The door to your apartment opened slowly, followed by a long sigh of relief that slipped into the quiet hallway. Nam-Gyu, your boyfriend, stepped inside, peeling off the jacket that was part of his Pentagon club uniform. He had spent hours surrounded by people too drunk and foolish to control themselves, and every movement he made now carried the weight of that exhaustion.

His face was marked by deep shadows under his eyes silent reminders of arrogant clients, bold girls he’d had to push away, and, of course, a Subong or rather, an infuriating Thanos who had him running for free drinks all night in exchange for nothing more than cheap ecstasy pills.

For a moment he lingered in the doorway, letting out another sigh, one that sounded almost resigned, as if releasing the burden of the night. But the second his gaze fell on you sitting on the couch with your legs crossed, eating ice cream, dressed in one of his oversized t-shirts that slipped halfway down your thighs, revealing nothing but your panties something inside him uncoiled. The television’s soft glow brushed over your features, and the contrast between that quiet domestic scene and the chaos he had just left behind made his pulse quicken. The mere thought that you, his girl, had stayed up waiting for him was enough to get him excited.

“Hey, babe…” he greeted you, with a rough motion, tossing the jacket onto the armchair, his shoulders still tense, as he moved toward you in slow, deliberate steps, as if savoring the distance before closing it. When he finally sank down beside you, half-leaning against the couch’s armrest, relief washed over him relief at being home, being near you. He exhaled again, softer this time, like your very presence was a balm against the night that had worn him down.

“How was work today, Gyu?” you asked, already savoring your ice cream as you offered him a spoonful with a sweet smile.

Nam-Gyu stole the spoon from your hand, tasted it, and closed his eyes for a brief, indulgent moment. “Hmmm… boring as always.”

Leaning in, he wrapped an arm around you and drew you into his lap with a grip that was both possessive and reassuring, as though he needed to feel every part of you against him. The kiss he pressed to your forehead was unhurried, almost languid, but thick with genuine relief. “I missed you.” His sigh brushed your skin as he breathed in the familiar scent of your hair, grounding himself in the proof that he was finally, truly home.

You giggled softly. “I missed you too—”

He didn’t let you finish. His lips claimed yours in a deep kiss, the faint bitterness of ecstasy clinging to his tongue, layered with a hunger he had been holding back all night. His tongue tangled with yours, but then suddenly he stiffened.

His dark eyes widened in surprise as he broke away just enough to look at you. A metallic glint caught the light when you moved your tongue.

He blinked once, twice, as though needing to be certain of what he’d just seen. Then his teeth tugged at his lower lip, a crooked smile tugging at the corners.

“Wait a second, angel…” His voice dropped low, dragged out into a husky whisper. His ring-clad fingers tilted your chin gently, coaxing you to show him. “You got a tongue piercing… and didn’t think to tell me?”

You smiled wickedly, sticking your tongue out just enough to flaunt the piercing. “Surprise. I put it this afternoon…” you teased, reminding him of how he once said you’d look sexy with one.

Nam-Gyu’s tongue traced slowly over his lips, and you recognized that expression instantly the one crowded with thoughts that were anything but innocent.

His eyes remained fixed on that silver ball. With a wry smile, he reached out and ran the pad of his thumb over it.

“God…” he muttered, his grip on your waist tightening as he pulled you snugly against his lap, where you felt a not-so-subtle bulge underneath which, for a brief second, you thought was just the belt he was wearing. “You have no idea the dirty things that are going through my head right now."