Chapter 2
What started as a quiet café meet-up somehow turned into a night out in Gangnam.
Jaeyel had always wanted to experience the nightlife in Seoul, but he never thought he’d be doing it like this—tagging along with Bo to a famous restobar owned by one of his friends.
“You’ve never been to a bar in Seoul?” Bo had asked, raising an eyebrow when Jaeyel mentioned it.
Jaeyel shook his head. “Not even once. I mean, I always wanted to, but I never had the chance.”
Bo took a sip of his coffee and said casually, “My friend owns a resto-bar in Gangnam. I was planning to go after this… want to tag along?”
Jaeyel’s eyes lit up. “Wait, really? Can we?”
Bo just gave a small nod, and that was that.
At the bar, Jaeyel quickly realized this was nothing like the small pubs back home. The place was buzzing with energy, dim lights, stylish people, and music that made the floor vibrate beneath his feet.
It was exciting, overwhelming, and exactly what he imagined a night out in Seoul would be like.
Bo’s friend, a lively and charismatic guy, greeted them the moment they walked in.
To Jaeyel’s surprise, this time, talking with Bo wasn’t awkward at all.
Maybe it was the atmosphere, or maybe it was the drinks, but Bo felt… different. He was still his usual quiet self, but now Jaeyel could see another side of him. He joked with his friend, teased Jaeyel here and there, and even let out a rare laugh that made Jaeyel blink in surprise.
So he’s actually fun, Jaeyel thought, watching Bo banter effortlessly. He had assumed the guy was all seriousness, but no—Bo knew how to enjoy himself too.
The night flew by in laughter and drinks, and Jaeyel couldn’t remember the last time he had this much fun.
Everything seemed perfect.
…
Or at least, that’s what he thought.
Because the next thing he knew…
He was waking up in an unfamiliar room, his head spinning.
The dim lighting, the unfamiliar scent, the soft sheets beneath him—none of it made sense.
And then he felt it.
Warm lips against his own.
Jaeyel’s eyes snapped open, and his body reacted before his brain could catch up.
He shoved Bo away—hard.
Bo stumbled back slightly, eyes widening in surprise. “Jaeyel?”
His voice was confused, as if he didn’t understand what was happening.
Jaeyel didn’t care. His heart was racing, panic flooding his system. His jacket was on the floor, already removed, and that only made everything worse.
Without thinking, he grabbed it, pulled it on hastily, and before Bo could say another word—
He kicked him. Right in the shin.
Bo let out a sharp grunt, but Jaeyel was already storming towards the door.
“Pervert!” he shouted, his voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
And then he ran, still dizzy from the alcohol, barely keeping his balance. The cold Seoul air hit him like a slap, but honestly? It was the frustration that shook him awake more than anything.
He bolted out of the hotel and into the night, heart racing, head spinning.
The weight of his decision sat heavy on him.
Screw it—he was done.
He wasn’t speaking to Bo again. Ever.
…
The day after that disastrous night, Jaeyel barely had time to process everything before his uncle dropped unexpected news on him.
“There’s been a change of plans,” his uncle had said over lunch. “I have a sudden business trip, so the part-time job will have to end for now. I’ll call you again when things settle down.”
Jaeyel just nodded, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. His uncle and aunt had offered to let him stay a little longer, saying he could treat it as a mini vacation. But Jaeyel turned them down with a polite smile.
“I… actually need to go somewhere too,” he lied.
The truth? He just didn’t see a reason to stay anymore.
Last night had left a bitter taste in his mouth. He thought he’d finally found something, someone… but it turned out to be a mistake.
Rather than sulking around Seoul, he figured it was better to just leave.
So, without overthinking it, he packed his bags and got on the next bus back to Mokpo.
…
As the bus rumbled along the road, he leaned his head against the window, watching the cityscape slowly fade into open highways.
His mind, however, was stuck on one thing—Bo.
He had come to Seoul thinking maybe, just maybe, he’d finally find love this time. But clearly, he was wrong.
You really never know what kind of person someone is at first meeting.
He sighed, rolling his eyes at himself.
A part of him still felt like it was such a waste—because, except for that one thing, he actually had a good time with Bo. They laughed, they talked, and for a while, it felt nice.
But then Bo had to ruin it.
Taking me to a hotel just because I was drunk?
Jaeyel scoffed at the thought.
What a pervert.
Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed time passing.
Before he knew it, he was back in his hometown.
The moment he stepped into his small apartment, exhaustion hit him like a truck. He didn’t even bother unpacking—he just flopped onto his bed, letting out a long sigh.
His parents lived in the same city, but they always insisted he live on his own to be independent. And right now, independent just meant lying face-down on his bed, feeling drained from everything.
Sure, he was a little sad about what happened with Bo, but it’s not like he was going to die without a love life. He had another reason for going to Seoul—to gain job experience, and at least that part went well.
Even if it was cut short, it was still something.
Thinking positively, he dragged himself up and headed to the fridge. “Did I leave anything in here that’s gonna go bad?” he mumbled to himself, rummaging through the shelves.
But just as he was checking, something… hit him.
A weird, nagging thought.
He tilted his head, staring at nothing in particular as his brain worked through it.
The room was dead silent.
…
Then, suddenly—
“Oh my god.”
He froze.
And then, like a dam breaking, memories of that night came flooding back.
That night at the bar.
Jaeyel had been drinking.
A lot.
Bo had told him to stop multiple times, but Jaeyel had only laughed, waving him off. “It’s been so long since I had this much fun!” he slurred, grinning as he threw back another shot.
Bo ran a hand through his hair, watching Jaeyel sway slightly in his seat. He had lost count of how many drinks Jaeyel had downed, but at this point, it was more than enough.
“Alright, that’s it. You’re done,” Bo said firmly, reaching out to steady him.
Jaeyel just grinned, his eyes glassy. “Aww, come on, just one more?”
Bo shot him a look. “No.”
Jaeyel pouted, but when he tried to reach for his glass, Bo was faster, sliding it out of his reach with ease.
“Where do you live?” Bo asked, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll tell the taxi driver.”
Jaeyel blinked at him, his head tilting slightly like he was trying to process the question. He opened his mouth—then closed it.
A beat of silence.
Then, with a dopey smile, he muttered, “…Huh?”
Bo sighed, rubbing his temples. This was going to be a long night.
Bo pinched the bridge of Jaeyel’s nose, torn between finding him cute and annoying.
‘Great’ he muttered. Jaeyel was way too drunk to answer properly.
Frustrated but still patient, Bo sighed again, “Fine. I’ll just get you a hotel.”
He expected some resistance, maybe even a complaint.
Instead—
Jaeyel’s eyes lit up like he just heard the best news of his life. “Hoooootel,” he repeated, dragging out the word before bursting into laughter, like it was some kind of inside joke only he understood.
Bo sighed again.
This guy…
When they finally got inside the room, Bo had to practically drag Jaeyel towards the bed. But for someone who was drunk and barely able to walk straight, Jaeyel sure moved a lot.
“Will you stop squirming?” Bo muttered, struggling to keep him steady.
Then—
Jaeyel tripped.
Bo tried to catch him, but he lost his balance too, and before either of them knew it—
They crashed onto the bed.
…
Bo landed on top of Jaeyel, their faces inches apart, both of them frozen.
Jaeyel blinked up at him.
Without warning, Jaeyel cupped Bo’s face, his warm palms pressing against his cheeks. His thumbs brushed over Bo’s cheekbones, his touch slow and almost deliberate.
Bo froze. “You—”
Jaeyel blinked up at him, his lips curving into a lazy, drunken smile.
“You’re handsome,” he murmured. “Like… really, really handsome.”
Bo’s jaw clenched. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face before he let out a slow breath. He reached up, fingers wrapping gently around Jaeyel’s wrist as he pulled his hands away.
“You’re drunk,” he said, his voice quieter now, measured, controlled. His grip lingered for just a second too long before he let go.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. Then, almost as if he was talking more to himself than to Jaeyel, he muttered,
“You have no idea what you’re doing right now.”
Jaeyel only giggled, his fingers still resting against Bo’s face. His touch was light, almost lazy, as he traced the curve of Bo’s cheek with his thumb. A dreamy, drunken smile played on his lips as he stared up at him, eyes hazy but oddly focused.
Bo swallowed, his body rigid, unsure whether to pull away or stay completely still.
Then—
Jaeyel moved closer.
His breath was warm against Bo’s skin, his gaze flickering to Bo’s lips for just a second too long.
And before Bo could even process what was happening,
Jaeyel kissed him.
Bo froze.
For a second, he didn’t move. Then, reality hit him, and he pulled back slightly.
“Jaeyel, you’re drunk,” he reminded him, voice tight, trying to push him away.
But Jaeyel wasn’t having it. He wrapped his legs around Bo’s waist, locking him in place, and kissed him again.
Deeper.
Hotter.
Bo let out a shaky breath, gripping Jaeyel’s wrist again.
He was trying, really trying to stop this before it went too far.
But Jaeyel wasn’t letting go.
And after another moment of hesitation—
…
Bo gave in.
His hands found Jaeyel’s waist as he kissed him back—hard.
Back to the present.
Jaeyel slumped onto the floor, his face burning.
He covered his mouth with both hands, heart pounding as the realization fully hit him.
“I… was the one who kissed him first?! I started it?!”
He groaned, kicking his legs in frustration.
He was the one who started it.
He was the one who didn’t let go.
And he had the nerve to call Bo a pervert?!
Jaeyel buried his face in his hands, absolutely mortified.