𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 | 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿.𝟮

14

Target- 15 votes

In the peaceful tranquility of a serene garden, Ho-Seok sat alone on a weathered wooden bench, seeking solace under the gentle shade of a rose-covered arbor. The sun shone warmly overhead, its golden rays casting soft light through the interwoven branches of the vine, dappling the ground with flecks of sunlight. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, the vibrant hues of pink, purple, and yellow creating a breathtaking landscape of color. Yet, despite the natural beauty surrounding him, Ho-Seok’s mind was far from peaceful. His thoughts, like an endless current, were consumed by the memories of Yoon-Gi.

His fingers absently traced the curve of his nearly nine-month pregnant belly, the gentle movements of his unborn child reminding him of the new life growing inside him. The child—his son—was a reminder of the decision he had made to give his marriage with Woo-Seok a chance. It hadn’t been an easy choice, nor one made without hesitation. Ho-Seok still carried the weight of his love for Yoon-Gi, a love that hadn’t faded, even as his life had taken a new direction. He had promised himself that he would try to move forward, that he would give his marriage to Woo-Seok a fair chance. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not escape the memories of Yoon-Gi. They lingered in his heart, a constant reminder of a love that was no longer his.

"Baby?" A voice called softly, pulling him from his thoughts. Ho-Seok looked up, his gaze softening as he saw Woo-Seok approaching. The man was dressed casually in a blue hoodie and black pants, his smile wide and genuine. In his hands, he held a small cone of ice cream, just as Ho-Seok had requested earlier. The simple act of Woo-Seok going out of his way to fulfill such a small request filled Ho-Seok with warmth, yet his heart still ached with the feeling that something was missing. Like, he wanted Yoon-Gi there instead of Woo-Seok.

"Hyung... thank you," Ho-Seok murmured, taking the ice cream eagerly from Woo-Seok’s outstretched hand. He licked at the cool treat, the sweetness of the ice cream momentarily distracting him from the heaviness in his heart. Woo-Seok watched him with fondness, his eyes soft and full of affection as he observed the younger man savoring the ice cream.

Ho-Seok felt the weight of Woo-Seok’s gaze, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The older man’s love for him was clear, even though Ho-Seok could never fully return it. He had tried—he wanted to try—but his heart was still tethered to Yoon-Gi. Woo-Seok, however, seemed to understand. His love was patient, unspoken but unwavering. He had accepted, with a quiet resilience, that Ho-Seok wasn’t yet ready to fully embrace him the way he longed to be embraced.

As he watched Ho-Seok eat, he placed a hand over his husband’s swollen belly, feeling the soft movements of the child growing inside. Woo-Seok had long since accepted the unborn baby as his own. He loved this child, even though it wasn’t his by blood. To him, it didn’t matter. This was his family now, this was his home.

The soft, rhythmic kicks of the baby against his palm brought a smile to Woo-Seok’s face, and he couldn’t help but lean in closer, lowering his hand to the swell of Ho-Seok’s belly. The young man flinched slightly at the sudden contact, but the discomfort was fleeting.

"He's getting stronger," Woo-Seok murmured, his voice low and tender.

"Yeah," Ho-Seok responded, a smile appearing on his lips. He couldn't wait to give birth to his son and hold the tiny life in his arms.

"Hmm... messy," Woo-Seok remarked gently, breaking Ho-Seok’s reverie. Ho-Seok looked up, blinking, and saw Woo-Seok’s amused expression. The older man had noticed a streak of ice cream on Ho-Seok’s lower lip. Without hesitation, Woo-Seok leaned closer, his thumb brushing delicately across the younger man’s lips, wiping away the mess. Ho-Seok blushed, pulling back slightly, the warmth of Woo-Seok’s touch still there. It wasn’t the first time they had shared moments like this—small, tender gestures that spoke volumes about their connection—but even now, they felt incomplete.

It was complicated, the intimacy they shared. Ho-Seok had agreed to it in part because of his pregnancy—his body craved touch, craved closeness. And so, three months ago, they had first crossed the line, having sex in a way that felt natural yet foreign at the same time. From that moment, sex had become almost a routine, an act of comfort rather than love. It wasn’t that Ho-Seok didn’t care for Woo-Seok, or that he didn’t enjoy their intimacy—it was simply that his heart, despite everything, was still tethered to Yoon-Gi. No matter how many times they shared a bed, no matter how many times Woo-Seok was buried deep inside of him, no matter how many times Woo-Seok held him close, Ho-Seok could not forget Yoon-Gi.

"Hyung, we should go," Ho-Seok said suddenly, his voice quiet but firm. His gaze lingered on the horizon, where the garden’s lush greenery began to merge with the distant streets. "Mom and Dad must be waiting for us." He had felt a wave of nausea hit him earlier, the all-too-familiar discomfort of late pregnancy, and they had stopped at the garden on the way to his in-laws’ house. Now, though, it seemed that the wave had passed, and he was ready to continue their journey.

"Alright, let’s go, baby." Woo-Seok’s voice was gentle. He moved closer, offering a supportive hand to help his husband to his feet. As Ho-Seok stood, Woo-Seok placed a steadying hand on his waist, guiding him carefully toward the parking lot. The warmth of Woo-Seok’s touch grounded him, offering a sense of stability even in the midst of his inner turmoil.

Together, they walked toward the car, side by side. Ho-Seok’s movements were slower these days, his belly growing rounder with each passing week. Woo-Seok’s heart swelled as he held him close, determined to be the support Ho-Seok needed in any way.

....
Yoon-Gi will come around soon!