“This way,” the guard said, barely sparing him a glance.

Liam’s feet moved automatically, but his mind was still stuck on the way Kim had looked under the stage lights—flawless, confident, and untouchable. The way he commanded the crowd, how his voice had wrapped around every lyric like a lover’s whisper. And now, he was about to meet him. Again.

The security guard stopped in front of a sleek black door, knocked twice, then pushed it open without waiting for a response. Liam stepped inside hesitantly.

The dressing room smelled like expensive cologne and leather. There was a couch, a vanity mirror surrounded by bright bulbs, and racks of designer clothes. But none of that mattered because Kim was right there, sitting in front of the mirror, wiping sweat off his face with a white towel. His black shirt clung to his skin, and his damp hair fell over his forehead in a way that should’ve been illegal.

Liam swallowed.

Kim glanced up at the mirror and met Liam’s gaze through the reflection. A slow smirk curled his lips before he turned to face him.

“You actually came,” Kim said, tossing the towel onto the table.

Liam folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe, willing his voice to stay steady. “I figured I should check if your live singing was real or just good lip-syncing.”

Kim raised an eyebrow. “And?”

Liam tilted his head, pretending to think. “Not bad. I’d give it a solid… seven out of ten.”

Kim scoffed, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a smile. “Seven?”

Liam shrugged. “Maybe if you took your shirt off, it’d be an eight.”

Kim blinked, clearly caught off guard, and Liam almost laughed at the brief flicker of surprise in his eyes. But Kim recovered quickly, leaning back against the vanity with an easy confidence.

“You think about me with my shirt off often?” Kim asked, eyes gleaming with amusement.

Liam smirked. “Only when I need a good laugh.”

Kim let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. “You’re annoying.”

“And yet, here I am.”

Kim exhaled sharply, grabbing a water bottle and taking a slow sip. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and Liam’s brain short-circuited for a moment.

Kim put the bottle down and studied him. “So, why did you come?”

Liam hesitated. He could play it cool, act like he wasn’t affected, but the truth was, he didn’t even know why he was here. Or rather, he did, but saying it out loud would make it too real.

“I guess I was curious,” Liam admitted. “About you.”

Kim’s expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted. “Curious, huh?”

Liam nodded, pretending not to notice the way Kim’s gaze lingered on him.

“You should be careful,” Kim said lightly. “Curiosity can be dangerous.”

Liam raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying you’re dangerous?”

Kim’s smirk returned, but it didn’t reach his eyes this time. “I’m saying you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Liam wanted to push, to ask what he meant, but before he could, the door suddenly swung open, and Jay burst in.

“Kim! We need to—” Jay stopped mid-sentence when he saw Liam. His eyes flicked between them, and then he grinned. “Oh? What’s this?”

Kim sighed. “Nothing. What do you want?”

Jay ignored him and turned to Liam with an exaggerated wink. “Are you here for an autograph or a private concert?”

Liam snorted. “I was hoping for both, but your friend here only got a seven out of ten, so I might pass.”

Jay cackled. “A seven? Damn, Liam, I like you.”

Kim rolled his eyes. “What do you want, Jay?”

Jay finally got serious. “Press is waiting, and the manager’s asking for you. Also, you’ve got some crazy fans outside.”

Kim pushed himself up from his seat, grabbing his jacket. “Alright, I’m coming.”

He glanced at Liam once before turning to Jay. “Make sure he gets home safely.”

Liam frowned. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

Kim’s expression softened just a fraction. “I know. Just humor me.”

Liam wanted to argue, but something about the way Kim said it made him stop.

“Fine,” Liam muttered.

Kim nodded, then turned and walked out, leaving Liam standing there, wondering if he’d just won whatever game they were playing—or if he was falling right into Kim’s trap.