Crave You Forever
Chapter 22: More Comfortable

Chapter 22: More Comfortable

The answer sent a chill through Haeun, and he bit his lip. He didn’t expect to hear something so personal, especially from someone as guarded as Yeongsoo. There was a story there, one that felt deeply painful, and Haeun hesitated to push it any further. But he couldn’t help himself.

"Who?" he asked, his voice soft, almost afraid to know the answer.

For a long moment, Yeongsoo didn’t reply. His eyes remained fixed on the waves, the same cold edge creeping back into his expression. The silence stretched on, making the atmosphere feel heavier than before.

Haeun’s heart pounded in his chest, and just as he was about to apologize for asking, Yeongsoo finally spoke.

"..... They’re not important"

Nothing more came. The pause, the silence, was deafening. Whatever pain or memory he carried, it was clear that Yeongsoo wasn’t ready to share it.

Haeun swallowed, feeling a strange mixture of guilt and curiosity. He had never thought of Yeongsoo as someone who carried his own burdens—he always seemed so in control, so distant. But now, sitting here in the quietness of the beach, Haeun could feel the weight of the past lingering between them.

"I’m sorry," Haeun whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of the waves. He didn’t know what else to say, but the apology felt necessary. He hadn’t meant to dig up old wounds.

Yeongsoo shook his head slightly, the tension in his shoulders relaxing just a little. "It’s fine," he muttered, his voice still cold but softer than before. "I didn’t bring you here to talk about me. This is for you."

"....."

"Did you love that person?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, carried by the gentle breeze that swept across the beach. Haeun’s soft voice had broken the silence, but now there was only stillness.

With a forlorn look, Yeongsoo turned to Haeun. His expression shifted slightly, eyes narrowing as he seemed to pull himself back to a memory, one buried deep beneath the surface.

"I can’t call it love," he murmured, his voice low and distant, as if the words were more for himself than for Haeun. "It didn’t feel like it... not in the way I imagine love should feel."

Haeun watched him quietly, unsure of how to respond. There was a weight in Yeongsoo’s voice that made it clear this wasn’t something he talked about often, if ever. The cold, detached man that Haeun had always seen felt different now, as if there were cracks in his stoic facade.

The evening sky continued to shift, the soft hues deepening as the sun lowered. Haeun turned his gaze away from Yeongsoo and back to the horizon, the silence returning between them. The warmth of the moment settled over them once more, but this time, it was filled with unspoken thoughts and feelings.

Haeun didn’t press further. There was something in the way Yeongsoo spoke that told him not to. And so, instead, he stared at the sky, letting the silence calm his mind.

His eyes fluttered shut, the sound of the waves and the warmth of the setting sun made him drowsy. Soon, the weariness of the day had caught up with him, and before he knew it, his head dipped forward. His body instinctively leaned against Yeongsoo’s side, finding a comfortable spot as sleep overtook him.

Yeongsoo glanced down, surprised at the sudden shift but remained still, his gaze softening as he looked at Haeun. The sharp edges of his expression faded, replaced with something more tender, though he didn’t say a word.

As Haeun’s breathing slowed, becoming deep and steady, Yeongsoo let out a quiet sigh. He turned his eyes back to the sea, watching as the last slivers of sunlight slipped below the horizon, leaving them both bathed in the soft glow of dusk.

"I’ll let you sleep for a while.."

After what felt like hours, the sky had darkened, and the first stars began to twinkle above them. Yeongsoo finally stirred, feeling it was time to head back. He glanced down at Haeun, who was still fast asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. Gently, he shook Haeun’s shoulder.

"Haeun," he called softly. "It’s time to go back."

But Haeun didn’t stir. Instead, he shifted slightly, nuzzling closer to Yeongsoo, clearly not ready to wake up. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Yeongsoo’s lips, but he knew they couldn’t stay there much longer. He tried again, this time a little more firmer.

"Haeun, wake up," he said, but Haeun let out a soft groan and buried his face into Yeongsoo’s arm, refusing to open his eyes.

Sighing, Yeongsoo decided to stop trying. With a careful, gentle motion, he shifted Haeun in his arms and stood up, carrying him effortlessly. Haeun was light, and though he was stubborn in his sleep, Yeongsoo carried him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Haeun remained fast asleep in his arms as they made their way back to the car. The rhythmic sound of the waves grew fainter as they left the beach behind, replaced by the steady hum of the car engine.

It wasn’t until they were back at the penthouse that Haeun finally stirred. He felt something warm against his skin, a sensation that pulled him from the depths of his sleep. His eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the soft glow of the bathroom lights. It took him a moment to register where he was.

The warm water touched his skin again, and he realized he was in the bathtub. His eyes widened slightly, turning toward Yeongsoo, who was kneeling beside the tub, gently washing his arms with a soft sponge.

"What..." Haeun mumbled, his voice still heavy with sleep. "What are you doing?!"

Yeongsoo’s voice was calm but carried a teasing edge as he said, "You had a bit of sand on you, and you looked tired, so I decided to help you wash up. Don’t be shy, I’ve seen everything already."

Haeun blinked, the warm water trickling down his skin, waking him up further. His body tensed at the realization that Yeongsoo was right there, hands working through his hair as he rinsed the sand away. A wave of embarrassment washed over him as he tried to cover himself, but Yeongsoo’s words lingered, making him freeze in place.

"I... I wasn’t asking for help," Haeun muttered, his voice weak with the remnants of sleep.

Yeongsoo chuckled softly, continuing to wash him with gently. "I didn’t ask for permission. I figured it would be more comfortable for you than waking up with sand all over."