The clock struck 3 AM.

Outside, the city was silent, its neon lights flickering like distant stars. But inside the dimly lit apartment, the air was thick with heat, tension, and an insatiable hunger that refused to be tamed.

The door slammed open with a thud, shaking slightly from the force as two figures stumbled inside. Their bodies were tangled together, their lips locked in a feverish, unrelenting kiss. Hands roamed freely, desperate and greedy, as if they had been starved for each other for far too long.

Aou let out a husky breath against Boom's lips, his fingers slipping beneath the elder's shirt, trailing over the warm skin beneath. A shiver ran down Boom's spine, the soft, teasing touch quickly turning into something far more electrifying. The heat between them intensified, their bodies pressing even closer as the kiss grew deeper, more urgent.

"Damn it, I missed you." Aou murmured between kisses, his voice thick with need as he pulled Boom even closer, their bodies molding together as if they belonged that way.

Boom let out a breathy chuckle, his lips brushing against Aou’s in a teasing whisper. "We were apart for just a day, Aou..." he said, his voice laced with amusement.

But before he could say more, his words dissolved into a sharp gasp as Aou’s lips latched onto his neck.

Devouring.

Marking.

Possessing.

Boom's fingers curled into Aou's shirt, his breath hitching when the younger's teeth grazed his sensitive skin.

Aou was relentless: his lips moved with purpose, leaving behind dark, possessive marks as if staking his claim. Boom's knees nearly buckled from the overwhelming sensation, his body melting under Aou's touch.

Aou groaned in satisfaction at the response, his desire spiking at the sound of Boom’s breathless moans. He couldn’t hold back anymore.

With ease, he lifted Boom into his arms, causing the elder to gasp before instinctively wrapping his legs around Aou’s waist.

Then, slam.

Boom's back hit the cold wall, the contrast of warmth and chill sending another shiver through his body.

"Aou..." he whispered, his voice shaky but full of need.

Aou didn’t give him a chance to say more. He crashed their lips together again, kissing him with raw intensity, his hands gripping Boom's thighs as if he never wanted to let go.

Boom responded just as fiercely, his fingers threading into Aou's dark hair, pulling him even closer. Their bodies moved in sync, heat radiating between them, the air around them crackling with unspoken promises.

And then..

A sudden vibration echoed through the heated silence.

Aou's phone.

Aou froze, a frustrated groan escaping his lips. His head dropped to Boom's shoulder, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths.

"Who the hell is ruining my moment?" he muttered darkly.

Boom chuckled softly, his fingers lazily brushing through Aou’s hair. He loved this side of his lover—the frustration, the barely-contained anger, the intensity that never faded.

Aou let out an exasperated sigh before reluctantly pulling away, ignoring Boom's small whimper of protest. He shifted, walking toward the living room, gently lowering Boom onto the plush couch. His hands lingered on Boom's waist for a second longer before he finally reached for his phone.

Not bothering to check the caller ID, he answered in a sharp, "You bastard."

A deep chuckle came from the other end. "That's not a very nice way to greet your boss, Aou."

Aou rolled his eyes.

Sky.

Sky—the one person who could get under his skin without even trying. His best friend, his boss, the man who ruled the underworld with an iron grip.

"You always call at the worst possible time, Sky. When are you going to learn to leave me alone after I get home?" Aou snapped, rubbing his temple in irritation.

"If I didn't, who else would remind your dumbass to be on time?" Sky retorted, his voice laced with amusement.

"Tch. Just say whatever you have to say, and make it fast."

Sky let out another chuckle before his tone shifted to something more serious. "You better be in the office on time tomorrow. We have multiple consignments arriving, and there's unfinished business that needs to be handled."

Aou sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "If you weren't my best friend, I would've broken your jaw by now. Fine. I’ll be there on time."

"Be grateful that I even bothered to call you. I had to ruin my precious sleep for this."

Aou scoffed.

"As if I care, asshole."

The call ended with another low chuckle from Sky before the line went dead.

Aou sighed, shoving his phone into his pocket before turning his attention back to Boom—only to find the elder already watching him, his eyes dark, lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"Enjoying the view?" Aou teased, raising a brow.

Boom tilted his head, his gaze dragging over Aou's face before he slowly stood up from the couch. Without a word, he closed the distance between them and grabbed Aou by the collar, yanking him down until their faces were mere inches apart.

"Do you know," Boom whispered, his voice low, teasing, dangerously enticing, "you look ridiculously hot when you're angry?"

Aou smirked. "Oh? Is that so—"

Before he could finish, Boom fisted his hand into Aou's hair and pulled him into a deep, searing kiss.

Aou groaned into it, his body instantly responding, his arms wrapping around Boom's waist as he pressed their bodies flush together. Boom wasn't gentle this time—his fingers tugged at Aou's hair, his lips moving feverishly against his, as if punishing him for daring to answer the call in the first place.

Aou chuckled into the kiss before tightening his grip on Boom’s waist and spinning them around, pressing Boom against the wall once more.

"Guess I have no choice but to make it up to you, huh?" Aou murmured against his lips, voice dark and teasing.

Boom smirked, his fingers tracing over Aou's jaw before whispering, "You better."

And just like that, the world outside ceased to exist.

The night stretched on, filled with hushed whispers, fevered touches, and the unrelenting pull of passion that neither of them had any intention of resisting.

🂾

Meanwhile, across the city in a high-rise penthouse, Sky lay sprawled on his luxurious king-sized bed, his arm draped over his forehead, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. The dim glow of city lights seeped through the half-drawn curtains, casting faint streaks of gold and blue over his chiseled features.

Yet, no matter how still he lay, sleep refused to come.

His conversation with Aou had long ended, but something gnawed at the edges of his mind, keeping him restless.

A presence.

A disturbance.

Somewhere, someone with unshakable determination was meddling, trying to pry too deep into his world—his empire.

Sky exhaled slowly, his lips curving into a dark smirk.

Fool.

They had no idea who they were dealing with.

The mere thought of some poor bastard thinking they could unravel the secrets of his underworld amused him, enough to stir something dangerous inside him.

Did they not know?

No one pried into Sky's business and lived to tell the tale.

Letting out a low chuckle, Sky sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. His body was a masterpiece of raw strength, muscles shifting as he moved with calculated ease. He reached behind his neck, gripping the hem of his black tank top before pulling it off in one swift motion.

The cool air of the penthouse kissed his bare skin, but he didn't shiver.

He never did.

Sky rose to his feet, walking across the dimly lit room toward the steel pull-up bar mounted high against the wall. His fingers wrapped around the cold metal as he pulled himself up effortlessly, muscles flexing, veins tracing intricate lines across his arms.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

Each pull was steady, controlled, almost hypnotic. It wasn't about working out—it was about control.

Strength was meaningless without control.

Power meant nothing without domination.

And Sky? He was made to dominate.

As his body moved rhythmically, his mind sharpened. Whoever was digging into his affairs… they'd soon realize that curiosity was a dangerous thing—and Sky was the last man they should've provoked.

As Sky continued his pull-ups, his muscles flexing with each controlled movement, a dangerous smirk curled on his lips. The plan—his plan—had unfolded exactly as he intended.

His gaze flickered toward the heap of stolen case files stacked neatly on the sleek black desk behind him.

A silent trophy.

A reminder of just how easily he could bend the game in his favor.

With one final pull, he let go of the bar, landing effortlessly on the cool marble floor. His bare feet made no sound as he turned, his eyes dark with amusement. He reached for the top file, running his fingers along the edge, his smirk widening as he let out a low, menacing chuckle.

"You thought you were getting closer, didn't you?" he murmured, flipping open the first page.

Poor detective.

He never even realized he was being played.

Sky's phone vibrated against the desk, the dim glow of the screen illuminating the heap of stolen case files beside it.

He didn't have to check to know who it was.

His right-hand man, ever loyal, ever efficient, had sent an update.

Not wanting to disturb his boss' sleep, unaware that Sky wasn't sleeping at all—his right-hand had messaged instead of calling.

"Boss, the information about the detective will be at your desk by morning. We'll make sure he doesn't dig any further into our business. I assure you that."

Sky's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smirk. His sharp eyes flickered toward the screen, amusement dancing within them. He tapped his fingers idly against the desk, his mind already working ahead.

Assurance wasn't enough.

He wanted certainty.

Leaning back, he let his gaze drift over the stack of confidential files—stolen proof, missing pieces from the detective's puzzle.

Every page, every document in his possession was something that could have led the detective closer. And yet, here it was, in Sky's hands, completely out of reach.

A low, dark chuckle rumbled from his chest.

Let him dig.

Sky thought, his fingers ghosting over the papers.

Let him think he's getting closer.

He relished the idea.

The detective, tirelessly chasing ghosts, believing he was piecing together the truth, only to realize, far too late, that he was being led straight into a dead end.

And when the time was right—he would bury him in the very shadows he was so desperate to uncover.

🂾

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Nani found himself unable to rest. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across his sharp features, highlighting the deep furrow between his brows.

His mind, no matter how much he willed it to slow down, refused to let go of the storm brewing within.

The missing case files; a single detail, yet it felt like a boulder crashing down onto an already unsteady foundation.

It wasn't just about stolen documents.

No, this was a warning.

A taunt.

A deliberate move from someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

Nani sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers threaded through his hair as he exhaled sharply. The weight of unsolved mysteries pressed down on him like an invisible force, tightening its grip with every passing second.

He was close.

Too close.

Or... that's what he thought?

And now, the missing files were the cherry on top of an already twisted and intricate puzzle that had been consuming him for weeks.

The room around him was silent, yet his mind roared.

"Even if it takes a decade, I'll find out and expose this whole cult, or whatever the hell they are." His voice was low, but the determination in it was unwavering.

He knew the dangers.

He was well aware that stepping too far into the shadows meant risking his own life.

But if there was one thing he was certain of, it was that his job was never meant to be safe.

"This is my profession. This is the life we choose. We are trained to live with fear, every second, every breath, every step we take."

Nani clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

It wasn't about recognition or proving something to the world.

It was about justice.

The kind of justice that didn't come easy, the kind that required patience, sacrifice, and an unbreakable will.

He would crack this case, no matter how long it took.

Even if it meant walking straight into hell.