"It's okay... stop worrying and get started."

Hyukjae pouts at him. Donghae grabs socks. A light spring jacket. Hyukjae's.

"Wait, don't forget yours!" Hyukjae hurriedly takes Donghae's. Out of the closet. He holds it for Donghae to wear.

"Thank you." Donghae presses a quick kiss on his lips. "Now, close the door, start focusing--"

"Zip it up!"

Donghae turns to him. Holds his arms open. Hyukjae closes the zipper for him.

"Okay, as I was saying," Donghae says. "I'm gonna lock the front door after me, so if you need to move to the living room, you can. I've put all my stuff away, so you don't have to worry about any of it."

"Okay..."

But Hyukjae shuffles after him. To the bedroom door. He... almost shuts the door. Donghae steps out. Watches Hyukjae peering. With one eye.

"Hyukjae... don't waste time."

"But I'll miss you..."

"Hyukjae."

"You'll have fun without me."

"Baby, I'll bring you a snack."

"Oh, give him a snack too!"

Hyukjae is already opening the door. Excitedly. Donghae grabs the handle. Stops it. Hyukjae's mouth pouts again. Bigger. Fatter.

"Do your best, okay? I know you can do it. I love you."

"Okay... I love you, too..."

Hyukjae softly closes the door. Donghae sighs. Quickly goes back to Eunhyuk.

The pretty guest's standing. Waiting. In the small entrance area.

"Here you go," Donghae says. Gives him the socks. "Put these on first."

"Thank you."

"And then you can put on Hyukjae's shoes -- here they are."

Eunhyuk blinks around a bit. His eyes seem... slightly wider. They have been since Donghae explained. That he'll take him outside. All he'd answered was okay. Then gave him these... blank stares. At times... they feel wary. Donghae hopes it's not... because of him.

"Are you okay? Are the clothes comfortable?"

"Yes, Donghae. Thank you."

Eunhyuk's sat down. To slip on his socks. Hyukjae lent him his pants. A shirt. Donghae carefully puts on his own shoes. He turns to Eunhyuk. The other's gotten back up now. With the shoes on too. He looks at the jacket in Donghae's hands.

"Here," Donghae says. Holds it out for him. "In case it gets cold. Hyukjae insisted."

"Thank you."

Donghae's felt like... Eunhyuk wants to say something. But perhaps is too confused. Or doesn't know how to say it. Or... is actually scared.  That bothers Donghae.

Eunhyuk wears Hyukjae's jacket. Blinks at Donghae once more.

"Okay, are you ready?" Donghae smiles at him.

Eunhyuk opens his mouth. But pauses. He glances at the door. At Donghae's hand. At his face. Donghae sees his fingers curls. Into the sleeve.

"Are there many places outside?" Eunhyuk asks.

"Many places? Yeah, I guess so?"

"Are there many people?"

"Um... well, not too many, but there... are probably people out. Yeah. Why?"

"Eunhyuk doesn't know many people or many places."

"Oh..." Donghae observes him. "Are you nervous about going outside?"

"Eunhyuk... doesn't understand... nervous. Will Donghae and Eunhyuk go to many places and see many things?"

Donghae hears a sound. From within the house. Hyukjae could be using magic. Or he could be leaving the bedroom--

His small voice comes:

"Hae... have you left? I can't do anything until you're gone..."

"Yeah! Leaving now, babe! Eunhyuk. Let's go. Hyukjae needs to do something important."

Eunhyuk eyes linger on him. On his hand.

"Do you want to hold my hand?" Donghae offers it.

The other's eyes blink. He nods once. Instantly. His hand jerks up. Then halts.

"Eunhyuk may hold Donghae's hand?" Eunhyuk says. "Now?"

"Sure," Donghae says. Smiles again. He reaches for his hand. Clasps it.

"Eunhyuk may hold it... the entire time in the outside?"

Donghae's heart twinges. He opens the door. Looks at Eunhyuk. His question sounds like a request. A need. Could he please hold his hand the entire time?

"Yes, absolutely. You may hold my hand, or arm, or jacket, whenever you need. Okay? And don't be scared to ask me anything or let me know if you're nervous or tired."

He gently tugs Eunhyuk out. Shuts the door behind himself. Makes sure it's locked.

----

They're just walking. Down the street. Donghae had thought... they could talk. But Eunhyuk's staring. Silently. His eyes dart around. Fixate on something. His head follows it. Until he can't. Donghae has slowed his walk. He's getting worried.

"Eunhyuk?"

Donghae touches his arm. Eunhyuk takes a short inhale. His eyes snap to him. Donghae pulls him slowly. To one side. Eunhyuk's eyes move to a shop. Around. Back to Donghae.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

Eunhyuk blinks. His lips press. Part. Donghae waits for him to speak.

"Eunhyuk doesn't go to the outside."

Donghae frowns. Recalls his questions.