Nodus Tollens|| Haowoongbin

17

Ji Han looked at Xie once more.
"Okay, what's making you this happy? You've been humming and smiling to yourself ever since"

"Hm? Is it that obvious?" Xie said and looked down smiling. "It's my dad...he's back" Xie said and Ji Han stopped walking as he held Xie's hand in surprise.

"Wow really?! That's great Xie!" He exclaimed with a grin. Xie chuckled as she nodded. "I know. After these years of waiting for him to be back, he's finally here"

Ji Han mouthed a "wow" as he shook his head happily. "You must be so happy, I'm sure you've been by his side" Xie chuckled and nodded.

"No matter the hugs I give him, It can't be enough to fill how much I missed him. But still...I'm really happy" She said and Ji Han sighed nodding.

"Lucky you..." Ji Han muttered and put his hands in his pockets as he looked ahead. Xie's smile slowly faded as she looked at Ji Han's solemn expression.

"Oh.." She muttered in realization. "I'm sure your dad will warm up to you" She said and Ji Han lightly scoffed, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"If it was that easy Xie, I would I have wished of more things." He muttered and licked his lips sighing. "You have a reason for not spending time with your dad as he's been away. But.."

"It's different when you live in the roof with your father and it's like you don't even exist" Ji Han said and Xie's brows furrowed as she looked away.

"Is that why you came down to Korea? To live with your uncle?" She asked and Ji Han nodded.

"I'm sure your uncle's making up for your dad. Right?" Xie asked and Ji Han kept quiet before ruffling his hair.

"He's not great but he's better than my dad. I just can't stay in a home like that with my father. The only thing I worry about is my little brother.

I don't want him to grow like I did. He's too pure to face a treatment like that" Ji Han said and sighed once more at the thought of his brother.

Xie pursed her lips, feeling guilty about talking about Hanbin in front of Ji Han. "But...he did stop you from moving out right?"

Ji Han chuckled. "He didn't ask me where I was going when he saw me with my luggages. Mom was the one who told him and that was after I left.
It's okay though... I'm doing better"

Ji Han said and held Xie's hand.
"Especially when I have someone like you by my side" He said and gave Xie a soft smile. Xie gulped looking at Ji Han's smile as she felt her face heat up.

"Tch! What are your talking about weirdo?!" She yelled, scoffing as she took her hand away, walking faster. "Hey! Wait up!"

-

"Does it feel better?" Hanbin asked and Zhanghao hummed, his eyes closed as he enjoyed Hanbin's head massage. "Hanbin?"

"Yes my love"

"Let's go out later, just you and I. A dinner maybe or anywhere else" Zhanghao said and Hanbin didn't say anything as continued massaging Zhanghao's head.

"I just got back Hao, You don't want to spend time with me privately?" Zhanghao sighed hearing Hanbin. "It's not that..I just.."

"We can stay indoors, I've been away from this house for years, let me get settled in. Hm? How about next week? We can go wherever you want. Okay?" Hanbin said as he leaned and pecked Zhanghao's temple.

"Mm. Okay" Zhanghao muttered and sighed as his finger rubbed on his ring. An unconscious pout on his face as he felt dejected. He wanted to go out with Hanbin to show everyone that he was back.

*Buzz buzz*

Zhanghao picked up his phone and saw a message from Ji Woong. He quickly placed his phone down.
-I made dinner. Won't you come over?

Zhanghao closed his eyes sighing when he kept hearing his phone buzz, buzz after buzz.
"You're not going to check your phone?"
Hanbin asked and Zhanghao opened his eyes and placed his phone on his thigh.

"Just app notifications." He muttered and Hanbin nodded. Zhanghao opened his phone and muted
Ji Woong, turning his phone off and closing his eyes.

-

Zhanghao closed the curtain once he saw Hanbin drive out. He turned around with his phone, walking into his room.

"Why haven't you been answering my calls Hao? Do you know how worried I've been?" Ji Woong asked as soon as Zhanghao answered his phone call.

"I told you to stop calling me unless I call you. Didn't I Ji Woong?"

"You can't expect me to do that when I obviously care about you. I don't know if you're going through something but I don't want you to be alone through it. Even a text is fine but I've gotten none from you–

"Listen to me-god damn it Ji Woong!" Zhanghao yelled and heard Ji Woong go quiet over the line.
He rubbed his forehead sighing.

"Sorry. I just...I've been really busy and stressed"
He muttered and Ji Woong sighed.

"Have some rest Hao. I don't want you getting hurt"
Ji Woong said and Zhanghao brushed his hair backwards. "Mm"

"When can we meet Hao? I miss you" Ji Woong said and Zhanghao licked his lips sighing. "I'm not available now Ji Woong. I'm..really busy"

Ji Woong didn't say anything for the next few seconds. "Fine" He muttered. "I won't force you into anything. When you feel better and want to meet, I'm here. Okay?"

Zhanghao nodded "Yes. Thank you Ji Woong" he muttered and ended the call, placing his phone on his chest as his eyes wandered away, his heart getting heavy in guilt.

He dropped his phone on his bed as he sighed.