#Jk's POV…
I was pretty shocked that my parents allowed me to have another boy stay the night in my room. I suppose, though, that I've never lost their trust and I don't plan to.
I watched as Hyungie unpacked a few of his things at the side of my bed. ❝Is there somewhere I can, uh, put my clothes or something? I kinda just shoved a bunch of stuff into a backpack and left.❞ I guess he was in a hurry to escape his parents.
❝Yeah, the third drawer on my dresser is empty I you wanna use that,❞ I replied with a warm smile. I couldn't help but remember the way his mouth fit with mine so perfectly.
Hyungie walked over to the dresser and folded his clothes neatly, placing them inside.
❝Hey hyungie, I don't mean to pry, but I was wondering why...why you can't stay at home? I know your parents are fighting, but...❞ I felt rude asking, but I was too curious to resist.
His happy look contorted into one of unease. ❝Do you remember when you called my Appa a coward?❞
An odd question, sure, but I answered simply. ❝Yes, I do.❞
❝Well, you were absolutely right,❞ He said with audible distress in his voice. ❝He's angry, at himself, I assume. He drinks a lot. And he takes it out on me & my Papa and I'll bet my Noona sister as well...❞
That was what I least expected to hear. ❝Oh my god...how bad is it?❞
❝All he's done so far is yell at me, but right before I left, my Papa looked...off...❞ Hyungie ran a nervous hand through his hair. ❝I don't know what to do.❞
❝Hey,❞ I said with a firm voice. ❝It isn't your fault. And I know it might feel like it, but it's not, and you don't have to fix it. I know it's hard, but it isn't your responsibility.❞ He still looked unsettled. ❝It's okay to not be okay,❞ I amended in a softer tone.
Hyungie continued to fold his clothes. ❝I know, it's just really, really hard. And sometimes I just feel so alone.❞
❝Sounds about like how I felt about the sycamore tree,❞ I countered, shocked by the amount of spite in my reply. ❝Wait, I didn't mean it like that-❞
❝No, I deserved it.❞
And then there was silence, uncomfortable silence.
❝I'm sorry,❞ I said quietly, shattering the stillness.
❝Don't be,❞ Hyungie replied. ❝Not your fault.❞
In a sudden burst of confidence, I placed my hand on his as he sat next to me on the bed. Linking our hands, I exhaled sharply. ❝I'm just glad we could help out in some small way. You know, by letting you stay here and all...❞
He smiled. ❝Yeah, but it isn't just a haven where I can avoid my Appa. I can't say I'm opposed to staying here.❞
I giggled. ❝So cryptic!❞ Glancing around, I noticed he brought a math textbook. ❝I can, um, help you with math, if you want.❞
❝Oh! Yes, I was gonna ask about that...❞ His face reddened with embarrassment. I suppose he looked a bit like a tomato, but this wasn't something I should make fun of him for.
I could feel his eyes on me. ❝Don't worry about it; I'm more than happy to help. No one's good at everything.❞
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And so we studied until dinner, and to our delight, Hyungie began to fully understand the concepts.
❝Thanks again,❞ he said as he closed the textbook. ❝I should probably pay more attention in class, though.❞ We laughed at that.
❝Kids! Food is ready!❞ I heard My Papa call down the hall.
So we went to the dining room to eat. As Yeonjun & Beomgyu were at Kai Hyung's place and my Papa left to help Uncle Woozi out, it was just the three of us.
❝How have you two been?❞ Papa asked politely. He bore a genuine smile, which made me even happier.
❝Good,❞ Hyungie said smoothly as if he had practiced it. ❝Jungkookie was just helping me out with math homework. How have you been, Mr. Jeon?❞
He was good at talking to adults. I hoped that my Pa liked him. I know I did.
❝Oh, I've been fine. Usual but of chaos, and nothing much, and please don't be so formal with me ❞ he (Jm) replied.
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Dinner was delicious , and my Pa and Hyungie got along well. Sometime in between finishing the math homework and showering and talking, I must've fallen asleep.