Minjun was sitting at the table, bent over his notebooks and laptop. His fingers quickly moved across the keyboard, lines of numbers and notes blurring together. He tried to focus, but his thoughts were scattered: studies, his part-time job, the recent conversation with his father, and anxiety about the future. Tension was building in his chest, and his shoulders ached from fatigue, as if the entire weight of the last few days had fallen on him at once.
Hyuk entered quietly, almost silently. He stopped in the doorway and simply watched for a few seconds. He saw how Minjun was hunched over, how his lips were pressed into a thin line, how his eyes were fixed on the screen, yet his gaze was clouded. Hyuk's heart ached - he knew that expression too well: the stubborn desire to hold on and the quiet weariness that Minjun hid from everyone.
"Minjun," he called softly, walking closer.
Minjun flinched, as if surfacing from the depths, and looked up. He smiled - but the smile was strained.
"I just... want to get everything done," he muttered, his gaze sliding back to the screen. "But it seems endless."
Hyuk didn't argue. He sat down next to him and placed his palm on his shoulder. The large, warm hand moved cautiously, as if erasing the tension. Minjun took a deeper breath - and for the first time all day, he felt his body relax a little.
"Take a break," Hyuk said. His voice was low, calm, and reassuring. "I'll make some tea. We'll just sit for a bit."
Minjun wanted to object, but instead of words, he just nodded. He was too tired, and it was too nice to feel that someone else was taking on part of his worries.
A few minutes later, Hyuk returned with two mugs. The scent of mint and chamomile filled the room. He placed one in front of Minjun, then settled down beside him, leaning back against the chair.
"Try it," he said softly.
Minjun took the mug and inhaled the aroma. With the first sip, his heart's anxious beating slowed down a little. He secretly looked at Hyuk. Hyuk was watching him attentively, calmly, without judgment. And this "without words" support was more reassuring than any speech.
"Thank you," Minjun murmured, the corners of his lips trembling into a slight smile. "You always know what I need."
Hyuk reached out, intertwined their fingers, and squeezed lightly. Minjun felt the tremor inside him recede.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm handling things too slowly," he confessed quietly, pressing his palm against Hyuk's warm hand.
"You don't have to handle it alone," Hyuk replied. He leaned closer, touched his forehead to his, and gently kissed his cheek. "That's what I'm here for."
Minjun closed his eyes. All the day's tension, all the heavy pressure, seemed to crumble away. He allowed himself to lean on Hyuk's shoulder.
"Let's go out for a bit," Hyuk suggested when he felt Minjun's breathing become calmer. "Just walk down the street."
Minjun hesitated but nodded.
***
The street greeted them with a soft evening light. Leaves rustled quietly in the gentle wind, and a few passersby hurried about their business. Streetlights turned on one by one, reflecting in the puddles from the rain.
Hyuk held his hand, their fingers intertwined. Every step was unhurried, as if they were truly walking in sync with each other. Minjun pressed his shoulder against Hyuk's, feeling a sense of lightness for the first time that day.
"Feel it?" Hyuk said quietly. "Even a short break can change everything."
"Yeah..." Minjun smiled and squeezed his hand a little tighter. "Thanks for pulling me out of those notebooks."
They passed a small cafe that smelled of baked goods. Minjun slowed down, Hyuk noticed, and chuckled:
"Want to? Let's go in."
A minute later, they were sitting at a small wooden table by the window. There were still-warm cinnamon buns on a plate, and mugs of milky coffee warmed their hands. Minjun ate slowly, but with every crumb, he felt his chest lighten. Hyuk watched him, sometimes teasing, sometimes just staying silent, enjoying how Minjun's face came to life.
"When you smile," he said quietly, leaning closer, "everything around seems brighter."
Minjun's cheeks flushed, and he looked down at his mug, but his smile widened.
Going Home
When they returned home, the night had completely covered the city. Only a soft lamp was on in the room. Minjun sat on the sofa, and Hyuk hugged him from behind, pressing him close.
Minjun rested his head on his shoulder, his eyes closing on their own.
"Rest," Hyuk whispered, stroking his back. "I'm right here."