By Zephyria 
After work, Eun-ha had lunch with Yeon-jun. After that, it naturally led to spending the afternoon together. They stopped by the bank, went to the library, and with time to spare, even watched a recently released movie. Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
As dinner naturally followed, Eun-ha had to endure a steady barrage of questions from Yeon-jun. With sparkling eyes, he kept inquiring about Eun-ha for quite a while. Most of it was about basic information and preferences. Favorite foods and disliked foods, disliked behaviors, hobbies, birthday, friends…
From the seamless flow of questions, as if reading from a list, Eun-ha guessed. It seemed a lot of curiosity had piled up. With a face that looked like he had a lot to say, he had always kept his lips sealed. How had he managed to hold it all in until now?
Feeling a slight stir inside, Eun-ha readily answered each question thoroughly. In doing so, he realized something anew. There were parts they knew quite well about each other, but the areas they still didn’t know were much larger.
Then, questions naturally came from him as well. Just casually asking, ‘What about you?’ But at those short words, Yeon-jun’s face looked unusually pleased. The change in expression wasn’t very dramatic, but one could subtly feel his face brightening instantly. Eun-ha thought habitually again. This kid… does he like me that much?
The interrogation-like time continued even after dinner, in the car on the way home. Perhaps because there had been various incidents since morning. Or perhaps because there had been no gap for audio since they reunited after being apart for just a few hours. It was a day that felt incredibly long, as if a day couldn’t possibly be longer. Thanks to that, by the time Eun-ha stepped into the Officetel elevator, he was half-exhausted and had to sigh. He wanted to rest soon now. Just as he was about to step out right past the opening elevator doors.
Yeon-jun tightly grabbed Eun-ha’s wrist as he tried to leave the space. Pulled slightly by the force, Eun-ha looked back and up at Yeon-jun. Asking with his eyes why he was doing that, Yeon-jun briefly moved his lips and spoke.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you sleep?”
“Ah—” Eun-ha made a short sound and made a subtle expression. It was because the morning conversation suddenly came to mind. Asking if he could sleep.
Of course, he probably couldn’t. He wouldn’t fall asleep easily, and even if he did, it was obvious he wouldn’t last more than three hours before being chased away.
It was the same even if he was dead tired. Fatigue and sound sleep were thoroughly separate realms for Eun-ha. His insomnia was that vicious.
So, what. Eun-ha narrowed his eyes.
“…What are you trying to do?”
“I told you.”
“What.”
“That you can use me.”
At the inappropriate-sounding expression, his brow slightly furrowed. What’s with this ‘use’ talk, use… He retorted with a snort, sounding indifferent.
“Isn’t it just that you want to satisfy your own ulterior motives?”
“Of course not.”
To the words tossed out like a joke, what came back was a slightly reproachful look. A gaze scolding, as if asking how could he possibly do such a thing.
Then, as if checking if it was okay, it quickly turns docile. From that attentive observation, Eun-ha averted his gaze for no reason. Staring past the still-open elevator doors, he replied as if giving up.
“…I get it, so let’s get off first.”
You’re a nuisance. As he added that, a small laugh came from behind him.
And so, he ended up bringing him home. Since it was already quite late, they immediately started preparing for bed. Eun-ha said he’d wash up first and entered the bathroom. Leaving the faucet running, he sank into thought. Only one thought occupied his mind.
Is this right… Is it okay to do this?
The reason it bothered him was obvious. Well, we just agreed to start dating this morning, and it still doesn’t feel real yet. I’m not sure if it’s right to suddenly sleep together from the very first day in that state.
The current situation, where I readily brought him home because he said I could use him for sleep, also feels a bit questionable to me.
But if I were to speak the sincere truth that takes precedence over that.
“……”
Honestly, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. Putting everything else aside, the desire to sleep comfortably was genuinely earnest.
For sound sleep, not distinguishing means or methods and utilizing anything was usually Eun-ha’s principle. If he could just sleep properly, he was confident he would consider any method. Even if it meant treating his body carelessly.
After washing up, Eun-ha sat on the sofa hugging his knees, quietly listening to the sound of Yeon-jun washing up. He gave him spare clothes meant for guests. How long did he blankly kill time? A click sound of the door opening was heard. Eun-ha consciously didn’t look that way. Because all of this was awkward and unfamiliar. It had been like that all day since this morning. Though he didn’t show it.
That’s when it happened. Yeon-jun suddenly appeared in his field of vision. What made Eun-ha momentarily flabbergasted was that he sat down between Eun-ha’s legs as if it were his own spot. Sitting at a slightly slanted angle, he wriggled his lips and looked up at him.
“…What are you doing?”
At the dry tone, Yeon-jun lightly leaned his head on Eun-ha’s knee. Since Eun-ha was wearing indoor shorts, the completely wet hair of the one who just washed up was fully felt against his skin.
“It’s damp.”
“That’s why.”
“What?”
“Dry it for me.”
What? A sudden breath hitched at the unexpected request. Instead of answering, Yeon-jun just shifted his gaze to the spot beside Eun-ha. Following his gaze, there lay the hair dryer he had used just a moment ago.
What… really asking to dry his hair? As his lips twitched emptily, Yeon-jun rested his cheek on the knee. Rubbing slightly, he mumbled.
“I wanted to try something like this…”
The sight of him doing that with his ears all red was quite adorable. Honestly… Clicking his tongue, Eun-ha looked down at his head and shook it side to side. As if asking what could he do, he picked up the hair dryer. It was his first experience drying someone else’s hair. He was being careful, trying to do it well. Carefully touching the damp hair, how much did he dry it?
“…Hyung?”
“Yeah.”
“I think my scalp is going to burn.”
“-Ah.”
Panic spread at the voice that suddenly reached him. Why does he say such things so nonchalantly? Immediately moving the hair dryer far away, Eun-ha furrowed his brows. He didn’t know it would be hot.
“Sorry. It’s my first time drying someone else’s hair.”
For some reason, Yeon-jun paused briefly, then nodded without a word. He opened his mouth when Eun-ha put the hair dryer down on the sofa, as it seemed somewhat dry.
“…First time?”
“Huh? Ah, yeah.”
“……”
“Why. What. Why are you looking at me like that again.”
No, but as soon as he answered, the eyes that glanced up at him held a hazy atmosphere. Those dreamy eyes, as if lost in clouds.
“…Because I like it.”
“……”
“That I’m Hyung’s first.”
It was a statement that could be interpreted as ‘the fact that there can be a first.’ Slowly understanding the meaning of those words, Eun-ha made an awkward expression and then got up from his seat.
He was about to leave silently when something suddenly occurred to him, making him stop abruptly.
Fidgeting with his forearm meaninglessly, he spoke in a small voice.
“Let me make this clear, Yeon-jun.”
“Yes.”
“It’s not ‘using’.”
“……”
“…That’s the kind of relationship we are.”
Yeon-jun was silent for a while. He just quietly blinked, looking at Eun-ha. And then, slowly, his pupils began to sparkle.
I don’t know why, but when he’s like that, I feel like pretending not to know. Deliberately turning his head away as if withdrawing attention. This time, he really left the spot. Walking languidly toward the bedroom when suddenly, a presence swiftly approached. His waist was hooked, and his back was deeply enveloped in a warm embrace in an instant.
“Yes, Hyung.”
“……”
“It’s good.”
I like it. The lips attached to his ear tickled as they mumbled. The faintly brushing breath gave him goosebumps, making his shoulders shudder. Shrugging his shoulders, Eun-ha wriggled his toes. He thought, fidgeting.
It’s a strange feeling.
Strange…