"Ren," Leo called while dressing in a hurry.
"Do you want to come with me, baby?"
Silence. No answer.
Ren was standing on the balcony, lost in his thoughts, a cigarette slowly burning between his fingers.
He had taken only one drag. After that, the cigarette was left to burn on its own, the smoke fading into the air.
It was obvious Ren was completely lost in his thoughts—so much that he hadn't even heard Leo calling his name several times.
Leo walked over to him and wrapped his arms around Ren from behind, locking them gently around his waist.
"What's bothering you? Where did your thoughts wander off to? Can I know?"
"Ah, no, baby," Ren replied right away. "I was just looking at the beautiful view… and got lost in it."
Leo glanced at the cigarette between Ren's fingers and immediately knew it wasn't just the view that had distracted him.
It was something more.
And he was definitely going to find out what it was.
"I called you several times and you didn't hear me," he said calmly.
"Hmm… really? What were you saying to me?"
"I was asking if you wanted to come with me."
"No. This is your time to have fun with your friends. Just be careful, okay?" Ren said gently.
Leo found this strange. Before, Ren would have followed him without even asking.
He turned to face Ren, lightly taking his hands and looking straight into his eyes.
"Baby, are you sure? You can come if you want.
You already know Jin… and I've also told you about Dex."
"Hmm… yes, I'm sure." Ren gently brushed Leo's hair.
"You need your own space sometimes. Go spend time with your friends. Maybe another day we'll all go out together again, okay?"
Then he added quietly, "Just be careful. Your eyes belong to me, remember?"
Leo smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Wait for me here. I won't be long."
Then he left.
Ren stayed on the balcony for a while longer and lit another cigarette, lost in thought.
Could Leo know that from the very first day we met, I've been working at Light?
If that's true… why did he keep it a secret?
Damn… what the hell is going on here? Ren thought.
After finishing his cigarette, Ren went to take a shower. Later, he made something light to eat.
But his mind stayed on Leo.
On the part of Leo's past that he clearly hadn't been able to move on from… and on the thought that Leo might be hiding things from him.
Leo was driving, but his thoughts kept spiraling further and further.
The fact that Ren was no longer acting as dominant—or even aggressive at times—had started to worry him.
One question kept repeating in his mind.
Would my baby really dare to betray me?
Without thinking much, he quickly typed a message.
✉️ I feel like you've changed.
Did I do something wrong?
The moment Ren read the message, his heart almost split in two.
He realized Leo was blaming himself—and it was because of the way he had been acting.
"Oh, my baby… you think you did something wrong?" Ren murmured softly.
"I'm sorry for making you feel that way.
You didn't do anything wrong.
I'm the one who messed up, making you think things that aren't true."
He couldn't hold it in any longer and grabbed his phone, fingers flying over the screen.
✉️ Baby, you're perfect. Seriously, you didn't do anything wrong.
Don't take too long… I'm dying to hug you. Miss you so much.
Leo was almost at Viewpoint. As soon as he parked, he grabbed his phone and saw that Ren had sent a message about 15 minutes earlier.
He read it, and a smile slowly spread across his face.
✉️ Miss u too, he typed back.
After a few moments of thought, Leo turned back and slid into the driver's seat.
"If my baby's missing me, then I need to fix that," he murmured, hitting the gas.
Meanwhile, Ren was scrolling through his phone when a video popped up—the one he had filmed that night of Smart and Han in the car.
Without hesitation, he sent the video straight to them, adding a playful 😘 emoji.
At the same time, Smart sent Ren a photo of Han, sprawled on the couch like a tiny bunny with a teddy in his arms, hugging it. Below, he wrote:
"Little bunny 🐇"
Ren called Smart immediately to ask what they were up to. After a short conversation, just before hanging up, he said simply:
"Ok, I'm coming."
Ren got ready and left the apartment right away, heading straight to Smart's place.
After parking, he rushed inside, and only when he reached the door did he realize he'd left his phone in the car!
But thinking he wouldn't be long there, he didn't bother going back for it.
✧
Leo floored the car like never before!
He parked and ran to the apartment, shouting,
"My baby, I'm here!!"
But all he got in response was silence. Nothing more.
A wave of stress started to hit him, though he tried to keep a bit of calm.
He grabbed his phone and called several times, but there was still no answer.
His eyes instantly darkened, storming with anger, ready to explode.
He sank onto the sofa, resting his elbows on his knees and hands on his head.
His breaths grew deep and heavy—he could no longer hold it in.
"Fuck, Ren!" he shouted to himself.
"I was wrong to trust a jerk like you.
Surely someone else will be easier to win over than me!
How the hell… you wrote that you're dying to see me?—fuck, liar!
Ugh… why do I feel like I'm about to pass out?"
He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself, then gathered his strength and stood up.
"Alright… let's go back to where we left off."
He immediately turned off his phone.
"Let's see how you react now, when you can't reach me."
Grabbing the car keys, he sped off again, the engine roaring as he pushed the car to the limit, almost out of control.
✧
Ren, Han, and Smart were just chilling at home, playing cards and sipping beers.
Suddenly, Smart jumped up.
"Wanna hit Beat Pub?" he asked.
"Let's go," Han agreed.
"Gonna have some fun today since I'm finally free—free from Dex's bossy ass."
"Han—what's going on between you and Dex? Is there something more I should know?" Ren asked, locking eyes with him.
"Nothing more than you know. I'm just having fun. Don't worry—you know I handle these situations well," Han replied.
Smart saw it and smirked.
"Huh—just having fun, huh? Until a few seconds ago, you wanted to strangle Dex with your own hands, didn't you?"
Han cut Smart off immediately.
"Don't listen to him. I was just joking. I'm simply having fun with Dex—and yeah, I'm taking advantage of his fame to charm the girls," he said with a playful smirk, flicking his eyes.
"Alright, alright—just don't start any trouble.
I want you to keep me in the loop. If Dex crosses a line, tell me right away."
"No worries," Han replied. "Like I said, everything's under control.
Now let's get ready and head out," he said, firm and determined.
Ren paused for a moment, remembering the promise he had made to Leo—not to lie about anything.
He put down the poker cards and looked Smart in the eyes.
"You're sure? Aren't you afraid Jin will find out?"
"Jin's with Leo and Dex—they'll be too busy to think about us.
We won't stay long. Let's just grab a drink, and I can dance a little.
I mean, the audition's coming up, so I need some practice, right? What do you think?"
Ren looked up at him from head to toe, grinning.
"You're serious? You need practice? Please… don't make me laugh!"
"Eh—okay," he said. "I just need to dance. I missed it."
"Smart, what are you saying?
A few days ago, you danced at Light and got everyone clapping.
You crushed every challenge—weren't you satisfied?"
"I say we go for it. No need to fear anyone.
It's our life—we came into this world alone, and we'll leave alone," Han said, thumping his chest.
But when his eyes met Ren and Smart, he paused.
"Maybe… not the best moment for that line, huh?"
"Okay, okay," Ren said. "Let's go—but we won't stay long.
I want to be back before Leo gets home."
The three of them got ready and headed to the car.
The first thing Ren did was check his phone. He saw several missed calls from Leo.
He picked it up immediately—but froze when he realized the phone was off.
"Why'd you turn off your phone?" he whispered, worried.
"Let's go!
You can call your wife later," Han said, laughing with irony.
"He's probably having fun and totally forgot he even has a boyfriend now."
"Watch your mouth, or I'll kill you with the nerves I've got!" Ren snapped, annoyed.
"Don't worry, maybe his battery died and he didn't notice. He'll call on his own," Smart said, trying to calm him.
Ren hopped into the car, and the three of them set off for Beat Pub, laughing and having fun all the way.
✧ — ✧ — ✧
Jin and Dex were already at Viewpoint Bar,
sitting with drinks in hand, enjoying the breathtaking city view and waiting for Leo.
Jin snapped a photo of the beautiful sky, sparkling with tiny glimmers,
and immediately sent it to Smart with a message:
✉️"Look up at the sky—I'm right here with you… ⭐️"
He then set his phone down on the table, smiling.
"Huh—someone's been practicing that smile," Dex said, lighting a cigarette.
"That guy's really drawing you in… right?"
Jin grabbed a cigarette and leaned toward Dex to light it.
"I'm letting myself get caught in his grip," Jin exhaled the smoke.
"And listen… I've got a surprise for you today.
Hope you enjoy it—I picked it exactly how you like it."
"Can't wait for that moment," Dex replied, raising an eyebrow and smiling with the corner of his lips.
At that moment, Jin's phone on the table lit up.
Smart had sent him a photo of the sky with a message underneath:
✉️"I see you, my ⭐️"
Jin started grinning like crazy again,
while Dex could only shake his head watching him.
He's probably head over heels for Smart, but he still doesn't fully realize it!
At that moment, Leo arrived, looking tense from afar, like he'd just gotten into an argument with someone.
He immediately sat down next to Dex and poured himself a full shot of alcohol, downing it in one go.
Jin and Dex exchanged glances, completely unsure of what was going on.
"Careful with the alcohol," Jin said seriously, but Leo didn't even hear him and poured another drink.
"Take it easy, we just got here," Dex said, grabbing him by the arm.
"Did you have a fight with Ren?" Jin asked directly.
Leo looked him in the eyes but said nothing.
He lit a cigarette, then stared back at Jin.
"Don't mention that asshole," Leo replied sharply.
"Whoa," Dex said. "You're talking about your Ren… right?"
"Dex, don't talk so much. Today, I just want to forget everything and have fun," Leo said, his eyes drifting toward a super cute guy standing in front of him.
Jin noticed immediately and warned him.
"Careful what you're doing.
If Ren finds out you're flirting like that, the one who's going to pay the price the most is that guy!
And you won't get away scot-free either."
"I don't want to be careful.
I just want to have fun, like I always have, without worrying or answering to anyone.
Fuck—did I ever think I could be in a relationship like this with him… seriously?
I'm a free bird, and I want to roam anywhere," Leo said, downing his drink in one go.
"Bravo—that's how I like it," Dex said, laughing.
Finally, someone came back to reality,
Jin shot him a look that said, *Enough with the ideas.*
"Leo—tell me what happened," Jin asked calmly.
"Did Ren do something to you? What's going on?"
"Hm… did Ren do something to me?
I don't know… maybe… maybe not," Leo replied.
"Leo! Speak clearly, don't play games," Jin cut him off sharply.
"He seems different since the moment the four of us were at the house in the suburbs!
I don't know what happened, but he barely even touches me," Leo said in a low voice.
"He's not trying anything at all!
You know what I mean, right?"
"Ah, you sly mind," Dex teased.
"You're frustrated that he's not trying to do… something more, something deeper?
But didn't you… before, not want him to even try that?
What happened now… ehhh?"
"I don't know—but I feel like he's seeing someone else for sure, as long as he doesn't want anything more with me!
He's cheating on me," he said out loud, pouring himself another drink.
"Careful with the alcohol, and stop overthinking—calm down for once.
Things don't get solved with your assumptions," Jin said firmly, his voice steady.
"Overthinking?
I called him a few times and he didn't pick up!!
I came back and didn't find him in the apartment.
He's probably out having fun with someone else—
Fuck, I'll do the same," he said, scanning the room, looking for the right person to approach.
His eyes went back to that cute guy sitting at the bar, whose gaze was locked on Leo.
"Damn, Ren," Jin thought.
"What are you trying to do?
You think acting like this will protect Leo…?
Don't you see you're only making things worse?!
Fuck, now I have to deal with these two's problems too!!
✧ — ✧ — ✧
Smart, Ren, and Han were at the entrance of the Beat Pub when a few girls ran up to them.
They shoved Ren, then Han, and positioned themselves close to Smart, smiling nonstop.
"Damn—
I can't escape the role of bodyguard," Han whispered, starting to push the girls away from Smart.
""Hey, girls—enough! You're literally taking his breath away! He's a human being, handsome like me," he said, pointing at himself.
"You look like an alien, now move out of the way," one of them said, shoving him down lightly.
Ren almost couldn't stop laughing!
The whole scene was unfolding in the eyes of someone on the second floor.
Someone in the VIP area!
Finally, you showed up—he whispered, smirking mischievously.
#BL #Boyslove #LGBTQ #Romance #DarkRomance #ExplicitDesire #PowerPlay #UncontrolledPassion #Claimed #BreathStealing #NoEscape#MatureRomance #SexyNovel #SlowBurn #DarkDesire #FirstKiss #PowerDynamics #AdultContent#dance#badboy#ToxicButHot#BurningControl#BreathStealing#SteamyScenes#MatureContent#SexyNovel#SpicyStory