After packing, Ethan looked at Adrian.
"…It's late. You can stay here."
Adrian didn't hesitate this time.
"Okay."
Ethan nodded and pointed
toward the bathroom.
"You can shower first."
Adrian walked in casually.
A few minutes later, he came out wearing Ethan's clothes.
The T-shirt fit… but barely.
It was slightly tight around his shoulders.
Ethan stared for a second.
"…It's small, right?"
Adrian shrugged.
"It's fine."
Ethan looked away quickly.
When it was time to sleep, Ethan pointed toward the couch.
"I'll sleep there."
Adrian immediately shook his head.
"No."
"It's fine—"
"Bed."
Ethan sighed.
"…Okay."
As usual, Ethan lay down on the very edge of the bed, leaving a big gap between them.
Adrian lay on the other side, scrolling through his phone.
The room was quiet.
After a while, Ethan slowly
drifted to sleep.
Thud.
Adrian looked up.
Ethan was sitting on the floor, half-awake, rubbing his neck.
Adrian sighed.
"Clumsy."
He got up, walked over, and effortlessly lifted Ethan back onto the bed.
Ethan's face turned red instantly.
"I can walk…"
Adrian ignored him and
placed him down.
Then he pulled the blanket
over both of them.
And without asking—
He pulled Ethan slightly closer.
For a moment, it felt awkward.
Too close.
Too quiet.
But neither of them moved away.
Soon, both of them fell asleep.
In the middle of the night,
Adrian woke up.
Ethan had curled into himself.
The room felt colder.
Adrian frowned slightly and
switched off the AC.
Then he moved closer again.
Pulling Ethan toward him.
Ethan didn't resist.
Instead—
He instinctively hugged Adrian.
Like always.
Adrian let out a quiet breath.
"Cute…"
But this time, he didn't push him away.
Adrian's hand rested
near Ethan's neck.
Something felt off.
He paused.
Then slowly—
he touched it.
Warm.
Not too hot like alpha..
Not like a beta.
His fingers brushed slightly again.
And then—
He felt it.
A faint stickiness.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Scent blocker…
He leaned slightly closer.
And inhaled.
That same scent.
Soft.
Delicate.
Like kudupul flowers after rain.
Clear now.
Undeniable.
" Omega..."
Adrian's expression darkened slightly.
Why are you hiding this…
The thought stayed in his mind.
But before he could think further—
Ethan moved again.
Pulling him even closer.
Adrian blinked.
For a moment, he just looked at him.
Then slowly—
he wrapped his arms around Ethan.
Letting him rest against his chest.
And strangely—
it felt… familiar.
That scent.
That warmth.
Something about it tugged
at his memory.
A faint image.
Something from the past.
But it was too unclear.
Too distant.
Adrian closed his eyes.
"…What is this…"
He didn't think further.
He just held Ethan closer.
And eventually, both of them
fell asleep again.
Morning came quietly.
Ethan woke up slowly.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then he realized.
He was sleeping on Adrian's chest.
Again.
His eyes widened.
He quickly tried to move.
But Adrian's arm tightened slightly.
"You really like hugging people when you sleep."
Ethan froze.
"…Sorry."
Adrian opened his eyes.
They were close.
Very close.
Ethan looked away.
"I told you… it's a habit."
Adrian watched him for a second.
Then released him.
"Get ready. We're leaving today."
Ethan nodded quickly.
"…Okay."
After getting ready, they
packed their bags.
Ethan kept glancing at
Adrian without realizing.
Something felt different.
Adrian, on the other hand, was unusually quiet.
Watching.
Thinking.
As they stepped out of the condo, Adrian locked the door behind them.
"I'll drop you at college."
Ethan blinked.
"You don't have to—"
"I will."
They walked side by side.
The morning air was cool.
But the silence between them felt heavier than before.
During the ride, Ethan looked outside the window again.
Trying to calm himself.
But his heart still felt restless.
Adrian glanced at him once.
Then looked ahead.
An omega…
And hiding it…
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel slightly.
I'll find out.
By the time they reached college—
Neither of them said much.
But something had definitely changed.