Chapter Text
The leaves whirled in the cold wind, travelling down the neighbourhood with Min-Gi and Ryan. It was past midnight and they just got off the train, there was a calming silence between them, which they had longed for so long. That worm-hole experience was something they wished they wouldn’t meet again.
“ So what are we going to tell our parents?” Min-Gi perked up, as he continued walking down the street with Ryan. Ryan shrugged a little.
“ It’s just you man, they would think I’m still in my very successful music career.” Ryan sighed as he kicked the pile of leaves in front of him. Ryan didn’t like to think much of his parents, they didn’t really care much when he left with his dad’s van. Now he’s thinking about what could be a good way to explain how his dad’s van is gone. They would care about the van more than him anyways. He hadn’t gone back there in a long time.
Min-Gi remained silent, Ryan didn’t expect him to say much of it, after all it was just his problem. “You could stay at my place if you want, I’m sure my parents would understand.” Min-Gi gave a warm smile, Ryan couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter.
“ No, I’m good, I’ll be fine.” Ryan said. Soon, both of them were at Min-Gi house. The sense of dread, relief and tiredness washed over both of them. Ryan noticed Min-Gi’s hands were shaking as he eyed the house right in front of him. Ryan tapped his shoulder which seemed to put Min-Gi out of his nervousness. “ See you in the morning?”
“ Yeah, Ryan.” Min-Gi said softly before walking up to his patio. Ryan watched from a far seeing Min-Gi ring the doorbell, and was greeted by Mr and Mrs Park, embracing Min-Gi in their arms, his stomach twisted yet he still found it heartwarming. He wished it was him standing there.
Ryan continued down the asphalt road, and finally got to his own home, the lights were out, more peaceful than the usual sibling quarrel. Ryan took a deep breath as he knocked on his door. He didn’t feel the warmth when returning home, he should have felt it a little, maybe he is a bad person for thinking like that but it was better than sleeping on the streets.
The door creaked open as Ryan saw a dark-haired woman in front of him, rubbing her eyes as she mumbled. “ Who could be up this-”
“ Hi, mom” Ryan croaked up the words that were choking him since he got off the train. His mom’s eyes were filled with surprise and it was like her bubble had burst. Ryan tried to eye for his dad in the living room, but it was empty, just like he expected. “Come on in, Ry, you’re going to catch a cold.” Ryan’ mom grabbed his hand as she tugged him inside the house.
Ryan saw the familiar coat hanger, with his mom’s jacket and his dad’s hat. The air inside was a little stuffy but he could get used to it soon. Ryan walked down the hallway into the living room, as he reminiscenced about his father just watching TV after a long day at work. “ Where’s dad? Overtime again?” Ryan said, a little disappointed as he placed his guitar case on the floor.
“ Yeah, you know your father, always working late.” Ryan’s mom yawned a little. Ryan nodded, he was dejected but it was nice seeing his mom again.
“ I’m heading to my room, mom, we should get some sleep.” Ryan was about to walk towards the stair before he heard his mother cough. It was a nervous cough.
“The twins wanted separate rooms, and I didn’t think you'd be home this soon, I-I’ll tell your brother to share his room with you.” Ryan’s mom tried to scramble up the stairs but Ryan called her before she could even take a step. “ It’s okay, mom, I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.” Ryan smiled at his mom, trying not to worry her but he knew it was a forced one. His mom’s eyes were filled with guilt, Ryan felt his guts twisting seeing his mom like this but he didn’t want to put his mom on any extra weight this late at night.
“ Alright, if you say so, goodnight, Ry.”
“ Night, mom”
***
“ You're seriously still going to work here?” Ryan grabbed a piece of bacon as he stuffed it into his mouth. Min-Gi rolled his eyes at him.
“ WHAT, No! Didn't you remember you're the one who got me fired in the first place.” Min-Gi scoffed. The new manager was at the counter, flaunting his new employee of the month plaque on the wall to Min-Gi.
Min-Gi ignored the guy, he didn't like to work at Dunphy’s anyways. Ryan awkwardly laughed a little, “ Should I apologise for that too…”
Min-Gi couldn't help but chuckle at Ryan's smile, “ There's really no need to, I didn't want to work here anyways.”
Ryan twirled his fingers a little, before diving into the elephant in the room. “ So about going to New York…are your parents good?” Ryan said softly, occasionally eyeing Min-Gi, he felt a sense of dread that Min-Gi would say no. But he still wanted to have some hope, after hearing how Min-Gi was so frustrated about going to uni.
As Ryan expected, Min-Gi's face went sour, Ryan couldn't help but feel a little dejected. “My parents were still adamant about going to uni, they just got me back and wanted me to stay a little longer. I'm trying to get the words out of my mouth, but it's easier to say it to you out loud than my parents.” Min-Gi looked down at his plate, he didn't face Ryan at all the whole time. Ryan knew this was going to happen but he didn't want to rush to conclusions yet. Not too soon.
“ It's alright, I mean we could still wait a little longer until you're comfortable, I'm not in a rush.” Ryan grabbed a scrunched up straw wrapper and placed it in front of Min.
“ But you better hurry before the worm destroys the whole world!” Ryan exaggerated his voice with a demonic laugh.
“ Not rushing into things anymore? You’ve changed, Ryan.” Min-Gi said gleefully. However, Ryan wasn’t sure whether to laugh or get mad, he knew Min-Gi was well meaning, but he couldn't help but get bothered by that comment. He wasn't sure if Min-Gi was mocking him or really complimenting him, it just felt odd.
Min-Gi somehow noticed the discomfort on Ryan's face which made Min-Gi's laugh slowly fade away. The two sat in silence for a while. It was unsettling, tense and Ryan didn't like that. He looked around trying to find something to distract himself. He opened his guitar case hoping to jog his memory of what he bought here. Alas, he finally found the old notebook inside his case.
He threw the notebook across the table. “ Look what I found in the closet.”
“ Whoah, you still have that?” Min-Gi's face lit up, Ryan didn't know why but seeing him happy made him feel a little warm inside. It surely is normal, right?
Min-Gi flipped through the pages, reminiscing of the old songs they wrote together. “ I thought maybe we could use some of our old songs when we get to perform together.”
“ I thought you had your own songs?”
“ That was my solo career, now we're going as Chicken Choice Judy!” Ryan cheered. Min-Gi was attentively flipping through the page, until his eyes started to squint. Ryan knew he should have ripped out that page.
“ Wait, why's my name on this page-” Ryan immediately snatched the book before Min-Gi could utter a word. He couldn't let him see that page, not right now. Min-Gi stared at him confused by Ryan's sudden outburst. “ Sorry, it's n-nothing…”
Ryan couldn't helped but think he messed up again, he just wanted to get rid of the pent up tension between them, how could they do it so easily on the train than in real life?
“ Hey, it's alright, I won't ask you about that…” Min-Gi said softly. Ryan couldn't help but scream inside, his guts were telling him it was nothing,but he couldn't help but feel ecstatic when Min-Gi made that face. Ryan just stared down, afraid to look at him.
“ You wanna know what I said to the police just now? I had a lot of improv to do.” Min-Gi said casually. Ryan's heart was a little lighter when he heard Min-Gi switched up the topic again.
“ Can't wait to hear what you said about the aliens going after us.” Ryan chuckled. Ryan really hoped he himself has changed, really changed, but this lingering feeling of not staying put still creeps on him, he wants to tell Min-Gi everything , he wants to do everything with him but him getting bothered by Min-Gi's comment, making him question if Min-Gi really has changed. Only time could tell.