Everything passed in a blur as soon as he entered his apartment. The next thing Jihoon knew, he was already tucked beneath the soft weight of his blanket. The muted murmur of the night seeped through the cracks in the window, merging with the rhythmic rise and fall of his brother's breathing.
Haneul was already asleep when he got back, his small frame curled beneath the covers. Jihoon had to washed up quietly, biting down on the occasional wince as the ache in his ribs flared with each movement. Still, he managed to get through it fine, slipping into bed beside his brother with a tired sigh. The sting of bruises beneath his skin was now a dull echo beneath the blanket's warmth.
His mind circled back to everything that had happened earlier, his brows drawing together as he stared at the ceiling.
"I need to be more careful from now on. Maybe I should buy a taser…."
Jihoon pressed on his arm, testing the faint resistance of muscle beneath his skin. He frowned. "I should try to bulk up too."
His mind naturally wandered to his next door neighbor. The man didn't seem that fit at first glance as his frame was always hidden beneath layers of loose clothing but Jihoon was really surprised by his strength. He had felt it on the day Ryul caught him from falling off the ladder too.
"I really need to know how to get to that level." Jihoon muttered under his breath, careful not to disturb his sleeping brother. Still, he couldn't help but feel a quiet awe simmering beneath the thought.
Ryul seemed like the type of person who would be hard to approach but he was surprisingly easy to be around. He had even dropped him off at his doorstep without a complaint and then disappeared into his own unit after the work was done.
It felt like the gap between them had narrowed, even if only a little. Jihoon smiled faintly at the thought. At least now he was on good terms with the man next door.
A quiet yawn slipped past his lips as the exhaustion settled in. Within moments, he was sinking into the dark depths of sleep, the last remnants of his thoughts drifting quietly into the night.
- - - - - -
The shrill blare of the alarm tore through the early morning quiet, yanking Jihoon from the depths of sleep. His hand shot out, swiping blindly at the phone screen until the noise finally cut off. His head sank back against the pillow as the silence returned, leaving behind only the soft, steady rhythm of his brother's breathing.
Beside him, Haneul remained curled beneath the blanket, undisturbed. A heavy sleeper through and through, Haneul wouldn't have woken up even if the alarm kept ringing for a while longer. Jihoon smiled faintly before dragging himself upright, his limbs heavy with sleep as he shuffled toward the bathroom.
It had been a few days since the incident with his senior. By now, the pain had dulled to a faint ache, but he could vividly remember how sore his body had been the morning after. Every small movement had sent a fresh wave of pain through his ribs.
He had promised himself then that he would start working out. He couldn't believe how weak he was.
The bathroom mirror reflected him as he pulled off his shirt. Jihoon's eyes narrowed at the faint bruises still blooming across his side like a dark shadow. His fingers skimmed over them, and a dull throb echoed beneath the pressure.
"Why was he built like a horse?" Jihoon muttered to himself.
His thoughts drifted back to the way his neighbor had handled the situation so effortlessly. Just one kick. That was all it took to put that jerk down.
"I should ask him…" Jihoon murmured, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Hm… I definitely need guidance."
Stepping away from the mirror, Jihoon turned on the faucet, the sound of rushing water filling the small space and the steam slowly blurring the reflection on the glass.
After some time, Haneul's small fingers twitched beneath the blanket as the chime of his morning alarm rang from the bedside table. Jihoon appeared at that moment, freshly dressed, his hair still damp from the shower.
He approached the bed with quiet steps and sat beside his brother, his touch light as he nudged him awake. Haneul's lips quivered in protest at the disruption, his face scrunching with a sleepy frown. But eventually, his eyes fluttered open beneath the gentle persistence of his brother's hand.
The little boy groaned as he rolled over, dragging himself closer to his brother. His small arms circled Jihoon's waist, and he pressed his face into the fabric of Jihoon's shirt. His breath slowed, his body melting into the comfort of his brother's presence.
"Haneul," Jihoon murmured as his hand combed through the boy's messy hair. "You need to wake up. You wouldn't want to be late for school, would you?"
Haneul made a small noise in response and tightened his grip around Jihoon's waist. After a moment, he finally relented and slipped off the bed with heavy limbs. His small feet padded against the cool floor as he trudged toward the bathroom, his hair sticking up at odd angles.
Jihoon watched his tiny figure disappear through the doorway before heading toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He reheated the rice he had made earlier, adding a soft fried egg and seasoned seaweed on top, the comforting aroma filling the small apartment. The sound of running water echoed faintly from the bathroom, accompanied by Haneul's half-hearted splashing as he struggled to wake himself up properly.
By the time Haneul emerged from the bathroom, Jihoon had already set the table. They ate together and continued their morning routines, and before long they were ready to go to their respective destinations.
After slipping on their shoes, Jihoon led Haneul toward the door, which automatically closed behind them with a soft click. Jihoon gave the handle a quick pull to double-check the lock before walking down the hallway.
His gaze naturally drifted toward the tightly shut door of Ryul's apartment.
Tomorrow was Sunday, and it was a perfect chance to thank him properly for all the help he had received. He could cook something nice and bring it over, especially since his neighbor might still find it difficult to visit his apartment.
Maybe he'll figure out what to cook as the day progresses.