Page 179 of Scarbound

“You could say that.” Noeul took a sip. “But not all of it was bad.”

Duri raised an eyebrow, but before he could ask, Minho spoke. “I’ll have a bottle of soju and whatever he’s drinking.” He hesitated. “It’s my birthday. Noeul kept me company today.”

Duri’s gaze moved briefly between them. “Happy birthday, Minho hyung.”

“Thank you.”

Duri fetched his drink, polite but noticeably less warm with Minho than he was with the other customers. Minho and Noeul talked about work, occasionally slipping into stories from years ago. Duri remained busy behind the bar, but Noeul caught him listening more than once.

Eventually, Noeul excused himself to use the restroom. The silence he left behind felt different.

Duri wiped down the counter without looking at Minho.

When Noeul returned, Duri was still looking toward the door.

“Where’s Minho?”

“He left.”

Noeul frowned. “Already?”

“Said today was enough.”

Noeul looked toward the windows. Minho had already disappeared into the falling snow.

He sat again. Duri placed another beer in front of him.

“So,” he said. “What made today not entirely terrible?”

Noeul looked at him. “You.”

Duri blinked.

Noeul smiled into his drink. “And Minho apologized.”

“Did you forgive him?”

“No.”

Duri nodded as though that were perfectly acceptable.

“But I listened.”

“That sounds more like you.”

Noeul glanced at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re annoyingly kind.”

“I’m not kind.”

“Sure.”

Noeul kicked lightly at his shin beneath the bar. Duri laughed.

CHAPTER 50

By the time Duri finished his shift, the snow had thickened. Noeul waited for him outside with his hands buried deep inside his coat pockets. His breath turned white in the cold as Duri locked the door behind him.