V.I.P Is The Way To Be

Chapter 8

“So… are you and Seungri a couple now?” Young Bae and Minzy had waited for an opportunity to bombard their Hyung since the moment he walked into the apartment. Seungri had just gone to the restroom and they jumped at the chance to get Seung Hyun alone.

“I don’t know what we are. What I do know is you two have become way too involved in my private life.” Seung Hyun teased.

Young Bae shook his head and put on his serious face. “This is important Hyung. Are you happy? Does Seungri make you happy?”

Seung Hyun hadn’t thought about that. Was he happy? He truly didn’t know. “I’m fine for now Young Bae. Don’t worry so much about your Hyung.” He assured with a smile.

Seungri had found his way back to his friends. “What are you guys talking about? Seems serious.” He asked interested.

“We were just talking about how much we love having you working at the record store.” Young Bae lied.

Seungri beamed. “Really? I really like working there Hyung. It’s a great job. Thank you for hiring me. Although Chaerin hardly ever comes in there now.” Seungri revealed with a slight frown. “I was hoping by now her and I would be friends.”

Minzy rubbed Seungri’s shoulder.  “Its okay, don’t take it personal. She’s just a tiny bit jealous of you and Hyung that’s all. But she’s getting over it now that she has a semi-boyfriend.”

“She has a boyfriend? Why didn’t she tell me? I’ve been so worried. I haven’t had any banana milk from her for the past week. I even went to see if she was sick. Her mother said she was fine and now it turns out she has a boyfriend.” Seung Hyun hung his head.

“Hyung calm down you would think you liked her that way.” Young Bae joked.

“No I just worry about her. She’s so innocent. She’s like the little sister I never had. Tell me Minzy is he a good guy?” Seung Hyun asked.

“He’s perfectly normal Hyung. She’ll be fine.”

Seung Hyun was about to ask more questions when a knock on the door interrupted him. Minzy looked up at Young Bae. “Were you expecting anyone else Jagiya?” She asked her boyfriend.

Young Bae shook his head and walked toward the door. “Dae Sung? What are you doing here?”

“Hyung, it’s good to see you. May I come in?” Young Bae moved aside and allowed his old friend entry to his home. Shock replaced welcoming smiles on both Seung Hyun and Minzy’s faces. Seungri simply sit there in wonder of why this new edition to their Friday night caused such a stir.

Dae Sung moved swiftly through out the apartment observing the subtle changes in it since he had last been there. “You bought a new couch Hyung. I like it.” He mused. “May sit down?”

Minzy gestured for him to sit near Seungri who smiled back at the man. “Seungri-goon, it’s been some time since I’ve seen you. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good Hyung.”

“I see this. Seoul agrees with you. I’m glad. I was just asking your Nuna about…”

“What are you doing here?” Seung Hyun interrupted.

Dae Sung’s gaze fell on his old friend but there was nothing friendly about it. There was hurt in his eyes and anger. “I’ve come to make peace with you Hyung. We used to be friends, good friends at that and now we’ve not spoken for over a year over something so trivial as an act of omission”

Seung Hyun scoffed. “You feel your act of omission as you put it is not another form of betrayal?”

“That’s right I don’t feel it the same.”

“Well then you are a fool and a cold hearted one at that.”

“Hyung.” Young Bae intervened in a pleading tone. Dae Sung had been his friend as well and now they barely spoke. After the break up Young Bae flew to Seung Hyun’s side and Dae Sung clung to Ji Yong’s.

“It’s fine Young Bae Hyung. I thought or should I say hoped Seung Hyun Hyung would have been over everything that had happened but I guess I was wrong. I’m sorry I came. I will leave.” Dae Sung stood from the couch and turned to Seungri. “Seungri-sshi it was nice seeing you again. You’re looking very well. Give me a call if you ever want to go to dinner.”

Seungri grabbed a business card Dae Sung handed to him and nodded. “Thank you.”

“I’m very sorry to have bothered you. Good night.”

The ride home was silent. Seungri could feel the tension burning inside Seung Hyun’s body. He wanted to defuse it but he was also curious to know what Dae Sung had done to upset his Hyung so badly. “Knock knock.” Seungri began.

Seung Hyun turned his head confused by his outburst.

“Knock knock.” Seungri said again. And again Seung Hyun gave him a confused look. This time Seungri enunciated his words, elongating each syllable. “Knooockk knooockk.”

Seung Hyun’s eyebrows furrowed. “Who’s… there?”

“Orange.”

“Orange… who?”

“Orange you glad I’m not Dae Sung cause if I was you’d have to slam the door in my face.” Seungri ended his joke and hoped for a smile but instead silence filled the car again. That is until he heard the eruption of laughter coming from his Hyung.

“Ha ha ha ha, that is very funny. You truly are a funny bastard.” Seung Hyun continued laughing, elating Seungri with every chuckle emitted.

“I really love it when you laugh Hyung. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”

Seung Hyun felt his heart skip a beat. It was the first time he had felt that with Seungri. He hadn’t noticed how much he enjoyed Seungri’s company. They had evolved into a couple without even realizing it. Seung Hyun reached over and grabbed Seungri’s hand interlocking his fingers with the younger man’s. “I really love it when you make me laugh Seungri-sshi. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”

Seungri couldn’t hold in his happiness. He leaned over and kissed Seung Hyun gently on the cheek. “Thank you Hyung.” Seung Hyun smiled and squeezed his hand gently. Seungri was content with this and he usually wasn’t nosy about things that concerned his Hyung but tonight he wanted an answer to a question. “Hyung, what happened between you and Dae Sung Hyung?”

“Dae Sung is not your Hyung. Don’t use honorifics when it comes to him. I’m your Hyung. He doesn’t deserve that title from you.”

“But Hyung, why does that matter?”

“Because it matters to me. I’m your Hyung. It bothers me when you call other men Hyung. I can get past it when it’s Young Bae but when it’s another man… I just don’t like it.”

Seungri understood now. When Seungri called Seung Hyun Hyung to him it was the equivalent of a girl calling her boyfriend Oppa. Seung Hyun was jealous. “I’m sorry Hyung. I won’t do it again. But please tell me… what happened between you and Hyu… you and Dae Sung?”

Seung Hyun let out a deep sigh. “First I want to apologize in advance if I say anything to offend you concerning your Nuna.” Seungri nodded giving Seung Hyun the green light to continue. “Ji Yong and her were… together a few months before Ji Yong had broken things off with me and moved out. I was devastated and completely taken by surprise. I found out a week after Ji Yong had left that Dae Sung knew the entire time about Ji Yong and Bom’s… affair. He even helped them see each other behind my back. He would lure me out of the home we lived in so they could be together. Once I found this out… I never spoke to Dae Sung again.”

Seungri’s face fell. He knew everything that had happened to Seung Hyun concerning Ji Yong and his Nuna had been a terrible ordeal but he didn’t know there were more parties involved. Especially a person Seung Hyun had considered such a close friend. “I’m sorry Hyung.” He whispered then squeezed Seung Hyun’s hand gently.

Seung Hyun parked his car inside the small garage attached to the grocery stand and turned it off. “It’s all right. I’m better now. Those days in the beginning were just unbearable but… now I’m hopeful again. But when it comes to Dae Sung well… you can understand how I could never trust him again can’t you?” There was longing in his question to Seungri. A longing to be understood. A longing for vindication in his actions toward the old friend he missed so much.

“I understand completely Hyung.” Seungri leaned over and placed his lips on the older man’s. Seung Hyun gently grabbed onto Seungri’s hair bringing him toward himself a slight desperation in his tug. He parted his lips and slowly moved his tongue on Seungri’s caressing it softly, lovingly. The deep kiss lasted for a few minutes just enough to arouse both men. Seung Hyun gave Seungri a playful look. “I’m ready to go when you are Hyung.”

Both men exited the car and jovially raced up the stairs in hopes to seduce the other. But a surprise was waiting for them at the top of the steps. Seung Hyun was the first to notice it, his eyes as wide as saucers.

“Ji Yong?”

There in front of his door sat his ex lover somberly holding his knees against his chest. As soon as Ji Yong looked up and spotted his ex his face filled with glee. “Hyung you’re finally here.” He exclaimed and ran up to Seung Hyun wrapping his arms around the older man’s neck.

Both Seung Hyun’s barely flinched. Neither one knew what to do nor say. But Seungri knew how he felt. Angry.

Chapter 7

After Seung Hyun had talked to Minzy he felt better about his ‘situation’ with Seungri.  He realized he really did need to get over Ji Yong and who better to do that with than Seungri.  In the months that followed Seung Hyun and Seungri had grown accustom to each other.  Seungri did his best to make Seung Hyun laugh and forget all the terrible things he had gone through and Seung Hyun did his best to move forward and without realizing it they had developed feelings for each other.

“Hyung it’s time for us to go over to Young Bae Hyung’s apartment.  Are you ready?”  Seungri popped his head into Seung Hyun’s bedroom.  He walked up to the man who was sitting on the corner of his bed putting on his socks.  “Do you want me to help you Hyung?”  Seungri offered positioning himself at Seung Hyun’s feet.

“That’s all right Seungri.  I can do it.”  He smiled at the younger man.  “Seungri I’ve been thinking about something for a while.  I’ve been meaning to ask you but I haven’t had the courage to.  I’m not sure if you’ll be angry with me if I do ask.”

Seungri shifted onto his knees.  “What is it Hyung?  You can ask me anything.”

Seung Hyun sucked in a deep breath.  “Seungri… what happened to make you ended up here?” Seungri’s face fell.  He had been dreading this question since the day he moved in.  He had to admit he was expecting it a lot sooner yet it still held the same amount of bitterness in it.  Seung Hyun felt the atmosphere around Seungri change.  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”  He assured.

“No.  It’s all right Hyung.  I mean it’s only fair.  I know so much about your life through third parties.  At least you have the decency to ask me directly.  I’ll tell you.”  Seungri placed his head on Seung Hyun’s thigh where Seung Hyun began to stroke the younger man’s head.

“It all started when I went to college.  I was young and naïve.  I didn’t know if I was straight or gay or bi.  All I knew was I was ready to find out.  I enrolled in a drama course.  One where professors were encouraged to have one on one time with their students.  I had a professor whom saw it fit to take extra advantage of that one on one time.

“He came on to me one night after class and I had no idea that wasn’t allowed.  I thought he was teaching me how to act during a love scene between two men.  I thought he thought I was his best pupil, I thought he cared about me.  But we weren’t and I wasn’t and he didn’t and I learned that the hard way.

“After he was done ‘teaching’ me I went home and took a long shower.  I felt used and dirty.”  Seungri took a small gulp before he said the next sentence.  “Bom Nuna… knows me better than anyone else.”  He continued then felt Seung Hyun shift slightly after the sound of her name.

“It’s okay Seungri.  Keep going.” Seung Hyun encouraged then kept stroking him gently.

“She knew something was wrong with me.  I wouldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t want to go to class ever.  All I wanted was to shower.  She finally cornered me one night and made me tell her what was going on.  When I did she went on a hunt for my professor.

“When she finally found him she said… ‘If you don’t respond for what you’ve done to my baby brother I will tell everyone what you’ve done and you’ll never teach again.’  The professor was terrified of course and promised to take care of me.  So I moved in with him.  That’s when the real problems began.

“He would use me as a maid.  He wouldn’t let me leave the house.  He would throw parties and lock me in a room.  He would let his friends have sex with me for entertainment.  It was hell.  The only contact I had with the outside world was a daily phone call I got to make to either my parents or my Nuna.  He would always be in the room when I talked to them to make sure I kept my mouth shut.”

Seungri noticed Seung Hyun had stopped stroking his hair.  He looked up at him, tears streaming down both their faces.  “What’s the matter Hyung?  Did your hand get tired or something?”  He joked then smiled his face stained with the salty drops.

Seung Hyun rushed to his feet lifting Seungri up with him and hugged the younger man.  “I’m so sorry.  I’m so so sorry you had to go through that Seungri.  I will never hurt you like that.  I promise I will never ever hurt you like that.”

Seungri wrapped his arms around Seung Hyun’s waist.  “Hyung… I love you.”  He whispered into Seung Hyun’s chest.

Seung Hyun pulled him away from his body.  “What did you say?”

“I said thank you Hyung.  Thank you.”

“Seungri how did you escape?  How did you leave?”

Seungri smiled.  “He let me go.  One day he came home with someone new.  He packed up my things and kicked me out.  By that time my parents had figured I was gay because I had been living with a man for so long.  They had disowned me.  Nuna was the only one I could turn to and she…”

Seung Hyun’s eyes averted Seungri’s face.  “She was living with Ji Yong.”  He said then walked away toward the window.

Seungri nodded.  “I stayed with them for a while but things got a little cramped.  That’s when Ji… he suggested I come stay with you.  They spoke about you often.  They would say how much they missed you and how kind you were.  How selfless you were and how much fun they had with you.  I couldn’t wait for the day I could meet you.”

Seung Hyun had pulled away from Seungri completely now.  He wanted to support Seungri after all he had been through a great ordeal but he didn’t want to hear about how much Ji Yong and Bom missed him.  He felt like he had been slapped.  How selfish they were. 

“Hyung… I’m sorry I had to bring them up.  Please forgive me Hyung.”  Seungri crept up behind Seung Hyun placing his arms around his waist.  Seung Hyun caressed Seungri’s hands with his own.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.  I’m happy you’re here with me now and if that means having to listen to their names every once in a while well… then it’s worth it.”

“Hyung I think we’re late for Young Bae Hyung’s party.”

“I think you’re right.  Minzy will have our heads.  We better hurry.”

“Hyung.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for everything.”

Seung Hyun swung Seungri around to face him.  He kissed the top of his forehead.  “Thank  you Seungri-sshi.”

Chapter 6

For the next few days the two men danced around each other.  When one entered a room the other left it.  It was easier to deal with now that Young Bae had offered Seungri a job at his record store.  The young man was hardly ever home and Seung Hyun was grateful for this.  It was difficult for him to deal with the awkwardness, it always had been, it was one of the reasons he barely had friends.

Seung Hyun searched for his keys on the coffee table.  Seungri lay facedown on the couch, his first day off in a week.  Seung Hyun caught a glimpse of his keys just underneath Seungri’s leg.  He would have to ask Seungri to move.  That would be the polite thing to do, but Seung Hyun wasn’t always polite.  He tried to grab the keys without even the slightest apology toward Seungri.  But Seungri was quicker than his Hyung.

He grabbed the keys before Seung Hyun could run his fingers over them.  “Give me my keys Seungri.”  Seung Hyun demanded.

Seungri dangled the keys in front of him.  “Which keys?”  He pretended.  “These keys?”  He pointed toward the keys in his hand.  Seung Hyun scowled then held out his hand and gestured for him to place them there.  Seungri shook his head and dangled them some more this time rising to his feet and standing on the couch towering only a little over Seung Hyun.

“Seungri give them to me now!”  Seung Hyun yelled.  He tried to snatch the keys away but like a gumiho Seungri leapt toward the other side of the couch.

“Sorry Hyung if you want them you gotta come get them.”  He teased.

Seung Hyun lunged toward the younger man.  Seungri hopped off the couch and ran across the apartment keys in hand.  Seung Hyun played right into his little game running after him and falling into every obstacle Seungri lay his way.  It wasn’t until Seung Hyun fell over the couch did Seungri stop.

Seung Hyun toppled over it almost crashing into the coffee table.  He let out a cry of pain and grabbed onto his knee.  “Shit!”  He cried out.

“Hyung!  Hyung are you all right?”  Seungri rushed to Seung Hyun’s side un-wrapping his hands from his knees to catch a glimpse of the wound.  “Let me see it Hyung please.”

Seung Hyun let the younger man look at his knee.  Seungri hadn’t noticed that Seung Hyun had stopped complaining about the pain.  When he finally did it was too late.  “Gotcha!”  Seung Hyun yelled out with a triumphant laugh.  He had grabbed Seungri from behind, squeezing him tightly.

“That’s no fair Hyung you tricked me.”  Seungri complained with a pout.

“Don’t play with a man if you’re going to lose like a little boy.”  Seung Hyun teased.  He placed a soft quick kiss on Seungri’s lips without thinking.

Seungri shifted slightly within Seung Hyun’s grasp facing him completely.  Taking advantage of Seung Hyun losing his grip on  him he pulled his arm free and pulled Seung Hyun toward him, placing his lips on the older man’s.

Seung Hyun got lost in the moment.  He passionately returned Seungri’s kiss, gripping onto him, pressing him tightly against his body.  Seungri ran a gentle hand through his Hyung’s hair letting it run down his chest and toward his bulge.

Seung Hyun flinched and broke the kiss.  “No.  No Seungri, we can’t do this.”  He said shaking his head.  He let go of the younger man, grabbed his keys from the floor got up and walked out leaving Seungri hurt yet again.

“You did what?”  Minzy tried to keep her voice down but it was hard when hearing such startling news.

“I kissed him again.  I can’t control myself.  It’s becoming harder and harder.”  Seung Hyun confessed laying his head on the register counter.

“I don’t know what to say Hyung.  Maybe you can’t resist yourself because you really like Seungri.”  She offered.

Seung Hyun lifted his head giving Minzy a look of disbelief.  “How could that ever be the case?  All I ever do is think about Ji Yong and when I don’t think about him I’m thinking about Bom.  Minzy, Seungri kissed the palm of my hand and I saw Ji Yong’s face in the place of his.  What kind of fucked up shit is that?”  Seung Hyun let out a sigh filled with exasperation and placed his head on the counter again.

“Ugh, Hyung you are so dramatic.  You might be worse than Chaerin and she’s pretty bad.”

“Don’t talk about Chaerin like that.  That’s not true.”  He managed to muffle out.

“Oh really?  Hyung why is it I can’t call you Oppa?”  Minzy asked the back of Seung Hyun’s head.

Seung Hyun looked up at the young girl.  “Because Chaerin won’t let you.”  Seung Hyun reluctantly answered.

“Yeah she’s miss drama free all right.”  She grabbed a stack of records from the counter and placed them in a box on the floor.  “Anyways you need to let this stuff with Ji Yong go.  I mean it’s been a year Hyung.  You need to get over it.” 

“I thought I had but, seeing him again after so long.  I just… I just need a little more time that’s all.”

Minzy nodded then placed a gentle hand on Seung Hyun’s shoulder rubbing it lightly.  “It’s okay Hyung.  You’ll be okay.”  She ensured with a smile.

Seung Hyun placed his hand on hers.  “Thanks Minz.”  Seung Hyun truly was grateful.  He was grateful the most to Young Bae but he couldn’t undervalue how much Minzy had been there for him as well and unlike Young Bae Minzy had an uncanny ability to tell him the truth without hurting his feelings.  “By the way how is Seungri working out here?  Is he doing well?”

Minzy let go of Seung Hyun’s shoulder and grabbed another stack of records.  “Are you kidding?  He’s amazing.  He always comes in on time.  He never complains when I ask him to sweep up or mop.  He knows a lot about kpop and all the girls love him ‘cause they can’t tell if he’s gay or straight.  And whenever him and Young Bae are in a room together… forget about it, it’s like swoon city in this place.”

“I’m glad I was worried he wouldn’t cut it.”

She dropped the records into the same box as before.  “Don’t worry Hyung.  He’s great to have around.  Plus he’s so funny.  I don’t know how you’re not cracking up with him all day long.”

Seung Hyun’s mind returned to their little morning game.  He smiled absentmindedly.  “Yes he has his moments.”

Chapter 5

Young Bae’s record store had begun as a passion of his but it turned out to be one of the most popular hangouts for the teens of the area.  Seung Hyun usually felt out of place going there with Chaerin, he was after all a grown man.  But today with Seungri he felt different.  He didn’t know if it was because Seungri was closer to his age than Chaerin or if it was because Seungri was male but either way he didn’t feel that bit of shame he usually did.

“Young Bae Oppa have you gotten the new SHINee album?”  Chaerin enthusiastically asked. 

“I saved one for you.  Minzy said you were waiting for it.  It sold out in ten minutes.”

Young Bae handed her the cellophane encased album and she gripped it happily.  “Thank you Young Bae Oppa.”  She beamed.  “Look Oppa isn’t it pretty?”  She asked Seung Hyun as she held it up to his eyes.

“It’s colorful.”  He observed not the least bit interested.

Seungri looked over Chaerin’s shoulder at the cover of the album.  “Wah, look at those dongsaengs.  If only I was a few years younger.”  He let slip out.  Seung Hyun shot him a look of disapproval.  His eyes glaring into his face like laser beams.  “Uh, I mean if I were a girl of course.”

Young Bae shook his head and chuckled.  “Chaerin-sshi I think there are some new posters you should go look at.  They’re in the back.”

The young girl didn’t hesitate to jump at the chance.  She let go of Seung Hyun’s arm which she had not released since they left her mother’s fruit stand and ran toward the rear part of the store.

“Thank you for saving that CD for her Young Bae.  She’s been looking forward to it.” 

“Don’t worry about it Hyung.  But I think Seungri might enjoy it more than she will.”  Young Bae commented with a chuckle.  “By the way how are things going between you and Seungri?”  Young Bae made a gesture toward the young man that had slipped away from them to look at the electro punk albums.

Seung Hyun let loose a tiny crooked smile in spite of himself.  “He’s a good kid just a little unusual that’s all.”

“I’m glad you’re getting along.  After all it’s not like it’s his fault that Ji Yong and Bom did something so terrible.”

Seung Hyun’s mind flashed to what had happened the day before.  He remembered how he had treated Seungri.  He couldn’t believe he would come back after he had treated him in such a manner.  “I’ll be back Young Bae I have to get something at the corner store.  Keep an eye on Chaerin for me all right.”

Young Bae nodded at his friend and just like that Seung Hyun slipped out of the record store.

“I still don’t understand how you could leave me Oppa.  What if I would’ve been kidnapped or something?”  Chaerin complained.

“I doubt anyone would’ve kidnapped you from Young Bae’s store Chaerin-sshi.  The only people who go in there are teenagers from your high school plus you had Young Bae, Minzy and Seungri watching you.”

“That’s right I was watching her the entire time Hyung.”  Seungri smiled.

Chaerin was not impressed.  She rolled her eyes then focused them on the man she gripped tightly.  “But I still don’t understand.  Why did you leave Oppa?”

“I had to run an errand.  But I got this for you.”  Seung Hyun pulled out a blue velvet box and handed it to Chaerin.  Her eyes widened as he placed the box in her open palm.  She opened it carefully.  Her face filled with anticipation.

She pulled out the contents of the box revealing a silver charm bracelet.  Her eyes sparkled at the sight.  “Oppa it’s beautiful.  I love it so much.  Thank you.”  She sang then pulled Seung Hyun down to kiss him on the cheek.

Seungri observed from the sidelines how much not only that gift meant to Chaerin but how much it meant to Seung Hyun to give it to her.  He couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

They finally arrived at the fruit stand.  Seung Hyun walked Chaerin to her door and kissed her gently on the forehead.  “Good night Chaerin-sshi.”

She smiled up at him.  “Good night Oppa.  Thank you again.  See you tomorrow.”

Seung Hyun looked around but didn’t spot Seungri anywhere he assumed he had gone up to the apartment and judging by the time he felt it best he do the same.  He closed the door to his apartment behind him and placed his jacket in the closet.

“She seemed to really like that gift Hyung.”

Seung Hyun let out a small yelp and held his chest.  “Damn it Seungri!  How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?  The next time you do it I’m going to kick you.”

“Sorry Hyung.  I’ll try harder next time.”  Seungri fumbled with his fingers and bit his lip.  It was the first time Seung Hyun had seen the young man do this.  He had to admit he found it sexy.

Shaking the vulgar thoughts out of his mind Seung Hyun changed the subject.  “It’s all right.  I have something for you.  The real reason I left the record store was for this but I didn’t want to let Chaerin know.  Here.” 

Seung Hyun pulled out a small white cardboard box and handed it to Seungri.  He opened it happily then pulled out a small black flash drive.  “Um... thank you Hyung.  I’ll… use it?”

Seung Hyun laughed.  It was the first time Seungri had heard the man actually laugh.  That was better than any gift he could have ever received.

“Seungri-sshi it’s filled with movies.  All of Kang Min Woo’s movies.  Every single one in high definition.  I placed all of them in there for you.”

Seungri looked at his palm, the small USB holding so much enjoyment for him was nothing compared to the joy of knowing the man in front of him cared about him in the tiniest way.  Seungri flung himself around Seung Hyun gripping onto his neck.  “Hyung this is the best gift anyone has ever gotten me.  Thank you so much.”

Seung Hyun froze.  He wasn’t expecting this type of gratitude.  He tried to pry the shorter man off of him.  It was only on the third try that he was able to get one arm off of his neck.  “Seungri, you’re choking me.”  Seung Hyun managed to mutter out. 

Seungri let go.  “Oh, sorry Hyung.”  He chuckled then looked up at Seung Hyun.  Their eyes met.  Neither one could look away.  There they stayed locked onto each other’s gaze.  Seungri took a step forward then another.  He reached up to his Hyung, this time placing his arms gently around his neck. He pulled Seung Hyun down toward him and pressed his lips against his.

Seung Hyun hadn’t felt the lips of another man on his since the last night he spent with Ji Yong a year ago.  Swept away in that feeling he pulled Seungri closer to him, passionately gripping his waist.  Seungri enjoyed this feeling, lending himself to be man handled.

Seung Hyun roughly grabbed the back of Seungri’s hair pulling back just enough to look down on the man.  He had never noticed just how handsome Seungri was.  He had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were.  He had never noticed how full his lips were.  He had never noticed how attracted he was to the strange man that lived with him.

“Kiss me Hyung.  Please kiss me.”  Seungri pleaded.  Seung Hyun couldn’t resist his pleas and placed his lips on him again.  This time he wanted a real kiss from the younger man.  He parted Seungri’s lips gently with his tongue darting it inside his sweet mouth.  Seungri moaned quietly as he felt Seung Hyun caress his butt pulling him closer to his body.  He could feel Seung Hyun growing harder in his pants as he was as well.

“I want you Seungri.”  Seung Hyun whispered in the young man’s ear.

“You can have me whenever and whatever way you want Hyung.”

Those words sent shock waves through Seung Hyun’s body.  In a flash he grabbed Seungri and flung him on the couch.  Not thinking twice about it he ripped off Seungri’s t shirt and jeans.  Seungri did not waste time unbuttoning Seung Hyun’s shirt.  If Seungri’s clothes were going to be ripped off so were his Hyung’s. 

Seungri placed Seung Hyun’s index finger into his mouth sucking on it lightly.  Seung Hyun shuddered at his boldness.  He couldn’t wait anymore he needed to feel Seungri and Seungri could see his need in his eyes.  He pulled down his Hyung’s boxers revealing his erect manhood.  Seungri licked his lips.  “Can I put it in my mouth Hyung?”

Seung Hyun grabbed Seungri’s hair and lined his mouth up with his penis.  “I want you to put it in your mouth Seungri.  Are you going to please your Hyung?”

“Yes Hyung.”  Seungri replied with a sly smile.  The younger man parted his lips and began licking his Hyung’s tip, sliding his tongue up and down the slit of his penis.  Seung Hyun tried hard not to shove his dick into Seungri’s mouth.  It had been a year since he had felt a hot wet mouth on his cock but he knew he had to be patient, he knew it would be worth it.

Finally Seungri opened his mouth enveloping Seung Hyun’s entire penis.  He began bobbing his head back and forth taking in his Hyung’s entire manhood.  “It tastes good Hyung.”  Seungri expressed briefly. 

Seung Hyun moaned loudly.  “Don’t stop Seungri.  I’m almost there.” 

Seungri wanted to feel Seung Hyun’s spunk in his mouth.  He worked harder and harder for it now.  He wanted to taste that part of Seung Hyun.  He wanted to have that part of his Hyung inside him.  He kept bobbing his head.  In and out, in and out moving his tongue around that salty tip.

Seung Hyun was awash in pleasure.  He wanted this feeling to last and last he wanted to keep Seungri’s mouth around his dick forever but he was reaching his breaking point.  He couldn’t help this feeling anymore.  He held Seungri’s head in place and began fucking his mouth.  He thrust hard into it and Seungri loved every second of it. 

“Uhh… Seungri… I’m coming…  Can I cum in your mouth?”  Seungri looked up at his Hyung.  There was nothing he wanted more and with that Seung Hyun could hold it no longer.  “Seungri…”  He managed to choke out through his orgasm.

Seungri sucked gently on Seung Hyun’s limping cock, lapping up the white cream pouring from it.  Seung Hyun opened his eyes long enough to witness Seungri doing this.  It baffled him how he had not gotten hard again by that sight alone.

“It tastes so good Hyung.  I can’t wait to taste it again.”

Seung Hyun smiled.  “You liked it that much?”  He asked caressing Seungri’s cheek.  Seungri closed his eyes wrapped up in the moment.  He nodded then kissed the palm of Seung Hyun’s hand.  In that moment Seung Hyun saw Ji Yong’s face instead of Seungri’s.  He pulled his hand away swiftly.

“Hyung?  What is it?  Did I do something wrong?”  Seung Hyun could hear the pain he was causing him in his voice.  He couldn’t bear to look at him.

“No, no.  It’s not you.  Just… just don’t kiss me there ever again.  I… I have to go to bed.”  Seung Hyun walked away from the young man, leaving him naked and hurt.

He slammed the door behind him.  He breathed in and out heavily to the point of hyperventilation.  Ji Yong always kissed the palm of his hand after they made love.  He couldn’t restrain himself from letting it go and he hated himself for it.  He had a perfectly good man waiting for him in the other room.  Someone he was actually beginning to care about and he ran away.  “Get a grip.”  He scolded himself.  “Just… get a grip.”

Chapter 4

“What?”  Young Bae couldn’t believe it.  Anger rose in him.  “No wonder they couldn’t keep Seungri around.  Too busy making preparations for a baby.  Those assholes.  Come on Hyung Minzy sent you some stew from last night.  I’ll heat it up for you.  It’ll make you feel better.”

Young Bae steered Seung Hyun toward the kitchen and sat him down at the table.  He began to re-heat the stew his girlfriend had made.  “It’ll be okay Hyung.  You’ll see.  Everything will be okay.”

“Will it Young Bae?  I just don’t know anymore.”

“I don’t like when you talk like that Hyung.  I’m telling you.  Everything will be fine.  When one door closes another one opens.”

Seung Hyun scoffed.  “Yeah unless that door slapped you in the face and left you down for the count.”

Young Bae placed the warm stew in front of his friend.  “Again, I don’t like when you talk like that Hyung.  You’ve been through a lot but you got over it.  You’ll get over this too, you’ll see.”

Seung Hyun mustered the biggest smile he could which wouldn’t even qualify as a smirk.  “Thank you Young Bae.  You’re a good friend.”

Seung Hyun ate only a third of the stew.  It wasn’t bad but his appetite was non existent.  He only really ate what he had for his friend’s sake.

After another small pep talk Young Bae left Seung Hyun even though he would have rather stay.  “Go be with your girlfriend.  I’ll be fine.”  Seung Hyun lied.

“Okay Hyung.  Goodnight.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Seung Hyun looked around his empty apartment.  It looked nothing like the one Ji Yong and he had shared yet he could still feel his presence in it.  Maybe it was because the furniture was the same or maybe because of his loneliness but the essence of his ex lover lingered around him.

“Ji Yong-sshi!  Where are you?”  Seung Hyun called out to his boyfriend.

“I’m in here Hyung.”  Ji Yong answered back.

Seung Hyun walked into the kitchen.  He placed his arms around his lover’s waist.  “I missed you today.  You won’t believe the day I’ve had.”

Ji Yong turned to face Seung Hyun and kissed him gently on the lips.  “Tell me all about it Jagiya.”

The memory faded from Seung Hyun’s vision just as rapidly as it had come.  Seung Hyun buried his head in his hands and cried for the last time that day.

“Oppa.  Oppa.  Oppa.  Oppa please wake up.  Please wake up.”  Seung Hyun heard Chaerin’s voice as though she were right next to him.  He turned to his side as to not wake up from that dream but felt something rocking him hard.  “Oppa.”

With a start he sat up right in his bed.  “Chaerin-sshi?  What are you doing here?”  He asked startled.

“The strange man that lives with you let me in.  Oppa why didn’t you come see me last night?”  She had bags under here eyes, she had been awake all night.

Seung Hyun felt horrible.  He had left her waiting all night with out even one word.  “Chaerin-sshi I’m so sorry.  I wasn’t feeling well at all.  I will make it up to you.”

Chaerin smiled.  “Do you promise?”  Seung Hyun nodded.  “Okay then I’ll let you get ready.  I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour.”  She left without another word.

Seung Hyun wasn’t eager to leave his bed today but a promise was a promise.  He got up, got dressed and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

“Where are you going so early?”

Seung Hyun jumped, his toothbrush falling out of his hand into the sink.  “What the hell Seungri.  What did I tell you about sneaking up on me?”

“Sorry Hyung it’s a bad habit I possess.  But enough about that where are you going?”  Seungri asked with genuine interest.

“I don’t see how where I go is any of your concern.  Leave me be.”

Seungri hung his head.  “Oh.  Yeah you’re right.”  He chuckled.  “I bet I’d just mess up anything you had going on anyway.”  Seungri walked out of the bathroom leaving Seung Hyun with an undeniable feeling of guilt.  He finished getting ready.  On his way out he spotted Seungri on the living room couch staring off into nothing.

“Are you ready?”  Seung Hyun asked the young man.

“Ready for what?”

“To come with me and Chaerin.  I’m going to take her shopping.   It’s what we usually do on Saturdays.

“So does that mean… I’m… invited?”

Seung Hyun sighed deeply.  “Did I stutter?”

Seungri shot up from his seat.  “Yes Hyung I’m ready.”

Seung Hyun couldn’t help but let a chuckle escape from his lips.  He couldn’t deny Seungri had his cute moments.  He realized his small lapse in character and quickly recovered.  “Well good then, let’s go.”  He uttered without enthusiasm.

Seungri rapidly gathered his things and met Seung Hyun at the door.  “Hyung!  Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

“Chaerin-sshi.”  Seung Hyun boisterously called out to her.

The young girl turned around to look up at the man with a bright smile.  Her smile soon faded when she saw Seungri behind him.  She grabbed Seung Hyun’s arm protectively pulling him down toward her.  “Oppa, is he coming too?”  She whispered into Seung Hyun’s ear.

“Yes.” 

Chaerin looked away from Seung Hyun toward Seungri and pouted.

Noticing her discomfort he ran up to Chaerin and bowed slightly.  “Chaerin-sshi please forgive me for intruding on your special day with Hyung.  I’m just so happy you and Hyung will let me go with you.  Please pretend I’m not even here.” 

Chaerin wasn’t a dumb girl.  She knew her Oppa was fond of this intruder.  “Not at all.  I’m glad you’re here.”  She replied coolly.

“Let’s not spend the entire day here.  Where do you want to go first Chaerin-sshi?”  Seung Hyun asked the young girl.

She pressed a finger to her lips.  “Hmm, Young Bae Oppa’s record store.”

Chapter 3

“Hyung you’re finally awake.  I made you breakfast.  Please sit and eat before it gets cold.”  Seungri motioned for Seung Hyun to sit at the table.  All he really wanted was to find some aspirin for his throbbing head.

“I don’t eat breakfast.  Sorry.”  He said without a second thought.

“Awe but Hyung please I made it special for you.”  Seungri whined.

“Ugh fine.”  Seung Hyun sat at the table and waited for the specially prepared breakfast.  Seungri placed a bowl in front of him.  “What the hell is this?”

“You’re breakfast.”  Seungri said with a smile.

“It’s mushy cereal.”  Seung Hyun indicated as he dug out the spoon from the bowl.

“Well um… I don’t know how to cook and I wanted to make you breakfast as a thank you for letting me stay here so… this was the first thing I could think of.”

Seung Hyun eyed the blob of mush dripping off of the spoon.  “Thanks for the gesture but I’ll pass.  Like I said I don’t eat breakfast.”

“Oh.”  Was all Seungri said.  Seung Hyun heard the pain in his voice and was about to take a small spoonful of cereal when he looked at his watch.

“I have to go.  I’m late.”

“Late.  But I thought you were a writer.  Don’t you work from home?”

“I do but I’m still late.”  Seung Hyun ran out the door and flew down the stairs.

“There you are Oppa.  I was waiting for you.”  Chaerin’s face lit up like a firefly when she saw Seung Hyun.  “You’re milk’s getting warm.”  She said as she handed it to him.

“Thanks.  But you’re late for school.”

“Aish Oppa I haven’t talked to you since yesterday morning.  You came home so late last night.”  Chaerin gave Seung Hyun a frown.  She hoped he’d let her be just a little late today.

“Don’t worry I’ll be home when you get off today.  We can go to Young Bae’s record store and hang out for a little while.”  Seung Hyun patted the young girl on the head and smiled down at her.  “Get to school okay.”

“Okay Oppa but you better be here when I get back.  Bye.”  She waived and smiled.

“She seems nice.”

Seung Hyun jumped.  “Holy shit you scared me.”  He yelled back at Seungri who was standing behind him.  “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was just curious to see what your hurry was.  Who is that girl?  She’s very pretty but a little young for you Hyung.”

“That girl is Chaerin.  She’s the daughter of my landlord and a very good friend.  Stay away from her.”  Seung Hyun warned as he began to walk back up the stairs to his apartment.

“Why do you want me to stay away from her Hyung?  I’m hurt.  It’s not like I’d try anything funny with her.  I’m gay remember.”

“So was Ji Yong until he decided he was in love with my best friend.”  Seung Hyun whispered under his breath.

“What did you say Hyung?”

“Nothing.  Just stay away from her.  She’s very special to me and I don’t want you corrupting her or giving her the wrong idea about me you got that?” Seung Hyun warned again taking a swig of his banana milk.

Seungri nodded then realized something.  “Oh I get it.  She doesn’t know you’re gay.  It’s okay Hyung you’re secret’s safe with me.  I’ll be on my best behavior.  I’ll even hide my porn while she’s here.”

Seung Hyun did a spit take then bopped Seungri on the head.  “What is wrong with you?”

Seungri shrugged and smiled and for some reason that was enough for Seung Hyun not to speak any further about the topic.

“I have to start working now.  If you’re not going to leave for the day you must keep the noise down.  I need silence when I work.  Understood?”

“Don’t worry Hyung.  You won’t even know I’m here.”

“I doubt that.”  Seung Hyun grunted.

He secluded himself in his office where he wrote for a few hours.  He had a deadline that was approaching rapidly but by two o’clock he needed a break.  He grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge he kept in his office and headed out to the patio for a cigarette.

“Yes Nuna he’s treating me fine.”  Seungri said.  Seung Hyun could only assume he was talking on the phone to Bom.  He didn’t want to listen to this conversation but he couldn’t move.  He felt a strange pressure against his chest.  “No we’ve been getting along great.  He’s so nice to me Nuna.  I really like him.”  Seungri spoke no more for a moment then he said “I hope he likes me too.  I know but can you blame him for being angry at brother in law?  Can you blame him for being angry at you?  Then you should cut him some slack.  He was the one that was wronged remember.”

Seung Hyun realized Seungri knew a lot more than he had let on.  Did he know everything that had happened?

“No Nuna don’t worry about me.  Besides you shouldn’t strain yourself.  It’s not good for the baby.”

Seung Hyun dropped everything.  Did he say... baby?  Seung Hyun thought.  “No.  No.  No.”  He shook his head.  “This can’t be happening.”

How simple could I be?  Of course they would have a baby.  They’re married now.  What was I expecting?  For Ji Yong to come back to me and say no I don’t want her I want you please take me back?

Seung Hyun fell to the ground.  After months and months of crying over Ji Yong he thought he had no tears left in him.  He was wrong.  Now here he was after a year, a blubbery mess of tears and sobs. 

“Hyung can I come in?  I was going to make some lunch… Hyung!”  Seungri ran to the man on the ground in a fetal position.  “What’s wrong?  Please Hyung tell me.”

“I hate you and I hate them.  Get out!  Get out of my house now!”  Seung Hyun yelled through choked sobs.

“Hyung please what’s wrong?  What did I do?”

“Get out!”

Seungri walked away hurt and confused.  Seung Hyun heard the door slam and relief flooded over him.  He didn’t know what to do.  All he wanted was to die.  No all he wanted was his life back.  His old life filled with love and happiness and friends.  He felt robbed and cheated.

Seung Hyun’s phone rang.  He didn’t care to answer it.  He didn’t care who it was or what that person wanted.  “They can all just go to hell.”  He said to himself.

After an hour of nonstop crying Seung Hyun finally calmed down.  He stayed on the ground staring into nothing, trying to make sense of everything that happened around him.

“Hyung!”  Young Bae ran to his friend.  “What happened?  Why are you on the floor?”

Seung Hyun gripped onto Young Bae’s arms.  “She’s pregnant.  Bom’s pregnant.”  He whispered.

Chapter 2

The café Seung Hyun had met Ji Yong at was on the other side of town.  It was a long silent drive home Seung Hyun was not exactly comfortable with.  Seungri slept most of the way, only groggily asking are we there yet? from time to time.  When they finally arrived Seung Hyun was exhausted not only physically but emotionally.

“How could Ji Yong be so damn selfish?”  He asked himself as he poured some red wine in a glass.

“Do you have any beer Hyung?”  Seungri asked as he browsed the refrigerator.

Seung Hyun had almost forgotten he wasn’t alone in his apartment anymore.  “No I don’t and I’m not your Hyung.  You will address me as Ahjussi.”

“Ahjussi?  But you’re only like…”  Seungri looked up.  Seung Hyun could only assume he was doing some sort of calculation in his mind “six years older than me.”

Seung Hyun scoffed.  “For your information I’m only twenty four; a year older than Ji Yong and you can be no younger than twenty.”

“Exactly so please let me call you Hyung.”  Seungri smiled eagerly at him.  Had he just been tricked into revealing how young he actually was?  Seung Hyun had to admit he was amused.

“Fine.  You can call me Hyung.”

A loud bang on the door startled both men.  “Who the hell could that be?”  Seung Hyun wondered then realized he knew exactly who it was.

He opened the door prepared for what was to come.  Young Bae stormed in without being asked.

“I’ve been calling and calling.  You said you were going to call me when it was over Hyung.  I’ve been so worried.  I even tried to reach Ji Yo… Who is this?”

Young Bae’s ramblings came to a sudden halt as he looked at the young man before him.  “Hello, I’m Seungri.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  Seungri introduced himself with a small bow.

“Uh… likewise.  Will you excuse us please?”  Young Bae asked.  Seungri nodded and left the room dragging his suitcase into the second bedroom.

“Hyung what the hell is going on here?  You go out to meet Ji Yong and come home with a random man?  Who is that?”

Seung Hyun didn’t feel like beating around the bush.  “That is Bom’s dongsaeng.  Or should I say Ji Yong’s brother in law.”  Seung Hyun answered bitterly then took a swig of his wine.

The shock of his words left Young Bae with jelly legs.  He fell on the couch then looked up at his best friend.  “Ji Yong married her?”

Seung Hyun nodded dismally.

“That bastard!  Wait, that’s Bom’s brother?  What is he doing here with you?”

Seung Hyun refilled his wine glass to the brim.  “Apparently Ji Yong and Bom don’t have room in their new little love nest for him and he has nowhere else to go.  Ji Yong thought of me to take care of him.  Pssh selfish son of a bitch.”  Another swig of wine.

“Those assholes.  How dare he?  He has absolutely no conscious whatsoever.  Hyung are you okay?”  Young Bae finally regained his footing and placed a warm hand on his friend’s back.  “Will you be able to handle this?”

“I’ll be fine.  I’m sorry I didn’t call you.  I’m just a little tired.”

“Hyung why did you say yes?”

“I said no at first but that little bastard convinced me to take him in.  I don’t think he’ll be able to tolerate me for long though.   You know how I can be.”

“Yeah I know.  But still will you be okay?”

Seung Hyun smiled at his friend.  It felt good to feel loved by him.  To know someone cared enough about him to worry the same way he cared and worried about Ji Yong and Bom.  “I’ll be fine.  Go home Young Bae.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Young Bae hugged his friend and left him a moment later.  “I’ll be fine.”  Seung Hyun told himself under his breath as he leaned against the door.

“Hyung!  Where can I hang this up?”  Seungri ran out of the room with a poster of a half naked man.

“What is that?”  Seung Hyun yelled.

“This is Kang Min Woo.  He’s an actor.”  Seungri informed him admiringly.

“I know who he is why do you have a half naked poster of him in my house?”

Seungri glanced at the poster.  “He’s not half naked.”  He said with a frown.

“I don’t care you can’t hang that up here.  Get rid of it.”

“But Hyung he’s my favorite actor.  One day I hope to be just like him or marry him either one.”

“What?  Marry him?  Are you insane?”

“What?”

“You’re gay?”

Seungri placed his hands on his hips.  “You’re gay.”

Seung Hyun’s eyes opened in shock.  “I’m being serious.  Are you gay?”

“Well yeah.  I thought brother in law had told you.  That’s why I have nowhere to go.  I broke up with my boyfriend who I lived with and my family disowned me so brother in law said I could stay with you ‘cause you wouldn’t mind that I was gay.”

“I can’t believe this.  Ji Yong is some piece of work.  Seungri did he tell you about our past?  I mean do you know how Ji Yong and I know each other?”

Seungri hung his head.  “Yeah… I know.  My Nuna told me.  I know it’s hard for you to have me here.  I know I’ll be a constant reminder of them.  I know how much you loved them and what they did to you but I promise” Seungri looked up at Seung Hyun staring straight into his eyes “I will never hurt you the way they did.”

Seung Hyun scoffed.  He could hear and feel the sincerity in the young man’s voice but life had taught him just because you’re sincere now doesn’t mean you feel the same way later.  “That’s a promise that can be easily broken.  Think before you make promises you might not be able to keep.”

Seungri opened his mouth to say something instead he simply nodded then went into his room.  Seung Hyun took a final swig of wine and feeling a little light headed decided to call it a night and headed to bed. 

He lay in bed thinking of what his life had become.  He was a has been writer that spent most of his time with an eighteen year old high school girl or alone drinking bottles of wine at a time all because the man he loved more than anything decided he didn’t love him anymore.  “How pathetic.”  He said to himself.  “No wonder Ji Yong left you for her.”  Seung Hyun rolled onto his side and began to fall asleep hoping the next day would be a little brighter.

Chapter 1

“Oppa?  Do you have the time?”

Seung Hyun stared at his wristwatch for a brief moment then sternly looked at the young girl in front him.  Chaerin was always late for something; school, cram school, getting home to do chores.

“It’s time for you to run to school.”  Seung Hyun advised with an amused smile.  The young girl had been a friend to him ever since he moved into her mother’s building one year ago and even though he was six years her senior they got along very well.

“Aish Oppa I just asked for the time.”  She pouted then tossed him an apple.

“What’s this for?”

“It’s supposed to be my breakfast but you know I hate fruit.”  She swiftly pulled out a chocolate bar from her uniform jacket pocket and began to unwrap it.  Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she salivated at the thought of putting it into her mouth.

Seung Hyun grabbed the chocolate bar briskly from her hand; mere inches away from her mouth.  “Candy is not breakfast.”  He reprimanded as he handed her a few won.  “Here, go buy yourself some porridge before you get to school and don’t stop anywhere else.  Young Bae told me you were hanging out at the record store yesterday morning.”

“Ya!  You’re the worst Oppa ever.”  She said in a semi joking way.

“Yeah I know and you are the worst dongsaeng, now get to school before your mother comes out here and makes you clean out the dumpster.”

Chaerin shivered at the thought.  Cleaning out the dumpster behind her mother’s fruit stand had been her least favorite form of punishment.  “Araso araso I’m going.  Are you going to be here when I get back?”  She asked hopeful.

“Nope.  I have to meet someone.  I won’t be home ‘til late so I’ll see you tomorrow morning.  Now would you please go to school?”

Chaerin gave Seung Hyun a small smile and a thumbs up then walked away.  Seung Hyun chuckled as he watched her leave.  Every morning was the same.  He would walk down the stairs from his apartment to get his favorite banana milk from her mother’s grocery stand and there Chaerin would be waiting for him milk in hand.

“Such a silly girl.”  He bemused.

Seung Hyun chugged his milk dumping the remains in the trash can along with the chocolate bar and placed the apple in his pocket then got in his car and drove toward the café on the other side of town.  Why did Ji Yong-sshi want to meet me so early? He thought to himself.

Seung Hyun glanced at his watch again right before sitting at a small table in the corner of the cafe.  He was ten minutes early but he couldn’t help it.  He couldn’t help but be eager to see his ex lover.  Suddenly his phone vibrated in his pocket.  He pulled it out without looking at the caller ID, he didn’t have to he knew exactly who it was.

“Good morning Young Bae.”  He answered without a second thought.

“Good morning Hyung.  How are you?”

“Don’t be all formal with me.  Just say what you want to say.”  Seung Hyun demanded impatiently.

Young Bae sighed deeply on the other end.  “Did you see him yet?”

“No.  I’m early.”

“Pssh, knowing Ji Yong he’ll probably leave you waiting for an hour.  I still can’t believe you agreed to see him after all this time.  What were you thinking?”

Seung Hyun didn’t have an answer because the truth was he wasn’t thinking.  He had been so happy to hear Ji Yong’s voice after a year of knowing nothing about him all he wanted to do was say yes to whatever Ji Yong had to ask.

“I’ll be fine Young Bae.  Don’t worry about me.”

“Hyung I know you still have feelings for him, but you have to be strong.  Don’t give into him.  He’s just going to use you like he did before.”

Seung Hyun’s patience had grown thin.  Even though he knew his best friend was only looking out for him he didn’t want to hear it.  He just wanted to get through this breakfast meeting without breaking down completely.  “Ya!  That’s enough.  I’m a grown man.  I can take care of myself.”

“Araso Hyung araso.”  Young Bae answered in a pained voice.  “Just promise me you’ll call me when it’s over.”  He pleaded.

Seung Hyun didn’t necessarily want to talk to Young Bae after his encounter with Ji Yong but he figured if it would get him off his back he would agree.  “Sure.  I have to go now.”

“Okay Hyung.  I’ll talk to you later.  Hwaiting!”

“Hyung?” 

Seung Hyun dropped his phone on the table.  Butterflies swarmed in his stomach as he heard the voice; what used to be his favorite voice call out to him.  Seung Hyun picked up his phone swiftly and placed it in his jacket pocket then braced himself for what was to come.

A warm gentle hand fell on his shoulder.  “Hyung.  I’m so glad you came.” 

Seung Hyun looked up to face the man that had broken his heart a year ago.  It was the same perfect face.  The same heart shaped smile, the same cream colored flawless skin, the same gorgeous chocolate brown eyes, the same Ji Yong he had loved so much.

“Ji… Ji Yong-sshi?  I… can’t believe you’re here.”  Seung Hyun managed to stammer out.

“Oh Hyung it’s been so long.  I’m so happy to see you.  You haven’t changed a bit.”  The younger man mused.  “Well with the exception of your hair.”  He chuckled then ran his warm hand through Seung Hyun’s silky white hair.  He had colored it white in a fit of anger when Ji Yong left him.  He knew the one thing Ji Yong loved most about him was how dark and luscious his hair had always been.  He never dyed it black again.  “I like it even though you sort of look like an ahjussi.  I mean the only way I could tell it was you from behind was because I saw your big ears.”  He joked then playfully squeezed one of Seung Hyun’s ears.

Seung Hyun didn’t know what to do.  He felt as though he could be dreaming.  Every moment Ji Yong stood in front of him felt like a gift and every time Ji Yong laid a finger on him he felt a bolt of electricity shoot through his body.

Ji Yong finally decided to stop teasing his ex boyfriend and sat down opposite him.  “You look like you’re doing very well Hyung.  It’s been so long.  I didn’t think you would say yes to meeting me but I’m so happy you did.”

Seung Hyun was so enraptured by Ji Yong’s presence he hadn’t noticed the waitress had come to take their order.

“Hyung you didn’t say anything when she asked so I ordered a double shot of espresso for you.  That’s still what you drink, isn’t it?”

Seung Hyun nodded finally coming down from his cloud and joining in on Ji Yong’s one sided conversation.

“Uh… you look well too.  I’m… I’m happy to see you Ji Yong-sshi.”

Ji Yong’s face lit up.   “You are?”  He smiled brightly.  “It’s been so long I thought you wouldn’t even remember me.  I honestly wanted to see you for a while but I felt it was best if I let more time pass.  I was certain you hated me.  Maybe I’m just a coward.  Please look kindly on me Hyung.  Please forgive me.”  Ji Yong bowed his head slightly.

“Ya!  It’s the past now.  Please don’t worry about it.  I never hated you.”  It was the first time Seung Hyun had ever come to realize this.  After all this time and after everything Ji Yong had done to him he never once felt hate toward him.

“Oh Hyung, you don’t know how happy that makes me.”

Their waitress had returned with their drinks.  Ji Yong blew lightly on his latte then sipped it.  As Seung Hyun watched he couldn’t help but remember all the mornings they had spent together at this café.  He shook the memories out of his mind and noticed there was a third cup at the table.

“Is this for you Ji Yong-sshi?”  Seung Hyun asked as he pointed toward the extra latte.

Ji Yong placed his cup on the table.  “Uh, no Hyung actually that is for the person I came to talk to you about.  Remember I mentioned him on the phone?”

Seung Hyun remembered nothing.  In part because Ji Yong had the habit of dropping cryptic hints about important things when he was afraid to just come out and say something but mostly because Seung Hyun had been so shocked to have heard from Ji Yong he barely heard the conversation they had at all.

“I’m sorry but no I don’t remember.”

Ji Yong chuckled.  “You really haven’t changed at all have you Hyung.  Still a bad listener.  I had mentioned that my brother -in law Seungri was coming to visit and Bom and I have no room at our apartment so I asked you if you would please meet him to see if he could stay with you for a bit.”  Ji Yong took another sip of his coffee.  “Do you really not remember?”

Seung Hyun felt his head spin.  A burst of heat spread through his body.  “Brother-in law?  Brother-in law?  You… you married her?”  Seung Hyun managed to say through gritted teethe.  He couldn’t bring himself to look Ji Yong in the face.  He gripped the sides of the table trying desperately not to get up and turn it over then he saw the simple gold band on Ji Yong’s left ring finger.

How could he be so stupid?  How could he have fallen into this trap?  How could he could he be so naïve to think Ji Yong was coming back for him?

“Hyung are you all right?  I… I thought you knew.  I’m sorry.  I thought Dae Sung had told you.”  Ji Yong swept his hand across the table and placed it gently on top of Seung Hyun’s.  Without thinking Seung Hyun snatched it back.

Seung Hyun could feel the tears begin to well up in his eyes.  “No one told me anything.  How could you Ji Yong?  How could you marry her?”

Ji Yong’s face fell.  “I see now.  This was a mistake.  I’m very sorry I bothered you Hyung.  I will leave now…”

“Brother in law there you are.  I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”  Seung Hyun glanced up at the young man he assumed was Seungri approaching the table.  Through watery eyes he could see he was no more than twenty.  He was also very handsome there was just a hint of innocence in him.  Seungri sat and chugged the latte.

“That was delicious.”  Seungri looked up at Ji Yong who was now standing.  “Are you leaving brother in law?  I thought I was supposed to meet your friend.”  Seungri turned toward Seung Hyun and bowed.  “Nice to meet you I’m Lee Seung Hyun but everyone calls me Seungri.”  He said with a smile.

“Hello.  I’m Choi Seung Hyun.  Nice to meet you too.”   He lied.

“Seungri I think its best we leave.  There has been a misunderstanding.”

“Ya!  Did I say I wanted you to leave?”  Seung Hyun yelled. 

Ji Yong swept the room with his eyes.  There weren’t many people around at this time of day but that didn’t stop him from searching who might have heard Seung Hyun’s outburst.

“Hyung I think it’s best if Seungri and I leave.”

“No.  You wanted me to meet your… brother in law so let us meet.  Sit down Ji Yong.”  Seung Hyun demanded.

Ji Yong did as he was told but he didn’t relax instead he sat rigidly in his seat.

“Ji Yong Hyung has told me so much about you.”  Seungri beamed.

“Oh really?”  Seung Hyun pretended to be interested despite the blow he had just received but acting like nothing was wrong while his heart was breaking inside had become second nature to him while he dated Ji Yong.  He downed his espresso and slammed the cup on the table.  “Like what?” 

“Well he said you were a really talented writer and he said that you were really funny and very kind.”

Seung Hyun chuckled.  “He said all that did he?”  Seungri nodded.  “Well Seungri I hate to burst your bubble but I am none of those things anymore.  I used to be an excellent writer but you see my muse left me for someone else so my writing is only so so now and I was a very humorous person but life seems to carry no real humor anymore and I wish I could say I was kind but I’m actually very selfish and vain so that is also a quality I am lacking.  Did he mention anything else?”

Seungri gulped loudly.  Afraid to speak he reluctantly continued.  “Um… he also said you were very honest.”

“Ah that is true.  I pride myself on being honest.  For example did Ji Yong tell you I never once lied to him?  In all the time we’ve known each other I have been nothing but straight forward with him.  Never kept anything from him, not one thing.”

“Hyung.”  Ji Yong managed to choke.  “Please stop.”

Seung Hyun saw the hurt and worry on Ji Yong’s face.  Despite knowing this situation was just another on the long list of fucked up things Ji Yong had done to him he could never purposely hurt him.

“I’m sorry Ji Yong-sshi.  You mentioned you wanted Seungri to stay with me.  I don’t think that’s a wise idea.  I’m sorry again but I must leave now.  Seungri-goon it was very nice meeting you.  Goodbye.”

Seung Hyun got up to walk away but something was grabbing onto his jacket.

Seungri placed his hand into Seung Hyun’s jacket pocket and pulled out Chaerin’s apple.  He happily took a bite.  “Please, reconsider your decision.”  Seungri pleaded.  “I’m very clean and I’m not a picky eater.  I’m a heavy sleeper so loud noises won’t wake me and I’m very dependable so my half of the rent will always be paid on time.  I’m also a fun drunk so I won’t cry or be depressed.  Please, let me stay with you.”  He took another bite of the apple.

Seung Hyun tugged at his jacket and Seungri let it go.  He thought about his situation for a moment.  It’s not this kid’s fault his sister and brother in law are such dicks.  It’s not his fault he has no where else to go.  But it’s not my fault either.

“Will you be completely dependant on Ji Yong or yourself?”

Seungri gulped again afraid this time of giving the wrong answer.  “Myself?”

Seung Hyun sighed and pressed his index finger and thumb against the bridge of his nose.  “Fine… I will allow you to stay with me.”

Chapter 9

I cross my arms in front of me as I sit on the plane.  I’m not in the mood to speak with anyone.  I usually always sit with Daesung on flights but today Ji Yong sits next to me.

“Are you still angry Hyung?”  He asks pure concern in his tone.

“I’ll be fine, but I really don’t feel like talking so…”

“Oh yes I understand Hyung but I just wanted to give you some advice.”  Ji Yong looks behind him and I mirror his movements.  Seonsangnim is in a deep conversation with our manager and he is three rows behind us.  Ji Yong looks back at me.  “I don’t think he will hear me but I will whisper anyway.  Hyung, Seonsangnim is planning something.  I’m more than certain he doesn’t want you with Mona no matter how much he says it’s a shame she didn’t come, I know he didn’t want her here at all.  I also know he’s been sending her hush money but she keeps refusing it and sending it back.  Anyway you need to be careful.  I’m not sure yet what he has up his sleeve but this little trip isn’t exactly a vacation and when we return I have a feeling there will be a lot of problems.”

“Thank you Ji Yong but… why are you telling me this?”

He looks down at his hands and speaks softly.  “Because I have failed you as a leader and as a brother and from now on I want nothing but for us to be the friends we used to be.”

“I understand.  Thank you again Ji Yong.  I will keep an eye on things.”

He nods at me then leaves my seat to go sit with Young Bae.  He has left me with many unanswered questions like… why is Seonsangnim so set on keeping Mona and me apart?  What does he have planned?  And how should I go about him if he tries anything to hurt Mona? 

I try to catch a nap but there are too many questions swimming around in my head.  I need to say my piece.  I rise from my seat and ask our manager to leave Seonsangnim and me alone.  I sit in front of him and take a deep breath.

“Seonsangnim, you know how dedicated I am to Big Bang and YG Entertainment right?”

“Yes.”

“Good.  So I don’t want you to misinterpret what I’m about to say.  I love being a part of Big Bang but if you interfere in my private life again I will have to leave the YG family.  I don’t take this decision lightly and this is not a threat.  All I’m saying is this past week has been absolute torture and it made me not want to be a part of Big Bang anymore.  If I can’t have my own life and be free to make my own decisions then I will have to quit.  I hope you can understand where I’m coming from.”

I exhale deeply.  I feel like I have said everything in one breath.  It’s nerve-racking to say such things to my boss but it must be done.  I will not be apart from the woman I love any longer.

“I understand Seung Hyun-ah.  Please do not fret.  You will have no more interference from me.”  He guarantees with a smile.

I’m not sure if I can believe him or not but at this moment in time I must take him at his word.  “Thank you Seonsangnim.  I really appreciate it.  I’m sorry if I have been difficult these past few weeks.”

“It is to be expected when one is in love.  Go get some rest.  We will be in Osaka shortly.”

The three days spent in Japan are yet another blur.  Without Mona by my side time seems to pass sluggishly and without direction.  I feel I am on autopilot when she is not around me.  When we finally arrive back to Seoul I try my best to contain my excitement.  I can’t wait to see her.

Our reunion is more than I had hoped for.  She still loves me and I feel I love her more and more everyday.  Our bodies meeting as one is just an added bonus.  I don’t want to let her go but she gets up and hops into the shower.  I notice something different about her room.  There is a piece of art that hangs on her wall above the bed.  I recognize it.  It was taken by a very well known photographer.  It is extremely expensive.

“That is a very nice print.”  I observe out loud as she walks out of the bathroom.

“Thank you.  A friend got it for me.”  She says and wraps her arms around my waist. 

A friend?  I wonder if I should be worried or jealous but I don’t want to ruin the moment so I simply smile and kiss her gently on her forehead.  “What are you doing today?”  She asks enthusiastically.

“Whatever you want.  I’m off the entire day and I want to spend it with you.”  I say and hope she will never get sick of me wanting to be around her all the time.  I think of asking her to the movies or maybe going out for coffee; something I haven’t done in a long time when her phone rings and she leaves my arms to answer it.

 “Hello.”  She answers and smiles brightly when she hears the voice on the other end.  Could this be the friend who gave her the expensive art print?

 “Actually Hyo Jeong I was going to spend the day with my boyfriend…”  She begins but doesn’t finish her sentence.  Hyo Jeong?  Could it be?  I feel light headed.  No.  No this must be someone else.  What are the odds that out of all the woman in the world my ex girlfriend would be friends with my new girlfriend without my knowledge?  This must be a mistake.

She’s quiet for a moment then shoots me an apologetic look. “Okay fine, what time should we be there?”  She finally says and my palms begin to sweat.  This can’t be happening.

 “Sorry about that, it was just my friend Hyo Jeong.  She wants us to meet her for lunch.”  Mona says enthusiastically and my pulse races at the sound of her name again.

“What’s her name?”  I ask and pray it’s Kwon Hyo Jeong or Lee Hyo Jeong.

“Park Hyo Jeong.  She’s like an heiress or something.  She was the one who bought that art print for me.”  She explains without a pause.

Park Hyo Jeong, an heiress.  This is awful.  I try to maintain the best composure I can but it’s difficult.  I don’t know how to go about this situation. “Really, how did you meet her?”  I finally ask.

“She came into the drycleaners one night and was so impressed with my work she invited me to a charity event the next day.  After that she and I sort of became friends.  She’s really nice I bet you would like her.”

What should I do?  Do I ask her not to go?  Do I ask her to stop seeing her friend?  No, I can’t say anything until I’m certain she won’t misunderstand my feelings toward Hyo Jeong.  Instead I walk up to her and place a kiss on her forehead.  I don’t want to let her go but I know I must.  I need to think things through.  “I can’t go to lunch with you.  I forgot I have something I need to do, but when you finish your lunch date, call me and we will go out then.”

“Are you serious, but you said we had the whole day.  Do you really have something to do?”  She asks and I can see the sadness in her eyes.  Why did this have to happen now?

“Yes, I can’t go to lunch with you and your friend.  I’m sorry.  I’m going to shower now.  We can have breakfast together spend some time together before you have to go to lunch, okay.”  I suggest.

“Okay.”

After I shower Mona and I have an incredible breakfast together.  Her cooking is the best I’ve tasted in a long time apart from my mothers and she sits and chats with me while I wash the dishes, no matter how much she insists I leave them alone.

When it’s time for me to leave I almost don’t but another call from Hyo Jeong reminds me exactly why I’m leaving in the first place.  I drive somberly to the dorm and when I walk in the guys are entertained with some video game.  They ask if I want to play.  I pass then walk off to my room.

A few minutes later there is a tap at my door and Ji Yong asks if he can enter.  He takes a seat on one of my chairs and lets out a deep sigh.  “I want to tell you something Hyung but I don’t know how you’re going to take it.”  He begins and I don’t like where this is going.

“Fine, but I need to tell you something first and I’m not exactly sure how you’re going to take it either.  Hyo Jeong is in Seoul.”  I blurt out.

He gazes up at me in surprise.  “How did you find out?”  He asks bewildered.

“You knew?”

“Yes.  That’s what I was going to tell you now.  Seongsangnim told me as soon as we got back from Osaka.  You were gone with Mona so I didn’t want to disturb you but yes, she’s here.”

“How do you feel about her being here?  I mean… are you going to fly off the handle again?”

He chuckles then shakes his head.  “No Hyung.  I won’t… fly off the handle as you put it.  The truth is I’m really happy she’s here.  I can’t wait to see her.  Despite all the time that has passed I’m still very much in love with her.  However I feel her being here is not a coincidence.”

“What do you mean?  Do you think she has an ulterior motive for being in Seoul?”  I ask him then remember her friendship with Mona.

“Do I think she has an ulterior motive?  No, I don’t.  Do I think Seongsangnim has an ulterior motive?  Yes, yes I do.  It’s just too much of a coincidence.”  He states confidently.

I run my hand through my hair and try to grasp everything that is going on around me.  Is Seongsangnim really that evil?  “Well if that’s what you really think then I would like your opinion on something related.” 

He shifts in his seat and gives me his undivided attention.  “Go on Hyung.”

“Mona and Hyo Jeong are friends.  Very good friends apparently.  I just found out this morning.  She called Mona while I was there and they are on a lunch date as we speak.  She wanted me to go with her but I just couldn’t.  I was flabbergasted.  I’m still flabbergasted.  I just don’t know what to do.”

“I’m sorry Hyung but I don’t know what to tell you to do.  This is a problem.  Do you think Mona trusts you enough for this not to be a problem?  You know we’re going to have to meet with Hyo Jeong sooner or later.”

That is an excellent question.  Does Mona trust me enough to believe I have no romantic feelings for Hyo Jeong?  That I only love her.  “I don’t know yet Ji Yong.  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”