Han didn't rush to finish his food, his gaze drifting to the plastic cage on the nearby shelf. Inside, Melon was sprawled flat in a small burrow it had made from the wood shavings, while Peach curled up in a cozy ball inside a miniature hamster house.
"They're adorable," Han remarked, his voice calm but genuinely curious. "How long have you had them?"
"Six months," Jet answered, glancing toward the cage. "They were so tiny when I got them. Now they've gotten bigger—and, well, louder."
Han let out a low chuckle, his eyes never leaving the cage. "I'm jealous that they're so lucky to have you." He took another bite, his tone light but with a hint of sincerity.
Jet froze for a moment, his chest tightening at the unexpected compliment. His thoughts scrambled as he fought the flush creeping up his neck. 'Why does he have to sound like that?'
He turned abruptly, muttering, "I'll grab some water," and disappeared into the kitchen. His hands gripped the counter as he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. 'How am I supposed to act normal when he says things like that?'
Han smirked, catching the faint pink hue on Jet's face before he fled. 'So… maybe you do remember me after all,' he mused, a knowing glint in his eyes as he continued to eat.
Jet took his time in the kitchen, sipping his water longer than necessary as he collected himself. His heart still beat faster than he liked, the casual way Han spoke rattled him far more than it should have.
When he returned, he found Han leaned back on the sofa, his focus still on the hamsters. Melon had shuffled out and was surprised by the guest while Peach stretched lazily before nibbling on a sunflower seed, unfazed by Han.
"Back already?" Han asked without looking up, his voice easy but teasing.
Jet raised an eyebrow. "What, were you expecting me to hide in the kitchen all afternoon?"
Han turned to him with a soft laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not all afternoon. Just long enough to calm down."
Jet froze mid-step, his confidence wavering for a split second. "I—calm down? About what?" he shot back, trying to keep his voice steady.
Han tilted his head, his expression unreadable but calm. "You tell me."
Jet opened his mouth to reply but quickly decided against it. Instead, he walked past Han and plopped down next to him on the sofa. "You're a lot more talkative than I expected," Jet muttered, reaching for the remote.
Han shrugged, his smirk barely hidden. "You bring that out in me."
Jet flipped on the TV, desperate to focus on anything else. The screen flickered to life, showing a random cooking show. He relaxed slightly, leaning back as he sipped his water, but his mind kept drifting back to the Alpha sitting next to him just a few centimetres away.
"So," Han said, breaking the silence, "you're good with a blade, and you're good with animals. What else are you hiding, Jet Lev?"
Jet glanced at him, unsure if Han was genuinely curious or just messing with him. "Why? Planning to write my biography?" he quipped.
"Maybe," Han replied, his tone playful but his gaze steady. "Or maybe I'm just trying to understand you."
Jet's throat went dry. He looked away quickly, pretending to focus on the TV. 'This man is going to be the death of me.'
Jet took a long sip of water, hoping it would cool the heat creeping up his neck. He wasn't sure how he could survive another hour with Han's intense, all-knowing gaze fixed on him.
He placed the glass down with a soft clink and took a breath before walking back into the living room. Han's attention was still on the hamsters, one corner of his mouth curved in an amused smile as Melon rolled lazily in the wood shavings.
"They're lively," Han said without looking up. "Peach seems more reserved, though."
Jet blinked, caught off guard. "You can tell them apart that quickly?"
Han finally turned to him, his dark eyes gleaming with quiet humor. "Observing is part of my job. Besides," he added, "Melon rolls around like she owns the place. Peach is clearly the thinker."
Jet laughed softly, easing some of his tension. "You've got them figured out already. Guess I don't need to introduce them."
Han leaned back, his sharp features softening just slightly. "You could say the same about people. Some make their intentions clear; others take time to understand."
Jet felt his pulse quicken at the shift in Han's tone. Was he just making conversation, or was there more to it? Jet cleared his throat, trying to refocus.
"I guess that's true," Jet said. "But sometimes, figuring people out isn't as easy as it is with hamsters. People hide things."
Han's gaze sharpened, almost imperceptibly, as if Jet had hit a nerve. "Some do," he said, his voice lower. "But sometimes, hiding isn't a choice—it's survival."
Jet swallowed hard, caught in the weight of Han's words. He wanted to ask what he meant but didn't know how without overstepping.
Instead, he forced a lighter tone. "Well, I'm glad Melon and Peach don't have those kinds of secrets. They just eat, sleep, and get spoiled."
Han's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Sounds like a good life."
For a moment, the room fell into a comfortable silence, the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the soft rustle of Melon's movements filling the space.
Finally, Han broke the stillness. "Jet."
The way his name rolled off Han's tongue made Jet's stomach flip. "Yeah?"
Han held his gaze, the teasing humour from earlier replaced by something deeper. "Why did you invite me here? Really."
Jet hesitated, feeling as though the air had thickened between them. How could he possibly explain the pull he felt toward Han, or the unspoken recognition he couldn't shake?
"I just… wanted to know you better," Jet said finally, his voice quieter than he intended. "You seem like someone worth knowing."
Han didn't reply immediately, but his expression softened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "Fair enough," he said, leaning forward slightly. "Then what do you want to know?"