His First Love

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 — A Different Kind of Duty

The morning sun filtered weakly through the curtains, a pale gold glow against the sheets. Jeonghan was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping on his shoes.

Seungcheol stirred behind him, the rustle of sheets followed by a low, husky voice.

"Where are you going?"

Jeonghan glanced over his shoulder. "The Parks called last night. They need help at Carat World. A supplier messed up their delivery, and they're short-staffed. I told them I'd come."

Seungcheol pushed himself up, his hair tousled, his gaze heavy with sleep and something darker. "So you're leaving me?"

There was a playful pout in his tone, but Jeonghan could hear the real sulk beneath it.

He turned fully, crouching by the bed until they were eye level. "Not leaving. Helping. You know I can't just ignore them — they've been there for me since everything happened."

Seungcheol's jaw flexed, but he didn't argue. He simply reached out, hooking a hand behind Jeonghan's neck and pulling him close until their lips brushed. The kiss was lingering, possessive, reluctant.

"Fine," Seungcheol muttered against his mouth. "But I don't like it."

"You don't like anything that doesn't involve me glued to your side," Jeonghan teased, smiling softly as he pulled back.

"Correct."

By the time Jeonghan made it downstairs, the others were already milling around — Chan and Hansol with mugs of coffee, Mingyu and Seokmin still half-asleep, Jihoon muttering about paperwork while Soonyoung tried to distract him.

"You're going out?" Chan asked, blinking.

"Carat World needs me today," Jeonghan explained.

There was a ripple of protest — Mingyu groaning dramatically, Seokmin whining that it wasn't fair, Hansol muttering that the place would be fine without him — but ultimately, no one tried to stop him.

"Just don't stay away too long," Junhui said finally, his voice calm but pointed.

"We've got things to handle too," Jihoon added, exchanging a look with Seungcheol that Jeonghan couldn't quite read.

Jeonghan smiled, a little softer this time. "Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it."

Carat World was alive in a different way than the Choi mansion. The soft hiss of the espresso machine, the gentle hum of customers, the warm scent of roasted beans — it grounded him, reminded him that life could be simple, ordinary, human.

"Jeonghan-ah, thank goodness!" Mrs. Park exclaimed when he walked in, her relief evident. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

Mr. Park clapped him on the shoulder with a warm grin. "We were just about to drown under orders."

And just like that, Jeonghan slipped back into the rhythm — apron tied, sleeves rolled, smile in place as he moved behind the counter. Brewing coffee, greeting regulars, wiping down tables.

It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't powerful. But it was real.

And as he handed a steaming cup across the counter, Jeonghan couldn't help but think — maybe this balance, between the Devil's world and his own quiet corner, was what he needed most.

The bell above Carat World's door jingled softly as another pair of customers stepped in, laughter carrying with the sound of the busy street outside.

Behind the counter, Jeonghan was in his element. His long hair was tied up loosely, a thin apron hanging from his frame, sleeves rolled as he poured steamed milk with practiced grace. He flashed a soft smile at the girl in front of him as he slid her drink across the counter.