The atmosphere is a bit thicker than usual.
As Jaewon eats, he barely notices Taesan's absence, too absorbed in his phone and the thought of getting another easy ride. He sends a few more smug texts, chuckling quietly as he indulges in the meal prepared by Taesan. The food, as always, is perfectly cooked, seasoned with a care that Jaewon takes for granted.
But as the minutes tick by, the silence starts to feel heavy. He glances at the study door, which remains closed. There's something about the quiet that unsettles him, though he can't quite put his finger on it. For a fleeting moment, a pang of guilt pierces his thoughts, but he quickly brushes it aside. After all, he thinks, Taesan has always been there for him, hasn't he?
Finishing the meal, Jaewon leans back, stretching and savoring the flavors off these fingers. Deciding he should thank Taesan and maybe smooth things over a bit, he saunters toward the study, planning to give a casual compliment about the meal.
"Hyung… Can I come in?"
"Yeah, Jae..."
"Thanks a lot for lunch today, Hyung. I really love the way you cook for me," Jaewon says, wrapping his arms around Taesan's shoulders with a playful smirk, his tone tinged with mischief.
"Anything for you, Jae," Taesan replies, his focus fixed on the screen in front of him, fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard.
"Hyung, you're seriously good at programming," Jaewon said, watching the screen with open fascination. "The way you handle code… it's like you could bend it however you want. Even stuff related to A.I."
Taesan let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not that impressive. I just practice a lot. But thanks, Jae."
Jaewon leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. "If you're that good… could you get into people's systems? Like… hack them?"
Taesan glanced at him immediately. "Jae! That's illegal! You know that, right?"
"I know," Jaewon replied with a soft sigh, sounding almost disappointed. "I was just asking. Still… could you?"
Taesan paused for a second. He understood the question too well, and the curiosity behind it did not feel innocent. He kept his tone casual anyway. "No. Hacking isn't some movie trick. It takes years of work and certifications. I'm not capable of that."
Jaewon clicked his tongue under his breath. "That's disappointing."
"Hm?" Taesan looked up. "Did you say something?"
"Nah, nothing," Jaewon said quickly, forcing a laugh. "I meant it's better not to know that stuff. Sounds dangerous."
"Yeah," Taesan replied. "Exactly. Now stop thinking weird things and go rest. We're heading out for dinner later."
Jaewon hesitated, then spoke again, voice lighter.
"Ahh... Hyung...one more thing.. I haven't gone to dinner with friends...how about I invite them too?"
Taesan stopped walking. For a moment, he said nothing. He already had a feeling how the night might go, how things usually went whenever Jaewon asked for something.
Still, he smiled.
"Sure," he said quietly. "Invite them."
The answer came easy. The weight in his chest did not.
"Ahh, thanksss HYUNGGG!! You are the best, Hyung!!" He tightens his hug around Taesan. "Ok, then I'm going to just doze off a bit."
"Ya ya. Good sleep, Jae!" Taesan doesn't turn back at Jaewon. And also, Jaewon doesn't seem to be bothered; rather, he didn't even notice the cold eyes and expressions Taesan had on his face, nor the way his fingers have stilled over the keyboard.
***
Later that Evening.
"Hyung, have you seen my silver chain?" Jaewon asks, frantically rummaging through his drawer.
"Honestly, do you ever keep track of your things?" Taesan smirks, leaning against the doorway with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Jaewon shoots him a mock glare. "I know where most of my stuff is...just not that one piece," he says, his fingers digging through stacks of clothes. "Maybe I left it here so you'd have a reason to come help me."
Taesan raises an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Oh? So now I'm just an accessory-finder?"
Jaewon chuckles, brushing back his hair. "Maybe... or maybe I just like it when you hover."
Taesan shook his head, pretending to be unimpressed, but there was no hiding the small smile tugging at his lips. He reaches out, gently moving a shirt aside. "Alright, Mr. Messy, let's find this chain of yours."
"See? I knew you cared," Jaewon teased, giving him a playful nudge.
"Till now you thought I never cared about you?? Uff. How pathetic! You broke my heart into shatters." dramatically clutches chest as if wounded.
Jaewon laughs, amused at Taesan's exaggerated reaction. "Hyung, I didn't say never! I just meant... I like it when you're around. You know, in case I lose anything else." He winks, giving Taesan a smug look.
Taesan rolls his eyes but can't suppress the soft chuckle that escapes him. "Oh, so I'm just your personal search and rescue team now? Maybe I should start charging you for every lost item I find."
"Ha! Like you could charge me," Jaewon scoffs, leaning a little closer. "You love it. Admit it, Hyung. You love being my go-to hero."
"Hero, huh?" Taesan tilts his head, eyes narrowing playfully. "I don't remember signing up for that title. Besides, heroes don't usually get roped into finding silver chains."
Jaewon smirks, catching Taesan's gaze and holding it for a bit too long. "But I bet I'm your favorite damsel in distress," he says, his voice softening as he let the words linger in the air.
Taesan blinks, taken aback but amused. He finally shakes his head, giving a slight shrug. "You're something, all right." He leans in, lowering his voice to a mock whisper. "Just don't go making a habit of getting 'lost.' I can only rescue you so many times before I start charging, remember?"
Jaewon feigns hurt, clutching his chest dramatically. "Hyung, are you saying you'd let me go unrescued?"
Taesan chuckles, his fingers brushing against Jaewon's arm as he straightens up. "Not a chance. I'd come after you, no matter how many times you get 'lost.'"
They both laugh, yet an unspoken tension lingered between them—a silent promise, an invisible thread connecting their souls.
But then, as if struck by a sudden revelation, Taesan's mind sharpens, and the realization hits him: all the playful banter, the fake friendship, was just an act put on by Jaewon. With that thought, he quickly snaps back to his senses.
——————— TO BE CONTINUED