NLFSD Chapter 58

Chapter 58

What if I lost Taecheon? Or worse, what if I were the one to leave his side someday?

Accidents, sickness — those things could happen without warning. Just like it had with his grandparents; one day tragedy could simply arrive unannounced.

Unease crept through his chest, and Jiwoon unwittingly furrowed his brows.

No. Don’t think such things. There’s no point in dwelling on misfortune. Right now there’s so much warmth, so much life in this moment.

Trying to push back the anxiety, he nestled his head against Taecheon’s broad, solid shoulder. The dark thought passed quickly, leaving only an unpleasant aftertaste.

“It’s getting colder. Let’s go inside before you catch a cold, Jiwoon.”

“Ah, okay.”

They finished off the fish‑cake soup and wine.

“Taecheon, I’ll take a shower.”

“Me too.”

The campground was well‑equipped with clean washrooms. Jiwoon took his toiletries and carefully showered. Some vague thought lingered in the back of his mind — They couldn’t possibly go all the way in an outdoor tent, but perhaps at least some touching….

He was nervous even though this wasn’t their first time. At home they had already shared deeper kisses. Tonight it’ll surely happen… ah, I’m going crazy just thinking about it.

Overcome, Jiwoon scrubbed his hair too hard and cooled himself with cold water. Thirty minutes later, he returned, freshly washed.

Inside, the tent was warm thanks to Taecheon, with a lantern softly glowing. Two sleeping spaces were laid side by side. Jiwoon fidgeted, uncertain. They always shared a bed at home, yet here in this outdoor tent it felt strangely different.

“Uh… Taecheon. There’s only one pillow. Should we go ask for another?”

The inflatable pillow was only one.

“Do we really need to?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t there another pillow right here?” — He pointed to his own arm.

“…Right.”

No need to worry. I just lay on his arm and sleep sweetly.

Embarrassed, Jiwoon giggled.

“Rest your head on my arm.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Why ask the obvious? You must be tired, lie down.”

He spread a space for Jiwoon on the mat.

“Then… okay, I’ll try it.”

Jiwoon cautiously lay down on the airbed spread over waterproof tarp — far more comfortable than he’d expected.

Ah. Just lying here makes shameless thoughts rush in. Like a storm tide crashing in.

He worried he’d look like too lustful an Omega, but lying side by side made him ache with want.

“Rest on my arm.”

“Yes, Taecheon.”

Resting against the solid muscle of his forearm was heavenly. Cupping his waist, Taecheon pulled Jiwoon closer still, their faces only inches apart.

“Mm, this feels like… heaven.”

“What did you say?”

“…Did I say that out loud?”

“Yes.”

“I‑it slipped out. My heart spoke on its own.”

Mortified, Jiwoon buried his face against Taecheon’s chest. Chuckling low, Taecheon stroked his hair.

It really is heaven. Gentle lantern glow, his warmth around me, his hand brushing up and down my back…

Jiwoon slid his hand onto Taecheon’s back, stroking cautiously up and down, then groping more boldly at his solid spine and muscles. This texture… I could get addicted.

While Jiwoon’s hand roamed greedily, Taecheon pressed his mouth close to his ear.

“Jiwoon. If you keep moving your hand like that, something dangerous might happen. And I don’t want that outdoors.”

“Ah.”

He hadn’t realized the signal he was sending. Embarrassed, flustered… yet unwilling to retreat.

“S‑so… what exactly do you mean by ‘something dangerous’?”

It was a childish, obvious setup — and Seo Taecheon answered gladly.

“This, for example.”

He covered Jiwoon’s lips with his own. Shock widened Jiwoon’s eyes, but the overwhelming electric thrill had him shuddering, lashes fluttering shut. From there, Taecheon took the lead — tongues entwining, kisses growing wet and lewd, hands roving urgently.

“Mmh…”

Sticky, breathless sounds filled the tent. No one else here, nothing to stop them — the knowledge stunned Jiwoon with joy as his mind nearly went blank. Desperate, he kissed harder, clutching at Taecheon’s neck and waist. Naturally, Taecheon shifted atop him, body pressing down.

“Ta… Taecheon, I can’t breathe—”

When their lips broke for breath, Jiwoon gasped. But Taecheon did not relent: biting, licking his lips, hand sliding down to grope his hip. His palm was blazing hot.

“Ah…!”

His hand slipped under the T‑shirt, brushing his bare stomach. The jolt of skin‑to‑skin made Jiwoon cry out.

“W‑wait—”

“…So soft.”

The low whisper came taut with desire. Hearing he was arousing Taecheon further excited Jiwoon.

“Taecheon…”

“…Let me touch more.”

Instead of answering, Jiwoon relaxed, surrendering. The hand slid higher. Skin bared and goosebumps rising to the cool tent air, Jiwoon trembled at the boldness.

He had thought Taecheon would always be strictly gentle. He was wrong. Like a predator seizing prey, Taecheon explored his body without inhibition, as if to declare You’re mine.

And Jiwoon — far from frightened — found it unbearably intoxicating.

They kissed harder, until Taecheon finally broke away with a ragged sigh.

“…Not here. Any further would be wrong.”

“Ah… are you okay?”

“I’ll bear it.”

His body literally radiated heat, like a man in fever. Jiwoon realized how completely he had provoked him, though they could not finish here. Damn this outdoors setting.

Pouting, Jiwoon’s lips jutted out. Taecheon laughed, kissing them again, then hugged him fiercely. Their shared warmth was sweet.

“Someday soon…”

“I know.”

A kiss on his cheek sealed it. Closing his eyes in those arms, Jiwoon thought: Perfect happiness, right now.

Morning broke with birdsong and bright sunlight. Jiwoon rubbed his eyes and sat up — the mattress empty beside him.

“Hm? Where’s he gone?”

Yawning, ruffling his hair, he stepped outside. Other tents were stirring, couples already breakfasting.

“Jiwoon!”

“Ah, where were you?”

Seo Taecheon approached carrying a pot.

“Fetching water for ramen. Wanted to cook it for you when you woke.”

“Really? I was going to cook for you!”

“I’ll do it.”

“…But I really wanted to try camping ramen. Just once, can I make it?”

He pleaded with a raised finger. Taecheon chuckled.

“Alright. I’ll taste what you cook.”

“Then I’ll wash up quick and cook!”

This time Jiwoon showered at lightning speed, rushing back with damp hair.

“Your hair isn’t dry.”

“It’ll air‑dry. Right now the ramen is urgent.”

“You’ll catch cold. It’s November, that won’t do.”

Retrieving a towel, Taecheon stood behind him. Towering over Jiwoon with his larger frame, it was almost an embrace. His eyes lingered on the wet nape and collarbones glistening, before he firmly draped the towel to dry his hair, forcing himself to stay composed.