Bound by Love (Jaeyong)

Chapter 9: A Risky Gambit

As days turned into weeks, Jaehyun couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something had shifted between them. Taeyong had grown increasingly distant, his once fiery spirit tempered by a cautious reserve that left Jaehyun puzzled and uncertain of how to bridge the growing divide.

He noticed the subtle avoidance in Taeyong's demeanor—the fleeting glances that quickly averted whenever their eyes met, the excuses that peppered their interactions like an unspoken barrier. Jaehyun's heart clenched with a mixture of confusion and concern. Had he done something wrong? Or was it something deeper that eluded his understanding?

Meanwhile, Taeyong wrestled with the overwhelming weight of his hidden feelings, seeking solace and guidance from his friends. But their advice proved to be more mischievous than helpful—a playful suggestion to tease Jaehyun, to draw his attention with a bold gesture that belied the turmoil of Taeyong's own uncertainties.

That night, with a hesitant resolve, Taeyong tiptoed into Jaehyun's workspace—an unfamiliar territory that held the echoes of Jaehyun's quiet diligence. His heart hammered in his chest as he stood at the threshold, summoning the courage to carry out his friends' mischievous plan.

"Jaehyun," Taeyong began, his voice soft yet tinged with a hint of mischief. "Do you have a moment?"

Jaehyun looked up from his work, his brow furrowing in mild surprise at Taeyong's unexpected presence. He set aside his pen, the furrow between his brows easing as he regarded Taeyong with a mixture of curiosity and cautious optimism.

"What is it, Taeyong?" Jaehyun asked, his voice tinged with a warmth that softened the edges of their strained interactions.

Taeyong took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "I... um, I was just wondering about... this," he stammered, gesturing vaguely at nothing in particular. It was a feeble attempt to follow his friends' advice—a playful tease meant to draw Jaehyun's attention, to bridge the growing chasm between them.

But as he stood there, clad in nothing but an oversized t-shirt that hung loosely around his frame, Taeyong couldn't help but feel a rush of embarrassment. He had never been one for bold gestures, and the vulnerability that now exposed itself made his cheeks flush with heat.

Jaehyun's eyes widened imperceptibly at the sight of Taeyong—vulnerable yet undeniably alluring in his own right. He swallowed hard, his mind racing to maintain composure amidst the sudden surge of unexpected desire that flickered to life within him.

"I... um, Taeyong," Jaehyun managed to say, his voice faltering slightly as he struggled to find the right words. "Is everything alright?"

Taeyong quickly retreated from the brink of embarrassment, his cheeks burning with a mix of humiliation and regret. "Oh, um, yes, I just... never mind," he mumbled, turning on his heel to flee the scene of his ill-conceived plan.

Later that night, alone in the solitude of his own room, Taeyong buried his face in his hands, mortified by the failure of his attempt to tease Jaehyun. His friends' advice had only led to further confusion and embarrassment—a stark reminder of the complexities that underscored their fragile marriage.

Meanwhile, Jaehyun sat at his desk, his mind awash with a whirlwind of emotions that he struggled to comprehend. He had hidden his surprise well—the unexpected allure that Taeyong had unwittingly unveiled in his moment of vulnerability.

And as they navigated the aftermath of Taeyong's failed gambit, both Jaehyun and Taeyong found themselves grappling with the undeniable truth that lingered between them—a truth that defied expectations and hinted at the possibility of a future where love could bloom amidst the tangled threads of their arranged marriage.

Tbc.