It was past 11 PM.
The company was silent now, the corridors empty except for the soft echo of Aiden's footsteps. He packed his sketch tablet with drooping eyes, rubbing at his face sleepily.
Just as he was about to step toward the exit, a voice called behind him.
"Wait."
Aiden turned and blinked at Sion, who had removed his blazer and was rolling his sleeves halfway.
"You'll miss the last train. It already left." His tone was calm but firm. "Let me drop you off."
Aiden opened his mouth to protest, but all that came out was a muffled yawn.
"…Okay," he mumbled.
He was too tired to argue. He followed Sion like a sleepy kitten, barely aware of his surroundings, only vaguely aware of the low hum of city lights outside.
They entered the car, and Aiden clumsily stumbled—right into Sion's back.
Sion turned and frowned lightly. "Two people can't sit on the same side, Aiden."
Flushed with embarrassment, Aiden quickly moved to the opposite seat, settling in as the car began to glide through the late-night roads.
But the silence wasn't empty.
Sion was watching him.
Not unkindly.
Not intensely.
Just… observing.
Aiden glanced at him once, then twice, then gave up and kept his eyes on the CEO's face, too tired to hide it anymore. His mind was soft with sleep and blurred edges, but something about Sion's presence made him stay awake just a bit longer.
It had been thirty minutes since they left the company.
Sion finally broke the silence.
"You won't give me your address?"
Aiden blinked. "…Oh."
Right.
He had never told him where he lived. He was too used to not being asked.
He quickly gave the location, then fell into quiet again, resting his head gently against the window. The streetlights rolled by like slow-moving stars. It was already 1 AM.
When the car finally stopped, Aiden stirred. "This is it…"
He reached for the handle, but before he could step out, Sion's hand caught his wrist.
"…If you don't mind," Sion said, voice lower now, softer with exhaustion, "can I crash at your place tonight?"
Aiden looked at him, wide-eyed.
Sion didn't seem like himself anymore—he looked tired, utterly human. Not the cold CEO. Just a man who'd worked too much and didn't want to drive alone through a sleeping city.
Aiden hesitated for only a moment.
"…Okay."
They went upstairs together. The elevator groaned quietly on the way up. Neither of them spoke.
As Aiden unlocked the door, he barely had time to step inside when—
"Miso!"
The kitten flew at him like a small furry missile, pouncing on his chest.
Aiden staggered backwards, eyes wide—
And Sion caught him.
Aiden blinked up at him, arms instinctively clinging to Sion's shirt. Sion's hand was steady on his back.
Miso was perched smugly between them, clearly pleased with his chaos.
"…He really likes you," Sion murmured, lips quirking slightly.
Aiden flushed. "He's… clingy."
Sion helped him stand properly again before stepping inside the condo. "You both are."
"…Huh?"
"Clingy."
"I'm not clingy!" Aiden pouted. "I'm just—polite."
Sion arched a brow. "Polite people don't stare at their bosses for thirty minutes without blinking."
"You noticed that?!"
"Of course I did. You weren't exactly subtle."
Aiden turned bright red, grabbing Miso in both arms like a fluffy shield. "I was just zoning out…"
Sion laughed—softly. The kind of laugh that was real, not the public one he wore at press conferences.
It made Aiden freeze.
He hadn't heard that laugh since…
—No. It was just a coincidence. Just his imagination.
They moved into the small living room. Aiden gave Sion a clean towel and a loose tee, something he'd never imagined offering his CEO in his wildest dreams.
Sion took it and changed in the bathroom. When he came out, Aiden nearly dropped Miso again.
The shirt was slightly tight across his chest. His hair was damp. He looked… out of place. Soft. Real.
Sion raised a brow. "Are you staring again?"
"No! I—I'm just checking if you… need water."
"I'll take coffee instead."
"It's one in the morning."
"Then I'll take you."
Aiden choked. "W-What?!"
Sion blinked. "To the kitchen."
"…Oh."
Aiden turned, grumbling, ears red. "Stop being confusing."
But Sion just smiled again—tired but amused—as he followed Aiden to the kitchen like they'd done this a hundred times before.
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