Page 62 of Scarbound

“The three of us?” Noeul teased. “What, dad’s not coming?”

The horror on their faces made him burst out laughing.

“I’m joking.”

They both sighed in relief. Ji-Woo threw a pillow at him, and Noeul accepted the hit gladly.

Outside, the rain grew heavier. The console had been off for a while, and the apartment settled into the kind of silence that didn’t need to be broken: comfortable, warm, almost sacred.

“It’s late,” Noeul said eventually. “Why don’t you stay?”

He was already pulling out the blankets. Ji-Woo was half-asleep, while Duri had become slightly unsteady from the alcohol.

“Duri, help my brother to bed. You can sleep here if you want.”

Duri did so without hesitation. A few minutes later, he returned to Noeul.

Noeul was arranging one of the blankets on the couch when he noticed Duri still standing there.

“Can I…?” Duri stopped.

Noeul looked at him, puzzled. “What?”

Their eyes met. A faint blush spread across Duri’s face, and Noeul felt something tighten inside him.

He had spent years telling himself he shouldn’t look at Duri this way.

But somewhere along the way, those reasons had stopped being enough.

Duri took a breath. “Can I hug you?” he asked quietly.

Noeul blinked. The question caught him completely off guard. Duri didn’t move, and for a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Noeul’s expression softened.

“…Yeah.”

Duri stepped closer slowly, giving him every opportunity to change his mind. When Noeul didn’t pull away, he wrapped his arms around him, carefully at first, then tighter.

Noeul stayed still for a moment. Slowly, almost uncertainly, he relaxed against Duri.

His injured hand remained protected between them while the other rose hesitantly toward Duri’s face. His fingertips brushed his cheek.

Duri went completely still.

Noeul traced the line of his cheekbone before resting his hand against his shoulder. There was something strangely peaceful about touching him.

Duri closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were close enough for Noeul to feel his breath. He hugged Noeul tighter and pulled him down onto the sofa with him.

Neither moved.

Then Noeul leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “Good night,” he whispered.

Duri smiled. “Good night.”

***

Duri watched him for a long time. Noeul’s head rested against his shoulder, his breathing slow and warm through the thin fabric of Duri’s shirt.