"I talked to Teukkie..." Donghae says.

Hyukjae looks at him. His eyes and cheeks are round. A bagel's in his hand. Donghae chuckles. Pecks his head. Sits beside him.

"I think... it would be nice for you to see Teukkie. For him to see you. When you feel good... and he feels comfortable about it, then we can get you to see Grandma Park. Okay?"

Hyukjae slowly chews again. Nods. His eyes stare at his plate.

"I will be here, of course," Donghae says.

Hyukjae swallows. Nods again. "Okay."

Donghae smiles. Watches him go back to eating. Hyukjae takes little bites. Fills his cheeks. Chews. Takes a swig from his milk. Goes back to his bagel.

Hyukjae empties his glass when he's finished.

"No kissing, right?"

"Huh? Oh, no, absolutely no kissing Teukkie. Hyukjae. You can't do..."

Donghae stops. Notices Hyukjae's smiling. His eyes are crinkled. Gums are shining. Donghae snorts. He's joking with him...

"You adorable brat," Donghae says. Rises from his chair. Pinches the other's cheeks. Hyukjae giggles. Donghae pecks his head again. "Baby... how about we go out sometime today?"

"To walk?!" Hyukjae says. Excitedly. He then looks out the window. "When it's dark?"

"No, let's go buy you some snacks later," Donghae says. He wants him to see more of the world.

"Snacks? Cookies? Chips? To get things like on the TV?"

"Sure. You can see and choose."

Hyukjae's eyes twinkle like stars.

----

Donghae finishes as many scenes as he can. It's past noon when he pauses.

Hyukjae's sitting on the other side of him. He's looking through a volume. His cheeks were blushing before. But now he's just pouting. He must be getting hungry. Or confused. About what he's reading. He's being patient for Donghae, though. He's been quiet the whole time. Not asking anything. Not coming close to cuddle.

He's let Donghae work in peace.

Donghae feels such strong love for him.

"Hyukkie..."

The other's head snaps up. "Yeah!"

Donghae smiles. "Should we go, then?"

Hyukjae leaves his book on the table. Jumps to his feet.

"Okay! Oh, b-but are you done? Did you do all your work? Are you caught up?"

"I need to do a few more pages, but I need a break. My hand will hurt if I keep going." Donghae gets to his feet. "Let's have something for lunch and get you those snacks."

Hyukjae's come around to him. He holds his hand. it.

"Okay. A  break is important. You can't hurt your hand." Hyukjae kisses it. Hugs it to his chest. "I can make lunch so you don't have to use your hand!"

"You're so sweet," Donghae says. "It'll be okay, but you can help if you want."

"Yes, I want to!"

Donghae leans in to kiss him. Hyukjae responds to it instantly. With a little bounce. A cute eager sound. He holds Donghae's face. Makes their kiss longer. 

----

Donghae doesn't want to take him far. They're not walking around like before. At night. They're going somewhere in broad daylight. There will be other people.

He's worried. About losing Hyukjae. Something happening to him. Or if he turns mannequin. Hyukjae seems alright now. Says he's alright too. But Donghae can't help thinking of those things.

Hyukjae asked to hold his hand when they stepped out the door.

Now he's still holding it. Hugging his arm when they pass people. He's just sticking close to him. His eyes go around to every building. Up and down the street.

"Alright," Donghae says. "See that little building with the bright blue sign?"

Hyukjae nods. "Con... venience store?"

"Yes. That's where we're going."

"There's candy there?"

"Yep," Donghae says. "Come on."

He has to step away from Hyukjae a little. To push the door. Hold it for another person to get out. Hyukjae gasps. Grabs the back of his jacket. Donghae gives him his hand when they're inside.

"Okay, Hyukkie," he says quietly. "We'll walk around... and if there's something you want, you can show me