Taewon rose from the lounge quietly, setting his laptop aside.
He carried the glass of water he had just poured and walked toward Jihyun's room.
The upstairs hallway was silent, but as soon as he pushed open the door, he felt the heaviness inside.
The bag Jihyun had thrown earlier lay abandoned on the floor,
The room itself was dim, curtains drawn halfway, the air heavy with the faint scent of Jihyun's pheromones
sharp, bitter, unstable.
Jihyun was lying on his stomach across the bed, face buried deep in the blanket, legs dangling carelessly off the edge. His shoulders shook with every uneven breath.
He was crying messy, childlike, uncontrolled.
Taewon bent down, picked up Jihyun's discarded bag, and gently set it on the side table.
Then he moved closer, lowering himself to sit on the edge of the bed. Placing the glass of water nearby, his voice came out steady, quiet.
"What happened?" Taewon asked,
Jihyun turned his head slowly, his eyes swollen, cheeks flushed red.
He pushed himself up, standing before Taewon,
Tears streaked down his face.
"I never expected you to be like this,"
Jihyun spat between ragged breaths.
"Because of you, mom scolded me."
His voice cracked, breaking into sobs.
"You're such a hypocrite, Taewon. We had an agreement, a rule. Still you went and told her everything. You told her about me meeting Mina. You told her!"
Taewon's brows furrowed as he looked up at him, calm,
"I didn't say anything to your mom ."
But Jihyun shook his head violently, fists tightening at his sides.
"You did! You told them, and Minjoon hyung too. Don't deny it I know you two are teaming up against me.
Because of you, I'm like this Because of you, every person I get close to,
every person I like,
every person i love they leave me.
They scold me. They turn their backs on me."
His voice grew weaker, as though the weight of those words was crushing him.
"Because of you, Taewon, people are looking down on me"
Taewon didn't answer. His steady eyes just followed Jihyun's fragile expression. Then, with a quiet movement, he stood and reached for the glass of water.
He guided Jihyun back down to sit on the bed and pressed the glass into his trembling hands.
"Relax. Here, drink some."
His tone remained soft,
Jihyun took a shaky sip,
His face twisted again,
" Do you even know how mom described me just now because of you? She said
I'm useless child
she said she'll leave me one day and I'll left back with only one thing regret,
I hate you Taewon. I hate mom, dad, Minjoon
I hate everyone!"
Taewon caught his wrists gently before he could push him again.
"Alright, alright, stop. It's okay. I'm telling you the truth
I didn't say anything to your mom. Your condition was bad even after the hospital, and i know she was worried. Don't hate her, Jihyun. She really cares for you."
"Don't teach me,"
Jihyun snapped back, yanking his hands away.
"I know how to behave with my parents. I don't need you telling me what to do."
His voice trembled with stubbornness.
"You just get out. When I want to talk to you, I'll do it myself. If you don't leave, I'll leave this place too."
Taewon looked at him for a few seconds longer, then slowly stood,
"Alright."
He turned toward the door, ready to leave, when Jihyun's muffled voice came from the bed again.
"Put my phone on the charger. And tell Hana to make me hot pot or I'll eat outside."
Taewon turned back, glanced at him lying once more on his stomach, face buried, refusing to meet his eyes.
Wordlessly, he picked up Jihyun's phone from where it was thrown and placed it carefully on the charger. Then, with a quiet sigh, he headed toward the kitchen.
Hana wasn't home
she was on leave. Which meant Taewon himself would have to cook.
Rolling his sleeves, he began preparing the hot pot, silently.
(After an hour)
Taewon called Jihyun, but there was no answer. He went upstairs, knocked at the door, and spoke,
"Jihyun, dinner is ready."
Still no reply.
Taewon sighed, pushing the door open. Jihyun had fallen asleep across the bed, his chest rising and falling softly.
Taewon walked over, leaned down, and carefully placed his hand on Jihyun's forehead. No fever. Relief passed through him.
Slowly, he brushed his fingers through Jihyun's hair.
"Jihyun dinner is ready,"
he murmured.
Suddenly Jihyun stirred, startled awake, and his leg jerked out, kicking Taewon hard in the side.
"Ahh" Taewon winced, biting down the pain without showing it.
"Calm down. It's me,"
he said steadily.
Jihyun rubbed his eyes.
"What kind of human wakes someone up like this? I thought there was an insect in my hair!"
"So you kick insects?"
Taewon asked dryly.
"You deserved it! Why did you even come into my room again?"
Jihyun shot back, sitting up.
"Dinner is ready."
"Alright, I'm coming. You go."
Taewon nodded, leaving the room. As he went downstairs, his phone buzzed.
"Taewon,"
Taehyun's voice came through, cheerful as always.
"Harin and I are going out for lunch, Want to join us?"
At that moment, Jihyun entered the dining room and sat down.
"Hana, water please," he said casually.
Still on the phone, Taewon rose, filled a glass himself, and set it in front of Jihyun before sitting back down. Jihyun blinked at him in surprise.
"So, you're not coming?"
Taehyun continued.
"You know Bora's also joining. It's been so long since we all gathered."
"Bora?"
Taewon repeated.
Jihyun's eyes snapped to him, watching closely.
"No, I'm not coming,"
Taewon said after a pause.
"Jihyun just returned and I'm already eating."
Taehyun laughed.
"Ah, so a night with your wife after reunion, huh? Enjoy it."
Taewon said nothing, ready to end the call, but Taehyun's mischievous voice cut in.
"Wait, wait,
don't hang up yet. Should I send over some condoms? Or are you two planning for kids already?"
Taewon immediately ended the call.
Across the table, Jihyun narrowed his eyes. "Who's Bora?"
"She's an old mate,"
Taewon answered.
"Oh, mate. Alright."
Jihyun's tone was flat, but his gaze lingered, almost testing.
Taewon looked back at him, puzzled.
As Jihyun said,
"Why are you staring at me? Also
where's Hana?"
"She's on leave,"
Taewon said.
"She went somewhere? Then where did this hotpot come from?"
"I cooked."
"Why?" Jihyun frowned.
"Because you said"
"I didn't say you should cook! You could've told me earlier. I can order for myself, you know. I've got money."
Taewon didn't argue.
"Eat first."
"Oh, money."
Jihyun smirked suddenly.
"That reminds me
you didn't give me my monthly allowance. According to our contract."
"You didn't ask for it,"
Taewon replied.
"And you didn't try sending it either.
What were you waiting for me to beg? To ask for charity from you?"
Taewon's jaw tightened.
"I forgot. Eat first. I'll give it to you after dinner."
"Alright." Jihyun leaned back, smirk still on his lips. Then he added casually,
"Also after dinner, I want to talk with you about something."
Taewon froze mid-bite,
Talk about what? Another fight? Or something else entirely?
"Alright " Taewon set his chopsticks down
Nodding once,