"You're just trying to make an excuse to get away from me," he said, holding Jin tightly in his arms.
Jin was still struggling to pull away from Alex as the water continued to heat up. "So, you prefer being boiled alive, right?" Jin asked.
"Well, I haven't thought that through but if it keeps us like this, then no regrets," Alex replied confidently, a wide smile breaking across his face.
"If that's how it is, then you should sleep in your own room tonight. No cuddles for stubborn boys like you," Jin said, pouting in annoyance.
Alex found Jin's expression adorable, but the threat filled him with sudden dread. He immediately let go of Jin. "There! I listened. Cuddles are back on the table, right?" he pleaded.
Jin sighed softly, reaching down to pull the heat gems out of the water.
"Jin, I think we should go now," Alex said.
"Why are you in such a hurry all of a sudden?" Jin asked.
"So the cuddles can last longer," Alex replied calmly.
"I see..." Jin murmured. "Why don't you head out first so I can clean up in here?" He stood up and stepped out of the tub.Jin walked towards the door, unhooked his towel, and wrapped it securely around his waist.
Alex froze, completely mesmerized by Jin's appearance,his wet hair dripping water down his neck, his bare upper body on full display, and the towel hugging his hips. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Jin walking right up to him.
"Alex... excuse me... Alex!" Jin called out, snapping him back to reality.
Realizing just how close he was to Jin's chest as he bent down to meet his gaze, Alex blushed instantly.
"Don't be shy we have both been naked for a while, okay? Hurry up and get out of the tub. I need to finish cleaning up in here," Jin said.
"No, it's fine. I can help as well," Alex assured him."I can manage. "he said. But even after Jin's refusal, Alex still felt the urge to help.
"But I can—" Alex cut himself off the moment he saw Jin's serious expression.
"Go get dressed. I'll meet you in my room," Jin told him.
Defeated, Alex stood up, stepped out of the tub, and grabbed his towel. "Jin..." he called out softly.
Jin turned around to look at him.
"I'll be waiting," Alex said with a gentle smile before stepping out and then closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Jin felt his face flush hot from those simple three words. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he smiled and went back to cleaning up.By the time Jin was done cleaning, his damp hair was mostly dry, and his skin had cooled down.
"I think I've wasted enough time in here. I'm certain Alex has already gone to bed," he muttered to himself, feeling smug about his brilliant escape plan.
He walked over to the bathroom door and cracked it open. The corridor was completely clear. "Check," he whispered.
He slipped out into the hallway and peered into the kitchen...it was empty. "Check," he said again, a wave of relief washing over him.
Finally, he peeked into the living room and found it deserted as well. Jin grinned widely, resting his hands proudly on his hips. "Perfect!"
Victorious, Jin sauntered off to his bedroom. He pushed the door open, stepped inside and froze instantly.
If it were physically possible, his eyes would have popped straight out of his head. His jaw dropped in utter shock. "Al... Alex!" Jin nearly choked on the name.
Alex swiftly stood up from the bed and wrapped Jin in a tight, affectionate embrace. "I was starting to think you weren't coming, but I stayed right here waiting for you." Alex said, his voice brimming with happiness.
"I spent nearly an hour in there! I literally even had time to sit down and outline the entire menu preparation for next season's restaurant festival." Jin complained frantically in his head.
Sensing how rigid Jin felt in his arms, Alex pulled back slightly, only to find Jin staring in space with furrowed eyebrows and a look of complete, stunned disbelief.
"Uhm... Jin?" Alex called out hesitantly.
Jin snapped back to reality and offered a forced, nervous smile. "What on earth were you doing the entire time I was gone?"
"Reading that book," Alex replied calmly, gesturing towards the nightstand.