Chapter Text
The thesis trial was close enough to make Kim Rok Soo anxious about the outcome. He often stayed up late, Cale guaranteed that.
At one o'clock in the evening, Cale placed a cup of coffee with steam still steaming on the table, making Kim Rok Soo who was staring at the laptop screen look up.
"You look so sleep deprived, can't you just continue tomorrow?"
Kim Rok Soo bit his lip, took the coffee cup and gulped down his words along with the bitter liquid. He continued what he was doing.
Cale sighed, taking his place on the sofa behind Rok Soo. In his hand he held the same cup of coffee. Anyone would know, Cale intended to accompany Rok Soo tonight, again.
There was no sound other than Rok Soo's keyboard typing, peaceful silence at least. Kim Rok Soo enjoyed the warmth that took root in his heart. He was about to smile before stopping himself.
tick.
Kim Rok Soo stopped his hand suddenly making Cale furrow his brows in confusion.
"There is a problem?"
"... no." The answer came a little late. Kim Rok Soo reached for the coffee cup again, the bitter taste bringing him back to rationality.
It shouldn't be like this. Kim Rok Soo thought, his droopy eyes staring at the reflection of Cale's confused face on his laptop screen.
It had been a long time since Rok Soo had felt close to someone, even one who was too nice at the same time, and it made him wish that he had never applied for the contract in the first place.
A silence more stifling even than drowning overtook Kim Rok Soo, not letting him turn back to his work in the slightest. His hands didn't move, his brain didn't want to think.
Finally after ten minutes had passed with no other result, Kim Rok Soo clicked on the save icon, hurriedly closing his laptop before turning to Cale's pretty face.
"Let's sleep." Kim Rok Soo yawned to make his point, pretending fatigue was his forte, or maybe he was really too tired.
Cale got up without question, pushed the two cups of coffee into the kitchen before following Kim Rok Soo's footsteps towards their room.
Cale rolled himself up in the folds of the blanket first, before peeking at Kim Rok Soo who was still standing in the doorway while turning off the light.
Only one thought hit Kim Rok Soo as soon as Cale was immediately on the bed, how was it like sleeping alone? After two years together, Kim Rok Soo really couldn't imagine anymore how he would live his life without Cale Henituse by his side. Kim Rok Soo subconsciously sighed with a bitter smile.
"What's wrong with you? Not coming?"
Kim Rok Soo shook his head, before dragging a step closer to the bed. As he pulled the blanket up he looked at Cale who was sleeping on his back next to him covering his face with his hands.
"Cale." Kim Rok Soo called out, Cale answered him with a sleepy mumble.
"May I hug you? A blanket is not enough for me." It's early autumn, it should be fine with the reason he's cold right?
Kim Rok Soo saw Cale flinch slightly before his hand that was covering his eyes moved away, his reddish-brown irises similar to Rok Soo's stared at him in confusion. The lighting there was dim, at least it made Rok Soo relieved that his red face was nowhere to be seen.
"O-of course." Cale turned his body towards Rok Soo.
Kim Rok Soo didn't even realize that he was excited when he pulled Cale into his arms. Perfect fit, thought Rok Soo feeling the warm body clinging so close to his own.
Let's do this before... well before we part. Rok Soo tightened his hug.
***
A loud knock on the door woke the two sleeping people hugging each other, Kim Rok Soo sat up and mumbled the word enter before turning to look at the clock.
At five in the morning, Kim Rok Soo frowned.
"Father! Papa! Let's wake up, did you forget that there is a festival at Noona's school? You promised to come today didn't you?"
A boy, short black hair with dark blue irises stared sullenly at Rok Soo from the half-open doorway.
"Raon, the festival just started at eight, your father still needs rest." Cale turned towards him, "Go back to sleep, Rok Soo. I'll take care of the kids."
Kim Rok Soo felt a weight lift off the bed as Cale walked away. Kim Rok Soo could only stare at his retreating back and finally disappeared when the door closed. Not knowing what to do, Kim Rok Soo plopped down on the bed again while the drowsiness still hit.
The second time Kim Rok Soo woke up that morning he felt a hand shake his shoulder.
"Five more minutes." He rolled to the side. Damn it with the festival, he was still very sleepy. But, no, he couldn't fall asleep.
"You are not a child, Rok Soo, wake up. The children are ready, take a shower we will wait for you in the dining room."
He wasn't such a bad parent, he tried for it, so Kim Rok Soo got up and walked to the bathroom in the room which apparently had traces of water.
“Cale has probably taken a shower already.” He groaned, thinking that Cale might as well still be sleepy. A feeling of warmth and guilt came over him at the same time.
With frustration in his chest, Kim Rok Soo turned on the faucet and poured cold water on his head.
***
“I already asked Hans to drive us so you don't have to drive,” Cale said in between breakfast.
Very considerate. Kim Rok Soo almost smiled bitterly, luckily he managed to stop himself and mumbled a low thank you.
The kids were busy eating and Cale made sure they didn't choke, oh how Kim Rok Soo liked that act.
***
"Don't run!" Cale shouted as the children excitedly headed for the car that was waiting in front of their house. Compared to Kim Rok Soo who preferred to show his concern with mere actions, Cale was a bit more talkative.
The five of them entered the car with Cale and Kim Rok Soo in the back, the children in the middle and Hans, one of the servants at the Henituse house, as the driver.
Cars drove slowly down the street, Hans enjoying conversation with the children, as they were busy thinking about what to do during the festival. Perhaps because Hans was very close to children, it was the reason for Cale to always make him their driver at outings like this.
The casual chatter and the gentle path made Kim Rok Soo lulled, his sleepiness approaching again. However, just as he was about to close his eyes, Kim Rok Soo felt a weight on his shoulders.
Kim Rok Soo quickly turned his head and looked at the sleeping Cale. Oh my God, Kim Rok Soo thought, Cale looks so cute! Kim Rok Soo stopped himself from pinching Cale's cheeks, and he actually managed to do it.
Ignoring the silent beauty next to him, Kim Rok Soo closed his eyes. That was how Kim Rok Soo's head ended up being piled on top of Cale's head.
The two were completely oblivious to how the children and Hans were secretly grinning at the interaction.
***
"They always stay up late! Leave them alone, Hans!" Hong, the little red-haired boy in the group stated.
Hans stopped himself into the back seat and just followed the kids to the festival.
"Why do they stay up late?" Hans asked, as the four of them walked into the school.
"Dad is finishing his thesis and papa usually accompanies him." On, the only girl in the group, said calmly to the confused servant.
Hans groaned slightly. "We should let them sleep."
Unfortunately one of the children in the group disagreed with the argument. "No! They also need to visit the festival! We'll let them sleep for another hour and pick them up later!" Raon was steadfast in his opinion, taking no objections when the little boy sullenly turned away.
Hans just smiled at those words. How lucky his young master was now. Hans didn't expect that this matchmaking would go this smoothly, given Cale's previous personality. He thought that it would be good for the extended family to gather once at Kim Rok Soo's graduation. Hans smiled at the thought he would definitely tell Deruth, Cale's father.
Hans didn't realize that only farewell awaited at the end of this road.