Jongup chews his cheek and waits anxiously, looking out the nearest window for Daehyun’s car to arrive. Any minute now, he says, nervously choking down a glob of saliva. He replays his conversation with Yongguk: just support him, trust him, it’s Dae. 

The t.v. is off. How awkward, he thinks and rushes to click it on, returning to his place against the window. He jumps a little with each car that passes, wondering if it’ll stop in his driveway when at last one does. The back door opens, Jongup unknowingly holds his breath. One leg slides out, then another, then a familiar face emerges and he can feel his heart pound just a little harder. He’s missed him. 

Daehyun is no longer blonde, but back to his original shade of deep brown. It makes him look younger, Jongup thinks to himself with a smile. 

After the elder is given his bag, he makes his way down the walkway and Jongup charges toward the door, practically flying it open with a mix of nervousness and excitement. Daehyun looks up from the path slowly and when he sees his long time friend, his bag slips from his grip onto the ground with a dull thud, and bolts straight into Jongup’s chest. Caught off guard, the younger loses his balance and they fall to the wooden floor, Daehyun clutching onto him tight. Jongup takes a second to recover from the impact, his arms finding their way around the other. They haven’t hugged in years. Daehyun’s face is nestled firmly against Jongup’s collarbone and the latter hears a stifled sniffle, moving to rest his head against the other’s and holds him until he’s ready. 

When Daehyun is finally able to dry his eyes, he rolls over onto the floor next to his friend, laying his head on the other’s outstretched arm. They lay for a few moments, staring at the ceiling not thinking about anything in particular. 

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” Jongup breaks the silence. Daehyun pats his own head with a slight grin. “I wanted a new start.” These words comfort Jongup more than Daehyun knows.

“Then lets start by unpacking your bag, shall we?” Jongup releases his arm from under the other, gets up with a jump and holds his hand out to Daehyun who takes it with a smile.

———

A few weeks have passed. Things seem to be seamlessly serene. Daehyun is different, more reminiscent of his old self and Jongup could not be happier. They’ve been hanging out with friends, having actual conversations, having actual fun. 

This new start is turning out to be something they both needed. After years of cleaning up Daehyun’s bitter messes, patching up wounds Yongguk had inflicted, treading lightly in his own house, Jongup is free to just be. Daehyun is really trying to be this new person, a better version without the anger and hurt scaling his back. 

He’s doing so well, Jongup thinks one morning as he makes breakfast for the pair of them. Daehyun is folding laundry, not neatly of course, but at least he’s folding it. Jongup chuckles when the other holds up a shirt that looks as though it’s meant for a child. 

“What are you laughing at?” Daehyun chortles. 

“I told you to watch what you put in the dryer.”

Daehyun mocks him silently and tries to squeeze into the shirt, getting stuck with both arms over his head.

“Um, a little help?”

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