Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Every day Woo Jin-Chul dedicated an hour to reading status reports on Hunters across the nation—both seasoned and newly awakened. As Chief Inspector of Surveillance for the Korean Hunters Association, he absorbed the brunt of information coming from the departments beneath him before filtering only the most necessary parts to present to the Chairman above. That included minor issues regarding rogue or untrained Hunters.

Power instability in C, D, and E-rank Hunters was far from anomalous. In fact, it was considered concomitant. More a systemic issue than a physical one, these Hunters often found themselves at odds with their abilities purely due to a lack of mentorship and training. Newly awakened Hunters surged with mana, causing rifts in the magical fabric of the world and making for an awful lot of paperwork when they accidentally shattered storefront windows or ripped doors off hinges.

Hunters who manifested as higher ranks were often scooped up by guilds upon determination, giving them ample opportunity to learn from seasoned Hunters of all ranks. However, lower ranks were not so lucky. So, with the Chairman’s imprimatur, Jin-Chul had implemented the first nationwide mentorship service in all counties in Korea. Any newly awakened Hunter could make their way to the nearest county office upon awakening their abilities and be matched to a nearby mentor of the same fighting class who would show them the ropes of harnessing the ebbs and flows of their new powers.

It was a near-perfect solution to a widespread issue. Guilds would protect their own, but those who were unable to sign to a guild could lean on the government-funded Hunter Mentorship Program for guidance prior to joining any dungeon missions.

Perfect, that is, until one E-rank Hunter reawakened as one of the top S-rank Hunters in the world and refused to join a guild. While the greater public acknowledged the sheer might of Sung Jin-Woo’s abilities in pure awe, the top Hunters in the nation raised eyebrows at the lack of regulation from guild or government in the face of this new challenger.

Chairman Go often commented on how lucky they were that a Hunter as powerful as Sung Jin-Woo had a solid head on his shoulders, but Jin-Chul held his reservations. Even the greatest Hunters experienced instability—whether emotionally or physically—and Sung Jin-Woo was no exception.

Despite the repeated efforts of Choi Jong-In and Baek Yoon-Ho to recruit Sung Jin-Woo as a protegee, the elusive young man refused all sorts of offers. Turning down lavish vacations, exorbitant compensation packages, and even free use of Choi Jong-In’s private jet, the newest S-rank remained a free agent and remained raising eyebrows.

Which was why it came as such a shock when Jin-Chul arrived home one evening, after dropping the Chairman off at his estate, to see Hunter Sung standing by the front gate.

It was a particularly wet night, which meant the underground parking lot was bound to be packed with tenants shielding their cars from the deluge. Forced to park above-ground, Jin-Chul scrambled to open his umbrella, erecting his flimsy shield against the elements and wishing he had awoken as a mage class rather than a fighter. At least as a mage class he could conjure a physical barrier between himself instead of relying on a cheap Daiso umbrella hastily purchased during his lunch break.

When he sloshed up to the front gate to his building, a hooded figure stood waiting by the number pad. Barely visible in the stormy night, Jin-Chul only clocked the man’s presence by his mana signature. Thick, cloying, and reminiscent of death and destruction, Sung Jin-Woo’s very presence felt like the crashing waves of an unforgiving sea. Jin-Chul assumed it was also only because Hunter Sung allowed himself to be noticed that he felt his presence.

“Good evening, Chief Inspector,” Jin-Woo said when Jin-Chul looked his way. The younger man gave a dip of his head in a semblance of a bow as he stepped away from the gate. Though his abilities clearly outclassed Jin-Chul’s, Jin-Woo never neglected his manners—despite shoddy execution.

“Hunter Sung,” Jin-Chul said, shutting his umbrella and shaking the excess drops from the clear plastic, “what brings you this late at night?”

They were the same height but Jin-Woo, wrapped in a hoodie and an anorak, looked much larger than Jin-Chul, who only wore a suit. The Hunter lifted and dropped his broad shoulder as he suddenly took a pointed interest in Jin-Chul’s shoes.

“I was hoping we could chat.”

Hunters were an odd sort—especially the most powerful ones. Though Jin-Chul was aware of Sung Jin-Woo’s propensity for introversion, he could not clock any of the Hunter’s usual cold indifference. Instead, the twenty-six-year-old seemed… shy? How peculiar.

“Well, we ought to escape the rain, then.”

Punching his gate code into the door, Jin-Chul let them both into the apartment building and guided Jin-Woo to the elevator. They had never interacted one-on-one before, and though Jin-Chul kept his modest two-bedroom apartment immaculate, he found himself fretting over if his home was presentable. It wasn’t every day he had a guest, let alone one of the most famous person in the country.

“How have your dungeon endeavors been?” Jin-Chul asked as they climbed into the elevator. He pressed the button for the top floor. While government pay was nowhere near that which top-level Hunters earned, Jin-Chul’s position and status enabled him to afford a modest apartment on the outskirts of Seoul. It was nothing to write home about.

“It’s been good. Nothing too eventful since the red gate,” said Jin-Woo. His response was curt, polite, and left much to be desired. Like before, the Hunter seemed preoccupied, his gaze pointed firmly anywhere but Jin-Chul’s face.

When they arrived, Jin-Woo politely looked away as the Chief Inspector inputted his house code and unlocked the front door. Jin-Chul smiled when Jin-Woo mumbled the customary “please excuse my intrusion” as he kicked his sneakers off and left his wet raincoat in the same corner as Jin-Chul’s umbrella.

“Let me put some tea on,” Jin-Chul said. Jin-Woo meandered about the living room, glancing over the sparsely decorated space. Though he dressed like any other twenty-something in Korea, S-class Hunter Sung Jin-Woo loped with the air of an ancient chthonic deity surveying his domain.

Even in the kitchen, with his back turned to the Hunter, Jin-Chul felt the waves of mana that positively oozed from Jin-Woo’s body. Oh, to have so much magical prowess that excess mana released as pure aura. Various S-class, and even A and B-class, Hunters expelled mana as an aura, but none as potent—as purely saccharine—as Hunter Sung.

As dangerous as his aura felt, there was an addictive quality to it. The dark haze lapped at your skin and flicked its long tendrils into your clothes like smoke, gently beckoning you closer until there was no escaping death’s maw.

“You don’t hang pictures of your family,” said Jin-Woo when Jin-Chul invited him to sit at the dining table. Setting a tray of chamomile and cookies down, Jin-Chul poured two cups as Jin-Woo took a seat. The Hunter immediately nabbed a chocolate chip cookie and tossed it into his mouth, accepting the proffered cup with thanks.

“I prefer to keep mementos in my office, closer to where I spend most of my time,” explained Jin-Chul. “There really isn’t much. Just a picture from my college graduation before my father passed. My mother spends most of her time in Busan, her hometown.” He took a sip of the warm tea and relished its soothing sweetness. A cup of chamomile often found its way into his daily rituals. Now, he had the honor of sharing tea with Sung Jin-Woo.

“So, how may I be of service, Hunter Sung?”

Jin-Woo set his cup down onto its saucer with an audible clink, suddenly back to his pensive self. Tapping one finger on the dining table, he cleared his throat and looked up. 

“I wanted to ask about the Hunter Mentorship Program,” he said. “It’s… It’s kind of embarrassing, really, but I’ve been going through some stuff and Hunter Cha told me you founded the program.”

The vague words matched with an unusually nervous Hunter made Jin-Chul smile. Taking another sip of his tea, he set his cup down and made a note to thank Hunter Cha for spreading word about his project. 

“Hunter Cha is correct. Although, I’m surprised a Hunter with as much field experience and power as yourself is looking for a mentor—if you don’t mind my prying.”

Jin-Woo heaved a long-suffering sigh, his finger moving to trace lazy circles around the edge of his teacup. “It’s not harnessing my powers that I need help with. I have that on lock. It’s more of the… emotional side. I know I’m one of—if not the most—powerful Hunters in the world, but that sort of title comes with a lot of responsibility.

“I feel like I lost a part of myself on the road to becoming this powerful—some human part of myself I can never regain. I need someone who can root me to reality and help me retain my grip on my sanity.

“I was hoping it could be you.”

Raising a single eyebrow, Jin-Chul ruminated over Jin-Woo’s impassioned plea. Steepling his fingers together, he leaned his elbows onto the table and pressed his thumbs against his lips. Given Jin-Woo’s age, Jin-Chul would have expected such existential crises to come later in life, but what did he know about having the weight of the world on his shoulders?

He pitied the young man. Given the overflowing files of tragic accidents and dungeon mishaps that littered Hunter Sung’s past alongside glittering articles about his strength and ability, it was no wonder he felt that he had lost grip with reality. Dungeons were a place of damnation where only the strongest survived. How much carnage had Jin-Woo faced to reach his current state?

“Hunter Sung–”

“Please, call me Jin-Woo,” said the younger man. Slate gray eyes flashed something unreadable as Jin-Woo apologized for interrupting.

“No need to apologize, Jin-Woo,” said Jin-Chul before continuing his original thought. “I can’t imagine the emotional turmoil you’re enduring. While I’m very grateful that you would consider me to be your mentor, I am a fighting class Hunter. That diametrically opposes your mage class. I’m not sure if we would be the right fit.”

A pause struck the conversation and Jin-Chul gnawed on the inside of his cheek, wondering if he knew of any other mage-class Hunter who was powerful enough to take Jin-Woo under his wing. There was Choi Jong-In, but Jin-Chul doubted the S-class Hunter would take Jin-Woo under his wing pro bono. More likely than not, Jong-In would stipulate Jin-Woo join his guild in return for guidance.

Any ordinary person might seek therapy for the trials and tribulations of life they could not explain away, but the world worked differently for Hunters. Though a psychiatrist or family therapist awakened as a Hunter from time to time, few high-ranking Hunters ever sought them out. That was also a pain in Jin-Chul’s side.

“Have you considered dating?” he asked randomly. “Getting a girlfriend could help bring some normalcy into your day-to-day.” From the way Jin-Woo instantly stiffened, shoulders squaring and lips pressing in a thin line, Jin-Chul understood the answer to be ‘no.’

“I–I just don’t… I don’t look at girls that way,” he rambled out, cheeks brightening pink. Jin-Chul had never seen the Hunter look so out of sorts. Perhaps the shy young man who’d survived the double dungeon still dwelled within, protected from the woes of the world by an impenetrable shield of untenable power. When Jin-Woo averted his eyes, Jin-Chul thought his long, dark eyelashes were quite lovely.

He wondered how Jin-Woo envisioned mentorship—if it truly was something more emotionally rooted than physical training, then perhaps finding a mentor could be easier. “My apologies, I only assumed given your closeness with Hunter Cha–”

“She’s just a friend!”

Giving a small laugh, Jin-Chul finished his tea and bowed his head in recognition. He couldn’t help but poke the beehive just a little more. It was almost too much fun seeing just how flustered Jin-Woo became when asked mildly private questions. “Have you considered BDSM? That provides emotional release and is a grounding effort for quite a few people.”

When Jin-Woo lifted his gaze, Jin-Chul thought the man’s blush would burn straight through his skin. The red in his cheeks rivaled even Choi Jong-In’s hottest flames. “I’m… I’ve never…” he muttered sheepishly, “I’ve never considered it.”

“I say that purely as a jo-”

“What would it entail?” Jin-Woo’s earnestness took him aback for a moment. Jin-Chul hadn’t anticipated his evening becoming a crash course on BDSM, but he felt it his duty to provide as much necessary information to Jin-Woo as he needed.

“Well, BDSM is a consensual act between two parties. There’s a dom and there’s a sub. Usually it involves the dom inflicting pain to the sub in various ways, who enjoys it. There can be a sexual nature to it depending on your wants. It’s very consent-based and it behooves the dom to ensure the care of the sub before, during, and after the act. The sub has every opportunity to revoke their consent through agreed-upon safe-words.

“Considering your vast strength and ability, perhaps finding someone who can exert themselves as your master, at least emotionally, could help you find that stability? Leave the dungeons and world-saving behind for a bit and let yourself just feel?”

Throughout his explanation, Jin-Chul kept a close eye on Jin-Woo gauging his reaction for discomfort or indignation. Instead, Jin-Woo sat with his elbows pressed into the table, hands clasped beneath his chin, riveted. If the blush on his cheeks didn’t threaten to turn the Hunter into a tomato, Jin-Chul would have thought the Jin-Woo had become a statue.

Gravely, Jin-Woo released his grip on his own hands and stroked his chin before nodding his head. “I would like to try with you, if you’ll have me.”

If you’ll have me. Given his position as Chief of the Hunter Surveillance, Jin-Chul often met and interacted with Hunters of all walks of life. Yet none were as handsome, or even as beautiful, as Hunter Sung. Jin-Chul would be lying if he claimed to have never thought of Hunter Sung in a romantic sense. However, his dedication to his work and unyielding professionalism begged to differ. 

Yet the question caught him so off guard that Jin-Chul had no response ready other than to splutter out, “This is a wholly unorthodox method of mentorship.”

Jin-Woo agreed. “I assume you have experience, though?”

This time, it was Jin-Chul’s turn to blush. Nodding his head, he recalled a time when he had work-life balance and would pursue extracurricular activities. “I admit, it’s been a while since I’ve dominated anyone. Work keeps me tied to my desk more often than not.”

“Then let’s try it.”

Mouth agape, Jin-Chul looked around to see if he was being pranked. Were there cameras pre-installed in his home to catch the Chief Inspector off guard? There was no way. His private residence was not common knowledge and while this conversation was so off the rails from what he was used to, Jin-Chul had no doubt that Jin-Woo would not have sought him out for mere games.

“I–I would have to consult the Chairman. This is wholly unorthodox behavior for a civilian to request of a government employee,” Jin-Chul explained. Suddenly finding himself blushing, he ran a hand through his hair before pressing his palm into his cheek. He felt warm to his own touch. “There are procedures to follow for the mentorship program and the measures you’re requesting are… well, unorthodox.”

“You repeat yourself when you’re nervous,” Jin-Woo commented.

Damn him. Very few Hunter-related issues ever caught Jin-Chul off guard; he’d seen it all. Every single aspect of Hunter behavior was well within his purview and watchful gaze. Well, every aspect except for Sung Jin-Woo. The Hunter had it out for Jin-Chul’s blood pressure.

Jin-Woo continued as Jin-Chul attempted to parse a response. “I would appreciate it if we could go about this as private citizens, then. Consider it woo-woo fears of government, but perhaps the details of your mentorship could take place between private individuals? Just so we don’t have to jump through the embarrassing hoops of my own mental stability and your hand in the matter.”

That was also certainly a way to go about it. No government oversight meant there was more opportunity for Jin-Chul to get to know Jin-Woo and administer to his needs accordingly. Fewer bureaucratic hoops and much less paperwork in the long run.

“Private citizens,” Jin-Chul echoed.

“Yes. I’d like to enter this relationship with you willingly and privately. If it doesn’t work, then so be it. If it does, then you’ll be helping me immensely. And I like to think that you might get something out of it as well.”

A pregnant silence settled between them and Jin-Chul pressed his palms into his eyes, resting his elbow into the table. This was too much thinking for someone who’d clocked out hours ago. Mulling over Jin-Woo’s proposition, he thought of the last time he’d ever dominated anyone.

It had to have been almost four years ago—before his career had taken an exponential curve upward. Now, he had so much to do that there was hardly any time to consider his own needs.

Jin-Woo is beautiful too… Clean-cut and well-kempt… His own thoughts betrayed him. 

“May I think about it for a day or two?” asked Jin-Chul. Finally lifting his gaze, he blinked back the fuzzy spores that danced across his vision in his attempt to focus on Jin-Woo. “This is… quite a lot to digest.”

Standing, Jin-Woo nodded his head. “Of course. Take the time you need. I’m willing to take this jump, but only if you’re willing to take it with me. Regardless of how you feel about the SM stuff, I’d still like you to be my mentor.”

Jin-Chul reached into his pocket and removed his phone. Holding it out toward Jin-Woo he offered a placating smile. “May I have your number so I can reach you?”

Jin-Woo took the phone and tapped his number in. “How very forward of you, Mr. Woo. Will you ask me on a date as well?”

At the sight of his coy smile spreading across pink lips and those beautiful eyes, Jin-Chul lost the ability to speak. Nothing sounded better than a date with the Hunter.

As a wash of highly unprofessional thoughts overcame his brain, Jin-Chul forced himself to focus. “Let’s start with friends?” he managed to say as Jin-Woo handed him back his phone.

Sung Jin-Woo
(010) 0000-0000

“I appreciate the tea and conversation. It was very kind of you. Goodnight, Chief Inspector.”

When Jin-Woo melted into the shadow beneath his feet, Jin-Chul barely had the energy to react. He made a mental note to add teleportation to the file of the Hunter’s abilities.

“Why did he bother with the front door if he can… ah fuck it.”

Chapter Text

If Jin-Chul slept at all, he had no idea. Tossing and turning all night, he thought of Jin-Woo’s proposition to the sound of the rain. To his ultimate chagrin and to the detriment of his own perceived professionalism, the offer enticed him endlessly.

Jin-Woo was handsome, soft-spoken, and had a sardonic edge that made him oh-so attractive. An S-class and twenty-six, he was one of the most eligible young men in the country. Jin-Chul was… well, he was a government employee. An A-class government employee, yes, but there were male K-pop stars and CEO’s aplenty who would give anything to have the type of intimacy Jin-Woo requested of Jin-Chul. And he doubted the twenty-six-year-old gave a single fuck about his state-sponsored pension.

Jin-Chul was lying if he said he didn’t desire the most eligible bachelor in Korea. He wanted to see the limits of Jin-Woo’s body, to touch and experience it at its most powerful and at its most stripped, he wanted to hear Jin-Woo moan and react when supplicated. He wanted to see how well Jin-Woo could take his domination.

When his alarm blared at six in the morning, Jin-Chul was already awake and sitting under the deluge of a cold shower. Soaked from head to toe and contemplating how he was going to get through the day professionally, he cursed when his alarm continued to sing.

Driving to work—something Jin-Chul could do with his eyes closed—suddenly became a chore. As his wipers sloshed rain from his windshield, he leaned his head into the window and let the glass seep its icy fingers onto his forehead. Every light felt an eternity; every additional car on the street an obstacle.

He already knew his decision. He’d made up his mind the second Jin-Woo had asked for mentorship. There was something about Jin-Woo’s mana signature that Jin-Chul had never experienced in other Hunters. That sweet, gentle beckoning which lured him like a moth to a warm burst of static.

Jin-Chul badged into his department and sat at his desk before taking a deep breath and opening his calendar. His day went by in a blur of meetings, paperwork, approvals, and the occasional coffee with a visiting A-class Hunter or the Chairman. In spite of all of the work he honed in on, Jin-Chul could not shake the thought of Sung Jin-Woo.

The dark-haired man constantly flitted within conscious thought and the back of his mind as Jin-Chul attempted to parse through documents and go about his day. He thought about Jin-Woo’s broad shoulders, his yet undisclosed abilities, his strong hands, and the sound of his voice. All the miniscule details he’d never noticed suddenly became the only thing he could focus on, and Jin-Chul needed an out.

By the end of the day, he was rushing to get home. The Chairman only gave a laugh when Jin-Chul fumbled through the last pages of his report.

“Am I keeping you from an engagement?” asked the old man. “A date, perhaps?”

Blushing, Jin-Chul shook his head and apologized. “My apologies for being so scatterbrained. It’s… It’s just a personal matter.”

“I hope he is kind to you,” said the Chairman with a glint in his eye. They’d worked together long enough to know of each others’ personal lives, though Jin-Chul had only ever expressed his proclivity toward men—never his love for dominating them. “Leave the file on my desk and I’ll read through it. You should head home if you’re getting ready to go out.”

Bowing deeply, Jin-Chul thanked the Chairman for his time before exiting the office.

Then, after sending a single text message to Sung Jin-Woo, he drove home at breakneck speed. 

Woo Jin-Chul:
Come to my place if you’re still willing. Any time works.

It only took a moment for his phone to ping in reply.

Sung Jin-Woo:
be there in 20

When Jin-Chul arrived home, he parked in the closest spot to his apartment building, once again missing out on spots in the covered lot. Swearing as he realized he’d forgotten his umbrella at the office, he braved the deluge with a renewed vigor. An entire day of hemming and hawing had led to this one moment. He wouldn’t let a little rain dampen his spirits.

Locking his car and hoisting his work bag above his head, Jin-Chul rushed for the front gate, eager to escape the monsoon. Yet, for all his efforts Jin-Chul could not stop the deluge from hitting him sideways as the wind picked up. Another bout of swearing had just reached the tip of his tongue—-as his oxfords squelched through a particularly deep puddle—when he noticed the rain had disappeared. In just a day, the dark mana cloud that had once intimidated him felt like a familiar friend.

“Thank you,” Jin-Chul said, peeling the bag from his head. It hardly surprised him the Hunter moved in absolute silence—materializing from the rain itself. Beside him, Sung Jin-Woo grinned. Outstretching a single arm between them, Jin-Woo projected mana in an invisible dome from which the rain slid off in rivulets. The mana ward encased them together so that Jin-Chul’s arm pressed into Jin-Woo’s chest. Oh to be a mage-class Hunter.

“Can’t have you slipping and falling in the mud,” said Jin-Woo. Jin-Chul hoped the evening was dark enough to disguise his blush.

They repeated the previous night’s trek, entering the front gate and then making their way up the elevator. The entire time, Jin-Chul clutched his work bag to his chest and wondered where this sudden bashfulness stemmed from. If there was anything between them—other than friendly banter and a potential physical relationship built on emotional trust and vulnerability—it was purely platonic.

Jin-Chul was sorely out of practice with relationships anyways.

“How was your day?” Jin-Woo asked as they walked. “Anything exciting in the Hunters’ Bureau?”

“Nothing particularly new. The occasional mishap within dungeons, but nothing particularly interesting.” Jin-Chul thumbed his password into the front door before holding it open for Jin-Woo. “You know, since your double dungeon and red gate instances, I’ve been working on a proposal for another tier to the Hunter Mentorship Program.”

They stepped into the apartment as Jin-Woo raised his eyebrows and asked to learn more. Jin-Chul thought of the young man who he’d first met in that hospital room after the double dungeon. At the time, he looked like every other Hunter fighting to eke out a life for themselves in the dungeons—vibrant and ready to fight. Now, while Jin-Chul had no doubt that Jin-Woo never lost the will to fight, the twenty-six-year-old’s eyes reflected a quiet, aging sobriety.

“I’m still drafting the initial proposal, but I want to instate a system where higher-level Hunters are able to accompany lower-tier Hunters into the dungeons in return for mentorship and access to Hunters who rank above them.”

“A trickle-down effect?” asked Jin-Woo. Jin-Chul motioned toward the kitchen and nodded his head. He liked when people caught onto his points quickly. “I like it.”

“Thank you,” chuckled Jin-Chul. He pulled Jin-Woo’s seat out for him and slid the chair in as the younger man sat. “I’ll let you know more once I iron out more of the kinks. I want to make it as foolproof of a system as possible so there are no more issues with people like Kang Tae-Shik.”

Giving a pensive hum, Jin-Woo thumbed his chin and nodded. Unable to discern the expression on Jin-Woo’s face, Jin-Chul paused. “I think that’s wise… It’s definitely something I’d endorse.”

Taking a seat in front of the younger man, Jin-Chul suddenly remembered how it felt to be a dom in years back, before his work had consumed his life. Even sitting across from his potential sub, he felt a thrill run down his spine. It crackled like a sparkler, igniting in a frenzied rush that trailed all the way to his fingertips.

He only realized much later in the evening that he’d forgotten to offer Jin-Woo tea.

“I wanted to tell you that after considering your request, I’d be happy to accept and go about things… privately,” Jin-Chul began. Crossing his legs, he pressed an elbow into the table and leaned his hand beneath his chin. “So, if you also assent, we can go over the ins and outs of this exercise.”

Jin-Woo gave a nod. “I’m in.”

“I believe the first thing to note is that I want today to be more of a test for both of us to see our compatibility. You have every right to stop me at any point and I will absolutely, without question, stop. We can use the stoplight method for now to determine your comfort levels. Green light is ‘good’ and ‘we can continue’; yellow light is ‘I need to slow down’ or ‘I’m uncomfortable’, and red light is obvious.”

“Stop,” Jin-Woo finished for him. Jin-Chul agreed before continuing.

“I theorized over how I could help ground you and address your concerns about your emotional stability. The universe gifted you with what seems like an unchecked reserve of power and mana, which is where I began.

“My conclusion was that since your pains are rooted in being one of—if not the most—powerful Hunters in the world and the resulting dependence thrust upon you, I want to train you to turn off your mana signature and expenditure completely. While you’re in our sessions, I want you to regress into the position of a normal, unawakened human.”

Jin-Woo’s eyebrows wrinkled together and Jin-Chul paused to let his words sink in.

“Sorry… What?” asked the younger man.

“The goal is for you to feel human,” Jin-Chul explained, “not so much ‘regress’ in the literal sense. It’s an exercise in reliance. By taking the role of a sub, you will be able to relinquish your power, and all its burdens, to me. And as your master, I will assume a position of power over you.”

A pause settled around them and Jin-Chul gave Jin-Woo a moment to ponder. He took that time to admire Jin-Woo’s outfit. His muscles nicely filled out his black-button-up, where a hint of gold necklace peeked from beneath the cloth.

Finally, Jin-Woo spoke. “Would we… have sex?”

Heat rushed from the tip of Jin-Chul’s skull to the very bottoms of his feet. Tugging at his collar, he loosened his tie by a hair. “Er–It’s–I mean–No.”

“No?” Was Jin-Woo disappointed?

“Not unless you want to,” Jin-Chul amended. “Though I would hold the position of power, that’s not my decision to make. I’d discuss everything we do with you beforehand.”

Nodding, Jin-Woo thumbed at his chin. “I’ve never had sex with anyone before. I assume we could work up to it—see if I like this to begin with.” Jin-Chul wondered if his AC had broken overnight. Why was it so damn hot?

Then, Jin-Woo smiled. “So, shall we start? What’s on the menu?”

Giving a breathy laugh, Jin-Chul dove straight in.

“Kneel.”

Standing behind Jin-Woo, Jin-Chul smiled as the most powerful man in the world slowly sank at the command. Stepping closer and placing Jin-Woo’s calves between his feet, Jin-Chul gently grasped Jin-Woo’s clean-shaven chin and tilted it back.

Being so close to Jin-Woo felt like standing next to a nuclear reactor. The very air around Jin-Woo wobbled to the naked eye, warping at the sheer potency of his strength. Jin-Chul’s own aura seemed like ripples in a puddle by comparison.

Slipping his necktie off, Jin-Chul laid the black silk over Jin-Woo’s eyes, tenderly touching where each eyelid lay before roughly yanking the silk into a knot behind his head. He left the rest of Jin-Woo unbound and returned his hands to cupping Jin-Woo’s chin and letting the crown of his head rest against Jin-Chul’s stomach.

“Now, turn off your mana. All traces of magic. No seeking, no searching, not even echolocation. Take every failsafe away.”

Jin-Woo took a long breath. In… and then out… The resulting drain felt like a vacuum. The lights in the apartment blinked for a moment and the dark cloud became a fog and then a mist. Then, it disappeared completely.

Tentatively feeling outward, Jin-Chul touched the air for any remnant bits of mana. “Very good. Now, keep it that way. You may not reactivate your mana until we’re done.”

He ran a finger over the tip of Jin-Woo’s nose, gliding up the bridge and smoothing each eyebrow with his thumbs.

“Say ‘yes Master, thank you, Master,’” teased the older man.

His voice warbled at the demand, but Jin-Woo acquiesced. “Yes, Master. Thank you, Master.”

Gliding over sharp cheekbones and an angled chin, Jin-Chul marveled at the Hunter’s pale, unblemished skin. Then, pulling the dark-haired man's visage back, Jin-Chul slapped him.

Jin-Woo immediately failed. Mana roaring back to life, the resulting puissant rush almost knocked Jin-Chul off his feet. When Jin-Woo instinctively lifted his hands to protect his face, Jin-Chul slapped his wrists downward.

“What did I say?” he cooed, a rush of exhilaration overcoming any residual shyness. “You’re mine now, Jin-Woo. Why bother protecting yourself when I’m the only one allowed to hurt you?”

Backing away from Jin-Woo’s form, he stepped over to the coffee table and picked up his riding crop. Sitting onto the table he tapped the small leather fold against his palm letting it skim the top of the Hunter’s left ear, down his chin, then across his collarbones. It caught on his clothes, riding each wrinkle and bump with ease.

Jin-Woo returned to his powerless state, fists clenching into his pant legs. When Jin-Chul pulled the crop back and let it smack him in the center of the chest, he exhaled sharply but did not fail a second time. The bulge in Jin-Woo’s pants only made Jin-Chul want to hit him harder.

“Light check?” Jin-Chul asked.

“Green light,” came the immediate response. Unbuttoning a few of the notches on his shirt, Jin-Chul fanned himself for a moment and smiled, relishing in the response. Like stretching unused muscles, it felt so good to be back.

“Take your shirt off,” he ordered.

Dark gray fell away to reveal a lean, muscled torso. Jin-Woo was unscarred and relatively hairless save for the trail of black that began at his bellybutton and ended well below the belt. Around his throat was a gold pendant with a small locket in the center. Jin-Chul made a note to avoid it; it looked sentimental. The sight of Jin-Woo’s bare chest sent yet another rush throughout Jin-Chul, and he salivated at the thought of touching and exploring.

Instead, he rested the crop onto one of Jin-Woo’s nipples, letting the tip pendulum against it. Each miniscule strike sent a wince through the Hunter’s shoulders, raising the bud.

“What a cute body,” Jin-Chul said as the crop went tap-tap-tap. “I could see myself doing all sorts of things to this body. Marking it up just under the collar… No one would know just how much you like giving yourself to me. Would you like that?”

His voice was gentle, calm, and unhurried. It was Jin-Woo who reflexively begged.

“Please… Master, more. Faster.”

Chuckling, Jin-Chul took the crop away to give Jin-Woo’s wet lips a sharp leather kiss. Jin-Woo flinched at the surprise and moaned when the crop found his unabused right nipple. “I set the pace.”

By that point, Jin-Woo’s cheeks were scarlet, his mouth open with harried, heavy breaths. His pants looked ready to burst. The softest shimmer of mana appeared around his silhouette—weak enough to warrant ignorance, but strong enough for Jin-Chul to arch the crop backward and let it swing into Jin-Woo’s nipple with a SNAP.

For the first time, the Hunter yelped in pain.

“Mana,” warned Jin-Chul, straining to keep his tone cool despite the fact that Jin-Woo’s little noises made him harder by the second. “Weak humans don’t have mana, Jin-Woo. You’re my little weak human now. Mine to play with, mine to hurt, mine to keep.” The barrier flared as if to retaliate before disappearing completely once more. Jin-Woo’s hand moved to adjust his pants, and Jin-Chul snapped the crop against his wrist, sending it back.

Turning the crop over, Jin-Chul let the hard leather handle lightly touch beneath Jin-Woo’s balls, sliding it back and forth between ass and zipper. On cue, Jin-Woo ground deeper against the handle, turning his hips in a pitiful attempt to alleviate his erection.

“Show me. Take your clothes off,” Jin-Chul said, finally giving Jin-Woo a tiny modicum of relief.

The pants came off and so did the dark briefs beneath. Naked, blind, and kneeling, Sung Jin-Woo looked like he was born for this. His cock pressed into his navel, hard, dripping, lined with dark veins, and begging for abuse.

Jin-Chul reserved himself. It wouldn’t do to scare the young Hunter off so soon.

Using his foot, he laid it onto Jin-Woo’s muscled shoulder and dragged him down to his hands and knees. Then, using the leather end of the whip, gave his pale, round ass a vigorous smack. “So hard. I haven’t even touched you and you’re practically coming onto my floor. What a filthy little virgin you are, Jin-Woo. I can only imagine the lewd things you’ve done to get off without my help.”

Palming at his own groin, Jin-Chul took his time layering taps onto Jin-Woo’s ass. As if painting a scene, he started with light and feathery strokes and applied the markless pats with reckless abandon. Each tap grew incrementally stronger until bright red blossoms flowered across pale skin. Then, he gently glided the crop over Jin-Woo’s hole, relishing each surprised whimper and harried moan.

“We–like–that–don’t–we?” Jin-Chul punctuated each word with a not-so-delicate smack on each cheek. “I bet you’re so tight. Has anyone but me ever touched you here? Would you like to feel me in you?”

“Please,” was all Jin-Woo choked out.

Jin-Chul wanted nothing more than that as well. He wanted to devour Jin-Woo from bottom to top, tasting his skin and feeling every inch of that hard, toned body. He wanted to suck Jin-Woo’s cock and hear him beg and cry when he denied him release. He wanted to take things further.

“Too bad,” he said breathlessly. “I’d rather see you touch yourself. Show me how you get off. Stroke that sad, hard cock—aht aht aht–” when Jin-Woo moved to sit up, Jin-Chul immediately placed his foot back onto the blind man’s shoulder and pushed him back onto the ground. 

Despite Jin-Woo’s lack of mana, he still possessed greater strength than Jin-Chul could have ever imagined. Yet, the mana-less Hunter fell without a fight.

“Light check,” Jin-Chul prompted before they lost themselves completely.

“Green. Please, only green.” The response was instant, rushed, and utterly damning.

“Come onto the floor if you must.”

Balancing himself on one hand and two knees, Jin-Woo spat into his right hand before reaching to grasp his shaft and stroking himself. He moaned in relief.

God, the room was hot and by God was Jin-Chul hard. Any more and he feared he’d black out. He, too, was rusty.

“Fuck,” he muttered. Grasping the crop, he toyed with Jin-Woo’s ass. Erratically alternating between strikes and little flutters, he worked his way into stroking the man’s hole with the leather strip. Oh how Jin-Chul wanted nothing more than to stroke himself, lube up, and plunge deep into Jin-Woo, fucking him raw.

“Come, little one,” he goaded, pressing the whip inward—not hard enough to penetrate, but hard enough that Jin-Woo’s lips opened in silent, strained pleasure. “I know you want to. You couldn’t last any longer anyways.”

Obediently, Jin-Woo’s hips jerked as his moan choked off. Hips canting into his own hand, he curled into himself, releasing white onto the dark floor. Stroking as each wave layered downward, Jin-Woo finally inhaled upon completion. He looked ready to tip over.

Setting the crop aside, Jin-Chul curled his hand behind Jin-Woo’s head, feeling his soft black hair and pulling the blindfold off. “All done,” he said with a gentle smile. “How are you feeling?”

Jin-Woo blinked hard against the light, his blown-out pupils retracting instantly. As he fumbled for words, Jin-Chul immediately got to work on the next part of their session. Allowing the Hunter ample time to collect his thoughts, Jin-Chul scooped the naked man into his arms and cradled him close.

He carried Jin-Woo to the sofa, where a throw blanket already lay open and waiting. Carefully setting his precious cargo into the blanket, Jin-Chul wrapped Jin-Woo’s naked body and sat beside him. Opening his arms, he offered his chest to the dazed young man.

Jin-Woo immediately cuddled into him, stuffing his head beneath Jin-Chul’s chin. Then, Jin-Chul felt a hand on his groin. Still hard, he’d planned on jerking off in the shower to save Jin-Woo any additional effort on his first night, but it seemed the Hunter had plans of his own.

“I could… I could try sucking it,” said Jin-Woo. When they met eyes, Jin-Chul drank in the sight of the naked man in his arms. Cheeks flushed and hair disheveled from the blindfold, Jin-Woo peered up with hooded eyes and a shy smile. “I could make you come.”

His dick jumped at the thought. 

Taking Jin-Woo’s hand in his, Jin-Chul pressed a kiss to his knuckles before shaking his head. “Tonight is all about getting you acquainted. There will be time for that another day.”

Pulling Jin-Woo closer so the Hunter sat in Jin-Chul’s lap, encased in his arms, Jin-Chul stroked his sub’s blanket-wrapped arm in smooth, soothing circles. “How are you feeling?” asked Jin-Chul.

“Like I could kiss you.” Jin-Woo’s voice was hoarse. Jin-Chul couldn’t help but smile. When Jin-Woo flopped his head onto Jin-Chul’s shoulder, he nuzzled his cheek into Jin-Woo’s damp forehead.

“You know, you can return your mana to normal,” he said.

“Hm? Oh, I’d forgotten. I… I might keep it off just a little longer—if that’s alright with you.”

Forgetting himself for just a moment, Jin-Chul pressed a chaste kiss to Jin-Woo’s forehead. “I’ll keep you safe.”

After cleaning up and situating Jin-Woo with some of Jin-Chul’s comfier clothes, water, and some sweets, Jin-Chul excused himself to go shower.

Beneath the warm spray, he grasped his aching cock and ran his thumb over the tip. He pressed his left forearm against the icy tile wall and leaned into it, stroking himself in earnest. Still unbelievably hard from their session, he replayed each of Jin-Woo’s pained mewls in his head and jerked himself on thought alone.

His mouth had opened so beautifully—as if begging to house Jin-Chul’s cock. Jin-Chul imagined shoving his cock down Jin-Woo’s throat until he choked; fucking Jin-Woo until the Hunter couldn’t even remember how own name; denying Jin-Woo until he positively keened for release.

Grunting, he came into his hand.

When he dried off, despite the recent expenditure of energy, he felt more refreshed and relaxed than ever. The rest of the evening melted into a hazy bliss Jin-Chul hadn’t felt in a very long time.

After dressing, he came out to see Jin-Woo setting the coffee table with delivery foods. Two bowls of noodles and a tray of spicy shrimp awaited them.

“Hope you don’t mind me raiding your cabinets,” Jin-Woo said, holding up two shot glasses and a chilled bottle of soju.

Running a hand through his damp hair, Jin-Chul shook his head. “I could let it slide,” he said coyly.

They turned on a soccer match to accompany their dinner; and when Jin-Woo inched closer to Jin-Chul with each passing minute, Jin-Chul gave in and dragged the Hunter’s bottom closer until their thighs were flush against each other. He slung an arm around the shy Hunter.

“Do you want to stay the night?” Jin-Chul asked. Jin-Woo blushed a very kissable scarlet from the tip of his nose all the way to the ends of his ears.

“I– I’d love to, but I have to get home… My sister—she’s alone.”

Ahh that’s right. Jin-Woo lives with a sister.

It was an endearing thought—the mighty S-rank Hunter beholden to his teenage sister. Smiling, Jin-Chul nodded. “I understand.”

“Maybe another night?” Jin-Woo asked hurriedly.

Stroking the short fade behind Jin-Woo’s head, Jin-Chul nodded. “If you’re willing to continue, I’m more than happy to have you.”

Chapter Text

Twice a week Jin-Woo teleported into Jin-Chul’s apartment for their sessions. They’d taken things slowly, experimenting with spanking, masturbating, and edging. In his usual, measured way Jin-Chul had considered offering to take their pace down a notch—even more so than they’d already been taking things. Considering he was older and more experienced, he placed Jin-Woo’s comfort level at the highest priority.

Which was why it came as such a shock when he arrived home to Sung Jin-Woo wearing only his gold necklace and leaning against the second entryway. Mana turned off and muscled like an Adonis, he offered Jin-Chul a sultry smile before slowly gliding forward as the front door shut and locked itself.

“This is a surprise,” Jin-Chul said, pulling at his tie. Completely taken off guard, it took all his focus to remove his oxfords without tripping over himself. “Did something happen today?”

He tried to wrack his brain for any work-related incidents that may have thrown Jin-Woo off. When nothing came up, he determined it was something Jin-Woo experienced on his end. Perhaps his ever-increasing powers had hit a snag.

“Welcome home,” Jin-Woo said. “No, nothing happened. I just thought I’d surprise you.” Tossing his work bag into the foyer, Jin-Chul grabbed a fistful of Jin-Woo’s ass as the naked man pressed against him. Already feeling himself hardening, Jin-Chul laid his face into Jin-Woo’s shoulder, inhaling the sweet ecstasy of bare skin. Jin-Woo’s palms found his chest, sliding upward to caress his face.

“I don’t have anything planned.” Jin-Chul nuzzled into Jin-Woo’s neck, wanting to kiss and lick every inch of his soft skin. He had no idea how someone who frequented the most dangerous and unstable dungeons on a daily basis was so unscathed—pampered, even. “Wasn’t expecting you.”

“I thought I could take care of you today.”

Through his pants he could feel Jin-Woo’s erection pressing against him. Jin-Woo’s hand slid downward, the tip of his finger gliding over Jin-Chul’s zipper before cupping his groin. Hissing at the sensation Jin-Chul momentarily closed his eyes before scooping Jin-Woo up. Immediately, the younger Hunter’s arms went around him and Jin-Chul strided into the living room, sitting down onto the sofa and pulling Jin-Woo to straddle him.

The view was enough to bring Jin-Chul’s cock fully erect. Knees open with Jin-Chul between them, Jin-Woo leaned forward and pressed his hands against Jin-Chul’s chest.

Smiling, he ran his knuckles over the younger man’s back, massaging the points on his spine. “Take care of me?” he repeated. Pressing his right palm into Jin-Woo’s muscled belly he let his fingertips graze over torso, chest, and nipples.

Jin-Woo reacted instantly, fidgeting as Jin-Chul rolled a nipple between his thumb and index. “You–ah–You always take such good care of me… I want to reciprocate. I want you to feel good. Let you fuck me.”

Chuckling, Jin-Chul pressed a kiss to Jin-Woo’s stomach, giving it a gentle lick. The instantaneous moan sent a jolt to his groin, trapped beneath layers of clothing.

“I do feel good,” Jin-Chul said, moving his hand to Jin-Woo’s other nipple. “I enjoy everything about you. Punishing you… Spanking you… Teasing you… Hearing you beg to come…” Jin-Woo’s hands tugged his necktie free, and he shrugged Jin-Chul’s hand off to lean forward and begin pressing hot, breathy kisses to Jin-Chul’s throat.

Closing his eyes, Jin-Chul ignored the transgression if only to enjoy the sensation of Jin-Woo’s lips on his skin. Each kiss left a burning trail up his throat… his chin… his cheek…

“I’ve never seen you come,” whispered Jin-Woo. “You always jerk off in the shower after. I want to fuck. I want you to come all over me, in me, whatever you want. I want to make you feel as good as I’ve been.”

Jin-Chul wondered if Jin-Woo realized just how enticing his offer was. Sitting on his lap, naked and wanton—it took every ounce of the older man’s willpower not to tear his own clothes off and fuck his mouthy sub raw.

“So much chatter,” murmured Jin-Chul, eyes still closed. He could feel every movement—the way Jin-Woo unbuckled his belt and unzipped him, and the way his lips drew closer and closer.

“You could just sit here and I’ll ride you,” said Jin-Woo. “I’ll suck you off first and then you can just slide into me and fuck me.”

Just as Jin-Woo attempted to kiss him, Jin-Chul’s hand shot up, grasping Jin-Woo’s chin and holding him just far enough to look into his eyes. Pupils dark and cheeks blushing, Jin-Woo opened his mouth and licked the hand that clutched him. “I should punish you for being so out of line,” Jin-Chul gritted out.

“If you don’t fill my mouth, I’ll just keep talking.”

Releasing the Hunter’s chin, he grabbed Jin-Woo’s ass and squeezed it before spanking him, hard. Yelping, Jin-Woo fell forward into Jin-Chul’s chest. Another blow and Jin-Chul received an earful of pained, sensual moaning.

Palm stinging, Jin-Chul yanked Jin-Woo back by the hair, peeling the younger man from his embrace. He pressed his left hand against Jin-Woo’s mouth, sliding his index and middle finger in and smirking when Jin-Woo rolled his tongue over them, soaking them.

“You’re not ready for me,” Jin-Chul said as he moved his left hand beneath Jin-Woo and against his ass. Feathery with his touch, he circled his wet fingertips around Jin-Woo’s hole. “Hands on my chest, Jin-Woo. Hold yourself up and look at me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Jin-Woo’s eyelids grew heavy as he gasped, but he kept his gaze trained on Jin-Chul’s face. In turn, Jin-Chul slid his index into Jin-Woo’s ass. His precocious sub almost collapsed against him again. Knuckle by knuckle, he slid deeper as the dark-haired Hunter keened. “So tight. You’d never fit me like this,” murmured Jin-Chul. “I could spend hours fingering you, loosening you up, and you’d still be so fucking tight.”

He slid his finger out completely and Jin-Woo gave a pathetic moan. Then, he repeated the process, slowly inserting his finger before retracting halfway and gently coaxing Jin-Woo’s tightness away. “So needy, so horny. What to do with you?”

Before Jin-Woo could speak, he slid the second finger in. That shut off any response forming in his sub’s mind. Writhing at the sensation, Jin-Woo’s fingers curled into the shirt beneath, fisting at the cotton as Jin-Chul’s fingers glided in and out.

“Please, please,” Jin-Woo begged. Jin-Chul could only smile as the younger man succumbed to his own desire, forgetting his initial mission.

Stilling his left, Jin-Chul spat into his right and stroked Jin-Woo’s cock, rubbing the tip with his thumb and smearing his pre-cum across the darker skin. Hips bucking for more, Jin-Woo’s eyes only opened when Jin-Chul stilled completely. Two fingers up Jin-Woo’s ass and a hand around his shaft, Jin-Chul leaned forward and pressed a single, chaste kiss onto one pert nipple.

“I’m tired, little one,” he said as Jin-Woo’s eyes widened. “What was it you said? I can sit here and you’ll ride me? Perfect. Make good on your promise. You can ride my fingers or fuck my hand until you come.”

Jin-Woo’s disbelief lasted a millisecond before he adjusted himself, dipping lower onto Jin-Chul’s fingers. Then, he arced his hips forward into the waiting palm.

He rode breathlessly, sloppily attempting to find a rhythm between fucking and being fucked. Jin-Chul kept his grip tight, lazily looking up at Jin-Woo’s agonized expression as his yearning warred between either hand. Too far away to feel them at the same time, Jin-Woo was forced to place greater emphasis on one or the other—but never both.

The younger man’s eyebrows creased in concentration as he moved. Palms hot against Jin-Chul’s chest, Jin-Woo licked his lips and moaned. “Please, I just want to come,” he whined.

“I thought this was what you wanted,” Jin-Chul goaded. “All naked and open. Slutting yourself out for me just to fuck my hand.”

He let his sub go on for a little longer—if only to slake his own greed. The dark-haired man could only bring himself so much pleasure—at odds with his own desire—before whining into Jin-Chul's shoulder and begging for release.

“No, little one. I want to watch you. Keep going.”

The strangled moan that bled from Jin-Woo’s overstimulated body made him smile. His sub chose to finger himself rather than risk accidentally coming into the hand that grasped his cock.

“Please, Master, may I please come,” Jin-Woo whimpered as he rode the two fingers within with wet, lewd moans. Sweaty palms clutching Jin-Chul’s chest, he descended with weaker and weaker legs.

Finally, Jin-Chul acquiesced. Who was he to deny? Bringing his left hand closer, he pushed his fingers deeper, curling them until Jin-Woo positively wailed. Stroking harder, Jin-Chul took over where Jin-Woo had failed. “Come, Jin-Woo, come for me,” he breathed into the younger man’s ear.

The grip around Jin-Chul’s fingers tightened and Jin-Woo curled inward as he came, his loud moans dissipating into a throaty exhale. Ribbons of white decorated the shirt beneath, soaking through as they appeared. Jin-Woo whimpered when the two fingers left his ass.

“You’ve ruined my shirt.” Jin-Chul pressed a kiss to Jin-Woo’s forehead, his voice anything but disappointed. Lightly trailing a hand over Jin-Woo’s trembling body, he lifted the younger man’s chin and gave him a warm smile. “Since you asked so nicely, I’ll let you suck me off tonight. That is—if you even have the strength left.”

Jin-Woo nodded mutely, offering a radiant grin.

He nestled himself between Jin-Chul’s open knees, helping Jin-Chul out of his pants. Deciding he might as well shower immediately after, Jin-Chul removed the rest of his clothes and leaned back onto the tan sofa, naked and harder than ever. Comfortably slouched, he ran a hand through Jin-Woo’s tousled black hair, smiling at the hands that took his shaft.

Jin-Chul sighed as the burning tongue arced a wet circle around the tip, gliding downward and tracing each vein across his shaft. 

“Fuck.” This time, it was Jin-Chul’s turn to be at a loss for words. He feared his own inability to hold back when Jin-Woo’s mouth enveloped him, drowning him in bliss. Wet, blazing hot, and grooved at the roof, Jin-Woo’s mouth was pleasure incarnate. Jin-Chul used what little self-restraint he had from bucking his hips upward and fucking it. 

“Jin-Woo, fuck,” he moaned. “You look so good like that, kneeling and sucking me off. Right where you–ahh–you belong.”

Jin-Woo’s throat barely took half of the cock he endeavored to swallow. Gagging, he bobbed his head, only keeping the tip in before greedily sliding back down for the rest. Jin-Chul buried his hand into Jin-Woo’s hair as the inexperienced Hunter drew him closer and closer. Teeth appeared here and there, and Jin-Woo gagged as he forced himself to take more and more, salivating with each plunge.

It was messy, but god it felt so good.

When the Hunter lifted his gaze, sultry gray eyes peeking over long, black lashes, and his mouth full of dick, that was all it took. Fisting Jin-Woo’s hair, Jin-Chul’s hips bucked as he came undone. Lips open in silent ecstasy, his eyes closed as the sensation overcame him.

Keeping his head down, Jin-Woo held each morsel of Jin-Chul’s release behind soft lips. As his pleasure wound down, Jin-Chul opened his eyes when Jin-Woo lifted his chin and swallowed.

Lips parting at the sight, Jin-Chul pulled him back onto his lap and stroked Jin-Woo’s chin. “You really know how to keep me up at night, don’t you?” he asked. The younger man merely shrugged his shoulders and leaned in. Jin-Chul melted into the kiss, tasting the salty remnants of himself on Jin-Woo’s lips.

“I could try,” teased the younger man. “Jin-Ah is sleeping over at a friend’s, so I figured I’d stay over.”

Chuckling, Jin-Chul kissed him again. “That sounds good to me.”

A quick shower led to ordering takeout, which they devoured in earnest. Then, Jin-Chul located a spare toothbrush and pajamas for his guest.

They laid in bed together, Jin-Woo nestled right between Jin-Chul’s arms. The fluffy pile of dark, slightly damp, hair provided a nice cushion for the older man’s chin as he snuggled closer to his bedmate.

“How are you feeling lately,” he asked Jin-Woo. “With your emotional state… Do you feel like this is helpful?”

A comfortable beat inched by and Jin-Chul smiled at the soft kisses dotting his throat. “I think so. I feel a lot safer than before.”

Idly, Jin-Chul slid a hand up and down Jin-Woo’s spine, dotting the ridges and gliding over his shirt in a soothing pendulum.

“Even though I still don’t understand the full extent of my powers, and I can feel them increasing each day, I feel able to handle it better because I have you. It’s… It’s really nice being able to rely on you and give myself to you.”

Pressing a chaste kiss to Jin-Woo’s forehead, Jin-Chul smiled.

“Then, I guess we should keep at it. I’m glad I can help you find your footing.”

A sleepy lull passed between them, but it was Jin-Woo’s fingertips tracing Jin-Chul’s jaw that brought his gaze downward.

“Kiss me?” asked the younger man, the sultry glimmer in his eyes reflecting even in the dim night.

“Gladly,” murmured Jin-Chul.

Their tongues danced as Jin-Chul let his palm drift beneath Jin-Woo’s shirt and over hard muscle. Each kiss sweeter than the last, they ground against each other until Jin-Chul leaned over Jin-Woo, straddling the younger man between each knee. In the dark, he felt Jin-Woo’s body as if he meant to memorize every plane, every muscle, every vein. Letting his fingertips drift below the belt, he undressed his little Hunter.

He’d save penetration for another time. But as Jin-Chul lapped at Jin-Woo’s erection, swallowing him whole and burying his nose into the dark curls at its base, the resulting breathless mewls told him that day might come sooner than anticipated.

Jin-Woo muffled his moan into the back of his hand as he came, hips juddering as Jin-Chul calmly swallowed, smiled, and continued to suck.

“Wait, what are you—aghh!”

“Let me hear you,” he growled as Jin-Woo jolted at the overstimulation. Jin-Woo, so enraptured in his own ecstasy, could only oblige.