Kiss Me Like You’re Not Married.

The front door clicked open with a low chime, and warm light spilled into the hallway as Joon-won led them inside. Their laughter from the car still lingered in the air fuzzy from drinks, slowed by the night.

"Make yourselves at home," he said over his shoulder, already tugging off his watch as he walked toward the bedroom. "I'll change and grab extra clothes."

Ha-eun slipped her heels off at the door with a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, my feet are crying. This was such a good idea."

Seo-yeon, drunk and glowing, giggled as she tossed her purse on the sofa. "Tae-hyun hasn't laughed that much in months."

"I haven't seen Joon-won loosen up like that either," Ha-eun said as she disappeared into the hallway.

Tae-hyun just smiled faintly, his hands in his pockets, eyes trailing after the man who had disappeared down the hall.

And then he returned.

Joon-won walked back into the living room a few minutes later, the quiet thud of his steps announcing him before his voice did. He'd changed into gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips and a sleeveless white shirt that clung to the lines of his torso, exposing the cut of his arms and the sharp definition of his shoulders. His hair was down now, parted a little to the side, soft and slightly wavy like it had forgotten how to behave.

Tae-hyun looked up and froze.

His gaze dipped slowly taking in the sight before him, shoulders, collarbones, biceps. The veins down his forearms flexed subtly as he carried a small pile of neatly folded clothes. That white shirt did criminal things when he moved. And he knew it. He fucking knew it.

"Damn," Tae-hyun muttered under his breath, caught off guard. "Didn't know this was a show."

Joon-won raised a brow, smirking at him knowingly.

But before either of them could escalate, Seo-yeon burst out laughing.

"Oh my god, babe, you sound so jealous. He always looks like that at home. Ha-eun! can you imagine him going grocery shopping like this?"

"I wouldn't let him out!" Ha-eun yelled from the hall, then reappeared with another pile of clothes. "I'd have to fight people."

Joon-won only chuckled as he tossed a bundle into Tae-hyun's lap. "Here. These should fit. The pants might be a little big, though."

Tae-hyun picked up the oversized navy hoodie and loose black sweatpants, both of which clearly belonged to Joon-won. They were soft, expensive, lived-in. They smelled faintly of clean laundry and something warmer, familiar. Masculine.

"You trying to make me look like your little brother?" Tae-hyun quipped.

Joon-won tilted his head, eyes running over him a second too long. "No. Just wanted to see you look small for once."

Tae-hyun swallowed and playfully rolled his eyes.

Seo-yeon flopped onto the couch. "You'll look cute! Honestly, I always forget how baby-faced you are without your shirts all tucked in and your hair combed."

"Oh my god," Ha-eun added, hands on her hips, eyeing Tae-hyun like a mother fussing over a grown child. "He's gonna look like he's in college again. You're what, thirty-five?"

"Thirty-seven," Tae-hyun corrected. "Thanks for the ego death."

"You age well," Joon-won said lowly, without looking away. "But you look better in my clothes."

That time, Seo-yeon was too busy opening another bottle of wine to notice the weight behind the words.

Tae-hyun narrowed his eyes slightly, color blooming on his cheeks. He stood, still holding the clothes. "Where can I change before you start undressing me yourself?" He mumbled under his breath so only Joon-won Could hear him.

Joon-won licked his teeth. "Guest bathroom. Second door."

As Tae-hyun walked off, Joon-won watched him go. Watched the way his back moved, the slight sway in his stride. Watched like a man who hadn't touched in days, and was paying for it with every second.

⸻

Ten minutes later, Tae-hyun padded barefoot back into the living room in Joon-won's oversized hoodie, sleeves swallowing his hands, pants loose around his hips. The hem of the hoodie hung past his thighs, making his frame look softer, younger.

He knew what he looked like.

And Joon-won knew it too.

The room quieted a beat too long when he entered. Joon-won's eyes locked on him, and for a moment, the world narrowed.

"Shit," Joon-won muttered under his breath. "You really do look younger."

Tae-hyun rolled his eyes and flopped beside Seo-yeon on the couch with a huff. "Great. I've been downgraded to 'adorable.' That's where I'm at now."

Seo-yeon leaned her head on his shoulder. "It's okay, baby. You're still hot. Just… soft hot."

"Like a really sexy marshmallow," Ha-eun chimed in helpfully.

Tae-hyun groaned, but his eyes flicked up to meet Joon-won's across the room. That look said everything.

You did this on purpose.

I know. And I'm enjoying it.

Their eyes locked for a moment before Joon-won's gaze dragged down his body, slow and deliberate. Tae-hyun could feel the heat of it. The pause. The unspoken thought sitting heavy between them.

Then Joon-won spoke.. too honest, too fast with no hesitation.

"You look so good in my clothes."

Tae-hyun blinked. Caught off guard by the sudden loud comment. It wasn't even just for his ears and that made his eyes widen and his ears flush pink slightly.

Seo-yeon let out a dramatic "Awwww!" and swatted Tae-hyun's arm. "He's complimenting you! And you hate compliments!"

Ha-eun laughed too, flopping onto one of the floor cushions. "You do look adorable, though. I kind of get it now. If I didn't know you, I'd think you were the shy one in the relationship."

Tae-hyun narrowed his eyes as he glanced over at her and shifted slightly on the couch in embarrassment. "I am not shy." He mumbled stubbornly.

Joon-won, behind them, gave the smallest, almost imperceptible smirk. One Tae-hyun caught.

"You? Not shy? Prove it. Right here.," Joon-won added under his breath huskily, just quiet enough.

Tae-hyun exhaled sharply and glared at him but there was no real heat behind his gaze. "You need to shut up."

But his ears were even redder now. And Joon-won noticed.

They arranged the living room together, Joon-won laid out a massive blanket fort using their couch cushions and extra duvets, while the wives picked out a Netflix movie they wouldn't finish. Bottles were opened. Cheeks were flushed. And everything felt too intimate in that dangerous, weightless kind of way.

Eventually, they all curled into their spots — Ha-eun and Seo-yeon tangled together on one side, already halfway asleep after too many drinks. Tae-hyun and Joon-won leaned back against opposite sides of the couch, barely an arm's reach apart.

Tae-hyun looked over, voice low.

"I still think you planned that outfit change on purpose."

Joon-won didn't look away from the screen. "And if I did?"

Tae-hyun stretched his legs under the blanket, brushing ever so slightly against Joon-won's calf.

"Then I'd say you're lucky I like being underestimated."

Joon-won finally turned, meeting his eyes in the dimmed room, head tilted. "Don't worry. I've stopped underestimating you a long time ago."

Outside, the city buzzed in its quiet rhythm. Inside, the tension lay under every soft breath, every flicker of a glance.

And somewhere between a wine-induced naps and the background noise of the movie, the real game had already begun.