[5 a.m]
Haneul lay still, eyes closed.
Exhausted yet calmer.
The worst of his heat had passed, leaving his body weak but finally able to breathe.
His breathing was slow, even, his face relaxed in sleep.
Taekyun shifted carefully beside him.
He rose without a sound and gently pulled the blanket higher, covering Haneul properly before stepping away.
His own body was damp with sweat.
He went straight to the bathroom.
Hot water poured down his skin, steam filling the space as he stood beneath it, eyes closed.
When he finished,
He brushed his wet hair back and lifted his head, meeting his own reflection in the mirror.
His body felt a little more stable now.
Haneul's pheromones had settled, and with that, his own had begun to calm.
He stared at himself for a long moment.
But he said nothing.
Taekyun left the bathroom and sat near the window, lowering himself into the chair.
He leaned his head back, eyes drifting toward the glass.
Rain had begun to fall.
The sky outside was still dark, clouds heavy, the sound of rain soft but constant.
He let out a long sigh.
His eyes closed.
Slowly quietly tears slipped free.
Outside,
The rain continued, the world still wrapped in darkness.
"It's okay to open up,"
He murmured under his breath.
"Maybe he's not the same
Maybe I need to look back at Harin's case."
His hand moved to his chest, pressing there gently as if grounding himself.
"Even if it was the same it's not him.
It was his brother."
He stayed like that for a long time.
As he closed his eyes.
[Around 7 a.m]
Light crept through the curtains.
Taekyun opened his eyes and stood, carefully drawing the curtains to block the light from falling onto Haneul's face.
He walked back to the bed.
His hand rested against Haneul's forehead.
The heat had lowered.
His temperature had dropped slightly.
Relieved,
Taekyun turned toward the dressing area in his room and opened the wardrobe, pulling out clean clothes.
He was about to head to the bathroom when
"Taekyun"
He froze.
Turning back,
He moved quickly to the bed.
Haneul lifted one hand weakly.
Taekyun took it and helped him sit up, supporting his weight carefully.
He looked at him.
"Do you need something?"
Haneul shook his head faintly.
"Take me….. to my room."
Taekyun studied him for a moment.
"Rest here for now,"
He said quietly.
Haneul shook his head again.
"If Haru sees me here
She'll be angry again."
Haneul looked a mess hair damp with sweat, face pale, body trembling slightly.
Taekyun turned his face away, already moving toward the bathroom.
"I'll help you clean up."
Haneul watched him leave, then nodded.
"Mm."
A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, a small smile appearing at the side of his lips.
After some time,
Taekyun returned.
"I filled the bathtub,"
He said.
"And I left clothes inside."
Haneul nodded.
He tried to move his legs off the bed but failed.
He was still wearing only the shirt Taekyun had put on him while he slept.
Taekyun paused,
Then looked away.
"I'll help,"
He said quietly.
Haneul nodded again, smiling.
Taekyun lifted him carefully, keeping his gaze straight ahead as he carried him into the bathroom.
Haneul's cheeks turned red.
His heart beat fast as Taekyun gently lowered him into the bathtub.
Taekyun moved slowly, carefully washing his hair, then his shoulders, his arms gentle and patient, like he was afraid of breaking him.
Afterward,
He helped Haneul dry, dress, and
Carried him back to the bed.
As Taekyun dried his hair,
He paused.
His gaze caught on the faint red creeping up Haneul's ears, the soft flush spreading across his cheeks.
Haneul was blushing deeply now, his heartbeat uneven, almost too fast beneath his skin.
Taekyun frowned slightly, a thought crossing his mind.
Is his heat coming back?
He inhaled slowly and lifted his hand, pressing it gently to Haneul's forehead.
The touch alone was enough.
Haneul shivered, breath catching as if his body had already given up resisting.
He had lost enough control as it was.
Before thinking,
He leaned forward and kissed Taekyun's lips.
Taekyun stiffened.
He stepped back immediately.
"Rest,"
He said, voice strained.
"I'll change."
He went into the bathroom, gripping his chest as he shut the door.
He didn't understand himself.
His hand tightened into a fist, knuckles whitening.
"What the hell is wrong with me since yesterday "
"Why am I doing this?"
He threw the towel to the floor.
After changing,
He dressed for the office and stepped out.
The bed was empty.
Haneul had already left.
The door to his room was open.
Taekyun closed it slowly.
His phone rang.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning,"
He replied flatly.
"The meeting has been rescheduled to today."
"Today?"
"Yes, sir. Mr. Lee is flying to Canada tomorrow, so Director Joong adjusted the schedule at his request."
"Okay. I'll attend."
"Yes thank you, sir."
He ended the call.
[8 a.m]
Taekyun sat at breakfast, posture straight, eating in silence.
He looked up at the chef.
"Haru has school today."
"Yes, sir but Miss Haru is still in her room. Bora is with her.
She isn't responding."
Taekyun nodded.
"Tell the driver she'll be late."
"And inform her teacher."
The staff nodded.
Taekyun headed upstairs.
When he opened the door.
Haneul was sitting beside Haru, holding her close, gently rubbing her back.
Bora stood nearby with Haru's clothes in her hands.
Haru had lowered her head into Haneul's arms.
"Appa."
Haneul and Bora both turned at the sound of the voice.
Taekyun stepped inside slowly, his eyes settling on Haru.
He moved closer.
"Haru."
Haru looked up at him slowly.
"Get ready for school.
You'll be late."
Haru glared at him.
"No."
Taekyun didn't say anything, but the look he gave her was sharp enough to silence the room.
Haneul, still weak, spoke up softly, almost hurriedly.
"Oh, Haru….. listen to me.
Go to school first.
When you come back, we'll talk."
Haru pushed away angrily, moving toward Bora.
"Haru,"
Haneul called again.
Taekyun turned to Bora.
"Go with her today."
Bora nodded.
As Haneul glanced at Taekyun, Taekyun didn't respond.
He turned away, closed the door behind him, and went downstairs, leaving for the office.
As Haru finished getting ready, Bora began putting her things away.
"Eat breakfast,"
Haneul said softly.
Haru shook her head in refusal, anger clear on her face as she turned and walked toward the door.
"Haru"
Haneul called again, his voice breaking a little.
"A goodbye kiss?"
Haru looked back at him, eyes sharp with anger, and shook her head again.
"No."
Haneul's heart sank, but he still pushed himself up.
He followed her, barely able to walk, dragging his steps behind her.
He caught her hand but his strength gave out.
His knees hit the floor.
"Haneul!"
Bora rushed forward instinctively.
But Haneul smiled at her softly.
"I'm fine."
Then he turned back to Haru, still kneeling in front of her, holding her hands gently.
"Don't do this,"
He whispered.
"You know I don't like it when you're sad."
Haru stared at him, then suddenly pulled him into a tight hug.
"Please don't,"
Haneul murmured, pressing her closer.
Haru buried her face into his neck.
Tears fell silently.
"Umma. Mine."
Haneul smiled, his voice warm despite the ache in his chest.
"I'm only Haru's."
Haru pulled back slightly.
"No kiss Appa."
"I won't,"
Haneul promised without hesitation.
Behind them,
Bora smiled quietly, pressing her lips together as she held back a laugh.
After everything that had happened last night, seeing Haneul make promises so seriously was almost amusing.
Haru nodded.
Bora moved forward and helped Haneul up carefully.
Standing again, Haneul looked at Haru gently.
"Go eat breakfast. I'll be waiting in your room until you come back from school."
Haru nodded, a small smile finally appearing as she went downstairs.
Bora picked up Haru's bag and turned back to Haneul with a smile.
Haneul smiled back.
"Get some rest,"
Bora said.
"I'll tell the chef to make you something soft."
"Oh no, I'm fine,"
Haneul replied quickly.
Bora raised an eyebrow, teasing.
"The way you're walking, I can clearly see how 'fine' you are after last night."
Haneul's cheeks flushed instantly.
"Huh no, it's not"
Bora laughed softly.
"Rest here.
Haru's room is warm."
Haneul nodded and slowly made his way to Haru's bed, smiling faintly as Bora went downstairs after Haru.
Downstairs,
Bora began feeding Haru her breakfast.
Haru was in a completely different mood now, calm and cheerful.
While Upstairs,
Haneul lay down on Haru's bed, exhaustion settling into his bones.
"They're both the same,"
He murmured to himself.
"Haru really took after Taekyun a lot."
He reached for the photo on Haru's side table Haru and Taekyun together.
"You're both too good at hiding your pain,"
He whispered.
"At keeping everything inside."
His mind drifted back to last night to the way Taekyun's tears had slipped down onto his cheeks.
He felt safe remembering it.
And strangely happy.
A soft smile curved his lips.
"I want you to be soft in front of me,"
He said quietly.
"No matter how strong or perfect you pretend to be."
"I've already started to think of you as my family"
He swallowed.
"I got so lost in you that I became selfish
I even forgot my own brother."
His gaze shifted to the wall.
"But I'll look for my hyung.
I promise I will."
His voice steadied.
"I'll find him.
I'll take care of him too."
Then, softly
"But I won't go back."