An aching pain bit into his lower abdomen, jolting Hiro awake. He blinked rapidly, staring at a broad chest—sturdy, muscular.
A man's.
Hiro narrowed his gaze before it flickered upward—to an alpha whose name he barely knew and one whose chest he was sleeping.
A man.
He jolted upright, scrambling back as he scanned his surroundings. It was certainly his apartment, the same ceiling, the same black couches, the same table at the center of the room and the same dark, small television.
However, the living room looked nothing like the way he usually kept it.
It was a mess!
Wine bottles littered the table; some rolled across the floor when his hand accidentally brushed against one. Glasses—four of them—were scattered about. All empty.
His eyes shifted to Izack, slumped against the couch. He was sleeping in an awkward position, yet shockingly, he didn't wake. Nor did he seem to be in pain like Hiro.
Sunlight swept through the window panes, landing on Izack' auburn hair, making them appear like burning fire. His skin appeared paler than last night. Like a ghost.
A gnawing pain rushed through his body—Hiro's hands shot to his head, gripping it tightly.
"Ah!" he groaned, trying to shake off the ache.
It wasn't unusual. He had been experiencing this for years now. However, every time, it felt as if his head was about to explode.
Hearing the sound, Izack stirred and straightened, his eyes landing on the man before him, moaning in pain.
Without waiting another second, he rushed to the kitchen. Though it was his first morning in the apartment, he remembered where things were. He opened every closet and drawer until he spotted a packet of painkillers. Grabbing it, he poured a glass of water and hurried back to Hiro's side. Without a word, he held out the medicine and water.
Hiro took the pills in one go and set the glass among the others on the table. After a few minutes, the pain dulled, slowly fading.
For some reason, Izack was avoiding his gaze, looking anywhere but at him.
Hiro frowned.
"I should be the one looking away. Why are you naked?" he demanded sharply.
Izack gasped. It seemed he hadn't realized it yet. He quickly grabbed the shirt and pants lying on the floor and slipped into them.
"I could say the same about you…" he muttered.
Hiro raised an eyebrow and glanced down at himself. A sharp gasp escaped him.
"W-What the hell?! Just what happened last night?!"
The two men exchanged a look, like culprits who had committed a crime they couldn't remember. Both tried to piece together the events of the previous night.
After thinking hard enough, Hiro's face suddenly beamed. He hadn't done anything wrong last night. They had simply shared a few drinks. With the heater blasting in his apartment, both of them had begun to sweat. Naturally, they took off their clothes and ended up falling asleep in the living room.
"Ha, ha, ha. Nothing happened," Hiro laughed almost like a madman.
Izack narrowed his gaze, slightly displeased.
What was there to be so happy about?
If something had happened, would Hiro have been upset?
Disappointed?
Sad?
Inhaling sharply, Hiro pulled on his shirt. Just as he was about to put on his pants, the pain in his back flared again.
"Ugh…" he groaned, rubbing the sore spot.
Without realizing it, a soft laugh slipped past Izack's lips.
The man on the floor shot him a glare.
"Are you mocking me?" he demanded, brows knitting together.
Izack shook his head immediately.
"Of course not. It's actually—"
The ringing of a phone cut him off.
He glanced toward his mobile. No light flickered on the screen—it wasn't his but Hiro's.
Luckily, it was right beside Hiro. He barely had to move to answer it—though even that small motion made the pain spike again.
Seeing the caller ID, a faint smile formed on his face, the frown fading right away.
"Good morning."
[Daddy.]
Jin's voice came from the other end—unexpectedly sharp and distant.
"Yes?"Hiro blinked, surprised. He had never heard his son speak to him in this manner before.
[When you coming?]
"Well, the thing is—"
[If you not come today, I not talk to you again!]
"Wait—!"
Before Hiro could continue, the phone disconnected with a dull thud on the other end. A scoff left his lips in disbelief.
"This little…" he groaned, rubbing his temples.
He couldn't drive. Not with his back pain and headache.
But if he doesn't go to his mother's place today, who knew what Jin could do?
The child never spoke in this manner. It means he was truly furious. For a while, he was unable to visit him despite his countless promises. The shooting kept him up until late at night and during weekends, he was summoned to verify every footage with the editing team.
"What happened?" Izack asked hesitantly, noticing the other man's anguished expression.
Hiro looked up at him, a frown plastered on his face despite himself. He had completely forgotten about him.
"You don't have to tell me…" Izack quickly added, afraid he had irritated the man further.
Remaining silent for a moment, Hiro pondered.
There's no way I'll take a taxi. Or a bus. Never. Too many people. Just… No. And a driver for my car? Hard to find on such short notice. Unless…
His gaze trailed back to Izack, causing the man to stiffen and force an awkward smile.
"What is it?" He raised an eyebrow.
"This is all because of you."
Izack tilted his head to the side.
The man before him was nothing like the one he had seen last night. Nor like the man he had been seeing for the past few months on set. He was… different. But Izack couldn't figure out in what way.
What about Hiro was different this morning? Perhaps it was because of the call, but he seemed agitated—nothing like the composed man Izack had known.
"I apologize—"
"You are driving." Hiro sprang to his feet, only to groan again. "Ugh. This damned pain."
"Driving? Where to?"
Just as he was about to enter the washroom, Hiro paused. He turned, his voice soft, "I need to meet someone important."
Then his voice sharpened like the softness from earlier never existed, "Once you drop me off, I'll book a cab for you."
That was the best way to visit Jin. Not taking the public transport he despised. Not leaving his car behind. And sending Izack away before he even met Jin—keeping his son a secret from the world.
Once the man had entered the washroom, Izack lowered himself to the ground, hands covering his face.
"How can he be so unbothered and walk around naked in front of me?…" He murmured, heat rushing to his cheeks, turning red.