Kai sat cross-legged on his bed, aimlessly scrolling through his phone when Miles' name flashed across the screen.
"Yo," Kai answered casually.
Miles' voice on the other end was soft—unusually soft. "Can you come to the bar? I... I'm not okay. Please."
Kai sat up, alert. "Don't drink too much. I'm on my way."
He grabbed his car keys and made his way to the door. Just as he was about to leave, a voice came from behind.
"Where are you going this late?" Bast leaned against the hallway wall, arms crossed, his eyes unreadable.
Kai turned. "Miles is drinking. I'm going to get him."
"And your girlfriend?" Bast asked, his tone sharp.
"That's none of your business," Kai replied, brushing past him.
Bast sighed. "Don't drink tonight. I'm too tired to deal with you if you come back drunk."
Kai didn't respond. He just walked out and drove into the night.
---
The bar was buzzing when Kai arrived. He spotted Miles instantly—swaying on a barstool, clearly more than tipsy.
"Miles," Kai called, approaching him. "Stop drinking."
Miles turned with a big grin. "Ohh, come on, my brother! Let's drink! Bottoms up! Wooo!"
"You're wasted," Kai muttered, grabbing his arm. "Let's go home."
But Miles yanked his arm away, his eyes suddenly wet with unshed tears. "I don't wanna go home. I don't wanna see Ethan."
Kai paused. "What happened?"
Miles let out a bitter laugh and slumped into Kai's shoulder. "He... he ignored me. For her. His stupid girlfriend."
Kai was silent, but his thoughts spun. He remembered the way Miles used to look at Ethan—how he smiled around him, how he always made excuses to be near him. It wasn't just admiration. It was something deeper. Something Miles had buried.
Now it was spilling out.
"Come on," Kai said gently. "Let's get you out of here."
Miles sniffled. "You're still my best friend, right?"
"Always."
"Then take me to your place. Please, Kai. I can't go home. Not tonight."
Kai sighed, wrapping an arm around him. "You reek of alcohol, man."
"I reek of heartbreak," Miles mumbled as Kai led him out.
Miles collapsed onto Kai's bed with a heavy sigh.
"Go take a shower first," Kai said, watching him from the doorway.
But before he could insist, Miles was already asleep—curled up like a kid, clutching the pillow.
Kai smiled faintly and grabbed a blanket to cover him, just as his phone began to ring.
He checked the screen. Ethan.
Kai answered quietly, stepping into the hallway. "Yeah?"
"Is Miles with you?" Ethan's voice was sharp with worry.
Kai glanced back toward the room. "Yeah, he's here. He's safe. Drunk, but safe."
"I'm coming to get him."
Kai frowned. "He doesn't want to go home. Let him stay here tonight. You can talk to him tomorrow when he's sober."
There was a pause on the other end. Then Ethan said firmly, "No. I need to talk to him now."
Kai hesitated, then gave in. "Okay.
---
A short while later, the doorbell rang. Kai opened the door to find Ethan standing with a stormy expression.
"Where is he?" Ethan asked.
Kai led him inside. Bast stood at the kitchen counter, sipping tea.
"Hey," Ethan greeted. "Bast."
Bast raised a brow. "Why's Miles so upset with you? You're his brother. You're supposed to be the one person who never hurts him."
"I care about him," Ethan said, his voice low. "More than anything. I just... I didn't handle things right."
Without waiting for a response, Ethan entered the room where Miles was asleep. He knelt beside the bed and gently shook his shoulder.
"Miles. Wake up."
Miles groaned and turned away, still half-asleep. "Don't wanna go home."
"I know," Ethan whispered. "But you need to."
When Miles refused again, Ethan sighed—and without another word, lifted him into his arms.
Kai blinked. "You're seriously carrying him?"
Ethan glanced back. "See you later, Bast. Thanks, Kai."
Then he walked out, carrying Miles like he meant something precious to him.
Ethan unlocked the front door and stepped inside, still carrying Miles in his arms like he weighed nothing.
The house was quiet, the air warm with familiarity. He gently placed Miles down on the bed, brushing strands of hair from his forehead.
"Alright," Ethan said, voice low. "Get up. You need to take a shower first."
Miles blinked slowly, his eyes still hazy. Then his expression shifted—softening with hurt. "Why did you ignore me…?"
Ethan stilled, surprised by the rawness in Miles' voice.
"I don't want to talk to you," Miles added, turning his head away.
Ethan chuckled softly. "You think I could ever ignore you?" He reached out and gently cupped Miles' cheek. "You're precious to me, Miles. You always have been."
Miles's eyes widened, lips parting in a soft breath. "But you've been with her… Your girlfriend—"
Ethan didn't let him finish. He leaned in and kissed him—slow, gentle, and filled with the words he hadn't dared say before.
When he finally pulled away, his smile was calm and sure. "She's not my girlfriend."
Miles's face flushed deep red. His lips trembled as if unsure whether to speak again or stay quiet.
Ethan chuckled, brushing a thumb across his cheek. "Don't make that face… If you do, I won't be able to hold back anymore."