Pregnant During An Apocalypse [BL]

Chapter 228: Chapter 228 - Awkward breakfast

Night came faster than expected. The air had cooled, and a thin mist was beginning to creep along the ground. Shao remained outside, sitting on the stone steps just outside the dorm building, hugging the same pillow he’d been holding all day. His arms were tight around it, but the familiar scent had long faded, leaving behind a dull ache in his chest.

He didn’t want to go back to Jai’s room. Not yet.

He didn’t want to face him.

Not when his own thoughts were still messy—uncontrolled. Not when his impulses still felt so raw and close to the surface. There was a fear inside him. Not of Jai, but of himself. Of what he might do if he didn’t keep some distance. If he didn’t clamp down on whatever was growing inside him.

And so, he sat there, alone and frustrated. The pillow wasn’t offering any comfort anymore.

At one point, footsteps echoed down the hall, slow and easy. Qiu Yue strolled by, a toothpick in his mouth, hands tucked casually in his jacket pockets. He paused when he noticed the slouched figure on the floor.

”What,” he asked, brows raising. ”Rejected by your gang?”

Shao didn’t even look up. ”I’m staying with you.”

Qiu Yue blinked. ”I didn’t offer.”

But Shao was already standing, grabbing the pillow tighter under his arm as he walked past him without waiting for a reply.

Qiu Yue sighed, one hand still in his pocket as he turned and followed behind him anyway.

”Tch. What a pain,” he muttered, but there wasn’t any real bite to it.

Qiu Yue’s room was small—barely enough for one person, let alone two. A worn mattress lay on the floor, unmade and cluttered with a few clothes tossed carelessly. An empty ramen cup sat on the lone table beside a rusted fan. It buzzed faintly, pushing stale air around the room.

Shao stepped in without a word and sat down on the cold floor, placing the pillow beside him like it was something precious. He didn’t ask for a blanket or space on the bed. He just sat, knees drawn up, eyes distant.

Qiu Yue shut the door behind them and leaned against it, watching him for a moment. ”You’re really gonna sleep on the floor?”

Shao didn’t respond.

There was a strange tension in the air—unspoken and heavy. It wasn’t anger. It was something else. Tiredness maybe. Resignation. Shame.

Qiu Yue sighed and moved to the mattress, plopping down with a thud. ”Fine. Don’t snore.”

The silence returned, but this time it wasn’t so hostile. Just... tired.

After a few minutes, Qiu Yue shifted onto his side and glanced down. ”You gonna tell me what happened?”

Shao stared at the floor. His fingers dug into the fabric of the pillow. ”Nothing.”

”You’re lying.”

Shao didn’t deny it. His shoulders dropped slightly, as though even keeping up the lie was exhausting.

After a long pause, he whispered, ”I didn’t want to do something I’d regret.”

Qiu Yue tilted his head, watching him more carefully now. ”What is that?”

Shao’s jaw clenched. ”Something out of control.”

There was a weight in his words. Something darker than what he let on.

Qiu Yue didn’t press. He just rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head. ”Everyone here’s got something they’re trying to control.”

Shao lay down slowly beside the mattress, resting his head on the pillow. His eyes stayed open, staring at nothing. The room felt a little warmer now, the fan’s whirring a little softer.

”I know,” he said, almost inaudibly.

******

Morning light filtered in through the dusty windows of the cafeteria, casting slanted shadows across the metal tables. The air smelled of congee and overcooked sausage, with a hint of something burnt lingering faintly.

Hana sat down with her tray, Yuki beside her quietly nibbling at a slightly burned sausage. She scanned the group absently, but her eyes soon narrowed slightly. Something was off.

Jai sat stiffly, poking at his bowl with a spoon, shoulders tight. He hadn’t once looked up since they gathered.

Shao, on the other hand, was seated unusually far away—on the outer edge of the table, as if he were part of a different group entirely. He ate in silence, methodically, without glancing up.

Hana leaned toward Muchen, voice low. ”Did something happen with Shao?”

”I don’t know..” Muchen said with a mouth full of food. ”did he act strangely last night?

Hana raised a brow. ”he didn’t sleep in our room.”

”what?” Muchen looked mildly confused. He followed her gaze, then shrugged. ”I thought he stayed with you guys? Shao, where did you go last night?”

Shao’s spoon stilled. His eyes flicked briefly toward Yunfeng—sharp, pointed. ”Someone locked me out. I had to sleep on the floor.”

Yunfeng innocently blinked up, mid-bite, and gestured vaguely with a mouthful of rice. ”Huh? That wasn’t me.”

”I had to sleep on the floor.” Shao glared down at him.

Yunfeng just shrugged.

”where did you sleep?” Muchen looked at him confused.

Before the awkward silence could settle in too deeply, ”With me.” Qiu Yue piped up calmly, chewing lazily on his sausage. ”I even gave you my comforter. Don’t act like I left you in the cold.”

Jai finally looked up. His gaze darted between Shao and Qiu Yue, brows knitting together. His spoon was still, half-submerged in the watery congee. A strange tightness formed in his expression.

The food in front of him suddenly lost its appeal.

He pushed his bowl slightly away.

No one said anything for a beat too long.

Shao, expression unreadable, stood up mid-meal. ”I’ll eat outside.”

He picked up his tray and walked out without looking back.

Jai stared at the empty space he left behind, and without meaning to, let out a quiet sigh.

Hana watched him carefully, then glanced at Muchen again, unsure.

”...Well,” Muchen muttered, scratching the back of his neck. ”That was weird.”

”Yeah,” Hana said softly. ”Really weird.”