Chapter 18: Waking up in his bed and cooking

The morning light seeped through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the room. Seungmin slowly stirred, feeling the soft sheets tangled around his body. His mind was still hazy, remnants of the night's events playing like a dream just beyond his grasp. He shifted slightly and then froze as the memory hit him: the closeness, the intimacy, the way Jihoon had held him. It had been raw, tender, and unlike anything Seungmin had ever experienced before.

He turned his head to the side, expecting to see Jihoon, but the bed was empty. Panic fluttered in his chest for a split second before he heard the faint sound of cooking coming from the kitchen. A wave of relief washed over him, and he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.

Seungmin pushed the covers off and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The coolness of the hardwood floor hit his feet, sending a shiver up his spine. He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep before standing and heading towards the kitchen.

When he walked in, Jihoon was standing at the stove, his back to Seungmin, humming softly to himself as he flipped something in the pan. The soft sizzle of food and the smell of breakfast filled the air. Seungmin leaned against the doorframe, watching for a moment. Jihoon's movements were fluid, almost graceful, as if he had done this a thousand times before.

"Morning," Seungmin said, his voice still a little groggy.

Jihoon turned around with a small smile on his face. "Morning. I thought I'd make us something to eat. You didn't strike me as the breakfast-in-bed type."

Seungmin chuckled, his gaze softening as he watched Jihoon. "I didn't expect you to be the breakfast-making type either."

Jihoon laughed, a low, easy sound. "Well, I'm full of surprises."

Seungmin approached the counter, watching Jihoon work. "What's cooking?"

"Eggs, toast, and some bacon. Nothing fancy," Jihoon replied, carefully flipping a strip of bacon with a practised hand.

Seungmin smiled, still a little overwhelmed by the tenderness in Jihoon's actions. "It smells amazing."

"Glad you think so," Jihoon said, his tone warm. "Sit down. I'll bring it over."

Seungmin sat at the kitchen table, watching Jihoon move with ease around the space. His heart still felt like it was in a tangled mess, but there was something comforting about being here, in this quiet morning after everything. He wasn't sure where this would go or what they were now, but in that moment, he didn't need to figure it out. It was enough to just be here, with Jihoon.

Jihoon placed the plate of food in front of Seungmin, then sat across from him, his own plate in hand. They ate in comfortable silence, the kind that felt natural and easy, as if they had always been like this.

Seungmin picked up his fork, his eyes meeting Jihoon's. "Last night…" he started, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.

Jihoon raised an eyebrow, putting down his fork. "What about last night?"

Seungmin swallowed, his mind racing. He didn't know how to fully put into words what he was feeling and what he was trying to understand. But Jihoon's steady gaze made it easier.

"I'm just… I'm not used to this," Seungmin admitted, his voice soft. "Not used to feeling this… cared for, I guess."

Jihoon's expression softened, and he reached across the table, resting his hand over Seungmin's. "I care about you, Seungmin. I'm not going anywhere."

The sincerity in Jihoon's voice made Seungmin's chest tighten, but in a good way. It was as if a weight had been lifted, and Seungmin didn't have to have all the answers right now. He just had to trust, just a little bit.

He gave Jihoon a small, tentative smile. "Okay."

Jihoon squeezed his hand before letting go, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, let's see if you can finish this breakfast before I do."

Seungmin laughed, the sound light and free, as he dug into the food in front of him. The warmth of the moment felt like the beginning of something new, and for the first time, Seungmin wasn't afraid of what came next.