Yeon Chayeong, who had been finishing his meal, made a casual remark to Yeon Juhyeok. Yeon Juhyeok let out a short, derisive laugh.
“Exactly. It’s pathetic enough to make me sick.”
“At least he’s doing his work properly. That counts for something.”
“Will you be alright?”
Yeon Juhyeok asked, turning to Chayeong with a look.
“About what.”
“If Haejeong comes at us in earnest.”
“…….”
“When that happens, it won’t just be a problem between the two of us.”
Juhyeok tapped his fork against the rim of his plate in a provocation, adding to his words. Chayeong just smiled at a slight angle and came back without missing a beat.
“Then whoever wins Yeon Haejeong’s favor wins.”
“I’m not so sure. I’ve never seen that one take anyone’s side.”
“We’re on equal footing now.”
“What?”
“Yeon Haejeong is no longer your full brother — he’s your half-brother.”
Juhyeok immediately glanced around to check whether anyone had heard. Fortunately, everyone else was busy showering Chairman Yeon with gifts in an attempt to curry his favor, and no one was paying attention to this side of the room.
“Watch your mouth.”
“What. At this point, would that even be a scandal in a place like this.”
“Still. Don’t. Father specifically asked that it never get out.”
“Looking at it now, Haejeong really takes after Father a lot.”
“What?”
“When he falls in love, he loses his head completely.”
“…….”
“He loves so hard he had an affair, and he took in another man’s child.”
Chayeong turned his head and looked at Chairman Yeon — his uncle, and also his father — who was laughing warmly, looking every bit the approachable man. There was something tender in Chayeong’s gaze as it settled on him. A warm father who had never once thought of him as anything less than his own child. The spitting image of his biological father, who had never hesitated to give of himself for others.
“…True. Looking at him, Yeon Haejeong is heading straight for the same thing.”
“Ha.”
“What kind of person asks to be removed from the family registry just so he can date a male lover?”
“…It’s unbelievable.”
Juhyeok shook his head in reproach, and Chayeong laughed as if in agreement. The two brothers exchanged light conversation over wine. The meal was drawing to a close. Haejeong’s seat remained empty.
**
Munyeong had just finished washing up and was toweling off his damp hair. He tidied up the slightly disheveled apartment as he went, and checked the small clock hanging on the wall.
It had been less than twenty minutes since he’d ended the call with Haejeong. He’d assumed he wouldn’t be able to see him today since it was his father’s birthday gathering — but Haejeong had insisted he absolutely had to see him, no matter what, and pestered him to stay awake and wait.
You don’t have to push yourself just to come see me. Work must be exhausting lately.
Whether he was serious about keeping his promise to Chairman Yeon or not, Haejeong had completely transformed — a full one-eighty from how he used to be — and had started going to and from work with real commitment. He was even volunteering for overtime when it was needed, genuinely putting in the effort. Because of that, Munyeong could only see Haejeong late in the evenings these days. On weekends when a business trip kept them apart, Haejeong would unleash a torrent of curses. And the moment the trip was over, he’d come straight to wherever Munyeong was staying.
It had only been a few hours since they last saw each other, but the moment Haejeong came through the door after work, he’d act like they’d been apart for days on end. Munyeong hadn’t known Haejeong could be this relentless when it came to dating. So every time he saw this side of him — this burning, headlong intensity — it still felt strange. But to say he didn’t like it would be a lie. It still didn’t feel real. Dating Yeon Haejeong. Haejeong’s affection. It all still felt like a dream.
He’d never dreamed such a long, happy dream before — but all he wanted was for it never to end.
Munyeong draped the towel around his neck and headed to the refrigerator. He was reaching for cold water to wet his throat when — beep beep — the electronic sound of the door lock being pressed came through. Munyeong’s eyes went wide.
He’s here already?
Haejeong punched in the code like it was his own home. The moment the door swung open, he kicked off his dress shoes carelessly and strode inside.
“…Wait, already——”
I thought he was still at dinner…….
Before Munyeong could finish the sentence, Haejeong crossed the room, cupped Munyeong’s face in his hands, and started kissing him. That had become one of his habits too. The moment he walked in, the moment he laid eyes on Munyeong — his mouth was there first. Sometimes it was a deep, lingering kiss; other times it was a series of light, pecking bird kisses scattered here and there.
“W-wait a moment……”
He was relentless — swallowing his lips, nipping at the tip of his nose. Munyeong, still not quite used to it, quietly stepped back and caught him by the shoulders. Only then did Haejeong stop his flurry of kisses and go still.
“Why.”
Why did you stop — he was whining about it.
“…No, I mean… why are you here already……”
It’s your father’s birthday. Munyeong looked up at him with a troubled expression. Every time Haejeong moved, a cool thread of night air followed him in. His scent mingled with the smell of the wind outside, and for a moment Munyeong almost just let himself fall into his arms. But surrendering to that kind of affection still didn’t come easily to him.
“I told you, I’d come early.”
“……Even so. You could’ve stayed a little longer……”
Munyeong personally had a great deal of fondness for his father. It was the first time someone with wealth, authority, and prestige hadn’t looked down on him. The first time he’d been shown genuine consideration. So when he heard it was his birthday, he’d steeled himself and spent a small fortune. It was the first time he’d ever gone to a department store to buy a gift for someone.
Haejeong had stuck by his side and helped him pick it out, but hadn’t stopped grumbling the entire time. What was he doing buying his father a gift before ever getting Haejeong one, he said. Why was he spending so long so carefully choosing a present for some other man, he said. One ridiculous complaint after another. And whose fault is all this, exactly. Try as he might not to think about it — Munyeong still couldn’t help wanting to be liked. Since the relationship wasn’t officially recognized yet, he wanted to come across as good, as someone worthy — so that someday, they’d get real, proper approval.
It was already unbelievable that things had come this far at all, but Haejeong had thrown every tantrum in the book to make it happen. In a different way entirely, Munyeong found Haejeong remarkable.
“What are you talking about. It’s already hard enough to see your face lately — am I supposed to waste my time on something like that?”
“…Why is your father’s birthday ‘something like that’……”
“It happens every year, it’s not that big a deal. You’re funny. If anything, you seem to care more about it than I do.”
“……I do care. He’s your father.”
Munyeong muttered, pouting slightly.
“…Is it because of me?”
“Of course.”
Munyeong answered plainly, as if it were too obvious to even be a question. The corner of Haejeong’s mouth started to twitch.
“And what do you plan to do once you’ve made a good impression?”
Then he scooped Munyeong up and set him on the narrow kitchen counter. The sudden lift made Munyeong startle, eyes flashing wide.
“P-put me down……”
The counter brought them level — it was the only way their faces lined up properly. Now that he was looking directly at him, Munyeong felt embarrassed for no reason, warmth creeping up on him.
“What are you planning to do with that good impression.”
Haejeong slipped his hand under the hem of Munyeong’s pajama top.
“…Don’t……”
Munyeong halfheartedly pushed back and muttered under his breath. Since the day they’d decided to be properly together, every time their eyes met Haejeong would naturally try to move things in that direction. If Munyeong was cooking, he’d reach around from behind and touch his chest. If he was in the shower, he’d waltz right in under the pretense of washing him and torment every part of his body. If he was asleep, he’d press up against him just the same.
“Answer me. Now.”
Using that as his leverage, Haejeong was now running his hand over Munyeong’s flat stomach. He kneaded the flesh there — sparse as it was — and grazed his fingers near his navel.
“…What is it you keep……”
Keep wanting me to answer. Munyeong tried to block the encroaching hand and fumbled through his reply.
