[Sunday — 9:00 AM]
Soft morning sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Haneul slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at the ceiling.
Then his hand moved across the sheets beside him.
Nothing.
He frowned slightly.
He searched again.
Still nothing.
Usually, on Taekyun's days off, Taekyun would remain in bed until Haneul woke up.
For the entire month since Haneul had returned, that had become their little routine.
But today.....
Taekyun wasn't there.
Haneul slowly sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
He pushed the blanket aside and lowered his feet onto the floor.
After slipping into his slippers, he headed toward the bathroom.
A short while later, Haneul came downstairs after freshening up.
The residence was already awake.
As he entered the dining area, he found Bora arranging plates on the table.
She turned at the sound of his footsteps.
"Good morning."
Haneul gave her a small smile.
"Good morning."
Bora smiled back before placing another plate onto the table.
Haneul looked around.
Then his eyes moved toward her.
"Where's.... Taekyun?"
"Oh."
Bora suddenly paused.
"I almost forgot."
She pointed toward the hallway.
"Sir asked me to tell you that when you woke up, you should go to his study."
Haneul blinked.
"His study?"
Bora nodded.
"Yes."
Then she smiled.
"Breakfast is almost ready.
Come join us afterward."
Haneul nodded.
"Okay."
He turned and walked toward Taekyun's study.
When he reached the door, he knocked softly.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Haneul opened the door.
Taekyun immediately looked up from his laptop.
The moment he saw Haneul, his expression softened.
He closed the laptop.
"Come here."
Haneul stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Taekyun was dressed casually.
A neatly fitted full-sleeved shirt was tucked into dark trousers, and thin-framed glasses rested on his face.
His dark hair had been brushed neatly back.
Haneul walked toward the desk.
Taekyun stood.
He crossed the room and immediately placed both hands on Haneul's shoulders before pulling him into his arms.
Haneul smiled softly.
"You're up."
Haneul nodded against his chest.
"Yes."
Taekyun lowered his chin onto Haneul's head.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
Haneul looked up.
"Completely fine."
Taekyun studied his face for several seconds before nodding.
"Good."
Haneul looked around the room.
"I didn't find you in bed....."
His voice became softer.
"So I came downstairs."
Taekyun nodded.
"Yes."
"I had something to decide....."
He gently took Haneul's hand.
"So I let you sleep."
Haneul blinked.
"Something to decide?"
His curious expression made Taekyun smile.
"Yes."
Taekyun guided him toward the chair.
But instead of letting Haneul sit there, he sat down first and gently pulled Haneul onto his lap.
Haneul immediately blushed.
"Taekyun...."
Taekyun simply smiled.
His fingers gently brushed across Haneul's cheek.
"You still blush this easily."
Haneul immediately looked away.
Taekyun gently caught his chin.
"Don't look away."
Haneul slowly met his eyes again.
Taekyun smiled.
He seemed to enjoy watching Haneul's embarrassed expression far too much.
Then he adjusted his glasses slightly.
Haneul stared at him.
Taekyun raised an eyebrow.
"Do I look handsome?"
Haneul blinked.
"You always..... do."
His cheeks became warmer.
"Why are you asking?"
Taekyun's lips curved upward.
"No."
He leaned slightly closer.
"From now on I'll be putting in extra effort."
Haneul looked confused.
Taekyun calmly continued.
"I don't want to look ugly at my own wedding."
Haneul froze.
His eyes widened.
"Wedding?"
Taekyun nodded as though he had just said something completely ordinary.
"Yes."
Haneul stared at him.
Taekyun's smile grew.
"Why?"
He tilted his head.
"You don't want me to get married?"
Haneul's lips parted.
"No...."
He hesitated.
Then, despite already knowing exactly who Taekyun meant, he still asked,
"To..... who?"
Taekyun covered his eyes with one hand.
He let out a quiet sigh.
When he lowered his hand, he looked directly at Haneul.
"Who do you think I'm going to choose as my spouse other than you?"
Haneul's heart immediately began beating faster.
"I know....."
He looked down.
"But...."
Taekyun gently placed one hand against Haneul's back.
His other hand rested lightly over Haneul's chest.
"There is no 'but.'"
His voice was calm.
"I've waited long enough."
He looked into Haneul's eyes.
"There's nothing left to wait for."
"We're getting married."
Haneul remained silent.
Taekyun's expression suddenly became slightly worried.
"Wait."
He studied Haneul's face.
"You don't want to marry me?"
Haneul's eyes immediately widened.
"No!"
He quickly shook his head.
"It's not that."
A shy smile appeared.
"I want to."
Taekyun's expression relaxed.
"I knew it."
Haneul blinked.
Taekyun smiled knowingly.
"The way your heart is beating...."
His fingers gently tapped Haneul's chest.
"And your pheromones."
His smile deepened.
"They told me everything."
Haneul's face became even warmer.
He immediately stood from Taekyun's lap.
Taekyun caught him around the waist before he could move too far.
Haneul looked down at him.
"Where are you running?"
"I'm not running."
"Then?"
Haneul hesitated.
"I just...."
He finally looked into Taekyun's eyes.
"When are you.... planning it?"
Taekyun's expression turned mysterious.
"Tonight."
Haneul's eyes widened.
"Tonight?!"
Taekyun chuckled.
"No."
Haneul stared at him.
Taekyun adjusted his glasses.
"I'm rechecking my schedule for the entire month."
He paused.
"And then I'll decide the date."
His expression softened.
"Only when you're comfortable."
Haneul slowly nodded.
"Okay."
Taekyun stood.
He stepped closer and pressed a gentle kiss against Haneul's forehead.
Then he took both of Haneul's hands in his.
His eyes remained fixed on Haneul's.
"You're mine to hold forever."
Haneul's cheeks warmed again.
Taekyun smiled.
"Now...."
He gently pulled Haneul toward the door.
"Let's go eat breakfast."
Haneul nodded.
"Okay."
Taekyun intertwined their fingers.
Together, they walked out of the study.
[After Breakfast]
Breakfast had nearly finished.
Everyone remained around the dining table, talking quietly.
Taekyun sat at the head of the table, occasionally glancing toward Haru.
Haru was watching him too.
She subtly moved her eyes toward him.
Then toward Haneul.
Then toward the children.
Taekyun understood immediately.
He took a quiet breath.
"Um...."
Everyone looked toward him.
Nayeon paused with her cup in her hand.
Jina looked up.
Haneul turned toward him.
Even Haru and Taeha stopped eating.
Taekyun cleared his throat.
"Everyone is off today, right?"
Nayeon nodded.
"Yes."
She studied his expression.
"Is everything okay?"
Taekyun slowly leaned back in his chair.
"I was...."
He paused.
"Thinking of taking everyone out."
Haneul blinked.
Taekyun continued calmly.
"For dinner."
A small silence followed.
Then Nayeon's expression immediately softened.
"That's a good idea."
She smiled.
"We should all go tonight."
Taekyun nodded.
"Yes."
Haru's eyes immediately brightened.
"Abbuji."
Taekyun looked toward her.
"Yes."
"We can leave before noon."
His gaze moved around the table.
"The children can enjoy the amusement park for a while."
Haru's face immediately lit up.
Taeha looked up from his plate.
"Amusement park?"
Taekyun nodded.
"Yes."
The little boy's expression brightened slightly.
Nayeon smiled as she watched Taekyun.
Then her eyes met Jina's.
Jina gave a small smile.
Neither needed to say anything.
They both understood.
Taekyun had been trying to bring the family together for a long time.
And now that Haneul was finally home.....
He wanted to give them a day they could remember.
Taekyun pushed his chair back.
"Everyone should get ready."
He looked toward the children.
"We'll leave before noon."
Then he stood.
"I'll get ready too."
He turned toward the staircase and headed upstairs.
The moment he disappeared, Jina let out a small laugh.
Nayeon smiled.
"Look at him."
Jina shook her head.
"He's pretending this was completely spontaneous."
Haneul looked between them, slightly confused.
Haru, however, was suddenly very interested in her plate.
Haneul narrowed his eyes.
Then he looked toward her.
"You planned this...."
Haru immediately looked up.
"Umma, not me."
Haneul raised an eyebrow.
"When did I say anything?"
Haru tried to hide her smile.
Haneul shook his head.
"I saw your glance."
Haru's lips curved into a grin.
"Okay, maybe...."
She stood from her chair.
"But forget that."
She immediately reached for Haneul's hand.
"Come with me."
Haneul smiled.
"Where?"
"My room."
She tugged gently at his hand.
"It's warm today, so help me decide what to wear."
Haneul laughed softly.
"Okay."
He stood.
Then his eyes moved toward Taeha.
The little boy was still sitting quietly.
Haneul held out his hand.
"Come."
Taeha looked at him.
Then at Haru.
After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
He climbed down from his chair.
Haneul expected him to follow behind them.
Instead.....
Taeha walked directly toward him.
His small hand slowly reached out.
He took Haneul's hand.
Then he looked up.
"Help...."
Haneul's expression softened.
"Help you?"
Taeha nodded.
"Me first."
Haru looked at her brother.
Then at Haneul.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Haneul squeezed Taeha's little hand gently.
"Okay."
He looked toward Haru.
"Let's choose Taeha's clothes first."
Haru nodded immediately.
"Okay."
Taeha stayed beside Haneul, still holding his hand.
The three of them began walking toward the staircase together.
Haneul looked down at the little hand wrapped around his.
His heart warmed.
It was such a small thing.
Now he was asking Haneul for help.
Slowly.
Quietly.
One little step at a time.
And Haneul was more than willing to wait for every single one.