Scene 1: The Morning After – Awkward Adjustments

Seo-Jun barely slept.

It wasn’t because of nightmares or insomnia. It was because every time he closed his eyes, he remembered the night before.

The blood. The threat. The deal. The man on his couch.

A man who, as Seo-Jun quickly realized, was already awake.

He heard movement in the living room—soft but deliberate.

Seo-Jun dragged himself out of bed, his body heavy with exhaustion. If Nikolai was trying to escape, he wasn’t going to stop him.

But when he stepped into the room, Nikolai wasn’t leaving.

He was standing near the window, his back stiff, shoulders slightly tense. His reflection in the glass looked just as unreadable as he did in person.

Seo-Jun hesitated before speaking. “You should be resting.”

Nikolai didn’t turn around. “You should mind your own business.”

Seo-Jun rolled his eyes. “Right. Because I brought a dying man into my home just to ignore him.”

This time, Nikolai glanced at him. Just a flicker of movement, a quick assessment, before he looked away again.

Seo-Jun sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This was going to be a long day.

Seo-Jun didn’t expect Nikolai to be particularly polite, but he also didn’t expect him to start acting like he owned the place.

While Seo-Jun made coffee, Nikolai walked around his apartment, looking at things like he was inspecting a hotel room.

Seo-Jun tensed.

Nikolai touched the books on his shelf.

Opened a drawer and shut it again.

Picked up a framed photo and gave it an unimpressed glance.

Seo-Jun clenched his jaw.

“Don’t touch my stuff.”

Nikolai smirked, unbothered. “You live too quietly.”

Seo-Jun narrowed his eyes. “And you talk too much.”

“Talking never killed anyone.”

Seo-Jun turned, leaning against the counter. “Neither does silence.”

Nikolai gave him a look—one that felt like it carried too many stories. But instead of answering, he just hummed and continued touching things he definitely shouldn’t be touching.

Seo-Jun inhaled sharply. He was going to kill this man.

 Scene 3: Subtle Vulnerability – A Small Hint, But No Direct Answers

Later, while they ate, Seo-Jun caught Nikolai staring at his reflection in the window.

His bruises looked worse under the morning light, but he didn’t seem bothered by them. He just stared at himself, face unreadable.

Seo-Jun didn’t know what made him say it, but the words slipped out before he could stop them.

“You don’t seem like someone who loses fights often.”

Nikolai’s gaze flickered, just for a second.

Then, slowly, he turned his head.

“I don’t.”

Seo-Jun wanted to ask more. Then what happened?

But before he could, Nikolai went back to eating, changing the subject without a single hesitation.

Seo-Jun let it go. For now.

Scene 4: The Bargain – Why Seo-Jun Lets Him Stay

After they finished eating, Nikolai leaned back on the couch, looking far too comfortable for someone who wasn’t supposed to be there.

“You don’t like me being here,” he said casually.

Seo-Jun scoffed. “Glad you noticed.”

Nikolai stretched, wincing slightly at his wounds before tilting his head toward him. “Then let’s make a deal.”

Seo-Jun raised an eyebrow. “A deal?”

Nikolai nodded. “Let me stay until I recover. Then I’ll leave.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

Seo-Jun exhaled through his nose, already regretting everything. He didn’t want to be involved in this. But he also didn’t know how to turn Nikolai away.

After a long silence, he rubbed his temple.

“Fine. But don’t touch my things, don’t threaten me again, and don’t expect me to wait on you.”

Nikolai smirked, closing his eyes.

“Understood.”

(Liar, Seo-Jun thought.)

Scene 5: Nikolai is a Mess – A Test of Seo-Jun’s Patience

Seo-Jun quickly realized something.

Nikolai was a nightmare to live with.

The man was messy, careless, and borderline feral.

The table? Covered in crumbs and coffee stains.

The kitchen? A disaster zone.

The bathroom? Seo-Jun wanted to cry.

He walked in and immediately saw:

Seo-Jun gripped the doorframe, inhaling slowly.

“Nikolai.”

No response.

“Nikolai.”

Still no response.

“NIKOLAI.”

Finally, Nikolai glanced up from the couch, completely unbothered.

Seo-Jun gestured wildly. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Nikolai blinked. “A lot of things. Be specific.”

Seo-Jun clenched his fists.

He was going to kill him.

 Scene 6: The Shower Accident – An Unintentional Moment of Tension

After enduring Nikolai’s mess, Seo-Jun barely had time to breathe before Nikolai announced he was taking a shower.

Seo-Jun crossed his arms. “Be careful. Don’t get your wound wet.”

“I know.”

“I’m serious, Nikolai—!”

“Yes, mom.”

Seo-Jun groaned in frustration as the door shut.

A few minutes later—a loud THUD.

Seo-Jun’s eyes widened. “What the—”

Without thinking, he threw open the door.

Steam rushed out. Nikolai, half-wrapped in a towel, was gripping the sink for balance.

Seo-Jun stepped forward—

His foot slipped.

The floor was wet.

He lost his balance.

And crashed straight into Nikolai.

They both hit the ground.

Seo-Jun froze.

Nikolai was on top of him.

Their faces were too close.

Seo-Jun’s breath caught in his throat.

Nikolai’s gaze pinned him in place—deep, piercing, unreadable.

Seo-Jun forgot how to breathe.

Then—Nikolai smirked.

“Didn’t know you were so desperate to get me naked.”

Seo-Jun immediately shoved him off.

“GET OFF ME, YOU IDIOT!”

Seo-Jun was going to throw him out the window.