BHB 21

Feeling oddly affected by his chance encounter with Baek Seungha, Yeowon halted his reminiscing and cracked open a beer he had bought earlier at the convenience store. With a crisp hiss, he brought the frothing can to his lips and downed more than half in one go.

After Baek Seungha dropped out of school, Yeowon was in a state of panic for a while. Although he had many friends and was surrounded by people, it wasn’t easy for him to truly open up emotionally. As a result, Yeowon tended to become a bit obsessive towards those he developed deeper feelings for. In high school, he had followed and relied on Baek Seungha as much as Lee Taegang, so when he disappeared without a word, he was first bewildered, then worried.

Knowing full well that Seungha’s family circumstances weren’t good, if he had dropped out and disappeared, it was likely due to family issues. While he was worried about his sudden departure, he later felt resentful and sad. He could have at least contacted him once. This sentiment continued to resurface until graduation.

Yeowon chuckled bitterly as he looked over the address book containing Baek Seungha’s number several times. He never dreamed they would meet again like this, a mix of conflicting emotions surging through him – a touch of happiness coupled with a bittersweet trace. Seungha’s nonchalant demeanor, acting as if nothing had happened after not contacting him even once back then, struck him as slightly irritating, but at the same time, he felt a sense of relief that he seemed to have been doing well all this time. His feelings were complicated indeed.

As he briefly contemplated reaching out to him first, the sound of someone entering the door lock code interrupted his thoughts. Assuming it must be Lee Taegang, the only person who would dare to use his door code so casually, he ignored it at first. However, as the error tone sounded repeatedly, indicating wrong entries, Yeowon’s brow furrowed at the persistent attempts.

“Have they gone mad, in the middle of the night?”

It was the dead of night. After two or three endless attempts, the noise became so grating that it felt like it was piercing his ears. Irritated, Yeowon yanked the door open abruptly.

“What kind of lunatic-!” he began to yell, but his words caught in his throat as he came face to face with an unexpected visitor.

“…Yeowon?”

It was someone he never expected to see here, and a rather uncomfortable encounter at that.

“…Senior, why are you here…?”

“Ah, Taegang said this was his place…”

The unexpected guest was none other than Jeon Chaemin. More precisely, it was Jeon Chaemin struggling to support a very drunk Lee Taegang, sweat glistening on his brow.

Yeowon stood dumbfounded for a moment, taking in the bizarre scene before moistening his dry lips. Chaemin was visibly straining under the weight of the larger man, his face and even the neckline of his t-shirt drenched in sweat. He looked on the verge of collapse.

“Are you alright?” Yeowon asked, more out of pity than genuine concern.

Chaemin managed an awkward smile. “So, this isn’t Taegang’s place, but yours?”

“Yeah. Lee Taegang lives next door,” Yeowon replied flatly, pointing to the adjacent apartment.

“Ah…”

Chaemin’s face fell as he realized his mistake. Taegang’s apartment was just a few steps away, but it was clear Chaemin couldn’t manage even that short distance. No wonder – supporting the dead weight of an unconscious man built like a tank was no easy feat. If someone 180cm tall and fit as Yeowon found it challenging, it must have been near impossible for the 170cm tall and slimmer Chaemin.

“Lee Taegang, did this idiot tell you this was his place?” Yeowon addressed the sleeping form draped over Chaemin.

“Yeah… He kept saying 501 on the way here,” Chaemin confirmed, his voice strained.

Yeowon shot a disgusted look at Taegang. How much did he drink to forget his own apartment number? As he glared, Chaemin swayed dangerously. Seeing his parched lips and exhausted state, Yeowon let out a short sigh.

“Give him here,” he said abruptly, extending his arms.

Chaemin blinked in confusion at the sudden offer.

“Hand over that bull,” Yeowon clarified.

“Huh…? Oh.” Chaemin replied, as if in a daze, releasing his grip on Taegang’s waist.

As Taegang’s unconscious form slumped onto his shoulder, Yeowon grimaced at the sudden weight. “Damn pig, heavy as hell,” he thought, marveling at how Chaemin had managed to get him this far.

“Did you bring him alone?” he asked.

“Ah, no. A designated driver helped us to the building entrance.”

“And you worked up this much sweat just getting from there to here?”

If they’d made it to the building, it should have been a quick trip via elevator. Yet Chaemin looked as if he’d just completed a grueling three-hour hike.

“He was… heavier than I expected,” Chaemin admitted with an embarrassed laugh, wiping sweat from his face.

Yeowon could see why – Chaemin’s slight frame didn’t exactly scream ‘strength’. Plus, from the glimpses he’d caught during Chaemin and Taegang’s intimate moments, Chaemin’s body seemed to lack any excess muscle…

Clearing his throat to halt that train of thought, Yeowon quickly punched in Taegang’s door code. He marched straight to the bedroom and unceremoniously dumped him on the bed, his face a mask of annoyance.

As he gazed down at Taegang’s peaceful sleeping face, Yeowon felt his earlier anger resurface. The audacity of him to act so carefree, drinking with Chaemin after what he’d done, was both infuriating and disappointing. Knowing that looking at him would only stir up more complicated feelings, Yeowon tore his gaze away and left the bedroom. Outside, he found Chaemin hovering uncertainly by the front door.

“What are you doing?” he asked bluntly.

“Huh?”

“Aren’t you coming in?”

Chaemin waved his hands in polite refusal.

“No, no… I should head home.”

Yeowon glanced at the time – it was nearly 3 AM.

“Where do you live?”

“…Near the school. I’m renting a place.”

He hadn’t asked for that much detail, but he let it slide.

“That’s too far to walk. Are you going to take a taxi?”

“Probably…”

“It’ll be hard to catch one around here at this hour. This area is all residential.”

“I guess I’ll manage somehow…”

Chaemin forced an awkward smile, trying to ease the tension.

“I had no idea you lived next door to Yeowon,” he said, clearly attempting to change the subject.

Well, they hadn’t talked much at school either.

“Yeah, well.”

“You even know each other’s door codes, huh?”

The innocent question made Yeowon uncomfortable. Was Taegang’s boyfriend trying to imply something? But Chaemin’s expression remained innocent and naïve.

“…We’ve known each other a long time,” he replied carefully.

“That’s nice.”

“…”

“You two seem close. It’s not easy maintaining a friendship for so long.”

Chaemin’s polite observation made Yeowon fidget awkwardly. Though they were both men, conversing with someone so well-mannered was a challenge. He was used to dealing with crass, delinquent types who were either overly sentimental or unnecessarily flirtatious. Facing a man who maintained proper etiquette and smiled warmly was a bit out of his comfort zone.

“I should get going,” Chaemin said.

“…”

“Sorry for causing a disturbance so late at night.”

Now Yeowon could see why Chaemin was so popular. With that pretty face and gentle demeanor, who wouldn’t be charmed? He wondered if that’s what had drawn Taegang to him as well.

“…It’s okay. I wasn’t sleeping anyway.”

“That’s a relief. Well, I’ll be going then.”

Chaemin waved goodbye and turned to leave, but he stumbled after just a few steps.

“Ugh,” he winced, lifting one foot slightly as if in pain. He paused to catch his breath, leaning against the wall. Watching his pained movements, Yeowon let out a deep, conflicted sigh.

“Why don’t you stay the night?” he suggested to Chaemin’s retreating form.

He turned back, surprised.

“Sleep over at Taegang’s place.”

“…No, I couldn’t possibly.”

His modesty seemed ironic given the situation. It was amusing how flustered he was at the suggestion of staying over when the two had been intimate at school.

“You went through all that trouble dragging his drunk ass here. Just stay.”

“But without the owner’s permission… It’s okay, really.”

It didn’t seem right to send him away like this after he’d gone to such lengths to bring Taegang home safely. Despite the awkwardness and discomfort, Yeowon felt he’d feel guilty if he just let him leave. Plus, he did appreciate him taking care of Taegang, who, despite their current coldness, was still like family to him.

“Then stay at my place,” he offered casually, as if tossing a ball.

“Oh no, really, I’m fine.”

“Your leg seems to be hurting too.”

“This is…”

“Trust me, lugging that guy around is a real pain. I’ve ended up with bruises before.”

His matter-of-fact explanation drew a soft laugh from Chaemin.

“You’re right. He is surprisingly heavy.”

Unable to deny it this time, Chaemin conceded the point.

“Just stay over. I have plenty of rooms.”

Yeowon said offhandedly as he flung open his front door.

“But I’d hate to impose…”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then come in. I really don’t mind this sort of thing.”

Back in his student days, Yeowon had often let strangers crash at his place, so he wasn’t particularly fussy about having people in his space. That always bothered Taegang.

“…I just feel bad about it.”

“The sun will be up in a few hours anyway.”

“…”

“Besides, you look like you’re about to pass out.”

Yeowon held up his index and middle fingers, squinting as he scanned Chaemin from head to toe. His pale complexion and limping gait were a perfect combo of exhaustion.

“And I’m not the type who can ignore someone in need.”