We Live Together Now

In the center was a body no bigger than a bean, with long legs extending outward, bent sharply into an M shape.

The dark-colored legs were dozens of times longer than the body itself, densely covered in fine hairs.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting.”

Jaeyoung wasn’t scared of bugs, but he didn’t like them either, and his expression twisted in displeasure.

The many eyes clustered on the spider’s body scanned for intruders, and threads began to spill from its mouth.

“Aaaah!”

The spider known as the “Orb Weaver” shot its web toward an Esper trapped in the tightly woven net, leaving them unable to move.

Where the thread passed, a deep wound tore open. Even with mosaic censoring, it looked like white bone flashed into view for an instant.

The injured Esper barely managed to escape and was dragged aside with another Esper’s help.

“Is being an Esper really that dangerous?”

Jaeyoung asked, watching with concern.

“Depending on the dungeon difficulty, there are Espers who end up disabled… or even dead.”

Dongjun replied without taking his eyes off the screen.

“If it goes any deeper, that guy could’ve lost his leg. Even Espers can’t avoid injuries completely. Though injuries like that usually heal fast with their physical recovery.”

Listening to him, Jaeyoung couldn’t help thinking again that Saheon seemed to come back injured on purpose.

Then suddenly, Jaeyoung’s ears perked up like a guard dog.

“Where are you going all of a sudden?”

Dongjun asked, glancing between the screen and Jaeyoung.

At the same time, the door flew open.

“Hyung! You’re back early today!”

Saheon froze mid-step when Jaeyoung rushed out to greet him, clearly sensing other people inside.

“Oh—hello!”

“Th-thank you for your hard work today, hyung.”

Startled, Mintae came out of the computer room to greet him as well.

“I told you to send them home before I got back.”

Saheon’s cold gaze swept over Dongjun and Mintae before settling on Jaeyoung.

“My aunt made monkfish stew today. There was too much, so I invited them over.”

Jaeyoung replied calmly, trailing behind Saheon without a hint of fear.

“You’re often not home for dinner, so I didn’t get a chance to ask first. I’ll make sure to tell you next time.”

His voice was gentle and matter-of-fact.

When Saheon tossed his clothes aside, Jaeyoung naturally caught them.

Watching their effortless back-and-forth, the two friends exchanged glances, unsettled.

Jaeyoung noticed and quietly closed the dressing room door behind them.

It felt cruel to make his friends suffer existential despair by seeing Saheon’s body.

“When I get back, we’re supposed to guide. Are you sure it’s okay for them to see that?”

Saheon tapped Jaeyoung’s cheek, curling his lips into a subtle smile.

That look alone made Jaeyoung’s face heat up.

Guiding before entering the bedroom was nothing serious, but knowing that didn’t stop his mouth from going dry.

“I’ll feed them and send them off quickly.”

“And?”

“And I’ll contact you first next time.”

Satisfied, Saheon smiled and headed back into the dressing room with fresh clothes.

Jaeyoung wasn’t woken by sunlight or clattering sounds.

It was the heavy weight pressing down on him.

“Mmm…”

The damp sensation on his lips made him groan and shake his head.

For a moment, he thought a cat he didn’t even own had climbed onto his chest.

But cats weren’t this smooth.

“Hh… hyung, first thing in the morning…”

He whined groggily, barely opening his eyes.

When he looked down, his clothes were tented upward.

“You said you had to leave early today.”

Saheon spoke, his hot breath muffled from beneath Jaeyoung’s shirt.

The temperature difference sent shivers down Jaeyoung’s spine.

The warm hands that should’ve comforted him instead fed their own desire.

“I set an alarm…!”

Jaeyoung twisted his head to look at the digital clock and cried out indignantly.

“That’s for when you get ready for school.”

“And before that, you have to take care of me.”

Saheon declared shamelessly as he surfaced from beneath Jaeyoung’s shirt, lifting him to lean against his chest.

“I’m tired…”

Even while whining, Jaeyoung obediently lifted his arms when Saheon tugged up his shirt hem.

“You can sleep at school.”

Saheon wrapped his arms around Jaeyoung’s soft, half-awake body like he was coated in honey.

He already knew Jaeyoung’s cheeks were addictive.

Turns out the rest of him was too.

“I’ll make breakfast, go wash up.”

Some time later, Saheon tapped Jaeyoung’s head and got out of bed.

Left behind, Jaeyoung pressed the back of his hand to his burning lips.

Only when the alarm rang did he finally get up.

Saheon was plating rice when he heard footsteps approaching.

He looked up and frowned when Jaeyoung came out with wet hair.

“Dry your hair properly.”

His voice was low and firm.

Unlike an Esper’s body, Guides bruised easily, leaving marks that lasted all day.

“It’ll dry by the time I’m done eating.”

Jaeyoung brushed off the familiar scolding and hurried over.

Saheon sighed at the audacity.

Even Haewoon would never dare act like this.

“I’m starving. What’s for breakfast?”

Jaeyoung scanned the table cheerfully.

Balanced, delicious dishes filled it.

If he lived alone, he’d never eat like this.

“Did my aunt come by early?”

His eyes lit up when he spotted the braised ribs.

The housekeeper came every two or three days to clean and prepare side dishes.

Since Saheon hated having people over when he was home, she only came while he was out.

Jaeyoung had barely ever seen her.

“…Yeah.”

Saheon answered reluctantly, watching Jaeyoung talk endlessly.

Jaeyoung smiled and sat down.

Steam rose from the perfectly prepared rice.

“Thank you for the meal!”

He dug straight into the ribs.

Saheon sat across from him.

“Wow, this is amazing!”

Jaeyoung’s eyes glistened with delight.

Saheon watched his expressions shift with fascination.

“This alone could get me through two bowls of rice.”

Watching Jaeyoung talk excitedly, Saheon found himself smiling unconsciously.

Then he noticed Jaeyoung reaching for his phone.

“You were about to eat the bowl too. What’re you doing?”

“I’m texting my aunt to tell her it’s really good.”

Jaeyoung answered, glancing up.

Saheon’s expression turned strange.

“You contact her separately?”

“Feedback makes things easier for her, and more efficient.”

Jaeyoung replied casually.

Saheon let out a quiet laugh.

So that’s why the food and housekeeping kept improving.

No doubt Jaeyoung only ever sent praise.

“Should I not?”

Jaeyoung checked Saheon’s reaction.

He always looked careless, but he knew where the line was.

“If it’s not tiring for you, it’s fine.”

What mattered most to Saheon now was his Guide’s safety.

If the housekeeper could help keep Jaeyoung home, all the better.

Possession flickered darkly in his eyes.

“I didn’t know you were this gentle, hyung.”

Jaeyoung said suddenly.

Saheon stiffened.

Gentle was not a word anyone used for him.

“You even let my friends come over and set up multiple computers.”

Jaeyoung smiled brightly, clearly aware Saheon wasn’t angry.

In the end, Saheon said nothing and lowered his gaze.

Rare, for someone who never held back.

“Want me to drive you?”

Saheon asked after glancing at Jaeyoung’s empty bowl.

“No.”

Jaeyoung shook his head firmly.

Saheon frowned.

“Do you know how many people in this country recognize my car?”

That was why Saheon had never driven him outside.

To keep Jaeyoung inside, he’d filled the house with screens, a home theater, a pool, and every game console imaginable.

“I’ll just buy another one.”

Saheon snapped, sounding more petulant than angry.

“More importantly, I’ll be late today.”

Saheon turned slowly at the words.

“Want me to pick you up?”

“No.”

“Then why tell me you’ll be late?”

Jaeyoung hesitated.

“Because we live together. If I don’t say anything, you’ll worry.”

“…Will I?”

Saheon looked genuinely confused.

Different lives, different norms.

“Then you should tell me too when you’re late.”

Jaeyoung looked up at him with clear eyes, gripping his arm.

He wasn’t letting go without an answer.

“I might leave while you’re asleep.”

Saheon shot back stubbornly.

“Then leave a text.”

“…Fine.”

Reluctant, Saheon gave in.

Jaeyoung beamed.

Not something written into any contract, yet Saheon agreed.

That alone made Jaeyoung feel strangely warm.