Seungmin walked in.
His expression unreadable. His presence colder than the water around their ankles.
"What are you guys doing?"
His voice sliced through the air.
He removed his jacket slowly.
Chaewon was holding Han's hand.
Seungmin's eyes flicked to it—then burned.
He stepped close, grabbed Han's arm, and glared at Chaewon like he was issuing a warning:
"He is mine."
Han's breath hitched.
His eyes widened—fear, shock, confusion.
Seungmin dragged him out of the water with ease, draped his own jacket around Han's shoulders, and spoke without looking at him:
"Let's go to the room and change your clothes before you get sick."
He didn't wait for a response. Han protested, trying to pull away.
"Leave my arm! People are watching—are you insane?"
Seungmin didn't stop. Didn't loosen his grip.
People were staring.
Han swallowed his anger—
and went quiet.
The moment they stepped into the room, Han yanked his arm free.
"What the hell are you doing?! You embarrassed me!"
His voice cracked.
"Did you see how many people were watching us?"
Seungmin's expression didn't shift.
"Are you worried about people… or about Chaewon?"
Han blinked.
"What are you trying to say.?"
Seungmin's voice was low, cutting.
"You said people were staring. And it was embarrassing. So____were you embarrassed infornt of people or infornt of Chaewon."
Han snapped.
"Yes it was embarrassing infornt of everyone and specifically infornt of Chaewon. What do you take me as? Your fragile, little girlfriend? I'm not. I'm a man. Treat me like one."
Seungmin tilted his head.
"You were happy being one before. But now you're embarrassed to be with me."
Han stepped closer—eye to eye.
"Yes. I'm embarrassed."
Seungmin didn't flinch.
"Let me ask again. Are you embarrassed to be with a man… or embarrassed to be with me?"
Han's voice barely trembled:
"Being with you."
Still, Seungmin didn't move.
Didn't blink.
"Tell me what you don't like. I can change."
Han rolled his eyes and turned away. And shouted.
"This. This is what I hate. Hearing you say you'll change when you never do."
Seungmin reached toward him, voice desperate but calm.
"Han, I can change."
Han pressed his hands over his ears.
"Stop. Stop. Stop. I don't want to hear it. Please just stop."
Silence.
Han lowered his hands slowly.
His voice broke:
"I'm tired… I'm really tired."
Seungmin's eyes darkened—shadowed.
"You're tired of being with me."
Han nodded.
Turned.
Headed for the door.
Seungmin said quietly,
"Han. Go wash up and change your clothes."
Han kept walking.
Seungmin's voice sharpened—not loud, but lethal.
"Han. I said go wash and change your clothes."
Still nothing.
Then, colder:
"If you leave this room… you will face the consequences. Don't make me be hard on you."
Han stopped.
Turned slightly.
"What the hell can you do.?"
He grabbed the doorknob.
Something slammed into the wood beside his head—
hard enough to crack it.
Han froze.
The world drained out of him.
His legs trembled, and he slid slowly to the floor, unable to breathe.
Seungmin approached with terrifying calm, each step stealing more air out of Han's lungs.
He crouched beside him, voice soft—too soft.
"Did I scared you.?"
Han didn't respond. Couldn't.
Seungmin cupped the back of his head gently, possessively.
"Didn't I ask you to be a good boy.? Look what you made me do."
He wiped a tear that had escaped Han's eye.
"It's fine. I'm here. Don't be scared. Let's go take a bath."
He lifted Han easily—carrying him like something breakable—and took him to the bathroom.
He peeled off Han's wet shirt, pushed him gently inside.
When Han came out, Seungmin wrapped a towel around his hair, drying it tenderly.
"See? When you listen to me, everything goes well. Now! On your bed go to sleep."
Han obeyed immediately.
Fear drove his feet.
He crawled into bed and shut his eyes tight.
He couldn't sleep. All he planned was when Seungmin will go to sleep he will run away.
When he woke to check if Seungmin has fallen a sleep, Seungmin was sitting on the sofa in the dark—silent, still, eyes locked on him.
Staring like he could see through bone.
Han's breath turned shallow.
His gaze dropped.
Why he is still up. Definitely he is watching me so I don't run away.
He's a monster.
Just like everyone else.
Seungmin stood, moving toward the bed with slow, measured steps.
"Are you hungry?"
Han nodded cautiously.
Seungmin's voice was ice.
"It's 2 p.m. Do you think I'll give you breakfast now.? No food for today."
A pause.
"I've spoiled you too much. That you don't even listen to me now. So If you want to eat tomorrow, get up at 7am straight. Or else no food again all day."
He reached the bed that made him scared as Han grabbed for his phone—
Seungmin caught his arm.
Han was losing his breath. All he could think was that he will kill him.
There was a brief silence but suddenly Seungmin spoke up.
"I'm sorry. For last night."
Han stared.
Unable to find words.
Seungmin lowered his voice:
"Han… it's 4 a.m.
Do you want to go and see the sunrise?"