The Night Of The Untraced

Seungjoo wasn’t really at fault, but Muheun couldn’t help feeling anxious. If this truly was just a habit from drinking, it was something that definitely needed to be corrected. However, despite Muheun’s concerns, Seungjoo seemed oddly amused, letting out soft giggles.‘Wow… you’re getting mad.’‘…’‘You’re mad at me now.’Seungjoo’s broad smile, curving upwards, caught Muheun’s gaze. His eyes, which always squinted when he smiled, were something you could only see when Seungjoo was in this mood. It was a smile so infectious that anyone who saw it couldn’t help but feel their heart skip, yet somehow, it chipped away at Muheun’s patience.It was an impulse. Not a big one, just enough to be like a paper-thin urge.Ever since Muheun carried Seungjoo on his back, his patience had been tested. When Seungjoo grabbed his collar and kissed him, it felt like his rationality was slipping away. Even now, his lower lip tingled, and this kind of behavior felt like it was cheating.Without warning, Muheun climbed onto the bed and abruptly pressed his lips against Seungjoo’s. The thought of ‘I shouldn’t do this’ was quickly overridden by the desire to be closer to him. Although there was still time before the full moon, Muheun felt as if his mind was already drifting away.‘… Ugh.’He pressed his lips hard against Seungjoo’s and slipped his tongue through the narrow space between them. The wave of impulse overwhelmed any lingering guilt, leaving only the undeniable truth in its wake.‘…’When had it even started? Seeing Seungjoo, who used to seem so young, through a completely different lens. Feeling desires for someone he once only wanted to protect.Trying to retrace the origin of these feelings would be pointless, but if Muheun had the chance, he would’ve liked to offer an excuse. It wasn’t as if he had planned on feeling this way, and he even tried to avoid it as much as possible. So maybe, just maybe, this was a feeling beyond his control, one he couldn’t help but harbor.Of course, Muheun had no intention of using destiny as an excuse. Now that he had acknowledged his feelings, there was no point in pretending otherwise. That’s why he kissed him, and why he let their tongues tangle.Seungjoo didn’t resist. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Muheun’s neck. Although he was gasping for breath, struggling under the weight of it, Seungjoo neither pushed him away nor rejected him. If anything, he clung on, his desperation evident in the way he clutched at Muheun.Maybe it was because Seungjoo kept taking in his breaths, but the more they kissed, the more Muheun felt something draining from within. His head was spinning, and his vision seemed to blur. For a moment, he wondered if it was simply from being overly excited.Even though they had been kissing for a long time, the fundamental thirst wasn’t being quenched. The more they kissed, the more he felt lacking, which only made his thoughts darker. As if that wasn’t enough, Seungjoo, now unable to control his body, began to arch his hips.‘Ugh…’Feeling Seungjoo’s lower body grinding against him, Muheun became acutely aware of how hard he was. He hadn’t expected Seungjoo to reveal his excitement like this, but it was an honest reaction. If this continued, Muheun feared he too might lose control, so he focused all his remaining willpower on keeping himself composed.‘…Nn.’However, the intoxicated Seungjoo had no awareness of Muheun’s internal struggle. With the occasional groan, he simply followed his instincts, moving his body as he pleased. Muheun tried lifting his hips awkwardly, but it was a futile attempt.‘Haa…’Muheun briefly considered the idea of relieving Seungjoo once and for all, just to help him fall asleep. It wasn’t because Seungjoo clinging to him felt overwhelming, but because he feared if this went on any longer, he might make an irreversible mistake. Even though Muheun prided himself on his self-control, in this moment, he wasn’t sure he could trust it.He didn’t pull his lips away. Instead, he shifted his hand from the bed to Seungjoo’s waistband. As he unbuckled his belt and slid down the zipper, Seungjoo clung to Muheun’s neck, still demanding kisses.‘…’Would he even notice if his pants were being taken off? That thought made Muheun pause for a moment. He felt a sudden surge of guilt—if all of this really was just because of Seungjoo’s drunken habits, it would be painful to bear.But that moment passed quickly. Muheun resumed his actions, slipping his hand beneath Seungjoo’s pants. As he cupped the bulging hardness over his thin underwear, Seungjoo let out a soft, excited moan. As Muheun sucked on his quivering tongue, he tugged down Seungjoo’s underwear, wrapping his hand around the heated length.‘…Nn.’So it wasn’t just his height that grew. Muheun couldn’t help but think. Seungjoo’s erection was much thicker and longer than average. He had noticed earlier, but now, feeling it fully, it was clear that Seungjoo had grown not just in stature, but in other ways as well.The slightly sparse hair down there indicated that Seungjoo was no longer a boy. Although it was obvious, the texture made Muheun feel even more conflicted. Meanwhile, Seungjoo pulled Muheun closer, almost as if in desperation.‘Haa… Hyung…’‘…’As if responding to that call, Muheun slowly began moving his hand. He gently squeezed and stroked, running his palm up and down the length. Though he wasn’t using much force, Seungjoo arched his back and tilted his head in response.‘Hnng… Ugh…’Their lips parted briefly. Seungjoo’s unfocused gaze was now entirely lost in the haze of pleasure. Seeing his own reflection in Seungjoo’s half-lidded eyes filled Muheun with satisfaction. He tightened his grip on Seungjoo’s erection and pressed his lips against his again.‘Aaah… Ngh…’Clear fluid leaked from the tip of Seungjoo’s length, making Muheun’s hand movements slick with the precum. As he continued stroking from the base to the tip, his hand made a lewd, sticky sound with each motion. Muheun pressed his thumb against the head, teasing it.‘Haa… Ugh…!’Whether it was because of the alcohol or just his body, Seungjoo’s reactions were a bit slow and delayed. His hips jerked in response to every touch, but his moans came out just a little off-beat. Despite this, Seungjoo seemed frustrated that he wasn’t coming as quickly as expected.‘Hyung, hyuuung…’The way Seungjoo clung to him helplessly made Muheun feel a little guilty, as if he were teasing him. Especially because Seungjoo was trembling as he hugged Muheun’s shoulders. When Muheun deliberately focused on the sensitive tip, Seungjoo didn’t reach climax, but instead began to cry.‘Hic… Ugh… Hngh…’Muheun, who normally couldn’t stand seeing Seungjoo cry, found that this kind of tear-filled pleasure wasn’t so bad. Since Seungjoo had grown up, it had been a long time since he’d cried like this, and while part of Muheun felt sorry, another part found it endearing.‘…Why are you crying, hmm?’‘I don’t know… Aaah, ugh…’Muheun wiped away the tears with one hand and, thinking it wasn’t enough, used his lips to kiss them away. Following the tear tracks, he planted light kisses, causing Seungjoo to shy away and hunch his shoulders.‘Haa… Ugh…’I’m just using my hand, so why is he so sensitive? Even if Seungjoo wasn’t used to pleasuring himself, this level of sensitivity surprised Muheun. The usually indifferent Seungjoo, now flushed and trembling from a simple handjob, was a startling contrast.‘Ah… Aah… Ngh…!’Seungjoo finally reached his climax around the time Muheun was seriously considering using his mouth. Since he was afraid Seungjoo might feel pain, he had been gentle, but it had taken longer than expected for Seungjoo to reach release.Muheun was not blaming Seungjoo; he just got impatient without realizing it. If this really is a drinking habit, it’s definitely something he needs to fix. However, contrary to Muheun’s concerns, Seungjoo giggled with a look of excitement on his face.‘Wow… He’s angry.’‘…’‘You’re even mad at me now.’His lips curled up in a bright smile, drawing Muheun’s gaze. His eyes crinkled in that distinct way that only happened when Seungjoo smiled, a smile so charming it could make anyone’s heart flutter. Yet, for some reason, that same smile was eating away at Muheun’s patience.It was an impulse. Just a paper-thin moment of impulse.Hadn’t his patience been tested ever since he hoisted Seungjoo onto his back? And when Seungjoo grabbed his collar and kissed him, that patience had nearly disappeared. Even now, his lower lip tingled, and to behave like this—honestly, Muheun thought it was unfair.Without any warning, Muheun climbed onto the bed and pressed his lips to Seungjoo’s. The desire to touch him outweighed the thought that this was a bad idea. Though there was still time before the full moon, he felt as dazed as he did back then.‘…’He pressed their awkwardly touching lips firmly together and slid his tongue into the narrow space between them. The surge of impulse overwhelmed the last bit of guilt he had. The moment their soft tongues met, an undeniable, intense realization followed.When did it start? When did he begin to see the boy who used to be so young in this way? When did he start feeling unspeakable desires for the younger brother he once just wanted to protect?Reflecting on that first moment was pointless, but if he had the chance, he wanted to explain. These feelings weren’t intentional, and he had tried to avoid them as much as possible. So perhaps, this was a heart that could only be called inevitable.Of course, Muheun had no intention of making a weak excuse about fate. Now that he had acknowledged it, he no longer wanted to pretend he didn’t know. That’s why he kissed Seungjoo, and that’s why their tongues intertwined.Seungjoo didn’t resist; instead, he obediently wrapped his arms around Muheun’s neck. He panted between breaths as if he was struggling, but he didn’t push Muheun away or refuse him. In fact, his moaning, clinging desperation only made him seem more vulnerable.Was it because Seungjoo was breathing in Muheun’s breaths? The more they kissed, the more Muheun felt like something was being drained from inside him. His head felt light, and his vision began to blur. He wondered if the reason he felt so dizzy was because of his growing excitement.Though they had been kissing for quite some time, the fundamental thirst wasn’t being quenched. The more they touched, the more he felt lacking, and the more wicked thoughts entered his mind. To make matters worse, Seungjoo’s body, which could no longer support itself, began to move.‘…’His hips twitched, and Muheun could distinctly feel Seungjoo’s lower half stiffen against him. Muheun hadn’t intended to find out that Seungjoo was aroused, but the honest response was impossible to ignore. It took everything in him to hold onto the thin thread of reason, afraid that he might become aroused too.‘…’However, a drunken Seungjoo didn’t notice Muheun’s efforts. He continued to move instinctively, occasionally making deep, throaty sounds. Muheun lifted his hips awkwardly, but it was a useless effort.‘…’Maybe he should just help Seungjoo release and then put him to bed. The thought crossed his mind. It wasn’t because Seungjoo’s desperate clinging was overwhelming, but because Muheun feared he might actually lose control and do something irreversible. Even Muheun, who prided himself on his patience, couldn’t be certain of anything in this situation.He didn’t pull away from Seungjoo’s lips. Instead, he lowered the hand that had been bracing against the bed and moved it toward Seungjoo’s waistband. As he unbuckled the belt and slid down the zipper, Seungjoo only tightened his grip around Muheun’s neck, still demanding kisses.‘…’It would be bad if Seungjoo didn’t even realize his pants were being taken off. The thought made Muheun pause for a moment, a wave of unease washing over him. If all this was just a drunken habit, Muheun felt like he would be devastated.But the moment passed quickly, and Muheun resumed his motions, sliding his hand into Seungjoo’s pants. As he ran his hand over the bulge beneath the thin fabric, Seungjoo let out a gasping moan. Muheun sucked in Seungjoo’s trembling tongue as he finally pushed aside the underwear and grasped the hot, stiff flesh.‘…’He thought to himself, he didn’t just grow taller. Seungjoo’s erect member was much thicker and longer than average. He had felt it earlier when they brushed against each other, but it seemed Seungjoo had grown in more ways than one.The coarsely grown pubic hair only further confirmed that Seungjoo was no longer a child. Though it was to be expected, given that he had passed puberty, the sensation of the hair brushing against his hand pricked at Muheun’s conscience. Just as these thoughts nagged at him, Seungjoo pulled Muheun closer, as if he couldn’t take it any longer.‘Hyung…’‘…’As if that word were a signal, Muheun slowly began to move his hand. He massaged the flesh in his palm, then slid his grip from base to tip. Though it wasn’t a particularly firm touch, Seungjoo immediately arched his back and threw his head back.‘…’Their lips parted slightly. Seungjoo’s gaze, unfocused and hazy, locked with Muheun’s for a brief moment. Seeing Seungjoo’s clouded eyes reflecting only his face made Muheun chase after his lips again, gripping him more firmly.‘…’Pre-cum leaked from the tip, making slick, sticky sounds with each movement of Muheun’s hand. He wrapped his hand around Seungjoo’s shaft, stimulating the tip with his thumb.‘…’Maybe it was because Seungjoo had been drinking, but his reactions were slow and delayed. Each time Muheun touched him, Seungjoo would flinch, though his moans seemed to lag behind. Even his release was delayed, much to Seungjoo’s frustration.‘Hyung… Hyung…’Watching Seungjoo writhe helplessly, Muheun almost felt like he was teasing him. The way Seungjoo clung to his shoulders, trembling, made it even more so. Muheun intentionally teased the sensitive tip, and instead of climaxing, Seungjoo began to cry.‘…’Muheun, who usually hated seeing Seungjoo cry, found that these pleasure-filled tears weren’t so bad. It had been a long time since he’d seen Seungjoo cry, and while he felt a bit sorry for him, part of him thought it was cute.‘Why are you crying?’‘I… I don’t know…’Muheun wiped Seungjoo’s tears with one hand, then decided to kiss them away when it didn’t seem enough. He planted kisses along the tear tracks, and Seungjoo shuddered, shaking his head.‘…’All Muheun did was use his hand, yet Seungjoo was reacting so intensely. Even though it was obvious he wasn’t someone who masturbated often, his sensitivity was surprising. This boy who acted so indifferent about everything was now turning red from just a handjob.‘…’Seungjoo finally came just as Muheun was seriously considering whether he should use his mouth. He hadn’t wanted to be too rough, worried it might hurt, but Seungjoo showed no signs of release until that point.Muheun managed to hold Seungjoo and finished, while Seungjoo caught the released semen in his palm.‘Haah, haah…’Excited breaths brushed against his ear, and the heated body seemed to warm Muheun as well.‘…Good job.’Muheun kissed Seungjoo’s ear and gently brushed his hair with his free hand. After exhausting his energy, he planned to let him sleep quietly. As for his own arousal, he figured he could take care of it himself in the bathroom. After all, there was no way he could do anything more to his drunken brother.However, as Muheun tried to get up, Seungjoo suddenly grabbed his arm tightly. Along with that, Seungjoo whimpered, pulling him back forcefully.‘Why do you keep going somewhere…?’Seungjoo looked so upset that Muheun felt like he had made a huge mistake. He had only planned to leave the room to wash his hands, but Seungjoo looked at him with a pitiful expression, as if he was being abandoned. If that wasn’t enough, Seungjoo even asked clearly:‘Aren’t you going to do it?’‘…’Muheun let out a low chuckle, frowning. Did Seungjoo even know what he was saying? He had no idea how much Muheun had been restraining himself. And then, as if to add to the temptation, Seungjoo, with a still-dazed look, said:‘Should I do it for you?’‘Ah, Seungjoo…’Muheun sighed softly and laughed. It was a forced laugh, but he couldn’t tell whether it was laughter or a sigh. After all, it wasn’t just Seungjoo who was aroused—Muheun’s lower abdomen ached as well. But that didn’t mean he had any intention of letting Seungjoo, who didn’t know what he was doing, do anything to him.‘What could you even do to your Hyung?’Even if Seungjoo offered, did he even realize what he was volunteering for? He might be fearless with his words, but in reality, he didn’t know what he was talking about. While he might not act this way around just anyone, this kind of talk shouldn’t be tossed around so lightly, especially not on a bed.‘Why? I can do it.’‘Yeah, maybe, but I’m fine.’Muheun kissed Seungjoo’s eyelid and tried to get up again. Well, he would have if Seungjoo hadn’t grabbed him once more and tugged on him. Muheun hesitated, his upper body leaning closer as Seungjoo now glared at him with a hurt expression, looking almost tearful.‘Don’t leave, Hyung?’‘…’Muheun nodded slightly. Seungjoo’s expression tensed, his brows furrowing deeply.From childhood until now, Muheun had never won against Seungjoo. Not once. He never even thought about winning. Whenever Seungjoo asked for something, Muheun would do whatever he could to fulfill it. He pampered him so much that even adults scolded him for spoiling his brother too much.So how could he possibly leave when Seungjoo clung to him like this?‘Okay, I won’t go.’Muheun felt both a sense of guilt and an odd thrill. He had always thought he wasn’t a bad person, but feeling pleased in such a situation made him wonder if he was more twisted than he realized.Muheun took off his t-shirt and used it to wipe off the semen from his hands. He did it to avoid dirtying the sheets or Seungjoo’s clothes, but Seungjoo just stared at him blankly as he did. When Muheun rolled the t-shirt into a ball and dropped it off the side of the bed, Seungjoo blinked slowly and spoke.‘…I want to touch that.’‘That?’‘Yeah, that.’At first, Muheun didn’t understand what Seungjoo meant, but then Seungjoo’s hand landed on Muheun’s left shoulder, where a tattoo was drawn. Muheun leaned in closer to let him touch it more easily, and Seungjoo slowly traced the shape of the orchid tattoo with his fingers.His touch carried no sexual intent at all, but as his fingers brushed behind Muheun’s ear, Muheun couldn’t resist and lowered his head, kissing him.‘…’When their lips parted with a soft smack, Seungjoo’s eyes fluttered. His dark brown eyes locked on Muheun’s for a moment, and without any prompting, their lips met again.It was only as their breaths mixed that Muheun realized Seungjoo had been unintentionally drawing out his spiritual energy. It wasn’t something Muheun did consciously, but the energy seeped out from within him, leaving him in a daze. The problem was, he couldn’t tell if the daze was caused by the energy loss or the excitement.‘Ugh, mm…’Meanwhile, Seungjoo groaned and wrapped his legs around Muheun’s waist. Despite having just climaxed not too long ago, he was still hard. Or maybe he had never truly calmed down after the first time.‘Mmm, Hyung…’‘Should I do it with my hand again?’Muheun asked as he pulled his lips away, but Seungjoo, still clinging to him, shook his head. Judging by the way his arms tightened around Muheun’s neck, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to be touched; he just didn’t want to be separated from Muheun.‘We can’t do anything like this, Seungjoo.’It was a mistake to take off his shirt. The feeling of skin-on-skin contact was overwhelmingly stimulating. Seungjoo’s nails raking down his back, his cheek rubbing against Muheun’s neck, and the occasional hot breath on his skin—all of it.The position they were in was as if they were having sex. Seungjoo kept moving his hips, and Muheun, unable to push him away, simply kissed him in response. By the time they reached this point, Muheun’s mind was teetering on the edge, and he couldn’t help but thrust back at Seungjoo, even through his pants.‘Ah…!’Although it had taken a long time earlier, Seungjoo came quickly this time, rubbing his erection against Muheun’s lower abdomen. It seemed that the rougher, less careful touches worked better for drunk Seungjoo than the gentle ones Muheun had initially used.‘…Haa…’‘…’Muheun, however, still hadn’t climaxed. Unlike the twenty-year-old Seungjoo, who was easily stimulated, Muheun wasn’t satisfied with just rubbing through clothes. But he also didn’t plan to push the twice-spent Seungjoo for more.‘Are you sleepy now?’‘Yeah…’Muheun wondered if Seungjoo even realized his t-shirt was a mess. Seungjoo answered half-asleep, his eyes barely open, and Muheun couldn’t help but smile at how relaxed and content he looked.‘Okay, time for bed.’Tomorrow, Seungjoo’s going to have a sore back, Muheun thought as he gently tidied up his sweat-drenched hair. After all that movement, his muscles were bound to ache, especially since he wasn’t used to such positions. As far as Muheun knew, Seungjoo had no reason to be familiar with this kind of thing.‘Shh…’Muheun gently patted Seungjoo’s chest. It was something he used to do when they were younger, but it didn’t feel awkward for either of them now. Seungjoo soon fully closed his eyes, and the hand that had been wrapped around Muheun’s shoulder slid down.‘…’The room was now filled with the sound of Seungjoo’s even breathing. Muheun’s lower abdomen ached more than ever, but he remained still, just watching Seungjoo sleep. He found himself thinking how Seungjoo still looked the same as he did when he was little, despite the situation.‘…It’s probably better if he doesn’t remember.’It would be for Seungjoo’s sake if he didn’t remember any of this. Knowing his personality, Seungjoo would be mortified if he recalled what had happened. He might even try to avoid Muheun altogether after finding out the truth.Muheun kissed Seungjoo’s forehead and removed the clothes that had become messy with bodily fluids. He planned to wash and dry them before returning them tomorrow. After dressing Seungjoo in a clean t-shirt, he decided not to put on pants—he’d just call it a small joke.After finishing a rare act of self-relief and taking a shower, Muheun noticed a call coming in from Seungjoo’s phone. The caller was their mother, and Muheun answered without hesitation. Hearing Muheun’s greeting, Seungjoo’s mother, who had been nagging out of concern, sighed with relief.— Ah, well, at least he contacted you while drunk…‘…’Muheun found himself unable to respond. Was it better than Seungjoo getting into trouble elsewhere? But then again, what had just happened with him was trouble in itself, wasn’t it? If so, did that make him an accomplice?Amidst the various random thoughts filling his mind, his now-rounded conscience also began to sting.― Make sure he sleeps well, and you too should get some rest, Muheun. You must be tired because of Seungjoo.‘I’m not tired at all. It’s fine.’― Don’t spoil Seungjoo too much. That’s why he keeps acting like a child.I wish he would act like a child more often. But what happened today… it’s not really something I can call childish behavior.― Alright, I’ll sleep now too.‘Yes, goodnight.’Even after hanging up, Muheun couldn’t bring himself to sleep. He simply sat at the edge of the bed where Seungjoo was lying, staring at his face endlessly. Seungjoo didn’t even have any noticeable sleep habits, yet even this still scene felt incredibly precious to him.And the next day, when Seungjoo woke up late, he genuinely remembered nothing. While it was a relief that Seungjoo didn’t feel embarrassed, Muheun couldn’t help but feel slightly annoyed. At the same time, he was a little worried that such behavior might become a recurring drinking habit.So, with all those mixed feelings, Muheun casually said:‘You don’t remember, huh?’At those words, Seungjoo’s expression shifted as if the sky had just collapsed. It was obvious that he misunderstood, likely thinking they had slept together, but Muheun didn’t correct him. As long as Seungjoo didn’t recall the details of his drunken behavior, it would be a shock he could manage.‘You cried a lot last night, Seungjoo.’He didn’t bother to deny that he had played a bit of a mischievous trick. Muheun, who had always thought of himself as a fair person, couldn’t suppress his petty jealousy and frustration in that moment. The fact that he hadn’t slept at all while Seungjoo woke up looking refreshed was… cute? No, it was irritating.Seungjoo didn’t respond immediately, but after a while, he gave Muheun the kind of answer he expected. His gaze was full of questions, but his words were calm and composed.‘… I’ll head out now.’If Seungjoo had wanted their relationship to progress, he would have said something different in that moment. At the very least, he would have expressed some displeasure, like asking, ‘Do you sleep with just anyone, hyung?’ But instead, he chose to divert the conversation, indicating that he, too, wasn’t ready to define their relationship.‘You should at least have breakfast.’As he always had, Muheun had no intention of forcing anything on him. If Seungjoo felt uncomfortable and wanted to avoid the situation, Muheun had no desire to chase after him and make things harder. While that day left a deep impression on Muheun, it might have been nothing more than a fleeting incident for Seungjoo.At the time, Muheun still didn’t know that Seungjoo’s spiritual sight had opened.Muheun had thought something was strange. When he kissed Seungjoo, he clearly felt like his spiritual energy was being drained. Although the energy that left his body would replenish over time, the energy that Seungjoo absorbed would remain inside him for a while.The only reason Muheun hadn’t thought deeply about it was because he was confident that his spiritual energy wouldn’t harm Seungjoo. Spiritual energy was essentially life force, and harboring someone else’s wouldn’t cause any issues with the body. It might enhance spiritual sight or sensitivity, but that kind of change wouldn’t happen unless he intentionally passed over a significant amount.‘Well then, head inside. Thank you for the meal.’But ever since he had dropped Seungjoo off in front of his house, Muheun had been feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. It was like a nagging sensation, as though he had forgotten something important, and in the end, it even became a faint discomfort. It got so bad that, at some point, he couldn’t stand it anymore. He had to immediately wrap up what he was doing and rush off.It wasn’t that he was worried about the drinking party that evening. Even though Seungjoo had gotten drunk and caused a scene just the night before, Muheun was sure that, knowing Seungjoo’s personality, he wouldn’t drink so much that he’d black out again. He’d likely stay sober, just keeping his place at the table, and then return home safely without drinking a drop.What stayed in Muheun’s mind were small, trivial things. How Seungjoo had hesitated as he passed through the gate. How that very gate was separated by a barrier. They were details he could easily dismiss, but the more he thought about them, the more unsettling they seemed.So Muheun, without much thought, headed toward the street where Seungjoo had said his group met for drinks the night before. Since they had planned to drink, Seungjoo was probably nearby, or so Muheun assumed. He could have called Seungjoo, but the thought of bothering him while he was out having fun made Muheun hesitate. He was also anxious that if he interfered without reason, he might cause unnecessary trouble.Luckily, or maybe unluckily, Muheun found Seungjoo at an intersection near his house. Before he could even feel relieved at seeing Seungjoo’s familiar silhouette, his eyes caught sight of the long-haired spirit standing beside him.And then, he saw Seungjoo—a person who should not have been able to see spirits—suddenly reach out toward the spirit that had darted onto the road.‘Hey, what are you…!’The whole scene seemed to move in slow motion. Seungjoo’s hand passed through the spirit, his body tilted dangerously toward the road, and then a large truck came barreling towards him.‘…Ack!’If Muheun had hesitated even a moment longer, there would have been a horrible accident right then and there. In his panic, he reflexively grabbed the back of Seungjoo’s neck, barely stopping himself from pulling too hard and throwing him to the ground. He shuddered to think what might have happened if he had grabbed Seungjoo’s arm instead of his clothes—he might have broken it.What if Seungjoo could see ghosts? Muheun had imagined it from time to time. It was a weird thought, but he had also considered that it might be a little cute to see him get startled. Of course, he never actually wanted Seungjoo to experience it, and he always concluded that it was a good thing Seungjoo couldn’t see spirits.‘Looks like…’‘….’‘Your spiritual sight has opened.’And now, Seungjoo’s spiritual sight had suddenly opened, all because of Muheun’s own spiritual energy.If Muheun hadn’t grabbed him in time, Seungjoo would surely have been hit by the truck. That realization was enough to send a heavy shock through Muheun’s chest, making his heart sink.‘You’re okay… it’s alright.’But Muheun calmly comforted Seungjoo, pretending that nothing was wrong. The reason was simple—if he showed his own anxiety, Seungjoo would truly become terrified. It was like how children cried even louder when the adults around them panicked. At times like this, it was essential to maintain a calm exterior.‘I’ll take responsibility.’He summoned a spirit guide to send the lingering soul to the afterlife. Worried that Seungjoo might be scared by the guide’s frightening appearance—its eyes showing only the whites—Muheun told him to close his eyes for a while. Seungjoo obediently shut his eyes and covered his ears, waiting for the process to end.‘I’m not going anywhere tomorrow.’Seungjoo insisted he didn’t need protecting, but Muheun used every excuse he could think of to scare him and get his class schedule. Seungjoo’s spiritual sight would likely close soon, but Muheun couldn’t ignore the possibility that it wouldn’t. There was no guarantee that he wouldn’t mistake a spirit for a person again, and Muheun wasn’t ready to step back yet—he still felt uneasy.In hindsight, maybe Muheun just wanted a reason to see Seungjoo every day. Now that Seungjoo was grown, coming back from parties smelling of unfamiliar cigarette smoke, it was clear that despite liking Muheun, he had no intention of advancing their relationship. Muheun didn’t want to burden him, but he couldn’t lie and say he didn’t feel a bit selfish now that he had recognized his own feelings.At any rate, Muheun kept his promise and escorted Seungjoo to school as soon as Monday came. Whether it was the shock of realizing his spiritual sight had opened, or simply the awkwardness of being around Muheun, Seungjoo kept his mouth shut with an uncomfortable expression the entire way. Muheun figured it was probably the latter, but he didn’t want to admit it, so he pretended not to notice.Yes, Muheun didn’t want to acknowledge the distance that Seungjoo, now twenty, had put between them.‘…Do you know each other?’‘Just an acquaintance.’So now Muheun wasn’t even Seungjoo’s older brother, just an acquaintance? Was the night they spent together merely a mistake? Were they going to become awkward with each other, to the point where even waiting at the front gate would feel like a burden?‘That’s disappointing. I even changed your diapers, Seungjoo.’Seungjoo might not have known, but the disappointment Muheun felt back then was real. Even though he knew Seungjoo’s comments weren’t meant to hurt, Muheun couldn’t help but feel a surge of sadness. That’s why he brought up old memories and teased Seungjoo with meaningless jokes.It was a peaceful moment under the clear sky. Muheun wasn’t usually the sentimental type, but something about the sight of Seungjoo looking up at the sky made him nostalgic.How long would this feeling last? Muheun had thought to himself, knowing that once Seungjoo’s spiritual sight closed again, they would grow distant once more. Not to mention the busy work of an exorcist, Muheun had no excuse to visit Seungjoo unless Seungjoo wanted it. If he pushed for meaningless encounters now, Seungjoo would only become more guarded.The price Muheun paid for neglecting him all these years had finally come back to bite him.‘Do you remember falling here when you were little?’Now Muheun finally understood why adults always talked about the past. They missed the days that were gone, so they recalled those memories to reminisce about a time they could never return to. Even those moments that felt like the sky was falling back then now seemed better—just because back then, Muheun could hold Seungjoo close.‘Such overprotective people…’There was no way Seungjoo could have known these thoughts, and as usual, he responded with a slightly exasperated look. Having grown up sheltered like precious gold, this kind of environment must have felt suffocating for him. Muheun wasn’t unaware that, at its core, this feeling bordered on guilt.Well, this time, Muheun couldn’t deny it was overprotectiveness. Even he, who had promised to protect Seungjoo, believed that similar days would repeat until Seungjoo’s spiritual vision closed. Peaceful days spent walking to and from school together, engaging in trivial conversations, and reminiscing about the past.If he could just eliminate even a small portion of potential danger, that alone would satisfy Muheun.That’s what he thought, at least.‘Seungjoo?’‘….’It was when they approached the walking path leading to the back mountain that Seungjoo’s deep brown eyes suddenly clouded over. Like when he was drunk, only worse. Seungjoo, who suddenly seemed spaced out, stared blankly into the air for a long moment.‘Seungjoo.’Luckily, with a snap of Muheun’s fingers, the focus returned to Seungjoo’s eyes. Muheun tried to reach out and touch his face, but Seungjoo reflexively stepped back, frowning. Before Muheun could feel hurt by this, Seungjoo slowly spoke in a hesitant, slurred tone.‘I… smelled something.’Seungjoo wasn’t the type to say random things without reason. Muheun didn’t sense anything himself, but if Seungjoo said so, then there was indeed a smell. The troubling part was that, after a brief hesitation, Seungjoo forced a neutral expression onto his face.‘It’s nothing. I must have imagined it.’Muheun wasn’t naive enough to believe such a flimsy excuse. No matter how well Seungjoo masked his emotions, it was almost impossible for him to hide anything from Muheun, who had watched him grow up since birth. Especially when it concerned Seungjoo’s safety.Despite that, Muheun let it go for now. He knew that the more he pushed, the more stubborn Seungjoo would become—like a child trying to hide something. If he pressed too hard, Seungjoo might pretend everything was fine in a truly dangerous situation. For now, Muheun decided to take a step back and keep watch.The next day, Muheun accompanied Seungjoo on his way to and from school again. Seungjoo seemed a bit more at ease, though there was still a slight distance between them. When they reached the walking path again, a subtle tension returned to Seungjoo’s face.And then, just like the day before, his eyes glazed over.‘…’This time, Muheun didn’t try to snap Seungjoo out of it. He simply observed in silence, preparing to catch him if he collapsed and watching his face closely for any signs of illness. Muheun wanted to intervene and bring him back to his senses, but doing so might prevent him from uncovering the problem.After standing still for a long while, Seungjoo suddenly began to walk toward the mountain path. Step by staggering step, and then, as if possessed, he began to climb with a quick, unsteady gait. It was as though he were half-possessed. All Muheun could do was silently follow him, steadying him when he stumbled on rocks and clearing the brush before it could scratch his face.Though Seungjoo’s shaky steps were concerning, he didn’t fall. He seemed to be following something unseen, occasionally tilting his head in confusion.They eventually reached the middle of the mountain, deep in a deserted forest path.A low growl echoed.Muheun would never forget the moment he came face to face with the massive Gwimae. Though he had encountered such situations many times as a Gwimae hunter, seeing Seungjoo in front of the beast was a shock. The Gwimae, which normally wouldn’t have frightened Muheun, felt incredibly menacing in that moment.Seungjoo had found the Gwimae. No, he had been drawn to it. To Muheun, it felt like the sky was falling.‘Be good, I’m right here,’ Muheun reassured Seungjoo calmly, even though he was the one who was truly terrified. He couldn’t help but imagine the worst—what if Seungjoo had been alone at that moment? What if Muheun hadn’t followed him and Seungjoo had encountered the Gwimae on his own? Those unsettling thoughts gripped Muheun, tightening around his chest.The Gwimae feeds on souls. It’s picky, not devouring just any soul, but when it came to the Seo family bloodline, the story was different. Had Muheun not intervened, Seungjoo’s life could have been snuffed out in an instant.For several days after that encounter, Muheun’s life became a whirlwind of activity. At night, he continued sealing Gwimae, and during the day, he accompanied Seungjoo on his way to and from school, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings. It wasn’t just this routine that wore him down, though. The real challenge was a secret task personally assigned to him by the head of the association.‘I have a very urgent favor to ask of you…’After Muheun reported the Gwimae sighting near the mountain behind Seungjoo’s home, the association leader tasked him with investigating this unsealed Gwimae. It was framed as a request, but in reality, it was a command—one that most exorcists wouldn’t have been able to refuse. Muheun, however, was in a position to decline. But when he thought of Seungjoo, who had been ensnared by the Gwimae, he found he couldn’t say no.Gwimae typically appear in areas where nature has been destroyed, emitting an unusual energy even before they manifest. Usually, the Gwimae hunters were the first to discover them, as they actively tracked these spirits across the country. Rarely would a Gwimae venture into human territory unless it was first sought out.Even the most skilled Gwimae hunters couldn’t detect a newly unsealed Gwimae right away. Just like when Seungjoo had climbed the mountain in a trance, Muheun hadn’t sensed the Gwimae until they were close. This meant that if another seal broke near Seungjoo, a similarly dangerous situation could arise.Muheun knew that this issue would be resolved once Seungjoo’s spiritual vision closed. For now, though, he followed Seungjoo everywhere, always keeping an eye on him. He couldn’t afford to dismiss any possibility, and his instincts told him this was a case he needed to dig into further.The following Friday, after dropping Seungjoo off at home, Muheun received a report from the association leader: another unsealed Gwimae had been found, this time near Seungjoo’s home. Muheun rushed to the location after finishing his work, hoping to seal the Gwimae on the spot. However, despite spending the entire day searching, he couldn’t find it. Unwilling to give up, Muheun spent the entire weekend hunting for the spirit.Not sleeping for a few days wasn’t a big issue for Muheun. He was already used to a lack of sleep. But what wore him down was his decision to use a tracking talisman, which required fasting for two days.Exorcists with heightened physical abilities often experience hunger and other physical needs more intensely than regular people. Going without food for long periods to use a talisman could drive someone nearly insane. For Muheun, the hunger gnawed at him, and his condition only worsened.To make matters worse, the full moon was approaching. Normally, he would spend a day or two holed up at home, but with the Gwimae still at large, he had no choice but to continue his search. Despite his fraying nerves, he completed his assigned tasks and resumed the hunt for the unsealed Gwimae.Then it happened. On his way to set up a barrier, he lost his footing and slipped off a cliff. He managed to grab onto a tree root, avoiding a full fall, but the impact dislocated his right shoulder.Muheun managed to reset his shoulder himself, but word of his injury spread quickly among the exorcists. Before long, both Muyeon and Muryong reached out to check on him, which showed just how rare it was for Muheun to get hurt.He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been injured during a job. He used to get hurt often as a child, but as he grew more experienced, such incidents became rare. He’d never encountered a Gwimae that he couldn’t handle—until now.That night, the full moon rose. The spiritual energy inside Muheun raged uncontrollably, forcing him to lock himself inside his apartment, clinging to a thread of sanity. After barely managing to lock the door, he collapsed onto the bed, and everything went black.‘Ugh…’Muheun wasn’t sure when he’d started to relieve himself, but in his half-lucid state, he found himself recalling a distant memory. He was sure it had something to do with the night Seungjoo, drunk, had grabbed him by the collar and kissed him.‘Ha…’Had he called out Seungjoo’s name? Or had he stopped himself in time? It was impossible to know. Perhaps someone else would call him shameless for doing such things while thinking about the younger brother he practically raised. But in that moment, none of that mattered. Muheun just kept touching himself, picturing Seungjoo over and over again.He only regained full awareness when the first light of dawn illuminated his room. Realizing how late it was, Muheun cursed under his breath and called Muryong. He was grateful when Muryong picked up quickly; he had no issues agreeing to Muheun’s request.‘Hey, Muryeong, I need a favor…’Muheun asked him to check on Seungjoo and make sure he got home safely later that afternoon. Though Muheun wanted to go himself, he wasn’t back to full strength yet. He managed to take a shower, but his dizziness made walking difficult.Muheun intended to call Seungjoo next, but even after dialing his number, he couldn’t bring himself to hit the call button. He didn’t understand why, but as he prepared to check on Seungjoo, an overwhelming sense of fear crept in. He found himself imagining the worst possible scenarios, even though he knew how unlikely they were.It was a type of trauma Muheun had never shaken. Having lost someone precious due to a single mistake, he knew all too well how much regret one careless decision could bring. What if Seungjoo didn’t pick up the phone? What if something terrible had happened? What would Muheun do then?He froze, gripped by these worst-case scenarios, for what felt like an eternity. It wasn’t until noon that Muryong sent him a simple text: he had met with Seungjoo, and everything was fine. No further details, but Muheun finally felt certain that Seungjoo was safe.‘Hah…’Nothing happened. That thought alone drained the tension from Muheun’s body. The timing seemed right for Seungjoo’s spiritual vision to be closing, and he had made it to school without issue. Muryong would accompany him home, so there would be no problems today.Exhaustion overtook Muheun, and he soon slipped into a deep sleep.He wasn’t even aware he had fallen asleep until his phone rang, startling him awake. Groggily, he lifted his heavy eyelids and answered the familiar voice on the other end of the line.‘Hyung.’Muheun had always been a heavy sleeper, except when it came to Seungjoo’s voice, which could pull him from sleep in an instant. Seeing Seungjoo’s name on the caller ID, and hearing his next words, jolted Muheun fully awake.‘I’m outside your place.’Why had Seungjoo come here alone? Muheun felt a sudden flash of anger—not directed at Seungjoo, but at himself for allowing this to happen. Instead of worrying about the worst, he should have at least called. Instead, he had let his own fears burden Seungjoo.‘I’m fine, so I’ll head home now. You should get some rest.’Seungjoo was ready to leave, but Muheun instinctively stopped him. He didn’t want to let Seungjoo go now that he was standing right there. Since childhood, Muheun had always grown more attached when he was sleepy, seeking comfort in Seungjoo’s presence. Now that Seungjoo’s spiritual vision had closed, there would be no more excuses to visit him. How could he let him go when he missed him so much?He gathered ingredients from the fridge to cook a meal and even took out the ice cream he had bought without much thought, knowing it was Seungjoo’s favorite. Though he wanted Seungjoo to stay the night, he decided to be satisfied with just taking him home since his bed was a mess. Seungjoo insisted it wasn’t necessary, but Muheun wasn’t willing to compromise on this.Yes, when it came to Seungjoo’s safety, Muheun wouldn’t compromise, ever.‘…Can’t I help in some way?’Why did this timid guy keep acting so recklessly? Asking if Muheun got hurt often, wondering when he even got any sleep—Seungjoo voiced his concerns and eventually asked if he could help find the Gwimae himself. Muheun understood the sentiment, but when Seungjoo suggested using himself as bait, even a dry laugh couldn’t escape him.‘It would be great to catch it quickly and rest.’‘…’Before Muheun could respond, his vision suddenly blurred. Through the hazy sight, he saw a glimpse of the future, something he occasionally experienced. Deep in the forest, beneath the cliff Muheun had almost fallen from, stood Seungjoo, facing a pitch-black Gwimae.‘What’s wrong…?’There was no time to reflect. The moment their eyes met in the present, Muheun instinctively reached out, grabbing Seungjoo by the arm and pulling him close. All he could think of was preventing the future he had just seen from coming true. Even though he knew how foolish it was to interfere with fate, seeing Seungjoo in danger clouded his judgment.‘…!’As their lips met and their tongues intertwined, Seungjoo didn’t push him away. More accurately, he seemed dazed, but even in that state, Seungjoo was unconsciously absorbing Muheun’s spiritual energy. Seungjoo really does absorb energy…Muheun realized, adding another layer of unease to the situation.‘I appreciate the thought, but if you want to help me, Seungjoo, you’d have to do this all the time.’It wasn’t hard to make Seungjoo give up, but watching him actually do so left Muheun with a sense of unease. Making Seungjoo realize what had just happened felt more complicated than even using the kiss as bait.‘See you tomorrow.’That night, Muheun finally located the Gwimae after four days of searching. It was in the very spot where, in that fleeting vision, he had seen Seungjoo standing alone. It took another full day to finish the job, but he managed to seal the Gwimae safely before Seungjoo ever encountered it.This was the first time Muheun had deliberately intervened in the future.The chapters have been revised, edited, and compressed, and the complete main story has been released for free, as I’m concerned it might be taken down or worse. I didn’t want to disappoint the readers, so I apologize for any inconvenience, and I hope you enjoy reading the complete story! The side stories will be coming soon, so don't worry~