small words || jeongcheol

37: just a few days.

"Have a good few days," Seungcheol said as he turned the engine off. He had taken Jeonghan to his mom's house that morning, reluctant to say goodbye but knowing that Dr Kim was usually right about his patients.

"I'll try," Jeonghan remarked with a shrug. Not seeing Seungcheol for all that time we more of a negative in this situation than having to face his mother, and he hated that. But thankfully, it would only be for a few days.

"You can do it, Han," he said with a smile, placing his hand on Jeonghan's. The long-haired boy's cheeks warmed and he bit his lip before turning his hand over so that their hands were palm-to-palm. Seungcheol looked a little flushed but gripped Jeonghan's fingers encouragingly. "I know you can."

"You'd better check on me, then," Jeonghan said quietly.

"I will, I promise. Get out the car, then," he added jokingly.

"Fine, then," Jeonghan snapped back with a grin. He sighed, shaking his head.

"What?" Seungcheol asked, his hand on the door handle.

"Nothing," the younger said. "I'll just miss you, I guess."

"I'll miss you too, Hannie," Seungcheol said with a sigh.

Jeonghan's cheeks turned pinker, and he hastily opened the car door. "Yeah, well, I'll be back soon."

"Can't wait," the nurse replied as he got out of the car, going round to the back to get Jeonghan's suitcase out of the trunk. "Honestly, the house can be a lot saner when you're around."

"I'm sure you'll still have your hands full," Jeonghan remarked with a smile.

"Well... goodbye," Seungcheol said reluctantly. The two were at the front door before the realised, and Jeonghan knocked.

"Bye, Seungcheol," he said. "See you Sunday."

"Yeah, see you," the older replied. He gently took Jeonghan into a hug, the younger stiffening before clinging back. They heard the click of the lock and broke apart.

"Jeonghan, sweetie," said his mom, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, "You're late. Your father and I have been expecting you for half an hour."

"Sorry, the traffic was bad," Seungcheol interjected. "I'll be back on Sunday to pick Jeonghan up, Mrs Yoon. Take care."

"Thank you," she said briskly, and steered Jeonghan into the house. The long-haired boy stared back at Seungcheol for as long as he could, until the door was closed and Seungcheol was left standing outside.

"Well, I'll see him on Sunday," he grumbled to himself, heading back to his car and driving off, sparing one last glance at the house before driving off.

"Hey, Jeonghan," said his step-dad, a kind-looking man with graying hair and glasses. "Good to see you again."

"You, too," he replied dryly.

"I made your favourite," the older man said as his mom sat down at the table.

"I don't have a favourite..." Jeonghan trailed off, but caught sight of the food on the table. "Oh. Thanks," he said in a small voice, the smell of the kimchi stew hitting his nose.

"I'm sorry I hadn't been around so much, then," said his step-dad, "I've changed my work schedule now, though, so I won't have to travel as much. I hardly saw you before-"

"It's getting cold," his mom snapped, and his step-dad threw him an apologetic look.

"Well, I suppose we should start eating," said the bespectacled man.