Maybe because for the first time, he wanted to be seen before the snow fell.
He let the silence settle again.
The apartment smelled like cloves and wool. Rain pressed gentle fingers against the window. Down the hall, the shower dripped once. The world was pausing for him, just for a breath.
He folded the poem slowly. Reverently. Tucked it into the small inner pocket of his coat—the one with the loose lining and the torn silk, right over his heart.
It belonged there.
It always had.
Then his phone buzzed.
He didn’t check it right away. Let it go silent. Picked it up after the second vibration.
Cha Yul.
“Foxface. Costume fitting tomorrow. White ears, glitter, bring that ass, you know the drill. I’m getting you new lashes. You better wear that tail like you mean it.”
Haneul laughed.
Short, sharp, real.
“Don’t I always?”
He sent a fox emoji and dropped the phone onto the couch. Ran his fingers through his braid, heavy with all the little offerings Seungho keeps tracing like they’re prayers in silk.
Then let himself tip back into the cushions and stare at the ceiling.
No stars tonight. Just the hum of old buildings, and the ache of wanting.
??????
Chapter 45 – Before the Snow Falls
The first thing Seungho heard was snoring. Faint. Muffled into the pillow. Rhythmic in a way that should have been annoying but had, over time, become something closer to holy.
The second was the whir of traffic below, far away, as if the city had respectfully lowered its voice.
He turned his head.
Haneul was starfished across the bed, blanket wrapped around one leg, the other thrown over Seungho’s thigh.
His braid was a mess—half unraveled, one ribbon tangled in Seungho’s necklace. His mouth was slack with sleep, lips parted just enough to drool the tiniest wet spot onto the pillow.
Seungho, warm beneath the covers, watched.
Longer than he should have.
Something ached in his chest. Not pain—just pressure. Like memory trying to surface.
He brushed a strand of hair back and kissed the corner of Haneul’s forehead.
“Happy birthday, Sky.”
A groan.
Then—a kick, sharp and sudden, aimed directly at Seungho’s face.
