“Let go.”He couldn’t shake him off. Muhae shook his arm again, sighed, and explained.“I haven’t washed yet.”“Then I’ll wash you.”“Stop talking nonsense and go away.”Even though none of today’s events were his fault, Muhae felt a strange heat rising in his chest, making it impossible to speak kindly.Perhaps noticing this twisted mood, Joo-o—who had been dragging Muhae along—slipped his hand free.“Fine. Wash up, then come out. I’ll treat you.”“I don’t need it.”“…Jin Muhae, you smell like you’re hurt.”As he said, Muhae’s shoulders—once tense—now throbbed even when he stood still.Joo-o’s expression as he glanced over was quite a sight. Muhae couldn’t help but picture the way Joo-o’s face twitched in anxiety whenever that strange, spear-like thing got close to him.Damn. Muhae exhaled sharply and glanced around the bathroom. He’d have to wash anyway. It was only a matter of who went first.“Move. If you won’t, I’ll go in.”The one who wouldn’t budge before now stepped aside at the shove without resistance.Annoyed beyond words, Muhae headed into the bathroom without looking back.Shhhh—only when the hot water poured over his head did the knot in his gut finally ease. The chaotic day drifted through his mind in a blur, calmly settling into order.Looking at his body now, he saw bruises all over, not just on his shoulders. More troubling than the wounds, however, was the memory of that peculiar administrator in Sakdal who had been secretly snooping around—and the deal he’d proposed.He didn’t regret refusing without hearing the terms. But he couldn’t shake the discomfort of knowing Cheong had taken a keen interest in Joo-o.It wasn’t exactly a secret that Muhae’s performance improved when Joo-o accompanied him, so he could let that go if he wanted.But why had that man treated Joo-o so roughly, as if planning to put him to work? What could he possibly do with someone not in their right mind?‘If he needs people, I’m even better.’Thinking that, Muhae realized the glint in the man’s eyes wasn’t only greed for future gain.He wasn’t sure, but the thought made his mood turn sour. Mid-wash, he snapped his eyes open.Soap suds trickled into his eyes, stinging as if they would pop out. The pain sharpened his senses just as they were starting to dull.Why had he been hiding Joo-o’s face in the first place? To avoid hassles, he’d told himself.He had to remember that anyone could show that kind of unpleasant interest in Joo-o. He did have a face that would catch attention in Sakdal.He wasn’t Joo-o’s guardian, but he had more or less taken on the role of protector, so it was natural for him to be on edge.Joo-o roamed around with a grin, always one misstep away from being grabbed and dragged off. Muhae had ignored Cheong’s deal both for the secret of the homecoming and for Joo-o’s sake.He still had no answers about that man, but thinking it through strangely calmed Muhae’s mind.Feeling the hot water pouring over his body, his aching muscles seemed to loosen.Taking advantage of the moment, Muhae fetched a body product he’d bought last month and then left untouched.He’d picked it up absentmindedly because Joo-o kept sniffing at him, then never used it out of spite after paying for it.But consumer goods aren’t to blame. In the slums, that perfume-line shower gel was quite expensive; he couldn’t just let it go to waste. Muhae left the shower running longer than usual to loosen up, then—creak—ripped off the seal.Lost in thought and doing something he never did, he stretched what should have been a ten-minute shower into forty.Only then did he remember Joo-o, still unwashed and waiting.By now, Joo-o might have given up washing and fallen asleep. Today had been a complicated day for him, too.Click. As soon as Muhae opened the bathroom door, he was met by a rush of cool air. He yanked his uninjured arm with a pop of bone, took a few steps, and froze.Joo-o stood there, hair still neatly washed, and their eyes met. Oh no—he’d put that stuff in his hair. Muhae clicked his tongue as he approached.“What are you doing there?”“I need to put ointment on Jin Muhae.”Joo-o sat curled up at the foot of the bed, clutching the first-aid kit to his chest as if he’d been waiting all this time to treat him without being asked.…Just when he thought he’d loosened up, Muhae felt tight again. Lately, seeing Joo-o stirred only irritation in him.It was almost funny that, despite feeling annoyed, he couldn’t just push him away. His vaunted composure seemed to vanish whenever Joo-o was in front of him.Muhae smoothed his furrowed brow and stepped forward.“Why you?”“He can’t reach his back.”“…”“And I can’t apply it where Jin Muhae can’t see.”Damn. It was true, but…Muhae let out a strange groan, wiped his face with his hand, then tugged his t-shirt up over his damp skin.At the sight of his bruised torso, Joo-o’s face lit up as he undid the first-aid kit. The brightness was almost pleasant to see. He took out the pain-relief gel Muhae had spotted earlier.“Don’t think about it. Just do it.”“Mm-hm.”“Only on my back. I’ll take care of the rest.”Holding the t-shirt in his hand, Muhae sat down in front of Joo-o. He fumbled with something, then the sound of the gel being squeezed out reached his ears.Plop. When the cold pain-relief gel touched his shoulder, Muhae flinched awkwardly. Smooth fingertips massaged his swollen flesh as a sharp, tingling sensation spread.“Jin Muhae. Does it hurt?”“I’m fine. Mind your own body.”“I’m fine, but you’re the one who got hurt.”Whether from the hot shower or the cool gel, Joo-o’s usually warm hands felt cold against him.So Muhae couldn’t bring himself to push away the hands that moved from his shoulders down to his neck. He only sighed deeply to keep a straight face.“Huh.”“What’s wrong? Still not feeling well?”“No. I knew I’d win the fight, just didn’t expect to get hurt like this.”Joo-o’s voice carried a hint of distress. Had he truly expected to fight such an opponent bare-handed and walk away unscathed?Just as Muhae’s pride started to sting, Joo-o shuffled forward and came closer, reaching out toward his chest. Muhae hesitated briefly, then let him be.“At least it doesn’t hurt much except my shoulder.”“I told you I’m fine.”“Hmm…you smell different. What did you do?”“…”When Muhae stayed silent, Joo-o pressed his nose close to his face as usual. Muhae brushed him off unconsciously, then—tap—Muhae’s fingertip brushed Joo-o’s ear.“It’s okay. I can still smell it here.”As Joo-o turned to step back, he felt Muhae’s index finger on his earlobe. His red eyes lifted questioningly to Muhae, then he gave a crooked smile and slowly closed them. He didn’t hesitate—he was too used to it.When Muhae pressed his thumb into his earlobe, Joo-o’s lips parted slightly. His eyes crinkled in what looked like pleasure.Suddenly, Muhae recalled how Cheong had handled him in the Sakdal tunnels—grabbing Joo-o’s chin and stroking his cheek up toward his temple in one smooth motion.He didn’t want to mimic that man. But Joo-o’s jaw felt soft and yielding under his touch.Joo-o trembled, resting his face on Muhae’s large hand. Muhae gently massaged the soft skin as Joo-o leaned further against him.With his face slightly flushed, Joo-o opened his eyes and looked at Muhae. In a thin voice, his lips twitched.“Mm… my waist too.”“Shut ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) up.”“I thought you said you’d touch me later.”Muhae remembered fumbling over him in the storage gaps. He felt a fluttering in his stomach.Muhae had never lied to Joo-o, even if he’d ignored him before. It was part of his conscience—he wouldn’t take advantage of someone not in their right mind by deceit.Mentioning that as an excuse to touch him felt shameless, but as always, he found it hard to stop. Muhae clenched his other hand, then slowly unclenched it and moved it to Joo-o’s waist.“Uh-huh.”As if he’d been waiting, Joo-o leaned in even more. He was practically straddling Muhae’s leg now.The unexpected closeness amplified the fluttering in Muhae’s chest. A sweet, heady scent wafted from Joo-o’s neck.It was strange. Muhae had showered, yet the scent that made him want to bury his face must have been Joo-o’s own.Inhaling deeply, Muhae felt his head grow light. He lightly squeezed the waist he’d grabbed and drew Joo-o closer.Joo-o happily rested his head on Muhae’s shoulder.“Jin Muhae… I like this.”He rubbed his head and murmured, his voice soft and melting.“I really like it.”It was a very different reaction from when Cheong had touched him. Joo-o’s blissful movements gave Muhae a peculiar satisfaction.The lingering unease began to evaporate. Before he even registered it mentally, a palm that had hovered by his side lifted the hem of his shirt and slipped inside.When the rough, calloused hand rubbed his bare skin, Joo-o jerked with a laugh.“Ha ha…ah…”He thumped down onto Muhae’s leg. Muhae’s mouth felt dry as tinder.A dryness tingled through his nerves. He wanted water to moisten wherever inside was parched.The other hand also rose to remove the clothes that had already been pushed aside, pressing against his bare abdomen. Muhae savored the smooth, warm skin as he tensed his lower belly.Damn. His lower body responded again. It was understandable, but again…

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