The office floor was almost empty by the time Jaemin realized how late it had gotten.

Half the lights were already turned off, leaving only the row above his cubicle glowing softly against the dark windows. The city outside reflected faintly on his laptop screen as spreadsheets blurred together after hours of revisions.

His coffee had gone cold.

Again.

He didn’t notice someone approaching until a shadow fell across the keyboard.

“You’re still here.”

Jaemin didn’t even look back.

“If you’re here to criticize my numbers again,” he muttered, fingers still typing, “schedule it for tomorrow.”

No answer.

Just footsteps stopping beside his chair.

Silence stretched.

Then—

thud.

A hand landed on the desk beside his shoulder.

Jaemin froze.

Jeno leaned down slightly, one arm braced against the table, effectively trapping him between the desk and the man standing far too close behind him.

“What are you doing?” Jaemin asked quietly, eyes still on the screen.

Jeno didn’t answer right away.

He was close enough that Jaemin could see his reflection beside his own on the laptop monitor.

“Client Park called me earlier,” Jeno finally said.

Flat tone.

Jaemin’s typing stopped. “And?”

“He said your proposal was impressive.”

Jaemin scoffed softly. “Must’ve dialed the wrong person.”

“I’m serious.”

That made him turn.

Big mistake.

Because now Jeno was right there.

Sleeves rolled up, tie loosened slightly, glasses slipping lower on his nose as he studied Jaemin like he was trying to figure something out.

Too close.

“What?” Jaemin frowned.

“You look tired.”

“Everyone’s tired.”

“Not like this.”

Jaemin pushed his chair back slightly, trying to stand.

He couldn’t.

The desk blocked him in front.

Jeno blocked him at the side.

“Move.”

“No.”

Jaemin blinked. “Excuse me?”

Instead of stepping away, Jeno leaned closer.

One hand slid from the desk to the back of Jaemin’s chair.

Now he was completely caged in.

Jaemin could feel his breath near his cheek.

“Why do you always pretend not to see me in meetings?” Jeno asked quietly.

“Because talking to you usually turns into an argument.”

“That’s funny.”

“How?”

“You never walk away when I start one.”

Jaemin opened his mouth to argue.

Stopped.

Because Jeno dipped his head slightly lower.

Close enough that their breaths mixed.

“You’re the only person in this office who pushes back,” #Jeno murmured, almost like he wasn’t aware he was saying it out loud.*

“So?”

Their gazes dropped at the same time.

To lips.

The silence turned heavy.

Jaemin swallowed.

“Move,” he said again, softer this time.

Jeno didn’t.

For a second, he looked genuinely conflicted—like he was arguing with himself.

“I should be annoyed every time you talk,” he admitted quietly.

“And?”

“But I keep wanting to get closer.”

The distance between them disappeared slowly.

Almost.

Almost—

Click.

The office door swung open.

“Manager Jeno? The contract file—”

A junior staff member froze in the doorway.

Jeno straightened instantly like nothing had happened.

Jaemin barely remembered how to breathe.

“Leave it on my desk,” Jeno said calmly without turning around.

The door shut immediately.

Silence returned.

Jaemin stood up too fast.

“Pretend it never happened.”

“Agreed.”

“You were being weird.”

“You too, didn’t stop me.”

They avoided looking at each other.

But neither of them moved away right away.