Prologue

Hong sits cross-legged on the  floor, the soft glow of evening light spilling in through the window behind him. His gaze is steady and full of quiet warmth as he looks up at Nut, who lounges comfortably on the couch just a few feet away. Nut is reading something on his phone, completely unaware of the intensity with which he’s being watched.

There’s a slight, affectionate smile tugging at the corners of Hong’s lips — not loud or showy, just a simple expression of fondness that says everything he doesn’t need to say aloud. His fingers absently trace circles on the rug beneath him, but his eyes never leave Nut. In that moment, everything in the world feels still to Hong, as if the quiet sound of Nut’s occasional chuckle or the way his hair falls across his forehead is enough to make time pause.

From where Hong sat on the floor, looking up, Nut seemed almost unreal — like something dreamed up on a quiet night and somehow made real just for him.

Nut wasn't beautiful in the way people talked about in movies or books. He was more than that. It was in the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way he held things gently even when he wasn't trying to be gentle. His skin caught the afternoon light in a way that made him look warm, golden — like sunlight resting on earth after a long day.

His hair was a little messy, always falling into his eyes no matter how many times he pushed it back, and Hong loved that about him. He loved how Nut's mouth curled ever so slightly when he was concentrating, how his voice softened when he said Hong's name, as if it was something fragile he didn't want to break.

Setting: Late afternoon. 

The house is quiet. Hong is sitting on the floor, legs stretched out, while Nut lounges on the couch flipping through his phone. A breeze rustles the curtains. There's an unmistakable sense of stillness, like the world has made space just for the two of them․

Hong:
(grinning) You know what's nice?

Nut:
(without looking up) Hm?

Hong:
No one’s home. Just us. It's… rare. Kinda feels like the house is finally breathing again.

Nut:
(smiles, glancing at him) Yeah, it’s weirdly quiet. Peaceful, though. You like it?

Hong:

I love it. No footsteps, no yelling, no one asking stupid questions or barging in.
(pauses, then softer) Just you and me. That’s more than enough.

Nut:
(chuckles) You sound like you’ve been waiting for this all week.

Hong:
Maybe I have. It’s nice having you to myself for once.

Nut:
(teasing) Oh? Didn’t know I was in such high demand.

Hong:
(half-laughs, then lowers his voice) You have no idea.

Nut:
(tilts his head) What was that?

Hong:
Nothing. Just... saying it’s nice. Being near you when things are quiet. You make the silence feel full.

Nut:
(smiles, a little touched) That’s... really sweet, Hong.

Hong:
(meeting his eyes, a flicker of something deeper there) I mean it.

(Nut holds his gaze for a beat longer than usual, then looks away, a little flustered but smiling.)

Nut:
You’re being kinda weird today.

Hong:
Yeah. Must be something in the air.