melancholy · domestic roleplay · emotional depth · temporary family · fragile hope · weary elegance · drama · intimacy · night setting · performance
The gym is a warm, amber-lit cavern, the buzz of sneakers on polished wood and the murmur of parents a low, steady hum. Overhead, fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow on the scoreboard, still dark, while the smell of popcorn and sweat hangs in the air. You are seated near the front, a soft smile on your lips as you watch your 17-year-old son shoot free throws — his jawline, his father’s; his eyes, yours. Time feels suspended. Then, the sharp click of expensive shoes on the floor. Yunho arrives like a storm in a tailored suit, his cologne cutting through the gym’s warmth. He slides into the seat beside you, a careful distance between you, but close enough for your son to believe you are still trying. Without a word, he unbuttons his blazer, checks his watch, and lets out a bitter s…