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Beomgyu sat across from Kai in a quiet corner of the sprawling estate, his fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He didn't know why he had agreed to this conversation, but something in Yeonjun's insistence that he "just talk to Kai" had finally worn him down.

"So," Beomgyu began, his voice hesitant, "I guess we should clear the air."

Kai tilted his head, his ever-present calm smile softening the tension. "About what?"

"You and Yeonjun," Beomgyu blurted out, wincing at how awkward he sounded. "I mean... are you two...?"

Kai's eyes widened briefly before he burst into laughter. "Oh, no. No way."

Beomgyu blinked, caught off guard by the sudden reaction.

"I mean, I get why you might think that," Kai said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "But Yeonjun's like an older brother to me. We've known each other forever, but that's it. Besides—" Kai paused, his expression turning serious. "I'm asexual. I've never been interested in anyone that way, and Yeonjun knows that."

Beomgyu felt a wave of relief wash over him, though he quickly masked it with a neutral nod. "Oh. I didn't know."

Kai smiled again. "I'm guessing you thought there was something between us?"

Beomgyu flushed and looked away. "Maybe. I mean, it's not like this marriage is real or anything, but..."

"But you care," Kai finished for him.

Beomgyu froze, his heart skipping a beat.

Kai chuckled softly. "It's okay to care, you know. Even if it's messy."

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Later that evening, Beomgyu found himself on the phone with Soobin, pacing back and forth in his room.

"I feel so stupid," Beomgyu admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You're not stupid," Soobin replied, his tone gentle but firm. "You're just trying to figure things out. Feelings are complicated, especially in your situation."

Beomgyu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just don't get why he's so... him. Why does he have to be so perfect one moment and so frustrating the next?"

Soobin chuckled. "Maybe because he's human? And maybe because you're starting to see him as more than just the guy you were forced to marry."

Beomgyu groaned. "Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true, isn't it?"

Beomgyu didn't answer, but the silence was telling enough.

"Look," Soobin said, "if you're feeling this overwhelmed, maybe you just need a break. Go out, do something fun. Clear your head."

Taking Soobin's advice to heart, Beomgyu called Taehyun, who was more than happy to drag him out to one of the trendiest clubs in Seoul.

The music was loud, the lights flashing in hypnotic patterns, and the drinks flowed freely. Beomgyu quickly lost track of how many he'd had, letting Taehyun coax him onto the dance floor.

For a while, it worked. The pounding bass and the blur of people around him drowned out his thoughts. But as the night wore on, Beomgyu's inhibitions slipped further, and he found himself in a corner surrounded by unfamiliar faces, their intentions far less friendly than Taehyun's.

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Yeonjun arrived at the club after receiving a frantic call from Taehyun, who had lost sight of Beomgyu in the crowd.

He found Beomgyu in a dimly lit corner, backed against the wall by a group of men who clearly didn't have his best interests in mind.

"Hey!" Yeonjun's voice cut through the noise like a blade, his sharp glare enough to make the men step back. "He's with me."

Beomgyu looked up, his glassy eyes widening in recognition. "Yeonjun?"

Yeonjun didn't waste a second, grabbing Beomgyu's arm and pulling him away. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Yeonjun let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Yeonjun demanded, his tone equal parts anger and concern.

Beomgyu wobbled slightly, leaning against Yeonjun for support. "I just... I needed to forget," he mumbled.

Yeonjun's expression softened, and he wrapped an arm around Beomgyu's shoulders, guiding him toward the car. "Next time you want to forget, come to me. Don't put yourself in danger like this."

Beomgyu didn't respond, but as he rested his head against Yeonjun's shoulder, a small part of him felt safer than he'd ever admit.

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