When they reached home, Taewon parked the car and silently began unloading Jihyun's bags. He even carried the Mina poster carefully for Jihyun only.
Jihyun didn't say a word and walked straight upstairs.
Taewon quietly placed everything in Jihyun's room, then went down to the kitchen.
"hana" he called softly.
Hana turned. "Yes, sir?"
"Jihyun hurt his hand this morning,"
he said, rolling up his sleeves.
"Make something warm and light. Nothing spicy. He hasn't eaten since morning. And steak for me."
Hana nodded. "Got it, sir."
Taewon lingered for a second. "Add seaweed. He likes that."
Hana laughed. "Newlywed instincts?"
He gave a faint smile and left to change.
A while later, he came back black shirt tucked in, sleeves folded just enough to show his forearms. He sank into the living room couch, and right then, his phone buzzed.
Harin.
He answered.
"Taewon-ah," her voice came soft through the speaker.
"Why are you off today?"
"I took the day," he said, leaning back. "There was something important."
"Important like what? Don't tell me you're playing house with your wife."
"Harin"
"I miss you," she cut in, tone low.
"We haven't had lunch together in forever. Or coffee. Or dinner. Or"
"You're talking like we live together," he replied coolly.
"Well, we could," she said.
"You don't belong there. You belong with people who actually care. I've always cared, haven't I?"
He didn't answer.
"You're quiet, Taewon."
"Because I'm busy," he said flatly.
"Hmph."
Before he could hang up, Jihyun walked in wearing an oversized hoodie that slipped off one shoulder. He flopped dramatically onto the dining chair with a heavy sigh.
"I'm starving. Thanks to someone playing control freak, I didn't get a single bite since morning."
Hana blinked.
"Are you telling me something, sir?"
Jihyun shot back,
"No. Just talking about someone who thinks he's cool but acts more like a fool."
Taewon ended the call and walked in.
"Serve lunch," he told hana.
"And bring his medicine."
"I don't need childcare," Jihyun snapped.
"I can take pills on my own."
Taewon didn't argue. He just sat next to him, like nothing happened.
The cook served the food quietly and went to fetch the medicine.
Taewon's phone buzzed again.
Then again.
Jihyun's gaze flicked to the screen.
Harin.
He gave a sideways glare, his voice sugar coated with venom
"Why don't you take her call? Poor girl might die."
Taewon smirked.
"Maybe I should," he murmured and stood.
Jihyun's jaw tensed.
As Taewon walked out, phone to his ear, Jihyun slapped the table lightly.
"What a cheater," he muttered, snatching a slice of steak from Taewon's plate. He chewed aggressively.
"Starve to death for all I care. Cheat in my face, I'll leave in your face."
He kept eating in angry silence, muttering curses between bites.
Taewon didn't return.
Jihyun shoved the last spoon of rice into his mouth, popped the pill, and walked to the living room.
He flopped on the couch face down, scrolling through Mina's latest fan updates. Even replayed a teaser clip three times.
"She'd never cheat on me," he muttered like a child. "She'd treat me like a prince."
He rolled onto his side, still pouting.
Just then, Taewon came back and sat next to him right next to him even though the whole couch was empty.
Jihyun turned his head.
"Don't you have any other place to sit?"
Taewon didn't respond. He scrolled calmly through his phone.
Jihyun kicked him.
Once.
Then again, harder.
Still, no reaction.
Until suddenly, Taewon's hand shot out and grabbed both of Jihyun's legs, pinning them together like a trap.
"Let go!" Jihyun struggled, trying to pull back. "Let go, psycho!"
He sat up, annoyed, and snatched Taewon's phone.
"yah!"
"Maybe if I take this, you'll let me go."
"Give it back."
"No."
He held the phone behind his back, leaning away. But the angle was bad, and he started slipping off the couch.
Before he could fall, Taewon grabbed him fast, arm looping around Jihyun's neck to yank him back.
In one sudden motion, Jihyun fell forward right into Taewon.
Chest to chest. Knees on either side of Taewon's thighs. Legs still trapped. One of Taewon's arms around his neck, the other gripping his legs.
Their faces clashed.
Their lips collided.
Hard.
Too hard.
Jihyun felt it the taste of metal.
Blood.
Taewon's lip was bleeding.
He pulled back slightly, wide-eyed. But Taewon didn't move.
His hand still cradled the back of Jihyun's neck. Their faces just inches apart.
Jihyun whispered, "Yah"
But Taewon didn't speak.