In Every Heartbeat

2

Jiwon discovered a few more beautiful things about his Adonis in the months to come. When he offered Junhoe the opportunity to be his live-in companion, he had looked at Jiwon apprehensively. While he had looked impeccable, suave almost, at the doctor's office in his tapered long coat, turtleneck and casual pants ensemble, the man who greeted him at the door looked sleepy, tired, wearing only drawstring loose pants. It had only been two days since they last met.

"Good morning, Koo Junhoe-sshi." Jiwon had greeted him, expecting to catch him off guard and by surprise. He rubbed his eyes and those lips bloomed into that smile Jiwon truly liked. There was no judgement, no pity, nothing in that wondrous curve, but an effervescent sincerity the world sorely lacked. Jiwon wondered how he cultivated it with such aplomb.

"Kim Jiwon-sshi?" He uttered almost unencumbered, as if the sight of a wheelchair bound man at his doorstep warranted no special attention. "I'd invite you in, but your wheelchair is way too extravagant for a small abode like mine." He added, putting on a shirt and stepping into the sunlight along the doorway. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this splendid and beautiful morning?" He asked.

"Jiwon will do, Koo Junhoe-sshi." Jiwon insisted, nodding and trying to flash a smile that would at least seem just as warm. Jiwon was sure he failed spectacularly at it.

"Only if you stick to calling me Junhoe." He quipped. "I'm going to get myself a cup of coffee down the road. Would you care to join me?" He offered. Jiwon nodded. They moved together in companionable silence down the street. People were calling out and greeting Junhoe cheerily and Jiwon was amazed that he knew most of them by name.

"You are quite the popular one, aren't you?" Jiwon commented dryly. Junhoe laughed and that was another thing that struck Jiwon that day, how effortlessly he laughed. Probably the reason why it sounded pleasant to the ears. He got his coffee and they moved at a leisurely pace into the park where it was less crowded.

"You did not come all the way down here to talk about how popular I am, right?" Junhoe asked, settling himself onto a bench, blowing on the rim of the coffee cup and sipping surreptitiously. For some reason, the unkempt hair made him look less intimidating and definitely more boyish. Jiwon shook his head, resting his elbow on the armrest, one hand cupping his jaw that was badly in need of a shave.

"Actually, I came to offer you a job." Jiwon stated, matter-of-factly. Junhoe, who was hunched over his coffee, still trying to shake off his dazed sleepiness, sat up, suddenly alert, his dark eyes blinking in Jiwon's direction.

"Bold of you to assume I do not have a job." Junhoe countered, gazing at Jiwon solemnly.

"Look, Junhoe, I am just going to be forthcoming here. I would be lying if I said I didn't do a little snooping before coming down to see you today." He admitted, looking out to the fields where children were running and dogs were chasing after tiny rubber balls or frisbees. It had been awhile since he was out and the fresh air was great, but he was starting to get nervous from all this open space. "The neurologist gave me an all clear yesterday." He confessed.

"Well, good for you then." Junhoe interjected, but Jiwon held up his hand to stop him.

"It just means that from the waist up I'm fully functional. That's only basically half of a good news." Jiwon said dryly and smiled when Junhoe got the joke, then started filling the space between them with that hearty boom of a laugh. It felt warm, a feeling Jiwon felt had been missing from his life for the last five years. "My minder thought that my spine would get worse with my drinking and all." He explained.

"You have a minder?" Junhoe enthused, eyes widened in amusement.

"Someone who tends to my business and estates. He's a close friend and extremely annoying." Jiwon dismissed. "What I really need is a live-in companion, Junhoe. And I think you fit the bill." He further added.

"A live-in companion?" Junhoe said quizzically, still unconvinced. "Last I heard, such a position requires dedication, trust and um, love. People actually call it marriage. Have you heard of it?" Jiwon could not help, but smile at his wittiness. It was exactly the kind of thing he needed in his life.

"There are no emotional connections here, Junhoe. Consider it as just a job. Your remuneration will be ample and the best part is you will have your own room in my house." Jiwon proposed.

"Wow, you really make it sound so easy, don't you?" Junhoe looked impressed as he continued sipping on his coffee, eyes lighted at Jiwon in amazement. "No emotional connections. What is that? Some kind of subculture invented by you new age crazies?" Jiwon almost barked a laugh. He managed to stifle it, because he was not sure how it would sound coming out. It had been more than awhile since he laughed. Junhoe apparently saw this. The fact that he was quick to pick up Jiwon's reactions despite his attempts at remaining steel-faced was slightly unnerving. "I tell you what, Kim Jiwon. I'll be your live-in...what...company?"

"Companion." Jiwon corrected.

"Right, companion. But under one condition?" Junhoe requested. There was a spark burning in his eyes. It bespoke of mischief and it both intrigued and frightened Jiwon at the same time.

"What is it?" Jiwon asked, eyes lighted keenly as Junhoe stood up and not for the first time, Jiwon finding his stature completely commanding and definitely attractive.

"Spent the whole day with me." Junhoe stated, stretching his lengthy legs and discarding the coffee cup.

"Wha..what?" Jiwon answered, a ludicrous look plastered on his normally solemn face. Junhoe was hopping on the spot now and proceeded to do jumping jacks. It was an utter riot trying to keep up with what he just said and at the same time attempting to catch a glimpse of his exquisite face as he did his warm ups.

"Hey, if I'm going to be spending most of my days with you, I need to know if we can get along. Money's a good incentive and all, but I don't want to be with someone who doesn't laugh at my jokes. There has to be the tiniest bit of emotional investment." Junhoe was going on and it amazed Jiwon that he could still speak so clearly without even breaking a sweat, while he was doing push-ups.

"Fine." Jiwon relented, the shadow of a smile playing at his thin lips. Junhoe stopped abruptly in the midst of stretching his arms upwards, that beaming smile and its matching gaze, lighting upon Jiwon in fascination. "What?" Jiwon asked, perturbed.

"Well, what do you know, he does smile!" Junhoe laughed, carefree and loud, filling Jiwon with a touch of envy. "Now let's see how fast you can go on that baby." He said, and with that he sped off, leaving Jiwon gazing after him in bewilderment. After a moment's consideration, he put his chair in gear and sped off after Junhoe, who was already making good head start on his feet.