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Two boys sat tucked into the farthest corner of an old library.
It wasn’t just old—it was historic. But soon, it would be gone. Rumors had spread that the space was already approved to be replaced by a sparkling new beauty complex. A modern maze of salons, nail bars, and massage spas was on the way. And in its place, the humble library—a haven for free reading and quiet thinking—would disappear.
Locals weren’t happy. Students who couldn’t afford laptops or home Wi-Fi relied on these books. Parents who believed in turning pages instead of screens loved it here. People who just wanted to rest, to escape into fiction, called this place sacred.
Under the wooden table, Heeseung reached out and laced his fingers with Sunoo’s.
"Someone might see us, Heeseung," Sunoo whispered, nervous.
But Heeseung only tightened his grip. His thumb brushed lightly against Sunoo’s palm.
"Let them. I don’t care if they do."
Sunoo glanced at his boyfriend. Heeseung had returned to reading, brows furrowed in concentration, struggling to make sense of a Japanese short story.
"Why are you even reading that? You’re not Japanese. There are English books here."
Heeseung barely looked up. "We’re in Japan."
"And if we were in Germany, would you read in German too? You’re not German either."
Heeseung turned to him, lips curving. "But you love me anyway."
Sunoo pinched his arm, and Heeseung laughed softly.
A few quiet moments passed before Sunoo spoke again.
"Do you really think they’ll demolish this place for spas and clinics?"
Heeseung sighed. "Yeah. They said the local government already approved it. They think it’ll boost tourism. If we lived here, maybe we could fight it too. I get why the community’s upset. They could’ve just restored the library—made it modern, added new computers, new books. It could’ve been a place for both locals and tourists."
"Exactly! They could’ve extended it, found sponsors, maybe added a small café outside. Young people like reading in cozy cafés with fast Wi-Fi. It’s not that hard to imagine."
Heeseung looked at him lovingly.
"You’re right. But all we can do now is maybe donate something. Help out in our own way."
"Let’s do that. I’ve saved up. I want to give something to this place."
Heeseung squeezed his hand gently. "We’ll ask if the library has a plan. We don’t want to step in if they’ve already made peace with closing down."
"And if they move, I hope it’s to somewhere accessible. The kids shouldn’t be the ones to suffer."
Heeseung leaned down and kissed Sunoo’s hand.
"Hey! I said someone might see!"
"I had to kiss you. What you said was beautiful."
"You’re annoying."
Heeseung grinned and leaned over, stealing a quick kiss on Sunoo’s cheek.
"You’re so easy to love."
"There are no cameras here and they don’t know us," Heeseung whispered. "They probably just think we’re a tall guy and a shorter one, and one’s secretly madly in love with the other."
"Excuse me?! You’re saying I’m the one madly in love with you? You’re the one who sulks every time I sit beside someone else!"
"Of course I do. We still have contracts. We’re still idols. But once that ends, they can’t stop me. I’ll kiss you in front of everyone. I’m jealous because they can touch you, joke with you, hold you without worrying."
Sunoo raised an eyebrow. "Admit it—you get stiff as a board whenever you’re near me."
Heeseung leaned in and kissed him again, this time on the lips.
"Ugh! You’re impossible," Sunoo muttered, blushing as he swatted at him.
Heeseung only winked, and though Sunoo would never admit it, his heart did a little somersault.
Later, the two slipped outside, avoiding crowds. With hats low and face masks on, they walked quietly side by side—never touching, even if their arms brushed. It was too risky. Even their silhouettes might give them away.
But inside a thrift store that sold traditional Japanese art and folklore souvenirs, Heeseung reached for Sunoo’s hand again.
Sunoo pointed to a small fox painting—kitsune. His animal emoji.
He nudged Heeseung and pointed toward a display of tiny reindeer figures near the cashier.
"You look like Rudolph."
"My nose is red?"
"No," Sunoo smiled. "Your eyes. They’re kind. Pure. Gentle."
Heeseung stared at him, something deep in his chest stirring. Was it the words themselves—or how Sunoo said them?
Without a second thought, he cradled Sunoo’s face and kissed him—firm and full of emotion.
He rested his forehead against Sunoo’s, eyes soft.
"I love you so much, Sunoo. I love you more than anything."
And Sunoo, still dazed, could only nod.
Because honestly—he did too.
💖💕