Home?

Hyunjin is blindly walking. He has left the hospital and is walking in the street, trying to find his apartment but the more he walks the more unfamiliar the place becomes.

He's forgetting, the things once familiar are becoming unfamiliar. And in his mind, he's worried..."even though we weren't meant to be...I don't want to forget you...not like this."

A horn! Hyunjin turns around and sees him. That guy, from the coffee shop.

Felix: Hey, want a ride?

Hyunjin: (lazily looks at Felix and looks away)...

Felix: (stops his car and runs to Hyunjin)I know you heard me...

Hyunjin: (stops) What do you want?

Felix: Do you know where you're going?

Hyunjin: Home?

Felix: Where's your home?

Hyunjin: (that part is blank)...I.... don't know

Felix: (sighs) Want to come to mine?

Hyunjin: (looks at Felix)Why?

Felix: Huh?

Hyunjin: Why are you so nice?...am just a stranger

Felix: (shrugs)I don't know...so do you want to come to my place instead?

Hyunjin: (nods)...

Felix: (finds himself smiling) Come on

He takes Hyunjin's hand and leads him to the car. Hyunjin looks at the hand that is holding his and finds it warm in a way that's comfortable and he lets himself be dragged to the car.

.....

Felix’s apartment is small, but it feels warm the moment they step inside.

There’s a short hallway that opens straight into the living space. A worn but clean couch sits against the wall, with a soft blanket folded neatly over one side.

In front of it there's a small table.

The kitchen is right there too just a few steps away. It’s simple. A small stove, a fridge with a couple of notes stuck to it, and a sink with some dishes left to dry.

The lighting is soft, not too bright. It makes everything feel calm.

There’s only one bedroom. The door is slightly open, just enough to show a neatly made bed inside.

Nothing about the place is fancy.But it’s clean and quiet.

Something that Hyunjin finds different taking with his way of life in his past world.

Felix doesn’t say much as he closes the door after Hyunjin, it's like he’s unsure how to make it feel like home for someone else. He's lived alone for some time now that he's not used to this.

Felix: (rubs his hands) Um...this is me.

Hyunjin: (turning around) it's a nice place...livable too.

Felix: (frowns) What do you mean livable?

Hyunjin; (looks at Felix and smiles) It's not bad.

Felix: Hmph! If you don't like it, you can go stay at a hotel or something...

Hyunjin: (blinks and shakes his head. He suddenly has this scared look in his eyes) No... I'll stay here...

Felix: (scowls)... I have one bedroom...so, I'll sleep on the sofa, you'll sleep on the bed.

Hyunjin: Can't we both sleep on the bed?

Felix: Ah... No!

Hyunjin: Why?

Felix: (scratches the back of his head) ...[because I don't trust you... there's something mischievous in your eyes...even with all that sadness, I can still see it.]

He doesn't say that, it's all in his head. Instead, he smiles at Hyunjin and walks towards the kitchen.

Felix: you Hungry?

Hyunjin: (stomach suddenly growls) ...ah...

Felix: (smiles) Guess you are...

Felix starts preparing the meal. On the other hand Hyunjin stands there and watches him. Nothing about this guy is like his ex-boyfriend. His ex was older. Sharper. Everything about him felt… solid.

Being around him always made Hyunjin feel smaller without meaning to. Not in a bad way just in a way that made him lean in, depend, wait for reactions, for approval, for warmth that came in small, and it was everything for him...it was all worth it.

Yet, it's different here... Hyunjin doesn't feel small and it's strange because he just met this person...this person who is moving gracefully in the kitchen preparing something for a total stranger.

"can I make this place home?" he wonders.

🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙

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