That was the worry Jiheon had always had in those days. He couldn’t sleep every night, always thinking, “If I give up swimming, who will still appreciate me? What will they think I’m good at? What value will I have left?” Because swimming had been his everything until then.
“Maybe it’s because I received so much attention before that, but oddly enough, I’m more afraid of the people around me than worrying about my retirement or my future.”
He was afraid that his disappointed parents would no longer be proud of their son, and his friends who bragged about him being on the national team and the adults who always praised him would quickly turn their backs and see him as a failure.
“I think that’s why I worked harder at various things right after I quit swimming. Because I had to prove that I still had worth after giving up on it.”
Unable to apply to university using special admission for athletes, Jiheon started studying late, got into the university he aimed for, and worked even harder once he got there. He worried people would think he only worked hard for the entrance exams, so he paid extra attention to his grades, never missed school events, and was active in clubs.
But the harder he worked, the more he thought that something wasn’t right. Things were enjoyable only for a short time, then they became boring and exhausting. It felt like his body was just staying there out of courtesy, but his mind was always somewhere else.
It was the same with dating. He was delighted when someone said they liked him. He was happy and grateful that people still liked him even though he no longer swam. He wanted to repay them, so he accepted their confessions and tried to be nice to them.
However, anyone was bound to notice the heartless pretense at any time. After multiple relationships and breakups, he became more and more certain. He was a terrible person who couldn’t handle anything with responsibility.
As a result, he became more and more defensive, and later, he began to take an observer-like attitude in case he broke up with his lover, thinking that, ‘I’m sure we’ll break up soon, and it’s probably gonna take two or three months at most. If possible, let’s get along without fighting so that we won’t hurt each other’s feelings. I’ll just be nice and do whatever they ask.’
“It’s an afterthought, but I’m sure some of them didn’t like that… because I was always in the position to listen. Not because I didn’t want to do anything, but because I’d only do it together if they wanted me to.”
Jiheon found out not long ago after listening to Jaekyung that such an attitude might actually have upset his partner. Being unconditionally gentle and doing whatever they wanted was just showing that he had no greed or motivation.
“But the truth is, I may have secretly wanted to convey that to them. I wanted them to know I only accepted their confession because they liked me, and I did it because they asked me to. I wouldn’t be devastated if they broke up with me later…. I wanted to let them know in advance that I wouldn’t be overly unhappy or miserable even if they dumped me.”
Jiheon finished his beer. As he crushed the empty can, his vision swayed again. He had to admit that he was probably drunk by now.
This was ridiculous. Three cans of beer, and he was already feeling drunk.
‘Did I get drunk so fast because I drank on an empty stomach, or is this the effect of hormones?’
No, it didn’t matter what the reason was. What mattered was that he was indeed drunk. And it was a problem since he ended up saying things to Jaekyung that he shouldn’t have.
He didn’t want to say it. Jaekyung would be disappointed. He might despise Jiheon because he seemed to be very different from what he had thought. Maybe Jaekyung initially thought Jiheon was cool, but he turned out to be a pathetic and worthless guy. That was why he didn’t want to say it until the end.
Out of habit, Jiheon cracked open another beer can and awaited Jaekyung’s response. Like someone waiting for an ultimatum, he hoped that Jaekyung would quickly scold and criticize him for being this pathetic.
However—
“But why do you call yourself irresponsible?”
Jaekyung finally broke his silence and said the exact opposite of what Jiheon had expected. He told him that he couldn’t comprehend it.
“If anything, you said you did everything until graduation, from club activities to whatnot. You even took on other people’s majors. You persevered through the difficult parts until the end. Does that mean you have no sense of responsibility? As for me, I’ll do something as long as it’s fun and not too hard, but I don’t consider it a sense of responsibility. I feel responsible when I persevere until the end even though it’s hard and others tell me not to.”
The more Jaekyung spoke, the more unconvinced he seemed.
“Every time I refused to participate in a relay, I heard all sorts of things about me being irresponsible and not deserving a place on the national team. But not once did I think I was being irresponsible. Because I did everything I could, and I didn’t harm anyone.”
Jaekyung spoke with conviction.
“It’s the same for you, hyung. It’s not that you don’t have responsibility. You’ve always done enough. You’ve never harmed anyone. I’ve never met anyone so unnecessarily responsible as you.”
When Jaekyung said “unnecessarily,” Jiheon noticed a hint of dissatisfaction and stopped smiling.
“It’s the same with dating. In the end, you didn’t even initiate the break-up. It means you’re being responsible. And given your personality, you probably would’ve done everything you could.”
Jaekyung even pounded the table, asking if he was right. Jiheon looked at him with a smile and nodded.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
But regardless, he was always enthusiastic and thankful for his partner at the start of each relationship. He wanted to cherish them and do everything he could. Seeing them happy made him happy too.
“Maybe that’s why my confidence wavers. I thought I did everything I could, yet I ended up getting dumped. I just started thinking something was wrong from the beginning, that I’m flawed or something.”
No matter how prepared he thought he was, breaking up was always difficult. Even if it wasn’t someone he loved so passionately, he always felt like something in his heart shattered whenever he broke up.
The breakup itself was sad, but what hurt him the most was the fact that it felt like he was being confirmed once again that he was not a decent human.
“That’s why I said I didn’t want to get into a relationship anymore. I don’t want to get hurt again, and I don’t want to realize that I’m a bad person. You get what I mean?”
Jiheon chuckled and playfully tossed a piece of popcorn at Jaekyung. Then he took a big gulp from his fresh can, nearly finishing half of it in one go.
Jiheon expected Jaekyung to be surprised and said, “Oh, just for that reason?” He thought Jaekyung would click his tongue as always and said that Jiheon was worrying about all sorts of useless things.
But Jaekyung didn’t react that way. He leaned on the table, looking at Jiheon with a thoughtful expression. Then, as Jiheon had almost emptied one can, Jaekyung rested his chin on the back of his hand and said:
“I wish I were your age or older than you.”
Jaekyung didn’t smile, but he didn’t look sad or angry either. He said, with his usual indifferent expression, that he literally wished for that.
“Then, I would have gone to the same university as you, confessed to you first, and we would have dated. I would have never broken up with you, never given anyone else a chance, and I would have stayed by your side until the day I die.”
Jiheon felt like crying at Jaekyung’s calm words.
It really would’ve been nice if it had happened, but he didn’t regret it. It wasn’t because he regretted the many relationships he had before being with Jaekyung.
It was because he liked Jaekyung. He loved how Jaekyung calmly regretted that one fact without being disappointed or belittling Jiheon even after hearing all these pathetic things about him. He felt like he was going to cry out of gratitude for this undeserved affection.
This made it even scarier. Jiheon had felt so sad and distressed when someone asked him for a breakup even though he didn’t have feelings for them. But now he wondered what would happen if he heard those words from Jaekyung.
Just imagining it felt like the ground beneath his feet crumbling away. He would never be able to bear it.
But he couldn’t even tell Jaekyung about these fears. He was afraid that his words would only burden Jaekyung, making it difficult for him to end the relationship if he wanted to. Jaekyung was still young and had many opportunities in the future, so Jiheon couldn’t say anything because he was afraid his words would be holding him back.
However, if things continued in this way, he might lose control. He had already said all the things he didn’t need to say because he was drunk. If he stayed longer, he might not be able to restrain himself and would start clinging to Jaekyung, saying things he shouldn’t. That would be the end of it all. It was as if he was revealing the deepest part of himself to Jaekyung.
He didn’t want that. He didn’t want to look that unsightly.
So as soon as Jiheon finished his beer, he crumpled the empty can and called Jaekyung.
“Just go home tonight.”
“Why?”
Jaekyung appeared baffled by the sudden suggestion.
“I don’t think I can do it today because I’m a bit tipsy.”
Jiheon said it in a somewhat playful tone.
“Oh, what are you talking about?”
Jaekyung immediately frowned.
“There’s nothing wrong with doing it when you’re a little drunk. And I can even do it while standing. No, that aside, did you think I came here for that?”
Jaekyung spoke as if he was dumbfounded, but his points kept changing every time he talked, as if showing how excited he was. At first, he spoke based on his instinct, but as he gradually became more rational, his words seemed to change.
“I know. I’m just kidding.”
Jiheon smiled and reassured him. He swept his face flushed from alcohol.
“But serious, today is a bit difficult. You’re not training tomorrow, so you should go home and get some rest tonight.”
“No, I don’t want to.”
Jaekyung answered right away.
“Why not?”
“Because I think you’ll cry after I leave.”
Jiheon raised his head and locked eyes with Jaekyung. When their gazes met, Jaekyung subtly raised his eyebrows, silently asking, ‘Aren’t I right?’
“What the….”
Jiheon burst into laughter.
“Hey, if you notice something like that, it’s polite to leave quietly, you know?”
“I don’t care. I basically have doglike manners anyway.”
Jaekyung snorted, as if this wasn’t news to him. Jiheon knew that if he continued with comments like, “You have no manners,” Jaekyung would get upset. And in fact, looking at him these days, he didn’t even think that was right for him.
“Not that much.”
Jiheon said, resting his chin on the back of his hand.
“These days, you’re still trying to be nice to people.”
Jaekyung narrowed his eyes and gave him a sidelong glance, as if to say, ‘Am I?’
“Yeah, you are.”
Jiheon smiled, half-lying on the table.
“Even if you deny it, I can see you’ve changed a bit from before. It seems like a good change.”
At that, Kwon Jaekyung proudly straightened his shoulders, as if he had received a compliment.
“All right. In that case, I’ll be nice to you too. Hurry up and rest your head on my chest and cry.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because the older one here.”
Jiheon pushed himself up from the table and mumbled.
“You like me because I’m cool.”
“I like you being cute too.”
Jaekyung blinked in confusion, trying to understand what Jiheon was talking about. When Jiheon smiled with a look of wonder, Jaekyung leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
“Okay, should I be your ‘hyung’ today? Jiheon-ah, is that what you want?”
Upon hearing this sudden informal way of speaking, Jiheon paused and then burst into laughter.
Jaekyung, seeing Jiheon laughing heartily due to his tipsiness, couldn’t help but look slightly displeased.
“Hyung, older guys are your type, right?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I think it’s true. You like it when I speak informally to you, Jiheon-ah.”
“No. My type is you.”
Jaekyung widened his eyes and glanced at Jiheon with an expression that seemed to say, “I’m honestly happy, but…… Even though it’s just words, I’m happy, but……!”
Yet, Kwon Jaekyung remained firm in his resolve not to be taken for a fool.
“Okay. Anyway, I’ll be your hyung today. Be a little baby for me.”
“No thanks.”
“Why not, Jiheon-ah? This hyung is open to anything.”
“Hey.”
“Don’t speak informally to your hyung.”
Jaekyung frowned.
“Jaekyung hyung.”
Jiheon said with a smile still on his face.
“Stop fooling around and just go home today, hyung.”
“Oh, you’re not listening at all.”
Jaekyung abruptly stood up, grabbed Jiheon’s arm while he was seated, pulled him up, and then enveloped him in a warm embrace, seating himself with Jiheon on his lap.
“Here you go. Now, hurry up and cry.”
“I’m not crying. Hey, how can I cry in this kind of atmosphere?”
Jiheon, suddenly seated on Jaekyung’s lap, complained half-jokingly, but Jaekyung responded with a stern warning.
“Jiheon-ah, if you speak informally with your hyung one more time, I’ll scold you.”
“Ah, what the hell.”
Jiheon wrapped his arms around Jaekyung’s shoulders and laughed.
“I won’t cry. If anything, you almost made me cry, hyung.”
“Then I’ll make you cry.”
Jaekyung threatened and playfully bit Jiheon’s chest hard through his T-shirt.
“Ah!”
Jiheon yelped, surprised, and clung tightly to Jaekyung’s neck.
“Oi, wait a minute. It really hurts.”
“Speaking informally again.”
Jaekyung mumbled with Jiheon’s nipple in his mouth, and he prepared his teeth as if he was truly going to punish Jiheon one more time.
Fearing another hard bite, Jiheon unwittingly tensed and straightened his back. Fortunately, Jaekyung didn’t go through with it. He briefly raised his teeth as if pretending to bite and then played with the nipple by lightly nibbling it with his lips and teasing it with his tongue. The subtle sensations sent waves of pleasure through the layer of Jiheon’s T-shirt, causing his hips to twitch ever so slightly.
“Stop it. It tickles.”
He laughed, and only then did Jaekyung raise his head and looked up at Jiheon.
“You really won’t cry?”
“I won’t.”
“Alright, then.”
Jaekyung hugged Jiheon firmly around the waist, rubbing his cheek against Jiheon’s chest. Jiheon ran his fingers through Jaekyung’s hair and asked, “What’s all this?”
Jaekyung’s demeanor seemed to be either an apology for briefly hurting Jiheon or a belated display of playfulness.
“So, do you want to make me cry or not?”
“I don’t want you to cry, hyung.”
Jaekyung answered promptly. He added, burying his face deeper into Jiheon’s chest.
“I’m going crazy just thinking about you crying, but if you were to cry, I’d want you to do it in front of me, so I can do something for you.”
The whispered words in their embrace reached Jiheon’s heart before they reached his ears.
That was the worry Jiheon had always had in those days. He couldn’t sleep every night, always thinking, “If I give up swimming, who will still appreciate me? What will they think I’m good at? What value will I have left?” Because swimming had been his everything until then.
“Maybe it’s because I received so much attention before that, but oddly enough, I’m more afraid of the people around me than worrying about my retirement or my future.”
He was afraid that his disappointed parents would no longer be proud of their son, and his friends who bragged about him being on the national team and the adults who always praised him would quickly turn their backs and see him as a failure.
“I think that’s why I worked harder at various things right after I quit swimming. Because I had to prove that I still had worth after giving up on it.”
Unable to apply to university using special admission for athletes, Jiheon started studying late, got into the university he aimed for, and worked even harder once he got there. He worried people would think he only worked hard for the entrance exams, so he paid extra attention to his grades, never missed school events, and was active in clubs.
But the harder he worked, the more he thought that something wasn’t right. Things were enjoyable only for a short time, then they became boring and exhausting. It felt like his body was just staying there out of courtesy, but his mind was always somewhere else.
It was the same with dating. He was delighted when someone said they liked him. He was happy and grateful that people still liked him even though he no longer swam. He wanted to repay them, so he accepted their confessions and tried to be nice to them.
However, anyone was bound to notice the heartless pretense at any time. After multiple relationships and breakups, he became more and more certain. He was a terrible person who couldn’t handle anything with responsibility.
As a result, he became more and more defensive, and later, he began to take an observer-like attitude in case he broke up with his lover, thinking that, ‘I’m sure we’ll break up soon, and it’s probably gonna take two or three months at most. If possible, let’s get along without fighting so that we won’t hurt each other’s feelings. I’ll just be nice and do whatever they ask.’
“It’s an afterthought, but I’m sure some of them didn’t like that… because I was always in the position to listen. Not because I didn’t want to do anything, but because I’d only do it together if they wanted me to.”
Jiheon found out not long ago after listening to Jaekyung that such an attitude might actually have upset his partner. Being unconditionally gentle and doing whatever they wanted was just showing that he had no greed or motivation.
“But the truth is, I may have secretly wanted to convey that to them. I wanted them to know I only accepted their confession because they liked me, and I did it because they asked me to. I wouldn’t be devastated if they broke up with me later…. I wanted to let them know in advance that I wouldn’t be overly unhappy or miserable even if they dumped me.”
Jiheon finished his beer. As he crushed the empty can, his vision swayed again. He had to admit that he was probably drunk by now.
This was ridiculous. Three cans of beer, and he was already feeling drunk.
‘Did I get drunk so fast because I drank on an empty stomach, or is this the effect of hormones?’
No, it didn’t matter what the reason was. What mattered was that he was indeed drunk. And it was a problem since he ended up saying things to Jaekyung that he shouldn’t have.
He didn’t want to say it. Jaekyung would be disappointed. He might despise Jiheon because he seemed to be very different from what he had thought. Maybe Jaekyung initially thought Jiheon was cool, but he turned out to be a pathetic and worthless guy. That was why he didn’t want to say it until the end.
Out of habit, Jiheon cracked open another beer can and awaited Jaekyung’s response. Like someone waiting for an ultimatum, he hoped that Jaekyung would quickly scold and criticize him for being this pathetic.
However—
“But why do you call yourself irresponsible?”
Jaekyung finally broke his silence and said the exact opposite of what Jiheon had expected. He told him that he couldn’t comprehend it.
“If anything, you said you did everything until graduation, from club activities to whatnot. You even took on other people’s majors. You persevered through the difficult parts until the end. Does that mean you have no sense of responsibility? As for me, I’ll do something as long as it’s fun and not too hard, but I don’t consider it a sense of responsibility. I feel responsible when I persevere until the end even though it’s hard and others tell me not to.”
The more Jaekyung spoke, the more unconvinced he seemed.
“Every time I refused to participate in a relay, I heard all sorts of things about me being irresponsible and not deserving a place on the national team. But not once did I think I was being irresponsible. Because I did everything I could, and I didn’t harm anyone.”
Jaekyung spoke with conviction.
“It’s the same for you, hyung. It’s not that you don’t have responsibility. You’ve always done enough. You’ve never harmed anyone. I’ve never met anyone so unnecessarily responsible as you.”
When Jaekyung said “unnecessarily,” Jiheon noticed a hint of dissatisfaction and stopped smiling.
“It’s the same with dating. In the end, you didn’t even initiate the break-up. It means you’re being responsible. And given your personality, you probably would’ve done everything you could.”
Jaekyung even pounded the table, asking if he was right. Jiheon looked at him with a smile and nodded.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
But regardless, he was always enthusiastic and thankful for his partner at the start of each relationship. He wanted to cherish them and do everything he could. Seeing them happy made him happy too.
“Maybe that’s why my confidence wavers. I thought I did everything I could, yet I ended up getting dumped. I just started thinking something was wrong from the beginning, that I’m flawed or something.”
No matter how prepared he thought he was, breaking up was always difficult. Even if it wasn’t someone he loved so passionately, he always felt like something in his heart shattered whenever he broke up.
The breakup itself was sad, but what hurt him the most was the fact that it felt like he was being confirmed once again that he was not a decent human.
“That’s why I said I didn’t want to get into a relationship anymore. I don’t want to get hurt again, and I don’t want to realize that I’m a bad person. You get what I mean?”
Jiheon chuckled and playfully tossed a piece of popcorn at Jaekyung. Then he took a big gulp from his fresh can, nearly finishing half of it in one go.
Jiheon expected Jaekyung to be surprised and said, “Oh, just for that reason?” He thought Jaekyung would click his tongue as always and said that Jiheon was worrying about all sorts of useless things.
But Jaekyung didn’t react that way. He leaned on the table, looking at Jiheon with a thoughtful expression. Then, as Jiheon had almost emptied one can, Jaekyung rested his chin on the back of his hand and said:
“I wish I were your age or older than you.”
Jaekyung didn’t smile, but he didn’t look sad or angry either. He said, with his usual indifferent expression, that he literally wished for that.
“Then, I would have gone to the same university as you, confessed to you first, and we would have dated. I would have never broken up with you, never given anyone else a chance, and I would have stayed by your side until the day I die.”
Jiheon felt like crying at Jaekyung’s calm words.
It really would’ve been nice if it had happened, but he didn’t regret it. It wasn’t because he regretted the many relationships he had before being with Jaekyung.
It was because he liked Jaekyung. He loved how Jaekyung calmly regretted that one fact without being disappointed or belittling Jiheon even after hearing all these pathetic things about him. He felt like he was going to cry out of gratitude for this undeserved affection.
This made it even scarier. Jiheon had felt so sad and distressed when someone asked him for a breakup even though he didn’t have feelings for them. But now he wondered what would happen if he heard those words from Jaekyung.
Just imagining it felt like the ground beneath his feet crumbling away. He would never be able to bear it.
But he couldn’t even tell Jaekyung about these fears. He was afraid that his words would only burden Jaekyung, making it difficult for him to end the relationship if he wanted to. Jaekyung was still young and had many opportunities in the future, so Jiheon couldn’t say anything because he was afraid his words would be holding him back.
However, if things continued in this way, he might lose control. He had already said all the things he didn’t need to say because he was drunk. If he stayed longer, he might not be able to restrain himself and would start clinging to Jaekyung, saying things he shouldn’t. That would be the end of it all. It was as if he was revealing the deepest part of himself to Jaekyung.
He didn’t want that. He didn’t want to look that unsightly.
So as soon as Jiheon finished his beer, he crumpled the empty can and called Jaekyung.
“Just go home tonight.”
“Why?”
Jaekyung appeared baffled by the sudden suggestion.
“I don’t think I can do it today because I’m a bit tipsy.”
Jiheon said it in a somewhat playful tone.
“Oh, what are you talking about?”
Jaekyung immediately frowned.
“There’s nothing wrong with doing it when you’re a little drunk. And I can even do it while standing. No, that aside, did you think I came here for that?”
Jaekyung spoke as if he was dumbfounded, but his points kept changing every time he talked, as if showing how excited he was. At first, he spoke based on his instinct, but as he gradually became more rational, his words seemed to change.
“I know. I’m just kidding.”
Jiheon smiled and reassured him. He swept his face flushed from alcohol.
“But serious, today is a bit difficult. You’re not training tomorrow, so you should go home and get some rest tonight.”
“No, I don’t want to.”
Jaekyung answered right away.
“Why not?”
“Because I think you’ll cry after I leave.”
Jiheon raised his head and locked eyes with Jaekyung. When their gazes met, Jaekyung subtly raised his eyebrows, silently asking, ‘Aren’t I right?’
“What the….”
Jiheon burst into laughter.
“Hey, if you notice something like that, it’s polite to leave quietly, you know?”
“I don’t care. I basically have doglike manners anyway.”
Jaekyung snorted, as if this wasn’t news to him. Jiheon knew that if he continued with comments like, “You have no manners,” Jaekyung would get upset. And in fact, looking at him these days, he didn’t even think that was right for him.
“Not that much.”
Jiheon said, resting his chin on the back of his hand.
“These days, you’re still trying to be nice to people.”
Jaekyung narrowed his eyes and gave him a sidelong glance, as if to say, ‘Am I?’
“Yeah, you are.”
Jiheon smiled, half-lying on the table.
“Even if you deny it, I can see you’ve changed a bit from before. It seems like a good change.”
At that, Kwon Jaekyung proudly straightened his shoulders, as if he had received a compliment.
“All right. In that case, I’ll be nice to you too. Hurry up and rest your head on my chest and cry.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because the older one here.”
Jiheon pushed himself up from the table and mumbled.
“You like me because I’m cool.”
“I like you being cute too.”
Jaekyung blinked in confusion, trying to understand what Jiheon was talking about. When Jiheon smiled with a look of wonder, Jaekyung leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
“Okay, should I be your ‘hyung’ today? Jiheon-ah, is that what you want?”
Upon hearing this sudden informal way of speaking, Jiheon paused and then burst into laughter.
Jaekyung, seeing Jiheon laughing heartily due to his tipsiness, couldn’t help but look slightly displeased.
“Hyung, older guys are your type, right?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I think it’s true. You like it when I speak informally to you, Jiheon-ah.”
“No. My type is you.”
Jaekyung widened his eyes and glanced at Jiheon with an expression that seemed to say, “I’m honestly happy, but…… Even though it’s just words, I’m happy, but……!”
Yet, Kwon Jaekyung remained firm in his resolve not to be taken for a fool.
“Okay. Anyway, I’ll be your hyung today. Be a little baby for me.”
“No thanks.”
“Why not, Jiheon-ah? This hyung is open to anything.”
“Hey.”
“Don’t speak informally to your hyung.”
Jaekyung frowned.
“Jaekyung hyung.”
Jiheon said with a smile still on his face.
“Stop fooling around and just go home today, hyung.”
“Oh, you’re not listening at all.”
Jaekyung abruptly stood up, grabbed Jiheon’s arm while he was seated, pulled him up, and then enveloped him in a warm embrace, seating himself with Jiheon on his lap.
“Here you go. Now, hurry up and cry.”
“I’m not crying. Hey, how can I cry in this kind of atmosphere?”
Jiheon, suddenly seated on Jaekyung’s lap, complained half-jokingly, but Jaekyung responded with a stern warning.
“Jiheon-ah, if you speak informally with your hyung one more time, I’ll scold you.”
“Ah, what the hell.”
Jiheon wrapped his arms around Jaekyung’s shoulders and laughed.
“I won’t cry. If anything, you almost made me cry, hyung.”
“Then I’ll make you cry.”
Jaekyung threatened and playfully bit Jiheon’s chest hard through his T-shirt.
“Ah!”
Jiheon yelped, surprised, and clung tightly to Jaekyung’s neck.
“Oi, wait a minute. It really hurts.”
“Speaking informally again.”
Jaekyung mumbled with Jiheon’s nipple in his mouth, and he prepared his teeth as if he was truly going to punish Jiheon one more time.
Fearing another hard bite, Jiheon unwittingly tensed and straightened his back. Fortunately, Jaekyung didn’t go through with it. He briefly raised his teeth as if pretending to bite and then played with the nipple by lightly nibbling it with his lips and teasing it with his tongue. The subtle sensations sent waves of pleasure through the layer of Jiheon’s T-shirt, causing his hips to twitch ever so slightly.
“Stop it. It tickles.”
He laughed, and only then did Jaekyung raise his head and looked up at Jiheon.
“You really won’t cry?”
“I won’t.”
“Alright, then.”
Jaekyung hugged Jiheon firmly around the waist, rubbing his cheek against Jiheon’s chest. Jiheon ran his fingers through Jaekyung’s hair and asked, “What’s all this?”
Jaekyung’s demeanor seemed to be either an apology for briefly hurting Jiheon or a belated display of playfulness.
“So, do you want to make me cry or not?”
“I don’t want you to cry, hyung.”
Jaekyung answered promptly. He added, burying his face deeper into Jiheon’s chest.
“I’m going crazy just thinking about you crying, but if you were to cry, I’d want you to do it in front of me, so I can do something for you.”
The whispered words in their embrace reached Jiheon’s heart before they reached his ears.
