JD 32

Muheon had only meant to pat him playfully, and so had Hakyung as he giggled on Muheon’s shoulder—but somehow, the atmosphere turned strangely awkward.

Letting out a subtle breath without Hakyung noticing, Muheon resumed walking toward the bedroom. With every step he took, Hakyung felt like he was holding his breath, nerves winding tighter in his chest.

“You’re still drunk. Lie down.”

Muheon gently sat Hakyung down on the bed, careful not to touch his bottom.

As Hakyung nodded obediently, he opened his mouth to speak.

“Boss, am I drunk?”

“Yeah.”

“Then whatever happens from now on is because I’m drunk, so you’re not allowed to get mad at me tomorrow. Got it?”

“What…?”

Before Muheon could ask what that meant, Hakyung reached out, looped his arms around Muheon’s neck, and kissed him.

Compared to the light, ticklish kiss Muheon had given earlier before the whiskey, this one had a hundred times more boldness. Riding the momentum, Hakyung licked across Muheon’s lips with his tongue.

He’d only seen kissing in dramas, but he knew what to do—he was, after all, an adult among dolphin beastmen.

“Mm… um…”

The kiss wasn’t exactly sultry—more like adorably clumsy—but Hakyung was completely serious. And he didn’t seem to be doing too badly, either.

He had no idea Muheon’s lips were twitching, fighting back a smile. Nor did he realize how much effort it was taking for Muheon to endure this daring yet amateur kiss without laughing.

Hakyung, savoring the taste of his boss’s lips for quite some time, suddenly gripped Muheon’s jaw and boldly traced his thumb across the man’s handsome lips. He didn’t say a word—just signaled with his gesture that he wanted him to open his mouth.

Muheon willingly complied, and the kiss deepened.

“Mm… that’s good…”

The moment Muheon parted his lips and moved his tongue, the tables turned completely. Hakyung panted, letting out heated breaths as his tongue was caught and played with.

God, he’s too cute.

For the first time, Muheon fully understood what it meant to want to crush someone because they were just that adorable. He had to fight hard to rein in the storm of hunger rising inside him. He consciously relaxed his fingers and stroked Hakyung’s slender arms.

“Ah…”

Each time that large, rough hand touched his bare skin, Hakyung couldn’t stop the soft moans that escaped him.

The fact that the boss was kissing him while touching him—his long-suppressed feelings didn’t shrink in the slightest. If anything, they swelled past any measure. Hakyung’s brows trembled with emotion as he clung to Muheon, the weight between his own thighs making it undeniably clear this wasn’t a dream.

The honesty of the male body was more than a little overwhelming. Hakyung felt his face heat up, embarrassed. His own body, while still subtle by comparison, was slowly stiffening at the center.

Would he accept it if I asked to go further? Hakyung’s mind spun rapidly. If it weren’t for the hat on his head, the steam pouring from his ears might’ve been visible.

“Mm…”

Twisting his body slightly, Hakyung tried to read Muheon’s mood. But unfortunately, the man didn’t seem interested in going any further.

Tch. With a click of his tongue at the disappointment, Hakyung decided to just kiss to his heart’s content instead. He pressed into Muheon’s lips and tongue with all his strength, savoring everything in between.

The dolphin beastman’s eager movements nearly cracked the seal on all the control Muheon had fought to maintain. He finally pulled Hakyung away.

Torn from that warm, solid chest, Hakyung looked up at him with a gaze full of protest. His bottom still pressed snugly against Muheon’s muscular thigh.

“Wh-Why?! Come on, more! The night’s still young!”

“That long night is for sleeping.”

“S-Sleeping… Boss, do you want to sleep with me?”

Hakyung whispered it just in case someone might hear. He couldn’t hide the anticipation sparkling in his eyes.

With a fond smile, Muheon pinched his cheek—not hard, just enough to feel it—and lifted Hakyung’s little butt off his thigh. What did he think he was going to do with a body this light and soft? Muheon smirked.

“Not sex. Just sleep.”

“Ah, ahh! I-I’m okay with sex though… Really, I am…!”

“I’m not.”

He was trying to be considerate—knowing that if Hakyung accepted him without preparation, the younger man would be in pain for days. But clueless to that, Hakyung blew a pouty little breath through his nose.

Still, he wasn’t annoyed. He was just impossibly cute.

Muheon pressed a small kiss to his lips.

“Now sleep.”

“Okay. I’ll be good. You know it’s because I really, really like you, right?”

“I know.”

Hakyung grinned bashfully at Muheon’s reply, clasped his large hand tightly, and closed his eyes. Three seconds later, a soft snore slipped out.

“Unbelievable.”

Muheon let out a quiet chuckle as he looked at the peacefully sleeping Hakyung. He gently took off the hat, revealing a cascade of wavy pink hair that tumbled across the pillow.

It looked so sweet, like cotton candy, that Muheon unconsciously swallowed.

***

The next morning, Hakyung groaned in agony, suffering from a hangover so bad it felt like his head might split open—thanks to mixing whiskey and makgeolli.

Startled, Muheon, who had been sleeping soundly beside him, shot up. The first thing he did was place his hand on Hakyung’s forehead. There was no fever, but cold sweat covered his skin.

“Hakyung, are you in a lot of pain? Can you get up?”

“Shh…”

“Shh? Do you need to use the bathroom?”

“No, I mean… be quiet… My head’s ringing.”

Ah, right… Muheon blinked in surprise. It had been hundreds of years, and no one had ever told him not to speak because of a hangover. Rather than offending him, Hakyung’s bold command felt oddly refreshing. Suppressing a chuckle, he slipped out of bed.

Still groaning, Hakyung asked where he was going.

“I’m going to make you some honey water.”

“You, boss…?”

“Yeah.”

Muheon answered softly, careful not to make Hakyung’s headache worse, and gently stroked his pink hair. It must’ve felt good, because Hakyung’s furrowed brows relaxed just a bit.

Laying the ailing young lover back down carefully, Muheon—without a second thought—contacted Geowong.

He didn’t even know where the honey was in his own home, let alone in a hotel he’d just arrived at. This sort of thing was always Park Geowong’s job.

Almost as if he’d been waiting for the summons, Geowong arrived in under three minutes. As soon as he saw Muheon, his eyes darted suspiciously—like a child who’d discovered their parents’ secret.

“Bring me some honey water.”

“Honey water… sir? May I ask why…?”

“Hakyung’s hungover.”

“You mean Hakyung?”

Geowong answered with an uncertain expression. He’d been wondering what had happened between the two, especially since Muheon had reeked of earthy musk that morning. Turns out they must’ve just been drinking together.

He decided not to speculate on whether they had done more than drink—that would be best for his own mental well-being.

Not even ten minutes passed before the bell rang again. In Geowong’s thick hands was the warm honey water Muheon had requested.

“Just in case, I brought some for you too, sir.”

“I don’t need it. You drink it.”

“Understood. Do you need anything else?”

Saying “no” shouldn’t have been so hard, but Muheon simply waved his hand instead of speaking. At the halfhearted gesture, Geowong gave a small bow and disappeared.

Entering the bedroom with the sweet-smelling cup in hand, Muheon couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Hakyung, lying there with his white belly exposed, was groaning in the most ridiculous way. Muheon let out a quiet laugh, but then quickly covered Hakyung with the blanket, worried he might end up with an upset stomach on top of his headache.

“Uugh…”

Feeling the sudden warmth over his cool stomach, Hakyung rubbed his eyes. When he saw Muheon’s face, his mouth fell open.

“It’s the boss.”

“How’s your head?”

Muheon whispered softly. Hakyung tilted his head to the side.

“Huh…? How did you know I had a headache?”

“You don’t remember? You told me to shut up because your head was hurting.”

“Me? No way… I must’ve dreamed about you, boss.”

At Muheon’s words, Hakyung let out a baffled laugh. Even if he’d gotten more comfortable around him, there was no way he’d have acted so rudely. Coming from a rural town full of elders, Hakyung wasn’t that kind of wild river dolphin.

So this is what they mean by ‘brazen’, Muheon thought, giving a dry chuckle and holding out the honey water.