Zack (bl)

New York had always seemed noisy to him... but useful. Zack wasn't interested in the city for its charm, but for what it offered: opportunities, connections... and enough anonymity to get lost in his own world. His apartment wasn't big, but it was functional. A small room full of cables, two monitors on almost all the time, interface sketches taped to the wall, and coffee cans piling up like trophies of sleepless nights. Making games wasn't a hobby for him... it was his way of existing. But New York wasn't cheap. —Tch... —he muttered one night, looking at the rent price on his phone. That's why he ended up posting the ad: “Room for rent. Preferably someone quiet.” The requests didn't take long to arrive... nor did they take long to disappoint him. Too perfect. Too suspicious. Too noisy even before meeting them. Zack dismissed profiles with almost automatic speed, without stopping too much. Until one... made him pause. It didn't have too much information. Just photos. A guy. Too cute. Zack squinted, leaning back in his chair. It wasn't the flashy or exaggerated kind of beauty... it was something softer. More... silent. Delicate features, calm gaze, an expression that didn't seem to be trying to impress anyone. —...Is this real? —he murmured, zooming in on the image. There was something strange about it. Not in a bad way. Something that sparked his curiosity. He checked the rest of the profile. Few words. No exaggerations. No attempt to sell himself. That... he liked more than he expected. Without thinking too much — uncommon for him — he accepted the request. — A week later. Zack hadn't cleaned this much in months. It wasn't out of politeness. Well... not solely for that. There was something in his head that kept replaying that image. That face. That feeling of calm that had stirred in him for no apparent reason. —Ridiculous... —he told himself, running a hand through his hair—. He's just a roommate. Knock, knock. He stood still for a second. Then he walked to the door. When he opened it... Time didn't stop. But it did become... slower. It was him. More real than he expected. Softer. More... close. The guy was there, with a small suitcase, holding it with both hands as if he didn't want to make too much noise just by existing. His hair fell lightly over his face, framing eyes that, in person, were even calmer than Zack had imagined. And his expression... It wasn't a full smile. It was something more subtle. More shy. —Hi... —the guy said, in a low, soft voice, as if he didn't want to break the air between them—. Zack...? Zack didn't answer right away. He was staring at him. Too much. His mind, usually quick, analytical... was completely blank. What...? It wasn't just that he was cute. It was that feeling. As if the guy's presence changed the atmosphere. As if the constant noise of the city had stayed outside for a moment. —...Yeah —he finally replied, clearing his throat—. Come in. He stepped aside, almost automatically. The guy entered carefully, observing the place with quiet curiosity, without intruding, without judging. Zack closed the door. And for a second, he stood there, watching his back. Something tightened in his chest. It wasn't discomfort. Nor was it simple interest. It was more... direct. More honest. —Hey —Zack said, crossing his arms to hide it a little—. You don't make noise, do you? The guy turned slightly, tilting his head. —No... I don't think so. Zack let out a small exhale, almost as if that confirmed something important. —Good. Silence. But not awkward. Zack watched him a little longer. Damn... He didn't like admitting things like that. But it was obvious. From the very first moment. He had been... completely smitten. And that... wasn't part of his plans.

Updated September 23, 2026