Chapter Text
Khun Aguero Agnis had never been known for his kindness. That reputation, well-earned over years of cutting through people’s bullshit with the finesse of a well-practiced knife, followed him from his office to the surgical floor, from the OR to the cafeteria. He was a contradiction to everything people expected from someone in his field; sharp-tongued, cold, and entirely uninterested in hiding his distaste for human incompetence, Aguero often had interns flinching or nurses rolling their eyes the minute he opened his mouth. Today was no different, except that this morning he had a far larger problem than someone’s botched patient file or another annoying consultation request. This morning, his problem was named Jue Viole Grace, or Bam.
He didn’t even know how to bring it up to his friends, though; even he couldn’t tell Hatz and Shibisu about the mess that had somehow led him into a marriage without a hint of shame. Aguero’s glare was firmly fixed on the corner of his desk, his hand pressed against his forehead as he mentally braced himself for what was coming.
“So,” Shibisu drawled, leaning back in the chair across from him. His scrubs were still on, a testament to the fact that he’d come straight here after a night shift, though his expression was bright with far too much interest for Aguero’s taste. “You just happened to sign some paperwork, and now you’re married. Just like that?”
Aguero’s gaze darkened as he muttered, “That’s the short version, yeah.”
Hatz, always the more composed of the two, narrowed his eyes, assessing Aguero as though expecting him to add some vital piece of information that would make sense of it all. Aguero clenched his jaw, his irritation flaring at the skepticism on his friends’ faces.
“You two act like I planned this,” Aguero hissed, fingers curling on his desk. “I was signing off on a new hospital project, right? Bam’s family got tangled in with ours somehow, I don’t know, fucking red tape and all that. My secretary brings in this pile of forms, I go through them without a second glance because, you know, that’s how you get through a day around here. The next thing I know, I’m legally married to an eighteen-year-old engineering student.”
Shibisu laughed. Actually laughed, his hand slapping his thigh as he took in Aguero’s glowering expression. “So you’re telling me that the Khun Aguero Agnis, master of efficiency and control, got legally bound to some kid because of a slip of paper?”
“It wasn’t just a slip of paper,” Aguero snapped, but even he couldn’t deny how ridiculous it sounded. He could feel his friends’ amusement radiating across the room, fueling his already-mounting frustration.
“And you said he’s…what, a Ha family kid?” Hatz asked, managing to keep a straight face even as he tried to hide a smirk. “That Bam guy?”
“Yeah, youngest son of the Ha family in Japan. And a damn genius, apparently. Top student at his university, first-year mechanical engineering. But dense as a rock, the kid has no idea what’s happening half the time.” Aguero’s voice trailed off, exasperated, as he thought back to his first encounter with Bam.
The guy was…something else. He’d shown up at their hospital’s annual gala, quiet, eyes darting everywhere, and when they’d exchanged the most cursory conversation, Aguero could almost feel the kid trying to memorize the place instead of focusing on the conversation. Every question Aguero threw at him was met with polite but minimal responses, like the kid was listening but also miles away. It wasn’t until later that he learned Bam was trying to understand the structural integrity of the building by sight alone.
“But doesn’t he know about the marriage?” Shibisu asked, his amusement tempered by genuine curiosity. “I mean, wouldn’t he have signed something?”
Aguero shrugged, exhaling sharply. “He’s got his own company handlers and family deals to think about. For all I know, the paperwork was handled by their legal team. The point is, Bam’s acting like he didn’t sign a damn thing, and now I’m the idiot in this entire mess.”
Hatz raised an eyebrow. “How is it that someone with Bam’s intelligence hasn’t noticed that he’s married? I mean, a name change, legal address, something has to have tipped him off.”
“Oh, trust me, he’s bright,” Aguero muttered. “But the kid’s in his own world. He’s focused on some prototype he’s working on—so much so that the entire concept of being married probably hasn’t even occurred to him yet.” Aguero smirked, though it was hardly a smile. “He’s too busy calculating torque or whatever it is they study in engineering to notice.”
“Sounds like fate to me,” Shibisu said, leaning back with a smug look. “Maybe you’re supposed to be stuck with him for a while. Balance out your wonderful personality with someone as dense as that.”
“Fate,” Aguero scoffed, his jaw clenching again as the thought settled uncomfortably in his mind. “I don’t believe in that bullshit. This is just a mistake. A mess.”
“But think about it,” Shibisu continued, warming to his own theory. “Someone like you—cold, heartless bastard of the Khun family—paired up with a guy like Bam, an engineering prodigy from the Ha family. It’s almost poetic. Maybe you two were meant to meet, even if it had to be through some, uh, interesting legal means.”
“Cut the romantic crap, Shibisu,” Aguero growled, crossing his arms. “If it were up to me, I’d have annulled this the second I found out.”
“But you can’t,” Hatz pointed out, barely managing to hide the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Not with all the red tape involved. Hospital policies and the family politics make it…complicated, right?”
Aguero ground his teeth, loathing the fact that he couldn’t argue. As heir to the Khun Empire, every move he made was scrutinized, calculated, and torn apart by the family council. Any change in his marital status would have to be approved through formal channels, which was likely to take months.
“Fine,” he muttered, defeated. “It’s complicated. But this doesn’t mean anything. Bam and I aren’t ‘fated’ or whatever nonsense you’re spouting. This is just a technicality, and as soon as it’s sorted, I’m going back to my life.”
“Which is what?” Shibisu teased. “Screaming at nurses and interns, getting involved in endless surgeries, and avoiding your family like the plague?”
Aguero shot him a withering look. “Yes, actually. That’s the plan. You have a problem with it?”
Hatz chuckled softly, a rare smile breaking his otherwise stoic expression. “Maybe this will be good for you, Aguero. Might be time to try something new, shake up your routine a bit. And honestly? That kid Bam might just survive you. Sounds like he doesn’t give a damn about all the things that usually irritate you.”
Aguero sighed, running a hand through his hair, already regretting telling them any of this. He could handle the marriage situation on his own, he told himself. The last thing he needed was Hatz and Shibisu deciding to play matchmaker with his life.
“Look, just…don’t go thinking this is some grand romantic setup, alright?” Aguero snapped, eager to shut them up before they got any more ideas. “The minute this is fixed, I’m done with him.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Shibisu said, rolling his eyes. “You know, Aguero, I think the problem here is you’re just scared to let anyone in. Maybe Bam is exactly what you need. Not that I’m saying you’ll fall head over heels for him, but at least it’ll force you to interact with a human being outside of work.”
Aguero clenched his jaw, not deigning to respond. Instead, he rose to his feet, crossing the room to check on the stacks of charts and reports awaiting his review. It wasn’t that he was afraid of letting anyone in, he told himself. It was that he didn’t have the time, the interest, or the inclination to involve himself with someone else. Not after watching the family empire take his parents and twist them into strangers, leaving him and his siblings to pick up the pieces. No, he had his own life, his own goals, and he wasn’t about to let some eighteen-year-old engineering student with a dense head and a quiet smile change that.
As if on cue, his phone buzzed, and Aguero’s brow furrowed when he saw Bam’s name on the screen. He hesitated a moment, debating whether to answer, but finally sighed and tapped the green button.
“Yeah?” he said, his tone curt.
“Um, Aguero? I was just wondering—could we meet sometime this week?” Bam’s voice was soft, polite, and entirely unruffled by Aguero’s impatience.
“What for?” Aguero demanded, even though he already knew the answer.
“Well, the paperwork,” Bam replied, and Aguero could practically hear him struggling to articulate what was likely a completely foreign concept for him. “I know you’re busy, but…I just want to understand it all, I guess.”
Aguero sighed, irritation and an odd, unplaceable feeling warring in his chest. “Fine. Friday at three. My office. Don’t be late.”
“Oh—okay, yeah, I’ll be there,” Bam said, sounding slightly flustered but still polite. “Thanks, Aguero.”
Aguero hung up, tossing his phone onto the desk with a huff, his eyes drifting to the smirks plastered on Shibisu’s and Hatz’s faces.
“Oh, don’t you dare start,” he warned them.
Shibisu shrugged, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Just remember, sometimes, life has a way of making us face exactly what we’re trying to avoid.”
Aguero rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t ignore the way Shibisu’s words settled into his mind. Bam was just another problem to solve, he reminded himself firmly. Just another bureaucratic mistake that he’d fix, eventually, so that he could get back to his life the way he wanted it. But somehow, as he returned to his paperwork, the image of Bam’s quiet, thoughtful expression lingered in his mind, stubborn and unyielding, much like the problem itself.
At precisely three in the afternoon, Bam stood at the door to Aguero’s office, wearing the same look of polite uncertainty he’d had at their last meeting. Aguero had to admit, it was rare to find someone as punctual as he was. There were more important things to notice, he reminded himself, like how the kid was about to be dragged into a mess neither of them wanted but were both bound by for the foreseeable future. Aguero’s scowl deepened as he motioned for Bam to come in and sit down.
Bam’s eyes flitted around the room for a moment, absorbing the stacks of medical journals, the wall of framed certificates, and the view of the city skyline outside. He looked so out of place here, Aguero thought, with his simple jeans and collared shirt, hands folded in his lap as he sat down across from him. For someone whose family controlled half of Japan’s engineering market, Bam certainly didn’t carry the arrogance Aguero would have expected.
Aguero cleared his throat, drawing Bam’s attention to him. “Alright,” he began, voice firm. “There’s a situation here, and it’s about time we discuss it like adults.” He took a breath, glancing down at his desk for a moment before continuing. “I don’t know how much you understand about this, but our so-called marriage isn’t going away overnight. With the amount of bureaucratic red tape, annulments aren’t exactly a walk in the park.”
Bam blinked, his expression polite but blank, as if Aguero were explaining a particularly dull calculus problem.
“So…we’re stuck being married for a while,” Aguero said, letting the words sink in. He could see Bam’s eyes widen slightly, but that was it—no panic, no surprise, just quiet acceptance. He wondered if anything rattled this kid.
“So what do we do now?” Bam asked, tilting his head, voice soft but attentive.
“We live through it,” Aguero replied bluntly. “For now, we pretend this marriage is real. Which means you’ll probably be seeing a lot more of me.”
Bam nodded, taking this in as though Aguero had just suggested they sit together in a lecture hall. There wasn’t the slightest trace of understanding in his eyes, and it grated on Aguero’s nerves that Bam wasn’t seeing the problem.
“Let me spell it out for you,” Aguero said, leaning forward. “This isn’t a minor inconvenience. Your family has influence, power. They’re going to be watching every move we make from now on. I’m not letting your father, or anyone else for that matter, accuse me of abandoning you, no matter how ridiculous that sounds.”
Bam nodded again, his brows furrowing in a look of what Aguero hoped was consideration. “So, you’re saying we’ll have to…stay married?”
“Exactly.” Aguero fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Until we can end it officially, we’re stuck in this together. We’ll figure out how to live with it, but don’t get any ideas. This is strictly a formality.”
“Alright, that makes sense,” Bam said, almost too cheerfully. Aguero couldn’t help but wonder if he understood a single word he’d just said.
“It makes sense?” Aguero repeated, incredulous. “Do you even know what we’re dealing with here?”
Bam shrugged, his expression still as calm as ever. “Not really, but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it. It’s just living together, right? Like having a roommate?”
Aguero couldn’t hold back the short, humorless laugh that escaped him. “Not exactly, but I’ll take it if that’s how you want to think about it.”
Bam’s face remained calm, though a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Then I’m good with it.”
For a long moment, Aguero just stared at him, unable to believe this was happening. Bam seemed genuinely fine with the arrangement, as if the concept of living with a stranger was as natural as attending a class or working on one of his projects.
“Do you have any idea what this means for us?” Aguero asked finally, his tone incredulous. “Living together, sharing space, all of it?”
Bam blinked, his expression innocent. “I mean, we’ll both be busy with our own things, right? You have your work at the hospital, and I’ll be focused on my studies and projects. I don’t see how it’d be that different.”
Aguero sighed, leaning back in his chair. How was he supposed to communicate the gravity of this situation to someone who seemed determined to treat it like a minor inconvenience? Bam was bright, but dense enough that Aguero wasn’t sure if he’d ever get through to him.
“Look,” he said, his voice tight with frustration. “This isn’t just about logistics. There’ll be people watching, people who are going to assume that because we’re legally married, we’re actually…together. I don’t want your family breathing down my neck or interfering because they think I’m mistreating you, alright?”
Bam’s eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn’t considered this. “So…we just keep things looking normal?”
“Precisely,” Aguero replied, nodding. “We put on a front. Simple as that.”
Bam nodded, his expression thoughtful as he took this in. Aguero could practically see the gears turning in his head, and despite himself, he was impressed by the kid’s ability to process things so calmly. For all his denseness, Bam had an uncanny knack for adapting quickly, which Aguero supposed would make things slightly easier.
“So…will I be moving in with you?” Bam asked, as if discussing the arrangements for a group project.
Aguero narrowed his eyes. “Yes. My place is closer to both the hospital and your university, so it makes the most sense. Besides,” he added with a wry smile, “I doubt you’d want to be living under your family’s scrutiny. This way, they’ll think you’re safe with me, and they won’t stick their noses into every little detail of our lives.”
“Good point,” Bam said, nodding in agreement. “They can be…overprotective sometimes.”
Aguero raised an eyebrow. “Overprotective, huh? Try invasive. I can’t have them meddling, so the fewer questions they ask, the better.”
Bam looked at him, eyes slightly narrowed as though he were processing this new revelation. “Alright. I can stay out of your way, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Aguero huffed, crossing his arms. “Just don’t treat this like some casual arrangement. We might be pretending, but as far as everyone else is concerned, this marriage is real. It’s going to affect how people see both of us, our families, our reputations. We can’t afford to make a mess of it.”
“I understand.” Bam’s voice was steady, his gaze clear. “I’ll do my best to keep things…respectable.”
Aguero felt an unexpected flicker of respect for him. Bam might be dense, but there was an honesty to his words that Aguero couldn’t ignore. He hadn’t expected Bam to agree so easily, nor had he anticipated the quiet confidence behind his words.
“Fine, then,” Aguero said after a moment, forcing himself to relax. “But don’t go getting any ideas. As soon as we’re cleared to dissolve this mess, we’re going our separate ways. Got it?”
Bam smiled, a soft, almost hesitant expression crossing his face. “Got it. Just until it’s over.”
Aguero watched him, unable to decipher the look in his eyes. Bam’s calm acceptance was disconcerting; he’d expected the kid to at least seem uncomfortable or nervous, but instead, Bam seemed to be treating this as though it were just another odd assignment.
Shaking his head, Aguero leaned forward, fingers steepled as he gave Bam one last warning. “Alright, since you seem so determined to be fine with this, here’s what I expect. No sudden changes, no surprises. You keep to your own schedule, and I’ll keep to mine. We’re only doing this to keep things quiet until we’re free of each other. Understand?”
Bam nodded, his expression still unflappably calm. “I understand.”
The simplicity of his answer grated on Aguero, but he couldn’t exactly argue with it. Bam seemed to be handling this better than he was, and though it annoyed him, he had to admit that it made things easier. Still, he had a nagging feeling that this whole arrangement was going to test his patience in ways he couldn’t yet imagine.
They fell into silence, neither of them quite sure what to say next. Aguero watched Bam for a moment, taking in his expression. For all his outward calmness, Bam looked every bit the young college student he was, wide-eyed and innocent in a way that Aguero couldn’t remember ever being. There was an unspoken air of curiosity around him, as if Bam were studying him, trying to understand him. It was…unsettling.
But then Bam broke the silence, his tone casual. “So…when should I move in?”
Aguero blinked, surprised by the abruptness of the question. “Tomorrow. I’ll have the guest room set up. I’m assuming you’ll bring whatever you need on your own?”
Bam nodded, his gaze drifting to the window for a moment. “That sounds fine.”
“Good. I’ll send you my address and the access code for the mansion. Try not to make it obvious to your family. The last thing I need is them breathing down my neck because you’re moving in with me.”
Bam just looked at him, and for the first time, Aguero found it hard to decipher Bam’s expression. “I’ll be discreet, don’t worry.”
Aguero grunted, turning his gaze back to the paperwork on his desk. He didn’t trust this situation, didn’t like the idea of sharing his space, but there wasn’t much he could do about it now. Bam seemed fine with it, even amused, and that only added to Aguero’s frustration.
“Just…don’t mess with my things, alright?” Aguero said, his voice gruff.
Bam’s face remained impassive, his expression almost distant. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
With that, Bam rose from his seat, giving Aguero a small nod before heading toward the door. Just as he reached it, he paused, turning back to Aguero with that same calm, unruffled expression.
“Thank you, Aguero. I know this isn’t easy for you, and I appreciate that you’re willing to do this.”
Aguero stared at him, momentarily taken aback. The words were simple, but there was a sincerity to them that caught him off guard. He gave a short nod, unwilling to trust his voice with an answer.
Bam left, the door clicking softly behind him, and Aguero let out a long breath, leaning back in his chair. He had no idea how this was going to work, no idea what living with someone like Bam would be like, but he knew one thing for sure: nothing about this was going to be simple.
And somehow, he had the uneasy feeling that this dense, frustrating, and oddly thoughtful kid was going to complicate his life more than he could have ever anticipated.
Aguero entered the hospital later than he usually did, something that was unusual for him and drew a few curious glances from his colleagues. Normally, he would have been in his office by seven-thirty sharp, sipping his first espresso of the day, reviewing charts. But today was different. He’d spent the morning at home coordinating with his house staff, preparing for Bam’s arrival. The room next to his had been thoroughly cleaned, linens freshly changed, every trace of dust removed, and the closet cleared to make space for Bam’s belongings. Dan, his long-time head butler, had even added a small welcome basket to the room—a gesture Aguero himself hadn’t thought necessary, but Dan insisted.
“Going all out, aren’t we, Aguero?” Dan had teased, smirking as he helped instruct the other staff members to tidy up Bam’s designated guest room. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were actually looking forward to having someone around here with you.”
Aguero shot him a sharp look. “Don’t start with that,” he muttered, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe, observing the hustle and bustle around the room. “It’s just a formality, Dan. I’d be just as happy if this whole thing was settled without him ever setting foot in here.”
Dan chuckled, undeterred by Aguero’s curt tone. “Oh, I’m sure. But it’s been years since anyone stayed here. I think the staff is actually excited to have some new energy in the place. You know, young Bam does seem quite pleasant.”
Aguero rolled his eyes, annoyed by Dan’s meddling, but he kept his comments to himself. He had other things to worry about, like how he was going to manage living under the same roof as Bam without losing his mind. Bam wasn’t exactly unpleasant, but he was an enigma—polite, yes, but distant. It was as if the kid had a wall around him, something Aguero had felt acutely during their conversation yesterday. Bam had barely batted an eye at the thought of living with him, let alone understanding the magnitude of the situation. Aguero wasn’t sure if that made him enviably calm or annoyingly dense.
Around noon, Dan received word that Bam was on his way, accompanied by a carload of his belongings. Aguero was already resigned to the situation, but he couldn’t deny feeling a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension as he waited. Dan had seen to it that Bam’s luggage would be taken care of upon arrival, so Aguero decided to head to the entrance to meet him.
Sure enough, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the circular drive in front of his mansion. Bam stepped out, looking around with a calm expression that was almost eerie. He didn’t seem the least bit awestruck by the grandeur of Aguero’s mansion, the sweeping marble columns, or the sprawling manicured lawns. It was as if he’d seen it all before, and Aguero supposed that he probably had. The Ha family’s estate in Japan was renowned for its elegance, and Aguero could only imagine what kind of luxury Bam had grown up surrounded by.
Dan greeted Bam warmly and ushered him inside as the staff began unloading his bags. Aguero noted how Bam watched them with a polite nod, acknowledging their efforts without making a fuss. It was the kind of reserved politeness that Aguero associated with old money—the same quiet composure he’d been taught as a child. As they walked through the grand foyer, Aguero decided to go over their arrangement one more time, just to make sure Bam understood.
“So, just to reiterate,” Aguero began as they made their way toward the main hall. “You’ll be staying here in the guest room. I’ll be at the hospital most of the day, so you’ll have the place to yourself for the most part.”
Bam nodded, looking around the mansion with mild interest. “Understood.”
“And Dan here,” Aguero gestured to his butler, who smiled warmly, “will be the one driving you to campus and picking you up afterward. I don’t want you getting lost or relying on public transportation. Understood?”
“Yes,” Bam replied, completely unfazed. “Thank you.”
Aguero narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Bam for a moment. He half-expected some kind of reaction, maybe a flicker of annoyance at being treated like a child, but Bam only offered him a calm nod. It was almost unsettling how easily he accepted everything, as if none of it truly mattered.
“Good,” Aguero said, though he felt the frustration mounting in his chest. He had never met anyone so…impossibly dense. Bam was intelligent—his academic records proved that—but he seemed completely unaware of the implications of this arrangement. To him, it was just another routine, another series of instructions to follow. Aguero bit back the urge to shake him out of his polite indifference and continued leading him through the mansion.
They passed through the grand dining hall, the polished mahogany table gleaming under the chandelier’s light, and then into the study, where rows of leather-bound books lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Bam looked around with mild curiosity but didn’t seem overly impressed, a fact that both irked and amused Aguero. Most people would be wide-eyed at the sheer opulence of the Khun estate, but Bam’s expression was one of calm detachment, as though he was simply walking through a library or museum.
“So, this is where you’ll be living for the time being,” Aguero said, stopping in front of the door to the guest room. “Feel free to use the common areas, the library, the study. But keep out of my private rooms. I don’t want to find you snooping around my things.”
Bam’s eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied earnestly, his gaze steady. “I’ll respect your space.”
For a brief moment, Aguero felt a flicker of guilt. Bam wasn’t a child, nor was he someone who’d likely go snooping around in places he didn’t belong. Still, old habits die hard, and Aguero wasn’t used to sharing his personal space with anyone, let alone someone he hardly knew.
“Good,” Aguero replied gruffly, stepping aside to let Bam enter the guest room.
Bam took a few steps inside, observing the large bed, the tasteful decor, and the small, neat arrangement of toiletries on the dresser. He set his backpack down, giving the room an approving nod. “This is very nice. Thank you, Aguero.”
Aguero grunted in response, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. “I suppose it’ll do for now. If there’s anything you need, let Dan know.”
Bam nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I appreciate it.”
Aguero raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the sincerity in Bam’s voice. He hadn’t expected gratitude, especially not from someone as unreadable as Bam. There was a warmth to his tone that seemed oddly out of place in the sterile environment of the Khun mansion, and Aguero found himself strangely unsettled by it.
After a moment of silence, Bam glanced back at him, his expression calm. “Would it be alright if I unpacked? I have quite a bit of stuff to organize.”
Aguero blinked, momentarily at a loss. “Of course,” he replied, stepping back to give Bam some space. “Take your time.”
With a nod, Bam turned his attention to his luggage, beginning to sort through his belongings with quiet efficiency. Aguero watched him for a moment, caught between curiosity and a vague sense of frustration. How was this going to work, living under the same roof with someone so…different from him? Bam was like a puzzle with half the pieces missing, impossible to read and maddeningly calm. No one could tell what was going on in his mind, and Aguero was starting to doubt whether even Bam knew.
Dan appeared at his side, offering a knowing smile. “Seems like he’s settling in quite nicely, doesn’t he?”
Aguero shot him a glare. “He’s taking it all too well, if you ask me. Most people would be at least a little…bothered by this.”
Dan chuckled softly, undeterred by Aguero’s irritation. “Maybe he just adapts quickly. Not everyone gets flustered easily, you know.”
Aguero huffed, crossing his arms as he watched Bam continue unpacking with calm, measured movements. “That’s one way to put it,” he muttered. “Dense as a rock, more like.”
Dan raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh, come now. Perhaps he’s just a little…reserved. Besides, it could be good for you, having someone around who isn’t intimidated by you.”
Aguero scowled, refusing to dignify that with a response. Instead, he watched as Bam folded his clothes, placing them neatly into the drawers as though he had all the time in the world. His movements were precise, methodical, a reflection of the discipline he’d likely developed in his studies. Aguero could almost see the wheels turning in his mind, though whatever he was thinking remained a mystery.
Finally, Bam straightened up, turning back to face Aguero and Dan with that same calm expression. “I think that’s everything. Thank you again for letting me stay here.”
Aguero sighed, pushing off the doorframe. “It’s just until we get this mess sorted out. Don’t get too comfortable.”
Bam’s smile was polite, perhaps even a little amused, but he said nothing, merely nodding in acknowledgment. Aguero had the sense that Bam understood far more than he let on, yet chose to keep it to himself.
Dan patted Aguero’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine, Aguero. Give it a few days, and you’ll hardly notice he’s here.”
Aguero grunted, unconvinced. As he turned to leave, he cast one last glance at Bam, who was now arranging a few of his textbooks on the small desk by the window. It was a strange sight, this quiet, unassuming presence in his home, but he supposed he’d have to get used to it—for now, at least.