It was a quiet knock. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Just... soft.
Xiao Shuai adjusted the sleeve of his hoodie before opening the door to Guo Cheng Yu's dorm. He didn't smile, he didn't need to. Cheng Yu just stepped aside and let him in like it was the most natural thing in the world.
There were no plans, no snacks, no movie playing in the background this time.
Just them.
Xiao Shuai kicked off his shoes and sat on the edge of the bed. His hands tugged lightly at the hem of his hoodie while Cheng Yu sprawled out beside him, one leg swinging lazily off the edge.
"You okay?" Cheng Yu asked.
Xiao Shuai gave a small nod. "Yeah... Just tired."
Neither said anything for a while. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, though. It settled around them like a soft blanket.
After a moment, Cheng Yu shifted slightly. "You didn't reply after the text yesterday."
"I didn't know what to say," Shuai murmured. "I didn't want to talk about him. I just... wanted to be here."
Cheng Yu's gaze flickered toward him. "I get that."
More silence. Closer this time. Shuai felt it like their bodies were naturally drawn toward each other without thinking.
"Do you ever think too much?" Xiao Shuai asked suddenly.
Guo Cheng Yu huffed a laugh. "Constantly."
"Like...ruin-a-moment-by-overthinking-it kind of thinking?"
Cheng Yu sat up, facing him. "Are we ruining something right now?"
Shuai didn't move. His voice came out a whisper. "I'm not sure."
The air shifted.
Their knees touched. Shuai's breath hitched.
Neither leaned in at first. They just... looked.
And then, slowly, Cheng Yu reached out, not grabbing, not pulling, just resting his hand gently over Shuai's.
It was enough.
That tiny contact lit something up, something Shuai couldn't explain. He leaned forward, and Cheng Yu met him halfway.
No firework sounds. No dramatic music. Just the sound of breath between them and the softest kiss.
Not practiced. Not desperate.
Just... real.
And when they pulled apart, eyes still searching, Xiao Shuai didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
Because Cheng Yu squeezed his hand and said quietly, "You don't need to explain anything. I'm still here."