The paint had long peeled off the bus stop. An old wooden bench sat forlornly at the worn-down station that stood guard alone over the empty road. Even that was so full of mold that sitting on it would have felt repulsive. Of course, Jung Haon didn’t mind at all.
“Inho-ssi, just a moment.”
Haon brushed the dust and spiderwebs off the bench with his bare hands, then pulled a newspaper out of his bag. He had prepared for a situation like this in advance.
“Here, have a seat.”
He thickly folded the newspaper into just the right size for Seo Inho to sit comfortably, letting it act as a cushion.
“Inho-ssi?”
Seo Inho, who had been standing and facing the streetlamp, turned around at the pull of Haon’s sleeve. He wore a blank expression, as if he hadn’t heard what Haon had said.
“Sit here and wait, okay?”
Haon pointed again to the newspaper he’d spread on the bench. Seong-gu hyung, who had agreed to come pick them up at the bus stop, had just called to say he would be a little late. They would have to wait at least another ten minutes.
“You must be tired after the long bus ride.”
“I’m fine. What about you, Haon-ssi?”
“I actually like sitting for long periods.”
Haon answered brightly, grabbing Inho’s hand and pulling him toward the bench. They had eaten an early lunch in Seoul before setting off, but by the time they arrived, it was already time to sleep. Considering the bus schedule, they should have left even earlier.
To make matters worse, the already unfamiliar countryside landscape had now been completely swallowed by darkness. The narrow, long road stretched out without a single passing car. It was a desolate and lonely scene. The only source of light was the rusted streetlamp. Though in the daytime, the surrounding greenery would have made it look quite beautiful. Regretting his choice to depart at lunchtime, Haon sneaked glances at Inho.
Since getting on the bus to the village, Inho had grown noticeably quiet. From that point on, he had worn a face deep in thought, and now, he could barely even hear Haon’s words.
Watching Inho like that, Haon began to grow anxious, little by little. Was he already regretting coming down to the countryside?
“Haon-ssi, you should sit here.”
Inho, setting down the Boston bag slung over his shoulder, pulled Haon by the arm. Haon’s hips, which had barely brushed the dusty bench before recoiling, now landed squarely atop the newspaper.
“I laid it out for you to sit, Inho-ssi.”
Haon quickly jumped up and tugged at Inho’s arm, trying to make him sit on the newspaper. Even if he had to sit on the bare dirt ground himself, he wanted Inho to sit somewhere clean.
“Then let’s do this.”
Inho let out a soft chuckle as he sat down on the newspaper, wrapping an arm around Haon’s slender waist. He pulled Haon onto his lap and leaned his face against the warmth of Haon’s back.
“Now this is fine, right?”
Haon eagerly nodded, rubbing the corners of his mouth that had lifted into a smile. They could have spread the newspaper wider and sat side-by-side comfortably, but instead, they chose to sit overlapped like this. This way felt much better.
“During the day, this place is really beautiful. In spring, all sorts of flowers bloom too.”
Haon hurriedly mumbled, worried that Inho might be disappointed by the barren scenery. Of all things, his first glimpse of the countryside had to be the bleak night landscape. And to make matters worse, not even the stars were visible tonight, leaving him with nothing to proudly show off.
“Oh, and Seong-gu hyung and my aunts are amazing cooks—ack!”
Just as Haon was eagerly gathering every bit of village pride he could think of, he spat out a bug that had flown into his mouth. A swarm of moths and all sorts of small insects, drawn by the streetlamp, had gathered around them in unwelcome greeting.
“There are… a few bugs, but it’ll be fine once winter comes.”
Haon waved his hands frantically, worried that a bug might end up in Inho’s mouth too. Seeing this, Inho also raised his hand and waved, though his movement seemed a little lethargic.
He really must be disappointed.
Just as Haon was turning his head toward Inho, hoping disappointment wouldn’t turn into regret, Inho, holding Haon in one arm, suddenly spoke.
“I should have bought more gifts.”
“Gifts?”
At the unexpected change of subject, Haon tilted his head and followed Inho’s gaze. Inho was looking at the shopping bags stacked atop the large Boston bag—presents prepared for the villagers.
They had bought a set of premium traditional sweets and a box of famous yakgwa from a department store. For Seong-gu hyung and his family, there were shirts and sneakers bearing brand logos. They had also grabbed scarves, lipsticks, and various creams recommended by a cosmetics store clerk—an armful of items.
Was there something else they needed? Haon stared quietly at Inho, who seemed lost in thought.
“I should have picked out more clothes. It feels like we mostly have snacks.”
Muttering and sinking into deep contemplation, Inho’s appearance made Haon chuckle unintentionally. So that’s what he was worrying about.
“They do get deliveries here, you know.”
“Still, it’s nicer to give things in person.”
“Then we can just bring more next time we visit from Seoul.”
Turning sideways so he could face Inho, Haon leaned his full weight against his solid chest. Looking closely, he could see the faint worry hidden behind Inho’s smiling face.
There was no need for him to worry. Haon hugged his wonderful lover tightly, certain that Inho would be warmly welcomed no matter what. Even without gifts, the village elders—who had practically raised Haon like their own grandchild—would greet Inho with open arms.
“They’re all kind and warm-hearted people.”
Even when Haon had been suddenly left in their care, they had loved him as if he were truly their own. To Haon, the villagers felt just like family.
It suddenly felt unbelievable that Haon had spent so many years in Seoul, away from this large family. He regretted now that he had only kept in touch with Seong-gu hyung, afraid that if he had contacted more, he might have weakened and come back sooner.
He was probably going to get scolded a lot. Thinking so, Haon rubbed his cheek against Inho’s neck. Even if he got scolded, he hoped that they would at least shower his Inho-ssi with affection. Seeing Inho so openly worried, unable to hide his expressions, made Haon’s nose tingle with emotion.
“They will. Just seeing how well you’ve grown up, Haon-ssi.”
Inho lowered his head and gently bumped his nose against Haon’s, whispering softly. He had been so lost in his own worries that he hadn’t even properly cared for Haon. Feeling sorry, he stretched his arms wide and hugged Haon, who was leaning against him, as tightly as he could.
“I guess I got nervous because I wanted to make a good impression.”
“You were nervous?”
Haon lifted his head with a surprised look, as if that hadn’t occurred to him. Even though Inho had looked a little tired, he didn’t seem like someone who was nervous at all.
“Yeah, a little.”
So that’s what it was. Haon stared at Inho, realizing that worry naturally brought along nervousness. Thinking about it, he felt like he had asked a silly question and laughed softly, curling his lips inward. At that moment, Inho pressed a light kiss on them.
Haon laughed through his nose, the sound airy, and gently brushed his lips against Inho’s as he whispered:
“You don’t have to worry or be nervous about anything.”
Of course, a new place and unfamiliar faces could feel awkward and uncomfortable, but there was nothing to fear. And if the pressure was just from wanting to make a good impression, it was even less necessary.
“I’m more worried that my aunts will love Inho-ssi too much.”
Inho’s lips curved upward at Haon’s teasing laced with sincerity. Haon, relieved by Inho’s laughter, mumbled even more mischievously.
“There are a lot of pretty aunts too.”
There was even an aunt who used to claim she was such a beauty in her youth that young men fought over her. Though now they were all nearing their sixties.
“I’m going to make Inho-ssi sleep on the inside, lock the door tight.”
At Haon’s playful, affectionate threat, Inho chuckled and gave Haon’s round cheek a gentle nibble. Then he kissed his lips too.
Pretending to dodge, Haon stuck out his tongue slightly. Inho licked the tip of the small, plump tongue that peeked out, and whispered in a low voice:
“What’s there to worry about? I already belong to you, Haon-ssi.”
Their breaths mixed in the narrow space between their parted lips, along with the soft feel of flesh.
Their kiss, flowing naturally, melted into the night air. Haon turned fully to face Inho and wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders. After a whole day spent surrounded by crowds, he finally indulged in the kisses he had been holding back.
A teasing sensation against the roof of his mouth made Haon shiver slightly, letting out a cute whimper. Inho firmly cupped the slender nape of Haon’s neck in one hand, pushing his tongue even deeper.
Instead of retreating, Haon leaned into it, throwing himself forward with eagerness. It tightened Inho’s chest painfully. Was it really okay to be this overwhelmingly happy already? Imagining his body bursting from the flood of happiness, Inho tightened his embrace around Haon.
As much as Inho clutched him, Haon burrowed even deeper into his arms. The scent of Inho, layered with the familiar countryside breeze he had missed so much, filled Haon completely.
Between the sound of their breathing, the chirring of insects surrounding the old bus stop quietly seeped in.
From the very first night, another unforgettable memory had been added to their story.
