Minjae's bed

Jihoon sat up abruptly, his heart racing as he tried to piece together the events of the previous night. The headache pounding in his skull wasn't making it any easier. He scanned the unfamiliar room, taking in the high-end decor, the soft glow of sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, and the faint scent of cologne lingering in the air.

"This... isn't my dorm," Jihoon muttered, pulling the oversized pajama top closer around himself. It smelled faintly of Minjae. His cheeks flushed as he realized he was wearing Minjae's clothes. He glanced around, spotting his neatly folded outfit on a chair nearby.

His eyes landed on the clock on the bedside table. 10:00 AM. Jihoon's stomach flipped in panic, thinking he was late for work—until he noticed the small calendar displayed beneath the time. Sunday. He let out a breath of relief, leaning back against the plush headboard.

"A day off," he murmured to himself, his mind still foggy from the champagne. But how did he end up here? The last thing he remembered was sitting in Minjae's car after dinner... or was it? His mind flashed to fragmented memories: Minjae's teasing smile, the sound of laughter, and... oh no.

Jihoon's face turned beet red as snippets of the night replayed in his head. He vaguely remembered pulling Minjae into a kiss in the car—had that actually happened? And then... ripping his shirt? Jihoon buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly.

"What did I do?" he muttered, his voice muffled by his hands.

Before he could spiral any further, the door creaked open, and Minjae stepped in, holding a tray with two steaming mugs of coffee. He was dressed casually in a white T-shirt and gray joggers, his hair slightly tousled as if he'd just woken up himself. His sharp features softened with a small, amused smile as he took in Jihoon's flustered state.

"You're finally awake," Minjae said, setting the tray on the bedside table. "How's your head? Still pounding?"

Jihoon peeked at him through his fingers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't remember much..."

Minjae chuckled, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You were quite the handful last night. Don't worry, nothing... too embarrassing happened. Well, aside from you ripping my shirt."

Jihoon's eyes widened in horror, and he scrambled to sit up properly. "I-I did that? I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—"

"Relax," Minjae interrupted, holding up a hand. "It's just a shirt. I've got plenty." He smirked, leaning in slightly. "Though I'll admit, it was entertaining seeing you so... bold."

Jihoon groaned again, pulling the blanket over his head to hide his embarrassment. "Please stop talking. Just let me die here in peace."

Minjae laughed, a deep, rich sound that somehow made Jihoon's heart skip a beat. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing... for now. But seriously, you should eat something. I brought coffee and some toast. You didn't eat much last night, and with all that champagne, I'm surprised you didn't feel worse this morning."

Jihoon hesitated before peeking out from under the blanket. He reached for the coffee, taking a cautious sip. The warmth and bitterness grounded him, easing some of his lingering nerves.

"Thanks," he muttered, still avoiding Minjae's gaze.

Minjae leaned back, watching him with a soft expression. "You're welcome. And... Jihoon?"

Jihoon finally looked up, meeting Minjae's eyes.

"Next time," Minjae said, his voice low and sincere, "just tell me if something's bothering you. You don't have to drink yourself into a stupor to let me know how you feel."

Jihoon blinked, his heart clenching at the unexpected tenderness in Minjae's tone. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. Instead, he nodded, clutching the coffee mug a little tighter as a small, hesitant smile formed on his lips.

Minjae smiled back, standing up and ruffling Jihoon's hair as he moved toward the door. "Get some rest. It's your day off, after all. And if you're feeling up to it later, maybe we can talk. No pressure."

With that, he left the room, leaving Jihoon alone with his thoughts—and the strange warmth blooming in his chest.

After some few minutes of laying down on the bed, Jihoon hesitated as he reached the bottom of the stairs, his bare feet touching the cool marble floor.

His eyes wandered across the luxurious space—the spacious living room adorned with sleek, modern furniture, the large windows letting in streams of sunlight, and the sprawling kitchen that looked more like it belonged in a cooking show than someone's house.

Everything felt so surreal, like he had stepped into a completely different world. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little out of place in the oversized pajamas that smelled faintly of Minjae.

Then, the faint sound of water splashing caught his attention. Jihoon turned toward the backyard, where the floor-to-ceiling glass doors offered a clear view of the pool. His breath hitched as his eyes landed on Minjae.

Minjae was leaning against the edge of the pool, his back against the tiled wall, one arm draped casually over the edge. His hair was damp, clinging slightly to his forehead, and droplets of water shimmered on his well-defined chest. He was on his phone, his brows furrowed slightly as he spoke to someone.

Jihoon felt his heart skip a beat at the sight. He had always known Minjae was attractive—he had seen countless people fall for his charm with just a smirk—but seeing him like this, relaxed and effortlessly handsome, stirred something new inside Jihoon.

He shook his head quickly, trying to banish the thoughts. Get a grip, Jihoon. You're just overwhelmed by all this luxury. That's all.

But his feet moved on their own, carrying him closer to the glass doors. He hesitated, peeking out cautiously, unsure if he should interrupt. Minjae's voice was low and steady, though Jihoon couldn't make out the words. He seemed focused, his free hand occasionally making a small splash in the water as if absentmindedly playing with it.

Jihoon pressed his hand against the glass, watching Minjae for a moment longer before Minjae suddenly turned his head, locking eyes with him through the glass. Jihoon froze like a deer caught in headlights.

Minjae's lips curved into a smirk as he ended the call. He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the edge of the pool. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he called out, his voice smooth and teasing. "Finally decided to join me?"

Jihoon's cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. He pushed the glass door open, stepping out into the warm morning air. "I-I was just looking around," he stammered, avoiding Minjae's gaze.

Minjae chuckled, tilting his head. "Looking around, huh? Or were you spying on me?"

Jihoon shot him a glare, though his flustered expression undermined the attempt. "I wasn't spying! I just... heard the water and..." He trailed off, crossing his arms defensively.

Minjae rested his chin on his hand, his smirk growing wider. "Relax, Jihoon. I'm just teasing you." He gestured toward a nearby chair. "Why don't you sit down? The view's nice, and I promise not to bite."

Jihoon hesitated, feeling awkward but also not wanting to retreat like a coward. He sat down on the edge of a lounge chair, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his pajama top. "You have a really... nice place," he said, glancing around.

Minjae leaned back, floating slightly in the water. "Glad you think so. It's nothing too flashy, but it's comfortable." He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Jihoon. "You should visit more often. It doesn't have to be for work, you know."

Jihoon's heart skipped at the sincerity in Minjae's tone, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He looked down at his hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'll think about it."

Minjae smiled, a genuine warmth in his expression. "Good. Take your time."

The moment stretched into a comfortable silence, the sound of water rippling in the pool filling the air. Jihoon found himself relaxing slightly, the initial awkwardness fading.

But then Minjae's smirk returned. "By the way, you look cute in my pajamas."

Jihoon's eyes widened as he shot up from the chair, flustered. "I—I'm going to go change!" he stammered, quickly retreating back into the house as Minjae's laughter echoed behind him.

As Jihoon climbed the stairs back to the guest room, his heart was racing, and he couldn't help but smile faintly despite himself. Minjae had a way of making him feel flustered, but for some reason, it didn't feel entirely bad.