Jihyun turned the ring on his finger again and again, lips curving into a smile.
when he lifted his eyes, Taewon was watching him.
Taewon reached over, rubbing his thumb gently across Jihyun's cheek.
Jihyun leaned into the touch, his head pressing against Taewon's arm, too content to move.
Then, a sudden growl broke the quiet. Jihyun froze. Taewon tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Are you hungry?"
Jihyun's ears turned pink as he gave a tiny nod.
Taewon's smile deepened.
He stood, grabbing a shirt from the chair, slipping it on but leaving half the buttons undone.
He was about to leave when Jihyun's voice stopped him from behind.
"Button your shirt properly."
Taewon glanced back, gave a small bow in mock obedience, and disappeared toward the kitchen.
By the time,
Jihyun had showered and dressed, the smell of food drifted through the condo.
He walked out slowly,
Taewon hurried from the kitchen the moment he saw him, guiding him by the wrist to the dining table.
"Sit," he said softly, pulling the chair out.
Jihyun lowered himself, but before he could touch anything,
Taewon sat beside him and began feeding him bite by bite.
After a few mouthfuls,
Jihyun puffed his cheeks, glaring at the chopsticks.
"I'm hungry. You're feeding me too little. I'll eat on my own."
Taewon chuckled, placing the chopsticks down.
"Fine. Eat."
His smile lingered as he leaned back, but just then his phone buzzed on the table.
The sound repeated, insistent.
Jihyun glanced at him. "Who is it?"
Taewon brushed it off.
"Ah, leave it. You eat."
But Jihyun turned his head away, muttering under his breath,
"I know who it is. That clever homewrecker."
Taewon raised a brow, clearly intrigued. "Who are you talking about?"
Jihyun's lips curled into a sly smirk.
"That lover of yours we left back in Itaewon."
Taewon's smile tugged wider.
"Are you jealous?"
Jihyun's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Jealous? Who would be jealous of her? You're already mine. No matter how much she tries, she can't have you. She's the one who'll stay jealous."
Taewon stood, shaking his head with an amused breath.
"You eat. I'll take a shower. I have a dinner meeting tonight, but I'll be back soon and I'll bring you dinner."
Jihyun shot him a pointed look.
"Dinner? Or a date with Bora?"
"It's a business meeting."
Taewon held out his phone, showing his schedule.
Jihyun rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Fine. You just suddenly mentioned it, so I thought"
Taewon cut in teasingly,
"So you thought I was cheating?
But maybe… it's true."
Jihyun snapped his head up, glare sharp. "Do you want me to finish this meal in peace or should I smash these eyes of yours first?"
Taewon lifted both hands in surrender, chuckling.
"Okay, okay. Sorry. But tell me why is it always my eyes you threaten?"
Jihyun's tone was flat but deadly.
"Because they're the most attractive thing on your face. If you didn't have them, you wouldn't dare think about anyone else."
Taewon looked at him quietly,
lips pressed, then gave a slow nod before heading toward the bedroom.
(Evening – Condo)
Jihyun woke up on the couch,
TV still flickering, the sound low.
He rubbed his eyes, yawning.
"I'm sleeping way too much these days… and still I'm always tired."
Dragging himself up, he shuffled to the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, he grabbed a bar of chocolate, unwrapped it, and took a bite.
The moment it touched his tongue, he grimaced, spitting it out, tossing it in the bin.
"What the hell… why does it taste so bad…"
He quickly reached for a glass, but before he could fill it, dizziness washed over him.
He staggered back, one hand clutching the shelf, the other setting the empty glass on the counter.
Heart pounding, he slid down to sit on the floor, breathing out.
"What's wrong with me… why have I been like this for a week… always sick."
The door clicked open.
"Jihyun?"
Taewon's voice filled the apartment.
Jihyun quickly stood, forcing a pout on his lips, hiding how shaky he felt.
When Taewon stepped in, he walked straight to him, pressing a kiss on his forehead.
"Sorry I'm late."
Jihyun only nodded, taking the bag from his hand, pulling out the food.
He set it on the table while Taewon fetched a glass of water.
"Why are you late?"
Jihyun asked, sliding the food onto a plate.
"The meeting ran longer than scheduled,"
Taewon answered, placing the glass beside him.
"But I tried my best to come as fast as I could."
Jihyun looked up at him, and before Taewon could sit, he wrapped his arms around his waist in a sudden hug.
Taewon patted his head gently, then sat next to him as Jihyun leaned back in his chair.
"Have you eaten yet?" Jihyun asked.
"Yes, I did."
"Eat with me. It's too much, I can't finish."
Taewon shook his head, smiling, but Jihyun had already lifted a spoonful to his lips.
Taewon accepted it with a chuckle.
"I'm full but if you want, I can feed you."
Jihyun shook his head stubbornly, lips pressing into a pout.
Taewon laughed softly, then leaned forward and began feeding him anyway,
watching the small tired smiles flicker across his face.
(After Meal)
Taewon leaned back in the chair, eyes heavy, head almost nodding off.
Jihyun noticed, a small smile tugging his lips.
As Taewon reached for the plates, Jihyun quickly stood.
"I can do it. You go change and take a shower."
Taewon rubbed his eyes, too tired to argue.
"Okay." He nodded and headed to the bedroom.
Jihyun carried the dishes into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves.
While rinsing plates, he caught himself smiling softly.
"Sometimes… Taewon really looks like a child."
(Bedroom)
The sound of water running filled the room.
When Taewon came out, hair damp, towel around his neck, he slumped into the chair.
Eyes red, exhaustion painted across his face, he picked up the dryer with a heavy hand.
Jihyun plugged his phone into charge, then walked over, snatching the dryer gently from his hand.
"Let me do it."
Taewon turned, arms wrapping lazily around Jihyun's waist as he stood behind him.
Jihyun began drying his hair slowly, carefully running his fingers through the strands.
A soft hum left Taewon's throat,
comfort easing his tired shoulders.
(Later – Bed)
They slipped under the blanket.
Taewon pulled Jihyun into his chest, pressing a kiss first to his lips, then his forehead.
"Goodnight, Jihyun-ah."
Jihyun's smile glowed faintly in the dark.
"Goodnight, jagiya."
Taewon blinked, surprised.
"Jagiya?"
Jihyun smirked proudly, eyes glinting.
"Why? Aren't you my jagiya?"
Taewon's lips curved, his heart softening as he pulled him even closer.
"Yes. Always."