Archive of Our Own

“What is it Minho-ya?”

It was still early morning when Changbin woke up to an incessant yowling coming from his living room. Rubbing his face from all the light that suddenly smacked him as he left his bedroom, he called for his cat. Minho was pawing at the window that gave access to the balcony. On the other side of the glass there was a crow flapping one of its wings, the other one down and immobile by the bird’s side.

“That’s a nasty injury for you.” Changbin slid the glass door open, careful to not let his cat pounce at the black bird. Initially the crow walked backwards and Changbin stayed put for a while, hoping to transmit he was no threat. Slowly, the crow approached and let itself be held in Changbin’s hands. That was surprisingly easy. Sliding the door close with his foot, Changbin walked to the kitchen island, Minho tangling himself in his legs, head propped up with big eyes that did not leave the bird. He gently dropped the crow in a towel on top of the counter. Bathed in light, its feathers shone indigo blue, its round dark eyes looking directly at Changbin’s soul. 

“Minho, don’t.” By the corner of his eye Changbin could see his cat wiggling his butt ready to jump up but at the sound of his owner’s words he just yowled back in displeasure and sat still.

“I can’t really help you little bird but I know someone who can.” Grabbing his cat in his arms not trusting the fur creature alone with the feathered one, Changbin speed walked to his bedroom in search of his phone. He had a close friend who was a vet and he knew for a fact today was his day off  which meant he would have his ears ripped off for destroying his friend’s do-nothing-all-day plans.

The doorbell rang after some time. In the meanwhile Changbin had to close Minho in his bedroom because of the murderous glint in the cat’s eyes and due to the attempts of giving a heart attack to the crow who was now sitting peacefully in the sunlight. Changbin had even got to pet his head with his finger, the feathers incredibly soft under the touch.  

“You owe me big time.” Minho, his human friend, said as soon as Changbin opened the door to his apartment. “Take this.” Minho passed him a bag of bird food. Changbin had completely forgotten about that detail.

“I’ll buy you lunch as repayment.” Changbin knew the older truly didn’t mind coming over to help out. On the outside he might appear cold and uninterested but he was actually a big softie with an even bigger heart. 

“Where’s your cat?” 

“Locked in the bedroom for now, I didn’t want a murder happening in my house. He’s probably napping on the bed by now. Yep, there he is.” When Changbin opened the door to his bedroom he saw the fur ball unrol and stretch itself. He had heard Minho’s voice so Changbin watched as Minho (the cat) trotted back to the kitchen, rubbing himself on the vet’s legs. 

“Hey there buddy.” Minho’s tone was sweet. It never stopped making Changbin scoof in amusement how his friend became a different person with animals. It was also highly amusing for Changbin how Minho never called Minho the cat by its name. 

One day Minho had appeared by his door, somewhat distressed because all the shelters were full and short staffed and there was this one kitten that needed regular care and Changbin was the only person he knew had a safe space and worked from home so he could take care of the kitten. It didn’t take much to convince Changbin, he took one look at the creature who squeaked at him once and he was immediately a goner. 

Ever since that day Minho - the cat - had been a light in Changbin’s life. Working as a graphic designer from home was a lonely job and he didn’t have much time to socialize with his friends since they all each had their own lives with schedules that made it hard to meet up. It was on those days where Changbin curled up into a ball on his bed that the cat jumped up to cuddle with him, his soft purrs healing his lonely heart. On regular days though the cat was more of Changbin’s owner rather than the other way around. He was a stubborn cat that didn’t like being coddled up and all of those characteristics reminded Changbin of his friend Minho. So after two weeks of just calling the feline ‘cat’ he decided on a name. Granted, Minho - the human - was not particularly pleased with that.

“This doesn’t look too bad, just a clean fracture. Keep him in this split for about two to three weeks and it should be good as new. Just make sure your cat doesn’t eat it.” Minho gathered his supplies and dug around Changbin’s cabinets for two small bowls, placing water on one and bird food on the other. “You should also get a box for it to poop on.”

“Are crows potty trained?” Changbin furrowed his brows in contemplation.

“Probably not but hey, you never know.” Minho’s voice came muffled from having his head shoved in the cat’s fur. Maybe it was because they shared the same name, maybe it was because Minho was an animal whisperer but Minho (the cat) never complained when Minho (the human) was the one giving him attention. Changbin looked at the crow who looked back at him intently. He petted the bird’s head again. At least this one didn’t mind the attention going by the way its eyes closed when leaning to the touch. 

“What do you want to eat? I'll order.”

After their meal, Minho made himself at home. They spent the rest of the day lazing around, watching tv and chit chatting away, the cat snuggled contentedly on the sofa between the two. They ate the leftovers from lunch and then Minho went back to his place. They were each other’s comforting constant in their lives ever since childhood, the familiar calm in the chaos that was adulthood.

Changbin went to wash the dishes, the crow sleeping peacefully when he passed by it. Whipping his hands clean, Changbin turned to the side. The black bird was blinking back at him slowly, clearly having just woken up. And even in the dim light its eyes dark as the void twinkled with little stars.

“Good night buddy.” 

Changbin closed the door to his bedroom, Minho already sleeping on his spot on the bed keeping it warm for him.

- ✩ -

Changbin woke up to Minho making biscuits on his back. It was his way of asking to get out and at the same time he was Changbin’s fluffy alarm clock when he wasn’t being a demon.

His apartment was full of light, the day sunny just like yesterday’s though this morning there was a dark spot that rested on top of the counter. Groggily walking to the open kitchen space, Changbin refilled the cat’s bowls and took advantage of the fact Minho was distracted with his food to pet him softly. 

He went to check up on the crow who had by now opened its eyes. The food bowl was still mostly intact but there were a few seeds scattered over the counters. Changbin swept them up and placed them inside the bowl again. The crow got up and stretched its healthy wing almost losing balance at that but then moved on to eat from the bowl. Changbin figured everything would be okay, the crow was eating so there shouldn’t be any worries. 

He went to take a quick shower and in the middle of scrubbing the body wash he realized the big mistake he made. Minho was left alone with the crow. Changbin scrambled to finish the shower in record time, almost slipping in the meanwhile, and with a towel wrapped around his waist he ran to the kitchen. 

By some miracle Minho was lying down peacefully by the sink windowsill, his shadow stretched over the island counters. He and the crow were just watching each other, no fighting had ensued thankfully. Changbin let out a breath of relief that seemed to alert the animals to his presence which he found ironic because he was sure the downstairs neighbours had heard him fumbling around. The crow must not have been expecting him because he cawed in surprise and fell on his side. Changbin slowly made his way back to the bathroom to get himself dressed and ready to start working with an ear always on alert. In case of emergency the crow could always make noise but it seemed like Minho was getting used to the bird’s presence and had called a truce.

After making his cup of coffee and grabbing something to snack on, Changbin moved to his office that was just his bedroom with slide panelling that he installed to separate the spaces when working. He brought the bird with him and put it on a corner of his desk. He felt like he could trust Minho better with the crow but he didn’t trust him that much to leave them alone for a long time. 

It was nice having some form of company even if said company would get up to walk all over his keyboard or peck at random objects on his desk, his rubber being the unfortunate main victim.

A week passed by like this, with the crow hopping around comfortably over whatever surface he was put in, using his own litter box, something Changbin was incredibly grateful for, and occasionally running from Minho who tried to pounce him once in a while. He had been right to not fully trust the cat. Changbin had collected a few feathers at that but fortunately nothing serious had happened.

It was the middle of the second week when Changbin woke up to an empty island counter, the crow nowhere to be seen. He heard a noise coming from the floor behind it and when he walked over he saw the crow trying to peck at its splint and walking in circles like a dog chasing his tail.  

Changbin was not sure it was safe to take the splint out already, Minho had said two to three weeks but the bird seemed incessant in its quest and kept trying to move his wing. So, very carefully Changbin removed the splint, the crow immediately flapping its wings to stretch them and then flew to the top of his fridge cawing at Changbin.

“It’s time to say goodbye to you isn’t it?” Changbin smiled at the crow albeit feeling a little sad. There was something about the crow’s company Changbin was going to miss but at the same time it belonged to the outside, to roam the skies freely. Minho also came to Changbin’s feet looking at the bird and ready to chase it down. However this time it was the crow who had the upper hand. A small chase started and Changbin opened the sliding balcony door. 

The crow flew away without looking back.  

- ✻ -

The sun was setting when Changbin called the workday off. He was going to play with Minho before starting making dinner when he spotted the cat staring at the balcony window, his tail sweeping the floor languidly. When Changbin walked over to the cat he got confused. Opening the door he collected the glinting pieces of the floor. There was a miscellaneous of weird looking coins, buttons and even rocks. All of the things were shiny in a way and Changbin honestly had no idea what to make of the situation. He doubted it had fallen from the floors above since it was in a pile right by his window and besides, it’s not like someone could climb up to the 8th floor.

He dropped all of the objects into a random decorative bowl placed on his coffee table. His mother had gifted it to him when he moved in and he had kept it there because he knew it made her happy whenever she came to visit. 

A few days had gone by since he collected the mysterious pile when Changbin was awoken by something colliding against the balcony glass door.

Changbin had fallen asleep laying down on the sofa, the tv playing some random movie he had long forgotten the name of. Minho was providing warmth by his chest and the sound of the storm and the rain outside on this weekend just made him want to not move in general. He was just about to fall back asleep when he heard something repeatedly knocking against the glass.  

Grunting under his breath Changbin got up, stumbling towards the glass door. For a moment he wondered if he was still dreaming.

He had never expected to see the black mass of the crow again, after all it had been weeks since the bird flew away. Changbin hurriedly slid the door open, the cold wind freezing him to the bones, and he scooped the crow up in his hands. 

Despite birds feathers being mostly water proof Changbin could tell a few of the more fluffy ones were soaked and he could also feel the crow shivering from the cold. He grabbed a hand towel and wrapped the crow carefully as he moved back to the sofa. Minho had not bothered moving so Changbin had to manoeuvre himself in a way to not bother the cat. He placed the crow right next to Minho who was pretty much the animal version of a furnace and prayed for the best. At least the crow could defend itself with its beak if necessary.

Changbin surfed through the channels ending up on a new crime drama that was starting. He tried really hard to stay awake to keep an eye on the bird but the monotone voices of the characters lulled him back to sleep. 

He was expecting to wake up to the credits rolling and certainly not to the sounds of screams coming from the tv and simultaneously from behind him. Minho was hissing like there was no tomorrow, his fur all puffed up. On the other side of the room sitting down, pressed against the wall was a man. A very naked man. And a third and fourth scream came from Changbin and the man when they made eye contact.

The man had dark long hair and matching dark eyes that sucked one in like a blackhole though they had little stars in them. Even in the dark with the only source of light being the trashy show playing on the tv, Changbin could tell the man was beautiful. A little mole under his eye, soft features and plump lips. Minho was now howling at Changbin for him to do anything.

“Who are you? And how the hell did you get in?!”

“You let me in!” The stranger pointed at the glass door, his tone slightly offended yet panicked at the same time. Changbin was visibly confused. Maybe this was all just a really weird dream. There was a flash of light from outside and a rumbling sound of thunder that was followed by a whimper. It was evident the stranger was terrified of the thunderstorm by the way he was now hugging himself against the wall.

It took Changbin a while to process everything. He remembers letting the crow in and... 

Wait, where is the crow? There was only the towel discarded on the floor along with a few lost feathers. Minho hissed again and the stranger hugged himself tighter.

“Wait you’re...no it can’t be. I need more sleep.” Changbin muttered, rubbing his temples. “And why the hell are you naked?”

“Your cat was going to murder me! I had no time to conjure some clothes. Please just get him to stop.” The stranger was begging at this point. It was like a light bulb went on in Changbin’s head. The feather’s that led to the man, his cat who despite being cordial with the crow would still sometimes succumb to his feline instincts and try to pounce on it. It was probably what happened but the crow had transformed into a man. No wonder those eyes seemed familiar and no wonder the crow had behaved weirdly chill and domesticated when it supposedly was a wild animal. 

No, no, no, this was just a bad dream his brain had somehow conjured out of nowhere. When he wakes up he is going to laugh at the absurdity of it all. 

“Please can I just stay here until the storm goes away?” Changbin sighed. Even for a human going out in this storm was an absolute nightmare. The stranger sneezed.

“Fine, you can stay for now. Here take this.” Taking pity on the guy Changbin threw the blanket on the sofa to the stranger. “You were in the rain so it’s best if you shower, don’t want you catching a cold and passing it to me.” The man nodded. Changbin blamed his exhausted sleep-riddled brain for relenting so easily when there was an absolute stranger inside his house that could very well be a criminal of some sorts.

“I’m Changbin.” He said after a moment of silence with only the sounds of the tv and the rain in the background. He decided to go along with his dream, see where it would take him.

“I know. I’m Hyunjin.” Hyunjin gave Changbin a little smile. This whole situation was completely absurd to Changbin but life did enjoy throwing him some curveballs.

Changbin went to Minho next who seemed to have calmed down, his howling sounding more on the displeased side than the scared and wanting to attack one. He petted the cat for a bit and grabbed him in his arms. Changbin wondered if Minho could also transform into a human for a second but it quickly left his mind. Unless the cat had been hiding it for three years now. Changbin turned around to get some clothes for the stranger when he saw the other standing up.

“Fuck. You’re a giant.” Changbin scrunched his nose in annoyance. Tall people were a pain in the neck, as in quite literally. Years of making art looking down at the paper did that to a person and despite frequently hitting the gym to get some muscles and correct his posture, his neck had already suffered the damage. 

Hyunjin snorted and then another loud thunder rumbled, scaring the guy.

“At least you’re afraid of storms. Can’t have it all.” He walked into his room putting Minho on his bed and started going through his closet.

“Hey, what is that supposed to mean?” Hyunjin said at his doorstep, his eyes staying on Minho. Despite being a tall human, Hyunjin was still Minho’s prey. 

“I don’t think I have much that will fit you.” Changbin dodged the topic.  

“Oh no need I can just…” 

Changbin watched as Hyunjin put his tongue out in concentration. He made some kind of motion in the air and then ripped said air appart and his arm disappeared inside a weird invisible pocket. He pulled some clothes and then apparently closed the thing, outfit in his hands. A dream, this is all dream, Changbin tried to convince himself. 

Changbin could only blink back at Hyunjin. He thought the guy just transformed into a bird in his free time but no, apparently he could materialize stuff out of nowhere. So now magic was a thing. Great. Changbin just wanted to go to sleep in his dream and wake up from whatever alternate reality this was. Only twenty five years old and he was already going senile, just wonderful, he thought to himself.

Hyunjin smiled at him, probably understanding Changbin was going through an inner mental breakdown.

“So, you can do magic?”

“Correct.”

“Can you teleport? Like walk through that thingie and get out somewhere else?”

“That was a pocket dimension. Souls can’t go in through pockets, you need to open a portal dimension and I’m bad at those. Sorry.” Hyunjin spoke in a soft voice and when apologizing he looked at the floor with a sad smile. Changbin realized the guy probably thought he wanted him to get out.

“I wasn’t trying to tell you to go away, sorry if it came out that way, I was just curious, this is all new for me.” Changbin at least had the decency to appear bashful.

“Oh, okay.” Hyunjin brightened up almost immediately. Which was ironic, a crow was dark, usually a symbol of bad luck and here he was with a sunny smile and bright disposition.

Changbin walked into the bathroom, Hyunjin following close behind, occasionally turning around to make sure the cat didn’t follow them. Searching through the sink cabinets, Changbin pulled a clean towel and a spare toothbrush and placed those on top of Hyunjin’s pile of clothes in his hands, creating a small tower. He left the taller one there and closed the bathroom door.

Changbin sighed for the nth time, this was not how he expected his weekend to go by and he was even more surprised with himself for letting a complete stranger stay in his apartment for the night. Though Hyunjin didn’t really feel like a stranger, his presence felt more like that of a familiar acquaintance even if he had only met him in his bird form before, weirdly enough. No matter how much he told himself this was a dream, Changbin couldn’t convince himself any further. This felt too real for it to be a simple dream.

He collected the soft feathers scattered around. Changbin didn’t know if Hyunjin wanted to keep them or if it would be rude to just put them in the trash so he placed them in another of his mother’s decorative plates he had lying around next to the tv.

Later on Hyunjin came out of the shower still drying his hair with his towel. He looked like an ordinary human with a large tee and grey shorts, (Changbin will not admit he thought that maybe he would dress in all black with a feather cape or something like that). In his defence, he was a creative person which meant his head liked to throw him the most absurd ideas that he would usually transform into the medium of art. Like for example now he wanted to draw a human with long hair and that feather cape he imagined in some kind of throne like a ruler of some kingdom, a bunch of crows perched on top of the intricate chair. He pushed his thoughts to the background. That was probably a ripoff scene from one of the too many fantasy movies he had watched.

“I have a hair dryer if you want.”

“If it’s okay then.” Hyunjin nodded, his wet bangs glueing themselves to his face.

Changbin went around to his bedroom searching for the thing, careful to not disturb Minho though when he went back to the living room, Minho and Hyunjin, who was at the doorway, were having a staring contest once again. Changbin didn’t miss the way the taller gulped and he snickered to himself. Minho always had the upper hand over everyone minus probably Minho the human.

“There’s a plug right next to the bathroom mirror.” Hyunjin jumped hearing Changbin speak and this time Changbin couldn't suppress the snicker.

When Hyunjin came back to the living room Changbin was finishing making a makeshift bed on the sofa.

“The sofa is not going to be too comfortable for you but Minho owns the bed.” When Changbin looked up, Hyunjin's hair was fully dry, looking incredibly soft and fluffy. Changibn wondered if it would be as soft as his feathers if he ran his fingers through it. “Will you be okay sleeping with this storm?”

“Yeah, it’s just the thunder I don’t like much and it’s gone for now.” Changbin didn’t miss the way Hyunjin fumbled nerversouly with his hands.

“You can keep the tv on if you want. If you need something just call me.” Changbin left the remote on the coffee table and closed the door to his bedroom. The moment he hit the bed he crossed the border to dreamland, with the image of eyes as deep as the universe ingrained in his mind. 

- ☁ -

When Changbin stumbled out of his room it was still early morning. He wanted to stay in bed for longer but Minho wanted to get out and it was already a bit past his feeding time. Outside it was still raining pretty badly, the sound of the wind blowing from the other side of the walls making the apartment a cozy space to spend a lazy sunday in. Changbin almost forgot he had a somewhat self-invited guest over until he heard soft snoring coming from his sofa. 

It had not been, in fact, a dream. 

He could see the large blanket on the floor so he walked over to crow boy who was laying on his back, one arm tossed behind his head and the other dropped to the floor, his legs too long for Changbin's sofa, dangling over the armrest. His shirt had risen up, revealing smooth skin underneath. He looked like a mess and if they were good friends Changbin would for sure take a picture to use as blackmail material but since they barely knew each other that would be considered an invasion of privacy. He carefully draped the blanket over Hyunjin and went to feed Minho who was waiting impatiently by his food bowl.  

Even with the sound of the coffee machine and Changbin’s phone ringing Hyunjin did not wake up. Changbin thought that being a crow, or a bird in general, would entail hyper aware senses but that did not seem like the case. 

Sipping on his coffee and checking the weather app Changbin looked out the window. The storm would calm down tomorrow morning, something about a cold front happening, said the app. Again he looked out through the glass door. It had been what made him decide to stay in this apartment, it was big and it let the morning sun bathe the open kitchen and living room in warmth. When he left the bedroom door open it would also bathe the space in warm sun rays, the angle hitting him perfectly on his body and not his face.

Looking closely at the balcony he saw more little trinkets on the floor. This time there was even a bracelet and more shiny stones. Changbin looked at the highly culprit, or in this case at the back of the sofa where the highly culprit slept. Sighing Changbin opened the door, a gush of the cold wind immediately hitting him in the face. Most of the pieces were wet so he laid them in a paper towel letting them out to dry.

Changbin was about to sit back on the bench stool when he saw an arm fly by followed by a thump to the floor and a groan. Apparently gracefulness was another trait crow boy did not possess.

Hyunjin stayed sprawled on the floor. Changbin walked up to him, mug in hand and nudged him with his foot.

“You dead?” In response there was only another grumble. Clearly Hyunjin wasn’t much of a morning person.

Slowly he opened his eyes and once again Changbin couldn’t not notice how the other’s eyes were so deep and captivating. It was also unfair how good looking he was just after waking up even with a streak of dried up drool on his chin.

“Good morning.” His voice was laid with sleep but somehow still soft and the tone pleasant to hear. Hyunjin got up and even slouched as he was, he towered over Changbin’s form. After announcing he was going to wash up Hyunjin walked to the bathroom, halting his steps on the way there and staring at the toaster in the corner of the counter with a wishful gaze. Changbin wondered if he did it on purpose for Changbin to notice or if he really just was thinking of toast for breakfast.

“Coffee?” When Hyunjin returned from the bathroom, face washed up and bangs slightly damp, he lit up at the sight of toast. “I have some jam in the fridge if you want.”

Hyunjin blinked for a few good seconds before speaking up. 

“Thank you. Also yes for coffee if you have sugar.” Hyunjin went over to the fridge with a spring in his step and Changbin couldn’t stop the smile on his face. He was thankful there was not much awkward energy around. At the same time he worried that the awkward energy would build up if he asked a few questions that were plaguing him. In the end Changbin decided to just bite the bullet.

“How’s your arm?” Hyunjin stopped to look at Changbin, toast crumbs falling from his lips to the plate underneath.

“It’s good it healed well.” The taller beamed at Changbin who kept his face a neutral expression.

“So, why did you stay as a crow?” Changbin sipped his coffee, the cup hiding his expression but not his eyes who looked straight at Hyunjin. There was a moment of hesitation and when answering the question Hyunjin avoided Changbin’s eyes.

“It’s easier to heal in our beast forms.” 

Changbin could feel there was something more to it so he waited patiently still sipping on the remains of his coffee that had become far too cold for his taste by now. 

“And it’s lonely at home.” Hyunjin mumbled the last part to his mug. He could see the stars in Hyunjin’s eyes dim, how he had turned smaller in his seat.

“I hope you can also easily heal from diabetes with the amount of sugar you put in your coffee.” Changbin was proud he was able to make Hyunjin crack a smile after he had brought the mood down. “And I enjoyed the company.” Hyunjin looked at him surprised, Changbin thought he saw crow boy’s eyes becoming watery so he busied himself washing his mug to give him space. 

“By the way are you the one bringing me that stuff to my balcony?” Changbin heard choking noises followed by incomprehensible sputtering. When he peaked back, Hyunjin was red in the face from the strain, fiddling with his fingers.

“Y-yeah. Do… Do you hate it?” Those dark eyes bore into Changbin’s, a hint of worry across his face.

“No, no, I don’t hate it, I was just surprised that’s all. But to be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do with all of it.” He looked at the objects next to him, the small rocks shining like precious gems. 

“Oh. I guess you can throw them away. Just...just keep the rocks if you can. They give off good energy.” And now Hyunjin had a sad smile on his face, his eyes dimming once again. Changbin was surprised by how easy it was to read Hyunjin’s emotions.

“I’m not throwing anything away, it's just if you keep bringing me a lot of stuff like this I’m going to run out of space. I have everything you gave me over there in the bowl.” Changbin pointed at the pink and white marbled shell shaped decorative bowl with golden rims. Hyunjin walked over to where Changbin pointed and sat down, his mug and plate already emptied left on the counter.  

“Oh. It’s such a pretty decorative bowl. I did not expect you to have something cute like this.” Hyunjin grabbed the rocks from the bowl, rolling them over his hands in a way that defied gravity. The little colourful pieces shone as if there was a source of light coming from their inside. Magic. Changbin sat down enjoying the show, the colours dancing on their skin and everything around, reflecting on the walls and ceiling like crystals under the sun. Changbin couldn’t take his eyes from the, objectively speaking, ethereal human in front of him.

“My mom gave it to me.” Hyunjin tilted his head in question the same way a bird does. “The bowls around the house, she gave them to me when I moved.” Hyunjin gave him a smile at that. “And you also can’t talk much, you don’t seem like a crow at all.”

“Oh, really? Then what do I look like?” 

Change stayed in thought for a moment. 

“A weasel.” Hyunjin threw him a rock and giggles from the both of them filled the space.

They spent the rest of the morning just talking to each other. Changbin learnt that Hyunjin was younger than him by one year, works in an occult shop, had moved out of home wanting to know who he really was and to try to be independent from his parents but without even saying it Changbin noticed how most of all, Hyunjin was really, really lonely.

“I just really feel like I’m bad at everything no matter what I do.” Hyunjin admitted. He was hugging his knees tightly, head buried in them.

“It’s normal to feel that way in the beginning of a transition. And before you interrupt me, two years are nothing. We put too much weight on time and age and forget to live because we are busy running after something. We think we are supposed to run because we see others do it and forget that life is different to everyone. Stop running, walk or just crawl, go at your own pace.” Changbin said earnestly. To be honest he kind of wished someone had told him this a few years ago before his burnout. He talked about his own experience, how his body was so exhausted that for a year he couldn’t grab a pencil without crying in pain. Changbin could see Hyunjin’s tears threatening to fall so he got up, putting Minho who was resting on his lap on the sofa, only to midway see the tissue paper flying towards Hyunjin. Right, magic.

“Do you cook?” Changbin asked.

“I’m not that good at it, but yeah.” Hyunjin’s eyes and nose were red. Changbin felt sorry for making him cry but it also felt good to talk with someone who understood him and hopefully his words would be of help to the younger.  

“Come on then, give me a hand.”

The kimchi fried rice had turned out pretty good, probably the best Changbin had eaten in a while. Even the process of cooking, something Changbin hated to do, had been an enjoyable time. He laughed at Hyunjin who would sometimes hit the stove range hood that was a bit too low for him and he looked at Hyunjin with a mix of fear and awe at how he didn’t use his hands to look for things, he just opened and closed drawers with his magic, making all the utensils levitate as he looked for what was needed. The fear came from seeing how clumsy Hyunjin could be and him levitating the knife set was not very reassuring and neither was the fear of having to organize all of his drawers after Hyunjin pulled everything out. Thankfully Hyunjin managed to make it all go back to their designated place.

“Do humans know about magic?” Changbin asked while scrubbing the dishes, Hyunjin next to him with a towel on his hand. 

“Not really but it’s slowly changing. Only the ones we trust to keep a secret know but there are still people that end up locking those memories from the humans. To keep safe. Witch hunts are still a thing but we don’t hide as much anymore.” Hyunjin looked at him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Changbin gulped.

“Have you done that before?” The older tried to focus on the glass in his hand not really wanting to hear the truth he knew would come. “Locking memories?”

“Yes. It is one of the first spells we are taught as kids.” He said quietly.

Changbin placed the last utensil on the dish rack. He turned his body to look straight at Hyunjin.

“Will you do that to me too?”

“I don’t want to.” It took a few seconds for Hyunjin to respond. Changbin could feel the sincerity in his expression.

“Okay. Then I promise to keep your secret.” Changbin extended his pinky, Hyunjin meeting halfway. He giggled and Changbin decided he would protect that bright smile for as long as he could.

- ☂ -

The afternoon wasn’t that different from the morning, the storm outside was still going but at least the downpour had turned into a drizzle. 

After lunch Changbin spent some time playing with Minho while Hyunjin read something he had borrowed from Changbin’s book stash. Once in a while a raven haired head peaked out from the sofa watching Minho. It would be a long time before the two of them would get along with each other. Changbin started to wonder if he could consider Hyunjin a friend, or if the other would feel comfortable enough coming back to visit. Truefully Changbin was scared of reading things wrong, he didn't want to impose himself on the younger. After all, Hyunjin had only come here because he had no choice, he couldn’t fly with a broken wing and he couldn’t fly with such a big storm outside.

When Minho became tired of playing he walked to the bed and nestled himself there. Changbin went to turn on the tv when he spotted Hyunjin sleeping on the sofa, book lying on his chest, his hand still marking the page. It was the book Changbin had been trying to read for ages but he always fell asleep when reading it. Changbin once again grabbed a blanket and put it on Hyunjin. After that he sat on the floor, back resting against the sofa next to Hyunjin’s absurdly long legs and watched a new drama that was airing making sure to keep the volume down. His eyelids felt heavy and not long after he too fell asleep.

Changbin woke up when a knee collided with the back of his head. The perpetrator had also woken up and was now apologizing profusely. They stayed like that not wanting to move, after all it was Sunday, there was nowhere to be and nothing to do really.

“Want some tea?” The adverts started playing on the tv so Changbin got up and moved to the kitchen grabbing some snacks in the meanwhile.

“Yeah. Do you know when the storm will end? I have work tomorrow and I really don’t feel like walking all the way back with this weather.” Hyunjin complained.

“The app said it would be better tomorrow morning. What kind of stuff do you sell in the shop?” The electric kettle in the background started steaming.

“Talismans, enchanted decor, candles, potions, tomes, herbs. It’s just a bunch of miscelanea.” 

“Enchanted decor like the rocks?” Changbin asked.

“Yeah. I make those and the potions. Jisung makes the talismans, he’s a much better wizard than me.” Hyunjin answered. Changbin could feel the self deprecation waving off of the younger.

“I like the rocks, they're pretty. And he hired you for it so that means you make good stuff.” Changbin tried to uplift Hyunjin with tea and some more toast with jam. He would have to buy more jam for Hyunjin. If Hyunjin decided to come back.

“He’s my childhood friend so of course he would hire me.” Hyunjin was making himself small again, wrapping himself on the blanket.

“I don’t know your friend but do you think he would keep you for two years and not say anything if you were really bad at the job?” Changbin earnestly asked. Hyunjin shook his head avoiding Changbin’s gaze.

“He would be honest after a while.” 

“Then you have a great friend and you’re good at your job. Don’t downplay yourself like that okay?”

“It’s hard not to.” It was a whisper, meant for no one to hear but the tv went silent as a new episode of some random drama started. Changbin nudged him on the leg softly. Hyunjin looked at him briefly before moving his gaze to the tv.

“People don’t usually stick around.” Changbin would have missed it if he wasn’t paying attention. He moved forward on the floor, sitting next to Hyunjin’s covered feet resting on the sofa, that way he could hear him better.  

“How come?”

“No, oh my god this is embarrassing.” Hyunjin hid his face behind his hands. He tried to smile but Changbin could see the pain right through it. Still he didn’t want the younger to feel like he was forcing him to talk.

“You don’t have to tell me if you are not comfortable.” 

“They…” He hesitated, stumbling over his words. “They say the outside doesn’t match the inside. Pretty much that… yeah.” Hyunjin couldn’t keep his head up. On the inside Changbin was fuming. Yes, Hyunjin was beautiful but even not after 24 hours of actually meeting the guy, Changbin could tell there were so many more interesting things about him as a person.

“If someone ever says something like that to you, call me and I will punch them in the face.” Changbin’s tone came out more serious and harsh than he intended but he hoped Hyunjin would get the message. The message that for Changbin, Hyunjin was more than just his looks.

“There is no need for violence.” Hyunjin’s little giggle worked as a bucket of cold water on a wood fire. It still burned very little inside but it was calmer, eventually fading to smoke.

“I mean it. And if you allow me and want to, I’ll stick around. Now come on, the toast and the tea are probably cold already.”

After eating they decided to play some board games Changbin had around. Some of the games had seen the mark of times and many plays, usually from Changbin’s friend group or from his family and today another friend was added to the people who played in those ragged boards. 

Time passed by quickly but their stomachs reminded them of dinner.

“This is unfair, how come I lost all the games.” Hyunjin laid down on the floor dramatically, a hand on his forehead like a damsel in distress.

“You need to come over for more practice.” Changbin added.

“Can I come over again?” He sat up immediately. There was hope in Hyunjin's tone, a bright star in his eyes.

“The glass door is always open and you can knock on my front door anytime.”

Hyunjin gave him a smile so bright his eyes turned into crescents. While Hyunjin packed up the games and cleared the coffee table, Changbin heated the leftovers from lunch. They ate in a comfortable silence, Minho’s munching sounds as a backtrack sound. Changbin felt content, it was nice to just relax an entire day with someone on a weekend, just on their pyjamas and bed hairs. The boring tasks like cooking and cleaning the dishes also became less boring. He could get used to this.

“Here, give me your number before I forget.” Changbin unlocked his phone and extended it to Hyunjin who took it and saved his number. Hyunjinnie~~ it read. 

Not long after they decided to call it a day, or more exactly Hyunjin brushed his teeth and talked about maybe going back now since the wind and the rain had calmed down, but his head fell to Changbin’s shoulder, his eyes falling mid sentence. Changbin figured it would be fine if he stayed one more night, tomorrow it would be easier for the birds to fly anyway.

- ☼ -

Changbin’s alarm clock woke him up at about nine in the morning, Minho’s nails getting stuck on his shirt. Changbin felt well rested, surprised even, that Minho didn’t wake him up earlier. Changbin's energy depleted as soon as he remembered it was Monday and he had a deadline coming soon. He wasn’t too stressed about it, the product was almost finished but he knew there would be tons of alterations because his client could not decide on anything and so he nitpicked on stuff that is perfectly fine. But the client is king so there is nothing he can do at the end of the day if not comply with the requests.

Pushing himself out of the bed he went to the bathroom, stopping on his tracks when he realized Hyunjin was still there. Changbin remembers the younger talking about his distaste for Mondays because he had to be at work earlier than usual to mix fresh potion batches. He remembers distinctly that he had to be at the shop by 9 a.m. meaning he was already late. 

“Hey, Hyunjin?” There was no response. Changbin sighed. Of course, he learned yesterday that Hyunjin slept like a log.

“Hyunjin, you're late for work.” Changbin shook the younger vigorously, he knew there was no other way around to wake him up. Hyunjin grumbled at first until his eyes flew open.

“What time is it?” He asked with a gulp.

“Nine something.” Changbin had barely finished the sentence when the younger jumped up to his feet, almost headbuting Changbin on the way.

“Oh god I forgot I left the phone in the pocket.” Changbin watched with amusement as Hyunjin sprinted to the bathroom, jumping over Minho who ran in terror and hid somewhere close by.

Changbin was peacefully sipping on his coffee when he heard the door to the bathroom fly open. He leaned against the counter as Hyunjin ran past, almost slipping on the plywood floors.

“Want some toast?” Changbin asked, a smirk on his lips.

“No time.” He watched as Hyunjn opened the balcony door and flew from his clothes as a crow, the fabric pieces discarded on the floor.

“Hope you have extra clothes.” Changbin said to him from the balcony at a considerable volume and hoping no one else would hear him. He heard a caw in the air that sounded way too much like ‘shit’. It took Changbin a good few minutes to stop laughing. 

Before starting his work Changbin gathered the clothes that were left on the floor and dumped them into the laundry basket, messaging Hyunjiin to not worry about his clothes, he had to do laundry anyway. Chanbin went to work with a smile still stuck on his lips. 

The next time Changbin saw the crow wasn’t too long after. As in, it was literally still the same day except now the sun was setting behind endless rows of tall buildings. Changbin was sitting on his desk saving the files one last time when he heard a voice calling his name. When he crossed the threshold of his bedroom he spotted a raven head of hair inside his home, the rest of the body hidden behind the wall. If any neighbour outside looked in the direction of Changbin’s balcony they would see the naked butt of a tall man whose body was half in half out of the apartment. Changbin prayed to whatever gods there were no one saw this. 

“If someone outside sees you like that I will have a lot of explaining to do. Hurry up, get in.” Changbin sighed and watched as Hyunjin stalled a bit, not stepping in.

“Uhm, can I just get my clothes first please?” Changbin blinked, he had noticed the fact but for some reason his brain had not processed that Hyunjin probably wasn’t that comfortable being seen naked despite it happening once before.

“I texted you saying not to worry about it. I had laundry to do so I washed your stuff as well.” Changbin yelled from his bedroom where he had already stored the clean laundry during his afternoon work break, the usual time where he took a break to stretch his limbs and grab another cup of coffee.

“Oh my phone died, sorry.” 

“It’s fine, don't worry.” When Changbin finally stepped in front of Hyunjin to pass him his washed clothes he didn’t fail to notice the sheen layer of sweat that covered his skin, one drop sliding down his temple to his chiselled jawline and finally landing on the floor below.

“If you want you can shower first.” Changbin’s words were out of his mouth before he got a hold of himself. Here he was again inviting a stranger-recently-turned-friend to his home. The rational part of his brain said he was crossing the limits of what was acceptable in a friend-time diagram, for example no one really invites a person they just proclaimed a friend to sleep over on the same day. But the other rational part of him said that those limits are a social construct some idiots created to deem themselves superior and to shame others. If Hyunjin was a friend and someone he trusted and developed a bond with the same day they met, why should he not allow him in his space?  And then the other rational part of him said that just because you trust a friend, that they may not reciprocate that kindness and who is to tell they won’t steal his tv or something? And then Changbin’s less rational part, the one that controlled his emotions, told all the other ones to shut up and for him to do whatever he wanted.

“Am I that stinky?” Hyunjin furrowed his brows and pouted, pressing his nose to his shoulder and smelling himself. 

“Not really, just sweaty. If you don’t want to, you can go. I don’t want to force you to say yes.” Changbin was worried he had come out too forceful but the smile in Hyunjin’s expression made him relax.

“I actually really wouldn’t mind a shower but I feel bad for hogging your place, I still need to repay you.” Again there was a pout on Hyunjin’s lips.

Changbin had an idea about that. “Are you busy today?” He asked.

“No.”

“Do you mind flying or going home at night?”

“No, wh-”

“Do you have shoes in your pocket thing?” 

“Yes. What’s with the speed questions?” There was an amused expression mirrored in both of their faces.

“I’m claiming the repayment ticket. Get ready to go out.” Changbin turned around and went back into his bedroom to change from a pair of sweatpants and tshirt that were effectively his pyjamas to a different pair of sweatpants and tshirt, the reason being that Seoul’s pollution stuck to the clothes and he didn’t want to bring that to his bed.

He heard Hyunjin run off to the bathroom and the water running. In the meanwhile Changbin played with Minho who had spent most of the day sleeping as any other housecat did. Maybe he should get him a sibling. Changbin had thought about it before but at the time when he was starting as a freelancer the money wouldn’t be enough with all the vet bills and provisions that would duplicate so he put the idea on hold, and then he was afraid Minho wouldn’t get along well with another cat. Maybe he should talk to Minho about his concerns, his friend would for sure be able to give him valuable advice.

Hyunjin exited the bathroom later, smelling like Changbin’s shampoo and body wash. Even his clothes smelled like Changbin’s laundry. His skin had a pretty flush from the warm bath and Changbin couldn’t take his eyes away for a while.

“Do you have a warm jacket? It’s gotten cold outside.” Changbin asked after clearing his throat.

“Yes mom!” The younger spoke in a singsong, mockingly giggling at Changbin. Hyunjin ripped the air once again and took out a hoodie, jacket and shoes. They finished getting ready and walked out of the building.

“Where are we going?” Hyunjin skipped happily on the sidewalk. Even after a long day he was still so full of energy that Changbin felt it rubbing off on him.

“You’ll figure it out soon.” 

They talked about their day along the way. Changbin learned that Hyunjin had gotten a smack on his forehead for arriving late but Jisung didn’t really mind since he knew Hyunjin had trouble getting up in the mornings. He talked about a regular that would always complain about Hyunjin’s potions but would always come by and get them anyway. Changbin didn’t miss the bitter laugh coming from the younger. They shared stories of more annoying clients but also the precious ones that appeared along the way that made it all worth it.

Changbin stopped and pulled Hyunjin with him when they finally reached their destination.

“A supermarket?” The taller inquired. 

“Yep, your repayment is helping me carry the bags back home.” They entered the large supermarket that was quite busy, after all they came at the time of the day when everyone had gotten out of work and were getting their shopping done on the way home. 

“Isn’t it easier to just order online?” 

“If I do, I will never leave the house.” Hyunjin hummed next to him in understanding. Changbin grabbed a cart and went over the grocery list in his head. When they were walking by an aisle Hyunjin stopped to look at the display looking contemplative. 

“Can I choose a jam? You’re almost running out.” 

“Anything but pumpkin.” Changbin was busy checking a different display when he heard Hyunjin put something on the cart standing behind him. 

“You’re creating a shadow, you giant palm tree.” Giggles erupted behind him, Changbin himself scoffing at the ridiculousness of it. 

Changbin spotted the jam that Hyunjin chose. Strawberry. It somehow fitted him, simple but nevertheless one that you can’t go wrong with.

With heavy bags on their hands Changbin dragged Hyunjin to grab take out and then they finally stepped back home. He doesn’t remember when it was the last time he had so much fun, his face hurting from smiling all the way as he listened to Hyunjin’s stories and magical adventures. He really enjoyed the time they spent together and Changbin made sure to tell him that. The younger spluttered in response but Changbin could tell he was thankful, his face had turned beat red and being a good friend, Changbin teased him about it.

After they ate and cleaned everything, Hyunjin went back home, this time exiting by the front door. He said he loved walking at night. Changbin asked to text him when he got home.

“Yes mom!” He heard again. Changbin tried to swat at Hyunjin who dodged at the last second. The door closed and Changbin stayed by it, hearing the giggles until they disappeared down the hall. 

From: Hyunjinnie~~

I’m home, thank you for today as well

I really had fun

Changbin fell asleep contentedly that day.

- ❀ -

They kept in close contact. A week after their supermarket adventure Hyunjin had appeared at his door carrying a bag of snacks. Repayment he had said, for the few days spent as a bird and as a human at Changbin’s place. He was shy at first, uncertain, but Changbin welcomed him warmly. On that day they decided to drop all formalities, not that there had been many to begin with. Changbin also made sure to declare he considered Hyunjin a friend, the younger reciprocating the feeling by almost crying from what Changbin hoped was happiness. 

Most of the time Hyunjin dropped by twice a week. They would cook dinner together or if they were too tired they just ordered something and talked about their day. Changbin could see Hyunjin had warmed up to Minho. When they watched tv on the sofa with Minho sleeping against Changbin, Hyunjin would sometimes run his hand through his fur cautiously. Changbin couldn’t help but notice those warm eyes and content expression towards his cat and he smiled tenderly at the image in front of him. The first time Minho purred at Hyunjin, the taller almost fell off the sofa and it had taken everything in Changbin’s power to not make much noise so as to not disturb his neighbours. Hyunjin had given him a glare but he found the situation funny too and soon he was also struggling to keep the volume down.

And just like that a month had passed since they met. 

Changbin and his friend group decided to hang out at his house on Saturday for their monthly (more like whenever they could all meet up) games and drinks session.  Saturdays were also the days he hung out with Hyunjin.

“Hey there hyung.” A wild Hyunjin appeared from his balcony door fully dressed. Despite knowing that on Saturdays Hyunjin always travelled as a crow, Changbin couldn’t help getting jump scared. To be fair most of the time he was barely awake. Lately he had taken Friday nights to draw on his sketchbook whatever he wanted and yesterday he had lost track of time, going to bed way past the usual hour.

Changbin greeted him with a grunt watching as Hyunjin made himself at home preparing coffee for Changbin. Hyunjin himself was more of a tea person or iced americanos.

“Do you have the ingredients?” Hyunjin asked. Changbin stopped on his tracks on the way to the bathroom. Hyunjin looked incredibly beautiful with the sun rays shining down on him, the breeze coming through the window ruffling gently his black bluish hair tied in a half ponytail. Changbin swallowed.

“Yeah it’s in the upper cabinet by the cereal.” He ran to the bathroom to compose himself. The lack of sleep was surely taking its toll on him.

Changbin walked into the kitchen where Hyunjin was standing with his elbows on the island scrolling through his phone, a steaming mug of coffee by his side, the ingredients behind him on the counter. There was this one chocolate mug cake recipe Hyunjin sent him way too late in the night and after scolding him through text (Changbin was really becoming way too much like his mom), he offered to make it with Hyunjin next time they met. Changbin even went on an extra trip to the supermarket for the ingredients. 

The recipe was somewhat a success, it filled them well but it wasn’t the end of the world, the images definitely looking like a scam if one were to ask Changbin. 

“This needs more sugar.” Hyunjin observed.

“That’s rich coming from someone who likes iced americano.” Changbin learned that fact when they met up at a cafe one day, finding it ironic that for Hyunjin every other type of coffee needed loads of sugar. Hyunjin frowned as he had nothing he could to retort with. Silence fell over as they ate their mug cakes.

“By the way my friends are coming over tonight for some games, do you want to join?” Changbin focused on scrapping the remains of the cooked dough that was stuck to the porcelain like super glue.

“Oh I thought you had no friends Changbin-hyung.” There was a teasing glint in the younger’s eyes and a pretty smile on those pretty lips.

“Says the one that comes to visit every week.” Changbin smirked, clearly mimicking the teasing tone from Hyunjin.

“Geez, okay.” He answered with a fake pout. Changbin nudged him with his foot softly and they smiled genuinely at each other, the teasing tones gone. “Are they nice?” Hyunjin seemed slightly worried if the gnawing on his bottom lip indicated anything.

“They are, I’m sure you’ll like them in no time.” Seeing the concerned face of Hyunjin Changbin added. “And they’ll like you as well. You don’t need to worry about it okay?” He looked Hyunjin in the eyes who glanced away after some time, biting the skin on his nails. A nervous habit, Changbin learned. He swatted Hyunjin’s hand away from his mouth. 

While Changbin scrubbed the mugs like no tomorrow, Hyunjin sat on the counter next to him, his legs dangling in the air. He spoke animadely about a romance drama airing that Changbin had no idea about but listened attentively. Whenever he asked questions about the very questionable plot, Hyunjin beamed at him, warmer than the sun rays that filtered through the windows. If he didn’t know Hyunjin was a crow he might have thought Hyunjin was an angel.

This time the dishes stayed on the dish rack to dry, the towel on Hyunjin’s hand forgotten. When Changbin finished his task he leaned his hip against the counter facing Hyunjin properly. It seemed like Hyunjin noticed something and stopped immediately.

“Sorry about my rambling.” He said looking at the floor apologetically, his legs going back and forth with much less vigour.

“I enjoy your rambling. Also you had to hear me nerd out on comics last time so it’s only fair. But really, don’t apologize for being you and talking about your interests. I’m being serious when I say I like to hear you ramble.” Changbin could swear he saw the younger’s cheeks sprinkled with a warm shade of pink. He wondered if it was because of the sun so he pulled Hyunjin out of the counter, taking the towel from his hands and ditching it on the island counter.

Changbin played the drama Hyunjin had been talking about so passionately and they spent the rest of the morning discussing the terrible character writing, the overdone cringy shots but also the beautiful spring landscape and the technicalities to filming a kiss scene (really who even kisses like that, Changing spoke exasperatedly to the tv) with millions of useless camera angles and slomos. It was cheesy, cringy and corny and they both knew that but it was also Hyunjin’s guilty pleasure type of show and there was no judgement in that. Changbin would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy parts of it as well.      

With their bellies still comfortable from the filling mug cake but craving for something more, the two went out. They took a walk in the park as they ate the food brought from street stalls. The weather was becoming warmer, winter had gone by taken over by spring. The first spring flowers bloomed on the trees and the whole scenery made Changbin want to come over another time to capture the image in front of him in the form of paint and maybe also capture the way a certain raven haired male bloomed whenever he saw a dog. 

“Thought you weren’t fond of four pawed animals.” Changbin snickered next to Hyunjin right after he waved goodbye to a retriever who had drooled all over his grey sweatpants who now sported a wet patch on the left knee.

“I am not fond of animals that try to maul me, which is pretty much all felines.”

“I was thinking about getting another cat.” Changbin kept looking ahead at the blue sky. It took him a while until he noticed Hyunjin had stopped in his tracks, looking at Changbin blankly. “Don’t be so dramatic, it’s not like you’re in your bird form inside my apartment.” 

Hyunjin relunctantly catched up to Changbin, a frown on his face. Apparently the thing with being somewhat of a bird was that cats were not their favourite animal to hang out with, even in human form.

“If you want to.” Hyunjin mumbled, uncapping his bottle of water.

“We sound like a married couple talking about having kids.” He said with a scoff, remembering a story his parents once told him. Hyunjin choked hard on his water. Changbin patted him in the back worriedly, the younger had gotten beat red from the strain clutching at his knees. A few heads of random passersby turned at the commotion. “You good? That’s why I always stop to drink water.”

“That’s not... nevermind.” Hyunjin barely had any voice left, still coughing up his lungs.

They walked around the park in silence for a little while before heading back to Changbin’s apartment. They landed on the sofa unceremoniously, their stomachs content and bodies lax. Changbin turned the tv back on, playing a random variety show. Next to him Hyunjin slouched more and more on the sofa until he was half lying down. Wordlessly, he grabbed Hyunjin’s legs and put them over his lap. He got a sleepy grateful smile in return and not long after, he could hear soft, even breaths coming from the side. Minho appeared from some corner and wrapped around himself, leaning right by Hyunjin’s torso. Changbin laughed quietly at the sight. Hyunjin, who said he had a strong dislike for cats but secretly petted them with a smile, currently cuddling with one. Pulling out his phone from his pocket, Changbin snapped a quick picture to show him later. They were now at a stage of their friendship where blackmail material was allowed. 

Changbin absentmindedly rubbed his thumbs over Hyunjin’s legs, wondering how much he worked out from feeling the muscles on his calves, if his skin was as smooth as it looked. Changbin shook his head to get those thoughts out. He had no idea where that had honestly come from. He let his eyes close for what felt like a few minutes until he heard a notification from his phone. His friends were on their way over so he decided to wake up Hyunjin. He knew the younger would need a pep talk.

“Come on wake up.” He got up from under Hyunjin’s legs trying to shake him awake, resulting in protesting grumbles. Somehow Hyunjin managed to hit one of Changbin’s knees when moving around, making him stumble forward. Changbin had to put his hand right next to Hyunjin’s face on the armrest to regain balance, the other on the top of the sofa. 

The sun occasionally peaked through the clouds, the fading light entering through the windows illuminating the space, and in the light Hyunjin’s hair shone blue. A few hair strands tickled Changbin’s hand. His curiosity took the best of him, his hand feeling the silky long hair. Hyunjin purred like a cat or like a crow, Changbin couldn’t decide which one, his eyes opening slowly as Changbin got lost in the feeling. Hyunjin gazed right at him with half lidded eyes, and Changbin felt his pulse quicken.

“Hi.“ Hyunjin whispered.

“Hi.” Changbin straightened his posture, his eyes still not leaving Hyunjin.

“Don’t stop, it feels good.” Hyunjin pouted and stretched himself, effectively dislodging Minho who jumped out of the sofa. 

“For someone who says they don’t like cats, you sure behave a lot like them.”

Hyunjin grumbled and tried to tackle Changbin when he showed Hyunjin a photo of him cuddling with Minho. 

“Hyung.” He whined, sitting back on the sofa after running laps around the furniture trying to catch Changbin. At the end of it they were both slightly out of breath, Minho judging them as he sat by the bedroom door. 

“They should be here at any minute now.” As he had predicted, Hyunjin started to stress out.

“I need to brush my hair, how are my clothes, should I change them?” 

“Hyunjin, relax.” Changbin stepped in front of him, grabbing him by his shoulders. From afar Changbin imagines it being quite a comical scene, it was like he was a coach giving a pep talk to his player on a very important life changing game, not hanging out casually with other people.

“Sorry, I’m just a bit anxious. Haven’t done this in a long time haha.” The laugh came painfully dry and awkward. Changbin just wished he could absorb whatever nervousness Hyunjin carried to let the younger one relax and just enjoy the moment.

“There will be alcohol, are you okay with that?” Hyunjin nodded in response. “Want to drink a bit to loosen up?” At that moment the doorbell rang. Hyunjin’s eyes widened and he grabbed Changbin’s arm a bit too strongly, startled by the sudden loud noise.

“If you want out give me a signal anytime.” Hyunjin gave him a small smile and walked with Changbin to the door.

The greetings went down smoothly, Hyunjin was a little stiff at first but the soft hug Felix immediately gave him made him more at ease. Chan immediately went dad mode introducing everyone properly seeing how fidgety and nervous Hyunjin was. They always teased Chan for it, especially Seungmin and Felix but on the inside they were all thankful to him. After all, it was thanks to Chan who collected them all like pokemons and worked as a glue to their little group that they all became close knitted friends to this day. Hyunjin had been slightly nervous meeting Minho in his human form but the guy didn’t suspect a thing. Behind everyone was Jeongin, and when he and Hyunjin saw each other a flash of recognition passed through their eyes. Changbin looked at them quizzically but made no mention of it seeing their small smiles. Maybe Hyunjin would tell him later. 

They started flooding the kitchen with bags full of ingredients. One of their little rituals was to cook dinner together when they could. Ordering would be a lot easier and less messy but they preferred it this way. The apartment became so lively like this, some helping in the kitchen, others preparing the sitting area and playing games in the meanwhile. It was home and they were family and Changbin would never trade this for anything. He smiled seeing Hyunjin integrating well with the group. He assumed he would become Minho’s favourite from the way the older kept exclaiming how it was nice to have someone who actually knew what they were doing helping in the kitchen besides Felix and then looking pointedly at Changbin who raised his arms in defeat. 

“So.” Chan said leaning on the top of the sofa next to Changbin who looked over the open floor plan with a full heart. He could see everyone from there minus Seungmin and Jeongin who were already playing cards and talking softly by the coffee table.

“So?” Changbin had an inkling on where the conversation was going and the smirk in Chan’s face made him nervous for some reason. “He seems like a good kid.” 

“He is.” Changbin could not stop the smile that bloomed across his face that even Chan was surprised about. “He’s also tall as hell and I hate him for that.”

“You match well, that way he can grab the things on the top shelves that you can’t reach.” With quick reflexes and already expecting it, Chan dodged Changbin’s slap to his arm.

“Like you can talk much hyung.”

They went on bantering about all kinds of stuff, talking about their lives until dinner was served and all seven of them squeezed on the floor sitting at the coffee table. Changbin had bought a bigger table when he moved in, knowing he would have his friends over frequently but with the addition of another person maybe it was time to buy a bigger one.

“I think it’s finally time for you to buy an actual dinner table.” Minho said.

“Don’t want to, takes too much space. It’s easier to get a bigger coffee table.”

The topic was dropped but Changbin kept thinking about it. He liked their usual closeness, the mess of limbs always knocking on each other but with Hyunjin’s long legs joining the mixture it was starting to become a struggle. 

After cleaning up everything they brought down the alcohol and the board games. Hyunjin elected to watch Changbin play as he explained to him some of the things he didn’t understand and even shared some of his tips.

“Hyunjinie play with us please.” Felix, the official light weight of the group, grumbled already quite tipsy.

“Should we?” Jeongin asked, his voice dropping low.

“Is it time?” This time it was Seungmin. Changbin could see Hyunjin gulping nervously by his side at the sudden change in the atmosphere.

“I think it is.” Chan declared in all seriousness. The mood in the room went quiet. They looked around each other as if this was the wild west and they were about to pull the guns.

“I’m going to get it.” Changbin broke the silence. He got up and he could feel Hyunjin’s eyes on his back all of the way. When he returned Hyunjin’s large puppy eyes were still on him asking wordlessly what’s going on.

“It is time for UNO.”

Hyunjin sighed in relief while everyone else lost it and started laughing like it was the funniest thing ever. Changbin felt a tiny bit bad for scaring Hyunjin but he was about to see how UNO brought the worst in them. It would soon become a warzone. They weren’t particularly competitive when playing other games but with UNO all hell breaks loose and it’s every man for himself. They even had a specific notebook where they noted their scores. Seungmin was the official referee and the one deemed responsible for registering down the scores.

“Should we start a new scoreboard?” There were a few complaints, mainly from Minho and Chan who were at the top of the ranking while everyone else jumped in agreement.

“It’s only fair for our Hyunjinnie.” Felix, the current bottom of the tier, spoke in a singsong. Sober Felix was a monster UNO player, capable of the championship win but to balance it out was drunk Felix who made questionable decisions which ended up toppling over the scale and all balance was lost.

They briefly went over the rules and on which occasions they had to take a shot. The rounds went as chaotic as it possibly could (it got to a point Felix had to draw twelve cards), and soon Hyunjin declared truce. Their initiation ritual consisted of dogpilling every card on top of the new member so Hyunjin ended up having to drown shot after shot. 

Changbin passed him a bottle of water before Hyunjin fell asleep on the rug. Apparently Hyunjin was a sleepy drunk which they all found adorable and amusing at the same time. When it looked like he was about to topple over, Changbin scooted closer and Hyunjin made himself at home on Changbin's shoulder, eventually falling asleep there.

“I like him, his hugs are really nice, he’s nice, can we keep him?” Felix mumbled. He was the one person who their friend group trusted the most as a character judge since he had a sixth sense for it. It was scarily accurate how the people who didn’t pass Felix’s vibe check ended up revealing themselves to be untrustworthy. Changbin learned the hard way that he should have trusted Felix when he caught his previous partner cheating.

“He can join us anytime if he wants to and everybody agrees.” Minho declared. He had already developed a soft spot for Hyunjin. Followed by that came a chorus of agreement and Changbin didn’t miss the happiness in Jeongin’s smile and the long look he gave Hyunjin. 

The group called for the night and went back home. Changbin had dropped Hyunjin on the sofa as he cleared the mess since Minho (the cat) liked to play with everything he could get his paws on. He also refilled his bowls having an inkling he would get up quite late. As he was doing that he heard a crash. 

Looking behind him he spotted arms and legs sprawled on the floor from under the sofa. Hyunjin did not bother moving back up.

“Where is everyone?” His words came out slurred.

“They went back. Come on, let's go brush our teeth.” Changbin nudged him but Hyunjin glued himself to the rug grumbling in protest and Changbin had to resort to negotiating. “You can sleep all day tomorrow.” 

“That sounds nice.” Hyunjin giggled. Changbin couldn’t stop being endeared by him, by the melodic happiness and starry slightly unfocused eyes. Seeing as he made no effort to move, Changbin pulled Hyunjin up, careful to not jostle him too much.

After brushing their teeth, Changbin dragged Hyunjin to his bedroom and laid him down on bed carefully, tucking the covers over him. When he was about to leave to crash on the sofa a hand pulled him back.

“Hyung, where you going?” Hyunjin asked him with his eyes already closed, like he was about to fall asleep mid conversation.

“Sofa. You’ll hurt yourself badly if you keep falling and the floor is not comfortable to sleep on.” Changbin tried to free himself but despite being drunk, Hyunjin’s grip on his arm was persistent and he was now dragging Changbin down. 

“Stay here, bed‘s big enough.” He whined.

“You don’t mind?”

Hyunjin shook his head so Changbin climbed to the other side of the bed. Minho was forced to relocate to the feet of the bed and made sure to let them know he was displeased with that by pushing his body against Changbin. Next to him, Hyunjin scooted closer asking for cuddles. Changbin complied, letting him curl on his side. Drunk Hyunjin did not only become sleepy but also clingy, it was cute, really. Changbin also knew Hyunjin would die of embarrassment tomorrow morning and he would enjoy teasing him about it forever.

- ✩ -

Changbin woke up to something heavy in his chest. He figured it was probably Minho who would sometimes use him as a pillow but when he opened his eyes all he saw was a mop of raven hair. He tried to move but couldn’t really, with Hyunjin’s entire weight on top of him. He felt like he was in a furnace, the covers trapping down the heat of their bodies and Hyunjin clinging to him like a koala. Changbin really needed to move, he could feel his wet shirt glued to his sweaty back as he was forcefully pressed against the mattress. 

He wanted to move while at the same time not wanting to. Everything was so peaceful, Hyunjin’s soft breaths in sync with his, lulling him back to sleep. But it was so damn hot. Changbin swiped the hair that had fallen on Hyunjin’s face, the younger reacting by burying his head on Changbin’s chest and hugging him tighter. In hindsight that probably had not been the best decision, escaping the crow boy’s claws had now become more difficult but at least he got to see that face completely unaware to the events happening in the world and to Changbin’s inner turmoil. He looked so at peace. Changbin knew Hyunjin felt insecure on the inside, that he tried to hide the sadness and self doubt but when he thought Changbin wasn’t watching, it showed. But now, his features were calm, untroubled by all of those thoughts.

Changbin didn’t notice that all this time he kept running his fingers through Hyunjin’s hair until Hyunjin started purring, his eyes opening up slowly and then bulging comically wide when he realized he was squeezing the life out of Changbin. Hyunjin sat up quickly and immediately regretted going by the way he smothered his temples, probably from the hangover.

“I’m so sorry, are you okay, did I make you uncomfortable? People tell me I cling to them when drunk I’m really sorry it won’t happen agai-”

“Good morning to you too.” Changbin interrupted Hyunjin’s long exasperated ramble. He expected Hyunjin to be slightly embarrassed, not full on panicking, so he grabbed his hand and smiled at him to get the tension to dissipate. It worked, Hyunjin’s shoulders losing their stiffness. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts a bit but I’ll manage. I’m still sorry about... you know. I don’t remember much of what happened, I hope I didn’t push any boundaries.” Hyunjin spoke more slowly this time, his face flushing pink.

“You have nothing to worry about, you even asked for permission to cuddle so don’t stress. Though I might ask for cuddles in the winter, you’re a damn furnace.” At that Hyunjin’s face went even more red. Changbin laughed at him and received a slap to his arm.

They ordered hangover soup and spent the rest of the day inside. Hyunjin ended up going back to bed, already claiming a spot in it. Changbin didn’t mind, he went to his desk after a shower and grabbed a notebook, sketching whatever came to his mind. He would usually play some music in the background, but he didn’t want to disturb Hyunjin. It might also have something to do with the fact that this time he did not need to fill the empty house with some noise, because he didn’t feel lonely. It was silent but it was there, the feeling of someone keeping him company.

- ☂ -

It was storming pretty badly when Changbin finished his work. He looked out the window, the raindrops hitting with full force, blurring his view of the outside that was cast in grey shadows. A flash of white hit his eyes, the rumbling sound coming later. His mind immediately went to Hyunjin. He should probably be finishing up work by now but that still left him with a trip back home in this storm. He could easily imagine it, Hyunjin dripping wet as he walked through the grey sidewalks, flinching whenever a thunder ripped through the skies. 

The person you tried to reach is unavailable-

He tried calling again, maybe Hyunjin was already home and there was nothing to worry about.

“Hyung?” From the other side came a small familiar voice. Changbin let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“Hey, sorry for calling while you’re still at work.”

“Oh I already finished, just closed the shop.” Changbin heard another thunder and a curse over the static of the phone. 

“How are you going home?” He heard fumbling from the other side. Something dropped to the floor and there was another curse.

“By foot, it’s just a five minute walk. But I’ll stay here for now.”

“Send me the address.”

“What, wait-”

“Unless you can't, I forgot to ask. Can regular people know about the shop?” Now it was Changbin’s time to ramble. He didn’t know what he himself was doing, the words leaving his mouth without thinking.

“Yeah it’s fine, you can come by anytime. I’ll message you the address.” He could hear the smile in Hyunjin's voice, the image of him with his messy hair in a half ponytail and lips curved upwards crossed Changbin’s mind making him smile to himself. He decided to promptly ignore whatever rumbled on his chest.

With a plastic bag on one hand, an umbrella in the other and soaked hems of the pants, he found the inconspicuous shop. It was hidden in the midst of tall buildings, a dim street light to a corner casting a yellow light over it. Han’s trinkets said the sign above the small half glass door. The potted plants that filled the display space by the window resembled a miniature forest covered with crystals and books. From the top, rectangles of pretty paper or fabric were hung, covered in decorative patterns with swirls in the middle that Changbin assumed was some type of writing. 

Hyunjin opened the door, making Changbin jump. He hadn’t even notified Hyunjin he had arrived. A thunder broke Changbin out of his stupor, briefly illuminating the dark shop whose only source of light came from a door in the back. Hyunjin flinched at the sound and stepped to the side letting Changbin in.

The door closed behind him while a little bell rang above. The inside of the shop was small, the walls covered with tall bookshelves full of books and other trinkets, the book’s spines mimicking old tomes. In the middle there were more shelves full of other objects similar to those on the display and more plants decorating the place. To his right was an old looking wooden counter and behind another shelf with vials, their liquids of all colours. Next to that shelf was the door from where a warm light came out.

“You can look around if you want but it looks better during the day.” Hyunjin was still by the entrance door, hands behind his back in a way that would seem nonchalant if not for the rocking back and forth and the pink dusting his cheeks that Changbin could see even in the dim light.

“Is that an invitation?” Changbin smirked and Hyunjin mumbled trying to find the words. 

“What’s in there?” Hyunjin elected to ask, dodging the teasing by pointing to the bag.

“Dinner. We can stay here and go back when it calms down.”

Hyunjin nooded and walked through the door nudging Changbin to follow him. Against the wall next to the door was a sofa and a blanket strewn across. On the other side there was a kitchenette, the stove full of pots. There was an archway next to it that led to a storage. Hyunjin scooted the papers and other materials that looked like ingredients for something to a corner of the table that was in the  middle of the room and disappeared into the storage to grab two chairs.

Changbin heard something crash and sighed somewhat not surprised. He waited as he took out the containers, putting them on the table. 

“You good?” Changbin asked.

“Yeah. Sorry for the mess.” 

“It’s fine. Were you planning to spend the night here?” He asked as they started to dig in the food.

“I usually do during bad storms.” Hyunjin looked at Changbin, hesitating about the next part. “I can’t really walk around alone during thunderstorms.” He looked embarrassed about the fact, like Changbin was judging him. No matter how many times Changbin told him there was nothing he had to worry about, that Changbin would be honest with him and not be judgemental, Hyunjin would still be afraid of speaking his heart on subjects like these.

“What if you walk with someone?”

“It’s easier I guess. I just don’t want to be a bother to anyone.” He spoke in a small voice.

“Hey, you know you can talk to me anytime about anything. And you can ask me for help, I do it out of my free will. Okay?” Changbin nudged him with his foot under the table until he got a reaction from Hyunjin who just looked blankly at him. 

After a while Hyunjin sighed, fixing his gaze to the rice bowl in front of him “You’re a good person, you know that?”

“Shut up.” Changbin felt his own cheeks heating up. He wasn’t sure why the compliment affected him so much especially when he was just an average person, Hyunjin just had been unlucky with the people he met. Hyunjin trapped Changbin’s foot between his trying to get Changbin to look at him.

They spent the rest of the meal talking and after it Hyunjin showed him some of the stuff around. He even got to assist Hyunjin as he made a small batch of potions for the next day.

“Do you get regular humans here often?”

“Not really, most of our customers are all magical beings. Most of our stuff is harmless to those without magic anyway and we only sell potions to those we know have magic.” Hyunjin answered as he looked for something while Changbin stirred the pot.

“Do you just ask them if they have magic or what?”

“I can feel their magic. And if a regular human asks for a vial we say they're part of the shop’s decor.”

“Is that something everyone can do? Feel other’s magic?” Changbin heard a book fall from its precarious position next to the younger and both of them sighed at the same time.

“Most people can, I think.” Hyunjin mumbled.

“So you make potions, enchant rocks, can feel people’s magic, transform into a crow, know how to cook like a chef and you’re kind and handsome? Wow, life truly is unfair.”

Hyunjin had his back towards Changbin but he could see how Hyunjin’s ears were red. He watched as Hyunjin crouched, hiding his face in his hands. Changbin couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled in his chest.  

“Stop.” Hyunjin grumbled, making Changbin laugh even more at how embarrassed he was.

Distracted with the teasing, Changbin had stopped stirring the pot, making the liquid overflow. 

“Oh god, Hyunjin the potion!” 

After they stored and cleaned the mess made, they sat on the sofa, their legs intertwined and talked about the day. Changbin truly felt at peace with Hyunjin, he could talk about the most stupid ideas he had to the most deep complex problems and feelings and Hyunjin would always listen and offer his own thoughts. And it was the same the other way around, he would hear Hyunjin and give him advice but what he loved the most was their silly discussions and little adventures whether it was going outside or just trying new recipes or making potions like today. He felt so alive.

“I think the thunderstorm has passed, do you want to go now? I’ll walk you home.” Hyunjin nodded but didn’t move from the sofa. Changbin knew it would be uncomfortable to spend the night here, the sofa was even smaller than the one he had at home and the only pillow had barely any filling.

“Okay, let’s go.” They put their shoes back on. Changbin got up first and extended a hand that Hyunjin took, pulling him to his feet and they were so close like this. Changbin had to look up and those starry eyes were there looking back at him. With every breath he inhaled Hyunjin’s scent. It was fresh like cotton detergent and coconut from Hyunjin’s favourite lotion with hints of the herbs used for the potion. Changbin was so drawn into him, like he was under a spell, a moth to a flame. 

He forced himself to break apart, to let go of Hyunjin’s hand and to walk back to the shop’s main door with Hyunjin following close by. 

“Oh, I forgot I lent my umbrella to a client earlier.” Hyunjin said, eyes wide and apologetic.

“We can share mine. Lead the way.” 

Changbin held the umbrella as Hyunjin clocked the front door. In those few seconds he could already feel his pants becoming soaked, the wind sending the droplets of water in every direction. Hyunjin clung to him, hugging his right arm tightly, head almost buried in his shoulder. It made it easier to stay under the umbrella that way because of their height difference but it made it harder to walk straight. It didn’t take long for Changbin to feel like a glass about to break, his left side soaked in cold rain, the wind freezing his side, while his right was burning like wildfire. 

“Do you want to come in? The downpour should calm down soon, you can stay in the meantime.” Hyunjin gnawed his lip nervously as Changbin pondered the offer that he ended up accepting. When they had turned the corner to Hyunjin’s street the sky deployed all of its water instantly and it was still going strong so he guessed waiting until it calmed down wouldn’t hurt. Hyunjin cursed under his breath as soon as they stepped inside.

“I’m so sorry for the mess. I want to say it’s not usually like this but that would be a lie.” Hyunjin rambled on, moving stuff around. Changbin grabbed his arm gently to stop him.

“Hey, don’t worry. I actually really love places like this.” Changbin was being honest, while his house had light walls and floors, sleek modern furniture that was mostly black, still with an airy feeling to it with it’s open clean space, it was cold at the same time. Hyunjin’s was the exact opposite, the walls were a burnt red, the paint obviously old, the furniture of different wood colours, the surfaces covered either with books, bottles or vials with magical objects in it, and plants everywhere. It was a lived in space, small but cozy and warm, full of colour but it did not make Changbin feel cramped. He liked the mess and he loved painting these types of spaces for his art classes. It was so full of detail one could easily get lost in the story behind the space and in the story every little object carried.

“I’m going to get you something to change before you catch a cold. Can you get the water boiling?” 

Changbin followed Hyunjin inside. To the left of the entrance there was a door to a bathroom, and a few steps forward there was the living room with one big window. A small kitchen was tucked in on the wall opposite of the window. Changbin walked up there and did as Hyunjin asked. He heard him rummaging in his bedroom, the door in between the open kitchen and living room. 

“You can change in my room, the bathroom is a bit too cramped.” Hyunjin struggled to keep eye contact, his cheeks blooming a pretty pink. Changbin understood he felt shy about showing his house in this state. 

He thanked him and closed the bedroom door. Changbin tried not to look around too much and got dressed as fast as possible. When he put his hand on the handle he saw a decorative grid on the door with wooden clips securing various photos. He smiled when he spotted a baby photo that was clearly of Hyunjin, those same eyes, dark hair and little mole under his eye recognizable by a mile. There were more photos with what he assumed to be Hyunjin’s family and others with a friend. There were also ripped pieces of paper cutouts with pretty drawings of birds, plants and scenery. Maybe one day he could give Hyunjin something to clip in there, to keep a little memory of Changbin. He grazed his fingers through the dried flowers and crystal necklaces secured by strips of rope. 

When he opened the door a waft of earth and tea flooded his nose. Hyunjin did a double take when he spotted Changbin. 

“Freaking giant.” Was all Changbin said before hearing a snort. The pants legs pooled at his feet. At least the yellow hoodie fitted better but he still felt like he was drowning in it.   

“You look good hyung. Try not to trip.” Hyunjin’s gaze lingered for a bit longer before he moved to the sofa carrying two tea cups. He himself had changed into his pyjamas judging by the fluffy pants. 

They sipped their tea silently, huddled under the same blanket, the tv being the only source of light. It didn’t take long for Hyunjin to fall asleep nestled to Changbin’s side. Changbin had stayed put, his eyelids heavy but as much as he wanted to not move, he couldn’t stay. 

Carefully he grabbed Hyunjin in his arms and carried him to the bedroom. He struggled to pull the covers to the side with a limp body on his arms but not even with all the jolts did Hyunjin wake up. He tucked him in, sweeping the long hairs out of his face. Hyunjin hummed in content. 

With Hyunjin safely at home Changbin got ready to leave, his heart beating more at ease. He changed back into his pants still humid from the rain but kept the hoodie, pulling his jacket on top. Closing the doors quietly he stepped into the rain that had turned to a slight drizzle.

When he opened the door to his own apartment he was greeted by a waiting Minho rubbing his fur all over his clothes. 

Changbin took a quick shower that warmed up his skin and afterwards put Hyunjin’s hoodie back on only because it was a cozy and comfortable fabric. And if anyone were to ask Changbin why he wore it again and again he would give that same excuse and not because it smelled like cotton detergent, because it made him feel less alone, because it smelled like Hyunjin. Like home.

- ☼ -

Changbin was on his way home when he decided to stop by a certain shop. He had finished a meeting with a new client and the bus he took back stopped a street over. Since he had gone out, Changbin bought a slice of cake that he knew was Hyunjin’s favourite. Soon it would also be time for the shop to close for the week and he knew Hyunjin was excited for a weekend of rest but also ready to drop dead at any second since Fridays were one of the busiest days at the occult shop.

The little bell rang above his head. There were not many people at the moment and they were all busy looking around so he walked to the counter where Hyunjin was attending a client. When said client turned around they both froze, speaking at the same time.

“Changbin hyung?”

“Jeongin?”

What was Jeongin doing in the occult shop, did he also have magic? Or maybe he had a crush on Hyunjin? Something in his chest flamed at that though. He shook his head. Changbin remembered when Jeongin and Hyunjin first met in their group setting, the recognition flashing through their eyes, them getting along so well so quickly. 

“What brings you here?” Jeongin’s tentative voice brought him out of his daze. Jeongin was clearly nervous but he still spoke steadily.

“I- uhm- to visit Hyunjin.” Now that he had said it outloud it for some reason made him shy even though this was just a friendly visit.

“He knows about me.” Hyunjin spoke behind Jeongin, looking at Changbin softly. 

“Oh. Oh? Oh .” Jeongin kept looking between the two. Something about the way he pronounced those oh’s made them both nervous, especially when a foxy grin covered his face. Changbin gulped.

Someone approached to pay so Changbin and Jeongin stepped aside and walked to a quiet corner.

“Do you also transform into a bird, or maybe a fox?” Changbin nudged Jeongin’s shoulder hoping to release some tension. Jeongin relaxed and gave him a smile.

“I can’t really do that and generally not many can, it’s pretty powerful magic. I’m just an aura reader.” He opened up.

“What does that mean?” Changbin was still trying to process that apparently shifting was a pretty big deal yet Hyunjin kept discrediting himself. He really wished his friend would be a little more confident in his abilities.

“I can see a person’s aura and figure out their emotions. It’s like there’s a cloud around one's body with its own colour that acts depending on the person’s mood. And when you interact with someone the auras do too.” Jeongin explained with a nonchalant tone, like they were discussing the weather. Changbin felt his head spin slightly trying to envision it all in his head.

“Give me an example please. Or like, make a drawing.”

“You know when Seungmin and Minho start their weird arguments?” They both made a face, those arguments were just the most random things, completely meaningless. But behind the frowns of those two were always smiles, it was their way of showing friendship. Changbin never truly understood it but he wasn’t even going to make the effort to try, it sounded like it would only lead to a headache. 

“Yeah, no need to remind me.” 

“Their auras interact like oil in water, it’s really funny. Usually when people don’t get along some blobs of their aura get separated and dissipate into the air but theirs are like soap bubbles that get absorbed into each other's, despite being oil and water.” Changbin nodded, he could totally see what Jeongin meant. “Your auras dance with each other, it’s really beautiful.” Jeongin added looking straight at Changbin like he could read his soul.

“Whose?” He licked his lips nervously, having a feeling he knew who Jeongin was referring to. 

Jeongin’s grin only grew wilder.

“Have fun on your date.” The little devil said as he waved goodbye to Changbin and Hyunjin who had been walking toward them after the last client left, and who was now frozen midway blinking furiously. The bell above the door jingled, signalling the two of them were now alone. 

“Had a meeting with a client close by and got you something from a certain bakery down the street.” He showed off the brown paper bag with the bakery logo in front and he got to see Hyunjin’s eyes immediately brightening with a thousand stars.

“So that’s why the suit.” Hyunjin hesitated before speaking again. “You look good.” He turned around to run his inventory check, leaving a stunned, blushing Changbin there. Changbin did not understand why his body was reacting that way, yes receiving compliments was nice but it should not be to the point of turning him into the blue screen error.   

“Hyung mind if we go to my place?” 

They did the same as last time, Changbin waited as Hyunjin locked the door and they walked back the same path. Though this time Hyunjin was not glued to his arm and the weather was clear, the sun lowering on the sky heating his body in contrast to the freezing cold from the rain of that day.

When the door opened Hyunjin’s apartment was bathed in light, the red walls burning orange with the glow. He wanted to record the sight forever and so he did. 

Changbin pulled up a chair and sat on it, the shelves covered with beautiful green leaves framing the wall to his right. He grabbed his most treasured sketchbook he carried with him despite rarely using it. He only drew on it when his heart told him to, when he wanted to record a memory. He balanced it on his crossed leg but his pants were a tad too constrictive.

“I still have your shirt from last time.” He heard Hyunjin speak from the kitchen.

“Nice I’ll change into it then. Can I steal some pants?” 

“Like you stole my favourite hoodie hyung?” Changbin followed Hyunjin to the bedroom and waited as he searched for the clothes.

“Hey, not my fault, how would I know it’s your favourite.” He bickered back.

“You can keep it if you like it.” Changbin barely caught it. The smile in Hyunjin’s face turned soft. “You always wear dark clothes, I wanted to see you in something colourful.” He handed Changbin the clothes, they had been washed, his shirt now smelling like Hyunjin’s laundry.

Changbin sat back down on the chair, having already changed. Hyunjin was misting the plants, a hand delicately supporting a vine. The setting sun behind created a halo over Hyunjin. When he turned to look at Changbin, a content smile on his face and eyes full of stars, Changbin realized.

He is in love with Hyunjin.

Changbin worked on the paper until the natural light faded out. Usually when drawing his mind would be clear but this time it wouldn’t stop running with thoughts. He was calmer than what he expected, feelings, especially love stressed him out generally but with Hyunjin he felt at peace. 

He wondered if the way Jeongin had looked at them meant he knew something even before Changbin had fully understood what his feelings meant.

“There’s a new place that opened close by, want to eat there or just cook something?” Hyunjin asked.

“The weather is pretty good, it would be nice to go for a walk.” Changbin stretched upwards and Hyunjin spotted an opportunity to smack his belly.

“Sorry, couldn’t resist. Oh no, stop I’m sorry.” Hyunjin begged as Changbin hugged him from behind, squeezing the life out of him and lifting him into the air, Hyunjin’s hair covering his face. Changbin’s hands lingered in the other’s waist for a second longer than it should, the tips of his fingers burning.

The sky slipped into a dark blue when they left the apartment. The streets were lively, with people walking around, lines of cars passing in the narrow streets, their red and white lights blinding them.   

The restaurant was tucked in a side street, with a view to a small children’s park. It was a small place, the furniture typical of an older korean restaurant. While they waited for their orders Changbin twisted his wrists frowning when they popped. Hyunjin grabbed his right wrist and started massaging it, the pain dissipating under his fingertips. Even after he stopped the massage, Hyunjin kept playing with his hand like he often did. 

They ate at their own pace and after finishing Hyunjin pulled Changbin to the park sitting on the swigs.

“I can hear you thinking.” Changbin had noticed the air of concentration on Hyunjin as he rocked back and forth.

“I wish I had space to grow some flowers, look at those camellias, aren't they pretty?” Hyunjin pointed to the bush next to them, a pout set on his lips.

“I know it’s not the same as having it in your own place but you can use my balcony, you use it more than I do anyway.” Changbin shrugged. Yeah he was absolutely smitten.

“Seriously?” There was a hopeful tone in Hyunjin’s voice. Changbin smiled at him and nodded.

“Seriously.” 

- ❀ -

Changbin was brushing Minho’s fur when a dark shadow flew by the window. It didn’t take long for Hyunjin to open the sliding door that Changbin always left unlocked now.

“Hi” Hyunjin greeted a bit out of breath.

“Hey, got some juice in the fridge for you.” Changbin went to grab the lint roller and only then did he realize he was wearing Hyunjin’s yellow hoodie. Hyunjin hadn’t said anything but he had probably noticed it already so it would have been more suspicious to change out of it now. 

Hyunjin sat at a corner of the sofa hugging his knees stealing glances at Changbin.

“Did you mean it the other day?"

Changbin stopped to think about what Hyunjin was talking about. “The balcony?” Hyunjin nodded.

“I meant it, you can do anything to it.” Hyunjin jumped in a cheer, scaring Minho. He immediately went to grab the broom. Hyunin was so familiar with his house anyone would think he also lived here.

The weather had heated up or maybe it was Hyunjin that brought the warmth with him, forcing Changbin to take off the hoodie revealing the white t-shirt underneath. Hyunjin wolf whistled and Changbin could feel his ears turning red. However he would not surrender this fight. What fight, Changbin didn’t know.

“Like what you see?” He moved his eyebrows up and down to send the message across. At the end both ended in a stuttering mess but at least, in Changbin’s honest opinion, he would say he won with a slight upper lead.

Hyunjin was about to start sweeping the balcony when both spotted something glinting. He crouched down and grabbed it, a silver necklace wrapped in his slender fingers.

“I thought you had stopped bringing me stuff like this?”

“I- uhn.” Hyunjin couldn’t hold his gaze on Changbin for more than a few seconds. “I know you like silver jewellery and I saw this and thought you would like it.” 

“You could have just given it to me. By hand you know? Like you’re doing now.” Changbin raised his eyebrow at Hyunjin whose cheeks were flushing pink. Changbin decided to save him from further embarrassment. “I like it, it’s pretty.” 

“Can I put it on you?” Hyunjin’s voice was steady, taking Changbin aback. 

Hyunjin, who couldn’t even look him in the face mere seconds ago, now had such an intense gaze that it made Changbin swallow nervously and sent shivers down his spine. At that moment Changbin felt small, like he was going to be sucked into the black hole that were Hyunjin’s pretty orbs, the stars inside guiding him into the deep darkness. 

He nodded and Hyunjin stepped closer, never once averting his gaze. Changbin could feel Hyunjin’s breath on his skin as the taller swiftly clasped the necklace around his neck without even looking. He would be more impressed by the fact that Hyunjin’s clumsy hands managed to do that perfectly if he didn’t feel like he would implode at any moment now.

Changbin looked at the necklace, feeling the small black jewel in between his fingers.

“Thank you.” 

When Changbin lifted his head Hyunjin was looking at him softly. He felt all warm inside so he took a step away to get some distance and allow himself to breathe in the air that was not filled with Hyunjin’s intoxicating fragrance.

Changbin cleaned his throat. “Do you need help with anything here?” 

Hyunjin shook his head and he took that as his queue to escape and busied himself with toasting some bread. 

This was their routine now. Hyunjin would come on Saturday mornings and they would laze around for a while, then Changbin would prepare some toast while Hyunjin would sit by his side on the counter.

“I have some pots at my friend’s place, would it be okay if he came here to bring them?” Hyunjin asked, puppy eyes full on display. If Changbin already had a hard time saying no to anything Hyunjin asked of him, now it was impossible to deny him of any request. Hyunjin’s eyes lit up when Changbin gave him the okay, pulling out his phone to text his friend.

After they ate, they went back to the balcony. The sun was now high in the sky, the balcony from the upstairs apartment giving them some much appreciated shade.

Hyunjin casted a spell, a translucent veil creating itself out of thin air like walls surrounding the balcony. Changbin could easily see the world outside and he wouldn't even realize there was something there if not for the soft lilac shade moving like ink on water. Hyunjin didn’t usually cast spells in front of him but when he did it was beautiful.

Hyunjin must have read Changbin’s confused expression. “It’s a concealing veil, people can’t see what is going on beyond it, it’s like a freeze frame.” 

Changbin hummed. Hyunjin snapped his fingers, a golden sparkle hovering in the air for a moment before it crossed the veil and disappeared behind the concrete jungle. 

He was about to ask what was that for when the air next to him shifted. 

“Hey Jinnie. Mom was asking if you wanted to come for lunch tomorrow.”

The guy appeared out of thin air like it was nothing and he owned the place. He gave a quick hug to Hyunjin and only when he turned did he noticed Changbin standing there like a sitting duck.

“Oh hey.” The guy said to him.

“Hi, I’m Changbin.” When he introduced himself the guy’s round eyes lighted up, and his face parted in a big smile, his full cheeks bunching up cutely.

“You’re the one Hyunjin always talks about. Nice to finally meet you, I’m Jisung.” 

Changbin could tell Hyunjin was internally face palming and he let himself grin at that. “Only good things I hope.”

Hyunjin cleared his throat, throwing Jisung a death glare. He walked to the border of the place Jisung got out from and only now did Changbin realize it was a portal, the other side revealing a rooftop with large flower pots.

Changbin stepped aside and watched as both of the magicians? witches? warlocks? he would have to ask later - levitated some of the flower pots, making them fly across the portal, placing them on Changbin’s balcony. Now that was a very useful skill.

He watched as they adjusted the place of everything. They sounded like real brothers when interacting, bickering with each other. Changbin loved seeing Hyunjin carefree like this, his eyes turning into crescents, pearly white teeth on full display and his bright laugh an instant serotonin boost for anyone around. He looked like someone out of a fairy tail especially now, his elegant hands covered in dirt as he replotted a flower, his hair tucked behind an ear, the few wisps that escaped framing his face, flowers all around him. Out of all the flowers, Hyunjin was the prettiest in Changbin’s mind.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Jisung grabbed Changbin’s arm, turning his back to Hyunjin and speaking quietly. Changbin nodded and they walked inside out of earsight. 

“Thank you for doing this. I’ve been really busy lately and I could tell it was also affecting Hyunjin. And ever since he met you he has been uhm how do I put it?” Jisung pondered, Changbin was honestly not expecting this kind of talk after only meeting Hyunjin’s friend for the first time. “Free? Yeah, he’s been more carefree, less trapped inside his own head, and he is even more confident and comfortable in his magic and for that I am extremely grateful.” Changbin tried to fight off the smile that came up when he heard that last part. 

“But now listen. You seem like a nice guy and all but it wouldn’t be the first time someone was nice at the beginning and then turned out to be scum or were just trying to use him. So if you ever hurt him deeply you can bet I will cast a hex on you. Understood?” Jisung’s face turned more serious than before, a scary glint in his eyes.

“Have you hexed them?” At Jisung’s questioning face Changbin elaborated. “Those who hurt him?”

“Yes.”

“Jisung!” The two of them turned their heads to the side, by the door was Hyunjin who had most likely heard half of their conversation. Changbin turned back to Jisung facing him head on, his eyes staring directly at the other’s.

“Good. I can assure you I will never do anything to hurt him but if I ever do, you’re free to hex my ass.” Jisung looked surprised and so did Hyunjin. Changbin nodded at them and walked to the kitchen. “Do you want to stay for lunch with us?”

- ✩ -

Jisung ended up staying for lunch and spent the rest of the day with them. Changbin got to hear embarrassing childhood stories from the two of them though while Hyunjin was clearly dying inside, Jisung talked about them proudly like they were medals of achievement. They went out after a while, Changbin buying ice cream for all of them. He watched the youngsters skip around the park, arms slung around each other. Hyunjin’s childlike innocence jumped out with Jisung who in that sense was similar.

Changbin could easily imagine Hyunjin as a child having fallen to the floor with tears in his eyes clutching his scraped knee. Meanwhile when the same happened to Jisung he would immediately get up and keep running. Hyunjin would be afraid of being left behind and alone while Jisung would keep running on his own path, following his heart. And in the middle of the road, Jisung would find Hyunjin covered in snot and tears. He would offer his help and they would run together hand in hand. 

Their hearts were equally soft, but while Hyunjin is determined to help others even if he sacrifices himself, Jisung’s determination is to never let himself or his friends be trampled by anyone. They complemented each other, Hyunjin softening Jisung’s harsher edges and Jisung honing and polishing Hyunjin’s rough bits damaged by others' doings. 

By the end of the day Changbin was comfortable calling Jisung a friend. Changbin felt he would eventually get a lot of headaches because of Jisung from all the teasing especially when Hyunjin also joined but he was already used to it to a degree no thanks to his friends. 

Eventually Changbin invited Jisung for their group hangouts. When he first talked about this with Hyunjin, the taller even teared up out of happiness. Jisung fitted right in like he always was a part of their little group. He brought them lots of laughter and wise words of advice whenever someone needed to vent. He got along with Minho amazingly well, matching the older eccentricness and wild thoughts. He and Felix together became a pair of troublemakers and he also became another of Chan’s son’s as they liked to say. And he bugged Seungmin and Jeongin out of love every time.

Looking back at everything that has happened ever since meeting Hyunjin made Changbin smile in appreciation for the younger. Hyunjin first appeared to him at the end of winter. Changbin had been freezing but Hyunjin melted the ice away, warming up to his life like the beginnings of spring. And Changbin felt Hyunjin and himself bloom together. Hyunjin was a breath of fresh air, blowing away the staleness of his life. And Changbin noticed how Hyunjin grew more confident, more comfortable with himself. But he didn’t realize how much he too had grown, too focused on the raven haired man by his side. 

Hyunjin had brought Jisung to his life, made his house look lived in with all of the trinkets he forgot there or gave to Changbin, made him fill out pages after pages of his sketchbooks who had been gathering dust for however long. Hyunjin made him fall in love with art back again with his compliments, with his curious eyes as he watched the brush strokes fill the lines with colour, with his wonder at the process and at the final product. It made Changbin burst with pride at his work.

And this summer has probably been the best summer of Changbin’s life. His balcony was so full of life and colour. Changbin loved to spend the rest of the daylight there, sitting in the hanging egg chair like the one Hyunjin and he once sat on an outdoor space of a coffee shop. Hyunjin looked relaxed and ethereal there, with his legs pulled up on the chair, the exposed skin glistening under the sun looking soft as ever. Changbin had a picture on his phone from that day and felt compelled to set it as his wallpaper, but he wasn’t brave enough for that so for now he just scrolled through his gallery and looked at it there.

He was currently sitting there, his sketchbook open on a new page when a crow landed on the railing. When Changbin noticed him, the crow moved to land on his shoulder. He stayed there watching Changbin work. This has become something regular in their lives. Hyunjin would stay in his crow form either watching or resting on Changbin’s lap before it was almost time for dinner. He would then fly to the bathroom and come out freshly bathed, sometimes wearing Changbin’s clothes.

It was so incredibly domestic that it made Changbin’s heart squeeze painfully from containing his feelings. He was too scared of what could happen, what would change if he confessed. Besides he was happy now, this was enough for him. 

Summer was beautiful and then autumn came, the leaves started falling, the flowers withered, the wind sweeping everything away. 

Including Hyunjin. 

There were entire weeks where Changbin didn’t see or hear of him. He was so used to Hyunjin’s presence that with him gone for so long it felt like a band aid was ripped off without notice but the pain didn’t fade like it was supposed to, it never went away. The wound was open and bleeding once more. 

It had been quite some time since he last heard from the younger so Changbin called him.

“Hey,” He greeted. From the other side came a mumbled hey back. Changbin could immediately tell that something wasn’t right from the tone. There was no energy in it and Changbin had never heard Hyunjin quite like that, not even in the mornings after he just woke up.

“Is everything okay?” Changbin asked softly. He waited for an answer.

“Just one of those days.” The answer came after a while. Changbin could hear the fumbling of the sheets on the other side of the line.

“What do you do on one of those days?” He had a feeling he knew the answer, after all he himself had those days once in a while. Days where it felt like a weight pushed down on the chest making him unable to move. His insides became filled with a sense of loneliness, of fear for being a burden. Fear of not being loved by anyone.  

“Sleep… and cry.” Hyunjin’s voice came broken. Changbin had no doubt Hyunjin’s tears were flowing right now and he wanted to stop them and to hug him tight and say everything was going to be fine.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“I'll bring something to eat.” By personal experience Changbin knew seeing other people when having one of those moments would be one of the last things he wanted. But he also knew that he would end up without eating or drinking water throughout the day. 

“Hyung.” It sounded like a call of despair and indecision. Like Hyunjin wanted Changbin to come but at the same time not really.

“I know. I understand.” Changbin was being honest, he hoped Hyunjin could feel it.

“Okay.” He said after a beat of silence.

Changbin walked all the way to Hyunjin’s place under the gloomy weather, his heart feeling the exact same way. Somewhere along the way it started raining, the melody of the raindrops hitting the concrete tuning at his heart strings. Something about Hyunjin being down hurt him more than he would like to admit. And maybe Changbin himself was feeling down because he decided to not confess ever, afraid of losing Hyunjin, afraid of rejection. Afraid of losing what they have. He shouldn’t be making decisions of this scale when he himself was feeling melancholic but it was something that had already crossed his mind more times than he could count.

He rang the doorbell to the apartment building, the door opening by itself with a creak of its hinges. It closed behind him the same way. Changbin was familiar with the tingle on his fingers, he could feel Hyunjin’s magic in the air. The elevator took him up to Hyunjin’s floor slower than he would like. Changbin grabbed the spare key he had with him but it wasn’t needed, the front door opening with magic just like the one before did. 

Changbin took off his shoes and his jacket at the entrance and when he turned the corner he could see Hyunjin laying down on the bed, curled up on himself. When he entered the room Changbin changed out of his damp pants, grabbing some sweats from the wardrobe. In the same way Hyunjin knew every nook and corner of his home, so did Changbin to this place.  

He laid down next to Hyunjin, ran a hand down his back, feeling his body tremble with a sob.

“I’m gonna hug you okay?” Changbin waited a moment giving Hyunjin time to refuse in case he did not want to. Changbin knew Hyunjin’s comfort language was touch, so he held him close.

Hyunjin turned around burying his head on Changbin’s chest, gluing himself as much as possible to his body. Changbin moved a hand to the raven hair, carding through the strands gently. He could feel the tears soaking through his shirt but at least the tremble that wrecked Hyunjin’s body had stopped. Changbin could feel him calm down, his breathing more even now, until he fell into slumber. He kissed the top of his head and got out from the warmth Hyunjin’s body gave him, collecting pieces of clothes discarded everywhere to put them in the laundry. He could tell by the state of disarray of the house this has been going for a few days already.

He cleaned up as much as he could without touching anything that looked remotely close to being used for magical purposes. He thought about watering the plants that looked like they too were withering, their leaves floppy or rolled in themselves from the thirst, but he decided to leave that to Hyunjin. Changbin knew he loved his plants more than anything and taking care of them would give Hyunjin some peace of mind.

The takeout Changbin ordered arrived at the front door and Changbin was coming to wake Hyunjin up when he spotted a paper on the floor. 

It was a post-it Changbin had doodled on. 

On the less busy days of the shop Changbin would sit next to Hyunjin on the counter, sketching the objects or the shop itself. He also stole some post-its and hid them between the pages of the books where they registered the shop’s business stuff.

This one was rough lines of crows and cats. It had probably fallen from the grid where Hyunjin kept his memories. Changbin pushed the door to a close. The grid had a lot more stuff now than when he first saw it. There were paintings he remembered giving to Hyunjin when he was obviously ogling at them, he even had torn the pages of his sketchbook, something he despised doing. But for Hyunjin he would go to the moon and back. 

There were also pictures of them together, a polaroid and a strip from a photobooth. Changbin recalls the memory of that day fondly. They went to an arcade and he felt a high from the neon lights and Hyunjin’s intoxicating presence. He knew Hyunjin liked keeping memories in the shape of photos so Changbin grabbed his hand and dragged him to the photobooth with him. Their hands were clammy and he didn’t want to think of the amount of germs from touching all the controllers and handles but even still it felt so nice and Changbin had to fight the urge to interlock their fingers and never let go.

It started with them looking fondly at the camera with each pose becoming more playful than the previous ones. Changbin grazed his finger though the shiny paper, stopping on the second last, his other hand moving to his cheek. He could still feel Hyunjin’s soft lips on it. They were a blushing mess after that. The last flash recorded their smiles as they looked at each other tenderly.

There was one last picture of their group of eight they took outside. 

Changbin felt his stomach turn at the thought of that day. 

They had gone to a bar where Jeongin had a singing gig. They were deeper into the night when Changbin went to sit next to Minho at the bar, the rest of their group on a table closest to the stage. He hadn’t really drank that much on that night but the glass Minho offered him made him spill too much.

It had been difficult keeping his infatuation a secret from everyone when all he wanted to do was to proclaim his love to the world. He never told Minho who it was he was in love with, but he didn’t need to. The caring look on Minho’s eyes told Changbin he knew it all already. 

Maybe he wanted reassuring words, words that would encourage him to do something . 

When they left the bar Changbin walked up to Hyunjin and tried to fess up but when he looked up at Hyunjin’s eyes they were void of its stars. Even the smile he gave Changbin seemed pained, forced. And he was... cold, like he wanted to be away from Changbin.

And so, at the end of the night Changbin did nothing.

The ruffling of the sheets made Changbin break from his haze. 

“I got you your favourite kimchi stew.” Hyunjin only grumbled, refusing to get out of the comfort of his own bed. His eyes and face were puffy from crying earlier, his hair an untamed mess. Hyunjin avoided looking at Changbin, keeping his eyes trailed on the floor until he reached the bathroom. 

Changbin sighed. He knew Hyunjin hated when people saw him vulnerable like this but it still hurt to be at the receiving end of the cold shoulder.

“Woah there’s rolled omelette too.” When Hyunjin reached the table more composed than before he seemed to brighten up at the prospect of food. 

They ate in silence only making comments about the meal. It pained Changbin how forced it felt and it was too much for him to endure.

“Hyunjin-ah what is going on?”

He watched with attentive eyes how Hyunjin froze, stopping mid chew and put down the spoon, his hands disappearing under the table. Changbin knew Hyunjin was fiddling with his hands like he always did when he was nervous. His eyes kept avoiding Changbin, this time to look out the window.

His voice was small as he spoke. “It’s nothing, don’t worry. It’s just something I have to do.” 

“Hey look at me.” Changbin pleaded softly. He missed those eyes so much. “You know you can tell me anything, I will always be here to listen when you’re ready. Just… please don’t push me away.”

Changbin could see the tears welling up in Hyunjin’s eyes, glueing themselves to his eyelashes. It didn’t seem like he would get anything else from him today so Changbin got up and hugged him tight, Hyunjin’s hands coming to grasp at the fabric of his shirt.

They reluctantly let go of each other to go back to finish their meal. 

While Changbin washed the dishes he glanced at Hyunjin every once in a while, looking sadly at his plants. After he cleaned his hands he shot Jisung a text.

do you know how to bring sad looking plants back to life?

depends, did you accidentally drop a pot again ㅋㅋㅋ

Ha ha how funny
it’s Hyunjin’s plants

Jinnie’s plants react to energy so there’s nothing you can do for them really

oh

thank you anyway

Changin put his phone back in his pocket. Hyunjin turned back to face him, a sorrowful look on his face.

“I know you have to go back to Minho but can you stay a little longer? Just until I fall asleep.”

“I left Minho with Minho-hyung. I can stay for the night.” Hyunjin giggled at the sentence. Changbin felt his heart leap in his chest from how deprived he had been from that melodic sound, from that genuine smile.

“I still can’t believe you named your cat after him. He would kill me if I did that.” They laughed some more, the atmosphere becoming lighter. Even the plants seemed a little less wilted. 

They moved to the sofa, cuddled up under the blanket, the sky still a dull grey, the rain still tapping against the window. 

Changbin had missed this. Had missed the rainy days just with the sound of the tv in the background and Hyunjin breathing by his side. He had missed the feeling of Hyunjin’s silky hair on his fingers. He had missed the way Hyunjin pressed himself against his side. He had missed the smell of earth and flowers of cotton laundry and coconut lotion. He had missed all of Hyunjin. 

When night fell they ordered some more food for dinner and then moved onto the bed after brushing their teeth.

That night Changbin hugged Hyunjin tighter, tangling their arms and legs, afraid to let go. Afraid Hyunjin would be gone with the wind. 

- ☁ -

Usually Changbin would wake up to a weight on his chest and whiskers tickling on his face but today he woke up to the tips of Hyunjin’s fingers tracing his features. When he opened his eyes Hyunjin was already looking at him. He placed his palm on Changbin’s cheek, thumb rubbing at the skin softly. Changbin dug his hand from under the covers where it was previously on Hyunjin’s back to place it over his hand. 

It felt intimate, like two lovers waking up in the morning although instead of smiles and giddy feelings, there was only sorrow. They were so close together, their breaths ghosting each other’s face. If Changbin leaned in just slightly he could capture pillowy lips on his. But he didn’t.

He tangled himself in the intoxicating heat. It was dangerous and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop begging for more, to be wrapped in that warmth forever, to be enclosed in Hyunjin’s presence.

Changbin pulled away. It took every fiber of his being and he almost immediately regretted it. The world away from Hyunjin was bitter cold. 

“I’m going to get us breakfast.” His voice was rough, layered with sleep. He got up slowly, only letting go of Hyunjin’s hand at the last moment. It fell slowly on the comforter, almost like he also didn’t want to let go.  

Changbin closed the door to the outside before he allowed himself to process what happened. He walked slowly trying his best to lock away his feelings and the tears that threatened to make their way out. When did everything become so complicated? Why did everything change in between them? They were still the same people as they were before, they still did the same stuff as before. 

So why did it hurt so much?

Before he went back to Hyunjin’s apartment he made a detour to a flower shop. He had placed an order just yesterday after he had texted Jisung and by some miracle they were open on Sunday morning and able to get his order.

When Hyunjin opened the door he was greeted by a pastry box and a small bouquet of three pink camellias. Changbin had gotten Hyunjin his favourite flowers in hopes to cheer him up. And he got a smile out of it.

“What’s the occasion?” Hyunjin asked.

“Nothing, they are pretty and I know you like them.” The first word was a lie, the second part straight out of Changbin’s heart. 

He couldn’t resist. After dropping the pastry box on the table Changbin grabbed one of the camellias and put it behind Hyunjin’s ear, the flower making his raven hair shine.

“A pretty flower.” Changbin said. 

“It is.” Hyunjin mumbled. But while Hyunjin was talking about the camellia, Changbin’s eyes were on him. Hyunjin was his pretty flower.

I miss you.

Changbin had not just randomly chosen any flower of any colour. Ever since Hyunjin mentioned that camellias were his favourite flower, Changbin found himself subcounsciously drawing them everywhere. Napkins, grocery receipts, his friends skin, you name it. And in the midst of looking for references, he discovered their meanings by colours. Red was for love.

Pink was for longing. 

Changbin left not long after. He was pulled away from their bubble by an email from a client deeming urgency. He would make sure to charge him extra for that.

The door closed behind his back slowly. 

Changbin did not see the way the plants shrivelled on themselves, the flower petals falling to the floor.

The small pink camellia bouquet dying. 

The one on Hyunjin’s hair fully blooming as his tears fell. 

- ☂ -

Changbin was fuming by the time he turned off his computer. The vice-president of the company he was designing for decided to scrap the entire project despite the man not having the competency or the knowledge about what was being worked on. Just another spoiled brat born with a silver spoon playing dolls at his parents' company. The poor project manager sounded like he was about to collapse and the string of apologies for the sudden change of plans made Changbin feel bad for the man. 

He had lost so much time sketching new prompts on the spot that by the time the meeting was finished the sun was already setting. He thought about giving Hyunjin a call, stay with him for the night but he had to go get Minho.

Changbin sat on the balcony floor taking deep breaths to calm down, the anger slowly leaving his body only for him to be filled with emptiness. He watched the pretty petunias that sat on the balcony, their leaves swaying with the gentle breeze. He had bloomed like them once and now he felt himself wither as they would soon. 

When he walked back inside his apartment night had fully set in. He wondered since when did the space look so empty, so cold, so void of colour and life. 

He turned around on bed not being able to find a comfortable position. Changbin sighed. Nights he couldn’t sleep were familiar to him though he hadn’t seen them in a while and he had not missed them a single bit. 

A rumble echoed outside and not long after came a downpour. His mind wandered back to Hyunjin, maybe he should text him, check up on him, wish him good night.

Minho growled. Changbin heard the sounds from outside clearer, the balcony door sliding open. He saw a silhouette hidden in shadows.

“Hyunjin? Did you fly here? I could have gone to you.” Changbin jumped out of the bed, almost running towards Hyunjin whose naked skin was dripping wet from the rain. 

Hyunjin came closer, grabbing Changbin’s face in his hands gently. This close Changbin could see the trails of tears along those of the rain. Hyunjin leaned down, connecting their foreheads. They stayed like that for a while, Changbin rubbing Hyunjin’s wrists comfortingly despite his racing mind, not understanding the situation.

Changbin saw tender eyes, a pained smile and soft lips on his forehead.

“Please forgive me.”

- ✻ -

Changbin woke up with a splitting headache and his body felt terribly heavy though he doesn’t remember drinking last night. He forced himself out of his bed, after all Monday was work day and after yesterday’s client fiasco he knew he had some catching up to do.

When he moved to make his coffee he spotted something on the island counter. 

Two flowers. A red and a pink camellia tied together. Changbin had no idea where they came from, maybe his mother had dropped them by. He felt Minho rubbing on his legs asking for food, the flowers instantly forgotten.

Before he sat on his chair he went to quickly put the laundry to wash. In there he found a yellow hoodie that he doesn’t remember owning. Maybe one of his friends forgot it. He shrugged and moved on.

Throughout the day things like that kept happening, like finding misplaced objects that he never bought but that felt familiar for some reason. The necklace he was wearing, a few rocks that he found in weird corners, his sketchbooks unorganised on the shelves, his empty balcony if not for the egg chair that he always wanted to buy yet felt it wasn’t worth the investment because he never spent time outside, the cute magnets to hang photos that didn’t belong to him on his fridge, a few of them empty of pictures. Although the one that made a shiver run down his spine was the empty photo frame. That one he had no explanation for. He blamed it on his headache. 

A week went by, but the more time passed the more it felt like there was something amiss. His memory was still a jumbled mess and he now felt the gaping hole in his heart more and more. He remembers going out frequently in the summer, taking walks in parks and visiting coffee shops. But whenever he went out the sun didn’t shine like in his memories, the pastries tasted like nothing in his mouth. They were good, yeah but there was just something... Something was missing. 

And that emptiness, that something missing was swallowing him whole. 

He stopped leaving his house, drowned himself in his job, messages and missed calls from his friends making the screen of his phone blink time and time again. He was lonely but he wanted to be alone and didn’t feel like talking to them and they understood and left him space. Jisung and Jeongin had looked especially sad when Changbin told them this and he felt guilty for days at seeing the way their smiles faltered. 

His weekends were spent staring at the ceiling of his bedroom, eyes red and swollen from all of the hours spent in front of the screen during the week and from crying for some reason he didn’t know. His cat would spend a lot of time sitting by the balcony window looking at the outside but on the worse days he never left Changbin’s side. Minho would always curl on top of him or by his side, purring, trying to heal Changbin’s wounds. It soothed him the same way it did when he wore the yellow hoodie. 

Changbin got up to cook some instant ramen, having neglected his hunger needs by skipping breakfast. On the corner of his eye a few of the rocks glinted, their embedded crystals bright under the light. 

When he held them in his palm there was always a tingle running through his fingers. It was warm and familiar but it made him feel like absolute crap when he let them go so he never really held them. It was almost as if each of them evoked different emotions. Joy, gratitude, serenity, amusement, confidence, love. The last one especially stinged when he let go.

His phone rang. It was his sister calling, warning him to not forget about their mom’s birthday coming up. Changbin got out from his stupor and looked for his bag with a few of his drawing supplies that he carried with him outside when he went on walks, in case inspiration struck down. His mother loved when he wrote her a card and at this point it had become a tradition. For every special occasion, his mother would always receive a gift he bought and a handmade card.

He dug his bag from the depths of the closet, and when he went to grab his pencil case his hand brushed against a very special sketchbook. It had a black hardcover, discreet, and seemingly boring on the outside but it held everything in Changbin’s heart. 

It was expensive, good quality came with a high price tag in the artist business. It had been a gift from his family, a celebration for finishing his university degree. He had fallen asleep with it on his arms after crying his eyes out in the confines of his room that night. Because his sister and the rest of his family didn’t know he couldn’t grab a drawing pencil without his hand shaking and feeling nausea crawling through him. And he felt scared, terrified, that he would never be able to get out of this slump, that he would never be able to draw again, that he would never be able to use their precious gift.

Changbin opened it on the first page. There was a folded loose paper inside. A letter to himself, where he confessed his struggles, his worries for his future and as an artist. And his hopes and ambitions. He felt his tears falling as he read it. It had been years since he had actually read the letter, it brought too many emotions, too many memories.

I want to love art again.

At the time he didn’t know who he was without his art. Art was everything in his life, and without it he was nothing but an empty vessel. That was what he had believed at the time until they appeared in his life.

He had been out with his mom, accompanying her on her shopping trip when someone called his name. When he turned around he saw Chan, an old friend from middle school who he had met at the swimming club. They exchanged numbers and promises to meet up someday. Changbin had thought for a moment that it was just empty promises, that it had been just small talk because it would be rude to not acknowledge someone he knew. But this was Chan, the kind hearted senior who had always taken care of him with a smile on his face, dimples on display. He had been the first person Changbin had opened up about wanting to pursue art and it had been Chan who encouraged him the most to do what he loved.

When Changbin met him at a random cafe, it was like nothing had changed. Well, they had physically grown, especially Chan’s muscles, but that caring nature was still there, that smile with dimples on display was still the same. And those reassuring words had the same effect they had on Changbin all those years ago. It gave him strength to pick up his pencil despite the lines coming up wobbly as if a three year old had made them. It was progress but at the time it didn’t seem like it to him. He can still hear the sound of the pencil hitting the wall full force to then bounce on the floor in the deafening silence of his room.

Changbin locked himself in that same room until his childhood friend Minho had barged in. The doors in his parents house all had the same matching locks and keys, so he easily pushed past the door and dragged Changbin outside. Chan had also contacted him that day and they ended up meeting, Changbin introducing them to each other. 

To this day Changbin thinks after the two of them met they started plotting together ways to get him out of the house. The three of them started to meet up regularly and eventually their group grew. Jeongin had an internship where Chan worked and Chan was actually his supervisor in the company and one day feeling that Jeongin was in low spirits he invited him to bowling where they went as a team against Minho and Changbin. Jeongin had been shy at first, however by the end of the night he had already become their dotted younger brother.

Felix had entered his life not long after. The group had met up at Chan’s apartment for a game night and Felix was Chan’s flatmate and old childhood friend that he had grown up with when he lived in Australia. Knowing there would be visitors Felix had baked them some welcome brownies and Changbin felt close to tears at how good they tasted. They asked him to join their game and Changbin then learned Felix was sunshine incarnated. And also a little devil. It had been him to suggest bringing alcohol to the table when they decided to play UNO. He was absolutely ruthless in that game. Since that day the group decided to pre-drink before they actually started a game if they wanted to have a chance against Felix.

That night they all fell asleep on top of each other on the rug. Changbin had woken up the next day with a knee to his face and a terrible hangover. They all sounded like old men when one by one they got up like a chain reaction because they were all tangled in each other. Minho and Felix cooked lunch while the other three piled up on the sofa, three glasses of water in front of them. Ever since then game nights have become their tradition. 

Seungmin had been the next one to join them. Seungmin was Minho’s friend who had been studying overseas and came over for summer break. Changbin already knew him from hearing Minho talk about him and seeing their dynamic made him understand why Minho said he missed him. They were like an old married couple that always got on each other’s nerves but in reality it was the way they showed their love. Seungmin was the only one that wasn’t afraid of Minho. In a sense, Minho had no power over Seungmin the way he had over the rest of them. He was proper, sounded wiser than his age and his dedication to his passions, friends and family and to life in general were traits Changbin greatly admired. Seungmin was Changbin’s role model in those aspects. But Seungmin could also be carefree and cute when he was comfortable with everyone.

“Are you okay?” At the time Changbin wasn’t as close to Seungmin as he was with the others, mainly because of what he was going through, it was hard for him to open up. Every single one of his friends had asked him this question in the past and Changbin had always answered that yes, everything is okay . But they all knew where the truth laid. 

“No.” Only with Seungmin had he been able to finally tell the truth. And it broke him a little inside saying it out loud. Seungmin didn’t press him to talk, just rubbed his shoulder comfortingly to say that he was there for Changbin.

And then the day came where Changbin finally broke. 

It was his birthday. They had all gathered up in Chan’s and Felix’s place after Changbin had spent the day celebrating with his family. To be honest he was exhausted, begging for the day to end, but his friends had wanted to cheer him up and he felt bad refusing them despite knowing they would fully understand. 

They had written him a card and each of them had left a doodle of themselves and other random things like Minho’s cats. There was a small empty spot in a corner. Changbin grabbed a pen.

And drew a doodle of himself.

He burst down to tears right on the spot.

His friends sandwiched him in the middle, hands running over him tenderly as he cried. When he finally calmed down, Changbin explained what he had been going through and they all listened to every word. And when they answered that he was no empty vessel, that art was a part of him but he was his own person without it he cried again. They countered every single insecurity with kind words and they made Changbin believe in himself again. 

By the end of it all, all of them had moist eyes, Felix full on crying with Changbin, hugging him like a koala.

When Changbin went back home, he sat down at his desk, turned on the lamp and wrote that letter.

And after that he drew all night. 

Changbin turned the page of the notebook, the first drawing was of the six of them together. It was rough around the edges, not his best work at all, but he was still proud of it. Underneath there was a dedication to them. And on the next page there would also be a drawing and a dedication to his family.

He scrolled through the pages. The portraits were mainly black and white, the landscapes all full of colour. All precious to him. 

He turned another page. A strange but familiar place. An unorganized space. Red walls, wooden surfaces all covered with some kind of object. Green plants everywhere. Warm orange light pouring from a big window. A warm space with a story behind that Changbin could not decipher. Where had he seen this before and why couldn’t he remember? This was something he found worth painting in this specific sketchbook so why did he not have any memory of it?

Another page. A crow flying over camellia bushes, the flowers a pinkish red. A bluish black feather falling from the sky. Changbin spent some time looking at this one. The flowers were beautiful, he was actually really proud and happy at how it looked despite not remembering drawing this. There was something tugging at his head, calling for him. He felt a headache starting to form.

Another page. Sketches of portraits.

Drawings of a stranger.

A pretty stranger.

A familiar stranger.

Hyunjin

Changbin kneeled on the floor, putting down the sketchbook gently before falling with his head in his hands. It felt like he was about to rip apart into two. 

A name, an image, a squeeze in his heart. But he still can’t remember.

He breathed deeply again and went back to the sketchbook. The next page has colour. His hair is raven with streaks where they turn blue from the light, it’s half tied in a ponytail, a camellia tucked in his hair. His expression is soft in the paper, the corners of his plush lips stretching in a small smile, he has a cute little nose but Changbin is immediately sucked into those dark eyes full of stars.

A lock opened inside his head, the memories spilling out from the confinement. 

Changbin ran out the door.

“That idiot!”

- ✩ -

As he ran down the street Changbin was thankful he had decided to take the day off to rest his wrists. He just hoped Hyunjin hadn’t moved somewhere else and still worked at Han’s dainty little shop.

He cursed when he almost tripped on his shoelaces. Changbin was still in his gym shorts and the so-not-his yellow hoodie. With the hurry he hadn't even looked at himself in the mirror and he’s pretty sure part of his hair was still sticking up from lying in bed. After hurriedly tying his shoelaces midway he kept on running.

Changbin came to a halt in front of the shop’s door giving himself some time to breath and come up with a draft in his head of all he wanted to say. 

He almost got hit with the door when a customer came out. Muttering apologies, Changbin took one last deep breath and crossed the threshold. The bell jingled when the door closed. There was no one else inside except for Hyunjin at the register scribbling something in the business books. He hadn’t noticed Changbin yet.

Changbin was still gasping for air, his lungs burning from the strain of running all the way. And when Hyunjin finally noticed him he felt his breath getting caught in his throat looking at those dark eyes that sucked him in and his heart skipped a beat. 

There was surprise evident in Hyunjin’s face. Jisung also appeared from the backroom mirroring the same expression. Changbin was tired of being scared and playing safe, it had almost cost him everything. It didn’t matter what the answer was, it was better than having nothing. Even if the answer was a rejection.

He walked over to Hyunjin whose lips parted in a silent question. Changbin stopped right in front of him, eyes never leaving him.

“Hi.” Changbin greated softly.

“Hi.” It came out more as a gasp from Hyunjin. Changbin could see his eyes watering and so he grabbed Hyunjin’s hands in his, caressing them with his thumbs. 

“What happened, why did you lock my memories?” He asked gently.

Hyunjin kept staring at the floor. The silence stretched for long until a voice in the distance spoke.

“Just admit you’re emotionally constipated Jinnie.” Jisung’s voice came out muffled from inside the storage room. 

Hyunjin screamed back at Jisung, the blush in his cheeks deepening. Though Jisung’s interruption seemed to ease Hyunjin’s nerves. 

“Why did you come back?” He finally asked, dodging Changbin’s question.

“Because I like you. And I missed you.” Changbin shrugged his shoulders. He was tired of tiptoeing around the subject so he let himself be honest about his feelings. “I could feel there was something missing even though I didn’t know why. And I mean in my heart, not in my head. I never told you anything because I was happy the way we were. I was scared that if I told you I liked you and you didn’t feel the same things would become weird. But screw that I’d rather have an answer than none at all.” His voice came out a lot more stable than he was expecting, not even stumbling on his words. Changbin was trying to seem nonchalant about this whole thing but he was stressing out on the inside.

“Oh.” Hyunjin was finally looking at him, the stars in his eyes shining like diamonds. Changbin could tell Hyunjin was trying to hide a smile but unsuccessfully. How Changbin had missed this so much. “I like you too. A bit too much if I am honest. I was scared, I didn’t think you liked me that way. At the bar I... I heard you saying you liked someone, and...it hurt being without you and when you kept calling it hurt and I couldn't do anything without thinking of you.” Hyunjin mumbled, the grip on his hands squeezing reassuringly. 

“I was talking about you that day. And here I was thinking I was being too obvious.” Changbin felt his tense posture relax at Hyunjin’s words. Apparently there had been some miscommunication, but most importantly, Changbin’s feelings were mutual.

“I thought I was being obvious too.” Happiness was laced Hyunjin’s voice, his eyes turning to little crescents. Changbin couldn’t tell if it was Hyunjin’s magic or just how happy he felt but it was like the inside of the shop was a little more bright. 

“You two were so fucking obvious it hurt. Everyone with a pair of eyes could see it. Dumbasses.” Jisung’s words were harsh but they held no malice behind. He was smiling at them too, happy to see them resolving their issues. He walked over to them and enveloped them into a group hug.

Changbin could tell Jisung was relieved, he understood it must have been hard to see this all at a distance and not being able to do anything knowing the two of them had made their choices. 

“Come on let's get back to work. Maybe now Jinnie’s going to stop burning potions.” Jisung ruffled Hyunjin’s hair playfully, still smiling from ear to ear. At Changbin’s confused expression he elaborated. “Hyunjin has been burning potions because they made him think of you for some reason and he would just cry on them.”

Changbin laughed as Hyunjin hid behind his hands. They were left alone as Jisung had to go somewhere and left through a portal. 

“You hated the idea of being my winter blanket so much you just disappeared uhm?” Changbin said as he poked Hyunjin’s ribs playfully, making the younger stumble back into the counter behind him. Changbin put his hands over the surface, entrapping Hyunjin.

“Shut up.” The tone was soft, the voice that left those lips was like honey to Changbin’s ears. And right now he was feeling like a very starved bear.

“Or what?” Changbin was sucked into those eyes that twinkled with little stars in them. The distance was closing in, breaths mingling together. Changbin could feel the heat emanating from Hyunjin’s body, his hands finding their place at Hyunjin’s hips. He could almost feel Hyunjin’s lips on his.

And then the bell above the door jingled and they instantly pulled apart. 

Hyunjin went into customer service mode while Changbin just pulled a stool and stayed there leaning on his hand watching the person he loved assisting a customer. He smiled seeing the rosy tint on Hyunjin’s cheeks and knowing he was the cause for it. Though Changbin knew his cheeks were not much different. 

Changbin couldn’t help but stare at Hyunjin’s lips, the way they moved as he talked, the way they parted softly to let out a giggle, the way they stretched showing off his pearly smile, the way his tongue came to wet them when he caught Changbin staring. 

The bell jingled again, signalling they were left alone. This time it was Changbin who got trapped between the counter and Hyunjin. Changbin sat over the surface and pulled Hyunjin closer, no longer able to endure the wait.

And so they finally kissed. Soft and tenderly, full of all the longing and love for each other.

“Be my boyfriend?” Changbin spoke to his lips. He could feel Hyunjin’s smile on his.

“I’m all yours.”

- ❀ -

“UNO”

Complaints were heard all around the table. His boyfriend was currently grinning from ear to ear, close to victory. The eight of them were still huddled on the coffee table despite now having a perfectly functional dinner table behind them.

Not long after Changbin and Hyunjin had made it official they decided to move in together since they practically spent all of the time with each other when they weren’t working anyway. Since Changbin’s lease was coming to an end they ended up moving to a space with an extra room where he could set up his work space and turn it into a small art studio. They now also had a bigger balcony and a park nearby where Hyunjin could fly over whenever he felt like stretching his wings.

“Go grab four.” Jeongin’s evil laughter filled the space while Hyunjin pouted.

Hyunjin, Jisung and Jeongin had agreed to tell their friends about their magic and as expected everything went fine. Changbin had to drown Hyunjin in cuddles and kisses to stop him from stressing out too much.

“Bottoms up you losers.” Minho spoke with a grin on his face, putting the last card he had in his hand on the stack, his other hand petting the cat napping on his lap while the other Minho (the cat) was laying on the sofa. 

Hyunjin had volunteered in a shelter Minho also frequently visited. Changbin had been surprised, knowing that Hyunjin wasn’t very fond of cats. But what made Changbin more surprised was when Hyunjin asked if they could adopt an old stray cat that he adored.

“I’m getting too old for this.” Felix said. Chan grumbled at his side, also quite plastered.

They called the night and left, though before anyone walked out the door they got a hug from a tipsy Hyunjin.

After getting ready the two of them laid down in bed, the sweet scent of flowers whifting in the air from the balcony door left ajar. Despite it being the end of summer and it being a little too hot, Changbin still pulled Hyunjin towards him, embracing him tightly, his raven hair shining blue under the bright moon, and those eyes reflecting the night sky in them.