SMS | Chapter 10.5

They hit a red light just then. Dohoon looked intently at Mino, whose toes twitched inside his shoes. If told to cry like a cat, he gladly would. Even if told to strip here, he’d do it quickly. The scars left by Junhyuk burned with Dohoon’s touch. Suddenly, Mino became curious about his glove box.

“Can I open this?”

“Whatever you want.”

With his casual permission, Mino trembled slightly but proceeded. Opening the glove box, he found,

“…wet wipes.”

Various cleaning tools. Such typical Dohoon items reassured him. Even the human Lee Dohoon seemed lovable.

“I don’t eat in the car, but sometimes bugs get in. I need these to catch and throw them away.”

“You really hate dirt, don’t you?”

His laughter slipped out, enjoying how unlike Junhyuk he was. As Mino neatly placed the wet wipes back and smiled comfortably, Dohoon returned a puzzled look.

“Do some people like dirt? Or is it their preference?”

“Ah, no. I hate it too.”

“Hmm, your place seemed dirty though.”

“I thought it was average….”

Just then, the green light flashed, and the car began to move.

“Take a nap. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”

His voice was low and soft, as comforting as a thick winter blanket. Dohoon slightly reclined the seat, and Mino closed his eyes. Not sure how the day went by, but as the tense moments passed, he felt at peace. Sleepy and comfortable, the car filled with Dohoon’s scent felt warm, like a baby cradled in a crib. However, a lingering discomfort remained.

“By the way, about Song Junhyuk….”

Mino’s voice was sleepy.

“Tell me.”

Bringing up Song Junhyuk’s name in front of him felt a bit awkward, but his curiosity was too strong.

“How did he get caught again?”

“The victim found evidence and reported him directly.”

Dohoon gently turned the steering wheel as he answered, waking Mino from his drowsiness.

“Evidence?”

“He probably had it at his place. I told them to search it since the victim used to come and go there and knew the passcode.”

That explained it. But something still nagged at him. Mino slightly sat up and asked Dohoon,

“How do you know the victim?”

Just then, Dohoon’s phone began to ring. Mino’s gaze shifted to the phone mounted on the dashboard. It displayed a call from “Jeong Isak.” Who was that? Knowing only a lawyer friend named So Eunju in Dohoon’s circle, the unfamiliar name piqued his curiosity.

“…Hold on.”

Dohoon pressed the button to answer the call. A strange man’s voice leaked from the speaker in the car.

“Hyung, J got caught.”

‘J’ was Song Junhyuk. Mino listened carefully to the conversation as Dohoon sighed and responded,

“I know.”

“Thanks, Dohoon hyung.”

“I didn’t do anything. It was your choice.”

“Still, thanks to you, hyung, I could muster the courage.”

Was this person the reporter, the victim? If so, perhaps someone who played with Junhyuk, though not in a playful manner. Mino shook his head. The voice on the other end sounded quite young. Maybe a minor whom Junhyuk had harmed? Amidst all these puzzling thoughts, one thing stuck out—the caller addressed Dohoon as “Dohoon hyung.”

“I’ve never called you that…”

The tone was markedly different from when Seongjun called him that, causing Mino’s mood to suddenly drop. But what really sent him into a downward spiral was the next thing the caller said.

“Would things have turned out better if I had recognized you first? We can understand each other, right?”

“…”

“Could you… be my hyung? I’m really struggling.”

Mino’s movement froze. Though no critical words were spoken, the message was clear. Jeong Isak was confessing to Dohoon. He might not like Dohoon in the same way as Mino did, but it was evident he was asking the dom to choose him as his sub. The car had already reached the parking lot.

“Please, hyung….”

Dohoon didn’t respond. He just watched Mino. Mino felt his gaze but couldn’t bear to look back. Dohoon touched Mino’s ear, and only then did he lift his head. His face flushed under the intense gaze beyond his eyes. Dohoon stared intensely at Mino and answered Jeong Isak,

“No, you’re ‘Isak,’ not ‘the fruit of knowledge.’”

“…What does that mean?”

“People who are each other’s fruit of knowledge have found each other, so there’s no room for anyone else.”

The metaphorical expression was hard to grasp. However, the firm tone in his low voice conveyed a clear rejection, and the caller fell silent. Dohoon pressed the end call button and gently stroked Mino’s bruised cheek. The sting brought tears to his eyes, but Mino, as if enchanted, kept his gaze on Dohoon.

“We need to take responsibility for each other.”

Understanding the meaning, Mino nodded. The statement about mutual responsibility felt solid. Just as Mino couldn’t let go of Dohoon, he knew Dohoon wouldn’t leave him. It felt like a superb kind of bondage.

“Open your mouth.”

His plump lips parted prettily with an ‘ah’. The car park was dark, and the secluded space was exceedingly cozy. Dohoon’s hot tongue eagerly delved into the opening between Mino’s lips. The wet tongue explored the narrow mouth, touching the teeth and probing the wounds.

“Ahh…”

The kiss was so sharp it brought tears to his eyes. Clinging to Dohoon’s arms, Mino gasped. Heat spread wherever their lips touched, and his organ tightened uncomfortably. When he first kissed Dohoon, it felt like a fish idly swimming, but not anymore. Everything Dohoon did as a lover and master was stimulating.

“Uhh…”

During the deep kiss that filled his mouth, Mino reached a mental climax several times. The outside of his throat, where Dohoon’s organ had penetrated the night before, was now pressed down by a large hand, as if to remind him. As his breath quickened, the kiss ended, and Mino slumped against the car window, completely limp.

“Undress.”

At the brief command, Mino’s trembling hands unbuttoned his shirt, and Dohoon pinched his tender nipples firmly. His smooth, trembling stomach emerged from the open shirt. As the nipple swelled under Dohoon’s persistent teasing, his hand slid down, pressing against Mino’s lower abdomen.

The sensation made Mino’s thighs tremble, as if Dohoon’s organ was already inside him. Desperate to shed his pants, Mino was frustrated as Dohoon leisurely pressed on his stomach with an unreadable, detached expression that made him even more aroused.

“T-Seonsaeng-nim…”

Was this the start of his scolding? Excited, Mino licked his dry lips. His tingling nipples itched. Praying for a harsher treatment, he was caught off guard when Dohoon began rebuttoning his shirt.

“No play until all your wounds heal. This is a real punishment, so focus on recovering.”

A bolt of lightning struck. Mino stared at Dohoon with a face that looked as though he’d been stabbed. With the gentleness of a lover, Dohoon tidied Mino’s clothes meticulously.

“You said you’d scold me…”

He was so upset and taken aback that his voice cracked. Desperate, Mino grabbed at Dohoon’s clothes, but Dohoon only held his hand firmly.

“This is the real punishment for you, isn’t it?”

It was true, but still, this wasn’t fair. He was aroused, expectant!

“No, but still…”

“Why? Did you think I’d inflict worse wounds over the ones Song Junhyuk left?”

Like a fool, Mino nodded. Of course, he thought so. It felt as unfair as a child waiting for Christmas presents only to be told by Santa, “No gifts for you because you cry when you yawn.”

“I’ll make sure not even a scratch remains while you heal. Use this time to reflect and focus on recovering.”

But Dohoon was firm. If he was angry, he should vent another way—why choose the path that made them both suffer? Mino pouted in displeasure, refusing to respond.

“Not answering adds another day.”

“No! I’ll heal quickly!”

There was no other option. Mino decided to think positively. At least his bones weren’t broken. If they were, recovery would take months. Determined to heal quickly, Mino clung to Dohoon’s large, firm hand, finding the sensation comforting. It would heal soon, he repeated to himself to suppress his frustration.

Watching him, Dohoon smiled and asked, “By the way, Mino, do you know what ‘Isak’ means?”

Still sulky, Mino replied as if it were obvious. “Of course.”

“What is it?”

“Toast.”

Silence fell. Was that not it? Embarrassed, Mino tried another answer.

“Um, rice ears?”

“…You know about the fruit of knowledge, right?”

“Yeah, that’s an apple.”

Dohoon shook his head at Mino’s offhand answer.

“No, it’s not.”

“Sorry…”

He even went so far as to correct him firmly. Humiliated by his ignorance, Mino clutched his waistband. Wasn’t it an apple?

“Did you sleep through school chapel?”

“…Yes.”

“Good job.”

Dohoon, having assumed Mino would understand biblical references as a missions school graduate, found himself mistaken. Instead, he appreciated Mino’s lack of biblical knowledge, as he had unwillingly been forced to learn such things.

“Oh, right! My manager asked me to send mail earlier. It was for Song Junhyuk, wasn’t it?”

“I took care of it.”

“But in this case, what happens? He’s been arrested.”

“Hmm… Should we take a peek?”

That wouldn’t be right, would it? Yet curiosity got the better of him. The envelope wasn’t labeled “For recipient only,” and if they were careful, they could reseal it without leaving evidence. Carefully opening the envelope, they found inside,

“A termination notice…?”

The company’s intended letter for Junhyuk. As Mino read through the slightly crumpled document, Dohoon summarized it succinctly.

“The reason is ‘unauthorized absence.’ It mentions, ‘If you don’t return to work within a week.’”

“Then…”

“It’d be fun to deliver it.”

Unconsciously, Mino handed the document to Dohoon. Understanding his intent to have it delivered, Dohoon grinned. That sharp smile was so appealing Mino couldn’t help but feel his mouth water.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m holding back too.”

“I wish you wouldn’t hold back…”

“That’s enough.”

Tempted to provoke Dohoon further, Mino held back, fearing it might extend his punishment. Reluctantly, he gave up on playing, exited the car with Dohoon, and followed him out. Watching Dohoon’s broad back as he walked ahead, Mino couldn’t shake his disappointment. He lightly touched the car hood, vowing, Next time, I’ll definitely do it here…

When Dohoon opened the door from the underground garage into the house, a white Jindo dog eagerly burst out. It was Sowol. The majestic white dog rubbed lightly against Dohoon in greeting before leaping at Mino. Caught at the bottom of the stairs, Mino toppled over.

“Ah! Sowol!”

Pinned under Sowol’s playful licks, Mino burst into laughter despite the stinging in his bruised hips. The dog’s panting breath felt like an expression of affection, making it even harder to stay upset. Then, he suddenly worried about his injuries worsening.

“Sowol, come here. Stay calm.”

At Dohoon’s command, Sowol quickly settled down and ran back to him. Left with nothing but aching hips, Mino broke into a cold sweat, got up with difficulty, and followed behind Dohoon.

“T-Seonsaeng-nim, I think I bruised again. This is—”

“You just added a few more days to your reflection period for getting pinned by anything.”

“But it wasn’t my fault!”

As Mino protested with a near tearful tone, Dohoon chuckled softly.

“I took photos earlier, remember? Anything beyond those injuries, I’ll let slide.”

But what if new injuries piled on top of old ones? Mino’s recovery time would only extend. Feeling dejected, he glared at Sowol, who wagged his tail innocently.

“This is all your fault.”

“Woof!”

Scolding him only earned a bark in response. Dohoon, walking ahead, paused suddenly, and Mino bumped into his back. In the brightly lit living room, a silhouette stood at the center. Dressed entirely in black, the figure made Mino’s eyes widen as he peeked over Dohoon’s shoulder.