𝔥𝔬𝔫𝔬𝔯 𝔬𝔣 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢

𝟏𝟓

Seungcheol stood up from the bed, holding a set of clothes in his hands. "Here, wear this for tonight, it'll make you feel comfortable" he said, offering the soft, white shirt. "It might be oversized, but I'll bring you something that fits better tomorrow."

He turned to leave, giving Jeonghan privacy to change, but suddenly felt a hand grip his wrist tightly. "Don't leave... please," Jeonghan's voice was barely a whisper, laced with a vulnerability that sent a jolt through Seungcheol. His body froze at Jeonghan's touch, but after a moment, he nodded, choosing to stay by his side.

Turning his back to give Jeonghan some space, Seungcheol waited quietly, glancing occasionally to ensure he was alright. As Jeonghan slipped into the shirt, Seungcheol caught a glimpse of his bare skin at the collar, noticing faint bruises against the delicate curve of his collarbone.

When Jeonghan finished, Seungcheol glanced back and noticed something was off. Jeonghan had tied the shirt's drawstrings incorrectly, leaving it slightly uneven-

Smiling softly, Seungcheol stepped closer. "Here, let me help," he murmured, gently adjusting the ties and smoothing out the fabric around Jeonghan's shoulders, the oversized sleeves falling around his hands.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the quiet intimacy of the gesture hanging in the air. Seungcheol pulled his hands back slowly, meeting Jeonghan's gaze, feeling an unspoken understanding pass between them.

Seungcheol gave Jeonghan a gentle, comforting smile, but then he noticed Jeonghan starting to sway, his face going pale. Before Jeonghan could fall, Seungcheol quickly caught him, holding him steady. Carefully, he helped Jeonghan lie down on the bed, then lay down beside him to keep him company.

"I'll take care of your wounds properly in the morning," Seungcheol said softly. "Just try to bear with it for tonight." His voice was full of warmth and concern, a tone that made Jeonghan's heart ache with unexpected emotion. He felt tears rising in his eyes as he looked at Seungcheol. How is it possible that a stranger could make me feel so safe?

Seungcheol's caring eyes brought back old memories, pulling Jeonghan into thoughts he hadn't visited in a long time. He remembered the way people had looked at him in the past or we can say even a day ago? There had been those who looked at him with greedy, hungry eyes, seeing him only as something to use and never truly caring for him. Others had looked at him with pity, as if he was weak or broken, but never truly understanding him.

But Seungcheol's gaze was different. There was no pity, no judgment, no selfishness in his eyes. Instead, there was a kind of concern that felt familiar, like the love and care his parents had once shown him. It reminded him of how his mother used to look at him with tenderness, or how his father had looked at him with worry when he was hurt. In Seungcheol's eyes, he saw that same kind of love-strong, pure, and willing to share his pain.

How could this be possible? Jeonghan wondered, feeling his heart ache as Seungcheol's hand rested gently on his shoulder, grounding him in the moment. This person, who barely knew him, was looking at him with such kindness, as if he was ready to carry Jeonghan's burdens if it would ease his pain. In Seungcheol's steady presence, Jeonghan felt a glimpse of the warmth he thought he'd lost forever-the feeling of being seen, understood, and cared for.

Jeonghan let a tear slip down his cheek, and Seungcheol noticed it right away. "Hey... it's alright," he said softly, hesitating as he tried to find the right words. But before he could say more, Jeonghan moved closer, hiding his face in Seungcheol's arm, as if seeking comfort there.

"I... I'm here," Seungcheol murmured, his voice full of quiet reassurance. "It's alright." He leaned his head back against the bed's headboard, letting Jeonghan rest against him. Slowly, he wrapped his arm around Jeonghan's shoulders, gently patting him in a calming rhythm.

By the time morning came, Seungcheol found himself still sitting beside Jeonghan. The early sunlight softly illuminated Jeonghan's face, making him look even more angelic, his expression peaceful in sleep. Seungcheol watched him closely, as if this moment was something rare and precious, something he didn't want to let go of.

×××

Joshua was darting around the halls, moving quickly from room's door to doors as if he were searching for something-or someone. After checking several rooms, he finally stopped in front of a specific door, pausing to glance around and make sure no one was watching. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he slipped quietly inside, careful not to make a sound.

Once inside, Joshua began scanning the room, checking every corner and surface. He opened drawers on the table, rummaging through them with a determined look, then moved to the closet, searching every inch of it. Finally, he reached for a small cabinet tucked inside the closet, a hidden compartment that seemed to require a closer look.

Just as he was about to open it, a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, holding him tightly.

"What is this behavior, Prince Joshua?" A low, husky voice filled the silence, sending a jolt of fear through Joshua. The words, sharp and accusing, seemed to echo off the walls, making him freeze. Joshua's heart started pounding, and a chill ran down his spine. He knew that voice all too well.

He was about to turn, to try and explain himself, but before he could even move, Seokmin's arms wrapped around him from behind, holding him firmly in place. Joshua's breath hitched as he felt the weight of Seokmin's grip tighten around his torso, making it clear there was no easy escape.

"its....hurting me, Seokmin..." Joshua managed to stammer, his voice shaky as he tried to pry Seokmin's arms away. He could feel the strength in Seokmin's hold, his hands locking around Joshua with an unyielding intensity. Every time Joshua tried to shift or pull away, the grip only grew stronger, grounding him in place, pressing him into the warmth of Seokmin's chest.

"I won't let you go," Seokmin's voice was steady and unrelenting, brushing close against Joshua's ear. "Not until you tell me why you're here. In my room."

Joshua swallowed hard, his mind racing, trying to gather a response. His thoughts were jumbled, half in panic and half from the unexpected closeness of Seokmin. The sensation of Seokmin's breath against his ear was overwhelming, clouding his focus. "I... I came here to find... to find you, of course," he said, his voice faltering, struggling to sound convincing.

A smirk played on Seokmin's lips as he leaned in closer, bringing his mouth just a hair's breadth from Joshua's skin. His voice softened, almost mockingly sweet, as he whispered, "In the closet...?"

Joshua felt a wave of heat creep up his neck, his heart pounding wildly. Seokmin's face was so close that he could feel his breath against his skin, his nose lightly grazing Joshua's neck in a way that made his entire body tense.josh bit his lower lip. The teasing was unbearable, sending Joshua's thoughts into a spiral. It felt like every nerve in his body was heightened, every sensation amplified by the closeness.

Before he could think, pure instinct took over. Joshua managed to break free, pushing Seokmin back by the chest with shaky hands. He stumbled backward, almost tripping in his haste, his mind a mix of panic and something else he couldn't quite name. Without another word, he turned and fled, heart racing, his breaths coming out fast and unsteady as he closed the door behind him and leaned against it, trying to calm himself down.

He ran a trembling hand through his hair, forcing himself to breathe as the tension in his body slowly faded. Then, as if remembering, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small ring. His fingers wrapped around it tightly, and a soft, relieved smile crept onto his lips. The brief, chaotic encounter with Seokmin lingered in his mind, but holding the ring in his hand brought a sense of calm, almost as if it was so something important....