Boundless Love

2.

“I would have waited even without this.”

When Choi Mujin said that, Haein finally relaxed and responded to a customer’s call. It seemed she really liked Choi Mujin. Though his life hadn’t been easy, his neat appearance often brought him such advantages. There was a time when he disliked this, but now he considered it beneficial.

The raccoon-like man seemed to notice the additional side dishes belatedly. As he approached Haein with an intent to complain, Choi Mujin ordered another bottle, which quickly pacified him.

“Another bottle? The alcohol is quite strong, will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I have a high tolerance.”

There had been times when he drank straight soju like water, so this was nothing. Choi Mujin was confident he could maintain his composure even if he drank more. He steadfastly kept his seat until 2 AM. When the establishment was about to close, he paid for everything he had consumed, making the raccoon-like man’s face twitch with satisfaction.

The amount was quite substantial, which seemed to please him greatly.

“Thank you!”

Hearing the raccoon man’s enthusiastic thanks, Choi Mujin stepped outside and leaned against a nearby wall to smoke. After waiting about twenty minutes, the closed door of the establishment swung open and Haein appeared.

“You waited a long time, didn’t you!”

She had said cleanup would take thirty minutes. She must have hurried for his sake.

“This is fine. It didn’t take long, and I’m used to waiting.”

“You shouldn’t be used to such things.”

Haein said reproachfully and stood in front of Choi Mujin. She awkwardly fidgeted with her fingers, then seemed to gather courage and looked up.

“Shall we go?”

Choi Mujin extinguished his cigarette in a portable ashtray and pushed himself off the wall.

“Let’s go.”

Haein took the lead. She seemed familiar with the area, and as they walked, a strip of cheap motels came into view. Just an ordinary motel with an unusual name sign and decorations that might have been flashy long ago. Looking at the prices posted at the counter, even the hourly rate wasn’t particularly high.

“You want to do it here?”

When was the last time he’d been to a motel? Maybe in the past, but now he didn’t particularly want to visit such a place. However, misinterpreting his hesitation, Haein blushed and opened her mouth.

“This… isn’t what you wanted?”

“No, having sex together is indeed what I meant.”

At the explicit word, Haein bowed her head deeply. Even with the courage to spend the night with a man she just met, she couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

“T-then why?”

“I’d like to change the location.”

No matter what, he disliked motels that looked like they might collapse from age. They had passed better-condition motels on the way, so why this one?

“Is there a hotel around here, by any chance?”

At Choi Mujin’s question, Haein raised her head with round eyes.

“There is one, but it’s quite expensive.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Haein seemed to want to say something more, her mouth moving slightly, but that was all.

After traveling a few blocks from the first motel, they found a two-star hotel. It was really more like a motel using a hotel’s name, but at least the building was much cleaner. After paying for a suite room for the night and receiving the key card, Haein nervously glanced at it.

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for the hotel.”

Only then did Haein’s expression ease. The youthful-looking man with a bright appearance wore nothing but cheap clothes, and up close, one could see that his sleeves were worn and frayed at the edges.

Though quite good-looking, life hadn’t been easy for him. When Haein suddenly looked up and made eye contact, he smiled shyly. With looks like that, he could have been an idol. With his bright personality too, they might actually be a good match.

“What floor is it?”

“Sixth floor.”

Haein entered the elevator first and firmly pressed the button for the sixth floor. Arriving at room 606 as indicated on the keycard, it was indeed much better than a motel, befitting a hotel.

“The room is nice.”

Where had his earlier boldness gone? Haein now had a shy expression and was fidgeting with his fingers again.

“Would you like to shower first?”

At Choi Mujin’s question, Haein nodded. Then he scurried into the bathroom like a fleeing squirrel.

Once inside the bathroom, Haein carefully removed his clothes. Looking into the mirror above the sink, he saw a face as gentle as a young lamb. But when he removed the smile from his face, fatigue and a gloomy feeling seeped through.

‘I need to do well.’

He had been lucky. Who would have thought he’d meet someone like Choi Mujin just three days after starting work at the bar? Haein, or rather his real name Lee Haseo, had grown up with hardship and never worn anything expensive, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t recognize value.

Working the night streets had given him a discerning eye. Everything from Choi Mujin’s wristwatch to his suit was worth more than Haseo could ever imagine. If he played his cards right, he might earn a decent sum for the night.

Haseo lightly patted his cheeks and put on an innocent smile again. Once he decided to move, the shower didn’t take long. He considered preparing himself down there but decided against it. Men like that wanted bodies as awkward as their appearances suggested.

After drying himself adequately and putting on a robe, he went out to find Choi Mujin sitting in a chair.

“I’m done washing up.”

When he spoke with a bright smile, Choi Mujin rose from his seat. What kind of work did this man do? He knew he was handsome even under the dim lights of Eldorado, but under bright lighting, the impression was different. He was handsome, but somehow frightening. Haseo had never felt this way even around gangsters known for using their fists.

Without realizing it, he hugged his shoulders and trembled slightly, prompting Choi Mujin to ask kindly.

“Are you cold?”

“A little.”

“Then lie down in bed first.”

“Should I?”

Haseo blinked and headed for the bed. Meanwhile, Choi Mujin passed by him and entered the bathroom. Lying on the bed with white sheets, the softness made him involuntarily exclaim.

“This is nice.”

If only he could have just one bed like this at home. But there was no space for a bed in a room where you could reach the end just by lying down. Just enjoy the moment now. As he was enjoying the softness, his eyes gradually began to close. He pinched the back of his hand, trying to stay awake, when the closed shower door opened and Choi Mujin walked out leisurely.

He hadn’t properly dried himself and though wearing a robe, the front wasn’t fastened. Because of this, his well-trained body was fully exposed, which was fine up to that point. A handsome man with a good body was pleasing to the eye. The problem was what came next.

‘Why, why does he have so many scars?’

Haseo couldn’t understand what kind of life would leave someone with so many scars. He swallowed hard and tensed his body as he saw them. Meanwhile, Choi Mujin was getting closer and closer to him.

“Haein-ssi.”

Standing by the bed, Choi Mujin pulled up the corners of his mouth in a kind smile, but it felt somehow awkward. It was like a tiger pretending to be a herbivore. Haseo wanted to run away immediately but couldn’t. In his head, he recalled the text message he had received from the hospital today.

“Yes.”

Haseo smiled back and raised himself up.

“You need to dry your hair more. You’ll catch a cold like this. Wait a moment.”

Haseo pulled Choi Mujin’s robe sleeve to make him sit on the bed, then darted to the bathroom to bring a fresh towel. Actually, being a hotel, there was also a hair dryer available, but in his flustered state, he hadn’t thought of it.

Haseo gently patted Choi Mujin’s hair with the towel to dry it. Due to Choi Mujin sitting on the bed, Haseo’s posture became awkward, but given their size difference, this couldn’t be helped.

‘I’m scared.’

Haseo bit the tender flesh inside his mouth. Now was not the time to be afraid, but to think about the expensive items Choi Mujin possessed. As he was quietly drying his hair, Choi Mujin gently took hold of Haseo’s wrist midway.

“I think my hair is dry enough now.”

Turning around, Choi Mujin gently kissed the wrist he was holding. Haseo dropped the towel and looked down at Choi Mujin gazing up at him.

“Shall we get to the point?”

As the attractive low voice brushed past his ear, Haseo found himself nodding unconsciously.

“Do you prefer someone active? Or someone more docile?”

“You’re accommodating my preferences?”

“If possible.”

Choi Mujin stared into space momentarily before answering.

“I’d prefer docile.”

At those words, Haseo carefully embraced Choi Mujin’s neck and kissed him. If he wanted someone docile, he would accommodate. He kissed him lightly, like a young bird pecking with its beak, without even parting his lips, then pulled away. Choi Mujin smiled with a strange expression.

Gently pushing Haseo back, Choi Mujin climbed on top of him and removed the loosely worn robe. To be honest, it was a body any man would envy. Especially Haseo, who had been weak and unable to do much properly.

‘No, but what is that down there?’

Looking at the formidable weapon rising between his legs, Haseo’s body involuntarily recoiled. Among all the men he had met, Choi Mujin’s organ seemed the largest and most intimidating. With bulging veins and a size that didn’t seem Korean at all. Could his body safely accommodate that? Many thoughts crossed his mind, but it was too late to escape now.

NOTES: 

-ssi – A Korean honorific similar to “Mr./Ms.” (used when Choi Mujin addresses Haein)