(no) Strings Attached

Just Us, Always

"Oh—um," he says, soft but steady, "I... don't really want that. I'm really sorry."

The room stilled.

It's not loud. It's not dramatic.

But it's real.

Hongjoong stared, wide-eyed, then beamed like the sun cracked through the ceiling. "You did it," he says, practically bouncing in his seat. "You went against someone. You said no."

Seonghwa flushed—part embarrassment, part disbelief—but before he can shrink into himself, Hongjoong lunges forward and kisses him. Right there. In front of his mom. Hands cupping his face, lips pressed quick and thrilled, like this is the most romantic thing he's ever seen.

Seonghwa stuttered something, eyes wide—but Hongjoong's already looking at his mom, grinning.

"Did you see that, mom?" he says, voice full of pride. "He stood up for himself."

His mother just smiled, eyes soft. "He did."

And Seonghwa... he doesn't hide.

He smiled too. Small. Shaky. But proud.

Because it was just a spoonful of food for most of the people.

But it was his choice. His will.

"So what would you like to eat Seonghwa?" Hongjoong's mother smiled at him, one of her hands patting his tousled hair down, pushing some to the back of his ears.

"Just... fruits is fine." He mumbled, staring at the big fruit bowl in the middle of the table.

"Would just that be okay?" She asked again, trying to understand if the boy was trying to be nice or honest.

"Yes. I don't really like breakfast.." he confessed. To which both Hongjoong and his mother were shocked.

All the days he spent there so far, he never pushed any breakfast away.

Despite that, they both smiled. That's a really big step. "That's fine then." She replied eventually.

"Coffee?" She suggested instead. "Yes," Seonghwa nodded. "Please no sugar today." He added, ears red, but his heart was beating with a sense of freedom.

This meal time was the most difficult part for Seonghwa. The one he pressured himself to be just that... himself. But, the confidence it brought him was worth it all.

"Today I have to meet some friends, would you two be okay by your own?" She asked while washing the dishes, breakfast over by now.

"Yes, of course." Hongjoong answered nonchalantly, his focus on the boy next to him, still munching on some grapes.

He'd ask him if it would be okay to not put the fruit bowl away yet and it made Hongjoong want to buy him a whole fruit basket just to see the way his cheeks puff with the round produces.

Later, when ms. Kim was out and about with her friends, Seonghwa and Hongjoong found themselves interlaced with a comforting silence.

"Hey, little fairy," Hongjoong's voice cut through, softly. The latter turned his head to him, eyes bright with good energy. "What is it?" He tilted his head to the side.

"How are you doing?" The older asked, a hand reaching for the exposed knee, squeezing the skin.

"Great." Seonghwa answered almost immediately, Hongjoong beaming at how fast it came. No hesitation, no confusion.

"I'm glad." He said genuinely, his hand sliding to the juicy thigh.

It made the boy's leg spam with surprise, eyes wide and curious.