Minho, though pretending to be lost in the embrace of sleep, found his senses acutely attuned to the presence beside him. His focus was drawn, inexorably, to the hand that lay possessively at his waist, a warm weight that both grounded and electrified him. It was Seo-Jun's hand, the one that could ignite a fire with the lightest touch, and on its finger, a ring.
The ring was a study in minimalist design – a simple band of polished silver, devoid of any embellishment, any ostentatious display. Yet, it possessed a quiet elegance, a subtle allure that had captured Minho's attention. It was a testament to understated beauty, a reflection of Seo-Jun's own quiet confidence. "This ring," he thought, the words a silent whisper in the sanctuary of his mind, "it's interesting. It doesn't have any gemstones, no intricate carvings, nothing to make it stand out. And yet, it's beautiful... especially on his hand." A blush, unbidden and unwelcome, crept up his neck, a warmth spreading through him, a silent symphony of his heart's rhythm. He averted his gaze, the thought, "It makes him look even more attractive..." echoing in the secret chambers of his mind. His fingers, restless with a yearning he couldn't name, reached out, tracing the smooth, cool surface of the ring, a silent act of admiration, a whispered confession of his captivated heart.
Unbeknownst to Minho, Seo-Jun was awake, his hazel eyes, usually so expressive, were now pools of quiet intensity, fixed on Minho. He understood the silent language of the touch, the unspoken interest, the vulnerability that Minho, in his supposed slumber, was unknowingly revealing. A soft voice, a mere breath against the silence, shattered the stillness, "You like my ring?"
Minho flinched, startled. His head snapped up, his cheeks instantly flushed with a fiery blush, betraying his hidden thoughts. "Oh, you... you were awake too. I didn't... I didn't notice." His voice was a breathy whisper, the carefully constructed facade of sleep crumbling.
Seo-Jun ignored the initial stammer, the clumsy attempt at deflection. He pressed, his voice a low murmur that resonated in the quiet room, "Answer my question."
Embarrassment, a crimson tide, painted Minho's face, reaching all the way to his ears. He mumbled, his gaze fixed on the intricate pattern of the sheets, "It looks good... on your hand." the words barely audible, a shy admission of his appreciation.
A faint smile, a fleeting glimpse of warmth, touched Seo-Jun's lips. He slowly, deliberately, released his hold, the warmth of his hand receding, the physical connection severed. He slipped the ring from his pinky, the silver glinting in the dim light. "You can have it." he said softly, extending the ring, a silent offering, "If you want it, of course." A soft blush, the first true sign of vulnerability, bloomed on his cheeks, a mirror of Minho's own.
Minho's breath hitched in his throat, a silent gasp of surprise, a tremor of something akin to awe rippling through him. "W-what?" he stammered, shock and confusion battling for dominance in his voice. Seo-Jun shook his head slightly, giggling, his gaze steady, unwavering, his eyes conveying a depth of emotion that words could not express. He reached out, his movements deliberate, gentle, and took Minho's hand, his touch sending a fresh wave of electricity through him. He placed the ring in Minho's palm, the silver cool against his skin.
Seo-Jun's generous offer, "I said you can have it. It will look better on your small hand anyway." hung in the air, a playful taunt that immediately wiped the soft blush from Minho's cheeks. The lighthearted flush was replaced by a mask of stone, his expression shifting into a sarcastic stillness. Seo-Jun, unfazed, let out a light laugh, a sound that danced with amusement. "I'm serious." he repeated, his voice holding a teasing lilt. "Try it. It will look better on you."
Minho's eyes flickered to the ring as he opened his palm. He paused, the silence stretching between them, before reaching out. The cool metal met his skin as he carefully slid it onto his left pinky, mirroring Seo-Jun's own style. However, the ring was far too large, a comical contrast to his slender finger. A soft giggle escaped Seo-Jun, the sound laced with gentle mockery. Minho, his face still set in its stony facade, responded with a swift, playful swat to Seo-Jun's leg, a silent acknowledgment of the jest. He then moved the ring to his left index finger, and it fit perfectly.
"I was right…" Seo-Jun said, his voice now laced with genuine warmth, a genuine smile playing on his lips. Minho, captivated by the ring's subtle sparkle, found himself mirroring the smile, a genuine appreciation for the gesture. Seo-Jun's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as he continued, "I was right about your hands too. They are pretty tiny." Before Minho could formulate a response, Seo-Jun had taken his hand, their palms meeting, their fingers intertwining for a brief moment. The difference was undeniable, Minho's hand appearing delicate and small against Seo-Jun's larger, more defined one. A blush crept up Minho's neck, his cheeks flushed with a sudden heat as their hands brushed. Seo-Jun, meeting his gaze, felt a warmth spread across his own cheeks, a blush of his own. He quickly pulled his hand away, the contact broken, leaving a lingering sense of something unspoken in the air between them.
Seo-Jun, a sudden heat rising in his cheeks, cleared his throat, the sound a hesitant disruption of the quiet. "I-I am going to the bathroom." he stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. He rose, his movements a touch too abrupt, and began walking towards the bathroom, the blush stubbornly clinging to his skin. Minho, still seated on the bed, watched him go, the ring a cool weight on his finger. Gathering his composure, he called out, "Wait! Are you sure you want me to keep it?" His own cheeks were flushed, mirroring Seo-Jun's earlier discomfiture.
Seo-Jun paused just before the bathroom door, his back still to Minho. "You must like someone repeating their words to you." he quipped, the words laced with a familiar teasing tone, yet there was a hint of something else, something unreadable. Minho's expression hardened, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. He began to retort, "I just—" but Seo-Jun cut him off, his voice firm, "Keep it."
The command hung in the air, sharp and final. Minho flinched, the words silencing his protest. Seo-Jun, without another glance, slipped into the bathroom, a small, private smile playing on his lips. "Ha, there is no going back now... Somehow… I have already lost against him..." he thought, the words a quiet admission.
Meanwhile, Minho sat on the bed, a frown etching itself onto his face. "What is his problem?! Honestly, he always makes me so mad." He thought, rolling his eyes. He looked at the ring again, its smooth surface catching the light. He pulled it off his finger, turning it over in his hand. "It's a cool ring, though. I might as well keep it since he gave it away just like that." he muttered, his voice softening slightly. As he examined it more closely, his brow furrowed. "What's that?" he murmured, noticing an inscription on the inside of the ring. "KS? What does it mean?" He shrugged, a gesture of dismissal, and slipped the ring back on. "Ha, maybe it is the ring's brand or whatever..."