"Yah, Lee Donghae!"

Donghae appeared a few seconds later only to find Hyukjae half- in the room.

"What's wrong?"

"Let me see your fingernails."

"...What?" 

"Give me your hands, come here."

Donghae obeyed, confusion evident in his eyes.

Hyukjae examined his hands and sighed heavily. "I knew it."

"Hyukjae, what the are you talking about?"

Hyukjae turned around, showing him his back. 

A small "oh" escaped the younger man's lips as he noticed three pink lines on each side of his boyfriend's back, and ones closer to his , disappearing under the fabric of his pants.

Hyukjae stood in front of him again with his arms crossed.

"I-- does it hurt a lot?" 

"That's not the point, Donghae. I'm going to the gym now."

Hae gulped. He felt bad for making Hyukjae have to give an explanation to his gym mates, but somehow he was pleased at the idea of someone seeing those scratches, and his mind flew to the hectic morning of that day. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't do it with any bad intention."

Hyukjae sighed.

"Just clip your nails a little more next time, so the mark disappears faster."

Donghae nodded.

"I'm really sorry."

Hyukjae looked at him for a few seconds and then snorted, smiling. 

"Don't be sorry. It actually does feel a little good."

They both laughed. Donghae ran his hands down his boyfriend's back and enjoyed watching him jump a little at the soft burning sensation.

"Well, if they ask you just say you got lucky last night." 

"What if I tell them that my boyfriend loves to leave little marks on my body when we have ?"

"That's not true. I-I always do it unintentionally."

"But then you stare at the result."

Donghae pouted.

"Stop teasing me." 

Hyukjae smiled and massaged his shoulders.

"Did you need anything else?"

He nodded. "I wanted you to give me my goodbye kiss."

"You're leaving already?"

"It's already eight o'clock, I'm actually late."

Donghae frowned. He looked towards the window, it was dark outside. 

He sighed. "I didn't notice."

"You've been in that office for a while." Hyukjae his cheek gently with a finger.

"You know you can come talk to me anytime, right?"

"I know. I didn't wanna distract you. But when I come back, I'll bring something for you to eat. Do you want something special?"

Donghae looked up, thinking.

"Chocolate?" Hyukjae smiled at him, showing his gums.

"Good. Now give me a kiss."

Donghae laughed, wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck and they kissed in between smiles. 

Hyukjae put on his T-shirt and a sweatshirt and left the apartment, not without asking the younger one to take a twenty minute break.