The dormitory had settled into a comfortable silence as the night deepened. Most of the disciples had already retreated to their rooms, but Yu still lay sprawled on Zian's bed, arms tucked behind his head, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
Zian sat on the edge of his own bed, quietly drying his damp hair with a cloth. The warmth of the day's mischief still lingered in the air, but the exhaustion was finally catching up to him. He shot Yu a tired look. "Are you planning to sleep here?"
Yu grinned. "Thinking about it. Your bed's comfier than mine."
Zian rolled his eyes but didn't argue. He was used to Yu making himself at home wherever he pleased. "You should at least go back before the night patrol comes around. If they catch you here, they'll think we're up to something."
Yu chuckled, tilting his head to look at Zian. "Aren't we always up to something?"
Zian sighed, shaking his head. "Not *always*."
Yu hummed in amusement but didn't move. Instead, he turned his gaze to the ceiling, his playful energy fading just a little. "You know… it's nice, nights like this. No lectures, no training, no expectations. Just us."
Zian paused, his hands stilling for a moment. Yu rarely spoke like this—without jokes or mischief masking his words.
"It is," he admitted softly.
A comfortable silence stretched between them, the only sound being the occasional rustle of fabric as Zian finished drying his hair. He leaned back against the wall, watching Yu through the dim candlelight.
"Your mother was surprisingly lenient today," Zian remarked after a while.
Yu smirked. "She has her moments. Besides, she knows Father scolds me enough for the both of them."
Zian hesitated. He had always known Yu's relationship with his father was complicated, but Yu never talked about it much. He always covered it up with jokes, pretending it didn't bother him.
"Does it… bother you?" Zian asked carefully.
Yu's smile faltered for the briefest second before he shrugged. "It's just the way things are. Nothing new."
Zian frowned, but before he could say anything, Yu sat up, stretching his arms dramatically. "Alright, alright, I'll go before you start looking too concerned. I wouldn't want you losing sleep over me."
Zian gave him a dry look. "As if I would."
Yu laughed, hopping off the bed. "You totally would."
Before Zian could respond, Yu was already heading toward the door. He paused for a second, then glanced over his shoulder. "Goodnight, Zian."
Zian nodded. "Goodnight."
With that, Yu slipped out into the hallway, leaving Zian alone with the lingering warmth of his presence.
Zian let out a slow breath, staring at the door for a moment longer before blowing out the candle beside his bed.
The night was quiet again, but somehow, it felt a little less empty.