Chapter 28
A few days later
Morning light spilled through the kitchen window, soft and golden.
Jaeyel was at the table with the old couple, sorting through bundles of food the woman kept insisting he take with him.
“Really, you don’t have to pack so much,” Jaeyel said with a small, helpless smile, watching as she added yet another bundle to the pile.
But the old woman wouldn’t hear of it. “Nonsense. You’ll eat it when you get there. And when you do, you’ll thank me for it.”
Jaeyel smiled faintly, though his heart felt heavy.
…
The night before, he had already sat with them in this very kitchen, thanking them quietly for taking him in.
They had looked sad at his sudden decision, but said nothing to stop him, because they knew he had things he needed to do back home.
That day he also said goodbye to the hospital staff – they were surprised, of course, but still packed him snacks and sent him off with warm wishes.
Before heading home that night, Jaeyel also stopped by to say goodbye to the old man – Yang’s father.
He said his goodbye to him casually, too casually, that it made the man grumble under his breath about today’s youth having no sense of formality.
Still, the man handed him a small piece of paper with his number on it, muttering that Jaeyel should contact him if he ever needed help.
Jaeyel smiled, feeling an unexpected warmth at the gesture. The man pretended to look annoyed, but the twitch of his mouth gave him away.
Now, this morning, Jaeyel is in the kitchen with the old couple, trying to convince them they don’t need to send him off with half their pantry. But the old couple won’t hear any of it.
Just then-
A sharp honk broke the moment…
And Jaeyel already knows who it is.
Yang…
The old woman clapped her hands as if struck by urgency. “He’s here already? Aigoo, I haven’t even packed the other side dishes!”
She rushed to the kitchen, muttering to herself, while Jaeyel laughed nervously.
From the corner of the room, Ric had been leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at all the commotion.
With a groan, he scratched his head and muttered under his breath before striding outside.
…
Yang stood beside a sleek black car, posture straight, calm, exuding that effortless coolness that made Ric’s teeth grind.
Even his suit seemed to sit on him like it belonged to no one else.
Ric shoved his hands into his pockets, hesitant but unwilling to back down.
When Yang’s dark eyes shifted to him, Ric cleared his throat.
“He’s still… packing some food,” Ric said flatly.
Yang gave a single nod, nothing more.
The simplicity of it – no thanks, no words – just that cool, collected nod, made Ric want to tear his hair out.
His jaw tightened, but he forced himself to stay composed.
“…Tch.” He sighed, pretending it didn’t bother him, though it burned in his chest.
As silence stretched between them, Ric found his thoughts spiraling.
Why Jaeyel? Why would you choose someone like him?
His scowl deepened.
Someone so untouchable, intimidating – when you could’ve had someone easier, warmer, like… me-
“Give him up.”
His thoughts snapped to a halt at the sound of that cold, flat voice.
He snapped his head toward him, eyes wide. “Wh-what?”
Yang’s eyes flicked over him, studying him with unnerving calm.
Ric’s voice cracked before he could stop it. “W-What do you mean-?”
But Yang didn’t repeat himself. He only looked past him, toward the doorway of the house.
Moments later, Jaeyel stepped out carrying several bags, the old woman bustling behind him with a basket of food.
Yang moved, his composure never breaking.
“Live quietly,” he said almost casually, though the words cut sharp.
“And give him up.”
With that, he popped open the trunk and walked toward Jaeyel, taking the bag from his hands before Jaeyel could even protest.
Ric’s mouth worked, desperate to say something – anything, but his voice stuck in his throat.
“Yah!” the old woman snapped at Ric. “What are you standing there for? Letting a guest do the lifting? Aigoo, useless boy!”
Flustered, Ric could only grit his teeth, cheeks burning as Yang effortlessly carried Jaeyel’s things.
…
The drive turned out to be far more peaceful than Jaeyel expected.
The hum of the engine, the soft current of music, it was all strangely calming.
At first, he’d worried about the long hours ahead, worried that silence between him and Yang would turn stiff, heavy.
But Yang never pushed for conversation. He simply turned the volume low, eyes steady on the road, and let the quiet breathe between them.
At some point, Jaeyel drifted into sleep.
When he stirred awake, the first thing he noticed was the faint rustle of a paper bag beside him.
A sandwich. A bottled drink.
Yang’s voice came low and casual, eyes still forward: “Eat something.”
Jaeyel blinked, groggy, mumbling a quiet thanks as he reached for the sandwich.
The car rolled on, smooth and steady.
He ate in silence, then, lulled again by the rhythm of the drive, fell back asleep.
The next time his eyes opened, the car wasn’t moving.
Jaeyel blinked rapidly, disoriented.
They were parked. The engine quiet.
And Yang was leaning slightly against the steering wheel, watching him – not intently, not uncomfortably, but just there, calm and unshifting.
Heat rushed to Jaeyel’s cheeks. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Yang’s reply was maddeningly casual, as though it were the simplest thing in the world.
“I was about to carry you inside. Didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”
Jaeyel sat up straighter instantly, his ears burning. “Thank God you didn’t.”
But then it hit him.
He glanced around, realization dawning.
This wasn’t the dorm.
He turned back to Yang, voice hesitant.
“Wait… why am I here? This is your place. I was supposed to go back to the dorm.”
Yang’s gaze didn’t waver.
His tone was steady, practical, but there was something gentle underneath.
“It’s chaotic there right now. The boys are buried in rehearsals for the award show, nerves high. If you walk in suddenly… they’ll flood you with questions. And I don’t think you’re ready for that. ”
Jaeyel fell quiet, staring down at his hands.
He hated to admit it, but Yang was right.
If he showed up now, it might throw everything off balance. The group couldn’t afford distractions.
Not because of him.
Slowly, hesitantly, he looked back at Yang. “…Okay.”
Yang’s eyes softened at the word, the corners of his mouth pulling into something that wasn’t quite a smile but held the same weight.
He lingered on Jaeyel’s face for a moment longer, gaze dear, before reaching for the door handle and pushing it open.
The door shut behind them with a soft click, sealing Jaeyel inside Yang’s world once more.
The apartment was just as he remembered – spacious, elegant, every detail exuding Yang’s presence.
Stepping inside again stirred something deep in his chest.
Familiar walls, familiar air, familiar weight pressing at his ribs.
He stood there, his gaze sweeping slowly over the room.
Memories clawed at him – memories of what had once been warmth, then fear, then doubt.
This was the place that made him hesitate.
The place that reminded him why he wasn’t sure he could come back.
He was still lost in those thoughts when arms wrapped around him from behind, sudden and unyielding.
“Ah-” Jaeyel gasped, his body jolting.
Yang’s embrace was tight, desperate, his face buried against the curve of Jaeyel’s neck.
His breath was hot, uneven, dragging across Jaeyel’s skin as though he were inhaling him, memorizing him, terrified of losing him all over again.
Jaeyel’s body trembled, a stifled sound- half gasp, half moan- slipping out before he could stop it.
Heat flooded his face. “W-wait, Yang…” he stuttered, his hands pushing weakly at the arms locking him in place.
But Yang turned him before he could finish, his lips crashing down on his.
The kiss was hungry, consuming, nothing like restraint.
Jaeyel struggled, pressing at Yang’s chest, fighting for breath.
But the more he tried to push away, the more his knees weakened, the more his mind screamed at him to give up, to just let Yang devour him whole.
His lips parted against Yang’s, and for a fleeting second, he nearly surrendered.
And then-
Yang broke away first.
His breath was ragged, his gaze blazing as it locked with Jaeyel’s wide eyes.
For a moment, silence stretched between them, charged, trembling.
Then Yang’s voice came, low, rough, almost broken. “…Sorry.”
Just like that, he stepped back, composure snapping into place as if nothing had happened.
He straightened, his tone suddenly practical, almost cold.
“Your room is upstairs. It’s already prepared. Rest for a while. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”
Without waiting for Jaeyel’s response, Yang turned sharply and strode toward the kitchen, leaving Jaeyel standing frozen in the middle of the room.
Confused, his heart still hammering, Jaeyel exhaled shakily.
He tried to collect himself- until his eyes flickered downward.
And then he saw it.
The hard outline straining against Yang’s pants as he disappeared into the other room.
Silence.
Jaeyel’s face flamed crimson.
His pulse quickened in his throat, heat spreading all the way to his ears. The realization hit him all at once, making him stumble back a step.
He clutched at his chest, his mind spinning.
What just happened?
