WARM HANDS PART 17

Time flowed differently in Keswick. While every hour in Norbury carried a sense of unease, here, each new day felt like a deep breath. Birdsongs echoed between the stone houses, and even the crowd in the marketplace didn't seem rushed—it felt more like a familiar celebration.

Levi had settled into the clinic. The townspeople were already beginning to trust his knowledge. However, Jun hadn't started working there yet, as they hadn't begun their reading and writing lessons—something that needed to be addressed urgently. Sometimes, patients asked Levi where his assistant was and why he wasn't at the clinic. Levi would give evasive answers and quickly change the subject.

The next morning at breakfast, Levi brought it up:

"We need to start the lessons. I've found some resources for you. You can study on your own while I'm at the clinic, and in the evenings we'll review together," he said.

"I know how to read a little, but writing is harder for me. I hope I can learn quickly," said Jun.

"I'll help you. Don't worry. Besides, I get bored alone at the clinic," Levi added.

Jun just smiled in response, and they continued their breakfast.

In the following days, every evening after dinner, they sat quietly at the small kitchen table and studied. Jun's fingers trembled as he held a pen again after so long, but Levi's patience and affection gave him courage. Jun's eyes sparkled with every new thing he learned. For him, this wasn't just about reading and writing—it was about getting one step closer to Levi. And that made it important.

Time kept flowing. Sometimes Levi and Jun went out during the day. They explored the trails at the edge of Keswick, dipped their feet into the stream, and lay under the fruit trees, watching the sky. Every corner began to fill with smiles and gentle touches.

One Sunday morning, as Jun returned from getting bread, he was quietly whispering the vowels to himself:

"A... E... I... O... U..."

He was already home when Levi met him in the garden.

"So, you're studying without telling me?" Levi asked.

"I want to learn quickly," Jun replied.

"But you don't have to master everything before coming to the clinic," Levi said.

"I know… Actually, I want to write you a letter," Jun said.

"A letter?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm," Jun murmured.

"What letter? What would you say?" Levi pressed.

"It's a secret," Jun said with a grin, heading into the kitchen.

This kid… Levi thought, and followed him inside.

---

The calendar had reached mid-July.

Jun had learned to read and write and officially started working at the clinic. They left the house together every morning and returned home exhausted in the evenings. Lately, a lot of people in town had caught summer colds, and several women—now pregnant—were coming in for regular checkups. Levi and Jun did their best to care for everyone. They were tired, but the moment they embraced each other at home, all that weariness seemed to disappear. This was their life now.

That day, a few hours before closing the clinic, Levi came over to Jun and said:

"I'm leaving a little early today. I need to stop by Thomas's shop to pick up a few supplies. Can you close the clinic and come home on your own?"

"Can't we go together after you get what you need?" Jun asked.

"I can't. It's urgent. Just close up and come home soon," Levi said.

He sounded in a rush.

Must be something really important, Jun thought, as Levi had already stepped out of the clinic.

---

A few hours later, it was closing time.

Jun finished up the last of the work, tidied up, locked the door, and stepped out into the cobblestone street that led home. The summer evening wrapped the street in its golden warmth. The air was still heavy with heat. People were leaving work and heading home. Jun was now one of them, walking briskly but calmly toward their house.

As he stepped into their garden, a wonderful aroma filled his nose.

Levi's already back, he thought, picking up his pace.

The flowers shimmered under the last rays of the sun, and the gentle breeze mixed their scents in the air.

Jun entered the house.

"Levi?" he called out. No answer.

He called again.

"Levi?"

Still no answer.

He took off his shoes, followed the smell through the hall, and stepped into the kitchen.

On the table was a carefully laid cloth, two porcelain plates, Jun's favorite blue mug, and Levi's tea cup. In the center sat a cake—beautiful in both appearance and scent. Levi stood beside the table, covered in flour, smiling.

"What… what is this?" Jun asked.

"Happy birthday, Jun," Levi said.

Jun was too surprised to respond.

"How did you know? I don't even remember the exact date," he said.

"When we were in Norbury, I looked into your clinic records. Your birthdate was listed," Levi replied.

They both chuckled.

Levi lit the candle on the cake and looked at Jun.

"Make a wish and blow it out," he said.

"Alright," Jun said, and did as told.

"The last time someone celebrated my birthday was my mother. I'd completely forgotten… Thank you," Jun whispered and hugged Levi tightly.

Jun was on the verge of tears, but Levi didn't want that.

"Come on, let's taste the cake. I worked hard on it," Levi added with a smile.

He cut a slice, held it out to Jun with a fork. Jun gladly ate the bite, and they both sat down at the table.

"So that's why you left early," Jun said.

"Yeah, I wanted to have it ready before you got home. Do you like the taste?" Levi asked.

"It's delicious. But you're covered in flour!" Jun said, giggling.

"Making cake is hard! Cooking meals isn't this tricky," Levi replied.

They chatted and ate their cake.

"Hmm… so, what did you wish for?" Levi asked curiously.

Jun blushed a little. He bit his lip, then looked directly into Levi's eyes.

"Actually, it's about you… Remember last winter? You were about to kiss me when I was injured… but you pulled away," Jun said.

Levi's cheeks flushed too. The memory was both awkward and a little painful.

Jun continued:

"This time, I want you not to pull away."

They had kissed before—on the cheek, forehead—small gestures of affection. But they had never really kissed. Both wanted more but lacked the courage.

Levi stood from his chair and slowly walked over to Jun. Standing at the corner of the table, he locked eyes with him.

"This time," Levi said, "I won't pull away."

Then quietly, as if afraid to hurt him, he leaned in. He paused for a moment, studying Jun's eyes. This time, there was no fear—only a bold desire, courage shining through the shyness. Jun didn't bite his lip. He was right there. And for the first time, he was asking for something openly.

Levi's fingers gently touched Jun's cheeks. Their foreheads drew closer. And then, in a moment outside of time, their lips met.

The kiss was slow and full of longing. Both wanted the other to be entirely theirs.

When Levi finally pulled back, Jun's eyes were still closed. A moment later, he opened them and stood up. Levi, who had bent down to meet him, stood up as well.

"That was my first kiss," Jun said, swallowing. "And… I want more."

Levi's surprise replaced his earlier shyness. This boy, he thought, is getting bold.

While he was still processing it, Jun had already moved closer.

"What?" Levi asked.

"I want more, doctor," Jun said. "If you'll let me."

Levi didn't need to say anything.

There was fire in both of their eyes.