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Chapter 17 - The weight of care

Gyu didn't need to go further as he tracked the hill, a man voice shouting ijueng rang in his ears.

Ijueng who first seems scared, runs to the man who has his arm open up to him.

Gyu remains there not wanting to interrupt the father and son duo.

A slight smile appeared on his face, seeing the man crying...kissing ijueng face.

Gyu missed his appa embrace.

He slowly moved to them, and cleared his voice

"Umm... so I'm going back."

Ijueng was so invested in his father's arms, he didn't lift up his head to say bye, though Hyeon looked up and mouthed him thankyou, his eyes were crimson red, gyu understand that he's been crying over him and ijueng absence must have taken a toll on them.

"Child, at least tell me your name."

Gyu rakes his hand in hair and mouthed

"Gyu."

"I'm late, so I'm going" he turned back but again took his step back... something bugged him.

"Umm, i don't know if i should say this or not...He told me there's no one to worry about him, but seeing you i don't think that's the case, but again I'm seeing you only now though he's been with me since yesterday and no one came.

"It was me who found him, what if someone else has got him?, he could have been kidnapped!"

"I don't know your home situation, but this child deserves care, at least give him your time..hmm."

"I might be crossing my limits but I need to say it, it's not his age to think in such a way."

Hyeon was speechless, not a single word escape from his mouth. only a nod came. He was indeed ashamed.. a mix of shame, guilt and crushing weight of being found out has sealed his lips.

"I'm indebted to you, you have kept our precious safe or i don't know what we would have done, this won't occur again, we will make sure to give him full time so he won't feel alone."

Gyu sees the sincerity in Hyeon eyes, he feels bad for saying those words, since the man came he wasn't in himself sure the missing figure tore something in him.

"Umm this is my address, if something comes you can drop him here."

Hyeon took the card, and left with ijueng in his arms.

He lingered for a second, watching the boy's small frame disappear behind the old wooden door. Something tugged at him—responsibility, maybe, or just habit. But school bells didn't wait, and he was already late enough.

He turned back to the dusty road, tightening the strap of his bag, letting his thoughts scatter with each step.

He never saw his father, but never felt the absence of it. Yujin and hana never let him feel orphan. He was grateful to god for sending him there at that time, though the circumstances at which they met were different but he gets himself a family, a fond smile crept on his lips which soon eloped with thought of Garam, if only he accepted him.

Aah he missed them. He feels down and he knows whom to call, of course his mother

"Eomma!"

"My child only now you call, since the day you go there you forget your eomma?"

"What are you saying eomma? I'm already missing you now."(He whined)

Hana laughed...she can already imagine her pouty baby. she sure was tough during his arrival but slowly and sweetly this baby has made a place in her heart and she loves this boy so obviously she spoils him a lot.

"Then why not give me a call."

"A lot of things happened eomma, and then.." he told her his all incidents from the starting to meeting garam and ijueng.

"I'm so proud of you gyuah.. you have grown up so well, you must have been scared.. right."

"Hmm...eomma, but Garam saved me." He pout.

"Why is my baby sulking then?"

"Eomma.. I'm scared of going in front of him... again, I can't hear his hate for me."

"Then.. will you stop? No.. right? (Gyu shook his head as no) i know my Gyu, he never stops until he gets something."

"Be there gyuah...one day he will surely see your care. And i pray that day comes early."

"Then Give me a lot of blessings eomma"

"I'm always with you two." (Gyu smiles)

Gyu cut the call as he had already reached near the gates. He saw one familiar figure his minds said to ignore.

"Skipping me again?"

The voice slid in like silk, casual and teasing. Gyu lifted his head to see Kaven leaning against the roadside fence, his usual smirk in place.

"You walk fast," Kaven added, falling into step beside him without invitation.

"Dammit" Gyu cursed under his breath.

"Are you having fun with me?"

"I'm seeing you, if you wanted to have a light hearted moment, play with your games not with real people." He marked and fastened his steps which kaven follows.

They walked in silence for a while, gravel crunching under their shoes. Kaven shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing sideways.

Kaven finally broke the silence. "About yesterday…" His voice carried that usual ease, but there was something heavier underneath. "I might've… overstepped."

Gyu didn't answer, eyes fixed ahead.

Kaven chuckled softly, trying to smooth it over. "I thought I was swooping in, you know—like some knight in a story. Turns out, I was just barging in where I didn't belong." He angled his head toward Gyu with a sly grin. "Not my brightest moment."

Gyu's jaw tightened. "If you think I need someone playing hero for me," he muttered, "then you really don't know me."

The words cut sharper than Kaven expected. He blinked, then let out a low laugh, more self-deprecating this time. "Fair. You're right. I don't." His smirk faltered, replaced by a quieter sincerity.

"So…" Kaven leaned a little closer, tilting his head. "What I'm saying is—sorry. For assuming, for messing it up, and for… treating you like something you're not." His tone softened, sincere slipping past the usual smoothness. "I owe you better than that."

When Gyu finally flicked him a glance, Kaven grinned anyway, like it was easier to hide behind charm. "If you want, I can start making it up to you today. First step—no more dumb assumptions. Deal?"

Gyu didn't answer, but the fact he didn't push Kaven away again felt like the only deal he'd get.

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