#104
There was something that wouldn’t leave Ha-seong’s mind. Do-hyeok’s behavior when they first caught and confronted Baek Sa-jin. And the words Do-hyeok had answered to Ha-seong’s question when they went to meet Baek Sa-jin the second time, as well as Do-hyeok’s thoughts that Ha-seong had heard from Baek Han-bit today.
Ha-seong already knew that Do-hyeok intended to kill the perpetrator of the artificial gate incident. Right now, Baek Sa-jin was only a prime suspect, and since no evidence had emerged yet, let’s say that’s why he was staying so quietly. But what if decisive evidence came out? Do-hyeok would definitely try to kill him by some means.
Because he was someone who had lived only for revenge. That was the only vibrant emotion within Do-hyeok. Even when they made the contract, Do-hyeok had said so. To help him with his revenge. The end of the revenge he envisioned was indeed the opponent’s death.
“What clause do you want to add?”
“You’re planning to kill Baek Sa-jin, aren’t you? Or, looking at the bigger picture, you’re planning to kill the mastermind behind the artificial gate, right?”
“……”
The two men’s gazes crossed with a completely different atmosphere than just moments before. Whenever such questions were asked, Do-hyeok always maintained silence. Ha-seong knew that meant affirmation.
“Why do you keep asking about that since before?”
Do-hyeok furrowed his brow as if displeased. But Ha-seong didn’t back down either.
“Just answer the question with yes or no.”
“……Yes.”
Though he had expected it, hearing those words directly made him feel somewhat strange. As expected, Do-hyeok really intended to kill that perpetrator, whether it was Baek Sa-jin or someone else. Ha-seong could sense the faint killing intent visible beyond those eyes.
“For that person called your benefactor?”
“How do you know about that, hyung?”
Do-hyeok had never told him about his past. Even his reason for seeking revenge had only been described as that bastard taking something precious from him, but he hadn’t talked about the person he met that day.
“When you went berserk trying to kill Baek Sa-jin, I roughly heard from Woo-bin-ssi then. Woo-bin-ssi seemed to not know much either, but he said you met a benefactor in the gate you got sucked into that day.”
“I told you before. That bastard took something precious from me.”
“So you’re going to kill him? What will you have left after killing him?”
Was death really the ultimate revenge? If someone asked Ha-seong that, he thought he would answer no.
“Do you also want to say something like ‘let him face legal judgment rather than killing him’?”
“That’s right. The clause I want to add is also that. That you won’t kill the perpetrator.”
The ultimate reason Ha-seong had said he wanted to discuss the contract again. After meeting Han-bit earlier and having a conversation, he became even more certain. He would definitely add this clause.
“Sorry, but I can’t become a saint like hyung.”
“So you’re saying you can’t do it?”
“I told you. What I lost because of that bastard.”
Do-hyeok’s expression darkened. Ha-seong also didn’t feel good as he continued to realize how significant that person called the benefactor was to Do-hyeok. Do-hyeok stared intently at Ha-seong with an expression that seemed to ask why he couldn’t understand him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand. Everyone has people they hate and dislike, and among them, there would be those who, like Do-hyeok, hate to the point of wanting to eliminate them entirely. Honestly, Ha-seong understood to some extent that death was indeed one of the sure methods of revenge.
“Still, no. Don’t kill. If you don’t add this clause, the entire contract is void.”
“That bastard killed countless people. I’m saying I’ll kill such a bastard with my own hands, and are you feeling sorry for that bastard?”
“It’s the opposite.”
Ha-seong quickly closed the small distance he had created and approached Do-hyeok. Then he supported Do-hyeok’s face with both hands and lifted it up.
“Listen carefully, Cha Do-hyeok.”
Do-hyeok’s eyes widened at the sudden touch and action.
“I’m suggesting we add that clause for your sake.”
Even at Do-hyeok’s expression showing he still didn’t understand, Ha-seong continued speaking.
“I absolutely hate the idea of making you a murderer. I know that bastard is a heinous criminal. I know he’s a bastard who deserves to die. But he’s still a person anyway. The moment you kill a person, you become a murderer. I hate seeing that.”
There was no such thing as righteous murder. Of course, if he punished criminals and killed villains, he might receive praise from people, but the blood on his hands would never be erased and would remain as a trace for his entire life.
It was Ha-seong’s belief that hunters were fundamentally a profession that saved people. Could such a hunter really continue living as a hunter after getting human blood on his hands?
“It’s not like I haven’t thought about it. I don’t know exactly about your revenge or what kind of experiences you’ve had. You might have wounds bigger than the emotions I can gauge. So at first, I was going to just leave it alone.”
Whether Do-hyeok killed the perpetrator and became a murderer or not, it might not matter to just let him achieve his revenge. That’s what he had thought. After all, Ha-seong had also made the contract under the pretext of helping with his revenge.
“But no matter how much I think about it, that doesn’t seem right. Cha Do-hyeok.”
“Then what about my revenge?”
“Killing isn’t the only form of revenge. There are many ways to get revenge.”
“That might be true. But for me, it’s useless unless I kill. Are you telling me to watch that bastard breathing and living like nothing happened?”
“Yeah. Watch. Even if it makes you feel twisted inside, watch. Never get blood on your hands.”
Though he couldn’t kill him, the perpetrator would probably receive the maximum sentence and rot in prison for life. Ha-seong hoped Do-hyeok would be satisfied with just that. He hoped Do-hyeok would never touch the blood of someone he killed himself.
“Hyung doesn’t know. What kind of feelings I have in seeking that revenge. That’s why you can say such things so easily.”
Do-hyeok removed Ha-seong’s hands that were holding his face. Somehow, asking him to stay by his side and saying he didn’t want to part seemed like a dream now.
“You’re telling me to watch even if my insides twist? So hyung doesn’t care even if my insides rot and fester?”
Apart from revenge and killing and all that, Do-hyeok couldn’t help but feel hurt by Ha-seong’s words that seemed to easily dismiss him and not be for his sake. It was when Do-hyeok was lowering his head in dejection that Ha-seong quickly lifted his face again.
“I’ll stay by your side.”
“……”
“Even if your insides twist, even if your heart rots and festers, I’ll stay by your side with you.”
Looking at Ha-seong’s straightforward gaze, Do-hyeok suddenly remembered what Dal-pyeong had said to him one day.
‘Forget about revenge and long-held dreams and all that, and just live with Ha-seong, growing attached to him.’
At that time, Do-hyeok had firmly said he couldn’t do that after some thought. But why was his resolve slowly wavering now as he looked into those eyes?
“You said it earlier. That you wanted to stay by my side. If you want, I’ll do that for you. I said before, didn’t I? That I’d do everything for you regardless of priorities. It’s the same. I’ll take on all your wounds.”
Why, why on earth was he thinking of that person now? Why was he remembering the voice that told him he had endured well in that frightening dungeon, the warm touch that had given him warmth?
But the person in front of Do-hyeok was Ha-seong. Do Ha-seong, not that person.
“Wouldn’t that be enough?”
It was the first time. The first person since that person to bring such a full resonance to his heart. Moreover, now even his heart seemed broken, beating like crazy. Ha-seong’s clear face and distinct eyes were so clearly visible.
Do-hyeok captured every emotion Ha-seong was sending him in his eyes and engraved it in his ears.
“……Then can you grant me just one request?”
“What is it?”
Ha-seong, who had been staring at Do-hyeok’s half-relaxed eyes, reflexively tried to pull his body back, but it was already too late. Do-hyeok grabbed Ha-seong’s hand and this time he pressed his body close.
“I don’t know why, but right now I really want to touch hyung.”
“……”
“Can I kiss you?”
Ha-seong swallowed his saliva. Rationally, he wondered why that guy was making such an outrageous request here, and how someone who didn’t even know what kind of emotion wanting to be together was could talk about kissing. There were many things to criticize, but in Ha-seong’s mind as he met Do-hyeok’s gaze, the desire to pick apart such things had long since disappeared. He was simply following his emotions and impulses.
Ha-seong nodded very slowly. Do-hyeok’s face gradually came closer and their lips overlapped. An unfamiliar sensation spread from their lips throughout their entire bodies. The lips that had been touching for a few seconds slightly separated.
“Haa.”
Without distinction, slightly heated breath spread into the air. And once again their lips touched. This time it was unclear who moved first. They were simply sharing each other’s warmth once more.
Do-hyeok began to feel Ha-seong’s lips as he slowly moved his own. Movements that were soft and tender, unlike Do-hyeok’s personality. Do-hyeok lightly sucked on Ha-seong’s upper lip, then soon took his lower lip as well. In the quiet house, the sound of moisture squelching echoed very softly.
Do-hyeok explored Ha-seong’s lips for quite a long time. The soft, tender texture made it impossible for him to stop. And at that moment, he felt a stiff tightening sensation down below. His pants front seemed to be getting thick, apparently in a state just before arousal.
This was unexpected.
“……”
Do-hyeok had no choice but to separate their lips first. It seemed like it might be a bit dangerous if they continued. Without showing much outward agitation despite his body’s strange condition, Do-hyeok lightly pinched the cheek of Ha-seong, who still had a peculiar expression.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
