The moment Win stepped inside Charlotte's apartment, the room seemed smaller and heavier. King sat quietly on the couch, curled into the throw blanket, eyes low, hands clasped tightly in his lap like he was holding himself together.
Win took a few slow steps forward, stopping a short distance away. His voice was low and careful.
"Hey…"
King didn't move.
Win stepped closer. "I know you're mad. You should be. I'm not proud of what I said."
King still didn't say anything.
Win lowered himself to the armrest, keeping his distance. His voice dropped, rougher. I didn't come here to excuse myself. I came because I couldn't stand knowing I hurt you.
King shifted slightly, eyes still averted.
I should've believed you. I should've known better. But instead, I went off, made you feel small, like you weren't worth being heard. I hate that I did that.
Finally, King looked at him. His eyes were red but dry. He spoke slowly. You didn't just make me feel small. You made me feel like I was nothing. Like I was disgusting.
Win's jaw clenched. He looked down at the floor. You're not any of those things.
King shook his head. Every time I try to get better, every time I smile... You look at me like I don't have the right.
"That's not true," Win said quickly. "It's not. I just get scared. I don't know how to protect you without crossing the line.
"By humiliating me?"
"No." Win stood, took a careful step forward. By reacting like a fool.
Silence.
Then King looked down. I don't want to go to therapy.
Win nodded. Alright. You don't have to. If you don't want to.
Another beat passed.
"I'm not flirty," King muttered.
Win let out a quiet breath. I never thought you were. That was me being stupid.
King looked at him again. After a pause, he added, voice cracking, but it hurt. What you said.
Win stepped closer. "I'm sorry. Deeply. Genuinely. I wish I could take those words back."
King exhaled, shaky. Then, like a kid needing reassurance, he leaned slightly against Win's chest. "Don't talk to me like that again. Don't make me feel this way ever again."
Win slowly nodded, resting a hand gently on King's shoulder. "I promise. Never again."
They sat in silence for a while longer, the tension slowly lifting.
Charlotte stepped back into the room, arms crossed. Win stood immediately.
He stepped forward. I need to say this to you, too. I treated your friend like trash. I have no excuse. Just... I'm truly sorry.
Mike, behind Win, chimed in, "We both owe you. Honestly."
Charlotte narrowed her eyes, then looked at King, who nodded slightly.
"I don't care about your apology," Charlotte said. But for his sake… She glanced at King again. I'm letting it go. Don't give me a reason to regret it.
Win dipped his head. "Thank you."
Charlotte looked away, muttering, "Whatever."
Mike chuckled and stepped toward the door. "I'll order a taxi, pick up my car."
Win looked at King, hand half-extended. "Ready?"
King hesitated, then reached for it, just briefly, brushing his fingers against Win's before letting them drop.
And together, they stepped outside.
Charlotte stood on the curb, watching silently as the car waited beside her. The night had settled, but her heart was still burning with protectiveness.
Win opened the car door for King, stepping aside without a word. But before King could slide in, he turned and ran back to Charlotte, wrapping her in a sudden, tight hug.
"Thank you," he whispered, voice thick.
Charlotte held him just as tightly, her hand cupping the back of his head. Then she gently pulled away, looking straight into his eyes.
I know we're not related by blood, King, she said, steady and sure, but you're one of the most important people in my life. And I'll never stand by and let anyone hurt you. Do you hear me?
King nodded, eyes glassy. I know. Thank you.
Charlotte smiled, but it faded fast. "Call me. If anything goes wrong. I still don't trust him."
He let out a soft laugh and stepped back.
I mean it, she called again as he walked toward the car. Don't just laugh. Call me.
King lifted a hand in a little "okay" sign before slipping into the seat. Win shut the door behind him.
Win turned, as if about to say something to Charlotte, but she didn't spare him a glance. She turned sharply and walked away without a word, like he didn't exist.
Win exhaled, muttered a low "Thanks" to Mike, and slipped into the driver's seat. Just as Mike's ride arrived, the two men parted ways for the night.
In the Car
The city blurred past as they drove home. King had dozed off, his breathing slow and steady, head leaning gently on the window.
Win's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, brow furrowing. A business contact.
He tapped to answer. Yeah. Right now?
A pause. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Fine. Book the earliest flight. I'll handle it."
He hung up and sighed.
An urgent business meeting, he needed to be out of town by morning. Three days, maybe more.
By the time they pulled up to the house, King was still asleep.
Win leaned over and gently shook his shoulder. "Hey," he said softly. "We're home."
King stirred, eyes fluttering open. "Mm…"
"Come on," Win whispered, helping him up.
Once inside, Win led him toward his bedroom, but King paused.
"I want to shower first."
"Okay. Just take your time."
Later That Night
Win was in his room, suitcase packed at the foot of the bed, laptop open as he finalized some emails. The quiet tap on his door made him look up.
"Come in," he called.
King stepped inside, the towel still around his neck. "You're going somewhere?"
Win nodded. Got a call in the car earlier. Business trip. Early flight. I'll be out for three days.
Win stood up and moved closer. "Do you need anything?"
King hesitated, fingers tightening on the towel. "I couldn't sleep." Thought I could stay in here with you tonight. He shifted awkwardly. But if you're busy.
"I'm not," Win said quickly. "Come lie down. I'll finish this in a second."
King climbed onto the bed, settling on the far side while Win wrapped up his work.
Win gently shut his laptop and turned off the bedside light. The room fell into a warm, quiet dimness.
He slid under the covers, his movement slow. King was already lying on his side, facing the wall, his breathing calm but not deep enough to be asleep.
Win hesitated for a moment before inching closer and gently wrapping an arm around King from behind. His chest pressed softly to King's back, his breath warm against the nape of his neck.
"I'm sorry," Win murmured, his voice low, almost a whisper. "For how I acted today. I shouldn't have said those things."
King tensed slightly. His heart thudded hard in his chest. The heat of Win's body behind him, his steady breath, the weight of his arm, it was too close.
"It's okay, Win," he said, but his voice came out shakier than intended.
Win pressed his forehead lightly against King's shoulder. If you're not mad at me… will you turn around and face me?
King's grip on the edge of the blanket tightened.
"I want to sleep like this."
But that wasn't the truth.
The truth was… if he turned around, Win would see everything.
The softness of his pyjamas left little to the imagination. The way Win's chest brushed against his back, the low rumble of his apology, the warmth of his voice, all of it had made King's body react without permission.
His skin was flushed. His breath was uneven.
Win didn't move. He simply held him closer.
King bit down on his lower lip, trying to calm the ache stirring low in his stomach. But the more Win shifted to get comfortable, the more friction there was.
And the harder it became to hide.
King's body was practically pleading, but his mind was spinning.
Not now. Don't ruin this.
Still, Win's grip tightened slightly, his thumb brushing softly across King's knuckles.
And though his heart screamed to lean back, to melt into the touch, he forced himself still.
The arousal wouldn't go away.
But neither would the guilt or the confusion.
So they stayed that way, entangled, quiet, a storm brewing in silence two bodies closer than they'd ever dared to admit, with hearts that had no idea how to ask for more.