Phol leaned back into the chair, his eyes drifting away from Wut for a moment.
"Are you sure you want to hear it?" he asked quietly. "It's… not short."
Wut didn't move.
"I said I have time."
Phol let out a slow breath.
"…Alright."
There was a pause.
"I knew him before you did."
Wut blinked.
"…Min?"
Phol nodded slightly.
"He wasn't just someone I knew."
Another pause.
"He was my boyfriend."
Silence settled between them.
Phol didn't look at Wut immediately.
He didn't want to.
But after a second, he couldn't stop himself.
He looked up.
Wut was already looking at him.
Not shocked. Not angry.
Just… quiet.
Too quiet.
Phol's chest tightened.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Is that pity?
Does he think I'm stupid now?
Without realizing, his grip around Wut tightened slightly.
"We were together for two years," Phol continued, his voice steadier than he felt.
"It was simple… at first. Or maybe I just thought it was."
Wut stayed silent.
Listening.
That somehow made it harder.
"It ended on our anniversary."
Phol let out a quiet breath, almost like a laugh—but there was nothing amused in it.
"He said things I didn't expect to hear."
His gaze dropped.
"He stayed because it was convenient."
Another pause.
"And when it wasn't anymore… he left."
Phol stopped talking.
For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet sound of their breathing.
Then slowly, he looked back at Wut.
And something in his expression shifted.
Softer.
Warmer.
Like he had just found something grounding.
"You're not like him," Phol said quietly.
Before Wut could respond, Phol pulled him closer.
Wut let out a small sound of surprise before ending up resting against Phol's chest, his head tucked just under his chin.
Phol wrapped his arms around him, holding him there.
"You're like a light I never thought I needed," he murmured.
There was a pause.
"That wasn't as long as you said it would be," Wut said, looking up at him.
Phol glanced down.
"You like dramas, don't you?"
Wut smiled faintly.
If there were no responsibilities… I'd stay like this forever.
"Wut?"
"Mm?"
Phol hesitated.
"…I love you."
Wut didn't even blink.
"I know."
Phol raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
"In my dreams. Why?"
Phol let out a quiet breath, amused.
"It must be a great privilege to be in your dreams."
Wut didn't answer.
His eyes were already starting to close, his body relaxing completely against Phol.
Then suddenly—
Wut opened his eyes again.
"Wait… how do you know I'm not after your money?"
Phol didn't even think.
He lifted a hand and rested it gently on Wut's head, brushing his hair absentmindedly.
"Because you would've left already."
Wut went quiet for a second.
"…That makes sense."
His eyes started closing again—
until his phone buzzed.
Wut frowned slightly and unlocked it.
Mom: Hey Wut! Are you available Sunday? Can you come visit? I miss you.
Another message came in.
Mom: You can bring Phol if you want.
Wut smirked.
- Mom, do you miss me or do you miss Phol?
The reply came almost instantly.
- I need to talk to him. Can't a mother know her son's roommate?
Wut rolled his eyes.
- We share a house, not a room.
Phol, who had been resting his chin lightly on Wut's head, read the messages as they came in.
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Wut looked up.
"What are you laughing at?"
Phol tried to hold it in.
"You."
"What did I do?"
"You know lying is a bad habit, right?"
Wut blinked.
"But I didn't—"
He paused.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Oh."
He laughed softly and shook his head before typing again.
- Phol said he'll come.
After that, Wut finally put his phone down.
This time, he didn't pick it up again.
Within minutes, his breathing slowed.
His body relaxed completely.
He had fallen asleep.
Phol stayed still.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He just sat there, his head resting lightly on top of Wut's.
For a few minutes, he allowed himself to stay like that.
Quiet.
At ease.
Then carefully, he shifted.
Lifting Wut just enough to lay him properly on the bed.
Wut stirred slightly but didn't wake.
Phol adjusted the blanket over him, his movements slower than usual.
He stood there for a moment.
Just looking at him.
Then quietly—
Phol reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from Wut's face.
"I love so much," he murmured under his breath.