"Why do we have to hurry all the time?"

Hyukjae is whining. Trudging. Donghae leads him.

"You get me excited and then you don't even have anything ready!"

"I do have something ready!" Donghae says. "I picked up pizza. It's waiting and it will get cold."

Hyukjae's feet get lighter. "Really? You're not lying?"

"No. Not lying."

Donghae doesn't actually need to hurry. To get him inside. It doesn't make sense. Hyukjae works at the convenience store. Alone, at times. Evenings and weekends. So what's Donghae going to do then? When Hyukjae has to work?

But Donghae has two more days. To convince himself. That Hyukjae can be outside. Especially in the surrounding area. If Hyukjae's mother's spell works.

Which does, actually. He'd confirmed it.

Maybe Donghae just doesn't want him seen... with himself.

Once inside... Donghae lets out a breath. Quietly.

Hyukjae takes off his shoes. Drops his bag. Coat. Throws his scarf. He runs to the box on the counter.

He exclaims happily, "You weren't lying!"

Donghae falls onto his black sofa. "Your cola's in the fridge."

Hyukjae's gleeful. His squeal's muffled. His mouth's already stuffed. He pulls the fridge open. Squeals again.

Good, Donghae thinks. He'll forget to wonder. Ask.

Hyukjae brings his pizza slice. Cola. Folds his legs. Sits on the floor. He chews with full cheeks. His eyes are round...

And on Donghae.

"Um," Donghae says. Quickly. "How... uh, how was school?"

"Ohm." Hyukjae swallows his food. Grins widely. "It was great! I got the second highest mark in class on my essay!" Hyukjae laughs. His body nearly tips over. "I don't even remember what I wrote!"

"Oh... when you were worried about Heechul?"

Hyukjae sits right. His smile wanes. "Yeah..." Then he brightens again. "Oh! Heechul texted me today and he said he got to walk around! Just in a room, but that's great! Right? And--and my friend said there's a dance competition! Like a battle! He wants me to partner up with him!"

Oh no.

Donghae joins him on the floor.

"Where? When?"

"It's a month before my birthday! There's a dance school... oh..." Hyukjae's mouth remains an O too. He lowers his pizza. Tilts his head. "Maybe it's not a good idea...?"

Donghae hesitates. He's wanted the boy to do more things.

"Well, I can go with you?" Donghae offers.

There's a short pause. Hyukjae just looks at him.

"So... I should sign up?" he says.

"Well... if you want to?" Donghae says.

Hyukjae's in thought. He munches on more pizza. Blinks under his bangs. Shifts them away. Then nods.

"I'll think about it..." he says. "That was stupid."

"What was stupid?"

"Getting so excited and forgetting that I can't."

"But you can," Donghae says. "I'll accompany you. I've told you I don't mind doing that."

"No," Hyukjae says. Sips his drink. Gets up to take another slice. "You have king stuff to do."

"What?"

"King stuff?" Hyukjae repeats. "Right?" He turns to him. His eyes are round again. Wide. "Must be important."

"I don't have king stuff to do..."

"But you used to say you have important things to do because you're a king -- oh! I have to go to work!"

"Wait, what?" Donghae gets up. "You don't have work tonight!"

"I do." Hyukjae carefully places his half eaten slice. Back in the box. "I picked up a shift." He closes the box. Suddenly, he gives Donghae a begging look. "Donghae, can you please leave me a few slices for tonight? I'll eat them later! Please? Please?"

Donghae nods absently. Like he cares about pizza. What should he do? Float around the convenience store? Maybe he should--

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