Overnight with Minjae

The scent of home-cooked food filled the air, something rich and warm that hadn't existed in this house for a long time. The sound of gentle laughter came from the kitchen, pots clinking, and soft murmurs of conversation between Minjae and his mother.

Jihoon stepped through the door, his fingers lingering on the doorknob as he took it all in. He hadn't smelled a meal like this in years—not since their family had been whole. The house, once filled with silence and grief, felt… different. Brighter, even.

He slipped off his shoes and stepped in carefully, drawn by the soft chatter coming from the kitchen.

His gaze landed on Minjae first, standing by the stove, sleeves rolled up, stirring a pot of soup with an ease that surprised Jihoon. His mother chuckled beside him, playfully scolding him about not cutting the vegetables properly.

Jihoon's heart clenched at the sight, but before he could process it, something else took over.

A vision.

For a split second, the kitchen wasn't as it was now. It was before.

The same warmth, but the colors were more vivid—brighter, livelier.

His father sat at the table, the crisp sound of a newspaper turning as he glanced at them. "You two better finish your homework before dinner" he grumbled.

Minjae and Jihoon, just kids, sat by the counter, watching their mother stir a pot, their stomachs growling in anticipation.

The smell of food, the sound of his father's voice, the way the room felt alive.

Jihoon blinked.

The vision was gone.

The kitchen wasn't the same anymore. His father wasn't here. That moment was nothing more than a memory.

But as he looked at Minjae—his sleeves still messily rolled up, his mother still chuckling beside him—Jihoon realized something.

It wasn't the same, no.

But maybe… just maybe, something new was beginning.

A warmth, different but familiar.

Jihoon was still lost in the remnants of his vision when he felt his mother's arms wrap around him, pulling him into a tight, comforting embrace. The warmth of her hug grounded him, pulling him back into the present.

"Jihoon!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and affection. "How did you get here so fast?"

Jihoon smiled softly, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar sense of peace. "Minjae called the driver to pick me up from college" he explained, his voice calm but warm.

His mother stepped back a little, her hands still resting on his shoulders as she took him in, her eyes softening. "Such a thoughtful boy, your big brother" she said with a small smile, glancing toward Minjae, who was still busy with the stove.

Minjae, hearing his name, looked over his shoulder and caught his mother's gaze. He couldn't help but smile a little at the affection between them. He felt a strange sense of pride, knowing that Jihoon had finally seen this side of their family—the one that hadn't been so tainted by the past.

Jihoon nodded, his gaze shifting to Minjae. "I didn't expect dinner to be like this," he said, his voice a little quieter. "It feels... like home."

Minjae's heart skipped a beat at the words. For a moment, everything felt like it had come full circle. They weren't just the troubled kids from broken homes anymore. They were here, together, surrounded by warmth and food and an undeniable connection that went deeper than just family.

His mother, catching the change in Jihoon's expression, smiled softly. "Well, I'm glad you feel that way. Minjae's been working so hard to make this meal for us. He's a good boy, you know."

Jihoon looked over at Minjae, who had turned his attention back to the stove. There was something about the way he moved—something grounded and calm, despite everything they'd both been through. It was a contrast to the chaotic world they used to live in.

"Yeah, he is" Jihoon murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Minjae's heart warmed at the words, and he glanced over to Jihoon again, meeting his gaze for a split second before turning back to the meal. It felt like the beginning of something new, something they could both hold on to.

Minjae carefully placed the different dishes onto the table, his hands moving with purpose. He had prepared a hearty meal for them, a mix of comfort and flavors that he knew his mother would appreciate. The dishes were a reflection of both his care and his past—things he'd learned through trial and error, but also out of love.

On the table, there were kimchi jjigae(kimchi stew), steaming with a deep, rich broth, banchan(small side dishes) like sautéed spinach and seasoned bean sprouts, bulgogi(marinated beef), tender and slightly caramelized from the grill, and a bowl of steamed rice to pull everything together. The scent of garlic, soy sauce, and spices filled the air, mixing with the warmth of the room.

As they sat down, Jihoon couldn't help but smile at the spread, feeling the heaviness in his chest lighten for the first time in a long while. The meal felt like a step toward something new, and the fact that he was sharing it with both Minjae and his mother made it even more meaningful.

Minjae settled beside Jihoon, picking up his chopsticks with practiced ease as they both began to eat. His mother sat across from them, watching the two of them, pride radiating from her face.

She smiled softly, a hint of emotion in her voice as she spoke. "I can't believe how tall you both are now. You've both grown up so well—so handsome, kind-hearted... I'm really proud of you two."

Jihoon felt his chest swell with a quiet happiness. He hadn't realized how much he'd longed to hear those words until now. It was the kind of praise he'd always craved but had never really received from his family.

Minjae, though, didn't look up from his plate, his cheeks turning slightly pink at the praise. His mom continued, noticing something about him that had changed.

"I see your hair not black anymore," she said, tilting her head slightly as she observed Minjae's new white hair. "It makes you look a bit older... maybe even a little tired like an old man."

Before Minjae could respond, Jihoon let out a burst of laughter, unable to hold it in. The sound was light, almost surprised, and it echoed through the room.

"Mom!" Jihoon exclaimed between fits of laughter. "You can't just say that! Minjae doesn't look tired! It actually looks pretty cool, though!"

Minjae, who had been ready to offer an explanation, froze for a moment before cracking a small smile. It was a rare sight—one where he wasn't trying to put up a wall of toughness but was instead responding to Jihoon's laughter with genuine amusement.

His mother raised an eyebrow but couldn't hide her smile. "Well, I just think it makes him look older than he is. That's all."

Minjae shrugged playfully, finally lifting his eyes to meet hers. "It's just a phase, Mom. I'm just going through something, I guess. Wanted to try something new."

Jihoon leaned back in his chair, still grinning. "Minjae always does things his own way. I think it suits him."

His mother softened, her eyes warm with affection. "As long as you're happy, Minjae."

There was a brief silence as the three of them continued eating, the comforting hum of conversation filling the space between them. The food was delicious, but it was the shared moment—the closeness of being together—that made everything feel a little brighter, a little more hopeful.

After dinner, the three of them moved to the living room, where they sprawled comfortably on the couch, the television softly glowing in the background. Laughter and light conversation filled the air, each of them reminiscing about moments from their past. Jihoon listened intently, sometimes chuckling along as his mom shared stories about when he was younger, or when Minjae would do something rebellious just to get a rise out of their dad.

Their mom, with a contented sigh, suggested they stay the night. "It's been so long since we've all been together. Stay for the night, both of you," she said warmly.

Minjae and Jihoon exchanged glances, both of them nodding in agreement. The idea of staying and spending time together felt comforting, like a return to something they'd been missing for a long time.

As the evening wore on, their mom excused herself, saying she was tired and heading upstairs to bed. "Goodnight, you two" she called out with a soft smile before disappearing up the stairs.

Once she was gone, the quiet settled over the room, leaving Minjae and Jihoon alone. Minjae shifted closer to Jihoon on the couch, leaning in just a little bit more until their bodies were nearly touching. His fingers brushed against Jihoon's, grazing the back of his hand on purpose. The touch was light but sent an electric pulse through Jihoon's body. His heart rate quickened, and his breath hitched slightly.

Jihoon turned to look at Minjae, his breath catching in his throat. Minjae's gaze was soft, his eyes looking at Jihoon with an intensity that sent a warm shiver down his spine. Minjae's lips curved into a smirk as he leaned in closer, his voice lowering in a teasing whisper.

"You know, Jihoon… you've been so good today. Maybe you can reward me with a kiss?"

The air seemed to thicken, the space between them shrinking until Jihoon could feel the heat radiating from Minjae's body. His pulse raced, and his mind went blank for a moment, overwhelmed by the closeness and the smoldering look in Minjae's eyes.

Jihoon hesitated, but just for a second, before the warmth in Minjae's eyes pulled him in. He could feel the tension between them, the undeniable chemistry that had been building up over time. With a soft exhale, Jihoon reached up, his hand touching Minjae's jaw, his thumb brushing gently over his smooth skin as he leaned in.

Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, one that felt like it had been waiting for the right moment. It wasn't rushed, but full of warmth and tenderness, the kind of kiss that conveyed more than words could say. Minjae's hand rested lightly on Jihoon's waist, pulling him just a fraction closer, his touch gentle but filled with the unmistakable need for more.

As they pulled apart, Jihoon's cheeks flushed, his breath a little quicker than usual. Minjae smiled, his eyes still locked with Jihoon's, as if asking for more, silently daring Jihoon to meet him there in the space.

Jihoon leaned back slightly, still feeling the warmth from the kiss lingering on his lips, but the reality of the situation quickly settled in. He glanced around the room, almost as if checking to make sure they were truly alone.

"We should be careful" Jihoon said, his voice quieter now, a bit more cautious. "It's probably best if Mom doesn't catch us doing… things we shouldn't."

Minjae, still close beside him, nodded in agreement, though his expression softened, and his lips curled into a faint smile. "I get it, Jihoon," he replied, his voice low. "But... I couldn't hold back. Not when I feel like this around you."

Jihoon felt himself getting flustered as Minjae pinned him down on the couch, his lips leaving a trail of kisses on his neck.Jihoon's breath quickened, his body trembling slightly as he tried to process what was happening.

He whispered in a panicked voice"Minjae! stop!... I... I don't know if mom will hear us!"

But Minjae only smirked underneath him, ignoring Jihoon's request."Let me have my dessert my sweet little brother...." he whispered.