After work, Yuwon sat quietly at a club, a near-empty glass in front of him. The music thumped in the background, but his thoughts were far away.
Lee Jiha (irritated): "Yuwon, why aren't you going home? It's too late—you should head back."
She grabbed her purse and stood up, clearly annoyed.
Yuwon (calmly): "You go ahead. I'll leave in half an hour."
Lee Jiha let out a sigh and crossed her arms.
Lee Jiha: "You're crazy, seriously. If I leave you here alone, someone's really going to try and take advantage of you while you're drunk."
Yuwon (softly): "I'm not drunk, Jiha. Look, I barely drank. Just one glass."
She narrowed her eyes but reached out and grabbed his wrist, dragging him toward the exit.
As they stepped outside, the cool night air hit them.
Yuwon thought to himself: Jiha… She's the only one who knows I'm gay. My only real friend. We've been together since high school. She's always stayed by my side, no matter what.
Lee Jiha (gently): "Yuwon… what about calling your brother? You don't look well. How are you going to get home?"
Yuwon (shaking his head): "I'm okay. Don't worry."
Lee Jiha: "Fine. But go home safely, okay?"
She gave him a brief hug before walking off.
---
Sometime later, Yuwon stepped off the bus, pulling his coat closer around him. As he neared the house, his eyes widened.
Taekho was sitting on the front steps, shivering in the cold. No jacket. No hoodie. Just a thin shirt and flushed cheeks from the freezing night air.
Yuwon rushed forward in panic.
Yuwon: "Taekho! What are you doing out here so late?!"
Tae looked up, his face slightly red from the cold—and maybe something else. His voice trembled.
Taekho: "Hyung… you're back."
He slowly stood as Yuwon reached him.
Taekho: "I was waiting for you. I called, but you didn't answer… You ignored all my messages. And this morning… you pushed me."
Yuwon's face fell with guilt. Without hesitation, he grabbed Taekho's hands and helped him up.
Yuwon: "I'm sorry, Tae…"
But before he could say more, Taekho suddenly wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Taekho (muffled): "Hyung, don't ignore me. I hate it…"
Yuwon felt his heart twist. He gently held him back.
Yuwon (softly): "Tae… you're burning up. Let's get you inside."
Taekho (desperate): "First… promise me you won't ignore me again."
Yuwon met his eyes.
Yuwon (firmly): "I promise. I won't ignore you again. Let's go."
He carefully led Taekho into the house and took him straight to his room.
Yuwon gently laid Taekho down on the bed. His forehead was burning, his cheeks flushed from the fever. Worry clouded Yuwon's face as he quickly opened the drawer beside the bed and pulled out some medicine.
He handed Taekho a couple of pills and a glass of water, then tore open a cold fever patch and carefully placed it on Taekho's temple.
Yuwon (softly): "Take some rest."
He sat beside him on the edge of the bed. Taekho reached out and held his hand, his grip warm and weak.
Taekho (quietly): "Hyung… are you angry at me?"
Yuwon gently patted his head, brushing some strands of hair away from his forehead.
Yuwon (calmly): "Nope. I'm not angry. But don't ever do that again. What if your fever had gotten worse?"
Taekho (smiling faintly): "I know. But Hyung takes care of me well… so I don't care."
Yuwon looked down at the floor, guilt sinking deep into his chest. His thoughts raced.
"How dumb are you, Yuwon? You ignored this kid all day… and now he's sick because of you. He waited outside the house the whole time, and you just let him. Why did you do that? You're the one who enjoyed his touch last night. Shameless. You're supposed to be the adult. You should've stopped him… but you didn't. He's only 19. He's just a kid. This is your fault. Not his."
Taekho (softly): "Hyung…"
Yuwon blinked and looked at him.
Yuwon: "You should sleep, Tae."
Taekho (shivering slightly): "Hyung… I feel cold. Can you… sleep with me tonight? Please?"
Yuwon felt the stab of guilt twist even deeper. He hesitated.
Yuwon: "Tae…"
Taekho (pleading): "Please, Hyung…"
Yuwon exhaled and gave a small nod.
Yuwon: "Okay. Let me change clothes first."
Taekho nodded slowly and closed his eyes, still holding onto Yuwon's hand.
After changing into comfortable clothes, Yuwon stood at the door of the room, staring at the bed. He hesitated for a long moment, then finally walked over and lay down beside Taekho.
He turned his head slightly, looking at the tae..
Yuwon (softly): "You didn't sleep?"
Taekho slowly opened his eyes, his voice gentle.
Taekho: "Hyung… can you pat my head?"
Yuwon gave a small nod.
Yuwon: "Okay."
Taekho scooted closer and, without warning, wrapped his arms around Yuwon's waist, hugging him softly.
Yuwon blinked, frozen for a second, unsure of what to do. Slowly, he raised his hand and began gently patting Taekho's head.
Taekho rested his head against Yuwon's chest, breathing in deeply.
Taekho (softly): "Hyung… you smell so nice."
Yuwon's body stiffened. He quickly and gently pushed Taekho back, sitting up on the bed, his breath uneven.
Yuwon: "Tae… you should sleep."
He stood up, trying to steady his breathing. But before he could take a step, Taekho grabbed his hand and pulled him close again.
Taekho (firmly): "Hyung…"
Yuwon: "Tae, what are you doing?"
Taekho didn't answer. He moved in and pressed his lips against Yuwon's.
Startled, Yuwon immediately pushed him away.
Yuwon (shocked): "Tae! What the hell are you doing?"
But Taekho didn't let go of his hand. His eyes were locked on Yuwon's, unwavering.
Taekho: "Hyung… last night, you loved it. You were moaning, saying you wanted more. So why are you acting like nothing happened?"
Yuwon's eyes welled with tears. His voice trembled as he looked at Taekho.
Yuwon (choked): "Tae… it was just a mistake. Please… forgive me and forget about it."
Taekho's expression hardened, his voice rising with frustration.
Taekho: "Hyung, how could you say that? It's not a mistake! I know you wanted me—that's why you let me do it last night! I know, hyung. You love me… and I love you too."
Yuwon looked down, his chest tightening. He shook his head slowly.
Yuwon: "Tae… I do love you… but as a brother. You're my little brother. Why can't you understand that?"
Taekho suddenly shouted, his emotions boiling over.
Taekho: "We're not real brothers, hyung!"
He stood up, eyes fierce, and stepped closer. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms tightly around Yuwon's waist again. His voice dropped low, full of determination.
Taekho: "Hyung… let me be your man."
Yuwon's eyes widened in disbelief the moment those words left Taekho's mouth. His heart pounded, breath catching in his throat. Without saying a word, he pushed Taekho away and bolted out of the room.
His footsteps echoed through the quiet hallway as he ran to his own room, slamming the door shut behind him. With trembling hands, he turned the lock and slowly slid down the door, collapsing onto the floor.
His body shook, his mind spinning. He buried his face in his hands, trying to process what just happened.
Yuwon (thinking): I… I didn't know. I didn't know my little brother wanted to be… my man.
The thought alone sent a chill through his chest. The shock, the confusion, the guilt—it all wrapped around him like chains, heavy and suffocating.