CHAPTER 39

When the weekend arrived, Andrew was buzzing with excitement for his movie outing with Ji-Won. But as the day unfolded, Ji-Won woke up feeling under the weather. His throat was raw, and a dull ache pulsed at his temples—a cold had taken hold. Reluctantly, Ji-Won picked up his phone, knowing he had to cancel their plans.

He dialed Andrew, his voice soft and congested. "Hey, Andrew… I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can make it to the movie today. I caught a cold." A sniffle punctuated his words.

After a brief silence, Andrew's concerned voice came through. "Don't worry about the movie, Hyung. Just focus on getting better. Do you need anything? I can come by and help."

Ji-Won's tired chuckle was reassuring but faint. "No, it's okay. I'll be fine with some rest. We can reschedule when I'm feeling better."

But Andrew was already putting on his coat, a determined look in his eyes. "Just rest, Hyung," he insisted before hanging up, already mentally planning what he'd bring. He stopped by a pharmacy to pick up cold medicine and grabbed a warm bowl of porridge from a nearby shop before heading to Ji-Won's dorm.

When he arrived, Andrew knocked softly. Inside, Ji-Won was fast asleep, the sound too faint to wake him. After several unanswered calls, Ji-Won's phone finally stirred him awake. He blinked at the screen, bleary-eyed.

"Andrew?" His voice was rough and groggy.

"I'm outside, Hyung. Open the door," Andrew said patiently.

With a heavy sigh, Ji-Won dragged himself to the door, sluggish from exhaustion. When he opened it, he found Andrew standing there, concern etched across his face as he held a bag of medicine and a steaming bowl of porridge.

"Hyung," Andrew murmured, stepping inside with a mixture of worry and tenderness. He looked Ji-Won up and down, noting the flushed cheeks and red nose.

Ji-Won's weak smile held a trace of gratitude. "You didn't have to come all this way…"

Andrew didn't respond immediately; instead, he took a careful step closer. "Have you eaten or taken anything yet?" he asked softly, as if gauging Ji-Won's strength with each word.

Ji-Won shook his head. Wrapped in a thick blanket, he sat down heavily on the bed, his shivers betraying how miserable he felt. He coughed weakly as Andrew handed him a glass of water, watching him closely.

Andrew took the porridge and medicine out, placing them beside Ji-Won. "Here, eat a little. Just enough to take the meds." He gently patted Ji-Won's head, his touch lingering as if to soothe him.

"Thank you, Andrew. Just… don't get too close. I don't want you to catch this cold, too," Ji-Won murmured, though his voice held warmth.

"Don't worry about me," Andrew replied gently. He settled on the floor beside the bed, leaning his back against it, prepared to stay as long as needed. "Just rest, Hyung. I'm here."

***

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow into the room, Ji-Won stirred from a nap. Looking over, he noticed Andrew asleep beside the bed, a peaceful expression on his face. He smiled slightly, reaching out to gently shake Andrew's shoulder.

"Hey," Ji-Won whispered, voice still hoarse but touched by gratitude. "Andrew"

Andrew blinked awake, rubbing his eyes. "Hmm? Are you feeling better?" He looked up, voice groggy but full of relief.

Ji-Won nodded. "Yeah… thanks to you. How about we grab some dinner?" He tried to sit up, his smile soft despite his lingering cold.

Andrew hesitated. "You sure you're up for it? I don't mind waiting until you're fully better."

Ji-Won chuckled softly, teasing, "Don't worry, 'nurse,' I think I can handle it."

They left the dorm, stepping into the cool evening air as they headed out to find a small dinner. Afterward, as they walked back, Ji-Won pulled his jacket tighter, shivering a bit. Just before they reached his dorm, he slowed down, his red nose and shallow breaths betraying his fatigue.

"I'll be fine from here," Ji-Won croaked, forcing a smile to reassure Andrew. But Andrew saw through it and placed a hand on Ji-Won's shoulder, his gaze lingering with concern.

"Are you sure, Hyung?" His voice was soft, filled with worry.

Ji-Won's cheeks flushed, both from the cold and Andrew's protective touch. "I'll be okay," he murmured, his smile warmer.

But before he could say more, Andrew leaned in, placing a light, familiar kiss on his cheek. Ji-Won's eyes widened slightly, his heart stuttering at the gesture. Just as he began to process it, a voice broke the quiet.

"Ji-Won." The sound was both familiar and tense.

Both Ji-Won and Andrew turned to see Youn-Jae standing beside his sleek car, at a distance just close enough to observe them. His gaze was fixed firmly on them, and though his expression was unreadable, a possessive glint in his eyes made Ji-Won's stomach twist with surprise and… confusion.

Youn-Jae approached slowly, his presence intense. He placed a hand on Ji-Won's shoulder, his grip firm as he shot Andrew a sharp look—a silent claim in his eyes.

"Hyung?" Ji-Won spoke softly, feeling the tension settle heavily in the air. "I… I didn't know you'd be here."

Youn-Jae's gaze flicked down to him briefly, his hand tightening on Ji-Won's shoulder. "I've been waiting for a while," he said, his voice steady, though his eyes betrayed a simmering jealousy.

Ji-Won blinked, feeling the weight of Youn-Jae's words. "You didn't call…?"

Awkwardly, Ji-Won introduced them, gesturing. "Andrew, this is Youn-Jae… Hyung."

The two men exchanged a look that bordered on challenging, their unspoken rivalry clear. Neither offered a handshake. Ji-Won felt the weight of their stares, the air thickening with a silent challenge.

Andrew shifted slightly, his tone calm but defiant. "Hyung, are you sure you're okay for the night? I can stay and make sure you're alright."

Before Ji-Won could respond, Youn-Jae's hand shot out, gripping Andrew's shoulder with surprising force. His voice was low, a cold edge slipping in. "Ji-Won will be staying with me tonight."

Andrew's jaw clenched, but he remained composed as he carefully removed Youn-Jae's hand from his shoulder. His eyes flashed, but his tone stayed level. "Is that so?" Although the words were directed at Youn-Jae, his gaze was focused on Ji-Won, who was clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

Ji-Won quickly stepped between them, his eyes darting between Youn-Jae and Andrew. "Andrew, it's fine. I'll call you later, okay?" His voice wavered slightly, betraying the tension he felt, especially as Youn-Jae's grip on his wrist tightened, firm but unyielding.

Without waiting for Andrew's response, Youn-Jae turned, guiding Ji-Won briskly toward his car. The sudden movement left Andrew standing in place, fists clenched as he watched them go. Youn-Jae opened the passenger door with a smooth, possessive motion, sliding Ji-Won inside before casting a final, pointed look back at Andrew—a silent, territorial warning.

The door shut with a resounding thud, followed by the low roar of the engine as Youn-Jae slid into the driver's seat and drove away, leaving Andrew alone in the quiet, cold night.

Andrew's jaw tightened, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. His fists remained clenched as he began walking back, his footsteps heavy with anger. His mind raced with bitter questions. "Why him? Why, of all people, does Hyung have to be involved with my uncle?"

***

Meanwhile, in Youn-Jae's car, a thick, uncomfortable silence hung between him and Ji-Won. Tension radiated from Youn-Jae, filling the confined space with an intensity that made Ji-Won shift uncomfortably. He could feel every emotion Youn-Jae was holding back, and it only deepened the strange unease he felt.

Finally, after several strained minutes, Ji-Won broke the silence, his voice low. "Hyung… just drop me off at the bus stop." He kept his tone gentle, avoiding eye contact as he glanced out the window.

Youn-Jae's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he kept driving, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. After what felt like an eternity, he abruptly pulled over to the side of the road, and Ji-Won reached for the door handle, eager to escape the tension. But just as he did, Youn-Jae's hand shot out, gripping his wrist firmly.

Ji-Won turned, startled. "Hyung, I just want to rest at my dorm—"

Before he could finish, Youn-Jae pressed the lock, trapping them both inside. Without a word, he pulled back onto the road, his gaze fixed forward, his expression unreadable. Ji-Won swallowed, feeling a strange mix of frustration and worry, but he stayed silent, his own heart beating painfully fast.

When they finally arrived at Youn-Jae's place, the silence had grown so thick it felt nearly tangible. Youn-Jae climbed out first, motioning for Ji-Won to follow as he led the way inside without a word. Ji-Won lingered in the entryway, watching Youn-Jae head straight to the kitchen and retrieve a bottle of water from the fridge. He drank deeply, his back turned, before grabbing another bottle and handing it to Ji-Won.

"You're still running a fever," he said, his hand briefly pressing against Ji-Won's forehead with a touch that was both distant and charged. "Drink this. I'll get you some medicine."

Ji-Won accepted the water, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Hyung, what's wrong? You've been acting strange."

Youn-Jae didn't answer immediately. He turned away, his voice curt. "I'm fine. Just drink the water and rest."

Ji-Won felt a pang of frustration, sensing Youn-Jae's avoidance. Setting the bottle down, he moved to stand. "I'll just go back to my dorm. We don't have to make a big deal out of this—"

Before he could take a step, Youn-Jae scooped him up, cradling him firmly as he carried him down the hall. Ji-Won didn't resist, too surprised and too weak from his cold to protest. He was aware of every deliberate, protective step Youn-Jae took, the way his arms tightened around him with a possessiveness he couldn't ignore.

Once in the bedroom, Youn-Jae gently laid him down, tucking the blanket around him as if he were fragile. His eyes lingered on Ji-Won's face, something unspoken flickering there, before he straightened, leaving for the bathroom without another word.

As the shower began, Ji-Won lay back on the bed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The quiet hum of the water filled the room, but it did little to settle the growing unease inside him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that a jealousy far deeper than he understood was gnawing away at Youn-Jae. . After a few minutes, he couldn't stand the silence anymore. He got up, padding softly toward the bathroom door, blanket still wrapped around his shoulders.

He knocked, voice soft yet firm. "Hyung, you've been in there for a while." He pressed his ear to the door, catching the faint sound of water running.

Inside, Youn-Jae leaned against the cool tile, trying to center himself, his mind swimming with conflicting emotions. Jealousy burned whenever he thought of Andrew kissing Ji-Won on the cheek. He realized that Ji-Won had his own life before they reunited after so many years, a life Youn-Jae knew little about—his friends, his routines, even the possibility that someone else might be interested in him. The possessiveness that gripped him at the thought of anyone else sharing Ji-Won's space simmered just beneath the surface, impossible to ignore.

Hearing Ji-Won's voice on the other side of the door felt like a spark, igniting something he was trying desperately to keep contained.

With a sudden resolve, he shut off the water and, without bothering to reach for a towel, swung the door open. He stood there, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, catching Ji-Won completely off guard. His gaze was intense, unreadable, as if he were grappling with emotions he hadn't yet allowed himself to fully acknowledge.

Ji-Won's eyes widened, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks as he took in Youn-Jae's dripping, unguarded form. Even as he tried to mask his reaction, the shock and vulnerability in his gaze couldn't be hidden.

"Hyung…" Ji-Won started, his voice a breath above a whisper. He attempted to avert his eyes, but something in Youn-Jae's expression held him in place, leaving him no escape.

Youn-Jae stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his presence commanding yet vulnerable. He reached up, wrapping his fingers firmly around Ji-Won's wrist, the warmth of his touch sending a jolt through Ji-Won. "Why do I feel like there's still some space between us?" Youn-Jae's voice was low and thick with frustration, a plea simmering just beneath the surface of his anger.

Ji-Won's lips parted, his throat dry, the uncertainty tightening in his chest. Youn-Jae's hand felt both grounding and unsettling, and Ji-Won managed a shaky smile, a flicker of hope amidst the weight of their shared tension. "What do you mean, Hyung? I... I just thought... maybe... I mean, I'm a bit scared. You seem not in the mood, so I thought it best to go back to my dorm." He forced the words out, his voice quivering.

But Youn-Jae shook his head, droplets of water cascading from his hair like unwelcome tears. He pulled Ji-Won closer, their faces mere inches apart, breath mingling in the charged air. "I... I'm so sorry, Ji-Won. I know I overreacted when I saw you with that man. It hit me hard—I can't stand the thought of you with anyone else." His voice broke slightly, the guarded exterior he usually wore faltering, revealing the raw vulnerability beneath.

Ji-Won's heart twisted painfully, guilt intertwining with the warmth spreading through him. Slowly, he raised his hand, letting his fingers brush against Youn-Jae's cheek, his touch gentle but tentative, as if afraid to shatter the fragile moment. "Hyung, you don't need to feel that way. I admit I may still be afraid of what we had before, but I'm trying to close those spaces. I want to trust you," he whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with sincerity. "There's no one else for me, only you."

Youn-Jae's grip softened, his eyes searching Ji-Won's with a desperate intensity. Finally, he exhaled, the tension on his shoulders releasing as he leaned his forehead against Ji-Won's, drawing comfort from their closeness, their heartbeats resonating in the silence. "Then stay here with me," he murmured, his tone imbued with quiet desperation, each word a plea for connection.

Ji-Won nodded, wrapping his arms around Youn-Jae's neck in a gesture of reassurance and acceptance. In the silence that followed, the weight of their unspoken emotions settled between them, enveloping them in the warmth of each other's presence—a space where words faded

I realize how vulnerable I am when it comes to you—seeing you in a world that doesn't include me. I want to steal away those parts of your life, replace them with memories that are ours alone. I want to be selfish, to keep you away from everything that isn't ours. I'd cross every lost moment, erase the days I wasn't there, until you remember only me, until your heart yearns only for me, until your body knows only my touch.

The story doesn't end here...

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