You weren’t exactly built for the independent life.

Living in your own apartment sounded like a dream—until the dream involved busted plumbing, flickering lights, a mysteriously disconnected Wi-Fi, and a growing tower of packages downstairs that you were too lazy to carry. It wasn’t like you were helpless… you were just a little too used to having someone around to fix everything for you.

Luckily, your landlord was one of the kindest people alive. Unluckily, he was always too busy to help himself.

So instead, he started sending his son.

And that’s how you met Han Taesan.

He wasn’t the friendly, smiling "ajusshi’s son" you imagined. Taesan barely spoke, never smiled, and gave off the vibe of someone who was constantly two seconds away from walking out. When you opened the door the first time and found him standing there, all quiet and unreadable, toolbox in one hand, hoodie up, and headphones still around his neck—you genuinely thought he had the wrong unit.

But no. He was the new “handyman.” Sent to help you. Assigned to your chaos.

He didn’t flirt. He didn’t complain. He didn’t ask questions. He just… showed up, fixed whatever was broken, gave you a short nod, and left.

Except, he didn’t always leave right away. Sometimes he stayed a few seconds longer in your doorway, his sharp eyes scanning the hallway. Sometimes you’d find him quietly leaning on the railing of the apartment next door, hoodie over his head, earbuds in, waiting—just in case you needed help again.

The weird part? He always came back.

Even when you broke your sink for the second time. Even when you locked yourself out and had to call the landlord at 2AM. Even when you asked him to open a stubborn jar of pasta sauce.

He always came back. Quiet. Cold. But always there.

He never offered much in words, but in actions?

You couldn’t stop depending on him.