DAMIR
The silence in the house was deafening.
After I dodged that kiss, Eli vanished into thin air. At least that's what it felt like. I still showed up every single day. Still dropped gifts on the counter, like clockwork. Hoodies, bracelets, even the new headphones he'd once mentioned wanting. But they remained untouched, stacked in pretty bags with price tags still clinging. The kitchen counter looked like a boutique showroom, and yet not one of those things had been moved. Not even the damn ribbon on the top of the first bag.
He wouldn't look at me. Wouldn't say a word, It stung more than it should have.
Eli didn't shout or throw tantrums. He simply ignored me. Like I didn't exist.
I tried to pretend it didn't bother me. I told myself I had done the right thing, he's my best friend's son. Hell, Juseon trusted me with everything. If he ever found out… no. I couldn't even complete the thought. But none of that made it any easier to ignore how much I missed hearing his voice. Missed the way his eyes would light up when I surprised him with a new drop. Missed… him.
I tried convincing myself that I was just going through something hormonal. A dry spell. That maybe my brain had confused lust for affection. I hadn't touched Eli. I didn't cross the line, right? I was being the adult.
But the weight in my chest grew heavier every time I caught the glimpse of his tight frame passing me by without a glance.
I snapped.
One evening, after Juseon had left for an overnight head board meeting and the house was just us again, I cornered Eli in the hallway.
"Eli….please, wait."
He paused, his hand frozen on the stair railing, but didn't turn to face me.
"I… I just want to talk."
"You already said enough, Damir," he muttered, soft but sharp.
I moved closer, cautiously, as though he might vanish if I stepped wrong.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry for dodging the kiss. I panicked. You're Juseon's son, and…."
"Then why do you keep showing up?" he finally turned, and the raw pain in his eyes knocked the breath out of me.
"Why do you keep bringing gifts if you don't want me?"
"I… I don't know what I want."
"Liar."
He stepped closer. His eyes weren't sad anymore….they were burning.
"What do you really want, Damir?" he whispered. "Do you want me, or are you just playing with me?"
I should've stepped back. Should've shut it all down.
Instead, I said, "I want nothing."
But I couldn't hold my ground. Not when he moved in like that. Not when his lips touched mine.
This time, I didn't pull away.
I lost control.
His mouth tasted like sugar and trouble. His fingers buried in my hair. And before I could even think, I had scooped him up. He wrapped those lean legs around me like they were made for it. His body was soft, warm, sinfully tempting and he was grinding into me like he knew exactly what he was doing.
We were gasping against each other, breathing in each other's air, his lips trailing to my jaw. My fingers gripped his thighs, squeezing like they were the only anchor I had left to the real world.
And then…
Headlights.
The sound of a car door.
Juseon.
The panic hit us both like a bullet.
I put Eli down so fast it was like he burned me. He bolted upstairs without a word, and I stood there, frozen, just long enough to hear the front door open.
"Damir! You're still here?" Juseon's voice was casual.
I forced a breath. "Yeah, just about to head out."
I didn't wait for more.
I left.
That was a week ago.
I haven't gone back since. I haven't answered Eli's messages. Haven't taken his calls. Not because I don't want to but because if I go back, I don't trust myself not to ruin everything.
And if I do… I don't know if I'll want to stop.