Tae-ui knew this moment was inevitable. He could only avoid the situation—and Ilay—for so long. But the idea of completely avoiding Ilay wasn't something he was ready for, not yet. They had just reconnected after so much time apart, and the thought of keeping his distance felt impossible. He didn't want that.
So, the next morning, Tae-ui made a decision. Instead of waiting for things to escalate further, he went to Ilay himself.
In the cafeteria, Tae-ui spotted Ilay sitting alone at a table, his usual composed expression masking whatever he might be thinking. Taking a deep breath, Tae-ui walked over, his heart pounding in his chest. He placed his tray down and slid into the empty seat across from Ilay.
"Can I join you?" Tae-ui asked, his voice a little more casual than he felt.
Ilay's expression flickered—just for a moment. It was subtle, but Tae-ui could see the mix of surprise and something else, something darker, before Ilay's neutral mask slipped back into place.
"Sure," Ilay replied, his voice calm and measured as always.
As Tae-ui settled in, Ilay glanced down at the table, then back up with a slightly playful smirk. "Ah... I don't have an extra beer."
Tae-ui chuckled, shaking his head. "I got it covered." He slid a can of beer across the table toward Ilay.
But instead of the usual playful banter, Ilay's expression darkened, his eyes locking onto Tae-ui's with a sudden intensity. It wasn't anger—it was something far more charged, and it made the air between them feel heavy.
"Why?" Tae-ui asked, feeling a small thrill of nervousness at the shift in Ilay's demeanor.
Ilay's gaze didn't waver. His voice, low and deliberate, sent a shiver down Tae-ui's spine. "I want to kiss the hell out of you right now."
Tae-ui's breath caught, his heart skipping a beat. But before he could respond, Ilay leaned back slightly, his expression still dark but edged with self-restraint. "But I also know you wouldn't like it if I did that here."
That did it. Tae-ui couldn't help it—he started laughing, a soft, quiet laugh that bubbled up from somewhere deep inside. It had been so long since he laughed like this, so long since something about Ilay made him feel this kind of joy.
He could feel his cheeks warming, the laughter mixing with the heat of the moment. His face must've been flushed, but he didn't care. He was just happy. Content, even, to be sitting there, to share this space with Ilay after all they had been through.
When Tae-ui finally managed to stop laughing, he looked up, his eyes meeting Ilay's. To his surprise, Ilay was smiling too. A rare, genuine smile, one that softened his usual sharpness.
Ah... that smile. It could kill me, Tae-ui thought, his heart fluttering in his chest. And I wouldn't mind it one bit. If this was how it felt to be with Ilay, even in these small moments, then he'd take it.
Tae-ui's smile widened, and he saw Ilay's smile stretch just a bit more, the silent connection between them deepening.
Oh, I want to kiss him too. The thought surged through Tae-ui with sudden intensity. Does he even realize what he does to me? He must know. The pull between them was palpable, impossible to ignore now.
Before Tae-ui even knew what he was doing, he stood up, his heart racing. He quickly dropped his breakfast plate at the washing area and walked out of the cafeteria. His mind was racing, the energy between them too much to ignore. He needed to be alone with Ilay— now.
