinced.
"Then why are you standing like that?"
Ethan scratched his neck awkwardly.
"…I just don't like the dark."
Adrian stared for a second.
Then he spoke casually.
"You can sleep here."
Ethan blinked.
"In this room?"
"Yes."
Ethan hesitated.
Sleeping in the same room felt embarrassing.
But the storm outside was getting worse.
"…Okay."
The lights were turned off soon after.
Rain poured heavily outside.
Ethan carefully lay down on the very edge of the bed, barely holding the corner of the blanket.
Adrian noticed but didn't say anything.
Within minutes Ethan had fallen asleep.
Adrian stayed awake for a while, scrolling through his phone.
After some time he looked over.
Ethan had curled slightly
toward the edge.
The blanket had slipped
halfway off him.
Adrian sighed quietly.
"Clumsy."
He gently pulled the blanket
over Ethan properly.
Then he lay back down.
A little later Adrian woke again.
He felt something move beside him.
Before he could react, Ethan suddenly shifted closer and wrapped his arms around him.
Adrian froze.
Ethan had buried his face against Adrian's chest like he was hugging something.
Adrian realized immediately.
A habit.
Ethan murmured softly in his sleep.
Adrian stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Then he chuckled quietly.
"Clumsy."
Instead of pushing him away, Adrian gently wrapped one arm around Ethan.
He let Ethan rest against his chest.
Slowly Adrian's breathing relaxed.
The rain continued outside.
Soon both of them fell asleep like that.
Morning sunlight filtered
through the curtains.
Ethan slowly woke up.
For a moment he didn't move.
Something felt… warm.
Then he realized.
He was hugging Adrian.
His eyes widened instantly.
He quickly tried to sit up.
But Adrian suddenly pulled him back.
"You were hugging me all night," Adrian murmured sleepily.
"Now you want to leave?"
Ethan turned red instantly.
"I—I'm sorry!"
"I have a habit of hugging my teddy when I sleep…"
Adrian opened one eye.
"A teddy?"
Ethan looked embarrassed.
"Don't laugh."
Adrian finally released him.
Ethan quickly jumped out of bed.
As he stepped back, Adrian stood up too.
Ethan instinctively stepped backward.
Adrian took a step forward.
"So you're a child."
Ethan frowned.
"Don't tease me like that."
Adrian smiled slightly.
Ethan kept moving backward until his back hit the wall.
Adrian slowly approached him.
Ethan's heart began racing again.
Adrian lifted his hand and gently placed it against Ethan's cheek.
Ethan froze.
Adrian leaned slightly closer.
Then—
He pressed a soft kiss on Ethan's forehead.
"You're cute, you know."
Ethan's entire face turned red.
Without saying another word he grabbed his phone and bag.
Then he rushed toward the door.
THUD.
"Ow!"
He had bumped into the doorknob.
"Careful," Adrian called.
Ethan didn't even look back as he ran out of the room.
Adrian leaned against the wall, smiling to himself.
"…Clumsy."