(In the morning)
As Jihyun woke up, the inner relaxation he felt was something he had been longing for since a long time.
The feeling was like he had achieved something big.
He washed up and prepared himself breakfast, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Looking at the food, he hesitated, then began preparing again this time as if he was making breakfast for kids.
He fried eggs, toasted bread, cooked sausages, made milk coffee, even cut a little salad.
He remembered Taewon used to eat like this after gym.
Packing everything carefully, he walked to Taewon's apartment.
He knocked. No reply.
He knocked again.
Finally, the door opened. Taewon stood there, his face calm as always.
"Yes," he said.
Jihyun forced a smile, heart racing.
"Good morning."
Taewon nodded once.
"I didn't know you were sleeping. I actually prepared breakfast and I thought"
"Come inside," Taewon cut in.
Jihyun's heart beat faster, as if he was walking into a war.
He stepped inside and placed the breakfast on the table.
"You sit," Taewon said, then disappeared into his room.
Jihyun nodded, but as soon as Taewon left, his eyes wandered.
He walked quietly around the apartment, his gaze falling on a family photo.
It looked recent, Taewon with his family, all smiling.
The sound of the bathroom door made him hurry back to the chair.
Taewon came out, sleeves rolled up, and sat down. Jihyun quickly stood, placing the breakfast in front of him.
Taewon glanced at the coffee, then at Jihyun, then at the breakfast.
"You improved."
Jihyun's lips curved in a fragile smile, though inside he was a storm.
"Yes I learned a lot. Try some."
"You also," Taewon said.
Jihyun shook his head.
"No, I already had breakfast."
Taewon nodded and began eating quietly. Jihyun stared at him, waiting for a reaction. Finally, he whispered, "Coffee."
Taewon looked at the cup, then back at him. "I don't drink milk coffee."
Jihyun's eyes widened. He stood quickly. "Oh sorry, I didn't know. I'll change it now."
"It's fine," Taewon said.
But Jihyun cut him off, rushing to grab the cup.
"No, I'll change it."
He went to the door, slipping on his shoes, about to leave for his apartment.
"Jihyun, wait."
He froze, turning slowly.
Taewon stood up.
"There's coffee in my kitchen. Make it here."
Jihyun blinked. "Oh... Okay."
He hurried to the kitchen, making another cup, while Taewon sat back, phone buzzing on the table.
"Yes okay. I'll come pick you. Stay there."
Jihyun returned with the coffee.
Taewon took it from his hands and drank quietly.
"You're going somewhere?"
Jihyun asked.
Taewon's eyes lingered on him for a moment before he spoke, as if testing him.
"I'm going to pick Bora. She just returned and she's stuck at the airport."
Jihyun froze.
"Bora? I mean, why Bora?"
"She's stuck in traffic,"
Taewon said calmly.
Jihyun's face dimmed, light in his eyes gone. He stood slowly, clearing the table.
"I'll leave then. I have some work to do."
Taewon's eyes followed him.
"What work?"
Jihyun stammered.
"I'm trying a new recipe for dinner. So I'm going to prepare that."
"I'll come over in evening " Taewon said.
Jihyun blinked. "Really? You'll come?"
Taewon nodded.
Jihyun smiled faintly and left back to his apartment.
The moment the door closed, he leaned against it, clutching his chest. His knees weakened as he slid down to the floor.
Why can't you be only mine?
Can't you see I'm tired. Now why talking to you feels like a stranger,
He sat there for a long time before finally pulling himself up, swallowing his medicine, and opening his phone to search for recipes. His heart was low, but his determination whispered:
If you said you'll come, then I'll wait.
He cooked carefully, milk cheese pasta filling the air with soft warmth.
(By 8 p.m)
Jihyun was already seated at the dining table, stomach growling from hunger.
"You're not coming, Taewon I'm waiting,"
He whispered at the clock.
Finally, a knock.
Jihyun hurried to the door. Taewon entered, removing his shoes.
"You took long," Jihyun said softly.
Taewon's eyes swept over his pale face. "You took your medicine?"
"I did."
"And meal?"
"I was waiting for you."
Taewon's brows furrowed.
"Why were you waiting? Have you seen yourself in the mirror? What if I didn't come? Were you planning to starve?"
Jihyun shook his head. "No I was about to eat."
"Next time, make sure you eat before eight," Taewon said firmly.
Jihyun only nodded, pale smile flickering as He filled Taewon's plate.
"How was your time with her?"
"Good," Taewon replied flatly, before switching plates, replacing Jihyun's empty one with his own. "You eat first."
"It's okay, I will"
"Eat first." Taewon's voice cut him off, already filling his plate.
Jihyun lowered his gaze, nodding. He began eating quietly.
After a moment, he asked softly,
"You're dating her now?"
Taewon took a spoonful of food, met his eyes, and shook his head.
"Not yet."
Jihyun nodded, hiding his expression.
Once they finished, both stood. Jihyun picked up the plates, but Taewon took them from his hands.
"I'll do it."
Jihyun's eyelids grew heavy, his body threatening to collapse even if he closed his eyes for a second. But he didn't want to sleep, not while Taewon was still there.
When Taewon returned from the kitchen, he found Jihyun already slumped in the chair, head resting against the table, fast asleep.
Taewon stood still, his gaze softening against his will. He looked at Jihyun's pale, tired face, and for a second, a smile touched his lips.