𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 | 𝗧𝗮𝗲𝗝𝗶𝗻

3

Seok-Jin stood silently, observing the interaction between his father and Tae-Hyung. His father was dressed in a sharp black suit, his hair neatly combed, a few strands rebelliously falling over his forehead. He looked every bit the business tycoon, even after the break he had taken. He was now ready to leave for the office, his posture confident, his movements calm and deliberate.

Tae-Hyung, standing beside him, looked slightly more relaxed in comparison. His appearance was polished but casual. He wore a soft toffee-and-yellow mixed shirt that accentuated his toned frame, paired with cream-colored pants. His golden chain gleamed faintly in the light, and his hair, parted neatly to the side, made him appear younger, more approachable. His soft smile never left his face as he gently adjusted Shi-Hyuk's suit collar, a small gesture that conveyed their close relationship.

"Why so soon, darling?" Tae-Hyung’s voice was soft, yet it carried a sense of light-hearted protest. His fingers lightly tugged at the collar of Shi-Hyuk's jacket, adjusting it with care. "We just got married last week. Can't you take a few more days off? We deserve some time together, don't you think?"

Shi-Hyuk chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with a mix of affection and amusement. "I would, honey, I truly would. But there’s a foreign client arriving today, and I can’t afford to miss this opportunity." He reached up, placing a reassuring hand on Tae-Hyung’s cheek, the gesture warm and intimate. "I promise, we’ll have plenty of time for ourselves later."

Tae-Hyung let out a long, dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes in mock frustration. But despite his playful tone, there was a hint of reluctance in his gaze as he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his husband’s lips. "Fine, but only because you're so irresistible." His lips curved into a teasing grin. "See you tonight, alright?"

"See you soon, honey." Shi-Hyuk’s voice was tender, and he gently cupped Tae-Hyung’s face, his fingers brushing against his skin before picking up his briefcase. "Take care, Seok-Jin," he added, nodding toward his son, who stood quietly.

"Take care, Dad." Seok-Jin replied softly, giving his father a brief nod. He watched as Shi-Hyuk left, the sound of the door closing gently behind him.

As Seok-Jin turned to retreat to his room, Tae-Hyung’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Seok-Jin," Tae-Hyung called out, his tone casual but filled with curiosity. "Wait for a moment."

Seok-Jin paused and glanced back at his stepfather, his expression a mix of confusion and cautious curiosity. "What is it?"

Tae-Hyung’s eyes softened as he stepped toward Seok-Jin, his smile kind but a little uncertain. "I’ve been thinking. Now that we’re family, I’d like to get to know you better. Hyung has told me a few things about you, but I feel like it would be nice to spend some time together—just the two of us. What do you say? We could talk, hang out… get to know each other more."

Seok-Jin’s immediate instinct was to decline. He’s unsure of how to feel about the sudden change in his life. But the sincerity in Tae-Hyung’s voice, paired with the warmth in his eyes, made him hesitate. There was no malice or ulterior motive in Tae-Hyung’s request, only a genuine desire to connect.

Seok-Jin’s lips twitched into a small, cautious smile. "Okay. I guess that could be nice."

Tae-Hyung’s eyes lit up at the response, his grin widening. "Great! I’ll wait for you, go get ready. I’ll take you somewhere special."

Seok-Jin nodded and walked off to his room, the soft rustling of his clothes the only sound in the quiet house. Tae-Hyung, for his part, adjusted his appearance one last time, smoothing out his shirt and giving himself a quick once-over in the mirror. His lips, naturally full, glistened slightly from the balm he had applied. He couldn’t help but feel confident in how he looked—he always did when he wanted to make an impression.

When Seok-Jin finally emerged from his room, Tae-Hyung’s breath caught in his throat. He had expected Seok-Jin to look good, but the sight that greeted him was more striking than he had imagined. Seok-Jin was dressed in a light grey, mid-thigh dress that perfectly complimented his pale complexion. The soft fabric swayed gently with his movements, hugging his slender figure in just the right way. His flat sandals were simple but elegant, adding to the light, airy feel of his outfit. A white handbag hung delicately from his arm, the soft color contrasting with his soft skin.

Seok-Jin’s face was naturally delicate, his features refined, and his dark hair framed his face beautifully. His makeup was subtle, just enough to accentuate his high cheekbones and full lips. A long earring dangled from his left ear, catching the light as he moved. The way Seok-Jin held himself, the way his eyes seemed to shimmer with quiet intelligence, made Tae-Hyung’s heart skip a beat. He had never expected the male to be so beautiful, so effortlessly graceful.

Tae-Hyung couldn’t tear his gaze away. For a moment, he just stood there, taking in the sight of Seok-Jin. He knew it wasn’t appropriate, but the allure of the young man before him was undeniable. He quickly shook himself out of his stupor and smiled brightly, though there was a slight hesitation in his voice.

"Let’s go," he said, trying to keep his tone light and casual. Seok-Jin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips as he looked at his stepfather.

"Yeah, let’s go."