Chapter 128. I Love You (4)

Translator: Lili

“What did you order?”

“Spicy chicken feet set.”

As the contents were revealed, Chayoung’s eyes widened in disbelief. For once, his usually composed expression showed visible alarm.

“Wait… chicken feet? As in actual chicken feet?”

“Of course. What did you think? Here, try some.”

Offering a piece with his chopsticks, he watched as Chayoung leapt from his seat.

“I’ll get proper utensils. Don’t use disposables at home!”

Gripping the sink counter, he tried to calm himself. Even as he fetched utensils, the sight of the dish stayed vivid in his mind—a visual shock he wasn’t sure he’d recover from anytime soon.

As soon as he saw the clearly visible chicken toes, Chayoung froze momentarily. Realizing his reaction, he quickly relaxed his expression, but it was too late—Seo Gyuha had already noticed.

“Never had it before?”

For once, Chayoung hesitated before confessing,

“… No. It’s my first time seeing just feet like this.”

Seo Gyuha’s lips curled into an amused smirk. Both the expression on Chayoung’s face and his choice of words—’just feet’—were too funny to ignore.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“If you look closely, you can even see the toenails.”

That did it. Chayoung’s face visibly twisted in discomfort, and his chair scraped against the floor as he instinctively pushed it back. Watching his reaction, Seo Gyuha couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“If it’s too much for you, eat the steamed egg or salad. Or do you need to step out?”

“I’m fine. Enjoy your meal.”

“Sure.”

Grinning, Seo Gyuha happily dug into the chicken feet. The slurping noises he made as he cleaned the bones were unapologetically loud. Across from him, despite being visibly hungry, Chayoung hadn’t even picked up his chopsticks. Instead, he simply stared at Seo Gyuha.

The unfamiliarity of the dish aside, once Chayoung convinced himself it was no different from eating chicken wings or thighs, it didn’t seem as bad. It wasn’t until Seo Gyuha grabbed another piece that he noticed the unblinking gaze fixed on him.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Just… watching you eat so well makes me happy.”

“… You should eat too, don’t just watch me.”

“Can I?”

“Yes, obviously.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Chayoung stood up, leaned over the table, and cupped Seo Gyuha’s chin with one hand before pressing their lips together.

“…!”

With a quick flick of his tongue, he licked at the sauce around Seo Gyuha’s mouth before pulling back. Then, he casually sat back down, licking his lips.

“The seasoning’s not bad.”

Realizing what had just happened, Seo Gyuha flared up.

“What the hell are you doing while I’m eating?!”

“You said I could try.”

“I meant the chicken feet, not my mouth!”

Still feeling the tingling sensation on his lips, Seo Gyuha rubbed them vigorously with his hand,

“Disgusting idiot.”

“Your lips are even redder now.”

“Shut up.”

Even after that, Chayoung couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Seo Gyuha. Watching his puffed-up cheeks and the way his lips moved as he ate made him want to kiss him again. But he wasn’t reckless enough to interrupt further; he could practically see the chicken feet flying at his face if he did.

After the meal ended in this oddly cozy atmosphere, Seo Gyuha quickly brushed his teeth and sat on the bed, fiddling with his phone. A short while later, Chayoung entered the room carrying a small bottle.

“Lie down. I’ll give you a massage.”

“I’m too full for that.”

“I’ll be gentle.”

With a resigned sigh, Seo Gyuha lay flat on the bed.

On their first night in the new house, Chayoung had earnestly pleaded, ‘I want to do everything good for you and the baby. I don’t want to miss anything’. His sincerity had been so overwhelming that Seo Gyuha begrudgingly agreed, and from that night on, Chayoung had thrown himself into his promises. He spoke to the baby through Seo Gyuha’s belly, claiming it helped fetal development, and gave massages designed specifically for pregnant women whenever he had the time.

Now, Chayoung warmed some massage oil in his hands before starting on Seo Gyuha’s legs. His hands moved skillfully, kneading and gliding over the muscles.

“Does this feel okay?”

“…Yeah.”

Despite his initial reluctance, the massage felt undeniably good. The firm yet gentle pressure relaxed his calves, and the soothing warmth of Chayoung’s hands drew out an involuntary hum of contentment.

The full belly, combined with the massage, made his eyelids grow heavy. Slowly, his blinks became longer until his eyes stayed shut. He was on the verge of sleep when a low voice interrupted his rest.

“Are you asleep?”

“…Yeah.”

“I need to tell you something.”

“Make it quick.”

“Before the wedding, Grandma wants to meet you and the baby.”

Even in his sleepy state, Seo Gyuha furrowed his brows, prompting a silent chuckle from Chayoung. Gently, he smoothed the crease on his forehead.

“Should I set up a meeting?”

“…What if I say no?”

“Then I won’t. You know you come first.”

Somehow, not only had Chayoung’s actions become sweeter, but his words had become more persuasive, as if he’d undergone training. After a moment, Seo Gyuha mumbled a drowsy response.

“Just make sure you shield me if it goes south.”

Though nervous about meeting someone as imposing as Chayoung’s grandmother, he trusted that she wouldn’t say anything harsh, given her generosity with the house and wedding funds. And even if things did get tense, he felt reassured knowing that Chayoung would have his back.

“Don’t worry. Grandma’s really kind. I think you’ll like her.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I take after her a lot.”

In that moment, Chayoung couldn’t help but think how lucky he was that Seo Gyuha was such a visual person. His unwavering preferences had been a blessing.

“Our family’s genes are strong. When the baby’s born, they’ll look a lot like me—so they’ll be adorable.”

Even through his sleepiness, the prospect of their baby looking like Chayoung made Seo Gyuha’s ears perk up. With a gentle kiss on his cheek, Chayoung whispered as if singing a lullaby.

“Let’s be happy together. The three of us.”

“…”

“Hmm?”

“…We’ll see how you behave.”

The subtle curve of Seo Gyuha’s lips betrayed the warmth in his words. Knowing him, it was as close to a ‘yes’ as it got.

“Seo Gyuha.”

“What.”

“Seo Gyuha.”

“What.”

“Seo Gyuha.”

“For God’s sake, what?”

“I love you.”

“…!”

“And you?”

The flutter of his eyelashes betrayed his surprise. At the teasing ‘Hmm?’ that followed, Seo Gyuha suddenly pulled him into a warm embrace, pressing their lips together.

Startled for only a moment, Chayoung quickly reciprocated with a smile, letting the kiss deepen. Warmth blossomed in his chest, filling him with a sense of joy and completeness.

It was a happiness only the two of them could share—a unique bond that made life all the more meaningful.