By Zephyria 
Side Story 1.
A bus stop with peeling paint. In the middle of a desolate road, the old stop stood alone, with nothing but a solitary wooden bench. Even that was so covered in mold that it looked repulsive to sit on. Of course, Haon didn’t mind.
“In-ho, wait a second.”
Haon brushed away the dust and cobwebs from the bench with his bare hands and pulled a newspaper out of his bag. He had brought it along, anticipating that a situation like this might arise.
“Sit here.”
He folded the newspaper thickly, making it just the right size for In-ho to sit on. To act as a cushion.
“In-ho?”
“Yes?”
In-ho, who had been standing facing the streetlight, turned around as Haon tugged on his sleeve. He looked as if he hadn’t heard what Haon had said.
“Sit here and wait.”
Haon repeated, pointing to the newspaper he had laid on the bench. Seong-gu, who had agreed to meet them at the stop, had messaged saying he was running a bit late, so they would have to wait another ten minutes.
“You’re tired from the long bus ride, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine. What about you, Haon?”
“I like sitting for a long time.”
Answering energetically, Haon took In-ho’s hand and pulled him toward the bench. They had left after an early lunch in Seoul, but by the time they arrived, it was already bedtime. He should have left even earlier, considering the bus schedule.
The rural scenery, already unfamiliar to In-ho, was now blanketed in pitch-black darkness. Not a single car passed on the dark, narrow, and long road. It was an utterly desolate landscape.
The only light to rely on was the rusted streetlight. Still, it was so green and pretty during the day. Haon glanced at In-ho, regretting his decision to leave at lunchtime.
In-ho had become quieter after boarding the bus to the village. From that point on, he had a look of deep thought on his face, and now he wasn’t even properly hearing what Haon was saying.
Watching him, Haon began to feel a flicker of anxiety. He worried that In-ho might already be regretting coming down to the countryside.
“Haon, you sit here.”
In-ho set the Boston bag on his shoulder down on the ground and pulled Haon’s arm. Haon’s backside barely touched the uncleaned bench before he landed softly on the newspaper.
“I laid this out for you to sit on, In-ho.”
Haon sprang up and pulled In-ho’s arm again, forcing him to sit on the newspaper. Even if he had to sit on the dirt ground, he wanted In-ho to sit only in a clean spot.
“Then let’s do this.”
With a faint smile, In-ho sat on the newspaper and wrapped his arm around Haon’s slender waist. He pulled Haon onto his lap and rested his face against Haon’s cozy back.
“This is fine, right?”
Haon nodded vigorously, rubbing the corners of his upturned lips. If they had spread the newspaper wider, they both could have sat comfortably, but they decided to sit overlapped. This way was much better.
“It’s really pretty here during the day. Lots of flowers bloom in the spring.”
Haon murmured quickly, fearing In-ho might be disappointed by the bleak scenery. Of all times, the first thing he saw had to be the dark night of the countryside. Moreover, the stars weren’t very visible tonight, so there was nothing to brag about.
“Oh, and Seong-gu hyung and the aunts are amazing cooks—ptui!”
While doing his best to gather all the village’s charms, Haon spat out a bug that had invaded his mouth. All sorts of flying insects, including moths gathered around the streetlight, were welcoming Haon and In-ho. It was a completely unwelcome welcome.
“There are… a few bugs, but it’ll be fine since winter is coming soon.”
Haon waved his hand vigorously, worried that a bug might fly into In-ho’s mouth. In response, In-ho waved his hand back, following Haon’s lead. It was a somewhat limp gesture.
He must be disappointed after all.
Just as Haon turned his head toward In-ho, hoping the disappointment wouldn’t turn into regret, In-ho spoke up, tightening his grip slightly with the arm holding Haon.
“I should have bought more gifts.”
“Gifts?”
Haon tilted his head at the sudden change in topic and looked where In-ho was gazing. He was looking at the shopping bags placed on top of the large Boston bag. They were all gifts for the villagers.
First, he had bought a set of high-end wagashi and a box of famous yakgwa from a department store. For Seong-gu hyung and his family, he had bought shirts and sneakers with brand logos. He had also swept up scarves, lipsticks, and various creams recommended by a cosmetics store employee.
Is there anything else to add? Haon looked at In-ho, who was lost in thought, with curious eyes.
“I should have picked out more clothes. I feel like there are too many snacks.”
Seeing In-ho deeply contemplating with a trailing voice, a laugh escaped Haon. He wondered what he was thinking so deeply about.
“Deliveries come here too.”
“Still, it’s better to give them in person.”
“Then you can just buy more when you visit Seoul.”
Haon shifted to sit facing In-ho and leaned deeply into his firm body. Looking closely, he could read the worry hidden in In-ho’s smiling face.
You don’t have to worry. Haon hugged his wonderful partner, who would surely be welcomed anywhere, with all his might. He was certain that the village elders, who had practically raised him, would welcome him even without gifts.
“Everyone is warm and kind.”
They were people who had cherished him as if he were their own child or grandson when he was suddenly left with his grandmother. To Haon, the villagers felt like family.
It felt surreal that he had spent so long in Seoul, turning his back on such a large family. He now regretted only keeping in touch with Seong-gu hyung, fearing his heart would grow too soft.
I’ll probably get scolded a lot. Thinking this, Haon rubbed his cheek against In-ho’s neck. I don’t mind if they scold me, as long as they adore our In-ho. Seeing him worry so much that he couldn’t even hide his expression made Haon’s nose tingle with emotion.
“I think so too. Seeing how well you’ve grown, Haon.”
In-ho lowered his head, touching his nose to Haon’s, and whispered softly. He had been so caught up in his own worries that he hadn’t properly tended to Haon. Feeling apologetic, he stretched his arms wider and hugged the body leaning against him tightly.
“I think I was nervous because I wanted to make a good impression.”
“You were nervous?”
Haon lifted his head, looking surprised. Although he seemed a bit drained, he never looked like someone who was nervous.
“Yes, a little.”
I see. Haon had thought he was just worried. Looking at In-ho intently, Haon immediately understood that worry would naturally be accompanied by nervousness. Realizing he had asked a silly question, he curled his lips into a smile. Then, In-ho gave him a quick kiss.
Haon let out a breathy laugh and whispered back, pressing their lips together.
“You don’t have to worry or be nervous at all.”
Naturally, a strange place and new people would be awkward and uncomfortable, but there was absolutely nothing to fret over. If it was a burden born from the desire to be liked, he didn’t need to carry it.
“I’m actually worried that the aunts will like you too much.”
At the joke mixed with sincerity, the corners of In-ho’s mouth lifted. Relieved by the sudden laugh, Haon mumbled even more playfully.
“There are plenty of pretty aunts, too.”
There was one aunt who claimed she was such a beauty in her youth that young men used to fight over her. Though they were all approaching sixty now.
“I’m going to lay you inside, lock the door tight, and go to sleep.”
In-ho’s laughter grew at Haon’s aegyo-filled joke, and he lightly nipped Haon’s round cheek. And then his lips.
Haon pretended to avoid In-ho, who was tickling his lips and cheeks, and then slyly stuck out his tongue. In-ho licked the tip of the plump tongue that peeked out and whispered softly.
“What is there to worry about? I’m yours anyway, Haon.”
Their breaths mingled through their parted lips. Along with the soft press of flesh.
The kiss that followed naturally melted into the night scenery. Haon turned his body completely toward In-ho and wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders. He fully enjoyed the kisses they hadn’t been able to share all day because they were mixed in with crowds.
At the stimulation tickling the roof of his mouth, Haon shuddered and let out a cute sound. In-ho firmly gripped the slender nape of Haon’s neck, which fit entirely in one hand, and pushed his tongue deeper.
The way Haon didn’t pull back but instead lunged forward together tightened the grip on In-ho’s heart.
Is it okay to be this happy, to the point where my chest actually hurts? In-ho imagined his body bursting with overflowing happiness and hugged Haon tightly, putting his full weight into it.
As much as he applied pressure, Haon burrowed deeper into In-ho’s embrace. The scent of In-ho, added to the smell of the rural wind he had missed, filled Haon with contentment.
Between their breathing, the sound of insects surrounding the old bus stop intervened. Another unforgettable memory was added from the very first day.