Chapter 33

Min-ho, who had been looking down while they were talking, suddenly lifted his head. His eyes widened, scanning Ju-woon's face as if trying to figure out if he'd actually heard what he thought he did.

Shit.

Why did everything between them always seem to happen when they were drunk? Was Ju-woon serious, or was this just the alcohol talking?

Min-ho leaned in, his face now just centimeters away. He didn't know what he was doing, but he knew this was what he wanted. Right?

His voice came out lower than expected, almost a warning. "I'm telling you in advance, hyung… If you don't move away, I'm going to kiss you."

Ju-woon didn't move.

Instead, he grabbed Min-ho's collar and pulled him in, pressing their lips together.

Fuck.

Why did it feel so different this time? It wasn't like they hadn't kissed before, but something about this was making Ju-woon's heart hurt, that familiar burn he always felt when Minho was round. The taste of alcohol was thick on both of their tongues, the scent of it lingering in the air between them. Min-ho's hand slid up Ju-woon's waist, fingers slipping under his shirt, grazing his back before trailing up to his neck. The touch sent a shiver down Ju-woon's spine.

They pulled apart, gasping slightly, lips slick.

Min-ho's eyes darkened, questions burning behind them, but they could wait. Right now, there was only one thing he wanted more than answers.

He leaned in again. This time, the kiss wasn't gentle. It was deep, messy, his tongue slipping into Ju-woon's mouth, tasting him fully. Min-ho's hands were greedy, sliding over Ju-woon's skin as if he wanted to memorize every inch of him.

A soft, breathy moan escaped Ju-woon's lips before he could stop it.

Shit.

Why did he just do that?

Min-ho smirked against his lips, hearing it, feeling the way Ju-woon's body responded. His grip tightened, fingers digging into Ju-woon's waist before sliding up, pushing his shirt further.

They broke apart again, breathless. That was when Ju-woon realized what was happening.

Fuck.

He needed to explain himself—his feelings—before things went too far. But how the hell was he supposed to do that?

Min-ho, as if sensing his thoughts, caught Ju-woon's wrist before he could even think about leaving. His fingers wrapped around it, firm but not forceful, keeping Ju-woon exactly where he wanted him.

"You have some explaining to do, hyung."

Shit.

Here it came.

Ju-woon swallowed. He could lie. He could pretend this was just the alcohol talking. Maybe he could fake being sleepy or suddenly remember some urgent business—

Min-ho tightened his grip slightly. "Don't even think about running."

Ju-woon exhaled, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I mean, what do you want me to explain…" His voice trailed off. He sounded stupid. He knew exactly what Min-ho wanted him to say.

"The part where you said you liked me," Min-ho said, blunt as ever.

Ju-woon stiffened.

Fuck.

A yes or no question. And there was no point in lying.

"…It was true."

Min-ho didn't even look surprised. If anything, his smirk grew wider, those dark eyes gleaming like he'd just won a game.

"Ah, so it was true, hyung?" Min-ho's voice dropped, amusement laced in it. He didn't even let Ju-woon respond before continuing. "So… what are we now?"

Ju-woon, who had been staring at the floor, finally forced himself to glance at Min-ho. Of course, Min-ho was already looking at him, waiting.

There was no escaping this.

"I-I don't know…" Ju-woon admitted, his voice quieter than before. "I mean, we both like each other, so doesn't that mean—"

Before he could finish, Min-ho placed a hand over his mouth.

Ju-woon froze.

Min-ho's palm was warm against his lips, thumb pressing slightly at the corner of his mouth, teasing. The heat from his touch burned.

"Yes," Min-ho murmured, voice smug. "It means we should be dating."

Ju-woon's face burned instantly. His stomach flipped at the casual confidence in Min-ho's tone. When Min-ho finally removed his hand, Ju-woon swallowed hard, eyes moving away.

"I… I guess so…"

how was he supposed to respond to that?

Min-ho's smirk deepened.

"Good," he muttered, and before Ju-woon could process what was happening, Min-ho had already pushed him down onto the couch, climbing on top of him, his knee sliding between Ju-woon's thighs.

Ju-woon sucked in a breath.

Min-ho's lips ghosted over his jaw, teasing. "Since we're dating now, hyung…" he whispered, his fingers slipping under Ju-woon's shirt, sliding up his bare skin. "We should celebrate properly, don't you think?"

Ju-woon's breath hitched.

He had a feeling he knew exactly where this was going.

And he wasn't going to stop it.

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