After 6 days.
Chaewon was cooking dinner at home so Han could eat when he came back that night. Things were still not settled between them. They had stopped talking completely, acting like strangers sharing the same space.
Still, Chaewon came every day — to cook, to clean, to make sure things were okay.
That day, he had just finished cooking. He cleaned up and packed the food neatly into containers. When he heard the door open, he quickly placed them in the fridge, grabbed his jacket, and prepared to leave.
He didn't want to face Han — he just wanted to slip past quietly.
But as he walked toward the door, his eyes caught something. Han stood there holding a laptop, his hands trembling so badly it looked like it could fall any second. Chaewon hesitated but still kept walking… until the image burned itself into his mind.
He stopped outside his door, frozen. Then, without a second thought, he turned back and rushed inside.
Han was still standing there, eyes empty, clutching the laptop like it held something unbearable.
Chaewon slowly walked closer, reached out, and hugged him tightly from behind.
"It's fine," he whispered softly. "I'm right here with you."
The moment Han heard those words, he broke down completely. His body shook as tears poured down. Chaewon didn't ask why, didn't say anything else. He just held him tighter. All the anger, all the silence from before — vanished like it never existed.
Later, both sat in the living room. Han brought out a few beer cans and started drinking. It only took one can for him to get drunk, his face already turning red.
"Yaa, Chaewon," he began, voice slurred but heavy. "I have a friend... and his boyfriend hides things from him. What could be the reason?"
Chaewon knew this wasn't about a friend — it was about him. He looked down for a moment, then said quietly,
"If it's your friend, I'd say maybe his boyfriend doesn't want him to worry. But if it's you... I'd say he doesn't trust you."
Han looked up at him, confused. "Why is the answer different for me?"
Chaewon met his gaze. "Because I have different feelings for you."
Han chuckled weakly. "You know, today I'm actually... happy that you're here. Otherwise, it would be so hard. I don't even know why I feel so bad. I know it was all in the past, but it still hurts. It hurts here." He pressed his palm against his chest.
"You were right when you said I'm just someone who needs validation from his boyfriend. I guess I really am that kind of person. Now I just feel... worthless. I don't even know who I am anymore. And it hurts."
Chaewon's eyes glimmered with emotion. He leaned closer and said softly,
"If it hurts that much... then leave him. Come to me. I'll treat you better."
Han froze. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then Han turned to him and murmured,
"You think I didn't try? I tried so hard to get away from him... but every time—"
Chaewon's voice trembled, finishing his thought, "Every time he spoke…"
Han tried to continue, "Yaa… every time…" but before he could finish, his eyes closed. He fell asleep mid-sentence, his head resting on the couch.
Chaewon just sat there, watching him.
And for the first time, he allowed himself to hope — maybe Han really wanted to leave him. Maybe this time... he had a chance.