BHB 126

“What are you talking about?”

“I have plenty of evidence of that man harassing me, photos, recordings, you name it.”

“…You…”

“From the fake accounts created to embezzle election funds to how they launder money through foundations established for ‘welfare.’ I couldn’t just sit idly while living with them.”

“…Hey, since when have you…”

“Since the day I started liking you.”

“…”

“I needed to have at least one weapon too.” Lee Taegang continued to deliver shocking statements in the same casual tone one might use to recite a dinner menu. “Taejoo knows everything too, that’s why he’s helping us.”

“…”

“That guy’s going to go into politics later too. He’s testing to see if what I have is to his advantage or disadvantage.”

Yeowon pressed his temples as if feeling dizzy. “…I can understand why your parents dislike me.”

While he couldn’t say everything was done because of him, he understood why they disliked him, knowing that he was a major reason.

“Then why have you been staying quiet all this time, getting beaten up like an idiot?”

“Because I didn’t prepare it just because I didn’t like getting hit.”

“If you had all that, you should have protected yourself.”

“That’s not what I collected it for.”

This kind of devotion wasn’t entirely pleasing. It didn’t feel good to know he had been preparing to face those people alone. Even though he was ignorant and clueless, he had always wanted to help him somehow.

With a darker expression, Yeowon worriedly spoke up, “You might just make things worse by stirring up trouble with that.”

“…I know. That’s why I’m not going to stir things up recklessly.”

“Then?”

“I’ll try what that annoying Taejoo suggested.”

“…”

“Negotiation.” He seemed to be recalling the advice he had received. 

Yeowon sighed briefly and once again traced Lee Taegang’s injury with his fingertips. “Don’t. I don’t want you working under that man.”

Going abroad wasn’t something he was particularly keen on either, but he thought it was better than risking another accident if things escalated. And they couldn’t know what might happen if he went back under that man’s control.

“I don’t want you getting hurt.”

He could vividly recall his face from childhood, always coming to him injured. He remembered how he rarely cried even when covered in bruises. Seeing him injured like this as an adult, he only wished that family bloodline could be severed cleanly.

“I don’t care if it’s Korea or wherever.”

“…”

“I just…” Yeowon hesitated briefly. All along, he had only one selfish desire. “…I just want to live with you like before.”

Just thinking about what happened at the villa made him feel faint. Power and authority were enough to render two young people helpless, and he didn’t even want to think about what unforeseen accidents might bring in terms of sacrifice.

As he brushed his long hair back while speaking worriedly, he suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him down. Finding himself sitting on his lap, an embarrassed Yeowon glared at him in displeasure.

“What are you doing?”

It was embarrassing enough sitting on a man’s lap, but sitting on an injured patient felt even more inappropriate.

He tried to break free from his grip, flailing his hands, but he didn’t budge.

“I want to kiss you.”

Yeowon flinched at his blunt statement. There it was again. That strange atmosphere.

“…Oh shit. What are you saying? Let me go.”

He may have given in to the mood before, kissing and embracing, but now it was broad daylight, and nurses and doctors frequently passed by outside the hospital room. Plus, given the location, it felt uncomfortable to do such things.

“I want to.”

“Come on.”

“I don’t have to hold back anymore, right?”

“What?”

“If I want to do something, I can do it now.”

Lee Taegang shamelessly reminded him of their relationship with that bold statement. How could he have no sense of shame?

“…W-who said anything? I just meant later… Let’s do it later. Shit.”

Though he was clearly trying to push his hands away, his body became even more fixed in place. With his other arm, he wrapped around his waist and lifted him fully onto his lap.

“Hey, stop!”

As his position made his neck flush with heat, he urgently tried to push him away, but he dropped his head against his chest, exhaling powerfully and hotly.

“I want to get discharged quickly.”

“…”

“Damn it, I want to be all over you.”

“…”

“I want to touch you, kiss you, and have sex with you all day.”

Yeowon’s face grew increasingly hot at his explicit statements. Covering his embarrassed face, he spoke as if dumbfounded, “You’re thinking about that in this situation?”

“Doesn’t that just show how crazy I am about you?”

“…You really are insane.”

“You said you like me now, knowing that.”

He’s so full of himself. Never backs down.

“You like me now even though you know what kind of person I am.” Lee Taegang confirmed again. He kept seeking reassurance, wanting certainty. 

He was so insecure, really.

“Yes. So stop it already. You’re not a child.”

“Why are you falling out of love so soon?”

“…I’m not.”

It hadn’t been easy for him to make up his mind, and it had taken a long time to reach this decision. He had chosen partly because he knew he wouldn’t change his mind so easily.

“That’s not possible.”

Yeowon had unconsciously developed a habit of quietly observing Lee Taegang’s face. Partly to check on his healing wounds, and partly because he enjoyed watching what kind of eyes he used to look at him, what he said, and what expressions he made. Of course, he was also simply captivated by him. It was proof of how deeply he had fallen for him, though admitting it hurt his pride quite a bit.

“Look up.” Yeowon briefly commanded Lee Taegang, who was hiding his face against his chest. 

Taegang seemed to find his bossy order quite amusing, the corner of his mouth lifting crookedly. Obediently following his words, Lee Taegang looked up at him from a close distance. That infuriatingly handsome face. So cold and distant to others, yet so blindly devoted to him. Feeling something that gave him a sense of superiority stimulating him, Yeowon cupped his cheek in one hand and lowered his lips. He felt him freeze momentarily as he briefly pressed his lips to his.

“What? You asked for a kiss.”

After briefly touching his lips to his and pulling away, Yeowon whispered with a low laugh, causing Lee Taegang to slightly furrow his brow.

“…Are you teasing me? Do it properly.”

“You’re the one who froze up.”

“You acted like you weren’t going to do it.”

“Because you were begging like a child.”

“Shit, when did I ever?”

“If you don’t like it, forget it.”

“…When did I say that?”

“Then stop talking and close your eyes.” Yeowon covered the eyes of Lee Taegang, who was obediently following all his instructions while pretending not to, and continued speaking, “Open your mouth too.”

Then he placed his lips over his parted ones. His hands on his waist tightened, and veins appeared on his neck. It was evidence of his rapidly building excitement. Now he could see it all clearly. All of his reactions showing how much he liked him were now completely visible to his eyes.

***

Recently, Yeowon had developed a habit of checking the television news. As election day approached, the ruling and opposition parties seemed to be doing their utmost to tear each other apart, with the opponent’s weaknesses surfacing almost daily.

Naturally, Lee Seungkwon’s issue was his second son. His reputation for delinquency since his school days was the only weakness that could be used against Lee Seungkwon. As Lee Taegang’s existence gradually surfaced, Yeowon felt a strange anxiety. It felt like what was going to blow up had finally blown up. But so far, only his high school behavior had been mentioned, nothing more had leaked.

When he saw even Lee Taegang’s blurred image appearing on the news, Yeowon realized the situation was becoming serious and, worried about his well-being, hastily washed up and left home. Somehow, a few people who looked like reporters were lingering around the entrance here as well.

Yeowon concealed his face under a cap and hurried to the parking lot. While driving, he realized he had unconsciously put on Lee Taegang’s clothes. They felt somehow large… he felt a bit irritated whenever the difference in their build became apparent like this. But this time, he also felt a somewhat peculiar sensation. His ears itched as if Lee Taegang’s distinctive scent was wafting up from his body.

‘…I’ve got it bad.’

He let out a short sigh and pressed hard on the accelerator as the light changed to green. The great Congressman Lee Seungkwon had ultimately failed to hide his son’s whereabouts, as reporters were lined up in front of the hospital too. Fortunately, there weren’t that many people, but it meant that those who should know, knew privately.

Yeowon got out of the car with a worried face and put a cigarette in his mouth. With an irritated expression, he looked at the reporters near the entrance and rested his arms on the car roof. There were still a few days left until Lee Taegang’s discharge date. But he felt that if they stayed a few more days, their whereabouts would be discovered by all the reporters.

“Maybe I should just blow the whole thing open since it’s come to this.”

He didn’t like Lee Taegang’s name circulating in the media, but he welcomed negative public opinion about his father, Lee Seungkwon. The public had a right to know his true nature. Tsk. But if things escalated, it would be Lee Taegang who would be disadvantaged again… 

As Yeowon controlled his impulsive nature, putting out his cigarette and firmly pulling down his cap again, an arm suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind. Greatly startled, Yeowon turned around and exclaimed loudly.

“You…!”