Eric arrived in Busan at dawn on December 31st, the sky still dark and tinged with purple and orange from the sunrise. The air felt different, it was as if he could feel the sea from the airport, but it was most likely in his head as he was impatient to be on the beach. 

When he exited the airport to catch a taxi, the brisk wind took him by surprise. He hadn’t expected Busan to be cold. The wind was sharp but not biting, the kind that hinted at possibility rather than punishment. 

He hadn’t been to this city in over fifteen years, and only in summer. Yet something about it felt familiar, not because of nostalgia, but because of purpose. He wasn’t running away anymore. He was running toward something or someone.

He wanted to watch the city unfold in front of him during the taxi ride, but exhaustion from two days of travel overtook him. His head rested against the cold glass, eyelids falling despite himself. 

When he woke up, the car had almost reached his hotel. His first glimpse of Haeundae Beach appeared like a postcard coming to life: the slow crash of waves in the distance, morning mist lifting from the shore. 

He stepped out into the salt-laced wind, breathing it in like medicine. This wasn’t Paris. This wasn’t Hong Kong. This wasn’t home, but maybe it could be a beginning. Busan was unfamiliar but it felt oddly familiar. Like he was where he needed to be.

He checked into the hotel, relieved that he decided to pay extra for an early check-in. He definitely needed some more sleep. He had booked a sea-view room wanting for something beautiful, something calm and somewhat romantic. 

The moment he stepped inside and opened the curtains, the view nearly made his chest ache. Grey-blue waves stretched to the horizon. Cargo ships bobbed gently, like punctuation marks drifting across the page of the new year. 

He let the morning light pour in, hesitating between showering or just sleeping right away. After a short internal battle, he gave in and collapsed onto the bed, fully clothed. He fell asleep immediately. Outside, the sea whispered beneath the window like a lullaby meant only for him. For the first time in weeks he slept the sleep of the just.

When he woke up in the afternoon, the light had changed, brighter and the sun warmed the room. Eric took a long shower, letting the hot water soften the stiffness in his spine. His mid-thirties body was no longer made for this kind of travel. 

He had been bold to think that flying a low-cost night flight after a long haul wouldn’t take a toll. But the thought of seeing Jihoo made him forget every ache.

He chose how to dress carefully. He didn’t want to reflect an uncle vibe, he wanted to look like he was effortlessly cool. He opted for a charcoal turtleneck, tailored grey wool coat and black pants. He wanted to make an impression on his young crush. He wanted to be seen, not just attractive, but desired, chosen, understood, and good enough.

Once ready he sipped a coffee by the window and started texting Jihoo.

Eric:
Where are you headed for dinner?

Jihoo:
Some Japanese place in Seomyeon. My friend booked it, forgot the name, I’m fully admitting that I’m a free rider on this trip.

Eric:
What time are you heading there? Is the weather good today?

Jihoo:
We are going now. They wanted to go early as they wanted to have a nice spot on the beach for the fireworks.

Eric left the hotel, his heart pacing faster than it should have. When he reached Seomyeon, he found himself a place to eat and wait for the perfect moment to surprise his young crush, he still hadn’t had any idea which restaurant they were in. 

Eric:
Arrived at the restaurant? If yes, send me some pictures please. I want to live by proxy.

Jihoo:
Haha okay, you foodie hyung. Still no plans for tonight?

Eric:
My only plan is to stay home. Watch the fireworks on the harbour from my window. I might even sleep early like the old man that I am. I’m exhausted from my travels.

Jihoo:
Here you go hyung~ 

Eric received around 10 pictures. He hoped that in one of them he could find the name of the restaurant. He was almost giving up when he noticed a waiter in the background. The name of the restaurant was big enough for him to read. And lucky enough it was the one just on the opposite side of the one Eric seated in. He asked the waitress if he could be moved to the empty window seat, just so he could keep an eye on the restaurant’s exit.

Two hours later, just as he began losing patience, he saw them come out. Jihoo was wearing the same leather jacket as in Seoul. He watched the young man laugh with friends. How beautiful this smile was. Jihoo got his phone out and stared at the screen for a short time. When Eric felt his phone vibrating he knew that he was texting him.

Jihoo:
Still awake? Wait a bit longer we are heading to Gwangali Beach for the fireworks. I wanna call you so we can watch it together.

Eric:
Sure, I’ll wait for you.

The group started to move and Eric, mask on, followed in distance. He hesitated calling Jihoo’s name right now but decided to wait a bit more, too many people around for that now. Thank god they took the subway to reach the beach. If they had taken a taxi he would have been screwed. After what felt forever they finally reach their destination. The beach appeared behind Jihoo, a poetic symmetry. The group slowed down. It was his cue to act. He started texting. 

Eric:
You wearing that same leather jacket from November?

Jihoo:
Yeah, why?

Eric:
And your white sneakers? Black pants?

Jihoo:
Okayyy, that’s creepy. Either you’re psychic or you’ve got someone tailing me?

Eric:
I don’t need anyone to tail you. I’m very skilled.

Eric then pressed the button call. Jihoo stopped. Then answered.

“Hyung?”

“Turn around, Jihoo.” whispered Eric, removing his face mask.

Jihoo scanned the crowd. His friends kept walking. His eyes widened. He lowered his phone and repeated, this time with wonder:

“Hyung?!”

Eric stood a few meters away, a wide smile on his face, waving at Jihoo running towards him. He threw his arms around Eric who softly said.

“Ahjussi is there…”

Jihoo took Eric’s face in his hands, still not fully believing what he was seeing.

“You’re crazy. You’re really here.” His voice trembled slightly, caught between disbelief and something that felt dangerously close to love.

“Happy New Year.”

They finally kissed, soft at first, held back by public space and unspoken feelings. But something broke and the kiss became deeper, hungrier. Too much had built between them. Jihoo held Eric’s face between cold hands, smiling like he had won the lottery. After a pause Eric asked. 

“Do you want us to stay with your friends? Or… stay with me? Alone?”

Jihoo smiled. “Are you already trying to get me into your hotel room, hyung?”

“Would that be such a terrible way to start the year?” grinned Eric. Jihoo chuckled.

“I’m staying with you tonight. You came all the way here to surprise me, I want you all for me.”

Jihoo texted his friends a vague message. One friend replied: “Finally dropping your emotionally unavailable crush and getting laid? Good for you.”

Eric saw the message over Jihoo’s shoulder. He said nothing but deep down it was another sign that he made the right decision. Had he waited longer he might have lost Jihoo forever. 

They bought drinks from a convenience store and found a quiet spot along the beach. They sat facing the sea, holding hands. The countdown passed in fireworks and noise. The sound of the waves blended into the night like applause. Eric glanced sideways. Jihoo was glowing. Lit by the fireworks and hope. Something inside Eric whispered: you made the right choice.

After the crowds dispersed, they walked along the shoreline. The silence was familiar, reminiscent of their first kiss. But now it held something deeper: intention.

Eric stopped. Looked out over the dark sea.

“Take me home.” He said.

Jihoo, looked at him with his eyes widening, did he hear properly? He stopped thinking, took Eric’s hand guiding him to the street and hailed a taxi. The ride back to the hotel was full of restrained desire. Both men understood what was implied, but neither dared to speak, afraid to break the momentum. In the elevator, they held hands again, glanced at each other shyly, Eric stepped closer reaffirming his decision. The air was thick with anticipation. 

When the hotel door clicked shut, the restraint shattered. Jihoo pushed Eric gently against the wall, kissing him like he’d waited his whole life.

They undressed hurriedly, tugging at jackets, shirts, gasping into each other’s mouths. Their mouths never parted for long. Fingers fumbled over buttons and belts, every second burning with want. Jihoo pressed Eric against the wall, their hips meeting, hands roaming.

“Are you okay with… this?” whispered Jihoo.

Eric kissed him harder. “Yes… You can stop asking.”

Jihoo guided Eric to the bed, climbed over him. Their bodies pressed together, gasping and grinding. Jihoo’s hand slipped under Eric’s waistband.

“Oh gosh…” Eric breathed. “I missed you.”

Jihoo didn’t reply, he kissed his way down Eric’s chest, teeth grazing, tongue tracing. Eric arched into him, surrendering.

They made love fast, awkwardly and intensely. Jihoo took the lead, every movement charged. No hesitation, no fear. Just raw, unfiltered need. They made love in a frenzy. Clumsy, heated, just skin, breath, want. When it ended, they lay tangled, panting. They didn’t say a word, just stared at the ceiling. This night would be one of few words, their bodies doing the talking.

Later, Eric rose quietly and stepped into the shower. Steam filled the room. He leaned against the tile, letting the hot water go down his back. Not long after, he felt Jihoo’s arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

“Sorry I rushed earlier,” Jihoo whispered. “Let me slow down now.”

As Eric was about to speak, Jihoo kissed him. “Don’t say anything. Just let me take care of you.”

Eric nodded. Jihoo dropped to his knees, kissed him again. Eric leaned back, hands gripping the wall, letting Jihoo guide the moment. The water made everything feel suspended, heat, breath, sound. Jihoo was slow, deliberate. Eric gripped his hair, moaning as the tension built. When it broke, it was quiet, overwhelming. He whispered Jihoo’s name. They stayed under the water, kissing, touching, until the heat began to fade.

Then Jihoo filled the bath. They sank in together, legs tangled. Eric rested his head on Jihoo’s shoulder. They stayed quiet for a bit, enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies. Then suddenly both of them stared at each other and started to talk at the same time.

“Eric…”, “Jihoo…” They laughed a bit and Eric let Jihoo start first. The young man took a deep breath for courage and asked shyly.

“Does this mean you are my boyfriend?”

Eric smiled widely and answered without hesitation “Yes. I wanted to ask you exactly that.”

Jihoo leaned over Eric's face and kissed him softly. “Thank you hyung.” Then added jokingly. 

“Wait a minute, I need a tiny clarification. Is our first day the 31st or the 1st of January?”

“1st. We arrived at the hotel after the countdown.” 

“Oh… I see what really matters to you, hyung. I didn’t know you were that type of man.” teased Jihoo. Eric laughed gently.

“Hyung… One more thing… Let’s keep this just between us. For now. Just ours.” He whispered in Eric’s damp hair. Eric nodded. He agreed. For now, he wanted to keep this just theirs. A soft moment before reality returned.