Chapter Text
Ga On woke up in the bliss of Yo Han’s arms, and treated their current setting as a norm. Or at least, it should be. Ga On’s eyes faced difficulty fluttering open because of the rays of sunlight beaming in through the slight openness of the curtains. Ga On shifted slowly, ensuring not to wake up the man who had spilled his brains out just to pacify the former.
Ga On remembered how he had made heavy promises the last night, and the weight of them had roped him into stressful situations where he could give up.
Yo Han had said that Soo Hyeon was his weakness before her untimely death. Ga On wanted to hold his face and scream about how he’d almost died because he wanted to end his life after receiving the news of Yo Han’s passing in the prison. Ga On lifted his palm to encase Yo Han’s cheek.
“You’re my weakness, Yo Han. Or I wouldn’t be in another part of the world, still carrying my responsibilities of being Chief Judge.” Ga On brushed away the signs of panic evident by the lines in Yo Han’s forehead, using his fingertips carefully.
Yo Han blinked awake, not looking at all like he had been asleep. His eyes immediately focused to hold Ga On’s stare. Yo Han put his own palm over that of Ga On’s and squeezed it warmly. Yo Han’s eyes started to shimmer, and Ga On could not make up reasons to why that was happening. His eyebrows furrowing in question, Ga On asked, “What—what’s wrong?”
“Did you seriously mean what you just said?” Yo Han queried. “Tell me—is that the way you feel?”
Ga On smiled to himself due to the cuteness at display from the man it is least expected from. Ga On rolled onto Yo Han, straddling his legs and pushing his shoulder blades into the comfort of the bedding. After encaging Yo Han with the help of his arms, he moved his head closer, maintaining the eye contact. “Yes,” Ga On said confidently, a smile spreading on his lips. “Yes, I do.”
Yo Han broke their eye contact and their short moment by looking away towards the door, not being able to understanding the explosion of emotions at that very moment. Ga On followed with his eyes in the same direction.
“What’s wrong?” Ga On asked, fearing that his words may have pressurized Yo Han.
Yo Han stared back blankly at Ga On, and said slowly, “Yes,”
“What?”
“Sorry, I meant that this is a lot. This is—this wasn’t what I had expected. And I fail to understand why you feel this way.”
Ga On pursed his lips, not being able to form explanations. “Why am I your ‘weakness’?”
“Because…you’re family. For me, you are my person.” Said Yo Han, proud because of his fast response. “Like Elijah is,”
Ga On was pleased to hear what he meant to Yo Han, but a feeling of distaste was blooming in his heart. “You feel the need to protect me because I am like a child to you?”
“No!” Yo Han exclaimed, his hands brushing the younger’s hair out of his eyes. “That’s not it. You are not the same as say, the other judge. Judge Oh.”
“Okay?” Ga On said, before getting up and out of the bed. Yo Han, hastily got up to hold onto his wrists, disallowing him from walking away. Yo Han pulled him towards himself and held both of his wrists tightly.
“You have taken up a new position in my life that hasn’t gotten a name,” Yo Han started but exclaimed, “Yet!” when Ga On began to glare at him.
“Years ago, there was only one who cared for me. And, that was my brother. Then, you came into my life. Initially, you were like my brother. I mean, you looked a lot like him too, and the way you looked at me with fondness later on also made me feel like that,”
“Okay, nice.” Ga On stated, trying to make his way out the door.
“Oh, would you stop being mad for just one moment, and listen to me?” Yo Han pulled Ga On against himself, by gripping Ga On with his shirt collars. “You may have looked at me with all that brotherly love, but I couldn’t do the same. There was nothing familial about my behavior towards you. Whether that be the strong inclination to always protect you or allowing you to stay at my house, that you were successful at making my home.”
“I looked at you…as a brother? When?”
“What—what do you mean?” Yohan questioned, anticipating answers he wasn’t truly ready for.
“In the beginning, it was all hatred and anger from my side. Maybe even a tinge of jealousy. But later, when I had bettered my opinions about you, you grew on me. A bit more than I’d liked and definitely more than I had been prepared for. So soon, it turned into a crush?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, loads of people have crushes on their bosses. Because, you know, they’re usually older, attractive people with tons of experience and they are probably rich, too. You get what I mean?” Ga On spoke without meaning.
“No, I don’t get it. At all.”
“Look! I had romantic interest…for you. I hadn’t known because I knew only two people closely in totality. One was Soo Hyeon, who’d always displayed romantic affection for me. So I never knew what type of feelings I had towards you. I started to learn more about my attraction when I wanted to wait for you at home so that I’d be the first one you’d see upon your arrival. Or when I wanted to get my cooking validated by some words of praise from you. Or when I got a bit disappointed upon hearing about your escapades with Seon Ah. Or when I followed you to Switzerland.”
“Rom—romantic? Then why did you say that Soo Hyeon was your world? I thought you loved her.” Yohan asked, puzzlement crushing his brain.
“I thought so too! And I did, but it was a different sort of love. It’s easier to love a person you know loves you back. And she was a girl around my age, so it was easier to accept. But then I knew—when you pretended to be dead a thousand times—that my love towards you was totally different and totally romantic.”
“You…love me?”
“God, damn it!” Ga On purred, his palms coming to rest on top of Yo Han’s chest. His hands gingerly straightened the wrinkles on Yo Han’s shirt and he looked up at the said man, grinning flirtatiously. He placed his fingers around Yo Han’s chin, staring only between the pink plumpness and arousing eyes. “May I?” Ga On squeaked, his voice unstable, getting closer to Yo Han’s mouth.
“Oh my, God! What are you both doing?” Elijah shrieked from just outside the room. “The last time I walked in, Yo Han was shirtless, and now? There’s a child in this house!”
“Shut up, you’re only three years away from twenty.” Yo Han turned, looking furious over the interruption. “I was so, so close to getting what I have wanted for months.”
“You have wanted this for months?” Ga On implored, softness covering his eyes.
“Yes. Yes, I have. And I am sorry I haven’t made it clear enough.” Yohan said with what looked to be love.
“Y’all are gross. I came to call you both out to watch a movie, but I can leave if you’re busy.” Elijah declared, glancing at the blushing men in front of her.
“No, Elijah. We will be coming out now. Would you make us coffee, please?” Said Ga On, adding atrocious puppy eyes.
“Okay.” She dragged her words, rolling her eyes.
“Thank you!” Yo Han screamed sarcastically as she made her way out. He slid his fingers into Ga On’s hand and pressed them shakily, still stunned by all that was happening.
“Shall we?” He asked, looking away from their connected hands to Ga On’s eyes.
“Yes.” Ga On replied with a watery laugh.