NO SAFE DISTANCE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN __ EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE

The apartment smelled faintly of coffee and late-night paper dust. Kian sat on the couch, fingers tapping the edge of his notebook, his mind wandering back to the thrilling moments with Aou the night before. He could still feel the warmth of Aou’s presence in subtle ways.

A soft knock at the door pulled him out of thought. He glanced at the clock. Mid-afternoon. That meant only one person.

“Leo?” Kian said cautiously, opening the door. His friend leaned against the frame, laptop bag slung casually over one shoulder.

“Hey,” Leo said, voice low. “Can we talk?”

Kian nodded, stepping aside. Leo’s expression was serious, almost too measured for their usual banter. Kian gestured to the couch. “What’s up?”

Leo sat, placing his laptop on his lap but keeping his eyes on Kian. “I… I’ve noticed some things.”

Kian tilted his head, uncertain. “What do you mean?”

Leo hesitated, choosing his words. “About… you and Aou. I mean… I see how he interacts with you, how close you’ve gotten. I didn’t want to say anything at first, but it’s… obvious to anyone observing.”

Kian felt a flush rise to his cheeks. “You’ve been… spying on us?”

“Only when I come to help with assignments,” Leo replied defensively. “I didn’t mean to spy, but… well, it’s hard to ignore. You’re… attached to him. And he… he’s attentive, maybe too attentive.”

Kian didn’t know what to say. His chest tightened. Leo’s words had stirred a familiar mix of panic and possessiveness.

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. It was Dr. Amal. The notification was sharp, professional, almost chilling. Kian swallowed, opening the message:

“Kian, we need to meet immediately. Someone brought to my attention how super close you are with Aou. This situation with Aou cannot continue unchecked. It is unhealthy, and the implications are serious. You must not encourage his attachment any further."

Kian’s stomach dropped. He turned to Leo, who frowned. “He… he knows?”

“Yess,” Leo said. “I told you, you two were obvious. Dr. Amal has been observing for a while. He’s very concerned, not just about you, but Aou too. He said if this continues, there could be serious consequences. He doesn’t take warnings lightly.”

Panic and guilt warred inside Kian. He hadn’t expected anyone, especially Dr. Amal, to discover their closeness so quickly. What if he is aware of the private moments, and the careful attention from Aou .

“I… I didn’t think he’d notice,” Kian admitted softly, fingers clutching the cushion.

Leo shook his head. “Dr. Amal always notices. And now he knows you’re both……entangled. He warned me before, but he’s serious this time. He said he’ll intervene directly if he believes you’re at risk.”

Kian’s thoughts raced. Risk? What did that even mean? He thought of Aou, meticulous, calm, careful and of himself, racing heartbeat, obsessive attachment, the longing that had been building. Was it really dangerous, or was it just… them?

A sharp buzz from his phone pulled him out again. Another message from Dr. Amal:

"Aou must maintain professional boundaries. Any failure to comply will be addressed immediately. You are responsible for your own behavior as well, Kian. Consider this your warning."

Kian exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of authority pressing down. The air in the apartment seemed heavier, charged with unease.

Leo reached out, placing a hand on Kian’s shoulder. “Listen, Kian. He’s serious. Aou could be in trouble if this keeps going. You care about him, right? Don’t make it worse.”

Kian nodded silently. He felt conflicted, part of him wanted to pull Aou close, to reassure himself, to revel in the connection they shared. But another part, the part Dr. Amal had awakened in him, feared repercussions, feared loss, feared judgment.

“Okay,” he whispered finally. “I… I understand.”

Leo gave a small, supportive nod. “Good. Just… be careful. And maybe…Try to shake off those feelings. You’ve been listening a lot lately, maybe it can calm you down before Aou comes over again. Both of you should find a solution to it”

Kian’s lips twitched slightly. He had noticed himself turning to music more. Some melodies reminded him of Aou, of calm, of connection. Perhaps it could help.

“Thanks, Leo,” Kian said quietly. “I’ll… try.”

Leo stood, gathering his things. “I’ll check in later. And Kian? Stay safe. Both of you.”

After Leo left, Kian sank onto the couch, the faint echo of conversation lingering. Dr. Amal’s warnings reverberated in his mind. Yet beneath the anxiety, a stubborn part of him refused to let go of Aou. That pull, that meticulous care, that attention, those shared moments. It was dangerous, maybe, but it was also irreplaceable.

Kian turned on the small speaker next to the couch, letting the music fill the space. The notes flowed through him, gentle yet stirring, a reflection of the quiet tension, the obsessive longing, and the unspoken bond he shared with Aou. He closed his eyes, letting the sound ground him, even as he wondered how long they could hold onto what they had before the outside world intervened further.

In that silence, filled with music and tension, Kian realized that attachment was no longer just desire. It was necessity. And necessity, as Dr. Amal warned, could become a dangerous game.