Author's pov:
After finishing his shower, Taehyuk stepped out, running a towel through his damp hair. His movements slowed when his eyes landed on the couch.
Yujin had already fallen asleep.
Quietly, Taehyuk walked over. The faint sound of fabric brushing against itself was the only thing breaking the silence as he dried his hair.
He paused beside the couch.
For a moment, he just looked at him.
The moonlight streaming through the window fell gently across Yujin's soft skin, making it glow like porcelain. His lashes rested lightly against his cheeks, his lips slightly parted as his chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm.
"…Idiot," Taehyuk muttered under his breath.
"He'll get a backache when he wakes up."
Despite the insult, his voice carried something softer—something unspoken.
Carefully, as if handling something fragile, Taehyuk bent down and lifted Yujin into his arms in a bridal carry. His movements were slow, deliberate—gentle enough not to wake him.
Yujin stirred slightly, his brows twitching, but didn't wake.
Taehyuk carried him to the bed and laid him down with the same care, adjusting him like he was something precious.
His gaze lingered.
"…Is that your skin, or something else?" he murmured.
"Why is it so soft…?"
He stood there, watching.
That cheeky brat—so annoying when awake—looked almost too adorable now.
"…Idiot," he muttered again, a faint softness creeping into his expression.
"Even in your sleep, you're pouting."
His eyes softened without him realizing.
And then—
His phone rang.
The moment shattered.
Taehyuk's pov:
"Who's calling at this hour…?" I muttered, irritation slipping into my voice as I reached for my phone.
My gaze flickered once more toward Yujin, sleeping peacefully on the bed.
The screen lit up.
Grandpa Joo.
"Grandpa… at this time?" I frowned slightly before answering.
"Kim, my boy. Did I disturb you?" his voice came from the other end.
"No, Grandpa. What is it? Any issues with the transactions?" I asked calmly.
My eyes drifted back to Yujin..
Still asleep. Still unaware.
"No, no. The gold and weapons are moving smoothly. Of course they are—you handled it," he chuckled.
"Hm," I hummed.
"Then what made you call?"
There was a brief pause.
"Actually… that kid. Yujin."
My body stiffened slightly.
My gaze sharpened.
"What about him?" I asked, my voice measured.
"We have a party tomorrow night. Since I haven't seen him in person… why don't you bring him along?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I knew that place.
It wasn't meant for someone like him.
Someone soft. Someone unaware.
The people there… didn't even know the meaning of gentleness.
"Kim?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
"So? Will you bring him or not?"
I exhaled quietly.
I couldn't refuse him.
Not him.
Aish you can't say no to him, Taehyuk...
"…Alright."
A chuckle echoed from the other side.
"You've gotten protective over that kid, haven't you?"
"…Grandpa," I sighed, annoyance creeping in.
"What? Do you have feelings for him?" he teased.
"Grandpa."
"Relax, I'm joking. You're not the type," he said lightly.
"And even if you did… he wouldn't be yours."
My grip on the phone tightened.
"You know the higher-ups want him."
A pause.
"He's just another target."
…I know that.
I have always know that.
So why did that feel..bitter?
He is..mine
I Bound him with debt..
I planned everything that night
And yet—
"Did you ask why they want him?" I asked.
"Yes. After you left, I did. Apparently… Min's son, Sasuke, is interested in that kid."
"…For what?"
"No idea. They didn't say much."
I clicked my tongue softly. "Tch."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Grandpa."
"Just don't forget. Bring him tomorrow."
"…Fine."
The call ended.
Silence filled the room again.
My eyes slowly drifted back to Yujin.
And my mind—
Went back to that night.
Flashback
"Once the target arrives, execute everything according to plan."
"Yes, boss."
Everything went exactly as planned.
He came.
And I killed him.
The man was nothing but a traitor—a black sheep in my clan.
Yujin saw it.
Just as I intended.
I let him run.
Let him think he escaped.
And the next day—
I captured him.
Bound him with debt.
Trapped him.
Now he doesn't know.
That night wasn't coincidence.
It wasn't fate.
It was—
Planned.
By me...