The night went entirely according to plan. Hongjoong ended up really liking the quaint little bookstore and enjoyed the proceeding walk along the Han river. They both decided they were hungry so Seonghwa took Hongjoong to one of his favorite restaurants and the two shared a meal.

Afterwards, they were still a bit hungry so they decided to grab ice cream for dessert.

As they realized it was getting late, the two of them decided to head back to the hotel.

As they entered the lobby, they ran into an unusual pair—Jongho and Yeosang.

Seonghwa was about to start conversation but Jongho seemed to be immersed in his own. Seonghwa didn't want to interrupt so the two of them passed quietly and headed towards the elevators.

"Was I the only one that found that a little odd?" Seonghwa asked once the elevator doors had closed.

"What?

"Jongho and Yeosang."

"I mean, they both work at the firm. I don't think it's that weird if they're hanging out."

"I guess. I just didn't realize he was making other friends."

Hongjoong could hear a twinge of jealousy in Seonghwa and remembered the strangely intimate relationship Seonghwa seemed to share with Jongho. He realized with a start that Jongho did seem very invested in his conversation.

"Ohhhhh."

Seonghwa looked over at Hongjoong.

"What?"

Hongjoong looked up at him.

"You're curious about Jongho's new boy."

"What!?"

"Because he hasn't been hanging out with you anymore. Did you guys have a fight again?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You two had that really intense fight after work one day and it seems like you haven't been as close since. Did you...break up?"

Seonghwa stared at him.

Then he started laughing.

"Wait—you thought—me and Jongho!?"

"It was a reasonable conclusion!" Hongjoong retorted, his face hot with embarrassment. Although he couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. Seonghwa wasn't dating him. So maybe, he wasn't dating anyone.

But he couldn't date Hongjoong anyways. Not with everything he'd been hiding from Seonghwa. Not to mention everything Seonghwa was hiding from him.

"I guess it's understandable. He's very protective of me. We're just long-time friends."

Finally the elevator doors opened, saving Hongjoong from his embarrassment and he rushed forwards towards the room.

As he scanned his key card, Seonghwa's hand reached his own and held it, stopping it from opening the door.

"I guess now you know that I'm single."

Hongjoong felt a bead of sweat drip down the back of his neck. Seonghwa was really close to him.

"I'll make sure to tell all the women at the firm. I'm sure they'll be delighted."

Hongjoong tried again to open the door but was stopped. His heart was pounding.

"I'm not really into women."

Hongjoong could have exploded right there. So he really was reading Seonghwa right. There really was a chance that he liked him. A tiny little sliver of a chance, but a chance nonetheless.

"Then I'll tell all the men," Hongjoong mustered, finally able to get into the room.

He burst through the door and moved to the far side of the room, keeping as much distance as possible between the two of them.

He couldn't give in to his feelings. He would compromise the mission.

He couldn't let Seonghwa deceive him.

He had to stay focused.

But Seonghwa was just laughing as he started to dress for bed.

"You're really fun to tease, I'm sorry."

"You should be," Hongjoong pouted.

"How can I make it up to you?"

Hongjoong could think of a lot of ways.

He hit himself in the face. Now was not the time.

"You owe me a donut tomorrow."

"A donut?"

Seonghwa looked over at him, his shirt halfway on. Hongjoong dared a quick glance down at his toned stomach and quickly looked back up.

"Yes. A donut."

"What kind?"

Hongjoong thought for a moment, bouncing his legs on the bed

"Mmmm, chocolate frosted with sprinkles."

"Sprinkles?"

"Do you have a problem with my taste in donut?"

"No! It's just—I like sprinkles, too," Seonghwa smiled and Hongjoong felt like he was going to pass away.

"Alright. Then it's settled."

Seonghwa nodded and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Hongjoong took advantage of the alone time and started to change before Seonghwa could make him uncomfortable about it.

Little did he know, Seonghwa was peeking in the mirror through the crack in the door.

Finally Seonghwa was done and Hongjoong took over the bathroom. Seonghwa moved towards his suitcase and reorganized anything he'd taken out as it was looking a bit messy.

Feeling the suitcase was tidy enough, he stood and moved to walk towards his bed but caught his shin on the bed frame and tumbled backwards.