One More Time

Chapter 7: No One Dry Your Tears

When their lips met, the only thing Wonwoo felt was relief. He was afraid he would have to leave again, but Mingyu was quietly telling him to stay. He put his hands lightly on the man's shoulders, careful not to touch his wounds and hurt him. He kept telling himself he wouldn't do it, that he wouldn't be like the others, but it didn't matter. He didn't mind being the bad guy in this story if it helped Mingyu.

Wonwoo held on to him with numb fingers as Mingyu's lips sucked and tugged gently on his. Wonwoo head was spinning. As the man's tongue explored the inside of his mouth, all he could do was try to ignore his foot cramping from his curling fingers. Mingyu's hands slid down his bare arm and paused. His lips parted in surprise as he looked into the eyes of the retreating man. "What...why did you stop?"

"Tell me you paid for the night."

Wonwoo smiled involuntarily. "You'd be surprised."

Without any further prompting, Mingyu leaned over him again and cupped his face, releasing something inside him as they pressed their lips together. Wonwoo could tell by the change in their kiss. Mingyu was kissing him with more appetite and passion now.

When their lips parted, Mingyu moved to his neck and kissed it gently. It was obvious he was trying not to leave marks. "Don't stop yourself," Wonwoo moaned breathlessly, almost needily. He didn't care about the marks. Mingyu could tear him apart right now. Wonwoo had to stop at some point anyway. He'd seen the bruises on Mingyu's skin. He didn't even want to think about the pain Mingyu would be in if they went all the way.

Mingyu ignored his request and continued to kiss him lightly. There was actually something ticklish about it. Wonwoo felt himself growing more attached to this man who was afraid to hurt him. But the agonized look on his face screamed that they had to stop.

"Mingyu," Wonwoo said, trying to catch the man's eyes. "We can do this another day. A day when you're healthy. For now, let me look at your wound."

"Better kill me," Mingyu growled as he hid his face in his chest.

"Don't exaggerate and turn around," Wonwoo said. He was laughing as he pushed him gently. Mingyu let him guide and lay on his stomach again, trying to forget the blood rushing to his face.

As Wonwoo kissed his back and climbed down, he sighed at the bruise that ran from his tailbone down to his underwear. He could imagine the scene if he pulled the fabric down. After dropping a few more kisses on his spine, Wonwoo gathered his courage and hooked his index finger into the elastic of the black boxers. Both of their breaths hitched at the same time. Mingyu's body resembled a carefully sculpted statue; Wonwoo wasn't going to deny that. But it was a stained sculpture. It had been carelessly broken and spilled.

"Fuck."

Wonwoo covered his mouth with the back of his free hand. He couldn't stop his lips from parting in horror. He knew the man's life had been full of sin, but he couldn't fathom what demon he could have slept with to inflict such damage. He could feel the anger boiling in his blood as he gently moved his fingers over the bruised and scarred skin. He didn't say a word as he gently applied the cream and returned the boxer to its original position, but he managed to pack tons of meaning into the silence they were in. In that silence alone, frustration was palpable.

Finally, sitting on the edge of the bed, frowning at the wall, he had finished dressing Mingyu's wounds. He couldn't turn to look at the man. "I'm going to ask you once." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then lowered his head and met the green eyes. "Who did this?"

Mingyu wanted to brush it off like he always did, to say it wasn't his business, or at least to remain silent and refuse to answer. Instead, surprising even himself, he whispered, "Lee Yujin," his voice muffled because his face was buried in the sheets. The mere mention of the name was enough to take all the power out of his hands.