Hyukjae turned into a mannequin. On the couch. Where he must've waited for Donghae.

The cake was left. Not a single bite was taken.

Donghae feels terrible.

He... took long in the shower. All because he got too... excited. Well, he was nervous. Because his body had other wishes.

But Hyukjae leaving the cake... not eating any of it... when Donghae rushed home for that... to see Hyukjae eat it...

He feels quite upset. He remembers Hyukjae's words. About feeling something bad. Because he thought Donghae wouldn't be home. And so he didn't feel like eating.

Donghae stays on the couch all night. Near the mannequin. Who's seated small and tight. His hands are in his lap. His head's bowed a bit. His eyes are closed.

Donghae's worried that... he hurt its feelings.

He doesn't get much work done the next day. He can't draw the stupid adult scenes. Not when this was part of the problem. He doesn't want to be... thinking of Hyukjae like that. Not when the poor mannequin's probably hurt.

The thought of it tearing up... makes Donghae's chest squeeze.

So he just wanders about his place. Cleans. Ends up making some food. Then just sits on his couch. Beside the mannequin. Keeps his eyes on its beautiful face.

His lack of sleep must've made him doze off. When he wakes, it's night. It's past... the time Hyukjae should be... alive...

But he is still a statue.

Donghae's heart sinks. He touches the mannequin's face. Its hair. His arms. Donghae's sweater that its wearing. Hyukjae's eyes remain closed. Its skin's hard. Cold.

He tries to stay calm. To wait. Tells himself he had the time wrong. Even though he knows. The mannequin's been turning human a few minutes earlier each day. Because it's been getting that consistent love and care it wants.

So... why... why not now?

When it's past midnight... Donghae can't fool himself anymore.

The mannequin's not changing.

He feels upset enough to cry.

"Hyukjae," he says softly. Touches its cheek. "Please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Has he been... wrong? In thinking that the mannequin just doesn't know? That it can't be making decisions for himself? That it doesn't know what it's doing or saying?

Even now... sometimes Donghae will think of him as it... rather than he...

Because he's... or it is... not quite human?

But... didn't he hear his clear heartbeart yesterday?

It still doesn't have all its memories. Donghae doesn't know anything about it. Hyukjae doesn't know anything about himself.

He said he likes you though, Donghae thinks. It wants you. Likes to kiss you. Wants you to kiss him. The poor thing could just be wanting innocent kisses... but Donghae's body's turning his feelings into... not-so-innocent feelings.

He doesn't know what to do. He is sitting on the floor. Below the mannequin. It stays frozen on the couch.

"Hyukjae," he says to it. To him. "I'm really sorry. I've just been so worried about doing something wrong to you. I don't want to hurt you. It was one of the first things you said to me."

His eyes tear up. The night's getting later and later. But his beautiful mannequin remains lifeless.

"Don't you want to eat, Hyukjae?" he says. "I really wanted to see you eating that cake yesterday. Did you not eat it because of me?"

He touches the mannequin's knee.

"Come on, Hyukkie. Please."

Donghae moves closer. Peers at its face. He touches it again. Its soft hair. He runs his thumb over his eyelids. Nose. Lips.

His face feels so different from when he's alive. When it's warm and soft. Donghae wants to hold him. Hug him. Make him smile. See his eyes sparkling with interest. Curiosity. Happiness.

Then Donghae's leaning up. He's kissed the hard lips.

"Hyukjae," he says. "I'm sorry. I'll kiss you all you want. You can kiss me all you want. Just please turn human."