the seraphim paradox

"Dude, I'm still not doing that… come up with another plan. This bullshit ain't my line. Bro no fit handle this alat."

Eun-jae spat the words out like they burned his tongue. Without sparing Caesar another glance, he turned on his heel, the soft fwip of his jacket fabric the only sound accompanying his retreat. His shoulders were rigid, each step deliberate as he made his way toward the wall, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and the sheer audacity he had just been subjected to.

Caesar, still lounging on Eun-jae's bed like he owned the place, didn't so much as blink. The dim golden hues of the room stretched long shadows across his figure, his sharp blue eyes tracking Eun-jae's every movement with an unreadable expression. Then, finally—

"Are you really concluding that it's nonsense…?"

His voice was smooth, deceptively calm, but laced with something deeper—something dangerous. There was amusement in his tone, but beneath that, something sharper lurked.

Eun-jae's footsteps faltered.

He knew that voice. That specific tone Caesar used when he was about to ruin someone's day—or worse, make them see reason through methods they wouldn't enjoy.

Before Eun-jae could respond, something small and cold sailed through the air toward him. His reflexes kicked in, and he caught it with one hand, fingers closing instinctively around the unfamiliar device.

A faint beep.

A soft glow flickered against his palm.

What the—

His heart jumped to his throat as he turned it over, eyes narrowing at the blinking red dot pulsing steadily against the dim screen.

A tracker.

He exhaled sharply, feeling a chill crawl up his spine. The longer he stared at it, the more uneasy he became. This wasn't just a simple location marker—it was showing movement. A small, eerie red dot navigating the digital corridors mapped on the screen.

His stomach twisted.

Someone was lurking.

Near his room.

Multiple times.

"What… This is… a tracker?" His voice came out lower than he intended, almost breathless. His grip on the device tightened.

A tense silence settled between them, thick and suffocating. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, the kind that made his skin prickle with unease.

Then Caesar finally spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

"Then tell me…"

The words carried an edge of quiet amusement, laced with something far more unsettling.

"Who's been messing around outside your room every now and then?"

Eun-jae's breath stilled.

A creeping sense of dread coiled at the base of his spine. His mind raced through possibilities, but none of them sat well with him.

His pulse quickened.

How the hell had Caesar even managed to plant a tracker on Alexei? When had he done it? Where? Had he been that careless, or was Caesar just that absurdly good at what he did?

Eun-jae gritted his teeth.

"It still doesn't matter. I ain't doing shit."

He forced the words out, pushing past the paranoia clawing at his ribs. His pride, his dignity, was at stake here. No way was he entertaining this madness.

Caesar just sighed, shaking his head, exasperated but clearly entertained.

"You know…"

His tone was casual, but there was something calculated in the way he slowly pushed himself up from the bed, closing the distance between them in a way that felt both effortless and deliberate.

Eun-jae felt the change in atmosphere before he fully processed it.

A smirk played on Caesar's lips, sharp and knowing. He leaned in—not too close, but close enough that Eun-jae felt the warmth of his breath ghosting over his skin. Close enough that a single misstep would make the air between them dangerous.

His voice dipped lower, smooth as velvet and just as deceptive.

"Men are simple creatures."

His icy blue eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

"The moment someone else wants what they have… they suddenly realize how much they want to keep it."

The words sent an involuntary shiver down Eun-jae's spine.

His body instinctively tensed, muscles coiling like a spring, every fiber of his being on high alert.

He swallowed.

That tone. That stupid, smug, dangerously persuasive tone Caesar always used when he was absolutely certain he had the upper hand. It made Eun-jae's skin itch, made his stomach twist in ways he hated.

He took a step back.

"Wha—"

His voice caught in his throat. He tilted his head up slightly, meeting Caesar's gaze head-on.

And shit, he hated how piercing those blue eyes were. How they pinned him in place, like they saw straight through him. Like he was a game piece already moving exactly where Caesar wanted.

No. Absolutely not.

Then there was a sharp knock on the door.

It echoed through the dimly lit room, snapping Eun-Jae out of the dazed haze that had settled over him. His breath hitched as he glanced toward the door, his muscles tensing involuntarily. He could hear Alexei's voice on the other side—calm yet laced with concern.

"Mr. Bitgaram, are you okay? Are you asleep?" Alexei called out.

Eun-Jae opened his mouth to respond, but before he could move toward the door, a firm grip yanked him back. His body collided against the cold wall with a sharp thud.

"Ugh!" he gasped, a sharp pain jolting through his back. His vision blurred momentarily before clearing, only to find Caesar stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with something dark and unreadable.

"What the hell—" Eun-Jae started, but his voice faltered as Caesar's hands found his waist, pulling him forward, closer than he ever wanted to be. His breath hitched, and his body stiffened at the overwhelming presence invading his space. The scent of Caesar's cologne mixed with something distinctly predatory filled his senses, making his pulse race wildly.

"Let go, asshole," Eun-Jae hissed, pressing his hands against Caesar's chest, trying to shove him back, but Caesar didn't budge. Instead, he smirked, his fingers moving with practiced ease as he reached down, unzipping Eun-Jae's pants.

Eun-Jae's breath stilled.

His mind screamed at him to move, to fight, but his body was betraying him, reacting to the uninvited touch in ways he couldn't control. Panic flared in his chest as he grasped Caesar's wrist, trying to pry him off.

"What the fuck do you think you're—ngh!" A strangled moan tore from his throat as Caesar's fingers wrapped around his girth, stroking with slow, calculated movements.

Heat pooled in Eun-Jae's stomach, shame burning hot beneath his skin. His breathing grew ragged, his heart pounding erratically against his ribs as he struggled to suppress the whimper threatening to spill from his lips.

"G-Get your hand off—ngh—my dick… ngh… you fucking perv—ahh!"

Caesar chuckled, his grip tightening around Eun-Jae's throbbing girth as he continued his movements, his strokes unrelenting, his pace measured, teasing.

Eun-Jae clenched his teeth, his body trembling, torn between the urge to resist and the unbearable pleasure creeping up his spine. His fingers curled into Caesar's shirt, weakly pushing, but it was useless.

Another knock on the door.

Eun-Jae's eyes snapped open. His dazed mind barely registered the sound over the thudding of his own heartbeat. He had to stop this. He had to regain control. He willed his limbs to move, to shove Caesar away, but before he could, Caesar's other hand grabbed his ass, pulling him flush against him.

A sharp gasp left his lips as he felt it—Caesar's arousal pressing against him through the fabric of their clothes. A deep, rumbling chuckle vibrated through Caesar's chest as he rolled his hips forward, grinding his own rigid girth against Eun-Jae's. The friction sent shivers down Eun-Jae's spine, his thighs clenching involuntarily.

"Ngh… st—" Eun-Jae moaned, his body arching instinctively before he could stop himself. His face flushed with humiliation. No, no, this wasn't—

His thoughts scattered as Caesar suddenly grabbed his face, tilting it up. For a moment, Eun-Jae thought he was about to be kissed. His breath hitched, his lips parting slightly in reflex, but instead, he felt the warm, wet heat of Caesar's tongue dragging along his cheek before trailing down to his neck.

"Aah… ngh…" Eun-Jae shuddered, his skin prickling with sensation.

He hated this. He hated how his body was reacting. He hated how he couldn't stop the traitorous sounds spilling from his lips. His girth throbbed painfully in Caesar's grasp, and the pleasure coiling in his core was becoming unbearable.

"Stop… stop… ngh…" his voice wavered, growing weaker with each passing second.

Caesar's smirk deepened as he tightened his hold on the back of Eun-Jae's neck, forcing their bodies closer together. His thrusts against him grew rougher, more demanding, the friction sending electric shocks through Eun-Jae's nerves.

Eun-Jae gasped, his fingers scrambling for anything to hold onto, but in his frantic movements, he accidentally knocked over a vase. The shattering sound barely registered in his mind, his entire world narrowing down to the heat of Caesar's body, the pressure, the overwhelming intensity of it all.

His breathing grew shallow, his body trembling violently. He was close—too close.

"No… ngh… I can't… ngh… hhaah—"

And then, his body gave in.

His release hit him like a tidal wave, his body convulsing against Caesar, his moans swallowed by the fabric of Caesar's shoulder as he slumped forward, panting heavily. His entire frame shook, his muscles weak, drained.

Caesar smirked, his fingers lazily trailing along Eun-Jae's back before gripping his chin, forcing their gazes to meet.

"Looks like you enjoyed that more than you wanted to," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement.

Eun-Jae's face burned with humiliation, his breaths still uneven, his body betraying him even now. He wanted to say something, anything, but no words came. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and his heart continued to race in his chest.

Another knock.

"Mr. Bitgaram?" Alexei's voice came again, firmer this time.

Eun-Jae barely had the strength to respond, his body still trembling against Caesar's.

He felt utterly wrecked.

The knock on the door barely had time to register before it swung open.

"I'm coming in," Alexei's voice rang out as he stepped inside.

The room was thick with tension—no, not just tension. Something heavier, something suffocating. The air was laced with Caesar's pheromones, an almost tangible force pressing down on Eun-jae's skin. His breath felt stuck in his throat, and he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain still, to not let his own body betray him.

Alexei's gaze flickered between them, his sharp eyes narrowing ever so slightly. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his stare. His gaze lingered just a little too long.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his voice calm, yet there was an undertone of suspicion laced within it.

Eun-jae barely held back a scoff.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

He forced his face into something neutral, despite the fact that his entire body was still recovering from the way Caesar had just manhandled him. The warmth of unwanted hands lingered on his skin, and his pulse hadn't quite settled. His breath was still uneven, his body rigid as if bracing for something that wasn't coming.

"Oh, no, not at all," Eun-jae said, his voice coming out softer than he intended. He met Alexei's gaze with tired eyes, fighting to keep his expression from revealing the mess he felt inside.

From the corner of his eye, he caught Caesar smirking. That goddamn smirk, full of amusement and something else, something darker.

"I just came to borrow a book," Caesar said smoothly, stepping away as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't just—

Eun-jae clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"I shall take my leave now," Caesar added, that smirk never leaving his lips as he cast one final glance at Eun-jae before slipping past Alexei and out the door.

The moment he was gone, Eun-jae exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.

That asshole. That absolute son of a—

"Mr. Bitgaram, are you okay?"

Alexei's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.

Eun-jae snapped his head up, eyes wide for a split second before he forced himself to relax.

"Oh, uh… Mr. Karpov—I mean, Alexei. What do you need?" he stammered, cursing internally at the way his voice wavered. Get a grip, damn it.

Alexei didn't answer right away. Instead, his gaze flickered downward.

Eun-jae frowned.

Why is he looking down?

Then it hit him.

The blood drained from his face.

He followed Alexei's line of sight—

His zipper was open.

His goddamn zipper was open.

That son of a bitch Caesar didn't even bother to close it?!

Heat shot up Eun-jae's neck, humiliation and rage warring inside him. His hands twitched at his sides, caught between slamming the door in Alexei's face and marching after Caesar to strangle him on the spot.

Alexei's gaze lifted, meeting his eyes again.

Eun-jae stood stiffly, his hazel eyes narrowing as he observed the older man before him. Alexei, ever the picture of refinement in his cream-colored suit, exuded a calm arrogance, the kind that came with decades of experience in both business and deception.

"Actually…" Alexei chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. "I have something under my care at the moment."

Eun-jae's expression remained unreadable, but a single bead of sweat trailed down his temple. His instincts screamed at him—whatever Alexei had wasn't ordinary.

The old man leaned back slightly, taking pleasure in drawing out the tension. "Everybody in Russia, including all the big shots, seems to be quite interested in it these days." His smirk deepened, eyes glinting with something dangerously close to glee. "And people say it'll fetch a fortune if I were to consider putting it on the market…"

Eun-jae clenched his jaw. He hated men like Alexei—those who saw power and influence as mere currency, playing with lives as if they were pieces on a chessboard. But this was no game.

"What exactly," Eun-jae said, voice low and measured, "do you have under your care?"

Alexei's smile didn't waver. If anything, it widened.

Eun-jae stood with his arms crossed, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his sharp eyes remained locked onto Alexei. The older man leaned back slightly, his smile thin and knowing, as if he were testing the waters—pushing, prodding, waiting for a crack to show.

"Just imagine all the possibilities," Alexei mused, his voice carrying an easy amusement. "And the thing is…" He tilted his head, watching Eun-jae carefully. "I'd like to get your expert opinion on this. On whether that piece of solid iron is worth that much."

Eun-jae's expression didn't waver, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze. He wasn't naive—this wasn't a casual inquiry. Alexei wasn't the type to ask questions without already knowing the answer.

A pause. A shift in the air.

Alexei's smirk widened slightly. "What do you think…?" His voice was quieter now, carrying a deliberate weight. "It's not something you could come across in your everyday life."

Eun-jae exhaled slowly, tilting his head as if considering. But inside, he already knew—this was a game. And Alexei was waiting to see whether he'd play along or call his bluff.

Eun-jae followed Alexei down the hallway, his mind racing as he observed every detail around him. The soft hum of the security system, the faint clicking sound when Alexei placed his palm against the scanner, the way the red light flickered green in approval before the heavy door slid open. The corridor stretched ahead, sleek and modern, lined with hidden cameras embedded so seamlessly into the walls that one might miss them if they weren't paying attention.

But Eun-jae was paying attention.

His sharp gaze swept over the area, taking in every detail with silent calculation.

Hmm… two bedrooms before Alexei's. Noted. Multiple cameras, meaning I can't make a move without being seen. And that lock—it's biometric.

That was going to be a problem.

Eun-jae kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, a smirk tugged at the edge of his lips. What the hell is so important in here that it needs this much security?

The door finally opened, and Eun-jae stepped inside, his eyes widening slightly before he quickly masked his surprise.

The bedroom was… extravagant.

No, extravagant wasn't the word. It was pure indulgence.

A massive oval bed dominated the space, larger than any bed Eun-jae had ever seen. The sheets were rich, deep red satin, shimmering under the dim glow of recessed lighting. But that wasn't what caught his attention.

Mirrors.

Everywhere.

The walls, the ceiling, even the floor. Every angle, every inch of the room seemed designed to reflect and amplify the view of whoever stood in it. The effect was dizzying, making the room seem even larger, more intimate—an endless loop of reflections that felt almost surreal.

What the actual hell is this?