The walk back to Benny's apartment was quieter than usual.
The city lights flickered to life one after another, illuminating the sidewalks as evening settled over the streets.
Xavier walked beside Benny, his tiny hand tightly wrapped around Benny's larger one, afraid that if he let go, everything would disappear like a dream.
Every few steps, the little boy secretly looked up at him.
"...Brother Benny?"
"Hm?"
"You won't send me away tomorrow... right?"
Benny's footsteps slowed.
He looked down at the child.
Those innocent blue eyes were filled with uncertainty, as though he had asked the same question countless times before, only to be disappointed every single time.
Benny smiled gently.
"I already promised."
"I'm not breaking it."
Xavier lowered his head.
"...Adults always promise."
"And then they leave."
The words struck Benny harder than he expected.
He squeezed Xavier's hand gently.
"I'm not like them."
The little boy looked at him for a long moment.
Then...
He smiled.
A small smile.
But this time, it reached his eyes.
Fifteen minutes later...
They stopped in front of an old apartment building.
Xavier stared upward.
"So tall..."
Benny laughed.
"It only has four floors."
"It still looks tall."
The two climbed the stairs together.
By the time they reached the third floor, Xavier was already breathing heavily.
"I'm tired..."
Benny chuckled.
"You'll get used to it."
He unlocked the apartment door.
Click.
The small apartment came into view.
It wasn't luxurious.
There was a worn gray sofa.
A tiny dining table.
A bookshelf filled with programming books.
A laptop rested neatly on a wooden desk beside the window.
Everything was simple.
But it was clean.
Xavier stood frozen near the entrance.
His eyes wandered around the room.
"So..."
"This is your home?"
Benny nodded.
"It isn't much."
"...But it's peaceful."
Xavier slowly stepped inside.
He looked at every corner with wide eyes, as though he had entered a palace.
"There aren't many things..."
"But..."
He smiled brightly.
"It feels warm."
Benny placed his backpack on the sofa.
"I'm glad you think so."
Xavier carefully removed his torn shoes before placing them neatly beside the door.
Benny noticed.
"You don't have to be so careful."
The little boy shook his head.
"I don't want to make your house dirty."
For a brief moment...
Benny couldn't say anything.
This child...
Even after everything he had been through...
Still worried about inconveniencing others.
Benny crouched in front of him.
"From today onward..."
"This is your home too."
Xavier blinked.
"...Mine?"
"As long as you're here."
The little boy's lips trembled.
He lowered his head, trying to stop the tears from falling.
"...Thank you..."
His tiny voice barely reached Benny's ears.
A few minutes later...
Benny walked into the bathroom carrying a clean towel.
"I'll run you a bath."
Xavier looked embarrassed.
"I..."
"I've never used a bathtub before."
Benny smiled patiently.
"Then I'll show you."
After filling the tub with warm water, Benny left fresh clothes outside the bathroom door.
"They're a little big."
"But they'll do for tonight."
"O-Okay."
"Take your time."
When Xavier finally came out, his messy hair was neatly washed and still damp.
The oversized T-shirt almost reached his knees.
Benny couldn't help smiling.
"It suits you."
Xavier scratched his cheek shyly.
"Really?"
"Really."
Soon...
The delicious smell of fried rice filled the apartment.
Xavier sat quietly at the table, watching Benny cook with sparkling eyes.
"You can cook?"
"I had to learn."
"Otherwise I'd starve."
Xavier nodded seriously.
"I want to learn too."
"I'll teach you."
The little boy's face lit up instantly.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Benny placed two plates on the table.
"Let's eat."
Xavier folded his hands politely.
"Thank you for the food."
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
The only sounds were spoons gently touching the plates.
Halfway through the meal...
Xavier suddenly stopped eating.
"B-Brother Benny..."
"Hm?"
"...Why are you nice to me?"
Benny looked at him quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"No one else wanted me."
"They all said..."
"...I'm bad luck."
Silence filled the room.
Benny put down his spoon.
He reached across the table and gently ruffled Xavier's soft black hair.
"They were wrong."
"You didn't choose what happened to you."
"And you're definitely not bad luck."
Xavier looked up.
His eyes had already turned red.
"Then..."
"What am I?"
Benny smiled.
"You're Xavier."
"A brave little boy."
"And that's enough."
Unable to hold back any longer...
Xavier burst into tears.
Not tears of fear.
Not tears of loneliness.
But tears of relief.
For the first time in years...
Someone had accepted him without asking for anything in return.
Benny quietly moved to Xavier's side and hugged him gently.
"It's okay."
"You're safe now."
Outside, the wind rustled through the trees as night settled over the city.
Inside the small apartment...
Two lonely souls, brought together by fate, had finally found something they had both been searching for.
A place to belong.