Running to You | Park Han + JL + Steven | Haneulz + Stejay AU

Chapter 67: In Hindsight

Han's apartment looked like no one lived in it, which, to be fair, he mostly didn't. It was all black leather and brushed steel, curated like a showroom. Only the throw blanket on the couch (currently crumpled where Han had passed out) suggested that someone had, at some point, tried to be human in it.

The hangover was nuclear.

Han sat hunched at his kitchen island, nursing a mug of instant coffee like it was holy water. A glass of water and a bottle of half-drunk Condition sat on the table next to the couch, neatly arranged. Korean hangover drink. Endorsed by Jay Park, Savior of Fools. Fools like Park Han. 

He groaned softly. His temples throbbed. And he had the distinct feeling he'd said things last night. Important things. Except... nothing came. Blank. Like someone had wiped the slate of his memory clean and left only the smell of soju and shame.

He was still blinking blearily at his countertop, trying to decide if he should pour another coffee or just lie on the floor until death came gently, when the doorbell rang.

Han debated pretending he wasn't home. But then it rang again, followed by a single, theatrical knock.

"Open up," came Jeongwoo's voice. "We brought carbs."

Chih En added, "And judgment."

Han shuffled to the door like a ghost.

The two entered with the casual entitlement of people who had known him too long to wait for permission. Jeongwoo held a paper bag labeled BAGELS FRESH BAKED. Chih En had a thermos the size of a small missile, and vaguely looked like he was about to start a Powerpoint Presentation. 

"I should've locked you both out," Han muttered.

"Too late," Jeongwoo said, breezing past him. "We smelled regret from the hallway."

"Also cheap soju," Chih En added, already setting up shop at the counter. "It's seeping through your walls."

"You look like regret personified," Jeongwoo observed. "Did you try to marry a lamp post last night or just high-five it romantically?"

Han squinted. "What?"

Chih En raised an eyebrow. "So... nothing? You remember none of it?"

Han rubbed his temple. "Depends. Define 'it.'"

Jeongwoo whistled. "Oooh boy."

"You sang Ailee," Chih En said. "With emotion."

"You declared your love to a vending machine," Jeongwoo added. "And possibly a human."

Han paled.

Jeongwoo patted his shoulder. "It's fine. You're among friends. Mostly."

Han sank into a stool. "What did I say?"

"Nothing you didn't mean," Chih En said. And then, casually, "So. About JL..."

Han blinked. "Wait. JL was here?"

Both of them stared at him.

"Oh my god," Jeongwoo said gleefully. "He really doesn't remember."

"I'm going to throw myself down the trash chute," Han muttered.

"Let us finish our bread first," Jeongwoo said. "We want front row seats."

Chih En poured coffee from his industrial-sized thermos. "We're not here to roast you. Well, not only here to roast you."

"Speak for yourself," Jeongwoo muttered.