TG Ch 4 Part 5

Ham Geonwu carried the sleeping Sijin back to his dorm. His phone buzzed incessantly with messages from his friends, who were still out drinking. He felt a twinge of guilt, like he was leaving a puppy home alone, but knowing that Jeong Taeyul, a reliable guardian, was right next door eased his mind. 

He carefully tended to Sijin, making sure he was comfortable. As he was about to loosen his belt to make it easier for him to sleep, Sijin suddenly grabbed his hand.

“W-Wait… stop… I’m… I’m just a regular person…”

“It’s alright, Doctor.”

“I-I can’t guide… I… I don’t have anything to give…!”

How could he be so adorable, even when drunk? 

For the first time, Ham Geonwu considered staying instead of leaving. Spending time with Doctor Baek seemed far more appealing than rejoining his friends.

However, the man who had just moments ago been clinging onto his hand, terrified of being guided, had already fallen back into a deep sleep. Ham Geonwu chuckled, tucking him in.

“What the… You’re even cuter without your glasses.”

Perhaps it was the sight of Sijin lying so peacefully in his bed, but the usually awkward Doctor Baek seemed different. Despite being bundled up in blankets, a wave of inappropriate thoughts washed over him.

He found himself studying Sijin’s face. His pale cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, his eyelashes still damp from his earlier near-panic attack, and a faint rash bloomed on the back of his neck.

He leaned in closer, listening to Sijin’s soft, even breathing. There was nothing revealing on display. But why, why… 

“It’s too bad you’re a regular person, Doctor.”

Ham Geonwu’s words slipped out before he could stop them, and he instantly regretted them. What had he just said? 

He frowned, his mind struggling to process his own words. He wasn’t even drunk, but he felt a strange warmth spreading through his body, as if he were intoxicated. 

Just then, his phone buzzed again. He mumbled a quick agreement before rushing out of the room. 

As he hurried down the hallway, he convinced himself that he was just drunk. He hadn’t drunk in a while, so maybe that was why his thoughts were so scattered, fixated on Sijin. He couldn’t get the image of Sijin’s smooth, pale neck, the downy hair at the nape of his neck, his kind eyes, his habit of rubbing his eyes with his arm when he took off his glasses, his lips that seemed to constantly be moving as he nervously mumbled to himself—all those little details were replaying in his mind.

He stopped midway down the stairs, a flash of memory interrupting his thoughts. He could see Sijin’s flushed face, his desperate hand clutching his own.

‘I-I can’t guide… I… I don’t have anything to give…!’

He ran a hand through his hair, a wave of confusion washing over him. 

‘Why would he say something so… erotic?’

This was Doctor Baek’s fault. He was the one who was constantly pushing Ham Geonwu’s buttons, turning ordinary moments into something strange and confusing. 

Ham Geonwu shook his head, taking a deep breath to clear his head. He had to tone down the teasing, create some distance. He didn’t want things to get out of hand. 

…And then, four hours later, his resolve crumbled. 

“…What the…?”

He returned to his dorm to find Jeong Taeyul hovering over Sijin, a blanket barely covering him.

The robe had slipped down, revealing Sijin’s bare back, the curve of his hips, the outline of his… 

Ham Geonwu felt a chill run down his spine, a surge of possessiveness washing over him. If he’d been any more intoxicated, he might have lost control of his telekinesis. 

“Explain yourselves,” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Ham Geonwu was known for his composure. He rarely lost his temper in the Center. He usually laughed off Jeong Taeyul’s frequent deceptions and manipulations. His spirit remained unshaken.

But when was the last time he’d been this angry? When Doctor Song had shot him with a tranquilizer dart? When he had drugged him without his consent?

Sijin stammered, “I-I’m sorry! I… I was using your bathroom and I accidentally cut my toe. So, Guide Jeong Taeyul…”

“Ah… Is that so?”

Ham Geonwu cut him off. 

He already knew what had happened, regardless of their explanations. Jeong Taeyul would never take advantage of someone under his protection. There was no need to hear the details, no reason to be angry. He understood. Logically.

He trusted Jeong Taeyul. 

That was why Ham Geonwu never got angry, even when Jeong Taeyul deceived him all those times. Like when Jeong Taeyul lied about the monster gift for Sijin, or when he secretly talked to Sijin behind Ham Geonwu’s back. Or even when Jeong Taeyul made excuses to keep him from joining the drinking party.  It was all fine. He trusted Taeyul. Their bond went beyond simple trust. 

But this time felt different, like Jeong Taeyul had crossed a line. His hand clenched, energy crackling at his fingertips. Jeong Taeyul’s eyes met his, that familiar knowing look that every Guide possessed. This was the worst part about being an Esper partnered with a Guide—having your emotions laid bare.

“So… Jeong Tae stripped you naked on my bed to treat your toe.” 

Sijin’s lips parted, his hand trembling around the blanket. He looked like he had been caught cheating. Ham Geonwu hadn’t meant to frighten him, and he suddenly realized that his anger was misplaced. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

But then, amidst his confusing anger, he found himself chuckling.

Why was he angry? One of them was Jeong Taeyul, and the other was Doctor Baek. 

He lunged playfully towards Sijin.

“Why did you two have all the fun without me?” 

“H-Hold on, Geonwu! Ah!”

He pressed his weight against Sijin, burying his face in the blankets. It wasn’t a big deal, he kept telling himself. It was just a simple injury, nothing more. He blamed his emotional outburst on the alcohol.

But a flicker of unease remained. He needed to be sure. 

“You were hurt? Just tell me. Jeong Tae must have hit you, right?” 

“No, he really did treat me. But your hands… You…!”

Ham Geonwu ignored his protests, his hand sliding under the blanket, his fingers brushing against Sijin’s waist. He was searching for any traces of Jeong Taeyul’s energy. Every Guide’s energy wave had a distinct ‘flavor,’ for lack of a better word.

It might seem strange to describe it as ‘tasting’ energy through his skin, but there was no other way to explain it. Sensing energy waves was a sixth sense, after all. And Jeong Taeyul, being an A-rank Guide, left a lingering aftertaste on the skin, a distinct, refreshing sensation.

‘He hasn’t touched him.’

Thankfully, he couldn’t sense anything on Sijin’s skin—not on his waist, nor his thighs.

He finally relaxed, his breath escaping in a soft sigh. Jeong Taeyul hadn’t touched Doctor Baek. The burning unease in his chest subsided.

***

Jeong Taeyul had changed.

And it seemed that he, Ham Geonwu, was changing too. 

Oblivious to their inner turmoil, Sijin continued to sleep soundly on the bench, using two A-rank Ability Users as his personal pillows.

Ham Geonwu suddenly realized that this scene perfectly mirrored their current dynamic. Jeong Taeyul’s gaze was fixated solely on the sleeping Sijin, while Ham Geonwu observed them both with a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment. And yet, it was Ham Geonwu’s field jacket that Sijin was comfortably snuggled under, as if he found solace in his presence.

Lost in thought, Ham Geonwu chuckled, lowering his voice. “Puppy has a gray hair.” 

“Another one?” 

“Let’s pluck it.”

They both leaned in, their large shadows falling over Sijin’s slumbering form. Ham Geonwu, peering at Sijin’s hair, said in a mock-serious tone, “We have to preserve the antenna. It’s part of Doctor’s main body.” 

“Get out of the way. I’ll do it.”

“Ooh, got it. Jeong Tae, don’t pluck it. Try cutting it.”

Jeong Taeyul, surprisingly dexterous, carefully plucked the gray hair. It was half-white, half-black, probably a result of stress. As he attempted to cut it, he accidentally yanked it out. Sijin’s face scrunched up in his sleep.

“Heuu…”

“Oh, sorry. It’s okay. Just go back to sleep. Shh…”

Ham Geonwu stifled a laugh, trying to soothe him. Sijin rubbed his eyes, nuzzling closer to Jeong Taeyul. Ham Geonwu and Jeong Taeyul exchanged amused glances.

“He must have been really tired,” Jeong Taeyul said, chuckling as he gently stroked Sijin’s hair.

Ham Geonwu stared at him, surprised. It was a side of Jeong Taeyul he’d rarely seen, if ever. He’d never seen Jeong Taeyul look at anyone with such tenderness. It was unsettling.

“What?” Jeong Taeyul asked, sensing his gaze, without even turning to look at him. Ham Geonwu rolled his eyes at him for finally acknowledging his presence.

“Nothing. Just… surprised.” 

“…..” 

Jeong Taeyul didn’t bother to ask why. Ham Geonwu wasn’t offended by his indifference. 

A peaceful, but strangely strained, silence fell over them. Ever since Sijin had arrived, moments like these had become a regular occurrence. The only reason they hadn’t clashed yet was because of their long history, the years they had spent trusting each other with their lives. 

Ham Geonwu finally broke the silence. “About ‘that thing’…” 

Jeong Taeyul frowned, knowing that he was referring to the gem. He hated discussing missions casually.

However, he didn’t protest, perhaps sensing that Ham Geonwu wouldn’t push too far. Ham Geonwu levitated a coin, spinning it between his fingers. “You want it, don’t you?” he asked. 

“…..”

“Is that why you’re doing all this?” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Jeong Taeyul countered, his gaze hardening. Ham Geonwu chuckled, glancing at him. They knew each other well enough to understand the unspoken subtext. And Ham Geonwu wasn’t one to beat around the bush.

“Are you saying you’re being so protective, even going so far as to keep me away, because you want that thing for yourself?”

Jeong Taeyul’s expression hardened, the previous tenderness replaced by a frosty indifference. Ham Geonwu felt like he had shattered a peaceful dream.

But he stood his ground. He trusted Jeong Taeyul, even if what he suspected was true. 

Jeong Taeyul stared down at Sijin in silence. A gentle evening breeze ruffled his brown hair, and the tension in his face slowly eased. He took a deep breath, then, despite the sensitive nature of the information, he answered. 

“Yes.”

“…..”

“I’m doing this because I want it.” 

“Wow, so you’re the biggest threat of all.” 

Despite Ham Geonwu’s playful tone, Jeong Taeyul stood up, gently lifting Sijin into his arms. He effortlessly carried him, as if he were a stuffed animal. Sijin’s face, nestled against Jeong Taeyul’s chest, was serene. 

Ham Geonwu, his brow furrowed, asked, “Don’t tell me you’re taking him to your room.” 

“I am.”

“What the, Doctor Baek gets to enter the sacred Jeong Taeyul sanctuary that even I can’t access freely.”

Ham Geonwu, despite knowing that he could easily bypass any restrictions Jeong Taeyul set, couldn’t help but tease him.

Jeong Taeyul ignored him, walking towards the dorms, his strides long and determined. 

Ham Geonwu watched him go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He suddenly regretted declining the Captain position. It would have been nice to have access to higher-level information. 

One thing was clear. Ham Geonwu had changed. He would protect Sijin, even if it wasn’t part of a mission. 

***