The flight back home was tense, filled with unspoken words and stolen glances. Jeonghan sat by the window, his body turned slightly away from Mingyu, pretending to watch the clouds outside. Mingyu, seated next to him, had his arms crossed, his jaw tight, radiating a quiet frustration.
The prolonged heat had taken a toll on both of them, not just physically but emotionally. The line between pretending and reality had blurred in the worst possible way.
When the plane landed, Mingyu broke the silence first.
“I’ll drop you off at your place,” he said curtly, grabbing their bags.
Jeonghan nodded without a word, following him through the bustling airport.
---
The Ride Home
The drive to Jeonghan’s apartment was equally silent. The memories of the past few days were too vivid, too raw, and neither of them knew how to address what had happened.
Jeonghan finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “We don’t talk about it. Ever.”
Mingyu’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road. “That’s your solution? Pretend it didn’t happen?”
“Yes,” Jeonghan said, his tone sharper now. “That’s exactly what we do. It didn’t mean anything.”
Mingyu’s jaw clenched, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. “Right. Nothing at all.”
They pulled up in front of Jeonghan’s apartment, and Mingyu stopped the car abruptly. Jeonghan opened the door without another word, stepping out with his bag.
“Jeonghan,” Mingyu called before he could walk away.
Jeonghan froze but didn’t turn around.
Mingyu’s voice was low, almost a growl. “If it really meant nothing, why can’t you even look at me?”
Jeonghan didn’t answer. Instead, he walked inside, the door closing behind him like a final barrier.
---
Days of Distance
The days that followed were filled with avoidance. Mingyu buried himself in work, spending long hours at his office to keep his mind occupied. But no matter how much he tried to focus, his thoughts always drifted back to Jeonghan—to the way he’d looked at Mingyu during his heat, vulnerable and open in a way Mingyu had never seen before.
Jeonghan, on the other hand, threw himself into cleaning his apartment, grading papers, and doing anything to drown out the memories. But at night, when he was alone, the silence became unbearable.
He hated himself for how easily he’d given in, for how much he’d wanted Mingyu despite everything.
---
The Unavoidable Confrontation
It wasn’t long before Taehyung called, insisting that the “happy couple” make an appearance at another family dinner. Neither Mingyu nor Jeonghan could refuse without raising suspicions.
They met outside the estate, both looking slightly worse for wear. Jeonghan’s usual sharpness was dulled, and Mingyu’s eyes carried dark circles.
“You ready for this?” Mingyu asked, his tone neutral.
Jeonghan nodded stiffly. “Let’s get it over with.”
Inside, Taehyung greeted them with her usual enthusiasm, oblivious to the tension between them. “My favorite couple! You look wonderful!”
Jeonghan forced a smile, and Mingyu slipped into his role seamlessly, wrapping an arm around Jeonghan’s waist as they walked inside.
The dinner was a blur of small talk and forced laughter. But every time Mingyu’s hand brushed Jeonghan’s, or their eyes met across the table, the weight of what they weren’t saying pressed down on them.
---
After Dinner
When they finally escaped the prying eyes of Mingyu’s parents, Jeonghan exhaled deeply, stepping outside to breathe in the cool night air.
Mingyu followed, his presence heavy but silent.
Jeonghan turned to face him, his expression guarded. “What do you want, Mingyu?”
“To talk,” Mingyu said simply.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Jeonghan replied, crossing his arms. “We keep pretending until your parents back off, and then we go back to our lives. That was the deal.”
Mingyu stepped closer, his eyes searching Jeonghan’s. “And what if I don’t want to pretend anymore?”
Jeonghan’s breath hitched, but he quickly masked it with a scoff. “You’re just saying that because of what happened during my heat. It’s biology, Mingyu. Not feelings.”
Mingyu’s jaw tightened. “You really believe that?”
Jeonghan didn’t answer, his silence speaking volumes.
Mingyu ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Fine. If that’s how you want to play this, I’ll go along with it. But don’t think for a second that I’m okay with pretending you don’t mean anything to me.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jeonghan standing alone under the stars, his heart pounding in his chest.
---
The Crack in the Façade
That night, Jeonghan lay awake in his bed, Mingyu’s words echoing in his mind. He hated how much they affected him, how much he wanted to believe them.
But he couldn’t afford to let his guard down—not when his heart was already so fragile.
On the other side of the city, Mingyu stared out his window, the lights of the skyline reflecting in his eyes. He was done pretending, but convincing Jeonghan to let him in would be a battle he wasn’t sure he could win.
YOU ARE READING
Twilight of Shadows
Fiksi PenggemarDescription: In a world where power and hierarchy define relationships, Alpha Kim Mingyu is a ruthless enforcer in an underground syndicate, known for his cold precision and unyielding dominance. His presence commands fear, but behind his steel-gray...
