The lake shimmered under the silver moonlight, stars scattered like broken glass across the sky. The water was still, carrying only the soft ripple of the night breeze.
Taemin sat on the bench, one leg lazily stretched out, cigarette between his lips, gaze distant like he was somewhere far away in his head.
Juwon watched him for a moment, noticing the shadow in his eyes. "You okay?" he almost asked, but stopped himself. Instead, he just shifted closer, the wooden bench creaking under their weight, and rested his head on Taemin's shoulder.
Without asking, Juwon reached up, plucked the cigarette from Taemin's mouth, and took a drag.
Taemin turned to look at him, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. "Wow… look at you. Few days ago, you wouldn't even sit this close without tensing up. Now you're stealing my smoke?"
Juwon rolled his eyes, exhaling the smoke into the night air. "Don't make it sound like I like you or something."
"Oh?" Taemin's voice was dripping with mock innocence. "You don't like me? Guess I imagined all those blushing moments then."
Juwon's ears burned red instantly. "Shut up," he muttered, punching Taemin lightly on the arm.
Taemin laughed, leaning in closer, his eyes glittering mischievously. "Or maybe… you're just embarrassed that you—"
Before he could finish, he leaned in, lips brushing Juwon's in a quick, stolen kiss.
Juwon froze for half a second, then blinked in shock as Taemin pulled back with that infuriating grin.
"Taemin—!"
But Taemin was already up, sprinting down the dimly lit path along the lake. "Catch me if you're mad!"
"Oh, I'll do more than catch you!" Juwon yelled, shooting up from the bench and running after him, his annoyance only fueling his speed.
Taemin laughed loudly, dodging between the park lamps, glancing over his shoulder just to see Juwon's frustrated expression. Every step echoed with the sound of their breath and the distant murmur of the water the night alive with their chase.
Juwon's shoes pounded against the pavement as he chased him, the cool night air stinging his cheeks. Then, halfway down the path, he suddenly let out a sharp gasp and stumbled forward, landing on one knee with a muffled groan.
Taemin, still running, skidded to a stop. "Yah, Juwon!" His voice shifted instantly gone was the teasing tone, replaced with concern. He jogged back, crouching down beside him. "What happened? Did you twist your—"
Before he could finish, Juwon's lips curled into a sly grin.
"Oh, you little..!" Taemin's words were cut off as Juwon lunged forward, knocking him backward onto the grass. In a second, Juwon was straddling his lap, hands digging into Taemin's sides.
"YAH....HAHAHA....STOP!" Taemin's deep laugh burst out, his body twisting and jerking under the relentless tickling.
Juwon smirked wickedly, his fingers showing no mercy. "That's for kissing me without warning!"
"OKAY, OKAY! I surrender....HAHAHA...Juwon!" Taemin's voice cracked from laughing too hard, his hands flailing to grab Juwon's wrists.
The sound of their laughter echoed across the quiet park, mixing with the rustle of leaves in the wind.
But then… the movement slowed.
Juwon's hands stilled against Taemin's sides. They were both breathing hard, their laughter fading into silence. The only thing between them now was the faint sound of the lake and their uneven breaths.
Taemin looked up at him, his hair slightly messy, eyes still glimmering from laughter but there was something else there now. Something unspoken.
Juwon's heartbeat hammered in his chest. He was still sitting in Taemin's lap, his knees pressing against Taemin's sides, their faces so close he could see every curve of his smirk… every flicker of his gaze.
The air had shifted.
Neither of them moved.
Juwon's face flushed crimson as the weight of the moment hit him. He quickly tried to push himself up from Taemin's lap, muttering, "I...I should get off...."
But Taemin's hands shot up, gripping his hips firmly. "Stay."
Before Juwon could protest, Taemin's head tilted back against the grass with a low, guttural groan that sent a shiver straight down Juwon's spine.
That's when he felt it.
His entire body went rigid as the pressure against him became unmistakable the hard, growing heat under him. His breath hitched, and the flush on his cheeks deepened until it nearly reached his ears.
"Taemin..." he stammered, voice barely above a whisper.
Taemin's grip only tightened, his voice dropping into a dangerous, husky growl. "Don't. Move."
Juwon's pulse was going wild now, his every instinct screaming at him to scramble away and yet, his body wouldn't budge. That low tone, the weight of Taemin's hands, and the steady rise beneath him all rooted him in place.
"Because if you do…" Taemin's eyes locked with his, dark and unwavering, "…I'll lose control."
Juwon swallowed hard, frozen in place, not sure if it was fear, confusion, or something else entirely keeping him there. The night suddenly felt warmer, the air heavier, and his own heartbeat deafening in his ears.
The cold night breeze swept over them, carrying the faint scent of the lake. Juwon sat frozen in Taemin's lap, his back straight, hands hovering awkwardly at his sides, as if even breathing too much would make things worse.
Taemin's grip never loosened. Another low growl rumbled from his chest, deep and unrestrained, before his eyes flicked up to Juwon's face.
The sight made him smirk. Juwon's cheeks were practically glowing in the moonlight, his lips parted slightly, eyes darting everywhere but Taemin's.
With a lazy smile, Taemin suddenly pulled him down, wrapping an arm around his back in a tight hug. "Relax," he murmured, the warmth of his voice brushing against Juwon's ear.
Then, with a teasing lilt, he added, "… were you enjoying sitting on my lap that much?"
Juwon's head snapped up, his entire face turning a dangerous shade of red. "W...What?! No!"
Taemin chuckled low, clearly savoring every second of Juwon's flustered state.
Juwon smacked his chest with the side of his fist. "You're disgusting!"
"Ouch. That's how you treat someone who lets you warm up on a cold night?" Taemin teased, feigning hurt as his smirk never left.
"I'm leaving," Juwon muttered, scrambling to his feet in a hurry. His heart was still racing, and his palms were sweaty despite the cold. He didn't even dare glance back at Taemin.
As he started walking away, Taemin leaned back on his elbows, watching him go with an amused glint in his eyes. "Don't go too far, Juwon-ah. You might just find yourself running right back to me."
Juwon's pace quickened but deep down, he knew Taemin was right.
NEXT MORNING - Lee estate
The sharp gasp tore Taekyun out of his sleep, his chest heaving like he'd just surfaced from deep water. His skin was clammy, and the fragments of the nightmare still clung to him the sound of his father's furious voice, the slam of a door, his mother's trembling figure as he hid behind her bed, too afraid to breathe.
He sat there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to shove the memory back into the locked box where he kept it buried. With a deep breath, he swung his legs off the bed and headed for the bathroom.
A splash of cold water on his face. Straightened tie. Crisp suit. Mask back on.
By the time he stepped into the hallway, he looked every bit the cold, controlled Lee Taekyun the world knew except his mind wasn't on work yet.
Instead of heading straight downstairs, he turned toward the guest wing. Toward Rinwoo's room.
The door creaked slightly as he stepped inside.
Rinwoo jolted upright on the bed, startled. His hair was a tangled mess, sticking up in all directions, his eyes swollen and red from crying. The oversized shirt had slipped off one shoulder, revealing pale skin.
Taekyun froze mid-step.
For a few long seconds, neither of them moved. The silence between them was thick Taekyun's mind searching desperately for a reason to explain why he was there in the first place.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "Be ready by seven," he said flatly. "We're going out to get suits."
Rinwoo blinked, hesitating before giving a small nod. "Okay."
Taekyun turned to leave, but something made him glance back over his shoulder. His gaze lingered just a little too long the messiness, the vulnerability, the traces of tears Rinwoo clearly tried to hide.
And before he could stop himself, the words slipped out. "You look ugly."
The door clicked shut behind him.
But as he walked away, his chest felt heavy, because the truth echoing in his head was very different.
You look… far from ugly.
The room felt colder after the door closed.
Rinwoo stayed sitting there on the bed, his fingers clutching the blanket tightly, staring at the spot where Taekyun had been standing. The echo of those words "You look ugly" replayed in his mind like a cruel loop.
He bit his lip hard, willing himself not to cry again. He'd already cried enough last night. His throat still ached from it.
Of course… what did I expect? He let out a shaky breath, his eyes drifting to the floor. Even when he's nice enough to talk to me… it has to come with a sting. Always.
He told himself he shouldn't care. That it was just Taekyun's personality, cold and blunt. That his words shouldn't matter.
But they did.
Because deep down, Rinwoo wanted… something more from him. A smile. A kind word. Even just a moment where Taekyun didn't look at him like he was an inconvenience.
And yet, here he was still clinging to the smallest scraps of attention. Even if they were sharp enough to hurt.
He dragged his hands over his face, forcing himself to move. It's fine. I'm fine. He'd get ready by seven. He'd smile. He'd pretend it didn't matter.
Rinwoo stepped into the dining room quietly, the scent of warm food greeting him. His steps were slow, but his posture was straight, the same polite mask as always. His eyes, however, still betrayed him puffy and faintly red, even though he'd plastered on a warm smile.
Taemin was already there, looking annoyingly fresh for someone who usually dragged himself to breakfast half-asleep.
Rinwoo slid into his seat, picking up his spoon. "You look… suspiciously happy this morning," he said, raising an eyebrow.
Taemin's lips curled into a smirk, his mind instantly flashing back to last night the startled look on Juwon's face, the blush, the chase, the way he'd sat frozen on his lap.
"Oh, just… thinking about someone," Taemin chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Met a guy recently. He's really cute. I don't know why, but I always feel like teasing him. His expressions are… priceless."
Rinwoo smiled faintly at his tone, curiosity slipping in. "Oh? And who exactly is this 'cute guy'?"
"Park Juwon," Taemin answered without hesitation.
The name hit Rinwoo like cold water. His smile faltered for just a second before he quickly glanced around the room, checking who might be listening. Then, leaning closer to Taemin, he lowered his voice.
"Do you even know who Park Juwon is?"
Taemin blinked, confused. "Uh… son of Mr. Park?"
Rinwoo exhaled slowly, setting down his spoon. "Exactly. And do you know that your father Mr. Lee and Mr. Park are business rivals?"
That made Taemin pause, his brows pulling together slightly.
"You must not have heard," Rinwoo continued, voice calm but tinged with warning. "You've been abroad most of your life, after all. But here… things between the Lees and the Parks are not exactly friendly."
Taemin leaned back in his chair, mulling it over, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful.
By evening, the sun was already dipping low, casting warm streaks of gold across the streets as Taekyun's car rolled to a stop in front of the most famous tailor shop in the city.
Rinwoo stepped out hesitantly, his fingers brushing the edge of his sleeve. He'd never been in a place like this the kind of store where the glass sparkled, the mannequins stood like they knew they were worth more than your rent, and the staff looked like they judged you in silence.
The last time he'd worn a suit… was his wedding day. And that suit hadn't been bought for him it had been chosen for him.
But now, standing here with Taekyun, he felt… different. Nervous. Fidgety. Shy. He didn't know why, but walking into the shop beside him almost felt like… a date. Not that Rinwoo even fully understood what a "date" meant only that it was something people did when they liked each other. And the thought alone made his cheeks warm.
Taekyun walked ahead, his usual sharp, unreadable expression in place, but his steps slowed when he noticed Rinwoo lingering.
Inside, the rich scent of fabric and cedar filled the air. Bolts of fine material lined the walls, and a tailor approached with a polite bow.
"Choose the colour you want," Taekyun said suddenly, his voice calm but carrying the faintest edge like he was trying too hard to sound indifferent.
Rinwoo glanced at him, startled. "M–Me?"
Taekyun's eyes flicked to his, and for a brief second, something shifted. Beneath the cold exterior, there was… something else. Something heavier. Like guilt.
Rinwoo's chest tightened. He didn't know why, but that flicker in Taekyun's eyes made it harder to breathe. He nodded slowly, stepping toward the fabric swatches, his fingers grazing over the textures.
Behind him, Taekyun watched silently, hands in his pockets, his gaze lingering longer than it should as if every movement Rinwoo made was pulling at something he didn't want to admit.
The tailor handed Rinwoo a few sample jackets and shirts to try, pointing him toward the dressing rooms in the back. Rinwoo took them carefully, his fingers brushing over the fine fabric like it might crumble if he held it too tightly.
But once inside the small dressing room, he quickly realized the problem the stiff fabric and precise cuts weren't exactly easy to slip into alone. He fumbled with the buttons, the collar, even the sleeves, growing more and more flustered.
There was a knock.
"Are you done yet?" Taekyun's deep voice came from the other side of the door.
"I… it's fine, I'll manage," Rinwoo called back quickly, trying to shove his arm through the jacket sleeve and failing miserably.
A moment later, the door clicked open.
Rinwoo froze mid-motion, wide-eyed, as Taekyun stepped in without asking. The narrow space seemed to shrink instantly.
"You'll ruin the seams if you force it like that," Taekyun muttered, his tone clipped but he was already moving closer, his hands brushing Rinwoo's as he took the sleeve and guided his arm through gently.
Rinwoo's breath caught.
Taekyun's fingers were warm against his wrist as he adjusted the cuff, smoothing the fabric down. He stepped around behind him, pulling the jacket over his shoulders, their bodies almost touching.
"Stand straight," Taekyun instructed quietly.
Rinwoo obeyed, his heart pounding so loud it was all he could hear. Taekyun's hands moved with calm precision fixing the lapel, adjusting the collar, brushing an invisible speck of lint from his shoulder.
Their eyes met in the mirror for a fleeting second. Taekyun looked as composed as ever, but there was that same flicker again guilt, hesitation, and something else Rinwoo couldn't name.
The silence in the tiny room grew heavier, every movement slow, deliberate, almost too close.
The quiet in the dressing room had shifted no longer tense, but strangely… warm. Rinwoo found himself relaxing, the steady, careful way Taekyun adjusted his jacket making him feel oddly safe.
Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.
"Do you… still meet Yuna?"
Taekyun's hands stilled instantly. The air between them froze.
For a long second, he didn't move, his gaze fixed on the edge of the lapel he was holding. Then, without looking at Rinwoo, he stepped back.
"I have to… check something with the tailor," he said shortly, his voice a little too controlled.
He turned and left before Rinwoo could say anything else, the door shutting softly behind him.
Rinwoo stood there, staring at his reflection, the question still hanging in the air. Did I… say something wrong?
He tried to convince himself it wasn't that. Maybe Taekyun just didn't want to talk about her because… he missed her. Because even though they were married, his heart was still somewhere else. And Rinwoo foolish or not trusted him.
With a small, almost self-reassuring smile, Rinwoo smoothed down the jacket one last time and stepped out of the dressing room, ready to pretend nothing had happened.