Too sweet for me / Hyunchan /

5 - Deal

We walk through the airport like two friends, just friends, nothing unusual to see here. But deep down, I want to be more than a friend and I think it's written all over my face. I can't take my eyes off him.

He has this perfect, tanned skin, strong body, probably formed by all the dancing and swimming (he mentioned he loved swimming), and his moves are so... addictive to watch.
When he moves it's like he dances. The way he bites his lower lip and keeps it trapped - it should be forbidden to do that until we close the cabin door.

But my favorite thing about him is his smile. It's a genuine, hearty smile. It comes out like a little explosion and you can't resist but smile with him. I'm falling for him too fast.

We check in our bags, and I lead him to the lounge where we find a nice, private corner. He plops into the soft chair and smiles like a little kid. I've sat on those chairs so many times, and I've never noticed you could actually swivel in them the way he just did.

- They have these at airports? This is very nice. - he asks and moves closer to me.

- For people who travel a lot, yes, there are lounges. You can grab something to eat or just relax and wait for your flight.

- Mhm... Chan, you probably think I'm weird for taking a trip on a whim, with someone I don't even know.

- What do you mean? I'm not someone you don't know. You know me.

- You know what I mean.

- If you're weird, I'm glad you are. I like your spontaneity. I don't do spontaneous things enough. Each of my days is planned, from morning to night, it's all work and more work.

- But what is... this...? Me and you? - he asks and motions his hand between us.

Ok, this question was bound to pop up sooner or later. Let's rip off the plaster and say it. I give him a quick glance and respond casually:

- I like you, Hyunjin.

He looks at me attentively, as if he's waiting for me to say more. Sometimes, I really don't say much. So, I continue:

- This little trip will be anything you want. It's a big cabin, we don't even have to see each other. Or, we can spend time together. As friends.
Or, if you want, as more than friends. It's all your call.

- Mhmm I see. Well, I want to sleep in your bed.

Fu....ck. Is he trying to give me a heart attack right here on the spot??

- Sure, anything you want.

- But Chan, I don't want you to think that I belong to you. I'm not for sale. This is just... a little getaway, an adventure.

- Or maybe more than adventure, who knows? We can see about that at the end of the week.

- No, it really is just one week. After the trip, we'll go our separate ways.

This is absolutely not what I want. I don't want him to go away after seven days. But, he wants to be free, with no strings attached. It has to be on his terms or nothing at all. I have to promise him that, or the whole trip may be canceled before it even starts.

Maybe that's for the best. After vacation, I'm off to the movie set and I'll be there for at least four months.
I can't afford a scandal either. It would shoot my whole career down, everything I ever worked for, if just one reporter sees an inappropriate touch between us.

All my logic and common sense tell me this is a great arrangement. It's discreet, short-term, and there are no problems to follow me back home.
And yet, it bugs me.

- You'll change your mind at the end of the week, Hyunjin.

Competitive Chan arrises in me, and the game is on. He got his warning.
I always loved a good challenge.
I smile because I'm weak for him and because he makes me happy. This might be the best vacation ever.
He shakes his head, smiling at my comment, and sighs.

〰️〰️〰️

A few hours later, we land at our destination. Changbin is already waiting for us at the Arrivals. He even brought Max with him. Max is the best dog in the whole world.

- Max! - I kneel and open my arms wide. The smartest German Shepard you can imagine jumps into my hug and happily wiggles his behind.

- It's always like this. Max first, then me. - Changbin already started complaining. Ah, that familiar banter makes it feel like home.

- Hyunjin, this is Changbin, my old friend.

- Just friend. Not old.

- We've known each other since college, that's what I mean. He owns the cabin where we'll stay, and is a producer who lives at the end of the world.

- Yeah, well, music sounds better when you're far from the big city.

- Hi Changbin, nice to meet you.

- Hyunjin is a dancer and an animation artist and many other things-

I can't quite finish the sentence because Max is dumping all his love on me, and demands attention. Did I mention that Max is the sweetest dog in the world?

Changbin sees where this is going and asks right away:
- Do you two want to bring Max to the cabin with you?

I look at Hyunjin who happily nods. His smile says it all, clearly he loves dogs.

- Yes we do!! What kind of question is that? What if someone attacks us? For safety reasons, Max should go with us. Right, Max?

- Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Max will always choose you over me. We'll stop by the grocery store first so, make sure you get some dog food too because he eats like he's feeding three.

- Max was my dog before. - I explain to Hyunjin. - I couldn't take care of him with my constant travels, so Changbin, who is now permanently based in the mountains, decided to adopt him.

Hyunjin, still smiling, adds:
- I love dogs. I've always wanted to have one, but my landlord would never allow it.

The next thing I see is Max moving away from me, wagging his tail and giving Hyunjin the most loving look. Hyunjin kneels down to pet him and Max offers a little head-bump. He used to do that only to me.

- Chan, I think you've got some competition here.

- Yeah, it seems so.

*****

Max is going to keep Hyunchan safe from nature, wild butterflies and falling leaves, don't you worry.

******