PART 1
The lights of Seoul were almost blinding at that late hour, but perhaps it was only his imagination, overwhelmed by the barrage of camera flashes from the paparazzi stationed outside the airport exit.
For days, he had been planning his return from France, trying to make it as inconspicuous as possible. But he had already known it was impossible to escape the cameras.
By now, he was used to it. He had even learned how to get through those moments of complete darkness caused by the lack of privacy.
In that regard, the support of his beloved over the years had been fundamental.
As if he had been summoned, the screen of his smartphone lit up, displaying the nickname he had given him: Master Cookie.
Ji-ho didn’t love it. In fact, he would pout whenever Tae-hyun called him that. But in reality, he only achieved the opposite effect of what he intended, because Tae-hyun adored that childish little scowl of his.
A smile spread across his tired face as he read the message.
—Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back tonight? >.< I had to find out from the TV!—
He could picture him on the couch, perhaps with gnawing on a bone beside him while he typed with furrowed brows and puffed-out cheeks.
God, he had missed him so much.
He hadn’t been gone for long, really, but now that the band was on hiatus and their solo activities had begun, Tae-hyun perceived every trip as endless whenever Ji-ho wasn’t with him.
It was simply a matter of getting used to it. He knew that. The same thing had happened when they had decided, as a group, to get a place of their own.
Ji-ho had declared that he wanted one too, that he wanted to try living on his own for a while, even if it was only to rediscover himself as an individual. To find himself again as Ji-ho.
Tae-hyun hadn’t had the heart to tell him that he wanted him to live with him, that he wanted them to stay together, and that he didn’t care if they lost themselves in everything they had been up until then.
He had let him buy an apartment of his own. In fact, he had even helped him choose the right one.
The first night without Ji-ho had been terrible, even worse than all the other times they had spent apart over the years. Because in his mind, that decision had meant Ji-ho wanted to distance himself from him.
He wanted to put space between them.
That time, for the second time in their relationship, they had come dangerously close to separating forever.
But in the end, it had resulted in the two of them running off to Las Vegas with two hastily purchased rings and one of their hyung as their witness.
-Why? Are you cheating on me?
-Mmm... Considering the pictures from that party that came out, I’d say I have every right to!
Tae-hyun laughed at the stream of emojis the dark-haired man began sending him.
-Really? I just can’t picture my Master Cookie cheating on me... He’s way too in love with me to do that.
The younger man didn’t reply, but Tae-hyun already knew what that meant. When the phone rang, he answered immediately.
“Yes, my love, tell me everything.”
“Fuck you, Tae-hyun,” the other man spat, making him chuckle again.
“I love you too,” he replied, earning an exasperated huff from the other end.
“So? Where are you?”
Tae-hyun looked through the darkened car window to get his bearings.
“About ten minutes away, give or take.”
“You know, I really thought you’d leave me alone this year...”
His usually melodious voice had dropped, becoming so soft it was almost imperceptible. Like one of those secrets you’re afraid to confess.
The corners of Tae-hyun’s lips lifted without him being able to stop them.
“I promised you I would never miss your birthday again, didn’t I?”
He threw his head back, hitting it against the headrest of the car.
“Of course, I had to move heaven and earth with both the agency and the fashion house, and I walked all over Paris looking for a gift worthy of you. So, to repay me, you’ll have to give me much more than a cake with two candles in December.”
His tone became commanding, the typical mock arrogance he always adopted whenever their little arguments began.
“You asshole! My cakes are the most delicious in all of Korea!”
“If you mean the ones Seo-hyung makes and you pass off as your own, then sure.”
Tae-hyun burst out laughing while the other man continued insulting him.
“Hey, Ji-ho.”
He called him after a long moment of laughter.
“Hm?”
“I’m hungry...”
His voice, already deep by nature, had become even more guttural, and Ji-ho lost his breath on the other end as he immediately understood what he meant.
Tae-hyun licked his lips, imagining his expression once again.
“It’s late...”
His breathing was already heavier, while Tae-hyun’s smile widened.
“I told you I’m hungry, Ji-ho.”
His voice was firm, authoritative.
And on the other end, the Maknae shivered at the sound of it, feeling countless little chills run up his spine.
He sighed.
“Which one do you want?”
Tae-hyun settled against the car seat, spreading his legs and relaxing completely.
“Hmm... surprise me. I want something delicious... something sweet.”
Ji-ho swallowed.
“Okay...”
He agreed, his hesitant, obedient tone driving Tae-hyun crazy.
“Perfect. See you in a little while, then.”
He hung up without saying anything else.
Once the call ended, he leaned forward in his seat and tapped his elegant fingers against the partition separating him from the driver.
The manager looked at him through the rear-view mirror.
“Yes?”
“There’s a snack shop nearby. Stop there and get me a sandwich.”
The manager stared at him in confusion, his eyelids fluttering.
“I-I thought you wanted to eat at home—”
Tae-hyun’s laughter cut him off.
“Hyung, you’re so cute...”
His gaze remained fixed, failing to match the beautiful square smile on his elegant face.
When the smile disappeared, the manager shivered.
“I don’t believe I’m paying you to mind my business. If I tell you to take me to the snack shop, you take me there. That’s all. Clear?”
The man swallowed before nodding, causing an enormous—and much more genuine—smile to return to the idol’s face.
“Good hyung.”
His deep voice had once again become childish and sweet as he closed the partition, leaving the manager alone and deeply unsettled behind the wheel.
