Royal Untamed || Hyunin

Chapter 22

Jeongin blinked sleepily as he registered the slight shift in the mattress beside him, his gaze slowly focusing on the figure of Hyunjin seated at the edge of the bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he sat up, a yawn escaping from his lips.

"Did I wake you up?" Hyunjin's voice was soft, filled with concern as he turned to look at Jeongin.

Jeongin shook his head, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "No, I was already awake," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hyunjin smiled gently, his eyes warm with affection. "I came last night," he explained, his tone reassuring. "You even poked me to confirm it was really me."

A blush crept up Jeongin's cheeks at the reminder, embarrassment washing over him. "I-I did?" he stammered, feeling a sudden rush of self-consciousness, acting naïve.

Hyunjin chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Jeongin's hair affectionately. "Yes, you did," he confirmed, his touch gentle and comforting. "But it's okay. I knew you were just making sure I was real."

Jeongin nodded sheepishly, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "I'm sorry," he apologized, his cheeks still tinged with pink.

"It's nothing to apologize for," Hyunjin reassured him, his smile warm and reassuring. "In fact, it made me realize how much you trust me."

As Jeongin processed Hyunjin's words, a question nagged at the back of his mind. Jeongin's voice was hesitant as he posed the question, his tone gentle and polite. "Hyunjin, may I ask why you came to my room last night?" he inquired, his eyes meeting Hyunjin's with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Hyunjin regarded Jeongin with a soft smile, his expression warm and understanding. "Of course, Jeongin," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "I came because I wanted to make sure you were okay. The guards told me you had come to my door, and I was worried that something might be wrong."

Jeongin's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, touched by Hyunjin's concern for him. "I'm sorry for worrying you," he murmured, feeling a pang of guilt. "I came there because..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.

Hyunjin's expression softened, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. "Because...?" he prompted gently, encouraging Jeongin to continue.

Jeongin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Because I couldn't sleep," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "The darkness... it scares me sometimes. And I had a nightmare last night."

Hyunjin shook his head, reaching out to grasp Jeongin's hand in his own. "Don't be sorry," he said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Jeongin nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over him at Hyunjin's thoughtfulness. "Thank you for coming last night," he said sincerely, his eyes reflecting his appreciation.

"It's the least I could do," Hyunjin replied, his gaze never wavering from Jeongin's. "You mean a lot to me, Jeongin, and I'll always be here for you."

As Jeongin absorbed Hyunjin's words, he felt a sense of warmth and comfort envelop him, knowing that he was cared for and valued.

Hyunjin stood up from bed rubbing the remnants of sleep away from his face. He caught the subtle movement from the corner of his eye, noticing Jeongin's bashful reaction as he reached for his robe. The faint flush coloring Jeongin's cheeks did not escape Hyunjin's notice, and he couldn't help but feel a fondness for the younger boy's innocence.

With a small smile, Hyunjin draped the robe over his shoulders, the soft fabric falling loosely around him. "I'll be heading back to my own room now," he said gently, his tone reassuring. "Thank you for letting me stay."