Kris had decided to go to a nursery today to pick up some plants for his apartment. He liked to make little gardens wherever he was living, even if it was just a tiny one on his apartment balcony. He considered it his repayment to nature and the world for providing him with the materials to do his job as a carpenter. As he looked at the rows of plants, he wasn’t sure what was best. Some of the native species he wasn’t familiar with, but he thought it would be nice to work with plants he hadn’t before. Seeing Kris’ perplexity, a young man about his age came over. He introduced himself as Taekwoon, and Kris explained his predicament. He told gardener what kind of place he lived in, how much sun he got, and what he was looking for. Taekwoon, in turn, helped him pick out the right plants to start his little garden, just a few at first.
As Kris was choosing exactly which specimens to get, he noticed Taekwoon wincing beside him. “Are you all right?” he asked, a bit concerned. “Yeah, fine. Just a little headache,” Taekwoon replied, waving him away with a weak smile. Kris looked at him doubtfully as a light drizzle began to fall around them. “Oh, we should get somewhere dry,” he commented while looking up at the sky. When no, answer came, however, he looked around to find Taekwoon crouched on the ground, holding his head as if in pain."Taekwoon-ah, are you okay?" Kris asks in alarm, crouching down near the man as the rain grows heavier. He looks up at the sky somewhat anxiously now. "Can you stand?" he asks, only to find Taekwoon’s eyes screwed shut in pain. "Shit, we should get you out of the rain," he mumbles to himself. When he looks back again, Kris is startled, nearly falling back into the dirt. Taekwoon’s eyes are wide open now, as if the headache has disappeared completely. But he looks a little odd. He’s staring right at Kris, but he doesn’t seem to see him. "Taekwoon-ah, what is it?" Kris asks gently, but there’s no shaking the man from his strange trance. He reaches toward Kris slowly, and Kris stays still, unsure what to do. Maybe this is all some strange, elaborate joke. He’s completely forgotten the rain soaking them both right now.Taekwoon leans closer, and Kris is frozen in surprise, not sure what’s going on or how to respond. That hand curls around his neck and tugs him forward into a gentle, kiss. It’s sweet and warm and Kris finds his eyes closing naturally as he leans into it. Suddenly the moment is gone as Taekwoon jerks back, eyes wide and clear now. He’s almost shaking. “I-I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” he stammers at Kris, looking at him with fear and embarrassment now.