Minjun sat on the sofa, leaning his back against a soft pillow, while Hyuk carefully arranged a box of fragrant fried chicken on the table. The warm smell of the crispy crust and spices instantly filled the apartment, mingling with the cozy smell of the candles that had been burning on the balcony just moments ago.
"You brought too much again..." Minjun smiled, trying to seem calm, but a slight joy was evident in his voice.
"I just wanted us to enjoy dinner together," Hyuk replied, sitting down next to him and neatly arranging the chicken pieces on plates. His gaze slid over Minjun, warm and attentive.
They ate slowly, savoring the taste and talking about simple things: movies, work details, plans for the weekend. But Minjun felt something clenching inside him - thoughts of his family, the phone calls, the fact that he was not yet ready to meet his relatives, all merged with the comfort of the evening, creating a strange mix of warmth and anxiety.
"Hyuk..." he began, lowering his eyes slightly. "I... I don't want you to meet my family right now. I... I feel guilty about it."
Hyuk frowned slightly, but then gently took Minjun's hand:
"I understand. There's no need to rush. We'll go at your pace."
Minjun took a deep breath, feeling Hyuk's warmth pass through his palm to his heart. He wanted to say more, but the words were stuck somewhere between pride and fear.
"And also... I don't want to go back home," Minjun continued, his voice trembling slightly. "Not even for a few days... I'm afraid I'll have to, and I... I'm not ready."
Hyuk nodded quietly, pressing closer. His palm slid down Minjun's back, stroking it gently.
"Then we won't rush. You're not alone, Minjun. Everything will be as you want it to be."
Minjun tilted his head slightly onto Hyuk's shoulder, allowing himself to relax. Everything inside was trembling - a mix of gratitude, relief, and quiet fear. Hyuk ran his hand through his hair, lightly touching Minjun's forehead with his lips. Minjun responded with a light kiss on the cheek, then a brief peck on the lips. It was a quiet confirmation that they were together, that it was okay to be vulnerable, and that there was someone next to him who would understand.
After dinner, Minjun offered to give Hyuk a short shoulder massage - he could see that the day's tension had left slight traces on his body. Hyuk sat on the couch with his eyes closed, and Minjun carefully ran his hands over his shoulders and neck, feeling every muscle relax under his touch. At one point, he leaned in from behind, touching Hyuk's neck with his lips, then his forehead and, briefly, his lips. Hyuk sighed quietly, pressing his back against Minjun.
At that moment, the room filled with a quiet harmony, but Minjun still felt a slight chill of anxiety, as if the shadow of that call from his father was gliding along the walls. He took Hyuk's hand again and gently squeezed it:
"I want us to... be together, no matter what. Even if difficulties arise soon."
Hyuk turned to him, his eyes shining with warmth and confidence.
"We'll get through it. Together."
Minjun smiled and rested his head on Hyuk's shoulder, feeling how his breath and body heat calmed his anxiety. Their hands intertwined, and their hearts beat in unison. They sat like that for so long that it seemed time had stopped - only the warm light of the lamp, the soft music from a nearby speaker, and their quiet breaths created a world where they were alone together.
Night slowly descended on the city. Minjun and Hyuk, wrapped in each other's arms, quietly talked about the next day, plans for the weekend, and small joys. Every whisper, every touch was filled with tenderness and care. Minjun felt that despite the external difficulties, there was a support next to him that would always remain.
When their eyes began to close from fatigue, they didn't part, falling asleep in each other's embrace. Their hearts beat in unison, their hands held on tightly, and the quiet world around them seemed to whisper that love and trust are stronger than any threats.