Absinthe

"Still haven't decided?" Minsu-hyung asked, expertly placing the set of weights he was lifting back to its stand, and in the process, showing off his beautiful guns.

I shook my head in response. I don't really know why I said yes when he invited me to work out together, but I guess I didn't really have a choice since I've been pigging out with Faye for quite some time now.

"Need some help?"

This time, I nodded instead. Minsu-hyung proceeded to position himself right behind me, holding my waist in place as I slowly lifted a barbell.

"Slow and steady," he coached as I bent lower.

I could feel Minsu-hyung's lean torso behind me as I straightened back up. I did a few more lifts until I completed the whole set and hastily placed the barbell back to the floor, panting and out of breath.

I felt Minsu-hyung's hands massaging my shoulders in slow, circular motions. "Long time no gym? If you don't take care of yourself, this here would start bulging out."

Minsu-hyung started tickling my belly with his left hand. His right hand was busy holding my two hands which were thrashing around in protest.

"Look at mine," Minsu-hyung said, "still as hard."

He lifted his shirt and revealed porcelain smooth skin shaped in symmetrical squares in diminishing size as they narrow down towards his manhood.

I looked around and was not surprised that everyone in the gym that morning had their eyes on us – businessmen and executives in varying stages of oldness.

"Hyung!" I protested. "You may want to be careful doing these things around me. I'm gay, remember?"

I decided to call it a day, grabbed my towel and water bottle, and headed towards the direction of the shower rooms.

"Hey, wait up." I heard Minsu-hyung calling out in Korean. "Let's shower together just like how we did back then!"

Unfortunately, Minsu-hyung uttered his next sentence in English. And as expected, everyone in the gym had their eyes wide as saucers.

Back when I was living in Korea, I did my possible best to avoid going to public baths, saunas, and swimming pools with any of my friends. I couldn't possibly just be casually naked with them, right? Not when all of my friends are hot and basically my type.

Don't judge me now... I don't intentionally befriend people I'm physically attracted to! It just happened that the guys I became friends with tend to have the very physical features I look for in men.

a very Korean shower room – no dividers whatsoever! I'm assuming this is the reason why the hotel

with the situation, undressed myself, and went straight to the farthest showerhead. I

scrub your back for you," he asked.

my head violently. "I just had my back scrubbed yesterday. You won't

scrub your back now? I spent years trying to get you

clearly how six-foot-three, porcelain-skinned, and sculpted Minsu-hyung is trying to share that tiny space under the showerhead with

skin care clinic!" I protested.

small shampoo bottle from my hand and proceeded to squeeze a generous amount onto

Korea, especially if you form really close bonds with them. Dongsaengs, or the younger ones, like myself, get to

"Feels good?" Minsu-hyung asked.

response. "Where's Gunho-hyung

"Wasted," Minsu-hyung responded curtly.

"And you're not?"

work, right? One of us had to stay sober for potential issue that may

I said, my brain suddenly flooding with memories.

to be always drunk because all of our clients like

they liked drinking with the

the shower gel.

already found out that

not speak and continued to work his hands downwards

Minsu-hyung – my ultimate crush back at Samsong. He's like the cleaner and more sophisticated version of Jiwoo. His skin is

second-to-none, and his lean, athletic body and his sizable

fallen ridiculously in lust with Minsu-hyung at first, but since he befriended me and I got nothing but straight-guy vibes through and through, I learned to stop myself from developing feelings

staring at you now," I said sheepishly. "Aren't you going to cover yourself? I mean, a gay guy is practically

you

"Maybe?" I teased.

be more sure if I do this?" Minsu-hyung closed the gap between us and placed my hand on

red as I immediately took my

or fuck. I'm sure you have them, too. Heck, I'm pretty sure every person in the planet has his or her own

continued staring at the tiled