Chapter Text
A resort always implies a resort romance. Hwang Junho knows this rule not because he wants to start any kind of romance, but because his friends have been lecturing him about it for the past two weeks. Junho had no intention of falling in love with anyone, he didn't need any romance, but his friends didn't care.
‘Don't you want new experiences? What kind of resort is it without a little flirting?’ laughed one of his subordinates. She was one of those who persuaded him to take a holiday and one of the first to talk about this elusive resort romance.
‘I want to relax, not new hassle,’ Junho exhaled hoarsely, rubbing his face with his palm. Working at the police station meant constant movement, he hadn't had any rest lately, and the employee's offer to go on holiday was even tempting. The only problem was that he had no one to go with, which is why he could put off this trip indefinitely. He buried himself in work, sat behind paperwork, went on business trips, and believed that rest could always be postponed until later. Perhaps he kept putting it off, but lately there had been no work at all, and his body was severely exhausted from constant movement, lack of good food, and lack of sleep. And now, when he was finally ready to rest, they started talking to him about some romance.
‘But falling in love will cheer you up, don't you think?’ The girl persisted, propping her chin on her hand. Her eyes sparkled with a strange light, as if she had already thought of something. Hwang raised an eyebrow. Of course, he understood that because of his work, he was unable to look for a relationship, but did she really think he needed one? In that case, she didn't know him at all!
‘I'll think about it,’ he replied dryly, finishing the last report before his departure. His train was scheduled to leave in the evening, so as soon as he entered the necessary data, he left the office. It was only a half-hour drive to his house, so he wasn't in a big hurry.
To tell the truth, he hadn't had a holiday longer than a week in the last four years. This time he was given a whole month, and his boss ordered him to spend his holiday far away from work. Junho had no objection. In fact, the idea of a resort even cheered him up; the very thought of doing nothing but having fun was tempting. The problem was that he didn't know how to do that.
Now he was sitting on the platform waiting to board the train. People were bustling back and forth, some waiting to board like him, others just returning. He stared thoughtfully at his hotel brochure, which he had read at least a hundred times, as if looking for a catch in the small print. Of course, there was no catch, but Junho still couldn't believe he was going on holiday. Suddenly, a man sat down next to him on the bench. He was loud, laughing and gesturing, talking on the phone and seemingly oblivious to anyone around him.
"Just because I'm going to a resort doesn't mean I'm looking for someone there, I just want to relax, Jeon Rae! It's... yes, yes, you know it's just unbearable? So what if I don't have anyone? Am I supposed to throw myself at everyone and ask for romance? The stranger tilted his head back, adjusting the straps of his large backpack, while his companion said something to him with a laugh.
The man talked to his friend for a while longer, constantly adjusting his hair. Loud and unbearable - Hwang didn't understand why he was still sitting there listening to the arguments between this guy and his best friend, Cheon Rae. He could have gathered his few belongings and moved to another bench, but for some reason he didn't. Maybe he was amused that he wasn't the only one being told about the need to have an affair at the resort, or maybe he just needed such company.
When the stranger hung up (Junho learned from his conversation that his name was Wooseok, but that wasn't very important), he finally looked around. He seemed lost and excited at the same time. His gaze stopped on Junho, but Junho quickly looked at the hotel brochure, feigning sincere interest.
‘Sir, are you also going to Busan? I heard there's a wonderful beach there!’ Junho looked at the speaker suspiciously. The man looked at him with genuine interest, swaying from side to side. Apparently, he was very excited about the upcoming trip, and his mood was contagious. Hwang smiled modestly and nodded in agreement.
‘And you're going to stay at this hotel?’ Wooseok's finger hovered over Junho's brochure, and he smiled.
‘You're Mr. Obvious,’ he smiled, seeing his companion lean a little closer. Hwang's sarcasm did not embarrass him in the least.
‘My name is Choi Wooseok,’ the man's hand rose briskly, his eyes shining strangely. The lights had already been turned on around them, and his face was illuminated by the pleasant warm light of the lamps.
‘Hwang Junho,’ he introduced himself, shaking his travelling companion's hand.
‘You look so serious, you should work for the police,’ Wooseok laughed, smoothing his hair.
‘I am a police officer,’ Choi's face contorted with surprise. Hwang liked this expression; it wasn't every day you saw such sincere surprise, especially from an adult.
‘I guessed right,’ Wooseok said proudly, straightening up. His protruding chest and overly proud expression made Hwang laugh. He already liked this guy; at his work, everyone was more reserved and didn't show such facial expressions. Choi, on the other hand, had such an expressive face that it seemed as if he needed to be emotional at work.
‘What do you do for a living?’ Hwang asked, putting the brochure in the inside pocket of his sweatshirt. Wooseok's face twisted in displeasure.
‘I don't want to talk about work, detective,’ he said mockingly, tilting his head to one side as if he were about to let Hwang in on some secret. Hwang smiled.
‘Could it be something illegal, Mr. Choi?’ Junho asked with feigned thoughtfulness, enjoying the frightened expression on Wooseok's face. ‘Even if it is, I'm on holiday anyway, so I won't arrest you for another month,’ he continued, watching the priceless look of fear on Choi's face. It was funny, though — he had told the truth and had no intention of dealing with Wooseok's employer, but seeing such an emotional face was amusing.
‘You're not reassuring me, detective,’ Wooseok muttered embarrassedly, closing his eyes.
‘Don't call me detective, I'm on holiday,’ Junho smiled.
‘That didn't stop you from interrogating me!’ Wooseok groaned, glancing at Junho. He was smiling. Such a strange and sincere smile that Hwang couldn't help but smile too.
‘And yet I think it's definitely not a coincidence, Detective Hwang,’ Junho didn't know what to say. Choi Wooseok stood opposite him, holding the number opposite his own. They hadn't discussed the numbers in this hotel; in fact, their conversation had ended when they got on the train and realised they were travelling in separate compartments. They had exchanged numbers, of course, but Junho didn't think they would cross paths so soon. Now there was nowhere he could run away to — and he didn't really want to. Wooseok had a strange way of calming him down, even though he did nothing but make silly jokes and talk about trivial things.
‘I think it's all just a big coincidence,’ Junho smiled good-naturedly as he opened the door with his card.
‘We should have a drink, don't you think?’ Wooseok continued, rubbing his hands together. Hwang couldn't help but chuckle.
‘In that case, it's your treat, okay?’ he said, already entering the room and putting his clothes on the bed. Wooseok followed him without a second thought, and Junho didn't mind.
‘Sure! Where do you want to go?’ After Hwang's words, Choi's eyes sparkled even brighter. Even though it was already eight o'clock in the evening, he seemed just as energetic and ready for adventure.
‘It doesn't matter,’ Hwang replied, taking his things out of his backpack. There wasn't much, but he was frankly too lazy to do anything routine. He put his things aside and adjusted the small bag over his shoulder, which contained everything he needed: his passport, phone, key card, and money.
‘Then I'll put my things in the room and we'll go!’ Without waiting for a nod, Wooseok jumped out of his new acquaintance's room and rushed to his own. He ran out almost immediately, only slightly out of breath. Hwang smiled again and followed him.
Hwang Junho had never considered whether he was capable of doing something reckless and ill-advised. In fact, until tonight, he didn't believe he was capable of doing anything provocative. But now he was sitting in an unfamiliar bar in Busan, accepting drinks from Choi Wooseok, a man he had met just four hours ago. He knew he had drunk enough to start talking nonsense and flirting openly. He knew that Wooseok had drunk even more than him. It didn't bother them. They both continued to jump from topic to topic like idiots, telling jokes that only they found funny and ordering more alcohol. In the end, Junho decided that they had had enough for today. When he stood up, his ears were ringing.
‘No, Detective Hwang, stay with me and have another drink, you like my company!’ Wooseok whined, continuing to follow him. It seemed that after drinking, he became both happy and sad at the same time.
‘We'll have another drink, don't worry,’ said Hwang. During the time they had spent together, they had been on first-name terms for more than half of it. It had happened without much effort; they didn't need to behave too formally — after all, they were at a resort and could afford to do so.
‘We'll really have another drink? Promise?’ Hwang burst out laughing at Choi's wide, surprised eyes. It was as if they were never going to meet again. Hwang didn't understand his surprise and laughed even louder. People were starting to turn around, so he tried to control himself.
‘I promise,’ he assured Wooseok, who was still looking at him in surprise.
‘That's good,’ he said happily after a second. His face lit up again with a smile so bright that Hwang almost physically felt blinded.
They didn't notice how they reached the hotel and found themselves facing each other. Hwang had never considered himself reckless. Until that moment.
Choi Wooseok came close enough that even Junho's drunken mind realised something was wrong. Wooseok's breath was hot and seemed deafening.
‘I'll regret this,’ Wooseok whispered so quietly that Hwang involuntarily leaned forward. Maybe that was his mistake — to get even closer, to let Wooseok act without resistance. He feels Choi's hot breath burning his lips, the taste of alcohol touching his own tongue. Wooseok's palm touches the back of his head, keeping them in the same position. He didn't think he was capable of doing something rash, but now he responds and has no regrets.
When he breaks away from Wooseok's lips, his soul is calm. He smiles, meeting Choi's embarrassed gaze, which now seems frightened to him.
‘We were doomed to this unbearable holiday romance, weren't we?’ he croaks, stroking Wooseok's cheeks. They are so soft and warm that he can't help but kiss them. Or several times. He doesn't really know why, but this man seems to him to be the sweetest in the world. Whether it's the alcohol, the universe deciding to laugh at him, or just his drunken fantasy, he feels warm and soft in his chest. Wooseok hugs his waist, stroking it with his thumb. It's a soothing, slow movement, as if more intimate than a kiss.
‘Maybe we were meant to meet, it happens, I read about fate...’ Wooseok stammered. He looked embarrassed, even more so than after the kiss. Hwang found it cute. This man was sincere and understandable to him, not pretending, not trying to look better than he really was. He just was, and that was more than enough for Hwang. Choi's words warmed him and gave him hope.
‘If it's fate, then I'm not against it at all,’ he smiled, bumping their foreheads together. Wooseok opened his eyes wide, looking at Hwang too happily. How strange. If someone had told him that this was the last thing he would ever see, he would have been happy. If this man was his holiday romance, he didn't mind staying here forever. If it meant he could get drunk with him again and kiss him, he would wait for that moment. If fate wanted it that way, he was the happiest man in the universe and beyond.
Maybe it was because he was drunk, and Wooseok's lips were so soft and pliable.