* * *

“Nooo. I don’t wanna go. If I go… Eunsoo will be sad…”

“…What?”

“Eunsoo… might misunderstand… I can’t let that happen…”

When we were grilling meat earlier, Eunsoo hadn’t said anything, but his expression seemed to say he hoped I wouldn’t need it.

At least, that’s how it looked to me.

Even if Rex genuinely just wanted a walk, misunderstandings could arise.

I couldn’t leave the house.

“I just meant a quick step outside to the garden. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

Rex’s voice was composed as he responded, but his blue eyes, gazing at me, looked so sorrowful that I felt sad too.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”

“Don’t be. Why apologize? It’s fine. You’re completely drunk.”

He hugged me as I sniffled, patting my back gently before laying me on the sofa and covering me with a blanket.

Was he leaving?

His footsteps grew distant, as did the sound of voices.

“You’re welcome to stay. The guest room is free.”

“I have to go. You know how it is—we’re always busy.”

“We barely made time to come here today. After dropping Heesoo off, we’ve got to head out again.”

“…Right.”

“I didn’t get to say it, but please explain things when you can. It doesn’t have to be today, but don’t take too long.”

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t help…”

“Don’t say that. Just focus on him now. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“…Thank you.”

“It was fun today. Our car’s here, so we’ll head out.”

The voices faded, but I could barely register them.

At least I understood one thing: they were leaving the house.

‘I need to say goodbye…’

I should get up, say something, anything.

But my body was too heavy to move.

In the end, I didn’t manage a word before I heard the door close.

“Hey, Ye Eunsoo.”

“What is it?”

“He scares easily, so take it slow.”

“Wha—what are you even saying?”

“If you make him cry, you’re dead. I’m serious. No joke.”

“I’m not going to make him cry!”

“Good. You know that doing anything while he’s drunk is a crime, right?”

“…I know.”

“No matter how cute or irresistible he looks, hold back. I managed to…”

“Not that I would…”

The voices grew fainter.

Was Eunsoo leaving too?

I still had things to ask him… I didn’t want to be alone…

As the door clicked shut, my consciousness faded again.

---

In my sleep, I heard the splashing of water.

Warm water enveloped my body. It trickled down my shoulders and head, flowing away.

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling as though I might slip into the water.

Strong arms caught me, pulling me close.

My cheek pressed against a firm shoulder, and I finally exhaled evenly.

‘So warm…’

A large, steady hand that had been supporting my neck slid to my back, gently rubbing in reassurance.

The person holding me exuded a familiar scent mixed with the dampness of water.

It was Eunsoo’s scent—the one I loved most.

I reached out and embraced him, shutting my eyes again in contentment.

“Mm…”

I woke up.

This time, it was on a soft bed.

The surroundings were still dim—it seemed I hadn’t slept for long.

“Hyung, are you awake?”

“Mm… yeah.”

I forced myself to sit up, though my head was still foggy.

Trying to shake off the grogginess, I tapped my forehead lightly.

My hair and body felt damp.

I blinked.

Just now… being held in Eunsoo’s arms in warm water—could that have been… not a dream?

Looking closely, Eunsoo was holding a dry towel in his hand.

My clothes had been changed into loose pajamas as well…

“Did you… bathe me?”

“Yes… Ah, but, um, I didn’t do anything weird! I just washed you, that’s all.”

“I see… Uh… did I, uh, throw up or something?”

“No, you slept quietly.”

“Then why did you…?”

“…?”

Normally, you wouldn’t go through the trouble of bathing someone unless they were a kid.

I’m a fully grown adult, after all.

Was there some kind of rule like ‘Nobody gets on my bed unless they’re clean!?

If that was the case, I could’ve just slept on the sofa…

“Ah.”

From his expression, it seemed Eunsoo had washed me without much thought.

Then again, with his strength, bathing me might not have been much trouble.

Well, that’s possible.

It wasn’t a big deal to me, but maybe it was to him—his face had turned bright red.

“S-sorry…”

“It’s fine. I feel refreshed, but I was worried it might’ve been hard for you. Eunsoo, could you get me some water…?”

“Oh, yes!”

Eunsoo jumped up and quickly brought some water.

Taking a sip, I noticed it was slightly sweet.

Did he mix in some honey?

As the liquid slid down my throat, I could feel it warming my insides.

“Drink it and go back to sleep.”

Should I? I was still drowsy.

But part of me wanted to savor this moment a little longer.

Considering my condition, I’d likely be overly coddled from now on.

How many chances like this would I ever get again?

Perhaps never.

Besides, Eunsoo was being so attentive to me, especially while I was drunk…

I gazed at Eunsoo absentmindedly before a sudden thought struck me.

There was something I needed to do.

“Eunsoo, I want to check something.”

If I fully expressed myself, things might get awkward for a while.

This could be my last chance.

“Check what?”

“To see if you’re hurt anywhere.”

“Ah… Right. I did say I’d show you.”

“Mm-hmm. And I’ll… take care of it.”

“Take care of what? Oh.”

What else?

I meant helping with the buttons.

His clothes were snug and fitted, making them harder to put on but easy to unbutton.

Even with my slightly clumsy, intoxicated hands, they came undone quickly.

Eunsoo hesitated briefly but didn’t stop me from undoing his buttons.

Soon, his well-toned, defined physique was exposed.

“Looks clean.”

I inspected him carefully.

The bruises on his skin from yesterday’s fight with the monster had vanished, leaving no trace.

As expected, my Eunsoo not only had great recovery skills but was also incredibly sturdy.

Perhaps his awakening had sped up his healing even more.

Just last night, there had been bruises where I now ran my fingertips.

Still… even though his skin looked fine, could it still hurt? His body felt unusually tense.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, I’m really fine.”

“Hm.”

Then was he just nervous?

Why would he be, though?

We’re both guys—and he even bathed me earlier, so why would he tense up now?

Suddenly, I felt like teasing him.

“Eunsoo, turn around!”

I deliberately used a tone as if I were commanding a puppy, and without a word of protest, Eunsoo obediently turned around.

Was he really a puppy?

So well-behaved and cute.

I couldn’t help but grin, a small chuckle escaping my lips.

His broad back had a few small scars but no significant injuries.

“That’s a relief.”

Feeling reassured, I began noticing other things—the width of his shoulders, the way his back muscles twitched whenever my hand brushed against them, and his tapered waist forming a perfect V-shape.

Especially his waist.

It seemed like it would fit snugly within my arms.

Once I focused on it, I couldn’t look away.

…He hugs my waist all the time, so wouldn’t it be fair for me to do it just once?

Slowly, I extended my arms and wrapped them around his waist.

He flinched sharply but didn’t pull away or push me off, so I succeeded in hugging his waist.

I leaned against his broad back, resting my cheek against him.

‘Not exactly cool…’

He was warm. I’d thought hugging him would feel cool compared to my heated body, but no…

Still, it felt nice.

His back was broad, his waist was just right for hugging, and the steady beat of his heart was soothing.

…It made me drowsy.

If I fell asleep like this, I might have a pleasant dream…

“Hyung.”

“…Mm? Yeah?”

“I want to check you, too.”

“There’s… not much to check.”

“You were in the field too, weren’t you?”

“For exactly three days… Because you got hurt… I wanted to learn for two weeks… but I barely managed three days…”

“…”

Still, I didn’t have anything to hide.

After all, I’d been thrown around by a monster’s tail and even witnessed its chomping jaws up close, so it’d make sense if he was worried.

“Fine. I’ll show you. Just a second.”

Keeping one arm wrapped around Eunsoo’s waist, I used the other to undo my buttons.

After they were all undone and my shirt fell open, the chill prompted me to quickly cling back to his warm back.

“There, I’m undressed. Look.”

“You’re hugging me from behind, so I can’t see…”

“…Oh.”

Right. I’d been hugging Eunsoo, not the other way around.

Reluctantly, I let go of his back and leaned back on the bed.

Propping myself up on my arms lasted only a moment before I lost strength and slumped down.

Eventually, I collapsed flat onto the mattress.

‘Our bed really is so comfy…’

Once I lay down again, my sleepiness returned.

I’d shown him, so maybe I could sleep now.

As I blinked slowly, a large shadow loomed over me.

“…Oh.”

* * *