Kiss Me Like You’re Not Married.

"Then tell me," Tae-Hyun whispered.

Joon-Won stared up at him, something dark and amused in his eyes.

"You really want to know what I used to do to girls?"

Tae-Hyun blinked, throat tight. "Not really."

Joon-Won's lip twitched. "Liar."

"I don't care about the "girls"."

"You care if I've done the same things to someone else."

Tae-Hyun stared. His lips parted like he wanted to argue, then slowly closed. He looked away for a second.

"You were…" Tae-Hyun muttered under his breath. "…too good."

Joon-Won's brows lifted. "Hm?"

"I said you were too good," Tae-Hyun said louder, eyes back on him now, biting his lip. "Like, unreal good. Not fair good. Like you've been collecting fucking data or something."

"Maybe I have," Joon-Won said simply.

Tae-Hyun narrowed his eyes. "From who?"

Joon-Won tilted his head again. "Why? You jealous?"

Tae-Hyun's mouth opened again, then shut. His face colored faintly.

"I'm not," he said too quickly.

Joon-Won smirked. "Right."

"I'm just curious."

"So curious that you crawled into my lap in the middle of the night and started interrogating me about how I fucked you?" Joon-Won asked, voice low and teasing.

Tae-Hyun rolled his eyes, trying not to laugh. "I didn't crawl. I glided."

"You looked like a nosy little boyfriend."

Tae-Hyun smacked his chest. "I'm not your—"

"I didn't say you were." Joon-Won grinned wider now. "But you looked like it. All pouty and territorial. Asking questions like you had a right to the answers."

"I did not pout—!"

"You definitely pouted."

Tae-Hyun crossed his arms, still straddling him. "I'm leaving."

"You're not."

"I am."

"You're sitting on me."

"…Shut up."

Joon-Won laughed quietly, his hands slipping higher under Tae-Hyun's hoodie now, tracing along the sides of his ribs. Not trying to push or seduce.. just holding, like he needed to feel where Tae-Hyun ended and he began.

Tae-Hyun exhaled slowly, looking down at him again. The fight in his expression softened.

"…Okay," he said. "One more question."

Joon-Won lifted a brow. "Yeah?"

"When you were fucking me," Tae-Hyun asked quietly, "did you… think of me as a guy? Or did you just… not think?"

The question landed heavier than either expected.

Joon-Won didn't answer immediately.

His hands stopped moving. Eyes fixed on Tae-Hyun's. And for once, there was no teasing, no grin. Just silence.

"I knew exactly who I was fucking," Joon-Won said at last. Voice low, eyes sharp. "And I liked every part of it."

Tae-Hyun swallowed hard. "So you were attracted to me."

"I am attracted to you," Joon-Won corrected. "Unfortunately."

"Why 'unfortunately'?"

"Because you ask too many goddamn questions."

That made Tae-Hyun smile again. A small, lopsided, genuinely pleased thing.

"…I like your answers," he said quietly.

Joon-Won watched him for a moment, then reached up, brushing a thumb along his jawline.

"You like me," he muttered.

Tae-Hyun turned red instantly and covered Joon-won face with one hand. Trying to shut him up. "You're imagining things."

"Maybe," Joon-Won said softly. "Maybe not."

Their eyes stayed locked, breaths quiet and steady. Tae-Hyun shifted again in his lap, this time slower, more settled. He didn't move to kiss him. Didn't try to start anything. He just… sat there. Let Joon-Won's hands hold him. Let himself feel held.

"…You're warm," he mumbled, almost to himself.

"Don't get used to it," Joon-Won replied, though his grip didn't loosen.

"I already did," Tae-Hyun whispered back and hugged quitely under his breath. Averting his gaze away now down to his abs instead.

Neither of them moved.

Tae-hyun Instead, buried his face in Joon-Won's chest with a dramatic groan to hide his face from his intense gaze. "You're such a pain in the ass."

Joon-Won chuckled, resting a hand in his hair. "But you liked the pain in your ass earlier."

"Shut up," Tae-Hyun muttered, voice muffled against his skin.

Joon-Won smiled, satisfied.. his other hand slowly tracing down his back like he already knew.. Tae-Hyun wasn't going anywhere.

Not tonight.. not yet at least.

Just when Tae-hyun had lifted his head slightly to brush his lips against Joon-won softly.

Ring… Ring.…

A sharp vibration sliced through the air. Tae-Hyun's body stiffened above him.

Joon-Won's eyes darted toward the faint light flashing from the nightstand across the room. The screen glowed with an incoming call..

Seo-Yeon

Neither of them moved. Not for a second.

Then Tae-Hyun's breath caught. "Shit."

He scrambled off Joon-Won's lap, the blanket falling to his thighs as he stumbled toward the phone. Joon-Won sat up slowly, his jaw clenched, chest still bare and rising with every heavy breath.

Tae-Hyun snatched the phone off the table and answered with a weak, "Hello?"

Joon-Won watched him from the bed. Wet lips. Flushed skin. Still panting.

"Where are you?" Seo-Yeon's voice was soft but wary. "You haven't texted since work. I was getting worried."

Tae-Hyun swallowed. "Sorry, I—I stayed out late. Had some drinks. I was about to call—"

"Ah, okay," she said, but her tone shifted. "Listen. I wanted to ask you something before I forgot."

Tae-Hyun blinked. "What is it?"

"It's about Min.."

Joon-Won's head rose slightly.

Tae-Hyun rubbed his forehead, suddenly uneasy. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine. But… today after I picked him up from kindergarten, he pointed at my wrist and said daddy had red marks. Said it looked like someone hurt you."

The silence was immediate.

Tae-Hyun froze, his heart dropped to his stomach and he glanced over at Joon-won with widen eyes.

Joon-Won stood up quietly behind him, frowning slightly as he watched his reaction.

"I told him it was probably just from bumping into something," Seo-Yeon continued. "But now that I think about it, he looked genuinely concerned. Were you hurt? Was it from work?"

Tae-Hyun's voice was dry when he finally answered. "I'll… talk to you about it later. When I see you."

There was a pause on the other end. "Okay… you're not mad, right?"

"No." His voice dropped colder. "Just wait for me. I'll explain everything later."

Then he hung up.

He stood still for a beat, phone in hand, staring into the dim light of the room.. until his eyes met Joon-Won's again.. still Wide. Frantic.

"Fuck," he whispered.

Joon-Won stepped forward slowly. "Breathe."

"No, no no," Tae-Hyun muttered, backing up toward the dresser. "She's gonna see it. My arms—my neck—shit, I didn't even think—"

He turned toward the mirror.

The panic hit instantly.

His neck was a canvas of flushed skin, scattered with deep reddish-purple hickeys, a few of them slightly swollen from teeth. They trailed down to the base of his collarbone. His wrists still had faint marks too, fading rope burns from earlier.

"Oh my God." He clutched his hair. "What the fuck do I do—"

Joon-Won grabbed his wrist gently to calm him down and sighed. "Tae."

He pulled him closer to him and looked into his eyes.

"Look at me."

Tae-Hyun's breath trembled, eyes glassing up just slightly. "She'll know—she's not stupid. I can't lie to her face like this."

"Yes, you can," Joon-Won said softly, but firmly. "You're going to tell her a dog bit your wrist. A friend's dog. A playful one. Got too excited. And the neck?"

He moved behind Tae-Hyun, his hands now smoothing over the marks on his shoulders, checking the worst of them like he was taking inventory.

"She won't find out about that," he said. "I'll hide them for you but.. everytime you shower now make sure to cover them up again.. I'll teach you."

Tae-Hyun blinked. "That's—"

"She'll ask why it looks like robes instead of bites on your wrist?."

"She will."

"Then tell her you scratched it. Or say it was an allergic reaction. Something simple. Just stay calm when you say it."

Tae-Hyun didn't answer.

Joon-Won exhaled, brushing his thumb under the reddest bite mark on his shoulder.

"…You're gonna be okay."

He turned, opened the closet, and pulled out a small box tucked inside a shoebox behind old suits. Tossed it on the bed.

"What's that?" Tae-Hyun asked cautiously.

Joon-Won opened it and pulled out a compact. "Makeup."

"Why—?"

"My ex," he muttered. "She said I could wear some if I wanted. We used to mess around with looks." He paused, then gave a sly look. "Also used it to cover my own hickeys in high school. I wasn't allowed to date."

Despite everything, Tae-Hyun's lip twitched ever so slightly, his heart beating a bit slower now. "You?"

"Don't laugh. I was a menace back then."

"You are a menace now."

"Sit," Joon-Won said, patting the edge of the bed. "Let me work."

Tae-Hyun obeyed, silently watching him open bottles, test shades, and start dabbing with expert fingers across his throat. The warmth of Joon-Won's touch had changed now, less possessive, more careful. Like he was undoing what he'd left behind.

"You're… really good at this," Tae-Hyun said after a minute.

"I used to be better," Joon-Won muttered, blending carefully under his jawline. "Didn't have anything better to do back then. Had to hide a lot of shit."

Tae-Hyun looked in the mirror. Slowly, the angry red bruises began to fade under the careful brushstrokes. One by one. Like they were never there.

His chest loosened.

"I can't see anything.."

Joon-Won nodded, cleaning his fingers with a tissue. "Told you."

"…Thank you," Tae-Hyun said quietly.

Joon-Won met his eyes in the mirror. "Don't thank me. I'm the one who put them there."

They stared at each other again. But this time it wasn't desire burning under the surface.. it was something slower. Heavier. Complicated.

Because they'd both realized something in that moment.

It wasn't just sex.

It wasn't just a game anymore.

And no amount of makeup could hide that.

Joon-won handed him the make up with quiet nod and gave his neck a soft kiss before stepping back to get Tae-hyun clothes back from the floor.

⸻

They didn't speak much after that.

The rings went back on quietly, the act itself suddenly heavier than usual—like pulling on masks they weren't sure still fit.

Joon-Won fixed his shirt. Buttoned it halfway, only to realize Tae-Hyun was already by the door, slipping into his own coat in silence. His neck was clean now. His wrists too. Nothing left of what happened but the ache in his muscles and the heat still lingering behind his eyes.

It was nearly 4 a.m. when Joon-Won pulled up near Tae-Hyun's car. Although his pants were not his, they were Joon-won because he had decided to rip them off of him earlier today.

The street was empty. The air was still.

Neither of them moved.

"…Well," Joon-Won finally muttered, but before he could say anything else—

Tae-Hyun leaned across the console.

His hand gripped Joon-Won's neck. Firm. Quick.

And then his mouth was on his.

It wasn't like the others. Not teasing. Not seductive.

It was deep, urgent, the kind of kiss people gave when they weren't sure if they'd ever get another one. A quiet, breathless goodbye disguised as one last indulgence. Tae-Hyun kissed him like he meant it. Like every moment from tonight was pouring through his mouth.. fear, panic, want, and everything else they hadn't dared say aloud.

Joon-Won didn't stop him. He didn't breathe. He only clutched Tae-Hyun's coat tighter and pulled him closer, just for a second longer.

When Tae-Hyun pulled back, their lips hovered, breath mingling.

His voice was low.

"If this doesn't work… if she finds out… don't contact me.. if you do.. I'll probably fuck up again and not look back."

Joon-Won's jaw clenched.

But Tae-Hyun didn't wait for a reply. He stepped out, closed the door, and didn't look back.

⸻

By the time he entered his apartment, the sun was threatening the edge of the sky.

Tae-Hyun dropped his keys quietly, pulled off his shoes, and walked into the living room like nothing was wrong. Every move he made was slow. Measured. Not out of laziness.. but practice. He made his way towards their bedroom.. thank god it was dark enough.

He heard the sound of soft breathing from the bedroom. Then the sheets rustling as Seo-Yeon sat up, squinting in the dark.

"…Hey. You're finally back."

"Yeah." His voice was steady. "Sorry. I should've texted."

"You didn't answer either."

"I know." He sat beside her, kissing the top of her head, then brushing her hair behind her ear. "Work dragged. Then I stopped by a bar on the way back."

She yawned. "You went drinking?"

"Just one glass. I was too tired. Didn't want to think."

Seo-Yeon leaned into him, seemingly soothed. "You've been stressed lately."

"I have."

He kissed her head again and rubbed her arm softly. "But I'm home now."

She smiled sleepily. "Min-Jun missed you."

"I'll take him to kindergarten in the morning this time."

Then there was a small pause.

"…About the marks," she murmured, pulling slightly back to look at him. "From what Min-jun said earlier this week—"

"Oh, that?" Tae-Hyun let out a low chuckle. "That was from Sang-Wook's dog."

Seo-Yeon blinked. Tilting her head as she stared at him quitely.

"He jumped me the second I got to their place," he said easily, rubbing his wrist with a faint wince. "His leash was tangled. Teeth grazed me when he tried to play."

Her eyebrows rose, then softened while taking his hand to check, he panicked deep down but smiled at her slightly to cover it up, thankfully it was less visible with the make up and in the dark it actually looked like a scratch. "Oh, God—seriously?"

"Yeah. Stupid mutt. Cute though."

She looked at him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Min-Jae must've exaggerated." As he let go of his hand slowly.

"You know how he is."

"I do," she laughed. "He told me you fell down the stairs once because you were trying to fly."

Tae-Hyun smiled, even as his chest tightened.

"Why didn't you just say so earlier?"

"I didn't think it was worth mentioning."

"And it didn't bleed?" she asked, pointing vaguely.

"Nah. Barely scratched me no big deal."

She blinked again—then shook her head, laughing into his chest.

"You're always getting scratched up in the most ridiculous ways."

"I should wrap myself in bubble wrap."

"Or stop drinking alone after work."

He kissed her forehead again, hugging her loosely.

And just like that—she folded.

Smiled. Whispered goodnight. Slipped back under the covers, body warm and trusting beside him.

But Tae-Hyun didn't sleep.

He laid awake long after her breathing slowed, staring up at the ceiling while every image from earlier replayed in a loop. Joon-Won's voice. His hands. The kiss. The way he had said, "You're gonna be okay," like he knew he wasn't.

His heart thudded softly in the dark. Every lie was perfect.

Every mask was back in place.

And yet.. deep down, behind the calm voice and casual kiss to his wife's temple—

He was falling apart.

And he already missed the taste of someone else's mouth.