A Chance to Make Amends

Inwoo stared at the disconnected call, sinking deep into thought. Why had he called again? Should he tell him not to come, even now? A relentless conflict raged within his mind.

“What if I’ve just stirred up trouble and end up getting snagged?” he mused.

Recalling Seo Junwon’s innocent actions only heightened his unease. Inwoo preferred things to be moderately seasoned, slightly tarnished. He detested anything too fresh or naive.

He had learned this through several encounters in his ignorant youth. Wanting to be alone, crying and clinging, begging for understanding—none of it suited him.

Tsk, he clicked his tongue, hesitating whether to tell him not to come now. Instead, he tossed his phone onto the table. Ah, whatever. I don’t want to think about it anymore.

If he had just taken care of it completely yesterday, none of this would be happening. He would call it regret, simply regretting that he couldn’t have him.

First, he stepped into the bathroom for a shower. He cleansed himself with a fragrant body wash, then emerged to change out of his patient gown and into regular clothes.

Just as he reached for his hat and mask, a soft knock echoed at the door. A mischievous impulse struck him, and he swiftly lay down on the sofa, closing his eyes.

A moment later, another soft knock was followed by the sound of the door opening. A cautious voice called out, “‘Inwoo?'” Heavy footsteps approached, halting right beside his face.

One might expect to be woken, yet no further sound or movement followed.

He subtly opened his eyes a sliver, only to find Seo Junwon peering down at him intently. His face showed clear deliberation, as if weighing whether to rouse him or not.

Inwoo let out a soft groan, feigning a sleep-talk, and Seo Junwon flinched. After a brief moment of contemplation, he disappeared from view, only to return with a blanket from the bed, which he gently spread over Inwoo’s body.

Every gesture, every breath, was executed with utmost care, lest he disturb Inwoo’s slumber. The instant Seo Junwon finished covering him and turned to leave, Inwoo’s hand shot out, snatching his wrist.

“Agh!” Seo Junwon shrieked in fright, while Inwoo sat up, chuckling softly.

Having just finished his game, he was dressed in athletic wear. While a shirt and suit pants suited him well, his physique in sportswear was subtly arousing.

His body truly is excellent, Inwoo noted inwardly. As he released Seo Junwon’s arm, Junwon instinctively smoothed a hand over his chest.

“You startled me!” he exclaimed.

“Why are you so easily startled? It’s fun, it makes me want to tease you more,” Inwoo replied, a smile playing on his lips.

Seeing Inwoo’s grin, Junwon couldn’t help but smile back. He had simply thought Inwoo was asleep and intended to cover him with a blanket before leaving.

“Did you drive here?” Inwoo inquired.

“Yes. I’m a little late because I dropped off my manager first.”

“How’s your body? Are you alright? I was quite surprised when you suddenly fainted.”

Junwon felt a blush creep up his neck and averted his gaze awkwardly.

“I apologize. I don’t know why that happened.”

“Are you the type who faints when excited?” Inwoo probed.

“Excuse me?”

“I guess we can’t have s*x then. I’m incredibly good at exciting people.”

Junwon’s mouth fell open, rendering him speechless. He wasn’t sure why the conversation had abruptly veered towards s*x, but Inwoo’s expression suggested he was entirely serious.

As Junwon mentally scrambled for a response, Inwoo retrieved his coat, which had been hanging on one side of the room.

“Let’s go out for now.”

“Huh?”

“Just drive me to SU Hotel. You know where it is, right?”

Inwoo put on his coat, then donned his hat and mask. At the mention of a hotel, Junwon’s expression subtly darkened. What could he be doing at a hotel so late at night?

“The hotel?” he repeated.

“Staying in the hospital makes me feel like I’m dying. I’ll sleep at the hotel tonight.”

“Ah.”

Junwon promptly stood up. “I’ll drive you.” The two exited the hospital room and took the elevator together.

Being alone in the confined space felt strange. In movies, the elevator would suddenly break down, one would comfort the other’s fear, and then affection would blossom.

Junwon instinctively glanced at Inwoo. The mere thought made him smile, but fearing he looked foolish, he quickly composed himself, deliberately forcing other thoughts into his mind.

When the elevator stopped on a middle floor, a throng of people piled in. They all appeared to be relatives. Inwoo turned his head, worried someone might recognize him.

There were occasionally people who could identify him just by his eyes.

At that moment, Junwon shifted, positioning himself to shield Inwoo. On the next floor, even more people entered, pushing them closer until their chests were almost brushing.

Junwon’s face flushed crimson as he turned his head away. A subtle fragrance emanating from Inwoo tickled his nose. Was it aftershave?

Inwoo, who had been quietly observing Junwon, subtly curved his lips into a smile beneath his mask. Seeing Junwon bracing himself against the elevator wall with one arm, desperately trying to avoid contact, a mischievous urge to torment him slightly began to stir.

Inwoo moved his body forward just a fraction, allowing their upper bodies and lower torsos to touch. Junwon gasped in surprise, attempting to pull back, but the crowd behind him made it impossible.

He was at a loss, unsure where to direct his gaze. As he felt his core slowly swell, he began to conjure the faces of people he disliked, one by one, in his mind.

Upon reaching the first floor, the people rushed out, and Junwon bolted from the elevator as if fleeing. Inwoo ambled out behind him.

“Let’s go together. Why are you running away?” Inwoo called out.

Junwon walked far ahead, stiffly, like a robot. It wouldn’t be surprising if he ran into something at this rate, Inwoo thought. Sure enough, he walked straight into a glass panel with a thud.

Not even an inch off his prediction.

“Are you alright?”

He frantically waved his hands.

“Ah, yes. I’m sturdy, I’m fine. The glass was so clean I didn’t see it.”

Inwoo couldn’t help but laugh, looking at the glass panel Junwon had just hit. How could he not see it, with all those large hospital advertisements plastered on it?

Stepping outside, they walked a short distance to where Junwon’s car was parked.

“Nice car. Baseball players must make good money.”

Junwon opened the passenger door. “Get in, please.”

“Thank you,” Inwoo said, settling into the car.

The door soon closed, and Junwon took his place in the driver’s seat. The engine purred to life, and the car exited the parking lot, merging onto the road.

Most of the commercial buildings were lit, but few people were out and about. Throughout the drive, Junwon remained silent, holding his tongue.

The elevator incident kept replaying in his mind, tormenting him, as did his foolish collision with the glass.

“I’ve been thinking quite a bit today,” Inwoo began, breaking the tense silence.

Junwon swallowed hard, his face tight with apprehension.

“And the more I think about it, the more I feel a little annoyed.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, because of you, Junwon, I can’t get it up right now. I mean, I did tell you to hit the ball first, but shouldn’t you feel a little responsible?”

Silence.

“Yet, instead of earnestly helping with my rehabilitation, you run away or just faint… Imagine how exasperated I must have been.”

“I’m sorry,” Junwon mumbled.

“Ah, it’s not about apologies. It’s more that I’m a little disappointed. Turn right up there.”

Junwon activated the right turn signal and steered the car right. About a hundred meters away, a hotel came into view. His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and his heart pounded harder with every meter they drew closer to the hotel.

“G-give me a chance,” Junwon stammered.

Inwoo asked with an indifferent expression, “A chance for what?”

“A chance to make amends.”

This time, Inwoo consciously suppressed the smile that threatened to spread across his lips.

“Make amends for what, exactly?”

“No, really. I’ll do well this time, no, I’ll try my best.”

“Enough. Are you just going to faint again?”

“No, I won’t. This time, I’ll truly give my all.”

Watching Junwon’s resolute determination, Inwoo stifled a laugh and nodded.

“If you insist, I won’t refuse. You proposed this first, Junwon?”

“Yes.”

“No blaming me?”

“Of course not. I would never, ever blame you, Inwoo. Never.”

As they conversed, the car entered the hotel’s underground parking lot. After parking in a secluded spot, the two exited the car and headed directly for the elevator.

Although they didn’t encounter anyone during the ascent, Junwon was acutely aware of Inwoo standing beside him, and his mouth felt parched.

The elevator arrived at the 23rd floor, and Inwoo stepped out first. Junwon followed close behind him. Inwoo swiped the card key at the hotel room door, and it clicked open.

Junwon bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood. Don’t be nervous. Don’t be nervous.

Just as he steeled himself and started to enter, Inwoo grabbed Junwon by the shoulder and pushed him against the wall. In the blink of an eye, their lips met, a soft chup sound escaping before they quickly parted.

Junwon was flustered, stammering, unable to form words.

“Inwoo, wait. Let’s, let’s go inside first…”

“You said you wanted to make amends,” Inwoo cut him off, his voice terse.

Inwoo’s hand moved from Junwon’s shoulder to the nape of his neck. As he caressed him softly, Junwon’s gaze wavered.

He felt a surge of desire coiling deep within his gut. If yesterday he had been desperate to escape, today he felt an urgent impulse to claim Inwoo’s half-parted lips.

“Go on, hurry,” Inwoo urged.

No sooner had Inwoo spoken than Junwon tilted his head and covered Inwoo’s lips with his own. The moist, soft lips welcomed his, and he gently sucked, moving his jaw.

Inwoo lifted his arms, wrapping them around Junwon’s neck. Their tongues entangled stickily, and with every movement, his throat grew parched, his thirst intensifying.

Junwon broke the kiss, breathing roughly for a moment. Inwoo’s half-lowered eyelids slowly lifted.

He seemed pleased, yet there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his expression.

“You kiss better than I expected. It’s unsettling.”