"Boss, how did it go?"

The next morning, he returned to work. Naturally, his disciples were eager to know.

"Maybe I was wrong this time."

He frowned slightly, doubting himself. He was sure he smelled the rare type on the boy... yet things turned out differently. It was the first time in his life he made such a mistake..though he wasn't completely sure.

Nearly a week passed before he dropped by the café again. Unfortunately, the boy was off that day. He asked Kat and she said the kid was sick and had taken a break. He wanted to visit, but didn't know where the boy lived... so he left.

[Baby, are you sick?] – 7.00 pm

[Text me when you see this, okay?] – 10.00 pm

At home, he was restless and irritable, having to wait for a reply. He didn't sleep all night, just kept tossing and turning with his eyes shut.

[I'm here, I slept straight through... I'm so sorry, didn't see your message] – 03:00 am

The boy had taken medicine and slept from afternoon till late at night.

[How are you feeling? Better yet?] – 03:01 am

[Why aren't you asleep?] – 03:02 am

[Working] – 03:03am

Liar.

[It's late... I feel a bit better. Just a small headache, probably gone by morning.] – 03:04 am

[Hmm, are you hungry?] – 03:05 am

[Hehe...] – 03:06 am

[Let's go eat. I'll come pick you up.] – 03:07 am

[No need... it's late.] – 03:08 am

[Come on, Dunk.] – 03:10 am

[Location shared] – 03:15 am

[Get changed, I'm on my way. Wear something warm, okay?] – 03:16 am

[Okay] – 03:17 am

He followed the location to a small alley. His car couldn't get in, so he parked out on the main road. He messaged the boy, and after a short wait, a small figure emerged from the shadows... but... something felt off. He kept frowning.

"You're here."

"..."

"Heyyy~"

"Huh? Sorry..."

"Is there something on me?"

"No, you're just always... distracting."

"Hehe... I'm craving noodles."

"Alright, let's go."

Luckily, there was a noodle shop open late near his office, so he took the boy there. As usual, he waited for the noodles to cool before handing them over.

"I can do it myself, you know."

"Shhh, just sit there."

With his chin resting on both hands, the boy watched the bowl... then watched him... then the bowl again.

"Here, it's cool enough."

"Hehe~"

"Eat. Chew. Swallow. Don't just hold it in your mouth."

"I know..."

He knew, but still did the same. He was just used to it..every couple of bites the man had to remind him to swallow. After eating, he took the boy home, stopping in front of the alley. He kept watching as the boy walked in.

"Wanna come inside?"

"Can I?"

"Of course. Go park your car."

"Okay, wait for me."

He drove up a bit, parked close to the curb, grabbed his jacket, and followed him in. The alley was deserted and dark, with stagnant water nearly flooding the ground. A damp, moldy smell hit him right away. They walked all the way to the end before he saw a light—that was the boy's home.

"Why do you live all the way back here?"

He asked while waiting for the boy to unlock the door.

"It's cheap."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, it's really cheap. Just a few hundred a month."

"But it's so polluted..."

"I'm used to it. Come in."

Inside, the place was completely different. A sweet strawberry scent hit his nose..it wasn't unfamiliar, but strangely addicting. The walls were covered with wooden panels like a countryside cabin, and photos were pinned up everywhere.

"Familiar? Those pictures are from back home, with Mom."

"I know."

"Hehe... I miss her."

"There you go again..."

Eyes turning misty.

"No crying. Stop right now."

"I'm not... You're always hugging me."

"You're the one hugging me."

"..."

"Well, you pulled me in. Happy now?"

"Fine, then it's your fault."

So he did pull the boy in, because he was scared he might cry. And the boy hugged him back too.

"Where's your medicine?"

"Ran out. I only bought two doses this morning."

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"You didn't ask..."

"Sigh... I'll go buy more for you."

"It's okay, I can go tomorrow."

"So what now? What are you gonna do?"

"Sleep..."

Of course. After eating, sleepiness kicked in.. especially since he was still sick.

"Alright, go to sleep. I'll head home. Call me when you wake up tomorrow."

"You're leaving?"

His hands still rested on the man's waist, gaze lifted toward that handsome face.

"What now? Want me to stay?"

Instead of answering, he buried his head against the man's chest and tightened his arms.

"Can you stay...?"

The small head nodded up and down in response.

"Lock the door, okay? Leaving it open's not safe."

"...Got it."
_________
Sapo🇻🇳 ( 21:15/ 190525)