Chapter 41: A Moment Between Us

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting gentle shadows across the walls. Minho sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes fixated on the sleeping figure beside him. Hyunjin's face was relaxed, his breathing slow and even, his long lashes resting against his pale skin.

For the first time in a long time, Minho wasn't filled with resentment or anger when he looked at Hyunjin. Instead, something unfamiliar swirled in his chest—something warm, something unsettling. He told himself it was just pity. After all, Hyunjin had been through a lot because of him. But then why couldn't he tear his gaze away?

He leaned in slightly, studying the way Hyunjin's lips parted as he exhaled, the way his fingers curled slightly in his sleep. His golden hair spilled across the pillow, framing his delicate features like a painting too beautiful to exist in real life.

Without thinking, Minho reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from Hyunjin's face. His fingers barely grazed his skin, but even that slight touch sent a strange sensation through him. His throat went dry.

His gaze fell to Hyunjin's lips.

He shouldn't.

But before he could register his own movement, Minho pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to Hyunjin's forehead.

The moment his lips touched his skin, a rush of heat shot through him, and his heart thudded violently in his chest.

What the hell am I doing?

Minho pulled away abruptly, staring at Hyunjin as if he had just committed a crime. He waited, half-expecting Hyunjin to stir, to open his eyes and catch him in the act. But Hyunjin remained still, lost in the depths of his dreams.

Minho ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to hate Hyunjin, wasn't he? Then why was he sitting here like a fool, watching him sleep and feeling... protective?

He sighed, lying back on his side of the bed.

His heart was still racing.

--

Morning light streamed through the curtains, filling the room with a soft glow. Minho groggily opened his eyes, shifting slightly to stretch his stiff muscles. He wasn't used to sharing a bed, and somehow, in his sleep, he had ended up facing Hyunjin.

Hyunjin was still asleep, his body curled slightly towards Minho's. Their faces were so close—too close.

Minho barely had time to react before Hyunjin stirred.

Hyunjin's eyes fluttered open slowly, his gaze hazy with sleep. He blinked a few times before realizing just how near Minho was. His breath hitched.

And then it happened.

Hyunjin moved to sit up at the same time Minho shifted towards him, and their lips brushed, just for a second, just for the briefest moment—but it was enough to send them both into a frozen panic.

Hyunjin yelped, jolting back immediately, his face turning a deep shade of red.

Minho, equally mortified, sat up straight. His hand flew to his mouth as if he could erase what had just happened. "What—what the hell was that?!" he stammered, eyes wide.

"I—I don't know!" Hyunjin's voice was a high-pitched squeak. His hands covered his burning cheeks, refusing to meet Minho's gaze.

For a few moments, neither of them moved. The air between them crackled with tension, their minds scrambling to process what had just transpired.

Minho was the first to recover—barely. He cleared his throat, trying to act nonchalant, but the heat in his face betrayed him. "It was an accident."

"Yeah! An accident!" Hyunjin quickly agreed, nodding too fast. "Nothing happened. Let's just... forget about it."

"Exactly."

A heavy silence settled between them.

But even as they tried to shake it off, the lingering warmth of the accidental kiss refused to fade.

And deep down, Minho knew—something between them had changed.