Jeonghyeon scowled. What kind of excuse is that? He’d heard the door unlock without a single mistake. Unless the codes are the same. The thought made him sick. How could he not have changed the default code?
“That’s the default code. I was too lazy to change it.”
Oh. Jeonghyeon’s fist unclenched. So was I.
The man suddenly gasped. “Shit, I’m late!”
Before Jeonghyeon could say another word, the man scrambled up, grabbing his clothes. Jeonghyeon watched, dazed, as he rushed to the door.
“Hey!”
“Sorry! I’ll see you after work!”
Slam. The door shut. Jeonghyeon stared blankly at the empty room.
“What the hell…”
He looked at the discarded necktie on the floor, then collapsed back onto the bed. See me after work? Fine. He’d deal with this bastard then. But as he glanced at the clock, his own panic set in. Shit. He was late too.
***
Jeonghyeon limped up the stairs, wincing at his bruised knee. He reached the second floor and froze. A man was pounding on 201’s door.
“Seongjun hyung! Stop pretending you’re not home! If you’re gonna watch something, invite me!”
Jeonghyeon recognized the man from 202. He sighed and carefully stepped around him, only to accidentally bump into his back.
“Sorry!” The man moved aside, and Jeonghyeon finally reached his door. He glared at 204, then entered his code. Beep. The door unlocked.
As he stepped inside, he realized he’d been too flustered to change the code this morning. I’ll change it later. First, a shower. The day had been exhausting—sleepless, with back-to-back classes and a bruised knee. All because of that bastard. He didn’t even know the man’s name, but in his head, he was already that fucking asshole.
After a refreshing shower, Jeonghyeon wrapped a towel around his waist and sighed. He felt better, but he couldn’t sleep until he’d confronted the man. When does he get off work? He dried his hair, his body growing heavy with exhaustion. Maybe I can nap a little. He’ll ring the bell when he arrives.
Yawn. The bed called to him. His heavy head sank into the pillow, and he drifted off.
He woke to the sound of the door opening. Click. The door closed. Jeonghyeon’s eyes fluttered, but he couldn’t fully wake. The room darkened as the living room light spilled in. He forced his eyes open, then relaxed again.
Then something heavy pressed down on him.
“Huh!”
A startled gasp escaped him. He blinked rapidly, his body stiff with fear. A glance confirmed it was a person—a man, judging by the weight and build. His heart pounded as he realized someone was pinning him down. Who? What? His mind was still foggy from sleep. Hot breath brushed his neck, reeking of alcohol. His brain finally caught up.
Again?
“Fuck, not again?”
The man chuckled. “Jeonghyeon… Why are you in my house again? Is this another dream?”
Your house? Another dream? Jeonghyeon was speechless. He should’ve changed the damn code. He pushed at the man’s shoulders, but he didn’t budge. Still half-asleep and in a weak position, he couldn’t muster enough strength.
The man buried his face in Jeonghyeon’s neck, his hair tickling his skin. Jeonghyeon shuddered, turning his head away.
“Why are you pushing me away? You liked it last time…”
“Liked what—no, hey. I don’t even know your—”
The man propped himself up, cutting Jeonghyeon off. His blank expression sent a chill down Jeonghyeon’s spine. The loose necktie slid over his collarbone, making him flinch.
“Seong Yunjae. Don’t say ‘hey,’ not you… Yunjae. Call me by my name.”
The light from the doorway illuminated his serious face. The usually blurred features were now sharp and clear, making Jeonghyeon’s stomach twist. The sudden weight of his gaze was unbearable.
Call him by his name? Does he really like me? Since when? Jeonghyeon stared up at Yunjae, confused. What does he want? He swallowed hard, then cautiously spoke the name he’d just learned.
“Hey… Yunjae.”
Instead of answering, Yunjae’s lips descended. Mmph. Jeonghyeon’s protest was smothered as Yunjae’s tongue forced its way into his mouth. He pushed against Yunjae’s chest, but the man’s strength was overwhelming. Ugh, mmph. The aggressive kiss stole his breath, and Jeonghyeon thrashed wildly. He jerked his knee up, slamming it into Yunjae’s thigh.
“Ow!”
“Ugh…”
Both cried out as Yunjae was shoved against the wall. Jeonghyeon clutched his bruised knee, tears pricking his eyes, while Yunjae rubbed his thigh, grimacing. They were still pressed together in the narrow bed.
Just as Jeonghyeon thought to escape, Yunjae pulled him into a tight embrace. He rolled them over, pinning Jeonghyeon beneath him. Their bare skin pressed together, Yunjae’s damp shirt clinging to Jeonghyeon’s body. Trapped in Yunjae’s arms, Jeonghyeon froze as a low voice whispered above him.
“I like you.”
Jeonghyeon’s struggles ceased. His face burned in the dark. Hearing it directly was different. Especially in this situation.
“I’ve liked you for a long time.”
With his head resting on Yunjae’s firm arm, Jeonghyeon could feel the man’s pounding heart. His own pulse quickened in response. His left hand, now pressed against Yunjae’s side, hovered uncertainly in the air before finally finding purchase on the wall above. He had only meant to avoid being pulled into a full embrace, but now it seemed like he had trapped Yunjae against the wall instead. Locked together, Yunjae held Jeonghyeon’s naked body tightly and spoke slowly.
“From the first time I saw you… I really liked you. I still remember. It was winter, the day you moved in… At the entrance, your messy black hair, your black coat… The way you brushed the snowflakes off your pale cheek. The blue scarf, one side hanging longer than the other… The way your eyes crinkled when you smiled… Your red nose… Even the shape of your breath in the cold air. I remember all of it. From that moment, every day, I wanted to see you. But I couldn’t have you, so I just… I just settled for seeing you every day. That was enough.”
Jeonghyeon’s face burned at the earnest confession. He remembers all that from months ago? His hand, slick with sweat, slipped from the wall and landed on Yunjae’s broad shoulder. He hesitated, then let it rest there. Now they were truly embracing, and his mouth went dry. Being naked in this man’s arms was unbearably embarrassing. He could feel Yunjae’s fingers tracing slow circles on his back, sending shivers down his spine. Yunjae’s voice continued to seep into his flushed ears.
“About the password… I didn’t change it because you told me. That day… I forgot the default code, and you… you told me. But why didn’t you change yours? It made me feel good, like we were a couple…”
Yunjae’s slurred words, thick with alcohol, hung in the air. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Jeonghyeon’s heartbeat raced faster. He was glad Yunjae couldn’t see his face. What the hell is this? Why am I blushing like I’m about to explode? Why am I reacting like this?
He had never received such a serious confession before. His lack of immunity to it made his reaction even more intense. The overwhelming affection in Yunjae’s words shook him to his core.
In the past, he had fallen hard for someone who confessed lightly, only to end up hurt. He knew the answer to the question he kept asking himself. But back then, it had been a woman. He had never imagined he’d feel the same way about a man.
“Ha Jeonghyeon, you idiot. Do you just fall for anyone who says they like you? You pathetic fool.”
The self-loathing voice echoed in his head, but it did nothing to calm his racing heart. Just moments ago, he had been determined to make this stalker pay. Now, he was rationalizing—It was a mistake, he thought it was a dream. The passwords were the same. What could he do? He cursed himself, pressing down the last of his pride as his emotions surged. His voice came out dry and hoarse.
“Seong… Yunjae. This isn’t a dream. So let go of me…”
But Yunjae only continued with what he wanted to say.
“You’re right. If it’s not a dream… that’s good. Our Jeonghyeon… If it’s a dream, you’re lying naked in my bed… Right? Yeah, it’s a dream. That’s right. Since it’s a dream, I can do whatever I want… right?”
Jeonghyeon’s protest died in his throat as Yunjae suddenly flipped him onto his back. The man straddled him, one hand loosening his necktie. The way the light caught the movement, or maybe it was the nakedness, or the earnest confession—whatever it was, the simple act of undoing a tie became something sensual in Jeonghyeon’s eyes. His heart sank, and something electric shot down his body. He didn’t push Yunjae away as the man tore off his clothes and lunged at him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
