continued from here, @redsunns.
this isn't a new behavior from seojung--- the whole not texting back thing. it's not even a new behavior for haneul either since they're both busy working and trying to be a functioning human being when the demand calls for it, as it often does. but this is seojung, his seojung, and the whole not texting back thing has still caused haneul to tug the man away at the nearest opportunity for the sake of saving his lip tint. haneul even tries not to pout while he rummages for his brushes, and nods. "i figured," he says, heart heavy and oddly sullen--- reminding himself again that his isn't new. but still. "i was just... i dunno. had the day off. was worried about you, s'all."
growing up, seojung has never gotten used to the idea of someone worrying about him. only the fewest instances of barely-there warmth from the one who’s meant to love without conditions, so fleeting that he wondered if he’d imagined it all in his head. but haneul was always there, the boy with warm eyes and warmer hands, the boy who felt like a burst of light in a darkened room. “there’s no need to worry about me.” he assures with a gentle smile as his hand rummages through haneul’s hair playfully, even though the tired bags under his eyes claim otherwise. “or did you sign a contract to babysit me that i didn’t know about?” no matter how tough his days might be, talking with haneul always makes it easier, somehow. sometimes he forgets about it and wants to run from the world instead — what a terrible friend he makes. “what did you do for your day-off? i’ll try to join in on the fun next time.”
