During dinner, the happiness on Lucas's face was unmistakable. Dylan couldn't help but smile and congratulate him.
"Flynn mentioned your promotion to me, Uncle. Congratulations."
"So, he already told you, huh?" Lucas chuckled. "My son must be so proud, he couldn't keep it to himself."
Flynn only frowned, quietly eating while listening to the two talk.
"Dylan, eat plenty tonight," Lucas said cheerfully, placing an extra serving of meat on Dylan's plate. "And later, have a drink with me—even just a little. You know, ever since you started staying here, this house has felt so alive again. It used to be so quiet. Even Grandma Mina's become more cheerful, she talks to you more than she does to Flynn. And look at all the good luck that's come our way since you arrived. I swear, you're our lucky charm!"
Dylan laughed softly. "Oh no, Uncle, I think I'm the lucky one. You've treated me like family—feeding me, letting me stay here. I'm really grateful."
Lucas grinned. "Speaking of that, Flynn mentioned you're just renting a place, right? Well, stop wasting money on rent. From now on, live here with us. There's still space in Flynn's room—we'll get you your own bed tomorrow, my treat."
"Oh, no need for that, Uncle," Dylan said quickly. He knows if there's an extra bed, he won't be able to sleep next to Flynn anymore.
"I'm fine sharing Flynn's bed. We both fit, and you don't need to spend extra."
"Don't worry about the cost," Lucas insisted with a proud smile. "Your uncle just got a big bonus, remember? Honestly, I should've done this earlier. You've been squeezing in that small bed with Flynn for so long—uncle's been neglectful!"
"U-Uncle, really, it's fine," Dylan stammered, clearly flustered. "Flynn's room is too small for another bed anyway. Besides, I won't be staying long—I'll be going home soon."
Flynn couldn't help but chuckle, seeing Dylan's discomfort. "Just accept it," he teased with a mischievous grin. "My dad's only being nice. Don't hurt his feelings."
---
After class, Flynn and Dylan went straight to Dylan's place to pack up his things.
While Dylan was gathering his stuff, he noticed how unusually quiet Flynn was.
"Are you okay with me moving into your place?" Dylan asked, glancing at him.
Flynn shrugged. "It's nothing new. You practically live there already—you're around almost every day. Besides, my dad and Grandma Mina like having you around."
"And what about you?" Dylan teased, grinning. "Do you like having me there too?"
Flynn froze, clearly caught off guard. "What kind of question is that?" he muttered, his tone awkward.
"Well, you're being quiet. It almost sounds like you don't want me to move in," Dylan said, half-joking.
"Do I even have a choice? My dad already decided," Flynn replied with a sigh. "And honestly, ever since you started hanging around, he's been making an effort to cook better meals. The house feels... livelier now."
"Uh-huh, just admit it—you like having me there too," Dylan said, his grin turning mischievous.
"Shut up. If I could erase you from my life, I would."
"Careful what you wish for," Dylan said, laughing. "You might end up missing me when I'm gone."
While Dylan was still packing, Flynn noticed a pillow wrapped in a shirt. Curious, he picked it up—only to realize it was one of his shirts, the one he'd lent Dylan before.
The moment Dylan saw what Flynn was holding, he lunged for it. "Give that back!" he said quickly.
"This is my shirt, right? Why is it wrapped around your pillow?" Flynn asked, dodging as Dylan tried to grab it.
"What do you mean your shirt? You gave it to me!" Dylan shot back, reaching for it again.
"I didn't give it to you—you just decided that on your own!" Flynn retorted, pulling the pillow away and stepping back.
They ended up chasing each other around the room, laughing and tugging at the pillow like two kids fighting over a toy. Eventually, Dylan managed to catch up, and the two of them tumbled onto the bed—Flynn flat on his back, Dylan on top of him as they wrestled for the pillow, still laughing breathlessly.
Neither of them realized someone had walked into the room until Flynn's eyes darted toward the doorway.
Standing there was Stephanie, frozen in surprise as she watched the scene.
Flynn immediately pushed Dylan off him, his face flushing red with embarrassment as he scrambled to sit up.
"S-Steph... you've been standing there this whole time?" Dylan stammered.
"I just got here. Looks like I interrupted something," Stephanie replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Nah, we were just messing around. What are you doing here?" Dylan asked.
"You weren't answering my calls, so I thought I'd come find you myself."
"We've just been busy with school and training lately... and a lot's happened," Dylan explained.
"So... that's enough for you to forget about me? And it seems you're not even that busy... you've got time to mess around with Flynn."
Flynn noticed the tension rising and quickly hid the pillow wrapped in his shirt behind him, not wanting Stephanie to misinterpret anything and get even angrier.
"Steph, don't say things like that. It's embarrassing... for Flynn," Dylan said, trying to diffuse the situation.
"And why should I be embarrassed? Huh? You're thinking more about him than me now?" Stephanie snapped, clearly frustrated, and stormed out.
Flynn turned to Dylan, noticing he didn't move after her. "Why aren't you following her? Go after Stephanie."
"Didn't you see how she acted? She dragged you into it too," Dylan said.
"Dylan... Stephanie is a girl. Of course she's going to react like that. Now go after her—she's not from around here, and something could happen."
"Fine. I'll go... not because I want to, but because you said so. From now on, I'll do whatever you tell me," Dylan replied, his tone firm.
"You talk too much. Just hurry up," Flynn muttered under his breath, though deep down, he felt a little nervous about what Dylan meant—and wasn't entirely sure himself.
Dylan immediately rushed out to catch up with Stephanie. Seeing her hurrying away, he quickly called out, "Steph, wait!" He reached for her hand to stop her. "Why are you acting like this, huh? Even dragging Flynn into it!"
"You're the one acting like this! Ever since you transferred schools and ended up with that Flynn, all you ever talk about is Flynn, Flynn, Flynn! You weren't like this before. You didn't pay attention to anyone else. And now... you barely even notice me!" Stephanie cried, tears streaming down her face.
"Steph, Flynn is just a good friend. And we're both guys. Why would you be jealous... of Flynn?"
"I don't know... but you've really changed. You weren't like this before. I actually preferred it back then, when you were always frowning, lost in your own world, and didn't care about anyone else. I felt safer then... because all your attention was on me."
"I'm sorry. Don't cry. I know I've been a little careless with you, and Flynn has nothing to do with it. So don't blame him, okay?" Stephanie just nodded.
Before they could walk back together, Dylan's phone rang. It was Flynn, calling from Lucas's number.
"I'm home. I brought your stuff with me," Flynn said and ended the call right away.
"Flynn's home. Let's head over to his place, then we can eat outside," Dylan told Stephanie.
When they arrived at Flynn's house, Stephanie could hardly believe it. "Are you sure you're staying here? It's smaller and looks even older than the place you left," she said.
"Why? Compared to that house, this one feels more alive. And I've got people around me," Dylan replied.
As they entered the gate, Lucas happened to be outside, holding something in his hands.
"Uncle," Dylan greeted him. "By the way, this is Stephanie, my girlfriend."
"Oh! You didn't say you had a guest. I would've prepared some food for you," Lucas said.
"No worries, Uncle. We'll just eat outside. We're only stopping by to get Flynn," Dylan replied.
About a moment later, Flynn came out of his room, and they quickly headed out for dinner.