Present....
Ji-won arrived in the city a week before school resumed, but instead of heading to the dorms, he made his way directly to Youn-Jae's place. The moment he'd messaged Youn-Jae about his early return to prepare for the semester, Youn-Jae eagerly invited him to stay, excited at the thought of spending time together.
The apartment was in an opulent high-rise in the heart of the city. As Ji-won stepped into the lobby, he couldn't help but feel a familiar awe creep over him. Despite having visited before, the place still managed to overwhelm him. The polished marble floors sparkled under grand chandeliers, and the soft fragrance of fresh flowers added an air of elegance. The impeccably dressed concierge staff greeted him with polite nods, making Ji-won feel like he'd walked into a different world.
Riding the private elevator to the top floor, Ji-won glanced at the spotless walls and intricate gold accents. He muttered to himself, with a smile, "Hyung is really lucky to be able to live like this."
When the elevator chimed, the doors slid open to reveal Youn-Jae waiting with a radiant smile. He didn't wait for Ji-won to step out completely; instead, he rushed forward, pulling Ji-won into a warm, tight embrace. His arms wrapped around Ji-won as if he'd been holding back for far too long.
"Hyung, I… I can't breathe!" Ji-won teased softly, his voice warm with amusement, though he awkwardly patted Youn-Jae's back, the closeness making his heart race a bit.
"Hmmm, I just missed you too much," Youn-Jae murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he held Ji-won even closer, swaying slightly as if grounding himself in the moment. After a beat, he nudged Ji-won's head down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, his gaze tender as he took in Ji-won's slightly flushed face.
Ji-won glanced around the expansive penthouse, his eyes wide as he absorbed the sight. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a sweeping view of the city, sunlight pouring in through the large glass doors leading to the terrace, casting the sleek, modern furniture in a warm, golden glow.
"Hyung… I'm finally seeing just how amazing this place is." His voice was almost a whisper, colored with awe as he shyly took it all in.
Youn-Jae chuckled, watching Ji-won's expression with a smirk. "You've been here before, haven't you?"
"Yes, but I didn't get a chance to really appreciate it. And… things were different back then," Ji-won murmured, a note of sadness slipping into his voice as he recalled their last tense encounter here.
Youn-Jae's smile softened. He led Ji-won over to the couch and gently sat him down, kneeling in front of him to meet his gaze. "Let me replace those memories with better ones, ones that make you feel safe." He reached out, covering Ji-won's hands with his own. "I promise, I won't hurt you again."
Ji-won's expression softened, his fingers fidgeting a bit beneath Youn-Jae's steady hold. "But, Hyung… one more thing. Who's Kyle?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
Youn-Jae's cheeks flushed slightly, and he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, a small laugh escaping him. "Oh… I just borrowed my friend's name," he admitted sheepishly.
Ji-won playfully pinched his cheek, laughing. "I can't believe you tricked me!"
Laughing, Youn-Jae gently brushed off Ji-won's hands, bringing one of them to his lips to place a soft kiss on his knuckles. "And your uncle… I think it's time we tell him about us. We shouldn't keep him in the dark, right?"
"Yeah, you're right, Hyung," Ji-won replied, though a hint of hesitation crept into his voice. "But… are you really okay with that?" He cast a self-conscious glance down at himself, then back up at Youn-Jae. "I mean, look at us. We're… different now."
Youn-Jae stood, gently ruffling Ji-won's hair with a fond smile. "I don't care about any of that, as long as it's you. I'll do anything, as long as we don't have to be apart again."
A thin but genuine smile spread across Ji-won's lips, and he let his gaze wander around the spacious apartment once more, lingering on the luxurious décor and expansive spaces. "Hyung… doesn't it get lonely here?"
Youn-Jae's expression grew wistful. "I'd rather be here than at the main house, but it won't be lonely from now on." His voice softened, an amused glint sparking in his eyes.
Ji-won shook his head, the scale of it all still sinking in. "It's so huge… almost too much," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips as he glanced up at Youn-Jae.
Youn-Jae leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a soft, affectionate murmur. "Then, would you like to live here with me?" His lips curved into a mischievous smile, his eyes filled with playful warmth.
Ji-won's cheeks flushed instantly, and he waved his hands in a flustered gesture, struggling to find his words. "N-No, Hyung!" he stammered, feeling the intensity of Youn-Jae's gaze settle in his chest, making him squirm with a mixture of embarrassment and a warmth he didn't quite know what to do with.
Youn-Jae chuckled, pulling back slightly but keeping his playful tone. "Well, the offer's always open. I won't force you," he said with a gentle smile.
Still blushing, Ji-won quickly averted his gaze, focusing on the breathtaking view outside as he tried to calm the fluttering in his chest. The affection Youn-Jae offered so freely was still something he was learning to accept. But in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of Youn-Jae's presence, he felt comforted in a way that was growing familiar yet still left his heart racing.
I know I forgave you so easily after everything you put me through. I am hurt—there's no denying that—but what cuts the deepest is that the pain came from you. Still, the moment I recognized you, the love and longing outweighed the resentment I'd been carrying all this time. I just hope I made the right choice because I want to let go of the past and forgive you. I want to know the Hyung you are now—the one I have right here in front of me.
***
Ji-Won and Youn-Jae savored their dinner together, swapping stories and laughter between bites. The atmosphere was warm and easy—the kind of comfort that came naturally between two people who shared so much history.
As they finished eating, Ji-Won stretched slightly and stood up. "I'll handle the dishes," he offered, reaching for the plates with a small, contented smile.
But Youn-Jae immediately leaned forward, shaking his head with determination. "No way. I'm helping. Let's do this together—I'll dry the plates."
Ji-Won raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk forming on his face. "Hyung, do you even remember what happened last time?" he teased, crossing his arms. "Maybe it's better if you just sit back and let me handle this. I don't want that to happen again."
Youn-Jae crossed his own arms, matching Ji-Won's stance with a stubborn glint in his eye. "No, I want to do it together," he insisted, giving a boyish grin. "Come on, it'll be fun."
Ji-Won sighed, shaking his head in mock reluctance. "You're so annoying, Hyung," he said, narrowing his eyes. "If you mess this up, don't say I didn't warn you."
Side by side at the sink, they fell into an easy rhythm. Ji-Won washed, and Youn-Jae dried, the clinking of dishes mingling with soft laughter. But it didn't take long for Youn-Jae's clumsy streak to make an appearance. As he reached for a plate, it slipped from his hands, crashing onto the floor and splintering into pieces.
Ji-Won froze, staring at the mess before letting out an amused sigh. A slow grin spread across his face as he turned to Youn-Jae, an eyebrow raised in playful judgment. "Hyung," he said, barely containing his laughter, "I'm really starting to pity you right now."
Youn-Jae scratched the back of his head, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment as he looked at the scattered pieces on the floor. Before he could say anything, Ji-Won stepped forward and gently tugged the apron off Youn-Jae's waist with a chuckle. "Alright, that's enough damage control from you," he said, unable to hide the warmth in his teasing tone. "Let me take over before you manage to break everything in here."
He gave Youn-Jae a soft nudge toward the living room, his expression a mixture of amusement and fond exasperation. "Go sit down, Hyung," he said, waving him off. "I'll handle the rest."
Youn-Jae gave a playful pout, but a smile tugged at his lips as he turned and walked to the couch, glancing back with a glint of mischief. Ji-Won watched him go, shaking his head but unable to stop the fond smile that lingered on his face as he returned to the sink. The warmth from Youn-Jae's insistence stayed with him, filling the kitchen as he finished cleaning up.
After finishing up, Ji-Won joined Youn-Jae on the couch, sitting beside him as Youn-Jae's eyes stayed on the television. The comfort of being close to each other filled the room. Noticing Ji-Won's gaze, Youn-Jae glanced over with a playful smirk. "I'm going to melt if you keep staring at me like that," he teased. "Got something on your mind?"
Ji-Won hesitated, looking down. "Hyung, I just wanted to ask… why you left so suddenly back then."
Youn-Jae's smile faded as he looked back at the television. "Father found out what I'd done and sent me back to Germany. He was furious. But…" He paused, glancing back at Ji-Won. "If I'd known it was you, I would've stayed, no matter what."
Ji-Won looked down again, feeling his fingers fidget in his lap. "Is he… very different from your real father?"
Youn-Jae reached out, covering Ji-Won's hand with his own. "Yes, very different. But you don't have to worry anymore. I'm here, and I'm not letting anything separate us again." He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Ji-Won's forehead. "Think about my offer to live with me. I'll even talk to Uncle Baek if that helps." Ji-Won nodded, feeling a weightlift as he settled back into the warmth of Youn-Jae's presence. For the first time in years, he felt that things might just be okay, "But Hyung, how did you end up here, in all of this? What happened during those eighteen years we were apart?" His voice was filled with quiet curiosity Youn-Jae's gaze softened, and he leaned in slightly, placing a reassuring hand on Ji-Won's shoulder. His touch was gentle, warm, grounding Ji-Won in the present moment. With a comforting smile that spoke of both affection and understanding, he murmured, "I'll tell you everything—just not tonight. I don't want to cloud our first night back together with old shadows."
Ji-Won felt his heart ease at the warmth in Youn-Jae's gaze, and he gave a small nod, letting the reassurance settle over him. For tonight, he was content, leaning into the comfort of Youn-Jae's presence.
The story doesn't end here...