---
Ken sighed for the tenth time that night.
Arashi was heavier than he remembered—maybe because of all the muscle or maybe because he was leaning on him with zero shame.
"Left leg. Walk with your left leg, not against mine," Ken grumbled, trying to keep them upright.
Arashi let out a lazy chuckle. "Chill, I'm walking."
"You're stumbling."
They finally made it out of the party and into the cool night air. Ken managed to wrestle the keys from Arashi's pocket and unlocked the black SUV parked out front.
He opened the back door.
"Get in."
Arashi leaned against the frame and smirked, swaying. "Bossy as ever."
"Or would you rather I dump you on the pavement?"
Arashi raised an eyebrow. "Tempting."
Ken rolled his eyes and grabbed his arm, tugging him down. Arashi sank into the backseat with a satisfied groan and stretched out, resting one hand behind his head.
Ken shut the door, circled to the driver's side, and climbed in. He adjusted the mirror, clicked on the seatbelt, and didn't start the engine right away.
The silence in the car was thick.
Outside, the lights from the mansion flickered softly. Inside, the air was warm with unspoken things.
"…You look different," Arashi murmured.
Ken blinked, startled by the tone. Not teasing. Not mocking. Just… honest.
"You too," Ken replied, eyes on the steering wheel. "Less reckless. More expensive."
Arashi chuckled lowly. "You look taller."
"You sound surprised."
"You were a shrimp."
"And you were an idiot."
"Still am."
Ken cracked a reluctant smile.
Another long pause. Arashi shifted slightly in the backseat, the leather creaking beneath him.
"Why didn't you ever call?" he asked quietly.
Ken's grip on the wheel tightened.
"I didn't think you'd want me to."
Arashi looked at the ceiling. "You were annoying, but not forgettable."
Ken's heart skipped.
"…Did you miss me?"
The question came so suddenly, so casually, that Ken didn't know how to answer. He turned in his seat slightly, and their eyes met in the rearview mirror.
"…No," he said.
But his voice betrayed him. Too soft. Too uncertain.
Arashi smirked. "Liar."
Ken turned back and started the engine.
"Shut up."
---
Back at Ken's apartment
Arashi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes flicking around the room.
It was clean. Organized. Full of plants and warm colors. Everything Ken.
"Nice place," Arashi muttered.
"You're staying on the couch," Ken declared.
"I figured."
Ken threw a pillow at him. "And no smoking inside."
"Killjoy."
Ken grabbed water and painkillers from the kitchen and handed them over without a word. Arashi took them, quietly watching him.
"…Thanks," he said.
Ken paused, then nodded.
He turned to head to his room, but Arashi's voice stopped him again.
"Ken."
Ken glanced back.
"…It's good to see you again."
Ken stood there, caught in place for a moment. Then he turned away, quietly closing the door behind him.
His chest was tight.
And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop smile