!♡

The set was too familiar for Youngkyun’s comfort.

Not in the physical sense, the carefully built riverside apartment, the convenience store, the bright glow of streetlights meant to mimic the quiet loneliness of the Han River at midnight.

No. It was the story.

That was the problem.

Two stubborn high school rivals. Years of tension. Years of circling each other, sharp words, sharper looks, unfinished things hanging between them.

Then adulthood... Distance. Careers. A reunion. Feelings dragged out into the open. It wasn't anything new.

But to him, it felt less like acting and more like someone had stolen pieces of his life and dressed them up as a script.

And now Youngkyun had to stand in the middle of it. Across from you.

Again.

“You’re distracted.”

Your voice snapped him back.

Between takes, you were sitting on the bench, script folded neatly in your lap, eyes half-lidded as if you already knew exactly what was running through his head.

Youngkyun smiled. “You wish.”

A slow look from you, annoyingly unreadable. Just like high school.

Back then, he’d throw every jab he could think of your way, just to get something out of you. A reaction. Anger. Anything.

Just to get your attention back on him.

And every time, you’d stare at him like he was mildly inconveniencing your day

It always drove him insane.

“Positions!”

The director’s voice cut through the set, precise and everyone shuffled into place.

This was the scene.The confession scene.

The one where their characters, after years of unresolved tension, finally cornered each other under the bridge after midnight, exhausted from life, from work, from pretending.

Youngkyun adjusted his shirt, exhaling.

It’s acting. Just acting.

Atleast he tried to tell himself that as the cameras rolled, the rain machines drizzling softly overhead.

You stood a few feet away, looking at him with that expression.

That…expression.

God, help him.

It was part of the script, he knew. The hurt, the anger, the longing.

But it looked too real.

“You always do this,” you said, voice low, trembling with frustration. “Push me away, act like none of it mattered.”

Youngkyun swallowed, forcing himself to exhale.

Right.

His lines.

He stepped closer.

“That’s because if I let it matter, you'd…-you…”

He stopped midway when your eyes locked onto his.

And suddenly, he felt like he was seventeen again, standing near the school gates, wanting to grab your wrist and ask why you always walked away first.

It was like the years folded in on themselves.

High school hallways. Glances passed when you weren't looking. Petty fights. Award ceremonies. Passing each other backstage.

His stupid, relentless need to stay in your orbit like how the moon rotates around the earth. Always, never changing. It was familiar, comfortable.

But…now this.

You took another step.

The script said you were supposed to grab his wrist here and you did, your fingers brushed his hand first.

Small, deliberate.

Yet his pulse stuttered when you did. It felt electric.

“Then why are you here?” you whispered.

And he thinks he must've really lost his mind right there because to him, it didn't sound like your character.

It sounded like you.

And that was the thing that broke him.

Because suddenly he couldn’t separate it anymore.

The script in his hand. The years behind him. The person in front of him.

They all blurred.

“...Because I like you…”

This wasn't…

“No, I-...I love you. Because you drive me crazy.”

Your brows lifted, just barely, a flicker of surprise in them.

He saw it but he couldn’t stop.

Not when you were looking at him like that.

Not when his chest felt like it was caving in.

He stepped forward until there was no space left between you.

His hand came up, cupping your face.

You looked at him, surprised, your hand coming up to cover his.

His thumb brushed your cheek. Warm and soft. It felt real. It felt perfect.

Youngkyun searched your face like he was trying to memorize it. Or maybe trying to find permission.

Then he leaned in, kissing you.

Soft at first, tentative but when you froze, just for a second, his heart nearly gave out.

Then your fingers curled into his sleeve.

And that was enough for him to let go.

He deepened the kiss, backing you against the railing as your arms wrapped around his neck.

It was like everything he had imagined before. Just a million times better.

Your lips were soft against his, too soft, he felt like he was losing his mind. And oxygen.

Just enough to forget the cameras.

Forget the lights.

Forget everything except you.

“Cut!”

The director’s voice rang through the set, and the world came crashing back all at once.

Youngkyun pulled away slowly, breath uneven, his hand still cradling your face for half a second too long before he forced himself to let go. Like he was finally processing where exactly he was right now.

The silence lasted exactly two seconds before the set exploded with cheers and applause.

“Wow.”

“That was insane.”

“The chemistry…-”

The director stood up from his chair, practically beaming. “That was incredible! The tension, the hesitation, the kiss, perfect instinct.”

Youngkyun nodded slowly, adjusting his collar.

Instinct. Right.

One of the assistant directors commented. “I know the kiss was supposed to be later but that felt natural.”

If only they knew.

If only they knew that the moment your hand touched his, every line in his head vanished.

That he’d stopped seeing the cameras.

Stopped seeing the crew. Stopped acting.

“Good improvisation, Hwiyoung,” the director added with an approving nod. “Keep that emotional flow. It worked.”

Youngkyun let out a short breath through his nose, forcing a smile.

“Yeah,” he said, voice quiet.”It just…came to me.”

Like he hadn’t been thinking about kissing you for years.

Hadn’t wanted to pull you closer and keep going until neither of you could breathe.

Hadn’t nearly forgotten where he was the second your lips moved against his.

Improvisation. That’s what it was.

He could play along. He had to for now atleast

But then he looked at you. And that was the problem.

Because you weren’t laughing with the staff. You weren’t brushing it off.

You were just staring at him, lips slightly swollen, eyes unreadable but far too focused on him.

Like you were trying to figure him out.

Like maybe you’d felt it too.

His chest tightened. Damn it.

He looked away first.

For all the years he’d spent provoking you, pushing, pulling, circling… he’d always been good at keeping the truth buried.

But right now, with eeveryone praising his “acting” while his pulse still raced from a kiss that was never supposed to happen yet, he could feel the cracks splitting wider.

And looking at you now, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it hidden much longer.

!♡

‎ . ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁

Maybe he hadn’t thought this through enough.

Yongseung stared at his wallet, thick with cards that were now completely useless. Every single one could be tracked. He hadn’t brought any cash either.

If only there was a way to get liquid money...

He’d considered asking you.

But one glance around your apartment had killed that thought immediately, the stained ceiling, the unfinished patch of paint near the window, the cracks spidering across the walls. No.

Maybe he wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t a villain either.

He clicked the lighter in his hand absentmindedly, the flame flickering on and off as one face came to mind.

A slow smile pulled at his mouth.

Maybe there was a way after all.

‎ . ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁

“What?!” you shouted.

Standing in front of him, you stared like he’d just spoken another language.

He sat on your couch like he owned it, calm as ever, lazily flipping his lighter open and shut.

“You want me to demand ransom?” you repeated, voice climbing. “Ransom?”

He nodded once, unfazed. “From my grandmother.”

You blinked.

“From your grandmother,” you echoed, feeling like your brain had stopped functioning. “Hey…- are you insane? That’s illegal!”

Yongseung raised an eyebrow.

“So is kidnapping someone.”

“That doesn’t count!” you snapped, pointing at him accusingly. “You’re the one who told me to keep driving!”

He leaned back, almost amused.

“Semantics.”

“Oh my god.”

You dropped into a crouch, clutching your head.

“My head hurts.”

A quiet snort escaped him at your dramatics as he crossed one leg over the other.

“Nothing will happen to you,” he said. “As long as you do exactly what I say.”

That was somehow the least reassuring thing he could’ve said.

“So trust me.”

You looked up at him like he’d lost his mind. “Why your grandmother?”

His expression shifted, something softer, almost fond.

“My grandmother is... different.”

You frowned. “What does that even mean?”

He smiled faintly. “It means we think alike.”

That did not help. At all.

Before you could question him further, he stood and started toward the door.

“Fine,” he said simply. “I’ll go out myself. Tell them you kidnapped me…-”

You shot up so fast you nearly tripped over yourself, grabbing his arms.

“Alright! Alright!” you blurted, panic written all over your face. “I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

He looked down at your hands gripping him, then up at your expression. And smirked. Like he knew you’d fold.

He sat back down. “Get the zip ties.”

You froze. “What?”

He shrugged. “We have to make it look convincing.”

‎ . ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁

“That hurts,” he hissed as you pulled tighter, securing the zip ties around his wrists.

“You asked for it,” you muttered, looping the end through and tightening it absentmindedly.

Never in your life had you imagined doing something like this.

Tying up a rich stranger in your apartment to fake a ransom.

Your life has derailed beyond repair.

Across from you, Yongseung huffed, shifting slightly, before pausing, his eyes narrowing at your expression.

Without warning, he tugged his bound hands back, pulling you with him.

“What?”

“What, what?” you shot back, glaring, only to stop when you realized just how close you were.

Oh.

You were practically straddling him.

Your breath stuttered.

He looked up at you, and for the first time, you really looked. He was beautiful.

Not just handsome. But beautiful.

The kind of face that lingered in your memory long after seeing it, the kind that left marks without ever touching you.

You’d known that already, somewhere in the back of your mind. But you’d never let yourself dwell on it.

Not until now.

His skin looked soft.

The sharp line of his brows, the dark fan of his lashes, the slope of his nose, the curve of his lips…

For one reckless second, you imagined tracing every inch of him, slow and careful, while he pulled you closer…-

And then you paused.

His eyes.

Dark, endless, like the night sky with no end in sight.

And that abyss was staring right back at you. Straight at you.

Your entire body jolted as you snapped out of it, heat rushing violently to your face.

Yongseung tilted his head, watching as the colour bloomed on your face. “You’re acting strange.”

His gaze lingered on your flushed face before his lips curled.

“Don’t tell me…”

He lifted his tied hands slightly, still trapped in your grip.

“Are you excited?”

Your entire face burned.

Mortified, you shoved at his chest. “Shut up!”

But with his hands restrained, he had nothing to catch himself with.

He fell backward onto the couch, taking you with him and you landed right on top of him.

For a second, neither of you moved.

His tied hands were trapped awkwardly between your bodies, his chest warm beneath your palms.

Yongseung blinked up at you, surprised. Then amused.

“Doing all this to a helpless man…”

His voice dropped, teasing.

“I didn’t know you were into this kind of thing.”

Your heart raced.

The meaning behind it was impossible to miss.

You tried to push yourself up, but his hands caught yours first, holding you there. Not tight but just enough.

His eyes didn’t leave yours.

“But I have to say…”

His voice lowered to a near-whisper, his mouth curving. “I quite like this view.”

“Crazy bastard…”

You smacked him hard on the shoulder, face blazing, finally wrenching yourself free.

Stumbling back, you barely caught yourself.

“I…-I’ll get the camera and the script ready,” you mumbled, nearly tripping over your words before rushing out of the room.

The door shut behind you and silence settled.

Yongseung let out a quiet laugh to himself, pushing himself upright with his elbow.

His gaze dropped to the zip ties around his wrists. Then to the closed door.

His expression shifted a little, unreadable. That was new.

Slowly, he pressed an arm against his chest. His heartbeat was loud.

Why?

He frowned.

Adrenaline. That had to be it.

And yet, your expression kept replaying in his mind.

The way you looked at him. The way you froze. The heat in your face.

He clicked his tongue, looking away.

He didn’t need this right now.

‎ . ݁⋆ ۶ৎ ݁˖ . ݁

...

You were running, the moment the palace maid whispered to you with a pained expression.

Back in the training grounds.

Him. Kangmin. Yoo Stupid Kangmin.

The same Kangmin who had been bedridden only two days ago, barely able to sit up without coughing blood.

“That lunatic...” you hissed under your breath, gathering your hanfu in your fists as you ran through the estate halls, heart pounding hard enough to bruise your ribs.

He really wanted to die. At this point, that was the only explanation.

By the time you reached the large wooden doors of the private grounds, your breathing had gone uneven.

But then you stopped, your eyes falling to the courtyard.

The plants, the flowers, every living thing around the perimeter had withered.

Shriveled. Dead. Like their life had been drained straight from the roots. Spiritual overflow. Again.

Your heart dropped to your stomach.

“Kangmin, you…-”

You shoved the doors open so hard they slammed against the wall.

“Yah! Yoo Kangmin! You crazy bastard! If you’re not dead, I’ll kill you myse…-”

The words died in your throat when you saw his figure.

Collapsed in the center of the stone grounds, body folded over itself as violent coughs wracked through him, blood splattering dark against pale stone.

“Kangmin!”

You were at his side before you could think, dropping to your knees beside him, your hands pressing against his back as his body trembled.

He was burning, not just warm but burning.

As if lightning had lodged itself beneath his skin.

Kangmin coughed again, exhausted from the force of it, and instinctively leaned into your shoulder, his weight sagging against you. Too heavy and too weak.

“Are you okay?” you breathed out, panic already clawing at your throat.

Your hands gripped his arms, and froze as you saw the marks. Lightning scars which were fresh, angry.

Thin silver fractures spread across his skin like cracked porcelain and the sight made your chest tighten so sharply it hurt.

A breakthrough…in this condition.

And for what?

You looked away, unable to bear the sight for more than a second, your sleeve trembling as you wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

He looked half-dead and yet he was still trying.

“I’m fine,” Kangmin muttered weakly. “Really.”

The lie broke something loose inside you, something you'd been holding back for so long.

“Fine?” you repeated, your voice starting to rise, your hands tightening around him.

“Why do you keep doing this? What’s the point?” Your voice trembled now, anger and fear tangling together so tightly you couldn’t tell them apart. “Your body can’t handle it!”

Kangmin lowered his gaze and you hated that look. That quiet acceptance. That shame… It all made you sick to your stomach.

“You’d be more useful if you just stopped!” you blurted, tears stinging before you even realized. “If you just stayed still for once instead of throwing your life away like this!”

Kangmin flinched at that, silence following your words, small, barely noticeable. But yet, it felt like a blade through your chest.

The moment the words left you, you wanted to tear them back.

His fingers curled weakly into his robes, head bowed like he’d heard those words before, too many times. And your anger shattered instantly.

You let go of him, your hands trembling. “…I’m sorry.”

The apology came out of your broken and quiet.

Kangmin was quiet for a long moment before shaking his head, a faint smile pulling at his bloodstained lips.

It was a terrible smile, both soft and sad as if he was trying to comfort you and that made it even worse.

“I just…” his voice was quiet, eyes staying on the ground. “I just want to get better.”

“One day.”

Your throat tightened because you understood. Of course you did and that was the cruelest part. That stupid, stubborn hope that kept dragging him back here.

Born with a heavenly core powerful enough to shake the skies, Kangmin was supposed to be everything. The future. The prophecy. The pride of his sect.

That’s what everyone said.

That’s what everyone believed. Even his parents.

But what good was divine power in a body too weak to bear it?

He always recovered slower, cultivated slower, bled more, broke more. Every breakthrough nearly took years off his life.

And when people noticed, they whispered, pitied, mocked. Called him a wasted blessing. A failed miracle.

An anomaly.

But you remembered every single one of them. And you remembered fighting every single one.

Even as children.

Even when you were nine, fists balled up, standing in front of him with scraped knees and furious tears, screaming at boys twice your size for calling him broken while he stood being you, bruised.

Back then, you had thought if you shouted loud enough, maybe the world would stop hurting him. It never did.

Kangmin remembered it too, remembered everything.

Every time you stood between him and the world. Every time you looked at him like he wasn’t something pitiful.

Like he was just... Kangmin.

Not his core. Not his failures. Just him.

And maybe that was why he loved you.

Somewhere between blood and years and broken bones. Because his life had never been easy.

It had been painful. Humiliating. Lonely. But somehow, you made it all better, easier.

Loving you was the easiest thing he had done in his life.

And he wanted to protect his love, protect you and slowly, you had become a part of his reasons. Because he had made himself a promise long ago.

That one day, no matter what it took, he would become strong enough to protect you.

But seeing you like this… He wondered if it was worth it.

Kangmin swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want to make them proud, make you proud."

The words tugged at something in your

“I want to be able to protect you…”

He muttered, quiet, helpless, close to breaking.

“I thought if I just kept trying harder... if I pushed far enough... eventually I’d become what they wanted. What I want to be…”

Tears welled up in your eyes. “Kangmin…”

“But I’m tired.”

That stopped you because he never said things like that.

His shoulders trembled but not from pain this time. “I’m so tired.”

His voice was so small it barely sounded like him. And your heart broke completely.

“For once...” he whispered, staring at the blood on his hands. “I wish I’d just been born normal.”

Without a word, you grabbed his hands and pulled him into you making his body stiffen in surprise first before softening.

You held him like if you loosened your grip even a little, he’d disappear forever.

“You idiot,” you choked out, fingers clutching the back of his robes. “I never wanted any of that."

“You think I care about your core? About prophecies? About what they expect?”

Your voice trembled with emotions, silencing him for once. “What use does it all have if you die because of it?! I don't care about it! I care if you’re alive!”

For the first time in a long time, Kangmin felt something inside him crack wider than his spiritual veins ever had.

Because all this time, he had pushed himself to become stronger, for everyone, for his own expectations.

To stand beside you without shame. To become someone worthy of loving you in his own standards.

But in your arms now, broken and bleeding and weak, you had never once asked him to be anything else.

And it was the one thing he feared most.

More than death, more than failure, more than even the heavens themselves.

You, hurting because of him.

Because if the heavens demanded his life for power,but power only made you grieve…

He wasn't sure he could stop but he'd try.

And maybe, just maybe he'd hate the heavens enough to defy them this time.

...

⋆˚࿔

When you returned at dusk, the forest should've welcomed you home. It always did.

Ancient trees always hung their branches in a reverence so silent, flowers bloomed wherever your footsteps landed.

But today everything felt distant and exhaustion clung to your soul like frost.

You hid it well, at least, you thought you did.

And when Gyehyeon greeted you at the door of your secluded cottage, he only smiled softly and reached for your hand. He didn't ask about the battle. Didn't question the way your movements were slower than usual. Stiff as if on guard.

But he watched and noticed like he always did. Sometimes you hated how easily he could read you.

"I'm fine."

It was a lie so terrible that you and even Gyehyeon knew. But still, he nodded. If you wanted to pretend, he'd let you.

You didn't even make it through the night.

The last thing you remembered was sitting beside the fireplace while Gyehyeon sorted herbs nearby.

Then darkness and then warmth, like energy spreading through your chest, through your veins, through every crevice, through wounds that shouldn't have been healing this quickly…

Your eyes snapped open, voice coming out rough. "Gyehyeon!"

But immediately you could feel it, his energy, a power flowing from his body into yours.

You grabbed his wrist hard, making the bluish glow flicker as he tensed up. Like he was caught doing something he shouldn't.

"...You're awake and…upset.."

You were. But not because of the injuries but because of him. Because he promised…

He always promised and always broke those promises whenever it involved you.

"You said you'd stop. I said I don't allow it." You muttered, voice quiet but not calm. You were angry.

His lowered his gaze. "I know."

"Then why are you doing this?"

He glanced up to meet your eyes, the answer to that coming instantly as though it was obvious. "You're hurt."

Your grip tightened, breath hitching. You couldn't believe him. "Gyehyeon."

"It doesn't matter."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

He insisted, the words leaving him more sharply than intended and for a moment silence filled the room.

He breathed out, his calm pretense breaking down and seeing that made your anger falter.

Because his eyes…they were terrified. Not of you. Never of you.

Of losing you.

"You weren't waking up."

His voice was quiet, barely audible like he was barely keeping it together. And he was.

"I called your name."

The light energy around his hands brightened again intensely despite your grip. "You weren't answering."

"Gyehyeon, stop..-"

A cough interrupted you.

A crimson stain spread across his lips, making your stomach dropped, the scent of blood immediately filled the room.

"Gyehyeon!"

Your voice cracked, reaching for his face instinctively even as he turned away slightly as if that would somehow hide it.

Another cough, more blood.

And suddenly your frustration gave way to fear. Terror.

You grabbed his face, ignoring his resistance, pulling him closer, forcing him to look at you.

His skin felt colder than before. Weaker.

"You exhausted yourself."

"I'm fine."

He always made you so furious.

"I'm fine," you mocked bitterly. “You're just a mere mortal… why do you always….” You trailed off, seeing his expression.

A faint smile was there on his face. He was smiling…like he'd somehow won.

Like seeing you awake made everything worth it. Even this. Especially this.

You hated it.

Hated how little he valued himself compared to you. As if his life weighed nothing. As if your existence alone justified every sacrifice.

"Why won't you ever listen to me?"

Your voice broke a little, painfully soft, something you had never allowed yourself to show before but everything about him made you act unlike yourself… You weren't supposed to…

Gyehyeon's expression softened because you sounded worried now.

And he loved when you worried.

It wasn't because he enjoyed your suffering but it reminded him that someone as untouchable as you cared.

"If something happened to you..." he whispered, trailing off, unable to finish, unable to imagine it.

You could and that terrified you.

The thought of him collapsing one day because he gave too much. The thought of his mortal lifespan shortening even further.

The thought of losing him….

No. You refused that.

Yet before you could speak, Gyehyeon leaned forward, his forehead touching yours.

A silent plea. He was nothing without his stubbornness.

"You're more important."

His words nearly made you angry enough to shake him.

Instead you pulled back, instead catching the back of his neck.

"Don't decide that for me."

His breath hitched slightly, expression faltering at the sudden movement. And that relieved you.

Because at that moment he finally looked fragile, like a mortal.

Like a human.

Like a healer who should have feared beings like you. A mortal who should have stayed away.

Yet years ago, during a winter so cold even rivers froze solid, he'd approached you without hesitation.

The feared spirit of the forest, the one people whispered about.

And he had simply smiled like he had already decided to like you. Despite all odds, despite all lines, all boundaries that should've never been crossed…

But he still found a way into your heart that you thought had long frozen over along with the terrain.

Or maybe he was the spring that came after…

What a ridiculous human.

An impossible human.

Your human….

You pushed him backward, with just enough force, protecting his head.

A surprised sound escaped him as his back hit the mattress.

You followed immediately, hovering over him. One hand planted beside his head.

And the other wiped away the blood lingering at the corner of his mouth before yours closed over his.

A metallic taste infiltrated your senses, mixed with a slight woody smell of holy basil and lavender, the smell of him…

He kissed back like you were the cure he needed and when you pulled back… You saw that his expression was softened and you hated it. That was the worst part.

How could he look so content?

Pinned beneath you, weakened, exhausted,

But still… he looked happier than ever.

Like this was exactly where he belonged, looking up at you as though his entire world began and ended with your existence. You couldn't believe him.

"You really are insane."

A quiet laugh escaped him. "You've told me that before."

"Many times."

"You'll probably tell me again."

You sighed, defeated. He was right.

Nothing would change, not his devotion, not your worry. Not the way he continued reaching for your hand despite trembling fingers.

And the way you intertwined them, holding tight… Like you wanted to anchor him here forever. With you. Forever.

The same hands capable of splitting mountains apart now trembling ever so slightly. Something in his chest tightened at that.

His eyes closed briefly, a quiet tenderness evident in his expression before he met your eyes again.

You looked at him the way people looked at dying stars as if the thought of losing him was unimaginable, hurting you….

And that feeling, an unbearably selfish feeling, made him happier than it should have.

Because Gyehyeon never feared death, he just feared the time he could no longer be beside you, the time where you would inevitably forget him in a few decades like he was just another season in your unending life.

But you, for the first time that night, fear surfaced in your chest. Not fear of enemies of fear of battle. Fear of time.

Of mortality. Of a future where his hand would no longer be warm.

He hated seeing you upset but still, there were just some things that's out of your reach no matter how powerful you were.

His thumb brushed gently across your knuckles. A quiet comfort. Meant for you. Yet he didn't speak on it and neither did you because that would only make it too real.

So instead, you remained silent.

His fingers curled weakly around yours and your free hand settled against his cheek in a quiet promise neither of you could fully keep.

Neither of you could fully surrender.

You would continue trying to protect him from himself. And Gyehyeon would continue spending every ounce of strength he possessed to protect you.

It was foolish, hopelessly so.

But again, neither of you had ever been particularly reasonable when it came to the other.

The future lingered at the edge of your thoughts like a distant storm neither of you wished to face. But tonight...

Tonight he was here beneath your touch and you were alive in his arms.

And for now, that would have to be enough.

⋆˚࿔

SION - HELLO KITTY

⊹ ࣪ ˖

The music was too soft for a room filled with predators.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, spilled silver across marble floors, more polished than the rehearsed laughter of the people there.

Politicians. CEOs. Crime lords pretending to be philanthropists crowded the room, reeking of wealth.

And beside you, stood the man you hated the most.

Gyehyeon adjusted the cuff of his sleeve calmly, like this was just another evening instead of a mission that could end with both of you dead.

You resisted the urge to stab him with your heel.

“You’re glaring again,” he murmured.

“I’m imagining ways to strangle you.”

“Hm.” His mouth twitched. “You’d do that to your partner?”

“We are not partners.”

“Tonight we are.” His eyes drifted over you slowly.

You hated that pause in your heartbeat. Hated it even more because he noticed.

Of course he did.

Outside the ballroom doors, you bent slightly to adjust the strap of your heel with growing irritation. The damned thing had loosened again.

Before you could crouch down properly, Gyehyeon did first.

You blinked. “What are you…-”

“Hold still.”

His gloved fingers wrapped around your ankle, warm despite the leather. Careful.

The red fabric of your gown pooled around you while he fixed the clasp like he belonged there at your feet, completely unbothered by the fact that one of the agency’s deadliest operatives was currently staring holes into the side of his head.

Then he looked up, a smirk appearing instantly.

“There,” he said softly. “Wouldn’t want my date falling on her face.”

You scoffed, but your pulse betrayed you when he straightened to full height again, one hand sliding to your waist to pull you closer. Way too close.

The scent of expensive cologne and gunpowder clung to him faintly.

“Remember,” he whispered near your ear, voice low enough that only you could hear, “they need to believe we like each other.”

“I’d rather take a bullet.”

“Don’t tempt fate.”

His fingers poked your cheek lightly.

“Smile for me."

You slapped his hand away instantly, glaring up at him while he laughed under his breath, quiet but entirely too pleased with himself.

God, you hated him.

Hated his confidence. Hated how untouchable he acted. Hated the way every room seemed to bend around him.

And worst of all, hated how attractive he looked tonight.

His dark hair was pushed back just enough, though a few strands still fell carelessly over his forehead like the entire look had been crafted to appear effortless.

The open collar of his suit, revealing the line of his collarbone, only made him look more dangerous, less polished diplomat, more…like a wolf dressed in silk.

You wished he’d stop looking at you like that.

Like he already knew you were losing this battle.

The ballroom doors opened and instantly, his demeanor shifted.

His teasing demeanor disappeared. In his place stood a charming socialite with an easy smile and a hand possessively resting at your waist.

You followed his lead seamlessly despite your irritation. Years of training made pretending second nature.

Heads turned the moment you entered, not because of suspicion. But together, you looked devastating.

“Seven guards near the eastern hall,” you muttered through your smile.

“Mm. Posted above the balcony. Possible spy.” Gyehyeon picked up two champagne glasses from a passing tray, handing you one naturally. “You look tense, darling.”

“You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Maybe.” His thumb brushed briefly against the bare skin of your back, hidden beneath your hair. “You’re pretty when you’re angry.”

You nearly broke the champagne flute.

Someone important approached then, one of the target’s associates.

Immediately, Gyehyeon’s arm wrapped around your waist tighter, pulling you against his side for a moment.

He leaned down slightly, lips grazing near your temple as if whispering something affectionate.

To anyone watching, you looked hopelessly in love.

“Behave,” he whispered instead.

“One day,” you whispered back, “I’m going to kill you.”

His eyes gleamed, before he let go of you.

“Looking forward to it.”

Now…

Gyehyeon gave you a subtle glance, brief, before looking away. You answered with the smallest nod before turning away from him entirely, your expression softening into effortless charm as you disappeared into the crowd.

The ballroom swallowed you easily.

Music filled the air while conversations sounded. Every movement here was calculated. Somewhere beneath all the luxury was the reason you’d been sent.

And you found it quickly.

A group of young women gathered near the champagne tower, dressed in silk and diamonds, speaking in hushed excitement.

One of them matched the face from one of the pictures in file, someone close enough to the target.

Perfect.

“Ladies,” you greeted smoothly, stepping into their circle like you belonged there. “Allow me to introduce myself.”

A few of them looked you over cautiously.

The one you were there for only smiled.

“Well,” she mused, “aren’t you charming?”

You smiled back, measured and warm. “Only when I want something.”

That had earned a laugh.

The conversation unfolded naturally after that. You blended into it effortlessly, guiding topics carefully while pretending not to.

Fashion became travel. Travel became politics. Politics became business.

The hidden names. The mentions of shipments. The passing reference to a private security route. You weren't exactly content but this had to do.

Across the ballroom, Gyehyeon worked his own part smoothly. You caught glimpses of him between shifting bodies, lazily, smiling into conversations with diplomats and investors like he had not spent half his life eliminating men exactly like them. He looked relaxed but you knew better.

Then suddenly, a new voice, a shadow fell beside you.

“May I?”

A drink appeared in your peripheral vision.

You glanced at the glass first before looking up. And your stomach tightened slightly.

The target himself. Lee Ji-an.

You recognized him instantly from the files, older in person, sharper eyes, the kind smile too perfect to be genuine. Dangerous men always learned how to appear harmless.

You slipped on your prettiest smile anyway. “Of course.”

His interest in you was obvious enough to make you roll your eyes. Almost.

Across the hall, Gyehyeon noticed.

His own conversation continued uninterrupted, expression still composed.

But his fingers tightened once around the stem of his champagne glass as he watched the target lean closer toward you.

You kept smiling despite the unease crawling beneath your skin. Ji-an spoke easily, confidently, like he already owned the room and everything inside it. Including you.

When his hand brushed your arm once, your jaw tightened. But you endured it.

Another inch and you genuinely might have snapped his wrist in front of half the city’s elite.

Just then a low alarm sounded somewhere through the estate.

The music cut abruptly.

Confused murmurs spread through the ballroom as guests glanced around in alarm.

Ji-an stiffened instantly.

You caught it immediatel, the silent look exchanged between him and one of the staff members rushing toward him.

Hm…?

“Apologies,” Ji-an said smoothly, though tension now pulled at his smile. “Duty calls.”

“What a shame,” you replied sweetly.

His gaze lingered on you a second too long. “I do hope we meet again.

You almost rolled your eyes again.

Then he disappeared into the crowd.

Your attention shifted immediately, scanning the room. There wasn't any actual panic. Just controlled distraction?

And there was only one person here irritating enough to create one deliberately.

A familiar presence stepped beside you.

“Seems we’ll have to retreat early,” Gyehyeon said lightly. “How unfortunate.”

You turned slowly toward him, eyes narrowing as you met his own.

“You did that.”

“Hm?”

“Why?”

He only started walking. Infuriating.

You scoffed before following him through the nearest balcony exit, heels clicking sharply against marble while the muffled confusion inside continued behind closed doors.

Cold night air hit your skin immediately.

The moment you were out of sight, you moved.

Your hand grabbed his collar, shoving him hard against the nearest wall. The impact forced a soft grunt from him as your dagger flashed upward, pressing against his throat.

“Don’t play around with me.”

The city lights flickered behind you both, distant but enough to blur the darkness around you.

Gyehyeon looked entirely too amused for a man with a blade at his neck.

“Shouldn’t we save this for indoors?” he teased.

You pushed the dagger closer.

He let out a quiet sound at the pressure, wincing slightly this time, though the smirk never truly left his face.

“Alright, alright,” he sighed softly, relenting. “You’re rather straightforward tonight.”

“Answer me.” Your grip tightened on his collar.

“Why did you trigger the alarm?”

For once, he didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze flickered over your face instead, lingering in a way that made warmth crawl hotter than the irritation beneath your skin.

Then his eyes dropped briefly to the hand fisted in his suit before returning to yours again. His smile fell, just slightly.

“He was touching you,” he said simply.

…?

Your expression faltered for a moment.

“That,” you said slowly, “is the dumbest reason I’ve ever heard.”

“Mm.” His eyes gleamed under the balcony lights. “Still did it.”

“You compromised the mission over jealousy?”

“Who said anything about jealousy?”

The dagger remained against his throat, but your focus had slipped now, caught momentarily by the way he looked beneath you like this.

Collar loosened. Hair slightly disheveled from being shoved against the wall. Breath warm against the edge of your wrist.

And worst of all, unafraid. If anything, he looked comfortable.

Like this exact moment was where he wanted to be all along. Smug bastard.

“You know,” he muttered, gaze dropping briefly to your lips before returning to your eyes, “most people buy me dinner first before pinning me against walls.”

Your glare sharpened instantly.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet…-”

You cut him off by pushing away from him entirely, releasing his collar with enough force to wrinkle the front of his suit. The dagger lowered slightly as you stepped back, putting distance between you at last.

“Try being serious for once in your life.”

But as you turned to leave, you barely made it a step before a hand caught your wrist.

The next thing you knew, you were pulled back against his chest.

Your breath hitched despite yourself.

Gyehyeon’s arm slid around your waist, firm and unyielding as he drew you flush against him, his back still resting against the stone wall. The dagger remained trapped awkwardly between you both, blade pressing near his shoulder now, but he didn’t seem remotely concerned about it.

“You’re awfully mean tonight,” he mused near your ear.

“Let go.”

“But then you’ll storm off.” His grip tightened slightly. “Just when I was starting to enjoy this.”

You tried twisting free, only for his other hand to catch your chin lightly, tilting your face upward toward his so close.

The teasing look in his eyes had dimmed into something heavier now, quieter. The night air suddenly felt thinner between you both.

You could feel his breathing.

Could see every small detail this close, the mole under his eye, the dimples that showed whenever he quirked his lips, too often, the loosened collar exposing warm skin, the strand of dark hair falling over his forehead after you shoved him earlier.

Your heartbeat betrayed you immediately.

His gaze flicked to your lips again, leaning in closer.

Close enough that you genuinely thought…-

Your fingers tightened instinctively around the dagger.

But instead of kissing you, he only hovered there, mouth brushing near your ear as his voice dropped low enough to send irritation crawling down your spine for entirely different reasons now.

“We’ll continue this later,” he whispered before letting go. Just like that.

The warmth disappeared instantly as he stepped around you, adjusting his sleeves calmly like he hadn’t just nearly kissed you against a balcony wall in the middle of an operation.

By the time he glanced back at you, only the slight curve of his mouth remained.

“Hurry, we have to report back.” he said lightly before walking off into the corridor ahead.

You stared after him in disbelief, pulse still uneven.

God.

You really did hate him.

⊹ ࣪ ˖

...!

You and Yongseung had been going on dates for a while now, and after weeks of dancing around each other, he had finally asked you out properly.

Since then, everything had felt almost unfairly perfect.

He was perfect.

He was the kind of man who noticed every little thing about you without needing to ask. Whether you were cold, tired, uncomfortable, overwhelmed, he always knew somehow.

He’d quietly shift closer when the road got too crowded, hand you the drink you liked before you even mentioned being thirsty, slow his pace just slightly so you’d never have to hurry beside him.

And God, he was so beautiful while doing it too.

There was something devastating about how gentle he was. The way he looked at you so attentively sometimes made your chest ache. You honestly melted whenever you were around him.

There was just one tiny problem.

He hadn’t kissed you yet.

At first, you tried not to think too much about it. Maybe it was still too early. Maybe he just wanted to take things slowly.

But as the days passed, the thoughts started creeping in anyway, ugly and persistent.

Were you the only one falling this fast?

Did he not like you as much as you thought he did?

Were you just… not pretty enough for him to want you that way?

You felt ridiculous for even thinking it, embarrassed by how badly it bothered you, but no matter how much you tried to push it down, the insecurity lingered.

And unfortunately, it showed.

The next time you went out together, you just couldn’t hide it.

To Yongseung, things had started normally enough.

But slowly, he began noticing the differences.

You weren’t rambling excitedly beside him like you usually did. Your smiles came smaller, distracted. Even your laughter sounded softer somehow.

It made something uneasy settle in his chest.

Still, he didn’t push.

Maybe you’d had a bad day. Maybe you were tired.

He tried cheering you up instead, quietly doing all the little things he knew you liked. He bought your favorite dessert. Took you to the park you’d mentioned wanting to visit weeks ago. Stayed close without crowding you.

But nothing worked.

And though none of it showed on his face, Yongseung was beginning to panic a little.

The drive back to your house felt painfully quiet. Normally, he liked silence. But with you? Never.

He reached toward your hand once before hesitating midway, fingers curling back toward himself.

What if you didn’t want him touching you right now?

By the time you arrived at your house, the silence had exhausted him.

You got out before he could come around to open the door for you, but he followed after you anyway, wanting at least to walk you up properly before saying goodbye.

You stood at your front door, hand wrapped tightly around the doorknob.

But you couldn't take it anymore.

Then suddenly, you turned toward him so abruptly it startled even him.

“Am I not pretty?”

Yongseung blinked, completely caught off guard.

“What?” he answered immediately, brows furrowing. “No…- you’re pretty. Why would you even ask that…-”

“Then do you just not like me?”

You cut him off before you could lose the courage to say it, fists clenching at your sides as you looked away from him.

For a moment, Yongseung just stared.

Then his expression softened painfully.

How could you possibly think that?

He stepped closer carefully, slowly reaching for your hand, giving you enough time to pull away if you wanted to.

You didn’t.

His fingers wrapped gently around yours, thumb stroking over your knuckles.

“Where is this coming from?” he asked softly. “Of course I… like you.”

The quiet sincerity in his voice only made your embarrassment worse.

“Then why don’t you kiss me?”

Your voice came out smaller than you intended, making him freeze.

“You never kiss me,” you continued quietly, refusing to meet his eyes. “Not when we meet, not when we leave… you never…”

God, hearing yourself say it out loud made you want to disappear.

You sounded childish. Greedy.

Meanwhile, he’d been nothing but gentle and considerate with you.

Maybe he really just…-

“Is that what was bothering you today?”

His voice pulled you out of your spiraling thoughts. It wasn’t teasing. Or judgmental.

Just curious.

Because of course he had noticed.

When you didn’t answer, Yongseung suddenly looked down with a quiet, helpless smile.

“I thought I was being too hasty.”

You looked up immediately, confused.

“What?”

“I thought I was being too hasty,” he repeated softer this time, almost laughing at himself. “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

His eyes flickered down to your lips briefly before returning to your face.

“When all I wanted was to…”

Yongseung exhaled quietly, shaking his head a little. You had no idea how badly he wanted to kiss you… all those times.

Every hesitant gaze. Every little pause before good bye.

Even now, all he wanted was to kiss that little frown off your face until it disappeared completely.

If only he had known this was what had been bothering you.

Meanwhile your face burned hotter by the second.

Of course.

Of course he’d been thinking about your comfort the entire time while you were over here convincing yourself he didn’t want you.

You looked away, mortified, already opening your mouth to apologize.

Only for him to tug you gently back toward him.

Before you could say another word, his arm slid around your waist, pulling you close as he leaned down and pressed his lips against yours.

Everything in you stopped and then melted.

The kiss was everything you had imagined and somehow worse in the best possible way.

His lips were soft, warm against yours. Slow, but sure. There was no hesitation in him at all now.

Yongseung kissed like he did everything else, carefully, intentionally, like he was fully certain of what he wanted.

And right now, he wanted you.

Your fingers curled against his shirt as your heart pounded so hard you thought it might burst out of your chest entirely.

When he finally pulled back for air, you realized belatedly that you’d nearly forgotten to breathe.

Yongseung let out the softest laugh at the sight of your flushed face.

Your cheeks were pink, lips parted slightly, and there was the faintest pout forming now that he’d pulled away.

It hit him all at once then.

He would do anything for you. Anything just to see you smile.

His hands came up to cradle your face gently, thumbs brushing against your warm cheeks as he fought the urge to kiss you again immediately, long enough to speak.

“I like you,” he murmured softly, forehead resting against yours. “So much it’s actually killing me.”

The honesty in his voice made your stomach flip.

“If I’d known earlier…” he smiled quietly under his breath. “I wouldn’t have held back so long.”

Your face only grew warmer.

God, you had really been overthinking everything.

But the warmth blooming inside your chest now felt too overwhelming to care.

You were happy.

“Yongseung…”

The way you said his name nearly ruined him.

Soft. Breathless. Like it meant something precious.

He smiled helplessly.

“I’ll show you every day,” he whispered, gently squishing your cheeks between his hands, “just how much I like you.”

Then he leaned down again, kissing you once more while pulling you impossibly closer.

You couldn’t help giggling against his lips, the sound making his heart stumble embarrassingly hard as your arms wrapped around his neck.

“I’ll hold you to that promise,” you whispered back.

Chivalry wasn't dead after all.

...!