Fragments Of You(LAD BL FANFIC)

Rowan stood near the entrance of Xavier's apartment. Just as he reached for the doorknob, a sudden knock echoed through the small space. He froze for a second, exchanging a look with Xavier, who raised a brow before stepping forward to open the door.

The moment the door swung open, Rowan's breath hitched. Standing there was an undeniably beautiful woman, her striking features framed by long dark hair. It only took him a second to recognize her Liora, the female lead. His mind raced, piecing together what he knew from the story. Why was she here?

Liora blinked in surprise when she spotted Rowan, and then her expression turned into a mix of curiosity and realization. "Oh," she muttered, crossing her arms. "So, you're the one."

"The one?" Rowan repeated, his voice hesitant.

"I mean, I just saw the message from Rafayel," she explained, her tone laced with annoyance. "Not just a message he even sent me a photo of you."

Rowan tensed. "Wait... why would he do that?"

Liora sighed dramatically, pouting. "Because he ordered me to find you, obviously. Can you believe that? I'm a bodyguard, not a personal errand girl."

That's right. Rowan suddenly remembered the plot detail Rafayel had made Liora his bodyguard, but in the original story, she barely showed up at his studio.

Xavier finally spoke up, looking at Rowan with a questioning gaze. "you were missing?"

"No!" Rowan immediately denied, shaking his head. He turned back to Liora. "Look, can you... not tell Rafayel you saw me here?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm leaving anyway."

Liora studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine by me." Then she smiled slightly. "Oh, before that, my name's Liora. Nice meeting you."

Rowan hesitated, then returned a small smile. "Rowan. Likewise."

After the quick introduction, Rowan glanced between Liora and Xavier before asking, "Can we add each other on social media? Let's be friends."

Liora shrugged. "Sure."

Xavier nod. "Okay"

Rowan smiled as they exchanged contacts. Once done, he finally bid them goodbye and stepped into the hallway.

As soon as he reached the elevator, his phone vibrated. Seeing Rafayel's name flash on the screen, he sighed before answering.

Before he could even say hello, Rafayel's voice bombarded him with questions. "Where are you? Who are you with? Why didn't you answer my texts earlier? Are you busy? What's that making you so busy?"

Rowan sighed dramatically. "Wow, you sound just like my mom."

"I'm serious, Rowan!" Rafayel snapped. "Answer me."

Rowan smirked. "I just went to the mall because I was bored, okay? I'm heading home now."

"Without telling me?" Rafayel huffed. "I told you to inform me if you go out."

Rowan rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Happy now? I'm gonna hang up."

"Rowan-"

Click.

Rowan put his phone away, exhaling as he entered the elevator.

By the time he arrived at the studio, it was already 3 PM. As he stepped inside, he immediately froze at the sight of Rafayel standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed and an unmistakable look of irritation on his face.

Rowan winced, offering an awkward smile. "Uh... hey?"

Rafayel narrowed his eyes. "Do you even realize I roamed all over Linkon City looking for you? I thought you were kidnapped or something! I was panicking because if something happened to you, it would be my fault. I don't want to be irresponsible!"

Rowan couldn't help but laugh. "That's exactly what my mom used to say when I got home late."

Rafayel groaned and ran a frustrated hand through his hair before storming into the kitchen. Rowan followed, watching as Rafayel pulled out a bag of snacks and placed them on the counter.

"I bought these," Rafayel said flatly. "Eat."

Rowan waved a hand dismissively. "Already ate."

Rafayel's eyes narrowed. "With what money?"

Rowan scoffed. "Seriously? Thomas gave me some because I helped him babysit you."

Rafayel's jaw dropped. "Babysit me? Excuse me?"

Rowan smirked. "Yeah. He said, 'Rowan, watch over that dramatic sassy guy for me, will you?' And I did."

Rafayel gasped, placing a hand over his heart as if Rowan had gravely insulted him. "I'm not dramatic!"

Rowan arched a brow. "Says the guy who caused a whole scene because he got nauseous from a small wave of water."

Rafayel immediately crossed his arms, looking away. "I don't remember that at all."

Rowan snorted. "Right, because embarrassing moments tend to be erased by the brain." He casually popped a chip into his mouth, grinning.

Rafayel scowled. "That never happened."

"Oh, so you didn't clutch my arm like your life depended on it? Didn't dramatically mutter about how unfair it was to be betrayed by the sea?" Rowan tilted his head. "Because I'm pretty sure I remember you whispering, 'This is it, this is how I go,' like you were in some tragic novel."

Rafayel's ears turned red. "I wasn't being dramatic! I was just-" He paused, grasping for a reasonable explanation. "...I was just voicing my concerns about the unpredictability of the ocean."

Rowan burst out laughing. "That's the dumbest excuse I've ever heard."

Rafayel huffed, grabbing a chip just to throw it at Rowan.

They continued bickering, voices overlapping as they fired sarcastic remarks at each other. The playful energy between them filled the space, neither willing to back down. Rafayel accused Rowan of being a "walking hazard with zero self-preservation," while Rowan shot back that Rafayel had "the grace of a flailing chicken" when startled.

Rowan was mid-eye roll when his phone vibrated. Without thinking, he pulled it out and checked the message.

Xavier: Teach me new dishes again when I get back from my mission. I want to impress someone.

Rowan smirked knowingly. Of course. It had to be Liora. He could still picture the way Xavier looked at her back at the apartment-it was so obvious.

Without hesitation, he started typing a reply, completely absorbed in the conversation.

Meanwhile, Rafayel had gone silent, his arms still crossed but his playful expression now was replaced with something more guarded. His gaze flickered between Rowan's face and the phone in his hand. Rowan was smiling at the screen, completely unaware of the scrutiny he was under.

Rafayel's stomach twisted.

Who was he texting?

Why was he smiling like that?

And more importantly... why did Rafayel hate seeing it?