Kang Hyeon’s eyes sparkled as he read the message. Maybe it was just a simple sentence to someone else, but to him, it was so sweet it felt like it melted straight through his chest. The warmth started in his heart and quickly spread through his entire body, even reaching his cold fingertips. Heat flushed into his cheeks, and he couldn’t hide the flutter in his chest as a smile tugged at his lips.
He closed his eyes gently, steadying his racing heart with trembling hands when another message came in. His already brightened gaze instinctively shifted to the screen.
[Hyung! I’m done~]
Lee Ji-gyeong’s message snapped him out of his daze. Eyes still drunk on Do-yeong’s words suddenly regained composure. He took a deep breath, trying to take everything at face value.
Do-yeong’s probably just exhausted, barely able to sleep. He probably just wants to spend time with someone he feels comfortable around. That had to be it. Repeating it to himself, Kang Hyeon rubbed his face with both hands, then replied to Ji-gyeong first.
[Send me the address]
[I’ll come get you]
[Huh? Hyung, you have a car?]
[Ended up borrowing one for a month]
Almost as soon as he sent it, Ji-gyeong called. At the same time, another message from Yoon Do-yeong came in.
[Let’s meet the day I get back. It’s so cold these days. They say it’ll stay below freezing even during the day tomorrow. I hope you dress warm. Don’t just leave the car sitting in the lot—make sure you drive it around. I can’t be seen in such an eye-catching car anymore anyway. If it’s just going to sit there, it’s better you use it.]
He rejected Ji-gyeong’s call and stared at Do-yeong’s message in silence before tapping on the keypad.
[Okay.]
[You take care not to catch a cold, too.]
After sending it, he just sat there blankly. Then Ji-gyeong called again.
“Hey, Ji-gyeong.”
—Why didn’t you pick up?
“I was driving. Send me the address.”
—I sent it already. Do you know what happened to me today?
“Tell me when we meet. It’s cold—go wait in a café nearby.”
Suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue, he rubbed his forehead and exhaled lightly.
—I wanna see you, so hurry~
“Okay.”
He ended the call and went back to rereading Do-yeong’s messages, savoring the lines that had made his heart flutter. After a deep breath, he muttered to himself,
“Don’t read too much into Do-yeong’s words. Don’t…”
Still dazed, he finally snapped out of it when the chill crept into his body. He started the car, punched the address Ji-gyeong sent into the GPS, and began driving. After about twenty minutes, he reached the destination, and spotted someone standing in the distance, standing out proudly all alone. Tall and striking, Lee Ji-gyeong wore a black turtleneck and a long coat, looking sharply dressed. His hair was freshly dyed black, and he had a single earring as an accent.
Kang Hyeon walked slowly toward the drastically transformed Ji-gyeong. Ji-gyeong stared directly at the approaching car, and once their eyes met through the windshield, he hurried over. As soon as the car stopped, he checked out the license plate and inspected the car thoroughly before hopping into the passenger seat.
“Wow! What is this? Hyung, where’d you get this thing?”
His excited squeal didn’t match his size, and it made Kang Hyeon chuckle.
“Do-yeong.”
“…Ah.”
The buzz in Ji-gyeong’s voice stopped dead.
“It’s a prop for the drama shoot.”
“…Right.”
Leaning back in the seat, Ji-gyeong gave him a look of discontent, then suddenly widened his eyes.
“What’s with your outfit? That too? Did Do-yeong hyung give you that, huh?!”
He craned his neck to examine Kang Hyeon’s wrist on the steering wheel. Seeing the bold luxury watch, his tone turned louder, edged with irritation.
“What the hell is all this?!”
“Do-yeong.”
“What? This stuff’s all designer. What about that in the back seat?”
“Props for the shoot. My character’s a rich guy’s son. Do-yeong arranged all the luxury brand sponsorships.”
“Ugh… You should’ve told me. I’ve got a few things too.”
“Yours are too big.”
“…”
Ji-gyeong squinted at him suspiciously, then reached into the backseat and pulled out a shirt, held it up to himself, saw that it was a size too small, and tossed it back. He rummaged through a few more items before grumbling loudly.
“Do-yeong hyung’s build is bigger than mine.”
“…”
His gaze drifted to the coat Kang Hyeon was wearing. It looked a bit oversized, but suited him perfectly.
“That coat—no way. It’s yours, isn’t it?”
His voice was slightly twisted, and Kang Hyeon tried to answer as neutrally as possible, though a trace of shyness still seeped into his tone.
“It’s a birthday gift.”
Before he even finished the sentence, Ji-gyeong flipped up the collar to check the label and started furiously googling. His eyes practically glinted as he searched, then abruptly turned off his phone. Kang Hyeon cautiously asked,
“What? Is it that expensive?”
“Ugh, whatever.”
His voice carried a tinge of annoyance, clearly not wanting to discuss it further. Kang Hyeon didn’t press. Once again, he started wondering whether he should really be accepting all these gifts.
Just then, Ji-gyeong leaned in close—so suddenly that Kang Hyeon flinched and pulled back.
“How do I look today?”
The unexpected question made his mouth open automatically.
“You look like a crow. Stylish, though.”
“Crow? Seriously?”
“Like a grim reaper. Tall and brooding.”
“Ugh, come on!”
“I said you look cool.”
“Damn right I do. This earring? It’s not cubic zirconia—it’s a real diamond. Diamond.”
At the emphatic declaration, Kang Hyeon glanced at it and said,
“It suits you.”
Though his voice was calm, praise was rare from him, so Ji-gyeong beamed, then chuckled and smiled with satisfaction.
“Drinks are on me tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because your ridiculously handsome little bro landed a role.”
His triumphant tone made Kang Hyeon break into a wide grin.
“Really?!”
He’d been worried since things hadn’t been going well for Ji-gyeong lately, so the news made him genuinely happy. Seeing his reaction, Ji-gyeong winked and added,
“Get ready to be shocked.”
“Is it a good role?”
“Supporting role with main character weight.”
Kang Hyeon let go of the wheel to clap loudly, then grabbed it again. His enthusiastic reaction made Ji-gyeong’s smile reach his cheekbones.
“What’s the title?”
“Return of the Moon.”
At the name, Kang Hyeon’s eyes widened. It was the same drama that rookie actor Kim Dong-il—who used to be with his former agency—was cast in.
“Oh, the fusion sageuk?”
“Huh? How’d you know?”
“A rookie at my old agency auditioned for a bodyguard role.”
He didn’t go into details since casting topics were sensitive, but he was happy to hear it was a project he already knew. Maybe that came through in his expression, because Ji-gyeong raised his voice.
“I’m playing the deposed crown prince in the secondary couple. I got the part!”
“You killed it!”
Kang Hyeon’s voice boomed with genuine joy. At the hearty praise, Ji-gyeong’s face lit up.
“Hyung, I was seriously going to cancel my agency contract if I failed again this time.”
“You’re finally getting your moment in the spotlight.”
Kang Hyeon ruffled his hair affectionately, then clapped his shoulder hard enough to make a sound.
“What do you wanna eat? It’s my treat.”
“I told you, I’m buying.”
Ji-gyeong looked at Kang Hyeon, who was sharing in his joy, with a soft gaze and added while touching his cheek,
“This little bro is buying drinks for the hyung who just wrapped a drama shoot.”
“Braised monkfish.”
“And soju~!”
“Let’s go!”
Laughing like they owned the world, the two raised their voices in excitement.
“Let’s eat near your place.”
“Why? Let’s search for a good spot.”
“If we’re gonna waste money on a designated driver, I’d rather use that for hangover soup tomorrow.”
Taking Ji-gyeong’s advice, Kang Hyeon headed toward home. He parked in the paid lot that Do-yeong had arranged and walked with him to a nearby monkfish restaurant.
“Hyung, I’m picking up the script tomorrow, and I’m nervous as hell.”
“Nah, you’ll be fine. Who’s the lead? Who’s the director?”
Even before the food arrived, they cracked open a bottle of soju and started chatting over it. Ji-gyeong answered everything while muttering to himself,
“Should’ve done this sooner. Took the long way for no reason.”
“Huh?”
As Kang Hyeon downed a shot and looked at him, Ji-gyeong gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Just then, their monkfish stew arrived, and Kang Hyeon handed him an apron from the wall. Ji-gyeong didn’t take it and instead leaned forward, clearly asking to be dressed. In response, Kang Hyeon flicked his forehead.
“Wear it yourself.”
“Damn… no sense at all.”
“You’re getting more childish by the day.”
“What’s wrong with that, especially on a day like this?”
“Congrats.”
Smiling, Kang Hyeon filled Ji-gyeong’s glass.
“Let’s just enjoy this feeling for today.”
“Yeah~. I’ll need to dive into character analysis first thing tomorrow. Right?”
With a playful lilt at the end, Kang Hyeon replied again.
“Why are you acting so gross?”
“Ugh, no sense at all. Gross? I’m adorable, not gross!”
Watching him pout, Kang Hyeon chuckled again.
“Act your size.”
“What’s wrong with my size? I think everyone smaller than me is adorable.”
Ji-gyeong puffed his lips out while tying the apron. Kang Hyeon pretended to flick his forehead again in mid-air. Ji-gyeong laughed, seeing he’d left no opening.
“Ga-yeong noona told me to come work part-time when you’re busy, but forget it.”
“…She needs to hire real staff.”
Taking the drink Ji-gyeong poured for him, Kang Hyeon added,
“I’m really grateful she’s been considerate, but I feel like I’m becoming a burden.”
He felt guilty about taking a few days off to spend time with Do-yeong. A weight settled in his chest. Ji-gyeong placed a piece of fish into his bowl and grabbed a bunch of bean sprouts for himself.
“Hyung, you still gotta work until you land a proper role.”
“I’ll just help out when Noona really needs it, and I’m looking into doing deliveries. If money really runs short, I’ll switch my place from a jeonse lease to a monthly rental. I’m gonna give this a solid year, and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll find a full-time job.”
He swallowed the words “You can’t chase dreams forever” and picked up his chopsticks. Sitting across from him, Ji-gyeong’s eyes sparkled as he watched silently. Then, after a pause for serious thought, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Hyung. My agency said they’ll provide housing.”
Ji-gyeong broke eye contact and then looked directly at him again. There was clear tension in his trembling gaze, and a bashful tone crept into his voice.
“Wanna live together?”
