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There’s a saying that food was a metaphor for love.
Eating food, sharing food, cooking food…there were so many ways to express love with food.
Ever since Han Yoohyun could remember, all the food that his brother made was delicious.
From simple dishes to the feast he would get on his birthday, all of Han Yoojin’s food was the best he ever had. Han Yoohyun would savor each bite and morsel, searing the taste into his brain to never forget the memory. He gladly helped himself to a second helping, but only if there was enough for him and Han Yoojin. He would never allow his hyung to starve.
When Han Yoojin was out late at work or too tired to cook, Han Yoohyun would either buy food from the nearby takeout restaurant or the convenience store. However, the food was always bland, lacking the exquisite flavor his brother seemed to impart on every dish.
(He still ate the bland food. He didn’t want his hyung to worry about him.)
When Han Yoohyun asked if there was some sort of secret ingredient, Han Yoojin simply winked.
“All I can say is that the secret ingredient is love.” Han Yoojin ruffled Han Yoohyun’s hair. “Now hurry and set the table for dinner.”
“Love?” Han Yoohyun was reluctant to leave his brother’s warm hand. “Is that it?”
Han Yoojin smiled and nodded. “Only the best and most high quality ingredients for my dongsaeng.”
When Han Yoohyun left his childhood home, he no longer desired food.
After a while, he realized he didn’t even need to eat. He starved for days after leaving but he was still able to function normally. The only reason he ate in the first place was because of his hyung’s insistence. But now that he no longer lived with Han Yoojin…
There was no reason for him to eat. Eating was a waste of time.
Han Yoohyun only ate when he was in front of others, and it was simply for appearances. He ate the bare minimum to fake hospitality and to appease potential shareholders.
He soon figured out that eating also made him vulnerable to poisons. He remembered vomiting the entire night as the medics did their best to determine what poison was given to him.
After that incident, he refused to eat in front of others. No one else would have the chance to poison him again.
Han Yoohyun stared forlornly down at the ruined birthday cake on the floor of the Haeyeon reception room. He could see his hyung’s handiwork on the icing that spelled out his name.
He yearned to taste it, to finally have his hyung’s cooking once again.
To finally have a breath of fresh air in this very polluted world.
But there were too many eyes on him. The employee at the reception desk was already calling a janitor while the security guards were escorting Han Yoojin out of the building.
No. Han Yoohyun would just have to continue his self-inflicted torment.
He allowed himself a brief glance towards the glass doors at the entrance of Haeyeon. His hyung was yelling at him, red in the face and struggling against the arms of the security guards.
He was alive. That was all that mattered.
Han Yoohyun turned away.
As long as his hyung was safe, he would continue forth.
Han Yoohyun learned how to cook.
He studied several cookbooks and watched hours of cooking videos, taking notes on how chefs prepared their meats and how to properly dice vegetables.
When he tried the fruits of his labor, it tasted like nothing.
Did he do something wrong? Han Yoohyun made sure to follow every step of the recipe. He bought the freshest ingredients from the supermarket and even invested in fancy cookware.
So why did it go wrong?
Just in case, Han Yoohyun made one of his subordinates try his food and they said it was amazing.
So why…why couldn’t Han Yoohyun taste it?
(He knew why. There was no love in it.)
Han Yoohyun couldn’t believe it.
His hyung…understood?
He couldn’t believe it. He numbly wrapped his arms around his hyung, pressing him as close as possible.
Han Yoohyun insisted that Han Yoojin stay and as an act of goodwill, he cooked dinner for his hyung.
He secretly prayed that the food would taste good. After all, he couldn’t tell whether or not it had any taste.
Han Yoohyun considered ordering takeout for his hyung, but the chance of the food being cursed or poisoned lingered in the back of his mind. He wouldn’t risk his hyung’s health.
Han Yoohyun fried the sunny side up eggs to perfection, making sure the yolk was only lightly cooked, just the way his hyung liked it. The sausages and steak followed soon after and he nervously presented the food to Han Yoojin, who stared at the food in awe.
“Wow Yoohyun! All of this looks amazing!”
“Thank you hyung,” Han Yoohyun softly smiled, “Please eat as much as you’d like. There’s plenty to go around.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Han Yoojin helped himself to a little bit of everything. Just as he was about to put a piece of egg in his mouth, he blinked and noticed Han Yoohyun staring. “Uh, aren’t you going to eat too?”
“Me?” Han Yoohyun looked down and realized he didn’t even set down a plate for himself. “O-Oh of course. I must’ve forgotten.”
Han Yoojin waited until Han Yoohyun returned with his own plate. Han Yoohyun was unused to the attention. He piled some rice and meat on his plate and finally put a piece into his mouth.
His eyes immediately widened.
Han Yoohyun could taste it. He could taste the grilled beef in his mouth. He quickly swallowed it and grabbed another piece. The second piece tasted good as well.
“Wow, the Haeyeon Guildmaster sure is hungry!” Han Yoojin grinned at him, “Maybe you should pack a bigger lunch or something. But shouldn’t you be rich or something? You can order takeout whenever you want.”
“Hyung…it’s safer to make my own food.” Han Yoohyun went ahead and explained the circumstances of his previous poisoning. He watched as Han Yoojin’s face paled and smiled when his hyung began to pile more meat on his plate. He graciously accepted every piece and enjoyed the meal with his hyung.
His hyung truly was the best.
It didn’t occur to Han Yoohyun until later that the food tasted good, but he was the one who cooked the meal. He was sure that it was only Han Yoojin’s food that tasted good.
Han Yoohyun glanced at the face of his sleeping brother. Han Yoojin’s peaceful expression brought a smile to Han Yoohyun’s lips. He adjusted the blanket so that it covered his brother’s body more and tucked himself right beside him.
“Thank you hyung, I understand what the secret ingredient is now.”
Eventually, Han Yoohyun found something that tasted more delicious than food.
“Hyung.”
Han Yoojin turned to see Han Yoohyun waiting expectantly by the door. He waved with a smile. “Have a nice day!”
“Hyung…” Han Yoohyun half-whined, “Where’s my goodbye kiss?”
“Hah?” Han Yoojin pouted as he stomped over to where Han Yoohyun waited. “If you really want one, you just need to ask.” Han Yoojin pressed a chaste kiss to Han Yoohyun’s cheek.
“Hyung, that’s the wrong place.”
“So demanding! Who raised you to be so spoiled?”
Han Yoohyun smirked as his arms snaked their way around Han Yoojin’s waist. “You did hyung.”
“This is definitely not my fault.” Han Yoojin pinched Han Yoohyun’s cheek, “Where’s your lunch box? You better eat all of it, I woke up early so I could make an extra portion of marinated beef.”
“I have it, don’t worry.” Han Yoohyun stared at Han Yoojin’s soft lips. “Now kiss me properly.”
Han Yoojin sighed. “You’re such a manipulative brat.” He stood on his tiptoes to press a kiss against Han Yoohyun’s lips.
Before they could separate, Han Yoohyun teased Han Yoojin’s mouth open with his tongue. Caught off guard, Han Yoojin gasped, allowing Han Yoohyun’s tongue to dart inside and roam around. He savored the taste of his hyung’s mouth, melding into his memory. He reluctantly parted so his hyung could breathe.
“You!!” Han Yoojin panted for air and he pushed Han Yoohyun away, “Too much!”
“Not enough,” muttered Han Yoohyun as he licked his lips, “It’s hyung’s fault for being so addicting.”
“What am I? Some sort of drug or something?”
“No, hyung is the best tasting food in the world.”
Han Yoojin scowled at his brother and began to push him out the door. “You’re equating me to food now?!”
“You’re the only one with the secret ingredient.”
“Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Don’t worry about it. I love you hyung.”
Han Yoojin’s cheeks erupted into a blush and he stopped pushing Han Yoohyun. “Yeah yeah, I love you too. Come home safely.” He pressed another kiss to Han Yoohyun’s cheek before quickly closing the door.
Han Yoohyun touched his cheek. He could still feel the faint press of Han Yoojin’s lips.
Yes…this was love.