Love in the Void

The bright afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains of Elian's house as Rei sat stiffly at the small dining table. The unmistakable aroma of steaming ramen filled the room. Elian placed two bowls down, grinning triumphantly.

"Here we go. Lunch is served," Elian declared.

Rei raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Elian and the bowl in front of him. "Really? Ramen for lunch?"

Elian smirked, pulling out a chair across from him. "What's wrong with ramen? It's versatile. Breakfast, lunch, dinner its the perfect food."

Rei shook his head faintly, but a subtle twitch of his lips hinted at amusement. He lifted the chopsticks, stirring the noodles absently. Despite his reserved demeanor, the warmth of the food was comforting.

"You're the first person I've seen who takes their lunch this seriously," Rei muttered, taking a tentative bite.

"And you're the first person I've seen who looks like they're analyzing ramen instead of enjoying it," Elian retorted, leaning back with a grin.

The moment was interrupted by a loud, hurried knock at the door, followed by the sound of it creaking open.

"Elian! You won't believe what-" Marco's voice stopped mid-sentence as he stepped inside, his gaze falling on Rei. Marco's face shifted from confusion to curiosity, then mild suspicion.

"Uh... who's this?" Marco asked, jerking his thumb toward Rei. "And why is there a kid eating lunch in your house?"

Rei froze mid-bite, his eyes flicking to Elian.

Elian sighed, setting his chopsticks down. "This is Rei. He's a senior high school student I'm helping out. Long story."

Marco narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. "Helping? What kind of 'help' are we talking about here?"

"Relax," Elian said with a chuckle, gesturing for Marco to sit down. " Nothing shady, I promise."

Marco blinked, then his expression softened. "Oh. Well, that makes sense, I guess." He turned to Rei. "Hey. I'm Marco. Elian's real best friend."

Rei gave Marco a small nod, returning to his ramen without a word.

Marco shot Elian a look. "Does he ever talk?"

"Not much," Elian admitted with a shrug. "But he's a good company once you get used to the silence."

Marco snorted. "Sounds fun." He sat down, grabbing the spare bowl of ramen Elian had set aside. "Hope you don't mind if I join in."

Elian waved him off. "Help yourself. But don't scare Rei off with your loud mouth."

Marco grinned. "No promises."

---

Lunch continued with Marco and Elian filling the room with their banter. Marco cracked jokes about their college professors, shared a funny story about a basketball game, and teased Elian about his messy hair.

Rei stayed quiet, listening but not engaging. He occasionally glanced at Marco, but his focus remained on his food.

At one point, Marco leaned back, pointing at Rei with his chopsticks. "So, Rei, what do you do for fun? Got any hobbies?"

Rei hesitated, then shrugged. "Not really."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "No hobbies? Seriously? What do you do all day, then?"

Rei didn't answer, his gaze dropping to the table.

"Alright, that's enough," Elian said, cutting in. "Don't interrogate him."

"I'm just curious," Marco protested, raising his hands.

Rei's silence stretched on, and Elian noticed the slight tension in his shoulders. Deciding to ease the mood, he grinned and leaned forward.

"Hey, Rei," Elian said, his tone light. "If Marco's being too annoying, just say the word. I'll kick him out. No hesitation."

Marco gasped dramatically. "Wow. I see how it is. You'd kick me out over a kid you just met?"

"Yup," Elian replied without missing a beat.

To Elian's surprise, Rei's lips twitched the faintest hint of a smile.

Marco threw up his hands. "Unbelievable. Betrayed in my own best friend's house."

---

After lunch, Marco helped Elian clean up while Rei sat quietly, sipping water.

Marco glanced at Rei again. "So, uh, Rei... Where did you meet Elian? And how did a senior high school student get to meet a gangster like him?"

Elian rolled his eyes. "Stop Marco. Rei's not obligated to explain himself to you."

"It's fine," Rei said softly, surprising both of them. He set his glass down and stood. "Thanks for the food."

Elian frowned. "You're leaving already?"

"I have some things to do," Rei replied simply.

Elian exchanged a glance with Marco, then sighed. "Alright. Take care, okay?"

Rei nodded and headed for the door. As he left, Marco turned to Elian, eyebrows raised.

"Man, he's... intense," Marco said.

Elian shrugged. "I think he's been through a lot. I'm just trying to make things a little easier for him."

Marco nodded slowly. "Yeah, I get that. You're a good guy, Elian."

"Don't get all sentimental on me," Elian said with a smirk. "Now help me finish cleaning up."

---

Later that afternoon, Elian sat on the couch, spinning a basketball absentmindedly. He couldn't help but think about Rei his quiet demeanor, the way he seemed so closed off yet polite.

Marco plopped down next to him. "You're thinking about the kid, huh?"

"Yeah," Elian admitted. "He's... different. Feels like he's carrying a lot on his shoulders."

"Then keep doing what you're doing," Marco said, clapping Elian on the back. "Sometimes just being there makes all the difference."

Elian smiled faintly, nodding. "Yeah. I guess you're right."

The warm afternoon light streamed through the windows as the two friends sat in companionable silence, the faint sound of laughter from the park drifting in through the open window.

--

The streets were quiet as Rei made his way home. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the pavement, but his mind was elsewhere. He replayed the lunch scene at Elian's house, the warmth of their banter, the teasing comments from Marco, and Elian's easy humor. It was... different. A stark contrast to the heavy silence that awaited him at home.

When Rei stepped into the large, sterile foyer of his house, the faint scent of lavender greeted him courtesy of the housemaids. The sound of clinking dishes echoed faintly from the kitchen.

"Rei, is that you?" his mother's voice called from the living room.

"Yes," he replied, keeping his tone even as he removed his shoes.

Footsteps approached quickly. His mother appeared in the hallway, her expression instantly shifting to alarm as she got a closer look at his face.

"What happened to you?" she gasped, her eyes darting over him. "Your face... Rei, were you in a fight?"

"No," Rei said flatly, sidestepping her concern. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine!" she snapped, her voice sharp with worry. "Look at those bruises! Why didn't you call me?"

Rei sighed. "It's nothing. I just bumped into something."

His mother didn't buy it. She spun around, calling for the maid. "Maria! Call Dr. Valdez immediately. Rei needs to be checked!"

"That's not necessary," Rei interrupted, his tone firmer.

His mother turned back to him, her brows knitting in frustration. "Rei, you're hurt. You need-"

"I don't need anything," Rei cut her off. "I'm going to my room. I have studying to do."

His mother stared at him, stunned into silence for a moment. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she struggled to contain her emotions. "Rei, you can't keep brushing me off like this. I'm your mother. I care about you."

He didn't respond, sidestepping her again as he made his way toward the staircase.

"Rei," she called after him, her voice softer now, almost pleading.

But he didn't stop.

---

Rei closed his bedroom door behind him, leaning against it for a moment. The quiet of his room was both a relief and a weight pressing down on him. He exhaled slowly, pushing away the lingering echoes of his mother's voice.