Before Kyan could even process what was happening, Ace—tired, warm, and reckless—shifted beside him and gently leaned his head onto Kyan's shoulder.
Kyan froze.
Wide eyes. Breath caught.
Ace let out a soft exhale, his lashes brushing against Kyan's skin. His body was warm, his weight comforting. It felt… weirdly nice.
"Mmm... stop crying, softie..." Ace mumbled, half-asleep, voice low and gravelly. "I'll beat whoever made you cry..."
Kyan blinked fast, completely thrown off.
His heart thudded once. Then again. Loud.
His hand twitched at his side, unsure what to do. Then slowly—carefully—he lifted it, brushing it through Ace's messy hair.
Just once.
Just enough to feel the strands between his fingers.
Ace's breathing slowed, his head snuggling a little closer.
Ace shifted slightly, still half-asleep, still resting against Kyan like he'd done it a million times before.
Then he mumbled again—soft, groggy, but clear enough.
"…pretty…"
Kyan blinked. Did he just—?
