A deep, lulling voice spilled through the recording equipment. Ryeowook sat beside the producer, his eyes focused on the mesmerizing performance of his boss. No one else could see him working so hard and with so much passion. Normally, the face Kyuhyun displayed to the world was one of nonchalance.

At these times though, when he worked seriously, Ryeowook could only once again accept this man. If Kyuhyun had been treating his work halfheartedly, then bearing his neediness probably wouldn’t be all that easy.

“Here you go,” Ryeowook held the water bottle up to Kyuhyun when the latter stepped out of the recording room.

Opening his mouth with a chuckle, he let his assistant tip the contents into his mouth. Kyuhyun swallowed and backed up. “Do you think people will get tired of another ballad collection?” he asked.

“You’ve never heard your voice, sir, no one will get tired of it,” Ryeowook said with a small laugh. “Are you done for the night?”

Kyuhyun nodded, taking his jacket from Ryeowook and heading towards the door. “Let’s go. It’s already late.”

They walked in silence through the studio and then finally back to the car. Once inside, Kyuhyun nearly collapsed, head falling onto the smaller figure’s shoulder. He breathed an exhausted sigh, hand resting on the other male’s thigh.

“I guess you don’t want to hear your schedule for tomorrow, huh?” Ryeowook mused, resting his head atop the other’s, and smiled.

“Shut up,” he muttered, laughing deep in his throat.

“It’s okay, Kyuhyun,” whispered Ryeowook, “We’ll be home soon.”

Soft, warm breath blew across the shorter male’s throat and collar, “Finally off-duty?”

“Mmhm…,” he hummed.

Kyuhyun tilted his head up, eyes dark and quiet. There was a long moment of hesitation, his lips curving in a slow smile. Then he inched forward, pressing their lips together, fingers threading through Ryeowook’s hair. Leading him into it, Kyuhyun kissed him once more, lingering. “You let me kiss you…hold you…take you places…so why won’t you admit we’re lovers?” His voice was serious, barely veiled by indifference.

“Because we aren’t lovers,” Ryeowook responded, pulling away from the intimate space. “Isn’t that simple enough?”

The smile faded. “He’s gone. How many times do I have to say that? He’s already gone, so why won’t you let go of him?”

Ryeowook wasn’t fazed though. Looking out the tinted window, he saw the car pulling up to the apartment high-rise. “We’re here.” Pushing the door open, he climbed out and started towards the building. Behind him, he could hear Kyuhyun’s racing footsteps catching up.

A hand closed around Ryeowook’s wrist, jerking him to a stop in the silent lobby. Kyuhyun locked their eyes, pain searing his own deep eyes. “You can’t just avoid this forever. He’s already gone now,” Kyuhyun said in a hushed voice, “He’s not coming back, Ryeowook.”

“Does it make you feel better when you stomp on me?” he asked softly, yanking out of the male’s grip, walking to the elevators.

Kyuhyun raked fingers through his hair as he stepped into the elevator as well, turning to look at his assistant. “You know that isn’t the case, so stop trying to change the subject. It isn’t healthy for you to continue pining after someone you can’t have.”

“I’ll always have him,” Ryeowook replied, holding the silver bracelet tightly, eyes downcast.

“You don’t even realize,” his voice was low and contained, “how much I want to tear that bracelet off of you every day.”

He didn’t say anything, just kept holding his wrist.

Kyuhyun clenched his fists. “I’m actually here, right now and you won’t even look at me. I’ve been right next to you for the past three years, but I just can’t compare to him, can I?” he spat.

Sighing, Ryeowook watched the numbers rise as they headed for the top floor penthouse. They had this fight at least once a week. On a good day, Kyuhyun would just let it go, but it seemed like he wasn’t in the mood for brushing it off. Ryeowook looked over at his boss, flinching a bit when he saw the vehemence in his expression.

“I still don’t understand what you see in him. He had no money, he had no outstanding qualities, and he was just…nothing.”

Ryeowook had heard Kyuhyun spout worse things about the man. This was barely scratching the surface of his cruelty. Staying silent, Ryeowook heard the final ding and knew they were at the top finally.

Unlocking the front door, he strode out of the elevator and into a spacious, oval-shaped apartment. Floor to ceiling panels covered the wall directly across from them. The door was shut and locked behind him. Ryeowook gazed out at the city lights, relaxing into the warm, strong arms that wrapped around his body. “Kyuhyun…,” he murmured, resting his head back against the man’s chest.

Lips moved against his throat and shoulder, fingers popping the buttons of his shirt slowly. “You tease me like this, even though you won’t let me have you?” he whispered, voice fragile. Kyuhyun let the button down slip of Ryeowook’s shoulders and then he hugged him closer, arms tight around that slender abdominal. “I’m in love with you and you always seem to feel the same way. So why aren’t we together?”

Ryeowook’s chest tightened, eyes lowered to the floor. “You have had me before…”

“Not like that,” he sighed, “you already know what I mean.”

“Think of it like this,” he began faintly, “If I was him, and you were me. Would you really let go so easily?”

Kyuhyun was quiet. When he finally spoke up, he said, “Then see it from my perspective. I’m trying to compete for someone’s love, but my competition is a dead person.”

“It’s like having no competition at all.”

“Or it’s like a futile attempt,” he scoffed, resting his chin on Ryeowook’s shoulder, “I can’t win.”

“I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Tell me you want to be mine.”

“I can’t.”

“Then there’s nothing you can tell me.”