Dark and Humid

“Excuse me. …Do you perhaps, recognize me?”

The man who spoke to Jungjoon was a complete stranger. Despite having an outward appearance that wouldn’t connect him to Jungjoon, a single father.

Jungjoon searched his memories, trying to place the man who implied he knew him. Only after dredging up his pitiful past could he overlay the face of a child who had clung to him with an unsettling obsession.

A reunion after 17 years. It was a time span that made it even more improbable that any trace of the past would remain. The small child had become a grown man.

⟡˖ ࣪

“I understand… why you’re doing this. We… grew up without parents, lived lives several times harder than others….”

“…….”

“We had no choice but to rely on each other…. And we were each other’s only family…. So… the affection you received from me, you must suddenly miss it, long for it. Yes… that’s completely understandable.”

“…You’re right. I’ve always thought of you as my partner.”

Jungjoon felt his breath catch in his throat. His vision blurred at the word “partner” coming from Yoonhae’s lips once again.

“…Stop it. Do you really think you’ll never see me again after today?!”

“Do you think you won’t see me if you decide not to?”

Yoonhae rubbed his chin and then his thick neck.

“Either you kill me, or I kill you. Isn’t that realistically the only way? For us to not see each other again.”

He added, looking directly at the pale Jungjoon,

“I’m joking, so relax.”

“…….”

“So…, when are you going to give me that kiss?”