Kael’s POV There were things I had started looking forward to every day.
The sound of Asher’s footsteps outside the dorm.
The way he always called me Rabbit.
The gentle hand that would ruffle my hair whenever he passed by.
The quiet “Good morning.” The soft “Welcome home.” None of those things were extraordinary.
But…
Somehow…
They had become the best part of my day.
— Morning arrived with the warm glow of sunlight spilling across Room 407.
Kael was already awake.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, absentmindedly hugging a pillow while watching the morning breeze move the curtains.
Across the room, Asher was buttoning the sleeves of a crisp white shirt beneath a dark navy cardigan.
Instead of his usual campus clothes, he looked a little more mature.
Kael blinked.
“…You look nice.” The words escaped before he could stop them.
The room fell silent.
Asher slowly turned.
“…Really?” Kael immediately realized what he’d said.
His face turned scarlet.
“I-I mean…” “…Your clothes…” “They…” “…They look nice.” Liam placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
“He complimented him.” Noah looked up from tying his shoes.
“We’re witnessing history.” Kael immediately hid behind his pillow.
“…Please stop talking.” Asher chuckled quietly.
“…Thank you, Rabbit.” That smile…
It stayed in Kael’s heart long after they left the dorm.
— The literature lecture was surprisingly lively.
Professor Lewis smiled as she entered the classroom.
“Today’s lesson is different.” Everyone immediately became suspicious.
“You’ll be interviewing your partners.” Groans echoed around the room.
Professor Lewis ignored them.
“You’ll ask questions about dreams, fears, ambitions…” “…and present your partner to the class.” Liam slowly turned toward Noah.
“I know absolutely nothing about you.” “You know I like tea.” “I thought that was common knowledge.” — Kael looked at Asher nervously.
“…Should…” “…Should we start?” Asher nodded.
“Ladies first.” Kael blinked.
“…I’m not a lady.” “I know.” “…I just wanted to see your reaction.” Kael puffed out his cheeks in mock annoyance.
“…You’re teasing me.” “…Maybe.” Asher smiled.
Kael looked away.
“He’s smiling again…” “Why does he keep smiling at me like that?” — Kael glanced at the question sheet.
What is your biggest dream?
He looked up.
“…What’s yours?” Asher grew quiet.
He leaned back in his chair.
“When I was younger…” “I wanted a family.” The classroom noise seemed to disappear.
“A place that actually felt like home.” He laughed softly.
“I thought I’d grow out of that dream.” “…But I haven’t.” Kael stared at him.
The answer sounded so simple.
Yet it carried years of loneliness.
“…You deserve one.” Kael whispered.
“So do you.” For a second…
Neither of them looked away.
Professor Lewis cleared her throat loudly.
“Ahem.” The entire class burst into laughter.
Both boys immediately looked down at their papers.
— After class…
Liam insisted everyone stop by the campus bakery.
“The cinnamon rolls are life-changing.” “You said that about dumplings yesterday.” “They were.” “And noodles.” “They were also life-changing.” Kael laughed quietly.
The bakery smelled of butter and sugar.
Glass display cases sparkled beneath warm lights.
Kael’s eyes wandered from one pastry to another.
Asher noticed.
“…Choose one.” “I…” “…No.” “You’ve been staring for two minutes.” “…They’re expensive.” Asher sighed.
“Rabbit.” “I’m buying.” “…No.” “I’m buying.” “…No.” “I’m buying.” Kael folded his arms stubbornly.
“…No.” Liam watched with great interest.
“I have never seen Kael argue this much.” Noah nodded.
“It’s strangely adorable.” Asher smiled.
“…Then let’s make a deal.” Kael looked up.
“You choose one.” “I’ll choose one.” “We share both.” Kael thought for a moment.
“…Okay.” He finally smiled.
— They chose a strawberry pastry and a chocolate croissant.
Outside, they sat beneath the old maple tree.
Kael carefully broke the strawberry pastry in half.
One piece was noticeably larger.
Without thinking…
He placed the larger piece onto Asher’s plate.
Asher looked at it.
“…Rabbit.” “Hm?” “Why did you give me the bigger piece?” Kael blinked.
“…Did I?” “…” “…I didn’t notice.” But he had.
He always made sure Asher had the bigger portion.
The better seat.
The warmer drink.
The first bite.
He simply never realized he was doing it.
Asher’s chest tightened.
“He’s always taking care of me…” — That afternoon…
The four roommates walked back toward the dorm.
A group of students passed by laughing loudly.
One of them accidentally bumped into Kael’s shoulder.
Kael stumbled backward.
Before he could lose his balance…
A familiar hand caught his wrist.
Strong.
Steady.
Warm.
Asher gently pulled him back.
“You okay?” Kael nodded.
“…Yeah.” The student looked back.
“Oh, sorry.” “It’s fine.” Asher answered before Kael could.
His tone remained calm.
But there was something in his eyes.
Protective.
The student quickly apologized again and hurried away.
Liam leaned toward Noah.
“…He looked like he was ready to throw hands.” Noah nodded.
“…For about three seconds.” — Evening settled over the campus.
The dorm lights glowed softly.
Asher had another late shift.
He grabbed his backpack.
“I’ll be back around eleven.” Kael nodded.
“…Be careful.” “I will.” “And…” Kael hesitated.
“…Eat dinner.” Asher smiled.
“…Yes, Rabbit.” The door closed.
Silence returned.
— Time passed painfully slowly.
Kael opened his novel.
Closed it.
Opened another.
Closed that one too.
Nothing held his attention.
Liam looked over from his game.
“…You’re doing it again.” Kael blinked.
“…Doing what?” “Waiting.” “I’m not.” “You’ve checked the clock seven times.” “…” “…Eight.” Kael sighed softly.
“…Maybe.” Liam set down his controller.
“You know…” “…You smile differently when Asher’s around.” Kael froze.
“…Do I?” “You do.” “…Your eyes get brighter.” Kael lowered his head.
“…I didn’t notice.” Liam smiled gently.
“I don’t think you were supposed to.” — It was nearly eleven-thirty when the dorm door finally opened.
Asher stepped inside looking utterly exhausted.
His hair was slightly messy from the wind.
Dark circles lingered beneath his eyes.
The moment Kael saw him…
The tiny pout he’d been wearing all evening disappeared.
He stood so quickly that his book slid onto the floor.
“…Welcome home.” Asher smiled immediately.
“…I’m home.” Kael walked closer.
“…Did…” “…Did you eat?” Asher rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
“…I forgot.” Kael sighed.
“…I knew it.” He quietly walked to his desk.
Opened a lunch container.
Inside…
Rice.
Grilled chicken.
Steamed vegetables.
“…I made extra.” Asher looked surprised.
“…For me?” Kael nodded.
“…I thought…” “…You might forget again.” Asher accepted it silently.
The warmth of the food spread through his hands.
But it wasn’t the food that made his chest feel full.
It was the realization…
Someone had thought about him hours before he’d even come home.
— After dinner…
Asher leaned back against his chair.
“…Rabbit.” “Hm?” “…Thank you.” Kael smiled shyly.
“…You’re welcome.” A comfortable silence settled between them.
Neither felt the need to fill it.
Outside…
The campus had gone quiet.
Inside Room 407…
Home no longer felt like a place.
It felt like a person.
And neither of them had realized…
That they had already become each other’s home.