Haneul didn’t look up. “No. I’m just tired.”
Yul snorted. “That, I believe.”
He sat beside him. They didn’t talk for a long time. Just stared at the burn, side by side, like it might start whispering.
“Your man’s still terrifying,” Yul said eventually. “I don’t know what kind of god you fucked to make him burn for you, but I hope you thanked them properly.”
“I did,” Haneul said. “Last night.”
Yul coughed into his drink. “Jesus Christ.”
Haneul smiled—small, real. And finally stood.
“I’m leaving town,” he said.
Yul raised an eyebrow. “For good?”
“No. Just long enough to remember what it feels like to stay.”
They didn’t hug. Yul wasn’t built for that. But he clapped Haneul on the lower back once, hard.
“Try not to burn the mountains down,” he said.
??????
Seungho didn’t tell him where they were going.
Just said “pack something warm” and took the wheel.
It was a quiet drive, broken only by the hum of tires and the occasional stretch of snow-wrapped pines. Haneul slumpedagainst the window, eyes half-lidded, one leg kicked up on the dashboard like he owned the car.
Then Seungho’s phone buzzed on the console. He thumbed it open at a red light.
[1 New Message – Jaewan]
-Enjoy your stupid little getaway at the villa.
I told the staff to prep it like you asked.
Don’t come for me if the curtains are one inch off.
Say hi to the fox from me.
And try not to catch fire again-
Seungho smiled to himself.
Haneul squinted at the screen sideways. “Was that Jaewan?”
“He says hello.”
“Does he say it in the way that means ‘I will gut you with a teaspoon if you make me babysit another scandal?’”
“Yes.”
Haneul grinned, turned his head back toward the road, and mumbled, “Tell him I’m gonna fuck you on his rug.”
Seungho didn’t dignify that with an answer.
