They call him D.O—because his eyes sparkle, under the blinding lights of camera flashes and white backdrops.

They call him D.O—because his voice smoothens the creases of his palms, because his smile curves in an imperfect balance of lips and teeth.

But he is so much more than lingering laughter and pitched melodies.

His name is Kyungsoo—because in it lay the pieces of the sky, the echo of the moon.

His name is Kyungsoo—because the hazelnut colour of his dusty hair blends perfectly against the daunting blush of sunset.

And so, Kyungsoo will start at the past and at the future and at anywhere the ticking clock stops.

Because there are no seconds or minutes with Kyungsoo—only the stretch of the ocean,

and the spaces in between his fingers,


and all the little things that make up a fragile mind—bound together by an innocent heart.

Kyungsoo is real—more real than the flesh of any other human being.

~~~