DPGR 168

Dojin woke up. For someone who had been unconscious for four months, it was a surprise that his condition was good.

Still, after lying in bed for so long, some rehabilitation was needed. It took another full month after waking before he was discharged.

“I could’ve carried that.”

“You’re a patient!”

On the way home from the hospital, Jiho strode ahead energetically, carrying the luggage. Dojin watched his back with gentle eyes.

Unlike himself, who had lost muscle and needed rehab, Jiho had steadily regained his strength after waking up and was now walking around just fine.

He’d heard Jiho had also been unconscious for about a month and a half.

‘Did the god intervene?’

Even the hospital, used to cases of those exposed to supernatural energy, had found it exceptional. If it had happened in an ordinary hospital, it would have caused a bigger stir.

In any case, Dojin was just relieved Jiho wasn’t hurt. But it also pained him a little to see how much Jiho had toughened up while he’d been out of it.

Instead of the luggage Jiho had taken from him, Dojin looked down at the small flowerpot he held in his arms.

‘I bought it. It was supposed to be your birthday gift. There were flowers in it once… I guess they’ve all died now.’

The pot, untouched while Jiho had been unconscious, had withered completely.

Upset, Jiho had glumly explained the story behind it.

‘It’s your birth flower. April 11, Astilbe. Do you know what it means? Please come back. That’s the flower language.’

He’d gone on about how the words struck him, how many florists he had called to find it, how he’d felt carrying it to the hospital.

He gently stroked the dead pot, a bitter smile on his face.

‘But it’s okay now. You’re back. It’s a bit of a shame, but I should throw it away.’

It was Dojin who took the pot from Jiho’s hands. He couldn’t throw away something holding Jiho’s feelings and affection.

So Dojin removed the dead soil and plants, cleaned the empty pot, and brought it with him.

He called out to Jiho, who was walking half a step ahead.

“Jiho-ya.”

“Yes?”

Just Jiho. Not his guide.

Jiho answered naturally and turned back. A faint smile played on Dojin’s lips.

“Can we stop somewhere on the way?”

“Where?”

Jiho blinked in surprise. The early summer sunlight in June wrapped warmly around the two of them.

Dojin met Jiho’s eyes, which sparkled even brighter under the light, and smiled softly.

“There’s something I ordered.”

***

The place they stopped was a flower shop near the center. Jiho followed him inside, glancing curiously around while Dojin approached the shopkeeper.

“I’m the one who called a few days ago. Is the flower I ordered ready?”

“Oh! You’re the one who ordered the lily of the valley, right?”

“Yes.”

The owner stood up quickly and brought over a pot from the corner. Dojin handed over the empty pot he’d brought.

“Can you replant it in this?”

“Of course. Just give it here.”

Though it might’ve been a hassle, the shopkeeper cheerfully agreed to do the repotting.

As she gently shook off the soil and moved the plant, she struck up a conversation.

“Is it a gift?”

“Yes.”

“Family? A lover?”

“For… someone I like.”

The tips of Dojin’s ears turned red. Jiho had finished looking around, hecame up beside him and looked up with wide eyes.

Dojin kept his gaze fixed on the plant, unable to meet Jiho’s eyes.

“They must really like lilies of the valley. Most people give bouquets, though.”

“…It’s their birth flower.”

“Oh my! Really?”

The shopkeeper chuckled, gushing over the romantic gift. She then explained how to care for the plant and added one more thing.

“Would you like to know the flower meaning too?”

Dojin and Jiho looked at each other, then nodded at the same time.

The shopkeeper patted the pot to shake off the dirt, then handed it over to Dojin with a smile.

“It means the return of happiness.”

The return of happiness.

Dojin repeated the words quietly and smiled, eyes softening. He took Jiho’s hand in his other, their fingers interlaced.

The warmth in that grip filled his heart.

***

After leaving the shop, Dojin led Jiho to a taxi, ignoring his protest that the bus would be fine.

“I know the bus routes. There’s even one that goes straight to our place.”

“The taxi is faster.”

As if he had a reason to get home quickly.

Jiho was puzzled but couldn’t argue with Dojin’s insistence. He really did seem impatient.

Was he feeling unwell? Dizzy? Hurting somewhere?

Jiho grew concerned, but when he glanced up, Dojin looked healthier than ever.

‘Then why…?’

While Jiho puzzled it over, Dojin hailed a taxi. The whole ride home, he said nothing and just played with Jiho’s hand.

‘This is so awkward…’

The silence was stifling. Dojin sitting right beside him made Jiho’s own lips feel sealed shut.

Now and then, he caught glimpses of something intense in Dojin’s eyes. Whatever the reason, Jiho could tell he was holding something back.

‘Why all of a sudden…?’

He felt Dojin’s gaze fall from his eyes to his cheeks, then linger on his lips. The hand holding his was growing hotter by the second.

A strange heat spread across his face. Even without a mirror, Jiho knew he was blushing furiously.

Dojin licked his lower lip, eyes locked on Jiho. His tongue, slowly slipping out between parted lips, looked strangely red and indecent.

Jiho gulped and ducked his head in fluster.

“We’ve arrived.”

The taxi driver’s voice broke the moment.

Jiho exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Dojin paid and helped him out of the cab, shouldering the luggage once more.

“Let’s get home. Quickly.”

“Uh, yeah, okay.”

Jiho walked alongside him, wondering what that was all about. His mind was already racing with concerns about the state of the house.

Did I do the laundry? Did the dishes pile up? Oh no, I think I just left my pajamas on the bed…

Even as they entered the building and stepped into the elevator, his mind stayed on that track. He wanted everything to be perfect now that Dojin was home.

But as soon as the doors closed, he couldn’t think of anything anymore.

Dojin wrapped an arm around Jiho’s waist and bent down to kiss him.

“Mm, mmph…!”

His lips pressed against Jiho’s, rubbing and claiming. Then, unable to hold back, he sucked on Jiho’s lower lip, slipping his tongue through the slightly parted gap.

Jiho struggled instinctively, but Dojin just tightened his hold and pushed in deeper, filling his mouth with heat.

“Ah, ngh, mm….”

Their breaths mixed again after so long. Jiho was crushed against Dojin’s firm body, feeling the solid heat of him pressing into his stomach.

His tightly shut eyes trembled. The kiss was rougher than anything before, and he could feel his reason melting.

He’s going to devour me.

A chill ran down his spine. Dojin seemed just as far gone, his hand sliding under Jiho’s shirt with restless hunger.

Calloused fingertips brushed slowly down his back, sending a shiver through him.

Jiho gasped and shoved Dojin back.

Ding

The elevator stopped.

The automated voice announced, “Doors opening.”

Jiho’s face turned crimson.

“Haa, hah…”

Someone climbing 36 floors by stairs wouldn’t be this breathless. His heart pounded so hard it hurt.

With only one unit per floor, there was no chance of anyone seeing them, but it was still deeply embarrassing.

Unfazed, Dojin peppered kisses on Jiho’s cheek and nose.

“Hyung, stop, we’re still outside…”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s, let’s go inside…!”

That was exactly what Dojin had been waiting for. He grinned and placed one last kiss on Jiho’s lips before nodding toward the open elevator.

“Alright. Let’s finish this inside.”

Wait. I didn’t say anything about finishing anything.

But before he could even think more, Dojin pulled him close.

“W, wait…!”

Jiho had no choice but to be dragged helplessly into their home.