Chapter Text
Park Kyung sat alone under his favorite tree, away from the other rowdy ten year olds in his class and away from the more than unamused faculty teacher forced to watch over them.
Most kids his age loved to run around playing tag, or pushing themselves on the swings, or flipping back and forth on the jungle gym and monkey bars. But not Kyung. He likes to spend his recess with a book on his lap, quietly reading its contents under the familiar shade and serenity of the distant cherry blossom tree.
Today was different though. In the midst of his reading, Kyung heard shuffled footsteps, like the soles of a shoe flattening the fallen petals.
“Why do you always sit here by yourself like a loner?” The intruder looked at Kyung with a straight face, arms crossed.
A little irked by his presence, Kyung closed his book. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t. I was just wondering. Don’t you have any other hobbies besides reading? I mean we read during class already and the teach-”
Kyung had no idea why the other was rambling on like they were best friends, he just wanted to spend his recess in the comforting silence of the breeze. But it seems like his plans were ruined by this STILL talking stranger.
“Look. Did you need something? I just wanted to read my book in silence.” Efficiently cutting off what the other was saying.
“Umm… I just… I just thought you looked lonely” A tint of red made its way over the other’s cheeks.
“What?” Kyung was thoroughly confused with the stranger’s actions. No one ever really cared about why Kyung was always by himself. They usually just let him be.
“I...uh. Nevermind! Forget it. Nice meeting you” The other quickly spun around, right hand unconsciously grabbing the locks of his hair.
“No, wait! What… what were you going to say?” Kyung doesn’t usually interact with the other children in his class, but something about this boy intrigued him.
Turning around, the intruder hastily replied. “My name is Woo Jiho and I just moved to Seoul yesterday. Everyone here already has their own clique and you looked like you needed company and I don’t know. D-do you wanna be friends with me?”
Kyung’s eyes widen at the sudden declaration. Whether this Jiho person was bold or just stupid, he didn’t know. The more he thought however, it wouldn’t hurt to make a new friend.
“Sure. I’m Park Kyung. Nice to meet you.”
“Wha- Really?! You wanna be friends with me?!”
“Yeah, why not. Please take care of me from now on”
Kyung smiled and slightly bowed towards the latter. Jiho on the other hand had the brightest smile stretched on his face.
“Yah! We are going to be best friends from this day onwards!” Jiho grabbed Kyung’s arm and pulled them back towards class.
~b r e a k~
Kyung gasped as he was suddenly pulled out of the dream. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he reached over to check the digital clock on the nightstand. 3:11 A.M.
Kyung rolled over and patted the vacant spot on his- their bed. Jiho didn’t come home...again. Kyung wants to laugh, because really, he should’ve already known and expected this. But he doesn’t. The familiar ache of his heart prevents him.
Every morning for the past few months has been like this. Kyung waking up alone with a heavy heart, in a bedroom that doesn’t seem fit for two occupants anymore.
He doesn’t remember the last time he got a goods night rest, because there are no arms to hold him tight. He doesn’t remember the last time he fully enjoyed a meal, because there is no one to finish the food for him. He doesn’t remember the last time Jiho and he had a decent conversation that didn’t end in argument with hurtful words being thrown on both sides. He doesn’t remember the last time they got to spend time together, because Jiho doesn’t have time for him, not anymore.
The tears begin to fall. They always do. But Kyung doesn’t make a noise, doesn’t cry out for his broken heart because the members might hear. And that is the last thing the Kyung wants, for the members to know the pain that he is in.
With Jiho busy promoting his latest album, Kyung took the role as a surrogate leader. Kyung can see the effects Jiho’s absence has had on the members. They miss him. They miss the fun times with everyone together, when the rope that kept them connected was still there.
So Kyung tries so hard. For them. He smiles as much as he can, takes them out for lunch, makes jokes at inappropriate time just to occupy that deafening silence that surrounds them when Jiho is gone. The silence that he used to love so much, under that cherry blossom tree. The silence that he let Jiho fill.
Kyung rolls back, checking the clock. 3:23 A.M. He rises from the bed, pulls on one of Jiho’s sweaters over his naked torso, and begins his day.