Chapter 5

A long day had swept by like a storm.

Naru, waking to the warmth of sunlight, smiled faintly as memories of last night replayed.

In his mind, Yoo Gyuyeon wasn’t just a man—he was a complete angel. Every memory painted him with a halo and a pair of white wings. Even that prickly scowl softened into a radiant smile.

Click.

The sound of a door opening jolted him.

Lying on the sofa, Naru squeezed his eyes shut and feigned sleep.

He was terrified that if he opened his eyes, Gyuyeon would kick him out.

For the first time, Naru disliked the morning.

Normally he liked dawn’s freshness, but the thought of being thrown out into such warm sunlight made his lips stick out in a pout.

“Hey.”

“…”

“Are you still hurting?”

“…!”

He’d been pretending for some time when he felt a presence near him. Gyuyeon, standing over him, tapped his cheek with a fingertip.

‘No, if I answer he’ll know I was faking… But… I like when he touches my cheek. Hmm…’

When Naru didn’t respond, Gyuyeon stepped back. He meant nothing by it—he assumed the boy was still hurting and decided to leave him be.

But Naru’s mind was already scheming.

‘If I say I’m still sick, he won’t kick me out. Should I keep this up…?’

Stumbling upright, he leaned against Gyuyeon without opening his eyes, clinging to him.

Startled by the sudden closeness, Gyuyeon looked down at the small hands wrapped tightly around his waist.

“Ah… it hurts…”

“You’re awake? Then why weren’t you answering?”

“Because… it hurts…”

“You took the medicine. Your hand was treated. You should be fine. Where and how does it hurt?”

Naru faltered.

Last night, after Gyuyeon’s perfect care, he’d fallen asleep easily. The antacid had worked—his body was refreshed, nothing hurt.

‘What do I even say now…?’

He shook his head, silent. Tousled hair brushed against Gyuyeon’s shirt.

“I’m asking where and how.”

“Hmm…”

“You’re just playing sick, aren’t you? Let go.”

“It’s not an act! I—”

But his voice dwindled to a whisper when he looked up and saw Gyuyeon’s terrifying expression.

Sulking, he let go. Without a word, Gyuyeon turned and walked into the bathroom.

Naru threw off the thin blanket and wandered toward the door, hovering outside. He could hear the rush of water.

Gyuyeon, for all his reckless lifestyle, kept a routine.

Mornings were fixed: get up, wash, a simple breakfast, some time on hobbies, then stop by the dessert café he owned. Evenings were flexible—drinking plans, gaming with Geonhyuk—but mornings were sacred.

Today, however, his rhythm was already disrupted.

When he stepped out, towel-drying his hair, he frowned at Naru waiting in front of the bathroom.

“Hey.”

“Hey…”

“You should go wash. Why are you so grubby?”

“Grubby…?”

“Wash properly and come out.”

It was the perfect word for Naru’s state.

Without waiting for a reply, Gyuyeon turned him by the shoulders and shoved him inside.

The bathroom still steamed from his shower, the glass booth fogged, droplets trailing.

Naru clumsily undressed and stepped in. The scent in the air was rich, soothing—unlike the harsh soap and cheap shampoo he was used to.

He pressed the pump.

Squeeze.

White liquid slipped through his fingers, half of it spilling onto the floor.

He sniffed. The scent was heavenly.

“Amazing…!”

Excited, he pressed again. And again.

Squeeze. Squeeze. Squeeze.

Foam blossomed in his hands, soft and light. It felt like playing in another world. Even his hair, lathered with the fragrant liquid, foamed easily.

By the time he rinsed, bubbles covered the booth.

“Toothbrush…!”

Rummaging through the shelves, he found a fresh one after scattering everything. He scrubbed diligently, then wrapped a towel around his body and padded out. His skin glowed from the warmth of the water, his mood buoyant.

“All done, damn it,” Gyuyeon muttered.

“I finished washing.”

“First, dry off properly. And clothes—”

“I can just wear this…”

“You’re seriously going to put that rag back on? Stay put. I’ll get clothes.”

Even with the towel, Naru’s pale shoulders and legs were bared. Gyuyeon nearly choked on his own irritation, swatting Naru’s hand away from the old clothes.

He came back with the smallest things he owned: a light purple T-shirt, once gifted by a woman whose name he’d long forgotten, and casual pants. The shirt, loose on Naru, only made him look more delicate. The pants, too big, were swapped for sweatpants cinched tight at the waist.

“You actually used the bathroom right?”

“The body wash smelled really good.”

“Of course—it’s my favorite. Do you even know how much it costs?”

“Expensive…?”

“Yeah. Fucking expensive.”

Naru paled. He’d pumped it over and over without realizing.

Gyuyeon narrowed his eyes.

“I should check if you even cleaned up—”

“I-I’m hungry! Hungry!”

“Am I your caretaker? Move.”

“No—don’t!”

Thin arms wrapped tightly around his torso.

Suspicion rising, Gyuyeon shoved him aside and peered into the bathroom.

“This… this crazy—what the hell is this!”

The bathroom was a battlefield. Foam clung everywhere. The shelves were ransacked, body wash bottle half-empty, toothbrush and paste scattered. The floor was flooded.

“Ha… fuck…”

“I’ll clean it! Right now—I’m sorry!”

Naru scrambled back inside, but in his haste his foot slipped—

Crash!

“Eek!”

He fell flat, yelping.

Gyuyeon, watching, let out a hollow laugh. He didn’t even have the energy to be angry.

He lifted Naru easily into a princess-carry and dropped him onto the sofa.

“Stay there. Don’t move. Don’t make me more annoyed.”

“…Yes!”

Naru folded his hands in his lap and sat stiffly.

After ten minutes of cleaning, Gyuyeon returned, glaring daggers.

Naru felt like he was sitting on nails, every glance stabbing through him.

‘He’s going to kick me out for sure…’

But instead, Gyuyeon dragged over a chair and crooked his finger.

“Come here.”

Naru scurried over, pitiful voice trembling.

“So… am I leaving now?”

Gyuyeon’s face twisted.

‘Leaving? If I was letting you go, why would I hire an errand service? You haven’t even apologized properly yet, brat. What did you say yesterday? Ah, right—‘sorry for having nothing to apologize for.’ That smug bastard.’

There was no way he’d let him go so easily.

“You gone crazy? You really planned to screw me over, didn’t you?”

“I-it’s not like that…”

“You’ve forgotten something. You’re confined in my house now. I’ll never let you go. Crawl if you have to, and figure out how to loosen my heart.”

Naru’s eyes lit up.

Not just “not letting him go”—he said ‘never.’

‘See? I was right. This place really is heaven!’

Warm water, delicious food, a soft sofa—and not once had he been forced to crawl at anyone’s feet.

‘Ah… I’m happy. So happy. Gyuyeon is the best. Gyuyeon rules!’

His heart brimmed with praise.

And then, recalling Gyuyeon’s words—‘loosen my heart’—he paused.

‘What does that mean? Make him let his guard down? Open his heart?’

‘Like him…’

Determination sparked.

If loosening his heart meant making him like you—then Naru would do it.

He resolved to woo Gyuyeon perfectly, until that angel’s heart opened.