---
At Home
Beomgyu stumbled into the house, his legs barely carrying him. Dropping his bag near the door, he sighed heavily and flopped onto the couch. He closed his eyes, the day’s exhaustion catching up with him as he quickly drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
In the kitchen, Yeonjun stirred a pot of soup, humming softly to himself. The aroma of the freshly prepared meal wafted through the air. He glanced at the clock and called out, “Beomgyu, dinner’s almost ready!”
Silence.
Frowning slightly, Yeonjun called again, louder this time. “Beomgyu, are you even listening? Dinner is ready!”
Still no response.
Yeonjun turned off the stove, wiping his hands on a towel as he walked toward the living room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Beomgyu lying motionless on the couch, his chest rising and falling steadily. A small smile crept onto Yeonjun’s lips.
“You could’ve at least told me you were this tired,” Yeonjun muttered, crouching down beside Beomgyu. He gently shook his shoulder. “Hey, Gyu. Wake up. Dinner’s ready.”
Beomgyu mumbled something incoherent but didn’t open his eyes.
Yeonjun chuckled softly, leaning closer. “Are you really going to make me carry you upstairs?” He received no reply, just the sound of steady breathing.
“You leave me no choice,” Yeonjun said with a dramatic sigh, carefully sliding his arms under Beomgyu. He lifted him effortlessly, adjusting his hold to make sure Beomgyu was comfortable. Beomgyu stirred slightly, muttering, “Yeonjun… food smells good…” before snuggling into Yeonjun’s chest.
“Yeah, yeah, you’ll eat later,” Yeonjun whispered with a fond smile. He carried Beomgyu upstairs to their bedroom, gently laying him down on the bed. Pulling the blanket over Beomgyu, Yeonjun brushed a stray strand of hair from his forehead.
“Sleep tight,” he murmured softly, leaning down to press a light kiss to Beomgyu’s temple. After switching off the light, Yeonjun quietly left the room.
Back in the kitchen, Yeonjun grabbed a plate of food and headed to his office. “Work doesn’t stop just because you’re adorable,” he muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.
---
An Hour Later
Yeonjun stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh as he finished the last of his work. He glanced at the time and decided it was late enough to call it a night. After changing into his pajamas, he tiptoed into the bedroom.
Beomgyu was still sound asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. Yeonjun climbed into bed beside him, wrapping an arm around Beomgyu’s waist. Beomgyu instinctively shifted closer, his head resting against Yeonjun’s chest. Smiling, Yeonjun closed his eyes and let sleep take over.
---
The Next Morning
The sunlight poured through the curtains, waking Beomgyu. He blinked a few times before stretching his arms. Turning to his side, he expected to see Yeonjun, but the spot beside him was empty.
“Where’d he go?” Beomgyu mumbled groggily. That’s when he noticed the note on the nightstand. He picked it up and read:
Babe, I had to leave early for work today. I made breakfast for you—it’s in the kitchen. Love you.
A soft smile tugged at Beomgyu’s lips. “Always taking care of me,” he muttered. As he set the note down, his gaze fell on the anklet around his ankle. His fingers traced its delicate design.
“Mom…” he whispered, his voice tinged with longing. “Are you watching over me?”
After a moment of silence, he shook his head and pushed himself out of bed. “No time for tears today,” he said to himself.
Heading downstairs, Beomgyu found a plate of breakfast neatly arranged on the counter, along with another sticky note: Eat well, my anklet.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re so cheesy, Yeonjun.”
After finishing his meal, Beomgyu leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the table. An idea struck him, and he jumped to his feet. “It’s the perfect time to paint my nails!”
He rummaged through the drawer where Yeonjun had kept a few nail polishes for him, selecting a deep blue—Yeonjun’s favorite color. Settling on the couch, he began carefully painting his nails.
Just as he finished his left hand, his phone rang. Picking it up, he smiled when he saw Yeonjun’s name on the screen.
“Hello, baby!” Beomgyu greeted cheerfully.
“Hey, babe,” Yeonjun’s voice came through, warm and familiar. “Did you eat breakfast?”
“I did,” Beomgyu replied, grinning. “It was delicious. Thanks for making it.”
“Good. I want you to stay healthy,” Yeonjun said firmly. “Oh, by the way, don’t forget we have a hospital appointment tomorrow for your check-up.”
“I remember,” Beomgyu said. Then, with a playful tone, he added, “When are we going shopping for baby clothes, though?”
Yeonjun chuckled softly. “You’re still thinking about that?”
“Of course I am! We need to be prepared,” Beomgyu said, pouting slightly even though Yeonjun couldn’t see him.
“You’re unbelievable,” Yeonjun teased, his voice filled with affection.
“Hehe, I know,” Beomgyu said, giggling. “Anyway, I need to finish my nails. Bye, I love you!”
“I love you too, my anklet,” Yeonjun replied, his tone soft.
Beomgyu hung up, his heart feeling light. Glancing down at his half-painted nails, he smiled. “This color really suits me,” he mused, picking up the brush to finish the other hand.
---
YOU ARE READING
ANKLET - YEONGYU - Force Marriage
RomanceForced into an unwanted marriage by his father, 18-year-old Beomgyu struggles to embrace his identity in a world that rejects him. He finds comfort in an anklet given to him by his late mother, but his defiance of societal norms only fuels the resen...
