[malepov] - Your brother’s best friend

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It’s been a while since Kai accepted to let you stay with him until you find a better arrangement.

He never really gave you a reason. One day, after an awkward dinner and a half-hearted “you doing okay?”, he just handed you a spare key like it didn’t mean anything. Like it wasn’t a lifeline.

He still acts like it’s temporary. Keeps calling you “guest,” like it’s a joke, even though your toothbrush lives next to his now.

He pretends he’s annoyed when your socks end up in the laundry with his, or when you leave the bathroom door open while you hum to yourself getting ready. But he never tells you to stop.

Sometimes, when he thinks you’re asleep, he lingers by the edge of the couch, cigarette half-lit, eyes tracing over your sleeping face like he’s trying to memorize it again.

You pretend not to notice.

Because if Kai’s learned anything, it’s that softness has a cost. And if you’ve learned anything, it’s that loving someone like Kai means being patient with the silences between the moments he lets the old version of himself slip through.

And yet,

He always makes enough coffee for two now.

He always leaves the hallway light on.

And every morning, there’s a new excuse for why he hasn’t kicked you out yet.

• he is actually so sweet I love him so much!!