It was just after the two young men had left when the phone rang. A persistent kind of ring, one that didn't hold the promise of good news. And, sure enough, they weren't. Alone in the house, Mrs. Lee had put forth the morning's chores: air the bed-linens, dust the shelves, vacuum every centimetre of floor and carpet, cook and listen to her favourite radio program... The busy life of a housewife. She was mopping the hallway, when that annoying sound abruptly stopped her. Straightening her back, she let the ring echo for a few moments before picking it up.

"Hello?"

"The Lee residence? I am calling from Mokpo's General Hospital. I am afraid I have to inform you about..."

Loud American music was blasting from the old car's speakers. The age of electronics was littering the tracks with various screeching and hissing noises. The background music of their ride was nothing but horrible to Donghae. His hands gripping the steering wheel, he was glaring the asphalt ahead, grumbling on about "Western ". On the complete contrary, the man seated next to him was tapping his fingers against the window and nodding his head to the beat, occasionally humming along. The brunet growled at Hyukjae to stop, wanting very much to kick a hole through the radio on the dashboard.

"Does it bother you too much?" asked the older, turning the volume down before getting an answer.

Side-glancing at the brunet, Hyukjae couldn't help but wonder whether Donghae had some kind of bipolar personality. A couple of nights before they had slept in the same bed, and now the younger was acting as if the black-haired man was a threat to his personal space. Not that he hadn't been through that strange behaviour before, but still! Hyukjae was looking forward to the day when him and Donghae could call each other friend... the day when Hyukjae would finally be assured about the younger's true self. Studying Donghae's profile, his clenched jaw and hard gaze, Hyukjae knew his wish would take some time to become reality. But till then, he'd keep trying and waiting.

"If you have something to say, say it," murmured the brunet after a long silence, eyes still focused on the road.

Hyukjae didn't reply immediately. Staring at the scenery of crop fields and brooks, he stalled a little before hesitantly speaking.

"I... feel like we've come closer. But you still completely shut me off from times to times..."

He hadn't meant for it to sound like a complain. Hyukjae hadn't meant for his chest to tighten painfully, for an uncomfortable weight to press down his shoulders. Donghae spared a quick glance at the man next to him.

"Really..."

It sounded more like a statement from the younger than a question. Hyukjae sighed and rested his head back.

"Yeah..." His voice trailed off, no matter how childish or naive he was about to sound. "I want to become your friend, for you to trust me."

Since the older was absentmindedly looking outside once again, he didn't notice Donghae's lips forming a wide smile. A triumphant one. He only heard the brunet, and what he heard made that impossible weight disappear.

"Good."

Holding his breath in disbelief for a couple of seconds, Hyukjae then exhaled relieved, feeling accomplished he had gotten a positive response from the other man. A stupid grin spread on his face, revealing his gums and causing small wrinkles at the sides of his eyes.

"That doesn't mean you can turn the music louder," added the brunet and shot a warning glare at Hyukjae and his outstretched fingers hovering inches away from the music player's buttons.

The black-haired man cursed and shook his head in dismay, muttering about Donghae's lack of consistency. Playful all the while though, and the younger couldn't help but chuckle too.

The day had been long and tiring, the two men driving to every village at the area, caring essential supplies to people that weren't capable of leaving their home on their own.

Hyukjae bowed respectfully at an elderly couple, their last mission on that village. Handing to Donghae the money he was given for two sacks of rice and several bags of lettuce, he circled the car to secure all the loops holding the rough canvas on its place over the things on the truck. Spitting to wet the tips of his fingers, the younger checked and double-checked the amount, his brows furrowing at the sight of a partly torn won bill.

"Tch..." he scowled and separated the destroyed paper from the rest.

Rapping his knuckles on the truck's hood, Hyukjae urged the brunet to move his faster. "It's just a tiny damage, come on!" he exclaimed with frustration when Donghae didn't move.

The younger's head shot up and the man shoved the bundle of money to Hyukjae's chest. The torn bill though, he kept in his pocket. "I'll go change that at the market," he announced and walked away sparing not even a second look at the other man. 

"You're such a brat!" Hyukjae yelled behind him but the brunet didn't stop.

Donghae turned at one corner and headed to the village's square, where the tiny market was. Stomping his feet, he kicked every stone and piece of trash in range bef