Chapter 87
As the saying goes, “it rains on the day you leave,” they were fine when boarding the plane, but as soon as they set foot on Jeju Island, thick snowflakes began to embroider the sky. The weather forecast had mentioned snow, but not a heavy snowfall.
They had heard that island weather could be as unpredictable as boiling porridge, but they didn’t expect such a snowstorm. The weather, which they thought would be milder than the mainland, showed no mercy in the face of the blizzard. The moment they left the airport, the sharp wind mercilessly clawed at any exposed skin.
However, Si-yul wasn’t disappointed. He didn’t really plan to go around much anyway. The meat noodles and the sea were all just excuses. He just needed time to spend with Woo Hyun-se. Time to soothe his unsettled heart and to create memories he could reminisce about when he set foot on Jeju Island again someday.
Fortunately, the roads weren’t paralyzed yet, so they safely arrived at the villa. Even after passing through the main gate, they had to drive for quite a while before the house came into view. It was a modest and neat villa. White snow had piled up on the reddish-brown roof, and white smoke rose from the chimney above. The scene, blending with the snow landscape, looked like a quaint illustration from a fairy tale book.
The villa caretaker, who was waiting at the entrance, helped them move their luggage from the trunk. It didn’t take long since it was just a couple of suitcases.
“I’ve prepared everything you asked for. The firewood is stacked over there, and if you need more, you can get it from the back. If you need anything else, please let me know. I’ll come right away.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“By the way, it’s been a while since you last came. About four years? I thought you might have sold this place since you hadn’t been here for so long.”
The caretaker, with deep furrows on his face, laughed heartily. Si-yul, bundled up from head to toe in the padded jacket, scarf, and hat Woo Hyun-se had put on him, perked up his ears.
“I’ve been too busy with work to come. I plan to visit more often now.”
“That’s good for me. Ah, should I prepare for a barbecue?”
“No, we’ll do that next time.”
“Well, it would be hard to grill meat outside with all this snow. By the way, this young man… he can’t be your son, right?”
The caretaker’s attention turned to Si-yul. Si-yul bowed his head slightly. When he said, “Hello,” the caretaker laughed once more, saying the young man was unusually polite for someone these days.
“This is my-”
“I’m a younger friend of Hyun-se hyung. Please take care of me.”
Si-yul cut in before Woo Hyun-se could finish. Woo Hyun-se looked down at Si-yul intently. He seemed displeased with the term “younger friend,” his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Then I’ll be going now. Have a good rest.”
The caretaker, who had been glancing at Woo Hyun-se, withdrew. Si-yul opened the door, feeling Woo Hyun-se’s disapproving gaze on his back. A wave of warm air pushed out the cold as they entered. The walls were in warm tones, and they could hear the crackling of burning logs in the fireplace built into the wall.
“Why is Kwon Si-yul a ‘younger friend’?”
Woo Hyun-se, who had followed him in, embraced Si-yul tightly. His voice was quite gruff as he pressed his chin against Si-yul’s crown.
“It would be a bit strange to suddenly declare I’m your lover to someone I’ve just met, wouldn’t it?”
“Why?”
“Well… because we’re both men?”
“Even though Kwon Si-yul is an omega?”
As if he could forget that. Si-yul was well aware of this fact. Perhaps because he had been a beta for so long, or for some other reason, he couldn’t proudly declare himself as Woo Hyun-se’s lover in front of others. Above all, recently he felt his very existence had shrunk to the size of an ant or an earthworm. Was he really the person who should be tied to Woo Hyun-se as “us”?
“I forgot. I guess I’m still not used to it since I manifested late.”
Woo Hyun-se’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly at Si-yul’s grinning response. He slowly began to emit a cool scent reminiscent of the snowy scenery outside. Si-yul pressed his thumb between Woo Hyun-se’s eyebrows, worried that permanent wrinkles might form there. His displeased expression gradually softened.
“It wouldn’t matter even if you were a beta. Don’t call yourself a younger friend next time. We’re not that kind of relationship.”
An arm slipped under Si-yul’s buttocks. Even as he was suddenly lifted into the air, Si-yul didn’t startle, instead wrapping his legs around Woo Hyun-se’s waist with familiarity. Despite their size difference and Si-yul’s well-muscled body adding considerable weight, Woo Hyun-se walked without hindrance.
Si-yul didn’t ask to be put down either. These were meaningless words that had passed between them several times before, words that Woo Hyun-se would never heed.
Sitting on the sofa, Woo Hyun-se placed Si-yul on his lap and wrapped his arms around his waist. He nuzzled his head against Si-yul’s shoulder, then hugged him tightly and inhaled deeply. Si-yul now knew this was his way of seeking out his partner’s scent.
“Did you come here often before?” Si-yul asked, gently stroking Woo Hyun-se’s hair. Woo Hyun-se nodded slightly as he gripped Si-yul’s padded jacket zipper between his lips and pulled it down. After unzipping it to his chest, he buried his face in the opening, rubbing his prominent nose against the clothing.
“Sometimes. When I felt stifled.”
“With whom?”
“Alone.”
“Really?”
Si-yul couldn’t believe it. He knew at least fragments, if not the whole, of Woo Hyun-se’s dating history. It seemed unbelievable that he would have such a nice place and only come alone.
“Yes. You’re the first person I’ve brought here.”
“Should I feel honored?”
“I suppose so. I don’t plan on coming here with anyone but you from now on.”
Suddenly, the wound created by the wedding invitation stung. Even though it was long past the stage where it should hurt. Si-yul clenched his fist and laughed, “Haha.” Woo Hyun-se rested his chin on Si-yul’s chest like a large dog and looked up at him.
“You’re the only one.”
He narrowed his eyes and wore a faint smile, as if asking to be petted. Unable to disappoint him, Si-yul stroked Woo Hyun-se’s hair and ears with both hands. Woo Hyun-se closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. His eyes were shining. By now, the padded jacket had been completely removed, and the scarf and hat were strewn carelessly on the floor.
“Should I give this place to you?”
A large hand slipped under Si-yul’s collar, touching his bare back. Despite the palm’s warmth being sufficiently comforting, goosebumps rose on his skin for some reason. As Si-yul shuddered and hunched his shoulders, Woo Hyun-se lowered his head to follow. He pressed his lips to Si-yul’s ear and whispered affectionately.
“Let’s come whenever you want to see the sea. Just the two of us.”
Just the two of them.
The word “us” stabbed Si-yul painfully. Not knowing what expression he might be wearing, Si-yul hugged Woo Hyun-se tightly, blocking his view. His throat felt choked, making it difficult to speak. He parted his lips, struggling to form words.
“Next time. When we come again next time… I’ll accept it then.”
Having barely finished speaking, he buried his cheek in Woo Hyun-se’s silky hair. The words promising an uncertain future kept pricking Si-yul’s eyes. Although moisture gathered at the corners of his tightly shut eyes, he didn’t let the tears fall.
Even though it was still daytime, the outside was a uniform gray. The snow showed no signs of stopping. The pine tree standing outside the window had its branches drooping under the weight of the accumulated snow, and one side of its trunk was plastered with white snow. It was due to the fiercely blowing wind.
“We won’t be able to go out like this,” Woo Hyun-se commented as he watched. Si-yul also stood leaning against the window frame, blankly staring outside. The snowflakes were thick, and the wind scratching against the glass was also ominous. If they went out, they’d be perfect for becoming snowmen. Even if they went out by car, it was clear they’d be stranded after just a few meters.
It seemed they would have to spend their time only inside the villa. Si-yul looked up at Woo Hyun-se after watching the heavily falling snow. He had made plans for where to go and what to do before coming, and his brow was furrowed as if displeased that their schedule had been disrupted.
“Hyung, shall we drink?”
Woo Hyun-se’s face immediately relaxed at the unexpected suggestion. Although it was still early for drinking, it didn’t matter since they couldn’t go outside anyway.
Si-yul glanced at the display cabinet in the living room. Various labeled bottles of alcohol stood in rows in the large wooden cabinet. Most were names he was familiar with from bars. There was a variety of types including whiskey, vodka, rum, and even some unfamiliar Chinese liquor.
“Are those just for decoration?”
“I put them there a while ago. But already? The sun hasn’t even set yet.”
“Since when does alcohol care about day and night?”
Making a statement befitting a heavy drinker despite only being able to handle three bottles of soju, Si-yul turned towards the cabinet. He opened the glass door and took out the bottle placed closest. It must have been regularly maintained as there wasn’t a speck of dust on the glass bottle.
He held the heavy bottle with both hands and checked the alcohol content. It was quite high, but when drinking to get drunk, who cares about the alcohol content?
“Wait. Let me prepare some snacks first.”
Woo Hyun-se rolled up his sleeves. Although the snacks bought from the supermarket would have been enough, there was no need to refuse when he offered to make something. Si-yul sat at the dining table, staring at Woo Hyun-se’s back. Every time he lightly shook the heavy pan held in the air, the tendons on his forearms, exposed by the rolled-up sleeves, stood out clearly. It made Si-yul want to press them firmly with his hand.
“Hyung, didn’t you say you don’t like cooking?”
He felt like they had a similar conversation before. Woo Hyun-se had said he’d eat if someone else cooked for him, but he rarely did it himself.
“It’s not a hobby.”
“Then why do you cook for me so often?”
Porridge, pasta, and other dishes too. Si-yul rested his chin on his crossed arms on the table. The sizzling sound was pleasant to hear. Although his appetite had been poor lately, perhaps because they were somewhere other than home, he found himself salivating for the first time in a while.
Woo Hyun-se glanced back. Si-yul was already sprawled out languidly as if drunk on alcohol.
“You said you only know how to make ramyeon.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Then I have to cook, don’t I?”
