It started subtly. A lingering glance. A knowing smirk. A nudge here and there.

Jaeyel tried to ignore it, but by the time they were gathered in the practice room for a break, he could feel the weight of their stares.

Steve was the first to crack. “So… Jaeyel.”

Jaeyel took a sip of his water, already dreading whatever was coming. “What?”

Steve grinned. “How’s the CEO these days?”

The room erupted into laughter as Jaeyel choked on his drink. He coughed, glaring at them. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Minho leaned back on his hands, smirking. “Oh, I don’t know. You tell us. You’re the one always riding in his car, having private meetings, taking mysterious trips…”

“Mysterious trips?! You guys were there too!” Jaeyel rebutted.

Jaehwan nodded dramatically. “Don’t forget the way he looks at you.”

“What way?” Jaeyel blurted before he could stop himself.

Big mistake.

The members howled, clapping their hands and stomping their feet like he had just admitted to a crime.

“Ohhh, so you noticed!” Steve cackled, wiping fake tears. “He totally noticed.”

Jaeyel groaned, covering his face. “You guys are ridiculous.”

“Are we?” Jinu wiggled his brows. “Or are we just pointing out what everyone’s already thinking?”

Jaehwan gasped. “What if he’s Jaeyel’s secret sponsor?”

“Shut up!” Jaeyel threw a cushion at him, which Jaehwan dodged with a laugh.

“Relax, relax,” Steve said, waving his hands. “We’re just saying… it’s not every day the CEO himself takes special interest in one of his idols.”

Jaeyel’s stomach twisted at that. Special interest. He didn’t even know what Yang’s deal was, but hearing it put that way made something stir inside him—something uncomfortable.

“Well, whatever it is, just don’t forget us when you become his favorite,” Jinu joked, slinging an arm around Jaeyel’s shoulders.

Jaeyel sighed, shoving him off. “You guys need better hobbies.”

But as the teasing continued, he couldn’t shake the thought from his head.

What was Yang’s interest in him, really?

---

Later that night.

Jaeyel sighed as he adjusted the mask over his face.

Practice had run late—again.

He knew leaving alone this late wasn’t the best idea, so he looked around the practice room, hoping to leave with someone.

“Hyung, are you heading out now?” he asked one of the older members.

“Ah, no, I still have some vocal training left,” the guy said, adjusting his in-ear monitors. “You should go ahead.”

Jaeyel pressed his lips together.

Great.

His manager had left earlier for another schedule, and the only other people still here were busy.

Jaeyel checked his phone. No missed calls, no texts.

It wasn’t like he could ask for a ride. The last thing he wanted was to sound like a scared rookie who couldn’t handle himself.

With a quiet sigh, he grabbed his hoodie and pulled it over his head.

Fine. I just need to go to the parking lot, anyway. He’d just walk fast and keep his head down.

Why am I allowing that creep to limit my movement? It’s frustrating.

But, he didn’t know that stepping into the parking lot alone that night would be a huge mistake.

He regretted it the moment he stepped out.

The place was too quiet. Most of the lights had dimmed, leaving only a few flickering overhead. His footsteps echoed, the only sound in the empty space.

Jaeyel quickened his pace, gripping his phone tightly in one hand.

Then—

A shuffling sound.

He froze.

Slowly, he turned his head, scanning the area. Nothing.

He was just tired. That’s all. Overworked, sleep-deprived, and probably imagining things because of recent events.

Jaeyel exhaled and kept walking.

Then—another sound.

This time, it was closer.

What’s with these cliché things that keep happening to me?! Have I become one of the characters I hate most in dramas?

Jaeyel’s pulse spiked.

Don’t panic. Just walk faster.

He did.

But then—

A shadow moved in his peripheral vision.

Before he could react, a hand grabbed his wrist.

Jaeyel whirled around, heart slamming into his ribs.

Someone was standing behind him. Face obscured by a hoodie, voice quiet and unfamiliar as they muttered, “You need to come with me.”

Jaeyel yanked his arm back, but the grip tightened. Too strong.

His breath caught in his throat.

“Let go.”

The figure didn’t move.

Jaeyel’s stomach turned. His other hand curled into a fist—he’d fight if he had to—

And then—

“How persistent. Let. Go.”

A commanding voice.

A voice that made Jaeyel’s whole body tense.

The grip on his wrist vanished instantly.

The figure stumbled back as another presence stepped between them— broad-shouldered, terrifyingly composed.

Jaeyel’s breath caught.

Yang.

The air shifted.

The stranger hesitated for barely a second—then turned and ran.

Jaeyel stood there, stunned. His wrist still tingled where the hand had been. His whole body felt like it had just stepped off a rollercoaster.

Yang turned slightly, eyes sharp as knives.

“You okay?”

Jaeyel tried to answer. Failed.

This is getting embarrassing. How many times does it have to happen to me? How many times does he have to save me?

Yang exhaled, eyes flickering toward the dark corner where the figure had disappeared. Too fast. Too easily.

Then, finally, he turned to Jaeyel again. “You’re coming with me.”

Jaeyel blinked. “Huh?”

Yang’s gaze hardened. “Don’t argue.”

Jaeyel swallowed.

Something about the way Yang looked at him left no room for refusal.

Jaeyel’s hands were still shaking.

To be honest, he doesn’t want to be alone at this moment either.

The parking lot was empty now—too empty, too quiet—but the fear still clung to his skin. He could still feel the shadow behind him, the whisper, the cold sweat dripping down his back as the stranger reached for him—

And then Yang had appeared. Again.

Jaeyel hadn’t even seen him arrive. He had barely registered the sound of footsteps before the figure was gone, disappearing into the night like smoke.

And now?

Now he was sitting in Yang’s car, gripping his knees, trying to steady his breathing as the city lights blurred past.

“You’re not going back to the dorm,” Yang’s voice cut through the silence.

Jaeyel turned to him, eyes wide. “What?”

Yang didn’t look at him, eyes fixed on the road. “It’s not safe.”

“But—”

Where do you think he’ll look first?” Yang asked, his voice calm, almost casual. “Your dorm. It’s the obvious choice. I already told you not to go out alone.”

Excuse me?! I tried! But, of course, he couldn’t say that to the CEO.

Jaeyel bit his lip, frustration simmering beneath his skin. He hated that Yang was right.

Still, he hesitated. “Then… where are we going?”

Yang didn’t answer right away. But then Jaeyel saw the way his fingers tapped once against the steering wheel before gripping it tighter.

“My place.”

Jaeyel’s stomach dropped. “Wait, what?”

Yang shot him a look—one that immediately shut him up.

Jaeyel sank back into his seat. Shit.

---

Yang’s Apartment

The moment they stepped inside, Jaeyel froze.

It was huge. Bigger than he expected. High ceilings, glass windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, the city lights twinkling below like they were in some kind of movie.

It smelled expensive—clean, fresh, but with a hint of something else. Something undeniably Yang.

“You can take the guest room,” Yang said, already loosening his tie as he walked further inside. “Shower’s down the hall.”

Jaeyel swallowed. Why did this feel so… intimate?

He nodded quickly. “O-okay.”

He didn’t move.

Yang stopped mid-step and turned to him. “Jaeyel.”

Jaeyel straightened. “Yes?!”

Yang stared at him for a second. His tie hung undone around his neck, sleeves rolled up slightly, exposing the veins on his forearms.

Too attractive. Unfairly attractive.

“You’re still shaking.”

Jaeyel flinched. He looked down. His hands. Right.

He stuffed them into his pockets. “I—I’m fine.”

Yang took a step closer.

Jaeyel sucked in a breath.

“You’re not,” Yang murmured.

Jaeyel couldn’t move.

Yang was too close. Close enough that Jaeyel could feel the warmth radiating off him, smell the faint cologne on his skin. Close enough that all it would take was one wrong move—one step forward—and they’d be right against each other.

His throat went dry.

Yang lifted a hand. Jaeyel stiffened, thinking for a wild second that he was going to—

But then Yang reached past him, fingers brushing against Jaeyel’s wrist.

Jaeyel shivered.

Yang slowly, deliberately, pulled Jaeyel’s hand out of his pocket. He turned it over, exposing the slight tremble in his fingers.

“See?” Yang said softly. “Not fine.”

Jaeyel’s pulse jumped.

His face was burning. Why the hell was this so intense?

“I just need to rest,” Jaeyel mumbled, trying to pull his hand back.

Yang didn’t let go immediately. His fingers lingered—just a little too long, just enough to make Jaeyel’s breath hitch—before he finally released him.

“Then rest.” Yang’s voice was low. Too low.

Jaeyel fled.

---

Later That Night

Jaeyel couldn’t sleep.

His body was exhausted, but his mind wouldn’t stop. The stalker. The fear. And worst of all—Yang.

He could still feel the weight of Yang’s touch on his wrist. Could still hear the way his voice had dropped when he said those words.

Jaeyel turned over, groaning into the pillow.

Get it together.

But then—

A knock.

Jaeyel sat up, heart skipping. “Y-yeah?”

The door cracked open, and Yang’s head appeared.

Jaeyel gulped. Not fair. Yang had clearly just showered. His hair was damp, sticking slightly to his forehead. The first two buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing a sliver of collarbone.

“Can’t sleep?”

Jaeyel hesitated. “…Yeah.”

Yang studied him for a moment. Then—

“Come here.”

Jaeyel blinked. “What?”

Yang didn’t repeat himself. He just stepped back, waiting.

Jaeyel hesitated. Bad idea. Really bad idea.

But his feet were already moving.

Yang led him to the couch, gesturing for him to sit. Then, to Jaeyel’s absolute horror—Yang sat next to him.

Close.

Jaeyel swallowed. “Uh. So—”

“Just sit still,” Yang said, voice softer now.

Jaeyel shut himself up.

The room was quiet. The only sound was the faint hum of the city below.

He felt himself relax just a little.

And then—

A hand.

Yang’s fingers grazed his knee.

Jaeyel stiffened.

The touch was light. Barely there. But it burned.

His breath hitched, and he turned his head—only to find Yang already looking at him.

Their faces were too close.

Jaeyel’s heart pounded. He was so sure Yang could hear it.

His gaze flickered—to Yang’s lips. Just for a second.

When he looked back up, Yang was still watching him.

The air felt too heavy.

Jaeyel swallowed. “I—”

Yang’s fingers pressed just slightly into his knee. Not hard, not rough—just enough to make Jaeyel shudder.

Jaeyel’s entire body felt like it was on fire.

This… was dangerous.

His pulse pounded in his ears, his breath coming in uneven bursts. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. The way his heart reacted—it wasn’t normal, was it?

…But why does this feel dangerous?

Am I gay? Is he gay? Shit.

His thoughts spiraled, clashing with the heat spreading through his chest. He had never questioned himself like this before, but now? Now, he wasn’t so sure.

And yet, he didn’t move.

Not even when Yang leaned in slightly—just enough that their breaths mixed, that their knees brushed, that the tension between them became something too thick, too obvious to ignore.

Jaeyel’s fingers curled against the couch. He should say something. He should look away.

But he didn’t.

Yang’s gaze flickered to his lips for the briefest second before he let out a slow exhale and leaned back, breaking the moment just before it could cross the line.

“You should sleep,” Yang murmured, his voice quieter than usual.

Jaeyel swallowed hard, his heart still unsteady.

“…Yeah.”

But as he lay down on the couch, facing away from Yang, sleep never came.

Not when his skin still burned from the closeness.

Not when his mind couldn’t stop replaying the way Yang had looked at him.

Not when, for the first time, he wanted to close the distance himself.