The moment the doorbell rang again—
Adrien turned sharply.
Zane was already on his feet.
Their eyes locked.
Panic.
"Go upstairs," Adrien whispered urgently.
Zane blinked.
"What—?"
"My room," Adrien cut in quickly, pushing him lightly toward the stairs. "Now."
Another ring.
Longer this time.
Zane grabbed the plate without thinking, nearly knocking over a glass in the process.
"Shit—"
"Go!"
Zane didn't argue again.
He rushed up the stairs, taking them two at a time, heart pounding in his ears. The penthouse suddenly felt too big, too exposed, like every corner could betray him.
He reached Adrien's room, slipped inside, and quietly shut the door behind him.
Then locked it.
Silence.
He leaned against the door, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"…Fuck."
Downstairs—
Adrien ran a hand through his hair, forcing his expression back into something calm.
Then he opened the door.
Ji-Won stepped in with a bright smile.
"You took forever."
Adrien stepped aside to let her in.
"You should text before coming."
She tilted her head, already scanning the space.
"Why? Were you busy?"
Adrien shrugged lightly.
"Just tired."
Ji-Won walked further in, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
Her eyes moved slowly.
Carefully.
Taking in everything.
Adrien noticed immediately.
Suspicion.
"Were you with someone?" she asked casually.
Adrien didn't hesitate.
"No."
Ji-Won hummed softly.
Not convinced.
She walked toward the living room, then suddenly turned and peeked toward the kitchen.
Then the hallway.
Then back at him.
Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, then smiled. "Just… checking."
"For what?"
She shrugged.
"You looked weird."
Adrien sighed, grabbing the remote.
"Do you want to watch something or interrogate me?"
Ji-Won laughed lightly.
"Fine. Movie."
Zane sat on the edge of the bed.
Frozen.
Listening.
Every sound downstairs felt amplified.
Footsteps.
Voices.
The faint murmur of the TV.
His grip tightened slightly around the plate still in his hand before he finally set it aside.
"…Calm down."
He exhaled slowly.
But it wasn't working.
His mind kept racing.
Ji-Won.
In Adrien's space.
On his couch.
Close to him.
Touching him.
Zane clenched his jaw and stood up, pacing the room.
He shouldn't be here.
And yet—
He didn't want to leave.
---
Downstairs
The movie played.
Soft light flickering across the room.
Ji-Won had moved closer.
Naturally.
Comfortably.
She leaned against Adrien, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.
Adrien didn't push her away.
But he didn't lean into it either.
His body stayed stiff.
Unresponsive.
Ji-Won frowned slightly.
"You're really tense today."
"I told you, I'm tired."
She hummed.
Then shifted again—
Wrapping her arm around his.
Adrien's gaze flickered toward the stairs for just a second.
Then back to the screen.
Ji-Won noticed everything.
She always did.
After a few minutes, she suddenly sat up.
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Adrien nodded.
"Go."
But instead of going straight there—
Ji-Won peeked down the hallway again.
Then opened a random door.
Closet.
Closed it.
Another one.
Storage.
Closed it.
Adrien paused the movie.
"…Ji-Won."
She turned.
"What?"
"Are you searching for something?"
She blinked innocently.
"No?"
Adrien stared at her.
Unimpressed.
She laughed.
"Okay, fine. I just had a feeling."
"What kind of feeling?"
She stepped closer.
"That you're hiding something."
Adrien held her gaze.
Then leaned back into the couch.
"I'm not."
Ji-Won studied him for a long second.
Then smiled again.
"Okay."
But her eyes said she didn't believe him.
Time passed.
Zane eventually sat on the floor, back resting against the side of the bed.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
He needed something to distract himself.
His eyes landed on a stack of photo albums on a nearby shelf.
He hesitated.
Then reached for one.
"…Just looking."
He opened it.
The first few pictures—
A small Adrien.
Smiling brightly.
Standing between his parents.
Then—
More pictures.
Birthdays.
Celebrations.
And always—
Ji-Won.
Beside him.
Year after year.
Cake.
Candles.
Matching outfits sometimes.
Laughing.
Close.
Zane's fingers paused on one picture.
Adrien, maybe ten years old, smiling widely while Ji-Won held onto his arm.
"…You've always been there."
He flipped further.
The tone changed slowly.
Less family.
More friends.
More events.
More… distance.
Adrien smiling.
But not the same way.
Zane swallowed.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Not jealousy.
Not entirely.
Something heavier.
Then—
The door opened.
Zane looked up.
Adrien stood there.
His expression unreadable.
Zane blinked.
"I—"
Adrien walked over and took the album from his hands.
"You shouldn't go through my stuff."
Zane rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sorry."
But before Adrien could step away—
Zane grabbed his wrist.
Gently.
But firmly.
And pulled him down.
Adrien lost balance slightly and ended up between Zane's legs.
Close.
Too close.
His breath caught.
Zane looked up at him.
Something softer in his eyes now.
"I didn't mean anything by it."
Adrien didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
Zane's hands rested lightly on his waist.
"…You looked happy."
Adrien looked away slightly.
Zane leaned forward.
Slowly.
His lips brushing against Adrien's neck.
Soft.
Lingering.
"If you want…" Zane murmured quietly, "I'll spend your next birthday with you."
Adrien froze.
Then—
Nodded.
Just slightly.
Zane smiled against his skin.
Then kissed him again.
---
Hours Later
Time blurred.
The world outside didn't exist anymore.
Only quiet laughter.
Soft whispers.
And stolen moments.
Eventually—
Adrien's energy faded.
His movements slowed.
His responses softer.
Until finally—
He rested his head against Zane.
Then… stilled.
Zane blinked.
"Adrien?"
No response.
He looked down.
Adrien was asleep.
Zane's expression softened instantly.
"…Seriously?"
A quiet chuckle left his lips.
He adjusted his hold carefully, making sure not to wake him.
Then slowly stood up, carrying him toward the bed.
Adrien didn't stir.
Still asleep.
Still trusting.
Zane laid him down gently.
But Adrien instinctively shifted closer.
Zane froze for a second.
Then lay beside him.
Carefully.
Not too close.
But not far either.
He turned his head slightly.
Watching him.
Taking in every detail.
The way his lashes rested against his skin.
The way his breathing slowed.
The way he looked so… peaceful.
Zane reached out hesitantly.
Then stopped.
"…You're dangerous."
He whispered it softly.
More to himself than anything.
Because this—
This feeling—
Was becoming something he couldn't control anymore.
His gaze lingered.
Counting the small things.
Memorizing them.
Like they might disappear.
Time passed.
Quiet.
Still.
Zane didn't move.
Didn't want to disturb him.
Even though his body hadn't fully calmed down yet—
He ignored it.
Because Adrien was right there.
Close.
Warm.
Real.
And for once—
That was enough.