Thus, time continued to flow peacefully.
Baby Malbok, to everyone’s delight, managed to call out ‘Grandmother,’ ‘Grandfather,’ and even ‘Aunt’ without missing a single one. Well, technically, it came out as ‘Hamu,’ ‘Hadabu,’ and ‘Kkumo,’ but still. Worried that Sunwoo might feel left out, Jae-jin had repeatedly taught the baby to say “Sunwoo, Sunwoo,” and thanks to that, Malbok even managed to say “Ssumu!” It was so endearing that it nearly drove them crazy with joy.
So tiny, so adorable, so unbelievably lovable.
Baby Malbok, surrounded by family, peacefully fell asleep in Jae-jin’s arms. With tiny, soft hands like budding fern fronds, the baby rubbed their eyes, yawned, and finally succumbed to the sleep that had been creeping in. Still, they had stayed awake much longer than usual tonight, lasting well into the late evening compared to their usual routine.
A final picture was taken of Malbok sleeping, and each family member, one by one, whispered their goodnight wishes like a gentle lullaby.
“Sleep well, my love.”
“You bring joy to everyone around you.”
“Thanks to you, today was a happy day.”
Even Jae-jin, who had remained silent for a while, finally murmured his farewell.
“……I love you.”
And then,
As the world grew still and moonlight illuminated the darkness,
A gathering of shimmering lights swayed like a lullaby preparing for another tomorrow.
Seo Eui-woo’s ability surged through the center of the living room. The ground trembled, walls shook, and the air quivered. A radiant glow, brilliant enough to pierce the soul, filled the space. It felt as though thick snowflakes were falling inside the house.
Even if they were fleeting, melting away in an instant, just like the unforgettable beauty of a snowy landscape, the moments spent with baby Malbok would be etched in their hearts forever.
The gathered light enveloped the baby, growing ever more dazzling. It became so blinding that nothing else could be seen. Everything was pure white—so starkly, overwhelmingly white.
And when the light finally faded and everything was over—
Jae-jin felt an emptiness in his arms.
The weight he had been holding was gone.
All that remained in the hollow space was the baby’s tiny clothes, left behind.
His chest was still warm.
His entire being was still filled with that lingering warmth.
But…
“Thank you, Mother. Father. Jae-hee.”
Jae-jin was the first to bow his head in gratitude to his family. As if they understood his feelings completely, they silently shook their heads in response. His mother and father embraced him gently, and Jae-hee patted his shoulder in quiet support.
December 24th.
Christmas Eve had arrived.
Beyond the large glass window, thick snowflakes fell silently. The shadows of two figures stood still against the snowy landscape, frozen in place like a painting in a frame, as if this moment had come to a halt.
Jae-jin stood with his arms crossed, staring out the window. His gaze was fixed on the distance, yet it seemed as though his mind was elsewhere—somewhere far beyond this place. A quiet sorrow lingered in his expression. Seo Eui-woo, standing right beside him, gently wrapped an arm around Jae-jin’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry.”
Guilt covered Eui-woo’s face, his fingertips trembling ever so slightly. He pulled Jae-jin into his embrace, holding him in silent comfort.
“Now I understand. What I did… it was truly awful. I created that baby so selfishly… I should never have done that.”
“Yeah…”
Jae-jin gripped the hem of Eui-woo’s clothes as he responded. When he slowly turned his head to look at him, his eyes held a deep, aching tenderness.
“But that’s not the only thing.”
“Jae-jin…”
“Eui-woo, I never wanted a child. I always thought the two of us were more than enough, and I still believe that. But that baby… that baby was you.”
“…”
Jae-jin let out a quiet, weary sigh and rested his head against Eui-woo’s shoulder, his chin nestled there as he closed his eyes. The snow continued to fall outside, and their shadows, overlapping as one, melted into the scenery.
“I got my memories back, I got my family back, and I regained the childhood I lost. But you… your childhood is gone forever. That’s what makes it so bitter.”
Because there was nothing he could do for him.
Because there was nothing he could do except let him go.
Kwon Jae-jin felt heartbreak for the Seo Eui-woo of the past. Now that he had seen him as a child—so full of warmth and life—it only made it all the more painful.
If only he could turn back time once more. He wanted to go back and embrace the past Eui-woo, to love him as much as he deserved.
From the moment of his birth until now—with all the love he could possibly give.
“You were a beautiful baby. You were someone who deserved the blessings of the whole world. You should have grown up cherished, held in warmth, and loved with all the care in the world.”
“…”
“But instead, you fought alone for far too long.”
“Jae-jin… that’s not true.”
“It took me twenty years to find you. Twenty years just for us to love each other like this.”
“That’s not true.”
“All that time, you were alone. And I… I couldn’t do anything.”
“That’s not true.”
Eui-woo shook his head firmly, denying it over and over. His arms tightened around Jae-jin, and his voice grew steadier, as though solidifying the truth he needed to tell him.
“I have memories.”
Jae-jin believed there was nothing he could have done—but that wasn’t true. Eui-woo held him even closer, keeping him locked tightly in his embrace, his voice trembling as he whispered the words. His breathing had grown uneven, strained with emotion.
“When my fragment returned to me, all the experiences and memories from those ten days came back with it.”
“Wait… what?”
“Malbok was me, after all. I remember everything. I remember falling asleep in your arms, Jae-jin. I remember hearing your lullabies.”
“What… Are you saying that…?”
“Yes. I remember your family welcoming me, cherishing me, all of us laughing together nonstop, and even saying goodbye. Everything. It’s all inside me now—so vivid, so warm.”
At that moment, the heavy atmosphere that had filled the living room seemed to lift just a little. Jae-jin slowly raised his head and looked at Eui-woo. His dark eyes trembled violently as they met his.
Eui-woo’s lips curved into a soft smile. And in his shining gaze, Jae-jin could see unwavering sincerity.
“You stroked my hair, Jae-jin. You held me, comforted me. Even though I was fussy about food, even though I threw tantrums when I was sleepy, you never once showed irritation. You cared for me with so much love. You gave me all the guidance I needed.”
“…”
“It was all because of you. If it weren’t for you, I never would have known what it felt like to have such peaceful memories. Because of you, my world felt bright. The imbalance I had suffered from since childhood—the one I had always battled alone—it was gone. I ate well, I slept well, and I finally found stability. So now… my childhood isn’t lonely anymore.”
Seo Eui-woo’s eyes were clear, untainted. It was as if, somewhere deep within him, a dark, embedded thorn had finally been pulled free.
“At least in my memories, you and your family will always be there.”
“Ah…”
“Oh, and we still have our pictures, too.”
“Yeah. That’s right…”
“And even my childhood name remains—the name you gave me, Jae-jin.”
“…”
“So, you see, Jae-jin… you’ve already given me everything. It’s not true that you couldn’t do anything.”
“…”
Jae-jin’s throat tightened, making it impossible to respond. He pressed his lips together, his eyelids lowering. His eyes grew red at the edges. A lump of emotions swelled in his chest, overwhelming him. For so long, his heart had been weighed down with nothing but sorrow, regret, and bitterness. But Eui-woo—Eui-woo had filled it completely in an instant. The weight of it made his heart ache, made him tremble. His chest burned, and his soul quivered.
“And because of you, I finally understand something. What I really wanted wasn’t a baby. I wasn’t longing for a child—I was unconsciously yearning for something I never had. A family. That’s why I thought having a baby would be nice.”
“But the truth is, being with you is enough. Kwon Jae-jin is the only one I need. Just the two of us… we’re already happier than I could have ever wished for.”
“…”
“I love you. And… I’m sorry for being such a fool.”
Jae-jin’s vision blurred. His tears welled up, clouding everything.
Eui-woo pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the corner of Jae-jin’s tear-streaked eyes. His lips were warm. Just that small touch made Jae-jin’s heart pound violently, his chest tightening as if he might float right off the ground.
He loved Seo Eui-woo. Always. Incomprehensibly. With all his heart. And yet, today, somehow, he loved him even more.
With the same overwhelming need, they clung to each other, kissing again and again.
Outside, the world was blanketed in white. Somewhere in the distance, the faint chime of bells could be heard.
On this Christmas night, when angels scattered their blessings and the infant Jesus was born, Kwon Jae-jin and Seo Eui-woo were together.
Filling each other completely, their hearts overflowing. In joy and in sorrow, unchanged, unwavering.
Perfectly.
<End>
Bitti… Çok bağlanmıştım ikisine de üzücü ama güzel bitti en azından. Sevdim yani