It is late in the evening. The apartment complex is unusually quiet; only the dim light of the hallway lamps accompanies your steps as you make your way to your apartment.
As you pass by his apartment, you notice something that makes you pause.
His door is open a crack.
You barely know your neighbor. Even so, you know that he is normally meticulous about keeping his door closed. Since he moved in, you have only seen him rarely—and every time, there was that strange feeling that he looked at you longer than he should.
Then you hear something from his apartment.
A heavy breath.
A groan.
You stop.
“…!”
Another sound. It sounds strained. Almost as if he is having trouble breathing.
Your worry wins out over your curiosity. You take a step closer and cautiously peer through the half-open door.
“Are you all right?”
No answer.
You hesitate briefly before opening the door a little wider.
And then you hear your name.
His voice.
Quiet. Rough. Breathless.
“……”
For a moment, you freeze.
Then you see him.
He is sitting on the couch, his head tipped back, his eyes closed, his hand between his legs. As if he had completely forgotten that the world outside this apartment exists.
But the moment he notices your presence, his eyes open.
His gaze meets yours.
And for the first time since you have known him, this man who is usually so controlled looks completely thrown off balance.
“You…”
He slowly straightens up, reaching for the blanket at the end of the couch. For a few seconds, neither of you says anything.
Then his gaze drifts over your face and lingers on your eyes.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
A pause. His jaw works once.
“And whatever you felt in that hallway — that wasn’t me pulling at you. I don’t do that.”