Cozy Obsession

It was a provocation of sorts. A cheeky insinuation that asked if he wouldn’t give in to such a calculated temptation.However, instead of being swayed by those words, Yiheon looked at Heemin as if saying, “You’ve finally lost it, haven’t you?”“Do you even know what that means?”“Of course I do. I’m not that stupid.”Even though he had no flings or dating experience, he had read so many books that he had quite a bit of related knowledge.With a certain resolve, he had thrown out a cheesy line that the characters in novels would likely say, but it seemed it was too straightforward.Yiheon, who had an expression of disbelief, brought his thumb and middle finger together and flicked Heemin’s forehead as if scolding him.“There’s nothing a kid like you won’t say.”“Ow!”It didn’t seem like he intended to hurt, but his fingers were much thicker than others, making the flick quite painful.Heemin glared while roughly rubbing his stinging forehead with his palm.Seeing this, Yiheon shook his head.“I don’t know if I’m dealing with a twenty-one-year-old or an elementary school kid. You weren’t like this even when you were fifteen.”Elementary school kid? To Heemin, being called a ‘kid’ was as insulting as a complete disregard for his character.He would have preferred to be called a brat or a baby.He was about to retort, saying he couldn’t tell if he was dealing with a thirty-year-old or a kindergartener.Yiheon, reaching out to rub Heemin’s slightly reddened forehead, spoke.“I’ll go change my clothes and be right back.”Again, he gives the medicine after giving the disease.A frustrated sigh escaped from Heemin’s parted lips instead of a complaint.He thought his attempt had completely failed, but it seemed his seduction had worked subtly.It was worth the effort of preparing the drink table.He stared blankly at Yiheon’s back as he entered the room, then snapped back to his senses and fetched three bottles of soju from the fridge.Pressing the glass bottle to his still-throbbing forehead, the condensation cooled his heated skin.While Yiheon was changing clothes, Heemin turned on the gas stove and added the clams he had already prepped to the pre-boiled broth.He waited for the clams to open their shells, then added finely chopped red chili peppers, green chili peppers, and green onions, bringing it to a simmer.The spicy broth’s aroma spread everywhere, naturally calling for alcohol.“This, I made all of this, not the aunt. Doesn’t it look delicious?”He proudly presented the lavish spread to Yiheon, who had changed into comfortable clothes.Tofu kimchi, potato pancakes, cheese omelet, squid sashimi, and clam soup.He hadn’t realized while making it, but once the table was set, he noticed that they were all the drinking snacks his friend liked.Unlike Yiheon, who could drink without any snacks, Heemin needed food to go with his drink.Whenever they went to a bar, Yiheon would order three or four snacks for him, making Heemin develop a bad habit of not being able to drink without something to nibble on.“You’ve got quite the talent, kid.”“Oh, come on, treating me like a child again?”“You’re nine years younger than me, so you’re still a kid.”Yiheon picked up a bottle of soju and twisted off the cap.He thought Yiheon might ask him to get some whiskey instead, but it seemed he was willing to join in the drinking.Soon, the clear liquid with the sharp alcohol smell filled the glass.Heemin placed the simmering clam soup in the middle of the table and sat down across from Yiheon.“Wait, we need to toast first.”He stopped Yiheon, who was about to drink without clinking glasses, and offered his glass.Yiheon lightly clinked his glass.The liquid inside rippled like waves.Though he hadn’t drunk any alcohol yet, Heemin’s heart was already trembling.He wanted to confirm the vague thoughts in his head with Yiheon.Heemin stared at the clear liquid in the soju glass for a moment before downing it in one go.The first drink was always a shot. It was an unspoken rule between him and his friend.“Ugh.”It had been a while since he had drunk, and the sharp taste made his tongue tingle to the point of tears.The bitter liquid burned its way down his throat, heating his stomach.The alcohol spread through his body like a rising tide.The last time he had a hangover from half a sip of whiskey must have been due to poor condition.The sensation was incomparable to then; it was dizzying and made his head spin.Just one shot of soju made his face flush red.Had he known this, he would have drunk it in two sips.Emptying it all at once had only upset his stomach.“Eat.”He was hastily sipping the clam soup broth when Yiheon placed a piece of tofu topped with stir-fried kimchi neatly on a plate for him.“You should eat too, Hyung.”He wanted to feed him the spicy food directly like before, thinking he wouldn’t eat it himself.But just handling his own body, which couldn’t take alcohol well, was challenging enough, so he focused on calming his burning stomach with the food.“Phew…”He had become so accustomed to his current comfortable life that he kept forgetting this body wasn’t really his.Drinking as much as he used to would cause a big problem.This frail body was useless no matter what he did.“You can’t even drink, so why did you want to?”Yiheon filled his own glass with soju, leaving Heemin’s glass empty.As expected, Yiheon drank like water without changing his expression.After a while, he had drunk two bottles by himself without showing any signs of getting drunk, which was disappointing.The original plan was to drink until they were both moderately tipsy and then casually ask, “Hyung, do you like me?”He had intended to respond to Yiheon’s feigned indifference with, “I think I like you too,” and share a reconciliatory kiss to end their argument.But it seemed that plan was completely ruined.What a ridiculous situation. Embarrassing.Chewing on a piece of squid, he watched Yiheon drink alone.Once Heemin’s condition stabilized, Yiheon finally asked the question he had been waiting for.“What do you want to say that made you ask me to drink?”“Well…”“What do you want this time?”Yiheon had a look as if wondering what more he could want when he was already providing everything he needed.Heemin took a sip of water instead of soju and organized his thoughts before speaking slowly.“It’s about you calling me a kid or a baby all the time.”“Yeah?”“Are you finally going to acknowledge me?”“Admit what?”“That I am a different personality of ‘Seo Heemin’.”Despite the expert’s diagnosis, Yiheon believed that ‘Seo Heemin’ was deceiving him by pretending to be the twenty-one-year-old ‘Heemin’.Though it seemed like he was gradually accepting Heemin’s personality, he couldn’t completely uproot his doubts and eventually started treating Heemin like a real child.Unfortunately, it coincided with the day they ran into Do Junyoung at the department store, making it hard to notice at first. But upon reflection, it was clear that Yiheon’s attitude had changed from the moment he reconfirmed Heemin’s age.Yiheon filled Heemin’s glass with alcohol until it was almost overflowing. He downed the entire glass without acknowledging Heemin’s presence, maintaining eye contact.Their gazes intertwined, and Heemin’s reflection appeared in Yiheon’s deep, dark eyes. Heemin blinked slowly, then asked the man who seemed to have taken a step back.“Did you ignore me because I’m not that ‘Seo Heemin’? Because you think I’m a child not worth your time?”The memory of Yiheon’s cold gaze replayed in his mind. Surely, Yiheon knew what it felt like to be pushed away without reason, to be kept behind an invisible wall.Was this his way of making Heemin feel the same pain of abandonment that he felt from ‘Seo Heemin’? It seemed excessively harsh. Emotions of hurt, resentment, and regret swirled in Heemin’s chest, and tears welled up in his eyes. He hadn’t expected to become so emotional after just one drink.“You are ‘Seo Heemin’. Even if your personality has changed, I know that much instinctively.”“Then why did you avoid me?”How could someone who claimed to understand him become so indifferent suddenly? It felt like a betrayal from someone he was supposed to be close to. Resentment brewed towards Yiheon, who seemed detached despite being his counterpart.Tears finally fell down Heemin’s cheeks as he confronted Yiheon’s impenetrable expression.“Because you’ll abandon me again.”Yiheon’s bitter voice resonated like the lingering aftertaste of strong alcohol. Silence filled the room. The word ‘again’ pierced Heemin’s heart like a dagger.Without a word, Heemin stood and approached Yiheon, who was still drinking. He grasped Yiheon’s sleeve and spoke earnestly.“I’ll never abandon you.”“Never? How can you be so sure?”Yiheon’s eyes darkened, his gaze turning unnervingly cold. It was like facing a predator ready to strike.“If your personality changes again, like when you didn’t recognize Do Heeyoung, you’ll forget everything about these past few months. You’re the type to easily discard anything inconvenient.”Yiheon’s lips twisted into a bitter smile as he grabbed Heemin’s wrist harshly.“It must be convenient, being able to erase unfavorable memories with the excuse of changing personalities.”Despite the pain, Heemin tried not to flinch. Yiheon was a tortured soul, suffering from wounds that had never healed over a decade.“You’re afraid, aren’t you? Afraid of losing ‘Seo Heemin’ again, of failing at love.”Yiheon’s eyes widened at the mention of love. He loosened his grip on Heemin’s wrist but didn’t let go entirely.“I’ve never loved anyone. You’re just a conquest.”His voice was filled with a damp, drawn-out sorrow.“…That’s a lie.”Heemin felt pity for Yiheon, who was unable to recognize his own feelings.If he truly saw ‘Seo Heemin’ as merely a conquest, they wouldn’t be sharing a drink so amicably. The cold, ruthless ‘Cha Yiheon’ wouldn’t be showing kindness unless it stemmed from love for ‘Seo Heemin’. It was clear he was denying his true feelings due to anger and resentment built up over time.Heemin cautiously entwined his fingers with Yiheon’s, feeling like it was the first time he initiated such contact.“I want to love you.”He spoke sincerely, meeting Yiheon’s wavering gaze. He wasn’t certain if he could feel such a grand and noble emotion for someone who looked like his friend, but he wanted to try until the end.“Are you planning to toy with me?”“No. I want us to be happy together.”He didn’t want either of them to live in constant fear and insecurity. He wanted to overcome the challenges and reach a happy ending with Yiheon.“…”Yiheon didn’t respond with anger or sarcasm. Instead, he looked pained, his eyes reflecting confusion and conflict.“You won’t have to worry. I promise.”Yiheon didn’t question how Heemin could make such a promise. Instead, he cupped Heemin’s flushed cheek and whispered.“You always torment me like a demon.”Heemin couldn’t help but smile at being called a demon. It seemed an overstatement, but it was endearing in its own way.The sound of Yiheon’s emotional barriers unlocking was almost audible. Though it would take more time for him to fully open up, the fact that the lock had been undone was a significant step.Heemin softened his expression and replied.“Didn’t I say I’d seduce you earlier? What kind of demon gives a warning?”Yiheon’s fingers trembled against Heemin’s cheek, a mix of anxiety and excitement palpable through their contact.“Sure, go ahead. Until you make me believe.”With a challenging remark and a low laugh that echoed in his ears, Yiheon’s gaze never wavered from Heemin. Heemin laughed along, and the grip on his cheek gently tightened. Soon, hot lips pressed against his.Contrary to his expectation that Yiheon would aggressively dive in without hiding his desire, the kiss started unexpectedly light.It seemed that Yiheon, aware of the previous time when Heemin lost his senses due to pheromones, wasn’t rushing. He simply slid his lips slowly, touching Heemin’s cheeks and earlobes.Perhaps it was because his mindset had changed from merely clearing up misunderstandings, or maybe because he had mentally prepared himself in advance, but this act of interlocking their lips didn’t feel as tormenting as before. Instead, it felt pleasant enough to make him want to stay connected for a bit longer.Yiheon’s thick eyebrows, the scar cutting diagonally across them, the long almond-shaped eyes, and the lashes casting shadows—Heemin had seen this face for years, but today it felt unusually unfamiliar. Heemin observed Yiheon’s face through half-closed eyes, his heart pounding, and then slowly closed his eyes completely.“Uhh…”As his vision was blocked, his senses heightened. The sequence of gentle lip movements, the feel of soft flesh, and the accumulated heat vividly etched into his mind.The movements of Yiheon’s elastic lips, the soft texture of his flesh, and the gathering heat—all were intensely stimulating. The inside of his chest tingled inexplicably. Desiring to focus more on these stimulating sensations, Heemin raised his head greedily to align his face with Yiheon’s.Just as Yiheon’s soft kiss was deepening, he suddenly bit down on Heemin’s lower lip as if to devour it.“…Ugh!”A sudden pain elicited an involuntary moan. As his tightly closed lips parted, the wet tongue that had been persistently licking invaded without hesitation.Gone was the previous leisureliness; the hot flesh greedily explored every corner of his mouth. The merciless kiss that swallowed even his breath made Heemin’s head spin and his consciousness waver as oxygen depleted.“Haah…”After thoroughly tracing his tender mucous membranes, palate, and teeth, Yiheon finally wrapped his tongue around Heemin’s and sucked forcefully. The pressure and unfamiliar sensations caused Heemin to tremble, his shoulders hunching.With suppressed breaths lingering in his throat, Heemin struggled to find the right moment to exhale, his face now slightly pulled back. Yiheon gently pinched Heemin’s nose, their dizzying gazes meeting, his voice thick with desire.“Breathe, through here.”Anyone watching would think he was experienced. But this was only their second kiss.“Why are you so skilled? Have you done this a lot?”Feigning ignorance, Heemin subtly probed, his irritation evident. Yet, instead of replying with something like “You’re my first” or “It’s because it’s you,” Yiheon merely smiled enigmatically, his lips curling.What’s this? Is he proud of himself?“Whoever you’ve kissed, it must’ve been a lot. Lucky you. I’ve never kissed anyone other than you, so I don’t even know how to breathe… mph!”Yiheon swallowed Heemin’s incessantly chattering lips in an instant. Without time to react, Heemin’s head was pulled back, and he closed his eyes once more.Fortunately, Yiheon waited patiently until Heemin learned to breathe through his nose. Though eager to thrust his tongue in, Yiheon placated his impatience by licking Heemin’s plump lower lip, as if to calm himself down. It seemed he didn’t intend to overpower Heemin with pheromones this time.Again, their tongues intertwined. As the kiss deepened, the excited alpha’s pheromones thickened, making Heemin’s legs weak.But the pheromones didn’t feel as sharply pointed as before, so there was no instinctive fear of being devoured. The effects of exercise and hypnosis therapy were evident.…This feels strange.Although it was just a step in completing the project, the kiss itself wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it was so enjoyable that he found himself wanting to continue.Heemin opened his eyes slightly, observing the man with his friend’s face through quivering lashes.‘No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right with my one and only friend.’He must be someone who is incredibly weak to sexual pleasure. Regardless of gender or appearance, all his nerves concentrated on his lips, reacting sensitively.But now, it was too late to be embarrassed and refuse Yiheon’s kiss. Despite everything, ‘Seo Heemin’s’ body helped alleviate Yiheon’s stress. When the body felt comfortable, the mind would become more lenient, making the project easier to progress.Besides, there was a lingering sense of guilt for the deal he had messed up because of Yiheon. Heemin wasn’t a person without a conscience. He wanted to return the favor somehow for all the luxury and comfort he had enjoyed because of Yiheon.‘Alright. Now that it’s come to this, I’ll do it like a man.’The situation had already unfolded. Rather than being dragged along, it was better to enjoy it as it was.Heemin closed his eyes again, consciously tilting his head to kiss Yiheon. As Heemin actively participated, Yiheon’s large hand, which had been holding his head in place, slowly moved to caress his neck and back.“Mm, mmh…”The touch sent an inexplicable heat to Heemin’s lower abdomen. His skin tingled as if electrified. It was a peculiar feeling that he couldn’t quite describe. Not wanting to be the only one experiencing this, Heemin reached out to touch Yiheon’s back.“Does it feel good for you too, like this?”“…”“Hm? Tell me, quickly.”With no response, Heemin grabbed Yiheon’s waist awkwardly. At that moment, a strong wave of alpha pheromones swept over him. The intense scent tightened Heemin’s chest, making him shudder.“Let’s go to the bedroom.”Heemin’s body had only momentarily stiffened. Nevertheless, Yiheon withdrew his hand from Heemin’s back and stepped back. The abruptly ended kiss left Heemin staring blankly at Yiheon’s retreating face.“…Aren’t we going to continue?”He hadn’t fainted like before; he was just a bit startled. There was no way Yiheon, who had previously ignored Heemin’s desperate pleas and tears, would stop because of this slight reaction. He had expected Yiheon to disregard and push through.Moreover, Heemin felt it was unfair to have declared he’d seduce Yiheon and then end up being led. He had been trying to regain the initiative, and stopping now felt like a letdown.Heemin grabbed Yiheon’s clothes as he turned away, softly coaxing him.“I don’t mind continuing.”Ha. A low sigh escaped from his lips. Yiheon, who had been sneering as if he found the situation absurd, spoke to Heemin in a cold, sunken voice.“You freeze up just from being touched a little. What more do you think you can do? Just go to sleep, kid.”“No, I don’t want to. I’m not sleepy.”The vision before Heemin was filled with the sight of sensuous lips, wet with saliva of unknown origin. For some reason, he felt a thirst. His mind was consumed with a desire to touch those flushed lips, leaving no room for any other thought.“Are you really not going to do it?”Taking advantage of the mood, Heemin wanted to push the boundaries a step further. This time, he wanted to be the one leading.Rising on his tiptoes, he crossed his hands behind Yiheon’s neck, interlocking his fingers. Smiling brightly as if it was nothing, Yiheon bit his lower lip hard. His piercing gaze shone sharply.“Even if you faint, it’s not my problem. You asked for it.”“I’ll just get an IV.”He didn’t have to go to his part-time job or attend school classes right away, so what did it matter if he was bedridden for a few days?Yiheon had finally opened up to him; there was no way he would let that door close now. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get closer to him.At Heemin’s bold response, Yiheon immediately pressed their lips together. As Yiheon sucked on his tongue and pulled him into a fierce embrace, Heemin’s balance tipped forward. He had to muster all his strength into his clasped hands.Far from leading, he struggled just to cope with Yiheon’s aggressive, entwining tongue. The dining chair, which stood in the way like an obstacle, was pushed aside with a dismissive shove. Unable to withstand the force, the chair toppled over onto the floor.“…Ugh!”