JD 82

Was this what familial love felt like? Muheon couldn’t quite grasp the depth of it, but he reassured Grandma with a simple promise.

Even without her heartfelt request, he already cherished and loved Kang Hakyung with all his heart.

Grandma urged them to head back to Seoul before it got too late, but Hakyung insisted on staying the night. “You’re supposed to sleep over on days like this,” he said stubbornly. And since no one could win against Hakyung’s will, Grandma gave in with a sigh and tidied up his old room.

The small room barely fit two, but the couple lay side by side, holding each other’s hands tightly.

“Being in the room I always used to be alone in… with you here now, it’s really nice.”

“This was your room?”

“Yeah. I studied here, recorded songs, wrote in my journal…”

Hakyung had done so much in that tiny space. Muheon found him so admirable that he couldn’t help but ruffle his hair. Hakyung burst into a bright laugh at the playful affection and leaned into it, begging for more with his head.

He was so cute that Muheon’s lips curled uncontrollably.

As they played with each other’s hands and teased one another, Hakyung suddenly shot upright as if he remembered something. Even in the pitch-black room, he moved easily, fumbling around.

It seemed like he was looking for something, so Muheon slowly scooted over.

“What are you looking for? Want me to turn on the light?”

“Ah—no! Don’t! If you turn on the light, they’ll know!”

Hakyung quickly grabbed Muheon’s wrist to stop him. Muheon tilted his head. What the heck was he up to now?

Hakyung was always full of surprises, so Muheon’s unease wasn’t unfounded. And sure enough—it proved justified when Hakyung hoisted up not one but two large backpacks and beckoned him over.

He looked like someone fleeing a disaster zone. It was adorable—but Muheon still had no clue what this dolphin was up to, which made it even more frustrating.

Instead of walking over, Muheon grabbed Hakyung’s wrist and pulled him into his lap.

“What are you doing?”

His low voice made Hakyung flinch. That voice—it always gave him chills. God, the boss was so cool. Hakyung immediately threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Even though Muheon had asked multiple times, Hakyung still refused to answer and just went in for another kiss. But Muheon didn’t mind. He’d take the answer after the kiss.

Their lips parted only when Hakyung finally leaned back. Muheon let out a soft sigh of longing and wrapped his arms tightly around Hakyung’s waist. Still catching his breath, Hakyung finally responded.

“Huu… okay, so what this is…”

“Yeah?”

“Sleeping bags.”

Even after getting an answer, Muheon only grew more confused. Hakyung noticed and decided to explain more clearly.

Even though he could have spoken normally, he pressed his lips to Muheon’s ear and whispered.

“We’re going to the mill… you know, for that.”

“You mean…”

“Of course! It’s the best spiritual spot in our village, you know? Just the dolphins born there alone—”

“Okay, that’s enough…”

Muheon had no interest in learning about other villagers’ private lives. He stood, slung the backpack over his shoulder, and smiled.

So this was why Hakyung refused to leave despite Grandma’s insistence. Such a passionate river dolphin. Not that he was any less passionate himself—he was still a blood-running imugi, after all.

Sneaking out of the house without anyone noticing, the two walked a narrow dirt path under the moonlight. The sound of their steps crunching softly on the dirt, paired with Hakyung’s cheerful humming, made the countryside feel more romantic than any city in the world.

Muheon moved his fingers in rhythm with the tune. Normally, he wasn’t the type to enjoy this kind of thing, but ever since meeting Hakyung, his tastes had changed.

But then again, Hakyung’s voice was more than just a matter of taste—it had a power beyond reason. Others might call it rose-tinted glasses, but who cared?

Eventually, as they followed the melody of Hakyung’s song, the old watermill came into view. Muheon blinked in disbelief, while Hakyung lit up and ran ahead.

His eyes practically sparkled. He must have been waiting to come back here for ages.

Worried he might fall, Muheon hurried after him. He could see fine in the dark, but Hakyung, a regular beastman, couldn’t.

Sure enough, Hakyung stumbled. Before he could hit the ground, Muheon scooped him up in his arms. Hakyung’s heart pounded against Muheon’s chest from the scare and excitement.

“Careful. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. You be careful too, it’s really uneven here.”

“Got it. Let’s hold hands.”

Muheon made sure he wasn’t hurt and reached out. Hakyung, beaming, placed his hand firmly in Muheon’s. Then he strode forward confidently again—his excitement made him fear nothing.

Despite having been unused for years, the watermill was surprisingly well-maintained.

Knowing exactly why the mill was so well-maintained, Hakyung’s blowhole fluttered with excitement.

“Gimme the backpack!”

He held out both hands in front of Muheon. Seeing Hakyung’s urgency, Muheon let out a helpless laugh and handed it over. Hakyung, fumbling a bit due to inexperience, laid out two sleeping bags side by side and grinned.

To think he could do all kinds of things with the boss—no, with honey—at the legendary village watermill… Hakyung was a truly blessed river dolphin.

Overwhelmed with joy, he quickly undressed. In the blink of an eye, he was completely naked. Muheon shook his head—how was it possible to strip so completely and still not look erotic? And yet, somehow, Kang Hakyung managed.

“What are you doing standing there? Come on, hmm?”

Sitting cross-legged, Hakyung patted the space next to him. Muheon, having locked the door just in case, moved over to him.

As Muheon sat down, he noticed goosebumps rising across Hakyung’s pale shoulders and frowned. He quickly took off his shirt and draped it around him.

“It’s cold. You can’t just strip down anywhere like this.”

“This isn’t ‘anywhere.’ And I have the boss—I mean, honey—with me, so I’m fine.”

Hakyung sniffled and smiled. Clicking his tongue, Muheon wrapped an arm around his shoulder, genuinely worried he’d catch a cold.

Unaware that Hakyung was being dramatic on purpose because he loved how flustered Muheon got, Muheon continued to fuss like an overprotective grandma.

“Do we have to do it here? The floor’s hard—you’ll bruise.”

Muheon shifted as if he might get up, genuinely concerned.

Whoops—maybe he’d overdone it.

Feeling guilty, Hakyung quickly climbed onto Muheon’s lap. He had been waiting for this moment ever since they decided to visit Grandma. There was no way he’d leave without doing anything.

“I’m fine now! Super healthy! Not even a runny nose!”

“Really…?”

“Really!”

Just in case Muheon was thinking about pulling away, Hakyung kissed him squarely on the lips. Reading the fiery determination behind it, Muheon chuckled and gave him a gentle flick to the forehead.

“Next time, no pulling stunts like this without warning.”

“Of course! Where else would I even go, if not our house?”

Boasting confidently, Hakyung eagerly reached for Muheon’s waist. Muheon, pretending to give in, let him do as he pleased.

Sliding off his lap, Hakyung leaned forward—and Muheon’s shirt slipped to the floor. Afraid it would get dirty, Hakyung neatly folded it to the side before continuing.

This time, though, instead of reaching for Muheon’s crotch with his hands, he brought his lips to it.

Hakyung parted his lips and bit onto the zipper.

“…Kang Hakyung…?”

Where in the world had this kid picked up such things?

Muheon pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stop him, but Hakyung’s head wouldn’t budge. In the end, once again defeated, Muheon could do nothing but let him be.

The moonlight filtering in through the small window bathed their skin in a soft glow, and even that faint light made Hakyung’s body glisten.

As if bewitched, Muheon reached for his back. The warmth and smoothness beneath his fingertips made his breathing grow heavy.

Through the curtain of fallen pink hair, the occasional glimpse of Hakyung’s blushing chest left Muheon parched. Just moments ago, he had seemed so innocent—now, Kang Hakyung was the most tantalizing thing in the world.