Responsibility | Jihancheol FF | Seventeen FF

74

The night market buzzed with life, lanterns swaying gently above as their warm light reflected off the polished stalls. The aroma of roasted chestnuts and spiced tea mingled with the faint notes of street performers, creating an atmosphere that Seungkwan might have enjoyed—if he weren’t already tense.

“Haeun, stay close,” he reminded, his tone sharper than usual. His grip on her tiny hand was firm, because of the crowd.

“Okay, appa!” Haeun replied cheerfully, though she wriggled against his hold, her attention hopping from stall to stall.

Glimpse of past few days running wildly in his head...

But none of that mattered right now. Not with Haeun tugging at his hand, asking to see every trinket and snack in the market.

“appa, look!” she exclaimed, pointing at a stall of colorful spinning tops.

“Later, sweetie. Let’s get the groceries first.”

Her pout was instant, and her lips quivered in a way that made Seungkwan’s heart pinch. Before he could say anything, a vendor called out to him about a fresh batch of tangerines.

And just like that, Haeun’s hand slipped from his grasp.

“Haeun?” He turned around sharply. “Haeun!”

His heart pounded as he scanned the bustling market, weaving through the crowd. The fear rising in his chest mixed with frustration—not just at her for running off, but at himself for being so distracted.

Meanwhile, Haeun moved with excitement, her small figure darting between legs and around stalls. She wasn’t scared; she knew exactly where to go. Spotting a familiar figure by a quiet corner, she broke into a run.

“ Solsol!” she called out, her voice sweet and high-pitched.

Hansol, who had been inspecting a tea stall, froze at the sound. He turned slowly, just in time to catch Haeun as she threw herself into his arms.

“Haeun,” he said softly, his hands steadying her. “What are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” she replied simply, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck.

Hansol’s heart softened, though a flicker of unease passed through him. He knew Seungkwan wouldn’t be far behind.

And he wasn’t.

“Haeun!” Seungkwan’s voice was sharp, his eyes wild as he pushed through the crowd and spotted her clinging to Hansol. Relief was short-lived, replaced almost instantly by the bitter sting of their unresolved argument.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Seungkwan snapped, striding up to them. He reached out for Haeun, who reluctantly let go of Hansol and shifted back into her father’s arms.

“I didn’t take her,” Hansol said evenly, meeting Seungkwan’s fiery gaze. “She came to me.”

“That doesn’t—” Seungkwan started, but Haeun interrupted him.

“appa, don’t be angry” she pleaded, her small hand patting his cheek.

Seungkwan’s anger wavered, but his pride wouldn’t let him back down completely. He turned to Hansol, his voice low and bitter. “You shouldn’t encourage her. You know how I feel about—”

“About what?” Hansol asked quietly, his gaze steady. “About me caring for her? About being here when she needs someone?”

Seungkwan’s mouth opened, but no words came out. The truth in Hansol’s words cut through his bitterness, leaving only guilt behind. He held Haeun closer, her weight grounding him.

Hansol sighed, his usual calm tinged with something softer. “I didn’t come here to argue, Seungkwan. She found me, and I wasn’t going to turn her away.”

Haeun looked between them, her brows furrowing in a way that mirrored Seungkwan’s when he was upset.

Neither adult spoke for a moment, their silence heavy under the glow of the lanterns. Finally, Hansol stepped back, his expression unreadable.

“Take care of her,” he said, his voice quieter now.

“I always do,” Seungkwan replied, though the words lacked their usual bite.

As Hansol turned to leave, Haeun reached out over Seungkwan’s shoulder, her fingers grasping at the air. “come home, I wanna watch fish movie again! "

Hansol paused, his back stiffening for the briefest moment, before he turned and raised a hand in farewell.

Seungkwan watched him go, his emotions a tangled mess of anger, guilt, and something he couldn’t quite name. Haeun rested her head on his shoulder, her small sigh melting some of the tension in his chest.

“Appa,” she murmured, half-asleep now. “Don’t fight with sollie anymore. He’s nice.”

Seungkwan swallowed hard, his grip tightening on her. “We’ll see, Haeunie. We’ll see.”

"And call him uncle or mister,you shouldn't called older people like that!" He scolded.

"But he said it to me " she replied silently.

Another sting in heart!
As they walked away, the lights of the market flickered behind them, and somewhere in the distance, Hansol’s quiet figure disappeared into the crowd.