Taekyun barely slept.
He sat against the headboard the whole night, staring at the blank wall in front of him, the words from last night echoing and twisting until they no longer felt real.
Was it really him?
Did he really say those things?
Every hour that passed only hollowed him out more.
[In morning]
Taekyun rubbed his face once, exhaled deeply, and stood.
He hadn't decided what he would say. He only knew he needed to see him.
Downstairs,
He told the cook what to prepare, his voice low and strained from the sleepless night.
Upstairs,
Haneul's eyes fluttered open.
He blinked slowly, looking around the unfamiliar comfort of the room.
His breathing caught.
He was… back in Taekyun's residence.
His room.
"How…" his voice cracked.
He lifted his hand.
The air felt thick, heavy with his own pheromones.
"Bora?"
He whispered.
No answer.
His last memory was heat. Pain. His mind splitting into pieces he couldn't hold.
And someone holding him. Carrying him.
He trembled.
"How did I come here?
Who brought me?"
His brows drew together, panic rising. "Haru… If she sees me here she'll cry and Taekyun will scold me again"
He forced himself out of bed, legs shaking under him.
He reached the door, opened it slightly and froze.
Downstairs,
Taekyun stood with the cook, giving quiet instructions.
He turned a little, and Haneul slammed the door shut instantly.
His heart almost stopped.
If Taekyun saw him awake if Taekyun thought he came back on purpose.
"I have to run,"
He whispered, holding his chest.
"He'll be angry again. I can't stay."
His knees weakened.
The floor seemed to tilt.
Before he could get back into bed, a knock came.
And then the door opened without waiting.
Taekyun stepped in, calm face, unreadable eyes.
Haneul froze, breath caught in his throat.
Taekyun closed the door behind him, the sound soft but heavy.
"You"
He began.
But Haneul quickly bowed, words tumbling out in fear.
"I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to come back here.
I don't even know how I'm here.
I was in heat and when I'm in heat I lose my mind,
I don't remember anything, I didn't want to trouble anyone.
I'll leave before Haru wakes up"
He didn't know Haru wasn't home.
Every single thing Taekyun planned to say died on his tongue.
The words Haneul whispered last night.
The confession the way he cried into his chest the way he reached for him.
None of it was intentional?
Taekyun stared at him in silence.
"You, last night… said"
Haneul, confused, stepped closer.
"I said something last night?"
His eyes were wide, frightened, not burning or desperate like last night.
The difference hit Taekyun hard.
He looked at Haneul once more then walked out without answering.
Haneul blinked rapidly, stunned.
What do I do?
I'll leave.
He went downstairs slowly, still trembling.
He was almost at the door when the cook called out gently,
"Haneul, breakfast"
He shook his head, stepping back.
"No… I'm leaving"
From upstairs,
Taekyun's voice came suddenly.
"Haneul"
Haneul stopped like something pulled his spine straight.
Taekyun walked down the stairs slowly, each step deliberate, eyes on him.
Haneul's feet twitched, ready to run.
But Taekyun reached him and swallowed tightly before saying, in a tone so soft even the cook lowered her gaze.
"Sit. And eat."
The cook blinked in disbelief.
She had never heard him speak like that.
Not in her 10 years of job.
Haneul stared at him, overwhelmed.
"please..... I'm sorry. I'll leave. Forgive me for the last time "
But Taekyun gently took his hand.
A soft, unsure grip.
Almost slipping.
Haneul's eyes widened as Taekyun led him to the table.
His heart beat painfully fast.
Is he… not angry with me?
Or
Was he the one who brought me back?
Taekyun sat beside him.
The cook bowed and hurried to the kitchen to bring Taekyun's breakfast too because she knew something was happening here. Something huge.
Kim Taekyun, who never ate breakfast with anyone except his daughter, was sitting beside Haneul.
Haneul peeked at him from the corner of his eye as Taekyun stared at his phone screen, the device dark, clearly not in use.
He was pretending to be occupied.
Not knowing what to do either.
Then,
"Eat," Taekyun murmured.
Haneul swallowed and quietly obeyed, taking small bites, unaware of how Taekyun watched him the delicate chewing, the small careful movements.
After a few minutes,
Unable to hold the strange warmth rising inside him, Haneul stood.
"I'll be going now."
Taekyun looked up just as Bora entered the hall.
And then, unexpectedly,
Taekyun spoke.
"Haru is coming back today. If you want to stay… you can."
His tone was flat, but something beneath it trembled.
Bora's froze.
Sir?
Haneul stepped closer, shocking all of them including Taekyun as he said softly,
"You won't kick me out again."
Taekyun held his gaze.
Then nodded.
And left.
Haneul smiled, small and relieved, and sat back down.