After the checkup, they returned to the residence.
The car ride was too quiet.
Haneul sat beside Haru, her small body leaning against him as she rested, eyes half-closed from exhaustion.
He kept one arm around her the entire time, instinctively protective.
Taekyun sat in front, silent.
He hadn't spoken since they left the hospital.
His posture was straight, his gaze fixed ahead, Calm yet distant.
Like his mind was far away.
Haneul noticed.
He noticed how Taekyun didn't glance back even once.
How his silence felt heavier than words.
[Residence/Haru's Room]
As soon as they arrived, Taekyun carried Haru upstairs and laid her gently on the bed.
He adjusted the blanket, making sure it covered her properly, then brushed her hair once before stepping back.
"I'll be in the study,"
He said quietly.
And with that, he left the room.
The door closed softly.
Haneul stayed behind.
[Around 8:00pm]
Haneul helped Haru eat slowly, feeding her bite by bite.
She complained a little, wrinkling her nose, but still obediently opened her mouth. Haneul smiled at her every time she did, praising her gently.
Eventually, her movements slowed.
Her eyelids drooped.
And before long, she fell asleep.
Haneul watched her for a while, making sure she was comfortable, before standing up quietly and leaving the room.
[Downstairs]
When Haneul went downstairs, the dining table was already set.
The food was untouched.
He paused for a moment, then turned and walked into the kitchen.
Chef Mina looked up when she saw him.
"Do you need something, Haneul?"
She asked.
"No, I don't,"
He replied softly.
Then he hesitated.
"Did Taekyun eat dinner?"
Mina shook her head.
"I went to the study room, but sir asked for coffee instead."
Haneul nodded slowly.
"Are you leaving?"
He asked.
"Yes," Mina replied.
"I'll be leaving at nine.
From today until Bora returns."
Haneul nodded again.
"Can you reheat the meal?"
"Ah, no worries. I will,"
She said immediately.
"I'll go ask Taekyun,"
Haneul said quietly.
He turned and walked out of the kitchen, heading toward the study room.
[Study Room]
Taekyun sat inside, files spread across the desk, brows narrowed as he read through them.
The glow from the laptop screen highlighted the tension on his face.
A knock sounded.
He lifted his head slightly.
"Come in,"
He said, his voice slow but straight.
Haneul opened the door carefully and stepped inside, closing it behind him.
Taekyun looked up.
Haneul walked closer and stopped beside the table.
"Aren't you eating dinner?"
He asked softly.
Taekyun slowly set the file down, his eyes returning to the laptop.
"I'm full. You eat first."
"I was hungry,"
Haneul said honestly.
"But when I saw you hadn't eaten,
I thought we could eat together."
"I just had coffee,"
Taekyun replied calmly.
"You eat first."
Haneul moved closer.
Haneul moved closer.
His fingers twisted tightly into his own sleeves as he stood beside Taekyun.
The nervousness on his face was obvious.
"Are you angry at me?"
He asked.
Taekyun looked down at his hands.
A shiver passed through him.
He didn't know why, but every time Haneul gripped his sleeve like this, nervousness clear in those small fingers, a shiver ran through him.
"I'm not,"
Taekyun said quietly.
"Are you worried about something?"
Haneul asked.
Taekyun looked at him.
And Haneul continued, his voice gentle.
"Since the hospital, you've been like this.
Is it all about Haru?"
Taekyun gave a slight nod.
Haneul looked down at the floor for a moment, then slowly pulled a small stool closer and sat beside Taekyun, near his legs.
He reached out and held Taekyun's big hand with his own smaller one.
Taekyun looked at him.
Haneul lifted his gaze, his eyes wide and sincere, then slowly rested his head on Taekyun's lap as he sat.
"I don't know much,"
Haneul said softly,
"but Bora told me a little about your family."
Taekyun's lips tightened.
"I know it'll be hard,"
Haneul continued.
"But Haru has you. And she has me."
He slowly lifted his head.
"We're enough for her, right?"
Taekyun avoided his gaze and nodded.
Haneul gently hooked his pinky finger around Taekyun's long finger.
"I promise,"
He whispered.
"I'll stand next to you always.
I'll carry all your stress and pain with you."
"You'll never be alone."
Taekyun closed his eyes for a second, staring at the wall in front of him.
Then he turned back to Haneul.
He placed both hands on Haneul's arms and lifted him slowly, as if he weighed nothing, settling him onto his lap.
Haneul's eyes widened.
His cheeks flushed red as Taekyun pulled him into a tight hug.
Seated in the chair, Taekyun wrapped both arms around Haneul's back.
Haneul sat straight, frozen, as Taekyun rested his forehead against Haneul's shoulder.
"I don't know where all this is taking us," Taekyun said quietly.
"But you made a promise. You better fulfill it."
Haneul nodded slowly.
Wrapped in Taekyun's arms, he felt unusually at ease.
Even the tight, heavy knot in his lower belly loosened slightly, as if sharing the warmth had eased it away.
After a moment,
Taekyun gently pulled back, his gaze lingering on him.
Haneul's heart raced.
His cheeks were still flushed, but he smiled.
Taekyun looked at him for a long moment.
And then something strange happened.
Taekyun's lips didn't move.
But his eyes did.
Haneul felt it.
Taekyun smiled....through his eyes.
Haneul's eyes widened, his heartbeat racing even faster.
He lifted his hand and gently touched Taekyun's cheek.
"You.… can smile,"
He said hesitantly.
It was the first time he had seen Taekyun this close, smiling at him like this.
Taekyun swallowed hard and turned his face away, holding himself back.
"Haaaa....you."
"You..... go first,"
He said.
"I'm coming for dinner."
Haneul slowly pulled away, confused.
Taekyun had clearly said he didn't want dinner earlier.
Still, he nodded and stood.
Taekyun stared at the files on his desk, avoiding Haneul's gaze.
Haneul walked away,
glancing back at him one last time before slowly opening the door and walking out.
The door closed behind him.
Taekyun pressed a hand against his chest.
His heart was beating too fast.
He stood, turned off the laptop, and began putting the files away.
His phone rang.
He picked it up.
It was Lihan.
"Yes,"
He answered.
[Meanwhile/Dining Table]
Haneul sat down as Mina placed the food on the table.
"Did Bora leave happily?"
He asked.
Mina nodded.
"Yes. She said she'll call tomorrow."
"Oh,"
Haneul said softly.
"If she does, give me the phone.
I want to talk to her too."
Mina nodded.
Taekyun entered from behind and sat down.
Mina bowed and placed food in front of him before leaving.
Haneul took a bite.
Then another.
It tasted really good.
He glanced at Taekyun.
Taekyun was eating normally.
Then Haneul lifted a piece of
Braised Short Ribs (갈비찜)
Before it reached his mouth, the smell hit him.
Suddenly, nausea surged.
It felt as if the smell went straight to his head instead of his stomach.
He slowly placed it back onto the side plate.
Taekyun noticed.
Haneul's face had gone pale.
"Are you okay?"
Taekyun asked.
Haneul nodded.
"I'm just full."
Taekyun frowned slightly.
"If you don't like this food..."
Haneul shook his head.
"I'm fine."
He looked at the rice and took a spoonful.
That felt better.
The plate was a little far.
Taekyun quietly pulled it closer to him.
Haneul continued eating.
Taekyun then took a piece of 갈비찜 himself.
And felt it.
The same nausea.
Something was wrong.
"Call Mina,"
Taekyun said calmly.
A staff member hurried off.
Mina returned quickly and bowed.
Taekyun handed her the plate.
"Check this,"
He said calmly.
"Something feels wrong with this dish."
Mina froze and apologized immediately.
Haneul looked at Taekyun.
So…. it wasn't just him.
Mina took the plate back to the kitchen.
"I'll make another one,"
She said.
"No, no,"
Haneul said quickly.
"It's okay. I'm already done."
She nodded and went back.
In the kitchen, she tasted it.
Perfect.
She frowned.
"Why?"
She murmured.
She turned to a helper.
"Come here. Take a bite."
He tasted it and widened his eyes.
"Mina, do you want me to die?
This is amazing."
She hit him on the neck.
"Check properly!"
He tasted again.
"It's good."
Mina stared at the dish.
In all her years working here, Taekyun had never complained.
She had never cooked badly.
So why?