Dowon stepped out first, wearing a jet-black tuxedo. With his hair swept back to reveal his forehead, he boasted an overwhelming appearance today as well. His jawline and nose bridge looked as if they’d been carved with a sculptor’s chisel, his eyebrows as if drawn with a ruler. His long, sharply upturned cool eyes were intense enough to make anyone gasp in admiration.
Dowon extended his hand. Grasping that hand and following him out, Yeohwi wore an equally well-fitted jet-black tuxedo. His light brown hair was set flowing to the left, and his clear, passionate eyes gleamed brilliantly as if holding the Milky Way within them.
When the two stood side by side, the surrounding air seemed to stop for a moment.
Their striking tall height and build, their long straight legs. From their body proportions to the matching pair of watches worn on each other’s wrists. They were a couple who matched like a staged photograph, perfect subjects.
Dowon wrapped his arm around Yeohwi’s waist and entered the lobby with a leisurely smile.
“Smile.”
Yeohwi immediately pressed his body close to Dowon’s chest, pretending to straighten his collar.
“I’m already smiling, darling.”
Yeohwi smiled brightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling. It was as if sunlight was shining down on that spot alone.
Dowon tightened his grip on Yeohwi’s waist and showed a leisurely smile.
The two crossed the lobby where gorgeous crystal chandeliers poured down light and boarded the VIP-exclusive elevator.
Even while the golden doors closed and the floor numbers climbed, the two didn’t let go of each other’s hands. No, they couldn’t let go. The CCTV in the corner of the elevator was looking down at them.
Third floor, VIP box seats.
When the staff member opened the heavy door, a space prepared for just the two of them was revealed, decorated with red velvet and golden ornaments.
Thick carpet that swallowed footsteps, antique sofas with an old-world charm, and beyond the terrace, a panoramic view of the stage and audience seats visible at a glance. Now all preparations were complete.
“Excuse me. I’ll prepare welcome champagne for you.”
A Swiss staff member tried to bring in a cart loaded with champagne and caviar on a silver tray.
That was the moment. Dowon grabbed Yeohwi’s wrist and pulled him to sit deep into the red velvet sofa as if pushing him in. Then without giving him any space, he leaned his body over Yeohwi’s, overlapping him.
“…!”
The moment Yeohwi swallowed his breath in surprise, Dowon’s long fingers brushed past Yeohwi’s nape.
“Don’t stiffen up. You said you’d act.”
Dowon whispered at a distance just above Yeohwi’s lips, close enough to touch yet not quite touching.
“Do it like when you pounced this morning. With an expression that says you can’t hold back.”
“Uh… Wait, Dowon-ssi.”
Yeohwi’s pupils wavered.
“They’re coming.”
When the staff member entered, Dowon was pushing Yeohwi against the sofa backrest just as staged, and Yeohwi was gasping for breath with a flushed face while holding onto Dowon’s neck. To anyone watching, they were lovers on the verge of indulging in each other’s bodies, with no interest in opera whatsoever.
While the flustered staff member rolled their eyes as if unsure where to look, Dowon only slightly turned his head and spoke in a languid voice.
“Just leave it there.”
The staff member respectfully set down the champagne and finger food on the table and backed away as if not to disturb them.
Dowon didn’t take his eyes off that spot until the staff member completely closed the door and left.
Soon the orchestra’s tuning sounds stopped and the lights in the hall went out.
As the magnificent overture began, Dowon released his pressing position on Yeohwi and pushed him away bluntly.
“That’s enough. Get ready to leave.”
“…Not yet.”
Yeohwi grabbed Dowon’s wrist.
“I can feel a presence. It seems like someone is eavesdropping outside the closed door.”
“…”
“We, we need to… do a bit more, I think.”
Dowon’s eyes crinkled. After holding his breath for a moment, he checked the movement toward the door. Though no sound could be heard buried under the magnificent music, there was plenty of possibility that someone was there just as Yeohwi said.
“Persistent bastards.”
Dowon clicked his tongue softly. Without letting go of the hand gripping his wrist, he collapsed Yeohwi onto the sofa again.
“Ah!”
Yeohwi’s back hit the sofa backrest.
“Make sounds.”
Dowon pressed his lips to Yeohwi’s ear and commanded with a growl.
“Wh-what?”
“Audibly. Very explicitly.”
Yeohwi’s face heated up as if about to burst.
Though he knew it was acting, the situation of fully bearing Dowon’s weight on the narrow sofa paralyzed rational thought. Dowon’s firm thigh dug between Yeohwi’s legs.
“Ah, mmm, Dowon-ssi.”
Yeohwi moaned awkwardly.
“Louder.”
Yeohwi exhaled slowly with surprised eyes. Then he extended his long fingers.
“I understand, but not like this…”
Yeohwi’s hand climbed up along Dowon’s nape. The fingertips that had been moving ticklishly slowly rubbed his earlobe. Dowon’s pupils wavered for an instant.
“Shh, how is this…?”
Dowon gripped Yeohwi’s shoulder tightly. His nails dug into the shirt.
“Should I continue?”
“…”
When there was no reply, Yeohwi gathered courage and moved his hand. The fingertips that had been fiddling with the earlobe now went up along the outer ear, then moved along his cheek. And carefully traced around his lips.
A situation he’d dreamed of hundreds of times in his imagination. It was happening almost identically. Every time Dowon’s hot breath touched his sensitive neckline, tingling goosebumps rose along his spine.
“Stop.”
Dowon, belatedly grasping the situation, restrained him in a low voice. Then he slowly raised his body. Sweeping back his disheveled hair, he looked down at Yeohwi.
“That’s enough now.”
Yeohwi still couldn’t gather his wits. Flushed red cheeks, and eyes hazily unfocused. Still in that immersed state, a raw appearance of being too deeply absorbed.
“But you said you’d kiss me, Dowon-ssi.”
This time Yeohwi grabbed Dowon’s hand. He interlaced his fingers between Dowon’s and stood up. The eye level of looking at each other while facing seemed somehow higher than before. Standing side by side, he ended up looking down at Dowon slightly.
“Seong Yeohwi.”
“I’m not trying to give off a manly smell—I’m just a man.”
Yeohwi stepped one step closer forward. As he drew closer, Dowon’s back, which had been retreating, touched the wall. Though an enchanting aria and beautiful orchestral melody were resonating from the stage, nothing reached Yeohwi’s ears right now. He only concentrated on Dowon’s breathing.
In the stretched time, Yeohwi placed his hand on Dowon’s face like before. He cupped his cheek with his palm and pulled it slightly toward himself, then stopped and gazed at him.
“Is it not okay?”
Yeohwi asked as if begging for permission. His voice trembled as his breath rose.
“Am I really not allowed?”
“…”
“Am I that unattractive?”
Dowon didn’t move. At a glance, he seemed to show no reaction at all. Growing a bit impatient, Yeohwi slid the hand that had been caressing his cheek. Going down along his nape, he hooked his pinky finger like a hook on the shirt collar and gently pulled it open. The bow tie worn according to formality came undone.
“I won’t misunderstand. I won’t hold expectations on my own just because you give me room. I know this relationship will end anyway. Just for today.”
“…”
“Even if it’s acting… Just for today, please cherish me. Hm?”
Strength entered Yeohwi’s fingers. Finally, the bow tie Dowon was wearing came undone and his shirt collar opened. The collarbone visible through that gap. As Yeohwi tried to push his finger into that spot, Dowon finally showed a reaction.
“…Really, you do all sorts of things.”
A hoarsely cracked voice flowed out. It was hard to distinguish what emotion was contained within it. Disgust and irritation, and some kind of suppressed residue were mixed together in a complex way.
Dowon gripped Yeohwi’s chin roughly as if to crush the bone. Then glaring at Yeohwi, he clicked his tongue.
“Fine. If you want it.”
Eyes unfocused, begging with reddened lips—what a sight.
More than anything, Seong Yeohwi had no idea what kind of dangerous game he was playing with fire right now.
“Take this and back off.”
No sooner had the words ended than Dowon’s lips attacked Yeohwi.
It was different from what he’d pictured in his fantasies. It wasn’t some restrained kiss. Of course it wasn’t affectionate in the slightest. It was close to a violent and one-sided ravaging, like a starving beast biting into a throat.
