119.
“Oh, and about that insect that was implanted in Hunter Han Sehun’s body, would it be okay if our team did some research on it?”
While an excited Hyunsu scurried toward the door, Yoonjae made a request to Sehun.
Sehun silently took out a glass vial from his inventory. The limp insect, encountering outside air after a long time, writhed violently inside the bottle.
The veins within its transparent body repeatedly changed from blood-red to blue.
“Thank you. I’ll keep you updated on the research results.”
“Yes.”
Yoonjae carefully tucked the vial inside his clothes and handed spa vouchers to Hyunwoo. Having accompanied them to the Hunter Management Bureau’s main entrance, Yoonjae waved his right hand to the group as they got into the car.
Responding to his friendly gesture, Hyunsu lowered the passenger window and waved back.
“I initially thought he was some major villain. Just goes to show you shouldn’t judge people by first impressions, right?”
Hyunsu said, watching Yoonjae grow smaller in the side mirror. Hyunwoo cleared his throat softly, avoiding an answer.
“And I thought Han Sehun was a really cute and nice kid when I first saw him…”
Whether Hyunsu was looking at him with nostalgic eyes or not, Sehun exhaled tiredly and buried his head on Jian’s shoulder.
“…I’d rather be alone with you than go to a spa.”
Sehun took Jian’s hand and gently scratched his palm with his index finger. Feeling ticklish, Jian let out an awkward laugh and curled his hand into a fist.
It was obvious that if they went to a private space now, Sehun would cling to him until he passed out again. Not a bad choice, but unlike Sehun who was ten years younger, Jian desperately wanted the spa.
Just imagining soaking in warm water and getting a massage brought a pleasant smile to his face.
“We can be together after the spa.”
Afraid they might head straight to the hotel if caught up in the mood, Jian gently coaxed Sehun. Sehun sighed deeply and clung even more to Jian.
The car arrived smoothly at the hotel. It seemed Yoonjae had called ahead, as staff members were waiting to greet them.
After leaving the car with valet parking, they followed an employee to the spa facilities. The changing room and shower area were all prepared for exclusive use by their group. Hyunsu kept exclaiming in admiration at the thoughtful arrangements. After each of them finished their preparations, they gathered in the hot spring bath.
“Wow, the view is incredible.”
Wearing a shower robe, Hyunsu approached the window and widened his eyes. Hot spring baths were prepared in a spot that overlooked the panorama of Seoul.
Steam rose from the yellowish water mixed with loess, bubbling in baths made of black stone.
“Doesn’t this look too hot? I wonder if it’ll cook our skin.”
Hyunwoo dipped just the tip of his finger and immediately withdrew it. It wasn’t hot enough to cause burns, but it was definitely hot.
“Let’s go separately, hyung.”
Sehun had been anxiously watching Jian, who was only wearing a robe. Though Jian had underwear on underneath, Sehun didn’t like the idea of others seeing Jian’s bare skin.
Even if those others were Hyunwoo and Hyunsu, whom they had lived with like brothers.
He was only tolerating it so far because it was those two. If it had been someone else, he would have kidnapped Jian before he even took off his clothes and gone somewhere else.
Inside the private bath area, there were not only loess baths but also lavender and milk baths. Sehun held Jian’s hand and entered the one filled with milky white water.
“Ahhh…”
Jian spread his arms over the railing and let out an old man-like groan. It was blissful to feel his tense muscles relaxing languidly.
Looking to the side, Sehun was sitting with an expressionless face. He looked like he was seriously wondering when this time would end.
Despite his indifferent expression, a faint blush appeared on his previously pale cheeks. His hair stuck to his forehead as sweat began to bead there. Jian chuckled at his overwhelmed appearance.
“Sehun is still such a baby.”
It wasn’t meant to be provocative. He just found it cute how Sehun was pretending to be fine despite clearly feeling the heat.
By the time he realized that there was a spark in the eyes looking at him, it was already too late.
“…Ah.”
Jian raised his eyes in surprise. Sehun’s hand, sitting closely beside him, was digging into his inner thigh.
“It’s too hot…”
“Bear it, hyung. Did you think hot spring water would be cold? How are you less tolerant than me when you’re so much older?”
“Why do you have to say it like that?”
They were in a space where Hyunwoo and Hyunsu’s conversations could be heard nearby. Moreover, staff members were waiting at the entrance to the bath.
“Stop it.”
He urgently grabbed Sehun’s wrist and shook his head, but Sehun instead interlocked his fingers with Jian’s to block his resistance, and persistently fondled the still soft flesh.
“…Alright. Let’s go up to the room. It would be better to have a spa just the two of us in the bathtub.”
Jian finally surrendered. He had noticed Sehun’s discomfort from the moment he undressed.
Today, he could clearly see into Sehun’s mind. With his possessive and obsessive personality, he probably disliked others seeing Jian’s body.
While changing clothes and showering, Jian gave up on the idea of getting a massage. He could imagine how Sehun would react the moment someone else touched his body.
Still, he had wanted to enjoy the hot spring bath. He thought Sehun would understand since they were with Hyunsu and Hyunwoo, not strangers. But the persistence in Sehun’s touch betrayed serious discontent.
In truth, Jian hadn’t planned to take off his robe anyway, as his body still clearly showed marks where Sehun had bitten and sucked.
Sighing deeply, Jian rose from his seat, and the milky water ran down his thighs. Sehun left the bath first and returned with a large bath towel.
Only after wrapping it around Jian from below the neck did he dry his own body with a towel.
“What? You guys are leaving already?”
Hyunwoo, who had just adapted to the hot temperature, looked up at the two with a languid face. Hyunsu was already fully immersed in the hot spring experience, with a towel covering his face.
“We’ll just go up to our room. Sehun doesn’t seem to be feeling well.”
“…If you’re going to lie, at least put some effort into it.”
Hyunwoo shook his head and followed Hyunsu’s example by covering his face with a towel. He had already learned that there was nothing to gain by commenting on those two’s affairs.
“Would you like me to prepare the next course?”
As they exited, a waiting staff member immediately approached and asked. Jian explained the situation to the employee and received a room key.
The two went straight up to their room and filled the bathtub with warm water. After adding the bath bomb they had requested from the staff, fragrant bubbles filled the tub.
Unlike before, Jian entered the bathtub naked. Sehun also took off his underwear and got in, embracing Jian from behind.
“…This is nice.”
“Are you happy now?”
“Yes.”
Jian smiled helplessly. He thought that this dynamic wouldn’t change even though they had become lovers.
Despite the crude presence poking between his buttocks, the embrace was warm and affectionate.
Since they came here to relax, he didn’t want to stress Sehun. Though he was a bit disappointed about missing the hot spring bath and massage, this was nice too.
“You’ve been through so much, Sehun.”
Sharing warmth like this, the past ten years flashed before his eyes like a panorama. When had that skeletal thin child grown so much?
Jian quietly smiled while touching Sehun’s arm, which looked twice as thick as his own.
“…Thank you, hyung. For picking me up.”
Sehun pressed his lips to Jian’s nape and whispered in a small voice. What would have happened if he hadn’t met Jian that day?
He probably would have lived carrying anger in his heart, not caring whether this world perished or not.
He might have even welcomed the appearance of the Tower.
He had never sought God. He would only have resented Him. But now, he felt grateful to the being who had sent Jian to this world.
The only thing left now was to bring this story, which had almost remained incomplete, to a happy ending.
He would live apologizing to Jian, who had almost died because of him, for the rest of his life, and give him unreserved love. So that Jian would never regret accepting him.
“I love you, hyung.”
There are moments like this. Moments when you can’t bear not to confess your love, even if you think it’s childish.
Jian turned his head at the heart-stirring confession. Closing his eyes, he took in those eyes that looked especially beautiful today.
Their overlapping breaths were warm and fluffy. His mind filled with memories of the day he first met Sehun.
Sehun thought Jian was his savior, but Jian was also saved that day. The always empty corner of his heart was now filled with abundant emotions.
His heart fluttered as if foretelling that the emptiness would soon disappear without a trace. His heart beat with a pleasant thump-thump at the realization that the day was not far off.
Their kiss, filling each other’s hearts, was as sweet as a well-ripened fruit.
* Continues to the Epilogue
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
