Love is You and I and Us, only Us [hoonsuk/sukhoon]

12. Tale of sincerity

"I wish I had done everything on earth with you." - THE GREAT GATSBY, 2013

Twelve, wherein Jihoon and Hyunsuk, two contrasting souls from social different backgrounds fall in love. And their journey serves as a proof that destiny weaves the most beautiful tales in the most ordinary places.

Curiosity

Hyunsuk had always found joy among the playful laughter and innocent mischief of children. The park, filled with the bright colors of swings and slides, was his little world along with the cute kids whom he loved like family. As a daycare volunteer, he dedicated his days to ensuring that each child had a smile on their face and a skip in their step.

Today, however, felt different.

"Sukkie-ssaem, look at me!" an excited voice shouted with glee from the top of the slide.

"Be careful!" Hyunsuk called back, a sweet smile adorning his pretty face.

As Hyunsuk watched the little guy slide down with glee, his eyes were drawn to a figure standing by the entrance of the park. The man was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of intimidating confidence. His dark hair framed a face that, while undeniably handsome, bore an expression that seemed to scare away the children who dared to come too close. The man looked somewhat out of place amidst the cheerful chaos of the park.

Hyunsuk's curiosity got the better of him. Gathering his courage, he approached Jihoon, his heart pounding slightly faster than usual. "Excuse me, hey, are you lost?" he asked, his tone soft but clear.

Jihoon turned, his intense gaze softening slightly as he looked down at the smaller man before him. "No, no, just...observing," he replied, his voice deep and smooth.

Hyunsuk felt a shiver run down his spine, but he refused to let it show. "Observing? Do you have children here?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Jihoon chuckled, a sound that was both unsettling and strangely alluring. "Ah no, no children. Just... memories," he said, his eyes briefly glazing over with something akin to nostalgia.

Before Hyunsuk could respond, a child calling after his name ran to him, tripping and falling near Jihoon's feet. The boy looked up, saw Jihoon's face, and immediately burst into tears. Hyunsuk's heart sank as he quickly moved to comfort the child. "It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe," he murmured, casting a concerned glance at Jihoon.

Jihoon sighed, stepping back to give them space. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-," he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

As the child ran back to join his friends, Hyunsuk looked up at him, his eyes filled with empathy. "It's not your fault. Kids can be easily scared, especially by things they don't understand," he said softly. "I'm Choi Hyunsuk, by the way."

"Park Jihoon," the taller man replied, offering a small smile that transformed his face from intimidating to heartbreakingly handsome.

The two stood in a somewhat awkward silence, the sounds of the park filling the gap between them. Finally, Hyunsuk broke the silence. "Would you like to sit down? There's a bench over there," he suggested, pointing to a shaded area.

Jihoon nodded, following Hyunsuk to the bench. As they sat down, Jihoon couldn't help but notice the way the sunlight caught in Hyunsuk's hair, giving him an almost ethereal glow.

"So, what brings you to the park, Jihoon?" Hyunsuk asked, trying to ease the tension.

Jihoon shrugged. "I used to come here as a kid. It's changed a lot, but... it still feels the same in some ways," he said, his voice softening as he spoke.