Aiden sniffled again. "I don't u-understand a single thing you said. Like, not one. You said all that like it made sense, but it really doesn't. At all! W-Why do you have to talk big, you bastard? Because now all I'm hearing is that you don't want to be with me!"
"Aiden—"
"No, listen," Aiden exclaimed furiously, cutting him off with a finger to Hunter's chest leaving him stunned. "You think I care about some fancy fireplace? Or about how many rooms I have? You think I want to go back to that big empty house without you? Hunter, I don't care where we are. You could be living in a shoebox and I'd still want to be inside it with you."
Hunter opened his mouth but Aiden barreled on.
"You think this is about class or money or whatever, but it's not. It's you. It's you who makes me feel safe. You, who makes me laugh even when I don't want to. You, who makes me feel like my heart's gonna explode when you look at me for more than three seconds." He hiccuped. "So no, I'm not going anywhere. And I don't care how many tragic monologues you throw at me, I'm staying right here."
Hunter sat frozen, speechless even, his heart an absolute mess. He stared at Aiden like he'd just watched him casually knock over the entire wall Hunter had spent years building.
"I…" Hunter tried, but his voice failed him yet again.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Aiden muttered, wiping his own tears now, though they were still falling. "I'm not leaving. Even if the roof leaks. Even if there's screaming at 2 a.m. Even if your neighbor is secretly a werewolf. I'm staying."
And that was the moment Hunter realized, despite despite all the reasons he gave for why they wouldn't work out—Aiden had already chosen him.
Aiden sniffled one last time, rubbing his sleeve across his face like a grumpy toddler, before narrowing his eyes at Hunter. "Or wait a second…dont tell me you're insecure about our money situation again?"
Hunter didn't say anything. He just looked away, jaw clenched, and that was answer enough.
"Oh my God, you're impossible. What kind of backwards logic is that, Hunter?" Aiden groaned dramatically. "If that's how it works, shouldn't I be the insecure one? I have no grades, barely passed math last semester, and I suck at waking up on time. You, on the other hand, are an actual genius. You're the one with the future. I'm the one who can't pass chem without crying and bribing the teacher with donuts. You think I'm proud of that?"
"You bribed him with donuts?" Hunter gasped.
"They were good donuts," Aiden mumbled without any guilt. "So, all I'm saying is that you have a bright future."
Hunter's lips twitched. "Not when that future is stuck in a dumpster."
Aiden rolled his eyes so hard it looked like they might roll right out of his head. "Hey. If I stopped using my parents' money tomorrow, would you still tell me to leave?"
Hunter's brow furrowed. "What?"
"I'm just saying! If I was broke too, would I still be a distraction? Would I still be not good enough for you? Because if that's what it takes, then let's both be broke. Let's suffer together."
Hunter stared at him for a long second, caught between horror and amazement.
Then Aiden perked up like he just solved the world's greatest math problem. "Okay, how about this: we will use my parents' money for now, and then once we both get good jobs and start making our own, we'll stop using theirs."
Aiden grinned like he just made a Nobel-worthy proposal and Hunter gave a humorless chuckle.
"Wow. It's…honestly terrifying how that made complete sense in your head."
Aiden wiggled his eyebrows. "It does make sense. It's like a starter pack for being in love. You just borrow a little until you're self-sufficient."
Hunter shook his head slowly, staring at him like he was witnessing a rare species. "You know, it's really a good thing your parents aren't here right now. It's honestly a miracle your parents haven't disowned you yet. Imagine how their hearts would break hearing that their beloved only son is just using them like an ATM until he and his tragic friend get jobs."
Aiden burst into a giggle that sounded like music, real, belly-deep laughter, the kind that made his eyes crinkle and nose scrunch.
Hunter exhaled sharply as he rubbed a hand over his face. Aiden had stopped crying, at least. That alone was a relief. But of course, now he had turned into something worse, a persistent, adorable problem.
And that, somehow, was more dangerous. Hunter glanced toward the door. "It's late. You should go now.
Aiden blinked up at him from where he sat cross-legged on Hunter's bed, his hoodie sleeves tugged halfway over his hands, his eyes still slightly puffy but now sparkling with defiance.
Oh shit! I forgot about this part.
"What are you talking about? It's dangerous outside. What if I get snatched by a ghost or something? And after what happened on the way here? That shadow by the streetlight? The dog that barked twice and then disappeared? I'm not risking it, Hunter."
Hunter narrowed his eyes. "That was a raccoon."
"Whatever. It was fast. And I can tell it had some bad intentions."
Hunter folded his arms. "You're not staying."
Aiden pouted. "Why not?"
Hunter pointed at the door like that would help. "Because I'll take you home, and after I make sure you're safely locked in and probably tucked in bed, then I'll come back."
Aiden rolled onto his back dramatically. "You just want me gone."
Hunter clenched his jaw. "Yes."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Aiden sat up again, clutching his chest and making his glossy eye wide. "Look at me, Hunter. I am delicate. I am emotionally fragile. You can't just throw me out to the wolves."
Hunter groaned and leaned his head back against the wall. "There are no wolves, Aiden. This is a residential neighborhood."
"You don't know that." Aiden squinted like a hyper puppy. "Have you checked for wolves?!"
"No."
"Exactly."
Hunter looked down at him, he was tired. "You're not staying and that's final. So, stop making excuses."
"I'm staying."
Hunter glared at him silently to which Aiden smiled widely because he knew how close he was to win.
Hunter swore under his breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. But there's only one bed. And you're sleeping on the floor."
He thought that would finally make Aiden get up and grumble his way home.
Instead, Aiden laughed. "Ha! You're kidding."
But when Hunter didn't laugh with him and just gave him a look, he knew Hunter was joking.
"Oh, so you are serious," Aiden's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped just a little.
Hunter nodded once. "Dead serious."
Aiden gaped like someone had slapped him with a fish. "You're actually gonna make your boyfriend sleep on the floor?"
Hunter's head snapped toward him. "You're not my boyfriend."
"Yet." Aiden added with a smirk.
Hunter rolled his eyes so hard it looked like it hurt. "God."
Aiden sneered, but it faded slightly when he looked around the small room again. It wasn't exactly cozy, half-bare walls, a pile of laundry in the corner, and a mattress that had definitely seen better days.
Then Hunter asked. "What about your parents? Won't they freak out if you don't go home?"
Aiden looked up at him and shrugged sheepishly. "If I say I'm with you, they won't mind. They trust you more than me."
That caught Hunter off guard. His lips parted slightly, unsure of what to say to that.
"They think you're responsible," Aiden continued, pulling his knees to his chest. "And smart. You know, 'Hunter's the quiet one with a good head on his shoulders.'" He did finger quotes with a little smirk. "Meanwhile, I'm the guy who once lit the toaster on fire trying to reheat pizza."
"You…used a toaster?" Hunter couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"It was cold, okay?" Aiden said defensively.
Hunter shook his head and tried not to smile. "You're so stupid."
"And you're still making me sleep on the floor, so I guess we're even."
There was a beat of silence before Hunter sighed and dragged out a pillow from under the bed.
"Here," he tossed it Aiden. "At least take the good one."
Aiden beamed like he'd just been given a royal suite. "Wow. I feel so loved."
Hunter rolled his eyes again but turned away quickly because the smile tugging at his lips was too real and soft. And he hated that Aiden could still make him feel like that, even when everything inside him screamed he didn't deserve it.
A sudden growl sliced through the silence.
Aiden's eyes widened like a kid caught stealing cookies. He slapped both hands over his stomach as if he could silence it by sheer will. Hunter looked back at him.
"That wasn't me," he said quickly, blinking at Hunter with faux innocence.
Hunter turned to him from near the small kitchen counter and raised a brow. "Your stomach just tried to summon the dead."
Aiden blushed hard. "Okay, maybe it was me…"
"Wait here. I'll reheat the dinner I brought earlier."
As he turned on the small portable stove in the corner of the room, Aiden looked around again. The place was small, barely enough space for a bed, a stool, and the stove, but now that Aiden was used to the dim light and the cozy disarray, it didn't feel depressing. It felt…close and private. Like he was in Hunter's world for real.
He giggled to himself, hugging his knees tighter. Maybe this room isn't so bad after all. It means I get to be closer to him.
"What's funny?" Hunter, busy stirring something in the small steel pot, glanced back.
Aiden's eyes darted up. "N-Nothing!"
Hunter narrowed his eyes suspiciously but let it go.
Soon, Hunter came back, balancing two mismatched bowls filled with steaming hot Japanese curry and rice. The scent wasn't fancy, but it was warm and homely. Aiden's mouth watered instantly.
"This okay?" Hunter asked, handing over the bowl.
Aiden nodded enthusiastically. "It smells amazing."
Hunter sat beside him on the edge of the bed with his own bowl. "The restaurant folks near work packed it for me. They always do when they've got extra. They're nice people. They don't tell the manager either."
Aiden's heart clenched a little but he liked those strangers instantly for looking out for his Hunter.
Without waiting, Aiden took a huge spoonful and immediately regretted it.
"HOT—HOT—HUNTER!!"
Hunter nearly dropped his own bowl in alarm. "Idiot—spit it out!"
Aiden fanned his mouth like a dramatic little duckling, cheeks puffed out and eyes wide in panic. Hunter quickly extended his hand, and Aiden spat the too-hot bite into his palm with a muffled whimper.
"Seriously?" Hunter deadpanned, getting up and tossing the ruined bite into the trash and washed his hands. He grabbed the nearest cup and filled it with water before hurrying back.
"Here." He crouched in front of Aiden and lifted the glass to his lips. Aiden quickly gulped it down. "Drink slowly or you'll choke."
Aiden did and wiped his eyes. "I almost died…"
"Who told you to eat so fast?" Hunter still half-scolded him. "You always do this. Every time food's involved, all your brain cells vanish."
Aiden pouted, sticking out his burnt tongue for some cold air. "You were just too good at reheating. I couldn't resist it."
Hunter rolled his eyes and picked up the spoon again, carefully blowing on it this time before holding it up to Aiden's mouth. "Try now. And slowly this time."
Aiden blinked at the spoon, then at Hunter. His cheeks went pink again. "You're feeding me?"
Hunter shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah. You'll injure yourself again otherwise."
Aiden opened his mouth obediently, chewing this time with care. "Mmm. It's good."
Hunter smirked. "Told you."
They continued like that, Hunter feeding Aiden with quiet patience, occasionally blowing on each bite until it was cool. Aiden smiled after every spoonful, secretly savoring not just the food, but the tenderness of it. It wasn't like Hunter had never fed him before, there had been road trips, late night study sessions but it never felt this soft.
"You should eat too," Aiden mumbled between bites. "Or I'll eat your share."
Hunter raised a brow. "I'll eat after you're full."
Aiden grinned. "Then you'll be waiting forever."
"Not surprised." Hunter snorted.
Aiden eventually took the spoon from Hunter's hand. "I can feed myself now. Don't look so worried. Your poor hand must be tired."
Hunter hesitated but let go of the spoon, picking up his own bowl and eating slowly. But even then, he kept an eye on Aiden, who was still gobbling down like a starving kitten.
Hunter smiled softly to himself. This fool must've skipped lunch again.
Eventually, Aiden drained the last bite, leaning back with a satisfied hum. "That was the best thing I've ever eaten after my mom's cooking."
Hunter nodded, finishing his own food, then casually reached over and picked up the water glass Aiden had used earlier, sipping from it without a second thought.
Aiden, still lying back, blinked. "Hey."
Hunter paused. "What?"
"You just drank from my glass."
"So?"
"That's an indirect kiss-" Aiden looked proud for exactly one second before his own words hit him and he went red. "Wait, I mean—! Not that I care—! I was just—!"
They both froze, cheeks flushed.
Hunter put the glass down slowly, pretending to be unaffected. "You talk too much."
Aiden covered his face with both hands, still pink. "Shut up."
But even through the awkwardness, they both enjoyed each other's company.
Hunter picked up the empty bowls but before he could put them away he glanced back at Aiden.
"I'm glad you stayed."
Aiden froze for a moment before he peeked through his fingers and grinned at Hunter with dreamy eyes and flushed cheeks.
"I'm glad you let me stayed."