Next day Morning,

As Joo-ik settles into a seat at the café, Hyun-gyu busies himself with preparing a fresh pot of coffee. The air between them is thick with unspoken tension, the weight of three years of separation hanging heavily in the air.

Joo-ik clears his throat, his movements deliberate as he pours the steaming brew into a pair of mugs. "Hyun-gyu," he begins tentatively, his voice soft but laced with a hint of uncertainty, "it's been a while."

Hyun-gyu looks at Joo-ik , meeting his brother's gaze with a mixture of surprise and relief. "Yeah, it has hyung," Hyung-gyu agrees, his tone guarded but not unkind. Joo-ik proceeds to ask "You've been doing well?"

(Hyung is the korean word for older brother ❤️)

Hyung-gyu nods, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, things have been good," he replies, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "The café is keeping me busy, but I can't complain."

There's a moment of silence between them, the sound of coffee brewing filling the space as they both search for the right words to say. Eventually, Hyun-gyu breaks the silence, his tone hesitant but sincere. "I'm sorry, hyung," he says quietly, his eyes meeting his brother's with a mixture of guilt and regret. "For leaving without saying goodbye."

Joo-ik's expression softens, his gaze meeting Hyun-gyu's with understanding and compassion. "It's okay, Hyun-gyu," he replies gently, his voice filled with forgiveness. "I know you had your reasons."

Hyun-gyu's shoulders relax slightly, a weight lifting off his chest as he exhales slowly. "Thanks," he murmurs, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I appreciate that."

Their conversation continues, the tension between them slowly melting away as they catch up on lost time. And as they sit together in the quiet warmth of the café, the bond between them grows stronger, a testament to the enduring strength of brotherhood.

As the conversation between Joo-ik and Hyun-gyu reaches its natural conclusion, the brothers share a brief, but meaningful, moment of camaraderie. With a nod and a small smile, they part ways, each lost in their own thoughts as they go about their day.

Meanwhile,

Dong-kyung and Ji-na weave their way through the bustling crowds of Myeongdong Shopping Street, the vibrant energy of the bustling Seoul shopping district enveloping them as they browse through the various shops and stalls.

Amidst the colorful array of storefronts and the chatter of shoppers, Dong-kyung leans in to confide in Ji-na, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.

"I have something to tell you," Dong-kyung begins, her tone tinged with excitement and a hint of nervousness. "I'm living with someone now."

Ji-na's eyes widened in surprise, her curiosity piqued. "Who is it?" she asks, her voice eager with anticipation.

Dong-kyung hesitates for a moment, knowing she can't reveal the true identity of her housemate. Instead, she offers a vague explanation. "He's... a doctor," she replies, her words carefully chosen. "My therapist."

Ji-na nods in understanding, though there's a hint of skepticism in her expression. "A therapist, huh?" she muses, her gaze lingering on Dong-kyung with a playful glint in her eye. "Well, I hope he's helping you with more than just therapy."

Dong-kyung laughs softly, grateful for her friend's lightheartedness in the midst of her uncertainty. As they continue their stroll through Myeongdong Shopping Street, Dong-kyung can't shake the feeling of anticipation tingling in the air, wondering what the future holds for her newfound living arrangement with Myul-Mang.

The evening finds Dong-kyung and Ji-na in the cozy confines of Ji-na's home, their laughter echoing through the air as they indulge in a few bottles of soju.Amidst the laughter and music, Dong-kyung raises her glass, the room spinning slightly as she tries to focus on Ji-na's face. "To friendship!" she exclaims, her voice tinged with a drunken cheerfulness.

Ji-na giggles, clinking her glass against Dong-kyung's. "To friendship!" she echoes, her words slurring slightly as she takes a sip of the soju.

Unusual Person (엉뚱한 그대) · Yoo Jong Hyun - Doom at Your Service (Original Television Soundtrack) starts playing as Dong-kyung and Ji-na drink Soju and remember their past stories.)

As the night progresses and the soju continues to flow, the conversation becomes increasingly nonsensical, filled with inside jokes and exaggerated stories from their past. They reminisce about their high school days, sharing embarrassing memories and laughing until tears stream down their cheeks.

At one point, Dong-kyung bursts into song, belting out a tune at the top of her lungs as Ji-na joins in, their voices merging in a cacophony of drunken delight. They stumble and sway, their movements clumsy but full of joy, as they dance around the room with reckless abandon.

In between fits of laughter, they share their hopes and dreams for the future, their words muddled but sincere as they express their gratitude for each other's friendship. And as the night draws to a close, they collapse onto the couch in a fit of giggles, their hearts.

   In a haze of worry and concern, Myul-Mang materializes on the dimly lit street outside Ji-na's house, his mind consumed with thoughts of Dong-kyung's safety. As he scans the area, his eyes narrow in determination, his senses heightened by the urgency of the situation.

Suddenly, the door swings open, and a figure emerges from the darkness, stumbling and swaying with unsteady steps. It's Dong-kyung, her cheeks flushed with the effects of the soju, her laughter echoing in the night air.

"Dong-kyung," Myul-Mang calls out, his voice tinged with relief as he rushes to her side, "what are you doing out here all alone?"

Dong-kyung's giggles bubble forth in a drunken melody, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she leans into Myul-Mang's comforting presence. "Myul-Mang!" she exclaims, her words muddled by the haze of alcohol, "I missed you!" Her warm breath caresses his cheek, carrying with it a sense of longing and affection.

With a sigh, Myul-Mang steadies her with a gentle hand, his expression softening as he gazes down at her. "Let's get you home," he murmurs, his voice laced with concern.

Myul-Mang blinked his eyes, and in the next moment, they teleported to the comforting familiarity of their conjoined houses. With gentle care, he guided Dong-kyung to the couch, his movements deliberate as he tucked a blanket around her, shielding her from the chill of the night.

As he watches her sleep, a mixture of emotions swirls within him, from worry and frustration to a strange sense of warmth and protectiveness. And as he settles in beside her, he can't help but wonder what the future holds for the two of them, bound together by fate and circumstance in ways neither of them fully understands.

As Dong-kyung's voice drifts through the hazy veil of sleep, her words carry a weight of melancholy and longing. Myul-Mang's gaze softens as he listens, his heart aching with empathy for the woman lying before him.

"People who are nice to me always disappear,

It's always like that with me...."

she murmurs, her voice barely audible above the gentle hum of the night.

As Dong-kyung murmurs those words in her sleep, a pang of sadness tugs at Myul-Mang's heart. He listens in silence, his gaze softening as he watches her rest, her words echoing in the quiet of the room.

Gently, he reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face, a gesture of comfort born from a desire to soothe her troubled dreams. In that moment, he feels a surge of empathy for her, a shared understanding of the pain and loneliness that she carries with her.

"It's okay, Dong-kyung," he whispers softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here. I won't leave you."

(I knew he was a softie and not a mean guy 🤭🤭❤️❤️)

Suddenly, Dong-kyung stirs, her eyelids fluttering open as she peers up at him through bleary eyes. "Myul-Mang?" she mumbles, her voice thick with sleep.

"Yes, it's me," he replies, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You had a little too much to drink. Let's get you comfortable."

As he helps her settle on the couch, Dong-kyung sighs contentedly, her features softening in sleep once more. And as Myul-Mang tucks a blanket around her, he can't help but feel a sense of warmth and protectiveness wash over him, a silent vow forming in his heart to always be there for her, no matter what.

   As Myul-Mang gently rests his hand on Dong-kyung's forehead, a soft glow emanates from his touch, enveloping her in a warm, soothing light. With a gentle hum of power, he channels his energy into her, easing the restlessness of her mind and guiding her into a deeper, more peaceful sleep.

(Doom (멸망) · SHIN MINYONG - Doom at Your Service (Original Television Soundtrack) starts playing in the background as Myul-mang comforts Dong-kyung.)

Dong-kyung's breathing steadies, her features relaxing as the tension of the day melts away under Myul-Mang's gentle ministrations. With each passing moment, she sinks deeper into slumber, her dreams becoming softer, more tranquil.

For a while, Myul-Mang watches over her, his expression soft with affection and concern. He knows the weight of her burdens, the struggles she faces each day, and in this moment, he is grateful for the opportunity to offer her a moment of respite, however fleeting it may be.

As Dong-kyung's breathing finally evens out. With a silent promise to keep her safe, he settles in beside her, keeping a vigilant watch throughout the night, a silent guardian in the darkness.

 In the peaceful silence of the night, Myul-Mang quietly withdraws his hand, the soft glow of his touch fading as he watches over Dong-kyung's sleeping form. With a gentle sigh, he settles onto his own couch, book in hand, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer.

  As he begins to lose himself in the pages of his book, he notices a soft glow emanating from Dong-kyung's side of the conjoined houses. Concerned that the light might disturb her sleep, Myul-Mang pauses, his brow furrowing with worry. He watches as she tosses and turns, the faint light casting shadows across her peaceful face.

With a decisive snap of his fingers, Myul-Mang extinguishes the lights in both of their houses, plunging the space into a comforting darkness. He watches as Dong-kyung's movements gradually still, her breathing deepening as she settles into a more restful sleep.

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugs at the corners of Myul-Mang's lips as he gazes upon her serene form. In this moment, he feels a warmth in his chest, a flicker of something tender and genuine that he thought he had long since lost.

  With a silent promise to watch over her throughout the night, Myul-Mang allows himself to relax, content in the knowledge that, for once, he has brought a moment of peace to the one he cares for. And as he loses himself in the pages of his book, a small, sweet smile graces his features, a rare glimpse of warmth in the cold darkness of his existence.

-1933 words

Characters: 11139

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