✓LOVER BOY | hwang hyunjin

58. New Beginnings

- edited version.

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"Watch your step." Hyunjin caught Yeseul by the waist, steadying her. He couldn't hide his smile, cheeks aching from it. Yeseul met his gaze through tousled hair, her intoxicated grin infectious.

"You're taking me to your bedroom without permission?" she teased.

Hyunjin fumbled with the keys, blood rushing to his face. "You need to sober up."

The warm glow of the room greeted them as he pushed the door open. He slipped off his shoes, leaving Yeseul leaning against the wall, muttering to herself. Chuckling, he knelt to remove her heels. She winced, gripping his hair for balance.

"Careful, I'd like to keep my hair."

"You'd make a cute bald man," she said, cupping his face. Then, with a shy look, "I can't feel my legs."

Hyunjin sighed, lifting her into his arms. Their eyes locked for a beat too long before he cleared his throat. "I'll put you down now."

He set her gently on the couch, stepping back as she settled in. Scratching the back of his neck, he tried to act casual. "I'll go freshen up and make dinner." Before she could respond, he disappeared into his room.

Yeseul blinked, realizing where she was. Hyunjin's apartment. Interesting.

Freshly changed into a loose black T-shirt and pants, Hyunjin splashed cold water on his face, hoping to cool his nerves. He hesitated at the mirror, grabbing his cologne and spraying a little. With a deep breath, he stepped out.

"He's here," Yeseul said into her phone, smiling.

Hyunjin saw Jeongin and Soji on a video call with her. He raised an awkward hand. "Hey, guys."

Jeongin grinned. "Hyunjin, you sly bast-"

Soji clamped a hand over his mouth. "You two have fun. Bye!"

Yeseul huffed as the call cut off. "Rude."

Hyunjin busied himself in the kitchen, retrieving tomatoes, eggs, cream, and garlic. He felt her eyes on him.

"What?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Nothing."

"Are you sober?" He started dicing the tomatoes, setting a pan on the stove.

"I'm feeling safer."

The words hit deeper than she probably meant them to. Hyunjin smiled softly. "I'll make you tomato egg. That sound good?"

"The best."

Yeseul hopped onto the counter, her arm brushing his. "Need help?"

Hyunjin chuckled. "You're still half-asleep."

She watched him roll up his sleeves, chop ingredients, and sauté them with practiced ease. The rhythmic movements were oddly captivating. She must've stared too long because Hyunjin smirked.

"Enjoying the show?"

She hummed in response. "You'd make a good husband."

Hyunjin froze mid-chop, staring at her. Yeseul felt the weight of her words and quickly backtracked. "Sorry, that was sudden. Guess I'm not fully sober."

To her surprise, Hyunjin laughed, hiding his grin behind his hand.

"What's funny?" she asked.

"You think I'd be a good husband?" He set the knife down and closed the distance between them in two steps.

Yeseul's heart stuttered. Was he always this good-looking?

"The tomatoes are burning," she blurted, hoping to divert his attention.

Hyunjin didn't even glance at the pan. "I turned the stove off."

She was close enough to feel his breath. Her hands instinctively rested on his chest, the only thing keeping them apart. His voice dropped, teasing, "Maybe you should prove if you'd make a good wife, too."

Yeseul smirked. "You sound like a podcast bro."

Hyunjin pressed on. "So, should I start thinking about a ring?"

"Easy there, lover boy."

"Don't leave me hanging, Sul."

She tilted her head, playing along. "I'll decide after tasting your cooking."

Hyunjin grinned. "Then I better get back to it."