𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 | 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿.𝟮

16

Target; 20 votes

Ho-Seok lay on the bed, his body half-buried in the soft sheets as he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. The dim, ambient light of the room, softened by the curtains, gave everything a warm, peaceful glow. His hand rested gently on his rounded belly, fingers moving in small, tender circles, calming himself in the silence of the night. Beside him, Woo-Seok, slept soundly, his breathing deep and steady. Ho-Seok could hear the soft, rhythmic sound of his breath as it filled the quiet space between them. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint shadows across Woo-Seok’s face, highlighting the gentle curve of his jaw, the faint outline of his nose, and the calm expression that painted his features.

Ho-Seok glanced over at Woo-Seok one last time, taking in the peaceful sight of the man to whom he would always be grateful. Quietly, he carefully slipped out of bed, his movements slow and deliberate, not wanting to disturb the tranquility that hung in the air. He reached for his silk robe that rested on the edge of the bed, the smooth fabric slipping through his fingers as he pulled it on his naked body. The robe, cool against his skin, fit him perfectly, and he felt comforted by its touch as he silently padded toward the door.

The coolness of the wooden floor pressed gently against his bare feet as he moved through the hallway, the silence of the house wrapping around him like a familiar, comforting embrace. As he passed by the door to the room where his in-laws slept, he found the door locked, the couple must have fallen asleep.

As he made his way to the kitchen, the familiar hunger began to stir deep within him, a craving he couldn’t ignore. His stomach growled quietly, the need for ice-cream to satisfy him growing stronger with each passing moment.

Ho-Seok opened the kitchen door, stepping inside and feeling the cool air of the room rush over him. His eyes immediately landed in the freezer, where his comfort lay. A small, contented smile spread across his face as he approached it, the sound of his breath filling the otherwise silent room. He opened the freezer door, the cold air rushing out to greet him, and his fingers brushed over the tub of ice cream. He pulled it out with ease, feeling the chill of the container against his skin. It was the perfect choice for the moment—a little indulgence to calm his cravings.

He grabbed a spoon from the drawer and moved into the living room, the dim lighting casting soft shadows against the walls. The room was bathed in a gentle, intimate glow, with the moonlight filtering through the window, adding to the tranquility of the space. He sank down onto the plush sofa, letting the cushions welcome him, and opened the tub of ice cream. The sweet, creamy scent of strawberry and vanilla swirls filled his nose, and he scooped a generous amount onto his spoon. The coldness of the dessert was a welcome relief as it touched his lips, and he closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation. It was exactly what he needed—a simple pleasure to satisfy the cravings of his pregnancy.

As he continued to eat, his eyes drifted to the window, where the moonlight danced over the garden outside. The garden, bathed in the pale glow of the night, held so many memories. His heart ached slightly as he remembered the days when the garden had been a secret haven for him and Yoon-Gi. They had stolen moments there—quiet, private exchanges of love, hidden from the world. The memories were bittersweet, and for a moment, the ice cream was forgotten in his hands, his gaze remained fixed in the garden. The soft rustling of the trees in the night wind only served to deepen his reverie.

Ho-Seok slowly stood up and walked over the window. He pressed his palm against the cold glass of the window, his breath fogging up the surface for a brief moment as he closed his eyes. The weight of the memories pressed down on him, and the longing for Yoon-Gi made his chest tighten. The ice cream had cooled his body, but the ache in his heart remained, a constant companion in the quiet hours of the night. He stood there for a while, lost in the memory of Yoon-Gi, before a sudden thud broke through his thoughts.

A soft thud echoed from upstairs, pulling Ho-Seok from his reverie. His body stiffened, his heart racing as he turned toward the stairs. The house had been quiet—too quiet, save for the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his chest. The noise had come from above, but there was no sign of anyone moving in the hallway. His instincts told him something was off, but he tried to shake the unease that began to creep through him. He took a step toward the stairs, his body tense, his mind racing with possibilities.

Just as he was about to place his foot on the first step, a hand landed gently on his back. The sudden contact made him jump, his body going rigid as a startled gasp escaped him.

“Ah!” Ho-Seok yelped, his hand flying to his chest as he spun around in alarm.

"Shh, baby. It’s just me," Woo-Seok whispered softly, his hand retracting as he stepped closer. His warm, brown eyes were filled with concern as he looked at Ho-Seok, his gaze softening with worry. “You scared me,” Ho-Seok said, the breathlessness in his voice betraying his shock. "I thought something was wrong."

Woo-Seok’s lips curved into a small, apologetic smile, and he reached for Ho-Seok, his arms wrapping gently around his waist. "I’m sorry," Woo-Seok murmured, his voice low. "I woke up and didn’t feel you next to me. I got worried. What were you doing here?"

"I was craving ice cream," he explained softly, his hand moving to rub his belly. "But now I’m full—both me and the baby. Let’s go back to bed. Tomorrow, we have to go home."

Woo-Seok chuckled softly, the sound comforting and familiar. "Alright, let’s get you to bed," he said, his arm gently draping around Ho-Seok’s shoulders as he led him back toward their room. Ho-Seok leaned against him, completely forgetting about the unknown sound.

Unbeknownst to them, as they walked back toward their room, a dark figure stood in the shadows of the upstairs hallway, watching them silently. The figure’s eyes were filled with unshed tears, heart breaking as they observed the relationship shared between Ho-Seok and Woo-Seok. They could never be a part of that world again, and the emptiness left behind was suffocating. But they remained there, frozen in place, a silent witness to the life that had moved on without them.