[Fic] Collide - 3/?
Title: Collide
Author: Coley Merrin
Rating: R? this chapter
Pairings: Siwon/Hankyung
Genre: AU. Drama/Romance
Summary: As children they had been friends, until circumstances had broken them apart. Siwon had never given up the hope that one day they would find each other again. But what he finds is different than he imagined. And in himself, more than he had ever expected.
***
Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four
***
Warning: Sexual situations this chapter
***
Siwon’s eyes opened, and his lips quirked completely without his consent as he took in Han Geng’s face. They were still half turned together, not as close as he remembered falling asleep with, but he could feel Han Geng’s leg against his. They had... Han Geng had wanted him. It had not been exactly how he envisioned Han Geng coming to his bed. He thought perhaps after a dinner date, long kisses... Even if he had he never been attracted, he would have wanted to help. He had not expected to fall like this. Was it so wrong that those soft eyes, the ones that worried for a sick mother, was it really so wrong that they made him want to protect? He did not want to own this man, but to cherish him. Help him. Be what he could be, in whatever way he could, for him. He could have survived rejection. Maybe he was idealistic and naive. But he had a tiny pocket of hope.
Han Geng woke slowly, worming his face into the pillow, before peeking a lazy brown eye up as Siwon levered himself onto an elbow. He leaned down, pressing his lips to Han Geng’s.
“Good morning,” Siwon said, smiling down at him. “How did you sleep?”
“G...”
Han Geng’s eyes widened, darting from Siwon’s face to the bright, half opened window.
“It’s morning?” Han Geng yelped, shooting up. “No. It can’t be. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I was supposed to... ”
“Pop straight over to his bed?” Siwon asked, the pain of the thought slicing him.
“You have no right to judge,” Han Geng shot back. “You know why that job is so important to me. I can’t lose it. I’ll just have to find a way to make it up to him...”
“No.” Anything but that. “No. It’s my fault. I’ll fix this for you. You won’t have to go to him ever again.”
Han Geng laughed. “How? Will you go in my place?”
“No. I’m thinking of something. I’ll make it right. Aren’t we friends?”
“We don’t know each other.”
The irony was not lost on him as Han Geng pulled on his pants.
“Then we were friends,” Siwon argued. “I swear on that friendship that I’ll make this right.”
“Then you do work miracles.”
“No. You know... I thought that finding you would be enough. But I don’t think it will be.”
He could see Han Geng didn’t understand. But he thought that he would.
Han Geng left with barely a word, refusing Siwon’s offer to drive him, of food, of anything Siwon could even mention. He had paused as Siwon opened the door for him.
“I’ll see you later?” Siwon asked.
Had he abused the trust in those sad eyes?
“You know where I’ll be.”
Siwon felt a wave of relief when he realized that Han Geng meant the cafe and not that bastard’s bed.
But he had missed out on what he had hoped for. To have held Han Geng after they woke. To have brought him food, and shown him how much he was loved. And that he couldn’t do that, that Han Geng had left after all Siwon did was shove empty words at him, frustrated him.
The first thing he saw when he went back into the bedroom to finish dressing was a small pile of black lace. He picked it up, tested its weight in his hand for a moment before hurling it onto the bed.
“Damn it!”
***
It was awkward walking into the cafe that day and wondering what exactly he would find. There is Han Geng, and this is what we did last night, and my heart hurts when I see him...
They stood in a universe of their own for several moments, their eyes locked. He remembered every word from Han Geng’s mouth, every sound. And from Han Geng’s face, so did he. A pale blush spread over Han Geng’s cheekbones, and he looked down, smiling at the older ladies in the booth beside him.
And there was that moment of connection, of awkwardness. One of the waitresses brought him coffee. He wondered if Han Geng would come, take his order as it had become routine for him to do. It would say things weren’t all wrong, that he hadn’t completely screwed things up.
Han Geng came up to him, cocking a hip. “What can I get you?”
It was his imagination, surely, that Han Geng’s face was still flushed. He stuttered out his order and got a nodding acceptance. He watched Han Geng as he walked away. What did he want? He wanted twenty minutes. Ten. Five. Anything to get into Han Geng’s head. See what he thought. He wanted to hold him, make sure he was okay.
What he had hoped to solve a problem, had made things just that much more complicated.
As his plate was set down, he reached, touched Han Geng’s hand. They both froze.
“Not now,” Han Geng breathed.
But there was a tiny worried smile that made some of his fear melt away.
***
It was two days before Siwon learned that Han Geng had told the manager of what they had done that night. He was leaving the cafe that afternoon, and the man had been waiting for him.
“So, I think we should talk, don’t you?”
They walked just out of sight of the cafe. Siwon didn’t want Han Geng to have to see them talking.
“I don’t know what they teach you in Korea,” the man said, turning to him. “But what I was taught was that the person who finds the toy keeps it. I don’t mind that you grabbed it and thought it was yours, so long as you remember who it goes back to.”
“You realize you’re speaking of a person, right? He is not an ‘it.’ Not a toy. And not yours.”
The look he received for that comment was nothing but condescending.
“He needs this job, you know that right? So I’ll agree. Maybe he’s not mine, but he sure thinks I’m his. You think I’m forcing him? He thought I was so attentive at first. Couldn’t get involved with a coworker, but how could I resist that sweet, tight body? He’s done well not making me mad. He made a bad choice taking a chance on me back then, so he’s making up for it. Everyone’s happy. He has a job, I get him in my bed once a week. Sounds like a toy to me.”
He was trying to make Siwon angry. Make him react. Especially because Siwon knew it was the truth. And if he knew himself, it showed all over his face.
“Would you miss him?”
“What?” the man asked, laughing. “As though there aren’t a hundred more just like him out there somewhere? He’s as interesting in bed as a ratty old blanket. But he puts himself there. I’m sure you know that by now.”
Han Geng was as purely exciting as watching a living flame. But that was information he wouldn’t begin to share.
“Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, I can get my own toys.”
He walked away, the seething inside helped only in knowing that morning, they had begun the paperwork to finalize the transaction that would make the cafe his. No, Han Geng would not be a concern for the manager much longer.
***
Siwon was aware of Han Geng as he never had been. As he came closer, as he moved away. As he stood beside Siwon to listen for his order, and as he sat down to talk. It had taken only a day before that tradition was back in place. As if by consent, they didn’t mention that night as they reminisced, speaking of Han Geng’s mother, of any news of the world.
He watched Han Geng for any strange movements, anything that would signify that he had been talked to by that bastard. But there was nothing. If anything, Han Geng seemed to brighten, even smiling a full, glorious smile at Siwon during the day.
The day before Han Geng would normally have gone with the manager, in the afternoon when the cafe was empty, he was tugged from his seat.
“Bring your things,” Han Geng said.
Were they going to see his mother? Or...
Siwon caught himself with his eyes on Han Geng’s hips as they walked down the narrow hall. Han Geng stopped, turned, his eyes wide, lips parted.
He had no idea who moved first, he or Han Geng, he only knew that one moment, they were apart and the next, Han Geng was pressing him against the wall, mouths hotly together.
And then Han Geng’s hand was tight around his, pulling him down the hallway, into the staff room and the tiny bathroom there. The locking of the door was loud. Purposeful. And the expression on Han Geng’s face, the need there, would stay in his fantasies for months.
“I needed this,” Han Geng moaned, as Siwon helped him to push down his pants, his boxers, helping him prepare. They were both fully aware this time...
“I needed you,” Siwon told him, his hips pressing close.
He could see everything on Han Geng’s face, down to the flicker of his tongue wetting his lips as he urged on Siwon’s movements.
Their eyes caught in the mirror, held for long moments as movement ceased. Time enough for memories to begin writing over each other.
They were not young boys any more, where Han Geng had been standing studiously behind him as they made slobbery white toothpaste grimaces at each other in the mirror.
They were grown men now, and their positions were reversed. Not Han Geng the older and wiser, but Han Geng who was smaller in delightful ways, toned and gorgeous in his adulthood.
He watched Han Geng’s eyes clear, and knew when he saw Siwon again. Siwon, with his arm wrapped around his torso, his body solid and hot against Han Geng’s.
We’re not those children any more, he thought fiercely.
“Do you want me?” he asked huskily, his hips echoing the question without choice.
He felt the silent moan, and Han Geng’s head fell back onto his shoulder.
“Yes, Siwon...”
“Beautiful,” he whispered against Han Geng’s hair, the scent of him overwhelming to him.
He was so beautiful, with his arms braced on the wall as Siwon moved inside him. His face was alive with wonder, color high. Every few seconds a sound of pleasure would escape from the arched throat. It made him want to bite it. So he did, leaving a trail of pink marks along Han Geng’s skin, reveling in the shudder that rocked him with every scrape of his teeth.
“Close?” he panted.
“Mm.”
An affirmative that sent him racing to the end. They arched into each other, trembling, and he pressed his face into Han Geng’s sweaty shoulder as he spilled inside him, the sight of Han Geng’s pleasure blanked eyes undoing him.
They moaned together as they parted and Siwon pressed soft kisses to the side of Han Geng’s neck. When he felt strong enough, he leaned back, tugging Han Geng around and continuing the journey of his lips. Along Han Geng’s shoulder, up his neck, his jaw, to his mouth where he pressed gently, asking but not demanding until Han Geng’s mouth parted beneath his. He wanted to weep from the pleasure of their mouths together as Han Geng’s gentle kisses became more bold, pressing against Siwon’s chest as they gave only to each other.
***
They held each other as they came down from their high, Han Geng’s face against Siwon’s shoulder as they leaned together.
“I’m so stupid,” Han Geng said softly. “If he comes, finds out we did this again...”
“Because he knows we did this before.” Siwon said, feeling a little dangerous.
“I told him... It was for old time’s sake. Probably the only thing he believed.”
He was silent as Han Geng began to put himself back together.
“Was it for old time’s sake?” Siwon asked him, needing to know.
Han Geng found it in himself to roll his eyes. “Obviously not, if it happened again. You...weren’t like any lover I had had. I didn’t know if you could make me feel like that again. You did, but it can’t happen again. He can’t ever find out about this. I need this job more than I need... Well, whatever.”
High praise wrapped in backhanded barbs that stung his skin. Not intentionally, but they stung nonetheless. Whatever was what? Love? Pleasure? Someone caring for him?
He gripped Han Geng’s shoulder before he could pass. What could he say? Everything was clumsy inside of him.
“This wasn’t just sex to me, Han Geng. I want...”
“I have to get back out there.”
Siwon let out a huff of frustration as Han Geng opened the door, nearly smashed into him as Han Geng froze. Siwon saw why. That man, sitting, watching them exit with a cool stare.
“A little afternoon quickie with your old friend?” he asked, humor in his voice. “You’ll have to learn to stop being so vocal in a place of business. It might leak through the walls. The kitchen staff have delicate ears.”
There was amusement there. A sort of rough edged amusement that made no sense to Siwon. He expected anger. Possession. Siwon had just been with Han Geng, again, and this man had nothing but irony to spew at them? If it had been Siwon in his place, seeing Han Geng with another man, amusement would have been the last emotion he’d have been feeling. Anger, definitely. Hurt, absolutely. And it only emphasized that Han Geng was nothing to this man, and nothing for him.
“Take the rest of the day off,” Siwon told Han Geng, before Han Geng could formulate some kind of reply that demeaned them both.
“You think you own him?” the manager scoffed. “That’s what whores do, you know. He won’t stay with you.”
Siwon took Han Geng’s arm, leading him outside without responding.
“He’ll fire me,” Han Geng said, sounding truly frightened. “Where will I...”
“He’ll try,” Siwon said grimly. “He’s a terrible manager.”
“I need that job...”
He stopped at the almost hysterical edge to Han Geng’s voice. “How many days a week do you manage the cafe yourself?”
“Do you mean when he’s not there, or...”
“You manage it even when he’s there.” It wasn’t so much of a question. Siwon had seen it.
“He’s usually busy on the phones. I do the ordering. He does sign off on it.”
Siwon frowned at that. “Are you a good manager?”
“What?” Han Geng asked with a laugh. “How do I answer that?”
“You’re prompt. You’re good to the employees. You understand the business. The customers like you. It’s not overstating things to say you’re good.”
“I’ve never done it on my own though.”
“Could you?” Siwon pressed.
“I...I guess I could.”
“Good,” Siwon said, sighing. “I’ll need someone I can trust.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve started the motions to buy the store. The owner has been looking to get out for some time, and that explains his lack of oversight. The fact that you, the person more or less running the place was making less than half of the actual manager is criminal. If you decide to stay on, you’ll make his salary, plus a raise for your loyalty. You’ll be paid your worth.”
There was a frown on Han Geng’s face as he listened to Siwon speak. As though Siwon’s words did not make sense to him. As if he were speaking some sort of foreign language.
“I don’t think I understand. You’re...buying the cafe?”
“Yes. I’ve been wanting to venture out on my own from the company’s holdings. My father considers this to be a bit of a pet project, but even he can’t deny that the books are solid.”
“You’re buying the cafe.” Han Geng’s voice was soft, incredulous. “Like someone would go in and buy a candy bar? And you’re promoting me.”
“Yes. You deserve it. It’s been long coming. Plus you can afford to quit the other jobs, have time for your mother.”
Siwon cursed himself for his eagerness. He was unable to hide it, and it made him look foolish. This was his gift to Han Geng. It was something that he could do for him.
“What do you want from me in exchange?” Han Geng asked.
“You’re a good worker,” Siwon said, confused. “What else would I want?”
“I mean, are you expecting me to leave one arrangement for another? His bed to yours? It’s a great deal for me, but I just want to be sure...”
When the question that Han Geng was asking sank into him, he felt as though he had swallowed lead.
“No. No! What’s between you and me is completely separate from this. That is a solid business decision.”
“This is a side benefit then. You tried out your investment,” Han Geng said bitterly. “I’m glad I turned out well for you. I can’t believe he was right.”
Right? Siwon could imagine that conversation, of Han Geng being presented a pack of lies. Lies about Siwon’s intentions, lies about Han Geng’s worth.
“I understand why you might not trust me. I can’t... I don’t want to regret sleeping with you. I don’t. But that you think I’m anything like that... That... To think that you would be required to do anything for me for a job? Tell me what I can do to prove it to you, Han Geng. All I want to do is help.”
They considered each other in silence for several moments.
“If it all goes through, leave me to manage and go. To Korea. Anywhere. Just leave.”
Siwon’s breath hissed out. “Anything but that. I just found you again. Do you hate me? If you won’t...won’t date me, wouldn’t you be okay if we were friends?”
“Friends? Could we be? It’s been a week and we’ve done it twice already. I don’t understand why you’d want be friends or date me after that.”
Siwon leaned forward, eyes focused on Han Geng’s.
“I do want to date you. But I want you to trust me. Tell me what I can do.”
An unpleasant smile twisted Han Geng’s face. “You say it’s my choice, but do I really have one? If you get bored dating me, will you find a new manager?”
“No. Nothing that’s between us would put that in jeopardy. I’ll put it in writing. Anything.”
Siwon realized he sounded desperate. It was nothing but the truth. It was not his intention to agitate Han Geng, to make his life more difficult. But there was this one, perfect chance dangling in front of him. He wanted that chance to know Han Geng. But the man in front of him was worried. And resigned.
“Those are pretty words. For as long as it lasts then.” Han Geng sighed. “I’ll date you. But no sex.”
“Fine.”
“How can you be okay with that?” Han Geng demanded, seemingly startled by Siwon’s immediate acceptance.
“I want you to trust me. If that’s what you want, then I need to respect it. No questions asked,” Siwon told him, his voice gentling. “You’re worth it.”
“It wasn’t even a compromise. It was an ultimatum. I don’t...”
“Can I kiss you?” Siwon asked quickly.
“What?”
“You said no sex. But can I kiss you?”
Han Geng looked completely confused for a long moment before the question seemed to make sense. “That’s...that’s fine. But not trying to get around it. Nothing too...intense.”
“That’s something then. Should we shake on it then?” He shook his head, stepping toward Han Geng. “No, too businesslike. This is just between us. A kiss then.”
“You’re crazy,” Han Geng said as Siwon tugged him closer.
“I know. It feels great.”
And he pressed his mouth to Han Geng’s.
***
Author: Coley Merrin
Rating: R? this chapter
Pairings: Siwon/Hankyung
Genre: AU. Drama/Romance
Summary: As children they had been friends, until circumstances had broken them apart. Siwon had never given up the hope that one day they would find each other again. But what he finds is different than he imagined. And in himself, more than he had ever expected.
***
Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four
***
Warning: Sexual situations this chapter
***
Siwon’s eyes opened, and his lips quirked completely without his consent as he took in Han Geng’s face. They were still half turned together, not as close as he remembered falling asleep with, but he could feel Han Geng’s leg against his. They had... Han Geng had wanted him. It had not been exactly how he envisioned Han Geng coming to his bed. He thought perhaps after a dinner date, long kisses... Even if he had he never been attracted, he would have wanted to help. He had not expected to fall like this. Was it so wrong that those soft eyes, the ones that worried for a sick mother, was it really so wrong that they made him want to protect? He did not want to own this man, but to cherish him. Help him. Be what he could be, in whatever way he could, for him. He could have survived rejection. Maybe he was idealistic and naive. But he had a tiny pocket of hope.
Han Geng woke slowly, worming his face into the pillow, before peeking a lazy brown eye up as Siwon levered himself onto an elbow. He leaned down, pressing his lips to Han Geng’s.
“Good morning,” Siwon said, smiling down at him. “How did you sleep?”
“G...”
Han Geng’s eyes widened, darting from Siwon’s face to the bright, half opened window.
“It’s morning?” Han Geng yelped, shooting up. “No. It can’t be. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I was supposed to... ”
“Pop straight over to his bed?” Siwon asked, the pain of the thought slicing him.
“You have no right to judge,” Han Geng shot back. “You know why that job is so important to me. I can’t lose it. I’ll just have to find a way to make it up to him...”
“No.” Anything but that. “No. It’s my fault. I’ll fix this for you. You won’t have to go to him ever again.”
Han Geng laughed. “How? Will you go in my place?”
“No. I’m thinking of something. I’ll make it right. Aren’t we friends?”
“We don’t know each other.”
The irony was not lost on him as Han Geng pulled on his pants.
“Then we were friends,” Siwon argued. “I swear on that friendship that I’ll make this right.”
“Then you do work miracles.”
“No. You know... I thought that finding you would be enough. But I don’t think it will be.”
He could see Han Geng didn’t understand. But he thought that he would.
Han Geng left with barely a word, refusing Siwon’s offer to drive him, of food, of anything Siwon could even mention. He had paused as Siwon opened the door for him.
“I’ll see you later?” Siwon asked.
Had he abused the trust in those sad eyes?
“You know where I’ll be.”
Siwon felt a wave of relief when he realized that Han Geng meant the cafe and not that bastard’s bed.
But he had missed out on what he had hoped for. To have held Han Geng after they woke. To have brought him food, and shown him how much he was loved. And that he couldn’t do that, that Han Geng had left after all Siwon did was shove empty words at him, frustrated him.
The first thing he saw when he went back into the bedroom to finish dressing was a small pile of black lace. He picked it up, tested its weight in his hand for a moment before hurling it onto the bed.
“Damn it!”
***
It was awkward walking into the cafe that day and wondering what exactly he would find. There is Han Geng, and this is what we did last night, and my heart hurts when I see him...
They stood in a universe of their own for several moments, their eyes locked. He remembered every word from Han Geng’s mouth, every sound. And from Han Geng’s face, so did he. A pale blush spread over Han Geng’s cheekbones, and he looked down, smiling at the older ladies in the booth beside him.
And there was that moment of connection, of awkwardness. One of the waitresses brought him coffee. He wondered if Han Geng would come, take his order as it had become routine for him to do. It would say things weren’t all wrong, that he hadn’t completely screwed things up.
Han Geng came up to him, cocking a hip. “What can I get you?”
It was his imagination, surely, that Han Geng’s face was still flushed. He stuttered out his order and got a nodding acceptance. He watched Han Geng as he walked away. What did he want? He wanted twenty minutes. Ten. Five. Anything to get into Han Geng’s head. See what he thought. He wanted to hold him, make sure he was okay.
What he had hoped to solve a problem, had made things just that much more complicated.
As his plate was set down, he reached, touched Han Geng’s hand. They both froze.
“Not now,” Han Geng breathed.
But there was a tiny worried smile that made some of his fear melt away.
***
It was two days before Siwon learned that Han Geng had told the manager of what they had done that night. He was leaving the cafe that afternoon, and the man had been waiting for him.
“So, I think we should talk, don’t you?”
They walked just out of sight of the cafe. Siwon didn’t want Han Geng to have to see them talking.
“I don’t know what they teach you in Korea,” the man said, turning to him. “But what I was taught was that the person who finds the toy keeps it. I don’t mind that you grabbed it and thought it was yours, so long as you remember who it goes back to.”
“You realize you’re speaking of a person, right? He is not an ‘it.’ Not a toy. And not yours.”
The look he received for that comment was nothing but condescending.
“He needs this job, you know that right? So I’ll agree. Maybe he’s not mine, but he sure thinks I’m his. You think I’m forcing him? He thought I was so attentive at first. Couldn’t get involved with a coworker, but how could I resist that sweet, tight body? He’s done well not making me mad. He made a bad choice taking a chance on me back then, so he’s making up for it. Everyone’s happy. He has a job, I get him in my bed once a week. Sounds like a toy to me.”
He was trying to make Siwon angry. Make him react. Especially because Siwon knew it was the truth. And if he knew himself, it showed all over his face.
“Would you miss him?”
“What?” the man asked, laughing. “As though there aren’t a hundred more just like him out there somewhere? He’s as interesting in bed as a ratty old blanket. But he puts himself there. I’m sure you know that by now.”
Han Geng was as purely exciting as watching a living flame. But that was information he wouldn’t begin to share.
“Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, I can get my own toys.”
He walked away, the seething inside helped only in knowing that morning, they had begun the paperwork to finalize the transaction that would make the cafe his. No, Han Geng would not be a concern for the manager much longer.
***
Siwon was aware of Han Geng as he never had been. As he came closer, as he moved away. As he stood beside Siwon to listen for his order, and as he sat down to talk. It had taken only a day before that tradition was back in place. As if by consent, they didn’t mention that night as they reminisced, speaking of Han Geng’s mother, of any news of the world.
He watched Han Geng for any strange movements, anything that would signify that he had been talked to by that bastard. But there was nothing. If anything, Han Geng seemed to brighten, even smiling a full, glorious smile at Siwon during the day.
The day before Han Geng would normally have gone with the manager, in the afternoon when the cafe was empty, he was tugged from his seat.
“Bring your things,” Han Geng said.
Were they going to see his mother? Or...
Siwon caught himself with his eyes on Han Geng’s hips as they walked down the narrow hall. Han Geng stopped, turned, his eyes wide, lips parted.
He had no idea who moved first, he or Han Geng, he only knew that one moment, they were apart and the next, Han Geng was pressing him against the wall, mouths hotly together.
And then Han Geng’s hand was tight around his, pulling him down the hallway, into the staff room and the tiny bathroom there. The locking of the door was loud. Purposeful. And the expression on Han Geng’s face, the need there, would stay in his fantasies for months.
“I needed this,” Han Geng moaned, as Siwon helped him to push down his pants, his boxers, helping him prepare. They were both fully aware this time...
“I needed you,” Siwon told him, his hips pressing close.
He could see everything on Han Geng’s face, down to the flicker of his tongue wetting his lips as he urged on Siwon’s movements.
Their eyes caught in the mirror, held for long moments as movement ceased. Time enough for memories to begin writing over each other.
They were not young boys any more, where Han Geng had been standing studiously behind him as they made slobbery white toothpaste grimaces at each other in the mirror.
They were grown men now, and their positions were reversed. Not Han Geng the older and wiser, but Han Geng who was smaller in delightful ways, toned and gorgeous in his adulthood.
He watched Han Geng’s eyes clear, and knew when he saw Siwon again. Siwon, with his arm wrapped around his torso, his body solid and hot against Han Geng’s.
We’re not those children any more, he thought fiercely.
“Do you want me?” he asked huskily, his hips echoing the question without choice.
He felt the silent moan, and Han Geng’s head fell back onto his shoulder.
“Yes, Siwon...”
“Beautiful,” he whispered against Han Geng’s hair, the scent of him overwhelming to him.
He was so beautiful, with his arms braced on the wall as Siwon moved inside him. His face was alive with wonder, color high. Every few seconds a sound of pleasure would escape from the arched throat. It made him want to bite it. So he did, leaving a trail of pink marks along Han Geng’s skin, reveling in the shudder that rocked him with every scrape of his teeth.
“Close?” he panted.
“Mm.”
An affirmative that sent him racing to the end. They arched into each other, trembling, and he pressed his face into Han Geng’s sweaty shoulder as he spilled inside him, the sight of Han Geng’s pleasure blanked eyes undoing him.
They moaned together as they parted and Siwon pressed soft kisses to the side of Han Geng’s neck. When he felt strong enough, he leaned back, tugging Han Geng around and continuing the journey of his lips. Along Han Geng’s shoulder, up his neck, his jaw, to his mouth where he pressed gently, asking but not demanding until Han Geng’s mouth parted beneath his. He wanted to weep from the pleasure of their mouths together as Han Geng’s gentle kisses became more bold, pressing against Siwon’s chest as they gave only to each other.
***
They held each other as they came down from their high, Han Geng’s face against Siwon’s shoulder as they leaned together.
“I’m so stupid,” Han Geng said softly. “If he comes, finds out we did this again...”
“Because he knows we did this before.” Siwon said, feeling a little dangerous.
“I told him... It was for old time’s sake. Probably the only thing he believed.”
He was silent as Han Geng began to put himself back together.
“Was it for old time’s sake?” Siwon asked him, needing to know.
Han Geng found it in himself to roll his eyes. “Obviously not, if it happened again. You...weren’t like any lover I had had. I didn’t know if you could make me feel like that again. You did, but it can’t happen again. He can’t ever find out about this. I need this job more than I need... Well, whatever.”
High praise wrapped in backhanded barbs that stung his skin. Not intentionally, but they stung nonetheless. Whatever was what? Love? Pleasure? Someone caring for him?
He gripped Han Geng’s shoulder before he could pass. What could he say? Everything was clumsy inside of him.
“This wasn’t just sex to me, Han Geng. I want...”
“I have to get back out there.”
Siwon let out a huff of frustration as Han Geng opened the door, nearly smashed into him as Han Geng froze. Siwon saw why. That man, sitting, watching them exit with a cool stare.
“A little afternoon quickie with your old friend?” he asked, humor in his voice. “You’ll have to learn to stop being so vocal in a place of business. It might leak through the walls. The kitchen staff have delicate ears.”
There was amusement there. A sort of rough edged amusement that made no sense to Siwon. He expected anger. Possession. Siwon had just been with Han Geng, again, and this man had nothing but irony to spew at them? If it had been Siwon in his place, seeing Han Geng with another man, amusement would have been the last emotion he’d have been feeling. Anger, definitely. Hurt, absolutely. And it only emphasized that Han Geng was nothing to this man, and nothing for him.
“Take the rest of the day off,” Siwon told Han Geng, before Han Geng could formulate some kind of reply that demeaned them both.
“You think you own him?” the manager scoffed. “That’s what whores do, you know. He won’t stay with you.”
Siwon took Han Geng’s arm, leading him outside without responding.
“He’ll fire me,” Han Geng said, sounding truly frightened. “Where will I...”
“He’ll try,” Siwon said grimly. “He’s a terrible manager.”
“I need that job...”
He stopped at the almost hysterical edge to Han Geng’s voice. “How many days a week do you manage the cafe yourself?”
“Do you mean when he’s not there, or...”
“You manage it even when he’s there.” It wasn’t so much of a question. Siwon had seen it.
“He’s usually busy on the phones. I do the ordering. He does sign off on it.”
Siwon frowned at that. “Are you a good manager?”
“What?” Han Geng asked with a laugh. “How do I answer that?”
“You’re prompt. You’re good to the employees. You understand the business. The customers like you. It’s not overstating things to say you’re good.”
“I’ve never done it on my own though.”
“Could you?” Siwon pressed.
“I...I guess I could.”
“Good,” Siwon said, sighing. “I’ll need someone I can trust.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve started the motions to buy the store. The owner has been looking to get out for some time, and that explains his lack of oversight. The fact that you, the person more or less running the place was making less than half of the actual manager is criminal. If you decide to stay on, you’ll make his salary, plus a raise for your loyalty. You’ll be paid your worth.”
There was a frown on Han Geng’s face as he listened to Siwon speak. As though Siwon’s words did not make sense to him. As if he were speaking some sort of foreign language.
“I don’t think I understand. You’re...buying the cafe?”
“Yes. I’ve been wanting to venture out on my own from the company’s holdings. My father considers this to be a bit of a pet project, but even he can’t deny that the books are solid.”
“You’re buying the cafe.” Han Geng’s voice was soft, incredulous. “Like someone would go in and buy a candy bar? And you’re promoting me.”
“Yes. You deserve it. It’s been long coming. Plus you can afford to quit the other jobs, have time for your mother.”
Siwon cursed himself for his eagerness. He was unable to hide it, and it made him look foolish. This was his gift to Han Geng. It was something that he could do for him.
“What do you want from me in exchange?” Han Geng asked.
“You’re a good worker,” Siwon said, confused. “What else would I want?”
“I mean, are you expecting me to leave one arrangement for another? His bed to yours? It’s a great deal for me, but I just want to be sure...”
When the question that Han Geng was asking sank into him, he felt as though he had swallowed lead.
“No. No! What’s between you and me is completely separate from this. That is a solid business decision.”
“This is a side benefit then. You tried out your investment,” Han Geng said bitterly. “I’m glad I turned out well for you. I can’t believe he was right.”
Right? Siwon could imagine that conversation, of Han Geng being presented a pack of lies. Lies about Siwon’s intentions, lies about Han Geng’s worth.
“I understand why you might not trust me. I can’t... I don’t want to regret sleeping with you. I don’t. But that you think I’m anything like that... That... To think that you would be required to do anything for me for a job? Tell me what I can do to prove it to you, Han Geng. All I want to do is help.”
They considered each other in silence for several moments.
“If it all goes through, leave me to manage and go. To Korea. Anywhere. Just leave.”
Siwon’s breath hissed out. “Anything but that. I just found you again. Do you hate me? If you won’t...won’t date me, wouldn’t you be okay if we were friends?”
“Friends? Could we be? It’s been a week and we’ve done it twice already. I don’t understand why you’d want be friends or date me after that.”
Siwon leaned forward, eyes focused on Han Geng’s.
“I do want to date you. But I want you to trust me. Tell me what I can do.”
An unpleasant smile twisted Han Geng’s face. “You say it’s my choice, but do I really have one? If you get bored dating me, will you find a new manager?”
“No. Nothing that’s between us would put that in jeopardy. I’ll put it in writing. Anything.”
Siwon realized he sounded desperate. It was nothing but the truth. It was not his intention to agitate Han Geng, to make his life more difficult. But there was this one, perfect chance dangling in front of him. He wanted that chance to know Han Geng. But the man in front of him was worried. And resigned.
“Those are pretty words. For as long as it lasts then.” Han Geng sighed. “I’ll date you. But no sex.”
“Fine.”
“How can you be okay with that?” Han Geng demanded, seemingly startled by Siwon’s immediate acceptance.
“I want you to trust me. If that’s what you want, then I need to respect it. No questions asked,” Siwon told him, his voice gentling. “You’re worth it.”
“It wasn’t even a compromise. It was an ultimatum. I don’t...”
“Can I kiss you?” Siwon asked quickly.
“What?”
“You said no sex. But can I kiss you?”
Han Geng looked completely confused for a long moment before the question seemed to make sense. “That’s...that’s fine. But not trying to get around it. Nothing too...intense.”
“That’s something then. Should we shake on it then?” He shook his head, stepping toward Han Geng. “No, too businesslike. This is just between us. A kiss then.”
“You’re crazy,” Han Geng said as Siwon tugged him closer.
“I know. It feels great.”
And he pressed his mouth to Han Geng’s.
***