LM 118

“I’m going to make one quick phone call.”

Kwon Yuwon, who had emptied one can, staggered to his feet. Kwon Yuwon, whose alcohol tolerance was only half a can of beer, was walking out of their apartment drunk, so Kwon Siyul got up, worried for him.

“Just stay here. I’ll make the call right in front. Oh, and I’ll be back before 12.”

Even with his cheeks flushed from the alcohol, he raised his index finger, promising to not be late. Kwon Siyul shook his head, as if it was blatantly obvious how stubborn and determined the other man was.

Sipping the remaining beer, he waited for Kwon Yuwon. He couldn’t hear the conversation, as he was talking outside the inn. Just as he was about to turn his attention to the TV, thinking he would be back soon, a roar erupted, and he jumped up from his seat. Had he gotten into a fight? It was entirely possible with a drunk Kwon Yuwon, so he hurriedly opened the door and slipped his feet into his slippers.

Kwon Yuwon had gone outside the inn’s gate and was slumped against the wall. He was still on the phone, so Kwon Siyul muffled his footsteps and walked up to him stealthily.

“Another business trip this weekend? You had one last week too.”

He could hear the sound of him grinding his teeth. The sigh was much deeper and heavier than the ones he’d let out in Kwon Siyul’s face. Kwon Siyul could easily guess who he was talking to.

“I can’t this week, I…!”

Kwon Yuwon ruffled his hair roughly and raised his voice. He didn’t shout until the end, cutting himself off in the middle and hanging his head.

“…Okay. I’m going to hang up now.”

After a long pause, Kwon Yuwon replied coldly and hung up the phone. Kwon Siyul quickly straightened up, thinking he would be caught. But the other was one step faster. Kwon Yuwon, who had opened the gate and entered, looked at Kwon Siyul, who was standing there blankly with his hands raised like a mouse.

“What are you doing?”

“No, I was worried about you.”

“It’s just around the corner. What’s there to worry about? Let’s go inside.”

Kwon Yuwon patted Kwon Siyul’s shoulder and led the way. Unlike his previously fierce expression, his face, as he passed by, looked slightly gloomy.

Kwon Yuwon came into the room and emptied two more cans of beer. Considering his tolerance, which was only half a can, it happened to be an overindulgence. He looked at his phone, which was constantly receiving texts, a few times, then turned it off and flipped it over.

“…”

If he didn’t know the full story, he would have no idea that Woo Hyunse was behind all this, but Kwon Siyul’s conscience pricked him right then. He had a rough idea why Woo Hyunse was pushing Park Hae-jeong so hard. He felt sorry for him because he knew better than anyone what Kwon Yuwon was feeling right now. Should he ask Woo Hyunse to give him some freedom this weekend? Kwon Siyul shook his head and put down his phone. It would be unnecessary meddling.

Instead, Kwon Siyul pulled out a blanket and put it over Kwon Yuwon, who was curled up on the floor. Whether it was due to the alcohol or a fever, Kwon Yuwon kicked the blanket, muttering that he was hot. He also ground his teeth and spat out profanities. Kwon Siyul smiled bitterly, knowing all too well who the target was, and put a pillow behind his head.

Since he only worked at the cafe on weekdays, the weekends were Kwon Siyul’s time to relax. Of course, the person he was going to meet up with later on was already decided. Kwon Siyul hummed a tune and stood in front of the mirror, grooming his hair. He didn’t like it when he swept it up to reveal his forehead, and when he let it down, he looked like a student. Dissatisfied with both, he picked up a comb and struggled to style his hair, groaning the whole time.

“Ah, just wear a hat.”

Kwon Yuwon, who had been watching him with eyes that said he was making a fuss, finally threw out a word. His brow was furrowed, and his eyelids were more than half-closed, as if he was sleepy. Several empty jelly wrappers were scattered beside Kwon Yuwon, who was leaning against the wall.

Kwon Siyul wrinkled his nose. Kwon Yuwon’s scent was leaking out again. He sometimes let it loose in front of him because he was more comfortable with him than with others, but it was rarely this strong.

Besides, he was even dozing off. A premonition flashed through his mind, and Kwon Siyul parted his lips.

“Kwon Yuwon, are you perhaps…?”

“What?”

“In heat?”

He simply swept his hair back with an annoyed look and didn’t answer. He ate another jelly and offered one to Kwon Siyul. Not wanting to upset him, he quietly picked it up and ate it.

“I’m taking suppressants, so I’m okay.”

“You’ve only eaten jelly. Should I buy some medicine?”

“It’s okay. I can just bear it. I’ve been doing it until now. What’s the big deal?”

He grumbled and wriggled into bed. He lay facing the wall and told him to go away quickly, saying things he didn’t mean. Kwon Siyul hesitated. Woo Hyunse was waiting, but he couldn’t possibly leave Kwon Yuwon alone, who was starting to get a fever and pant.

“Don’t you want to eat something?”

“No. Go away quickly. You have a date.”

“How can I leave you behind?”

“Even if you’re here, haaa, it’s all the same. I bought these jellies, so I’m going to eat them and hold on. Just don’t stay out past 12. Our bet isn’t over yet.”

Even though he couldn’t even open his eyes properly, his desire seemed to burn fiercely when he reminded him of the bet. Nevertheless, Kwon Siyul couldn’t bring himself to leave. He also felt guilty because he was one of the reasons why Kwon Yuwon was separated from Park Hae-jeong. Kwon Siyul messed up his carefully styled hair and sat down next to the bed.

“I’m not going. I’ll eat with you.”

“Ah, just go. You’re planning on meeting up with Woo Hyunse. I don’t have an appetite.”

“I’ll buy you porridge. Abalone porridge?”

“…That’s expensive.”

“Your brother got paid the day before yesterday, so he has a lot of money. I’ll be back. Sleep.”

He pretended not to hear him mumbling that he should go without worrying about him and left the inn. The porridge shop was on the corner where the hill went down to the main road. He walked along, taking out his phone in the meantime.

He felt bad about canceling his appointment today, but even if he met Woo Hyunse, leaving his sick friend behind, he would only feel uncomfortable. He plucked up his courage and called. The voice that answered, “Yeah,” was endlessly sweet.

“Hyung, Yuwon is sick today. I think I’ll have to cancel our date.”

……

Woo Hyunse, who he thought would just say okay and not make a big deal out of it, was surprisingly silent. Feeling awkward and sorry for the silence, he continued to repeat himself.

“Well, if I’m not there, there’s no one to take care of Yuwon…”

“Why not?”

“Yes? Ah, it’s not like he needs to go to the hospital.”

He thought he meant he should send him to the hospital. He didn’t reveal that he was in heat. It wasn’t like a rut or heat was something to hide, but it was a private matter, after all.

“I’ll send someone.”

The answer that came back was refreshing. Kwon Siyul stopped walking and pressed the phone close to his ear.

“Send who?”

“Someone to take care of Kwon Yuwon instead of Kwon Siyul.”

Who could that be? Kwon Siyul pondered the person even after he hung up the phone, but no name came to mind. Park Hae-jeong was the most likely candidate, but he had overheard him saying he was going on a business trip.

Well, Woo Hyunse would take care of it. Kwon Siyul put aside his worries and decided to move on. He decided to focus on Kwon Yuwon, who was lying at home sick for now.

Kwon Yuwon had only said he was okay, but he barely ate the porridge and soon fell asleep. He seemed to be in a deep sleep, only tossing and turning when there was a noise outside, but not opening his eyes. Kwon Siyul diligently wrung out a towel in cold water and wiped the sweat from Kwon Yuwon’s forehead.

He had put his phone on silent and was playing games, taking care of Kwon Yuwon from time to time. There was a sound outside. Had a new guest moved into the empty room next door after the long-term resident had left a few days ago? He indifferently turned his eyes to the screen, but hurried footsteps stopped right in front of his door.

Knock, knock. He heard knocking on the door. Only then did he remember that Woo Hyunse had said he would send someone.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Park Hae-jeong.”

It was an unexpected name. He thought he was on a business trip. Kwon Siyul tilted his head to one side and opened the door. Park Hae-jeong was standing in front of him, his hair disheveled as if he had run up the hill.

“I heard Kwon Yuwon is sick.”

Park Hae-jeong quickly looked around the room as he answered. Kwon Siyul stepped aside, asking if he wanted to come in.

Park Hae-jeong immediately knelt down next to Kwon Yuwon and checked his complexion. As if he recognized the familiar scent, Kwon Yuwon opened his eyes blearily. He blinked a few times and mumbled in a tiny voice.

“…Park Hae-jeong?”

“Are you okay?”

Kwon Yuwon’s eyes were still hazy, as if he was still wandering in a dream. He stared at Park Hae-jeong for a long time, then suddenly raised his arm and wrapped it around his neck.

Kwon Siyul gasped and turned his head away. He never dreamed that Kwon Yuwon would grab Park Hae-jeong and kiss him like that. The orange scent, which seemed to fill the room and even ripple beyond the wall, and the fact that Kwon Yuwon was nearly out of his mind, was certain.

Park Hae-jeong, who was still holding on to his sanity, pried off Kwon Yuwon, who was clinging to him like an octopus. He held the whining man in his arms and looked back at Kwon Siyul.

“The CEO is waiting downstairs.”

“Hyung?”

“Yes. I’ll take care of Kwon Yuwon. Go ahead.”

Kwon Siyul hesitated for a moment, feeling uneasy about leaving just because he was told to. But that was only for a moment. Kwon Yuwon rubbed his whole body against Park Hae-jeong as if he had completely forgotten that Kwon Siyul was in the same room. The moans were a bonus. Park Hae-jeong, who couldn’t accept or reject it, also looked very embarrassed.

Kwon Siyul figured  he was going to see something he shouldn’t be seeing if he stayed any longer in the room. He bowed his head and repeatedly said goodbye, saying the other man was in good hands, and hurried out of the room. He closed the door carefully, too, on his way out.