Chaewon gently lifted him. "Let's go to your room and rest properly."
But when they reached the bedroom door, Han froze. It required a code.
"Open it," Chaewon said softly.
"I don't remember!" Han suddenly shouted, his voice shaky.
"But you opened it last time when you were drunk—"
"I said I don't remember today!" Han screamed, his frustration breaking through.
So Chaewon stopped insisting. Instead, he guided him back to the sofa and helped him lie down again.
"Then just sleep here, okay?"
As Chaewon turned to leave, Han suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Don't leave me… I'm scared."
Chaewon froze, his chest tightening. Then he sat down beside him, brushing his hair gently. "I'm not leaving. I'll stay. Sleep, Han. I'm here."
Slowly, Han closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
Chaewon went back to his own place to bring a blanket. But when he returned, his heart nearly stopped—Han's hands were wrapped tightly around his own neck, choking himself.
"Han!" Chaewon cried, throwing the blanket aside. He rushed to him, trying to pull his hands away, but Han's grip was too strong.
Panicked, Chaewon cupped his head and stroked his hair. His voice trembled as he begged, "han-ah… please stop. It's okay. I'm here. You're not alone."
And slowly, Han's body eased. His hands fell from his neck, and his breathing returned to normal.
Chaewon's eyes filled with tears. He pressed his hand over his mouth, trying to muffle his sobs so Han wouldn't wake up. His heart broke as he finally understood—why Han always drank in cafés, why he came home only when he was sober. He wasn't careless. He was afraid.
Chaewon gently covered him with the blanket, then sat back down beside him. He held Han's hand tightly, too afraid to let go in case it happened again.
And there, with tears still on his face, Chaewon stayed by his side. Eventually, exhaustion pulled him into sleep, his hand still wrapped around Han's.