̶**"Hmph,"** Jin grunted, still not looking. **"Depends if it's another dumb confession."**
Ming Ji smiled—small, real—and turned to face him.
**"No,"** he said quietly. **"Just… when you're ready… can I kiss you again?"**
Jin froze.
Then slowly turned his head.
And saw it—the warmth in Ming Ji's eyes, the softness beneath all that cocky charm…
Not teasing.
Not pushing.
Just *wanting.*
And Jin?
He looked away first—face burning—but muttered,
**"...maybe."**
But then— he added, so quiet it was almost lost—
"...*if you ask nicely.*"
Ming Ji grinned.
Because that?
That was a *yes*.
**"Please,"** Ming Ji said— soft, quiet, sincere— and Jin's chest clenched.
Maybe it was because he'd never heard Ming Ji say *please*; maybe it was the way he said it, like he meant it with every part of his soul…
Or maybe it was just because, deep down, part of Jin wanted the same damn thing.
