Asher’s POV The Distance Between Us There were certain things about Kael that I had begun to recognize without him saying a word.
I knew when he was tired by the way his shoulders drooped.
I knew when he was nervous because his fingers would find the hem of his shirt and begin twisting the fabric.
I knew when he was embarrassed because the tips of his ears turned pink before the rest of his face followed.
And when he was frightened…
He became quiet.
Not his usual quiet.
This was different.
His eyes would lose their brightness, his body would become smaller somehow, and he would retreat into himself as though disappearing might make whatever frightened him disappear too.
I’d seen that version of him before.
Too many times.
But lately, there had been something else.
Distance.
And I hated it.
— I woke before my alarm.
The dormitory was still dark, the curtains barely illuminated by the pale light beginning to creep through the windows.
For a moment, I didn’t move.
Then I turned my head.
Kael was asleep.
He had somehow managed to kick half of his blanket onto the floor during the night.
Again.
I sighed quietly.
“How does someone so small manage to take up so much space?” I got out of bed and picked up the blanket.
I was about to cover him when he stirred.
His nose scrunched slightly.
His eyebrows knitted together.
Then his eyes opened.
For a few seconds, he stared at me sleepily.
“…Asher?” “Go back to sleep.” He blinked.
“What are you doing?” “Saving you from freezing.” I pulled the blanket over him.
Kael’s eyes followed me.
Then came that tiny smile.
“…Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” I turned away.
I had barely taken two steps when I heard him whisper— “Good morning.” I stopped.
I looked over my shoulder.
He was already closing his eyes again.
A smile tugged at my lips.
“Good morning, Rabbit.” — By breakfast, the dorm was already loud.
Liam was arguing with Noah over the last piece of toast.
“You had three.” “And?” “You can’t eat four.” “Why not?” “Because it’s mine.” “You weren’t eating it.” “I was going to.” “You’ve been saying that for five minutes.” I walked past them.
“Just split it.” Both looked at me.
Liam pointed accusingly.
“You’re supposed to be on my side.” “I’m on the side of peace.” “Traitor.” I shook my head.
Then I noticed Kael.
He was sitting quietly at the table.
Normally, he would have been beside me.
Today, there was an empty chair between us.
It was such a small thing.
Barely noticeable.
But I noticed.
I always noticed when it came to him.
“Rabbit.” He looked up.
“Hm?” “Why are you sitting over there?” His fingers tightened around his spoon.
“I…” He glanced at the empty chair beside me.
Then quickly looked away.
“I just wanted to sit here.” I didn’t understand.
But I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of everyone.
“Okay.” I sat down.
Yet something about the distance bothered me.
— On the way to class, it became worse.
Kael usually walked beside me.
Today, he walked with Noah.
Not because Noah had done anything.
Kael simply seemed determined to keep a few steps between us.
I slowed down.
Kael slowed down.
I sped up.
So did he.
Finally, I stopped.
Kael almost walked straight into Noah.
Noah turned.
“What?” I looked at Kael.
“Come here.” Kael’s eyes widened.
“…Me?” “Yes.” He hesitated.
Then slowly walked over.
He stopped a little too far away.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you standing there?” “I’m fine here.” “You’re usually beside me.” Kael looked down.
“I…” He couldn’t finish.
I wanted to ask him what was wrong.
Instead, I simply started walking again.
This time…
I made sure to stay beside him.
I didn’t touch him.
I didn’t force him closer.
But I didn’t let him disappear either.
— The first lecture passed painfully slowly.
I tried to concentrate.
I really did.
But Kael’s behavior kept distracting me.
He barely spoke.
He didn’t turn around once.
He didn’t even look at me.
That last part bothered me more than it should have.
I had become accustomed to catching him staring.
Now I found myself wanting him to.
“What is happening to me?” I glanced toward him.
He was writing something.
His handwriting was small and neat.
A strand of brown hair had fallen over his forehead.
I watched him for a few seconds.
Then he suddenly looked up.
Our eyes met.
Kael immediately looked away.
His ears turned pink.
I almost smiled.
At least that was something.
— When class ended, students flooded into the hallway.
Kael packed his things quickly.
Too quickly.
He stood.
I reached for his notebook.
“You forgot this.” He stopped.
“…Oh.” I handed it to him.
Our fingers brushed.
Kael pulled his hand away almost immediately.
“Thanks.” He turned.
I caught his wrist gently.
He froze.
I released him almost as quickly.
“Wait.” He looked at me.
“Are you avoiding me?” His eyes widened.
“No.” “You are.” “I’m not.” “You haven’t looked at me properly all morning.” Kael’s gaze dropped.
“I’ve been looking at you.” “Not enough.” The words slipped out before I could think.
Kael stared at me.
I realized what I’d said.
“…Forget it.” I stepped back.
“Let’s go to lunch.” He nodded.
But he still looked troubled.
— The cafeteria was packed.
We found a table near the windows.
Liam and Noah sat opposite us.
Kael sat beside me.
For a while, everything seemed normal.
Then I heard it.
A group of students at the next table were talking.
Not quietly enough.
“…That’s them.” “The two roommates?” “Yeah.” “They’re practically inseparable.” Someone laughed.
“I swear the little one follows him everywhere.” Another voice said, “Maybe they’re actually together.” Kael’s hand stopped.
His fork hovered above his plate.
I looked at him.
His face had gone pale.
“Kael?” “I’m fine.” He put the fork down.
One of the students laughed again.
“Look at him.
He’s blushing.” Kael’s shoulders curled inward.
I felt something unpleasant twist inside me.
I turned toward the other table.
“Is there a problem?” The laughter stopped.
The student looked at me.
“No.” “Then eat your lunch.” The student quickly looked away.
Liam cleared his throat.
“Okay…” Noah quietly continued eating.
Kael didn’t.
“Rabbit.” “I’m not hungry.” “You haven’t eaten.” “I said I’m not hungry.” He stood.
“I’m going back to the dorm.” “Kael.” “I’m tired.” He left before I could stop him.
I watched him disappear through the cafeteria doors.
Something was seriously wrong.
— I found him later in the library.
He was sitting alone in the corner.
A book lay open in front of him.
He wasn’t reading.
I pulled out the chair opposite him.
“You’re terrible at pretending.” He looked up.
“…What?” “You’re not reading.” He glanced down.
“…I am.” “Your book has been on the same page for fifteen minutes.” He slowly closed it.
“Okay.” I leaned forward.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” “Nothing.” “Kael.” He looked away.
“I just…” His fingers began twisting the edge of his sleeve.
I waited.
Finally, he whispered, “Do people say things about you because you’re always with me?” My expression hardened.
“So that’s what this is about.” He didn’t answer.
“What did they say?” “It doesn’t matter.” “It matters to me.” Kael swallowed.
“They said…” His face turned pink.
“…that we’re together.” I stared at him.
“And?” He looked at me in surprise.
“And?” “Yes.” He looked down again.
“They’ll think you’re…” He couldn’t finish.
“That I’m what?” “…Different.” I understood.
“They’ll say bad things about you.” “I don’t care.” “But I do!” His voice cracked.
He immediately lowered it.
“I’m sorry.” I stared at him.
“You don’t have to apologize.” “I just don’t want you getting hurt.” “Because of you?” He nodded.
I leaned back.
For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.
Then I quietly asked, “Do you think being around you is hurting me?” His eyes filled with uncertainty.
“I don’t know.” I shook my head.
“Then let me decide that.” Kael looked up.
“I choose to be around you.” Silence.
“I choose to eat lunch with you.” His lips parted slightly.
“I choose to walk with you.” I leaned forward.
“And I choose to come back to that dorm every night.” Kael’s eyes became glassy.
“You don’t have to protect me from something I never asked you to avoid.” A tear slipped down his cheek.
He quickly wiped it away.
“I’m sorry.” I reached across the table.
I didn’t touch him.
I simply left my hand there.
After a moment…
His small fingers moved toward mine.
They stopped just before touching.
Then slowly…
He placed his hand in mine.
His fingers were warm.
I closed my hand gently around them.
“You aren’t a burden.” Kael looked at me.
“You’ve never been one.” His lips trembled.
“…Really?” “Really.” He smiled.
It was tiny.
But it was genuine.
And somehow…
That little smile made everything inside me feel lighter.
— We stayed in the library for almost an hour.
We didn’t study.
We talked.
About stupid things.
Favorite foods.
Places we’d like to visit.
Music.
Movies.
Childhood memories.
Kael told me he liked quiet places.
I told him I’d figured that out.
He told me he hated being shouted at.
I didn’t ask why.
I already knew enough.
Then he asked me something.
“What do you like?” I thought for a moment.
“Coffee.” He smiled.
“I know.” “How?” “You always smell like coffee when you come back from work.” I laughed.
“You’ve noticed?” He nodded.
“I notice a lot of things about you.” The words caught me off guard.
I looked at him.
He immediately realized what he’d said.
His cheeks turned pink.
“I-I didn’t mean…” “I know.” But I was smiling.
Because I liked the idea that he noticed me.
More than I should have.
— That evening, I had another shift.
Before leaving, I stood near the dorm door.
Kael was sitting on his bed.
I looked at him.
“I’ll be back late.” He nodded.
“…Okay.” I waited.
Normally, he would say something.
Be careful.
Eat dinner.
Come back safely.
Tonight…
Nothing.
I felt strangely disappointed.
Then Kael suddenly stood.
“Asher.” I turned.
He hesitated.
“…Be careful.” My chest warmed.
“I will.” “And…” He looked down.
“…Don’t skip dinner.” I smiled.
“I won’t.” He nodded.
“Okay.” I left.
— Work was exhausting.
The café was packed.
By eight, my feet hurt.
By nine, I was barely thinking straight.
But every time I looked at the clock…
I thought about him.
At ten-thirty, I finally finished.
I grabbed my bag.
Mrs.
Han looked at me.
“Go.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” “You have somewhere to be.” I didn’t answer.
Because she was right.
— When I finally reached the dorm…
It was nearly midnight.
I unlocked the door.
The room was dark.
For a moment, I thought everyone was asleep.
Then I noticed a small figure sitting on the edge of a bed.
Kael.
He was wearing an oversized grey sweatshirt.
His hair was messy.
His eyes looked sleepy.
But he was awake.
The moment he saw me…
His entire face changed.
His eyes brightened.
“You came back.” The words were so soft…
I almost didn’t hear them.
I put my bag down.
“Of course I did.” Kael looked at the clock.
“It’s late.” “I know.” “You must be tired.” “I am.” He stood.
Then walked toward me.
He stopped in front of me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then his fingers reached out.
They gently caught the sleeve of my hoodie.
Just like before.
I looked down.
He didn’t let go.
“…Rabbit.” “Hm?” “Were you waiting for me?” He hesitated.
Then nodded.
“…Yes.” Something inside me softened.
“You shouldn’t stay awake waiting.” “I know.” “Then why did you?” Kael looked down.
“…Because I missed you.” My heart stopped.
He seemed to realize what he’d said.
His face immediately turned crimson.
“I-I mean…” “I know what you meant.” He tried to pull his hand away.
I caught his wrist gently.
“Don’t.” He looked up.
I released his wrist and instead held his hand.
“You can miss me.” Kael stared at our hands.
“…Really?” “Really.” A tiny smile appeared.
Then, without warning…
He leaned forward.
Not enough to hug me.
Just enough for his forehead to rest against my chest.
I froze.
Kael seemed to realize what he’d done.
But instead of moving away…
He stayed.
I slowly raised my hand.
Rested it against the back of his head.
And gently stroked his hair.
His body relaxed beneath my touch.
Neither of us spoke.
We didn’t need to.
For a few quiet seconds…
The whole world seemed to disappear.
There was only him.
And me.
And the strange, peaceful feeling that came whenever he was close.
— Eventually, Kael pulled away.
His cheeks were pink.
“…Good night.” “Good night, Rabbit.” He took two steps.
Then stopped.
Turned back.
“…Asher?” “Yeah?” “…I’m glad you’re here.” I smiled.
“Me too.” He disappeared beneath his blanket.
I watched him for a moment before turning toward my own bed.
But before I could lie down…
I heard his sleepy voice from across the room.
“Asher?” “Hm?” “…Don’t leave tomorrow without telling me.” I stared into the darkness.
Something about the request struck deeper than it should have.
“I won’t.” Silence.
Then— “Okay.” His breathing slowly became steady.
I lay down.
But sleep didn’t come immediately.
I stared at the ceiling.
Thinking about his hand in mine.
His forehead against my chest.
His quiet confession.
“I missed you.” I closed my eyes.
A smile appeared despite myself.
I was beginning to understand something terrifying.
Kael wasn’t simply someone I wanted to protect anymore.
He was becoming someone whose absence I could feel.
Someone whose smile could change my entire day.
Someone I looked for in every room.
Someone I wanted beside me when I came home.
And if that wasn’t dangerous enough…
I was beginning to suspect that I didn’t want it to stop.
— The next morning would be different.
Because someone had overheard the conversation we’d had in the library.
Someone who had been watching us for longer than either of us realized.
And by the end of the day…
The entire dynamic between Kael and me would begin to change.
Not because we wanted it to.
But because other people had started paying attention.
And once people started talking…
It would become much harder for Kael to pretend that being close to me didn’t matter to him.