The wedding reception had been lively and unforgettable—full of laughter, dancing, and countless toasts that kept spirits high. The hall buzzed with music, chatter, and the scent of fresh flowers.
At some point, Sohei got pulled into helping Hayato collect drinks from the guests, which led to far too many shots. Hayato, calm and composed as always, held his own. Sohei, on the other hand, got swept up in the fun and tried to keep pace—unsuccessfully.
By the end of the night, he was completely drunk, his usual sharp edge replaced with a lazy grin and a habit of leaning on whoever was closest.
Hana sighed as she draped his arm over her shoulder, guiding him toward the elevator of the luxurious hotel where they were staying for the night. "You're heavy," she muttered, adjusting his weight as she struggled to keep him upright. Sohei, for his part, seemed completely unbothered, his steps unsteady but his expression relaxed as he leaned into her.
He tilted his head, resting his forehead against hers with a lazy smirk. "You're tiny," he slurred, his voice low and teasing as he blinked down at her, his dark eyes glazed but still filled with that familiar mischief.
Hana groaned, her cheeks flushing as she tried to steady him. "You were fine earlier. How did this happen?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"Hayato tricked me," Sohei mumbled, his words slightly slurred as he blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused. "Told me it was just one more round… and then another… and then—"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Hana muttered, cutting him off as she pressed the button for their floor, the elevator doors sliding open with a soft ding. She somehow managed to drag him down the hall, his weight making the task far more difficult than it should have been. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she pushed open the door to their hotel suite, the spacious room bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamps. The moment they stepped inside, Sohei stumbled toward the couch and collapsed with a groan, his limbs sprawling out as he let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
Hana placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head as she looked down at him. "You need to wash up before bed," she said, her tone firm but laced with concern.
Sohei hummed in response, his eyes already half-closed as he lay there, completely unmoving. "L…later," he mumbled, his voice barely audible as he waved a hand dismissively.
Hana sighed again, crossing the room to kneel beside him. "Sohei," she said, her voice softer now as she brushed a strand of hair away from his face. "You can't sleep like this. Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
He blinked up at her, his expression softening as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "You're too good to me," he murmured, his voice low and filled with something that made her chest ache.
Hana's cheeks flushed, her heart skipping a beat as she looked down at him. "Yeah, well, someone has to take care of you," she said, her tone light but her gaze warm as she helped him sit up.
Sohei chuckled, the sound low and rough as he leaned into her, his breath warm against her skin. "Lucky me," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper as he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her temple.
"Come on," she said, her voice soft but firm as she reached for his tie. "Let's get this off first." She loosened the knot, her fingers brushing against the warm skin of his neck as she worked. Sohei inhaled sharply at the contact, his eyes fluttering open slightly, his gaze hazy but still focused on her.
"You smell like alcohol," she muttered, her tone a mix of exasperation and concern as she unbuttoned the top of his shirt, her fingers moving carefully to avoid touching him more than necessary.
Sohei smirked despite his dazed state, his lips curving into that familiar, teasing grin. "You undressing me already?" he asked, his voice low and rough, the words slurred but still laced with his usual mischief.
Hana froze, her face burning as she shot him a glare. "Oh my god, shut up," she hissed, though there was no real heat behind her words.
He chuckled, the sound low and warm, but he didn't protest as she continued, her hands steady as she helped him unbuttoned his shirt further. After managing to get him to sit up, she guided him into the bathroom, supporting his weight as he stumbled slightly. The cool tiles underfoot and the bright light of the bathroom seemed to jolt him awake, his movements becoming a little more coordinated as he splashed cold water on his face. The refreshing sensation seemed to clear some of the drunken haze, his shoulders relaxing as he leaned against the sink, his breathing steadying.
Hana handed him a towel, her expression softening as she watched him dry his face. "Feeling better?" she asked, her voice quiet but filled with concern.
Sohei blinked a few times, his smirk returning as he looked at her—except this time, it looked much more alert, his dark eyes gleaming with their usual sharpness. "…A lot better," he admitted, his voice low but steady now.
Hana narrowed her eyes, her hands on her hips as she studied him. "You weren't that drunk, were you?" she asked, her tone accusatory but her lips twitching slightly as if she already knew the answer.
He hummed, tilting his head as he leaned against the counter, his expression playful. "A little," he admitted, his voice light but his gaze intense as he looked at her.
Hana sighed in exasperation, shaking her head as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Great. I just carried around a fully capable man when I could've just let you suffer," she said, though there was no real annoyance in her voice.
Sohei chuckled, the sound warm and rich as he pushed off the counter, stepping closer to her. "But then I wouldn't have had you taking care of me," he said, his voice low and filled with something that made her chest tighten.
Hana's breath hitched, her cheeks flushing as she looked up at him, her heart racing at the way he was looking at her—like she was the only thing that mattered in that moment. "You're impossible," she muttered, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to steady herself.
Sohei grinned, his hands reaching out to rest lightly on her waist, his touch warm and grounding. "Maybe," he admitted, his voice soft but laced with something deeper, something that made her stomach flip. "But you like me anyway."
Hana's lips curved into a small smile despite herself, her hands resting lightly on his chest as she looked up at him. "Yeah," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I do."
Hana then turned to leave, her voice soft but firm as she announced, "Ok, I'm getting changed for bed." She stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, the faint glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm, golden hue across the room. She walked over to her suitcase, which lay open on the plush armchair in the corner, and pulled out the silk nightdress she had carefully packed.
She reached behind her to untie the loose knots that held the evening dress together, her fingers fumbling slightly as she tried to grasp the thin ribbons. At first, she thought it would be easy, but the more she tugged, the tighter the knots seemed to become. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of irritation and embarrassment as she realized she was stuck. After a moment of struggling, she called out, her voice carrying a hint of helplessness, "Sohei, can you help me with this?"
A second later, she heard the soft creak of the floorboards as he stepped into the room. She felt his presence behind her before she saw him, the warmth of his body radiating against her back. His fingers brushed against the bare skin of her shoulders, slow and unhurried, sending a shiver down her spine. The touch was deliberate, almost teasing, as he found the knots at the back of her dress. Hana swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. Sohei's breath was warm against her ear as he murmured, his voice low and intimate, "This one?" She nodded, unable to find her voice, her heart pounding in her chest.
He tugged gently, loosening the ties with a practiced ease. The fabric slipped slightly, revealing more of her back, the smooth curve of her spine catching the light. His fingers lingered longer than necessary, tracing the edge of the fabric where it met her skin. Hana's breath hitched, her body tensing under his touch. "Sohei," she whispered, her voice trembling, not sure if it was a warning or an invitation. He leaned in, his lips ghosting over the exposed skin of her shoulder, his breath hot against her. "I'm sober now," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "No excuses this time."
Hana barely had a second to react before he turned her around, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her flush against him. His lips crashed against hers in a kiss that was hot, desperate, filled with a hunger he had clearly been holding back. His hands roamed freely, sliding beneath the silk of her nightdress, exploring the smoothness of her skin with a possessiveness that left her breathless. Hana gasped as his fingers trailed up her thigh, gripping the soft flesh, pressing her back against the dresser. His breath was heavy, his voice lower than she had ever heard it, as he admitted, "I've been holding back all night," pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses along her jaw. "But not anymore."
Hana shivered as he lifted her onto the dresser, spreading her thighs to stand between them. Their reflection in the mirror caught her eye, and Sohei noticed, his gaze flicking to the glass. "You see that?" he murmured against her skin, his hands gripping her hips firmly. "Look how beautiful you are." Hana turned scarlet, squeezing her eyes shut, too overwhelmed to face the image of their entangled bodies. Sohei chuckled darkly, tilting her chin up to face the mirror. "Don't look away," he whispered, his voice a command. "I want you to see how much I want you." Hana trembled as his fingers traced along the straps of her nightdress, slowly slipping them off her shoulders, letting the fabric pool around her waist. He took his time, admiring every inch of her, his gaze dark with desire. His lips followed his hands, trailing down her neck, her collarbone, her bare shoulders, each kiss leaving a trail of fire in its wake.
Hana's breathing became uneven, her fingers threading through his hair as he worshipped every part of her. Then, without warning, he lifted her, carrying her to the bed with a strength that made her feel both fragile and cherished. This time, there was no hesitation. No teasing restraint. Sohei devoured her, exploring her body with his hands, his mouth, his tongue—learning what made her gasp, what made her tremble, what made her completely fall apart beneath him. And when he finally entered her, his control snapped. He moved with raw intensity, desperate to have all of her. Every touch, every kiss, every sound she made only drove him further. He tried everything, shifting angles, lifting her leg higher, pulling her against him until there was nothing left between them.
Hana was wrecked, completely consumed by him. The mirror beside the bed reflected their tangled bodies, the way he gripped her waist, the way their skin pressed together, slick with heat and passion. His lips found her ear, his breath ragged as he growled, "I love you." Hana's entire body shuddered, her nails digging into his back as waves of pleasure crashed over her. She couldn't speak. Couldn't think. All she knew was Sohei. The way he made her feel. The way he owned her completely. And she never wanted it to end.