Where Every Story Blooms

    📢Please refrain from Re-posting/Sharing it on any other platform/Social Media as you risk it being taken down! Please Do Not Re-translate.

    As luck would have it, while the flight was fine, heavy snowflakes began to embroider the sky as soon as they set foot on Jeju Island. The weather forecast had mentioned snow, but there had been no prior warning that the snowfall would be this heavy.

    They had heard that island weather was as unpredictable as boiling porridge, but a snowstorm wasn’t something they had been expecting. The weather, which they thought would be milder than the mainland, showed no mercy in the face of the blizzard. The moment they left the airport, the sharp wind clawed at any exposed skin.

    However, Kwon Siyul wasn’t disappointed. He didn’t have much intention of going sight-seeing anyway. The meat noodle soup and the sea were all excuses. He just needed time to spend with Woo Hyunse. Time to soothe his unsettled feelings and to create memories he could reminisce about when he set foot on Jeju Island again someday.

    Fortunately, the roads weren’t frozen yet, so they arrived safely at the villa. Even after passing through the main gate, it took a while driving before the house came into view. It was a modest and neat villa. White snow had piled up on the reddish-brown roof, and white smoke rose from the chimney above it. The scene, harmonizing with the snowy landscape, looked like a cute illustration from a fairy tale book.

    The villa caretaker waiting at the entrance helped them move their luggage from the trunk. It didn’t take long, since it was just a couple of suitcases.

    “I’ve prepared everything you asked for. The firewood is stacked over there. If you need more, you can get it from the back. If you need anything else, please contact me. I’ll come right away.”

    “Thank you for your hard work.”

    “By the way, it’s been a while since you came. About 4 years? You hadn’t come for so long, I thought the previous owner had cleared out this place.”

    The caretaker, with deep furrows on his face, laughed heartily. Kwon Siyul, wrapped from head to toe in the padding, scarf, and hat Woo Hyunse had put on him, perked up his ears.

    “I was too busy with work to come. I plan to visit more often now.”

    “That would be good for me. Ah, shall I prepare for a barbecue?”

    “No, we’ll do that next time.”

    “Well, it would be hard to grill meat outside with this snow anyway. By the way, this young man…He can’t be your son, right?”

    The caretaker’s attention turned to Kwon Siyul. Kwon Siyul bowed his head slightly. When he said, “Hello,” the caretaker laughed once more, saying the young man was unusually polite for someone his age.

    “This is my—”

    “I’m a friend of Hyunse hyung. Please take care of me.”

    Kwon Siyul cut off Woo Hyunse’s words. Woo Hyunse looked down at Kwon Siyul blankly. He seemed displeased with the term “friend,” his lips pressed into a straight line.

    “Then I’ll be going now. Have a good rest.”

    The caretaker, who had been glancing at Woo Hyunse’s reaction, withdrew. Kwon Siyul opened the door, feeling Woo Hyunse’s disapproving gaze directed on his back. Warm air rushed out, pushing away the cold. The walls were in warm tones, and they could hear the crackling of burning wood from the fireplace embedded in the wall.

    “Why is Kwon Siyul just a friend?”

    Woo Hyunse, who had followed him inside, enveloped Kwon Siyul in his arms. His voice was quite gruff as he pressed his chin down on Kwon Siyul’s crown.

    “It would be awkward to suddenly say we’re lovers to someone I’ve just met, wouldn’t it?”

    “Why?”

    “Well…because we’re both men?”

    “Even though Kwon Siyul is an Omega?”

    How could he forget that? Kwon Siyul knew this fact too. Maybe because his past as a beta was longer, or for some other reason, he couldn’t proudly declare himself as Woo Hyunse’s lover in front of others. Above all, recently he felt his existence had shrunk as small as an ant or an earthworm. Should they really be bound as an “us,” especially with him next to Woo Hyunse?

    “I forgot. I guess I’m still not fully adjusted since my differentiation was late.”

    Woo Hyunse’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly at Kwon Siyul’s smiling response. He began to emit a cool scent like the snowy scenery outside. Kwon Siyul pressed his thumb between Woo Hyunse’s eyebrows. Worried about permanent wrinkles forming there, Woo Hyunse’s displeased expression gradually softened.

    “And it wouldn’t matter even if you were a beta. Don’t say you’re just a friend next time. We’re not in that kind of relationship.”

    An arm slipped under Kwon Siyul’s bottom. Even as he was suddenly lifted into the air, Kwon Siyul didn’t startle, instead wrapping his legs around Woo Hyunse’s waist with familiarity. Despite their difference in build, Kwon Siyul was quite heavy with his solid muscles, but Woo Hyunse’s steps were unhindered.

    Kwon Siyul didn’t ask to be put down either. These were useless words that had been exchanged between them several times before, words that Woo Hyunse would never grant.

    Sitting on the sofa, Woo Hyunse placed Kwn Siyul on his thighs and wrapped his arms around Kwon Siyul’s waist. He nuzzled his head against Kwon Siyul’s shoulder, then hugged him tightly and inhaled. Kwon Siyul had now attached this kind of behavior to seeking out the other’s scent.

    “Did you come here often before?”

    Kwon Siyul asked while gently stroking Woo Hyunse’s hair. Woo Hyunse nodded his head slightly as he caught Kwon Siyul’s padding zipper between his lips and pulled it down. After unzipping it to Kwon Siyul’s chest, he buried his face in the gap. He rubbed his prominent nose against Kwon Siyul’s clothes.

    “Sometimes. When I felt stifled.”

    “With whom?”

    “Alone.”

    “Really?”

    It was hard to believe. Kwon Siyul knew at least fragments of Woo Hyunse’s dating history. To think he had such a nice place and only came alone to this location.

    “Yes. You’re the first person I’ve brought here.”

    “Should I feel honored?”

    “I suppose so. I don’t plan on coming here with anyone but you from now on.”

    Suddenly, the wound created by the wedding invitation started to sting. Even though it was long past the stage of feeling pain. Kwon Siyul clenched his fist and laughed out loud. “Haha.” 

    Woo Hyunse rested his chin on Kwon Siyul’s chest like a large dog and looked up at him.

    “You’re the only one.”

    He narrowed his eyes and wore a faint smile as if asking to be petted. Unable to disappoint him, Kwon Siyul stroked Woo Hyunse’s hair and ears with both hands. Woo Hyunse closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. His eyes were shining. The padding had been completely removed by now, and the scarf and hat were sprawled on the floor.

    “Should I give this to you? This place.”

    A large hand slipped under Kwon Siyul’s collar, touching his bare back. Despite the palm being warm enough, goosebumps rose over his skin for some reason. As Kwon Siyul shuddered and hunched his shoulders, Woo Hyunse followed, lowering his head. He put his lips to Kwon Siyul’s ear and whispered affectionately.

    “Let’s come whenever you want to see the sea. Just the two of us.”

    Just the two of us.

    The word “us” stabbed Kwon Siyul painfully. Not knowing what expression he might be wearing, Kwon Siyul hugged Woo Hyunse tightly, blocking his view. His throat was choked up, making it difficult to speak. He opened his lips after hesitating for a moment.

    “Next time. When we come again next time…I’ll accept it then.”

    After barely finishing his words, he buried his cheek in Woo Hyunse’s silky hair. The words promising an uncertain future kept stinging Kwon Siyul’s eyes. Moisture gathered at the corners of his tightly closed eyes, but he didn’t let them fall.

    Although it was still daytime, the world outside was all gray. The snow showed no signs of stopping. The pine tree standing outside the window had its branches drooping under the weight of the snow piled on top, and white snow was sticking to one side of its trunk. It was due to the fiercely blowing wind.

    “We won’t be able to go out like this,” Woo Hyunse commented while looking outside the window. Kwon Siyul also stood leaning on the windowsill, staring blankly outside. The snowflakes were thick, and the wind scratching the glass was also ominous. It was perfect weather to turn into a snowman if they went out. Even if they went out by car, it was clear they would be stranded after just a few meters.

    It seemed they would have to spend time only inside the villa. Kwon Siyul looked up at Woo Hyunse after watching the heavily falling snow. His brow was furrowed as if displeased that their plans, which he had made before coming, were disrupted.

    “Hyung, shall we drink?”

    At this unexpected suggestion, Woo Hyunse’s face instantly relaxed. Although it was too early to drink, it didn’t matter since they couldn’t go outside anyway.

    Kwon Siyul glanced at the display cabinet in the living room. Various labeled bottles of alcohol were lined up in the wooden cabinet as large as a door. Most were names he was familiar with from bars. There was a variety of types including whiskey, vodka, rum, and even unfamiliar Chinese liquor.

    “Are those just for decoration?”

    “I put them there before. But already? The sun hasn’t even set yet.”

    “Does alcohol care about day or night?”

    Making a statement befitting a drinker despite only being able to handle three bottles of soju, Kwon Siyul turned toward the cabinet. He opened the glass door and took out the bottle placed closest. It must have been regularly maintained as there wasn’t a speck of dust on the glass bottle.

    He held the heavy bottle with both hands and checked the alcohol content. It was quite high, but who cares about the alcohol content when drinking to get drunk?

    “Wait. Let me prepare some snacks first.”

    Woo Hyunse rolled up his sleeves. The snacks they bought from the supermarket would have been enough, but there was no reason to refuse if the other man wanted to make something. Kwon Siyul sat at the dining table, blankly watching Woo Hyunse’s back. Every time he lightly shook the heavy pan in the air, the tendons on his forearms, exposed by the rolled-up sleeves, stood out clearly. It made Kwon Siyul want to press them firmly with his hand.

    “Hyung, didn’t you say you don’t like cooking?”

    It seemed they had a similar conversation before. He said he would eat if someone else cooked, but he rarely did it himself.

    “It’s not my hobby.”

    “Then why do you cook for me so often?”

    Porridge, pasta, and other dishes too. Kwon Siyul rested his chin on his overlapped arms on the table. The sizzling sound was pleasant to hear. Although his appetite had been poor, maybe because they were somewhere other than home, he felt his mouth watering for the first time in a while.

    Woo Hyunse glanced back. Kwon Siyul was already sprawled out languidly as if drunk.

    “You said you only know how to make ramyun.”

    “Well, that’s true.”

    “Then the role of chef would have to fall onto me, right?”

    Note

    This content is protected.