* * *
“…What?”
Startled by Wonbeom’s sudden words, Jingyeom clenched his fists tightly.
Why was the conversation taking such a strange turn?
A moment ago, he’d just been complimenting him, calling him handsome.
So why was this now turning into something about love?
He had willingly gotten into Wonbeom’s car earlier, determined to make things clear while they had the chance to meet.
He’d decided to tell him that he couldn’t return his feelings.
But the suddenness of it all had left him speechless, mind gone blank.
‘Is this it? Should I turn him down right now? Or… is he just saying it casually? What’s going on?’
Jingyeom’s gaze drifted around restlessly, unable to focus on anything.
His body, which had been reclining comfortably, froze in an awkward posture.
Seeing his completely transparent reaction, Wonbeom gave a faint, bitter smile.
He’d blurted out something about dating to someone who wasn’t even remotely prepared.
He understood why Jingyeom looked so confused.
But looking at Jingyeom’s expression, Wonbeom could guess what kind of answer he’d receive.
Not wanting to hear it come out naturally from those lips, he stood up.
“If you don’t have a place in mind, I’ll take you somewhere.”
Wonbeom headed out first, and Jingyeom hurriedly followed, an anxious look on his face.
Knowing there’d be a driver once they got into the car, Jingyeom thought he’d better say what he needed to now.
Grabbing onto Wonbeom’s sleeve, he stopped him.
“Um… about you liking me…”
“I’d rather hear your answer later.”
“I’ll say it now!”
“Can’t you tell me after the date?”
Jingyeom gulped, throat dry.
Wonbeom’s low, composed voice wasn’t threatening or intimidating—just as if he’d already expected this.
Lowering his gaze, Jingyeom found himself staring at the ground. His long eyelashes framed his downcast eyes.
For a moment, a dangerous glint flashed in Wonbeom’s eyes.
‘Just like this…’
If Jingyeom’s feelings weren’t going to change, even after spending the whole day together… couldn’t he just take what he wanted?
If he chained those slender arms and legs, kept him within the house, Jingyeom wouldn’t be harmed, wouldn’t be in danger.
The staff could handle everything.
Living confined to a single room wouldn’t be all that bad.
After all, he already knew what it was like to live in a hospital room.
He could provide a room with a window view to the outside.
Then, once Jingyeom gradually opened his heart to him… one step at a time…
“Hyung?”
Jingyeom’s voice snapped Wonbeom out of his dangerous thoughts.
“…”
“Could you… let go of my neck?”
Wonbeom’s hand was somehow reaching toward Jingyeom’s neck.
Though he wasn’t squeezing, his slender neck fit easily in his palm.
“Oh, there was a fly on you.”
Wonbeom brushed his thumb lightly against Jingyeom’s neck and released him.
For a moment, if Jingyeom hadn’t spoken, he might have acted out his plans.
If he did as he pleased, Jingyeom would probably never show him that carefree smile again.
‘…Come to think of it, today too…’
He hadn’t seen that smile Jingyeom usually showed at Friday night dinners with everyone.
As much as he wanted Jingyeom, the desire to see that smile again was even stronger.
‘He used to smile so easily.’
Today, he’d only seen a blank look on his face.
Even while eating, he’d seemed lost in thought.
A sudden sense of determination surged within him.
‘Today, I’ll see that face again.’
The expression that was probably the start of all his feelings.
They arrived at Wolmido.
Wonbeom had brought him here because he remembered how much Jingyeom had enjoyed it last time.
Although, last time, things had ended with Jingyeom passing out.
Back then, it had been a hot summer, but now, the chilly breeze cut through the air.
Even though he wasn’t underdressed, Jingyeom shivered as the wind brushed past him.
Seeing this, Wonbeom draped his coat over Jingyeom’s shoulders.
“…The coat’s warm, but it’s heavy.”
“You’re weak if it feels heavy…”
“It’s not heavy!”
Jingyeom interrupted, his voice rising in protest.
He added an explanation, saying it was just heavier than what he usually wore, not so much that he couldn’t walk.
The ride had been uncomfortable, the presence of the driver making the atmosphere tense.
Now, alone with Wonbeom and feeling his kindness, Jingyeom felt he needed to say something—so he’d mentioned the coat’s weight, not expecting such a quick comeback.
Ordinarily, he’d have returned the coat with a polite refusal, but today, feeling stubborn, he put his arms through the sleeves and buttoned it up completely.
When he saw his shoes peeking out from the hem, he scrunched up his nose slightly.
When Wonbeom had worn it, it’d reached his knees.
On Jingyeom, the coat was practically a long coat.
Any shorter, and it might have skimmed the ground.
“Seems like it’s a cold day. There aren’t many people around. Last time, it was so crowded,” Jingyeom remarked, glancing around.
Indeed, it was much quieter than last time, likely due to the season, though it was surprising just how empty it felt.
The two strolled along the path they’d walked before.
They passed by the Viking ride, where last time it had been the two of them and three others.
Even in the cold, some people were still riding it.
‘Back then, I really wanted to ride it. …If I had, we’d have probably gone straight to the hospital, without exploring further.’
Seeing the Viking didn’t make him want to go on it anymore.
Even the mini Viking had pushed his heart rate to dangerous levels; had he ridden that, he might have screamed to get off midway.
“Oh! I still have a picture from when we rode the Viking last time. Should I send it to you later?”
“Sure.”
“It was a lot of fun that time.”
Jingyeom’s voice softened, his tone wistful.
He had a feeling he’d never be able to gather everyone for something like that again.
A slight regret surfaced, wishing he’d taken more photos back then.
Wolmido had been his first real outing since his past life, a memory he couldn’t forget.
It had also been his first time hanging out with a group of people like that.
“Thank you for letting me join the company dinner, even though I was just a junior.”
Wonbeom stopped walking, and Jingyeom, who’d moved forward, turned back to face him.
A gust of wind brushed past, tousling Jingyeom’s long hair.
Since leaving the hospital, he hadn’t cut it, so it now fell to his shoulders.
He tried to brush the hair from his face, but the coat kept getting in his way.
Meanwhile, Wonbeom, standing in front of him, reached out and gently tidied Jingyeom’s messy hair.
“I should be the one thanking you. It was fun.”
Those memories were precious not only to Jingyeom but to Wonbeom as well.
For Wonbeom, it had been the first time he’d wandered aimlessly, without any goal.
Normally, he’d strive relentlessly toward his objectives, and he’d always thought that any time spent otherwise was a waste.
Even the company dinner had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, prompted by hearing that Soohyuk had seen Jingyeom at his workplace.
Looking back, he realized that even his actions that day had been unusual for him.
Ordinarily, he despised wasting time.
But he’d gone to a café far from the office just to get coffee, waited for Jingyeom to finish work, and fumed when another guy dared to get too close.
Remembering those moments, many scenes played back in his mind.
Less than a year had passed, but countless memories had accumulated.
“If I’d shown interest first, would you be living at my place now?”
“…No.”
After a brief pause, Jingyeom spoke with a voice full of conviction.
Even if Wonbeom had done the same to him as Soohyuk did, he would never have been able to give his heart to him.
To Jingyeom, Wonbeom was the protagonist of ‘Gray’, the opponent of Jinwoo, and the person he couldn’t have, no matter how much he struggled.
From the very beginning, there was no place for Wonbeom in Jingyeom’s heart. His position had been constant from the start to this very moment.
“I really appreciate all the support and consideration you’ve given me and Jinwoo so far. I believe it’s a kindness I’ll have to repay one day. But that’s where it ends… our relationship, I mean.”
Unable to look at Wonbeom directly, Jingyeom bowed his head deeply.
He struggled to cross his hands, hidden by the long coat sleeves.
“…I’m sorry.”
Wonbeom, who had been staring at the top of Jingyeom’s head, spoke in a low voice.
“You said you’d hear this after the date was over, but it ended so quickly.”
“….”
“Is this how it’s going to be? I didn’t even get a chance to really try, and I’m being shut out like this?”
Jingyeom couldn’t respond.
He could never fully understand what Wonbeom was feeling now.
He had never been in such a situation before.
“Lift your head. I can’t bear to see the person rejecting me looking so down. …What am I supposed to do if you look like you’re about to cry?”
Jingyeom lifted his head, his face drenched in regret and looking as though he might cry at any moment.
His large eyes fluttered, as if tears were about to spill.
“I wanted to take you home… but I can’t do that.”
Just as he was speaking, Jingyeom noticed Soohyuk walking toward them with a threatening air, and Wonbeom’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
He had expected him to come, but the timing seemed almost too perfect.
How did he manage to show up just at this moment?
Wonbeom, unwilling to let it end like this, slowly shifted his gaze back to Jingyeom.
Jingyeom, still gazing up at him with moist eyes, had his nose and cheeks flushed red from the chilly weather.
“Since you’re sad about being rejected, I’ll let you off the hook just this once.”
Smiling as though the cynicism had never been there, Wonbeom reached out and grabbed the back of Jingyeom’s head, pulling him in for a kiss.
* * *
👍
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