This was my second attempt at starting their story. This was based on the fact that they had a bigger age gap (which they don’t anymore). Jaesun at this time was already established and working full time as a resident at his parent’s hospital, while Jiho was struggling to finish off college and land a secure spot at the tech company he was doing an internship with.

          I got the ice cream! They had your favourite flavour too!

Jaesun

          (Smiles) Thanks~

Jiho

          Hey, there is something I want to ask you.

Jaesun

          What is it?

Jiho

          My team director called me last week… He told me that I passed admission for the new project, but I don't know...

Jaesun

          I thought you were dead set on doing it. What is holding you back?

Jiho

          (Hesitant) They extended the contract...

Jaesun

          (Surprised) Really?

          (Curious) How long?

Jiho

          (Silence) …

Jaesun

          (Confused) Jiho?

Jiho

          1 year...

Jaesun

          (Unfazed) Is that why you don't want to go?

Jiho

          (Denial) No!

Jaesun

          What is the problem then? It's a job that pays well and will benefit your career. It's what you wanted to do ever since you joined that company as a trainee.

Jiho

          (left speechless)

Jaesun

          (Notices the time on a nearby billboard) I got to head back to my shift soon, I'll walk you to the station.

Jiho

          (Left defeated) Ok...

Dinner

Jiho

          (Returns home)

          (drops down on the bed)

          (looks at the ceiling) Why did it have to be 1 year?

Flashback to the phone call with the team director

Team Director

          Listen Jiho, the boss just called me about a new sponsorship and he is set on having you join the new team.

Jiho

          Really!?

Team Director

          Yes, you passed the final evaluation and they want you on their team as soon as possible.

Jiho

          That's amazing! I can't believe it!

Team Director

          It's no surprise, you worked hard on this one.

Jiho

          This is insane. I can't believe it... this will be my first big project since I joined the company last year.

Team Director

          Ha-ha~ calm down, now is not the time to celebrate. We still have a lot to do before your departure.

Jiho

          (silence)

          D-departure?

Team Director

          Yes, the company decided to extend your contract. They are adding a newly developed course for trainees that will define your permanent position once you're done. However, the course is sponsored by one of our current clients, so you and your new team will leave with the client when the paperwork is all-

Jiho

          *cuts in* When?

Team Director

          (Baffled over the interruption) In 2 weeks.

Jiho

          … How long? 

The scene cuts back to the bedroom

Jiho

          (sheds a tear)

5 hours later – the scene cuts to the living room

Jaesun

          *enters the apartment*

          Jiho, I’m home!

          *no response from JH*

          Jiho?

          *turns to check out the bedroom*

          *finds Jiho sleeping on the bed*

          [thinking] hmm, I’ll let him sleep until dinner is ready.

          *closes the door behind him*

Jiho

          *starts sniffing as soon as Jaesun leaves the bedroom*

          *Curls up under the blanket*

          [thinking] what do I do?

Skip until dinner is ready

Jaesun

          *knocks on the bedroom door*

Jiho

          *opens the door and tries to avoid looking up at Jaesun*

Jaesun

          Dinner is ready.

          *Turns to head to the dining table, but is stopped in his tracks by a pair of arms wrapped around his waist*

          *casts a glance over the shoulder*

          Jiho?

Jiho

          *tightens the grip on Jaesun’s waist to avoid eye contact*

Jaesun

          *gently strokes the back of Jiho’s hand and lets out a deep sigh*

          Talk to me Jiho.

          *greeted by stubborn silence*

          Is this about the prolonged terms of your contract?

          *no response*

          I know you probably don’t like the fact of it being extended, but it would be in your best interest to consider the consequences before making a reckless decision.

Jiho

          *loosens his grip on Jaesun’s waist*

          Reckless you say?

          *Jaesun turns to look at him, but he still avoids any possible eye contact*

          So, I’m nothing more than a reckless kid throwing a tantrum, I see…

          *clenches his fists*

          I guess I had a better deal with this as a responsible adult, just like you.

Jaesun

          *stares at Jiho in confusion, but does not respond*

          Come on, dinner is going to get cold.

          *turns towards the dinner table*

Jiho

          Ignores Jaesun’s request and heads straight for the door and leaves the house in silence*

Chapter 3 – A River of Tears

Early morning

Jiho

          *Sits down on a bench with a blank stare over the river*

          [Thinking] It’s never good enough, is it?

          *lets out a deep sigh as the sun breaks through the top of the buildings*

          [Thinking] am I doing the right thing? I wish he would stop taking everything so lightly… It’s not like I want to quit. It’s just…

          *bites his lip in frustration and hides his face in the palm of his hands*

          [Whisper] I can’t go home like this.

The scene cuts to Jaesun back in the apartment.

Jaesun

          *steps out of the bathroom*

          *and gives the dining table a blank cold stare before entering the bedroom*

          *heading for the balcony through the bedroom and grabs his cigs on the way*

          *he shuts the glass door behind him and takes a seat on a plastic stool*

          *a glance over the fence reveals the early morning sun rising*

          *he runs a hand rashly through his hair and sighs deeply*

          *with an elbow resting on the edge of the fence he hides his face in shame*

          *the sound of the main door unlocking rings through the apartment*

          *he chooses to ignore the footsteps that come closer*

          *the glass door opens and reveals Jiho’s sunken facial expression*

          *there is no sign of Jiho initiating a conversation*

          You came back earlier than expected.

Jiho

          … of course. I have no reason to run away. I just needed some air.

          *he swallows his tears once again*

Jaesun

          Have you made up your mind?

          *a silent response once again*

Jiho

          *he turns his back to Jaesun in the door to hide his face*

          Taking the sponsorship would be the right thing to do, right?

Jaesun

          Yeah…

          *he forgot to stop up and think before he answered*

          … but if you-

Jiho

          (Cuts in) I understand.

          *steps back into the bedroom*

Jaesun

          *lets out a frustrated sigh and lights up a cig*

The scene cuts to the bedroom

Jiho

          *starts undressing to get ready for shower*

          *grabs a towel from the closet*

          [thinking] I guess he really won’t mind me leaving.

          *Shuts the closet door and glances towards the balcony*

          *he widens his eyes in disbelief at the sight*

          *Jaesun forces the glass door open and stomping across the room on his heels*

          *Jaesun rips the towel and clothes out of his hands*

          *he feels Jaesuns arm pulling him in close*

          *Jaesun was panting and avoiding eye contact by keeping his eyes shut*

Jaesun

          But if you are having second thoughts, you…

          *inhales and continues with a shaken voice*

          … you should take it up with your manager and have the contract reviewed.

          *He was still panting heavily and scrunching his eyes shut*

Jiho

          *silently listens to Jaesun’s words*

          *flustered and confused by Jaesun’s sudden action he remains locked in place*

Jaesun

          [thinking] You idiot!

          *he snuggled in closer locking Jiho in place by the hip*

          *raises a hand to stroke Jiho’s cheek like a feather, staring at his collarbone*

Jiho

          Hy-Hyung…

          *he bit his lip to hold back his tears once again*

Jaesun

          Stay… if that’s what you want.

          *lifts his head to plant a kiss on Jiho’s forehead*

Jiho

          Hyuuung~

          *he finally starts bawling at the mere sound of Jaesuns voice*

Chapter 4 – Sweet Thorns

Dinner, 2 weeks later

Jaesun

          Jiho! Have you finished packing your things yet?

          *the sound of Jiho rummaging around in the bedroom could be heard from the living room*

          *enters the bedroom*

          What in the-

Jiho

          *focuses so hard on packing and arranging that he doesn’t realize Jaesuns presence*

Jaesun

          Oi! Jiho!

Jiho

          *Jumps in surprise and throws the stuff in his hands up in the air*

Jaesun

          *sighs with a smirk*

          Are you packing for a fashion show?

Jiho

          *blushing heavily*

          N-No! I am only bringing the most necessary stuff with me!

Jaesun

          *grins out of satisfaction*

          Do you need to prepare this much for just a weekend at the beach?

Jiho

          *pouts and looks away*

          You can never be too prepared for the unexpected.

          *keeps on stuffing his suitcase*

Jaesun

          *enjoys watching*

          Just don’t forget your swim shorts, unless you want to go skinny dipping.

          *Smirks at the mere thought*

Jiho

          *explodes out of embarrassment and throws a pillow at Jaesun*

          Stop flaunting your lewd fantasies around!

          I won’t be ready for tomorrow if you keep intruding like this!

          Go keep an eye on the dinner instead... *muttering*

Jaesun

          *giggles*

          Dinner is done already. Leave the rest for later and come join me while the food is still hot.

Jiho

          *lets out a defeated sigh*

          Alright, I’ll be out in a minute

At the dinner table

Jaesun

          How come you never change?

Jiho

          *looks at Jaesun, confused*

          What do you mean?

Jaesun

          *chuckles*

Jiho

          Hyung! Stop!

          *put his chopsticks down on the table*

Jaesun

          You are way too innocent about this Jiho. I’m amazed that you are still fazed by my love for you.

          *smiles innocently*

Jiho

          *sighs*

          *gets up from his chair and walks over to Jaesun*

          *looks at Jaesun with a weary gaze*

Jaesun

          *Keeps an eye on Jiho and awaits his next move*

Jiho

          *grabs a hold on of Jaesuns shoulders and straddles him in one swift motion*

Jaesun

          *smirks widely*

          Bold.

Jiho

          *blushes so hard that his face turns red*

          Are you complaining!?

Jaesun

          *bursts into heartwarming laughter*

          Not at all.

          *takes a firm grip around Jiho’s thighs, forcing the boy to arch his back*

          But I don’t think I ever taught you this type of behaviour.

Jiho

          *swallows nervously*

          I-If, not you then who?

Jaesun

          *leans in close to Jiho’s ear *

          Have you gone through my private collection while I’ve been working?

Jiho

          *shivers in fear of being caught off guard*

          N-No! I would never touch that dirty collection of yours!

          *ends up yelling in surprise*

Jaesun

          *leans back to observe Jiho with great pleasure*

          So, you don’t know what would naturally happen after this?

Jiho

          *Shakes his head violently while staring Jaesun right in the eye*

Jaesun

          *Sighs defeated*

          That’s too bad.

          *releases his grip and lets Jiho sit down on his lap in comfort*

          *wraps his arms around Jiho’s waist*

          I can teach you later, but if you are done with dinner you might want to get back to your fashion show*

          *sends Jiho a delighted smile*

Jiho

          *pouts unamused and hugs Jaesun*

          *hides his face, buried in Jaesun’s shoulder*

Chapter 5 – 

NSFW, Evening

Not written yet! - (Author note 2023, It was NEVER written lol)

Chapter 6 – Off to the beach

Morning, In the car.

Jiho

          Are you sure we got everything?

          *fiddles around the seat to make sure he has everything he needs for the ride*

Jaesun

          *starts the car and turns to Jiho*

          I got all our bags in the trunk. We only need to worry about the pitstops on the way down.

Jiho

          *shouts in excitement*

          I want Samgyetang! (Chicken soup)

Jaesun

          *shouts even louder*

          Kimchijigae for me! (Fermented cabbage stew)

Jiho

          Don’t you ever get tired of that? You eat it all the time!

          *pouts and frowns*

Jaesun

          A spicy stew is the best on a hot summer day!

          *sparkling of pure happiness*

Jiho

          Haha! You say the same thing during winter!

          *sends Jae a loving gaze*

Jaesun

          It’s perfect for all seasons!

          *grins in pride*

Jiho

          *laughs alongside Jae*

Arrives at the hotel, in the afternoon…

Jaesun

          *drops the bags on the bed*

          Do you want to take a shower first?

Jiho

          Sure, let me just find my things!

          *hurries to the bags to find a clean set of clothes*

Jaesun

          *unbuttons his shirt*