choi san. just your brotherâs best friend. off-limits. untouchable. but the tension between you two just doesnât just disappearâit builds, until one late night... he snaps.. and it gets messy. and your brother seonghwa?? heâs not putting up with it.
tags : explicit content, shower sex, teasing, overstimulation, softdom!san, cursing possessive behavior, san is thirsty & down bad, brothers bestfriend, protective!seonghwa, possessive!san, aftercare, secret hookup
a/n : okay sooo i didnât expect the last part to get that much love lol but iâve decided to start wrapping this up, and this chapter felt like the right place to slow things down a bit. softer energy, some sibling tension, quiet guilt, all that good emotional mess. not as messy as usual but still very them if that makes sense.
taglist : @gabruix @keyiswatching @rosydipity @nopension @chartrucewhore
Itâs late afternoon now.Â
The sunâs starting to mellow, but the heat is still pressing â thick and heavy, clinging to your skin like itâs trying to make a home there.
You're bored. Still sore. A little restless.
And curious. Very curious.
You stretch, wincing a little at the ache still blooming through your thighs, but the pull of voices â laughter, metal clinking, low murmuring â draws you toward the front of the house.
You pad down the stairs, bare feet on the cool wood floor, and when you open the front door, it hits you like a wall.
Heat. Dry and dizzying, like stepping into someoneâs oven.
You squint against the brightness, shielding your eyes as you follow the sound. The garage door is wide open.
And thatâs when you see them.
Seonghwaâs on his back under the car, legs sticking out as he wrestles with something metal.Â
San is leaning back against the big red metal tool chest â the one Seonghwa always brags about â drink in hand, head tipped back just slightly, eyes half-lidded from the sun.Â
Heâs shirtless, skin slick with sweat, a thin sheen glowing across his chest and down his abs.Â
His black sweats are hanging dangerously low, clinging in all the right places.
Your body reacts before your mind does â heat curling low in your stomach like a spark against dry grass.Â
Flashbacks flicker: his hands on your hips, the way his voice rasped against your ear last night on the couch, those low groans buried in your neckâ
You blink, snapping back into the present.
You step onto the driveway.
But before you can even say a word, San is already moving.Â
He meets you halfway, crowding into your space, fingers brushing the hair out of your face like itâs something heâs done a thousand times before.
âYou okay?â he murmurs, thumb sliding gently along your jaw. âYou still sore?â
You nod, then shake your head. âNoâI mean, yeah. Iâm good. Iâm fine.â
Without another word, he leans in, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead before wrapping his arms around you in a warm, comforting hug.Â
You melt into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against yours.
From under the car, Seonghwaâs voice barks out.
âI see your feet, dude. Why are you so close to my sister?â
You roll your eyes. âSeonghwa, Iâm literally standing. Heâs justâgod, never mind.â
Seonghwaâs head doesnât appear, but his voice softens a little. âY/N, you good?â
âYes! Why does everyone keep asking that?â You throw up your hands. âWhat the hell are you two even working on?â
Seonghwa finally rolls out from under the car, grease on his hands and his shirt dark with sweat.
âAlternator. Trying to swap it out before the heat fries the rest of the engine.â
San adds, âBatteryâs draining way too fast. Itâs not catching the charge. If we donât fix it, the whole thingâs gonnaââ
ââshit out in traffic,â Seonghwa finishes.
âOh⌠okay. Cool. Mechanic language. Love that for me.â
San grins and bumps your shoulder with his. âWe have to wash the car after, though. You wanna help?â
Before you can answer, Seonghwa immediately shoves himself up, almost smacking his head on the hood.
âNo. Nope. Sheâs not helping.â
âWhy not?â you frown.
âBecause I know exactly whatâs going through this dudeâs head,â Seonghwa glares at San. âAnd youâre still sore.â
âIâm fine!â you snap. âIâm not even sore anymore. Can I please help?â
Seonghwa sighs dramatically. âFine. Whatever. Get the hose.â
You trot off toward the side of the house to unroll the green hose while San gathers a bucket and sponges.Â
He tosses in a bottle of soap with no label, the kind of thing Seonghwa probably swears by.
Seonghwa backs the car out of the garage, positioning it into the little cement space in front of the house, wheels crunching over gravel.
You turn the valve, water gushing out.
Sanâs beside you now, pouring soap into the bucket just as the hose fills it.Â
You crouch down to help stir the soap in, fingers just brushing the surfaceâ
And a sharp blast of water hits your back full force, soaking your shirt straight through.Â
You yelp, stumbling forward as icy droplets race down your spine.
Heâs holding the hose, eyes shining with amusement.
âWhy the fuck would you do that?! My hair!â
âYou looked hot.â He shrugs, mouth twitching into a grin. âYou needed to cool off. Hydration is key, baby.â
You grab a sponge and hurl it at him. It bounces off his chest uselessly.
You dip another sponge into the soapy bucket and start scrubbing the car, scowling â but then San joins you, arms flexing, eyes sneaking toward you every few seconds.
âYou look really sexy doing thatâ he murmurs, low enough for only you to hear.
âShut up,â you mutter, cheeks hot.
He leans closer, lips brushing your ear. âNo, seriously. Iâm about to buy a dirty car every week just to see you bend over like that.â
You slap him with the wet sponge.
âShut. Up. And scrub.â
Seonghwa's voice floats from the other side of the car. âWhatâs going on over there?â
âWeâre cleaning!â you both say in unison.
Seonghwa speaks again, slower this time. âYou keep going quiet whenever I get close. And I swear I heard one of you whispering.â
Another pause. You can practically hear the suspicion brewing.
Then Seonghwa again: âAre you two hooking up?â
Your entire body freezes.
âWhat? No!â you laugh, forced and awkward. âEw, Seonghwa. Why would you say that?â
ââEw?ââ San echoes, voice dropping half an octave.
Seonghwa rolls his eyes. âI know youâre hiding something. You think Iâm an idiot?â
âWeâre not doing anything,â you say quickly.
âThen whyâd you two suddenly get so close?â Seonghwa wipes sweat from his brow.
You smirk. âAw, Seonghwa. You scared Iâm gonna steal your best friend?â
âThatâs not funny,â he mutters.
âOh, come on,â you tease. âJealous much?â
Seonghwa scoffs from the other side of the car. âJealous? Of what? Watching you two flirt like youâre in some cheap Netflix teen drama?â
San lets out a low laugh. âDamn, Seonghwa. You been saving that one?â
âIâm serious,â Seonghwa says, walking around the front of the car now, expression tight.Â
âYou two werenât even speaking a month ago. Now youâreââ he gestures vaguely at the two of you, ââall close and whispery and weird.â
You raise a brow. âWhispery?â
âDonât act dumb. Youâre doing that thing with your eyes. And heâs doing that thing with his face.â
âWhat face?â San asks, smiling way too wide.
âThat one!â Seonghwa snaps, pointing. âThe smug one you make when you think youâre getting away with something.â
You glance at San. He absolutely is making that face. You stifle a laugh.
âWeâre literally just washing the car,â you say.
Seonghwa narrows his eyes. âThen why do you look guilty?â
âIâm wet and cold, not guilty.â
You shrug. âItâs sunny.â
Seonghwa looks at San. âAnd you havenât said a word except to make it worse.â
San holds up his hands innocently. âLook, man, Iâm just following instructions. She said âweâre cleaning,â so Iâm cleaning.â
Seonghwa turns slowly back to you. âYouâre lying.â
You cross your arms. âYou actually are paranoid.â
âYouâre deflecting.â
âYouâre projecting.â
San whistles. âThis is getting intense. Should I get popcorn?â
Seonghwa throws a glare at San. âDude. Shut the fuck up. Youâre not helping.â
San grins, leaning casually against the hood of the car. âWasnât trying to.â
Seonghwa turns back to you, eyes narrowing. âOkay, if nothingâs going on, then why do you both look like you just committed a crime and are about to commit another one?â
You blink. âBecause weâre washing your car and itâs hot out?â
He doesnât let up. âHe keeps looking at you like heâs two seconds away from doing something Iâll have to fight him over.â
You tilt your head, unimpressed. âThatâs just how his face looks.â
San smirks. âYou like my face.â
You shoot him a sharp look. âNot. Helping.â
Seonghwa points between you. âSee?! That! Right there! You two are doing that thing again. The weird eye telepathy. Cut it out.â
You raise a brow. âSeonghwa, relax. Youâre spiraling.â
Seonghwa folds his arms, not backing down. âIâm observing,â he insists. âAnd what Iâm observing is way too suspicious for a couple of innocent car washers.â
You smirk, stepping closer to San. âMaybe we just make a good team.â
Sanâs grin turns sly eyes flicking between you and Seonghwa, âDynamic duo, right here.âÂ
âBut seriously, Seonghwa, you might wanna chill before you get yourself worked up.â
Seonghwa shoots you a warning look. âKeep this up, and Iâm making you both do extra chores.â
You raise an eyebrow, crossing your arms. âWhat, like washing your car again? Sounds like a fair deal.â
San chuckles, flicking the water droplets off his fingers as he leans casually against the car. âYeah, Iâm down if it means more time with this view.â
He glances at you â slowly, pointedly â gaze dragging from your wet legs to your face, and grins. âCould wash cars like this every day.â
You roll your eyes, but your cheeks betray you, burning pink.
Seonghwaâs eyes narrow, voice sharp. âYou â go inside. Now.â
You stop, caught off guard by the sudden command.
âSeonghwa, come on, weâre justââ
You glance at San, and he glances at you with a little smirk. âGuess Iâll see you later. Maybe next time, less soap, more privacy?â
âSan,â Seonghwa snaps.
San just grins, holding up his hands. âIâm just saying.â
You exhale sharply, annoyed now â cheeks flushed from embarrassment, from being treated like a kid in front of San. âWe arenât doing anything.â
âSure,â Seonghwa says coldly. âAnd Iâm just overreacting, right? Just the paranoid older brother again.â
You blink at him, frustration boiling over.
âIâm trying to look out for you,â he continues. âBut if you want to keep acting recklessââ
âOh my god,â you cut in, finally snapping, âyouâre so fucking annoying, Seonghwa.â
His mouth opens â stunned, momentarily speechless.
You donât wait for him to recover. You toss the sponge down, shoulders tense. âSeriously. You donât get to control everything just because youâre older.â
And then, quieter, more to yourself: âItâs exhausting.â
San watches you walk away, a flicker of something more serious crossing his face as the screen door closes behind you.
The front door slams behind you. Your wet clothes cling to your skin, soap still dripping down your arms.
You're flushed â from anger, from the sun, from everything that just went down.
You donât even know why you're shaking.
You storm into the kitchen. Grab a towel. Press it to your face like itâll make the embarrassment go away.
The door creaks open again.
You donât have to look. You know itâs him.
You exhale through your nose, towel still pressed to your face. âWhat?â
His voice is soft. Almost careful. âYou okay?â
You drop the towel. Turn to face him. His hair is still damp, sticking to his forehead. Chest bare, still glistening.
That same casual calm he always wears â but his eyes?
You cross your arms, suddenly cold in your wet clothes. âWhy wouldnât I be?â
San doesnât answer right away. Just steps closer. His brows pull slightly together like heâs reading you â like heâs searching for a lie under your words.
âYou basically stormed off.â
He hums. âYou donât usually get that pissed unless something really hits.â
You roll your eyes. âSeonghwa was being annoying. Thatâs all.â
San nods slowly, still watching you. âYou wanna talk about it?â
You stare at him. For once, he doesnât have that smug smirk. He just looks... present. Like he really wants to know. Like it matters.
But you notice something on his face, so you lean in a little closer, eyes narrowing.Â
âWait, wait, waitâwhatâs that on your face?â
He follows your gaze, then slowly touches the spot on his jaw where the red mark is blooming, his expression flickering between amusement and something softer.
âWhat, this?â he says, trying for casual. âJust a friendly .. uh .. love tap.â
âSee? Nothing to worry about,â he says lightly, but you catch the slight hesitation in his voice.
San shrugs, but you can tell heâs trying not to let on that itâs bothering him more than he wants to admit.
He lifts a brow. âWhat? Itâs not like he punched me. Just⌠a warning. You know. Friendly bonding.â
You stare. âThat looks a lot less like bonding and a lot more like he nearly beat the shit out of you.â
He scoffs, rubbing the mark with the back of his hand. âIâm fine.â
âDid he actually hit you?â
San exhales through his nose, not quite a sigh. âOkay. Maybe he got a little worked up. But itâs not a big dealâhe just wanted to make a point.â
He smirks, but thereâs less bite to it now. âThat he doesnât like me flirting with you.â
You blink at him. âAnd that surprises you?â
âNo,â he admits, lips quirking. â..I just didnât think heâd actually leave a mark.â
You shake your head, moving closer without thinking, fingers reaching up to gently touch the mark yourself.Â
He stills under the contact, the silence settling heavier between you.
âSan,â you say softly. âYou donât have to pretend it doesnât bother you.â
His eyes meet yours, and for once, he doesnât deflect. Doesnât joke.
âIâm okay,â he says. Quieter. âPromise.â
You watch him carefully, the usual cockiness softened by something almost protective in his eyes.Â
The room feels quieter somehow, the noise from outside fading away.
Something in your chest lets go.
âWhy are you looking at me like that?â you ask, voice barely above a whisper.
He smiles â not the usual crooked, smug one youâve grown used to â but something softer. Honest.
âJust trying to figure out what youâre thinking.â
Silence again. But not uncomfortable.
He draws a slow breath, then says,Â
âI know we started this all... fast. And messy,â he starts. âBut I didnât just do this to mess around. Iâm not just here for a good time. I like being around you. I like you.â
You feel your eyes sting â from relief, maybe. From surprise. From the way that warmth spreads through you, slowly, like sunlight.
He watches you. âIs that okay?â
You nod, slowly. âYeah. Thatâs okay.â
His lips tug up into a small smile.
You canât believe you said it.
It left your mouth before your brain could even stop it.
âDo you wanna shower with me?â
Your face flames. âI justâI meanâyou donât have to, I just thoughtâŚâ
He laughs under his breath. Low. Surprised.
He steps closer. Real close.
âAre you trying to make me lose control right here, right now?â he murmurs, voice like velvet.
You swallow. âYou started it.â
âI started it?â He smirks. âBaby, youâre the one who invited me into the shower.â
You shrug, trying to play it off. âWell⌠itâs been a long day. Iâm wet anyway. Might as wellâŚâ
His eyes darken slightly. âCareful with how you say that.â
You laugh, turning away to hide your faceâbut he catches your wrist gently.
âHey,â he says. âIâd love to.â
You glance back up. âReally?â
His smile softens. âReally. But not if youâre just doing it to prove something. Or to distract yourself from earlier.â
And then you nod. Honest. Bare.
âI just⌠wanna be close to you.â
He leans in and kisses you, slow and sure, his fingers slipping around your waist as he walks you backwards toward the bathroom. Every step is warm. Heavy. Wanting.
The bathroom door clicks shut behind you.
Steam curls through the air, the water already running. The sound of it pattering gently against the tiles fills the silence between your mouths.
You tug your hoodie off slowly. He watches you. Every inch revealed, his gaze grows darker.
âYouâre beautiful,â he says.
You roll your eyes, half-flustered. âYouâve seen me like this already.â
âNot like this.â His voice dips. âNot when itâs just us. No noise. No hiding.â
His chest is toned, still glistening faintly from the heat outside â but here, in this soft light, he looks real. Less smug. More yours.
You take a step closer. So does he.
Your fingers graze his ribs. His hands rest at your hips. And for a second, the world quiets.
âYou sure?â he whispers, forehead pressed to yours.
Together, you step into the shower.
The water hits you first â hot, calming, the spray soaking your hair and running down your shoulders.Â
Sanâs right behind you, arms wrapping around your waist as he pulls you back against his chest.
You sigh into it. Into him.
His hands move slow. Reverent.
Washing over your arms. Tracing your collarbones. Palming your hips like youâll disappear if he doesnât keep holding you.
He leans down to kiss your shoulder. Then your neck. Then behind your ear.
âYouâre unreal,â he murmurs. âYou know that?â
Every kiss he leaves feels like a promise.
One on your jaw.
One at the curve of your spine.
One at the small of your back.
âEvery time I look at you,â he breathes, âI wanna memorize you all over again.â
You turn in his arms â slowly â and his hands slide down to the backs of your thighs, lifting you before you can even brace yourself.
A small gasp escapes you as he pins you gently to the shower wall.
âYou okay?â he whispers, lips brushing yours.
You nod. âYeah. Iâm good.â
He presses his forehead to yours again. âTell me if anything hurts.â
Your fingers thread into his damp hair.
âI will,â you promise.
And he kisses you like youâre the only thing keeping him alive.
Water droplets cling to your lashes as he pushes into you, gentle yet firm.Â
The sensation is overwhelming, a delicious pressure that makes you arch your back and grip the tiles behind you for support.
"Are you okay?" he asks again, his voice strained with restraint.
You nod, a soft whimper escaping your mouth. "It's just... it's a lot."
He pulls back slightly, his eyes searching yours for reassurance. "Too much?"
"No," you say, almost desperately. "I just want... I need you to go .. harder."
His eyes widen slightly in surprise, but he doesn't miss a beat. "You're sure? Aren't you still sore from last night?"
You give him a look that says you can handle it, that you need it. "I'm sure."
His grip on your thighs tightens, and he starts to move faster, his thrusts deep and deliberate.Â
The sound of the shower echoes in the small bathroom, mixing with your gasps and his grunts.
"This what you want?" he asks, his voice a low growl.
You nod, the heat in your eyes unmistakable. "Y-yes," you murmur, your voice barely audible over the patter of water.
With a gentle yet firm hand, he tilts your chin up, capturing your mouth in a passionate kiss as he starts to move with more urgency.Â
His hips drive into yours, the rhythm of his movements setting a tempo that resonates deep within you.
You can feel your muscles tightening, the delicious ache spreading through your body as he hits just the right spot.
âIâve got you,â he whispers against your ear, his breath hot and ragged.Â
His hands roam over your curves, gripping and caressing as if heâs trying to claim every inch of your skin.Â
The water streams down your faces, mingling with the sweat thatâs starting to form on your forehead.
You moan, your body responding to his touch, his possession. âMore,â you breathe out, your voice needy.
His movements become more insistent, his hips snapping into you with a force that makes the shower wall shudder
Your legs wrap around his waist, your heels digging into his lower back as you try to pull him closer, deeper.
"Oh, fuck, yes," you cry out, your voice echoing off the tiles. "I'm... I'm there."
He chuckles darkly, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. "Already?"
"Yes," you gasp, your voice tight with pleasure. "I'm... I'm gonna..."
He kisses you harder, swallowing your words as you both feel the tension coil tighter. "Then cum for me, baby," he whispers, "Let go."
You nod frantically, your eyes squeezed shut as the orgasm builds.Â
He kisses you again, his tongue delving into your mouth as if to swallow your cries of pleasure.
"I-I'm.. cumming," you manage to say between gasps, your body trembling as the orgasm crashes over you.
"Good," he grunts, his pace unrelenting. "Cum for me."
âI am," you whimper, your nails digging into his shoulders.Â
He doesn't ease up, though, his eyes locked on yours, reading every little twitch of pleasure and pain.
"Please..," you whisper, the words barely making it past your clenched teeth.
He pauses, his eyes searching yours, a hint of concern flashing through them. "You can't take it?"
You bite your lip, shaking your head slightly. "I... donât think I can ..."
"We're not even close to finishing, baby." He leans in, his breath hot against your ear. "But if you want to beg, I'm all ears."
You whimper, the delicious mix of pleasure and pain making your toes curl.
You bite down on your lip, trying to muffle your moans. But the feeling is too intense, your body too eager for release.Â
âYouâre being loud,â he whispers against your ear.
âI... I can't help it,â you admit, your voice strained.
He chuckles low, the sound sending a thrill down your spine. "I know, baby," he murmurs, his strokes growing more deliberate.Â
"But remember, your brother is probably in the house right now."
You moan louder despite his warning.
"He's gonna hear us, Y/N." he says, his voice low and playful.
You can't help but moan louder, the sound echoing in the tiled room.
"Let him," you pant, your hips pushing back into him. "Let him know you're fucking his sister."
He stares at you, his expression unreadable for a moment before it morphs into pure hunger.Â
"You're so fucking dirty," he says, his voice a mix of amazement and lust.
You smirk, feeling a thrill at his reaction. "Is that what you like?"
He doesn't answer, his eyes hooded and focused on the spot where your bodies meet.Â
His breathing is ragged, his chest rising and falling rapidly.Â
You can feel his cock pulsing inside you, the tip hitting your sweet spot with every thrust.
"Say it again," he commands, his voice gruff with need.
You smirk up at him, feeling a thrill of power at his reaction. "I want him to know you're fucking me," you repeat.
For a moment, he just looks at you, his eyes dark with passion. Then, without a word, he starts to laugh.Â
It's a low, deep chuckle that fills the steamy bathroom, a sound that sends your heart racing even faster.
"You're crazy," he says, shaking his head slightly. But his grin says he's anything but complaining.
You just smirk, your legs still wrapped around his waist. "Only for you," you murmur, nuzzling into his neck.
He groans, his hips stuttering before he stills completely, his cock pulsing as he fills you with his warmth.
"Jesus, baby," he whispers, his breath hot against your skin.
"Mm," you murmur, your eyes closing in pleasure as you feel him throb inside you. "I need more."
He chuckles, his breath warm against your neck. "Whyâre you so greedy today?"Â
He pulls out slowly, making you whine with the sudden emptiness. "I've got you."
You lean into him, feeling his heartbeat thunder against your chest as you both catch your breath. "Please just one more..?" you murmur, your voice still thick with desire.
He pulls back slightly, his eyes searching yours for a moment before he shakes his head. "No, Y/N," he says, his voice gruff. "We cant."
You pout, feeling the need for more of him, but understanding his concern. "But I can't get enough of you," you murmur.
"Iâm right here," he says, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "But we've got to get out of this bathroom.."
He gently helps you stand, your legs still shaking slightly as you both reach for the towels.Â
Wrapping one around yourself, you watch as he does the same, his eyes never leaving yours.
You both stand there for a moment, steam swirling around you, suspended in the silence.Â
The waterâs still running, but neither of you moves to turn it off just yet.
Sanâs eyes linger on your face like heâs memorizing you. Again.
Youâre wrapped in a towel, damp hair clinging to your skin, and he still looks at you like youâre the most beautiful thing heâs ever seen.
Your legs wobble a little as you shift your weight, and he catches you â one hand steady on your hip, the other brushing your cheek with his knuckles.
âCareful,â he murmurs. âStill a little shaky.â
You breathe a laugh. âWhose fault is that?â
He grins, but itâs softer this time. Gentler.
âLetâs get you into bed,â he says.
You blink. âShouldnât we put our clothes on and go back outside?â
He shrugs one shoulder, a playful glint in his eye. âSeonghwa can wait. You need to rest.â
You tilt your head, curious. âSince when are you this thoughtful?â
âSince I started falling for you,â he says, so casually it nearly knocks the air from your lungs.
Your chest tightens. âSanâŚâ
But he just smiles, brushing a damp strand of hair from your face. âCome on.â
You let him lead you out of the bathroom, fingers still tangled in his, and the moment you both go upstairs and step into your bedroom, the air feels heavier. Quiet. Safe.
He grabs an oversized hoodie â and gently helps you into it. His touch lingers longer than it needs to. Warm. Like heâs grounding himself in the feel of you.
Then he guides you toward the bed.
You sit, still flushed, still warm from the shower. San pulls the blanket over your legs, then drops down beside you, back against the headboard, towel still low around his waist.
Your hand finds his on instinct.
He squeezes gently. âYou okay?â
You nod slowly, watching your fingers toy with his. âYeah. I just⌠I meant it, you know.â
He glances over. âMeant what?â
âWhen I said I canât get enough of you.â
His face shifts. Something softer beneath all that usual confidence.
He leans in, pressing a kiss to the side of your head. âYouâre not the only one, baby.â
And for a second â just a second â the worry disappears. The guilt. The risk. Seonghwa. All of it.
Tangled in silence. Breathing each other in.
But the peace doesnât last long.
From downstairs, faintly, you both hear it:
âY/N? San?â Seonghwaâs voice echoes up the stairs.
San groans, letting his head fall back against the wall. âHe has the worst timing in the world.â
You suppress a laugh. âYou should go.â
He looks at you, reluctant. âDo I have to?â
âUnless you want to explain why youâre still in my room⌠half-nakedâŚâ
He raises a brow. âI could think of a few convincing reasons.â
You snort, shoving his shoulder gently.
He kisses your hand once more, then stands, grabbing the clothes heâd left in a heap earlier.Â
He pulls his shirt over his head, still damp, but it does nothing to hide the flush on his skin or the softness in his eyes.
At the door, he glances back at you.
âIâll come back later,â he says, voice low.
He smiles â and disappears down the hall.
Youâre left alone, wrapped in your hoodie, hair damp against your back, heart full and aching in equal measure.
And even though Seonghwa might be one floor awayâŚ
That night, youâre curled up in bed, hoodie on, knees to your chest, scrolling aimlessly on your phone when thereâs a knock at your door.Â
You barely get the chance to respond before it cracks open and Seonghwa peeks his head in.
âHey,â he says, voice uncharacteristically calm. âYou⌠mad at me?â
You glance up, eyebrows raised. âWhat do you think?â
He walks in anyway, hands stuffed in the pockets of his sweats like heâs trying to downplay his guilt.
âLook,â he starts, crossing the room and stopping at the edge of your bed. . âI shouldnât have snapped at you⌠about, you know, being so close with San. I guess I just got worried.â
You donât say anything. Just blink at him.
He shifts on his feet awkwardly. âI mean, you two are always together, and sometimes I feel like I donât know where I fit in anymore.â
âButâlike, in a normal way,â he hurriedly adds, holding up his hands. âI didnât mean to come off like I donât trust you. Itâs justâŚweird, you know?â
You roll your eyes. âWe werenât acting weird.â
You sigh. âOkay. A little weird.â
âThank you.â He mutters. Then, his eyes flick over your shoulder, and his face changes. âWait. What is that?â
He leans forward a little, squinting at the base of your neck. âY/N⌠is that a bruise?â
âDid someone hit you?â he asks, voice suddenly sharper. âWhat the fuck is that?â
Your eyes go wide. âWhat? No! No, no one hit me.â
Seonghwa narrows his eyes and steps closer. You try to pull the hoodie tighter around yourself, but youâre too slow.Â
His hand comes up before you can stop him and he gently pulls the hoodie up, revealing more of your shoulder.
âSeonghwa!â You half-laugh, half-shriek, twisting away from him. âWhat the hell are you doing?!â
He stares. âWait⌠was that another one on your hip???â
âStop undressing me with your hands, you freak!â you smack his shoulder, laughing now because his expression is pure horror.
Seonghwa backs up, hands in the air.Â
âNo, because seriouslyâwhat is that? Are you getting beat up? Is something hitting you when Iâm not around? Because I will throw handsââ
You cut him off, fast. âI slipped!â
He pauses. âYou slipped?â
âYes! When I came back into the house earlier after you told me to come back inside, remember? The floor was wet and I slipped on the hardwood. Itâs not a big deal.â
Seonghwa looks you up and down suspiciously. âThatâs⌠a lot of .. weird marks for one slip.â
You shrug, trying to look nonchalant. âI fall hard, okay?â
He stares a second longer, then sighs. âDamn. You shouldâve dried off first.â
You roll your eyes, grinning. âYeah, yeah. Thanks, Dad.â
He scoffs. âWhatever. Just⌠next time, be more careful, alright? I donât want to see you walking around with mystery.. bruises and weird excuses.â
You nod, the smile still lingering. âI got it.â
Seonghwa moves to the door, pausing before he leaves. âAnd⌠for real. Iâm sorry for earlier. I was out of line.â
You hesitate, then nod slowly. âI know. Its okay.â
Seonghwa snorts. âI mean⌠Iâm not totally wrong, but Iâll take it.â
You chuck a pillow at him.
He catches it with one hand, grinning, then flings it right back â it hits you in the face.
âI told you,â he laughs, already halfway out the door. âYou're dumb and slow!â
The door shuts behind him.
Youâre left in your room again, cheeks sore from smiling, hoodie still pulled up a little too high from the struggle, and heart beating a little too fast â not from SeonghwaâŚ
But from what youâre really hiding.
And now thereâs another bruise you didnât think youâd have to cover: the ache of lying to someone you love.
The hallway lights flicked off.Â
Seonghwaâs door shut with that signature click.Â
Your room is dim, lit only by the soft blue glow from your phone screen as you lay in bed under the covers, eyes heavy but mind racing.
But your heart wonât settle.
Not after that day. Not after San. Not after Seonghwaâs way-too-close call.
Another tap. Soft. Familiar.
Your eyes flick to your window.
You sit up, tugging the curtain just slightly.
On the roof outside your window, crouched down, hoodie up, his lips curved in that smug little smile that somehow makes your chest ache and flutter all at once.
You shake your head, motioning for him to come in.
The window creaks open quietly, and he slips inside with practiced ease, careful not to make a sound.
âReally!?â you whisper as he lands on your carpet. âSeonghwa just went to sleep. And why are you coming through the window??â
âFront door felt too risky,â he murmurs, voice low, laced with that sleepy rasp. âAnd I couldnât go to sleep without seeing you.â
Your breath hitches, just a little.
Heâs already pulling off his hoodie and shoes, like this is something heâs done a hundred times before.
You slide over in bed to make room for him, heart thudding in your chest.
San climbs in without hesitation, the bed dipping under his weight as he tugs the covers back over the both of you.Â
His bare arm slides around your waist, warm and solid, pulling you into him.
You sigh into the comfort of it all, head resting against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
âLong day,â he murmurs into your hair.
He strokes your back, slow and soft, like heâs memorizing the curve of your spine.
A moment passes. Still. Safe.
âI missed you,â he whispers.
You pull back just enough to look up at him.
âYou were literally just with me.â
âI know,â he says, brushing your hair away from your face. âBut I still missed you.â
The words melt into your skin like warmth, soaking into every place that felt cold before.
You donât even think before saying, âI missed you too.â
His eyes soften. âYeah?â
You rest your head against his shoulder again, and for a moment, the world is quiet. No Seonghwa. No sneaking. No pretending.
âSan?â you whisper after a minute.
âDo you think this is⌠bad? Us, I mean. Keeping it from Seonghwa?â
Heâs quiet for a moment, like heâs choosing his words carefully.
âI thinkâŚâ he exhales, âitâs complicated. But I donât think you are bad. And I donât think thisââhe pulls you in tighterââis bad.â
You nod slowly. âOkay.â
You believe him. Or⌠you want to.
He leans down and presses a kiss to your forehead. âTry to sleep, princess.â
You smile. âDonât call me that.â
You roll your eyes, nuzzling closer into his chest. âShut up and hold me.â
ââHis hand finds your hoodie strings, gently tugging at them, twisting them around his fingers as his other arm stays locked around your waist.Â
His voice is soft when he speaks again, like heâs been thinking about it for a while.
âOkay. We should tell him.â
You blink. âSeonghwa?â
You shift slightly to look up at him. âWhen?â
He doesn't hesitate. âTomorrow morning.â
Your eyebrows raise. âThat quick?â
âYeah.â Heâs still playing with your hoodie strings, focused on the little knot heâs tying in them. âIâll just sleep over. Weâll wake up, go downstairs, and tell him. Straight up.â
You bite your lip. That easy? That quick?
âOkay,â you say, after a pause. âBut⌠donât be too likeâŚâ You search for the word. âDonât be smug about it. Be normal.â
He tilts his head, amused. âSmug? What do you mean âsmugâ?â
âYou know what I mean,â you say, dead serious. âYou do that thing. That smirky, cocky thing with your eyebrows and your stupid mouthââ
âYes.â You poke his chest. âLike when you said âIâll be right back, âprincessâ and flirted with me outside.. You almost got us killed.â
Heâs laughing now, shaking his head, his hand still idly tugging your hoodie string like a nervous tic. âYouâre being dramatic.â
You lean in closer, voice low. âNo, San. Iâm not. Seonghwa will actually beat your ass this time.
âLike not in a cute way. Heâs gonna full-on older brother rage blackout if you go in there acting like you just won a prize.â
His smile falters just slightly, but the edge softens into something serious.
âI got it,â he murmurs. âIâll be respectful.â
He leans down, presses a kiss to the tip of your nose. âSwear.â
You stare at him for a second. âOkay. Then⌠yeah. Letâs do it. Tomorrow.â
His fingers lace with yours under the covers, warm and a little sweaty.
âIâm scared,â you whisper with a tiny laugh.
âMe too,â he admits. âBut Iâd rather him hate me for being honest⌠than for sneaking around with his sister.â
You exhale slowly, heart thudding again.
âGod,â you say, âheâs gonna kill you.â
San grins. âProbably.â
You nudge his shoulder, burying your face in his neck again. âIâll miss you.â
He chuckles. âIâll haunt you.â
Wrapped in the quiet. In his arms. Hoodie strings still twisted around his fingers.
Tomorrowâs coming fast.
But for tonightâyou let yourself rest in this moment.
The smell of eggs and toast fills the kitchen. The morning sun spills lazily through the blinds, casting warm lines across the tiled floor.Â
Seonghwaâs at the stove again, flipping something in the pan with casual focus.Â
Heâs talking â something about the carâs suspension or the alignment, his voice cutting through the silence like it's any normal day.
Youâre sitting at the table with your legs tucked up under you, hoodie sleeves pulled over your hands.Â
Sanâs next to you, close enough that your knees are touching beneath the table. You keep your eyes on your juice, the tension heavy in your chest.
He hasnât said anything yet.
And you know itâs coming.
âYeah,â Seonghwa says, pulling the pan off the heat. âThink I just need to replace that whole left-side control arm. Might as wellâwhat?âÂ
He glances over his shoulder, noticing San watching him. âWhy are you looking at me like that?â
San clears his throat. Sits up straighter.
âI gotta tell you something. Like. Seriousâ
Seonghwa furrows his brow. âWhat? Youâre finally gonna admit youâre fucking annoying?â
Seonghwa rolls his eyes, setting the pan down. âWhen are you ever serious, man?â
But something in his tone shifts when he looks between you two.
âWhat is it?â he asks, slower this time.
You hold your breath and take a long sip of your juice.
Sanâs voice is calm. Steady. âIâm fucking your sister.â
You choke, juice spraying back into your glass as you slap a hand over your mouth.
Seonghwa doesnât react at first. Not right away. He just stares at him.
âWhat?â he says, quiet.
San shrugs, like heâs talking about the weather. âYou heard me.â
Seonghwaâs hand goes to the juice pitcher.Â
He lifts it slowly and sets it down hard on the table. Juice sloshes over the side, dripping across the wood.
Seonghwaâs voice stays eerily calm.Â
âI knew something was up last night,â he mutters. âI said it. I saidââare you two hooking up?ââand you both lied to my face.â
San raises a brow, unbothered. âWell technically, you asked a question. we just let your imagination do the rest.â
Seonghwa launches the juice directly into Sanâs face.Â
A full, aggressive pour. Citrus floods his curls, streams down his jaw, and pools into his collar.
âWhat the fuck, man?â San coughs, laughing.
Seonghwa's already standing, storming around the table, grabbing San by the collar and yanking him to his feet.Â
âYou think this is a fucking joke?â he growls, face inches from his best friendâs, knuckles white around his hoodie.
San just grins, tongue dragging over his cheek, tasting the juice. He winks at you.
âSanââ you whisper, disappointed. This is exactly what you told him not to do.
You quickly rise, rushing over. âSeonghwa, stop! Calm downâplease, just calmââ
âDonât fucking tell me to calm down!â Seonghwa barks, eyes blazing. âYou lied to me. You lied to my face. And youââ he looks at San, his tone venomous, ââyou really thought this was gonna be funny?â
âSeonghwaââ you start, but heâs already stepping back, shaking his head.
âI need air,â he snaps, already heading toward the door. âYou two can clean up this bullshit.â
You exhale shakily, turning back to San.
Heâs still laughing. Juice dripping from his nose, hoodie soaked, face red with barely restrained amusement.
You stare at him, arms crossed. âThat was a bad idea.â
He wipes his eyes. âY/Nâbaby come onâit was kinda funny.â
You donât smile. âI told you not to act like that.â
He straightens a little, finally noticing your tone. âOkay. Okay, Iâm sorry. I am. But hey⌠at least he knows now, right?â
âCome here,â he says, voice softening.
You sigh and grab a towel from the counter, walking over and gently dabbing his face.Â
You wipe the sticky juice from his cheeks, his neck, brushing his hair off his forehead as he leans into your touch.
âYou smell like oranges,â you mumble.
You blink. âNo. Iâm not kissing orange juice off of you.â
âCome on,â he laughs. âDo it. Just do itââ
He tugs your wrist. You trip forward, falling straight into his lap.
You gasp, your hands landing on his chest. âSanâ!â
âKiss me,â he whispers, lips brushing yours. âOr Iâm not letting you go.â
You narrow your eyes. âYouâre literally so annoying.â
He shrugs. âAnd yet⌠here you are.â
You roll your eyes, then finally kiss him. Soft, sticky, citrus-sweet.
Then you shove off him and dart away, heading for the stairs.
âHeyâ!â he calls after you, laughing. âThatâs not fair!â
You donât look back. âMaybe next time youâll listen to me!â
His laughter follows you up the steps.
That night, dinner is quiet â too quiet. the only sound is the clink of forks against ceramic, echoing louder than it should.Â
Well, that and the faint, passive-aggressive clench of Seonghwaâs jaw.
He hasnât said a word in fifteen minutes. Not one.
Youâre sitting across from him, quietly chewing your food and trying not to look directly at his face.
His expression says everything: cold, closed-off, and aggressively avoiding eye contact. Heâs stabbing his pasta like it personally wronged him.
Next to you, San is chewing like heâs got not a single care in the world.Â
Laid-back. Legs spread. Elbow draped casually over the back of your chair. His fork twirls lazily through his food, and he hums a little under his breath. Hums.
The tension is suffocating.
You try to break it. âThis is really good, Seonghwa.â
Seonghwa doesnât even blink.
âLike⌠the sauce? Kind of amazing.â
No response. Just a sigh. A very loud sigh.
San smirks, glancing across the table. âYouâre really not gonna talk to us? Youâre just gonna sit there pretending we donât exist?â
Seonghwa finally looks up, slowly.
Deadpan. âThatâs the goal.â
You press your lips together, swallowing a laugh.
San tilts his head, feigning innocence. âWhat? You donât believe me?â
Seonghwa raises an eyebrow. âBelieve what? That youâre a moron?â
San shrugs dramatically. âNo. That Iâm fucking your sister.â
Seonghwa drops his fork with a loud clank. âDude.â
âWhat??â Sanâs grinning now, full smug-mode activated. âIâm just saying, if youâre having doubtsââ
And before you can stop himâ
Right in front of Seonghwa.
Not a quick peck. Oh no. He goes in with soft pressure, hand slipping to your jaw, angling your face toward him. It's slow. Purposeful. Completely, utterly unnecessary.
You pull back a little too late, wide-eyed, lips tingling. âSanââ
Seonghwa just stares. Horrified.
Then, in a flat, revolted voice: âOkay. Okay. You donât have to prove it. Justâstop.â
He wipes his mouth with a napkin and pushes his plate away.
âSeriously, what the fuck is wrong with you?â
San leans back in his chair, totally unfazed. âYou didnât believe me! I was clarifying!â
âClarifying?!â Seonghwa throws his hands up. âThat was not clarification, that wasâgraphic evidence! At the dinner table!â
You duck your head into your hands, shoulders shaking.
âSeonghwa,â you mumble through your fingers. âPlease stop yelling at the pasta.â
Seonghwa mutters something under his breath. Then stands up.
âIâm eating in my room.â
He grabs his plate and storms off down the hall and up the stairs.
Sanâs still smirking. He reaches for your garlic bread.
âThat went better than expected.â
You smack his hand. âYouâre so annoying.â
âAnd yet,â he says, biting into the bread, âyouâre still sitting next to me.â
You groan and flop back in your seat, staring at the ceiling.
And somehow... you kind of love it.