~~~~~”Taekwoon-ah….I know that you don’t want to see anyone right now, but you really need to eat.” Taekwoon listened, very clearly able to understand the words the woman spoke. This woman sounded like his Aunt, however he didn’t want to be beside his Aunt. He didn’t want to do so little as look at her.

Taekwoon remained silent, praying that if he never spoke a word she would give up and go away.

“Taekwoon, you can’t continue on like this. You will need to come out of that bedroom someday or another.” Taekwoon didn’t want to come out. He felt as if he never wanted to see the sunlight again.

At this point in time, Taekwoon couldn’t understand what point leaving this area would serve. It’s not like he would get to go home, as he no longer had one. Taekwoon would need to interact with people, but just the thought sounded so terrifying it nearly made him vomit. The only person he was ever capable of speaking to comfortably, has now vanished.

At this point in time, eating didn’t even sound like it served a purpose any longer. Taekwoon figured that he sucked at life anyways, and in his current predicament no one was going to miss him in the first place. If he just starved himself, he would no longer have to worry. He would no longer need to be scared.

“Taekwoon…I really don’t know what to say to you. What do you want to hear? That everyone is gone? Alright, I will leave. If it will make you come out, I will leave the house if you just promise me that you’re going to eat something. I know that you’re very shaken right now and you need time, but you can’t hurt yourself.”

Once again, Taekwoon remained silent. He could hear his Aunt sigh on the other side of the door. Her next words didn’t sound as if they were meant for him, but rather like she was whispering to herself.

“Aish, what would you do unnie? Unnie, your son is really a handful. How did you ever get this kid to leave the house? I can’t even get him out of his bedroom…..”

Taekwoon was aware he was awful for thinking this, however he didn’t feel bad for his Aunt. He felt bad that his Aunt had lost her sister, however they never spoke to each other. She hadn’t cared for his mother one bit until she was dead, and what did it matter if he forgave her? Say that he did, he couldn’t talk anyway. Taekwoon was about as socially inept as they got, and Taekwoon felt that it was better to spare himself the embarrassment.

“I’m leaving Taekwoon. I’m going to the market, and no one else is home. I left your food outside the door, so please take it. Eat it while I’m gone, and I will pick up your dish when I get back.”
The next sounds he heard, were the sounds of footsteps. Taekwoon had heard clearly what his Aunt had said. He had listened to every word intently and cautiously, however he didn’t move a muscle. Taekwoon didn’t so much as look upwards, only thinking the thoughts that he just wanted his mom to be by his side.~~~~~~

Taekwoon truly had never meant for any of the past 10 minutes to occur in that manner. He had really tried his best to communicate efficiently, but there was just something about Hakyeon. Something that made him even more nervous than he already would be, and it made him scared to say the wrong thing.

Despite how awfully silent Taekwoon had acted, he could see that Hakyeon had truly tried his best to make the other comfortable. It wasn’t Hakyeon’s fault that it had never gone as planned, but Taekwoon really hadn’t disliked him. He had been nice.

It was for that reason, Taekwoon had stopped once he saw the state Hakyeon was in. The other was kind, but he knew since he had noticed the other’s posture that something was wrong. He hadn’t asked, partially to save himself the terror and also for Hakyeon’s privacy. Still, Taekwoon refused to just pass by while he could still hear Hakyeon crying out in pain.

Taekwoon knelt beside him, resting his hand against the other’s shoulder. He could feel his
very own muscles tense with the action, his body growing stiff, however he still continued. It took Taekwoon a moment to speak, forcing sound passed his lips once he did so.

“Do--you need help?” Taekwoon felt as if he wanted to tear his heart from his chest. He was aware of how idiotic and weak those words had sounded, however it was all Taekwoon had been capable of. He cursed himself for allowing his state to increase to this level.

“My-my car. P-ills, there in my car.” A tear slipped down Taekwoon’s cheek, fear rampidly running through his mind. It pained him to see Hakyeon sound this way. Earlier he had been so cheerful, however currently he was in far too much pain.

Taekwoon wasn’t sure what to do, however he knew where the parking area was. Given the current situation, he figured that he could find his way there. Hakyeon just needed to remain okay enough to point his vehicle out.

Cautiously Taekwoon lifted Hakyeon into his arms. It had been difficult, as Taekwoon rapidly discovered which areas were causing his distress. He was sure to support the others back and neck as securely as possible, running carefully foreword.

Taekwoon struggled to keep his head, feeling eyes glaring at him as they passed. He was sure it was an unusual sight, and Taekwoon felt as if there stares were burning holes in his chest. He felt as if the anxiety was causing him physical distress, however he did his best to remain focused. He at the very least needed to finish what he had started.

Arriving at the parking garage, Taekwoon didn’t know where else to go. Having no idea what the other’s car looked like, he moved his looks down. Hakyeon had shut his eyes firmly, his face twisting as he opened them.

Hakyeon’s finger shook as he pointed towards the right direction. Gratefully, Hakyeon had parked extremely close. Taekwoon hardly needed to take ten steps.

Carefully leaning Hakyeon against his front tire, Taekwoon searched Hakyeon’s body for the keys. He could hear his own breathing turn shallow, his mind screaming the thoughts that Hakyeon was not going to happy with this when he was better. Never the less he continued, and he managed to find the right keys.

Taekwoon searched high and low, through every inch of the vehicle. Hakyeon had carefully placed them inside the glove compartment, leaving them buried underneath a pile of various other objects. They were difficult to find.

Upon grabbing them, Taekwoon didn’t bother to even shut the door properly. He only rushed towards Hakyeon’s side, opening the bottle within his hands.

“How many?”

“1.” Taekwoon did as he was told, removing one of the large white capsules and placing it into Hakyeon’s hand. He searched around for a minute, however saw nothing to take them with. Hakyeon was clearly experienced with this, as he simply took the pill dry.

Taekwoon fell to the floor, his hand moving towards his chest. He could feel his lungs working overtime, attempting to supply oxygen to a body that just didn’t want to have it. Every ounce of him body pleaded to be in solitude now, and Taekwoon’s temptation to give in was starting to grow past concerning levels.

Still, he had done everything possible for Hakyeon. Taekwoon had now repaid the favor, therefore his task was completed and finished. The audition results wouldn’t be completed till four o’clock, therefore he could gladly give into his mind and leave. So why did Taekwoon remain on the floor of the parking garage?

Several minutes had passed, and Taekwoon could notice a change in Hakyeon. His expressions had dulled, and he was gradually looking more like the man that had guided Taekwoon to the stage. In fact, it was the most comfortable Taekwoon had seen Hakyeon since he met the other.

“Thank you Taekwoon. I really should have prevented myself from letting that happen in this place.” Taekwoon flinched with the words, his nerves still powered on overdrive. His muscles and brain clearly begged for him to leave, however Taekwoon’s heart felt as if it wanted to stay.

“You’re wel-lcome.”

“I guess my lie has been exposed now.” Despite everything he had just gone through, Hakyeon was laughing and smiling. Knowing that most people would be sniffling and gagging messes after an experience like that, Taekwoon wondered just how usual experiences like that were.

“Was my acting at least good?”

“Acting?”

“Yeah, while we were walking to the stage. I looked normal then, didn’t I?”

“I….I guess.”

“Guess? Gesh, either you’re very observant or I suck at this.”

“I’m observant.” Taekwoon looked to the floor, his eyes not capable of watching Hakyeon as he spoke. He didn’t want to lie to him, however he knew it was a fact. Taekwoon had been told that he was over observant since he was barely a toddler.

“Well, you do seem like the type. Maybe I was wrong though. You didn’t strike me as the kind of man to care about a stranger so much?”

“I-I don’t.”

“Really? You seemed pretty terrified to me.”

“Not you.” Taekwoon’s lungs stopped for a moment, as he had just gone against what he thought only seconds earlier. It was partially because of Hakyeon. He didn’t understand why, but it had scared him.

“Well, either way. I hope I didn’t frighten you too much. Don’t blame yourself, it was entirely my own issue.”

“Issue?”

“Yes, I should never have left these pills in the car. I overestimated myself.” Taekwoon sat there puzzled. He still didn’t understand what those words meant. “…I guess I do need to explain don’t I. Aish, there’s no sense in avoiding it any longer.”

“……….”

“I suffer from chronic pain problems, have for a long while now. As you could probably tell, it’s not my entire body. Just my back and neck. It’s quite inconvenient.”

“Only inconvenient?” So Taekwoon had been right, there was something wrong with Hakyeon. Not like it was bad thing, as there was something wrong with Taekwoon too. Hakyeon just seemed very nonchalant about the matter.

“Well, yeah. I can still manage to do what I love and if I try hard enough I can still lead a fairly normal life. There’s no reason to let it control me any further than that.”

“Oooaahhh.” Taekwoon knew it was a moronic thing to do, he just couldn’t resist the urge. In all his life, Taekwoon had never heard someone speak that way before.

“Are you impressed Taekwoon?” Hakyeon giggled as he spoke, his voice now back to the previous loud and cheerful manner. Hakyeon seemed better, and now Taekwoon only wished he could do the same. His head was still shouting that Hakyeon was laughing at him.

“….It’s just. I-I have nnever thought like that.”

“What do you mean Taekwoon?”

“I...I have an issue too.”’ Taekwoon paused for moment, gathering the will power to speak it. Hakyeon had confided in him more than enough times by this point. The other deserved to know a little more about the man he had spent time with.

“No hurry. I have all afternoon.”

“It’s….Avoidant Personality Disorder.” In that moment, oddly it felt like he could take a small breath of fresh air. It had been ages since Taekwoon spoke those words out loud.

“Ahh, that’s pretty neat Taekwoon.”

“Neat?”

“Yes, neat. You speak less, are more sensitive than others, and you don’t necessarily dislike people but you fear them. It makes you strong Taekwoon. It’s neat that a man in your predicament, has ended up in a place like this.”

Once again, Taekwoon had never thought of anything in that manner. Hakyeon had an extremely open mind. The moment regular people heard disorder they assumed that said person was dangerous or pitiful. Hakyeon never once even considered himself, nor anyone else in that manner. Taekwoon had fallen towards that pit multiple times.

“You’re unique Taekwoon. Someone as unique and strong as you, should not be spending all this time till four o’clock by himself. You don’t need to do any speaking or meeting of other people. I’ll take care of it. You just ensure these pills stay with me at all times. Deal?”

Taekwoon hadn’t known what else to say. He wasn’t sure what Hakyeon was going to drag him into, however he was aware that it scared Taekwoon. Never the less, Hakyeon said he would take care of it. He wasn’t the kind of person to lie about that, right? Taekwoon had replied
before his brain had a chance to make the decision.

“Okay.”

“Good!” Hakyeon bounced foreword, his body swaying slightly as he did so. Instinctively, Taekwoon reached his hands out as if preparing to catch the man. Hakyeon just giggled, patting Taekwoon’s back to ease him upwards.

“Come. We’re going to go get something to eat. My stomach is spinning in circles from that medicine.” Taekwoon did as he was told, standing very gradually.

Initially, Taekwoon had been beyond frightened. His heart was aware that Hakyeon was a kind person with only the best of intentions, yet still Taekwoon struggled to do so little as stand beside the other. Hakyeon never urged him, rather allowing him to take his time for anything and everything.

Hakyeon had spoken to all of the people that he needed too, gently moving anyone aside that was getting close to touching the introverted man. If it was all beginning to make Taekwoon feel uncomfortable, Hakyeon allowed him to leave. He allowed Taekwoon to sort himself out, on the sole condition that he returned before long.

Normally, Taekwoon would have loathed the special treatment. Coming from Hakyeon…it was nice. In return, Taekwoon hadn’t allowed Hakyeon to push himself once again. He ensured that they took sufficient brakes and that Hakyeon relaxed his muscles when he needed it.

Taekwoon had never allowed himself to consider these thoughts. Majorly, because they had rarely been true before. Even while his mother was alive, thoughts like this were difficult to come by. Even so, Taekwoon knew they were true now.

Taekwoon enjoyed himself in the presence of the other.

Notes