After cleaning the dishes, Yuwon and Tae settled onto the couch together. The room was quiet except for the soft sounds of the TV screen flickering in front of them. Yuwon's eyes stayed fixed on the series, trying hard to focus, but he was well aware of Tae's hand gently holding his.
Tae didn't even glance at the screen. His eyes were only on Yuwon.
Yuwon hesitated, feeling the intensity of the gaze. After a long pause, he finally said,
Yuwon: "Tae… you should look at the movie, not at me."
Tae smiled, his fingers still intertwined with Yuwon's. Without answering, he gently turned Yuwon's face toward him and said softly,
Tae: "Hyung, why are we wasting time on a movie? Just look at me… talk to me. It's been five years since we met, since we sat like this. Now that I'm finally with you again… I don't want to see anyone or anything. I just want you. Hyung, just look at me."
Yuwon blinked, startled. The warmth of Tae's palm on his cheek, the earnestness in his voice—it all felt too much. Too close.
He saw it in Tae's eyes.
Obsession.
Love.
Longing.
Not the kind a little brother should hold.
Tae leaned in slowly, his gaze locked on Yuwon's lips, his breath getting closer and warmer.
Yuwon's heart raced.
And then, in a quick motion, he turned his face away.
Yuwon (hurriedly): "Okay. No more movies. Let's go to your favorite ice cream place. You said you missed it, right?"
There was a brief silence. Tae's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he sat back, frustrated yet forcing a smile.
He knew Yuwon was pushing him away again. Refusing him—again.
Still acting like nothing happened between them. Still pretending to be just brothers.
Tae (with a sigh and a tight smile): "Okay then… let's go, hyung."
Yuwon nodded and stood up quickly, brushing off his pants.
Yuwon: "I should get changed."
Tae silently watched him disappear into the room, his gaze following every step with quiet intensity.
A little while later, they both stepped out of the apartment building. The moment the front doors opened, the street buzzed with low murmurs.
Several black luxury cars were parked along the curb. Guards in dark suits stood beside them, straight-backed and alert. Passersby stared, whispering about the unusual sight.
Yuwon hesitated.
Tae reached out and laced his fingers into Yuwon's, pulling him gently forward.
Tae (brightly): "Let's go, hyung. I'm excited for the ice cream!"
Yuwon's eyes flickered toward the line of guards, then back at Tae.
Yuwon (softly): "Tae… is it really necessary to bring all these guards just for ice cream?"
Tae stopped walking. His cheerful smile faded instantly.
He turned to face the guards. His entire expression changed—sharp, commanding. The warmth disappeared, replaced by something cold and dangerous.
Tae (sternly): "Go. All of you."
The guards bowed deeply without hesitation. One of them respectfully handed Tae a sleek black car key before stepping back.
One by one, the cars pulled away from the curb and disappeared down the street.
Only silence remained.
Tae turned back to Yuwon, and his features softened instantly. He gave a small smile, a mix of sweetness and devotion in his voice.
Tae: "Hyung… for you, I can do everything. Just say a word."
Yuwon stood frozen.
The way Tae had shifted—so quickly—from sweet to commanding—it left Yuwon stunned. The boy he once knew as his little brother… was no longer a boy.
He had power. Influence. A presence that made others obey with a single glance.
Yuwon (thinking): This Tae… he's seriously dangerous…
And yet, that same Tae was now standing in front of him, smiling softly, his fingers still gently holding Yuwon's hand like nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
After a quiet drive, Tae and Yuwon arrived at a small, cozy ice cream shop tucked into the corner of a quiet street. The same shop they used to visit on weekends, years ago.
As the car came to a stop, Tae was the first to step out. Without hesitation, he walked around and opened the door for Yuwon like a gentleman. Yuwon stepped out slowly, and before he could adjust his footing, Tae reached out and gently took his hand again.
Yuwon glanced down at their joined hands, memories rushing back.
He remembered the times they used to come here together—when Tae was still a little boy, always excited, always smiling, tugging at his sleeve and begging for extra scoops.
A soft smile crept onto Yuwon's face as he recalled those simpler days.
Tae noticed the smile and smiled back, his grip tightening just slightly as if he never wanted to let go.
They walked into the shop together. The bell above the door chimed gently, and a sweet, familiar scent filled the air. It was quiet inside, warm and nostalgic.
They took a seat at a small table by the window. Tae immediately placed the order while Yuwon looked around, lost in thought.
At another table nearby, a group of young women had started whispering.
"He's so handsome..."
"Look at his body—like someone out of a manhwa!"
"So tall... he's like a walking fantasy."
But Tae didn't even glance their way. His eyes stayed on Yuwon—calm, focused, unwavering.
Yuwon could feel it. The weight of Tae's gaze, the silent intensity. It made him nervous. Tae was no longer the little boy he used to know. He'd grown—taller, stronger, more assertive—and every bit of that showed now.
The ice cream finally arrived, placed gently in front of them.
Yuwon looked down at the colorful scoops and hesitated for a moment before taking a bite.
The taste was exactly how he remembered—sweet and cold, bursting with nostalgia. His lips curled into a genuine smile.
Tae (watching him softly): "Hyung, how's your ice cream?"
Yuwon (smiling): "It's tasty."
Tae (leaning in): "Then feed me."
Yuwon (blinking): "Tae… you're grown up now. You can eat by yourself."
Tae (pouting slightly): "Nope. I want to eat it from you."
Yuwon hesitated, clearly flustered, but finally scooped a spoonful and held it out.
Tae leaned forward and took the bite with a quiet smile. The group of girls at the other table went completely still, watching the scene with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
Yuwon's face turned red with embarrassment. He looked away, pretending not to notice the attention, but his heart raced inside his chest.
Tae's not a little brother anymore…
But" Tae still looked at Yuwon like he was the only person in the world.