UPLB Ch 24
by soapaThe downtown area in the evening was packed with people. Yang Juwon stood blankly, watching the passersby. The way they walked, their expressions, voices, and tones—everything was different.
What kind of face am I making? He brought the phone up to check his expression.
The phone Choi Sungbin bought him was different from his old one. The functions seemed simpler, but he wasn’t used to it yet. He wondered if he should’ve accepted it, but bringing up money would only lead to an earful, so he had no choice.
In the dark screen, he saw his sulky, blunt face. No wonder Choi Sungbin called him unattractive.
“Hmm.”
He tried lifting the corners of his mouth to adjust his expression. Nope, not right. He sighed and lowered the phone. Staying still wasn’t great, but smiling was worse. His smile felt awkward.
When is he coming?
The meeting time was 7 p.m., but it was already ten minutes past. Choi Sungbin had texted thirty minutes ago saying he’d be a bit late, so Yang Juwon couldn’t rush him.
What’s the point of rushing? Just wait.
Then, his phone rang. Yang Juwon glanced at the screen with a bored look, pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and answered.
Before he could say hello, a question came through.
—You there?
“Yeah. Waiting for a friend.”
—You’re there and didn’t call?
I should’ve. Thought it’d be a hassle, so I didn’t.
“Just got here. Was about to text.”
—Really?
“Yeah.”
—You drinking a lot tonight?
Yang Juwon chose his words carefully. The guy he was meeting could drink just as much as him. Normally, they’d go through seven or eight bottles of soju together. But Yang Juwon held back. If he said that, Choi Sungbin might start yelling over the phone.
He was starting to get it. No need to upset him.
—Hurry up. You drinking a lot or what?
“Just like usual. Probably that much.”
—…Like usual?
Was that wrong?
—You’re announcing you’re gonna get plastered? Are you crazy?
He asked first, and I tried to answer carefully, so why…
—You know I’m at home, right?
“Yeah.”
—You’re sleeping at your place tonight. You’re meeting near school anyway. I’ll sleep at mine. I don’t want to sleep with a drunk.
“Got it.”
Yang Juwon agreed easily. He hadn’t been to his studio much lately. He mostly stayed at Choi Sungbin’s place. Driving him back and forth was probably tiring, but Choi Sungbin did it without complaint. If Yang Juwon suggested taking the subway, he’d get annoyed.
He was starting to understand Choi Sungbin a bit, but he didn’t get why this annoyed him. During rush hour, the subway was faster, even if it was tiring.
But he didn’t want to cause trouble, and honestly, seeing Choi Sungbin pick him up and drop him off, despite the hassle, wasn’t bad. They’d talk during the drive. Well, mostly Choi Sungbin talked.
Guess I’ll pack more stuff at home tonight. He didn’t have many clothes there and had been borrowing Choi Sungbin’s, but they were too fancy for daily wear. He didn’t get the whole “clothes make the man” thing.
The clothes he was wearing now were Choi Sungbin’s too. Today, Choi Sungbin didn’t want to lend them. He’d thrown him a stretched-out t-shirt from the laundry, saying to wear it as pajamas, but Yang Juwon couldn’t go out in that, so he coaxed him into lending something else.
At first, Choi Sungbin grumbled, “Just wear sweats,” but later picked something out himself. He didn’t want Yang Juwon looking sloppy, apparently.
—It’s been a while since you saw your friend, so focus on them. Call if you have time. You don’t have to.
“Okay. Thanks.”
—Yeah. Have fun.
What’s with him? Not like the usual Choi Sungbin, but it didn’t seem sarcastic, so Yang Juwon answered calmly.
As he hung up, he spotted Dongyeong popping out from the crowd. Swaggering like a slacker, Dongyeong raised a hand.
“Hey, Yang Juwon.”
“My friend’s here, so I’ll hang up. I’ll call when I’m heading home?”
—Yeah.
Yang Juwon tilted his head after hanging up. His voice sounded too soothing at the end. Probably weirded him out over the phone. Maybe he doesn’t care.
He made a small sound, hiding his embarrassment, and raised a hand to greet the approaching guy casually.
Dongyeong was a high school friend who went to the same university. They met occasionally for food or drinks, but he was still a friend worth calling one.
“Been waiting long?”
“Nah, just got here.”
“What’d you eat for lunch?”
“Just cafeteria food at school. What do you want?”
“Let’s get meat. I’m starving.”
Yang Juwon nodded. It’d been a while since he had grilled meat.
As he started walking, he felt a gaze scanning him up and down. What’s that? Annoyed, he met Dongyeong’s eyes.
“You seem different.”
“What?”
“You never cared about clothes. But you’re wearing something decent for once.”
He didn’t care much, but he didn’t know it was that obvious. He thought he dressed neatly enough. Frowning, he realized it was just his own thinking.
“Why you judging me right away?”
“Got a girlfriend?”
Yang Juwon’s eyes widened. The teasing gaze turned playful. Dongyeong’s eyes grew just as big.
“No way, really?”
Dongyeong raised his voice like a shout. Really?! Yang Juwon quickly shook his head.
“No way. It’s not like that. Let’s go, I’m hungry.”
If he said more, he’d be drained before even getting drunk. Dongyeong wasn’t usually nosy, but he always pried about relationships. Yang Juwon felt a bit bad for Choi Sungbin, but this was the only way.
“You’ve got a girlfriend, don’t you?”
“I said no.”
“The one dressing you up is definitely a girlfriend.”
Not a girlfriend, a boyfriend.
He didn’t know how Dongyeong would react to that. Since he’d seen Yang Juwon with a girlfriend before, he might not believe it. Or, as a typical mid-20s straight guy with no exposure to that world, he might be put off.
Whatever. Yang Juwon had no intention of telling him about Choi Sungbin.
“Let’s just drink.”
Yang Juwon filled a glass with soju. He picked up the tongs and flipped the meat. It’d been a while since he had grilled meat. Choi Sungbin hated barbecue places because of the smell in his hair and clothes. Not that he never went—he ate well when he did, though he grumbled during and after.
Yang Juwon tapped the phone screen on the table with the tongs. No messages. Did Choi Sungbin really mean it about not calling? Maybe he wanted time alone. They had been together too much.
Except when Yang Juwon was working, they were always together, and lately, Choi Sungbin even showed up at the convenience store or library.
“How much you drinking tonight?”
“Let’s drink like usual.”
“When you say ‘usual,’ I’ll be crawling… Your girlfriend doesn’t mind?”
“She said it’s fine… Hey, I said I don’t have one.”
“Haha!”
Caught the bait. Dongyeong laughed loudly. So annoying. Yang Juwon grabbed a beer glass from the table and filled it with soju. Just send him home quick.
📝
Yang Juwon, that jerk.
Choi Sungbin stared at the silent phone. Sitting on the sofa with arms crossed, he tried to act calm, but his glare at the phone was fierce.
Is this guy crazy? I said don’t call, and he really doesn’t?
He reached out and tapped the screen. It was past ten, and not a single call or message. Is this for real? He let out a disbelieving laugh, then bit his lip, hardening his expression.
Damn jerk. Total jerk. For once, he wanted to break up.
How can someone be so inconsiderate? If he were Yang Juwon, he’d have texted constantly, even if told not to.
Not like he’s meeting anyone now.
Choi Sungbin gritted his teeth, trying to calm his anger. Should I text first? He hesitated. Ugh, my pride. Why am I waiting for Yang Juwon, who’s out drinking? I shouldn’t have let him go meet his friend, even if he got soaked in the rain and caught a cold.
Wait. Friend…?
Yang Juwon rarely talked about friends. He’d tried to meet them a few times, but Choi Sungbin had stopped it. Honestly, he should’ve given up by now, but he insisted on meeting this friend. And I don’t even know what they look like.
Neither he nor Yang Juwon had many friends. Yang Juwon was always alone at school. He knew some people, but no one he hung out with as a friend.
Who the hell is this friend?
Why did it take him so long to realize this? Choi Sungbin sent a message.
Send me a pic of your friend.
Let me see what they look like.
Let’s see when he replies.
Choi Sungbin sent the message and sat staring at the phone. His crossed toes wiggled like a dog’s tail. Let’s see when he answers. Everything about this guy is annoying.
It’s fine to go drinking with a friend. Yang Juwon’s just a normal adult guy who likes to drink. He’s even good at it.
Choi Sungbin didn’t mean to meddle in his friendships or outings. He meant it—mostly—when he said it was okay not to call. Not 100 percent, though.
But that’s his thinking. Yang Juwon shouldn’t do this. Why does that guy make him feel so petty and small?
“…”
His tilted face was filled with displeasure. Staring at the dark phone screen, he furrowed one brow.
Ugh, I don’t like this.
Why does he need to drink? Choi Sungbin didn’t enjoy alcohol, so he rarely joined drinking sessions. Unless a friend he was casually dating dragged him along.
…Why did I do that?
Even though Yang Juwon drove him crazy, thinking about his own past left him speechless. If Yang Juwon brought it up, saying he’s the one being unreasonable, well… A bitter sigh escaped.
Everything. I just don’t like it.
He didn’t want to be caught in a weak spot, but the leash was already tight. Yang Juwon would probably bring up his past endlessly.
If Yang Juwon had come to him a bit earlier… Damn it. That’s pointless. It’s already in the past. He couldn’t even show his frustration.
Choi Sungbin dropped his head, clutching his hair. I don’t like this, really.
With no guy around, his thoughts spiraled. Like tangled threads.
What’s that guy doing? Here I am, stewing over one missed call, digging up the past.
“Ha.”
He let out a short sigh. He thought about what guys his age did when drinking. Most would try to join another table if they saw someone they liked.
When he went to all-male drinking sessions, the topic was always women. How far did you go with her? Why not date her? Is it true she cried? Got any girls to call? Dirty topics came up, making him avoid drinking even more.
That jerk better not be joining another table. Not chatting and sharing drinks, hitting it off.
Why did Yang Juwon date a girl? He should’ve just chased guys his whole life. No, that’s not okay either. He should’ve just, from the start, only met me.
Frustrated, he reached out. He grabbed the phone and called. I’m not mad. Just curious what he’s doing.
Calling while he’s drinking with a friend is obviously annoying, but if he’d done better, this wouldn’t be an issue.
He called without hesitation. The ringtone lasted longer than usual. One, two, three, four… He counted slowly.
He bit his lip hard, grabbed his vape from the table, and chewed on the hard tip, waiting for the call to connect.
—Hey, hello.
Took him long enough. What was he doing?
“Sunbae.”
—Oh, you texted. Sorry, my phone was upside down.
“You. Put your phone upside down?”
—My friend kept… Anyway, yeah, what’s up?
His voice was too calm. Choi Sungbin strained to catch other sounds.
Loud music played in the background, and the echo suggested a stairwell or bathroom.
“Sunbae.”
—Yeah.
“Just. Wondering if you drank a lot.”
—No, not much. Just moved to the second round.
He knows his boyfriend’s at home and didn’t call once during the second round?
Choi Sungbin bit his lip, trying to calm his anger.
“How much did you drink?”
—About three bottles each, not quite.
“…That’s not a lot?”
—Haha… Yeah, I guess.
He’s laughing? Annoying. Choi Sungbin dropped his head, then lifted it. I don’t like this.
Words piled up in his throat, but he swallowed them, calming his breath. He couldn’t just yell, “Hey, do you even care about dating? If you’re gonna act like this, break up and drink solo. Don’t you know I’m waiting at home? You’re thrilled to meet your friend?”
“Check your text. That’s why I called.”
—Got it.
“Sunbae.”
—Yeah.
“Don’t flirt with girls. No one’s falling for you.”
Choi Sungbin gritted his teeth, making his stance clear. Everyone would fall for Yang Juwon if he tried. Why did I dress him up nicely? Why did I fix his hair? Should I tell him to grow his bangs again?
He complained about wearing pajamas out, so I picked something else, and it’s still a mess. Ugh, I’m going crazy. Choi Sungbin ruffled his hair and dropped his head.
A timid “yeah” came from the phone. Just say you’re coming home. Say it first, before I beg you to end it, please.
—Oh, right, Sungbin-ah.
Choi Sungbin snapped his head up. Did he figure it out?
“Yeah.”
—So.
So?
—You know.
What’s he dragging this out for? Choi Sungbin’s Adam’s apple bobbed instead of answering.
Is he saying he’s breaking up and coming home? That he misses me? Drinking makes people more honest.
His palms tensed. Choi Sungbin adjusted his grip on the phone and answered a beat late.
“Yeah.”
—So, I spilled kimchi jjigae on the t-shirt.
“…You only ever eat kimchi jjigae?”
He dragged it out for that? Ridiculous. It was so absurd he could’ve laughed, but no laugh came.
—No, the barbecue place gave it as a side…
“Hang up! I’m going to bed, so don’t call again tonight.”
Choi Sungbin yelled and ended the call. He stared at the phone, dumbfounded.
“What kind of guy is this?”
I’ll never figure him out.
📝
“Seodongyeong.”
“Huh.”
“Taking your picture.”
“What?”
Yang Juwon didn’t hesitate, snapping a photo with his phone. Click, he sent it via messenger. High school friend. Sleep well. Talk tomorrow. He added a note. Choi Sungbin checked it quickly but didn’t reply.
“…Your girlfriend told you to?”
“No, just because.”
“Just because? Looks like someone’s checking who you’re drinking with.”
“…”
Okay
The reply was short. Yang Juwon expected a lecture, but he let it slide. Well, it’s a high school friend—what more could he say?
Have fun.
LOL, enjoy.
I’m going to bed.
Yang Juwon stared quietly at the messages that came in one after another.
Okay, I’ll text when I’m heading home. Sleep first.
After sending the reply, he put the phone down.
“Cheers.”
“Not mad, are you?”
“I could be mad, or maybe not. They seem a bit peculiar.”
“Oh, you’re talking now? It’s been a while since you dated.”
Yang Juwon suddenly thought of Yeongnan. Dongyeong didn’t know about their breakup. He just assumed it ended naturally.
No need to explain in detail. It’s personal anyway.
“No, I don’t really know much about them.”
“How long have you been together?”
“About four months.”
“Not that long, huh?”
“Well, maybe.”
Drunken Dongyeong poured soju into the glass. Yang Juwon downed it in one go.
“It’s not really something to worry about. But they get mad sometimes.”
“What’s not to worry about?”
“Like my looks or whatever. It’s fine to do stuff outside, right? No one cares. But they don’t like it.”
“…What’s that mean?”
“They keep saying I’m unattractive.”
“They say that?”
“Yeah.”
Dongyeong pursed his lips. Yang Juwon closed his eyes briefly and opened them. He wasn’t drunk yet, but his eyes felt dry. He blinked several times.
“Hey.”
“Yeah.”
“I hate to say this as your friend.”
Yang Juwon glanced at Dongyeong as he started speaking.
“You’re the first person I’ve heard call you unattractive.”
“…”
“You don’t dress up, sure. Your bangs were weird when you grew them out, but honestly, even in sweats with a clean haircut, you stand out. Why do they say you’re unattractive? Are they super good-looking?”
“They’re the type everyone likes. They shine. So I guess I’m not good enough. They picked out my clothes today, too.”
Truthfully, it’s probably more like that. Choi Sungbin only dated women, after all. Some had short hair or bobs, but they were still women.
Yang Juwon had nothing to say. He didn’t know. Dongyeong let out a short “ha” and laughed.
“Then break up. You want to date someone who calls you unattractive? They call and text you, but honestly… it feels like they’re the one who’s insecure.”
“They called to tell me to reply.”
“Someone like that asks you to send a pic of the friend you’re drinking with? You know that’s not normal.”
“…”
Yang Juwon just scratched his head. Dongyeong was right. Sometimes he could feel it vaguely. But then, Choi Sungbin could be so harsh for someone who liked him.
It kept flipping back and forth, making it hard. It should be one or the other. Choi Sungbin was like a yut stick that flipped unpredictably.
Yang Juwon rubbed his thumb over the phone. Should he say he’s going to Choi Sungbin’s place later? Would he mind?
“Your phone looks new, by the way.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“When’d you get it?”
“Less than a week ago.”
“Why’d you get a nice one?”
“They bought it for me. My old one broke.”
“Oh, come on. That’s so annoying.”
Like at the barbecue place, Dongyeong grabbed a beer glass and poured soju into it. As he gestured to drink, Yang Juwon awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth and took the glass.
He downed the soju. Taking a breath, he smelled the distinct alcohol. Arms crossed, he looked at the phone.
He knew testing Choi Sungbin wouldn’t work, but he wanted to hope. If another message came… maybe he wouldn’t have to overthink.
Dongyeong, slumped over the table, barely lifted his head. Hiccuping, he pointed a limp finger.
“Is this the last time we’re hanging out? How long are you gonna drink…”
Yang Juwon, about to take a sip, glanced over. It was already the fourth round. In the third, Dongyeong insisted on singing one song at a coin karaoke, and Yang Juwon thought he was fine, but he was drunker now.
Yang Juwon was drunk too. But Dongyeong was completely gone. He bragged he could keep going but seemed to have given up.
Vomiting three times in the bathroom would do that. Yang Juwon sighed.
After downing the drink, he checked his phone. No messages from Choi Sungbin since the last one.
Time to give up. Blinking, he steadied his gaze.
“Can’t drink anymore?”
“You don’t know I threw up three times? What is this, torture? You don’t do this to your department juniors, do you?”
“Don’t have any.”
“Right. Your social circle’s tiny.”
Dongyeong chuckled. He’s drunk too. Yang Juwon shrugged. Honestly, he thought a message would come. Is he really asleep? Was it a pointless hope?
A hollow laugh escaped. Who am I to test Choi Sungbin?
Choi Sungbin is Choi Sungbin.
He tilted his head side to side. He didn’t want to act like a jerk, but the bottle was almost empty.
“Seodongyeong.”
“Yeah.”
“One more glass each, then we’re done. Last one.”
“Ugh…”
The man’s cheeks puffed and deflated. Fine. Better to drink alone. Why push him when he’s struggling?
As Yang Juwon grabbed the bottle, the phone screen lit up. ‘Choi Sungbin’ appeared, and he checked the time. Just past 1 a.m.
He clenched and unclenched his fist, checking his drunkenness. His senses felt off. He was drunk.
He licked his lips. No one was watching, but he awkwardly answered the call, puffing out his chest and letting it fall.
“Hel…”
—Are you crazy, sunbae? Are you out of your mind?
As expected, a scolding poured out. But why was he laughing? Dongyeong, slumped over, squinted and mouthed, “Girlfriend?”
Yang Juwon focused on the call instead of answering. All he got was more scolding.
—You’re insane, really. I said I’m sleeping, don’t call, and you actually don’t? Wow.
“Hey, Sungbin-ah.”
—You have no consideration for your partner. Did I go out today? I’m at home. Are your fingers broken? Can’t send one text?
“…”
—Where are you, you crazy jerk? You’re out, aren’t you?
Choi Sungbin unleashed a torrent of curses. He was mad. There was only one reason he was angry.
Yang Juwon wasn’t that clueless. He lowered his head. Maybe he really was Choi Sungbin’s partner.
My partner. Really, my partner.
He covered his mouth with his hand. Drunk? Curses came through the phone, but he laughed.
Dongyeong stared with wide eyes. Yang Juwon apologized to Choi Sungbin, stood up, and grabbed his wallet and phone.
“I’m leaving.”
“What, just like that? Getting chewed out by your girlfriend?”
“Yeah. I’m going. I’ll pay.”
Yang Juwon went to the counter and paid. Until he got the receipt, the scolding continued over the phone.
If you wanted to drink that much, why didn’t you say so? I could’ve let you drink all night. This isn’t about being clueless, it’s about being inconsiderate. Why date if you act like this? Date someone who drinks well. You know I’m waiting at home, so how do you not send one text? You’re always like this, sunbae. Teasing me and pretending you don’t know. You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?
Answer, you damn jerk. Cat got your tongue? By the time he heard that, Yang Juwon was outside.
“Sungbin-ah.”
—What.
“Can I come to your place now?”
—I don’t want to deal with a drunk. I’m just annoyed at how you’re acting, why would I…
“I miss you.”
—…What?
The phone went quiet. In the noisy university district, with alcohol in the air and people passing by, Yang Juwon focused on the silence. He raised his hand to catch a taxi.
It was hard to get a taxi at this hour, but luckily, one was parked by the curb. No reservation sign.
As he approached, the window opened. When asked where to, Yang Juwon named Choi Sungbin’s neighborhood.
The driver lazily pointed to the back, and Yang Juwon got in.
“Just got in a taxi. Can I come?”
—Well… whatever.
Choi Sungbin, who’d been spewing curses, complaints, and jabs, faltered. Yang Juwon leaned back comfortably.
There was a light tension in his body, but it wasn’t bad. He felt excited.
“I’ll grab ice cream. Let’s see each other.”
—…When don’t we?
“Haha…”
—Why’re you laughing?
“Just. Stay home. I’m coming.”
After hanging up, he looked out the window. He must be drunk. Acting this impulsively was rare. The last time was when he went to Choi Sungbin, crying and begging to date.
Thinking back, it was bold of Choi Sungbin to accept him. It wasn’t like now, but it must’ve been gross.
Yang Juwon closed his eyes. He wasn’t sleepy but wanted a brief rest.
Choi Sungbin stood at the apartment entrance, arms crossed, clearly upset from a distance.
Closing the taxi door, Yang Juwon looked at him. Told him to stay home. Oddly, he felt at ease today.
It’s the alcohol. Drunk.
Yang Juwon made an excuse to himself and looked straight at the man approaching. Now close, Choi Sungbin’s eyes were full of displeasure.
“God, so inconsiderate. You reek of alcohol. Annoying.”
He started right away. As expected.
“Who comes crawling in at this hour? Did I tell you to come, sunbae? Just text regularly and don’t make me worry.”
Yang Juwon lowered his head, letting out a hollow laugh. He made him worry. Honestly, even if Choi Sungbin hadn’t been waiting, Yang Juwon probably wouldn’t have texted first.
He said not to. He was sleeping, so it might’ve been a hassle. No wonder he was frustrated.
“Laughing? You think this is funny?”
Choi Sungbin jabbed his shoulder with a finger. Yang Juwon took a big step closer, curious how he’d react.
Was he always like this? Didn’t he usually act calm, almost indifferent to others?
Maybe it’s the alcohol. Yang Juwon hugged him.
“…”
He felt Choi Sungbin’s body tense and puff up. He took a breath and froze, showing no reaction.
Yang Juwon wondered if he’d really lost it, like Choi Sungbin said. Otherwise, how could he do this? Hugging him first was new. Usually, Choi Sungbin was the one pushing him around.
Slowly, the tension left Choi Sungbin’s body. Yang Juwon pressed his lips to his shoulder.
It didn’t fit. Weird. His actions were so awkward they gave him goosebumps.
He expected Choi Sungbin to push him away and yell about being drunk, but he stayed frozen. What are two big guys doing?
Yang Juwon shrugged to pull away. Choi Sungbin’s hand wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer in an awkward stance, lips brushing his ear.
“Drunk?”
His voice was calmer than before.
“Uh, a bit…”
Yang Juwon’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat.
“You’re crazy.”
Choi Sungbin muttered to himself. But that was it. He stayed put.
His hand slid from Yang Juwon’s neck to his back. Yang Juwon accepted it without reacting.
It felt stifling. Was this okay? Everything felt weird and out of place. He didn’t think he and Choi Sungbin were the type to embrace on the street.
Weird. He wiggled his toes, curling them in his shoes.
Choi Sungbin slowly pulled back. He acted like a tender lover, resting his forehead against Yang Juwon’s, lifting his head.
He came so close, rubbing noses, like he’d kiss any second. Yang Juwon, despite initiating, found it awkward and unbearable.
Choi Sungbin, breathing steadily, flicked Yang Juwon’s forehead.
“You reek of alcohol, sunbae.”
“…”
“Drink less.”
Then he headed home first. Yang Juwon pursed and lifted his lips, following.
“What about ice cream?”
“Not eating.”
“Can I get some for myself?”
“…”
Choi Sungbin gave him a cold look. Just say if you want to eat. Yang Juwon’s nose twitched.
After showering, Choi Sungbin was already ready for bed, lying on his side, staring at his phone. Yang Juwon, watching the man ignoring him, checked the time. Past 2 a.m.
A rough day loomed, but compared to before, coming in now was decent. He used to drink with Dongyeong all night and go to morning classes. Lately, he didn’t drink like that, so who knows.
Since meeting Choi Sungbin, he barely drank. Choi Sungbin didn’t drink much or enjoy it, and he didn’t like Yang Juwon drinking either.
He’d list extreme diseases like liver cancer or alcoholic dementia, making drinking with him less fun. It takes two to clap, but he’d cut it off like scissors.
“…”
Even after brushing his teeth, his breath smelled of alcohol. Yang Juwon pursed his lips, making pop, pop sounds. At the noise, Choi Sungbin finally shifted to lie down properly.
Yang Juwon walked slowly. Sitting against the bed’s headboard, he got a pointless jab.
“Ugh, you reek.”
Despite the complaint, weight settled on his shoulder. Choi Sungbin squirmed, leaning into him. Yang Juwon watched quietly.
‘Does Choi Sungbin really… like me? Or am I misreading it because it’s convenient?’
He couldn’t answer easily. How did this happen? Why? A lot had happened in a few months, but had feelings developed?
He knew it, but it was hard to believe. His actions felt genuine, but his words were so harsh and rough.
Choi Sungbin wasn’t one to curse constantly, but when he got going, all kinds of profanities came out.
Crazy jerk, damn jerk, freaking jerk… Mostly ending in “jerk,” not words you’d say to someone you like.
Yang Juwon looked at the bracelet on Choi Sungbin’s wrist. A tacky star accessory he always wore despite complaining about it. Silently, he blinked slowly, looking at the bracelet, or rather, at Choi Sungbin wearing it.
“Why’re you staring?”
Feeling his gaze, Choi Sungbin asked. Yang Juwon shook his head. Choi Sungbin let out a long “hm” and rolled around.
It’s awkward to say to a partner, but Choi Sungbin was a bit lazy. He did nothing except what he had to and stayed put for hours once settled.
At his place, it was the bed or sofa; at Yang Juwon’s studio, it was the futon in the corner. He’d stay there, ordering Yang Juwon around, unlike Yang Juwon, who moved busily even at home.
Not lazy—maybe calm.
“What’d you do while drinking?”
“Just drank. Talked a lot since it’s been a while.”
“No, like, hunting or anything?”
His casual tone contrasted with his persistent gaze. He’d stare until Yang Juwon answered. Or curse for not answering. Knowing his patience was short, Yang Juwon replied calmly.