The moonlight spilled through the arched window of Shinomi's chambers, casting silver shadows over the quiet room. Aiden stood outside his door, hesitating only for a moment before knocking.
"Shinomi? Are you in?"
A faint grunt came from inside. Taking it as permission, Aiden pushed the door open—only to freeze at the sight before him.
Shinomi stood near the bed, tousled and bare-chested, wearing only his black trousers. His robe lay discarded at his feet, and the dim firelight danced across the hard lines of his torso—his chiseled abs, firm shoulders, and battle-worn scars all on full display.
Aiden's mouth went dry.
Shinomi turned at the sound of the door and blinked, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. "You're not very good at knocking and waiting, Ren."
"I-I did knock!" Aiden stammered, flustered. He stepped inside too quickly, and his boot caught on the edge of the rug.
He slipped.
And fell.
Right on top of Shinomi.
With a heavy thud, they both collapsed onto the bed, Aiden landing squarely on Shinomi's stomach. Shinomi groaned lightly under him, but didn't move. Aiden scrambled to sit upright, straddling Shinomi unintentionally, his eyes wide as he looked down at the man beneath him.
And for the first time… he truly saw him.
The way Shinomi's stomach rose and fell with calm breaths. The light sheen of sweat across his collarbone. The deep curve of his waistline and the shadowed grooves of his muscles. Aiden's gaze traveled down, then flicked back up, locking eyes with Shinomi.
Shinomi raised an eyebrow.
"You done staring?" he asked.
Aiden jolted slightly, as if waking from a dream. His hand lifted on instinct and gently pressed against Shinomi's chest, fingers spread.
Before he could process the warmth beneath his palm, Shinomi's hand closed around his wrist. Not roughly—just firm.
Aiden lifted his other hand, and again, Shinomi caught it.
The tension between them pulsed like a heartbeat.
"You're trouble," Shinomi murmured.
"And you're… hot," Aiden whispered without thinking.
A second passed.
And then, eyes darting between Shinomi's lips and the dip of his Adam's apple, Aiden leaned forward and bit gently at the base of Shinomi's throat. A warm hickey bloomed against his pale skin, unmistakable and impossible to hide.
Shinomi froze.
Aiden grinned mischievously against his skin and then quickly pulled away.
"Now everyone knows you're not single," he said cheekily, and before Shinomi could sit up or catch him, Aiden was already darting toward the door.
"REN!" Shinomi shouted behind him, more shocked than angry.
But Aiden just laughed breathlessly as he ran down the corridor, his heart racing. His lips tingled with adrenaline, his chest full of something wild.
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