EPILOGUE #3
Duri kissed his temple. “You’re shaking.”
“A little.”
“Do you want to go home?”
Noeul smiled mischievously. “I can think of several things I’d rather do at home than discuss Chung-Hee.”
Duri stared at him.
Noeul’s smile widened. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because I remember when you used to blush if I looked at you for too long.”
“I still blush.”
“You’re flirting with me in public.”
“Maybe traveling corrupted me.”
Duri laughed.
Noeul leaned closer, his lips brushing the corner of Duri’s mouth. “Or maybe I’m making up for lost time.”
Noeul enjoyed the effect for several seconds before stealing a proper kiss.
“Come on,” he whispered. “Let’s go home.”
They took a taxi. Noeul spent most of the ride pressed against Duri’s side, one hand resting comfortably on his thigh. Every few minutes, Duri glanced down at it, amused.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You keep looking at my hand.”
“I’m appreciating the view.”
Noeul laughed and moved it slightly higher just to torment him. Duri caught his wrist.
For the briefest moment, they both stopped.
Noeul simply looked down at Duri’s hand wrapped around his wrist, then back into his eyes.
Slowly, deliberately, he smiled.
“Careful, Duri.”
Duri released him immediately.
Noeul caught his hand before he could pull away. “I didn’t tell you to stop.” He brought his hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles. The city moved beyond the windows while Duri stared at him.
“Hyung…”
“What?”
“You’re dangerous.”
Noeul grinned. “You waited all those years. Surely you can handle me now.”
Duri laughed and pulled him closer. This time, Noeul went willingly, curling against him and kissing the side of his neck.
The moment the apartment door closed behind them, Noeul turned. Duri barely had time to take off his coat before Noeul caught the front of his shirt and pulled him into a kiss.
Duri laughed against his mouth. “What happened to my shy hyung?”
“He traveled around the world.”
Another kiss.
“He went to therapy.”
Another.
“He learned a few things.”
“I can tell.”
“Mostly from you.”
Duri laughed.
Noeul pushed Duri’s jacket from his shoulders and let it fall. There was hunger between them now, but no fear beneath it. Duri’s hands settled naturally at Noeul’s waist. Firm. Familiar. Noeul leaned into the touch instead of enduring it. That small movement almost undid Duri.
Duri kissed him again, deeper this time, one hand sliding along Noeul’s back as Noeul’s fingers disappeared into his hair.
When Duri’s mouth found the sensitive skin beneath his ear, Noeul laughed softly and tilted his head to give him better access.
“That’s unfair.”
“What is?”
“You know I like that.”
Duri smiled against his skin. “I know a lot of things you like.”
“Aren’t you confident?”
“Shouldn’t I be?”
Noeul pulled back just enough to look at him. Duri’s green eyes were dark with desire, his breathing uneven.
And Noeul loved seeing it. Loved knowing he could do this to him.
He traced one finger slowly down Duri’s chest. “You should be.”
Duri caught him around the waist and lifted him without warning. Noeul laughed, wrapping his legs around him instinctively.
“Show-off.”
“You like it.”
“I do.”
Duri carried him toward the bedroom, kissing him between steps while Noeul’s laughter dissolved into his mouth.
By the time they reached the bed, Noeul’s hair was disheveled, his cheeks flushed, his eyes bright.
Alive.
Duri paused to admire him.
Noeul reached up, caught Duri behind the neck, and pulled him down.
“Don’t start thinking now.”
Duri laughed. “Bossy.”
“You love me.”
“Unfortunately.”
Noeul gasped in exaggerated offense and pushed him away. Duri caught him immediately, both of them laughing as they fell together onto the bed.
Later, exhausted and tangled together beneath the sheets, Noeul rested half across Duri’s chest, drawing meaningless patterns against his skin.
Duri kissed the top of his head.
Noeul smiled.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“That means something.”
Noeul lifted himself onto one elbow. “You’re right.”
He leaned down and kissed Duri’s forehead. Then his cheek. Then the tip of his nose.
Duri laughed and tried to catch him, but Noeul pulled away.
“You missed.”
“I wasn’t aiming for your mouth.”
“Cruel.”
Noeul finally kissed him properly. When he pulled back, his expression softened.
“I love you.”
Duri brushed the hair from his forehead. “All of me?” he teased.
Noeul understood the echo immediately. Years ago, those words would have frightened him.
Now he smiled.
“All of you.”
He settled against Duri’s chest, and Duri’s arms tightened around him with the comfortable strength of someone who knew he was welcome.
“You should sleep,” Duri murmured.
“So should you.”
“I was trying, but someone keeps talking.”
Noeul pinched his side. “Brat.”
Duri caught his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Good night, hyung.”
Noeul tucked their joined hands against Duri’s chest and closed his eyes. “Good night, Schatz.”
A few minutes later, Duri’s breathing evened beneath his cheek. Noeul listened until his own breath matched it, and they fell asleep.