Yoon Do-yeong, who had just warned them to watch their mouth, continued speaking calmly.
“I’ve sold fresh fruit juice during a school festival before. Standing in one place, washing and cutting fruit… it’s a lot of work. If you’re not used to it, it’s even harder. The area gets messy fast, so you’ve got to clean as you go. Even if you prep in advance, the ingredients run out quickly, so you’re constantly moving.”
“Ah… yeah.”
“Looks like Ji-gyeong hasn’t done anything like that yet. Guess that’s why you don’t really get it. I prefer just carrying supplies around too.”
Yoon Do-yeong gave a soft smile, eyes gently narrowing. Lee Ji-gyeong awkwardly rolled his gaze and forced a smile in return. Since he mostly just took orders at the counter and cleaned tables, he didn’t know the behind-the-scenes details—and honestly, he hadn’t wanted to. Lee Ji-gyeong was left speechless thanks to Yoon Do-yeong’s defense, but he kindly kept the conversation going.
“Sit on the couch. I’m feeling a little out of it—I’m gonna lie down.”
“Ah, okay.”
With a sheepish smile, Ji-gyeong sat on the sofa. Yoon Do-yeong casually shifted the topic.
“I saw that CF you did, Ji-gyeong.”
“Ah, that? I was just an extra, on screen for like 0.3 seconds.”
Embarrassed, he launched into the full story of how he ended up in the commercial. Yoon Do-yeong listened with polite interest, throwing in the occasional nod or murmur. He hadn’t even realized Ji-gyeong was in it—Kang Hyeon had pointed it out, saying, “That’s him,” which was the only reason he noticed.
“When Hyeon pointed it out, I almost didn’t believe him. You looked really cool.”
“I wasn’t too happy with the outfit. The colors were so dull and outdated. Made me look older than I am.”
“I thought it looked good. Gave off a cool vibe.”
“The stylists had no sense. They insisted on that brown tone, which just made me blend into the background. If it was only for a brief appearance, they could’ve let me wear something I actually liked.”
Yoon Do-yeong just smiled without responding to the playful grumbling. Luckily, the awkward atmosphere didn’t last—Kang Hyeon walked in. As he stood up, Yoon Do-yeong groaned softly.
“Hyeon-ah, can you help me hold the showerhead while I wash my hair?”
“Sure.”
Lee Ji-gyeong instinctively stood to support Yoon Do-yeong.
“It’s okay.”
“No, let me help.”
“…Thanks.”
As Yoon Do-yeong headed to the bathroom, Kang Hyeon followed behind with shampoo in hand.
The bathroom was spacious, equipped with long metal safety bars and a chair in the corner. Yoon Do-yeong leaned over the sink, wincing in pain.
“Ah… ugh…”
“It hurts?”
“Yeah.”
“Try bending your head forward while standing.”
He did as instructed, but that would soak his clothes. After a brief hesitation, Kang Hyeon rolled up his pants to his thighs. His pale calves stretched smoothly down to his ankles. From outside the door, Lee Ji-gyeong’s gaze swept up and down, eyeing the lean legs with interest. Kang Hyeon, now barefoot, pulled the chair over.
“Sit here.”
Yoon Do-yeong carefully sat and leaned his head back. Kang Hyeon turned on the showerhead, adjusting the temperature, then gently began wetting his hair. Water streamed down his nape.
“Let’s wash it and get you changed.”
“Yeah.”
As water trickled down his shoulders, Yoon Do-yeong raised his arm with the IV drip.
“Hyung, the blood’s backing up.”
At Lee Ji-gyeong’s remark, Kang Hyeon panicked, quickly checking the IV line. In the process, the showerhead swung, spraying water across the room and soaking the towel hanging nearby.
“Ji-gyeong, can you go to the convenience store and grab some towels?”
“Why bother? Just wring that one out and use it.”
“He’s got a cold. He needs to stay warm and dry.”
Yoon Do-yeong winced at the mention of a cold and let out a small cough he’d forgotten to suppress. Watching Kang Hyeon flustered and scrambling, Ji-gyeong muttered,
“Hyung, the suds are getting all over the hospital gown. If you’re gonna change him anyway, just give him a proper shower.”
Kang Hyeon froze.
Yoon Do-yeong lifted his wet top, straightening his neck. Ji-gyeong pointed to the IV bag on the stand.
“Hyeon-hyung, you’ll have to pull it out through the sleeve.”
Following Ji-gyeong’s instructions, they helped him out of his shirt, then lowered his pants since he couldn’t bend easily.
“Whoa! Do-yeong hyung’s body is amazing!”
As his defined abs and firm thighs came into view, Ji-gyeong gasped in admiration. Yoon Do-yeong chuckled, embarrassed.
“I worked hard for a pool scene.”
Kang Hyeon hesitated at the underwear, unable to bring himself to pull it down. But Do-yeong took care of that himself, glancing up as he lowered them. Flustered, Kang Hyeon quickly averted his eyes, crouched, and yanked down the boxer briefs clinging to his thighs, eyes tightly shut.
“Woooow! Hyung! Damn! That’s the biggest, most impressive I’ve ever seen!”
At Ji-gyeong’s loud admiration, Kang Hyeon snapped.
“Just go get the towels. And grab a clean hospital gown.”
“Got it. I’ll ask a nurse for one.”
As Ji-gyeong shut the door, he gave one last appreciative glance at Do-yeong’s body and gave a thumbs-up. Do-yeong tilted his chin, grinning smugly.
Only Kang Hyeon was left, struggling not to look at his body as he lathered up Do-yeong’s scalp. But from this angle, it was impossible not to see him. Worse, his eyes kept drifting back to that—bold and undeniably prominent—making his mouth dry out.
“Stand up.”
“Huh? Isn’t it easier to stay seated?”
“The blood’s backing up. Stand.”
“Ah…”
Using the IV as an excuse, he helped him up. Water splashed everywhere as he resumed washing his hair, prompting Kang Hyeon to quickly lower the pressure.
“Hyeon-ah, isn’t the stream too weak?”
“It’s fine.”
“It doesn’t feel like I’m getting clean.”
“Then do it yourself.”
He handed over the showerhead and stepped back. Water flowed from Do-yeong’s head down his broad back and between his firm buttocks. Kang Hyeon’s gaze darted nervously. When he turned away, he caught a glimpse of Do-yeong’s side profile in the mirror. His sculpted physique, built for a pool scene, looked like it belonged in a fitness magazine.
His gaze shifted to the solid, prominent feature at the center.
It wasn’t the first time he’d seen something like that. He’d been to saunas with college friends, been to pools and water parks. But in those crowded settings, there was no space for personal feelings.
Now, alone with him in this steamy bathroom, that chiseled body had his heart pounding. As he rubbed his flushed face with one hand, trying to calm down, he caught a glimpse of his own cheeks—tinged pink. He let out a sigh.
Then Do-yeong groaned, bending over slightly.
“Ugh… Raising my arm hurts my chest.”
Snapping back to reality, Kang Hyeon blinked hard and stepped forward to take back the showerhead. While he rinsed Do-yeong’s back, the other man carefully soaped his own chest and lower parts, keeping the IV line dry.
Kang Hyeon focused on spraying water over his back, unsure where to look. His gaze darted left and right, his chest thudding harder by the second. Instinctively, his fingers curled into a tight grip.
“Hyeon-ah, here too.”
Do-yeong turned to face him, offering his chest. The taut nipples caught Kang Hyeon off guard. Startled, he tried to maintain a neutral expression as he brought the showerhead closer.
His heartbeat roared in his ears.
As he washed, Do-yeong noticed the red-faced flinch, his wide eyes blinking in surprise. Silence fell.
The bathroom was filled with the sound of the running shower and thick steam.
In that strange tension, Do-yeong’s cheeks flushed.
“I’ll hang this here.”
Finally noticing the showerhead holder, Kang Hyeon hooked it up and stepped back.
Do-yeong watched him quietly, then rinsed himself.
For the first time, he felt something unfamiliar. Every nerve was drawn to Kang Hyeon’s movements and gaze. The way his eyes lingered on his wet skin—it felt like a feather brushing against him.
Inside his chest, it fluttered like butterfly wings.
Do-yeong’s fingertips tingled as he unconsciously swallowed, feeling a strange anticipation.
During shoots, even when dressed in a swimsuit, the staff’s gazes didn’t bother him. But now, Kang Hyeon—unable to look at him—made him more self-conscious.
The erotic tension wrapping around his bare skin was overwhelming. Yet oddly, he felt excited.
To look good, he consciously flexed his shoulders and abs.
He glanced at the mirror. Kang Hyeon was wringing out a towel in the corner.
Turning toward him, water running down his body, he opened his mouth, then mustered the courage.
“Hyeon-ah, I worked really hard to build this body at the gym. Take a proper look.”
“Yeah. You look great.”
“Then say it while looking.”
“I already saw it. I’ll go get your clothes.”
Kang Hyeon threw the words out and rushed out of the bathroom.
Do-yeong’s heart, already fluttering, pounded harder. And in that moment, like a lightning strike, the realization hit.
“Why… did it take me so long to figure it out…?”
Staring down at his tense lower half, Do-yeong let out a soft, pained moan.
