Yesteryear

Playing and Winning

Jongho allowed Wooyoung the first strike to set the mood of the game. Bent over the edge of the pool table, Wooyoung expertly levered his cue until he remembered he had to uphold the pretence of unfamiliarity with the game. He shifted his legs a bit too far apart, messing up the angle in the same movement that had nearly perfected it.

He didn't glance at Jongho, trusting that he brushed off Wooyoung's act.

"Maybe I should allow him to help you after all. But Wooyoung will be the one chucking the ball." Jongho leaned against the table's corner to watch as San stepped in to wrap his arms around Wooyoung's back. Their bodies were closer together than the manner of the time would allow, but Jongho didn't comment on it when Wooyoung snuggled into San's arms.

Warm breath brushed Wooyoung's ear when San leaned his head over his shoulder. Wooyoung shuddered, but kept his posture when San's hands settled over his. Slender fingers adorned by thin rings slipped between Wooyoung's digits.

"Try this," San muttered into Wooyoung's shoulder. Wooyoung didn't know if San had noticed his experience in the game, but both of them smoothly played it off as Wooyoung allowed San to get him into position. The other man's crotch pressed tighter against his backside than necessary, reminding Wooyoung of heated nights together and the promises that those hips held. Wooyoung gulped as San pushed his upper body down and Wooyoung was forced to press up against him more. His legs adjusted to where San kicked them, and then San pulled back to leave Wooyoung's back cold.

After a hum from Jongho, Wooyoung finally got to make his first move. The balls scattered away and Wooyoung stood back up with a pleased smile.

Like a predator his prey, Jongho rounded the table and picked out his best spot to attack. Wooyoung stood next to San and watched him. The various other guests in the room glanced at them from time to time, but seemed relatively uninterested in the three young men playing together. The more they lost their attention on them, the more relaxed Jongho became.

"Any myths in particular that you are interested in? They are a grand spectrum of stories to tell."

Wooyoung sunk his next ball with relative ease. Drawing out the game would rouse Jongho's interest in them more and he might agree to a second one that Wooyoung could win without making him look as suspicious. His smile was easy-going and genuine as he replied.

"I like the old myths, those that entirely defy science. Like invincibility. Immortality. Things outside of human abilities and the ways science taught us."

Jongho scored a perfect point. San nodded at him in acknowledgement as he counted in his head.

"Oh, that's not the answer I anticipated. Those old myths are mostly based on the religious belief in pagan gods. Is it the gods you seek to study?"

"Quite the opposite," Wooyoung chuckled. He messed up another turn. Jongho clicked his tongue at him, but the noise was fond of Wooyoung's gaming technique. "I'm curious if those phenomena exist in myths outside of the supernatural explanation of deities. Like the Philosopher's Stone, you know? Seemingly rational explanations for such a fantastical idea. Are you familiar with those?"

Jongho had to think about it. He pursed his pouty lips during his next turn. Only a few balls left, and Jongho was in the lead.

"I do. The Philosopher's Stone would probably have been my primary example if you hadn't already mentioned it."

"Those myths interest me. Only that I don't seek the ones we already talked about hundreds of times in novels and songs. I seek for something new, something that hasn't been done before."

Jongho nodded and leaned on his cue. The next time he spoke, a new determination laced his voice. Full and stable in his words, it filled their corner.