DEARG Ch 22

“Yes. I know.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

His mother closes the door and leaves. Jo Jihyun bites his lower lip. A chill seeps in, making his body tremble.

He had just come out of a shower with ice-cold water. The wind blowing through the window feels like it’s freezing each strand of his hair. Jo Jihyun tries hard to ignore it, keeping his eyes on the book. Sleepiness creeps in, it’s cold, and his head feels heavy, but he endures. He stays up all night like that. His throat stings, and every exhale feels hot. Only then does Jo Jihyun pull the blanket over his head and lie down. A fever rises quickly. It’s the first time his weak, frail body feels so welcome.

His maternal grandmother’s hometown was a village at the edge of the land. No matter what, his mother always attended her grandmother’s memorial. His uncle and grandfather had both taken their lives one day, without reason. His mother called it dirty blood. She believed she had absolutely not inherited that dirty blood. That’s why she was obsessed with her grandmother. She wanted to belong to her grandmother’s domain. That was also why she insisted on holding the memorial.

“Jihyun. Get up. Hurry and get ready.”

His mother flings the door open. Jo Jihyun barely pulls the sheet down. His feverish face is drenched in cold sweat.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you sick again?”

“I think I caught a cold.”

His voice cracks. Staying up all night in the cold wind has paid off.

“You caught a cold?”

His father enters the room.

“Get up anyway. You’re not going to miss your grandmother’s memorial because of that, are you?”

“How can he go when he’s sick?”

His father feels Jo Jihyun’s forehead and continues.

“He’s burning up.”

Since the incident a few days ago, when he struck his son and damaged his eardrum, the man has been several times more lenient than usual.

“Why can’t you even take care of yourself? On such an important day, of all times.”

His mother snaps irritably. Jo Jihyun instinctively covers his ears with his hands.

“Let Jihyun rest today. The doctor said pushing it could cause permanent hearing damage.”

The words “permanent damage” make his mother’s expression waver. If his ears are impaired, the idealized image of a perfect child she holds would crumble.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Yes.”

His mother sighs.

“No choice, then. Stay home and rest. Don’t go out, stay in the house. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll check by phone. No, don’t use the phone.”

She goes to the living room, unplugs the phone cord, and puts it in her bag. Then she returns to Jo Jihyun’s room, rummages through his clothes, and pulls out any coins or bills. Anticipating this, Jo Jihyun had hidden his money earlier.

“Eat what’s in the fridge. Don’t do anything unnecessary. Got it?”

“…Yes.”

“What’s a sick kid going to do? Let’s get ready and go.”

The two leave the room. Jo Jihyun closes his eyes. A while later, his mother returns, repeating the same warnings. Don’t go out. Don’t do anything useless. I won’t let it slide. Study at home. Eat on your own. Don’t vomit on the floor if you feel sick—it’s dirty. Don’t make a mess, and don’t sleep too much just because you’re sick. Jo Jihyun nods silently. Peace finally comes only after his father drags his mother out. The sound of the front door closing echoes, and after a long while, Jo Jihyun rises from his spot. His forehead is hot with fever. He finds fever reducers on the shelf and swallows them. A hot shower eases his body somewhat. After dressing, Jo Jihyun packs the fever reducers and cold medicine. There’s still time before his meeting with Kang Seokwon.

Should he rest a bit?

Jo Jihyun sits on the sofa and closes his eyes. He feels pathetic and pitiful for only coming up with this plan. Still, he doesn’t want to arouse suspicion and cause trouble for Kang Seokwon. The medicine starts to take effect, and his body grows sluggish.

“I’m sorry.”

Jo Jihyun says, breathing heavily.

“I fell asleep for a bit…”

“It’s okay. Stay here. I’ll get the bus tickets.”

Jo Jihyun nods. Soon, Kang Seokwon returns with tickets and water.

“It leaves in ten minutes.”

Kang Seokwon stands to Jo Jihyun’s left and speaks. They head to platform 24 as indicated on the tickets. A few men waiting for the bus start smoking. Jo Jihyun coughs lightly. Kang Seokwon hands him the water and approaches the men.

“This is a non-smoking area. Please.”

The men, annoyed, turn to look at Kang Seokwon and quickly put out their cigarettes. Kang Seokwon returns to his spot. Jo Jihyun drinks the water, slightly embarrassed.

The bus arrives at the platform soon. They show their tickets and board. Kang Seokwon gives Jo Jihyun the window seat and sits beside him. Leaning against the seat, sleep overwhelms him. Staying up all night, combined with the medicine and cold, takes its toll.

“I’m going to sleep.”

Jo Jihyun says softly. Instead of answering, Kang Seokwon draws the window curtain and rests Jo Jihyun’s head on his shoulder.

Jo Jihyun closes his eyes and falls asleep. How long has it been? Kang Seokwon shakes his shoulder to wake him. He barely opens his eyes. They’ve reached a rest stop. He doesn’t need the bathroom. He just wants to sleep. As he tries to close his eyes again, Kang Seokwon touches his forehead.

“You’ve got a fever.”

Jo Jihyun turns his head, saying it’s from waking up. Kang Seokwon’s hand persistently checks his forehead. His eyes narrow.

“Why did you come when you’re this sick?”

“…….”

“Let’s go back to Seoul when we reach the terminal.”

Jo Jihyun shakes his head.

“Jo Jihyun.”

“I want to go.”

“You can go another time.”

“I want to go today, no matter what.”

He wants to see the hometown where Kang Seokwon grew up. Even if she might not approve, he wants to pay respects to his grandmother. He wants to be with Kang Seokwon.

There might not be a next time. Every moment of happiness brings that realization. It drags him to rock bottom. The worst part is not being able to voice this anxiety to Kang Seokwon.

“Jihyun.”

Kang Seokwon calls his name gently, like soothing a spoiled child.

“I don’t know when I’ll get out again, sunbae.”

Kang Seokwon sighs at Jo Jihyun’s words.

“Then we’ll go to a hospital as soon as we reach Wonju.”

Kang Seokwon’s voice reaches him softly. Jo Jihyun nods.

“Drink water and sleep.”

He hands over the water bottle. Jo Jihyun’s throat is swollen, making swallowing hard, but he drinks it in small sips as Kang Seokwon instructs.

The bus starts again. Jo Jihyun falls back into a deep sleep. When he wakes, they’ve reached the terminal. Thanks to catching up on sleep, his fever has gone down slightly.

Kang Seokwon finds a hospital as soon as they get off. Jo Jihyun gets a shot and a prescription. There’s a porridge shop on the ground floor of the hospital building. He eats porridge and takes his medicine.

“You okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“Tell me if it’s too much. We can go back to Seoul.”

“It’s an important day today.”

“There’s nothing important enough to drag you around sick.”

His firm voice returns. Jo Jihyun smiles.

“I’ll tell you if I’m unwell. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“……, Don’t talk. Your ear’s still bad.”

“It’s almost healed.”

He visited an ENT clinic alone yesterday. The doctor said it would heal in a few days if left alone.

“Let’s go, sunbae.”

Jo Jihyun tugs at his clothes. Kang Seokwon says, Okay, and puts the medicine bag in his pocket. They wait at the station for a while before boarding another bus. It’s a two-hour ride from downtown Wonju, he says.

“Sleep.”

As soon as they board, Kang Seokwon rests Jo Jihyun’s forehead on his shoulder. Jo Jihyun closes his eyes. Every time the bus sways, Kang Seokwon gently steadies him and checks his forehead. His fingers are long and cool along the knuckles. Jo Jihyun loves his hands. Each touch makes his heart ache.

Waking and sleeping, the bus stops at a quiet station. It’s the final stop, and the driver gets off, stretching his stiff body.

“We have to walk a bit. Can you manage?”

Kang Seokwon asks, adjusting Jo Jihyun’s clothes as they get off.

“I’m fine.”

“Tell me if it’s hard.”

I’ll carry you.

Jo Jihyun laughs softly at the added words.

They walk along a rural path. The paved road ends quickly. As if proving the lack of cell service, signs of civilization fade.

“You okay?”

Kang Seokwon checks on Jo Jihyun several times.

“Yes.”

“No one’s around. I can carry you.”

Jo Jihyun laughs and keeps walking. After twenty more minutes, Kang Seokwon points to an old hanok, saying, Here. He opens the gate and steps inside. An uninhabited house quickly loses its lived-in feel.

The dusty house feels eerie, like a ghost might appear. Kang Seokwon starts brushing off the dust. Jo Jihyun sits on the porch, looking around. Thinking this is where Kang Seokwon grew up, every corner catches his eye.

“Stay here. I’ll check if there’s anything to sort inside.”

Kang Seokwon points to the storage connected to the kitchen. Jo Jihyun nods. It seems already cleared out—no piled-up items or furniture. His eyes catch the porch pillar. No, the lines etched on it. Jo Jihyun carefully stands and approaches. Several lines run from bottom to top. He knows what they mean. Tracing them from the lowest to the highest, he thinks of Kang Seokwon’s small, young self, and a corner of his heart tickles.

“What are you doing?”

Kang Seokwon asks, coming out of the storage. Jo Jihyun points to the pillar instead of answering. Kang Seokwon’s lips soften.

“My grandma marked them. She stopped when I got too tall.”

The last line was likely at the height of the old woman’s reach. Even that feels dear.

“Find anything?”

“A few photos. Thought I’d cleared everything.”

“Can I see them?”

Kang Seokwon hands over photos in an old envelope. In the faded pictures, Kang Seokwon stands with an impassive face.

“When’s this?”

“Elementary school graduation.”

Kang Seokwon sits beside Jo Jihyun.

“You were tall even then.”

Kang Seokwon replies casually, Yeah. The next photo is with his grandmother. His face, much more relaxed than when alone, holds her hand. It shows how much he loved her.

Jo Jihyun looks at the photo, then turns to Kang Seokwon.

“Can I ask a favor?”

“Yeah.”

“I want this photo.”

He picks the one of Kang Seokwon alone, not with his grandmother. Kang Seokwon smiles loosely, asking, Why that one?

“Just.”

He looked lonely.

It overlaps with the image of the man across the street.

“Okay. Take it.”

“Thank you.”

Jo Jihyun carefully tucks the photo into his pocket.

“Did you live here the whole time?”

“Yeah. Always.”

Kang Seokwon lowers his eyes, then continues.

“They’re demolishing this place for development. Today’s the last day.”

Jo Jihyun blinks, listening.

“It’s… a bit sad.”

He mutters to himself. It’s not just a bit sad. This place holds all his memories with his grandmother. He’ll never see it again after today. Jo Jihyun’s chest tightens, thinking of the man who was ready to return to Seoul despite this.

“Should we go?”

“Don’t you want to look around more?”

“I cleared everything before.”

Jo Jihyun stands. Before leaving, Kang Seokwon looks back once, saying nothing.

“Where to now?”

“The river.”

Jo Jihyun guesses it’s where his grandmother’s ashes were scattered. Walking a bit, he feels the damp breeze. A field of reeds taller than an adult’s waist stretches out. The dry grass rustles as the wind blows.

“Here.”

Kang Seokwon stops. The view opens up. The wind shakes the reeds. Jo Jihyun looks at Kang Seokwon’s profile and reaches for his hand. Kang Seokwon’s warmth firmly envelops his hand.

“She worried a lot.”

His voice resembles the heavy, cold air of this late autumn, carried by the river breeze.

“Whether I’d go down the wrong path, get pointed at as an orphan, eat properly.”

“She sounds like a good person.”

“Yeah. Very.”

Kang Seokwon exhales, almost a sigh, and continues.

“She wanted me to be happy. That’s why she’d have liked you, for sure.”

His gaze rests on the river’s shimmering surface.

“That’s all she wanted.”

He confesses his complete happiness. Holding Jo Jihyun’s hand, he says he’s fulfilled all his grandmother wanted.

“Jihyun.”

Kang Seokwon’s low call reaches him.

“Let’s live together.”

“…….”

“Let’s live together, you and me.”

His confession, as always, is simple and calm. No embellishment, no pretense—just his honest heart.

A hot surge rises. Jo Jihyun wants to nod, but he knows it won’t happen.

“I’ll treat you well.”

He’ll never receive kinder care. Kang Seokwon always, naturally, puts Jo Jihyun first.

“I want to be with you, always.”

His gaze, fixed on Jo Jihyun, carries a hint of urgency.

“I…”

“You don’t have to answer now.”

Kang Seokwon tightens his grip, reading Jo Jihyun’s incomprehensible anxiety.

“If I can be with you, sunbae, I’ll do anything.”

“…….”

“Whatever it takes, if it makes you happy, ……, if it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

“Just be here.”

That’s enough.

He brushes back Jo Jihyun’s wind-tousled hair, adding. A man who’s been denied since birth, Kang Seokwon affirms every moment. Just stay by his side—that’s all that matters. To Jo Jihyun, Kang Seokwon is everything. Jo Jihyun smiles calmly. Suddenly, Kang Seokwon touches his forehead. Jo Jihyun, eyes closed, speaks.

“It reminds me of that time.”

“When?”

“That rainy day you took me. You always checked my fever like this.”

Kang Seokwon lowers his hand.

“Sorry.”

I wanted to touch you so much back then.

Jo Jihyun opens his eyes at the faint heat in his words.

“It’s okay. I felt the same.”

Kang Seokwon leans down and kisses Jo Jihyun, covering his ears gently to shield them from the river breeze.

The sound of dry reeds crumbling in the wind fades away.

It’s a quiet, peaceful world.

It was past 10 p.m. when they arrived at the apartment. Kang Seokwon stands at the entrance, saying, Go inside.

“Are you heading home?”

“I’ll change and go for a run.”

He was remarkably diligent.

“Thanks for today. Even though you’re not feeling well.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Go inside.”

Kang Seokwon gently pushes Jo Jihyun’s shoulder. Jo Jihyun calls out, Hey.

“Want to come up for a bit?”

“……, Your place?”

Kang Seokwon asks, slightly taken aback.

“Yes. My parents won’t be back today. They’ll come tomorrow afternoon, late.”

Realizing it might sound too forward, Jo Jihyun trails off, saying, Maybe just for tea.

“Okay.”

Kang Seokwon follows Jo Jihyun casually. Riding the elevator, Jo Jihyun glances up at him.

“I didn’t clean my room, since I left in a hurry.”

Kang Seokwon’s apartment is always tidy. In contrast, Jo Jihyun left without even making his bed. He feels embarrassed.

“It’s fine.”

Kang Seokwon smiles in response. The elevator doors open. Jo Jihyun punches in the code, opens the door, and steps aside, saying, Come in. Kang Seokwon takes off his shoes and enters. The ceiling feels lower than ever.

“This is my room.”

Jo Jihyun leads him to his room. Kang Seokwon’s presence makes the space feel cramped.

“Want some juice?”

“Yeah.”

Kang Seokwon replies absently, his eyes wandering. From the moment he entered, he’s been absorbed in looking around. Jo Jihyun hangs his coat and goes to the kitchen. He takes juice from the fridge, pours it into a cup, and brings it on a tray.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking.”

With utmost seriousness, he’s examining the desk.

“There’s nothing to see. Just books.”

“Just. It’s interesting.”

Jo Jihyun hands him the cup. Kang Seokwon says, Thanks, but can’t take his eyes off the desk.

“Is this you?”

Kang Seokwon points to a childhood photo.

“Yes.”

His lips soften. Pretty. The admiring word makes Jo Jihyun’s face flush.

“No other photos?”

“Not many. My mother doesn’t like them.”

Kang Seokwon’s gaze traces every corner of the room.

“Are these all awards?”

“Yes.”

“What’s this one for?”

“Essay writing. Poetry contest.”

“This one?”

The usually stoic man can’t hide his excitement as he asks. Jo Jihyun smiles, pulling out a booklet Kang Seokwon pointed to. It’s a collection of academic excellence awards.

“Impressive.”

Kang Seokwon flips through it, commenting. Jo Jihyun, shyly, laughs and says, Not really.

“Not much to see, right?”

“No.”

The desk is piled with books and certificates. Only a bed and a hanger for his uniform stand alone. Yet, the man lingers, taking in the sparse room.

“You sleep here?”

Kang Seokwon asks, sitting on the bed.

“Yes.”

Jo Jihyun sits beside him. Kang Seokwon’s gaze, slowly scanning the bed, narrows briefly. Bloodstains are visible on the wall. Jo Jihyun quickly grabs a pillow to cover it. Only then does he notice things he’d missed: scratches on the door, like from a sharp object, a broken doorknob.

Kang Seokwon clasps his hands, head bowed, as if lost in thought.

“Sorry.”

Jo Jihyun apologizes.

“For what?”

“Just… everything.”

He foolishly brought Kang Seokwon to this awful place. Kang Seokwon pulls Jo Jihyun into an embrace, kissing his forehead. It’s not your fault. Jo Jihyun smiles bitterly. It’s all his fault. His misery is his own, but Kang Seokwon’s isn’t.

“Not until you graduate, right?”

Kang Seokwon asks, his face pained. Jo Jihyun lowers his gaze without answering. He wants to confess everything, but doing so would steal even this moment.

“I’ll think of more ways.”

“……, Thank you.”

That’s all he can say. Kang Seokwon presses his lips to Jo Jihyun’s forehead. The soft touch moves to his nose, then his lips.

Kissing him is utterly intoxicating. Their breaths mingle, words unspoken passing between their tongues. The kiss pauses.

“You still have a slight fever.”

“A little.”

The fever, eased by medicine, rises again as it wears off. He’ll likely be sick all night.

“Take your medicine and sleep. I’m going.”

Kang Seokwon kisses Jo Jihyun’s cheek and stands. Jo Jihyun looks up, slightly panicked.

“Already?”

He’d said just tea, but Kang Seokwon is leaving sooner than expected. Jo Jihyun worries he’s upset him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Kang Seokwon’s eyes narrow briefly, then he smiles.

“No.”

“Then why…”

“If I stay longer, things might get weird.”

You’re not feeling well. Kang Seokwon touches Jo Jihyun’s forehead, speaking. He grabs his jacket. As he says, I’m going, Jo Jihyun grabs his hand.

“Sunbae. Don’t go.”

“…….”

“It’s been a while. Stay longer.”

“Next time.”

“When’s next time?”

Jo Jihyun unwittingly reveals his anxiety. Kang Seokwon stares, clicks his tongue softly, and speaks.

“That’s a bad habit.”

“…….”

“Why do you act like this is the last time?”

He sees through truths Jo Jihyun never voiced. Shame keeps Jo Jihyun from lifting his head.

“I’ll keep seeing you.”

“……, I’m sorry.”

A sigh comes from above. Kang Seokwon lifts Jo Jihyun’s chin.

“I said I’d do whatever you want.”

His resolute voice is unshakable.

“Unless you say you hate me and want to stop seeing me,”

Kang Seokwon pauses, collecting his emotions.

“I won’t let you go, not even if I die. No, I can’t.”

His fierce devotion presses closer. Jo Jihyun knows what it is. The cold voice over the intercom, saying he’d checked the mental hospital, carried his kept promise.

“I won’t compromise on this. Not even for you.”

“I understand.”

Jo Jihyun nods. Kang Seokwon says, Sleep, stroking his cheek. The feverish cheek feels soft. Jo Jihyun murmurs dazedly.

“Next time we meet, I want to have s** with you, sunbae.”

Sometimes Jo Jihyun says shockingly blunt things. Each time, Kang Seokwon feels both flustered and delighted. Indescribably, lovable. Kang Seokwon says, Okay.

“So today,”

Jo Jihyun hesitates, then lifts his eyes. His heated gaze lands on Kang Seokwon’s lips.

“Kiss me.”

Kang Seokwon crumbles with a sigh, pulling Jo Jihyun into an embrace. He tightly holds the slender body, devouring his lips. Jo Jihyun removes Kang Seokwon’s jacket. The fervent, eager motion blanks Kang Seokwon’s mind with heat. Holding Jo Jihyun, he walks to the bed.

Kang Seokwon removes Jo Jihyun’s shirt. Jo Jihyun trembles, clinging to his shoulders. They’ve kissed and been intimate before, yet each time his hands shake with nerves.

“You talk like that, but.”

Kang Seokwon’s eyes smile. Jo Jihyun buries his face in his shoulder. Kang Seokwon says, Come here, embracing him like a child. Face-to-face, Jo Jihyun kisses his cheek. A Jo Jihyun kind of courtship. Kang Seokwon slips his hand under Jo Jihyun’s shirt, rubbing a small protrusion with his fingertip. Jo Jihyun gasps, twisting his waist. M**ning softly, he keeps pressing his lips to Kang Seokwon’s. Drunk on the sweetness, Kang Seokwon buries his face in Jo Jihyun’s neck. Undoing the shirt buttons reveals pale skin untouched by light. Kang Seokwon presses his lips to the protrusion.

“Sunbae, ah, …….”

Jo Jihyun clutches his hair. Unable to push or pull, he fumbles, unsure. Squirming, Jo Jihyun accidentally kicks Kang Seokwon with his toes.

“Don’t like it?”

Kang Seokwon asks. Jo Jihyun’s face reddens. Hesitating, he mumbles softly, I don’t dislike it.

“Then?”

“……, …….”

He’s not one to ask such things. Jo Jihyun blinks, flustered, as Kang Seokwon asks again, How is it?

“I… don’t know.”

Jo Jihyun continues. It’s ticklish, makes my toes curl, a bit scary, but not bad. When your breath touches there, I don’t know what to do, it tingles below… like that.

Kang Seokwon, momentarily speechless at Jo Jihyun’s studious answer, laughs and whispers.

“So you like it.”

He pulls Jo Jihyun’s waist close, taking the protrusion in his mouth again. A few s**ks make the n**ple rise. The pale n**ple reddens quickly from l**king and s**king. Pretty. Kang Seokwon murmurs against his chest, nibbling the protrusion and kissing it more. His straight nose is visible.

“Sunbae.”

Kang Seokwon meets his gaze with just his eyes.

“I want to kiss.”

A large hand firmly holds Jo Jihyun’s head. Kang Seokwon closes the distance instantly. Jo Jihyun opens his mouth wide, taking in his tongue. Saliva mixes, a dizzying heat seeping in. The kiss deepens. Kang Seokwon roughly rubs their lips, l**king Jo Jihyun’s tongue. Even after their lips part, they pant in overwhelming ecstasy.

“……, Just kissing today?”

Jo Jihyun asks.

“If that’s what you want.”

Kang Seokwon bites and releases Jo Jihyun’s lower lip, answering. His lower body has been hard for a while. Jo Jihyun’s no different.

“As if I’d want that.”

Jo Jihyun’s words are swallowed by Kang Seokwon’s lips. His pants are pulled down, underwear catching on his legs. Kang Seokwon buries his face between Jo Jihyun’s thighs.

“――.”

An unvoiced scream catches on his tongue. Kang Seokwon s**ks his member. The hair quickly soaks with his saliva. Overwhelmed by maddening pleasure, Jo Jihyun bites his lip, head thrown back. The unfamiliar, anxious sensation makes him want to push away, but he lets Kang Seokwon do as he wishes. If Kang Seokwon wants it, Jo Jihyun wants to give it.

“Ah, ah, ……mm. Sunbae…….”

In a voice drenched with desire, Jo Jihyun calls Kang Seokwon repeatedly. Sunbae, sunbae, ……. Kang Seokwon moves his tongue in response. Each time he takes the member, a chilling mix of fear and pleasure surges.

“Sunbae, I’m going to, ――.”

Before finishing, Kang Seokwon swallows it to the base. His throat moves with a gulp. Jo Jihyun, too embarrassed to lift his head, speaks.

“……, Don’t swallow it.”

It’s futile. Kang Seokwon even l**ks the s**en from his lips. His greedy movements are as unfamiliar as they are captivating. Each time he indulges in Jo Jihyun, a shiver runs through Jo Jihyun’s core.

Kang Seokwon slowly lifts his head. Their eyes meet, and Jo Jihyun realizes his toes are brushing Kang Seokwon’s g**in. The hard, e**ct member grazes his toes. Jo Jihyun curls them. Kang Seokwon grabs his ankle, looking as if asking permission. Jo Jihyun nods slowly, and Kang Seokwon bites the slender ankle, l**king it while stroking his own member. The large flesh glistens quickly. S**king Jo Jihyun’s foot, Kang Seokwon grows fiercely aroused. His heavy breathing fills the air. His gaze invades Jo Jihyun. Hot blood surges. Collapsing, Jo Jihyun throws himself onto Kang Seokwon. They roll on the floor, stripping each other. N**ed like beasts, they cling together. Kang Seokwon rubs his member below. Jo Jihyun sways his hips, urging him. It enters in one thrust. Burning desire fills him. Holding his breath, Jo Jihyun feels Kang Seokwon fully. Kang Seokwon invades slowly. Ravenous hunger. Like a starved beast tearing into his core. Jo Jihyun spreads his legs, pulling Kang Seokwon’s waist. Kang Seokwon thrusts his desire deeply. Each rough thrust shakes every sensation. Unable to tell up from down, Jo Jihyun clings to Kang Seokwon’s thick arms.

“Jihyun.”

The moment Kang Seokwon calls his name, blood rushes to his softened member from c**max. His vision flashes. The pleasure pounding below stimulates his body. Crying like a mute young animal, Jo Jihyun clings tightly to Kang Seokwon. Jo Jihyun reaches c**max first. His slender body trembles, tightening around Kang Seokwon’s member. Biting his teeth, Kang Seokwon thrusts upward. At his limit, he pulls out. Rubbing his member on Jo Jihyun’s stomach, he c**maxes. The hot s**en on his stomach makes Jo Jihyun bite his lip. It feels thrillingly good. Kang Seokwon reaches for tissues on the table, wiping Jo Jihyun’s stomach. Jo Jihyun, breathing heavily, looks at him. Seeing Jo Jihyun’s s**en-soaked flesh, Kang Seokwon swallows softly. He’s aroused again. The thick member, visible through the hair, is fully e**ct.

“You can do it again.”

“It’s too much for you.”

He finishes wiping Jo Jihyun’s body with the tissue. Each touch makes Jo Jihyun’s body shiver.

“Sunbae…….”

Jo Jihyun calls, sitting up. He lies face-down on the mattress, lowering his waist. His plump b**tocks are visible. The reddened, swollen entrance from their earlier act is exposed. It just held Kang Seokwon’s member. Recalling the sensation, Kang Seokwon’s lower body surges with blood. Hearing him swallow, Jo Jihyun turns his head. Meeting eyes filled with shame and anticipation, Kang Seokwon lets go of his restraint. He grabs Jo Jihyun’s hips, thrusting his hard member in. Jo Jihyun cries out, clutching the sheets. Between the pale b**tocks, the veined, dark member moves in and out. It feels like defiling something pure. Kang Seokwon bites his lip. As the hips spread, the member goes deeper. Jo Jihyun squirms, crying softly. The pitiful motion drives Kang Seokwon to breathless excitement. He’s losing his mind. Jihyun. Even panting under the weight, Jo Jihyun responds to his call. The plump hips press against Kang Seokwon’s flat stomach. Indescribable arousal surges. Kang Seokwon grips Jo Jihyun’s b**tocks harder. The flesh sticks wetly to the inner walls, pulling apart with each thrust. The bed creaks. This is Jo Jihyun’s bed, where he sleeps, studies, changes. Stripping him bare, Kang Seokwon takes him from behind like a beast. Breaching his boundaries, invading his space. Animalistic instincts rise. As if branding Jo Jihyun as his, Kang Seokwon unleashes his desire inside. S**en flows in. Holding Jo Jihyun tightly to keep him still, Kang Seokwon thrusts again, sending s**en deeper. Jo Jihyun’s thighs tremble faintly. S**en overflows from the joined space, trickling down his thighs like incontinence. Kang Seokwon stares at it deliberately for a long time. Jo Jihyun, breathing heavily, looks back. Meeting his gaze, Jo Jihyun’s eyes crinkle slightly.

Kang Seokwon reaches for a tissue.

Jihyun.

Jo Jihyun barely opens his eyes.

“I cleaned everything up. I’m going.”

Fully dressed, the man sits by the bed, speaking. Jo Jihyun tries to sit up.

“Stay down.”

“What time is it?”

“Four a.m.”

“There’s no bus.”

“I’ll run.”

They’d clung together like animals in heat all night. Jo Jihyun has no strength left to move a finger. Yet the man cleaned up and plans to run home. His inhuman stamina is astounding.

“Water and medicine are here. Take them if you get a fever.”

“Okay.”

He kisses Jo Jihyun’s forehead. Jo Jihyun smiles faintly. About to stand, he sighs, looking at Jo Jihyun.

“What?”

“Don’t want to leave you.”

“…….”

He knows what this place means to Jo Jihyun.

“Call if anything happens. I put a phone card in your pillow.”

After Jo Jihyun refused money for calls before, Kang Seokwon occasionally buys phone cards like this.

“Thank you.”

Kang Seokwon brushes back Jo Jihyun’s hair, says, I’m really going now, and leaves the room. The front door closes soon after.

A cold air lingers in the room.

His body burns with fever, yet he feels strangely cold. It’s the first time his small room feels so vast.

Turning toward the wall, he still senses Kang Seokwon’s scent. Closing his eyes doesn’t help. He realizes then. This room has been invaded by Kang Seokwon. Everywhere he looks, Kang Seokwon comes to mind.

No more sleep.

Jo Jihyun sighs, pulling the sheet closer. Until the pale dawn light seeps through the window, Jo Jihyun thinks of the man.

His body burns with heat.