OL Ch 9

Chapter 9

Mookyeong looked at Hayun with concern before gently pulling his blanket over Hayun’s body, worried he might be cold. As if on cue, Hayun began trembling slightly. Mookyeong swiftly wrapped the blanket around Hayun and pulled him close.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Nothing happened.”

“No, I—”

“I’ll tell you everything that happened today.”

As was his habit, Mookyeong rubbed the bridge of Hayun’s nose, where glasses often left marks. When Hayun wrinkled his nose from ticklishness, Mookyeong softly recounted the day’s events.

Listening quietly, Hayun started to remember bits and pieces.

“You recall how I rushed out of the shower because you were moaning?”

“I remember you rushing out of the shower, but I don’t remember moaning.”

“Oh boy, you were really dozing off.”

Hayun shook his head, unsure of what Mookyeong was referring to. However, Mookyeong gazed at Hayun with a smile on his face. Before he knew it, their faces drew closer together. It felt like they might kiss soon. As Hayun closed his eyes, their noses touched. Their breaths mingled, and then Mookyeong gently kissed Hayun’s cheek instead of his lips.

“I told you to come out after rinsing yourself, but your eyes kept drooping. If you fell asleep right there, you wouldn’t be able to sleep properly tonight or even eat dinner. So I had to keep waking you up.”

“How did you wake me up?”

Mookyeong slid his hand under the blanket, tickling Hayun as soon as his fingertips made contact.

“Ahh!”

“See? This always startles you awake.”

“I seriously don’t remember any of that.”

“You must have been very tired.”

However, Mookyeong’s peculiar expression suggested there was more to it than just tickling him. Hayun furrowed his brow, deep in thought. He remembered having a conversation with Seo Iju through Mookyeong, but he couldn’t recall what they discussed.

‘I feel like I should remember this.’

Perhaps asking Seo Iju directly would be better? Although Seo Iju might sigh and roll her eyes at Hayun not remembering, she’d still explain it again. Hayun swallowed nervously. Taking a deep breath, he momentarily held it while discreetly glancing up at Mookyeong. As their eyes met, Mookyeong leaned over for a kiss on the opposite cheek.

Hayun felt caught off guard, as if someone had unexpectedly poked his nose. Yet, Mookyeong insisted by pointing to his own cheek. With a relieved exhale, Hayun kissed Mookyeong’s cheek in return. Having already shared a passionate tongue-kiss earlier made such gestures feel effortless now.

Mookyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This side too.”

“……”

“Please.” Mookyeong grinned brightly as he presented his other cheek. Hayun hesitated briefly before kissing it faster than earlier.

“Why so quick? It barely registered since you pulled away instantly.”

“I don’t care; that counts.”

“More kisses, please.”

Hayun responded by turning his body away. However, anticipating this move, Mookyeong gently pinned him down. As Hayun let out a small scream, Mookyeong started peppering kisses on his exposed neck and face.

“Stop, stop! I’m fine now, really.”

Hayun prepared to push Mookyeong away, fearing another onslaught. Unexpectedly, though, Mookyeong complied without protest.

“Give me your hand.”

“…..”

Mookyeong gently squeezed Hayun’s hand before massaging his feet.

“You’re feeling better now. I was worried earlier because you were so cold.”

“I just got startled suddenly.”

Mookyeong chuckled and patted the spot next to him, indicating he should sleep. However, Hayun couldn’t fall asleep, possibly due to their playful moment earlier. Seeing Hayun wide awake, Mookyeong stood up.

“Where are we going?”

“Let’s go for a walk.”

“At this hour? I don’t want to go outside.”

“I know; you hate bugs, right? If we go out now, at least three rooms will be bug-free.”

“Alright, let’s head somewhere.”

“We can just stroll around this floor.”

Hayun silently shook his head. In response, Mookyeong offered his back.

“What? You want me to piggyback ride?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, come on.”

“C’mon already.”

With Mookyeong’s insistence, Hayun reluctantly climbed onto his back. Using psychic energy, he moved a thin blanket to wrap around him. The scene felt oddly familiar.

“You’re making me a burrito now?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

Mookyeong started rocking Hayun vigorously with him on his shoulders. He bounced as they walked out of the room and into the hallway. It was early morning, so the house was quiet except for the rhythmic sound of their footsteps and Hayun’s breaths disrupted by occasional jolts from Mookyeong’s movements.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to do this when you were younger.”

“When exactly?”

“Maybe when you were three years old?”

“Do you remember that far back?”

“Not every detail, just certain moments. Back then, too, you had trouble sleeping at night, so Dad would carry you while walking around. But I didn’t like it.”

“Because you took my father away?”

“No, because your father took him away. But he said he would do what I couldn’t. I insisted that I could manage it myself. At that time, I already had full control over my psychic powers. Lifting you seemed easier than warming up formula.”

“Oh, is this about that picture?”

Hayun recalled a childhood photo. Even back then, Mookyeong’s physique was imposing as he offered him back to carry Hayun, who was crying with a red face. As an added detail, various objects were floating around them.

There was one thing Mookyeong overlooked during those days. His abilities didn’t affect Hayun, who existed as fragmented pieces.

“Well, regardless of timing, your wish came true eventually.”

“That’s right.”

Mookyeong gently swayed his body. The room was warm despite not having any heating on, but he appreciated it as it helped soothe his startled nerves. However, it felt excessively quiet outside, akin to the calm before a storm.

After checking every corridor on this floor, Mookyeong descended downstairs cautiously, mindful of not waking up his parents. He fetched some water for Hayun. Coincidentally, at that moment, the pressure cooker started beeping, indicating its completion time. Startled, Mookyeong turned towards Hayun.

Realizing what his gaze implied, Hayun lightly tapped Mookyeong’s shoulder. Mookyeong switched off the pressure cooker and removed the pot inside. He scooped one cup of rice, which hadn’t been mixed with grains yet, rinsed it gently, and subtly placed it on one side of the pot.

Hayun, who had a sensitive stomach, preferred certain grains for his meals. Mookyeong added these grains to the rice before placing the pot back inside the cooker and pressing the cooking button. Next, he opened the refrigerator again. Concerned about any creaking noises, he cautiously used psychic energy to present various snacks to Hayun, gauging his reactions. When none of them caught his interest, Mookyeong opened the freezer and retrieved a walnut-flavored ice cream bar. His movements were cautious, as if playing a game where loud sounds would result in penalties. Most people wouldn’t imagine Baek Mookyeong using his abilities for such trivial tasks.

Hayun silently chuckled. Suddenly, his fingertips brushed against the ice cream wrapper, causing it to rustle softly. Sensing this, Mookyeong turned around.

“What’s wrong? I thought you liked this.”

“Really going to eat it this late at night?”

“You’re not going to eat it? Should I put it back?”

“Nope. I’ll have some.” Smiling, Mookyeong gently placed Hayun on the sofa.

“Don’t you want any?”

“Just one bite from yours is enough. You’ll get tired of eating it otherwise.”

“Hey, I don’t always tire that quickly.”

Hayun handed the ice cream wrapped in its packaging to Mookyeong. Although Mookyeong initially insisted he would finish what remained, Hayun persistently offered it until Mookyeong took a small bite. It was so tiny, leaving only tooth marks behind. With the ice cream in his mouth, Hayun asked Mookyeong:

“Aren’t you bothered by doing this for me all the time?”

“Doing what?”

“Calmly soothing me after every sudden scare and stuff like that.”

“It’s not like you get startled every day though?”

“Still…”

“Why should it bother me? You enjoy it, right? Anything that makes you happy pleases me too. Except meeting other people romantically, of course.”

Mookyeong naturally pulled Hayun closer and embraced him. Hayun comfortably leaned against Mookyeong’s chest. Mookyeong gently brushed through Hayun’s hair, revealing his delicate forehead while softly rubbing his stubborn eyebrows.

“Sometimes, I feel like you’re just a small piece of me. A piece that could be easily discarded without any issue. Still, please don’t throw it away. Whatever others can do for you, I can also provide.”

“When have I ever given you that impression?” Hayun responded brusquely. If he were merely a small, dispensable piece, Mookyeong would have let go long ago. Mookyeong likely mentioned this because he knew Hayun wasn’t such a piece. To confirm, Hayun turned halfway to look up at Mookyeong, who smiled warmly back at him.

“Then instead of asking if something bothers me, just do what you enjoy too.”

“I’ve already said, what you love is what I love. So, there’s nothing else for me to do?”

“Just stay by my side.”

“I’m here with you now.”

“…Can I kiss you?”

“We already did that earlier.”

“I want to do it all day long. At school, I couldn’t think of anything else. I wanted to come home quickly and be alone with you.”

“You n-need to be careful.” Hayun waved his ice cream cone back and forth as he warned Mookyeong.

“The teacher asked if your hypnosis was undone. She thinks so because of moments like this. If we keep acting like this, when she suggests going out for tonkatsu, people will assume we’re off for another hypnosis session.”

“Aren’t those hypnosis sessions good for you?”

“You get grumpy after them. You also complain about headaches. The psychiatrist said frequent mental conditioning isn’t beneficial.”

“What if I can’t handle it without enhancing the suggestion?”

“You wouldn’t do anything you truly dislike.”

“I could still try if I don’t hate it.”

“…..”

That was astute. Kim Hayun swallowed his initial retort back down. Although Mookyeong had been relentless at times, he never pushed beyond what Hayun genuinely disliked. The suggestion amplification reflected Mookyeong’s own wishes as well.

Hayun still couldn’t imagine going all the way with Mookyeong. However, as these situations kept repeating, he began to wonder if perhaps reaching that point might be possible after all.

“In any case, I don’t want you to feel pain.”

“You’ve grown so much, Kim Hayun.”

Mookyeong gently stroked Kim Hayun’s neck and cheek. In the darkness, Mookyeong’s eyes sparkled as he glanced up at Hayun. Unable to meet his gaze, Hayun turned away and focused on eating his ice cream. Meanwhile, Mookyeong continued caressing Hayun affectionately.

“Hey, Hayun, can I bite your cheek?”

“What?! Are you crazy?”

“How about your ear then?”

“No way.”

“Then your neck?”

“Forget it.”

“If I can’t bite anywhere, where should I nibble? Think about me for once.”

“You need to think about others too! Why do you want to bite me anyway?”

“Because I adore you so much!”

Kim Hayun couldn’t help but chuckle, choosing not to respond further.

“Well, can I just touch you then?”

“Are you seriously insane?”

Hayun’s retort turned into surprise as he abruptly stopped talking. With uneasy eyes, he glanced towards Seo Iju and her husband’s room.

“Why not?”

“They’re asleep.”

“Then should we go to our room?”

Mookyeong couldn’t understand what had triggered Hayun’s sudden resistance. He gently stroked Hayun’s neck with his finger.

“I don’t like it when you act like this.”

“Why? It’s just touching, not anything indecent. Are you getting aroused by my touch?”

“…No, of course not.”

“Then why?”

“Well, why do you want to touch me?”

“It’s because I keep seeing them.”

“…..”

Hayun looked down at his attire, which was no different from usual.

“Touching is better than pulling. If that doesn’t work, I’ll bite.”

Mookyeong showed no signs of relenting. Hayun glanced once more at Seo Iju’s room nearby, fearing they might get caught.

“Fine, touch them then. Go ahead.”

Hayun pointed to his vulnerable ears. Although he had previously stated it was off-limits, considering the alternative, allowing Mookyeong to touch his ears seemed preferable. As soon as permission was granted, Mookyeong moved closer to Hayun. Their faces were so near that their lips almost brushed against each other.

However, rather than their lips, it was Mookyeong’s intense gaze piercing through him that made Hayun uncomfortable. While avoiding eye contact and turning his head slightly, Mookyeong slowly began caressing Hayun’s ear.

Mookyeong’s hand moved exceedingly gently, inch by inch. The coldness of his fingertips inadvertently tensed Hayun’s body.

Hayun desperately tried to focus on something else; otherwise, he feared his body might betray him. With difficulty swallowing, he changed the subject to divert his attention.

“So, what did you put in your time capsule?”

“I’m not telling.”

“Why not?”

“I want to open it after ten years. What about you?”

“You won’t tell me, but expect me to reveal mine?”

“Nope. I won’t ask you either. We’ll find out later when we open them.”

Seo Iju and Baek Jinha had already delivered their items and buried their time capsules. Thanks to this, Hayun was unaware of when they buried theirs or what they included inside. Everyone decided to keep each other’s contents secret.

“How sneaky.”

As he spoke, Hayun realized his ice cream had started melting onto his hand. With a surprised gasp, he moved to lick it off, but Mookyeong leaned forward and licked it himself instead. Their tongues briefly touched before parting.

Startled, Hayun’s eyes widened, only then realizing that he was no longer lying on Mookyeong’s chest but on the sofa floor. As if commemorating this realization, the precariously balanced ice cream dripped onto Hayun’s chest.

“Ah.”

Hayun blinked as a familiar shadow loomed over him.