Elian Appears in the Doorway
Soft footsteps approached, and Juni looked up just in time to see Elian standing in the doorway.
Hair messy from rushing.
Uniform shirt half-buttoned.
Worry written all over him.
"You're awake."
Juni's heart fluttered.
"…Yeah."
Evelyn watched the exchange carefully—the subtle relief in Elian's eyes, the shy softness in Juni's voice.
Her lips curled into a knowing smile.
The heart sees what the mind tries to hide.
Evelyn rose and touched Elian's arm lightly.
"Eat breakfast with him," she whispered.
"He needs someone steady right now."
Elian nodded without hesitation.
Evelyn smoothed Juni's blankets gently before heading toward the door.
"I'll bring more tea later. Rest as long as you need."
She paused at the doorway, turning back with that warm, perceptive gaze.
"And Juni…"
He met her eyes nervously.
"…you're safe here. Truly."
Then she left quietly, closing the door with soft care.
Juni stared at the closed door for a long moment.
"She's… really nice."
Elian smiled.
"She is."
Elian sat beside Juni on the bed, opening the warm soup container.
"Eat slowly. It's hot."
Juni took the spoon with trembling fingers.
"…Thank you. For… everything."
Elian shook his head.
"You don't need to thank me."
Juni gave a small, shy smile.
"I want to."
Elian felt his heartbeat skip.
Hours later, Lorian insisted Juni stay home to rest. Elian, reluctantly, had to go to school alone.
The whispers started immediately.
"Where's Juni?"
"Did he stay at Elian's house?"
"Are they… close?"
Elian ignored them— but the tightening in his chest grew.
He didn't want Juni to become a target.
But he also couldn't deny the truth.
He was close to Juni.
Closer than he'd ever been to anyone.
Meanwhile: A Quiet Moment with Evelyn
Back at the Sorell home, Eve knocked softly on the guest room door again. Juni looked up from under the blanket.
"…Mrs. Sorell?"
She smiled.
"I thought you might want some company for a little while."
Juni hesitated… then nodded.
Evelyn sat at the foot of the bed, watching him kindly.
"You remind me a little of Elian when he was younger."
Juni blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Her smile warmed.
"Quiet on the surface, but feeling everything deeply."
He swallowed hard.
"…Is that bad?"
"No."
Eve shook her head.
"It just means your heart is bigger than what your life has allowed it to be."
Juni's eyes stung again.
Evelyn watched the emotion slowly rise in him—but didn't push, didn't pry.
Instead, she reached out gently.
"Whenever you're ready, Juni… you can tell me anything."
Juni's voice cracked.
"…Even the things I'm ashamed of?"
Evelyn's expression softened to something almost mother-like.
"Especially those."
When Elian returned home later—
Juni peeked out from the guest room.
Their eyes met.
Juni's voice was small, hopeful, fragile.
"…Hi."
Elian stepped closer.
"How are you feeling?"
Juni swallowed.
"…Better. Your mom… she's really kind."
Elian smiled softly.
"Yeah. She's special."
Juni nodded slowly.
Then—
He whispered something he hadn't said to anyone in a very long time:
"…It feels safe here."
Elian's heart twisted.
"Then stay."
Juni looked at him—really looked at him.
And the way his eyes softened, shy and warm and full of unspoken emotion—
It said everything Elian wasn't ready to say out loud yet.