Chapter 110
The rental open-top Jeep cut smoothly down the sun-bleached coastal asphalt, its tires humming a steady rhythm against the road as it carried them deeper into the secluded, southern reaches of Jeju. The intense, mid-morning sun beat down from a cloudless sky, but the heavy heat was beautifully cut by the brisk, salt-thick wind whipping over the vehicle's low windshield.
Haru leaned back against the passenger seat, his long legs stretched out comfortably. He was dressed purely for the climate: soft denim shorts, a lightweight, oversized buggy vest that billowed in the draft, and a wide, open-weave sunhat pulled low over a pair of dark sunglasses. On his left hand, resting casually against his thigh, the black ceramic ring caught the midday light, its dark, raw texture striking against his skin.
Beside him, Jae-wook was the picture of devastating, unbothered elegance. He wore a loose, vibrant Hawaiian shirt with the top few buttons undone, casual shorts, and leather sandals. A black bucket hat shielded his sharp features, but it did little to hide the powerful, clean line of his jaw or the silver-white hair flying wildly in the wind. On his larger hand, the matching ring sat securely , tactile weight that Jae-wook hadn't stopped tracing with his thumb since they left the villa.
Haru's fingers traveled down to the heavy, cold metal of the vintage camera resting against his chest. Lifting the small viewfinder to his eye, he adjusted the focus ring with a slow, practiced click.
Through the lens, he watched Jae-wook drive, his strong forearm flexing against the steering wheel as he navigated the winding coastal curves. Sensing the attention, Jae-wook glanced briefly across the console, looking directly into the glass of the lens.
Click.
The mechanical shutter snapped.
Satisfied with the shot, Haru let the vintage camera drop back against his chest, a soft, content smile gracing his lips. Almost instantly, Jae-wook reached across the space between the seats, his large, warm hand enveloping Haru's. He squeezed tightly as the Jeep turned off the main provincial highway onto a rugged, ascending path toward the volcanic cliffs.
"Excited?" Jae-wook asked, his low, gravelly voice carrying easily over the roar of the wind. "The instructor should be waiting for us."
The moment Haru had mentioned back in Seoul that he wanted to try outdoor rock climbing, Jae-wook had quietly noted it down. He had personally booked the entire facility's top guide, ensuring absolute privacy without making the arrangement look loud or suspicious.
In truth, Jae-wook didn't mind a few people being around, as long as he wasn't swamped by people or forced into a grueling marathon of signing autographs. He just wanted to enjoy himself. But Jae-wook's strategic mind had calculated the risks perfectly. Ironically, the sheer absurdity of two of them hanging out openly actually acted as their best camouflage. To the general public, the idea of Jae-wook and Haru being anything more than close industry friends seemed completely implausible. They were hiding in plain sight.
The Jeep pulled into the gravel parking lot of the private climbing site, tucked beneath a massive, vertical wall of weathered basalt. As they stepped out into the heat, the head instructor was already waiting beside a canopy, surrounded by professional harnesses, ropes, and chalk bags.
The instructor, a seasoned climber in his late thirties, was practically beaming. It wasn't every day he found himself looking after a top-tier global artist and the industry's current most talked-about star. As per Jae-wook's strict, highly compensated instructions, the guide had gracefully delegated all his other scheduled clients to the facility's secondary staff and the director of the facility had politely reassigned all other clients to different trail zones, ensuring the path remained clear. Jae-wook had personally ensured those displaced climbers received generous vouchers and premium upgrades for the inconvenience, entirely erasing any potential friction or resentment before it could even brew. He knew all too well how easily a single disgruntled internet post about "celebrity privilege" could transform into an unnecessary wave of public hate, and he managed his public footprint with clinical precision.
While there were a few other climbers scattered around the lower boulders, the site was otherwise quiet. A few people seemed to recognize Jae-wook's striking height and handsome face, whispering quietly among themselves, but the remote setting and the elite aura of the pair kept anyone from gathering the courage to approach.
"We have the main column entirely to ourselves today, gentlemen," the instructor said warmly, stepping forward to introduce himself.
Haru, naturally social and entirely disarming when he chose to be, immediately engaged the man in conversation. Within minutes, he was asking about the local layout of the cliffs, his easy, unpretentious charm putting the guide instantly at ease. Jae-wook walked beside them, chiming in with a low chuckle or a sharp nod when necessary, his gaze scanning the rock face with quiet calculation.
When they reached the base of the massive basalt column, the guide began laying out the safety gear. Before the instructor could even step forward to assist, Jae-wook seamlessly took the heavy nylon harness from the rack.
"Let me," Jae-wook murmured, stepping directly into Haru's personal space.
Haru stood perfectly still, a soft, knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched Jae-wook drop to one knee to loop the straps around his thighs. Jae-wook's large hands were steady, tugging the thick webbing tight, his knuckles brushing deliberately against Haru's hips. He checked the double-back buckles with a firm, possessive pat, ensuring everything was flawless before checking the carabiners. Haru leaned into the subtle, private intimacy of the moment, his chest swelling with warmth at how naturally Jae-wook stepped into the role of his protector when the cameras were off.
Jae-wook was no stranger to the sport; during his darkest, most grueling schedules in the past, he had frequently retreated to private climbing gyms to clear his mind, growing thoroughly accustomed to the intense physical demands of the activity.
"Don't look down," Jae-wook teased, his voice full of a wicked, playful glint as he secured his hands on the first set of rocky handholds. "Just focus on my lead."
"Alright," Haru teased softly, dusting his hands with white chalk as he looked up at the sheer vertical face. "Don't look down on me just because I'm a rookie. I might surprise you."
The journey up the cliffside was precarious, demanding absolute focus, but it quickly transformed into a playground for their banter. The basalt rock was warm beneath their fingers, the rough texture providing excellent grip as they ascended higher.
"You're moving a bit slow over that ledge, Jae-wook-ya," Haru called out from a secure foot-hold a few meters to the right, his voice full of playful malice. "Are those London time zones still weighing down your legs? I think I've already gotten the handle of this more than the veteran himself."
Jae-wook paused, hanging effortlessly from a solid hand-hold as he looked down at Haru, his dark eyes narrowing with a wicked, amused glint. "Is that a challenge, Haru-ya? I am already pacing myself so you don't suffer a blow to your immense pride, Haru-ya."
"Try it," Haru laughed, his eyes crinkling tightly behind his sunglasses. He looked over at the instructor, who was climbing parallel to them on a safety line, thoroughly entertained by their dynamic. "Hey, instructor ! Tell him his form is slipping."
The instructor let out a hearty laugh, completely charmed by Haru's bright energy. "I don't know, Mr. Haru! Mr. Jae-wook's center of gravity is perfect, but your agility is incredible. I might have to bet on the youth today."
"See?" Haru cheered, moving smoothly up to the next pocket. As he climbed, he looked over at the guide with genuine interest. "By the way, how long have you been doing this? You look like you were born on these cliffs."
"Since I was twenty-two," the instructor shouted back over the sound of the wind, a proud smile on his weathered face. "Started as a hobby."
"Twenty-two? That's amazing," Haru said earnestly, his voice carrying a deep, unforced reverence for people who mastered their craft. "To stick with something you love for that long... that's incredible. honestly, you're amazing, sir. It's deeply inspiring."
The encouragement was so pure and bright that the instructor's chest visibly puffed with pride, his guidance becoming even more attentive as the climb grew steeper.
With one final, powerful surge, Haru pulled himself over the lip of the cliff, arriving at the summit with a triumphant gasp. Jae-wook climbed up a second later, hauling his massive frame onto the grassy plateau. Both of them lay flat on their backs for a moment, chests heaving, staring up at the endless blue Jeju sky. As the sat up immense expanse of the deep blue Jeju ocean opened up before them like a boundless canvas.
Haru unstrapped his heavy helmet, letting the salt-thick wind completely take his damp obsidian hair. Without hinting to the instructor that their relationship crossed any boundaries, he turned to Jae-wook, his eyes shining with a profound happiness.
"We are definitely making this our permanent activity," Haru stated firmly, unbuckling his harness with slow, satisfied movements.
"Agreed," Jae-wook murmured, his raspy voice dropping into that deep register meant only for Haru as he stepped close, blocking the instructor's line of sight for a brief second to brush a stray speck of chalk from Haru's flushed cheek.
They stayed at the summit for over an hour, resting against the ancient volcanic stone, watching the distant fishing boats cut white wakes through the turquoise water. The silence between them was comfortable, heavy with the shared triumph of the climb.
When they finally rappelled back down to the base, the afternoon had slid into peak lunchtime. They walked back toward the main facility lodge alongside the instructor, talking happily about the trickiest holds on the route.
As they reached the entrance of the facility's terrace restaurant, the instructor stopped and turned to them, bowing deeply with immense respect and haru and raiven reciprocated. "I had an absolutely amazing time today, truly. Thank you both for being so incredibly kind." He hesitated for a fraction of a second, his cheeks turning slightly pink. "If it isn't too much trouble... would it be alright if I asked for a quick picture my daughter is a big fan of you?"
"Of course," raiven said instantly, stepping forward with an easy smile.
Haru nodded gracefully, stepping into the frame. They took a few high-quality photos with the instructor's phone, shaking his hand warmly before parting ways.
"He was incredibly nice," Haru noted softly as they walked into the restaurant pavilion.
"He was professional," Jae-wook agreed, his hand briefly settling on the small of Haru's back to guide him through the doorway.
The restaurant inside the facility lodge was a spacious, sunlit buffet, and because it was peak lunch hour, it was considerably more crowded than the secluded climbing trails.
The moment the two tall, strikingly handsome men walked in, the ambient chatter in the room experienced a noticeable, sudden shift. Heads turned, and whispers began to ripple through the tables.
But Haru and Jae-wook were completely unfazed, moving through the buffet line with a practiced, comfortable ease.
"No, absolutely not," Haru scolded quietly, his eyes narrowing as Jae-wook bypassed the fresh greens and aimed directly for a massive pile of fried meats. Haru aggressively used his tongs to add a generous portion of seasoned local vegetables and a massive portion of grilled local mackerel onto Jae-wook's plate. "You burned a thousand calories on that rock face. Eat."
Jae-wook let out a low, defeated chuckle, completely helpless against Haru's stubborn, mother-hen routine. "Haru-ya, my plate is already overflowing."
"Good. Keep moving," Haru teased, adding one more piece of grilled fish for good measure.
They scouted the crowded place for a place to sit, eventually settling on an isolated wooden table tucked beneath the deep, cool shade of an ancient pine tree on the outdoor terrace. Safely removed from the direct glare of the other diners, they settled into their seats, talking happily. Haru threw his head back, laughing brightly after executing a particularly sharp tease, while Jae-wook simply stared at him, looking beautifully, helplessly clueless about whatever ild school slang Haru had just used to mock him.
When they were almost finished with their meal, the inevitable reality of their public lives gently breached their bubble. Two young girls, likely college students on holiday, approached their table with hesitant, trembling steps. Their eyes were wide, locked entirely onto Jae-wook's unmistakable profile.
"Excuse me..." one of them whispered, her face turning bright red. "Are you... Raiven? We are such huge fans . Would it... would it be alright if we took a picture with you?"
Jae-wook's expression instantly smoothed into his practiced, polite public persona, but before the interaction could turn stiff, Haru intervened with effortless grace.
"I can take the picture for you if you'd like!" Haru offered brightly, flashing a warm, dazzling smile that completely disarmed the girls.
The students gasped, their eyes darting to Haru beneath his sunhat, their expressions registering a sudden, chaotic wave of gratitude. "Oh my god, really? Thank you so much!"
The girl quickly handed Haru her phone. Haru stepped back, framing the shot perfectly under the shade of the pine tree, Jae-wook looked as striking as ever. "Say cheese!" he called out, snapping a few frames before handing the device back with a polite nod.
The girls bowed repeatedly, thanking them profusely before scurrying away in a flurry of excited whispers. As they walked back to the car, Haru could feel the heavy weight of dozens of eyes tracking their long strides across the gravel. Yet, despite the intense curiosity of the crowd, they remained remarkably respectful. Only one other girl, who was walking hand-in-hand with her boyfriend, gathered the courage to politely ask for a quick signature, which Jae-wook granted with an easy, practiced stroke of his pen.
Before they could reach the Jeep, the site director materialized from the main office, bowing deeply as he approached. "Mr. Jae-wook, Mr. Haru! I wanted to personally ensure you had a good time at our facility today. Was everything to your satisfaction?"
"We had an amazing time," Haru replied smoothly, bowing back with perfect industry etiquette. "The route was incredible, and the food at the buffet was absolutely amazing. Thank you for the hospitality."
After taking one final, formal photograph with the director and the core staff they finally climbed back into the vehicle.
The late afternoon sun was beginning its slow, dramatic descent toward the horizon as they drove toward their final destination of the day: a hidden, waterfall located deep within the island's volcanic interior.
When they arrived, the site was entirely deserted, bathed in a deep, golden-amber light. While the pool beneath the cascading torrent was restricted and entirely unsafe for swimming due to the dangerous undercurrents, the view was nothing short of majestic. The water thundered down a sheer, moss-covered basalt cliff, fracturing the dying sunlight into a million brilliant, shimmering rainbows.
Haru spent the next hour entirely in his element. He wandered along the rocky bank, the vintage camera pressed firmly to his eye. He took several pictures of the landscape, but his lens consistently found its way back to Jae-wook. He captured him standing against the roaring white water, his silver-white hair illuminated like a halo by the setting sun, his features softened by a quiet, unbridled happiness.
By the time the golden hour officially succumbed to a cool, bruised twilight, they climbed back into the Jeep to return to the villa for dinner.
This time, Haru was the one behind the wheel. He kept his left hand firmly on the steering wheel, navigating the darkening coastal roads with quiet focus, while his right hand remained securely clasped in Jae-wook's lap. Jae-wook leaned his head back against the headrest, his large frame completely relaxed as he looked at his boyfriend.
The comfortable silence of the car was heavy, warm, and entirely peaceful.
"Spending time normally with you... it was amazing," Jae-wook said softly, his low, gravelly voice thick with a profound, lingering depth of calm.
Haru didn't take his eyes off the road, but a genuine, breathtakingly beautiful smile broke across his face. Without breaking his grip, he lifted their joined fingers into the cool evening air, brought Jae-wook's hand to his lips, and gave the black ring a soft, lingering peck.