Cozy Obsession

If it had been a scheduled appointment, it might be different, but given that this meeting was arranged suddenly, the other party should understand if unavoidable circumstances arise. Having made up his mind, Heemin grabbed Yiheon and led him to the bedroom.“Let’s finish what we started earlier. I want to be with you.”While the original Heemin quickly enjoyed advancing his relationship with Seo Heemin, the current Heemin took considerable time with foreplay. It was certain that once they began, it wouldn’t end in just a couple of hours.As he undid his shirt buttons, unable to resist the urge, Yiheon slowly approached and refastened the open collar. The thin fabric covered the skin that had been exposed to the air, which had been covered in goosebumps.“That’s not what you think,” Yiheon said in a voice that was both gentle and indirect as he fastened the buttons one by one. His kind tone held an undertone of firm and cold refusal. That contradictory tone left Heemin feeling utterly devastated.“Do you even know what I’m thinking?” Heemin asked, his question more of a lament than a tease. Since he couldn’t grasp the hidden meaning, Heemin appeared to be throwing a tantrum in Yiheon’s eyes. It was only natural that Heemin would fall down on his priority list.He resented himself for being unable to help at crucial moments, for not being able to explain himself properly, and for feeling helpless in a situation where a small spark could ignite into a massive fire.He bit his lip in anguish, swallowing the sadness that spread like ink. Having buttoned up Heemin’s shirt, Yiheon gently brushed his damp eyes with his index finger and quietly spoke.“I know. You’re scared of a ghost wielding a knife, right?”Heemin’s eyes widened. He thought Yiheon had merely brushed off his fears as nonsense, but it seemed he hadn’t dismissed them lightly.A large hand repeatedly caressed Heemin’s startled face. With a look that suggested he understood the source of his fear, Yiheon reassured him, as if asking him to trust him.“It’s still okay. If I thought it was dangerous, I wouldn’t have brought you here in the first place.”The word “still” sounded strange to Heemin. Just as he was about to ask what he meant, Yiheon spoke again.“I’ll be back before nightfall.”So, he meant he would return before the ghost appeared, leaving Heemin no reason to be afraid.Heemin couldn’t help but feel that the statement had another meaning. Looking up at him with a confused expression, Yiheon smiled and offered a clear solution.“I’ll meet them outside the hotel. Is that okay?”He paced the room nervously before peeking out the door, hoping for reassurance. He saw a burly man in a black suit standing there. Yiheon had assigned a guard to watch Heemin.‘I’ll have someone outside the door, so don’t try to sneak out. Just relax and take a bath while you wait.’The guard was likely one of the casino’s security personnel, wearing a badge on his chest, an earpiece connected to a radio, and a baton and taser on his belt.“What’s the matter?” the guard asked.“I just wanted to say hi. Hello,” Heemin replied nervously.“The boss instructed me not to let you take a single step outside this room. Please go back inside.”Although he expected it, Heemin was still intimidated by the guard’s businesslike tone, so unlike the friendly demeanor of Secretary Jeong or Minseok. Heemin quietly closed the door and returned to the living room.The stabbing incident was set to occur in the corridor on the first floor, connected to the casino. Since the location had changed, there was no need to worry about Yiheon anymore.Despite this, the unease deep within his heart was likely because he couldn’t see with his own eyes that Yiheon was safe.To calm his unsteady heart, Heemin pulled a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. He couldn’t resist taking a drink.He peeled off the embossed gold foil, revealing a cork held in place by wire. Though he paused momentarily at the unfamiliar sight, he quickly recalled that the cap on Yiheon’s favorite whiskey was also cork. With a quick twist and pull, he expected it to open easily.“…What?”As soon as he completely loosened the wire, the cork popped out of the bottle automatically. Amazed that it required no effort, he was caught off guard.“Ah!”With a loud pop, the cork shot out like a cannonball, soaring toward the ceiling. It happened so quickly that there was no time to react.“What’s going on?” the guard outside asked, alarmed by the sudden scream. But Heemin had no time to reassure him that everything was fine. Champagne and foam were spilling out of the bottle. Heemin hurriedly pressed his lips to the mouth of the bottle to prevent further spillage.“Are you okay? I’m coming in,” the guard called, his deep voice booming from outside. He seemed to think something serious had happened since there was no response.“Stay where you are! I’m fine!” Heemin yelled back.Fortunately, the carbon dioxide had mostly escaped, so the foam stopped pouring out of the bottle. Heemin held onto the bottle tightly and rushed to the entrance to reassure the guard. He didn’t want to show such an embarrassing sight to someone who wasn’t one of Yiheon’s direct subordinates.“Are you sure you’re okay?” the guard asked again.“I just spilled some water and got a bit startled. It’s nothing serious,” Heemin replied.“Then I’ll call for the room maid,” the guard offered.“Oh, no! I’ve cleaned it up, and I’m about to take a bath. Please don’t let anyone in,” Heemin quickly responded.He couldn’t help but feel that the part of the ceiling that the cork had hit was dented. There also seemed to be a dark mark where it had struck.Since the hotel had only recently been remodeled, this was quite a mishap. Although it would be better to come clean, Heemin worried that the incident would reach the general manager’s ears and embarrass Yiheon.“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask,” the guard said.“Yes, I will,” Heemin replied.Determined to handle the situation himself, Heemin grabbed a bunch of tissues. The foam had splattered all over the table and floor.He wiped everything down diligently, using water to prevent any stickiness. After one final inspection, Heemin finally took a deep breath and downed the remaining champagne.He let out a chuckle of disbelief, unable to comprehend the situation. Ironically, it was only when the bottle was empty that he truly appreciated the delightful taste of the champagne, exuding a bright floral scent and the fresh flavor of grapes. The longing to have shared this with Yiheon swept over him like a strong wave. Nevertheless, after being shaken to his core, the anxiety had eased considerably. Although he hadn’t planned to indulge in a leisurely bath, he couldn’t leave his sweat-drenched body as it was, so Heemin grabbed his phone and headed to the bathroom.As he passed through the bedroom and moved inside, he entered a spacious bathroom with two walls made entirely of glass. A large and deep bathtub was installed, spacious enough for two adult men to fit in comfortably, giving the impression of a small pool connected to the sea due to the setting. Thanks to the building’s location at the cliff’s edge, one could enjoy a half-bath while taking in the expansive view of the sea. Perhaps this was why Yiheon had insisted on taking a bath. Of course, there might have been other intentions as well.He turned on the faucet and began filling the bathtub with water. While waiting, he thought about taking a picture and had brought his phone, but the excitement from earlier was gone, so he decided against it. Like sharing a meal that tastes better when eaten together, it seemed that the beauty of a landscape was more impactful when appreciated with someone else.[Hyung.][Did you meet the guests well?][Are you okay?][I’m about to take a bath.][I’m being good, right?][Praise me.]Instead of taking a picture, Heemin closed the camera app and sent a series of messages to Yiheon. He wanted to initiate a video call like the last time, but since Yiheon was meeting an important person, he felt he shouldn’t interrupt.Only the sound of the water cascading like a waterfall broke the silence. Although he knew in his mind that a reply wouldn’t come immediately since Yiheon was working, the silent phone felt unfair, dampening his mood. Heemin, crouching beside the bathtub and staring intently at the phone screen, let out a soft sigh and stood up. His mind was swirling with concerns about whether Yiheon had been in a car accident or had gotten involved in some unexpected danger.“…It’ll be okay.”He tried to dispel his negative thoughts by speaking aloud. Even in the original story, Yiheon was unharmed when the stabbing incident occurred. Surely, everything would be fine. He calmed his restless heart and submerged himself in the half-filled bathtub. To aid in relaxation, he also added a bath product from the amenities into the water. As expected, it didn’t create a lot of bubbles, but the water took on a pink hue, reminiscent of the evening sky.‘Shall I send him a proof shot?’This time, he took a picture with one foot playfully peeking out from the light pink water of the bathtub and sent it to Yiheon. It was less about reporting his situation and more about trying to unsettle the otherwise imperturbable man, whose composure could make even a stone Buddha weep.Are you still not going to reply, even after this? Even if you’re busy, please spare a moment for me.[You’re being good.]As if his ploy had worked, his phone buzzed not long after. Just a three-word reply was enough to release the tension that had been building up inside him, and his body felt languid as if it were melting.‘Thank goodness. He’s alright.’Relieved by the uneventful response, he gazed out at the sea. The warmth of the water and the quickly spreading intoxication blurred his vision. Although it was only a half-bottle, his body, which wasn’t accustomed to alcohol, had hastily gulped it down, making him feel drowsy.[I miss you. Hyung. Come back soon.]Barely managing to hold onto his drifting consciousness, Heemin sent one more message. He noticed a typo, but his fingers felt too heavy to correct it. After hitting send, he placed the phone on a shelf beside the bathtub to prevent it from falling into the water, then gently closed his eyes. The sound of the waterfall falling into the small valley faded away into the distance.* * *‘Please let me go.’A cold, sharp blade pierced deep into his flesh. Without hesitation, he slid it sideways, and the blood oozing from his wrist dripped into the bathtub. Heemin swallowed his tears as he watched the bright red stream spread like cigarette smoke. The heat of the water, the thick white steam, the metallic scent of blood, the pain from his limp body and torn wrist, and the sadness tearing at his chest. Even though it was a dream, everything felt vivid. His entire body reacted sensitively, evoking a sense of déjà vu he couldn’t explain.Engulfed by a powerful desire to escape his cruel fate, Heemin submerged his body beneath the water. As he allowed his body to sink, water filled his nose.‘Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.’‘It’s okay. Nothing will happen.’The face of the man who had gently smiled at him came to mind. The tiny spark that was about to die out reignited into a flame within his heart.…I don’t want to die.He was not the ‘Seo Heemin’ who longed for death. He hadn’t yet made ‘Cha Yiheon’ happy, nor had he seen the ending of the altered <Silence>. Why had he been so consumed by such despair, ready to throw his life away? Even for a moment, he had felt like the ‘Seo Heemin’ from the original story, desperate and believing that only death could set him free.Why? Why on earth?He hadn’t been hypnotized like before, and the current ‘Seo Heemin’ had never attempted suicide, which left him utterly bewildered. He felt like someone reliving the past, overwhelmed by the emotions of an event long gone.As soon as Heemin realized the situation he was in, his arms moved instinctively. He started flailing wildly, desperately trying to stay afloat in the water.“…Min. Seo Heemin!”Someone called out to him in a voice full of desperation. The sound filled him with a sudden sense of relief and longing, as if he had discovered a glimmer of light in a dark tunnel. As his body began to sink deeper, the person grasped his arm with terrifying strength, as if determined not to let him go.“Gah…! Ugh!”Heemin gasped for air as his body was pulled out of the water and propped against the edge of the bathtub. Clear, transparent water poured out from his throat, as if he had swallowed a significant amount. He managed to open his eyes, struggling to regain his senses, and saw Yiheon removing the drain plug from the bathtub with a stern expression.‘…He came back.’Heemin had no idea how long he had dozed off in the bathtub. Some fragments of time seemed to have vanished, and by the time he noticed, the outside world was shrouded in darkness, with water overflowing everywhere.He quickly checked his wrists. Apart from his ten fingers, which were swollen and wrinkled, there were no horizontal cuts. Naturally, he hadn’t inflicted any wounds on himself—he had merely fallen asleep after drinking too much.After losing a child, ‘Seo Heemin’ had secretly slashed his wrist in the bathroom with a stolen knife. The novel depicted how, after numerous suicide attempts, he ended up accompanying ‘Cha Yiheon’ to this hotel because he was held back. Being left alone in that place must have triggered the unsettling dream.Just as Heemin was about to make a joke about almost making it into the news for drowning in the bathtub, he caught sight of Yiheon’s miserably contorted expression, which made him involuntarily bite his lip.“Doing this again in front of me…”Yiheon’s voice was low and strained, as if he were holding back his anger. He gritted his teeth, breathing heavily, and ran his wet hand down his face.“I’m sorry. I drank a whole bottle, and it made me so sleepy…”Heemin quickly apologized, realizing that Yiheon might have thought he was acting out of defiance, like the time he had held a knife to his throat and attempted suicide in protest at being left alone. But that wasn’t his intention at all.Despite his apology, Yiheon’s face remained rigid, his dark eyes flickering with uncontrollable rage. His shoulders trembled as he struggled to contain his anger. Finally, he lost control and shouted at Heemin.“Are you out of your mind? You can’t even handle alcohol! If I hadn’t come, you would have died here, just like that. I’ve managed to turn everything around, only to almost lose you before even getting a proper start!”The thunderous shout startled Heemin, causing him to flinch. The sharpness of the moment, like the chill of a winter night, seeped into his entire body.What did Yiheon mean by saying he had turned everything around?Heemin wanted to ask if Yiheon was referring to restoring his relationship with ‘Seo Heemin’ or to the memory of a past filled with hatred. But the fierce gaze that bore into him made it impossible to speak.Yiheon had been the one to suggest the bath, but it was Heemin’s own fault for getting into the water while drunk. Lowering his eyes in silence, Yiheon glanced at the phone resting neatly on the shelf and muttered in disbelief.“No reply, no phone call… I came just in case… Hah.”Heemin hadn’t even realized his phone had rung. He must have been so deeply asleep that he didn’t hear it ringing right beside him. The alcohol must have dulled his senses to the point of paralysis, even in a body as sensitive as ‘Seo Heemin’s.’Yiheon must have been uneasy without a response, and upon entering the bathroom and seeing Heemin struggling in the water, he must have been terrified. It was no wonder he was so furious—Heemin would have felt the same way.“…I’m sorry.”Feeling pathetic for putting Yiheon through such a stressful ordeal and worrying that he might have disrupted Yiheon’s work again, Heemin apologized once more, looking into Yiheon’s bloodshot eyes.“…Hah…”Yiheon let out a rough sigh and turned his back on Heemin. He walked over to the wall, took down a bathrobe, and draped it over Heemin’s naked body.The soft, thick fabric wrapped around Heemin’s back, instantly dispelling the chill that had clung to his damp skin.“You’ll catch a cold. Wear this.”Heemin was too drained to even lift his arms to put the robe on. As he slumped forward with his face buried in the robe’s collar, Yiheon gently helped him slide his arms into the sleeves.“Seo Heemin.”Instead of responding, Heemin simply gazed up at Yiheon. He observed the finely sculpted contours of Yiheon’s face, the soft shadows cast by the dim lighting, and the fierce, possessive gaze in his eyes.Despite his overwhelming emotions, Yiheon was trying hard not to let them show. He was restraining himself, not wanting to scare Heemin or let his anger touch Heemin’s heart.After calling Heemin’s name, Yiheon remained silent for a long time, simply watching him. Then, carefully, he cupped Heemin’s cheek, his tightly closed lips finally parting.“I’m losing my mind at the thought of never seeing you again.”“…”“Don’t drive me crazy.”“…”“If you die, I die too.”His sorrowful, heart-wrenching words echoed softly in Heemin’s ears. Though there were no visible tears, it was as if Yiheon was crying.Even after ‘Seo Heemin’s’ suicide attempt, ‘Cha Yiheon’ didn’t regret what he had done. He believed that even if he could turn back time, he would still destroy ‘Seo Heemin.’ It was only later that he truly came to realize his mistakes.But now, instead of scolding Heemin or hitting him, Yiheon covered him with a robe. He gently coaxed Heemin and even seemed to regret getting angry.Suddenly, Heemin wanted to wipe away Yiheon’s invisible tears. His thoughts quickly turned into words.“…I like you, hyung.”Yiheon’s eyes widened in shock. He looked bewildered, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He seemed so unexpectedly endearing that Heemin couldn’t help but find him cute. Wrapping his arms around Yiheon’s stiff neck, Heemin whispered again, softly.“I like you, hyung.”Heemin had always casually told his friends that he loved them. So, despite the awkwardness of the confession, he didn’t feel shy about it. He was simply filled with the desire to express his feelings.He was well aware that the form and color of their mutual affection were likely quite different. Heemin knew that his own feelings were small and insignificant compared to the unconditional sacrifice Yiheon was willing to make for him.Even if it couldn’t quite be called love, even if it was closer to sympathy, the feeling that he liked him was nevertheless genuine. He enjoyed being with him, liked his warmth, and appreciated how he changed every day because of him. It seemed like there would be a significant aftereffect if he ever reached a happy ending and left this world. Contrary to now, Yiheon would think of him when he looked at others. Sometimes, he would find himself missing him so much that he’d wet his pillow with tears.The only fortunate thing was that he always clearly recognized that Yiheon’s love belonged to “Seo Heemin.” So he knew not to be greedy. Since he had to return to reality, the perfect way to complete his feelings was by cherishing them beautifully as memories.“You’re so annoying.”He must have thought Heemin was trying to smooth over his mess with a bit of playfulness. Despite it all being genuine, he didn’t seem to understand Heemin’s feelings. It was Heemin who wanted to break free from his embrace and stand up because being told he was annoying after confessing his feelings was frustrating. But then Yiheon suddenly tightened his grip on the back of Heemin’s head.“Let’s just stay like this for a moment.”“……”“Just for a moment.”“……You’re annoying.”When Heemin threw his words back at him, Yiheon chuckled softly with his deep voice.“Am I the only one who thinks this way?”“What do you mean?”“See? That’s why I said you’re annoying.”Despite his words, Yiheon seemed to be in a good mood. It was evident because the sharp pheromones that had previously stung like thorns were now soft and enveloping.Leaning against Yiheon’s shoulder, Heemin drew in his lips and smiled quietly. He wished that their ending would be no more and no less than this—holding onto this tender affection, exchanging jokes and laughter.“But what happened with your work? Did I mess things up again?”“It went well. I even secured a contract.”“Really? Oh, if I knew, I wouldn’t have drunk the champagne. I ended up drinking it all by myself. We should have celebrated.”“I don’t need a drink, so get up. I’ll dry your hair.”Yiheon slid his hand under Heemin’s arm, helping him stand from his weakened state. Then he effortlessly lifted Heemin like a bundle of straw and seated him on the stool in front of the vanity.“I can do it by myself.”“What mischief are you planning now?”“All I need to do is turn on the dryer and dry my hair. How could that lead to any trouble?”“I can’t trust you with that.”With a light-hearted smile, Yiheon grabbed the hairdryer. Soon, the mechanical hum filled the air, and warm air began to blow over Heemin’s soaking hair.Heemin enjoyed the tender way Yiheon’s fingers threaded through his hair, and he closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax.It was a moment so ordinary that all his worries melted away.Instead of going to a restaurant to celebrate, they ordered abalone porridge through room service in the room. Yiheon insisted they avoid cold food to prevent Heemin from catching a cold. Heemin longed to stroll along the beach outside, but with a guilty conscience, he quietly ate his porridge. He had become accustomed to confinement and had resigned himself to it quickly. He couldn’t tell if that was good or bad.After dinner, they sat on the living room sofa and watched a movie on cable TV. It was about sending a hero back in time to stop a robot from destroying the world. Heemin found himself relating to the protagonist’s struggles to change the future, and he watched the movie more intently than usual.“If it were you.”It was when the ending credits were just rolling up that Yiheon finally spoke up.“Yes?”“If someone told you they went back in time to change fate, would you believe them?”Though Heemin hadn’t traveled back in time, he shared the commonality of knowing the future because he was transported into a book. The question of the opposing viewpoint caught him off guard.“Um… well… I wouldn’t believe them at first, but eventually, I would.”“Why’s that?”“Because I would sense their genuine desire for a better future.”Heemin hoped that if he ever revealed his secret, Yiheon would understand his intentions instead of feeling betrayed.“Because you’d sense their genuine desire… I see.”Yiheon’s eyes glistened faintly. He must have watched the movie with genuine interest, not just because Heemin was watching it. His usually stoic expression was now softened by emotion.“Did the movie move you?”“Not really.”“Come on, you seem really touched. It’s kind of cute to see you so into a superhero action movie.”Yiheon, who knew every series by heart, might be expected to be engrossed in this genre. But seeing him moved by a superhero film was unexpected. Seizing the moment to tease him, Heemin poked fun at him, which seemed to irk Yiheon as he stood up abruptly.“I’m going to take a shower.”Heemin wanted to continue teasing him, but before he could utter another word, Yiheon pulled off his shirt. With only the floor lamp beside the sofa on, the room was mostly dark, casting shadows over his muscular back and the faint dragon tattoo. It was a stark reminder of his profession, not as a student like Heemin.Realizing he might be pushing his luck, Heemin quickly bit his lip and silenced himself. He picked up the remote and started flipping through channels. The sound of running water from the bathroom echoed through the brief moments of silence between channel changes.Once Yiheon finished his shower…Heemin’s smile slowly faded as he anticipated what would happen after Yiheon emerged from the bathroom. He could vividly imagine the events to come, which caused his lips to become parched.‘Stay calm. You need to stay calm,’ he thought to himself.Up until yesterday, seeing Yiheon’s naked body hadn’t fazed him at all. Overwhelmed by the heat coursing through his body, he hadn’t had the time to feel embarrassed. He had been too busy gasping for breath, consumed by the dizzying pleasure Yiheon had provided.Swallowing hard, Heemin felt saliva gathering in his mouth. The sound of water permeated through the noise of the TV and into his ears.It was the first time he would be physically intimate while sober, making him too nervous to relax. The situation was clearly different from earlier when he had tried to embrace Yiheon with a sense of urgency.Had he still been under the influence, he might not have been this anxious. However, standing at the brink of an intense experience had sobered him up considerably.Sitting in a state of agitation, Heemin raised his arm to check for any possible body odor. He contemplated brushing his teeth again, but as he stood up, the unexpected sound of a phone ringing startled him from behind.“Ah, that scared me!”Heemin jumped and turned around. Yiheon’s black phone, placed in a corner of the dining table, was lighting up.Worried that it might be Chairman Yoon, and that Yiheon might have to rush out again in the middle of the night, Heemin nervously checked the screen. Fortunately, instead of ‘Chairman,’ the name ‘Park Sunjae Manager’ was displayed at the top of the screen.The title of manager, combined with a name that suggested someone older, made Heemin hesitate to answer. He was about to ignore the incessant ringing but found it too distracting. Heemin picked up the phone and headed to the bathroom.“Hyung! You have a call!”He stood in front of the shower booth, passing through the well-organized bathroom, which showed no signs of the earlier shower chaos. He mindlessly opened the steamed-up glass door, only to find Yiheon turning around in the pouring water, fully exposed.“Ah…”Heemin found himself thinking how surprisingly straight and long Yiheon’s legs were, given the thickness of his thighs. He then realized he had never seen Yiheon’s flaccid member in such bright light before.After their intimacy, Heemin had always passed out, and during meals, Yiheon would wear a bathrobe, making it unnecessary to be conscious of his genitals.It suddenly struck Heemin that he had taken that large organ—no, larger and more swollen—into his body, and he wondered how he had managed. If Yiheon were to fully enter him while Heemin wasn’t in heat, he feared it might be too much to bear.Frightened, Heemin unconsciously clutched his lower abdomen. He finally understood why ‘Seo Heemin’ had suffered so much after their intimate moments. It was partly due to Yiheon’s overpowering pheromones as an alpha, but the physical toll must have been significant too.“Were you having dirty thoughts? Just by looking at me?”While Heemin hesitated, Yiheon turned off the shower, running a hand through his wet hair, and laughed softly.“No, I wasn’t.”“Then why did you blush as soon as you saw me?”“…It’s just the lighting. Come on, just take the call.”The phone rang again, momentarily interrupted, and Heemin handed it over, pretending to be unfazed. Yiheon leaned in, scrutinizing Heemin’s eyes as if trying to read his thoughts. Then, with a leisurely smile, he took the phone.“Yes, this is Cha Yiheon.”Heemin quickly closed the glass door and exited the shower. In the mirror, he saw himself, cheeks flushed with warmth, just as Yiheon had pointed out.‘Ah, what should I do?’Since he wasn’t ready, Heemin considered asking Yiheon to only go halfway like the previous night.By blaming his physical condition, he might be able to sleep peacefully without any incident. His aching back, which throbbed with tension, would also benefit from some rest.However, Heemin didn’t want to miss out on the blissful time spent caressing each other’s bodies and exchanging kisses. Not knowing when they might visit such a place again, he yearned to experience the unique ambiance of a vacation setting, sharing warmth with Yiheon.Having made up his mind, Heemin headed straight to the bedroom to prepare while Yiheon finished showering. He turned off all the lights except for the wall lamp attached to the headboard. Although he regretted not being able to admire the waves crashing against the rocks in the moonlight, he also made sure to draw both the inner and outer curtains.As he felt his heart pound against his chest, Heemin snuggled under the covers. Before long, the sliding door between the bedroom and the bathroom opened smoothly.The moment had finally arrived.Yiheon approached the bed, securing the belt of his robe, which matched Heemin’s in color and design. As Heemin had noticed before, the robe seemed to fit Yiheon perfectly, whereas on Heemin, it appeared a bit baggy.“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”“I was waiting for you, Hyung.”Heemin swallowed the words, ‘I’m not that clueless,’ not wanting to ruin the mood.“Good boy.”As Heemin lay on his back, Yiheon turned and lifted the covers, slipping under them. Soon, Heemin felt Yiheon’s thick lips lightly brush against the hair that had fallen over his forehead.Believing this was the start, Heemin reached out to embrace Yiheon’s neck. But Yiheon shifted slightly and turned off the light he had left on. Darkness enveloped the room in an instant. Heemin’s outstretched hand swept through the air, finding nothing to hold on to.What’s going on?Heemin was bewildered. It was so dark, thanks to the drawn curtains and the lateness of the night, that even the silhouettes of their bodies were hard to make out. In the pitch-black, all Heemin could hear was the soft rustling of their breath.Having been intimate the traditional way for the past few days, did Yiheon now want to try something different, focusing on the tactile sensations of their skin? A conversation of bodies in the dark?As Heemin pulled his hand back, Yiheon adjusted the blanket, pulling it up to Heemin’s chin and said, “Get some sleep. We have to leave by 4:30 in the morning.”“4:30? Do you mean 4:30 a.m.?”“Yes. I want to show you something you’ll love.”He didn’t mean checking out and returning to Seoul; he meant something else around here. Not typically one for sightseeing, what could he have planned so early in the morning?Heemin had thought they’d spend the time lounging leisurely inside the hotel, perhaps reclining on the terrace chairs, gazing at the sea, or watching a movie like they had done earlier.“What is it? What could you possibly think I’ll like?”“It wouldn’t be any fun if I told you in advance, would it?”