Megan got home later than usual. The house was already dark when she pulled into the driveway.
Darren's car was parked outside.
She paused for a second, surprised — then smiled. It wasn't unusual anymore. Still, she hadn't expected him tonight.
Inside, the house was quiet. Too quiet.
As Megan made her way upstairs, she slowed near Kyle's door and stopped, listening. No voices. No laughter. No familiar hum of conversation.
She hesitated, wondering whether to knock. Then she gently pressed the handle down and pushed the door open.
The room was dark.
Two figures sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. The only light came from the faint glow of Darren's laptop resting on his legs, colorful images flickering silently across the screen — the sound muted.
Kyle's head rested against Darren's shoulder. His face was relaxed, eyes closed, breath slow and even.
Asleep.
For a moment, Megan stayed where she was, hand still on the doorframe. She hadn't meant to intrude — but the scene held her there.
Darren sat very still. His phone lay unlocked in his hand — forgotten. He was looking at Kyle — not distracted, not impatient. Just… there.
Not watching the screen anymore.
He hadn't moved in a while. As if he'd adjusted himself around Kyle and then simply stayed that way.
Then Darren finally noticed Megan in the doorway.
"Shhh," he whispered, lifting a finger to his lips.
Megan exhaled softly and gestured toward the bed — a small motion, suggesting he let Kyle sleep.
Reluctantly, Darren moved. He eased Kyle's head from his shoulder with care, set the laptop aside, then helped him lie back against the pillows.
Kyle didn't wake. He only shifted slightly, his body following the warmth that was no longer there.
Megan watched Darren straighten, slower than necessary. The way his eyes lingered on Kyle didn't look casual.
They lingered a second too long to be nothing...
It didn't look like friendship.
Megan cleared her throat softly.
"Come on," she said quietly. "He's out."
Darren nodded, though he didn't move right away. Instead, he adjusted the blanket instead, tucking it up a little too high. His hand paused there for a second — then dropped back to his side.
They stepped into the hallway together, pulling the door almost closed behind them.
"He does that sometimes," Megan said after a moment. "Falls asleep without meaning to."
"I know," Darren replied. His voice was low. Careful.
He stayed by the door, listening — as if Kyle might wake and call out.
He didn't.
"You should go," Megan said gently. Not unkind. Just firm.
Darren let out a quiet breath through his nose, the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.
"Yeah," he said. "I know."
Outside, the night air was cool.
Darren stood by his car longer than he needed to, keys already in hand.
Before getting in, he glanced back at the house — at the dark second-floor window he knew was Kyle's.
The light was off.
For a moment, he looked like he might change his mind.
He started the engine anyway.
The car pulled away slowly. A moment later, the driveway was empty again.