Later that day, Kwon finally stirred and blinked at the clock. His eyes widened.
"AHHHH!" he cried, jumping out of bed.
He bolted out of the room, running to his grandmother.
"Ma! Why didn't you wake me up?! I'm so late!" he wailed, dramatically kneeling in front of her with his hands on his head.
"I tried. I called you, I shook you—you didn't even flinch. You were like a rock!" she said, shaking her head.
"Then… who brought me home?" he asked, slowly standing up.
"Your tall, handsome schoolmate. He said his name was Tae," she replied casually. "Also, your friends called while you were out cold."
Kwon blinked, then immediately snatched his phone and called Jungwon.
Jungwon was sitting in bed, sipping water and trying to recall the hazy events of the previous night when his phone rang. He picked it up, and a familiar voice rang through.
"Hold on… you're home too?" Kwon asked.
"Yeah. I caught a fever… didn't even make it out of bed this morning. You?"
"I just woke up. Can you switch to video call?"
Jungwon obliged, switching the call. Their faces lit up on each other's screens just as Kwon's grandma shouted from the background, "Kwon, Tae is asking for you!"
Kwon stiffened.
"Tae? Isn't he the guy who hosted the party with Sechan yesterday?" Jungwon asked, curious.
"Uh—I'll call you back, I gotta go!" Kwon said awkwardly, quickly ending the call.
Jungwon stared at his screen in confusion.
Just then, a knock came at his door.
He got up slowly and opened it… only to be greeted by none other than Sechan.
Jungwon's face dropped immediately. He began to close the door, but Sechan spoke up, "Oh? Is this how you treat the person who brought you home?"
"You—YOU brought me home?" Jungwon blinked. "How do you even know where I live?"
Sechan smirked. "Are we really going to talk about this while standing here?"
Reluctantly, Jungwon let him in.
"I asked your teacher for your address," Sechan said nonchalantly as he took a seat.
"So… why are you here?" Jungwon asked, arms crossed, standing in front of him.
"Not sure if you hate me or just hate being grateful," Sechan replied.
"Just spit it out."
With that, Sechan suddenly pulled Jungwon into his lap.
Jungwon yelped, struggling. "What is WRONG with you?! Let me go!"
Sechan loosened his hold, letting him go easily. "You sure didn't yell like that when you sat on my lap all cozy last night."
"I did that…?" Jungwon blinked, trying to play dumb.
"Oh, come on. You kissed me. Touched me. Tried to—"
"I DID NOT try to unzip your pants!" Jungwon shouted, red-faced.
"Ah, so you do remember," Sechan teased, grinning.
Jungwon fled to the kitchen, pouring himself some water.
Sechan followed silently.
Just as Jungwon was about to drink, he noticed Sechan wasn't on the couch anymore. He frowned—and then felt warm hands slide around his waist.
He choked on the water and turned sharply. "What are you doing?!"
"Holding you," Sechan replied calmly. "You're warm. Are you okay?" he asked, feeling Jungwon's forehead.
"I'm fine," Jungwon said quickly, tilting his head away.
Sechan's eyes fell on the fading hickey on Jungwon's neck. "Hah. It's fading already. I feel the urge to make another one."
"In your dreams!" Jungwon snapped, pushing him away.
Sechan chuckled. "If you can't handle your alcohol, don't drink. And don't skip school again—it's a bad look for a freshman."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Jungwon muttered, then added, "Matter of fact, what's your friend Tae doing at my friend's house?"
Sechan shrugged. "No idea."
Jungwon eyed him suspiciously.
Sechan smirked. "Want me to stay a bit longer?"
"You weren't even welcomed in the first place," Jungwon mumbled.
"Huh?"
"I said… you can leave," Jungwon repeated.
Sechan stood up and walked to the door. Before leaving, he turned back.
"One more thing—You and me? Impossible?" he echoed with a grin. "Listen, I may be graduating soon, but I'll still come back for what's mine. That thing you said? Funny. Keep it in the back of your mind. Because one day, you're gonna fall right into these arms."
Before Jungwon could react, Sechan stepped forward and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
Jungwon recoiled in shock, wiping his forehead like it burned.
"See you later, honey," Sechan said, finally stepping out and closing the door behind him.
Jungwon stood frozen, staring at the door, heart pounding.
"Did I really… have feelings for this guy?" he asked himself, hands over his chest as he felt the undeniable rhythm of his racing heart.
He shook his head violently, trying to brush the thought away.
But his lips curled into a reluctant smile.
Meanwhile, at Kwon's home, he rushed out of his room and saw Tae already seated in the living room.
"Oh my God, Kwon, I need to get something outside," his grandma said as she headed for the door.
"Ma, I can get it for you," Kwon quickly offered, clearly trying to avoid the guest seated comfortably on the couch.
"No no… Have a nice chat with your friend. I'll be back soon," Grandma said with a knowing smile as she left.
Kwon finally turned to Tae, face tight. "What are you doing here and what do you want?" he snapped in a single breath.
Tae raised an eyebrow. "Is that a thank you? I didn't know you could be this rude. Interesting," he said coolly, leaning back.
Kwon sighed, defeated. "I'm sorry. Thanks… for last night."
Tae smirked. "I came to check if you were okay. You skipped school today."
"I'm fine. Thanks for checking," Kwon said quickly, trying to end the conversation.
"Don't skip school next time," Tae added casually.
"I know."
Tae stood and walked closer. "How's the cut on your lip?"
"It's fine," Kwon replied, instinctively sucking on his lower lip to check.
Just then, Kwon's phone rang from inside his room. He dashed off to get it.
"You better start explaining," came Jungwon's voice through the phone.
"I definitely will. I promise to call you later," Kwon said hurriedly before ending the call.
As he turned to return to the living room, he was startled to find Tae standing silently in his doorway.
"What are you doing here?" Kwon asked, clearly irritated.
Tae leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, not saying a word as he stepped closer… and closer. Suddenly, he pulled Kwon by the waist.
"Better tell your friend the truth—tell him I'm wooing you," Tae whispered into his ear.
Kwon tried to push him away, only to get a light peck on the lips.
"Your lips…" Tae muttered, rubbing Kwon's lower lip with his thumb.
"Can you just let go?" Kwon pleaded.
Instead of moving back, Tae pinned Kwon against the wall, holding his hands above his head.
"If you try to push me away again, I won't just pin you against this wall… but against that bed," Tae said, smirking.
Kwon stared in disbelief. "Alright… just let me go already."
"I want a kiss. A thank you kiss," Tae whispered, eyes on Kwon's lips.
"Are you crazy?"
Tae smiled. "Crazy for you."
"Fine… just let go of my hands."
Tae released him, and Kwon tried to shove him away, but before he could escape, he found himself thrown onto the bed.
"What the—?!"
Tae was on top of him in a flash. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"You—" Kwon's words were silenced as Tae captured his lips in a deep, consuming kiss.
Kwon moaned, overwhelmed, struggling at first but eventually surrendering. Tae slipped his tongue in, claiming him completely.
"Hmmm…" Kwon whimpered, breathless.
Tae finally released his lips, moving to Kwon's neck with kisses.
"Ah… please," Kwon begged, voice trembling.
Tae slid his hand under Kwon's shirt, rubbing his nipple.
"Tae… please," Kwon whispered again, barely audible.
"You can beg," Tae teased, before kissing him again, harder this time—biting, sucking, invading.
Kwon, dazed and lost in sensation, wrapped his hands around Tae's neck subconsciously.
"Kwon, I'm back!" Grandma's voice rang through the house.
Reality slammed back. Kwon shoved Tae off him, breath ragged. Tae let him go.
"I'm coming, Ma!" Kwon shouted, jumping to his feet.
He caught sight of himself in the mirror and gasped—messy hair, swollen lips, and hickeys blooming on his neck.
He glared at Tae. "Look what you've done!"
"But we were so into it," Tae said, completely unbothered.
"Where's the handsome guy—has he gone?" Grandma called from the living room.
"I'm still here, Ma!" Tae called out sweetly.
"I could strangle you right now," Kwon hissed.
"Sure, just make sure I'm on top when you do," Tae replied with a wink.
"I'll be leaving. Take care," Tae said as he headed out, only to pause when Kwon shouted after him.
"Leave—and never come back here!"
Tae smirked, turning to wink again. "I bet Ma will want me back."
"She's not your Ma!" Kwon snapped.
Tae shrugged and went to the living room.
"Aunt, I'll be leaving," he said, bowing respectfully.
Kwon followed him out, now wearing a hoodie.
"Why 'Aunt'? You called me 'Ma' earlier," Grandma asked.
"Oh, Kwon told me not to call you that since you're not my grandma," Tae replied slyly.
Grandma looked at Kwon in disbelief. "How could you say that?"
She turned to Tae. "Don't mind him. You can call me Ma, okay?"
Tae nodded with a smile.
"You should stay for food," Grandma offered warmly.
"Hah, Ma, maybe next time. I really have to go," Tae said politely.
Kwon glared, fuming. This devil in sheep's clothing… how can someone be this shameless?
"You're always welcome here," Grandma said.
"I'll definitely come by," Tae replied cheerfully.
"Take care, Ma," he added with a final bow before leaving.
"Won't you escort him at least?" Grandma nudged Kwon.
"Hah… yes," Kwon muttered as he followed Tae out.
Grandma shook her head with a smile.