“Make sure you eat well. It’s almost winter now, so you have to eat properly to stay strong.”
Haon said to Inho. Not to anyone else—Haon, to Inho.
Seated at the table, Inho held back the words that came to mind and simply nodded with a soft smile. Then, as he looked at the food laid out on the table, he stifled a laugh that was about to escape.
“You’re a really good cook, Haon-ssi.”
He spoke with a surprised expression, rubbing the corner of his mouth. His words were half-joking, half-serious.
“I’m really not. These are all just simple dishes…”
“If this is what you call ‘not good,’ then I don’t even know what is. Plenty of people can’t even manage the easy stuff.”
The moment Inho took a spoonful of soup, he exclaimed loudly at how good it tasted. With Inho’s constant stream of compliments, Haon felt embarrassed, but couldn’t hide his smile. It wasn’t even anything worthy of praise, yet he kept saying it was delicious, and that left him unsure of what to do with himself.
It looked like a lot at first glance, but on closer inspection, all the dishes were pretty similar. Egg fried rice, egg soup, and even a rolled omelet with finely chopped scallions and carrots. Without eggs, the table would’ve looked pitifully empty.
Haon sat across from Inho, sipping only water while watching him eat with such genuine enjoyment. He couldn’t help but stare—Inho ate neatly, hardly making a sound as he chewed, and there was something comforting about it.
Inho, now used to that gaze, kept his focus solely on the food, making it easier for Haon to watch him without hesitation.
The food Haon had made carried a taste that resembled its maker. It felt like even the texture would be similar—gently warm and so soft it almost felt like a shame for it to fall apart so easily. It was a strangely fascinating flavor.
Growl.
Just as Inho picked up a piece of the fluffy rolled omelet, a rare noise came from Haon’s stomach. Inho froze mid-movement and looked over at him. If the sound had come from anyone else, he might have pretended not to hear it. But because it came from Haon, he couldn’t just ignore it.
“Haon-ssi… are you hungry?”
Inho watched his expression carefully as he asked.
Haon, hand over his stomach, stayed frozen for a moment. Even though it was a common sound anyone could make, he looked visibly flustered.
“Haon-ssi.”
His blank expression was so out of place it might have made someone laugh if they didn’t understand the situation. Inho put down his chopsticks and gently called out to him. Then, walking over, he placed his hand over Haon’s pale one. It was to calm him down.
“Even if you’re used to skipping meals, it’s perfectly natural to feel hungry if you don’t eat for too long.”
His calm voice guided Haon’s hand to slowly release the glass he’d been gripping tightly.
Haon hadn’t even realized how hard he was holding onto it.
“Even if you start showing heat symptoms, I’m right here with you.”
Inho smiled with a relaxed expression, as if to say there was nothing to worry about as long as he was around.
Haon looked at Inho and felt a wave of relief wash over him. That endlessly gentle voice and smile instantly melted away all the tension in his heart.
“Would you like some rice porridge? Or I can whip up some gruel real quick.” At Inho’s question, Haon shook his head softly and motioned with his eyes toward the food he had made.
“I’ll eat this.”
“You sure?”
Haon answered again with a small nod, and Inho smiled as he returned to his seat. Then, as naturally as breathing, he cut a small piece of the rolled omelet and gently placed it into Haon’s mouth.
Haon was about to say he could eat it himself, but instead, he just chewed and swallowed the pieces that Inho quietly fed him, one at a time. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Inho waited for Haon to finish chewing before offering another bite.
“Take your time.”
“Okay…”
Haon couldn’t bring himself to reject this entire exchange. Along with the growing warmth in his stomach, something deeper inside him was being filled as well.
Contrary to Inho’s earlier praise, Haon knew the food wasn’t anything special. In fact, it was closer to badly made.
Some dishes were too salty, others were bland. He had rushed through it, so even the seasoning wasn’t properly balanced.
Even so, Inho kept saying it was delicious.
As he slowly chewed the soft omelet, Haon scratched at his chest with an awkward hand. It wasn’t uncomfortable—it was because he liked it too much.
His feelings for Inho kept growing uncontrollably again today. At this rate, he’d probably fall even harder tomorrow, and that was a problem.
Beep-
Inho pressed the button on the dishwasher, then chuckled as he looked at Haon trailing after him like a shadow.
“You can just sit and relax, you know.”
“No, this is originally supposed to be my job.”
Banned from doing the dishes, Haon looked flustered. He had insisted on cleaning up, but Inho hadn’t let him lift a single dish.
“You cooked, so it’s only right that I clean.”
“But still… it’s my responsibility…” Haon mumbled timidly. Even so, he followed Inho around the kitchen until he was finished cleaning up by himself.
Inho didn’t stop him—it seemed like he found Haon’s duckling-like persistence amusing.
“Wanna watch a movie?”
Inho rolled down his sleeves and turned to face Haon.
“Yes!” Haon immediately nodded with enthusiasm. As long as he could be with Inho, he didn’t care what they did.
Inho’s eyes softened into a gentle curve as he looked at him. He was about to lead Haon into the living room when he suddenly paused. His gaze shifted to the window, where sunlight streamed through.
After days of gloomy weather, it was finally clear again. It was the kind of day that lifted your mood just by looking at the sky.
“Haon-ssi.”
With a soft smile curling at the corners of his lips, Inho called out to Haon, as if struck by a good idea. Since they’d eaten well, getting in a bit of movement would be even better for Haon’s health.
“Have you ever been to the Han River?”
***
Back in his room, Haon immediately started changing into clothes for going out. The thought of finally visiting the Han River Park, which he’d only ever heard about, made his hands and feet move faster.
“What should I wear…”
He briefly considered wearing the clothes Inho had bought for him but ended up choosing something more comfortable—his usual, well-worn outfit. No matter how special this outing with Inho was, it felt wrong to wear such expensive clothes just to go exercise.
He slipped into stretchy sweatpants and a crewneck sweatshirt that hadn’t yet lost its shape around the collar. He couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. Humming a tune, he swayed his head from side to side, looking exactly like an excited child about to go on his very first field trip.
“Han River~ Haaaan Riveeer~”
He sang along to his spontaneous melody, adding made-up lyrics as he went.
Today marked their third outing together. And somehow, going to a park made him more excited than their trip to the department store. From the start, Haon had always preferred the fresh, green outdoors over flashy stores filled with sparkling merchandise.
“Haon-ssi, can I come in?”
Just then, Inho knocked on Haon’s door.
“Yes!” Haon shouted as he dashed toward it. He had been about to head out anyway.
“Wow…”
As the door swung open, a short exclamation slipped from Haon’s lips. His dazed expression made it clear—he hadn’t even realized he’d said it aloud.
“All set?”
Inho’s question didn’t even register in his ears. He was too busy taking in the sight before him, eyes sweeping Inho from head to toe, mouth slightly agape.
Inho wasn’t wearing anything particularly flashy, so he wondered why Haon looked so awestruck. Normally, he’d just accept Haon’s gaze with ease, but today, it caught him a little off guard.
He was dressed in the same thing he usually wore for outdoor runs—a black windbreaker and shorts. To his own eyes, there was absolutely nothing special about it.
“Do you want to wear something like this too, Haon-ssi?”
He asked, wondering if maybe Haon wanted clothes like his. Since he often bought athletic wear, he had plenty that were still unworn, tags intact.
“They’re just for exercise, so even if they’re a little big, it’ll be fine.”
“No, I just… You looked so cool. Like someone straight out of an ad…”
Haon waved his hands in refusal, but his eyes never left Inho. Normally, he looked like someone from a coffee commercial. But right now, he looked like a model for a famous sportswear brand. Either way, of course, he looked amazing.
“Windbreakers are comfy, you know. You can take them off if you get hot, and they’re light enough for running.”
Inho gestured to his outfit, saying he had plenty more just like it and could easily give Haon one.
But it wasn’t the outfit itself that had made Haon stare.
Swallowing his true feelings, Haon gave a vague shake of his head, though his eyes lingered on Inho’s clothes. Just then, a clear image flashed through his mind—himself running alongside Inho, wearing something just like that.
“If you let me borrow it… I’ll wash it and return it nice and clean.”
“You don’t have to return it.”
Inho replied with a bright smile. Even though he was the one giving it, he looked more thrilled than the person receiving it.
“But in return, Haon-ssi, you have to buy me a meal next time. That’s fair, right?”
Haon nodded eagerly in agreement. Watching him, the corners of Inho’s mouth curved up even more sweetly.
“I’ll go grab the clothes, so wait just a second.”
Just as he was about to head up to his room, Inho suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned back around. He had come here with a purpose—but nearly forgot.
“Haon-ssi, give me your hand.”
