Days turned into weeks where the stranger named Jeonghan did not show at Joshua’s house again. That one night of heightened interest had left Joshua hanging. He wondered if the male had already grown bored of Joshua, or he had gotten in trouble with the people at the gate. Yet he could not ask, for any question would seem out of the ordinary. Joshua’s life gradually returned to its same routine. The same boring routine.

“Joshua, your father and I will be going on a rather long research trip next week.”

“What?” Joshua’s mind focussed back to reality, his parent’s sitting in front of him at the dining table. In front of his parents were several dishes that Asher has mustered up. Steak, mashed potatoes, clam chowder. But none of that food was for him. He never ate with his parents like a normal family. Never.

“Sebastian will be coming with us, however, Janet will be coming in as usual to check up on you. Not that I believe you need to be checked up on.” Joshua’s mother spoke and wiped her lips with the white cloth from her lap.

“How long will you be gone?” Joshua eyes flitted between his mother and his father.

Joshua’s mother smiled, “Good question. This trip is vital to the advancement of our research, so we’ll likely be gone for a full month. Explaining why we need Sebastian to come with us.”

Joshua’s facial expression was blank. Normally, a child his age would act like he didn’t care, or complain that he never gets to come along, but Joshua didn’t know how to act like that. More like, he couldn’t.

“You may return to your work now.” His father spoke and wiped his mouth. It was the same as it always was. So strangely ordinary, like the calm before a storm.

~

Joshua’s mind created something that night. In the darkness of his room and his mind, an image formed. In it, Jeonghan appeared, the same as he had the first time. Each detail of him so strikingly beautiful; but after appearing at his door, the male left again. Joshua barely caught it, but in the rustling grass, drops of blood trailed behind him.

"Han!"

Joshua’s eyes sprung open, in his unmoving position on his bed, he breathed heavily. He glanced to his bedside table, 2:35AM. Tearing the bedsheets off of him, Joshua sat up in bed. That dream had felt too real, too real for an image created in his mind which consisted of only artificial knowledge. He needed to distract himself from his own mind.

Joshua threw off his nightgown and dressed hurriedly. He didn’t even bother to comb his silky hair before running out of his room. His parent’s had left an hour ago. Joshua didn’t even realise that his breath had quickened and that he was on edge. He couldn’t believe it was simply a dream that had caused him to be this way.

ing the door to his study open, he ran past his computer to the door and threw open the curtains. It was pouring, the rain pattered loudly against the glass door, the wind causing the grass to dance wildly. Joshua’s eyes were opened wide, the gleam from the moon reflecting in his dark eyes. There was such chaos outside, a storm that had been predicted the morning of. Chaos that was shielded perfectly by the thick glass of his door. Chaos that Joshua needed in his life, before he went insane.

His fingers trembling, he threw open the sliding door and the chaos ravaged into the warmth of the room. Rain had already began to soak Joshua’s hair and clothes but he didn’t care. He took a step forward and his feet tingled as they touched the wet grass. He could see the whole sky now, dark and chaotic. It all felt so riveting. in a deep breath, the boy let out a long and exhausting scream. He gazed up emptily at the dark sky breathing heavily, raindrops hitting his face. Joshua wasn’t sure if he was happy or if he was sad. If what he felt could even be called an emotion. He wasn't human.

"You'll wake up the neighbors if you're so loud."

Joshua’s head twisted in the direction of the voice. Standing in the rain, his clothes soaked, stood none other than Jeonghan. Joshua breathed heavily, “Han…”

“Hey,” Jeonghan smirked, “how have you been?”

Joshua couldn’t help but gaze at the male standing in front of him. He had grown more beautiful since the last time Joshua had seen him. His hair trimmed on the sides but still glimmering in the dark. His eyes vibrant and ever so piercing. Joshua couldn’t help but feel captivated.

“What, cat got your tongue?” Jeonghan stepped towards the soaked boy. For a split second, Joshua thought he saw the male’s eyes grow soft, “Why are you making an expression like that? It couldn’t be… did you actually miss me?”

“Of course not,” Joshua composed himself and stepped back into his room. “Why did you not return for so long? If anything, it was boring.”

“There were some things I had to take care of…” Jeonghan stepped into the refuge of Joshua’s room, closing the sliding door behind him.

Joshua made his way to the door of his room, “You should dry off.”

~

“Where are you taking me?” Jeonghan followed closely behind Joshua, both of their clothes and hair dripping with rain.  “Should I be worried for my life?”

Joshua smiled absently in the dark at Jeonghan’s snarky comment, “I’m taking you to the bath, so you can dry yourself.”

“And you? You were in the rain too.”

Joshua looked behind at Jeonghan, “It’s fine, I won’t get sick.”

~

“So? What have you been up to the weeks that I’ve been gone?” Jeonghan asked as he dried his hair with the provided white towel.

Joshua observed Jeonghan carefully, every moment, every small change. “I do the same thing everyday, what else could I have been up to? And you? I’m sure your adventures have been much more interesting.”

“My brother has been causing some trouble so I haven’t had the chance to come back. I must admit, our first encounter did pique my interest, Joshua.” Jeonghan gazed at Joshua. “Come here, let me dry your hair.”

“It's fine-”

Joshua could not move away as Jeonghan moved near him and placed his somewhat damp towel on his head. “Even if it's fine, take care of yourself.” Jeonghan kept his eyes on Joshua and dried his brown hair.

“Thank you.” Joshua mumbled, finding it odd that his eyes avoided Jeonghan's.

They returned to the study after Joshua had folded the towel back up and put it in its proper place on the shelves.

“Where are all your servants?” Jeonghan walked besides Joshua, “And your parents?”

“Sebastian the main servant went with my parent's on a research trip. Janet won't be in today, and since no meals need to be cooked, Asher will not be coming in either.”

“Oh.” Jeonghan had nothing else to talk about so they walked in silence.

The study was still lit like they had left it but now it was quiet. The rain had cleared and stars filled the sky. Joshua walked to the sliding door and slid it open. A late autumn breeze blew into the room.

“Joshua, do you have any idea what the world outside your mansion is like? Like, at all?” Jeonghan leaned against Joshua's desk.

Joshua turned to Jeonghan and frowned, “I read the news, you know… I’m connected constantly to the web.”

“No,” It was Jeonghan’s turn to frown, “I mean, actually know. Just reading about it in the papers or on the internet is not enough. Actually see the situation, actually be in it. You don’t know anything do you?”

Joshua's expression softened, “How could I know? I've never stepped foot outside of those walls without my parent's by my side watching my every move. Even then, I don't go anywhere besides restaurants and television centers.”

“You've never wanted to go outside the walls? Never wanted to know what in your life has been a lie? Never?” Jeonghan's expression softened likewise.

“I… even if I could, what good would it do?” Joshua's eyes fell to the floor. “I have no power, not even in this household. Not even as I am now. I'm so… weak.”

“Come with me.”

Joshua looked up at Jeonghan, his green eyes fierce. “I'll take you outside. Take my hand and I'll take you anywhere.” Jeonghan held his hand out to Joshua, “Just take my hand.”

​​​​​​~

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter although it was a little short! Let me know about your theories are so far? I love to hear them!