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Hyukjae sat with his chin resting on the pillow beside the window, looking out at the rain. The heavy rain today was making people feel rather lazy. He waved his hand to the side. Empty.
“Where is he again?” Hyukjae muttered, clearly annoyed, then murmured the answer to himself. “Oh yeah, I’m at the dorm.”
Sometimes, Hyukjae forgets that there’s no Donghae at the dorm.
Between the two of them, Donghae is the one who hates loneliness more. Hyukjae, on the other hand, is getting more quiet these days. Therefore, he’d rather be alone.
Right now, he’s already feeling bored just by looking at Kyuhyun. The younger brother was lounging on the sofa, scrolling on his phone, with a glass of red wine on the table. The glass of wine gave off a warm aroma, mixed with the smell of the cold downpour. He frowned at Kyuhyun for a moment, then got up and went back to his bedroom.
Rain pattered outside the window. He craved for a hot latte but was too lazy to make it. There was no one around to ask for help.
“Aish, I hate him!”
He must have scolded Donghae thirty times today already.
Hyukjae is the youngest son; he has only one older sister. So he wasn't exactly pampered; even considered the breadwinner of the family. Since childhood, Hyukjae has been an independent child. He was used to being alone. Lately, he's discovered that being busy makes him a little more lonely. His life has narrowed down to only his mother, sister, and Super Junior. People used to call him “Casanova”, but if he was being honest, he was - and still is - lonely as fuck.
“Except for one particular idiot," Hyukjae grumbled again before snuggling back under the blanket. The rain was still pouring. The blanket smelled sad and cold, like a lonely motherfucker.
***
This afternoon, Hyukjae had a rehearsal for his birthday fan meeting next week. He might have been a tad bit too excited when he came up with the idea because he must perform everything all alone. He argued to himself that the songs chosen were all by D&E, so they weren’t suitable for him to perform solo at all.
“It’s all his fault!”
Yeah, it’s Donghae’s fault for not sharing a birthday with him.
Both Donghae and Hyukjae are the youngest sons in their families. But unlike Hyukjae, Donghae was - and still is - pampered by his whole family. Donghae was once little and silly, and he was so scared of being alone that he dragged Hyukjae everywhere he went. It’s been nearly two decades since they first met. Hyukjae isn't sure how much his friend has grown, but he’s sure that Donghae has successfully turned Hyukjae into the type that finds it somewhat hard to go on stage alone.
“Sillyhead. What kind of song is this? How do I perform a duet without you?”
Hyukjae might have called Donghae to complain for twenty minutes about the performance. But in the end, he still didn’t ask Donghae to come to the fan meeting.”
***
Hyukjae came back to the dorm late that night. Kyuhyun was still lying on the sofa, scrolling on his phone. It seemed to be the maknae’s favourite pastime activity. Hyukjae felt like his brother had been lying there for millennia. How boring of him.
“Is there anything to eat?”, he asked.
“There are noodles.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere. Find it yourself and leave me alone," Kyuhyun shrugged nonchalantly, then threw a pillow at his chest.
Hyukjae shuffled to the kitchen to find food. Before moving back to the dorm, Donghae would sometimes come to his house late at night, carrying a bag of food, ring the bell, and then freely press the password to unlock the door to Hyukjae’s apartment. Hyukjae might have gone on OIV to complain about Donghae’s "invasion of privacy," but he still did not change his home password. If anyone asked, he would blame his laziness.
Tonight, he’s too tired and too lazy to even move a finger. Skipping dinner it is. Before, he was hardly ever left hungry and even rarely had to cook his noodles. But Donghae has been busy these days, so no one was forcing him to eat anymore. He felt like his weight had dropped more or less.
Lying in bed and listening to the sound of a late spring shower on the balcony feels ten times more lonely.
“Idiot.”
It’s the fortieth time today.
***
- Donghae!
- Donghae!
- Donghae!!!
People were screaming Donghae's name even louder than his. That's right: It’s his fan meeting, but Donghae appeared out of nowhere like some sort of godly being. Hyukjae could only look at his friends with wide eyes.
“I knew you would come!” Hyukjae can’t hold back his bright smile.
“Well, you didn’t bother to invite me.”
“Between the two of us, I don’t think an invitation is needed anymore!” Hyukjae grimaced. Donghae only smiled at him softly. Seeing him like that, Hyukjae wanted to poke fun at him some more. “Did you come to celebrate my birthday empty-handed?”
“What do you like then?”
Before Hyukjae could reply, the crowd erupted in screams and cheers.
“A HOUSE! A HOUSE!”
He glanced at Donghae. His friend’s face flushed red all of a sudden. Hyukjae pursed his lips, and half-jokingly asked: “How about I move over?”
Donghae’s face looked hella stupid. “What?”
“I’m tired of living alone.”
“But Kyuhyun is at the dorm with you too, isn't he? You are not alone, though…”
Hyukjae had to try his very best not to kick Donghae in the ass.
“What is wrong with you? You idiot! Leave now! Get your ass out of here! I have so many things to do! Go away! Idiot!”