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Cale doesn't know when it started—or rather, he doesn't see the point in recalling where it did.
What matters to him more is the present rather than the past. But sometimes, it does hurt when he remembers. Or when he's forced to remember. Just like now.
Night falls, moonlight shining upon them through the balcony glass door which serves as the only source of light illuminating. The children who usually stayed and slept with him in his room were nowhere in sight. Chose to sleep over the black castle next door.
So that leaves Cale with only one companion right now.
Stood in front of him, basking with the lights emitted from outside. Making everything visible to Cale's eyes, making every outline of his scars.
Cale's heart pangs in pain. Those scars a painful reminder of those lonely days, years, this person had to suffer when they hadn't yet met.
He takes steps towards the latter, Cale's eyes focusing on the scars on the man's arms. Hands. And even the ones that peeked out of his collar, around his neck.
Cale didn't even think when he took Choi Han's arm and raised it to his face. He didn't want to think, because he felt like if he did, there will be nothing but pain clawing at his heart. So he doesn't.
Instead, he gently touched the scars on Choi Han's arm with his lips.
He could feel the other's eyes on him but he did not dare to look up.
Cale simply continued to nuzzle his face on those reminders of Choi Han's painful experience. A vow forming in his mind and settled to his heart.
'I won't let this happen again.'
He swore that he won't let Choi Han suffer again, alone, and be left with more scars. No, he won't allow this.
Slowly, Cale held Choi Han's hand and placed it on his cheek. Looking down on their feet as he firm his resolve.
None of his people should suffer anymore. Not when he's here. For as long as he's alive, Cale will make sure not him, his people, or anyone around him will get hurt.
All of them had enough of the pain. They deserve to be happy now, for all eternity.
"Cale-nim"
Now Cale made a mistake of looking up, because now he could see the soft, gentle, full of love, eyes of the man before him.
He felt his voice get caught up on his throat. His heart tightening for a different reason now. Cale quickly release the other's hand and turned around.
"Let's go to sleep"
Damn it, he could feel the tip of his ears flushing.
There was a quiet laugh behind him.
"Cale-nim, you haven't kissed the ones on my other arm"
Cale swiftly turned around and glared at Choi Han. "You were enjoying this."
Choi Han, once again, titters softly. Again with those gaze that always manage to make Cale stop functioning. "Its nice when Cale-nim shows he cares"
Cale doesn't know whatever force pushed him to take a step forward and rest his forehead on Choi Han's shoulder.
"But I always care"
Choi Han raised his arm and wrapped them around Cale's waist, pulling the redhead closer to his chest.
"I know"
Cale could tell he's smiling even without him looking up to see. Choi Han always seem to smile whenever it involves him, whatever reason it may be.
Choi Han placed a soft kiss on Cale's temple.
"I know. That's why I want to tell you not to worry about these ugly sc—"
Cale pushed himself a little to look sternly at Choi Han who started to speak nonsense, ready to scold him.
"They're not."
Choi Han blinks.
Cale doesn't even waver as he repeats himself, "They're not ugly."
Choi Han blinks, again. Then laughs.
"You like them"
Cale avoided his eyes and looked to the side. His reaction, as well as the fact that his ears were now the same shade as his hair, serves as the answer to Choi Han's statement.
Choi Han smiles at his liege.
"How could they be ugly? They're a part of you." Cale was now grumbling.
Choi Han thinks Cale was being too cute and couldn't help himself and kissed Cale's face. Laughing as he caught sight of the redhead's face turning red before pushing him away and turned around.
"I, I said let's go to sleep already!"
Cale doesn't want to see that stupid smile on that stupidly handsome face of that damn protagonist. Not even turning around when Choi Han reached for his hand and held it. Feeling the burning gaze of the man who never looked anywhere else and only focused on him.
He doesn't need to look up to know that Choi Han loves him just as much as he loves this puppy who always followed him around.
Cale squeezes back to the hand that held his.
He doesn't need to voice out his feelings because Choi Han will always understand.