LS Ch 29

As the filming was nearing its end, the shooting locations changed as well, following the storyline where ‘Haeyul’ returned to her own country. There were more indoor shoots on large sets rather than outdoor shoots. As the weather was getting hotter, filming on sets with air conditioning was somewhat easier than outdoor shoots.

“It’s still hot even with the air conditioning on.”

Yejun complained while holding a handheld fan in front of his face. Although it was better than filming outdoors, wearing multiple layers of long-sleeved clothes during filming made the heat unavoidable. Large air conditioners were placed around the set, but they couldn’t cover the entire spacious area.

“Still, it’s better than being under the scorching sun.”

“That’s true.”

Yejun nodded in agreement with Jewoo’s remark.

“What’s wrong over there?”

Yejun, who had been looking at Jewoo, pointed near his wrist. Jewoo followed his gaze but couldn’t figure out what he was referring to.

“Higher up.”

Yejun pointed with his finger to a specific area. Due to the heat, Jewoo had rolled up his sleeves, revealing his forearm.

Ah. Realizing what Yejun was looking at, Jewoo swallowed a groan. There was a red mark about a hand’s width above his wrist.

“Must be a mosquito bite.”

Jewoo brushed it off and discreetly pulled down his sleeve.

“Are there mosquitoes in the hotel? Shouldn’t you ask the front desk to spray insect repellent or something?”

Yejun was appalled at the idea of mosquitoes in the hotel. Jewoo was about to say it might have happened on set but decided against it. It would have been more bizarre to claim a mosquito bit him through the layers of clothing he wore during filming. If it had happened on set, it would have been on exposed areas like the nape of his neck.

“Maybe it’s because it’s a local hotel. It’s called a hotel, but the service isn’t up to par.”

Yejun blamed the innocent hotel. Hearing Yejun say he would check his room for mosquitoes before sleeping from now on, Jewoo felt sorry for the hotel.

He couldn’t bring himself to say that the mark on his arm wasn’t from a mosquito but from Kang Yiwon.

As they say, the first time is always the hardest. Since ‘that day,’ Yiwon had been sharing a bed with Jewoo almost every night. At first, he made excuses like being scared, but lately, it had become a given that Yiwon would be lying on his bed after showering.

Sharing a bed made it easier for the same things to happen. It wasn’t entirely Yiwon’s fault. Jewoo didn’t mind being close to Yiwon either. They had kissed countless times by now. In fact, it was rarer for a day to pass without them kissing. Sharing a room meant they didn’t have to worry about others noticing. On set, they at least maintained some boundaries.

That’s why I told you not to leave marks.

Last night, Yiwon kept kissing and nibbling all over his body. When Jewoo said it would be troublesome if marks were left, Yiwon argued that no one would see the covered areas anyway. The problem was that he couldn’t stop Yiwon from avoiding visible areas like the nape of his neck. After sucking and biting here and there, a few bruises inevitably remained.

Fortunately, the marks weren’t severe and could easily be mistaken for mosquito bites, and it was Yejun who noticed them, not Sihyeon. If it had been Sihyeon, he would have teased Jewoo relentlessly, asking if they were really mosquito bites. As the drama progressed into its later stages, Sihyeon’s scenes had decreased, and he had the day off today.

“What are you talking about?”

Yiwon, who had been discussing fight scenes with the martial arts team, approached and asked.

“Didn’t you get bitten by mosquitoes?”

“Mosquitoes?”

Yiwon made a confused face at the sudden mention of mosquitoes.

“Are there already mosquitoes?”

“Jewoo said he got bitten by a mosquito.”

At Sihyeon’s reply, Yiwon naturally turned to look at Jewoo. Jewoo awkwardly smiled and shrugged.

“Where did it bite you?”

Yiwon wanted to see where the mosquito had bitten him.

“On the arm. Why do you want to see? It’s fine.”

Jewoo didn’t want to roll up his sleeve and show the mark. Although the person who left the mark didn’t care, he was worried Yejun might realize it wasn’t a mosquito bite but a bruise.

“Where did it bite?”

Yiwon persistently asked, oblivious to Jewoo’s discomfort. Jewoo glared at Yiwon, signaling him to drop it, then subtly gestured toward his forearm with his eyes. Following Jewoo’s gaze, Yiwon finally let out an “Ah,” as if he understood the true nature of the “mosquito.”

“I’ll ask the manager to get some mosquito repellent later.”

Yiwon’s shameless remark, knowing full well there were no mosquitoes, made Jewoo laugh incredulously. When Jewoo stared at him in disbelief, Yiwon playfully mimed a kiss, making Jewoo flustered. Worried someone might have seen, Jewoo quickly glanced around. Fortunately, Yejun was looking elsewhere, and none of the staff nearby were paying attention to them.

Amused by Jewoo’s reaction, Yiwon grinned.

“I want to kiss you.”

Yiwon’s blatant statement made Jewoo’s face stiffen. Since Yejun was standing right next to them, he couldn’t have missed it. Yejun turned around, blinking in confusion, and asked if there was a kissing scene in today’s filming.

“Was there one?”

Yiwon asked Jewoo playfully.

“No.”

Jewoo answered curtly and gave Yiwon a look, signaling him to behave. Seeing that Yiwon seemed to understand but only grinned more mischievously, Jewoo sighed and turned his head away. If he kept facing Yiwon, he had no idea what might come out of his mouth next.

“Come here for a second.”

Yiwon pulled Jewoo to a corner of the set. As soon as they were out of sight, Yiwon leaned in close to Jewoo’s face. Reflexively, Jewoo raised a hand to cover Yiwon’s mouth and pushed him away.

“What are you doing?”

As Jewoo scolded him, he noticed the corners of Yiwon’s eyes curving into a smile. At the same time, he felt a lick on his palm.

“Ugh, hey!”

Startled, Jewoo pulled his hand away, and Yiwon laughed with a playful expression.

“I want to kiss you.”

Yiwon repeated what he had said earlier in front of Yejun, closing the distance between them. With his back against the wall, Jewoo had nowhere to retreat.

“We’re on set.”

“No one’s watching.”

Yiwon brushed his thumb over Jewoo’s lower lip. As Jewoo hesitated whether to push him away or let it happen, their lips briefly touched. Sensing no resistance, Yiwon gently cupped the back of Jewoo’s head and pulled him closer. Feeling the pull, Jewoo pressed his forearm against Yiwon’s chest to hold him back.

“That’s enough. If you go further, I’ll bite you.”

“How are you going to film if you bite me?”

Yiwon looked down at Jewoo with a cheeky grin.

“You’re getting bolder by the day.”

Ignoring Jewoo’s remark, Yiwon grabbed his chin and tilted it up slightly. When their eyes met, Yiwon smiled beautifully and leaned in again, this time without hesitation, his tongue parting Jewoo’s lips.

Every time their lips met and parted, the wet sound of saliva made Jewoo nervous, wondering if someone might hear. Yet, he reciprocated the kiss, accepting Yiwon’s tongue. After a while, Yiwon pulled away and rubbed Jewoo’s lips with his finger.

“They’re shiny.”

Yiwon laughed, and Jewoo sighed.

“Whose fault is that?”

“True.”

Yiwon readily admitted it was his doing and bumped his forehead against Jewoo’s. Their noses brushed, and it felt like their lips might meet again.

“Han Jewoo!”

Hearing someone call his name, Jewoo flinched and pushed Yiwon away. Yiwon, pushed back, licked his lips as if disappointed.

“I’m here!”

Jewoo answered loudly and turned to leave, but Yiwon grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Jewoo stumbled backward.

“Want to shower together later?”

The low voice in his ear made Jewoo instinctively shrink his shoulders. Was that something to ask in such a suggestive tone? Then again, coming from Kang Yiwon, it probably was.

“I want to fill the tub and soak. Come with me.”

Was he really just talking about showering? Jewoo had his doubts, but he nodded anyway, hoping Yiwon would let go of his arm.

Seemingly pleased with Jewoo’s answer, Yiwon smiled and finally released his arm—only to lean in again. Before Jewoo could react, Yiwon’s lips brushed against the nape of his neck. Jewoo covered the spot with his hand and glared, but Yiwon’s crescent-shaped eyes made it hard to stay mad.

When they returned to where the staff was waiting, Jiho, the manager, was there. He stared at Jewoo and frowned.

“Why are your lips swollen?”

“Huh?”

Flustered, Jewoo instinctively covered his mouth with his hand.

“Are they swollen? Did you get hit somewhere?”

Even as he asked, Jiho seemed to realize how absurd the question was, his frown deepening. Jewoo couldn’t answer and avoided eye contact by rolling his eyes.

Well, I did get hit—by Kang Yiwon.

Jewoo thought it might be time to rein things in a bit. If this kept happening on set, his heart might give out, and his lifespan would surely shorten.