The evening settled into darkness beneath a moonless sky, the streets lit only by scattered neon signs and the glow of the stall lights. Jaewon's friends were already gathered around the table, voices loud and animated, laughter rising easily with every clink of soju glasses. The air smelled of smoke and alcohol. Jaewon slipped into the scene like he belonged there, relaxed and confident, naturally becoming the center of attention. He hooked a hand around Taesan's arm and pulled him along, guiding him forward as if presenting something he owned.
"Guys, this is my hyung, Taesan," Jaewon said brightly. He slapped Taesan on the back a little too hard. "He practically raised me."
His tone sounded playful, but the edge beneath it did not go unnoticed.
Minho leaned back in his chair, looking Taesan up and down with a crooked smile. "So this is the famous hyung? We've heard about you a lot. Jaewon, you really owe him your life or something."
Jaewon laughed and shrugged. "What can I say? He's soft when it comes to me. If I ask, he always says yes."
A few of them chuckled knowingly. Taesan bowed his head politely and offered a small smile, unsure how to respond.
As the night dragged on, the teasing grew bolder. What started as light jokes slowly sharpened. They called him too serious, too stiff, more like a parent than a friend. Someone asked if he scheduled Jaewon's bedtime too. Another joked that Jaewon must feel suffocated having someone so uptight around. Each comment was followed by laughter that lasted a little too long.
Jaewon did nothing to stop it. He laughed along with them, occasionally adding his own remarks, tossing out small stories that made Taesan sound overbearing or naive. Every word was subtle, but deliberate. Taesan watched him from across the table, something heavy settling in his chest. This was not just about free food or jokes. It was about control. About knowing Taesan would stay quiet and take it. After a while, Taesan stopped trying to smile. He simply listened, silent, observing how far Jaewon was willing to go.
Eventually the bottles ran dry and the laughter faded into tired murmurs. The owner dropped the check onto the table. The group fell quiet. One by one, they exchanged looks, then began patting their pockets with awkward smiles, avoiding eye contact as if the answer had already been decided.
"Oh, man, I totally forgot my wallet at home," Minho says, scratching his head.
"Same here!" Maya speaks, flashing an apologetic smile. "So embarrassing…"
Taesan doesn't say a word, merely pulling out his wallet and sliding his credit card into the leather case without hesitation. As he hands it to the waiter, he feels a mix of frustration and weariness but keeps his expression calm.
"Thanks, Hyung!" Jaewon beams, clapping him on the shoulder as if he's done Taesan some great favor by letting him pay. "You're the best."
Taesan gives a small, almost imperceptible nod. He meets Jaewon's gaze for a brief moment, but there's something different there this time—a quiet strength, a hint of resolve he's kept hidden. Jaewon doesn't notice, too busy joking with his friends as they gather their things and prepare to leave.
As they step outside, Taesan lingers for a moment, watching the group walk ahead. He knows Jaewon feels untouchable, secure in the belief that his Hyung will always be there, silently accepting every mockery, every manipulation. But in that moment, Taesan calms himself down because he knows what he is doing.
For now, he'll play along, letting Jaewon think he's still clueless. But deep down, he's preparing, waiting for the right time to show Jaewon that he's not as naive as he seems.
The dinner ends, and everyone steps out of the restaurant. The cold night air bit at Taesan's skin as he followed Jaewon and his friends to the parking, who were still laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened. Their voices faded into background noise for him; his mind caught between the sting of the evening's events and the quiet determination brewing within.
Jaewon turned back briefly, his expression carefree. "Hyung, you coming? Don't fall behind!" he called out, his tone teasing but light.
Taesan nodded silently, his footsteps steady as he caught up. He let his gaze wander to the dark, starless sky above. It felt fitting, a canvas emptied of light, much like the dynamic between him and Jaewon lately. A dynamic he planned to change.
Jaewon bid his friends farewell before sliding into the car, a smug sense of satisfaction settling over him. The evening had gone exactly as he'd hoped—he had skillfully reinforced the image of Taesan as a meek, submissive figure. In Jaewon's mind, the night was a resounding success.
***
As they drove away from the restaurant, the city lights flickering across the dashboard, Jaewon leaned back in his seat, a small, indifferent smirk on his lips. He glanced sideways at Taesan, who was focused on the road, expression unreadable, hands steady on the wheel.
"You know, Hyung," Jaewon said casually, voice smooth but carrying an edge, "it's funny how you just… blend in wherever I take you. You don't really say much, but I guess that's your thing. Silent, dependable, the guy everyone quietly relies on."
Taesan's hands tightened slightly on the wheel, but his face remained calm. "If that's how you see it," he said evenly, voice flat.
Jaewon chuckled lightly, a sound without warmth. "I'm serious. My friends like you. Minho even said you remind him of his dad—so serious all the time. Can you imagine the look on his face? Classic. You should've seen it."
Taesan gave a small, polite laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad they enjoyed themselves."
"Of course they did," Jaewon replied, shrugging as if it were obvious. "But, honestly, Hyung, you could loosen up a little. Always so stiff, like you're carrying the weight of the world. No wonder everyone thinks I'm the fun one. You're just… predictable."
Taesan glanced at him briefly, expression calm, then returned his gaze to the road. "It's good that you can keep things lively. Someone has to, I suppose."
Jaewon smiled faintly, indifferent but satisfied. "Exactly. That's why we work so well together. You handle the boring stuff, I handle the rest. Simple balance. You don't mind being the dull one, right?"
Taesan nodded, remaining silent, letting the conversation fade. The hum of the engine filled the car, quiet and steady, but beneath his composed exterior, his thoughts churned. Every word, every slight jab from Jaewon, was a reminder of the distance growing between them.
——————— TO BE CONTINUED