The funeral room smelled of incense and fresh flowers.
Jungtae stood still in front of the casket. His hands hung at his sides, fingers stiff. The glass reflected his face faintly, tired eyes staring back at him. Inside, his grandpa lay peacefully, dressed neatly, hands folded like he was only sleeping.
Jungtae leaned closer.
"You don't have to worry anymore," he whispered, voice barely steady. "I'll take care of Mom. We will be okay."
His throat tightened.
"Rest well, Grandpa."
His fingers brushed the edge of the casket. He stayed there a moment longer, then stepped back and bowed his head.
Behind him, his mother was speaking quietly with relatives. Soft murmurs filled the room. Condolences. Sighs. The sound of grief that didn't need words.
Jungtae moved to one of the chairs lined against the wall and sat down slowly. His shoulders felt heavy, like they had been pressed down for days.
When he looked up, the door opened.
Woojin stepped inside.
He wore black, his hair neatly combed, his expression tense. The moment his eyes found Jungtae, his steps slowed.
Jungtae stood up without thinking.
They met halfway.
Woojin wrapped his arms around him, firm but careful. Jungtae's forehead pressed against Woojin's shoulder, his breath shaking for a second before settling.
"I'm sorry," Woojin said quietly. "For your loss."
Jungtae nodded. Words wouldn't come out.
Woojin pulled back slightly and frowned when he saw Jungtae's face. Puffy eyes. Pale skin.
His hand lifted without warning and brushed Jungtae's cheek.
Jungtae flinched.
"You haven't slept," Woojin said softly.
Jungtae looked away, then nodded.
They sat down side by side, facing the casket. Candles flickered gently. Flowers surrounded the photo of his grandpa, a
smile lingered on his lips.
Jungtae stared at the picture.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"I remember, we were at the park at that time when I took that photo of him. I never thought it would be used in his funeral." he murmured.
Woojin watched him closely. The way his lips curved despite the pain. The way his hands rested quietly on his lap.
"Lean on me," Woojin said. "Just for a bit. Close your eyes."
Jungtae blinked. "Huh?"
"You haven't rested," Woojin continued. "I'll wake you if anything happens."
Jungtae hesitated. Then slowly, he leaned against Woojin's shoulder.
Woojin smiled.
Jungtae's breathing evened out. His eyes shut. Within minutes, he fell asleep.
Woojin stayed still.
His shoulder began to ache, but he didn't move.
Mrs. Han approached quietly. She paused when she saw Jungtae sleeping.
She smiled faintly at Woojin.
"Thank you for coming," she whispered.
Woojin nodded.
Thirty minutes passed.
Jungtae stirred, blinking awake. He rubbed his eyes and noticed a jacket draped over him.
"…Did I sleep too long?"
Woojin shook his head. "You needed it."
"Your shoulder must hurt…" Jungtae sat up quickly. "Sorry."
"It's fine," Woojin replied. "Really."
Jungtae handed back the jacket and stretched.
That was when the air changed.
Footsteps.
Jungtae turned.
Owen stood near the entrance, dressed in black, a cap pulled low. Bandages still covered parts of his face. His eyes locked onto Jungtae first.
Then Woojin.
Mrs. Han noticed him and approached. "Oh, thank you so much for coming, Sir Owen."
Owen bowed politely. "My condolences. Don't need to call me sir. Mrs. Han."
His gaze flickered toward Woojin.
Woojin sat quietly and looked behind slowly.
Silence stretched.
Jungtae was called by his mother to talk to him. He excuses himself for a moment.
The moment he was gone…
"So," Owen said calmly. "As expected, you are here."
Woojin's eyes glared at him. "And you shouldn't be here."
"This isn't your place to decide," Owen replied.
"This isn't your life to mess with."
Owen smiled thinly. "Mess? I paid for the bills, you know that."
Woojin clenched his fists.
They stared each other down until Jungtae returned.
Two days later, the funeral ended.
At the cemetery, Jungtae placed flowers gently on the grave. Woojin stood beside him.
"Goodbye, Grandpa," Jungtae whispered.
They walked away together.
"Do you want to hang out?" Woojin asked softly. "If you're okay with it."
Jungtae thought for a moment that it was a good idea to distract himself. Jungtae nodded. "Yeah… I'd like that. Where to?"
Woojin smiled. The same smile that made Jungtae feel safe.
Jungtae's breath caught as the familiar smile washed over him. His own lips curved up in response. Memories of laughter and afternoon talks flooded back, leaving a warmth in his chest.
They arrived at a cozy animal café. Warm lights. Soft music. Cats everywhere.
Jungtae's eyes lit up.
"So many cats!"
A chubby cat climbed onto his lap. Another nudged his hand. Three more fat cats approached him.
Jungtae laughed. "Hey, that tickles."
Woojin watched quietly, then pulled out a camera from his small bag.
Jungtae noticed. "So you brought your camera all along."
Woojin nodded. "I want to remember this."
Click.
Click.
"Hey!" Jungtae protested, laughing. The awkwardness he felt these past few days with Woojin slightly disappeared.
But the memory of Woojin's confession is still fresh in his mind. He swallowed.
"..."
A cat scratched Woojin's finger. He winced. "Ow!"
Jungtae grabbed his hand. "Does it hurt? I'm glad it didn't bleed."
"It's fine. Looks like that cat is grumpy. Haha."
After playing with the cats they decided to eat. Dessert arrived. A white cat jumped onto Jungtae's lap and curled up, ready to sleep.
"Wait, Woojin. It looks like you," Jungtae laughed.
"At least he's handsome," Woojin replied.
They went to the movies after. Then Woojin asked Jungtae if he wanted to go to the beach.
"The beach? At this hour?" Jungtae said.
"The sunset would really be good to watch it there, don't you think?" Woojin replied.
They took a bus, it took an hour to reach the beach.
The sea breeze cooled Jungtae's skin. He dipped his hands into the water.
"It feels… calming."
Woojin watched him quietly.
They talked about their upcoming graduation in a few months. About the future. Jungtae spoke again.
"Woojin, thank you for today, I appreciate it. I know you wanted to comfort me."
"I'm glad." Woojin said in response.
Jungtae turned and smiled.
At the exact moment. Flash.
"Hey! You're stealing photos again."
Woojin showed him the photo. "Look, it's perfect. I caught your smile."
They laughed.
Woojin dropped Jungtae off at home. It was already night.
"I wonder," Jungtae said suddenly, "why you liked me."
Woojin smiled gently. "I'll tell you when you give me a chance."
Jungtae nodded.
As the cab left, a horn blared.
A black car.
Owen stepped out.
"About time."
Jungtae stared. "W-What are you doing here?"
Owen smiled. Little did Jungtae know, Owen was waiting for him for about 2 hours in his car.
"I was bored at home. I should've texted you earlier."
"It's already late, why come all the way here? You should've moved your plans for tomorrow."
"Well, I'm not like that." Owen chuckled. "Can I crash in tonight?"
"Huh? Why? You can just drive back home."
"Come on."
Owen said he wanted to stay the night.
Jungtae stopped at the gate and stared at him. The streetlight caught the edge of Owen's bandages, pale against his skin. This late? Jungtae glanced back at the house, windows dark and quiet.
"It's already late," Owen said easily. "You're not sending me back now, are you?"
Jungtae hesitated, then pushed the gate open.
'What's he up to now…'
Inside, the house was silent. His mother's bedroom door was closed, the faint sound of her breathing slipping through the hallway. Jungtae moved carefully, toes light against the floor.
Owen stepped into Jungtae's room and whistled low. "Small," he said, turning in a slow circle. "But cozy." His fingers brushed the desk, the shelf, the edge of the bed.
"Stop touching things," Jungtae muttered.
Owen laughed. He dropped onto the bed without asking, stretching out. "This fits me just fine."
Jungtae sighed. "Sleep there. I'll take the couch."
"At least you're generous," Owen teased, eyes glinting.
The lights went off.
Hours later, Owen's eyes opened.
The bed felt wrong… He's not used to it. Of course.
He stood and walked quietly to the living room. Jungtae slept curled on the couch, hair falling into his eyes, lips parted slightly.
Owen crouched beside him. A slow grin spread across his face as he watched him breathe. He reached out, stopping just short of touching Jungtae's cheek.
"So careless, Han Jungtae. You have no idea." he whispered.
Morning came.
Jungtae woke to an empty room.
No Owen. No sound.
Only a message glowing on his phone.
"Remember. The deal isn't over."