Storm pulled open the front door and stepped inside, rainwater dripping from his sleeves. Warmth rushed over them both.
Rayne went to step inside too, but Storm suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Wait," Storm hissed.
Rayne blinked. "What?"
"Take off your shoes," Storm muttered, already kicking his own off. "My mum will kill you."
Rayne immediately slipped his shoes off and set them neatly by the door.
They barely made it two steps inside when a sharp voice rang out from the hallway.
"박천이 스톰! 왜 이렇게 늦었어?"Park Tian Storm! Why are you so late?
Storm stiffened.
Footsteps echoed, quick and controlled, before his mother appeared at the end of the hall.
"비 오는 날에 뛰어다니지 말랬지. 감기 걸리면 어떡할 거야—"Didn't I tell you not to run around in the rain? What if you catch a cold—
She stopped abruptly when she noticed Rayne standing there.
"…손님이네?"…A guest?
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took him in.
"손님이 온다고 말 안 했잖아."You didn't tell me we had a guest.
Storm swallowed hard.
Rayne nodded politely. "Hello Mrs Park," he said quietly.
Storm's mother studied him for a long moment.
"이 아이는 왜 다쳤어?"Why is this boy injured?
Storm shifted. "He...he got caught in the rain."
She hummed softly, unconvinced.
"들어와. 거기 서 있으면 감기 걸린다."Come inside. You'll catch a cold standing there.
Storm finally relaxed, just a little.
As they moved further into the house, Storm shot Rayne a sharp warning look.
Don't say anything unnecessary.
Rayne met his eyes and gave a small, understanding smile.