When I got home, I was completely exhausted.
I don't know if it was because of the rain or the strange atmosphere all the way here.
I opened the door and went in first.
Dạ Uyên followed behind.
The house was pitch black.
Only the sound of rain outside continued incessantly.
I bent down to change my shoes.
My mind was still a little muddled.
Especially when I remembered Dạ Uyên's red-eyed appearance earlier.
Thinking of that, my heart softened a little.
"...Brother."
Dạ Uyên's voice came from behind.
I turned around.
"Hmm?"
He stood in the living room doorway, his hair still slightly wet.
His gaze at me was a little hesitant.
As if he wanted to say something but was too shy to speak.
"What's wrong?"
Dạ Uyên pursed his lips.
"...It rained heavily today."
I was confused.
"Hmm, then is there something wrong?" He was silent for a few seconds before speaking softly again:
"I... don't like thunder."
I was slightly taken aback.
Just then, "BOOM!"
A clap of thunder boomed outside.
Ye Yuan flinched slightly.
His fingers unconsciously tightened their grip on the corner of his shirt.
I blinked a few times at his reaction.
"...Are you afraid of thunder?"
Ye Yuan lowered his head slightly.
He seemed reluctant to admit it.
"...A little."
I chuckled, teasingly saying,
"I didn't expect that. I usually see you as very brave."
Ye Yuan's ears turned slightly red from my teasing, and he softly retorted,
"...I'm not brave."
I found it even funnier.
But before I could say anything... another clap of thunder boomed.
This time it was even louder than before.
Ye Yuan unconsciously froze.
His gaze also shifted slightly.
I looked at him for a few seconds.
Then, unexpectedly, my heart softened.
"...Then turn on the night light tonight."
Dạ Uyên was silent.
After a while, he looked up at me.
"...Brother."
"Huh?"
"Can I sleep with you?"
I froze.
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
My heart skipped a beat.
Seeing my silence, Dạ Uyên's gaze softened slightly.
He quickly added:
"...If you find it bothersome, then never mind."
"I just..."
"Boom!"
The thunder rumbled again.
Dạ Uyên unconsciously clenched his fist.
It was a very subtle reaction.
I thought to myself, "Damn it, why did it have to strike at this exact moment?"
But I still noticed.
I looked at him.
Then I remembered earlier... him standing in the rain asking if I hated him, and his current expression.
My heart immediately softened.
"...Okay then."
I sighed.
"So, can I come to your room tonight?"
Dạ Uyên's eyes widened slightly.
As if he didn't expect me to actually agree.
"...Really?"
"Yes."
I thought for a moment, then said,
"But only tonight."
His lips curved into a very slight smile.
An ambiguous smile.
But it was so beautiful that it left me momentarily speechless.
"...Yes."
For some reason, seeing him so happy, I felt like I had just dug my own grave.