“Sunbae! Hurry! Hurry up and come see! The Eiffel Tower looks so close from the terrace!”
Song Hyunsoo burst in from the terrace, visibly excited, and a smile spread across Yoon Jooho’s face.
He let himself be dragged by Song Hyunsoo out onto the terrace.
“How is it? Isn’t it amazing? Doesn’t it feel like it’s right in front of your nose?”
Standing side by side with Song Hyunsoo, Yoon Jooho also gazed at the Eiffel Tower.
“It’s across the river, so how does it look so close?”
It was just as Song Hyunsoo said. Even though the Seine was between them and the tower, it looked close enough to touch if they just reached out a hand.
“It feels like I’m seeing a star right up close.”
“……”
“Paris… So this is Paris…”
The orange glow of the Eiffel Tower washed over Song Hyunsoo’s profile as he murmured dreamily.
“Do you really like it that much?”
It was a genuine question. Ever since the photo shoot had been scheduled, Yoon Jooho knew how much Song Hyunsoo had been looking forward to this trip to Paris.
But he hadn’t expected him to be this happy upon actually arriving.
“Yes, I’m looking at it like this and I’m actually here, but it still doesn’t feel real.”
Yoon Jooho watched Song Hyunsoo’s profile carefully as he looked up at the tower.
He didn’t look like he was on a hotel balcony, but rather like an explorer standing on the prow of a ship just setting out to sea.
Then, with a suddenly worried look, Song Hyunsoo glanced at Yoon Jooho.
“Sunbae, but isn’t this room super expensive?”
It seemed the explorer had returned to reality.
“It is.”
“You’re not even denying it.”
“If I denied it, would you believe me?”
“How much is it for one night, like…?”
Just like he’d asked the price of a Porsche out of the blue, Song Hyunsoo brought up money again without a hint of hesitation.
Yoon Jooho placed a finger on those lips, and lightly rubbed them back and forth.
“Don’t kill the mood by looking things up like that.”
“……”
“You heard what Seo Hae-hyung said, right?”
“What did he say?”
Song Hyunsoo asked, lowering Yoon Jooho’s hand from his lips.
“Honeymoon, remember?”
“Ah…”
“Well, I’m not going to let this count as a real honeymoon, but… it is our first trip together.”
Song Hyunsoo’s face turned bright red. The way he’d been all fired up chasing after a soccer ball or more into games than sex, yet now embarrassed by the word “honeymoon,” made Song Hyunsoo endlessly lovable.
Yoon Jooho cupped the back of his lover’s neck, massaging gently as he looked into his eyes.
“Promise you won’t look up the price or anything.”
“……”
“Just enjoy it like you are right now.”
Song Hyunsoo nodded a couple of times. With a satisfied smile, Yoon Jooho pressed their foreheads together.
Then he gently nuzzled their noses. Expecting a kiss, Song Hyunsoo parted his lips.
Yoon Jooho kissed his upper lip, then kissed every corner of Song Hyunsoo’s lips several times.
Even without using his tongue, it was so sweet and intoxicating that Song Hyunsoo’s eyes fluttered closed.
Without realizing it, Song Hyunsoo gripped the side of Yoon Jooho’s knit sweater tightly.
Their lips pressed close together, then parted with a soft, lingering sound, gently caressing each other as they pulled away.
Both of them consciously avoided using their tongues, instinctively knowing that if they did, the rest of the night would be spent in bed.
Chuu—. As if sealing it with a careful stamp, Yoon Jooho pressed a deep kiss one last time and then pulled away with a playful “Mwah!” sound.
“Should we change and head out to the Champs-Élysées?”
Song Hyunsoo nodded vigorously.
The two of them went back into the living room together. As Yoon Jooho headed towards the bedroom where they’d left the suitcases, Song Hyunsoo called after his back.
“Sunbae! I’ll call Grandmother and Jiini-hyung to tell them we arrived safely.”
“Go ahead.”
His voice was relaxed. Watching Yoon Jooho walk into the bedroom, Song Hyunsoo smiled with satisfaction.
He doesn’t even get jealous anymore. Our Prince Yoon Jooho is really growing up.
As he reached into the pocket of his jacket, which was draped over the sofa, to get his phone, Yoon Jooho reappeared in the hallway.
“Ah.”
“What is it?”
“It’s 4 a.m. in Korea right now.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“Just send Grandmother a message.”
“Yeah, okay.”
While looking up Jung Jin’s contact on his phone and trying to call, Song Hyunsoo slowly walked toward the big window.
Maybe Jung Jin had been waiting for a call, because after just one or two rings, he picked up.
“Hyung, it’s me.”
[Hey, where are you? Did you arrive?]
A voice full of excitement and delight.
“Yes, we just got to the hotel.”
[Nothing happened at the airport?]
“Superstar Yoon Jooho’s fans were there, so it was chaotic.”
He’d even spotted a sign with his own name among the fans crowding around the car.
All wound up, Song Hyunsoo boasted to ‘hyung’ about it.
[The Cultural Enthusiasm fans from Korea are lightning-fast here too. Now you’re an Actor with 100,000 followers, of course you’ll have fans in Paris.]
Jung Jin sounded like a hedgehog doting on his little one, insisting it was no surprise that Song Hyunsoo had fans even this far from home.
Song Hyunsoo figured it was more thanks to Yoon Jooho following him, but the reason didn’t really matter.
“Ah… It’s so surreal! At the airport, honestly, it didn’t even feel like I was in France. But once we got into the city and started seeing the buildings…”
Song Hyunsoo’s voice slowed suddenly. It was because he caught a glimpse of Yoon Jooho reflected in the big window.
It wasn’t like he was doing anything bad. Watching Yoon Jooho’s movements with his eyes, Song Hyunsoo finished his sentence.
“That’s when I finally felt, ‘I really am in Paris.’”
[Arriving at night makes it feel even less real. Tomorrow morning will be even better.]
Reflected in the glass, Yoon Jooho set down a bundle of clothes he’d brought out on the sofa and began walking over.
[How was the flight? Aren’t you tired?]
“It was my first time flying, so I was so amazed I didn’t even feel tired. They just kept giving us food. I even ended up asking for antacid and took it, haha…”
Coming up from behind, Yoon Jooho gently wrapped his arms around Song Hyunsoo’s lower stomach.
He didn’t do anything special. He just hugged him from behind, resting his lips softly on Song Hyunsoo’s temple and ear.
He was like a shy or sleepy child. In an unfamiliar place, clinging to his guardian out of anxiety.
Song Hyunsoo stroked the arms Yoon Jooho had wrapped around his waist.
[The photo shoot is tomorrow and the day after, right?]
“Yes. We’ll be shooting almost all day.”
[You’d better get some good rest. You have to focus on Condition Adjustment.]
“But I’m so excited right now, I’m about to head out to the Champs-Élysées with sunbae.”
Jung Jin’s laughter echoed over the phone.
[Of course. When you’re keyed up like this, you don’t even feel tired.]
“Hyung, you were like that too?”
[Of course. I was, too.]
Hearing Jung Jin say that made Song Hyunsoo smile for some reason.
In the past, even if he was excited or happy, he would’ve tried not to show it outwardly.
He’d always held himself back, afraid he’d be looked down on as unsophisticated or uncool.
In his hometown, people even called him simple-minded because he was so direct and honest.
But now, Song Hyunsoo felt like he’d returned to that old self.
No, maybe he’d gone even farther.
[I’m looking forward to seeing you two.]
“Hyung, we’re in the same Paris right now.”
[Yeah. Under the same sky. Finally.]
Suddenly, Song Hyunsoo’s shoulders flinched.
Yoon Jooho, who had just been clinging quietly, bit his earlobe. Hard enough that Song Hyunsoo had to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment.
After saying good night and hanging up, Song Hyunsoo turned around to face him.
He wrapped his arms around Yoon Jooho’s neck, instinctively knowing it was the right time to cheer him up.
“Are you mad?”
“I’m not mad.”
“You totally are.”