"I told you not to come here, and you still did," Sang hissed, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was around.
Rith shrugged with a teasing smirk. "I missed you. What's so wrong about that?"
"Nothing is wrong," Sang whispered softly, stepping closer, "this is my work place, and it's not the right place for this."
"So go, I'll meet you tonight."
Rith's smirk widened as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. "I'll be waiting… don't keep me up too late this time."
Sang rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a faint smile. "Just go before someone sees you."
With a playful wink, Rith brushed his fingers lightly against Sang's before turning and disappearing into the shadows beyond the gate.
Sang exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he tried to steady his racing heart. He hated how easily Rith got under his skin — how effortlessly he made him forget the rules, the boundaries, and the risks.
Still, as Sang turned back toward the estate, he couldn't help but glance back toward the empty path where Rith had vanished, a small, hopeful smile tugging at his lips. Tonight.
————————
In Ran's room:
As Nat looked at the art around Ran's room, Ran emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel. "You like it?" he asked, his voice soft but curious.
Nat nodded, his fingers gently tracing the edge of a framed sketch of blooming flowers. "Your art… it feels alive."
Ran smiled, tossing the towel aside. "It's how I see the world. Every detail matters." He stepped closer, resting his hands on Nat's waist. "Especially when it comes to you."
Nat's cheeks warmed as he turned to face Ran fully. "You're so sappy."
Ran chuckled, leaning his forehead against Nat's. "Only for you."
"Stop being cheesy and go to sleep, it's getting late." Nat told him as he slightly tried to push him away.
Ran shook his head holding him tighter, "No, stay with me tonight I want cuddle with you."
"I have to go get Mali ready for bed, it's getting late and she has school tomorrow."
Ran pouted, tightening his arms around Nat's waist. "Mali is probably already asleep by now. The maids are helping, right? Just stay… please."
Nat sighed, gently brushing a strand of hair from Ran's face. "I can't leave her alone too long. She needs me."
"And I need you too," Ran whispered, his voice barely audible but filled with sincerity. "Just for a little while."
Nat's expression softened. He could see how much Ran craved his presence, not just out of affection but from something deeper—an unspoken need for comfort, security, and connection.
"You're impossible," Nat murmured with a faint smile. "Fine, I'll stay… but only for a little while."
Ran's face lit up, and he pulled Nat toward the large canopy bed, practically dragging him down onto the soft mattress. Nat let out a surprised laugh as he hit the bed, Ran quickly settling beside him and wrapping himself around him like a vine.
"This is kidnapping," Nat teased, resting his chin on Ran's head as he adjusted into a comfortable position.
"Call it protective custody," Ran replied with a smirk. "You're too precious to let go."
Nat rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. He ran his fingers through Ran's soft hair, tracing gentle circles on his back. The room fell into a peaceful silence, only the sound of their steady breathing filling the space.
As Nat held Ran close, his mind drifted back to Arisa's harsh words. "You're just fascinated by the idea of him… You don't love him." Her voice echoed in his thoughts, sharp and unforgiving.
His fingers paused mid-stroke in Ran's hair. Was she right? Was he holding on to Ran out of some selfish need for comfort, for a place where he felt safe for once? Or was this… something deeper?
Nat let out a shaky breath. He looked down at Ran, who was peacefully nestled against his chest, his expression soft and content even in sleep. "It's okay if you don't love me, I never really expected to be loved by someone." Nat mumbled under his breath.
"I don't even belong in your world, so why would you love a person like me."
Nat's voice trembled as he whispered the words into the quiet of the room, his heart heavy with doubt. He traced gentle circles on Ran's back, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing—calm, secure, trusting.
His mind wrestled with memories of rejection, of never quite fitting in, of always feeling like he was standing outside looking in. Ran belonged to a world so different from his—a world of elegance, status, and privilege. Nat had always been a survivor, scraping by through hardship and sacrifice. 'What place could I possibly have in his life?'
Lost in thought, he didn't notice Ran stirring. Soft fingers brushed his jaw, startling him out of his reverie. He met Ran's sleepy gaze, hazy with warmth and affection.
"You're thinking too loud," Ran murmured, his voice rough from sleep but still laced with tenderness. He shifted, resting his chin on Nat's chest, eyes searching his face.
Nat tried to look away, but Ran cupped his cheek, forcing their eyes to meet. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
"Nothing," Nat lied, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Go back to sleep."
Ran frowned, unconvinced. "You were mumbling… something."
Nat shook his head as he gave him a kiss, "nothing, now go back to sleep."
Ran lingered for a moment, his eyes still searching Nat's face, but he let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Fine… but I'm not letting this go," he muttered, resting his head back on Nat's chest.
Nat ran his fingers through Ran's hair, feeling the warmth of his steady breathing against his skin. His heart still ached with unspoken fears, but Ran's presence soothed the sharp edges of his doubts.
Just as Nat thought Ran had drifted off, he heard a quiet, sleepy murmur. "You know… even if you don't believe it yet… I'm not going anywhere."
Nat's chest tightened. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Ran's head, lingering there as if sealing a silent promise. "I know… I'm trying."
Ran's lips curved into a faint smile against his chest. "That's enough."
———————————
That same evening at the Empire Hotel and Resort, Sang walked through the elegantly lit hallways, he wasn't dressed in his regular bodyguard suit. He was dressed casually, like he was going to meet someone.
As he reached the room before he could knock on the door the door quickly opened revealing Rith standing there with a big smile on his face.
"I didn't think you were really going to come."
Sang shifted awkwardly, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "You asked me to… so here I am." His voice was steady, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
Rith's smile widened as he stepped aside, holding the door open. "Come in. You look good, by the way."
Sang hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The suite was spacious, warm, and elegantly furnished, with large windows offering a breathtaking view of the city lights. A small table near the balcony was set with a bottle of wine and two glasses, clearly prepared in advance.
He let out a small chuckle, "still cheesy as ever I see." He said turning to him.
"What, I haven't seen you in years of course i wanted to set the mood." Rith replied closing the door behind him. "Setting the mood for what, I didn't come here to do anything." Sang replied.
"Oh come on Sang, you know you missed me." Rith smirked wrapped his hands around Sang's waist. "Why would I miss an ex?" Sang replied.
"I'm not just your ex, I'm the one you love."
"Dream on Rith." Sang scoffed as he walked away from his hold
Rith chuckled softly, unfazed by Sang's rejection. "You can act all tough, but I know you, Sang. You wouldn't be here if you didn't feel something."
Sang stopped near the window, staring out at the city lights. "I'm here because you wouldn't stop bothering me." His voice was steady, but his clenched fists betrayed him.
Rith walked up behind him, careful not to touch him this time. "If that's what helps you sleep at night, fine. But I know you wouldn't have come just because of that."
Sang turned to him and crossed his arms, "what is it that you want Rith?" He asked.
Rith smiled as he grabbed his hand, "I want you, I want my baby back.
"Just a few weeks ago we were do-" Sang cut him off as he covered his mouth. "What happened over the phone was in the heat of the moment, just because I did that with you doesn't mean I want to be with you."
"Then what does it mean, you just want to have sex with me?" Rith asked removing the hand over his mouth.
"That's fine if you want that kind of relationship, but that doesn't mean I won't try to win your heart again." He added.
"I want nothing of that sort, I told you already if you want love go find an omega a beta like me can't give you that." Sang claimed.
Rith raised an eyebrow, "you were showing me love 3 years ago so why not now? I told you already I don't care about society norms."
Sang exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "That was before, Rith. Before you left. Before I realized that love—whatever it is—doesn't change the way the world sees me. The way it sees us."
Rith's expression softened. "Sang, I don't give a damn what the world thinks. I never have."
"That's easy for you to say." Sang's voice was laced with bitterness. "You come from privilege. You don't have to fight to be taken seriously. You don't have to prove your worth every damn day."
Rith took a step closer. "And what, you think being with me makes that worse?"
Sang met his gaze, frustration flickering in his eyes. "It makes it harder. You don't understand, Rith. You never did."
"Then help me understand," Rith pleaded, his fingers itching to touch him, to break down the walls Sang kept building between them. "Tell me what I need to do—how I can make this right."
Sang let out a hollow laugh. "You can't. You think you can just waltz back into my life, say a few sweet words, and everything will magically be okay?"
"No," Rith admitted. "But I can try. And I will—if you let me."
Sang turned away, his reflection in the window mirroring the turmoil inside him. "It's not that simple."
"But what if it is?" Rith's voice was quiet now, almost desperate. "What if the only thing making it complicated is us—our fear, our pride?"
Sang swallowed hard, his fingers tightening into fists. He hated this. Hated the way Rith still knew exactly how to get under his skin. Hated the way his heart still ached for something he told himself he had long buried.
"You're wasting your time," he whispered, though the words felt hollow even to him.
Rith smiled faintly, stepping beside him but keeping just enough distance. "Then let me waste it. Because I'll wait, Sang. However long it takes."
Silence stretched between them, thick with emotions neither of them could name.
For now, Sang didn't push him away. And for Rith, that was enough.
TBC