The cab rattled through the snow-slick streets, headlights casting yellow streaks across the icy pavement. Inside, Noah sat quietly beside Ren, who had slumped against the car door, eyes closed, skin pale and burning. His breath came out shallow and uneven.
Noah kept glancing at him, annoyed, concerned, and a little unsure of what he was even doing.
What am I doing bringing a total stranger to my place? He could be weird... or worse.
But then, Noah looked at Ren's face again—flushed from the fever, lips trembling from the cold, unconscious and utterly vulnerable.
Tch. Yeah. Not that weird.
They arrived at Noah's apartment twenty minutes later. He lived alone in a compact but clean studio, walls lined with books and a half-played guitar resting by the bed. He paid the driver, then awkwardly hauled Ren up, one arm slung over his shoulder.
"Man, you're heavier than you look," he muttered.
Inside, he helped Ren to the futon and went to get a warm towel. He placed it gently on his forehead, then wrapped him in blankets. Ren stirred but didn't wake.
Noah sighed and pulled up a chair beside him, phone in hand. He looked through the contacts Ren had managed to access before passing out—nothing. The phone was still missing, after all. No ID, no wallet. Just his name: Ren.
"This is ridiculous," Noah mumbled.
He stood and headed into the small kitchen to boil some water. Moments later, a low voice from behind called out faintly.
"…Where am I?"
Noah turned. Ren had woken, eyes hazy but open, trying to sit up.
"Hey, don't move. You've got a fever."
Ren blinked. "You… again?"
Noah narrowed his eyes. "Yeah. Me again. The guy you thought stole your phone, remember?"
Ren winced, lowering his gaze. "Sorry… I was confused. I just woke up and panicked."
"You sure know how to make a first impression," Noah muttered, pouring a glass of water and walking over. "Here, drink this."
Ren took the glass with shaking hands and sipped it slowly.
"I didn't mean to accuse you," he said softly. "I just… I don't know anyone here. My sister was supposed to meet me, but I think I took the wrong bus. And then… everything went wrong."
Noah exhaled. He looked at Ren more carefully this time—not just sick and cold, but lost. Utterly lost.
"You really don't remember your sister's number or address?"
Ren shook his head slowly. "It was saved in my phone. I didn't expect to lose it before even reaching home."
Noah leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms. "Guess you're stuck here for now."
Ren blinked. "Eh?"
"I'm not kicking you out into a snowstorm with a fever. You'll sleep here tonight. But try anything weird, and I'll toss you outside with the raccoons."
Despite his exhaustion, Ren chuckled weakly. "Noted…"
Noah grumbled and stood. "Try to sleep. You'll feel better tomorrow."