* * *
“There’s barely anyone in line. We’ll only have to wait about ten minutes,” Seonwoo added.
Yeongdeok looked at the Ferris wheel, its colors changing every second.
While the slow, one-way movement didn’t seem too thrilling, the long ride time made it worthwhile.
With that settled, they queued up in front of the Ferris wheel.
As they waited, a parade began, with performers in flamboyant costumes putting on a show for the guests.
Watching, Yeongdeok had a sudden realization.
“…Cha Heeseok should’ve worn something like that to the party,” he mused.
“Did I hear that right? Stop thinking about nonsense,” Seonwoo clicked his tongue, exasperated.
Just then, the park’s mascot, a person in a ‘Kkomi’ costume, walked past, waving cheerfully.
Yeongdeok narrowed his eyes at the overly friendly Kkomi, eyeing them suspiciously even as they moved away.
As Yeongdeok glared at Kkomi’s retreating back, the Ferris wheel arrived in front of them.
Seonwoo grabbed Yeongdeok’s arm, urging him to hurry on.
Reluctantly, Yeongdeok climbed into the Ferris wheel, his eyes still full of wary suspicion.
Once the door closed behind them, cutting off the outside world, a hush settled around them.
Yeongdeok crossed his legs, staring out the clear window as their view gradually lifted.
“So? Did you have fun today?” Seonwoo asked.
“You dragged me here against my will. Does it really matter if I had fun?” Yeongdeok shot back.
“Of course it does. After all, this day was for you, Cha Yeongdeok.”
Yeongdeok’s head, which had been turned toward the window, now faced forward.
Seonwoo was looking at him, smiling warmly.
“For me?”
“I know Mr. Cha Yeongdeok can be emotionally blunt. But you seemed a bit down for some reason.”
When Seonwoo added that Yeongdeok seemed like a sad person, Yeongdeok felt a sense of certainty about the name of the emotion he had been experiencing, hearing words similar to Wonjin’s from Seonwoo.
Yeongdeok leaned against the windowsill.
Today had been filled with annoying crowds and wasted time waiting.
Yet… he had genuinely enjoyed himself so much that he barely even thought about places like PetitRolang.
“Yeah. It was fun, thanks to you, Baek Seonwoo.”
With the sparkling night view behind him, Yeongdeok allowed a rare, relaxed smile to spread across his face.
Seonwoo swallowed dryly at the sight of the unguarded expression from the usually icy man.
In Seonwoo’s eyes, the night view and Yeongdeok were equally stunning, so much so that he couldn’t decide which was more beautiful.
Unable to hold back, he grabbed Yeongdeok’s arm, blaming the atmosphere.
“If it was that fun, then give me a reward.”
“A reward? You’re really talking nonsense.”
“You just said you had fun because of me.”
Seonwoo, pouting, shook Yeongdeok’s arm vigorously.
Yeongdeok, annoyed but curious enough to indulge him, decided to listen to what he wanted.
If it was something material, giving it to him would bring peace of mind.
“What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything grand. Just stay still.”
“Stay still?”
Before Yeongdeok could process the strangeness of his words, Seonwoo pulled him closer.
The force made Yeongdeok’s head bump against Seonwoo’s shoulder.
“What the….”
Just as Yeongdeok was about to protest, Seonwoo grabbed the back of his neck.
Their faces drew near, and before he could say more, Seonwoo’s mouth silenced him with a kiss.
A tongue slipped out to lightly lick Yeongdeok’s upper lip through his parted lips.
Shivering from the chill that traveled from his spine to the top of his head, Yeongdeok pushed Seonwoo away hard, clutching his shoulders, which trembled as if he’d been electrocuted.
“You…!”
“I told you to stay still, but you really don’t listen. So unfair.”
“Would you just stay still if you were being harassed?”
Yeongdeok glared at Seonwoo, who looked disappointed but smirked playfully, licking his lips still wet with Seonwoo’s saliva and wiping them with his sleeve.
“If it were me, of course, I’d stay still. I’d probably kiss back.”
“Do you enjoy tormenting me this much? You keep kissing me.”
“Cha Yeongdeok. Yeongdeok….”
Seonwoo let out a deep sigh, shaking his head as if he had heard something absurd.
“Do you think I’m doing this just to mess with you?”
Yeongdeok thought of Seonwoo’s habits: clinging to him like a leech, fondling his arms, and whispering to tickle his ear.
He enjoyed tormenting Yeongdeok in every way.
“I can’t think of any other reason.”
“Are you seriously that dense?”
“Did you just call me dense?”
“Yes. If this isn’t being a complete idiot, then what is?”
He had gone from harassment to now calling him an idiot.
Yeongdeok wondered if Seonwoo was picking a fight.
He squinted his eyes in annoyance, but Seonwoo didn’t seem inclined to argue.
“How is someone so grand and supposedly clever so hopelessly oblivious in situations like this?”
“Are you insulting me now? You’re bold.”
Seonwoo, frustrated that Yeongdeok couldn’t figure out his feelings despite all the hints, grabbed his hands.
“Yeongdeok….”
“What?”
Seonwoo lowered his voice, calling his name with a deep resonance, his lips moving as if he were about to speak.
“If you have something to say, don’t be so hesitant. Just say it.”
Under pressure from Yeongdeok, Seonwoo tensed, lifting his chin, but couldn’t find the courage.
Finally, he let go of Yeongdeok’s hands, sighing.
A heavy silence settled between them until the Ferris wheel came to a stop.
As the attendant instructed them to exit, Yeongdeok stepped out, placing his feet back on the ground.
The parade that had started before they boarded was still going on.
“So, what were you going to say earlier?”
Yeongdeok brought up the conversation from the Ferris wheel, but Seonwoo remained silent.
“Baek Seonwoo?”
“I’ll take you home. Let’s go back.”
Seonwoo forced a bitter smile and began to walk.
With the prior agreement to leave after the Ferris wheel ride, Yeongdeok followed him without complaint, though puzzled.
Leaving the bustling amusement park, they returned home.
The car ride was as silent as the Ferris wheel had been.
When Yeongdeok, who had been looking out the window, stole a glance at Seonwoo, he seemed deep in thought.
The car, rolling steadily, soon arrived in front of Yeongdeok’s house.
As Yeongdeok got out of the passenger seat, Seonwoo finally opened his mouth.
“Get home safely.”
“You too.”
Yeongdeok bid him goodbye, closing the door. Just as he took a step, the sound of the window rolling down stopped him.
“Cha Yeongdeok!”
Hearing Seonwoo’s strong voice, Yeongdeok turned to see him with the same expression he had worn on the Ferris wheel, one that looked like he was holding back his words.
“What is it?”
“I have something to say to you.”
“Then say it.”
“Well….”
Seonwoo fidgeted, unable to meet his eyes.
He opened his mouth wide as if to speak, only to close it again.
After repeating this several times, he finally blurted out something anticlimactic.
“It’s nothing. Just… don’t push me away anymore.”
With that, he sped off.
Watching his car disappear, Yeongdeok couldn’t hide the annoyance on his face.
What had that even been?
After Seonwoo’s car vanished from sight, Yeongdeok walked home.
While unlocking the door, his gaze drifted to the neighboring house.
Seo Jihoon had seemed like he wanted to say something this morning.
Should he ask now?
But visiting at this hour wasn’t polite.
Deciding to ask tomorrow, Yeongdeok stepped inside and collapsed onto the sofa.
As he absentmindedly reflected on the day, he spotted the game console near the TV.
It had been sitting there ever since he’d gotten it back from Jihoon, neglected.
Jihoon, even back when they weren’t on good terms, had always grudgingly done what Yeongdeok asked.
* * *
I think Jihoon is better for Yeongdeok
Aww
seonwoo, you’re a coward.
Jihoon💗
Same
why isnt jihoon getting any action its only seowoon
Thanks
Seowoon is too impulsive and rash tsk tsk, not the best fit for yeongdeok