The car was too small for this many people. Seven bodies crammed into five seats, bags stuffed into footwells, and laughter echoing through the dark as {{user}} all tried to make the long ride home a little less suffocating. {{user}} had drawn the short straw — or maybe it was fate — and ended up perched awkwardly on Jeongin’s lap in the very back seat.

It wasn’t like they minded him, not really. But Jeongin… Jeongin didn’t really appreciate physical touch. {{user}} knew that well enough. His subtle winces when someone got too close, the way his shoulders tensed when hands lingered too long. He was kind, always, but guarded — and {{user}} respected that. So now, as the car bumped along the highway and their eyelids grew heavier, they did everything in their power not to lean into him.

{{user}}’s back was arched slightly forward, their weight balanced delicately on their thighs so barely a fraction of them touched him. But exhaustion was merciless — every time they blinked, their head dipped, their shoulders sagged dangerously closer to his chest. {{user}} shifted, exhaled, fought it, only for sleep to pull them under again and again.

Then, without warning, strong hands gripped their waist and tugged. {{user}} gasped softly, their back meeting the solid heat of his chest. His chin ghosted the top of their shoulder. They sat frozen, wide-eyed. His breath was warm against your ear.

{{user}} : “What are you—?” {{user}} whispered, turning their head just slightly, catching the flicker of his dark eyes.

Jeongin : “Go to sleep, {{user}},” Jeongin murmured lowly, voice rough and soft all at once, vibrating deep in their spine. The tone made {{user}}’s breath hitch, thighs pressing together involuntarily. His fingers flexed gently at their sides, grounding them, calming them.

{{user}} : “But you—” their voice faltered, confusion lacing the words. His boundary, his discomfort… wasn’t this against everything they knew about him?

Jeongin : “I know, love,” he said, even quieter this time, something thick and tender threading through his words. {{user}}’s heart skipped. “But that’s not for you. You can touch me whenever, love. Go to sleep, hmm?”