Precious Thing

The original plan was to stay for just one night and two days. But before they knew it, more than three days had passed since they’d been at the villa. Time flowed swiftly, almost unnoticed.The duplex villa had a high ceiling, so it never felt suffocating even when staying indoors. Lee Yesin, who had been lying down and staring at the seams of the ceiling, lowered his gaze to his book. The plush carpet on the first-floor living room was perfect for lounging around. Since arriving here, Lee Yesin mostly spent his time in the living room, and it was the same for Tae Woowon. Adjusting the cushion he had been holding under his chest, Lee Yesin turned the page. The faint rustle of the page turning mixed with the sound of Tae Woowon’s typing. Glancing briefly, Lee Yesin reached out for the plain crackers nearby.“What?”Tae Woowon, ever quick to notice, asked in a low voice. Lee Yesin stared at him for a moment before turning back to his tiny, cramped English book. The old book was small in size, and he wondered why they had crammed all the content into it. The dense layout was straining his eyes. As he was nearly at the end, he furrowed his brow, determined to finish it, and finally closed the book at the words “The End.” He pushed it off the carpet and rested his head on the cushion.Cracker crumbs pricked against his cheek, but he was too tired to care and closed his eyes, not moving at all. Tae Woowon’s typing came to a stop. He closed his laptop and approached Lee Yesin. A shadow loomed over him, and Tae Woowon’s large hand touched Lee Yesin’s hair. Lee Yesin moved his head, rubbing it against the hand. He felt endlessly drowsy.“Want me to run a bath?”Lee Yesin opened his eyes and looked up at Tae Woowon’s expressionless face. No matter how he thought about it, the man seemed perverse. Whether it was being unexpectedly kind after being rough, suddenly touching Lee Yesin after having left him alone, or treating him like a child despite him being a 25-year-old adult—Lee Yesin couldn’t quite put it into words, but he always thought Tae Woowon was perverse at times like that.“Yeah.”Yet, the strange man knew how to gently comb through Lee Yesin’s hair. Tae Woowon slid his fingers under the back of Lee Yesin’s neck, softly caressing the skin as he got up.“Get undressed and come in.”“Are you going to wash too?”Lee Yesin called after him as he headed toward the bathroom. Tae Woowon turned around, tilting his head.“Why?”“I was thinking of bringing your pajamas too.”“No need. I’ll get them myself.”Tae Woowon pulled his t-shirt over his head and went into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of water filling the bathtub could be heard. Lee Yesin got up with a heavy body and went into the room. He grabbed both his pajamas and Tae Woowon’s. Normally, Lee Yesin would just throw on a robe after showering. Often, he didn’t wear anything to bed, and he didn’t have the habit of preparing clothes in advance. He was trying to satisfy his curiosity.Despite his stoic face, Tae Woowon, who liked to take care of others, never wanted help himself. He wouldn’t accept anything, not even a slice of jam-covered bread, let alone money. The only thing he ever accepted from Lee Yesin was sex. In bed, he didn’t know how to say no. Thinking about the fading scars left on his body, Lee Yesin placed the pajamas in front of the bathroom and undressed.He tried to avoid sleeping with Tae Woowon again. The man didn’t know moderation. Even Lee Yesin, who had been with plenty of lust-driven partners, found it difficult to handle. How many times had it been? He was still coherent after the third round. Scratching the back of his neck, he entered the bathroom. Tae Woowon was kneeling in front of the bathtub, checking the water temperature. The bathroom itself was smaller than the one at Lee Yesin’s house, but the bathtub was similarly large. He heard it had been made with special care because a bathtub scene was crucial during a film shoot.“Wash up.”Without even turning around, Tae Woowon handed over a shower sponge. Standing under the shower, Lee Yesin wet his body and squeezed body wash onto the sponge.“Why haven’t you taken off your pants? They’re getting wet.”The distance between the shower and the bathtub wasn’t that far. Tae Woowon’s sweatpants were now dotted with spots from the water splashing off Lee Yesin’s washing. Reaching over, Tae Woowon turned off the tap and glanced at Lee Yesin, who had a puzzled expression while washing himself with the soapy sponge. Tae Woowon’s eyes followed Lee Yesin’s hand as it moved over his shoulders, chest, lower abdomen, sides, genitals, thighs, and calves. His gaze, which had dropped to Lee Yesin’s toes, slowly lifted. Leaning against the bathtub, he propped his elbow and smirked. Lee Yesin dropped the shower sponge from his hand, and Tae Woowon chuckled.“Unless you plan to spread your legs, don’t ask.”“….”Lee Yesin bit his lips tightly and kicked the fallen sponge toward Tae Woowon. Then, he turned the water on, hard. He had originally planned to ask a bunch of questions. Specifically, he wanted to test him. Should I wash your hair? Should I get you a towel? Should I button your shirt? Something like that. He thought, at least once, Tae Woowon would answer, “Sure,” and he could find out where the boundary was. But Lee Yesin abandoned all plans, quietly washed off the soap, and got into the bathtub.He naturally turned his back to Tae Woowon and rested his head on the edge of the tub. Tae Woowon, who had brought the shower head, towel, and a chair, sat beside Lee Yesin and turned on the water. Perhaps taking care of others was a hobby, because he was skillful from the start. Lately, he seemed to be getting even better at it. Thanks to him, Lee Yesin enjoyed the pleasant chills running down his scalp, completely relaxed.Tae Woowon meticulously shampooed, treated, and conditioned Lee Yesin’s hair before turning off the shower. He was about to open his eyes, which had been shut the whole time, when Tae Woowon’s fingers brushed against his cheek. The hand that moved so fluidly caressed Lee Yesin’s chin. Slowly, Lee Yesin opened his eyes. Tae Woowon’s face was so close it was almost touching. Staring into the dark, downturned eyes, Lee Yesin blinked slowly and then closed his eyes again. Tae Woowon, who had been tracing Lee Yesin’s lips, withdrew his hand. The shadow over his face lifted. Impulsively, Lee Yesin grabbed Tae Woowon’s wrist as he was getting up from the chair.“Wash with me.”The water in the bathtub rippled as if mirroring his urgency. The spilled water soaked the hem of Tae Woowon’s pants. Tae Woowon turned his head and looked down at Lee Yesin.“Didn’t you hear what I said?”“I did. But… don’t bite hard enough to make me bleed….”“I can’t promise that.”At Tae Woowon’s shameless words, Lee Yesin frowned and roughly released his wrist. Then, he scooped water from the tub and splashed it on him. His soaked pants clung tightly to his legs, and the sight of his muscular thighs only irritated him more. He turned his back to Tae Woowon with a frustrated expression. As the sound of water sloshing subsided, he heard Tae Woowon undressing. The wet pants hit the corner of the bathroom, followed by the noise of him washing himself under the shower.Normally, Tae Woowon would have left the bathroom as soon as he finished washing. Lee Yesin wasn’t sure if he wanted him to leave right away or get into the tub with him. The uncertainty irritated him, and he rubbed his face with wet hands.By the time most of the water had rolled off his face, Tae Woowon turned off the shower. The water left on the floor trickled noisily into the drain.“Move over.”Then Tae Woowon stepped into the tub.He pushed Lee Yesin toward the edge and sat down across from him. The water that had filled the tub spilled over the edge. Lee Yesin watched him silently. The steam in the bathroom swirled around, gathering and dispersing, while the drain quietly finished its work. He licked his lower lip, and the soft steam tickled his throat as he inhaled.“Lee Yesin.”“……”“I really don’t think I can do this.”His voice had an intensity that tightened Lee Yesin’s stomach.Lee Yesin looked directly into Tae Woowon’s deep eyes and stood up. He shifted back and sat on the wide rim of the tub, lifting one leg at a time from the water to rest on the edge. Tae Woowon gazed between his spread legs. He ran his wet hand through his hair and, cutting through the water, moved closer to him. Still holding his gaze, he wrapped his hands around Lee Yesin’s tense thighs and used his thumb on the exposed opening.“I’ll put some ointment on after we’re done.”Lee Yesin clenched his teeth and gave a barely noticeable nod. Tae Woowon lowered his head, grasping Lee Yesin’s testicles and penis with his large hand, and began licking the opening. Every time his lips parted from the skin, a wet sound echoed in the bathroom, filling the space with lewd noises that made Lee Yesin’s ears burn.“Ugh, ah…”Tae Woowon’s tongue entered Lee Yesin’s opening. Lee Yesin squirmed slightly, trying not to tense up. Tae Woowon’s hand, still holding his penis, moved softly, stroking it in a way that made it feel like his hips might move in response. Lee Yesin leaned his head back, extending his arms behind him to support his upper body. Tae Woowon, who had been gently rubbing Lee Yesin’s thigh, applied more pressure, pulling him closer. As Lee Yesin lay back against the edge of the tub, his legs trembled, and his body tightened around the tongue that had delved deep into him.“Ahh!”Tae Woowon’s cheeks hollowed as he sealed his lips around the opening, sucking so hard it felt like he might pull everything out. His tongue lapped at the inner walls while he continued sucking. After thoroughly slicking the inside, Tae Woowon withdrew his tongue and looked up. Lee Yesin could feel the emptiness below. Breathing shallowly, he started to lift his body from where he had been lying. Just as he was about to shift into a better position, Tae Woowon, who had been observing, reached into the water and began stroking his own erection. Caught off guard by this sudden act, Lee Yesin watched him with a dazed expression.“Spread your legs.”Now kneeling, Tae Woowon pressed his erection against Lee Yesin’s opening.“Not yet, don’t put it in now… if you do, inside…”“I’m not putting it in.”Tae Woowon’s erection stood firm. Lee Yesin swallowed nervously, spreading his legs wider. He lifted his thighs and bit his lip as the swollen tip of Tae Woowon’s penis touched his entrance. Tae Woowon pulled the skin gently, slightly parting the opening, and then he ejaculated.“Ah, wait…!”Tae Woowon’s forceful release surged into Lee Yesin’s opening. The semen, filling the area where the tongue had softened him, couldn’t enter the tightly closed deeper part and spilled out. Frowning, Tae Woowon stroked his penis a few more times before pulling his hips back. Then, he scooped up the dripping semen and pushed it inside, spreading it around the inner walls with his fingers as though applying it. Lee Yesin kicked Tae Woowon’s shoulder in frustration at the sudden intrusion of semen without his consent. Tae Woowon, now using two fingers, glanced up at him.“No lube.”“…That doesn’t mean you can just come inside me.”“Don’t even think about using a condom when we’re having sex.”Lee Yesin gave him a look of disbelief, but just then, Tae Woowon’s fingers grazed his prostate. Lee Yesin flinched, his entrance tightening. His half-erect penis began to take shape, responding to the slow-building pleasure. The thrusts from Tae Woowon’s fingers became rougher, despite having already ejaculated once. Desperate for more, Tae Woowon quickly increased the number of fingers, and soon four of them were sliding in and out of Lee Yesin’s opening. The tight sensation of his stretched entrance made Lee Yesin grip his thighs harder. He could feel his testicles drawing up from the stimulation after days without release.“Ah, ugh…”Lee Yesin let out a soft moan as he placed one leg over Tae Woowon’s shoulder. His tailbone ached from lying awkwardly on the hard surface, and his position was uncomfortable, but there was no time to ask to adjust. The way Tae Woowon’s hands moved inside him felt so good that he didn’t want to stop. Lee Yesin bit his lower lip, watching Tae Woowon’s wrist move rhythmically. Each thrust of Tae Woowon’s fingers into his entrance made his large hand slap against Lee Yesin’s testicles.“Hngh, ugh…”Tae Woowon’s smooth fingers, now crowded together inside him, slid in deeper. He spread them apart once they were deep inside, and Lee Yesin’s inner walls stretched in response. His breath hitched as his flat lower abdomen heaved, and the once smooth opening quivered with tiny tremors. Tae Woowon looked down at him and curled his fingers inside, pressing against his prostate.“Hah!”The tips of Tae Woowon’s fingers pressed hard into his prostate before straightening again. The sticky sound of his inner walls opening and closing echoed, coated with semen, as the firm fingers rubbed against his prostate, heating him up. His penis throbbed with need, and it felt like an orgasm was building up unexpectedly. Trying to stop it, Lee Yesin released his grip on his thighs and pushed at Tae Woowon’s wrist.“Hngh…”Tae Woowon withdrew his curled fingers and covered the entrance with his hand. He chuckled lightly, standing up and pulling Lee Yesin, who was trembling in short spasms, to his feet. Carrying him out of the bathroom, unable to walk properly, Tae Woowon laid him down on the soft carpet in the living room. He slid a stray cushion under Lee Yesin’s lower back and bent his legs upward. By the time Lee Yesin regained his senses, Tae Woowon was already mid-insertion.“Ah, not yet…”“I know. You’re still tight inside.”Tae Woowon, with his shaft halfway inside Lee Yesin, gripped his testicles and began to thrust. Lee Yesin’s legs jerked in the air as he stifled moans, his hands clawing at the carpet. The sound of their bodies colliding was constant. Although men don’t naturally lubricate, it felt like something was leaking from inside. Tae Woowon continued to push deeper, using the head of his penis to press against the tightly closed part of Lee Yesin’s entrance. Slowly, the resistance gave way, allowing him to penetrate further. Once he had reached a depth that was average for most men, Tae Woowon adjusted the angle of his thrusts. Instead of shallow movements, he aimed directly for Lee Yesin’s prostate, delivering deep and forceful thrusts.“Hngh, ah, ahh!”With each upward stroke, it felt like the pressure on his prostate was about to burst through his skin. Unable to withstand the intense stimulation, Lee Yesin’s cock twitched and released a spurt of cum. His legs spread wide, his back arched off the ground, and his head tilted back. At that moment, Tae Woowon grabbed the tip of Lee Yesin’s erection.“Don’t… don’t do that!”“What?”Tae Woowon replied indifferently, continuing to press his glans against Lee Yesin’s prostate and pushing upward. As if perfectly timed, more cum flowed out like a faucet had been turned on. Lee Yesin’s thighs trembled uncontrollably, his hips tensed, and his toes curled, unable to relax. It was only when Tae Woowon finally pulled back that Lee Yesin let out a gasp of air.“Hah! Hngh, ah…”Tae Woowon grabbed Lee Yesin’s thighs, spreading them wider as he thrust deeper. He briefly glanced down at the head of his cock lodged in the entrance before pulling out slowly. As the opening began to close, he forced it open again with his hands. He then poured the cum he had collected into the hole, using the rest to coat the base of his own shaft before pushing it back inside. Lee Yesin’s legs went limp.It felt like the inside of his body was burning. Maybe what Tae Woowon had applied to his inner walls wasn’t cum after all. Lee Yesin blinked groggily, staring up at Tae Woowon with that crazy thought. Tae Woowon, who had been looking down at Lee Yesin’s entrance, raised his eyes.“What?”“… It won’t go in any further.”“It will. I got it in last time.”Lee Yesin bit his lip. Tae Woowon grabbed the flesh beside the entrance, spreading it wider, and moved in closer. He stroked the stretched skin outside the hole and leaned his upper body down. Bracing himself beside Lee Yesin’s face, Tae Woowon put more force into his hips. Lee Yesin shut his eyes tightly. Something that shouldn’t be opening was being forced open.“Hngh…”Lee Yesin gripped Tae Woowon’s wrist, turning his head to rub his forehead against his arm. He could feel the newly stretched walls squeezing around Tae Woowon’s glans. His entrance was contracting and releasing on its own, trembling in spasms. Tae Woowon lowered his head, burying his face into Lee Yesin’s neck. He pulled his hips back and then bit down on Lee Yesin’s neck, driving his cock deep inside.“Ahh!”Lee Yesin clung to Tae Woowon as if holding onto his lifeline. Tae Woowon was biting into his skin while Lee Yesin’s inner walls clenched tightly around his cockhead. Tae Woowon pulled back halfway again. With shallow breaths, Lee Yesin tensed in anticipation. Tae Woowon raised his head, having left a sharp sting on Lee Yesin’s neck. He braced himself on his arm, leaning over to gaze down at him. His fingers gently wiped the corner of Lee Yesin’s tear-soaked eyes and then caressed his forehead.“Are you scared?”The soft, languid question was so tender, in stark contrast to the cruel movements below. Lee Yesin gave a slight nod, and a tear slipped down the corner of his eye.“What?”“It’s… it’s too deep.”Lee Yesin made a pained expression. He had taken two cocks at once before. He had used dildos covered in bumps, and even inflated his belly with gel before. But he had never experienced anything like this. No man had ever gone this deep.“Got it. I’ll only go deep when I’m about to come.”Tae Woowon gave a slanted smile as he spoke. Lee Yesin’s hand, which had been gripping Tae Woowon’s wrist, slowly moved. His fingers trailed up his firm arm, reaching Tae Woowon’s neck, and then his face. His fingertips brushed against the corner of his lips. Tae Woowon’s lips parted.“Again?”“….”“You want it again.”“… Don’t bite too hard.”“And?”“And…”Lee Yesin had thought of plenty of things to ask for, but now that he had the chance, nothing came to mind. The condom was already ruled out, and Tae Woowon had already made it clear he intended to finish deep inside. Lee Yesin hesitated, his lips twitching, before furrowing his brow and turning his head away. Tae Woowon gave a nod.“Don’t pass out. That’s all.”Tae Woowon, after telling Lee Yesin to ask for what he wanted, interlaced their fingers and pinned Lee Yesin’s hand to the carpet. Then, he started thrusting violently.“Ah, ah! Wait, hng!”Lee Yesin gripped Tae Woowon’s hand tightly. He tried to move his hips to escape from the relentless pounding of the thick cock spreading him open. Tae Woowon, noticing, released his hand and sat up. He grabbed Lee Yesin’s thighs with both hands, holding him in place, and began slamming his hips down with force. It felt like his insides were being torn apart. His bent back ached, and his thighs felt like they were about to snap. But the overwhelming pleasure racing through his mind made him forget all the pain. Lee Yesin tensed up and trembled all over, gripping Tae Woowon’s hand, shaking his head wildly. Despite the promise, Tae Woowon’s cock was hammering into Lee Yesin’s deepest, untouched places.“Ah! You’re going, you’re going too deep!”“Ha, I’m going to come now.”“Ngh!”Tae Woowon’s cockhead slammed into the depths of his insides. The walls of Lee Yesin’s hole clenched tightly around Tae Woowon’s cock. Deep within his abdomen, the hot burst of cum exploded.“Haa… ugh…”Lee Yesin’s body trembled uncontrollably. His stomach felt unbearably hot. He placed his trembling hand on his abdomen. Tae Woowon brushed Lee Yesin’s hand away and pressed down on his belly with his large hand, right where his cock was buried.“Nnngh…”Tae Woowon’s precum and the cum spread across the inside of Lee Yesin’s walls began to leak out of the stretched opening. The fresh load he’d just shot wouldn’t be coming out. That had gone deep inside.“Don’t cry just yet.”Tae Woowon spoke in a low voice as he slowly pulled his hips back. His shaft, now messy with precum and semen, slipped out of Lee Yesin’s opening, leaving only the tip inside. Tae Woowon tapped Lee Yesin’s shaft lightly. Lee Yesin wiped his eyes with his forearm, looking up at Tae Woowon. Meeting his gaze, Tae Woowon raised one corner of his mouth in a smirk.“Next time, it’s better to ask within a set timeframe.”Lee Yesin should have thought more carefully when given the chance. He parted his sticky lips and softly whispered,“…now…”“Today’s deal is already over.”Tae Woowon interrupted him as he lifted one of Lee Yesin’s legs onto his shoulder.“Don’t pass out.”With those words, Tae Woowon thrust his shaft deep into Lee Yesin’s body again, making his insides feel as though they were churning.Smack! A slap landed on his buttocks, pulling Lee Yesin back from the verge of losing consciousness. He clenched tightly below, forcing strength into his toes.“Want another slap?”“Ah, you—”“Straighten your back.”Lee Yesin, who had been lying down and taking Tae Woowon’s thrusts, mustered the strength in his trembling legs and arched his back. Tae Woowon bent down, covering Lee Yesin’s back with his chest. A kiss landed on the back of Lee Yesin’s neck—soft, sucking sounds followed by gentle bites. As Lee Yesin flinched, Tae Woowon pulled away and straightened up again. His shaft, fully embedded inside, slowly rubbed against Lee Yesin’s slick inner walls.“I’m… I’m exhausted…”“Where’s the stamina you had when handling three guys at once?”Lee Yesin, who had his forehead pressed into the carpet, turned his head. Tae Woowon was staring directly at his obviously swollen entrance.“…They were premature, and smaller than you.”Tae Woowon chuckled and slowly rotated his hips. His hard shaft stirred inside Lee Yesin’s walls, causing him to tremble and let out a suppressed moan. Tae Woowon gently stroked Lee Yesin’s sweat-soaked lower back with his hand.“Still not enough for you?”“…What?”The question was absurd. Lee Yesin, who had nearly lost his mind multiple times, looked at him in disbelief. Tae Woowon met his gaze with an unfazed expression.“You’re a guy too, so you know. Hearing something like that makes you more excited.”“…Your dick is tiny.”Tae Woowon snickered and lifted one of Lee Yesin’s legs. Like a dog about to pee, Lee Yesin’s leg was spread wide open. He quickly turned his head and propped himself up with his arms, though his body shook uncontrollably from the strain.“Saying things like that just makes me want to teach you.”“…I already know without you teaching me.”“What? That my dick is small?”Tae Woowon pulled his hips back, and the semen inside began to drip out.“No, your dick is huge, ugh!”With a sharp thrust, Tae Woowon drove his shaft in quickly, gripping Lee Yesin’s waist and legs, yanking him forcefully toward him. Lee Yesin’s body bounced from the impact of Tae Woowon’s hips, but was immediately pulled back, harshly engulfing Tae Woowon’s length. The hardened veins on his shaft scraped against Lee Yesin’s prostate, which swelled from the friction. It felt like a fire was raging inside him.“Haa, ah! I-I was wrong, ugh!”The inside of Lee Yesin’s entrance, now slick with semen, was too slippery. Every time Tae Woowon pulled out, sticky fluids gushed out, while Lee Yesin’s soft inner walls clung desperately to Tae Woowon’s shaft, creating obscene, wet sounds that seemed to burn Lee Yesin’s mind. It felt like his hole was being destroyed.“Hng, hngh! I’m sorry, ahh!”“I’m going in.”Tae Woowon’s deep voice resonated as he let go of Lee Yesin’s leg and pushed his hips firmly forward, burying himself completely inside. Lee Yesin’s body jolted up from the force, and his entrance clenched involuntarily. Bubbles of semen oozed from the creased edges and dripped onto the carpet. Tae Woowon, deeply embedded inside, began his fifth release.“Ugh, mmph…”Lee Yesin’s upper body collapsed. He dropped his shoulders to the floor, trembling all over. The hot cum filling his belly weighed him down, and because his hips were still raised, he could feel the semen pooling deeper inside. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his side. Tae Woowon, glancing down at him, grabbed Lee Yesin’s hips with both hands and abruptly withdrew his shaft.“Haa!”During the five releases, Tae Woowon hadn’t pulled out once. When he suddenly withdrew completely without warning, Lee Yesin’s hips trembled softly. Even without being spread open, the wide entrance revealed the semen pooled inside, which spilled out and then flowed back in with every breath Lee Yesin took. Tae Woowon licked his trembling hips.“You must be feeling full.”“Please….”Tae Woowon bit down on Lee Yesin’s hips. Startled, Lee Yesin clenched his hole, causing the semen inside to gush out. The unsettling sensation made his legs shake. Lee Yesin pushed Tae Woowon’s hands and face away, lowering his hips. His overly sensitive body twitched as his own overstimulated shaft brushed against the carpet. He flinched and turned onto his side, rubbing his stinging eyes while trying to steady his breathing. Tae Woowon approached, stroking his shaft, moving close to Lee Yesin’s face. Lee Yesin looked up at him in disbelief.“Why are you looking at me like that?”“I… I can’t do this anymore.”Tae Woowon chuckled at his response. He brought his hand, coated in various fluids, toward Lee Yesin’s face, smearing the thick, pungent liquid across it.“I told you I wasn’t confident.”“…Please, stop.”Lee Yesin, speaking as if begging, lowered his eyes. Tae Woowon, who had smeared semen on his eyelashes, brought his hand down to caress Lee Yesin’s lips, sliding his thumb into his mouth. Lee Yesin, with tear-filled eyes, began to suck Tae Woowon’s finger. Tae Woonwon’s fingers brushed against Lee Yesin’s tongue, and he obediently licked Tae Woowon’s hand.He diligently swallowed the bitter, fishy liquid. With nothing left to lick, Lee Yesin closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek against Tae Woowon’s hand, where there was no semen. In response, Tae Woowon scooped up the semen from Lee Yesin’s face and fed it into his mouth. His eyelids grew heavy. Lee Yesin, sucking and licking Tae Woowon’s hard fingers, tried to stay awake as the tasteless, clear saliva dripped from his lips. By the time Tae Woowon withdrew his hand and stroked Lee Yesin’s hair, exhaustion had fully set in.“You can sleep now.”As if under a spell, Lee Yesin drifted off into a deep sleep.٠ ࣪⭑The first time Lee Yesin briefly woke up, he was in a bathtub filled with warm water. The piercing in his ear was pressed painfully against Tae Woowon’s collarbone. As he rested in Tae Woowon’s embrace, Lee Yesin turned his head to get more comfortable and quickly fell asleep again. The second time he woke up, he was in bed. Tae Woowon was applying ointment to his rear. Lee Yesin blinked slowly.“Sleep.”Tae Woowon tossed the ointment onto the small nightstand and laid down beside him, pulling up the blanket and wrapping his arms around Lee Yesin from behind. Before him were Tae Woowon’s strong arms and large hands. A blue flower petal floated down onto them. As Lee Yesin stared at it, Tae Woowon suddenly clenched his fist.“…You can see it too?”Lee Yesin’s voice, rough and cracked, barely escaped his throat. He moved his numbed arm to cover Tae Woowon’s clenched hand with his own.“Can you… see the blue flower too?”“…The one in my hand?”Lee Yesin, with his mouth slightly agape, cautiously pried open Tae Woowon’s clenched fist. Inside, there was nothing. Lee Yesin interlaced his fingers with Tae Woowon’s.“I thought… I was the only one who could see it.”“Close your eyes.”Tae Woowon, still holding Lee Yesin’s hand, gently rubbed his chest with the other hand. He softly teased Lee Yesin’s nipple, pulling him closer to his own chest. Silently closing his eyes, Lee Yesin drifted back to sleep.٠ ࣪⭑In the aftermath of their rough sex, Lee Yesin and Tae Woowon stayed at the villa for a few more days. Tae Woowon’s daily routine now included applying ointment to Lee Yesin, who often wore a frustrated, annoyed expression. It wasn’t that he was in a lot of pain or discomfort, but the fact that it was his own fault left him with little to say.“I’m full.”Lee Yesin muttered, looking down at the two pieces of beef sushi Tae Woowon had brought for lunch. He had snacked on various things while Tae Woowon was out. Though he wasn’t so full that he couldn’t breathe, he had lost his appetite.“I already ate one for you.”Tae Woowon, who had already finished his plate, rested his chin on his hand as he spoke. When Lee Yesin just stared blankly at him, Tae Woowon picked up another piece of sushi with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. He then held the remaining piece up to Lee Yesin’s mouth. Reluctantly, Lee Yesin took a bite, and Tae Woowon gave a small nod, as if in approval. For some reason, it annoyed him.“We’re going back today.”Chewing with a faint blush, Lee Yesin paused and looked up. Tae Woowon, who had already finished his meal, put down his water glass and told him to keep eating. Lee Yesin begrudgingly chewed and swallowed the beef sushi that was still in his mouth.“Why?”“My cousin’s getting married.”“So?”It didn’t matter to Lee Yesin whether his cousin was getting married or attending a funeral. Likewise, none of the Lee family members would be expecting his presence. Tae Woowon, resting his chin on the table, wiped a bit of sweet sauce from the corner of Lee Yesin’s lips and brought it to his own mouth.“That was the condition.”“…What condition?”“The deal was that if you attended the family event, they wouldn’t report back on your daily life.”Lee Yesin’s expression hardened. Tae Woowon cleared the empty plates and stood up.“Sit down.”Lee Yesin’s words were sharp as he glared at him. Tae Woowon glanced at Lee Yesin’s face before obediently sitting back down. Lee Yesin bit the inside of his lip, trying to suppress his rising anger. Despite his efforts to calm down, his erratic breathing wouldn’t settle.“Why did you make that deal on your own?”“I’ll go with you.”A bitter laugh escaped from Lee Yesin. Tae Woowon spoke confidently, even though he would likely stand in the background again, unnoticed, just like last time. It would be Lee Yesin who would face the brunt of it, getting slapped or worse. Tae Woowon, as a pawn of Chairman Lee, was of no real help to him.“What difference does it make if you come with me? Are you going to take the blows meant for me?”“If you just stay quiet, no one will bother you.”A burst of laughter erupted from Lee Yesin. He squinted his eyes at Tae Woowon, who remained expressionless, a coldness lingering on his face. But Lee Yesin tore open his lips, grinning viciously.“Fine, let’s go together. Maybe when you see it with your own eyes, you’ll finally believe what I’ve been telling you.”Without waiting for a response, Lee Yesin stood up and headed to his room. He began stuffing the belongings he had scattered over the past few days into his bag, not caring about neatness. After cramming everything in, he yanked the zipper, which got stuck on a piece of clothing. Frustrated, he threw the bag to the floor, crouching down with his head hung low, exhaling ragged breaths. He really didn’t want to go.“Isn’t it practically his fault he died? They went to the same school, always compared to each other. Pretending to protect him on the outside while spreading rumors behind his back.”“I heard that too. He complained about how annoying it was to be friends with someone who smelled like cum.”“Honestly, if you think about it from Hangyeol’s perspective, maybe he had a right to use the Lee name. It’s not his fault he was born from a different mother. Plus, Lee Yesin could have handled those rumors on his own, but instead, he dragged him to that party for revenge.”“Poor Hangyeol. Suicide? With that much courage, he should’ve at least yelled at Lee Yesin.”“I heard he said something nice to Lee Yesin before he died. Said his piercings looked good on him.”“Lee Yesin was in the wrong.”“It’s basically like Lee Yesin killed him…”“Lee Yesin…”When news of Go Hangyeol’s death spread, most people blamed Lee Yesin for the suicide. They called him a hypocrite and reflected on Hangyeol’s pitiful life while condemning Lee Yesin in the same breath. Everywhere he went, he was followed by whispers and stares. People’s gazes, their tones, the way they pointed and gossiped openly — it all changed the moment his immediate family appeared. Lee Yejun looked at him with contempt, Lee Yejin was bewildered, and Lee Juho and Chairman Lee just laughed. People were horrible.It had been much the same at the last family gathering. Lee Juho had brought up Lee Yesin’s DUI, and after holding it in for so long, he finally snapped and said just one thing: It wasn’t me. Lee Juho responded smugly, “Yeah, it must have been your drugged-up self.” The unfairness and rage overwhelmed him, and in retaliation, Lee Yesin grinned and shot back,‘At least I know how to find the right hole for fucking, unlike someone who can’t even clean up after…’Before he could finish, he was slapped across the face. He immediately stormed out. He couldn’t stand to be in their presence for even one more second. The thought of sitting down to a meal with them was unbearable, and the fact that he shared the same world with them tormented him.Lee Yesin didn’t wish for Hangyeol’s death. He just didn’t want to live alongside him anymore. He didn’t want to share the same world. But no one understood how he felt. He wanted to claim he never expected anyone to, but maybe, deep down, he had hoped someone would notice, had hoped someone might care.٠ ࣪⭑Stepping out of the elevator, Lee Yesin stared blankly at the crowded hall. It was packed with people. His cousin greeted the guests with a mechanical smile, and as Lee Yesin watched, someone lightly tapped his back.“You actually came.”It was Lee Yejun. He was with his wife, looking down at Lee Yesin. Although they weren’t on bad terms, Yejun also belittled him like everyone else. He saw Lee Yesin as a reckless troublemaker, someone who had caused Hangyeol’s death through a childish mistake and continued to spiral out of control.“…Hello.”“Yeah. Stay until the ceremony ends, at least.”Yejun’s wife bowed to Lee Yesin, and he returned the gesture. As they left, he watched their retreating figures before slowly moving forward himself. Tae Woowon, his bodyguard and driver, hadn’t come into the hall yet. Actually, he couldn’t come in. Though no one would openly ask him why he was there on such a happy day, they would give him disapproving looks, and it might cause trouble later. But Lee Yesin didn’t care.“Hey.”His cousin, who had been dolled up for the event, looked somewhat unfamiliar. Perhaps it was because it had been so long since they last met.“Wow, how long has it been? Thanks for coming.”This cousin had once called Go Hangyeol cheap. Now Lee Yesin had to offer his congratulations to someone he loathed so much.“Congratulations on your marriage.”“Thanks.”Grinning, his cousin pointed to the bride’s waiting room, suggesting that he go take a picture. Lee Yesin forced a smile and nodded, but instead of going to the waiting room, he went directly into the ceremony hall. He sat at a table on the groom’s side, near the back, and stared down at the neatly arranged tableware, waiting for the ceremony to start. There was a party planned for that evening, but Lee Yesin had no intention of attending.“…He got expelled and now lives like a ghost.”From a nearby table, he could feel people’s eyes on him. Lee Yesin raised his head and looked at the extravagant floral arrangements at the front of the room. From now on, he couldn’t lower his gaze. It was the only form of rebellion he had left.