Suo Ran had woken up before dawn.
He hadn't slept well. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw blood on Cai Lang's coat. The way he'd turned away. The way he'd said go to sleep.
So Suo Ran got up.
He searched the kitchen like a criminal.
opening cabinets quietly, checking ingredients, reading labels.
"I can do this," he whispered to himself.
He could not.
The Bedroom
Before the food could completely die, Suo Ran decided to wake Cai Lang.
He hesitated outside the bedroom door.
Then knocked softly.
No response.
He pushed the door open a little.
Cai Lang was still asleep.
And unfairly beautiful.
His hair was loose against the pillow, lashes dark against pale skin. His face normally sharp and guarded looked younger, softer.
Peaceful.
Suo Ran stood there longer than he should have.
This is dangerous, he thought.
He stepped closer. "Cai Lang," he said gently. "Wake up."
No movement.
Suo Ran reached out and lightly shook his shoulder.
That was a mistake.
A hand snapped out.
Strong. Warm.
Cai Lang's arm wrapped around Suo Ran's wrist and pulled
Too fast.
Suo Ran stumbled forward, losing balance, landing half-on
When Suo Ran finally finished eating, he stared at the empty plate like it had personally betrayed him.
"…I should apologize to food everywhere," he muttered.
He rinsed the dishes, shoulders tense, mind already drifting elsewhere.
That night.
The footsteps.
The way danger had returned so easily.
His hands paused under the running water.
What if they come back?
What if next time, I can't run?
He dried his hands slowly, heart heavy.
Later, when the apartment was quiet again
Cai Lang returned to the kitchen alone.
He lifted the lid from the pan.
The smell was… questionable.
He stared at it for a long moment.
Then took a bite.
He paused.
Chewed.
Another bite.
"…Not terrible," he murmured.
The corner of his lips lifted just slightly.
A rare, real smile.
He finished the food quietly, as if it were something precious.
From the living room, Suo Ran sat curled on the couch, phone dark in his hands, eyes unfocused.
He kept replaying the chase. The faces. The certainty that they hadn't given up.
Cai Lang passed by, unnoticed.
He slowed when he saw Suo Ran's expression.
Worried. Alert. Afraid but trying not to be.
Cai Lang said nothing.
But his steps grew quieter.
And his eyes sharper.
Cai Lang didn't stay.
After passing by the living room once more, he turned off the hallway light and went back to his room without a word.
The door closed quietly.
Too quietly.
Suo Ran lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, thoughts circling the same place again and again.
The men from that night.
The chase.
The feeling of being watched.
He pulled the blanket tighter around himself
I hate this, he thought.
Just as sleep began to creep in
The lights went out.
Everything went dark.
"What?" Suo Ran sat up instantly.
Silence swallowed the apartment.
"No, no, no," he whispered, heart racing. He hated sudden darkness. Always had.
He grabbed his phone. No signal. No light from outside either.
Power cut.
Great.
He hesitated only a second before standing.
Barefoot, he walked toward the living room.
At the same time, another shadow moved.
They collided lightly.
"Careful," Cai Lang's voice said at the exact same moment.
Suo Ran exhaled sharply. "You scared me!"
"You ran into me," Cai Lang replied calmly.
"That's because it's dark!"
Cai Lang paused. "…Yes."
Suo Ran crossed his arms. "You don't have to sound so reasonable."
A faint huff of amusement came from Cai Lang
The darkness pressed in around them.
"…Power cut," Suo Ran said unnecessarily.
"I noticed."
Silence again.
Suo Ran shifted. "So… what now?"
Cai Lang considered. "We wait."
Suo Ran glanced toward the couch. "I'm not going back alone."
Cai Lang looked at him even in the dark, Suo Ran could feel it.
"…Fine," Cai Lang said.
They sat on opposite ends of the couch at first.
Too far.
The room felt colder than before.
After a minute, Suo Ran muttered, "You take up less space than you look."
Cai Lang replied dryly, "You move more than necessary.
"Rude."
Yes slowly they adjusted. Shoulders brushed. The space closed.
Eventually, Suo Ran's head tipped against Cai Lang's arm.
He stiffened.
Didn't move away.
The power didn't come back.
But sleep did.
Suo Ran drifted off first.
Cai Lang remained awake a little longer, staring into the dark, listening to Suo Ran's steady breathing.
Careful.
Protective.
Unwilling to admit it.
He shifted slightly, letting Suo Ran settle more comfortably.
And for the first time in a long while
Cai Lang slept without one eye open.