STRANGER. － c.bm + k.dh

── [１１] ──

It seemed that cherry was a colour Donghyun was fond of seeing on his skin tarnished by low bumps, as he had taken a liking to addressing Bomin by stomach-churning pet names the latter believed he had never seen used outside of films for the lovesick and between eager, teen couples.

The range was vast and inclusive, from pumpkin to Minmin, sweetheart to baby, and the more ridiculous they were, the better, apparently, for they had become something like an inside joke.

Donghyun would greet him with a, "Hey there, sugar muffin," at which Bomin would snicker and respond with, "Hi there, cupcake," whilst stepping into the elevator he had disregarded his fear of.

It was strange, but those few minutes of their trips up were enough for the brown-haired man to start up conversation, ask how he was doing and what he had done that day. Bomin wasn't sure if he was grateful for the distraction or whether it hurt him more, to fake a smile which made him ache and reply with just the right amount of happiness in his otherwise helpless voice.

Bomin wasn't sure either, however, when it had become easier to feign it all.

It felt as though he could trust Donghyun, the latter always open and listening, occassionally irritated and brutally honest, but kind and soft-hearted. He was perhaps more layered than other people and the greater Bomin got to know him, the more he felt at ease in his presence.

Despite the spurts of happiness the older gave him though, Bomin knew better than to get his hopes up and believe anything would change, for even if there now was a sliver of light in his life, the darkness was eternal.

Even if Bomin's heart had given a couple sporadic beats when Donghyun had been exceptionally sweet or endearing, the former was well aware that love was not an antidote, but a mere painkiller, and he risked becoming addicted to its brief relief.

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