Not denied.

The air was still warm with the scent of sex, skin against skin, the faint musk of sweat, and the lingering notes of Joon-Won's cologne clinging to the pillowcase. The window was cracked slightly, letting in the distant hum of the city and the occasional breeze that cooled the sheen of heat from their bodies.

Tae-Hyun lay sprawled across Joon-Won's chest, cheek pressed over the steady thump of his heartbeat. The younger man's hand idly traced circles into the older's bare back, fingers sometimes dipping lazily toward his waist, where the blanket pooled but didn't quite cover.

Neither of them was in a rush to move.

Their legs were tangled together under the sheets, warm and slow with the kind of fatigue that felt good. Familiar. Intimate in a way that had nothing to do with urgency and everything to do with presence.

Joon-Won's voice broke the comfortable silence, his tone quiet, amused.

"So, yesterday… My son tried to flush a peach pit down the toilet. Said he wanted to 'plant a peach tree in the potty.'"

Tae-Hyun let out a soft laugh, shifting slightly against his chest, his smile brushing the skin just below Joon-Won's collarbone.

"What? Why?"

"He said it would grow fast because the potty gives it water every day. He even brought in a flashlight to 'check on the roots.'"

"Oh my God," Tae chuckled, muffled against him. "He's you. You know that, right?"

"Unfortunately. He lies just like I used to, too. With confidence. He stared me dead in the face and said he didn't do it while the pit was literally floating behind him."

"You're screwed when he's a teenager."

Joon-Won groaned in mock defeat, raking his fingers through his own hair.

"Don't remind me. The other day he told his mom he had to go to the hospital because his leg 'felt wiggly.' Turned out he didn't want to eat broccoli. You know how hard it is not to laugh when you're supposed to discipline them?"

Tae-Hyun laughed again, this time louder, almost wheezing.

"He's a menace. I like him a lot."

"Yeah. He's trouble. Just like you in a way," Joon-Won muttered, pressing a kiss to Tae-Hyun's temple.

Their laughter faded into soft smiles. Tae-Hyun stayed where he was, letting the silence stretch again, letting his fingertips glide slowly along the side of Joon-Won's ribs.

Then, without lifting his head, Tae murmured in a voice that was light, too light.

"Can I ask you something?"

Joon-Won glanced down at him instinctively.

Tae-Hyun didn't look up at first, but his fingers stopped tracing.

Then his eyes lifted.

And there it was, that grin. That sharp, knowing, mischievous grin that tilted the corners of his mouth and gleamed in the flicker of his dark lashes.

Playful. Dangerous.

Like a match about to be struck.

Joon-Won narrowed his eyes instantly, his instincts going on alert in the most amused, amused way.

"…No. Absolutely not."

"I didn't even say it yet," Tae said innocently, resting his chin on Joon-Won's chest now, eyes wide and fluttering lashes that were far too calculated.

"Exactly why I'm saying no preemptively," Joon-Won replied, propping himself slightly on one elbow, trying to back away, but Tae followed, stuck to him like a warm cat, eyes glittering with that same impish gleam.

"Come on," Tae whispered, dragging the syllables out like velvet, "Don't you wanna know what I'm thinking?"

"God, no," Joon-Won laughed, but his voice cracked a little equal parts wary and entertained. "Whatever it is, it's going to either offend me, ruin the mood, or make me want to do something illegal."

"Or all three," Tae grinned, now crawling a little higher up, settling himself half on top of Joon-Won, chest to chest. "But you'll like it. Eventually."

Joon-Won sighed, tilting his head back against the pillow as if accepting some terrible fate.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Mmm," Tae pretended to consider. "I could… if you bribe me."

Joon-Won gave him a look. "With what, exactly?"

"Kisses. Back scratches. Your hoodie. A photo of you from when you were twenty. A voice note of your voice saying 'you like being used like this?' from earlier—"

"Stop," Joon-Won groaned, dragging a hand down his face, turning red despite himself.

Tae-Hyun burst out laughing, dropping his head to Joon-Won's chest again but this time, he let it rest there a little longer. The grin softened into something more affectionate.

He didn't ask the question.

Not yet.

But it lingered there in the air like static just before a storm.

And Joon-Won, heart hammering slightly under Tae-Hyun's cheek, already knew he was going to say yes when it finally came.

.

.

Tae-Hyun didn't ask the question.

Not yet.

Instead, after one last warm press of his cheek against Joon-Won's chest, he slowly peeled himself off the older man's body and stood, stark naked in the dim room. The sheets shifted, creased beneath him, the sound of cotton catching on his skin. He stretched a little with a soft exhale, then padded across the floor with bare feet, not bothering to grab his own clothes from the folded pile by the chair.

Joon-Won turned his head, watching him.

Tae went straight to the closet.

He didn't ask.

Didn't even glance over his shoulder.

He opened it like it was his.

And there, among the orderly rows of charcoal slacks, suits and crisp shirts, he found what he was looking for: the oversized black hoodie, well-worn and soft, the same one Joon-Won always slipped on after work on cold nights. It smelled faintly like him. Clean laundry and spice.

Tae pulled it on, letting it swallow his frame. The sleeves hung past his hands, the hem skimming his thighs just enough to cover what needed covering.. barely.

He looked kinda small in it. Cozy. Possessive.

Like he belonged here.

Joon-Won said nothing, but his gaze followed every step Tae took as he crossed back to the bed. His arm was bent behind his head now, posture lazy, but his eyes were alert, narrowing slightly as Tae climbed back on, sitting this time, legs folded, facing him.

Tae didn't say anything at first.

He just looked.

Letting his gaze trail slowly, intentionally down the lines of Joon-Won's body. From the tousled hair to the parted lips to the firm chest, still damp with sweat. His torso rose and fell slowly. One leg bent, the other extended, revealing all of him in the low light.

Tae's eyes lingered on that, too.

And then he spoke.

"Hey…"

Joon-Won tilted his head lazily.

"Hmm?"

Tae ran his fingers along the inside of his own wrist, idly.

"You ever…" he paused, then cocked his head, tone deceptively casual, "—you ever think about switching roles?"

Joon-Won blinked once. "Switching…?"

"You know," Tae shrugged, smiling faintly. "Like… have you ever imagined what it's like to be the one underneath?"

Joon-Won arched a brow. "Are we talking about metaphors or positions?"

"Positions," Tae replied smoothly. Then added, "But I'm open to metaphors if you want to lie about it."

That earned a snort, but Joon-Won narrowed his eyes, chest shifting with a slow breath. His tone stayed cool, but the tips of his ears pinked just slightly.

"You're nosy tonight."

"Curious," Tae corrected. "Not the same thing."

He leaned forward just a little, resting his elbows on his knees.

"So. You ever try it? Even once? Like, college days? Drunk nights? Experimental phases? Some mysterious older guy who swept you off your feet and ruined you for women for, like, a week?"

Joon-Won let out a breath of a laugh and rolled his head to the side on the pillow, but his jaw tightened.

"You have way too much imagination for someone who can't remember where he left his phone charger."

"Don't dodge," Tae sang, grinning now, nudging him with a toe under the blanket. "Come on. I told you about mine."

"You didn't ask about this."

"I'm asking now."

There was a pause. Joon-Won's eyes lifted to meet his calm, unreadable but his neck was already starting to flush.

"…Once," he admitted finally, voice low. "A long time ago. It wasn't that serious."

Tae's brows rose.

"Oh?" he tilted his head. "And did you like it?"

Another pause.

Longer.

Joon-Won stared at the ceiling, exhaled through his nose.

"It wasn't… terrible."

Tae laughed, delighted. "That means you liked it."

"No," Joon-Won shot him a warning look. "That means it was tolerable. I like being in control."

Tae gave him a slow, teasing once-over again.

"I know you do. But I'm just wondering…"

He leaned in, closer now, voice soft almost sultry.

"Would you ever let me top you?"

The question landed like heat between them.

Joon-Won stilled.

Just a flicker.

But his mouth parted slightly. And for the first time all night, his confident smirk didn't come right away.

Instead, his eyes drifted to Tae's mouth. Then lower. Then back again.

"That's the question you've been holding all night?" he asked quietly, tone husky. Controlled but not unaffected.

"Mmhmm," Tae hummed. "Since before I even kissed you. Been wondering if that pretty mouth ever begged."

Joon-Won let out a quiet exhale like he'd been caught off guard for a split second. His hand came up to rub his face, but it didn't hide the color creeping into his cheeks, or the way his eyes narrowed, somewhere between threatened and intrigued.

"You're bold."

"You're blushing."

Joon-Won gave him a long look 'a don't push me look' but it was losing its edge by the second.

"You're enjoying this way too much," he muttered.

"Can you blame me?" Tae grinned. "I'm just picturing it."

"Don't."

"I am."

"Tae-hyun."

"Joon-won."

The air between them buzzed with it now, something electric, unfamiliar. The shift in power wasn't threatening, but it was new. It made Joon-Won sit up slightly, sheet sliding lower on his hips. His eyes held Tae's, narrowed, calculating.

But his throat betrayed him, bobbing in a tight swallow.

"You're not ready for that," he said, tone low.

"Try me," Tae challenged, all mischief and slow-burn fire in his gaze.

Joon-Won didn't answer.

Not with words.

But his hand reached out, gently gripping Tae's wrist not rough, not warning just enough to still him.

Tae let it happen.

Smiling.

The question hung in the air.

Unanswered.

But not denied.

And because of that, Tae-Hyun hadn't stopped smiling since he asked.

He sat cross-legged in Joon-Won's hoodie, sleeves too long, looking soft and far too pleased with himself, eyes glittering with quiet amusement as he watched the younger man fumble not with his body, but with the words he hadn't prepared for.

Joon-Won was still staring at him. But now his hand was resting against his own mouth, fingers brushing over his lips like they might hide the faint color there.

"You're not going to drop it, are you?" he murmured.

"Not even a little."

Tae-Hyun's voice was gentle, coaxing. But there was something in his tone patient, laced with sincerity beneath the mischief that kept Joon-Won from brushing it off the way he usually would.

A beat passed.

And then, in a quiet voice, like it cost him something to say:

"…There was this one time."

Tae blinked, caught slightly off guard by how serious his voice had gone.

He didn't interrupt.

Joon-Won exhaled through his nose, slowly sitting up against the headboard. His eyes avoided Tae-Hyun's now, gazing out across the dim room instead, the moonlight softening the sharp line of his jaw.

"I was in my twenties. Maybe twenty-three? I was drunk at this party… I barely knew anyone. I don't even remember how the conversation started."

His voice had dropped, quieter, steadier now.

"There was a guy. He was older. Confident. He touched me like he'd done it a thousand times. And I didn't stop it at first. I didn't really process what was happening until his fingers—" he paused, jaw flexing, "—until they were inside."

Tae-Hyun froze, not from discomfort, but from the weight of how carefully Joon-Won was choosing his words.

"And then?"

"Then I panicked," Joon-Won said with a soft, humorless laugh. "I left the room, then the house. Took a cab home, sat in the shower for an hour and told myself it didn't happen."

A beat.

"Did it… hurt?" Tae asked quietly.

Joon-Won shook his head once. Slowly.

"No. That's the thing. It didn't. I don't even remember pain. Just… feeling too exposed. Too vulnerable. Like if I didn't stop it then, I'd lose something I couldn't get back."

Tae was quiet for a long time.

He didn't touch him. Didn't joke.

Just watched Joon-Won's profile, noting the way the older man's fingers twitched lightly against his thigh, like his body still remembered how it felt to be held down.

Eventually, Joon-Won broke the silence himself, glancing at Tae sideways, voice dry.

"You going to psychoanalyze me now?"

"No," Tae said softly, then added, "I just want to know what it felt like… afterward."

Joon-Won hesitated. Then sighed.

"…Warm. Too warm. And a little confusing."

"Confusing how?"

"Because…" he shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't bad. Not physically. But it wasn't something I could explain to anyone. Not then. Not the kind of friends I had. Not my family. And definitely not to myself."

Tae's expression shifted. The teasing faded entirely now.

"I get that," he said simply.

They sat like that for a moment quiet and bare and unguarded.

Then, Joon-Won moved.

He swung his legs off the bed and stood, the muscles in his back flexing as he stretched. Still nude, though not bashful. He moved across the room with a kind of restless grace, like he needed to do something with all the energy that was rising inside him.

From a drawer, he pulled out a pair of loose gray shorts and a black tank top, slipping into them quickly, not quite meeting Tae's eyes again.

"So?" Tae asked softly, watching him dress. "You ever think about trying again? With someone you trust this time?"

Joon-Won paused halfway through tugging the tank down over his torso.

He didn't answer.

Just gave a quiet exhale, head tilted slightly, eyes trained on the floor.

"You're very persistent," he said eventually, turning back toward the bed.

"It's a cute flaw."

Joon-Won narrowed his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. That familiar mask of calm returned but the flush on his cheeks betrayed him again, pink and slow-rising under the smoothness of his tone.

He climbed back onto the bed, lying beside Tae this time instead of under him.

He didn't answer the question.

But he didn't deny it either.

And that more than anything, lit something in Tae-Hyun's chest.

A thrill of possibility.

"You didn't say no," he whispered, smile soft now, nearly reverent.

Joon-Won turned his face away, but Tae caught the way his lashes lowered and how his ears flushed pink again under the low light.

"I didn't say yes either."

"But you will."

"You're insufferable."

"And you're curious."

Another silence.

This one warmer.

Quieter.

Their fingers brushed under the sheets.

Neither of them moved away.

.

.

.

It had gotten late now, Tae-Hyun stood by the door, hair still a little damp from their shared shower, wearing his own jeans now but still wrapped in Joon-Won's hoodie as if it belonged to him. He looked soft, flushed, his mouth swollen from too many lazy kisses they've shared in the bathroom.

"You really kept it?" he asked, pointing toward the bedroom.

Joon-Won followed his gaze.

There, hung on the wall near the closet, was the little canvas from that ridiculous paint-and-wine date their wives dragged them to. Tae's side had ended up an abstract mess of blended colors, passionate, chaotic, a smear of vibrant reds and golds. Joon's side was neater, more geometric, but the two halves bled together in a way that was strangely… intimate.

"Of course," Joon-Won said, running a hand through his hair. "You made that mess on my side too, remember? It's the most honest painting in this apartment."

Tae laughed, his voice low and tired, but sweet.

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Joon-Won's cheek deliberately soft and domestic and lingered there a beat too long.

"I'll text you," he murmured against his skin. "Or call. Probably both."

Joon-Won raised an eyebrow, but he didn't move. Just nodded.

"You better."

As Tae turned to leave, hand on the knob, he glanced back one last time.

"Oh—Seo-yeon texted me and said to remind you again. She's serious about that wine night. She told me to tell you again to think about it."

"Of course she did."

"You should come," Tae added, voice quieter now. "You'd enjoy it. She's… really excited about us."

Joon-Won gave a dry little smile at that.

And then the door shut.

For a moment, the apartment was completely still.

Joon-Won didn't move.

He stared at the closed door for a while, fingers slowly flexing at his side. Then, after a long breath, he leaned his forehead against it… and slid slowly down until he was sitting on the floor.

He dragged a hand down his face, still feeling the ghost of Tae-Hyun's lips on his cheek. But it wasn't the kiss that replayed in his mind.

It was the question.

That damn question.

'Would you ever let me top you?'

Joon-Won's ears burned again, and he cursed under his breath.

The worst part?

He hadn't wanted to say no.

⸻

Later – At Tae-Hyun's Apartment

The door clicked open and Tae stepped inside, stretching his neck as he kicked his shoes off lazily.

"I'm home—"

"Come sit!" Seo-yeon's voice rang from the living room.

She was curled up on the couch, wearing a fluffy pink robe and a sheet mask, her legs crossed under her, already holding two mugs of tea. The TV was paused on some reality show, forgotten.

"I've been dying in here waiting. You took forever."

Tae-Hyun smiled, walking over and collapsing next to her like he'd just come home from a double shift.

"You're so dramatic."

"I've earned it. So?" she tugged at the hem of his hoodie with mock suspicion. "Is this his hoodie?"

"Maybe."

"Did you take it, or did he give it to you?"

"Does it matter?"

"It always matters."

Tae let out a breathy laugh and rubbed the back of his neck, already flushed. Seo-yeon pulled her mask up slightly over her nose, like preparing for a serious interrogation.

"Okay, spill. How'd it go? Was it emotional? Messy? Did he get all cold and weird? Or did he do that thing where he pretends he's not flustered but his ears go red?"

"Oh my god."

"Tell me."

Tae let his head drop onto the back of the couch and exhaled slowly.

"It went… well. Better than I expected. We talked. A lot. He actually opened up to me. And we—" He paused. "—I asked him something kind of bold."

Seo's eyebrows raised instantly, but she held her tongue. For now.

Tae glanced sideways, grinning a little.

"He didn't give me an answer. But he didn't say no either."

"Ugh, you're both such teases," she groaned, then narrowed her eyes. "Wait—did you tell him about the wine night?"

"Yeah, I reminded him multiple times."

"And? What did he say?"

"He gave me one of those unreadable stares. But I could feel him thinking about it."

"That means yes," she said confidently. "I'll get the good cheese."

Tae laughed again, softer this time.

And for a moment, they just sat together, the kind of quiet between people who understood each other completely.