"Leave me, I said!"
Minjoon's voice was sharp, his hands pushing against Taehyun's chest.
But Taehyun's arms only tightened around his waist, his lips curving into a mischievous smile.
"Why are you always so restless?"
Minjoon's jaw clenched.
"Let go."
Taehyun leaned in closer, his breath brushing Minjoon's ear.
"Just one hug. That's all I want. You look dangerously attractive today, you know?"
Minjoon's eyes darkened. "Step back."
Something in his tone made Taehyun falter. He stepped back, raising his hands.
"Alright, alright. Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Minjoon exhaled heavily, straightening his shirt. His voice trembled with frustration.
"How many times must I tell you?
Stop wasting your time on me."
Taehyun's smile faded, replaced with a quiet sadness that made his words heavier.
"If this is wasting time, then I'll waste every second of my life this way with you."
Minjoon froze. The honesty in his tone unsettled him more than the touch ever could.
"Listen, Taehyun"
"Yes, my dear master "
"You sit in my office for hours, staring at me. I don't say anything. You drag me wherever you want I don't say anything. Even when you kissed me without asking, I let it go. But this you're crossing the line. We're not a couple. We're not anything, Taehyun. Why can't you stop acting like this?"
For a moment, silence. Then Taehyun's eyes softened, a fragile smile tugging at his lips.
"Because you're my comfort zone."
Minjoon blinked, startled. "What?"
"My comfort zone,"
Taehyun repeated, his voice almost tender. He caught Minjoon's hand gently, brushing his thumb over his knuckles.
"I always wanted someone who felt real. Someone who could be warm and sharp, mature yet quietly cute. You do that. You're all of it."
He guided Minjoon's hand to his chest, right over his heart.
"This doesn't care if you're male or female, Alpha, Omega, or Beta. It only knows your name. Minjoon."
The tremor in Minjoon's chest betrayed him. He bit down on his lip, eyes flickering away.
"Taehyun don't."
"I've tried so hard already,"
Taehyun whispered, stepping closer again.
"I told myself I'd stop. But I can't. Even if one day you sit beside someone else as their partner I'll still come for you. Because when it comes to you, I'm selfish."
His voice dipped lower.
"And I want you to be mine."
Minjoon's back hit the sink. He could feel the cold marble pressing against him as Taehyun leaned closer, eyes searching his face.
"Please," Taehyun murmured, his tone almost pleading now.
"Let go of that stubborn pride. Stop shutting me out. Just let me stay in the place where you breathe easiest. Let me be that place."
Before Minjoon could speak, Taehyun tilted forward, lips brushing lightly against his chin. Then a soft kiss against his cheek.
Minjoon's breath hitched, his entire face burning. His heart thrashed in his chest, his thoughts split one part screaming to push him away, another crumbling dangerously toward the warmth.
And then.
The bathroom door creaked open.
Both froze.
At the doorway, Jihyun stood in shock. His wide eyes darted from Taehyun's closeness to Minjoon's flushed face.
"I'm sorry!" Jihyun stammered, bowing quickly before fleeing out the door.
The silence he left behind was deafening.
Minjoon's chest rose and fell, his mind a storm. Taehyun still hadn't looked away from him,
Minjoon shoved Taehyun back, his voice low but firm.
"We'll talk about it later."
Before Taehyun could say anything more, Minjoon turned and walked out of the bathroom.
Taehyun stood frozen, his chest tightening as Minjoon's words echoed in his head.
Talk later!
He said we'll talk later.
That means he's going to talk with me. He hasn't shut me out completely. He's finally giving in.
A faint, almost broken smile crossed Taehyun's face.
Outside the bathroom, Jihyun lingered, unsure whether to walk away or wait.
He straightened when Minjoon stepped out, his brother's face still flushed.
Minjoon stopped in front of him, his voice hurried.
"It's not what you're thinking."
Jihyun tilted his head, forcing a smile, almost teasing but soft.
"Hyung, it's okay. You don't need to explain."
Minjoon's brows furrowed, his tone urgent.
"Jihyun, listen it's him. Taehyun. You know I'm not interested in Alphas like him."
Jihyun let out a small laugh, half amused, half sad.
"Hyung, relax. I didn't say anything. And I'm not going to tell Dad."
But then his eyes narrowed playfully.
"Though why are you out of breath if it's nothing?"
Minjoon's expression stiffened, guilt flickering across his face.
"Please, Jihyun. Don't tell Dad."
Jihyun held his gaze for a moment, then gave a soft sigh.
"I won't. I already told you I won't tell."