Chapter 12: Cuddles
They sat on the bench for a long time, the silence of the countryside wrapping around them like a cool blanket. Raiven seemed to relax, his posture losing that stiff, guarded quality he carried on set. He looked up at the stars, his eyes reflecting the distant, ancient lights.
"You're a strange guy, Ha-ru," Raiven said softly.
"I get that a lot lately," Ha-ru replied, taking a long pull from his beer. "Usually from a girl who thinks I'm an old man trapped in a young body." He let out a short, self-deprecating laugh, brushing the comment off as a joke.
"Why is that?"
"Because I don't know how to use apps," Ha-ru said casually.
They lapsed back into silence,or, at least, Raiven was silent. Ha-ru was busy munching on the leftover snacks and sipping his beer. Since his transformation, his attitude toward food had done a total 180. There were so many things he hadn't allowed himself to eat before; now, he felt a desperate need to savor everything. He just made sure to run the extra miles to keep this body in shape.
"Do you want to exchange contacts?" Raiven asked suddenly, catching Ha-ru off guard.
"Do you consider me your friend?" Ha-ru asked with a chuckle. He stopped laughing when Raiven answered with a quiet, firm yes.
"You say you aren't naive, but you give your number out so easily?" Ha-ru's words were starting to slur slightly, though he was still far from drunk. "What if I sell it to fans? Or worse, scam you?"
"You don't seem like the type," Raiven stated simply.
"Oh? I look too innocent?" Ha-ru leaned in closer, catching Raiven unaware. Their faces were inches apart. Ha-ru's eyes were heavy and droopy, his gaze lingering a bit too long.
Raiven wanted to tell him that "innocent" was the last word he'd use to describe the man he once knew, but he kept his mouth shut. "You look anything but innocent," Raiven retorted, pushing him back lightly. The sudden proximity had made his mind race, the air between them feeling unexpectedly thin.
Ha-ru laughed and pulled his phone from his pocket. He unlocked it and handed it over, watching in genuine fascination as Raiven, instead of typing, simply scanned a code on his own screen.
"That was amazing!" Ha-ru exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
"So, I guess we're friends now," Raiven said, tucking his phone away.
"Yeah. I think so too." Ha-ru smiled. Looking at Raiven now, the kid reminded him so much of a friend he'd lost. A sharp sting of grief raced through his heart, but he swallowed it down with the last of his beer.
"Also," Raiven said, reaching into his jacket. He pulled out a thick envelope and handed it over.
Ha-ru set his beer down and opened it. Inside were two physical tickets - thick, high-quality cardstock with holographic foil that shimmered under the moonlight.
RE-DRAFT: THE FINAL CHAPTER TOUR.
VIP FLOOR – SEOUL.
"You said your friend was a fan," Raiven said, looking away as Ha-ru inspected the tickets.
Ha-ru let out a low whistle. Even with his limited knowledge of 2025, he knew these were like gold dust. "Se-hee is going to lose her mind. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," Raiven said. His voice was flat, but his eyes were searching Ha-ru's face for a reaction.
"Alright. I'll be there. If only to keep Se-hee from fainting in the middle of the mosh pit." Ha-ru tucked the envelope next to his phone, thanking him. He started to say Raiven didn't have to do this, but the idol just let out a rare, genuine chuckle.
They stayed there for another hour, sharing a casual conversation. But as the beer settled in, Ha-ru's guard lowered. He'd been so careful around Se-hee, afraid of slipping up, but here, under the stars, he let himself drift.
When they finally stood up to leave, Ha-ru stumbled. Raiven was there instantly, steadying him and taking the trash. He supported Ha-ru as they walked down the hill, stopping at a bin to dispose of the plates and bottles.
Raiven sat Ha-ru at a table in the lobby and got him some water to distill the alcohol. Once Ha-ru had finished it, Raiven asked for his room number. Ha-ru mumbled it out, his head lolling back as Raiven led him up the stairs.
Inside the room, Raiven eased him onto the bed. He pulled off Ha-ru's shoes while the younger man mumbled something incomprehensible. Raiven had just reached out to pull the covers over him when Ha-ru suddenly surged forward, catching Raiven in a powerful bear hug.
"You're so warm..." Ha-ru murmured, pulling him tight.
Raiven gasped, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Ha-ru... you need to sleep."
He tried to pull away, but Ha-ru's grip was surprisingly strong. As Raiven waited for the hold to loosen, the exhaustion of the long shoot finally caught up to him. The warmth of the bed and the rhythmic breathing of the man holding him were too much to resist. Before he knew it, he had drifted off, cuddled up beside him.
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
The voice was a melody. Sunghoon kissed the figure tucked into his chest. She looked up at him, her eyes bright and full of a love that felt like it could anchor him to the earth forever. She smiled and kissed him back.
"Morning," she whispered, resting her head back on his heart. "You know, you're a bit of a cuddling bear."
"How could I not be, when I have a treasure like you lying here?" Sunghoon gave her another kiss before playfully pinning her to the mattress. Her laughter filled the room as he started to tickle her...
Ha-ru woke up with that same instinct,the need to hold on tight. He squeezed the figure in his arms, but as his eyes blinked open, the floral scent of his past lover was replaced by the faint, expensive scent of Raiven's cologne.
Ha-ru nearly fell out of the bed. He scrambled backward, standing on the floor in a daze. "What... what are you doing in my bed?"
Raiven sat up slowly, looking remarkably unfazed despite his sleep-mussed hair. "Well, it's not my fault you wouldn't let go."
Embarrassment flooded Ha-ru's chest. He bit his lip, his eyes darting away. "Sorry about that," he whispered. Then he looked down, realizing he was in his underwear. "Wait... you undressed me?"
"Yes," Raiven stated curtly, sliding out of the bed and smoothing his clothes.
Ha-ru nodded, a sheepish "thank you" escaping his lips.
Raiven gathered their phones from the bedside table. "My car is leaving shortly. I have to go." He started toward the door, back to his guarded, professional grace.
"Raiven!"
The idol paused at the door, looking back.
"It was nice meeting you," Ha-ru said with a genuine smile.
A small glint of relief washed over Raiven's face. He didn't say anything, but he nodded before walking out and closing the door behind him.
Ha-ru collapsed back onto the bed with a heavy sigh. He stared at the ceiling, feeling the "hollow" sensation in his chest return.
Sunghoon had always been so clingy in private; those moments were the only time he could truly be himself in the 90s. He had been clingy because he was always afraid that if he let go, the person,and the peace,would disappear.
He looked at the door Raiven had just walked through. He set an alarm for the 11:00 AM bus and closed his eyes, but the sleep wouldn't come back. The ghost of Sunghoon's life was still too loud.