Jiho was pulled out of his nightmare-ridden sleep with a sweaty body, and with dire urgency, he stumbled into his bathroom. He gagged, regurgitating everything that was in his system into the toilet bowl. As he rinsed his mouth and brushed his teeth, he felt a hand patting his back. Jiho slowly looked up into the mirror and found his eyes meeting the soft brown orbs of a young, handsome man. Jiho's heart dropped, and his hands immediately punched the man's face. He was about to run to his phone to dial 911, but then realization hit him. Memories of the previous night flooded his brain, and somewhere in there was the man's face helping him up.

 "You're....you're Hyuk, right? What are you doing here....?"

Hyuk rubbed the side of his face before he smiled, his eyes turning into half-moon crescents.

"You needed help home last night and you could barely open your door. You're a bit heavy, no offense, so I was kind of tired by the time I dragged you to your bed. I fell asleep on the floor before I knew it, but I hope you don't mind," he explained cheerfully, taking Jiho's toothbrush from his slack hand and placing it where it should be. Hyuk placed his hands on Jiho's shoulders, squeezing them slightly. 

"As an apology, I made some breakfast using whatever ingredients you had. Sorry that I kind of went through your kitchen but I figured that you wouldn't be able to make food for yourself. Come when you're ready," he said sweetly, closing the bathroom door slightly as he left. Jiho was still in a trance, letting go of a breath he didn't realize he kept trapped within his body this whole time. Too tired to question anything, he decided to climb into his bathtub, ready for a hot, steaming shower. Scalding water mixed with bubbles flooded down his body as he scrubbed away, concentrating on removing the previous day's grime as a way to forget about Seungyoon.

Seungyoon.

It still was a familiar name to him that he couldn't let go. His heart still fluttered thinking about his sweet smile, soft kisses, and comfortable date nights with each other. The man was perfect in his eyes, and every moment seemed worthless without the blonde by his side. When they held hands, their fingers interlocked with ease, and when the hugged, the warmth they shared seemed to be enough even for a cold, winter night. Sometimes, Seungyoon's thick voice during night times when they were able to hold each other in bed lulled him into a sleep he could never get otherwise.

Seungyoon was his lover, but also a comfort to him as well. He was a companion, a best friend, someone to share whatever he wanted. Even in their differences, they were so alike, and some days Jiho truly felt like he found his soulmate. Lovers or not, Jiho wanted to spend most, if not the rest, of his life with him.

Jiho turned off the shower, and his thoughts quieted down. Amongst the water that trailed down his face were tears, and he hastily rubbed himself down with his towel, pretending that they didn't exist.

Aware that a complete stranger was in his house, he quickly ran to his room and grabbed the first clothes he saw to wear, unsure of what could happen next. The man could be a , for all he knows, and Jiho certainly had many questions to ask. Jiho cautiously walked into his living room as he pulled down his shirt, surprised to see Hyuk setting the table.

"I made pancakes with whatever mix you had left," he explained, pushing a plate towards Jiho, who had just sat down.

"Eat and we can talk," he added on as if he read Jiho's mind.

The sound of forks clattering took up the silence between them, and after taking a bite ("How come my pancakes never come out this nicely?" Jiho wondered), Jiho brought up a question.

"Why are you here? I mean, I know that I was very much drunk, but why help me? Why stay here? Why make breakfast? How much do you know about me? What did I tell you?" Jiho questioned, bombarding the dark-haired man. He let out a hearty laugh, smiling softly. It seemed like everything was soft about the man, from his eyes, to his skin, and to his smile.

"That's a lot of questions, but I can tell you everything. I did come into your home after all," Hyuk responded, and Jiho nodded, taking another bite of his syrupy breakfast.

"In fact, you did tell me everything about your recent relationship. You out as you fell in my arms, but you kept mumbling about the guitarist Seungyoon after telling me where to take you. I was just planning to take you to your apartment and put you in bed, but I was drawn to your story. You probably don't remember our lengthy conversation from last night, but I told you about how I'm in a bit of an...abusive relationship. His name is Dongwook and it's just...too hard to get out of it. He's always physically rough and controls where I go, and it's hard to run away when I produce music for him. It's my job, and if I ever do something 'wrong', that could always take a toll on my paycheck. He could always change his producer, and right now I need any singer or rapper I can get. Last night, I needed to run away for a bit, but before I could drink, I met you. As I heard you talking, I couldn't help but empathize with you. You out, and I couldn't bear leaving you alone after hearing you speak so sadly..." 

Hyuk told everything in detail, but since the first time Jiho was conscious and aware, the man seemed hesitant all of a sudden. He noticed Hyuk fiddling with his fingers and avoiding eye contact, and Jiho felt bad. It's not like he's here to murder me or anything...and he did do me a huge favor last night...

"Hey, it's alright man," Jiho spoke up, slowly putting his hand over Hyuk's. "In fact, you can stay with me today if you'd like. You...you really seem like a nice person, and I'm sorry that your boyfriend is doing that to you. You don't deserve that at all. Without you, I probably would have slept on the streets last night, so I at least owe you this much. If my messy apartment is a good enough refuge for you, then so be it," Jiho declared, and Hyuk shyly smiled, glancing into Jiho's eyes.

"Oh! I really was about to leave and find a place to camp out. Thank you...Jiho"

"I'm probably going to stay in the studio for most of today though. I'm still pretty...upset...about yesterday, but working at least takes my mind off of things for a while. If you want, you can come with," Jiho offered. He was always used to familiar faces coming into his small studio, so he was a bit uncomfortable with making that offer. But then again, he didn't want to leave a stranger in his house all alone. He felt bad, yes, but you could never know with strangers. Hyuk smiled widely.

"I'd love to! Maybe we can try to create a song!" he exclaimed. Jiho smiled and nodded until he remembered Seungyoon. It was their first day when they made that angry 20-second song in the studio. He shook his head, trying his best to forget as they walked out of his apartment.

It was different with Hyuk. He strolled in as though he knew the place, his fingertips briefly touching the keys of Jiho's keyboard. The minute he sat down, his skilled fingers easily the system and started working out the bass for a beat. Jiho was taken aback.

"Wow. It's been a while since I've seen someone work so quickly and wonderfully like you. You really do know your stuff don't you?" Jiho complimented while moving his mouse to rearrange the notes Hyuk was quickly producing. He chuckled.

"Don't give me too much credit. I'm really a nobody out here," he replied, swiveling his chair to look at the display of music albums Jiho had on his shelf. Hyuk squinted, looking at a yellow and red album.

"Hey, isn't that Psy's album?" Hyuk asked, to which Jiho nodded. As though he was calculating a complex equation in his brain, Hyuk's furrowed eyebrows signaled his deep thoughts.

"You must have produced something for him then...right?" he added on, and Jiho modestly nodded.

"It was 'I Luv It'," he replied, and Hyuk's face quickly lit up.

"You're Zico! Wait, this is too good to be true! I've listened to your productions and mixtapes on Sound Cloud before! This is amazing!" he spluttered. "I'm sitting in the studio with the almighty Zico, and I now have a face to attach to the name...unbelievable."

Jiho blushed profusely at the flattery. He didn't know that people actually knew him. He didn't even know people bothered to listen to his mixtapes.

"I...thank you, wow. I'm actually flattered," he answered, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. Hyuk poked his arm, grinning.

"Don't be too modest now," he warned, before abruptly getting out of his seat. "You know, I think this is a good starting beat. I think I want to try singing along to it," Hyuk suggested, cracking his back while stretching. Jiho swiveled around to face the handsome man. Could he possibly....actually....sing?

Hyuk walked into the recording booth, softly shutting the door behind him. He strolled up to the microphone, his lips almost kissing the black plastic. Jiho pressed 'play', cueing the jazzy bass and saxophone. Hyuk's eyes fluttered shut before his pink lips opened, and suddenly Jiho found it hard to breathe.

Through his headphones, Jiho heard Hyuk's buttery, husky voice. The way each syllable was enunciated struck Jiho's eardrums pleasantly, and his eyes soon closed as well. He allowed himself to be enveloped by Hyuks' smooth, soothing voice. It sent shivers down his spine, covering him like a blanket. Jiho let out a shuddering breath as Hyuk hit a long, high note that sounded too perfect to be real. He could no longer feel the seat he was sitting in nor did he feel like he was listening to a song with headphones. He was submerged in another world, and he felt like he was floating on clouds with golden lining. Tingles gently prickled his skin, until he felt his body being shaken.

"Get up!" a voice shouted, and Jiho immediately opened his eyes, finding his cheek resting against his hard desk. He pushed himself up, looking around the room in a frenzy. The lights in the recording booth were off and there was no sign of Hyuk. On the other hand, Yukwon was standing right next to him, looking extremely worried.

"I called you so many times and you didn't pick up! Seunghoon filled me in and I couldn't reach you at all! I was back in Seongnam in the main dance studio when I heard, and...you idiot...I was worried! I drove to your home as fast as I could then I find you peacefully sleeping here in your studio, god damn it! Can't you keep your phone on?" Yukwon burst out, shaking Jiho's shoulders. Jiho was confused, still turning his head around to search for Hyuk. Silence. He turned back to his best friend hovering above him.

"Oh...Kwon. Yeah," Jiho muttered, unsure of what to say. He scratched the back of his neck, sitting up in his leather chair. Yukwon sighed, taking a seat on the piano bench next to him. He rested his arms on his spread out legs, bending forward.

"Hey man. I know how you get with relationships, especially when they fall apart. And I know how close you were with Seungyoon. You can tell me anything, and everything," Yukwon reassured him, noticing Jiho rubbing his palms over his eyes out of exhaustion. He nodded, letting go of the bottom lip he bit on. He wondered where Hyuk went but decided to talk about his ex-boyfriend first.

He gave an account of Seungyoon's behavior the past month, from the angry snaps to his defensive language. Yukwon simply nodded, although Jiho could tell that his friend was beyond pissed. Hell, Yukwon trusted Seungyoon as well.

"I honestly never expected this from him. I'm sure you didn't either. But...Jiho. I'm sorry. This is all because I was pushing you to get away from work and find someone to date. I didn't want to say anything while you two were together but I noticed that your relationship was progressing rather quickly, and it seemed off. I thought I was paranoid but I guess not. It really is my fault," Yukwon apologized. Jiho shook his head.

"No. It wasn't any of our faults. It can only be his and Minho's," Jiho corrected him. He paused. "But Kwon...don't call me stupid or anything for this but...I think I want to still be friends with Yoon." Yukwon's face contorted into an unimaginable face, ready to outright question the musician, but Jiho quickly intercepted.

"It's because he's someone irreplaceable. Don't you feel that way about Sunhye? I get that you dated her for years and my five-month relationship with Yoon is nothing in comparison, but he was really someone who was there for me. I felt true happiness that I haven't felt in forever, and even though him cheating hurt, I don't want to lose him as a friend," he explained. Yukwon chuckled out of disbelief.

"Are you in your right senses? You have so many friends Jiho, and you want to run back to him?"

At that moment, Jiho saw Hyuk through the window of his door. Hyuk waved, smiling. Jiho stood up from his seat, surprising Yukwon.

"What-"

"Oh, yeah, Kwon! I forgot to tell you, but yesterday - the bar - met this guy Hyuk. Cool music producer - I gotta introduce him to you - he's finally back! I'll be right back," Jiho recounted in short, broken sentences. Jiho shoved his phone into his pocket and grabbed his keys before racing out the door. Confused, Yukwon stood up and opened the door, only to see Jiho rushing down the stairs by himself.

"What was that? I could've sworn I heard him talking to someone...." Yukwon trailed off. Too exhausted with all that he's heard, he retreated back into the studio to wait for his best friend to come back.

"Hyuk! Where'd you go, man? You were singing - gosh you have such an amazing voice I can't even - before you just dipped," Jiho asked. Hyuk paused for a second, but it went unnoticed by Jiho. He chose to grin instead.

"I noticed your friend trying to come in, so I thought I'd step out for a while," he explained, to which Jiho nodded. The afternoon sun shone brightly in the sky, hurting Jiho's eyes.

"Wow, it's really hot today. Should we pick up some coffee or something before we head back to the studio? My friend who was just there - his name is Yukwon by the way - is probably waiting there. We'll get him some too so that he doesn't get too mad at me for ditching him," Jiho suggested. For some reason, he felt like his words were slurring and that the sun shone so brightly to the point where he couldn't see Hyuk anymore. But Hyuk's voice was loud and clear, and soon Jiho awoke from his daze.

"Sure," he smoothly replied. He placed his hand on Jiho's shoulder, firmly grasping his flesh. 

"The heat seems to be getting to you, that's why," he explained, and Jiho could only nod yet again. His grasp seemed oddly tight, but Jiho brushed it off as they soon approached his favorite cafe. 

The cool air conditioning struck Jiho's skin, much to his relief. He was always better suited for the wintry blasts of December. After asking Hyuk and messaging Yukwon, who sent a series of confused texts, it turned out they all wanted caramel macchiatos. The waitress looked at him weirdly, but still gave him the three coffees he ordered. 

As they walked out of the cafe, Hyuk paused.

"Jiho, I think I have to go back. Dongwook keeps messaging me. I don't know when I'll see you again, but here's my number," Hyuk blurted out, rushing to write down his number on a scrap of paper. 

"So...suddenly? I...alright, maybe we can meet again some time? I'll call you. Take your coffee at least," Jiho answered, taking out the cool plastic cup. Hyuk exchanged the small paper for the sweet drink before running off into the distance.

Jiho felt a rush in his head, but walked back to the studio where an annoyed Yukwon was waiting.

The container in his hand held three coffees. There was no small paper in his pocket.

He had trouble explaining what happened in the past fifteen minutes to Yukwon, and Yukwon decided that Jiho was totally out of it.

"It's okay. I know this is a rough spot for you. Here's what, I'll stay with you for a few days and take care of you. Just think about relaxing and don't even think about working in this state," Yukwon told Jiho, who was still trying to explain that he was not lying about Hyuk. Nevertheless, he agreed to having the dancer stay with him. 

Yukwon brought his belongings over and vowed to make Jiho even happier than Seungyoon.

Little did he know the very opposite would happen.

First were the angry outburst