# 10
Magician
There are apparently three group chats now. One is with all of them. One is without Hyukjae. One is without Donghae or Hyukjae.
Leeteuk told him this at the gym. He kept chuckling. The Parks needed one without Hyukjae before. Because they'd arrange his surprise appointments. They realized later. They should make one with Hyukjae. So he knows who's picking him up when.
After adding Donghae... they realized they need one without them both. Because the family sends useless messages to each other. Mrs. Park sends too many. To her son. To her husband. About everything she asked them to do. That they haven't done. There are strange texts. With no context. From Mr. Park. Because it's related to whatever's happening. At their own house. Or in person.
They do share updates about Leeteuk's grandmother though. With all.
Hyukjae would normally visit her. At this time. While Donghae came to work out. But Hyukjae couldn't today. Grandma Park has a doctor's appointment. Donghae was going to skip gym. Stay with Hyukjae. But Hyukjae had convinced him. To leave him at home.
So he came here with Leeteuk. He's getting a ride back home.
"Is she... okay?" Donghae asks. "Hyukjae's been worried about her too..."
"Grandma? Yeah..." Leeteuk slowly reverses. Sets off. "She has good days... it's just sometimes... if she's confused and we can't do anything to help her... it's hard for my parents. I think Hyukjae doesn't get what's happening to her, so he gets scared. My dad's tried to explain it to him -- but yeah, she's... you know. She's okay." He stops at a red light. "How's our magician?"
Donghae laughs. "He's great."
"Oh, he asks me so many questions and makes me talk for hours--"
"He just wants to learn, Teukkie, he wants to know... about whatever he can."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Hae," Leeteuk says. Laughs. "I don't mind, it's just the things he asks -- he's funny, that's all."
"Things he asks? Wait, what does he ask you about?"
"Oh, everything now. I don't even realizing it's Hyukjae I'm rambling to. He used to be so respectful about it -- Teukkie, I'm sorry if it's wrong of me to ask, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me -- and then he'll follow it with all his questions anyway."
Donghae laughs. Leeteuk put on a small voice. He pouted his lips to copy Hyukjae.
"But Teukkie, you can tell him to stop if it's too much, he'll understand!"
"Oh, yeah, I know. I don't mind, Hae, I really don't, and to be honest, I think he knows I don't mind even when I pretend to, so he's comfortable with me and I like that. I've got another little brother to look after and that's... cute..."
"Another little brother?" Donghae says. Scoffs. "Who else have you got? Most of your friends are your age, Teukkie--"
Leeteuk looks at him. His eyes are wide. Shocked.
"Excuse me? What the hell are you, then? Who did you think I was talking about? And then getting jealous about it, too?!"
Donghae bursts out laughing. His face feels red.
"Did you forget all the years I took care of you?" Leeteuk goes on. "I wiped your tears and fed and clothed you through college like a baby!"
Donghae fans his face. Wipes his eyes. Keeps giggling. "I'm sorry... I gave you a hard time..."
"I can't believe you'd say that," Leeteuk mutters. He turns into Donghae's street. "I'm telling my parents -- oh, hey, would you be able to come see them at dinner? It might be nice for Hyukjae to see grandma if he's feeling worried, too."
"Oh, that's a great idea. I think we're free!"
"Really?" Leeteuk seems happy. "If grandma's frustrated after her appointment, I'm sure Hyukjae would make her feel better--oh!" Leeteuk's grabbed Donghae's arm. He laughs. "One funny thing he did ask me about is what he should do to pay us back for all the money we spend on him!"
"Oh, he actually asked you that?" Donghae says. Surprised. "I didn't think he would--"
"Wait, did you tell him to ask that?"
"No, no, he just got worried once he realized it -- he thought you're all going broke because of him."
Leeteuk laughs louder.
"Oh, he's adorable," he says. "I told my dad yesterday and he was shocked. He'll probably talk to him about it."
"W-What do you think he'd tell him?"
"Huh? Why do you look like that? He'll tell him we're happy to do anything for Hyukjae, obviously, me included! I don't know if he realizes how helpful he is with my grandma and how grateful my parents are."
Donghae blinks. Slowly smiles.
------
Hyukjae loves Leeteuk's grandmother. She was the first person to treat him nicely. Show him care and love. So she's very important to him. But Donghae needed this reminder too. That Hyukjae's just as important to her. To Grandma Park. His reappearance in her life... has made her slightly better. It has made the Parks' lives a bit easier too. This is how Hyukjae supports them. Even if he's not aware of it.
The Parks do love Hyukjae. Donghae's seen how they treat him. But Hyukjae's already giving a lot to them. So they must want to take care of him in return.
Donghae enters his place.
He doesn't know if this matter's still bothering Hyukjae. The magician's always so busy. So excited. About one thing or another. But Donghae hopes Mr. Park does remind Hyukjae of it. So that Hyukjae can feel how special he truly is--
Donghae freezes. Stares.
Oh, he's special alright.
Hyukjae hasn't seen him. His eyes are shut. Donghae's in complete awe.
The chairs and couches have been pushed. An area in the middle of the living room has been cleared. Hyukjae's sitting there with legs folded. His hair strands ruffle softly. Because...
There's a big floating circle around him. Of books. Pillows. Some of Donghae's pencils. Sheets and sheets of paper...
Donghae looks at his desk. It's near the wall. It's farthest from Hyukjae's circle. But the ends of his sketchbooks quiver. His pens vi
Comments