Kang Hyeon stared in disbelief as Yoon Do-yeong continued.
“A gift is something you pick out with joy, thinking about the person you’re giving it to. Your birthday was coming up, and I chose it because I wanted to. It just happened to be a limited edition, and I paid for it because I wanted to. Why does that deserve criticism?”
“It’s a burden—for the person receiving it.”
Yoon Do-yeong raised his voice, the frustration plain in his tone.
“Then why did you look up the price? That’s just rude.”
“……”
Seeing the tension rise, Do-yeong backtracked, his voice softening as he lowered his gaze.
“Okay, forget the part about being rude. But still, isn’t it kind of weird to look up how much a gift costs right after receiving it?”
“I didn’t. Someone on set recognized the watch.”
“So what, then gifts always have to fit the recipient’s standards?”
“Obviously.”
“Then what are you getting me for my birthday?”
“……”
“It’s the thought that counts in a gift, right? If we’re going to drag money into it, then it’s a burden for me too.”
“Why would you feel burdened?”
“Because for me, walking into a regular store and picking something within a budget is harder. You know I can’t even go out for a coffee without fans crowding me. Can’t I just buy something from a place I’m comfortable with? Why does it have to be about brands and price tags? Can’t you just appreciate the thought I put into it? Is it really that hard to just let it go? Did you have to stomp all over the gesture by pointing out the cost?—No, wait, scratch ‘stomp.’ I mean… did you have to make me feel bad? I spent the entire day going from store to store picking it out.”
He was speaking calmly, evenly, but the complaints tumbled out nonstop. Kang Hyeon was left speechless by the steady barrage of criticism.
“Do you think I’m trying to flaunt my money too?”
“……”
“Want me to really show off?”
Seeing him getting worked up, Kang Hyeon raised both hands to stop him.
“Enough. Really—thank you. But I’ll just accept the thought. It’s honestly too much. I’ll return it with the outfit.”
“I’ll wear the clothes again even if you return them.”
“Why?”
Yoon Do-yeong suddenly stood and threw on the coat Kang Hyeon had taken off earlier. It had hung loosely on Kang Hyeon, but on him, it was tight around the shoulders and biceps, and barely buttoned across the chest.
“Now that the drama’s over, once I’ve had time to rest and my muscles go down, it might fit.”
“I worked hard for this body! What, am I supposed to toss all the clothes I bought for this size?”
“Just wear them oversized.”
“Then it ruins the look.”
Kang Hyeon stared as Do-yeong kept pressing the issue, but suddenly, Do-yeong froze while taking off the coat. He yanked something off and quickly shoved it into his pocket.
“What was that?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. What’d you just take off?”
When he saw Do-yeong stuffing something into his pocket, he quickly grabbed his hand—it was a brand tag. He hadn’t even noticed it was new since he’d just worn whatever the stylist handed him.
“It’s new?”
“…You can’t return it now, I took off the tag.”
“Sew it back on!”
“How do you return something once it’s been worn? And it wasn’t even expensive.”
“By your standards.”
Do-yeong plucked a piece of kimchi and deliberately dropped it on the inside of the coat.
“Yoon Do-yeong!”
Panicking, Kang Hyeon rushed to wipe the stain off the inside of the coat and glared at him. But Do-yeong only looked annoyed.
“I don’t even like the watch. It’s not my style. The coat’s tight and can’t be returned, so I can’t wear that either.”
“They’re too big on me.”
“That’s because you lost weight. Gain it back.”
Not even glancing his way, Do-yeong grabbed a beer and gulped it down before standing.
“Ugh… I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.”
Making it clear he didn’t want to talk anymore, he climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over his head. Frustrated that he couldn’t even get a kind word after giving a gift, he buried himself under the covers.
Kang Hyeon sighed silently, cleaned up the table, grabbed clothes to change into, and headed to the bathroom. As soon as the door closed and the sound of the shower began, Do-yeong flung the blanket off. Still looking peeved, he stared at the bathroom door, then scanned the small room.
He looked around every corner, wondering if there might be a photo of the mystery lover. But there was nothing. The cramped studio barely had enough space for the twin bed.
Lying back down, staring blankly at the ceiling, the gloom that had weighed him down started to lift little by little. The thought of sleeping in the same bed as Kang Hyeon sent a flutter through his chest. He pressed himself against the wall, trying to make as much space as possible.
The remaining space looked… sleepable. It was tight, sure, but in Do-yeong’s eyes, it seemed totally doable. His mood brightened as he rolled around the bed, scooting over to the far side. Better for him to fall off than Kang Hyeon—that’s what he told himself as his previously sulky expression slowly softened.
Then he noticed there was only one pillow. He reached for it.
“…Is this weird…?”
He figured offering your arm as a pillow wasn’t something friends did, so he pushed the pillow toward Hyeon’s side and laid his own head on his arm. Then again, to give Kang Hyeon more room, he shifted even closer to the wall.
He tried different positions—stretching out his arm, angling his leg diagonally—trying to figure out what would feel most natural if they both lay down.
Click. The bathroom door opened, and Do-yeong pressed his back flat against the wall. Every sense was trained on Kang Hyeon’s movements, but he stayed perfectly still.
Wearing something comfortable, Kang Hyeon towel-dried his hair as he walked toward the bed. Do-yeong, who had trouble sleeping, seemed to have already passed out, pressed against the wall.
Kang Hyeon stared at him for a moment. His clothes looked uncomfortable. He remembered Do-yeong saying he was on prescription sleep meds. He must’ve been exhausted to be sleeping so easily in an unfamiliar place.
He approached silently, intending to place a pillow under his head—but paused, worried it might wake him.
He was about to sleep on the floor when he noticed the space on the bed. He didn’t want to waste this rare chance to sleep side by side with Do-yeong. Telling himself it was because the floor was cold and uncomfortable, he gently climbed into bed, careful not to wake him. He nudged the pillow closer to Do-yeong’s head, lay back, and stared at the ceiling.
It was the first time they’d ever slept in the same bed. In the quiet, the rhythm of Do-yeong’s breathing filled his ears. That soft sound stirred something inside him—it lifted and fell like cotton candy, light and sweet. He could feel the warmth of Do-yeong’s arm against his own.
Kang Hyeon slowly turned to face him. Through the gap in the blackout curtains, light spilled in just enough to illuminate Do-yeong’s sleeping face. Soft hair spilled over his forehead, long lashes rested over his closed eyes, and his rosy cheeks and lips looked like they might smile and call his name at any moment.
Kang Hyeon’s gaze turned tender and deep. A dull ache bloomed in his chest, and he pressed his lips together.
I like you.
The words hovered in his mouth, but he swallowed them.
Thank you.
Different upbringings, different financial mindsets—it had kept him from even saying those simple words after receiving such a thoughtful gift.
I’m sorry.
Once I sort out my feelings, maybe then…
I’ll just stay a good friend.
He pulled the blanket up and laid it gently over Do-yeong’s chest. He watched him sleep, like savoring a moment. After a day spent outside fighting the cold and the stress of filming, his body quickly relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavy. Still facing him, Kang Hyeon’s consciousness slowly faded into black.
Yoon Do-yeong cracked one eye open the moment Kang Hyeon began breathing deeply. His face was right there, close. His damp hair was still tousled, exposing his high forehead and perfectly sculpted nose like something out of a painting.
As his head, resting on Do-yeong’s arm, tilted forward slightly, it fell onto Do-yeong’s chest with a soft thud. Do-yeong gently caught his head, pulling the pillow from behind and about to place it under him—but stopped.
He studied Kang Hyeon’s sleeping face. His breaths were steady, his lips parted slightly, his expression peaceful. Quietly, Do-yeong slid his arm under Hyeon’s head again. Using it as a pillow, he pulled the actual pillow under his own head and waited.
Once he was sure Kang Hyeon wouldn’t wake, he pulled him into a light embrace under the pretense of adjusting the blanket. Just then, Kang Hyeon stirred, and his head shifted slightly, pressing his forehead against Do-yeong’s collarbone.
Do-yeong’s face flushed red. His breath quickened. He clamped his mouth shut, afraid the thunder of his heart might escape. His arms trembled as he held Kang Hyeon close.
He kept his embrace light, barely touching. Any firmer, and Kang Hyeon might wake—or pull away. So he didn’t move. He couldn’t.
As the night wore on, fatigue crept in, but his mind remained clear. The warmth in his arms was comforting. He wanted to fall asleep like this—but he also didn’t want the moment to end, so he held on.
The soft thump of his heartbeat and the steady rhythm of Kang Hyeon’s breathing filled the room.
Feeling the tickle of Hyeon’s hair against his cheek, Do-yeong whispered softly.
“What am I supposed to do…”
The moment he said it, his heart raced wildly and his eyes burned with heat. He lowered his lips to Hyeon’s now-dry hair.
His arms tightened around him. He wanted to hold him tighter—so badly—but forced himself to resist, afraid of waking him. And then, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“I like you so much.”
