The room pulses with tension, thick and suffocating.
Kai finds himself ensnared at the heart of it, caught between two intense alphas whose auras clash violently around him.
Daewon's stern demeanour emits a discernible discomfort, his brilliant eyes shooting a withering glare at Haneul. His strong grip provides Kai with a sense of stability, one hand firmly clasping Kai's waist while the other secures his wrist.
Haneul, his features masked behind a pretence of politeness, returns Daewon's glare with equal intensity. His steely blue eyes betray the tension brewing beneath his composed smile.
His leg remains wedged between Kai's, a physical reminder of the intimate position they had shared just moments before Daewon's abrupt entrance.
Kai's shirtlessness only heightens the surreal nature of the scene.
In a sudden burst of frantic energy, Kai shoves both Daewon and Haneul out of the room, the force of his actions fueled by a potent mix of embarrassment and panic.
As the door slams shut, he hurriedly engages the lock, leaning heavily against the door for support. Sliding down the wooden surface, he collapses onto the floor, his body curling into itself as waves of conflict wash over him.
What the fuck did I just do?
The room feels empty and cold now, the stark contrast to the heat of moments before. Kai's heart pounds in his chest, a frantic rhythm that echoes his jumbled thoughts. The humiliation of being caught in such a compromising position gnaws at him, mingling with the lingering arousal that refuses to be ignored.
Kai's mind churns with a turbulent whirlwind of emotions, each one pulling him in a different direction. Embarrassment paints his cheeks a rosy hue, regret weighs heavily on his heart, and yet, there's a strange undercurrent of satisfaction lingering beneath it all– a residue of the intimate encounter he shared with Haneul.
Amidst the chaos of his thoughts, memories from high school flood his consciousness like an unwelcome tide.
He is transported back to those days, hidden behind the shelter of a corner, watching with a mixture of envy and longing as his brother Kaoru effortlessly attracts the attention of potential partners. Confessions seem to come to Kaoru with ease, leaving Kai feeling like a mere shadow in comparison.
"I guess I'm just that easy." Kai sighs, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. The bitter acceptance in his tone cut through the silence of the room.
Despite the weight of his words, Kai's demeanour remains remarkably resilient. Letting out a quiet sigh, he brushes off the lingering emotions, his expression shifting to one of determination.
With steady hands, he swiftly dresses himself. As he steps out of the changing room, he wears an air of confidence, his shoulders squared and his gaze steady.
Despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within him, Kai refuses to let them consume him. With each step, he strides forward, a picture of strength and resilience, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
As Kai steps back into reality, the bustling atmosphere of the TV studio engulfs him.
The scent of chilled citrus remains stuck to Kai's skin, but it's presence isn't entirely unwelcome.
Despite the chaos of the set around him, Kai maintains composure, his gaze fixed ahead with determination. His footsteps echo against the polished floors, each step a testament to his unwavering resolve.
A fellow runner, clad in the standard-issue uniform of jeans and a t-shirt, offers a sympathetic smile as he approaches Kai.
"Rough day?" He asks.
"You could say that." Kai replies, his tone clipped.
As he continues on his rounds, Kai's mind drifts to his aspirations beyond his current role.
He's not just dreaming of making a name for himself in the entertainment industry; he's determined to become a famous celebrity, known and adored by the world. Whether it's as an actor, a singer, or even a model, Kai envisions himself gracing the covers of magazines and walking the red carpet at prestigious award shows.
But for now, he's content to bide his time and hone his craft, knowing that every small step he takes brings him closer to his ultimate goal.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the studio, Kai finds solace in the rhythm of his work. He's a silent observer amidst the chaos, his focus unwavering as he moves through the space with purpose.
The studio is a maze of cables, cameras, and bright lights, casting dramatic shadows on the walls. Crew members dart around, adjusting equipment and coordinating scenes, their movements a well-choreographed dance. The air is thick with the scent of coffee and the faint aroma of stage makeup and pheromones.
Kai weaves through the organised chaos, his mind both here and elsewhere.
The memory of his encounter with Haneul and Daewon still lingers in the back of his mind, a frustrating distraction.
Haneul's flirty smile and Daewon's intense gaze play over and over in his thoughts, each memory stirring a mix of emotions.
But Kai refuses to let it distract him.
He's a professional!
Or at least he tries to convince himself he is.
"At least I'm not a janitor." Kai snickers to himself, a small but significant reminder of the silver lining in his current position.
His job may not be glamorous, but it's a step up from where he started.
And every step counts.
As Kai trudges through the threshold of his apartment, the weariness of the day weighs heavily on his shoulders. The familiar scent of their shared space envelops him, a mixture of stale air and leftover takeout, somehow comforting despite its lack of freshness. There's a distinct lack of pheromones– none of the three inhabitants possess nor desire an overpowering presence of them.
The apartment, though small and somewhat rundown, exudes a certain homely charm. The light from a streetlamp outside filters through the dusty blinds, casting a warm, golden glow over the mismatched furniture and faded wallpaper.
His footsteps echo against the worn floorboards as he makes his way through the cluttered living room, navigating around discarded clothes and empty snack wrappers. The sight of their modest abode brings a sense of familiarity, a reminder that despite the bedlam of the outside world, this place is theirs.
Rather, the mess is his, and the cleanliness is Kaoru's.
Dragging his feet further into the apartment, Kai's thoughts drift to the events of the day. The exhaustion he feels is not just physical but mental, a result of the hectic first day on the job.
Which, of course, is mainly thanks to his unexpected encounter with those alpha pricks.
The stupid mutt and the stuck-up demon.
Kai pauses in the narrow hallway, leaning against the cool, chipped paint of the wall. He closes his eyes for a moment, letting the memories wash over him. The sensation of Haneul's teasing touch and Daewon's firm grip linger like ghostly imprints on his skin. A shiver runs down his spine, a blend of excitement and trepidation.
"What a day." He mutters to himself, pushing off the wall and continuing his slow journey through the apartment.
Surprisingly, the memory of his intimate encounter with Haneul no longer fills Kai with humiliation or shame, but rather a sense of missed opportunity.
He had envisioned making a lasting impression on his first day, perhaps even catching the eye of the director with his talents, but fate had other plans.
In a burst of restless energy, Kai throws his arms out to the side and dramatically flails his limbs, trying to shake off the lingering tension.
"Agh! I swear I'll make my mark! Tomorrow I'll get a chance to meet the director, I swear it!" His voice echoes through the small apartment, bouncing off the walls and filling the space with his fervent resolve.
Collapsing onto the worn out cushions of the couch, Kai's fingers instinctively graze his lips, a blush creeping across his cheeks as he replays the day's events in his mind.
It had been a strange day, but oddly enough, he didn't mind.
He closes his eyes, letting his imagination take flight. He pictures himself on stage, the spotlight firmly fixed on him, his voice resonating through the auditorium as the audience watches, enraptured. He envisions walking the red carpet, flashes of cameras illuminating his path, fans screaming his name.
The dream feels blissfully close, almost within his grasp.
A notification buzzes from Kai's phone, pulling him out of his reverie. He raises the device to his face, squinting at the bright screen in the dimly lit room. The text from Kaoru is short and to the point:
"Sorry. I won't be home tonight."
"Huh? Why not?" Kai huffs. "You're just an intern, you shouldn't have to stay overnight. Stupid corporate overlords, leave my brother alone!"
He pauses, running a hand through his hair, the events of the day still swirling in his mind. "I have to tell him about everything that happened today!"
Kai jolts upright on the couch, a jolt of realisation smacking him across the face.
"I can't tell him! I can just imagine how angry he'd get." He says, shaking his head at the absurdity of the notion.
The image of his overprotective brother's reaction plays out in his mind, each imagined scenario more dramatic than the last.
Kai's lips curl into a small, secretive smile as he reclines back on the couch. The tension in his shoulders eases slightly, replaced by a sense of mischievous glee.
"For now, I'll just keep it a secret." He says to himself, the words tinged with a hint of playfulness. His smile widens, the excitement of the day rekindling a spark in his eyes.