Asher’s POV Some people believed strength meant never getting tired.
Never asking for help.
Never showing weakness.
I used to believe that too.
Growing up in an orphanage taught me one thing— No one was coming to save you.
If you wanted something…
You worked until your hands bled.
If you were hungry…
You waited until tomorrow.
If you were lonely…
You learned to live with it.
It was easier that way.
At least…
That’s what I thought.
Until I met Kael Rowan.
Now, every time I left the dorm…
It felt like I was leaving something important behind.
The shrill ringing of an alarm broke the silence.
5:30 a.m.
Long before the rest of the campus had woken up.
Asher quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to make a sound.
He grabbed his work apron from the back of his chair and slipped into a dark charcoal hoodie over a white T-shirt.
His shoes barely made a sound against the wooden floor.
Just as he reached the door— “…Asher?” The sleepy whisper stopped him.
He turned around.
Kael was sitting up in bed.
His hair stuck out in every direction, his oversized cream sweater hanging loosely off one shoulder.
His eyes were still heavy with sleep.
“You…
you’re leaving already?” Asher smiled gently.
“I’ve got an early shift.” Kael glanced at the clock.
“…It’s still dark.” “Yeah.” “…When did you wake up?” “As soon as the alarm rang.” Kael frowned.
“…You slept late.” “I’ll survive.” Kael looked as though he wanted to argue.
Instead, he quietly climbed out of bed.
His bare feet padded softly across the room.
“Asher?” “Hm?” “…Wait here.” Before Asher could ask why, Kael disappeared into the tiny dorm kitchenette.
A minute later…
He returned holding a small paper cup.
Steam rose gently into the cool morning air.
“I…” Kael looked away shyly.
“…I made hot chocolate.” “It isn’t very good…” “…But maybe…” “…It’ll help.” For a moment…
Asher simply stared.
No one had ever done something like that for him before.
Not because they had to.
Just…
Because they wanted to.
He accepted the cup carefully.
The warmth seeped into his cold hands.
“Thank you.” Kael smiled.
A small one.
“But a real one.” “Come back safely.” The words were so ordinary.
Yet…
They echoed in Asher’s heart long after he left the dorm.
The city was only beginning to wake.
Streetlights still glowed against the pale blue sky.
Asher worked at a quiet café just outside the university.
The owner, Mrs.
Han, greeted him with a smile.
“Morning.” “Morning.” “You look tired.” “I’ll live.” “You always say that.” She shook her head before handing him an apron.
“One day, someone is going to make you slow down.” Asher smiled faintly.
“…Maybe.” Without realizing it…
The first person who came to mind…
Was Kael.
Hours passed.
Orders came and went.
Coffee.
Tea.
Pastries.
Smiles.
Polite conversations.
But every time the bell above the café door chimed…
A tiny part of Asher looked up.
As if expecting to see a small boy with soft brown hair walk inside.
He chuckled to himself.
“He’s probably in class…” Back on campus…
Kael couldn’t concentrate.
Professor Lewis was explaining symbolism in modern literature.
The words blurred together.
He glanced toward the empty seat beside him.
Asher wouldn’t arrive until after his shift.
Kael found himself looking at the door every few minutes.
Liam noticed immediately.
“…He’s looking again.” Noah sighed.
“For Asher.” “I know.” “He looks like a puppy waiting for its owner.” Kael’s ears turned pink.
“I-I do not.” “You’ve looked at the door eight times.” “…Have I?” “Nine.” Kael quietly buried his face behind his notebook.
When lunchtime arrived…
Kael quietly packed away the lunchbox he had prepared.
There were two sandwiches inside.
One for him.
One…
For Asher.
He had woken up earlier than usual to make them.
He wasn’t even sure why.
He simply wanted Asher to eat something homemade.
By the time Asher returned to campus, the afternoon sun hung low in the sky.
He looked exhausted.
Dark circles had begun forming beneath his eyes.
Kael spotted him from across the courtyard.
Without thinking…
He stood.
His feet were already moving before his mind caught up.
“Asher!” The taller boy turned.
His tired expression immediately softened.
“Rabbit.” Kael stopped in front of him.
“…Did…” “…Did you eat?” Asher hesitated.
“I was busy.” “So…” “…No.” Kael frowned.
He opened his backpack.
Pulled out the neatly wrapped sandwich.
“…Here.” “I made it.” “…For you.” Asher looked at the sandwich.
Then at Kael.
His chest tightened.
“You made this?” Kael nodded.
“…I thought…” “…You might forget to eat.” For several seconds…
Asher couldn’t speak.
He accepted it carefully.
“Thank you.” He took a bite.
The bread was slightly uneven.
The lettuce stuck out from one side.
There was probably too much mayonnaise.
Objectively…
It wasn’t perfect.
But to Asher…
It tasted better than anything he’d eaten in years.
“It’s good.” Kael’s eyes brightened.
“…Really?” “The best lunch I’ve had.” Kael smiled so brightly that Asher almost forgot how tired he was.
The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing decorations for the Welcome Festival.
Students climbed ladders, hung lanterns, and strung fairy lights across the central courtyard.
Kael stood on tiptoe, trying to hang a paper lantern from a low branch.
It was still just out of reach.
He stretched higher.
Higher…
Asher watched for a moment.
Then quietly walked over.
Without a word…
He stepped behind Kael and effortlessly reached the branch.
Their bodies were close enough that Kael could feel Asher’s warmth at his back.
“There.” The lantern swayed gently in the breeze.
Kael turned.
“…Thank you.” “You don’t have to do everything by yourself.” The words lingered.
Kael lowered his gaze.
“…Neither do you.” Asher blinked.
“What?” “…You always help everyone.” “…But…” “…Who helps you?” For the first time in a long while…
Asher didn’t have an answer.
That night…
The dorm lights had already been switched off.
The room lay quiet except for Liam’s soft snoring.
Asher sat at his desk, reviewing work schedules for the coming week.
A soft tap interrupted his thoughts.
He looked over.
Kael stood beside him.
Holding something behind his back.
“…What is it?” Kael hesitated.
Then slowly held out a tiny packet.
A packet of strawberry candies.
“…You looked tired today.” “…So…” “…I bought these.” “…I heard sugar helps.” Asher stared at the candies.
Then laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because no one had ever cared enough to notice he looked tired.
He reached out…
And gently rested his large hand on top of Kael’s head.
“…Thank you, Rabbit.” Kael instinctively leaned into the touch for just a second.
Just one.
Before realizing what he was doing.
He immediately stepped back.
His face burned crimson.
“…G-Good night!” He practically ran to his bed and hid under the blanket.
Across the room…
Asher looked at the little packet of strawberry candies in his hand.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
For the first time in years…
The future didn’t seem so lonely.
Because somewhere between shared lunches…
Warm hot chocolate…
And tiny packets of candy…
Someone had quietly become his home.