The S-class Awakening

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Jonghyun sat at the kitchen table, his fingers lightly tapping the rim of his coffee cup, though his thoughts were far from the warm, rich liquid. He could still feel the remnants of last night's guidance session, the electrifying connection that had surged between him and Seojin. It wasn't just the raw energy of guiding a high-level esper—it was the intimacy that came with it. The press of Seojin's presence was something that lingered, something that clung to him long after they'd parted. Jonghyun could still feel the heat of Seojin's gaze, the way their connection had pulsed through the air like a storm about to break.

It hadn't been just the guidance itself. It had been... something more. The way Seojin had leaned in close, his breath warm against Jonghyun's skin, the subtle tension between them that had made his heart race. Jonghyun hadn't been prepared for that, for the overwhelming intensity that came with being so near Seojin, with being so vulnerable in his presence. And yet, there was a part of him that didn't mind.

He sighed, setting the cup down with a soft clink and running a hand through his hair in frustration. This wasn't how he was supposed to feel. He was a guide, one who had been trained to remain composed, to keep his emotions in check. But Seojin... Seojin made it difficult.

"Good morning," came Seojin's voice, smooth and calm, pulling Jonghyun out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Seojin walking into the kitchen, his presence as commanding as ever. The man moved with a fluidity that only someone accustomed to power could possess, his every step purposeful and deliberate.

Jonghyun's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Seojin to be so early, hadn't expected to face him so soon after the events of last night. Seojin's eyes caught his briefly, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his features, before he turned to the stove.

"Morning," Jonghyun managed, his voice a little rougher than he intended.

Seojin didn't respond right away, instead focusing on making breakfast with the same precision he did everything else. Jonghyun's gaze followed him, noting how effortlessly Seojin moved, how everything he did seemed to command attention. Even something as mundane as preparing food became an exercise in grace, each movement intentional, each action decisive.

Finally, after a few moments, Seojin spoke, his voice breaking the silence. "We're going out today," he said, his tone casual, almost like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Jonghyun blinked, confused. "What? Going out?"

Seojin turned to him then, his sharp eyes locking onto Jonghyun's with an intensity that made his breath hitch. "We're going shopping," he clarified, his lips quirking into a subtle smile. "I'm buying you some clothes."

Jonghyun froze, his mind struggling to keep up with the sudden change in plans. "Clothes?" He echoed. "I don't need you to buy me anything."

Seojin raised an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering. "You can't keep dressing like that," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You're a guide, not some street rat."

Jonghyun's face flushed, and he opened his mouth to protest, but Seojin was already moving, grabbing his coat from the rack. "Hurry up," he said, his tone commanding. "We're leaving now."

Jonghyun, caught between frustration and bewilderment, sighed in resignation. "Fine," he muttered under his breath, though he wasn't entirely sure why he was going along with this. Maybe it was the way Seojin spoke, with that calm authority that left no room for argument. Maybe it was the strange pull he felt toward the man that made him unable to say no.

The mall was an overwhelming experience, especially with Seojin leading the way. He was a man accustomed to getting what he wanted, and he had no intention of letting Jonghyun off easy. Seojin moved through the stores with a singular purpose, his eyes scanning the racks as if he knew exactly what Jonghyun needed—even though Jonghyun hadn't said a word about it.

"Try this one," Seojin said, holding out a dark blue jacket. His fingers brushed against Jonghyun's when he handed it over, and the touch was electric. Jonghyun's heart skipped, his breath catching at the accidental contact. He didn't want to read too much into it, but the way Seojin's hand lingered made his pulse race in a way that was hard to ignore.

"Thanks," Jonghyun muttered, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Seojin's steady gaze. He moved to the fitting rooms, trying to shake off the strange tension that had settled in his chest.

When he emerged, Seojin was standing by the mirrors, his arms crossed over his chest as he regarded him with a critical eye. "It fits," he said simply, though there was something in his voice that suggested approval.

Jonghyun shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. His mind was still reeling from the sensations of being so close to Seojin, of feeling his gaze on him as if he were something precious, something worth inspecting. There was a pressure in the air, an unspoken expectation that made Jonghyun want to shrink away, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel... seen.

"Do you think it looks good?" Jonghyun asked, trying to deflect, trying to regain some sense of control.

Seojin's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his proximity enough to send a flush of heat through Jonghyun's body. "It looks perfect," Seojin replied, his voice low, almost like a whisper. His eyes didn't leave Jonghyun's as he adjusted the collar of the jacket, his fingers brushing lightly against his neck, sending a shiver down Jonghyun's spine.

Jonghyun stood frozen, caught between the desire to step back and the inexplicable pull he felt toward Seojin. His heart thudded loudly in his chest, his breathing shallow as he struggled to process the emotions flooding him.

"You're not looking at me like you used to," Seojin observed, his voice teasing but with an edge of something deeper, something more intimate. "You're thinking about something else, aren't you?"

Jonghyun's face flushed even more, his mind racing. "I—I'm not thinking about anything," he stammered, his eyes avoiding Seojin's. But even as he said the words, he knew they weren't true. He was thinking about him—about the way Seojin made him feel, about how just being near him set his heart on fire.

Seojin's lips quirked into a smirk as if he could see right through him. "You sure?" He reached out, his fingers grazing Jonghyun's chin, tilting his face up so their gazes locked. The intimacy of the gesture left Jonghyun breathless, his thoughts scattering.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. It was just the two of them, standing there in the middle of a crowded mall, yet it felt like they were the only ones who mattered. The space between them was charged with something unspoken, a connection that was impossible to ignore.

Jonghyun felt his pulse quicken, his mind blanking as Seojin leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against his skin. He could feel the heat radiating off Seojin, could smell his cologne, feel the intensity of his presence pressing against him. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

And then Seojin smiled, pulling back with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're still pretending," he said softly, his voice teasing yet tender. "But I'll let you off the hook for now."

Jonghyun swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "I'm not pretending," he murmured, though he couldn't quite meet Seojin's gaze. He didn't know how to respond to what had just happened, didn't know how to make sense of the overwhelming attraction he was feeling.

As they moved on to the next store, Jonghyun couldn't help but feel that things were changing between them. The bond they shared as guide and esper had always been intense, but now... now there was something else, something deeper stirring between them, something that Jonghyun couldn't ignore. And maybe, just maybe, he didn't want to.

End of Chapter 14

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