[ Kidnap ] Seungmin x skz ff~~

ch 44

The morning stretched into a slow, lazy afternoon. Sunlight poured through the tall windows of Damien’s penthouse, casting soft golden hues across the spacious living area. The city below was alive with movement, but inside these walls, time seemed to slow down—just for them.

Seungmin sat curled up on the couch, a fluffy blanket wrapped around him as he held a warm cup of tea in his hands. The scent of chamomile filled the air, comforting and gentle, much like the warmth settling in his heart.

Damien sat beside him, one arm draped over the back of the couch, fingers absentmindedly playing with the strands of Seungmin’s hair. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it, twirling the soft locks between his fingers, enjoying the way Seungmin didn’t protest.

Seungmin glanced at him, lips twitching.

"You like playing with my hair, don’t you?" he asked softly.

Damien smirked, tilting his head as if thinking about it. "Maybe."

Seungmin rolled his eyes playfully, but his heart swelled at the simple intimacy. He had never experienced something like this—something so soft, so safe.

Damien’s presence was warm. Protective. He never overstepped, never made him feel like he had to run.

And Seungmin… he was slowly learning how to stay.

As he took a small sip of his tea, Damien leaned closer, watching him. "How are you feeling?"

Seungmin blinked. "Huh?"

"After last night." Damien’s voice was low, teasing, but there was also genuine concern in his eyes.

Heat rushed to Seungmin’s cheeks. "I—I’m fine!" he stammered, gripping his cup tighter. "Just a little sore, but it’s… nothing bad."

Damien chuckled, clearly amused by his reaction.

"Good," he murmured. Then, before Seungmin could react, he leaned in and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the side of his temple.

Seungmin froze, his fingers twitching against the ceramic cup.

Damien’s lips lingered for a second longer before he pulled away, smirking at Seungmin’s dazed expression.

"You’re blushing," Damien pointed out.

"No, I’m not!" Seungmin quickly turned his head, hiding his face behind his cup.

"You are."

"Shut up."

Damien only chuckled again, leaning back against the couch, completely at ease.

Seungmin bit his lip, trying to focus on the warmth of his tea instead of the warmth in his chest.

--

The soft murmur of the TV played in the background, filling the quiet spaces between them. It was a documentary about art and history, something Damien had absentmindedly put on while they lounged together.

Seungmin wasn’t really paying attention, though.

His mind drifted.

For years, his past had been an unshakable weight—something that clung to him no matter how much he tried to move forward. The memories of the people who had hurt him, the nights filled with fear, the pain he had endured—it had haunted him, shaped him.

But here… in this moment…

It felt distant.

It felt like something that no longer had power over him.

Damien wasn’t just someone who made him feel safe. He was someone who made him want to live.

Seungmin turned his head slightly, stealing a glance at Damien. His sharp jawline, his relaxed posture, the way his fingers still played with the ends of Seungmin’s hair—it was all so casual.

But to Seungmin, it was everything.

"What is it?" Damien’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Seungmin blinked, realizing he had been staring.

"Nothing," he said quickly, looking away.

Damien arched a brow. "You were looking at me like you had something to say."

Seungmin hesitated.

Then, quietly, "Thank you."

Damien frowned slightly. "For what?"

"For… being here. For everything." Seungmin bit his lip, eyes dropping to his lap. "I used to think I’d never be able to move on. That my past would always follow me, no matter what I did. But with you…" He exhaled softly. "I feel like I can finally breathe."

Damien’s expression softened.

He didn’t say anything right away. Instead, he reached out, gently taking Seungmin’s hand in his own. His thumb brushed against Seungmin’s knuckles, a silent promise in the touch.

"You don’t have to thank me for that, Seungmin." Damien’s voice was deep, steady. "You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be free."

Seungmin’s throat tightened.

For the first time in a long time, he believed those words.

---

After their quiet moment, Damien decided to take things even slower.

"Come on," he said, pulling Seungmin up from the couch.

"Where are we going?" Seungmin asked as Damien led him toward the bedroom.

"To nap," Damien said simply.

Seungmin stared at him. "A nap? Are you serious?"

Damien smirked. "Yes. You need rest. And I want an excuse to hold you."

Seungmin’s face heated up. "You’re shameless."

"Only with you, love."

Seungmin sighed but let himself be pulled onto the bed.

The moment he settled under the blankets, Damien wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him close. Seungmin found himself pressed against Damien’s chest, his head resting just below his chin.

It was warm. Comfortable.

Seungmin sighed, nuzzling into the fabric of Damien’s shirt.

"You’re really serious about this nap, huh?" he murmured sleepily.

"Mm," Damien hummed. "Shh, sleep."

Seungmin smiled softly.

Maybe, just maybe, he was finally where he was meant to be.