Dinner had already slipped into something warm and slow.
The lights in Chen's apartment were gentle, yellow-toned, casting soft shadows along the walls. The table was small, a little crowded with dishes, but it felt lived-in—comfortable. Yun Hu was sprawled between them like a satisfied king, belly full, tail flicking lazily whenever food appeared within his line of sight.
Chen didn't seem to notice.
Between him and Xu Jin sat the real master of the house.
Yun Hu.
The demon cat lay on his back like an overfed seal, belly round, paws twitching lazily in the air. He had already finished his portion long ago. Everyone at the table knew it.
Except Chen.
"Open your mouth," Chen said gently, holding out another bite.
Yun Hu meowed.
Xu Jin stared in disbelief. "Brother Chen… he's done. He's very done."
Chen glanced down, completely serious. "He's still looking at the food."
Yun Hu flicked his tail.
"That's because he's shameless," Xu Jin said.
Chen laughed softly, a quiet, bright sound, and fed Yun Hu anyway. The cat accepted it with zero guilt and maximum pride.
Xu Jin watched the scene like his soul had left his body.
He was humming softly—off-key, barely audible—as he picked up another piece of food with his chopsticks and held it toward Yun Hu's mouth.
"You already ate," Chen said mildly, though his hand didn't stop. "But if you're still hungry, I suppose one more bite won't hurt."
The cat accepted it without shame.
Xu Jin watched the scene like a man watching snowfall for the first time.
This version of Liang Chen—the one at home—was nothing like the composed professor standing behind a podium. His sleeves were rolled up carelessly. His hair wasn't perfectly neat. His expressions were unguarded, gentle, warm in a way that felt unfair.Xu Jin's thoughts drifted.
This is nice.
Dangerously nice.
He rested his chin in his palm, eyes half-lidded, heart doing something suspicious.
What a happy family of mine.( Delusional)
The thought slipped in smoothly, without permission.
Chen.
Himself.
This demon cat.
Dinner.
Xu Jin smiled faintly, completely lost.
This is dangerous, Xu Jin thought distantly.
Then it happened.
Without looking up, without thinking too much about it, Xu Jin picked up a bite of food and instinctively reached toward Chen.
"Here," he said.
The word slipped out naturally.
Chen paused mid-motion.Turned.
"…Huh?"
He looked up.
Saw the chopsticks near his mouth.
Then he looked at Xu Jin.
Xu Jin was smiling.
Not teasing.
Not smug.
Just… warm. A little absent. Like someone who missed something deeply and didn't know how to say it.
Chen's expression softened. He thought innocently that xu jin-
'he misses his family,' Chen realized suddenly.
'And he's pretending he doesn't.'
Chen hesitated for only a second.
But Chen didn't pull away.
He hesitated for half a second, then leaned in slightly, brushing his hair back behind his ear with two fingers so it wouldn't fall forward.
That was all it took.
For Xu Jin, the world stopped.
No sound.
No movement.
No time.
For Xu Jin, time stopped.
The clink of chopsticks, the faint hum of the light, even Yun Hu's tail flicking against the chair—all of it blurred into nothing.
There was only Liang Chen.
The way Chen leaned forward without hesitation.
The way he casually brushed his hair behind his ear, exposing that smooth line of neck Xu Jin absolutely should not be noticing.
The way his lashes lowered just a little as he focused on the bite being offered.
Xu Jin forgot how to breathe.
His hand froze midair, chopsticks trembling ever so slightly, but Chen didn't notice. Chen was too busy being… this close. Too close. Close enough that Xu Jin could see the faint warmth on his cheeks, the softness at the corner of his lips.
For one suspended heartbeat, Xu Jin forgot everything.
The café chaos.
The fear of wanting something he wasn't sure he deserved.
There was only this moment—domestic, quiet, unreal.
The way Chen's fingers slid along his own hair felt unreal. The soft curve of his ear, faintly pink. The way his lips parted just a little as he accepted the food.
Xu Jin forgot how to breathe.
So close.
Close enough to see the fine details—the warmth in Chen's eyes, the softness that never appeared in class, the way his expression was trusting, unguarded.
Xu Jin's heart slammed painfully against his ribs.
I want to kiss him.
The thought wasn't loud.
It wasn't dramatic.
It simply existed.
And that scared him more than anything else ever had.
Then—
"Mm," Chen murmured thoughtfully after chewing. "This one's good."
Time snapped back into place.
Xu Jin blinked.
His chopsticks were empty.
Still held in midair.
He slowly lowered his hand, feeling like he'd just woken up from a dream he wasn't ready to leave.
Across from him, Chen had already turned back to Yun Hu, offering the cat another bite despite clearly being the one who liked sweets more.
"You're such a glutton," Chen said fondly. "You'll get round at this rate."
Yun Hu purred, unapologetic.
Xu Jin stared at Chen's profile, chest still tight, ears warm, thoughts in complete disarray.
So this is it, he realized quietly.
I'm already done for.
He smiled—soft, stunned, and helpless.
And Chen, completely unaware of the emotional catastrophe he had just caused, continued feeding the demon cat like nothing in the world had changed.
Xu Jin suddenly straightened in his seat, like a man receiving a mission from the heavens.
"Brother," he said seriously, placing his chopsticks down with determination, "let me do the dishes today."
Chen paused mid-motion, a bowl still in his hands.
"…You?" he asked, not skeptical exactly—just mildly surprised.
Xu Jin nodded once, firm. "Me."
Chen glanced toward the sink. Then at the table. Then at Xu Jin again, who was sitting far too upright for someone volunteering for housework.
He probably just wants to help, Chen thought. If I refuse, it'll be rude.
"…Alright," Chen said after a beat. "But only if I assist you."
Xu Jin's eyes lit up instantly.
"Roger."
The response came out so crisp and enthusiastic that Chen blinked.
"…There's no need to be that serious," Chen added.
Too late.
Xu Jin was already on his feet, sleeves rolled up with exaggerated efficiency, carrying plates to the sink like he was storming a battlefield. Chen followed with the remaining bowls, watching his back with a faint, helpless smile.
In the kitchen, Xu Jin grabbed the sponge with confidence.
Chen leaned against the counter. "We wash, then rinse. Don't—"
"I know," Xu Jin said. "I've watched people do this."
Chen paused. "…That's not reassuring."
Xu Jin laughed, low and easy. "Relax, brother. I've got backup."
He glanced meaningfully at Chen.
Chen sighed, tied his apron a little tighter, and stepped closer.
"Alright. I'll supervise."
Xu Jin grinned.
Best mission of his life.