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They ran into each other again at the supermarket.
It was promotion season. Zeal had come to pick up some cleaning supplies and maybe grab a bag or two of discounted chips. But when he wandered into the snack aisle, he spotted someone in the chocolate section—arms full of bars, carefully trying to tuck in one more like he was stacking a tower that might collapse any second.
Zeal recognized him instantly.
He wasn’t dressed as primly today: just a yellow T-shirt with a cartoon monkey on it. He was so tall that he had to squat awkwardly to reach the lower shelf. It was clumsy, in an almost endearing way.
The guy didn’t notice him at all—too focused on comparing prices like he was solving a math problem.
Zeal casually crinkled the packaging in his hand. The sound drew Kae’s attention.
Startled, Kaelix looked up. Their eyes met. Then he quickly looked down again, glancing at his shirt as if checking whether it was appropriate. That only made Zeal follow his gaze. When Kaelix realized what Zeal was looking at, he lifted a chocolate bar to cover the print on his shirt. His face turned red.
“Kaelix.” Zeal gave a small nod, as if that was enough for a greeting.
“…Mhm.”
Kaelix mumbled back. He seemed awkward, even a little embarrassed, and shifted his body slightly, turning away.
The next second, Zeal leaned in without a sound. His breath brushed against Kaelix’s ear, carrying a familiar scent, like a park after the rain.
“Why didn’t you say hi? Did you forget who I am?” His tone was chill, like he was genuinely amused.
Kaelix flinched, and two chocolate bars slipped from his arms, hitting the floor with soft thuds. He instinctively tried to catch them, but his hands were full. He stood frozen, lips pressed together.
“…Can you pick them up for me? Zeal.”
He said the name very seriously, head lowered, unwilling to meet Zeal’s gaze.
“Why’d you buy that much? Planning a party?”
Zeal bent down to help. The space between them shrank even more, forcing Kaelix nearly against the shelf. He clutched the chocolates tightly.
“Um… They’re on sale. I like chocolate. That’s all.”
He was taller, but somehow Zeal’s presence always felt heavier. Maybe it was the way he dressed. Or maybe it was just his confidence. If I had seen him first, I probably would’ve snuck away.
——These thoughts tumbled through his mind nonstop.
“So, no party?”
Zeal raised an eyebrow, took a few bars from Kaelix’s arms. When he got confirmation, he looked faintly disappointed.
“…If you want, you can come over to my place.”
The moment he said this, Kaelix’s ears went hot. He didn’t even know Zeal’s last name, and here he was inviting him home. But they went to the same school… That should count for something, right?
He was still busy justifying it to himself when Zeal turned away and headed to the self-checkout, saying nothing, neither agreeing nor declining. It wasn’t until they were walking down the street toward his house that Kaelix realized that silence meant yes.
Even as he opened the door, he was still thinking about whether anything was embarrassing in his room. The moment Zeal stepped in, the contrast between him and Kaelix’s world became stark.
Zeal looked around. Everything was neat. Except for the monkeys—plush toys everywhere. Different styles, but somehow all coordinated. Not a single duplicate.
With nowhere else to sit, Zeal casually lowered himself to the floor, crossing his legs beside the bed, resting against one of the bedposts. Kaelix didn’t react, so Zeal unwrapped a chocolate bar and started eating like he was at home.
“Do you want something to drink?”
Kaelix mimicked the tone he’d seen in TV dramas, trying to sound like a proper host.
Zeal tilted his head thoughtfully. “I doubt you’d have anything I like.”
Kaelix nodded, but honestly had no idea what that meant.
“Wait here!”
He darted into the kitchen and returned with two bottles of juice, handed one to Zeal, then sat down opposite him, hugging his knees. Awkwardly.
Zeal didn’t answer. He just chewed on his chocolate, eyes fixed on Kaelix. Once he finished, he looked around for a trash bin. Kaelix reached out to take the wrapper from him.
Zeal grabbed his wrist.
With a single pull, Kaelix stumbled forward, ending up kneeling in front of him. One hand braced on the floor to keep himself from falling into Zeal’s lap.
The distance was too close. Zeal’s gaze didn’t waver. Kaelix flushed red, mouth opening to speak—
“Where’s your neighbor?”
Zeal asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Kaelix tried to steady his breathing but couldn’t answer. Then he heard Zeal laugh quietly—and the kiss came.
It tasted like mint and chocolate. That was the first thing that popped into Kaelix’s mind, completely unfiltered. Zeal’s lips were warm and soft, enclosing his own like a gentle trap. He instinctively leaned in.
Zeal chuckled softly, his tongue brushing against Kaelix’s lower lip. That jolt of realization hit Kaelix too late. Heat surged through him. He didn’t pull away. Didn’t even open his eyes. His heart was beating out of control.
One hand was still braced on the floor. The other trembled in Zeal’s grasp. He felt like one of those pages he used to wrinkle while talking to Zeal for the first time—thin, vulnerable, curling at the edges.
Zeal deepened the kiss, his teeth grazing just enough to make Kaelix flinch. His mouth parted involuntarily, and Zeal took the chance to slide in, stealing the last of his breath. Kaelix tried to straighten up, but his arm gave way.
Just as he was about to pull back, Zeal’s hand pressed against the small of his back—not hard, but firm enough to keep him there.
“Don’t move.”
Zeal whispered against his lips, the gentleness of his voice completely at odds with the command.
Kaelix’s lashes trembled. He didn’t know how to resist—or obey. He just stayed, letting the kiss deepen.
This one was slower. Deeper.
He could feel Zeal’s breath seeping in through his lips, tracing his spine, settling at the base of his back. It sent a chill through him, one that made him burn.
Zeal’s tongue wrapped around his, no longer aggressive, just waiting. Kaelix’s mind was a blur. It felt like something coiling around him in the forest, cold and alive. He didn’t know how to react. He only knew he didn’t want it to stop.
“Have you… Kiss anyone like this?”
His voice was shaky, almost cracking.
Zeal finally pulled away a little, eyes still locked on his, pupils dilated and wild. He seemed to fight the urge to kiss him again.
“Never.”