Page 161 of Scarbound

“Tomorrow,” he whispered.

Noeul frowned. “What?”

“You’ve had too much to drink.”

The disappointment on Noeul’s face was almost comical.

“Seriously?”

Duri laughed softly despite himself. “Very seriously.”

“But I know what I want.”

“I believe you.”

“Then…”

“And if you still want it tomorrow, I’ll be right here.”

Noeul stared at him, clearly offended now. “You don’t believe me.”

“I believe you mean it right now.”

Noeul narrowed his eyes at him, but Duri only laughed softly and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Tomorrow, hyung.”

Noeul’s irritation faded almost immediately. He rested his head against Duri’s shoulder instead.

Duri wrapped his arms around him.

They stayed like that for a while, the apartment quiet around them, Noeul listening to the steady rhythm of Duri’s heart beneath his ear.

Eventually, Duri spoke.

“I’m in love with you, hyung.”

Noeul lifted his head.

There was no playfulness in Duri’s expression now. No hesitation either.

Noeul opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

The words were there. He could almost feel them. But love had meant too many things in his life. Love had meant loyalty. Guilt. Obligation. Betrayal. Pain. He didn’t know yet what name belonged to the warmth spreading through him when Duri looked at him like this.

So instead, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Duri’s cheek.

When he pulled away, their faces remained close.

“I don’t know what this is yet,” Noeul whispered. “But I know I don’t want to lose it.”

Duri’s smile softened.

“That’s all I need.”

CHAPTER 48

Noeul woke slowly, wrapped in unfamiliar warmth. For several seconds, he didn’t know where he was. The room was darker than his own bedroom, the curtains drawn almost completely shut except for a thin line of morning light cutting across the floor. Something warm rested around his waist. Someone was breathing against the back of his neck.