-Present Day-

Eunwoo has had enough awkward interactions with rich athletes and businessmen to last him a lifetime. His head is starting to throb - a sharp little needle of pain pressing behind his temple. Jet lag is catching up to him fast.

How long do these things last?

Maksim, bless his heart, has been trying to juggle him and his job all night. "hey, Maksim," he murmurs, tugging at his sleeve. "I'm going to get some air."

"Is everything okay?" Maksim asks immediately, brows pulling together in worry.

The sigh makes Eunwoo smile.

"Yeah. I just need a second." He pats his arm before weaving into the crowd - which still hasn't thinned in the slightest.

Rich people really do love to party.

He barely just manages to squeeze past 6 large groups of people before reaching the doors to a small balcony door. "Oh thank god-" He stumbles out and inhales deeply, letting the cold, crisp air fill his lungs.

No perfume, no colognes worth more than his rent. Just...air. Bliss.

He doesn't even look around, just stares out over the city lights, letting the peace finally wash over him.

Then a soft shuffle sounds beside him.

Eunwoo jerks, heart leaping to his throat. "Oh god-" He hadn't realized someone else was out there.

"I'm sorry I-" He stops.

Noir stands a few feet away, still as a statue, those sharp grey eyes locked on him.

Eunwoo ducks his head, suddenly feeling shy under the man's harsh gaze. "I'm... sorry about earlier." He mutters, rubbing his arm.

"...What for."

Eunwoo blinks, surprised to hear him answer at all. "W-Well, I made you uncomfortable."

Noir looks away, exhaling faintly. "No. You didn't."

His posture is stiff, tense - like he's holding twenty emotions inside but refusing to let any of them out.

"Oh. I'm glad then." Eunwoo offers a small smile, his fingernail gently scratching into the railings wood.

A cold breeze pushes by, causing Eunwoo to lightly shiver.

Noir watches him, and without a thought, shrugs off his jacket, draping it around Eunwoo's shoulders.

Eunwoo freezes, a heat blooming across his cheeks.

They stare at each other - a long, unbroken moment where neither speaks - until Noir seems to realize what he's done. His eyes widen just a fraction before he jerks away, jaw tightening, ears flushing red.

"T-Thank you..." Eunwoo whispers, fingers playing with the ehm of the jacket. It's scent surrounds him - cedarwood and a hint of motor. Odd, but comforting.

"I...didn't mean to act that way around you." Noir mutters suddenly. His grip on the railing tightens. "I just don't like crowds."

It feels strangely vulnerable coming from him. Noir sounds like he barely understands why he said it himself.

"I get it," Eunwoo replies gently. "This crowd feels... suffocating. Even I'm struggling, and I'm definitely not rich."

Noir hums, eyes flicking to him - lingering too long.

"How long are you visiting for?" He asks quietly, pulling a small cigarette box from his pocket. He doesn't smoke often in public, Laya doesn't like it.

"A few months... unless I decide to stay." Eunwoo tilts his head. "How did you know I was visiting?"

Noir freezes. "Just a guess. Volkov never brings people to these events."

"Oh, makes sense." Eunwoo laughs softly. "You two don't get along very well, do you?"

"No. We don't." Cold. Final.

Eunwoo looks away, deciding not to push. It's getting late. "I should go." Jet lag is killing him.

"Eunwoo-" Noir says suddenly. His voice is softer, almost gentle. "I-"

"What the-"

Maksim stands in the doorway, eyes flicking between Noir and Eunwoo narrowing at the jacket on Eunwoo's shoulders.

He strides over and removes it.

"We're going home," He says, glaring at Noir with a razor-sharp expressions. "Good night, Noir."

He tosses the jacket back. Noir catches it one-handed but his eyes never leave Eunwoo - something unreadable tightening in them.

Eunwoo hesitates, glancing back once.

Then he follows Maksim inside.

The second the door closes, Noir turns back to the view of the city, his grip tightening on the railing to stop the light tremble running through his hands.

Once again, Maksim had taken Eunwoo away - as if he owns him.

The familiar feeling of jealousy pools in his stomach, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. It wouldn't be this hard if Eunwoo didn't look at him like... that.

Like he wasn't some cold, heartless person.

Like he was someone worth caring about.

And that only makes it worse.

He shouldn't care this much. Shouldn't want this much.

Noir glances down at the jacket in his hands, thumb brushing over the fabric that still holds a lingering sliver of warmth. His eyes soften despite himself, the image of Eunwoo's smile flashing through his mind.

He inhales sharply before slamming the jacket down onto the railing, forcing his expression back into its usual cold lines, trying to swallow the thick knot forming in his throat.

He's getting careless. If he keeps letting Eunwoo get this close... he's going to break everything he's built to survive.