SMS | Chapter 7.3

As the birth of Baby Jesus was celebrated, the church, adorned with festive decorations, blended beautifully into the snowy night scene. The cross atop the high spire shone brightly.

“I’m tired.”

Dohoon headed straight to the church after parting with Mino, not hiding his weariness as he walked to the parking lot. Eunju followed, laughing with a cigarette in her lips.

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“The pastor’s son skips Christmas service and talks big. Was your date fun?”

Her laugh had a ruffian’s edge, but Dohoon just nodded quietly.

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“Quite.”

It was quite enjoyable. I thought he was just my type in looks, but it seems we’re physically compatible too. Moreover, the way he fell asleep in my arms was endearing, and I even found myself confessing my feelings without realizing it.

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“That’s an unusual response, ‘quite’? You’d get dumped speaking like that in front of your lover.”

“My lover isn’t foul-tempered like you. And would I talk like this in front of him?”

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“Always think your lover could appear anytime, anywhere. How’s vanilla dating a guy? Doesn’t the old habit kick in?”

If their father, the pastor, knew they were having such a conversation in the church’s backyard, he’d probably faint, but there was no one around to hear.

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“Sometimes it slips out, but he doesn’t seem to mind much, so I’m conflicted.”

“He doesn’t mind? That’s unexpected. Most guys instinctively try to dominate.”

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“It doesn’t seem like a big deal; maybe because he’s younger, he doesn’t resist much.”

“But what’s there to worry about? Isn’t that a good thing?”

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“My principle is to treat a lover just as a lover.”

That was the issue. Mino usually laughs off or enjoys even the not-so-common exchanges between couples, and he seems to accept a somewhat dominant relationship, but that’s not typical behavior for lovers. Eunju burst out laughing as Dohoon shared his serious concerns.

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“Principles, huh! So making partners behind the scenes is the right thing to do?”

“If you’re going to criticize, go home. Why do you keep following me?”

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“I didn’t bring my car. Give me a ride.”

Her brazen demand was exasperating. If he refused, she’d just climb onto the hood of the car. Annoyed, Dohoon gestured to the passenger seat.

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“You said your house has a new kitten. I want to see it.”

As soon as Eunju got in the car, she made her demand. Dohoon deliberately turned off the seat heater and responded.

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“Is my house a zoo? And the animals don’t like being ogled.”

“But I want to see something cute. Aren’t you going to show me your cute lover?”

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“What would you do with seeing my lover? Don’t start nonsense and if you have nothing else to say, just sleep.”

Predictably, Eunju started prying about Mino. Dohoon disliked this aspect of Eunju—her unnecessary meddling. Sometimes it had positive effects, but at times like these, it was only irritating. He was about to change gears and stay silent when she brought up another subject.

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“Hey, about ‘J’…”

The gear shift clunked awkwardly from ‘P’ to ‘D’ and jerked to a stop at ‘N’. A slightly forgotten existence suddenly mentioned, souring his mood instantly. Mino’s junior and a name on the club’s blacklist—a potential criminal.

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“Why him?”

Dohoon asked sharply, his tone edgier than before. Eunju, messing up her carefully styled hair, groaned before speaking.

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“…He’s caused trouble in another club again. Didn’t respect the safeword and really messed up a kid. You mentioned him before.”

From the moment Eunju started speaking, the car remained parked for quite some time. They had more to discuss than anticipated.

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***

“Listen up.”

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Had Mino ever stared so intently into Junhyuk’s eyes before? His cheeks were pinched between Junhyuk’s thumb and index finger, prompting Mino to furrow his brows. The unusually light hazel of Junhyuk’s eyes bore into him directly, making him extremely uncomfortable.

“…I want to smoke. I can listen while I smoke.”

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Mino blurted out his craving for nicotine, which had soared rapidly since he hadn’t smoked for two days—a natural response. He never even thought about smoking when he was with Dohoon, but the urge hit as soon as he saw Junhyuk’s face.

Maybe it was because he learned something he wished he hadn’t. Honestly, it felt more troubling than when he was applying for college. Had he really fallen for Dohoon? Just from sex? Well, it was mind-blowing, though…

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“Let’s go outside.”

At Mino’s whiny remark, Junhyuk smiled, folding his eyes and pulled on his arm as if to say, don’t even think about running away. Following Junhyuk outside, Mino sighed softly. Seongjun, who had said he was going to the restroom, showed no signs of coming out. The table without people only had a mobile phone on it, guarding the spot like its owner.

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As they stepped outside to the pub, a cold wind slapped his cheeks. The smoking area was behind the building, rarely frequented by people.

“You must have really wanted a cigarette.”

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“It’s been a while since I smoked.”

“Ah, were you planning to quit smoking for Christmas?”

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“…What’s it to you?”

Junhyuk’s hand, which had rudely grasped his face earlier, was now pulling out a cigarette pack. As Mino rubbed his cheek, still tingling with a strange aftereffect, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette. But Junhyuk took one out and held it up to Mino’s lips.

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“Open up.”

That sounded strangely familiar. Was it because Dohoon used to say that when they kissed? Mino reached out, but Junhyuk shook his head, moving the cigarette away.

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“What are you doing?”

“You said you wanted to smoke. You don’t seem desperate enough.”

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“Forget it. I have my own.”

“You probably don’t.”

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Ignoring his comment, Mino thrust his hand into his pocket only to find nothing. Startled, he looked up to see Junhyuk grinning.

“Told you, you don’t have any.”

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Only then did Mino notice the design of the cigarette pack. It was the brand he usually smoked. Junhyuk vaped, so it was unlikely he’d have roll-your-own tobacco.

“Is that mine? Are you pickpocketing now? Give it here.”

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Mino tried to snatch the cigarette, but couldn’t match Junhyuk’s quick reflexes. Junhyuk chuckled quietly, teasing him with the cigarette he held.

“There’s no proof. Say ‘ah’ and I’ll put it in your mouth. You want to smoke, don’t you?”

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Annoyed and irritable, Mino wanted to smoke, especially since there were no convenience stores nearby. Still, he managed to scrape together what little dignity he had left to build a flimsy wall.

“What exactly do you want to talk about?”

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“You’re the one who suggested we step out because you wanted to smoke, and now you’re digging into the main topic? Just open your mouth, I’ll put it in. You want to suck on it, don’t you?”

Mino’s expression twisted at the increasingly vulgar remarks. What was wrong with this guy? Provoked by his junior’s daring comments, Mino’s instincts writhed pitifully. Watching Mino stand still, Junhyuk continued to play with the cigarette he held.

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“You should have done this earlier, right? I’m too late, am I?”

“Spit it out already.”

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“I guessed you might be into that kind of stuff, but hesitated to confirm. Looks like I’m being punished now.”

Reminded of something Seongjun had said, Mino’s mood darkened.

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“So he said you were so worried about me, almost crying…”

Junhyuk was nearly in tears out of concern for him. Although Seongjun tended to exaggerate, Junhyuk’s actions revealed his reasons: he liked Mino and was worried he’d fall into the wrong hands among ‘those kinds of people.’

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But what did ‘that kind of taste’ mean? It was better to change the subject. If Dohoon and Junhyuk knew each other and Junhyuk caught on, then it was likely that his perverse tastes would get back to Dohoon. That would be disastrous. He didn’t want to break up with him now. What started as a casual relationship had taken a different path.

“I can’t even understand half of what you’re saying right now. I get that you and the seonsaeng-nim know each other. And that the seonsaeng-nim is a ‘promiscuous person’… I don’t know why I have to hear this from you, but okay.”

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“Yeah. And?”

“But we’re not kids. The seonsaeng-nim is four years older than me. Plus, with that face, it’s unbelievable he’s lived alone. I don’t even understand your standards for ‘promiscuous.’ Isn’t that too vague?”

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“So, what do you consider promiscuous?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Mino was at a loss for words. He didn’t know how to defend Dohoon casually in this situation. The longer the silence stretched, the more it seemed like an answer.

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“Is my standard even important right now?”

“It’s important. He’s your lover.”

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“I don’t want to judge my lover’s past as promiscuous or clean.”

Mino scoffed, pretending to be tough, and Junhyuk couldn’t stop laughing as he listened. It was amusing to hear a sub daring to ‘judge’ a dom’s past.

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Perhaps he had sensed it from the moment they first met because of the cat. Mino and the ‘seonsaeng-nim’ were not in a DS relationship. Essemer are sexual deviants shunned by society. It’s common for them to hide their preferences unless they meet in clubs or communities. So Junhyuk guessed. Mino’s body flinching at his earlier words was evidence enough. He had a chance.

“So, what do you want to hear from me?”

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“You said you had something to say! After saying that behind my back, now you ask what I want to hear. Are you playing with me?”

“Either way, it’s pointless to listen to, isn’t it? According to you.”

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Mino’s constantly shifting gaze and his bitten lips looked like captured prey. Junhyuk launched his final attack.

“What kind of person do you see him as? Didn’t you notice anything odd?”

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“…He’s a good person.”

Saying this, Mino’s eyes held conviction, unlike before. You can’t call someone who enjoys beating and tormenting others a ‘good person.’ No, not really. A real dom should recognize their sub. Junhyuk inwardly scoffed at the ‘seonsaeng-nim.’ That man had been through the wringer in that scene and failed to recognize Mino’s preferences, giving Junhyuk an opportunity. Finder’s keepers. Confident of his victory, Junhyuk asked with a shiny smile,

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“Ah, a ‘good person’? How long have you seen him? What do you know about him?”

Why did he feel like he was getting caught up in Junhyuk’s pace? It might be better to end this unproductive argument, but he couldn’t just walk away. If he went home without resolving anything, he wouldn’t be able to sleep.

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“Senior, I’m not trying to fight with you.”

“…”

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“I’ve been watching you for a long time. Please remember that I like you more than you think, and I’ve been watching you longer than him. I’m a better choice than that person.”

Junhyuk’s tone was soothing yet firm, as if nailing down his point.

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“You…”

“It’s out in the open. If I’ve spoken this indirectly, you should understand.”

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Whispering as if sharing a secret, Mino’s body tensed. It was an overwhelmingly enjoyable moment.

“Shall we open our mouths now?”

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Junhyuk urged, his face grinning with pleasure as a faint carol played in the background.