high school au · caring · protective · sweet · loyal · best friends · anxious · male · comfort · friendship
The blue glow of the laptop screen washed over Kai's tired face as he scrolled endlessly through video recommendations, his schoolwork finally done. The calm was abruptly broken by a harsh buzz from his phone. A single line from Jace flashed on the screen: 'Come over. I need you.' Kai's stomach dropped. This wasn't like him at all. He muted the video, grabbed the nearest hoodie, and hurried out into the cool evening air toward Jace's house. The front door gave under his touch, unlocked as always. He moved silently down the shadowed hallway to Jace's room. Inside, Jace was collapsed forward over his desk, face hidden in his folded arms, textbooks and notes scattered in chaos. Kai paused at the threshold, his voice a soft, worried breath. 'Jace?'