[Shanghai, China Taekyun's Condo]
The condo was quiet when Taekyun entered.
A silence that had become normal over the past six months.
He stepped inside and removed his coat and placed it over the couch.
For a few seconds, he simply stood there.
The exhaustion in his body felt heavier than usual today.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
An elderly woman walked out from the kitchen carrying a glass of water.
Lin Meiying(simply Lin)
She had worked for Taekyun since arriving in Shanghai.
Her hair had long turned silver, but still she is a gentle, patience and calm nature caring woman.
In these few months she almost became like a family.
She offered the glass respectfully.
"Welcome back, Sir."
Taekyun accepted it with a quiet nod.
"Thank you."
The cool water slid down his throat.
Then Meiying carefully asked,
"How is Haru today, Sir?"
The question made Taekyun's grip tighten slightly around the glass.
His eyes lowered.
"Same as usual."
He replied shortly in few words.
Yet they carried six months of disappointment.
Six months of waiting and praying.
Meiying's expression softened.
A sigh escaped her lips.
"May that little soul find her way back home soon."
Taekyun didn't answer.
Because he no longer knew what to pray for.
For Haru to wake up.
Or for her suffering to end.
Sometimes the two felt impossible to separate.
Meiying quietly turned to return to the kitchen.
Before she could leave, Taekyun spoke.
"Haneul."
She paused immediately.
"Is he okay?"
He asked slowly.
Meiying turned back.
"Yes, Sir."
Her voice carried a little relief.
"Today was better than yesterday."
Taekyun finally looked at her.
"He ate on time."
A small pause.
"He finished almost everything."
For the first time all day, a tiny bit of tension left Taekyun's shoulders.
Then he asked the question he always asked.
"Did he say anything?"
Hope.
A foolish hope.
Yet it remained.
Every single day.
Meiying's smile faded.
Slowly, she shook her head.
"No, Sir."
Taekyun lowered his gaze.
"I see."
Meiying hesitated.
Then gently added,
"He sat by the window for a while."
"He touched the baby's clothes today."
"And looked at them for a long time."
Taekyun remained silent.
But he listened.
"Sir."
Meiying spoke softly.
"Dinner will be ready soon."
Taekyun nodded.
"You set the table."
He placed the empty glass on a nearby shelf.
"I'll bring him."
Meiying bowed slightly.
"Yes, Sir."
She disappeared back into the kitchen.
Taekyun slowly walked towards his room.
He stopped in front of a room door.
For a moment, his hand remained on the handle.
Then he opened it quietly.
The room was dim.
Soft afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Everything inside was neat.
Haneul was sitting against the headboard of the bed.
A large pillow supported his back.
At some point he had fallen asleep.
His head tilted slightly to one side.
His long lashes rested against pale cheeks.
His face looked thinner than it should.
Fragile.
Almost breakable.
The blanket covered most of his body.
But the curve of his belly was visible now beneath the sheet.
Taekyun entered quietly.
Closing the door behind him.
Then he walked toward the bed.
And sat beside him.
The mattress dipped slightly beneath his weight.
Haneul didn't react.
Still asleep.
Taekyun looked at him.
The dark circles beneath his eyes.
The pale skin.
The exhaustion.
There were days when Haneul looked so weak that Taekyun became afraid to leave him alone.
Afraid that if he looked away for too long.
Something would happen.
His gaze slowly lowered.
One of Haneul's hands rested protectively over his stomach.
Even asleep.
Even in his nightmares.
His hand always remained there.
As if guarding the child inside.
Taekyun slowly reached forward.
Carefully.
His fingers lightly touched Haneul's hand.
The reaction was immediate.
Haneul's entire body jolted violently.
His eyes flew open.
A frightened gasp escaped him.
Pure panic filled his eyes.
Like someone waking from a nightmare.
Before he could pull away.
Taekyun immediately caught both of his hands.
Holding them gently but firmly.
"It's okay."
His voice was low and steady.
"It's me."
Haneul's chest rose and fell rapidly.
His eyes searched Taekyun's face.
Still trapped halfway between reality and fear.
Taekyun tightened his hold slightly.
Trying to ground him.
"Easy...."
"You're safe."
For several long seconds, neither of them spoke.
Taekyun remained there holding his hands.
Waiting for the fear in Haneul's eyes to slowly fade.
After few minutes.
Haneul looked at him quietly.
For a brief second, his lips parted slightly.
Taekyun's heart tightened.
For six months, every time Haneul looked at him like that, a small part of him hoped.
Maybe this time.
Maybe today.
Maybe he would finally speak.
Maybe he would ask where
Taekyun had been.
Maybe he would tell him what was hurting him.
Anything.
Just one word.
But nothing came.
Haneul simply looked at him.
Then, just like always, he slowly leaned forward.
His fragile body moved carefully.
Until his forehead rested against Taekyun's chest.
After a moment, he shifted slightly, placing the side of his face against him.
Just like he always did.
It had become a habit now.
One of the few things that hadn't changed.
His chin rested lightly against Taekyun's chest as he slowly lifted his eyes.
Looking up at him.
Staring silently.
For a few seconds.
Then a minute.
Then longer.
As though searching for something inside Taekyun's eyes.
As though trying to make sure he was really there.
Taekyun couldn't hold that gaze for long anymore.
Not because he didn't want to.
Because those eyes hurt.
Every time he looked into them, he could see it.
The fear, guilt, exhaustion.
The suffering Haneul never spoke about.
Those beautiful eyes that once carried warmth and curiosity now seemed to carry endless pain.
Tonight was no different.
Haneul continued staring quietly.
And after several moments,
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
Then another.
Rolling silently down his pale face.
Just like always.
No sound or sobs.
Only tears.
Taekyun's arm slowly wrapped around Haneul's waist, holding him close enough that he wouldn't lose balance.
His other hand lifted.
For a moment, he wanted to ask again.
The same question he had asked countless times.
What's hurting you?
What are you holding inside?
Why is making you to suffer this much?
Tell me.
Please tell me.
But the words never left his mouth.
Because he already knew the answer.
Haneul wouldn't speak.
Maybe ....never.
So instead, Taekyun gently brushed away the tears with his thumb.
His large hand came to rest against Haneul's cheek.
The difference felt almost frightening.
Haneul's face had become so small.
So thin.
It fit entirely within one of Taekyun's hands.
The sight made his chest ache.
Taekyun looked at him quietly.
Into those eyes that seemed to tell a thousand painful stories.
Then he spoke softly.
"It's going to be okay."
His voice was rough.
Barely steady.
"Everything will turn back."
"And we'll be like we were before."
Neither of them knew if that was true.
But Taekyun said it anyway.
Because hope was all he had left.
After a while, he leaned forward.
And pressed a gentle kiss against Haneul's forehead.
His lips trembled against his skin.
He wanted to cry.
God, he wanted to cry.
But he didn't.
Instead, he pulled back slowly.
Looking at him.
"Let's have dinner first."
His hand rested lightly over Haneul's stomach.
"You know the baby needs food."
A faint smile.
"And you need it too."
His eyes lowered over Haneul's thin frame.
"If you don't eat...."
The sentence stopped.
Taekyun couldn't finish it.
Because every word he could think of was already true.
Fragile,weak.
Unhealthy.
Too thin.
Haneul had already become all of those things.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then, surprisingly.
Haneul nodded slowly.
Without hesitation.
Taekyun looked slightly surprised.
Usually it took much longer.
Usually he had to persuade him.
Tonight, Haneul simply agreed.
"Good."
His voice softened.
Carefully, Taekyun stood up.
He pulled the blanket away from Haneul's legs.
Then knelt down in front of him.
His movements were slow and patient.
Almost routine now.
He gently lifted Haneul's feet one at a time.
Taking the warm socks lying nearby.
Carefully putting them on.
Then he slid the soft house slippers onto his feet.
Only after that did he stand again.
A knitted shawl rested on a nearby chair.
Taekyun picked it up.
And carefully draped it around Haneul.
Covering his shoulders and chest.
Making sure he wouldn't feel cold.
Then he reached forward.
Taking both of Haneul's hands.
Helping him stand.
Haneul's balance wavered slightly.
Immediately, Taekyun tightened his grip.
Supporting him.
Waiting until he was steady.
Only then did they begin moving.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Taekyun matched every step Haneul took.
Never rushing him.
Simply walking beside him.
As though every one of Haneul's steps mattered.
Together they reached the door.
Taekyun opened it quietly.
Then, still holding Haneul's hand,
He guided him out of the room.
"Let's go and eat together. "
Maybe live together once again.....