Whispers Before Dawn

Chapter 25

"Uh..." Ilay's voice was slow and languid, as if still emerging from a deep sleep.

"You woke up early" Tae-ui's calm voice replied, his tone soft.

Ilay blinked, trying to adjust to his surroundings. "Tae... what is this? Why?" His voice, still groggy, slowly sharpened as he realized his situation.

Tae-ui just gave him a small smile, no words to follow.

Ilay was lying on the bed, his hands and feet restrained with handcuffs, unable to move freely. Tae-ui sat beside him, watching quietly, his eyes tracing Ilay's movements as he tugged against the cuffs. Ilay tried to lift his arms, then his legs, but the restraints were firm, leaving him struggling in frustration.

"Relax, you'll hurt yourself" Tae-ui whispered, gently caressing Ilay's hands, his touch meant to soothe.

Ilay's response was cold, his tone hardening. "Then let me go. Are you leaving again? Did you think I would stop you?"

Tae-ui's hand froze momentarily. "Stop. Please..." His voice carried a quiet plea.

Ilay didn't stop, pulling harder against the restraints. "Then you should've knocked me out better." His voice was stern, filled with barely concealed anger.

"I added it throughout the water supply... but the amount wasn't enough" Tae-ui whispered, his expression turning sorrowful. "I'm sorry, but even when I added more to your water bottle yesterday, it wasn't strong enough." His voice cracked slightly as he looked at Ilay, sadness evident in his gaze.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. Tae-ui leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Ilay's lips before pulling back slightly, his eyes still locked onto Ilay's. "I love you, Ilay... I always will. But it's time for you to let go. Let it all go."

Ilay didn't avert his gaze, but his chest rose and fell sharply. His eyes stayed locked on Tae-ui, a flicker of disbelief in them as he took a deep breath.

"Let it go..." Ilay echoed, his voice small, almost mechanical, as if he couldn't fully grasp the weight of the words.

Tae-ui nodded, his own eyes brimming with unshed tears. He managed a faint smile, and then slowly rose from the bed.

Tae-ui's eyes swept around the room. His gaze lingered on the painting hanging on the wall—a portrait he had made of himself and Ilay. In the painting, Tae-ui was laughing, sitting in Ilay's lap, while Ilay looked at him with a soft, almost serene expression. The image captured a moment that Osamu had secretly photographed, a moment of pure joy between the two of them. When Tae-ui found out about the picture, he had asked Osamu to delete it, offering instead to paint it in exchange. Osamu had liked that particular moment too much to refuse.

Tae-ui stood silently for a moment, his eyes lingering on the painting.

After one last glance at Ilay, Tae-ui walked toward the door. His hand lingered on the handle as he opened it, about to step outside. But something held him back. He froze, his body tense, as if torn between leaving and staying. He was just about to turn around when Ilay's voice broke the silence.

"Leave" Ilay commanded, his voice firm but strained.

Tae-ui didn't respond, still standing there, unmoving, his back to Ilay.

"Don't you dare turn back" Ilay's voice cracked slightly, the intensity growing.

Tae-ui remained rooted in place, but he hadn't yet turned.

"Don't look back! Just leave!" Ilay's voice rose, almost desperate now.

Tae-ui's head dipped slightly, his hesitation visible, but he still didn't move to leave.