Jin's eyes darted to the black leather-bound book on the nightstand, widening in instant panic.
He shoved Alex aside without a second thought and snatched it up, flipping it open frantically. A long, breathless sigh of relief escaped his lips when he realized it was just his recipe book and not his diary.
"What's wrong, Jin?" Alex asked, genuine concern lacing his voice as he stepped closer.
"It's nothing," Jin replied quickly, closing the book with a soft thud.
"I hope I didn't mess anything up... I just grabbed it off the nightstand while I was waiting for you," Alex said softly, taking Jin's hand and looking at him apologetically.
"It's just a recipe book. There's nothing wrong with reading about food," Jin said, his voice softening as he gently squeezed Alex's hand back. "Let's just put this behind us and get to bed."
With that, Jin walked over to the chest of drawers and pulled out his clothes for the night. Alex took off his slippers and climbed onto the bed.After being fully dressed, Jin climbed onto the bed. He unfolded the blanket resting in the corner and draped it over Alex and himself. Alex remained quiet and completely still, as though he had already fallen asleep. Jin didn't bother checking since Alex was facing away from him.
Lying down comfortably, Jin felt the tension drain from his body after the non-stop hard work since yesterday.
"This is perfect," Jin thought, a faint smile touching his lips.
The silence of the room settled in, paired with the soft rustle of the night breeze passing through the trees outside.Jin closed his eyes for a moment. He felt relaxed, yet a bit hollow for dodging cuddle time earlier.
"Hey, Alex..." he called softly.
Alex didn't move, staying completely quiet.
"Let's cuddle. I know you're eager, even if you're trying to brush it off," Jin said casually.
Immediately, Alex turned to face him with a wide smile. Jin was caught off guard by his sudden enthusiasm as Alex wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Oh, Jin! I knew you wouldn't lie to me!" Alex said happily.
Jin struggled for a moment before breaking free from the suffocating grip. "Easy now. This is night cuddling, not strangling, Alex," Jin said, instantly regretting bringing up the idea in the first place.
"I'm sorry... I just feel so happy," Alex replied.
Seeing his genuine joy, Jin couldn't stay annoyed and leaned into the moment.
Suddenly, Alex's eyes grew heavy. "That's strange..."
"What's wrong?" Jin asked.
"I'm feeling sleepy out of nowhere. I really wanted this moment to last," Alex murmured sleepily.
"You must be exhausted. Don't fight it... just sleep," Jin said softly, gently running a hand through Alex's hair.
"Good night," Alex wished him, pressing a quick kiss to Jin's cheek before sleep claimed him.
Jin froze, his mouth agape and his eyes wide as a deep blush flushed across his face. Instinctively covering his warm face, a smile slipped through despite his shock. He glanced at the fast-asleep Alex, then turned towards the ceiling, letting out a long sigh at his own endless blushing. The house was quiet and dark, offering the perfect refuge to rest and deal with these overwhelming feelings tomorrow. Within moments, sleep claimed Jin as well.
Far from the village settlement, deep in the outskirts, Gloria's old wooden house was rotting away,some parts crumbling into ash without ever touching fire.
"It's already been hours... when is her soul weakening?" Gloria spoke to her reflection in the mirror. "I don't sense its presence, which means it must be on its way to me, right?"
Outside the mirror, she appeared human. But within the glass, her true form was laid bare. Decaying grey skin which was heavily wrinkled, and a massive pumpkin-shaped head with sparse strands of hair clinging to the scalp.
"I shall have it tomorrow if it doesn't find its way to me tonight. Besides, Estadey is coming to visit tomorrow," Gloria muttered to herself, walking over to her rocking chair and sitting down.
A moment later, her raspy cackle echoed through the decaying room once again.The morning light seeped into Jin's room, enveloping him in the quiet reminder of a new day. His eyes flickered against the brightness filtering across his face. Wincing slightly, he turned away towards the far edge of the bed before slowly opening his eyes.
As his surroundings came into focus, he realized Alex was nowhere to be seen. Jin reached across to the side where Alex had been sleeping, only to feel cold sheets.
"He must have left really early," Jin thought, a small wave of disappointment settling in his chest.
"I expected a morning kiss at least," he added in his head, gently tracing the cheek where Alex had kissed him the night before.