[ Kidnap ] Seungmin x skz ff~~

ch 40

The drive to Damien’s penthouse was shrouded in an oddly serene silence. Seungmin sat quietly in the passenger seat, his hands resting lightly on his lap, occasionally fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Damien, seated confidently behind the wheel of his luxury car, stole brief glances at him. The faint blush on Seungmin’s cheeks and the way his gaze flitted between his hands and the window stirred something deep within Damien—a protective yet possessive urge he couldn’t quite put into words.

The city lights danced outside as they sped through the quiet streets, painting fleeting patterns of gold and white across Seungmin’s face. Damien bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. How could someone so simple, so pure, captivate him so completely?

When they arrived, Damien led Seungmin out of the car and into the grand lobby of his building. The elevator ride up was another moment of quiet tension, their shoulders brushing once as Damien reached to press the button for his floor. The contact sent an electric jolt through Seungmin, who quickly turned his gaze to the ground.

Damien noticed. Of course, he noticed. But instead of teasing, he let the moment linger, his lips curling into the faintest smirk as he glanced down at the shy figure beside him.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the entrance to Damien’s penthouse. He opened the door with a flourish, stepping aside to let Seungmin enter first.

The space was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the glittering skyline of the city, the lights twinkling like a sea of stars. Sleek, modern furniture filled the expansive living area, with a neutral color palette that exuded elegance. The open floor plan connected the living room to a state-of-the-art kitchen, and the scent of leather and cedar lingered faintly in the air.

Seungmin’s eyes widened as he stepped inside. “This… this is beautiful,” he murmured, his voice almost reverent.

Damien shrugged off his jacket, tossing it casually onto the arm of a nearby chair. “It’s just a place to unwind,” he replied nonchalantly, though his chest swelled with a subtle pride at Seungmin’s reaction. “Come on, make yourself comfortable.”

Seungmin nodded hesitantly, slipping off his shoes and setting them neatly by the door. He wandered toward the windows, his gaze fixed on the view outside. The city stretched endlessly before him, a living, breathing entity of its own.

“Would you like something to drink?” Damien’s voice broke the spell, drawing Seungmin’s attention back to him.

“Um, water would be fine,” Seungmin said, smiling softly.

Damien poured him a glass and handed it to him, their fingers brushing briefly. Seungmin’s heart skipped a beat at the simple contact, and he quickly took the glass, murmuring a quiet “thank you.”

“Have a seat,” Damien gestured to the couch. “I’ll whip up something for dinner.”

Seungmin blinked in surprise. “You… cook?”

Damien chuckled, a low, rich sound that made Seungmin’s stomach flutter. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m not completely useless in a kitchen.”

As Damien moved to the kitchen, Seungmin perched himself on the edge of the couch, trying not to feel out of place in the luxurious surroundings. He sipped his water, occasionally sneaking glances at Damien, who looked effortlessly at home as he moved about the kitchen.

The sound of pots clinking and water running was oddly soothing, and Seungmin found himself relaxing. When Damien returned with two plates of pasta, he set them down on the dining table, gesturing for Seungmin to join him.

They ate in companionable silence at first, the meal simple yet delicious. “This is really good,” Seungmin said, his voice tinged with genuine surprise.

Damien raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Told you I wasn’t useless.”

Seungmin laughed softly, the sound like music to Damien’s ears. For a moment, the world outside disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the warm glow of the penthouse.

After dinner, Seungmin instinctively began gathering the plates, moving toward the sink. Damien frowned slightly. “You’re a guest. You don’t have to do that.”

Seungmin shook his head, a small, determined smile on his lips. “You cooked. It’s only fair I help clean up.”

Damien leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching as Seungmin rolled up his sleeves and started rinsing the plates. His movements were quick but careful, and Damien couldn’t help but admire the way Seungmin took even the smallest tasks seriously.

Without realizing it, Damien stepped closer, his presence suddenly looming behind Seungmin. The proximity was unintentional—at least, that’s what he told himself—but the warmth radiating from Seungmin pulled him in like a magnet.

Seungmin turned slightly, brushing against Damien’s arm in the process. “Oh, sorry!” he said quickly, looking up at Damien.

Damien’s eyes softened, his lips curving into a small smile. “It’s fine.”

The moment hung in the air, the space between them charged with an unspoken tension. Seungmin’s cheeks flushed, and he quickly turned back to the sink, his heart pounding in his chest. Damien stayed close, his gaze fixed on the curve of Seungmin’s neck, the way the soft light of the kitchen highlighted his features.

He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to reach out, to touch, to claim. Not yet. Not like this.

Instead, he stepped back, clearing his throat. “Let me help,” he said, his voice slightly husky.

Together, they finished the dishes, their movements in perfect sync despite the electricity buzzing between them. As they dried the last plate, Damien finally let out a soft chuckle. “You really are full of surprises, Seungmin.”

Seungmin tilted his head, confused. “What do you mean?”

Damien leaned against the counter, his gaze steady. “You’re more than I expected… and somehow, you keep surprising me.”

Seungmin blinked, feeling the weight of Damien’s words sink in. His heart fluttered again, and for the first time, he wondered if maybe—just maybe—there was something more to the connection they shared.