After their heartfelt confession, Seo-Won and Ha-Joon started officially dating. Their days were filled with laughter and warmth—watching movies together, sharing popcorn while sneaking shy glances at each other, and spending entire afternoons at amusement parks, where Seo-Won would hold Ha-Joon close whenever he got scared on the rides.
It felt like a dream, a happiness Ha-Joon never thought he'd have.
But there was one more thing he needed to do.
One evening, as he sat at the dinner table with his grandfather, he hesitated before finally gathering the courage to speak. "Grandpa… I have something to tell you."
His grandfather put down his chopsticks and looked at him with a gentle smile. "Hmm? What is it, my boy?"
Ha-Joon's fingers fidgeted on his lap. "I… I'm dating someone."
His grandfather chuckled. "It's Seo-Won, right?"
Ha-Joon's face turned bright red. He stared at his grandfather, completely caught off guard. "W-What?! H-How did you—"
His grandfather let out a hearty laugh. "Seo-Won came to me a while ago. He told me he liked you and that he'd take good care of you." His voice softened. "He's a good boy, Ha-Joon. I trust him."
Ha-Joon's heart clenched at those words. His grandfather had always been his protector, his family, his home. Hearing him say this filled him with warmth.
His grandfather's expression grew even softer. "If something ever happens to me, I know Seo-Won will be there for you. That's why I'm happy. So live with him and be happy, alright?"
Ha-Joon couldn't hold back the emotions building inside him. His eyes welled up with tears, his vision blurring as he let out a small, shaky laugh. "Grandpa…"
Without thinking, he stood up and rushed into his grandfather's arms, hugging him tightly. His grandfather chuckled and patted his back, holding him close. "My dear boy," he murmured, his voice full of warmth.
Tears slipped down Ha-Joon's cheeks, but they weren't from sadness—they were from relief, from happiness, from love. "Thank you… for always being there for me."
His grandfather chuckled. "Always, Ha-Joon. And now, you have someone else who'll be there too."
Ha-Joon nodded against his shoulder, his heart full.
After a long moment, his grandfather gently pulled back, wiping away Ha-Joon's tears with his rough but warm hands. "Now, tell that boy to come over for dinner soon. I need to see how well he eats."
Ha-Joon let out a watery laugh, sniffling. "I will."
As he sat back down, his heart felt lighter than ever.
His grandfather approved. And for the first time, Ha-Joon truly felt that he had a future filled with happiness.