Chapter 14
We’re together
Scene: Afternoon – The Living Room, Sunlight Filtering In
The group is gathered in the living room again. It's one of those days where no one’s really rehearsing, but they’re all here anyway — William, Tui, Lego, Nut, and Hong.
The sun cuts slanting beams through the wide windows, spilling golden light across the floor. Someone left a bag of chips open on the coffee table. Music plays low from someone’s phone. It’s casual, lazy. Almost peaceful.
But Nut is bouncing one leg restlessly, and Hong keeps looking at him from the corner of his eye.
William is talking to Lego about something schedule-related. Tui is scrolling through his phone like it owes him money.
Finally, Nut clears his throat. Loud enough to quiet the room.
Everyone turns.
Nut looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. But Hong gives him a small, steady glance. And that’s enough.
Nut:
(nervously)
“Uh… we wanted to tell you guys something.”
Hong:
“We’re together.”
The room goes still for a heartbeat.
Then:
Tui:
(not looking up from his phone)
“Cool.”
Lego:
(blinking, confused)
“I mean… yeah. Wait, like dating-dating?”
William:
(sits up straighter, surprised)
“Wait — what? Since when?”
Hong gives Nut a sideways glance. Nut shrugs helplessly.
Hong:
“A while. Not long. It’s… new. But it’s real.”
William raises both eyebrows. “So all that weirdness lately—”
Lego:
“ — the hand-holding, the dramatic rehearsal tension, the weird bathroom exit at the pub — ”
William smacks Lego lightly with a pillow.
William:
“I can’t believe I didn’t put it together. I thought Hong was just in a weird mood. Or like — ”
(he catches himself, remembering a time when he wondered if Hong liked him instead, and for a second there’s a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes, but he smiles through it)
“ — never mind. I’m happy for you. Really.”
Lego nods quickly, grinning now. “Yeah, I mean — it’s actually kind of obvious now that you say it. You both got soft eyes all the time.”
Nut makes a face. “What does that even mean?”
Lego:
“Like — romantic drama eyes. Like slow music plays whenever you look at each other.”
Tui:
(finally looks up)
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with rehearsals, I don’t care who’s dating who.”
(he stands and stretches)
“Can I go now?”
William laughs. “You were never here to begin with.”
Hong smiles — genuinely, deeply. He hadn't realized how much weight he was carrying until now. Telling the truth feels like stepping into light.
Nut, sitting next to him, visibly relaxes. His leg stops bouncing.
And for a moment, the room just feels easy again. The kind of ease that only comes after honesty.
William throws an arm around both of them. “Just no fighting during choreo, or I’m kicking both of you out.”
Lego:
“Or at least make it sexy fighting. You owe us drama now.”
Everyone laughs. Even Tui smirks on his way out.
And for the first time in a while, everything feels okay.
Better than okay.
It feels like a beginning.
Scene: Midday – Kitchen, Sunlight Pouring In
The apartment kitchen is full of late morning light. The window's open, letting in the faint hum of traffic and the scent of something blooming nearby. Lego, Tui, and William are gathered around the table, half-eating, half-chatting — the usual lull in the middle of a day where nothing urgent is scheduled.
Nut and Hong are nowhere to be seen — probably still holed up in one of the rooms, doing whatever new couples do. And that, apparently, is the topic of conversation.
Lego is slicing an apple, not very well.
William leans against the table, sipping coffee.
Tui is sitting on the stool like he's only here until gravity releases him.
Lego:
(grinning as he pops an apple slice in his mouth)
"So... are we all just going to keep pretending those two don't need a night alone?"
William:
(smirking slightly)
"They've been dancing around each other for weeks. They finally make it official, and now they're walking on eggshells around us."
Lego:
"Exactly! It's awkward. I feel like I'm third-wheeling in my own house."
Tui:
(without looking up from his phone)
"Technically, you always are."
Lego:
"Rude. But okay."
William:
(thoughtfully, then nods to himself)
"Okay, I'll go to Est's tonight. I was going to ask him to stay over anyway."
Lego:
(perks up)
"I'll go to Diamond's. He wants to try that night market thing with the giant takoyaki."
Tui:
(still not looking up)
"I'll be out."
Lego:
"Out where?"
Tui:
"Don't worry about it."
There's a beat of silence. William and Lego glance at each other.
Lego:
"He says that like he's in the mafia."
William:
"Don't poke the mystery."
They all fell quiet for a moment, the sunlight warm on their arms, the apple now half gone.
Lego:
(grinning again)
"They're going to freak out when they realize we all left them here alone on purpose."
William:
"I give them half an hour before something dramatic happens. Or romantic. Or both."
Tui:
(getting up, finally)
"They deserve it. Just... tell them we forgot to tell them, or something."
Lego:
"Aw, Tui, that's kind of sweet."
Tui:
"I'm not sweet. I'm efficient."
He walks off before they can tease him more.
William and Lego exchange another look. There's affection there — not just for each other, but for Nut and Hong.
William:
"Let's not say anything. Just... vanish later."
Lego:
"Like well-dressed ghosts of love."
They both laugh quietly, and the plan — quiet, kind, and full of intention — is set.
And somewhere down the hall, unaware, Nut and Hong continue being slow, cautious, tender.
Tonight, there will be space for something new to breathe.