Night settled quietly over the house.
Haru refused to go with Liya, gripping Haneul's sleeve until he gave in.
So she slept curled against him, small hands clutching his shirt, her breath warm on his arm.
Haneul didn't mind.
He held her gently through the night, her weight barely noticeable, but the warmth strangely comforting.
(Morning)
Bora arrived early.
A soft knock came before the door opened
She entered Haneul's room and found Haru sleeping with her head tucked under Haneul's chin.
The scene made her smile faintly.
"Haru," she whispered softly, touching Haru's shoulder.
Haru blinked awake slowly, rubbing her eyes. pressed her face against Haneul's arm for one last second before sitting up.
"Time for school."
Haneul pushed her hair back and helped her off the bed.
"Come," he murmured.
"Wash your face."
He lifted her, holding her steady on the bathroom counter as he washed her cheeks with warm water.
She giggled when drops fell on her nose.
He dried her face, combed her hair, and helped her into her uniform piece by piece buttoning her shirt, fixing her collar, tying her shoes.
"You're ready," he said softly.
Haru nodded proudly.
Downstairs,
He walked her to breakfast.
She sat beside him as Bora served food, Haneul watching carefully to make sure she ate enough.
When the car arrived, Haru hugged him tightly before running out the door.
Haneul stood there for a moment, eyes lingering on the doorway long after she had left.
Then he walked out to the garden and sat on the cold bench, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders.
The sky was grey, heavy, ready to rain.
His chest felt just as heavy.
"Why he isn't back yet"
(2 PM)
The wind turned sharper, so Haneul went back inside and settled near the fireplace in the main hall.
He sat on the rug, legs folded, Haru's storybook opened in his lap.
The fire crackled softly, lighting his face in a warm orange glow.
He read quietly, lips moving a little whenever he repeated a line he thought Haru would like.
He was so focused he didn't hear the heavy front door open.
The servants immediately straightened up.
Taekyun stepped inside, tall figure filling the entrance.
His coat was wet with the cold moisture from outside.
He didn't say anything. He rarely needed to. The servants bowed deeply.
One stepped forward, removed Taekyun's coat carefully, folding it over his arm.
Taekyun didn't look at anyone.
His eyes were already fixed ahead.
He saw Haneul small figure sitting by the fire, still flipping pages, completely unaware he was being watched.
Haneul's hair fell softly over his forehead, his lashes low as he read something aloud under his breath.
Taekyun didn't move for a moment.
Then he walked to the side table, picked up the glass placed there every day at this exact time, and poured himself water.
His fingers were long, steady, and the soft clink of glass echoed through the quiet hall.
He drank slowly.
But his eyes…
They didn't leave Haneul for even a second.
He watched the way Haneul leaned closer to the warmth, the way his small shoulders rose and fell softly with each breath.
He looked peaceful, completely untouched by the presence standing across the hall.
Taekyun swallowed the water, feeling something tighten inside him.
Then, without a single sound, he turned and walked upstairs to his room.
Haneul didn't even realise he had come.
(3 PM – Haru Returns)
The moment the door opened again,
Haru burst inside, throwing her bag.
SHE smiled and ran toward Haneul.
He was still sitting in front of the heater, book in hands, half sleepy from warmth.
He smiled immediately when Haru jumped into his lap.
"You're back,"
He whispered, brushing her hair back.
Haru nodded quickly and kissed his cheek.
Haneul kissed her cheek back, soft and natural.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Taekyun had come down.
He stopped when he saw Haru sitting on Haneul's lap, her tiny hands cupping Haneul's face as she pressed kiss after kiss on his cheeks.
The sight made something in him freeze.
Haru noticed him instantly and got off Haneul's lap fast, bowing to her father.
Haneul blinked, confused who she bowed to until he lifted his head.
His eyes met Taekyun's straight.
And that's when it happened again.
A sudden wave of Haneul's pheromones escaped soft, warm, almost trembling.
Taekyun felt it hit the side of his neck like a warm breath.
He stiffened.
Why?
No Omega releases pheromones unless they choose to.
Yet every time he faces Haneul… the same wave comes.
And only he can feel it. No one else.
Haneul swallowed and stood, bowing next to Haru.
Taekyun carried Haru in one arm, kissed her cheek, but his eyes… his eyes stayed lost on Haneul.
Bora noticed the strange tension between them and smiled too much, but her heart was pounding like crazy.
Taekyun walked closer.
Haneul was tiny standing before him Taekyun's height was 195cm,
Haneul only 155cm.
The difference looked almost unreal when they stood this close. Taekyun's throat bobbed hard.
His voice came out too calm, gentler than usual.
"Are you feeling well now?"
Haneul froze, looking up fast.
"Uhm… yes… I'm well."
Taekyun nodded slightly and walked away with Haru into the study.
Haneul stared at Bora silently. She only smiled and nodded back.
He lowered his gaze and went upstairs to his room.
(Dinner Time)
After dinner,
Taekyun and Haru went outside for a walk.
Haneul stayed in his room, meal untouched.
His mind kept replaying Taekyun's voice, the closeness, the soft question.
His heart was beating wildly, almost painfully, the longer he stayed alone.
And a faint smile slipped out.
(Outside)
Taekyun walked quietly. Haru held his hand but kept looking up at him.
"Do you… like Haneul?"
He finally asked.
Haru nodded with a small smile.
Taekyun paused, then asked softly,
"Haru-ah Did you… say abba yesterday?"
Haru's eyes widened.
How did he know?
She said it in Haneul's room.
He wasn't home.
No one else was there.
But Taekyun's voice was steady.
"Say it again… slowly,"
He repeated.
Haru looked down nervously.
Taekyun swallowed tightly.
"Can you call me abba… like before?"
Haru nodded slowly.
Then whispered,
"Abba."
Taekyun stopped walking.
He froze completely.
The word hit him so deeply he almost lost his breath.
He finally heard the one thing he had waited years to hear.
This time not through the surveillance devices he secretly installed in Haneul's room.
Not through speakers or recordings.
But directly from her mouth, in front of him, meant for him.
He kneeled down, hugged her hard.
Haru wrapped her arms around him and whispered again against his shoulder,
"Abba."
And this time Taekyun's arms tightened around her like he couldn't believe she was real.