Chapter 60

There was something about nights like that—nights that started with wine and teasing and too many people crammed into one space, their voices bouncing off polished wood and glass. Something about how laughter got louder the later it got, how someone always ended up half-asleep under a blanket, how the smell of buttered popcorn mixed with the faint citrus of Alex's candle collection and never quite left your clothes.

Beth had forgotten what that kind of night could feel like. The way time dissolved into background music and old stories. The way comfort could expand to fill every corner of a room until it felt less like a place and more like a promise. Even the chaos—the off-key singing, the failed group selfie attempts, the inevitable dance circle once Hyunjin found the right playlist—had wrapped around her like a quilt stitched from every version of home she'd ever longed for.

Cassie had stayed home with Hana for the night, tucked safely into bed with Midnight curled against her and her white noise machine running like a soft ocean in the dark. Beth had called to check three times before letting herself relax, before letting herself lean into Changbin's side and stop waiting for the next sound she heard to be crying.

But there hadn't been any crying.

Just joy.

Just people she trusted. People who had seen her at her worst and still made space for her best. She'd caught Alex looking at her more than once with that almost-secretive softness, like she was filing the night away for safekeeping. Like she was proud.

Beth had stayed until the end. Until the final soju toast. Until the karaoke devolved into noise and Felix ended up draped across Elliot's lap in a bean bag, his laughter melting into sleepy nonsense. Until Seungmin laid flat on the floor with one arm over his eyes and refused to move. Until Hyunjin and I.N curled up together in a nest of throw pillows, and Lee Know and Han tangled quietly on the couch, legs overlapping like they'd always belonged there. Until Mac fell asleep with Kendra tucked under his chin, Paloma claimed the corner with a blanket pulled over her head, and Malik slumped into the recliner like gravity had finally won.

Beth had stayed through all of it—through the stories, the chaos, the softness. And sometime after the lights dimmed and the laughter faded into murmurs, she and Changbin had found space on the floor, side by side beneath a shared blanket, heads close on the same pillow, breathing the same quiet air.

And now—

Now it was morning.

Warm, quiet, golden morning. The kind that didn't feel real yet.

Beth stirred, blinking slowly at the soft haze of light filtering in through the penthouse windows. Her body was still heavy with sleep, her limbs tangled with Changbin's beneath the blanket. It was too early to be awake, but something had pulled her to the surface. Something rhythmic and distant, muffled by walls but unmistakable in tone.

It took her brain a second to catch up.

"Oh my god," she muttered, voice scratchy with sleep. Her eyes fluttered open just as the headboard above them gave a dull, unmistakable thud.

Alex.

Beth buried her face in the pillow, groaning into it. "Are you fucking kidding me, Alexandra Taylor?"

The sound came again—slightly louder this time, followed by a breathless, feminine laugh that was so clearly Alex's it made Beth kick her foot under the blanket in protest. A moment later, Chan's voice joined in, low and amused and way too turned on for this hour.

Beth didn't even bother hiding her second groan. "I hate it here."

Except... she didn't.

She really, really didn't.

Especially not when a different sensation suddenly registered—warmth at her hip, the shift of a palm slowly moving beneath the elastic of her sleep shorts. Her breath hitched, her eyes flying open again.

Changbin.

His body was still pressed to her back, one leg tangled with hers, his chest rising and falling in time with hers like they'd never stopped moving together since last night. But his hand—his hand was very much awake.

Beth stilled, caught somewhere between surprise and anticipation as his fingers dipped a little lower, slow and unhurried. Like he'd been waiting for her to wake up. Like he knew.

"Morning," he murmured, voice husky with sleep and heat, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You okay?"

She swallowed hard, eyes fluttering shut again. "You hear that too?"

His chuckle was lazy, amused. "Hard to miss."

Beth tilted her head back just enough to meet his gaze. His eyes were still soft with sleep, but the look in them was unmistakable.

"I think they're trying to set the house on fire," she whispered.

"I mean," he murmured, his thumb tracing delicate patterns over the gentle curve of her hip, sending shivers that danced across her skin. "We could try to outdo them." His voice was a soft murmur, like a secret shared between them.

Beth exhaled a breath meant to sound annoyed, but her attempt faltered—betrayed by the way Changbin's fingers dipped again, this time with a firmer, more deliberate intent. They moved just beneath the hem of her sleep shorts, the soft cotton fabric now serving as a flimsy barrier against the warmth spreading low in her belly, igniting a fire in its wake.

"Bin..." she whispered, her voice carrying an equal mix of warning and yearning, a plea suspended in the air between them.

"I'll stop," he promised, his voice a low rasp that vibrated through her. "If you want me to." His sincerity was palpable, she could feel it in the stillness of his hand, the tension in his arm, like a bowstring pulled taut, holding back for her sake, granting her the power of choice.

She hesitated, feeling her heart pound insistently against her ribs—a drumbeat of desire—before she shook her head, slow and deliberate. "Don't." Her words were a whispered command, a single word that changed everything.

His breath caught at her response, and she felt the shift instantly, a tangible change in the air around them. His touch transformed—no longer tentative, but careful in a different way. It was reverent, as if each movement was a vow. He curled his fingers beneath the waistband of her sleep shorts, easing them down just enough to create space. Just enough to connect with her. His palm pressed against her lower belly, anchoring her, while his middle finger slid between her folds with an excruciating, aching slowness.

Beth's hips twitched—just slightly. Not enough to draw attention. Not enough to disturb the others sprawled across the penthouse floor, lost in their dreams.

But enough to feel everything, to be consumed by the sensation.

"Oh," she breathed, the sound barely audible, a whisper against the night.

He was gentle—deliberate in his exploration. Two fingers moved with a languid grace, slick and slow, tracing lazy circles against her clit before slipping lower, dipping inside her with a patience that curled her toes in blissful anticipation. The stretch was familiar now, a welcome embrace, yet still potent enough to make her eyes flutter closed and her thighs instinctively press together.

"Shh," he murmured softly, his nose brushing delicately behind her ear, lips trailing along her jaw with featherlight caresses that sent shivers down her spine. "Gotta be quiet, baby." His words were a tender admonition, a gentle reminder that they were not alone, yet wrapped in their own intimate world, a cocoon of whispered secrets and stolen moments.

The word "baby" slipped from his lips and sent a thrill through her, resonating deep within her. God, that word did things to her. She nodded mutely, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip with a pressure that made it sting. Her eyes flicked open for a fleeting moment, scanning the dimly lit room—not from fear, but from a sense of necessity. The others were still dead asleep, lost in their dreams. Felix lay curled on his stomach, a thin blanket barely covering him, while Elliot was draped over his lap like a lazy cat. Seungmin was nestled in the corner, a hoodie pulled over his face, hiding him from the world. One of Alex's unit buddies—likely Malik—had an arm thrown over a pillow as if he expected it to repay a debt. A lone bottle, a remnant of last night's revelry, rolled quietly near the table leg.

No one stirred.

No one could see what was happening.

Yet the thrill of secrecy raced up her spine, electrifying her senses.

Changbin's fingers curled expertly, just right, just once, and her mouth fell open in a silent gasp of pleasure. Her arm flew out instinctively to grab a pillow, pressing it tight against her chest like a lifeline. She buried her face in its softness, fighting to keep still, her breath catching with every slow, deliberate movement of his hand. His other arm encircled her waist, pulling her closer against him, anchoring her to his warmth, keeping her secure and hidden within the tangled nest of blankets and bodies.

"You're so warm," he whispered, his voice a tender caress against her ear. "So wet already... you like hearing them, don't you?"

Beth felt heat flood her body, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her chest in a wave of color. She wanted to deny his words, to shake her head and protest—but the involuntary shiver that coursed through her spine betrayed her. Her body responded to his touch, clenching around his fingers as if in agreement before her mind could catch up, confirming the undeniable truth of his teasing murmur.

She felt more than heard his soft chuckle, the rumble of it vibrating against her back as he pressed a smile into her hair. His fingers continued their steady rhythm, slow and deep, drawing out the ache inside her until it was almost unbearable. Until she was squirming against him, hips rocking in tiny, desperate movements, chasing the sensation.

"That's it, baby," he breathed, his voice rough with sleep and desire. "Just like that. Nice and slow."

His praise washed over her like honey, sweet and thick, making her shudder. Making her clench around him tighter. She turned her face into the pillow to muffle a whimper, the fabric damp against her parted lips. His thumb found her clit then, circling it with a pressure that had her seeing stars, had her free hand fisting in the blanket wrapped around them.

"Bin," she gasped, the word strangled, pleading. "Fuuck.."

"I know," he soothed, kissing her shoulder, her neck, her jaw. "Shhh."

Another thud from the room above punctuated his words, followed by a muffled moan that could only belong to Alex. The sound sent a fresh wave of heat through Beth, pooling low in her belly. She felt Changbin's fingers falter for just a second, his breath hitching against her neck, and she knew he'd heard it too. Knew he was just as affected.

"God, they're shameless," he murmured, a hint of awe in his voice.

Beth huffed out a breathless laugh. "You're one to talk."

His responding chuckle was deep and warm, the vibrations of it rippling through her. "Touché."

And then his fingers were moving again, with renewed purpose, sliding in and out of her with a steady rhythm that left her breathless. Left her trembling and aching, pleasure coiling tighter and tighter in her core. His thumb circled her clit in time with each thrust, the dual sensations making her head spin.

She was so close, teetering right on the edge, her body drawn taut as a bowstring. Every brush of his fingers, every whispered word of praise and encouragement, pulled her closer to the precipice. She felt like she was flying and falling all at once, suspended in a dizzying moment of anticipation.

"You are such a nasty girl, Beth. Are you going to cum to the sound of your best friend screams?"

His words were a shock to her system, sending a jolt of electricity straight to her core. They were filthy, degrading, and so utterly perfect that she could only whimper in response, nodding frantically against the pillow.

"Fuck, yes," she gasped, the words muffled but unmistakable. "Please, Bin, I need-"

"I know what you need," he growled, his voice low and rough with desire. "I'm going to give it to you, baby. Going to make you fall apart, just like this."

His fingers sped up then, thrusting into her with an intensity that stole her breath. She could feel herself clenching around him, her inner walls fluttering wildly as he drove her higher and higher. His thumb pressed hard against her clit, rubbing firm circles that made her see stars.

Above them, Alex let out a sharp cry, the sound of it echoing through the penthouse. It was followed by a series of rhythmic thumps, the headboard slamming against the wall in a telltale cadence. Beth's eyes rolled back, her body shaking with the force of her impending orgasm. Changbin's fingers worked her relentlessly, stroking and rubbing and thrusting until she was trembling on the knife's edge of release.

"Let go, Beth," he commanded softly, his lips brushing her ear. "Cum for me, baby. Now."

His words were her undoing. With a strangled cry that she barely managed to muffle against the pillow, Beth shattered. Pleasure exploded through her in a blinding burst of sensation, her inner walls clamping down hard around Changbin's fingers as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over her. She shook in his arms, her body convulsing with the force of her climax, his name falling from her lips in a desperate litany.

"Changbin, Changbin, fuck, oh god..."

His free hand reached around and clamped over her mouth muffling her moans. He held her tight as she rode out the aftershocks, his fingers gentling their movements but not stopping, drawing out her pleasure until she was boneless and spent in his arms.

"That's it, baby," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You did so good. So fucking perfect."

Beth could only whimper in response, her body still twitching with the remnants of her orgasm. She felt like she was floating, drifting on a cloud of blissful satisfaction. Changbin's arms were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality.

Slowly, carefully, he withdrew his fingers from her, and she couldn't help the soft mewl of protest that escaped her at the loss. He chuckled quietly, nuzzling his nose against her neck.

"Shh, I've got you," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere."

As if to prove his point, he shifted slightly, and she felt the hard length of him pressing against her backside through his sweatpants. A shiver ran through her at the contact, desire sparking weakly in her oversensitive body.

"Bin," she whispered, her voice hoarse and needy. "I want... Can I...?"

She trailed off, suddenly shy, but he seemed to understand. With a soft groan, he rolled his hips against her, letting her feel exactly how much he wanted her.

"Yeah, baby," he breathed. "Whatever you need."

Biting her lip, Beth reached back, her fingers trembling slightly as she slipped them beneath the waistband of his sweatpants. He was hot and hard against her palm, the silky skin like velvet over steel. She stroked him tentatively, marveling at the way he throbbed in her grip, the way his breath hitched and caught in his throat.

"Fuck, Beth," he grunted, his hips jerking involuntarily. "Your hand feels so good."

Emboldened by his reaction, she tightened her fingers, pumping him with more confidence. She twisted her wrist on the upstroke, rubbing her thumb over the weeping tip, smearing the bead of moisture that had gathered there. Changbin cursed under his breath, his forehead falling forward to rest against her shoulder as he rutted into her touch, chasing the sensation.

"Just like that," he panted, his breath hot against her skin. "God, don't stop."

Beth had no intention of stopping. She worked him faster, her hand gliding over his length with purpose, spurred on by the broken sounds spilling from his lips. She could feel him growing harder, could feel the tension coiling in his body like a spring wound too tight. His hips rocked in tandem with her strokes, a dance of desperate friction.

"Beth," he warned, his voice strained. "I'm gonna... fuck, I'm close."

She twisted her hand on the next upstroke, her thumb flicking over his tip, and that was all it took. With a low groan that vibrated through her, Changbin moved quickly yanking her pants down.

He slid between her cheeks, the tip of him nudging her entrance as his fingers dug into her hips. Beth gasped, her body clenching in anticipation as he slowly, torturously pushed inside. He stretched her, filled her, the delicious burn making her toes curl and her breath catch.

"Fuck, you feel incredible," Changbin groaned, bottoming out with a roll of his hips. He stilled for a moment, letting her adjust, his forehead pressed between her shoulder blades as they both trembled.

Beth could only whimper in response, lost to the sensation of him thick and throbbing inside her. She glanced up to glance around the room only to make eye contact with Felix. He was watching them with a smirk and his hand was very clearly in Elliot's sweats.

Beth's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding as Felix held her gaze, his smirk only growing. He gave her a little wink before turning his attention back to Elliot, his hand moving slowly beneath the fabric.

A fresh wave of heat rushed through Beth at the realization that they'd been caught, that Felix had been watching them this whole time. She should have felt embarrassed, ashamed even, but instead a thrill raced up her spine, desire coiling tighter in her belly.

Changbin must have sensed the change in her, because he shifted slightly, pulling out almost completely before sinking back in with a slow, deliberate thrust. Beth had to bite the pillow to keep from crying out, her inner walls fluttering around him.

"You like that, baby?" he whispered, his voice a low rasp in her ear. "Like knowing they can see how well I'm fucking you?"

Beth could only whimper and nod, pushing her hips back to meet his thrusts. He set a steady rhythm, deep and thorough, the angle lighting sparks behind her eyelids with every stroke. His hand slid around her hip, fingers seeking out her clit, rubbing tight circles that had her shaking, had her biting down hard on the pillow to muffle her cries of pleasure.

"Open you eyes. I want you to watch Felix."

Beth forced her eyes open, her gaze locking with Felix's once more. He was still watching them intently, his hand moving faster now beneath Elliot's sweatpants. Elliot was stirring, soft breathy moans escaping his lips as he rocked his hips into Felix's touch.

The sight sent another jolt of desire through Beth, and she clenched hard around Changbin, drawing a low groan from him. He picked up his pace, thrusting into her with an urgency that had her seeing stars, his fingers rubbing relentlessly at her clit.

"Fuck, Beth," he panted against her neck. "You're gonna make me cum."

His words sent her hurtling towards the edge, pleasure coiling tighter and tighter in her core. She could feel herself teetering on the brink, her body wound so tight she thought she might snap.

"Let go," Changbin commanded, his voice rough with strain. "Cum on my cock, baby. Let me feel you."

And she did, biting her lip hard to keep quiet. Beth's orgasm crashed over her like a tidal wave, her inner walls clamping down around Changbin as ecstasy flooded her veins. She shuddered in his arms, her body convulsing with the force of her release, muffled cries of rapture spilling from her lips. Changbin groaned, his hips stuttering as he followed her over the edge, spilling himself deep inside her with a final, shuddering thrust.

For a long moment they lay tangled together, trembling and gasping, lost in the afterglow. Beth's heart raced, her skin damp with sweat, every nerve ending alive and singing. Changbin's arms tightened around her, holding her close as he pressed soft kisses to her shoulder, her neck, her jaw.

"Anyone else hearing the freak show upstairs?" a voice echoed from somewhere behind Changbin and Beth, slicing through the quiet with an amused edge.

Beth felt her cheeks ignite, a fierce heat rushing to her face as reality came crashing down like a tidal wave. Mortification engulfed her, and she buried her face in the pillow, trying to mute the groan that escaped her lips, though it did little to quell the embarrassment.

Changbin chuckled softly, a resonant rumble that vibrated gently against her back. With a tender touch, he eased away, rolling to the side and drawing her into his embrace until she was cocooned against his chest, his arms wrapped securely around her like a comforting blanket.

"Ignore them," he murmured, his breath a warm caress against her ear that sent shivers down her spine. "Just focus on me."

But concentrating solely on him proved easier said than done, especially as a symphony of snickers and hushed whispers began to fill the room like a mischievous chorus. Beth could feel the weight of their gazes, as if she could hear the teasing smirks in their voices.

"God, it sounds like Chan is trying to kill her," someone quipped, the words tinged with mock horror.

"Or she's trying to kill him," Hyunjin added, his voice slightly muffled as he spoke into the depths of a pillow.

A round of sleepy laughter followed his comment, the sound rippling through the room. Beth felt the tremor of Changbin's chest as he stifled another chuckle. In retaliation, she pinched his side, eliciting a soft yelp from him.

"Traitor," she hissed, though her words were playful, lacking any real venom.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, his lips curving into a smile against her skin. "You love me anyway."

Beth huffed in mock annoyance, yet she couldn't deny the truth of his words. She did love him, more deeply than she had ever imagined possible. Even in moments like these, when she felt torn between the urge to throttle him and the desire to kiss him senseless.

"Beth and Changbin totally just fucked!" Felix's voice suddenly rang out, far too gleeful for the early morning hour.

A chorus of "oohs" and playful wolf whistles erupted around them, and Beth groaned, burrowing her face deeper into Changbin's chest. She felt his laughter ripple through him, his arms instinctively tightening around her in reassurance.

"Yah, mind your business," he called out, though his words were more teasing than scolding.

"You two weren't exactly subtle," Seungmin pointed out dryly, his tone laced with amusement.

"Not even ten minutes after the headboard Olympics upstairs?"

"Bold of you to think we were asleep."

Beth groaned and buried her face in Changbin's chest with a dramatic thud. He was laughing—of course he was laughing—and his arms curled tighter around her like that could shield her from the storm of teasing currently snowballing across the room.

"You assholes were supposed to be unconscious," she grumbled into his collarbone.

Felix cackled. "You woke me up, babe. I was having a dream about lemon muffins and then all of a sudden Beth's over there moaning like it's a freaking Regency novel."

"That's rich coming from the guy getting jerked off under a blanket," Changbin muttered with a pointed glance toward Elliot, who was now snoring obliviously beside Felix.

"Jealous?" Felix beamed.

"Mortified," Beth groaned again. "I am actually going to die."

"No, you're not," Changbin said gently, tucking her closer. His voice dropped lower, warm against her temple. "You're safe. They're just messing with you."

"I know that," she mumbled. "But also, I can never look Seungmin in the eye again."

"Please don't," Seungmin said dryly from the couch. "I'm begging."

That set off another wave of laughter, louder this time. Someone threw a pillow—Beth wasn't sure who—and it hit Hyunjin square in the face. He yelped dramatically and flopped over, muttering something about "vile heterosexuals."

Beth finally lifted her head, blinking at the chaos. Blankets were being tossed around. Water bottles were rolling across the floor. Malik was trying to comb out his sleep-matted hair with a fork. Felix was still smirking like a satisfied cat, and Elliot—bless him—was entirely unaware of everything, curled up like a shrimp and dead to the world.

And above it all, faint but still audible, was Alex's laugh echoing from upstairs.

Beth's chest ached with affection.

She shook her head and looked up at Changbin. His hair was a mess, his shirt wrinkled, and his eyes soft in that way that made her want to kiss him endlessly.

"You're such a menace," she whispered.

"And you love it," he said.

Beth narrowed her eyes. "Maybe."

He leaned in and brushed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Definitely."

She sighed, sinking back into him as the morning bloomed around them—full of too many voices, half-finished jokes, and the tangled threads of sleep and love and laughter.

Despite everything—the chaos, the teasing, the fact that she had just very obviously had sex on the floor of her best friend's living room with ten plus other people around—Beth felt okay.