The discussion of life and its purpose along with questions and theorised answers had considerably changed the bond between the two men. Indeed, their shared lifestyle was still randomly interrupted by common vocal bantering like the old days, especially with the TV channels and other small issues. However, it wasn’t due to anger this time. It was more as if the two of them in somehow ‘enjoyed’ such playful teasing and mocking, especially Jaejoong who appeared entertained by Yunho’s short fuse reactions to the angel’s impish remarks.

Yet, the two men definitely enjoyed each other’s company. Yunho couldn’t help but to notice that lately Jaejoong had been putting some effort in obeying the agreed rules. Sometimes he would catch sight of the angel sweeping the floor and wiping the windows without being told to. Jaejoong would use his magic to telekinetically motion the broom in every direction he wished to. It was a different cleaning approach, but Yunho didn’t find himself complaining.

There were also few days when Yunho would return home to a newly rearranged and neatly decorated apartment. The sofa would be moved to a different location, the TV would be facing upon another wall, the small dining table would be topped by a vase of flower, and more. It looked like Jaejoong had been constantly experimenting with new looks and renovations for the apartment, and again, Yunho never complained. Secretly, he was amused.

Yunho didn’t take Jaejoong for granted. He would often come home with warm food and a set of new clothes for the man to wear. He even went to the length of ordering food from the fast-food restaurants rather than buying from the small late night food stalls. Yunho admitted that this new routine was a bit pricey, but he didn’t mind paying the extra cost if it meant he would be having a stable lifestyle with Jaejoong at home, as long as none of them took granted of one another. Personally, he viewed the exchange as fair and equal.

Alas, there were also days when Yunho still doubting upon Jaejoong’s truthful existence and mission. But he had concluded to himself that even if he was indeed hallucinating, he wouldn’t label it as a major problem because as far as he was concerned, the death angel never brought harm to him. So why not enjoy the luxury of living with a literal angel?

Today, it was yet another off day for Yunho. Perhaps it was because of the talk he shared with Jaejoong days ago when they were at the park, but recently he noticed that he felt somewhat… happy.

Yunho was uncertain what caused such an emotion to be felt but he wasn’t going to dig deeper. Suddenly, things felt lighter, and he could breathe easier. His job was still a torture all the same, but the only difference this time was that he finally had someone who cared for him waiting at home. And it was more than what he could have asked for.

Jaejoong naturally became his backbone, an endless supply of support that was also a source of daily annoyances and playful bantering. But it was due to the angel’s encouragement that Yunho had managed to apply for an art competition. He had 3 months to finish a painted piece. Jaejoong told him that this competition would help to rekindle the once dimmed artist’s flame within him, and Yunho chose to give art another try. In fact, he needed a hobby this time around.

However, despite how picking up upon his old passion could be a good thing, Yunho was also encaged with the same monster that had been hunting for him, his extremist and anxious self. The moment he registered for the competition, winning the contest was the only thing conquering his mind. He had been rereading the leaflet of the competition several times, making sure he had read all the details of the contest so he wouldn’t make silly mistakes such as realising he was on the wrong genre in the very last minute. Obsessed was perhaps the best word to describe his current situation. Suddenly, winning the competition was his only life purpose. Suddenly, his art never looked good. Just like years ago, his art disappointed him, and it scared him. No, it angered him.

Inside the living room, Yunho was on the floor. A huge piece of blank acrylic paper rested upon the floor surface. Dust of erasers dotted the floor, several crumpled papers were scattered, and a set of artist tools were all sprawled in every direction disorganised and outright messy.

This was the 18th paper Yunho planned to sacrifice, soon to be crushed with anger just like its predecessors. It was his off day and he should not be wasting this precious day being riled up and stressed by the competition, the possibly ‘more-talented-than-him’ rivals, and the sudden urge to justify his self-worth by winning the art contest. But he had spent the entire morning and afternoon sketching and angrily scrubbing the ‘failed pieces of art’ he loathed to see.

Jaejoong was there in the living room as well but the angel didn’t seem to be initiating a conversation with him anytime soon. The holy creature had been walking here and there from the kitchen to the couch each time he looked for more snacks to consume. Basically, the two men hadn’t spoken to one another today other than the early morning greetings. But Yunho couldn’t help but to notice Jaejoong who had been stealing glances at him from the couch.

“Could you stop staring at me and find some