Love in the Void

The sun dipped lower into the horizon, casting a warm glow over the park as Elian strolled through, hands shoved casually into his hoodie pocket. He hadn't expected to see anyone familiar but paused when he noticed Rei sitting under the same oak tree from last time, this time with a small notebook in hand.

Elian smirked, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, Rei. Back at it again?"

Rei looked up from his notebook, closing it softly. "Yeah. The park's quiet. Better than staying at home."

Elian nodded and gestured to the nearby basketball court. "Feel like doing something different today? Ever played basketball?"

Rei raised an eyebrow, looking at the court skeptically. "Not really. Never had much interest in it."

"Perfect," Elian grinned. "You've got an expert to teach you."

Rei hesitated, glancing at the notebook in his hand, then at the court. He stood, brushing off his jeans. "Fine, but don't expect too much."

---

At the court, Elian picked up the lone basketball resting near the hoop. He spun it in his hands before tossing it to Rei, who fumbled the catch awkwardly.

"First rule of basketball: Don't let the ball embarrass you," Elian teased.

Rei rolled his eyes. "Great advice."

Elian positioned Rei near the hoop and demonstrated a basic shooting stance. "Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold the ball like this... now aim and shoot."

Rei mirrored Elian's instructions, launching the ball. It bounced off the backboard and rolled away.

"Not bad," Elian said with an encouraging nod. "You didn't hit anyone. That's progress."

Rei smirked. "You're awfully confident for someone playing solo."

They continued practicing, with Elian showing Rei tricks for dribbling and passing. Rei wasn't a natural, but Elian admired his willingness to try. The two started laughing more as Rei missed shots in increasingly ridiculous ways, the easygoing camaraderie making the moment feel lighter.

Rei found himself stealing glances at Elian between attempts. There was something about Elian's unwavering energy that made him seem larger than life someone who could fill a space without trying. Rei, by contrast, often felt invisible, and the stark difference between them made him wonder why Elian bothered.

---

As they played, a group of boys in matching uniforms approached the court.

"Hey," one of the boys called out, his voice laced with arrogance. "This court's ours. Move it."

Elian turned, holding the ball loosely at his side. "The park's public. Plenty of room for everyone."

Another boy stepped forward, his sneer widening. "We don't share with losers."

Rei instinctively stepped back, his expression guarded. Elian, however, stayed calm, his tone firm. "Look, we're not looking for trouble. Just give us some space, and you can play after we're done."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell us what to do." Without warning, he lunged, throwing a punch at Elian.

Elian ducked easily, sidestepping the attack. "You really want to do this?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

The boy didn't answer, swinging again. This time, Elian grabbed his arm and twisted it, sending him stumbling back. Two more boys rushed in, but Elian moved with precision, dodging one punch and landing a clean uppercut on another's jaw.

Rei stood frozen, watching as Elian handled himself against the trio. His chest tightened, not from fear but from a growing sense of unease. Elian's movements were sharp and deliberate like someone who'd done this before.

However, one of the boys noticed Rei's silence and turned his attention to him.

"Your friend's busy. Let's see what you've got."

The boy shoved Rei hard, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Elian's eyes flicked toward Rei, momentarily distracted. "Rei!"

Rei sat up slowly, brushing off the dirt as if nothing had happened. Elian frowned. Rei's reaction or lack thereof was unnerving. He didn't wince or even look fazed, his expression as calm as ever.

The boy moved toward Rei again, raising a fist, but Elian intercepted him, grabbing his wrist and twisting it sharply. "That's enough," Elian growled, his patience running thin.

He turned back to the remaining boys, his stance unwavering. When one of them charged, Elian dropped low, sweeping his leg out to knock the attacker off balance. The final boy hesitated but made the mistake of stepping forward. Elian didn't wait, delivering a hard punch to his gut that sent him crumpling to the ground.

Within moments, all four boys were groaning in a heap on the court. Elian exhaled sharply, adrenaline still coursing through him.

"Let's go," Elian said, walking over to Rei. He grabbed Rei's arm, gently pulling him to his feet.

Rei allowed himself to be dragged away without protest, his expression unreadable.

---

When they were a safe distance from the court, Elian stopped and turned to Rei, his gaze sharp. "Are you okay? That guy hit you pretty hard."

Rei tilted his head slightly, his voice calm. "I'm fine. I don't feel pain."

Elian's brow furrowed. "That's what you've said too when I saved you before What do you mean you don't feel pain? That's not normal."

Rei shrugged, his voice quiet. "It's nothing. Just... an illness. I'm used to it."

Elian opened his mouth to press further but stopped himself. Rei's tone made it clear he wasn't ready to share more. Elian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't push."

Rei's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "Thanks."

Elian noticed a small cut on Rei's lip, likely from the scuffle. "At least let me clean that up for you. Come on, my house isn't far."

Rei blinked."You don't have to"

"I insist," Elian interrupted, already leading the way. "You're not walking around like that. People will think I beat you up."

Rei chuckled softly, the sound catching Elian off guard. It was quiet but genuine, a small crack in the guarded exterior Rei usually wore.

---

Elian's house was modest but tidy, the space reflecting his straightforward personality. Rei hesitated at the doorway, taking in the minimalistic setup a small desk cluttered with notes, a basketball resting near the bed, and a single plant on the windowsill that looked like it was barely surviving.

"You can sit," Elian said, rummaging through a drawer. "I'll grab some stuff for your lip."

Rei stepped inside, his eyes wandering to the desk. Among the notes and sketches, there was a photo of Elian with a group of friends, all grinning and holding up trophies. Rei stared at it for a moment before Elian returned with a small first-aid kit.

"Hold still," Elian said, dabbing at the cut on Rei's lip with a cotton swab.

Rei flinched slightly at the cold antiseptic but didn't complain. "You're oddly good at this."

Elian grinned. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."

Rei rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

As Elian finished, he stepped back, his expression softening. "You know, you're kind of a mystery, Rei."

Rei looked away, the guarded look returning to his eyes. "Not much to know."

Elian didn't push, sensing Rei's discomfort. Instead, he changed the subject, tossing a basketball into Rei's lap. "Next time, we're working on your dribbling. You've got a lot to learn."

Rei looked at the ball, then at Elian, and for the first time that day, a small but genuine smile broke through. "Sure. Next time."