SEDUCTIVE EMBER'S || HEESUN 𝟏𝟖+ ||

Fragment - Chapter 24

The television continued to drone on infront of Sunoo, the heated argument on screen became a distant murmur in the background of Sunoo's mind. His eyes were trained on the figures moving across the screen, but he wasn't really seeing them. It was all just noise now, nothing more than a flimsy attempt to fill the gaping silence that had settled over his house.

Sunoo lay there, curled up on the couch with his legs tucked beneath a blanket, his body slouched lazily into the cushions. His fingers idly traced the soft fabric of the pillow he clutched to his chest but even that offered little comfort.

It was winter, the coldest winter Sunoo had felt in years. The kind of cold that seeped into your bones, gnawing at you no matter how many layers you wore or how high you cranked the heat.

The air outside was biting, the wind howling as it rattled the windows and yet none of it could compare to the chill that had settled in his chest.

Sunoo shifted his eyes that drifted towards the window, it was late afternoon but the sun was already setting, ready to cast a pale glow over the snow-covered streets outside. Everything looked frozen, still-just like he felt.

The semester exams had finally come to an end and the weight of academic stress had lifted from his shoulders but instead of feeling relieved, all Sunoo felt was an overwhelming emptiness. He had thought that once the exams were over, things would get better.

He had imagined spending time with Heeseung, that their days would be filled with laughter, they'll have cozy dinners together, and the warmth of each other's presence would ward off the winter cold.

But here he was-alone. Again.

The sound of his phone buzzing against the armrest broke the monotony but Sunoo barely glanced at it. He knew what it was-just more messages from his friends, likely sending pictures of them or tagging him in memes.

Normally, he'd be eager to respond, ready to dive into the group chat and banter back and forth. But right now? Right now, the thought of even picking up the phone felt exhausting. What was the point? All their vacation plans had felt exciting at the time, especially when he had pictured Heeseung being with him-wrapped in scarves and coats, their breaths visible in the freezing air as they walked hand-in-hand down the snow-covered streets. This mission shit came out of nowhere, destroying all of his imagination.

He had imagined himself and his boyfriend snuggled up in a cozy café, sharing a steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows melting on top, watching the world turning white outside the window.

Instead, he was here, lying like a sloth on the couch, unmoving and utterly unmotivated to do anything. The ache in his chest grew heavier with every passing minute weighing him down like the snow piling up outside.

A small, humorless chuckle slipped past his lips as he glanced at his phone again, the screen lighting up with another message. Maybe it was Jake, sending another one of his dumb jokes in an attempt to cheer him up. Or perhaps it was Jungwon, scolding him for not showing up to their plans.

But none of it mattered. None of it could fill the void that Heeseung had left behind.

Nine days. It had been nine long, agonizing days since Heeseung had left, though to Sunoo, it felt more like an eternity. He had been prepared for the separation - Heeseung had warned him that he wouldn't be able to call or message, that whatever he had to do in that mission would keep him completely off the grid.

Sunoo had nodded at the time, trying to be understanding and supportive boyfriend. Heeseung's job as an Agent and the CEO of the firm that train and create Agents was dangerous and Sunoo had always known this fact.