The S-class Awakening

Jonghyun sat stiffly in front of the director's desk, his resignation letter resting between them. The older man sighed, adjusting his glasses as he scanned the neatly printed document.

"Are you sure about this, Jonghyun?" he asked, placing the paper down. "You've been here for years. Finding a stable job as a guide outside the institute won't be easy."

Jonghyun kept his expression neutral, but his hands tightened into fists beneath the desk. "I've already made my decision."

The director studied him for a long moment, as if searching for hesitation. "If this is about what happened recently, we can help—"

"It's not about that." Jonghyun forced a small smile. "I just… I need to move on."

The man sighed again, but eventually nodded. "If that's truly what you want, I won't stop you. But know that the door will always be open."

Jonghyun dipped his head in gratitude before standing. "Thank you."

With that, he left, the weight of finality settling heavily on his shoulders. The institute had been his entire life for years, yet walking away felt strangely freeing.

Packing up his small apartment didn't take long. Jonghyun stared at the two duffel bags on his bed, realizing just how little he owned. It wasn't as if he had much attachment to this place, but moving into Seojin's penthouse was another thing entirely.

Would he even feel like he belonged there?

Still, there was no turning back now.

When he arrived, one of Seojin's assistants let him in. The penthouse was just as extravagant as he had imagined—polished floors, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, modern furniture that probably cost more than his yearly salary. Jonghyun swallowed hard, hesitating near the entrance with his bags.

He hadn't seen Seojin yet. Was he supposed to just make himself at home?

After a moment, he sighed and decided to explore a little. He found the guest room where he'd be staying, setting down his things. Just as he was about to step out, he heard the faint sound of running water.

He froze.

The master bedroom. The attached bathroom.

Seojin was home.

Jonghyun took an instinctive step back, but before he could turn away, the sound of the water shutting off made him panic. His eyes darted toward the doorway just as Seojin emerged.

Hair damp, water droplets sliding down his toned chest, a towel slung low around his hips.

Jonghyun forgot how to breathe.

Seojin blinked, mildly surprised to see him standing there. Then, just as quickly, his lips curled into an amused smirk.

"Didn't know you'd be so eager to welcome me home." His voice was a deep, lazy drawl, his gaze sweeping over Jonghyun's frozen form.

Jonghyun snapped out of his daze, heat flooding his face. "I—I just got here!" He whirled around, trying to flee, but Seojin's laughter followed him.

"What's wrong? Embarrassed?" Seojin's tone was teasing, laced with satisfaction.

Jonghyun didn't answer. He practically ran to the guest room, slamming the door behind him. His heart was pounding so fast he thought it might burst.

Living here was going to be a nightmare.

Later that evening, Jonghyun tried to calm himself down with a cup of tea, but the moment he stepped into the kitchen, Seojin was there—fully dressed this time, but still effortlessly intimidating. He leaned against the counter, watching him with an amused glint in his eyes.

"Relax. You act like I'm going to eat you alive," Seojin teased.

Jonghyun scoffed, turning away to focus on his tea. "You just startled me earlier, that's all."

Seojin hummed in acknowledgment, but his next words sent a shiver down Jonghyun's spine. "You'll have to get used to seeing me like that. We live together now, after all."

Jonghyun nearly dropped his cup.

Seojin chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Sweet dreams, Jonghyun."

Jonghyun stared after him as he left, his face burning.

This was going to be impossible.

Sleep did not come easily that night. Jonghyun tossed and turned, his mind replaying the events of the day on a maddening loop. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the way water had clung to Seojin's skin, the smirk playing on his lips.

It was infuriating.

Morning came too soon, and when he finally dragged himself out of bed, he found Seojin already seated in the living room, dressed in a crisp black shirt, his attention on his tablet. He looked up as Jonghyun approached, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.

"Sleep well?"

Jonghyun stiffened. "Fine."

Seojin hummed in amusement but didn't push further. Instead, he set his tablet down and leaned back, his sharp gaze never leaving Jonghyun. "Since you're staying here, I have a few rules."

Jonghyun crossed his arms. "Rules?"

Seojin tilted his head slightly. "You're under my roof, Jonghyun. I think it's only fair."

Jonghyun bristled at the possessive edge in Seojin's voice but nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Let's hear them."

Seojin's smirk deepened. "One, don't lock your door."

Jonghyun's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"For security reasons," Seojin said smoothly. "And two, if you need something, ask. I don't want you sneaking around like a thief in your own home."

Jonghyun swallowed, feeling the weight of those words. Home. Could this place ever truly feel like that?

Seojin watched him carefully before pushing himself to his feet. "And three…" He paused, stepping closer, his voice dropping into something almost intimate. "Try not to blush every time you see me. It's cute, but distracting."

Jonghyun's face ignited. "I—I don't—!"

Seojin only chuckled, brushing past him as he made his way to the door.

Seojin prepared a simple breakfast while Jonghyun set the table. Their conversation meandered from trivial matters to more meaningful reflections on change, trust, and the possibility of a future unburdened by the expectations of their former lives. Each shared story, each tender glance, wove a tapestry of connection that felt both fragile and fiercely beautiful.

Jonghyun's thoughts often drifted back to the moment he'd first seen Seojin—the unexpected vulnerability in that half-hidden figure emerging from the steamy shower, the casual way in which Seojin's presence filled the space. That memory, vivid and intoxicating, had already begun to define this new chapter of his life. Now, with the day fully unfolding before him, the house rules seemed less like restrictions and more like a blueprint for a life lived with honesty and passion.

In the quiet moments that followed breakfast, as sunlight streamed in through the wide windows of the penthouse, Jonghyun found himself marveling at the simplicity of their arrangement. The rules weren't meant to confine them but to guide them—to help them navigate the challenges of living together while still preserving the individuality that each carried. It was a delicate balance, one that promised both freedom and security.

Over the next few hours, the penthouse became a world of its own. Seojin shared stories of his past—of travels, fleeting romances, and moments of daring that had led him to embrace life fully. Jonghyun listened, entranced, and found himself opening up about his own journey. The two men discovered common threads in their disparate lives, realizing that their choices, though different in form, stemmed from a shared desire for authenticity.

As the afternoon faded into dusk, they sat side by side on the balcony, the city lights twinkling like distant stars. The cool air carried the faint sounds of urban life—a reminder that outside, the world was still in motion, still brimming with possibilities. Jonghyun leaned back, feeling the softness of a cushion under him, and allowed his mind to wander. In that quiet space, the memory of Seojin's playful chiding about his blush came back, and he couldn't help but laugh softly at himself.

"Do you ever think about how silly it is?" Jonghyun mused aloud, his voice mingling with the whisper of the evening breeze.

Seojin's laughter joined his own. "Only when I see you turn fifty shades of red," he replied, his tone affectionate and teasing. "It's one of your best features, you know."

In that moment, amidst the soft clamor of nighttime in the city and the intimacy of shared confessions, Jonghyun felt a profound sense of belonging. The uncertainties of the past had given way to the potential of a future filled with genuine connection and honest communication.

Later that night, as the penthouse grew quiet once more, Jonghyun found himself alone in the guest room, the echo of the day's events still resonating in his mind. The house rules lay on the bedside table—a reminder of the promise they had made to one another. In the dim light, he reread them, each rule a testament to the trust and openness that now defined his relationship with Seojin. The rule about never locking the door symbolized an unspoken invitation to vulnerability, while the insistence on open communication felt like a safeguard against the isolation of past lives.

Before drifting off to sleep, Jonghyun sat by the window, watching as the moon rose high above the city. He reflected on the transformative journey he had embarked upon—one marked by bold decisions, unexpected intimacy, and the kind of emotional freedom he had long yearned for. In the soft quiet of the night, he made a silent promise to himself: to embrace every moment of this new beginning, no matter how uncertain, and to cherish the fragile beauty of honesty and connection.

As sleep finally claimed him, Jonghyun's dreams were filled with visions of laughter shared over coffee, soft whispers in the dark, and Seojin's warm, teasing eyes reminding him once more: "Stop blushing, it's just too cute." And in those dreams, the boundaries between past and future, between hesitation and hope, blurred into a tapestry of endless possibilities.