Jean stirred awake, blinking against the faint light slipping past the curtains. The glass room was gone. Grey walls surrounded him now, muted and simple, yet the atmosphere felt oddly calm. What really caught him off guard was the weight at his side—Rai, sprawled half against him, breathing evenly like the world had never asked him to be sharp.
Jean scowled at how… peaceful he looked. Without thinking, he pinched Rai's nose.
Rai groaned awake, eyes half-lidded as he cracked a sleepy smirk. Instead of swatting Jean away, he leaned forward and bumped their noses together lazily. "Really? That's how you wake people?"
Jean arched a brow. "What? You want me to kiss you awake instead?"
"Not opposed," Rai murmured, voice low and teasing. "But I was thinking of something else." He shifted closer, their faces barely inches apart now. "How about a date tomorrow?"
Jean's laugh was short, dry. "A date? You sound like some lovesick teenager. What's next? Roses and candlelight?"
"Wouldn't hurt," Rai shot back smoothly, though his grin was more wolfish than romantic. "Don't worry—You'll not end up in jail. "
Jean narrowed his eyes, trying—and failing—to hide the warmth tugging at his lips. "Bold of you to assume I'd even show up."
"Oh, you will," Rai said, smug as ever.
Jean gave a scoff, turning away to mask the small, reluctant smile threatening to break free. "We'll see, detective."
Jean tugged the blanket up. "So this 'date' you're babbling about. Where exactly?"
Rai stretched, that lazy-cat grin plastered on his face. "Shopping."
Jean blinked. "Shopping? That's your grand plan?"
"Of course," Rai replied, completely serious. "I need new clothes."
_____
Jean rubbed his eyes as Rai tugged him along the glassy corridor of the mall.
"Why do I feel like this 'date' is just you dragging me around until I collapse?" he muttered.
Rai gave him a sly smile, tightening his grip. "Collapse? That happened yesterday in the glass room. I'd say I already did my job."
Jean's cheeks flared red. "You—! Not in public, perv-."
"Fine, fine." Rai smirked but didn't let go. Instead, he halted in front of a grand wedding boutique. Inside, rows of pristine tuxedos and ivory gowns glimmered beneath the chandeliers.
Jean blinked. "What the hell. We don't need—"
"We don't need them yet," Rai cut him off, dragging him inside. "But you'd look good in black silk. Try one for me."
Jean stared, half in disbelief, half in exasperation. "You're unbelievable. This is not what people do on a first date."
"This isn't a first date." Rai leaned closer, his breath tickling Jean's ear. "This is practice."
Before Jean could argue further, a voice rang out across the boutique.
"Sam?" Jean's head snapped around—and froze.
There, near the fitting room, stood Sam… and right behind him, Sage, his hands casually tucked in his pockets, like he owned the place.
Jean's eyes widened. "What are you doing here?!" His gaze darted to the racks of wedding suits. "Sam—don't tell me… wedding? With him?! I don't approve! You're thinking way too rashly. Think again!"
Sam choked, horrified. Sage almost cursed on the spot, but instead his lips curled into that cruelly sarcastic smile.
"And you," Sage said smoothly, "are who, exactly, to judge his partner?"
"It's my right!" Jean shot back without hesitation.
Sage arched a brow, half amused, half annoyed. Behind them, Sam slapped his palm over his face. He quickly stepped forward, locking eyes with Rai in silent desperation.
"Jean," Sam said sharply, grabbing his shoulder, "it's not what you think. Didn't you read my messages? I told you yesterday. My sister Sonia's engagement."
Jean blinked. He hadn't. Yesterday he was too busy getting wrecked in the glass room by Rai, and this morning his phone died. He coughed awkwardly. "My… phone broke."
Even Sage's unimpressed stare said seriously? That's your excuse? Then his gaze flicked to Rai, his smirk sharpening, almost like: Nice work. Only you could keep him that occupied.
Sam shook his head but dropped it. "Forget it. What about you two?"
"Date," Rai answered instantly, with zero hesitation.
"Ohhh." Sage's tone carried more teasing than surprise.
Jean jumped in to cover, though his ears were red. "Well, looks like shopping was a good idea. I should pick a suit for Sonia's engagement."
Sam seized the chance and dragged him deeper into the boutique. "Exactly. Come on, we'll help each other pick."
Rai and Sage stood at the entrance a beat longer, glaring.
"You had to pick this mall," Sage muttered.
"You had to come today of all times," Rai shot back.
Before the tension could snap, Jean and Sam's voices echoed from the racks. "Hey! Both of you—come here! Try these suits!"
_____
From the couch, Rai leaned forward, jaw clenched. His wine glass hadn't moved in five minutes. Beside him, Sage sat stiff as a board, looking like a CEO at war council—but his eyes were glued to the dressing rooms.
And then they came out.
Jean first—white net shirt, practically transparent, blazer hanging on a single button like it had given up on life. Each step was arrogant, too slow, deliberate. The boutique lights traced the sharp cut of his waist and the teasing outline underneath.
Rai swallowed so hard it echoed in his skull. "What's the purpose of this shirt if it hides nothing?!" he hissed under his breath. His hand twitched toward his tie like he was seconds from strangling a designer.
Then Sam followed.
Black silk. V-neck so deep the neckline nearly declared war, silver chain glittering across the bare back, and a black nap tied snugly around his throat like a promise. He strutted, hips swaying just enough to mock the wolves waiting.
Sage actually growled. Growled. One hand clenched the armrest so hard the wood complained. His brain wasn't in the boutique anymore; it was in his bedroom with that nap serving as a collar.
The boutique staff squealed. "So stylish! Such confidence! You two look amazing together!"
"Together," Sage repeated, tone flat enough to kill a man.
Rai glanced at him, lip curling. "Control your jealousy, old man."
"Jealousy?" Sage snapped, teeth flashing. "Your brat is practically naked in public."
"And yours isn't?" Rai shot back, voice tight. "Backless?"
Sam and Jean, overhearing every word, smirked in sync. On cue, they linked arms at the end of the "ramp" and struck a couple pose, leaning into each other like they'd practiced it. Jean tilted his head on Sam's shoulder. Sam even blew a kiss toward Sage.
The shop girls screamed. Phones came out. Cameras flashed.
Sage stood so abruptly the chair screeched. "This is over."
Rai stood at the same time. "Agreed."
The two glared at each other, two wolves on the verge of violence. Meanwhile, Jean and Sam walked back with smug struts, whispering:
"They look like they're about to kill us."
"Good. That means it worked."
The moment Sage's hand twitched toward Sam's waist and Rai leaned closer to Jean, a loud cackle cracked through the boutique.
Jake and Prez were practically rolling on the floor, laughing their lungs out.
Sage froze, jaw tightening. Who the hell—
Sage: "What are they doing here now?"
Sam, deadpan: "Maybe shopping. They're invited to the wedding too."
Jean pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sam… do you even remember which store we're standing in right now?"
Sam blinked. Then realization hit. "…Ahh shit. It's Prez's."
Rai whipped his head around, incredulous. "This wedding boutique is Prez's?"
Sage arched a brow. "Does her father know?"
Jean: "She's using a fake name."
Sam corrected with a sigh: "Stage name. More accurately."
Right on cue, Prez strolled toward them with the flair of a diva caught in her own spotlight. "Oh hello, hello, hello… You're exposing me so randomly."
The staff all bowed their heads in respect, but Prez just waved casually. "Heads up, please. No bowing."
Sage studied her, his voice cool but tinged with approval. "You're successful, I see."
Prez flipped her hair. "Of course. My passion."
Sam crossed his arms. "I don't even get why you're still studying medicine."
Jake swooped in from behind, nearly knocking into Sam and Jean. "Because her dad's forcing her. What can that poor girl do?"
Rai, eye twitching: "…At first, what are you doing here?"
Prez: "Shopping, obviously. Thought we'd get a head start for Sonia's engagement. We were about to leave when we heard your commotion."
Jake's smug grin spread like wildfire. "By the way… you all are looking hot, huh."
That smug look was so punchable Sage and Rai's fists itched in sync.
Then Jake leaned closer, voice smooth with mischief. "Since it's such a happy occasion… why don't you treat us, Mr. Sage?"
Rai narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly is the… happy occasion?"
Jake, unfazed: "Oh come on, Rai. Mr. Sage's relative is getting married. Obviously he should treat us."
Sage finally smirked, slow and sharp, the kind that made Sam roll his eyes on reflex. For once, he actually seemed entertained by Jake's audacity.
Prez, meanwhile, was half-bent over, choking on her own laughter.
And then, with casual flourish, Sage slipped his black card onto the counter. "Order what you want."
None of them were about to miss out on free lunch.