Sunlight slipped in through the tall windows of the laboratory, landing on the long tables where students worked in pairs. Machines humming softly.
Oliver stood alone at one table, carefully writing notes, his mind only half on the experiment.
He heard footsteps.
At first, he didn't look up.
Then a familiar voice spoke his name.
"Oliver."
His pen dropped.
He looked up so fast his chair scraped against the floor.
"Julian?"
Julian stood at the entrance of the lab, looking thinner than before but smiling all the same. His neatly ironed uniform hung a little loose on him, but his eyes were bright.
Oliver forgot everything.
He rushed forward and threw his arms around Julian before he could stop himself.
Then reality hit.
His body stiffened. His arms loosened. He quickly pulled back, panic flashing across his face.
"Wait— I— I'm sorry," Oliver said quickly. "I forgot. You shouldn't— I mean—"
Julian frowned.
Before Oliver could finish apologizing, Julian stepped forward again and hugged him back, tighter this time.
"That's exactly what I didn't want you to do," Julian said softly. "Treat me like I'll break."
Oliver froze.
Julian pulled away just enough to look at him. "I'm sick, not glass."
Oliver swallowed. His eyes burned.
"I am you're back," he admitted. "I was worried."
Julian smiled, gentle but tired. "I know. But I'm still here."
Oliver nodded, blinking hard. "I'm really glad you're back."
They walked together toward one of the empty lab tables and sat down. Julian placed his textbook beside him and leaned back slightly, breathing slow and careful, as if his body still wasn't fully ready for long days.
For a moment, they just sat there.
Then Julian spoke again, quieter this time.
"I heard the rumors."
Oliver's shoulders stiffened.
Julian watched him closely. "People are so cruel."
Oliver looked down at his hands. His fingers twisted together.
"But," Julian continued, "You shouldn't care, it's not their business."
Oliver didn't answer.
Julian sighed. "Are they hurting you?"
Oliver hesitated, then nodded slightly. "They talk. A lot. Some don't even whisper."
Julian's jaw tightened. "Whay about Liam, what did he do?."
That name hung between them.
Julian leaned closer. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But I need you to know something."
Oliver finally looked up.
"Dont take their words to heart," Julian said simply. "And don't think you did anything wrong."
Oliver's breath shook. "Everyone makes it feel wrong."
"That's their problem," Julian replied. "Not yours."
Oliver gave a weak smile. "You always say things like that. Like it's easy."
Julian smiled back, a little sadly. "It's not easy. I just hate seeing you carry everything alone."
The lab door opened, and voices floated in from the hallway. Julian straightened slightly, his smile fading into something more serious.
"Just be careful," he added. "Not because of what people say. But because people can be cruel when they're bored."
Oliver nodded slowly.
"I'm glad you're back," he said again, softer this time.
Julian bumped his shoulder lightly. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Tommy hadn't planned to stay.
He stood in front of the neat, quiet house next door, holding a small paper bag in his hand. His mother had sent him to return a food container Julian's parents had lent them days ago. That was all. Drop it off, ask how Julian was doing, and leave.
That was the plan.
He rang the bell.
The door opened almost immediately.
"Oh—Tommy," Julian's mother said with a bright smile. "Come in, come in."
Tommy blinked. "Uh… good evening, ma'am. I just came to return this."
He held out the bag.
She took it, glanced inside, then waved her hand. "Thank you. You didn't have to rush over. You must be hungry. We're just about to have dinner."
"I'm fine," Tommy said quickly. "I was also just… checking how Julian is doing."
Her smile softened. "He's better. Much better. He's inside."
Before Tommy could protest again, Julian's father appeared from the dining area, wiping his hands with a napkin.
"Tommy! It's been a while," he said warmly. "You're taller every time I see you."
Tommy laughed nervously. "Good evening, sir."
"Come, sit with us," Julian's father said. "You're always welcome here."
Tommy opened his mouth to refuse.
But then he heard footsteps.
Julian walked into the living room.
He looked healthier than before, still a little slim, but his face had more color now. When his eyes met Tommy's, he stopped.
For half a second, neither of them spoke.
Tommy felt heat rush to his face.
He suddenly remembered everything he'd said to Julian in the hospital ward. The quiet words. The honesty. And some things Julian also said that he pretended not to remember.
Julian looked away first.
"Hi," he said, voice calm, almost too calm.
"H-hi," Tommy replied, scratching the back of his neck.
Julian's mother clapped her hands lightly. "Perfect timing. Dinner is ready. Julian, sit. Tommy, please join us."
Before Tommy could escape, he was guided to the dining table.
The food smelled amazing. Warm soup, rice, vegetables, and grilled meat filled the table. It felt safe. Peaceful. Nothing like the heavy silence Tommy had expected.
Julian sat across from him.
Tommy avoided his eyes, focusing very hard on his plate.
Julian's father talked about work. Julian's mother asked Tommy about school. About Liam. About sports. The conversation flowed easily, like it always did in this house.
Tommy answered politely, nodding, smiling when needed.
But every now and then, he felt Julian's eyes on him.
Not judging. Just watching.
At some point, Julian reached for the soup at the same time Tommy did. Their fingers brushed.
Both of them froze.
"Sorry," Tommy said quickly.
"It's fine," Julian replied just as fast.
Julian's mother noticed nothing—or pretended not to.
"You boys should eat more," she said cheerfully. "Julian needs strength, and Tommy, you're always running around."
Julian finally looked at Tommy properly then. There was something soft in his expression. Something teasing, even.
"You're not very talkative today," Julian said lightly.
Tommy swallowed. "Am I ever?"
Julian smiled. A real one this time.
The tension eased, just a little.
After dinner, Julian's father stood up. "Julian, don't trouble him. Tommy, thank you for coming."
Tommy stood as well. "Thank you for the food. It was really good."
As he moved toward the door, Julian followed him.
They stood there for a moment, close but not touching.
"I'm glad you came," Julian said quietly.
Tommy nodded. "I'm glad you're better."
Their eyes met properly this time.
No words followed, but the silence felt full, not empty.
Warm.
When Tommy finally stepped outside, the night air felt cooler than before. His heart was still beating a little too fast, but it didn't feel like fear...