Chapter Text
The weekend sun washed over the city of Seoul in soft, golden tones, casting a peaceful warmth through the clear autumn air. Away from the hectic lecture halls, dense textbooks, and high-tension corridors of Seoul National University, the local neighborhood park was alive with the gentle rustle of falling leaves, distant laughter, and the quiet chirp of birds in the canopy overhead.
Donghyun walked slowly down the paved park pathway, his hands buried loosely in the pockets of his soft cardigan. Beside him, skipping along with untamed weekend energy, was his nine-year-old niece, Yuna. She was wearing a brightly colored jumpsuit with a small backpack shaped like a frog, her eyes darting eagerly from one flower bed to the next.
"Uncle Donghyun, look! A yellow butterfly!" Yuna squeaked, pointing toward a bush before skipping two steps ahead.
Donghyun offered a soft, quiet smile, his dark eyes crinkling gently. "Don't run too far, Yuna. Stay where I can see you."
"I know, I know!" she sang back, bouncing on her heels as they reached the wide open lawn of the park.
The central area of the park was a sprawling green field framed by wooden benches and tall shade trees. It was a popular spot for families, picnickers, and local dog owners taking their pets for afternoon strolls.
Donghyun found an empty wooden bench near the edge of the lawn, brushing away a few dry leaves before taking a seat. He pulled out a small sketchbook from his coat, flipping to a page where he had drawn a soft charcoal sketch of an angelfish.
"You can go play on the grass, Yuna," Donghyun said softly, looking up at his niece. "Just stay inside the wooden fence line, okay?"
"Okay!" Yuna chirped happily, already running off toward the grassy knoll to chase dandelion seeds floating in the breeze.
Donghyun watched her for a moment to make sure she was safe before leaning back against the bench, letting the cool breeze brush through his dark hair. The tranquility was a welcome escape from the constant friction back on campus. Between Dongmin’s fiery temper, Jaehyun’s shameless antics, and the endless tension between their friend groups, Donghyun rarely found moments of genuine quiet.
Twenty minutes passed in peaceful silence. Donghyun made steady progress on his sketch, shading the delicate fins of the fish while keeping a watchful eye on the field.
However, as Donghyun glanced up to check on Yuna once again, his brow creased in slight concern.
Yuna was no longer chasing dandelion seeds. She was kneeling down near a large oak tree on the far side of the lawn, giggling softly while aggressively petting a large, fluffy golden retriever. The dog was wearing a neat blue harness, its tail wagging like a rhythmic pendulum as it gently nudged its nose against Yuna’s hands.
Donghyun closed his sketchbook immediately, setting it down on the bench as caution took over. He knew Yuna loved animals, but approaching a stranger's dog without permission could be unpredictable.
"Yuna," Donghyun called out gently, stepping off the path and walking across the grass toward her. "Yuna, come back here. You shouldn't pet dogs you don't know."
Yuna turned around with a bright, beaming smile, not looking worried at all. "It's fine, Uncle Donghyun! Look how fluffy he is! His name is Duri!"
Donghyun reached the edge of the oak tree's shadow, preparing to apologize to the dog's owner for his niece's sudden intrusion. "I'm so sorry, she gets very excited around animals—"
Donghyun's words trailed off into complete silence.
Standing on the other side of the tree, holding a leather leash in one hand and a paper coffee cup in the other, was Sanghyeok.
Sanghyeok was dressed in an oversized beige knit sweater and dark trousers, looking cozy, soft, and entirely relaxed in the weekend sunlight. His hair was slightly tousled by the wind, framing his delicate features and warm, dark eyes.
The moment Sanghyeok looked up and recognized Donghyun, his eyes widened slightly in quiet surprise.
"Donghyun?" Sanghyeok murmured softly, a small, genuine smile touching his lips.
Donghyun stood frozen on the grass for a brief second, his heart doing an unexpected, sudden flutter in his chest. "Sanghyeok...? What are you doing here?"
"I live just a few blocks away," Sanghyeok explained gently, gesturing toward the fluffy golden retriever resting near his feet. "I bring Duri here every weekend when I have free time."
Yuna looked up between the two of them, her wide eyes darting back and forth in realization. "Uncle Donghyun, you know Sanghyeok-oppa?"
Donghyun blinked, looking down at his niece in confusion. "You... you know him?"
"Of course I know him!" Yuna giggled, patting the golden retriever's head affectionately. "Every time I come play at the park with Mom, Sanghyeok-oppa lets me play with Duri! He gives me stickers sometimes too! He's super nice, Uncle Donghyun!"
Donghyun looked back up at Sanghyeok, taking in the soft, slightly flustered pink tint creeping onto Sanghyeok's cheeks. The image of Sanghyeok patiently sitting on the grass, giving little stickers to children and letting them play with his dog, was so sweet it made Donghyun's chest tighten with an overwhelming warmth.
Donghyun offered a low, affectionate chuckle, his dark eyes fixed entirely on Sanghyeok's warm expression. "Yeah... I know he's a nice guy, Yuna. I really do."
Sanghyeok scratched the back of his neck, ducking his head slightly to hide his embarrassed smile. "Duri really likes kids. And Yuna is always very gentle with him."
"Duri, do a sit!" Yuna commanded playfully, holding her hand out. The golden retriever immediately sat down, earning another burst of delighted laughter from the little girl.
Sanghyeok looked toward the wooden bench Donghyun had been sitting on earlier, noticing the sketchbook resting on the wooden planks. "Do you want to sit down? There's plenty of space, and Duri seems content to rest for a while."
"Sure," Donghyun said softly.
They walked back over to the bench together, sitting down side by side while Yuna sat on the grass right in front of them, contentedly brushing Duri's soft coat with a small plastic pet brush Sanghyeok handed her.
A serene silence settled between them, filled only with the faint rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of the park. Sitting side by side without the chaotic presence of Dongmin, Jaehyun, or Woonhak around felt almost surreal. There was no territorial posturing, no defensive sarcasm, and no need to hide behind protective walls.
Sanghyeok glanced sideways at Donghyun's sketchbook, his eyes catching the detailed pencil drawings of marine creatures. "You're really talented, Donghyun. I remember you mentioning water and sea life during detention, but seeing your drawings... they're really detailed."
Donghyun picked up the sketchbook, holding it open between them so Sanghyeok could see it better. "I've always liked the ocean," Donghyun murmured, his voice dropping into that quiet, thoughtful tone that Sanghyeok found so captivating. "Everything under the water moves at its own pace. It doesn't rush for anyone. It's quiet, deep, and steady."
Sanghyeok looked at the drawing, then slowly shifted his eyes to look at Donghyun's side profile. The afternoon light caught the fine contours of Donghyun's face, highlighting his gentle gaze and calm presence.
"You're a lot like that too, you know," Sanghyeok whispered softly.
Donghyun turned his head, his dark eyes meeting Sanghyeok's. "Like what?"
"Like the ocean," Sanghyeok said gently, his tone completely sincere. "You're quiet and steady. Even when everyone else around us is screaming or fighting, you just stand there calmly, like nothing can shake you. I've always found that... really reassuring."
Donghyun's breath hitched slightly in his throat. He looked deeply into Sanghyeok's clear eyes, feeling a sudden wave of warmth swell inside his chest. Ever since the freshers' party, when their groups first collided, Donghyun had found himself constantly looking for Sanghyeok in crowded hallways, lecture halls, and chaotic situations. Sanghyeok possessed a quiet, magnetic charm—a soft grace that effortlessly pulled Donghyun in every single time.
"Sanghyeok," Donghyun said softly, setting the sketchbook down on his lap.
"Yeah?"
"I think about you a lot," Donghyun admitted quietly, his voice steady yet filled with absolute honesty. "Even when we're supposed to be on opposite sides. Even when Dongmin is yelling at Jaehyun, or when our friends tell us we shouldn't cross paths... my eyes always end up looking for you."
Sanghyeok froze, his heart pounding rapidly against his ribs as he listened to Donghyun's earnest words. The pink flush on his face deepened, spreading to the tips of his ears. He swallowed hard, his dark eyes searching Donghyun's calm face.
"I... I look for you too," Sanghyeok murmured softly, his hands tightening slightly around his coffee cup before setting it down on the wooden bench. "Ever since that day in the library, when we talked about music and marine life... I couldn't stop thinking about how comfortable it felt to sit beside you. I wanted to know you better. Not as an opponent from another group, but... as you."
Donghyun smiled—a rare, breathtakingly soft smile that lit up his entire expression. He reached out slowly, giving Sanghyeok time to pull away if he wanted to, and gently rested his hand over Sanghyeok's on the bench.
Sanghyeok didn't pull away. Instead, he let his fingers turn, intertwining softly with Donghyun's slender fingers, feeling the warm spark that surged between them.
"So..." Donghyun murmured gently, leaning in just a fraction closer, his voice carrying a quiet, tender weight. "What now?"
Sanghyeok looked down at their joined hands, feeling the steady warmth of Donghyun's grip, before looking back up into Donghyun's eyes. His expression was soft, resolute, and completely sweet.
"Whatever you want," Sanghyeok answered softly, his thumb lightly brushing across the back of Donghyun's hand. "I am not rushing anything. We can take all the time we need."
Donghyun stared at Sanghyeok, feeling a profound sense of relief wash over him. But as he looked into Sanghyeok's earnest face, a small, practical thought flickered in the back of his mind. He thought about Dongmin's fierce protectiveness, about Jaehyun's chaotic rivalry, and how explosive their friend groups would react if they suddenly found out. Dongmin still harbored deep resentment toward Jaehyun and anyone associated with his side. A public announcement right now would only create a storm that neither of them wanted to navigate just yet.
Donghyun tightened his fingers gently around Sanghyeok's hand, coming to a quiet decision.
"I want to be with you, Sanghyeok," Donghyun said softly, his dark eyes burning with clear conviction. "I want to be your boyfriend."
Sanghyeok's breath caught, a radiant, beautiful smile breaking across his face that made Donghyun's heart skip a heavy beat.
"But," Donghyun continued gently, "for now... do you think we can keep this between just the two of us? Dongmin still hates Jaehyun, and things are really complicated between our groups. I don't want their fighting to get in the way of what we have."
Sanghyeok nodded without a second of hesitation, his smile remaining warm and understanding. "I agree. We don't need to tell them yet. This is our secret."
"Our secret," Donghyun repeated softly, liking the way the words sounded between them.
On the grass in front of them, Yuna finally patted Duri one last time before standing up, dusting off her jumpsuit with a small pout. "Uncle Donghyun, Duri is tired! He's laying his head down!"
Donghyun and Sanghyeok quickly let go of their hands, though the lingering warmth on their skin remained.
"Duri needs a little rest, Yuna," Sanghyeok said smoothly, offering the little girl a gentle smile as the dog let out a content sigh on the soft grass.
"Okay," Yuna nodded, skipping back toward the bench. "Uncle Donghyun, can we get peach ice cream on the way home? Please?"
Donghyun stood up from the bench, picking up his sketchbook and tucking it into his coat. He looked over at Sanghyeok, who stood up alongside him, holding Duri's leash loosely in his hand.
"Of course we can," Donghyun said to his niece before turning back to face Sanghyeok. His gaze softened into something intensely affectionate. "Thank you for today, Sanghyeok. And for letting Yuna play with Duri."
"Thank you for walking over," Sanghyeok replied softly, his dark eyes shining with quiet happiness. "I'll see you at college on Monday, Donghyun."
"See you on Monday," Donghyun whispered.
They shared one last lingering, secret glance—a quiet understanding passing between them in the bright afternoon sunlight—before Donghyun reached down to take Yuna's small hand, walking slowly back down the park pathway together.
As they walked toward the park exit, Yuna chattered happily about the fluffy dog and the yellow butterfly, but Donghyun barely heard a word. His hand was still warm from Sanghyeok's touch, his chest filled with a quiet, undeniable joy. The storm of campus rivalries and group fights was still waiting for them on Monday, but under the quiet surface, Donghyun knew that everything had permanently changed.