HeungSoo I Time machine byLexMimieux

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Namsoon's POV

I'm glad HeungSoo had to rush to another meeting after our lunch. I also have a meeting with an old friend who's meeting me at my loft. I bought some snacks and drinks and hurry back to make my loft presentable. I think I should look into hiring a housekeeper. Maybe someone like Ajumma.

I change my outfit, set up the snacks, and wait impatiently for his arrival. I hope he can help me, at the least point me in the right direction. Ten minutes later, the doorbell rings and I open the door to my old high school friend, Han Young-Woo.

"Han Young-Woo, how are you?" I fist-bump him.

"Fine. Good to see you."

"Likewise. Come in." I lead him to my living area and gestures for him to sit. I offer him some snacks and as we eat, we make small talk on the happenings in our lives.

"What's the urgency, Namsoon?" He asks when he's sated.

"Well, the thing is I need some advice and I think you are the one person who can help me," I move closer to him on the couch.

"Tell me, I'll do my best." He pushes his glasses off his nose and stares at me with that direct gaze of his.

"Hmm, mmm, well, the thing is, HeungSoo, and I have become more than friends and I think we will take things to the next level and-"

"-you mean become lovers;" he smiles.

"Yeah," I reply. I look at everything in my room except him. A few minutes and he doesn't say a word. I glance back at him and his face is bright and cheeks wide.

"Why are you grinning?" I ask.

"You want to know what to expect when you make love?" He asks.

"Yes, and what to do," I reply.

"Did you know that I had a huge crush on you in high school," he changes the subject.

"Nooo way. Really?"

"Yes. You and KangJoo were the only friends I had. You always protected me from the bullies. You even lied, and you almost got expelled because of me that one time. Remember?"

"Boy, do I remember. I didn't know about the crush. You knew then that you were gay?"

"Yes. It's not something one shares with their high school mates, the majority of who bullies you. I didn't tell even you guys, my best friends."

"How did you and Kim Min-Ki get together," I ask, curious.

"We ran into each other at a discreet gay bar. At first, we couldn't look each other in the face, it embarrassed us. Then a man I had been dating approached me and Kim Min-Ki lied and told him he's my 'new' boyfriend. He walked me home that night and asked if we could get together the next day. I turned him down."

"Why? Obviously, he was interested in you." I ask him, enjoying his story.

"Look at it from my point of view. They bullied me throughout high school until you came along and stopped it. Min-Ki was the class president, and even though he never bullied me, he did nothing to stop it either back then. I wasn't inclined to meet him and find that it was a setup. But he kept calling and wouldn't give up. The only job I could get then was at a convenience store. No one will hire someone with slightly below-average intelligence like me– "

"-don't say that. I told you never to say that about yourself, remember?" I rebuke him.

"It's okay, Namsoon. I accepted that fact a long time ago. Anyway, Min-Ki kept coming back. One day, about three months of showing up at my work, he showed up with a letter from a publication company wanting to print and pay for my poems. My poems were another reason I had a crush on you. You were the only one who supported my writings in high school."

"They were excellent, you know."

"Seems they were. And he sent them in. That he took such an interest in something that important to me made me go out with him. We became friends, lovers, and now husbands. He's become wonderful friends with my mother, but his mother hates me with a passion," he laughs.

"If not for Teacher Jo Bong-Soo's funeral, I don't think I would've known you two are together. Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, hurt.

"You disappeared, Namsoon. I couldn't find you. And my husband was jealous of you for the first few years of our relationship. He finally believes that I don't have a crush on you anymore. Now we are happily married, even though we have our trials like any couple. Now tell me, Go Namsoon, how can I help you?"

I look him straight in the eye and blurt out, "as a first-timer, I want to know about anal sex."

"Oh! Okay. Question, are you a top or bottom?"

"I don't know what I am. I know I love touching him, kissing him. I want to be with him in every way. Is that a top or bottom?"

"I am both. Though my preference is bottom, occasionally I like to remind Min-Ki the feel of my-"

"-Got it," I cough. "We've done some kissing, touching, etc. but not the actual, you know. I have watched movies and read some books. I thought maybe someone who's done it before, like you, will have some tips on what to do and what to expect."

"Ah Ah! Namsoon, to be honest, you're halfway there. You want to make love to the man. Now sit back and let me impact my knowledge of the mind swirling, heart thumping, and body churning sexual act that anal sex can be. And everyone's experience is unique."

Three hours later, including a trip to a sex toy store with Han Young-Woo, I'm equipped with so much information and tools to have a passionate night with HeungSoo.

The question now is, am I top or bottom? And does it matter?

                                        ― ☾ ―

"I'm hiding in my loft, KangJoo."

I called her once I got back from my trip to the weirdest adult store I've ever been to. I told her about my meeting with Han Young-Woo and my shopping spree. We're on face time while I go through the items he suggested I buy.

"Ha, ha, ha. I never thought I'll see the day that something or someone scares the invisible Go Namsoon," she chuckles.

"What do I do with this one?" I show her a cactus-shaped looking object.

"How would I know? That's not one my wife and I use," she bristles.

"You guys use toys, too?" I ask in shock.

"Duh! We do. Put all the toys on your sofa, let me see what you've got," she commands.

I did as she asked, wondering if I went overboard. There are over twenty weird-looking, hopefully, no pain-inducing torture devices on my couch.

"Hmm, I recognize five of them we use. Didn't Young-Woo tell you how to use them?"

"He did. I'm hesitant to introduce toys when we haven't you know-"

"-screwed each other's brains out? Namsoon, don't overthink it. Go with the flow, enjoy your first time together. Pfft, you know the basics already, I should know. I was scared to the first time Misaki, and I made love but with communication about what she likes and doesn't, we know each other's body and what makes us come like a river-"

"-KangJoo!"

"Anyway, don't overthink it. Just nail each other's asses to the wall-"

I hung up on her. The phone rings seconds later.

"Did you just hang up on me?"

"Unh, Unh."

"Namsoon, you two already care about each other. Now just let your bodies complete the circle. Call me day after the 'do'," she laughs. "Though from what I remember, that dildo on the right looks about the size of your-"

I hung up on her again. Honestly that girl, she will give me a heart attack one day.

I sent a text to HeungSoo that I'll see him the next day after work at his home, maybe. Meanwhile, I need time to look, listen, and learn.

HeungSoo's POV

Day three

"Good morning, Ms. Lee."

"Good morning, sir. May I get you something to drink?"

"I'm good," I raise my cup of coffee I got in the lobby for her view.

She smiles and returns to her desk. First time I've seen her smile since I got here. I think I've made a little progress.

"Will you come to my office in ten minutes and we'll get started? It will be busy for five days."

"Yes, sir."

I walk into the office that hurts my eyes every time I walk in the door. Reminder to self, add changing the decor to my to-do list.

Ten minutes later, Ms. Lee knocks and walks in my office. She sits down in front of me. I shut my computer off, lean back and arch my eyebrows, waiting for the answer to my offer. She slides a piece of paper towards me.

"What's this?"

"My resume. I want you to know my credential before I tell you the position I am applying for."

"And the position?"

"Personnel Director," she says, sit up, shoulders straight.

"Why?"

"I love working with qualified, good people, regardless of their status. And I will ensure that the qualified people are hired and no nepotism ever."

"Great. Now, will you please hand-deliver this letter to the current Personnel Director?" I ask her.

"Hmm, okay," she replies.

She gets up, looks at me weirdly. By the time she gets to the door, I stop her. "Congratulations Ms. Lee. As the new Personnel Director, you are hand-delivering a letter from me firing the current director. Take security with you and escort him out of the building. And then please arrange our next meeting with the junior level staff after lunch. And Ms. Lee-"

"-Yes sir," she replies, eyes teary.

"Congratulations. Misul is lucky to have you."

"Thank you, sir." I nod sharply in return and turn back to work. When I hear the door close, I swirl the chair around, look out the window, and smile. I love it when good things happen to good people.

Thirty minutes later, Ms. Lee walks in. I gesture for her to resume her seat. We go through the restructuring I have planned. She had some helpful ideas. We worked all through the morning. She says she already had three employees apply for her current position. We both conclude that the hiring of a secretary will be left to the incoming President. Before lunch, I excused her to go set up her new office.

I had lunch alone. To be honest, I am avoiding Namsoon.

After lunch, Ms. Lee and I walk into the company auditorium. We walk up the stage to the podium and I face a room of three-quarters of the company employees. From housekeeping to entry-level, permanent, contract, and security.

"Good afternoon, my name is Park HeungSoo, your interim President. I asked to meet all of you, to roll out some changes that will go into effect immediately."

And the murmurings and grumblings start. Ms. Lee walks to the front of the stage. She raises her hand and total silence. Damn, she's good.

"Thank you, Ms. Lee. After my announcements, there'll be a Q&A session. First, I want to announce that Ms. Lee is the new Personnel Director-"

People jump up and clap interrupting my speech again. This time, I didn't mind. Now I raise my hand and they quiet down.

"And her promotion is effective immediately," I continue. "While reviewing the ins and outs of this organization I discovered some blatant inappropriate actions. On behalf of Chairman Okada Takahiro, I apologize." I move out front and bow deeply to the staff.

"Now, the company is moving in a new direction. One that encourages open door policy, no nepotism, and opportunity for growth to those who desire and work for it. Part of this includes correcting past wrongs. The first is this: every employee that didn't receive a raise for the past two years will receive a retro pay immediately and their bonuses too."

"Second, we are also hiring twenty full-time employees. We will appreciate referrals. If we hire someone you referred to the company, and they last three months, you will get a referral bonus. Ms. Lee will email updated company policies and procedures as soon as this meeting is over. If you still want to stay with the company sign and return the new guidelines. More changes are coming and Ms. Lee will spearhead them with the new President that will arrive next week."

"Third, there will no abuse of junior staff. Contract workers are employees and will be offered permanent employment if they wish it when a position opens. Every employee on the totem pole is valuable and must be treated as such. Respect yourself, respect each other, work hard, work together and we will be part of an improved Misul Publishing company. Questions?"

They all stand up and start clapping. I step back from the podium and Ms. Lee takes over and goes over more intrinsic details of the improved policy and guidelines.

An hour later, I meet and greet the employees. A lot of bowing, handshakes later, I make my way back to my office.

I arrive home and Namsoon is not there. He sent a text he's still working and will spend the night at his loft.

                                           ― ☾ ―

Day four

I lost all ten senior-level employees after I stopped their pay raises and bonuses. Not surprising. Immediately, Ms. Lee sent out requests to headhunters around town. She is also looking at some experienced in-house mid-level employees interested in the positions.

Next, the department heads got the same deal. They all stayed, but Ms. Lee put them on probation. She also instituted what she calls 'reverse evaluation'. Every employee that reports to a department head evaluates their boss's performances, too. That was a shocker to them.

At the end of the day, I dragged myself home.

Namsoon is still at his loft. He's working, he tells me.

                                          ― ☾ ―

Day five

Almost at the end of my week's tenure. Thank God.

Today we meet with all the employees hired through nepotism. I face ten employees wondering what I'm planning to do.

Ms. Lee takes charge of this meeting. She informs them they are let go immediately. But if they wish to work for the company, they must reapply for the position they occupy since they had skipped the application and interview processes. And if hired, they will start at entry-level. All of them reapplied for their positions by day's end, according to Ms. Lee. She will review their information, screen them and if they qualify, call them for interviews.

After that meeting, I had all the frilly and tacky items in the President's office removed. The place looks better.

I go home, and it's another day without Namsoon. Come to think of it, he may be avoiding me too.

                                          ― ☾ ―

Day six

A busy day for the accounting department. I implement the pay raises. Retro raises and bonuses are paid out. The company took a hit with that amount of money that went out, but it balanced it out with the returned stocks from the ten senior-level staff that left. Ms. Lee informs me that four want their jobs back, but she turned them down. I applaud her decision.

I drag my tired ass home. It has been four days of hell, and my body aches like it did when I was training for the MLS championship. I am pleased with the changes already happening in the company these few days. The morale is high. I believe Ms. Lee will make a damn good President in my humble opinion. I might whisper that in the new President's ear if they ever consider it.

I open my door and I smell ramen. Namsoon's back! My heart skips a beat, but I walk nonchalantly to the kitchen. He's cleaning vegetables in the sink.

"You're here," I say to his back.

"Yes. And you're done with the company, right?" He replies.

"Hmm, hmm. Why were you avoiding me?" I whisper.

"Why didn't you come to find me," he counters?

He turns and faces me. He looks so sad, my heart breaks that I caused his sadness.

"I don't know how to get us to the next level," I confess.

"I don't either. Why don't we learn together," he asks?

I shake my head and move towards him, and he does the same. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his head down for a kiss. We kiss each other hungrily until I hear the steamer go off.

"Why don't we have dinner first and then each other later," I say, grinning.