Chapter Text
‘I’m moving out.’
Taeyang looked up from his phone to see Jiung standing in front of him. He was seated on the couch, just scrolling through his phone while hugging one of the cushions on the couch until his roommate decided to disturb his peace.
‘Sorry, what?’ Taeyang asked for clarification. ‘I must have been hallucinating, I thought you said you are moving out.’
Jiung let himself fall on the beige couch to be seated next to Taeyang. The cushions made a small dent where he sat. ‘I am, next week.’ Jiung said as if that was enough explanation. He then went on to explain that he found a place for himself near the city, something affordable.
Taeyang nodded, understanding. It was hard these days to independently own a residence. If Jiung didn’t take the offer now, he might never get his own place. ‘What about the rent though?’ Taeyang sat up, moving one of his legs up on the couch. ‘You know I can’t afford this place by myself.’
Jiung shook his head and waved his hands in front of his face. ‘Don’t even worry, I’ve already set up your next roommate.’
Immediately Taeyang groaned, but before he could say anything, Jiung had put his finger to Taeyang’s lips.
‘Thou shall not worry.’ Jiung said in his very Jiung way as he put both his hands up. ‘I have this friend, Intak. His lease is ending and he’s looking for something. You trust me right?’
Taeyang did in fact not trust Jiung. Well he did, but not in matters like these. Jiung’s strength was also his weakness. He could solve any issue on a whim, because he had always been very spontaneous and quick on his feet. That being said, just because he could find a solution, didn’t mean it was great or sustainable long term. Jiung moving out like this left Taeyang only a week to find someone new to live with for god knows how long. And now it all depended on the first impression he was going to get from this Intak guy. Taeyang fumbled with the ruffled edges of the pillow in his arms for a moment before sighing, ‘Fine. Fine, go ahead. Introduce me to this guy.’
At least getting to know one of Jiung’s friends was easier than interviewing a bunch of strangers to be his new roommate. If Jiung said Intak was a good guy, then there must be some truth to it. After all, living with Jiung hadn’t been easy at first either. Taeyang preferred quiet and serene mornings, while Jiung’s perfect idea of waking up was to set an alarm that could wake the entire neighbourhood, proceed to sleep through it and then loudly prepare breakfast once he was awake, leaving a mess in his wake. They had to set some rules, agree on some boundaries, but they worked it out. This dance had to happen one way or another, Intak or a different stranger.
‘Thanks Taeyang, I’ll let him come by tomorrow!’ Jiung grabbed Taeyang’s shoulder and squeezed it gently before letting go and standing up.
‘I work tomorrow.’ Taeyang reminded him.
‘Evening?’
‘That works, I guess.’
That’s what they ended up agreeing on. Jiung would bring Intak home tomorrow. Then if Taeyang was really against it, he could always reject him and try to find someone else. Even though it was on such short notice. And even though he really did not want to put in the effort of finding a new roommate.