SCENERY / Taejin

29. Pretend

"That's what you were coming to?"
Jin-hyung scoffs amusingly.

"Huh?"

"Why didn't you just say so, you brat? I can't imagine I just believed that for a minute..
let's go!"
He shakes his head and motions me to follow him.
I'm more than happy to and I run to him gleefully.

"You're going back to the hotel first thing tomorrow though," he says as we walk together back home.

My heart sinks and I stop in my tracks, my lips forming a pout automatically.

"To go get your luggage!" He shouts back noticing my expression and I hear him muttering afterwards.

This really is the best day ever.

__________

Hyung leads me up the stairs to his apartment; which has two rooms and an open kitchen and dining area adjacent to the living room and even more plushies. It's small but cozy. The decor is more colorful and lively than the cafe area downstairs; it feels more like him in a sense.  The walls are decorated with lots of picture frames and most of them contains group and individual pictures of us. I spot one selfie of the two of us alone and my heart swells up so much, I feel like it's about to burst. I can't hold in my smile and I keep staring at it until hyung calls for me.

Hyung makes us tea and offers me of change of clothes. After putting down our empty cups, he disappears into his room. The door to his room is left ajar and I can see him rummaging through stuffs from where I sit on the couch.

He finally comes out with a pillow and blankets.

"The spare room is empty except for a few junk but the bed doesn't have a mattress. We'll get it tomorrow so you have to make do on the couch tonight, K?"
He puts the stuffs down beside me smiling.

I glance over to the open door of his bedroom and see his bed. It's quite big and could fit both of us comfortably. I won't really mind cuddles after all that weeks of hard work. My pout comes back but I don't tell him anything.

"I know you can't sleep well if you don't hug something. So.....
you can have my RJ plushie."
He pats the fluffy toy lovingly as if it's his own living, breathing son.

I pull the doll towards me and hug it resting my chin on it's head, still sulking. Hyung smiles approvingly at this and he stands up to leave.

I look up alarmed and he must have noticed as he pats my head in reply, 
"I have to open the cafe early morning in time for breakfast. Let's get some rest for tonight,hmm?"

He turns to leave but my hand reaches out to him on reflex,  clutching at the hem of his shirt. I can't help feeling paranoid over anything to do with him 'leaving'. It's stupid of me but I'm afraid; as if it'll be the stupidest thing to do to let go of him again. I stammer with my words before I  blurt out even more nonsense.

"Hyung..umm...can you leave your door open?"

He looks incredibly puzzled at this and whispers a small "why?"

"Just...."
I let go of his shirt but eyes are still locked with his.
He gives a small nod after a few seconds, still looking very confused.

Why did I even say that? Was I planning to stare at his sleeping form all night? I didn't need to make hyung think I was some kind of pervert.

I mentally fight myself for minutes, tossing and turning around on the couch that is surprisingly larger and more comfortable than it looks. A few more minutes in and I can hear hyung's soft snoring. I peeked over at the open doorway and see his body heaving rhythmically. He's sleeping so well,so peacefully..like it's any normal day.