"Hey..."

"Hm?" Alex's dreamy eyes met the other person.

"Why did you say 'There aren't many who are truly kind to me'?" Daniel asked, turning his head slightly to meet the gaze.

"... Ah... Well, I..." Alex stuttered, trying to make out proper sentences with his current state.

"I guess not everyone is as they seem on the outside, right?" Daniel's cold tone kicked in.

"Huh? Yeah, maybe. We all have a mask on at some point." Alex replied bluntly.

"You seem used to it." He tried to sound softer.

"Probably. A person like me really doesn't deserve all the love and care." Alex's eyes dropped to the floor. "I'm just a waste of space."

"No. You're not."

Alex looked up, eyes locking with the stern look in front of him.

"We all got sad backstories, but that doesn't make us useless. And, such a gentle and bright person like you shouldn't be worrying about that." Dabiel said calmly, putting a hand on his cheek, the other held onto the scarf a little tighter.

Alex blushed slightly. Even though he's drunk and could barely understand much, he could still feel the nice words from the man.

"T-Thank you. You are really nice, Daniel." He smiled.

Daniel's eyes widen, probably taken aback at the warmth in front of him.

"I'm not all nice and kind, do keep in mind." He said a bit coldly to clear out all the weird thoughts inside his head.

"No, you truly are." Alex looked at him. "You helped me, without knowing who I am or what I would do to pay you back." He tried to remember. "I'm... forever touched."

Daniel gulped.

He could question his sexual interest right now. The cute, soft man, who appeared in his life so suddenly, made him feel warm and cared. Their exchanges were minimal, but meaningful. 

He remembered the time they first met. Daniel's not the type to help every single person out there, but when he saw Alex, the memories of himself way younger appeared. He didn't want anyone to be in his shoes. That hopeless, tired, and lifeless void in his eyes. They terribly reminded him of that day. The day that he lost his two dearest people, his mother, and his only friend back then in that damn fire, which he knew was definitely not accidental.

"Hey... um, Daniel?" The soft, weak voice cut through his flashbacks.

"Yeah?"

"Why... are you so... nice to me?" Alex whispered under his breath, but Daniel heard it. "We... barely knew each other, yet you treated me like a dear friend... I... don't... understand at all...." Alex's body gave in as the drunkenness took over. He fell and leaned on Daniel's shoulder.

"Hah." Daniel smirked. "I don't know either."

He carefully wrapped the scarf around Alex's neck to keep him warm and slowly picked him up, gently carrying him.

"You really lack love, I guess." He turned his head to the small man in his arms. "Really naive."

He took out his credit card to pay for all the goods they bought and slowly walked, holding a drunk and barely conscious Alex out into the streets.

"Where do you want to go, if you can hear me?" He said calmly.

Daniel's time was really precious, but somehow, when being with Alex, nothing else mattered.

The movements and noises around made Alex feel a bit more aware.

He lifted his head a little, and smiled when he saw Daniel.

"I... I... like... you..." He whispered, making Daniel's ears go red.

"Huh?!" He immediately looked at Alex, shocked. But to his disappointment, Alex had gone back to sleep.

"Damn it! What a weird guy!" He blushed bright red like a tomato.

"Probably means nothing." Daniel coldly thought. "No one would like me. He's just drunk."

"Haizz, so where do I take you to now?" He glanced down at the cute little Alex.