Chapter Text
Na Baekjin woke up feeling someone's breath and gentle breathing behind him. He slowly opened his eyes and stirred slightly in bed. Then, long, strong arms tightened their grip around his waist, pressing his back completely against the other person's bare torso. His breath ragged as he began to look around, discovering with horror that he wasn't in the bedroom he shared with his best friend. Worse still, he didn't remember ever entering that room before, not at any party or gathering... therefore, he had spent the night with a complete stranger.
"What have I done?"
He thought, worried. Then he stirred slowly, trying to escape the stranger's strong arms, but all he managed to do was wake him up.
-Are you awake?- the boy whispered in his ear. -Baekjin... are you awake?- he asked again, gently kissing his back and shoulders.
Upon hearing his name, Baekjin did what any mature person would do... he pretended to be asleep.
Then a phone rang. The stranger groaned lazily but finally gently loosened his grip on Baekjin, kissed his back tenderly, picked up his phone, and answered. -Yes, I know... I know- he said softly, afraid of waking Baekjin. -Wait, give me a moment. I can't talk right now... just wait...- he sighed as he walked toward the bathroom and locked himself inside.
Baekjin took advantage of the situation and jumped out of bed. He tried to pick up his clothes from the floor, but a sharp pain in his lower back almost made him fall.
-Ah- he whispered in pain.
Then he took a deep breath and, enduring the pain, gathered his clothes from the floor, got dressed, and ran out of the room, feeling a painful electric shock coursing through him from his lower back to the tips of his toes with every movement.
"I deserve this," he muttered to himself. "If I hadn't acted like an impulsive idiot, none of this would be happening," he thought. In a fit of jealousy and anger, fueled by seeing Park Humin, his best friend and childhood crush, leave him to make out with a girl who seemed to appear out of nowhere, Baekjin decided that the best revenge was to hook up with the first stranger who flirted with him. They drank together, laughed, and before they knew it, they were in the boy's room, their clothes scattered on the floor, kissing like there was no tomorrow. But there was. The world didn't end, and now Baekjin was satisfactorily and guiltily sore, with a slight headache and looking like he'd just had sex. Unfortunately for Baekjin, the first person to see him was his roommate. Just as he opened his bedroom door, the older boy was leaving, and they bumped into each other.
-Jin-ah?- Baku said. -It's so good to see you. You didn't come home last night, I left you a million messages... Where were you?- he asked.
Baekjin lowered his head, blushing. "I was in another building losing my virginity to a complete stranger because yesterday, when I saw you kissing that girl from the volleyball club, I resigned myself to the fact that you'll never see me as anything more than your best friend." -I'm fine- he whispered.
-Where did you spend the night?... Are you sure you're okay?... Did someone hurt you?-
"Hurt me wasn't exactly what they did," he thought. -I'm fine- he repeated softly.
-You don't look well at all... Where were you? Who did you go with?... What did you do?- he asked, worried.
-I'm fine, Min-ah. I just went out with some guys from my drama club. We drank some soju and stayed overnight at their building-
Baku sighed resignedly. -I called your friends and none of them answered. I asked... Juntae asked about you and told me he didn't see you at the art building-
-He must have been mistaken... I was with Dongha and Seongmok last night, ask them if you don't believe me- he challenged, knowing those two would cover for him without hesitation... although, thinking about it, why should they cover for him?... wasn't he supposed to have decided yesterday to tell his unrequited feelings for his straight friend to go to hell, after seeing him leave again with the first girl who spoke nicely to him?
-Okay, I don't need to ask them, I'm just glad to see you safe and sound again- he hugged him warmly and tenderly- please don't disappear without telling me again, I'd die if anything happened to you-
Baekjin melted completely into his friend's embrace, instantly hating himself for falling for his charm again -yeah, I´m... sorry, I won't leave without telling him again- then he remembered the image that made him lose his mind, his mouth spoke before reason could stop him -so how did it go for you, did you go out with "Someone?"- he asked as he pulled away from her hug.
-I talked to a girl, she's cute and athletic. We'll meet up later for a date-
Baekjin felt his heart sink. -That's great, I'm so happy for you-
-Thanks, I already knew her, but last night we got closer and she kissed me in the middle of the party-
Baekjin's heart broke. -Amazing, then you should make her your girlfriend!- he exclaimed, going into the apartment.
Baku followed him inside. -It's still a bit soon for that, but maybe she is the one-
Baekjin smiled at him, devastated. -I hope so. Well... I'm going to take a shower. See you later-
Baku nodded, smiling. -Yeah, I'm going out to get something for breakfast. What would you like me to get?-
-Whatever you want, I don't have a craving for anything in particular-
-Then I'm going to surprise you, best friend- the older boy smiled, leaving the room.
Baekjin sighed and headed to the shower, the image of Baku Kissing that girl, the memory of him re-entered his mind, causing an inhuman pain in his chest. He sadly undressed and inspected his body. Everything seemed normal; there were no scratches or bite marks. That stranger had been gentle enough not to hurt him, at least not in any other way. He'd only left a deep ache in his lower back, but considering it was his first time, it wasn't as awful as he'd imagined. He showered calmly and then came out with a towel tied around his waist. He looked at Baku; the older boy was holding his phone, frowning.
-You have a message from someone named Seongje- he said. -Who is Seongje? Why is he messaging you?-
-What?-
-Someone named Seongje messaged you. If you'd like, I can read you what he said- he said, unlocking his friend's phone. -He wrote, 'Where are you? Why did you leave without saying anything? Are you okay? Please tell me I didn't hur...-
Baekjin snatched the phone away before he could read any further.
-Who is Seongje, Jin-ah? Why did he write that to you? Why do you have him saved?- the older man questioned.
Baekjin blushed to his ears. -I have no idea who he is- he exclaimed. Partly it was true; the name didn't ring a bell at all. But considering what the message said, he could guess who it was.
-Then why do you have him in your contacts?-
-I...- the dark-haired man stammered -Maybe he's one of Dongha's friends. Maybe Dongha got confused and added him to my phone- He lied like a pro. -I'll call him later to clarify that I'm not Dongha- He smiled.
-Jin-ah, don't drink so much at parties anymore. I'm afraid something bad might happen to you, or that you might run into people who could hurt you or take advantage of you- He sighed. -Do you want me to talk to this Seongje guy and clear everything up?-
Baekjin immediately shook his head. -No, I I'll talk to him-
Baku frowned at his friend's reaction. -Okay, but if you need my help with anything, you know you can ask me. You're my best friend, and I'll always be there for you- He smiled sweetly as he stroked his wet hair.
Baekjin blushed again, but something in his chest sank when he remembered that Baku only saw him as his best friend. -Thanks, I know I can count on you, Min-ah. I'm going to change so we can have breakfast together- He sighed, went to his room, got dressed, and then checked the message on his phone.
"Where are you? Why did you leave without saying anything? Are you okay?... Please tell me I didn't hurt you."
At that moment, he received another message:
"Please tell me you're okay. I'd die if I hurt you. Baekjin, I want to see you again. Can we talk? Are you free today?"
Baekjin couldn't help but blush after reading the message, and inevitably, memories of what happened that Saturday night came flooding back to him. He remembered how a tall boy with glasses approached him with a gummy smile, asked if he could sit next to him, offered him a drink, and poured it slowly while looking at him as if he were the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Then he asked him to dance. At any other time, he might have refused, but being so sensitive, he decided to enjoy every one of the boy's attentions. He danced with him and didn't pull away when he took him by the waist and gently pulled him close. He didn't push him away either when he whispered softly in his ear, "Can I dance closer to you?" Instead, he readily agreed. He also remembered how the boy had hugged him during the dance and caressed his cheeks, flushed from the touch. "You have the most beautiful dimples I've ever seen. I'd be the happiest man in the world if I could kiss them." Then he looked at him with glassy eyes and, without thinking twice, kissed him slowly, barely touching his lips to those of the stranger. But that was enough for the boy with glasses to forget any hint of subtlety in his flirting. On the contrary, the chaste kiss Baekjin gave him ignited something within him. He tightened his grip on his waist and returned the kiss, moving his lips with masterful skill. For Baekjin's inexperienced mouth, it meant a flood of emotions, all pouring down on him, one after another. That boy seemed to have been born to kiss, for he had enough patience and love not to despair over Baekjin's lack of skill. Unlike any other stranger who would surely have mocked him for not knowing how to kiss at his age, this boy with glasses was... Guiding slowly into the kiss, calmly and with a delicacy that seemed heavenly, he gently pushed his tongue in, asking permission to enter and explore. When Baekjin opened his mouth in response, he felt like he was floating. Every movement and every touch of their tongues made him see stars. Then, almost as if he were burning up, the stranger pulled away. "I went too far. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you like that."
Baekjin looked at him with a frown and, letting himself be carried away by the moment, whispered in his ear, "Why shouldn't you have?"
Then the boy with glasses hugged him tightly and warned, "Because I like you too much, I'm crazy about you... so much so that if you let me get close... I'm going to..."
"What will you do to me if I let you get close?" he replied, pressing himself against the boy's torso.
"No... don't play with me, I..." he smiled nervously.
Baekjin burst out laughing. "Are you sure you're the same boy who was serving me soju?" It bothered him "because he seemed much braver than you." Then his phone vibrated. He took it out of his pocket and saw he had a message from Baku, but before he could reply, the boy in front of him snatched the phone away.
"Yes, it's me. I'm Geum Seongje, and I'm going to save my number for you right now," he smiled as he added his contact. "Text me if you'd like to kiss me again."
Baekjin smiled nervously. "And if I'd like to do more than kiss you, then I'll call you or text you."
Seongje took him by the waist again. "If you'd like to do more than kiss me, you can do it whenever you want, wherever, however you want. Just ask."
"I'd like to do much more than kiss you, Geum Seongje. You could take me with you and make me yours." Baekjin had no idea why he was letting himself be carried away like this.
Seongje kissed him again in response, slowly, gently, and deliciously, like a suggestion. Obvious of how he would take it later, she pulled away from him breathlessly, took his hand and whispered in his ear "come with me"
Baekjin nodded with a smile, left the party, and walked through several buildings until he reached what appeared to be the Engineering Faculty. He walked hand in hand with Seongje and entered his room with him.
"If you want to stop here, you can do so without fear, but if you wish to continue this, then come to me," he said, extending his arms.
Another day, at another time, Baekjin would have laughed at him for saying something so cheesy, but right then it seemed like the most tender and beautiful thing anyone had ever said to him. He walked to the door in front of him and wickedly enjoyed the look of sadness that adorned Seongje's face, but before he could lower his arms in resignation, Baekjin locked the room and threw himself into the dark-haired man's arms. "I want to continue this, I want to be with you, Seongje."
Seongje understood instantly. His eyes turned almost black with desire. He kissed Baekjin slowly and deliciously, devouring his mouth completely. He removed each of his garments and let Baekjin undress him as well. He laid him down on his bed and slowly climbed on top of him, careful not to crush him. He continued kissing his neck, his chest, his arms, his abdomen, his legs. And then he took it in his mouth, making him writhe with desire. Just as he was about to come, he stopped, searched through the drawers of his nightstand for a tube of lubricant, emptied it onto his fingers, and began to slowly prepare him, careful not to hurt him. Baekjin blushed to his neck. "Are you okay?"
...
-Are you okay?- he repeated from behind the door. -Jin-ah, are you alright? You've been in there a long time, breakfast's going to get cold- Baku exclaimed as he opened his door without permission. -I didn't want to ruin the surprise, but I bought you tteokbokki-
Baekjin was blushing from head to toe. He hadn't expected his memories to return so vividly, making his whole being tremble -Thanks, I like tteokbokki-
-I know- Baku smiled. -That's why I bought it to you-
....
-If I call him?- Seongje sighed, phone in hand -Maybe something happened to him, maybe he ran into some idiot on campus, maybe...-
-Maybe he's just ignoring you because he simply doesn't want to see you again- his roommate replied, munching on one of his chips -And he just used you to pass the time-
-Screw you- Seongje retorted -He's not what you think-
-Well, if you'd deign to tell me who the guy was you hooked up with last night, the one who left me with nowhere to sleep, maybe I could have a different opinion of him-
-I'm not telling you- Seongje huffed, since his roommate knew Baekjin pretty well.
-Fine, I still think it sucks not knowing who's responsible for the coldest night of my life, but if I try to fight you about it, I'll only end up with a broken bone, so I'd rather be resilient and remove your stupid name from our Electronics project-
-Stop whining, Noh Yun. You left me out too when you slept with that med girl.-
-I only left you out for a couple of hours, not the whole night, you inconsiderate bastard.-
"I've been in love with him since high school. A couple of hours would never be enough," he thought. -That it only took you two minutes to come is none of my fucking business- he said instead.
-You wish, you stupid bastard,- the curly-haired boy complained. -At least the med girl didn't ignore my messages after that night-
-You're one word away from me punching you in the face-
-Look how I'm trembling- he challenged, counting the words on his fingers.
Seongje stood up furiously and walked toward him.
-Fine, fine, I'm sorry... sleeping outside wasn't so bad. The cold opened my mind so much that I'll be a better engineer than you-
Seongje frowned at him -I should have punched you in high school instead of defending you from everyone else. I turned you into a cocky jerk-
-Well, defending myself from those who thought I was weird for being in a drama club was tough, but it was nothing considering it was thanks to me and that club that you met your lifelong crush... who, by the way, I thought you'd swear to be faithful to forever. What will Baekjin say when he finds out you cheated on him with someone else?-
Seongje lowered his head, blushing.
-Unless it was him you were with last night- he trailed off, watching Seongje's face... He frowned nervously -Which is complete madness!- he shouted. -What... how...?- His eyes widened.
-Shut your mouth, idiot-
-Did you do it?... Nah, it's impossible. How did you even manage to get close to him? How did you flirt with him while always protecting Baku? How... how did it happen?-
-I won't tell you how it happened, you perverted idiot-
-Damn it, no, I'm not talking about those details. I'm talking about how you got so close to him that... well, you know-
Seongje remained silent.
-Now I understand the urgency for me to answer you. Well, considering it's Na Baekjin, call him, insist. I mean... he's been your crush forever. You should go find him if you have to- He encouraged him.
Seongje lay back on his bed, sighing. -It's not that easy-
-Well, getting close to him never was. Every time you tried to talk to him, he interrupted- he teased.
Seongje glared at him.
-That's not a lie- he smiled, lying down beside him.
-I should never have been your friend- he blurted out, staring at the ceiling.
-Come on, I've always told you that if you need me to intervene so you two can talk, just ask without fear- he exclaimed, gently hitting his torso with his arm.
-I know, but I have to approach him on my own- he whispered.