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The sound of rain pattered against the hotel window, quiet but persistent. The city beyond it was a blur of wet pavement and dim streetlights, smudged through the glass like an unfinished painting. It was one of those nights—where time slowed down, stretching lazily between seconds, and the world outside felt distant, unimportant.
Jeong Taeui lay on the bed, an arm draped over his forehead, exhaling softly. The sheets were cool, the faint scent of detergent clinging to the fabric. Somewhere behind him, he could hear Ilay moving—deliberate, unhurried. It wasn’t unusual for Ilay to linger like this, hovering at the edges of his space, like a cat pretending not to seek attention while steadily inching closer.
The mattress dipped.
A second later, warmth pressed against his side.
“You’re awake.” Ilay’s voice was low, edged with the usual amusement that made Jeong Taeui want to either punch him or roll his eyes. Probably both.
“No thanks to you.” He sighed, shifting slightly but making no real effort to move away. Ilay had a way of taking liberties with personal space, like it was a concept that applied to everyone except him.
Ilay chuckled, the sound vibrating against Jeong Taeui’s shoulder. “I thought you liked my company.”
Taeui let out a short breath. “I tolerate it. There’s a difference.”
Ilay made a hum of acknowledgment, completely ignoring the implied insult. Instead, he stretched an arm over Taeui’s waist, settling in like a man who had no concept of boundaries. “So you tolerate it every time I do this?” His voice dropped lower, the warmth of it brushing against Taeui’s neck.
Taeui scoffed, lifting a hand to push Ilay’s face away, but Ilay caught his wrist mid-motion, holding it lightly. “Annoying.”
Ilay smiled against his skin. “And yet, here you are.”
The way he said it was infuriating—like a fact rather than a provocation. Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue but didn’t bother arguing. He knew better.
“Tomorrow will be busy.” Ilay finally shifted back, voice neutral.
Taeui sighed, rolling onto his side. “Right. Another mission, more unnecessary nonsense.” He exhaled through his nose, watching the shadowy outline of Ilay’s face in the dim light. “Remind me why I haven’t run away yet?”
Ilay’s lips curled. “Because you’d miss me.”
Taeui gave him a flat look. “You think very highly of yourself.”
Ilay hummed, unconcerned. “And you think too much. How about,” his hand trailed lazily up Taeui’s arm, fingers tapping against his wrist before curling loosely around it, “you stop worrying about tomorrow for a few hours?”
Taeui arched a brow. “And do what? Listen to you breathe?”
Ilay laughed, low and easy. “Is that an invitation?”
“No,” Taeui said immediately.
Ilay chuckled again but didn’t push further. The room was warm, the rain outside steady. After a moment, Taeui let his eyes slip shut, Ilay’s grip still light around his wrist. It was ridiculous, really. The entire situation. And yet, he didn’t pull away.
The silence stretched, comfortable.
---
The next morning, Jeong Taeui woke to the weight of Ilay’s arm still draped over him. His first instinct was to shove it off—except he didn’t, not right away. The sunlight filtering through the curtains was muted, casting a dull glow over the room. Outside, the city was already awake, but in here, everything remained untouched, suspended in a quiet bubble of something dangerously close to peace.
Taeui turned his head slightly, glancing at the man beside him. Ilay was still asleep, his breath even, his usual smirk absent. It was rare to see him like this—unguarded, still. Almost human.
The thought was enough to make Taeui scoff lightly. Almost immediately, Ilay stirred, a slow inhale before his eyes opened, sharp blue meeting Taeui’s gaze. His lips curled lazily.
“Good morning.”
Taeui clicked his tongue. “Don’t talk to me.”
Ilay laughed, stretching like a satisfied cat before settling back down. “I think you like waking up next to me.”
“In what world?” Taeui muttered, finally sitting up, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Move. You’re heavy.”
Ilay made no effort to budge. “I was comfortable.”
Taeui exhaled through his nose, debating if it was worth the effort to fight. Instead, he stood, rolling his shoulders before glancing at Ilay once more. The man was still watching him, as if waiting for something.
“Get up,” Taeui said, voice resigned.
Ilay grinned. “See? You do care.”
Taeui grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked him with it.
Ilay only laughed.
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(Ahh I love fluff)♡♡♡give me ideas for the new story