Jaehyun and Woonhak walked side by side, heading toward the house of Woonhak's aunt and uncle. The late afternoon sun bathed the streets in a soft golden glow, casting long shadows behind them. Woonhak had mentioned it was about a twenty-minute walk, and they had settled into a quiet rhythm. The air was warm and carried the scent of blooming flowers, a gentle reminder that spring was in full bloom.

Jaehyun pulled a small hand cart behind him, the wheels rattling against the uneven pavement. The sound was a constant, grounding presence amidst the swirling thoughts in his mind. They chatted lightly as they went, though Jaehyun could sense the tension in Woonhak's voice. Woonhak explained that his aunt and uncle each had their own car, so if the parking lot in front of the house was empty, they were safe.

They walked past houses that told stories of different lives-some in rather traditional Korean style with tile roofs and wooden gates, others sleek and modern with large glass windows. Pots of flowers and blooming bushes dotted front yards, filling the air with a sweet fragrance that seemed at odds with the weight of their destination. The peaceful atmosphere was almost deceptive, a calm veil over Woonhak's worried mind.

"We're almost there," Woonhak murmured, his voice steady but quiet. He led Jaehyun into a smaller street, his steps slowing as they neared a white house with a blue roof. It looked... ordinary. Normal.

"This is it," Woonhak said, his voice low and detached.

Jaehyun blinked in surprise. He hadn't known what to expect, but in the back of his mind, he'd pictured something eerie and foreboding-a house that reflected the coldness Woonhak had described. But this house looked like any other, almost deceptively serene.

Woonhak pointed to the empty parking lot. "They're not here," he said, the relief evident in his voice. He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto the front door like it was a challenge he needed to overcome. "Let's get this over with."

Jaehyun nodded, his hand reaching out to touch Woonhak's shoulder in reassurance. The contact was brief but filled with silent support. Together, they approached the door. Jaehyun let go of the hand cart as Woonhak pulled a small, worn key from his pocket. His fingers trembled slightly, but after a moment's hesitation, he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

They stepped into a narrow hallway that led into a larger living room through an open sliding door. The house was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt hollow. It lacked the warmth of a real home.

"C'mon," Woonhak said, his voice a little tighter now. "My room is upstairs."

Jaehyun followed him, his eyes scanning the surroundings as they passed through the living room. It looked neat, organised. But unpersonal. The furniture was minimal, there were no family photos, no real signs of life beyond the bare essentials. The only things that brought at least some life to the room where an old cuckoo clock and a large potted plant.

At the top of the stairs, Woonhak walked toward one of the doors and opened it. The room beyond was small and rather empty. A bed, a closet, and a desk. That was it. The walls were bare and white, devoid of any pictures, or color. It felt impersonal, like a space someone merely existed in rather than lived in. The only sign of personality was a worn stuffed animal resting on the bed, its fur matted from years of comfort.

"I never had anything to decorate this room," Woonhak said softly, his eyes fixed on the emptiness. "I didn't have the material, or the reason to do so. I didn't really care..." His posture had stiffened, his shoulders tense as if bracing for something unseen.

Jaehyun stepped closer and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Go pack your stuff, Woonie. Let's get out of here as soon as we can."

Woonhak nodded, the stiffness in his posture easing slightly. He walked to his closet and opened the door, his breath catching in relief when he saw a brown cardboard box tucked away in the corner. "It's still here," he breathed, his fingers tracing the edge of the box like it was a fragile treasure.

He carefully pulled the box out and placed it on the floor, then started opening drawers and grabbing other small items. He packed them into a bag, his movements quick but deliberate.

"Uhm... can I help with anything?" Jaehyun asked, feeling a little out of place.

Woonhak paused for a second before nodding. "Yeah. If you want, you can take my clothes off the hangers and put them in this bag," he said, pointing to the closet.

Jaehyun took the bag with a determined nod and started to quickly but carefully fold the clothes. The silence was thick but not uncomfortable, each boy lost in thought.

"I'll bring this stuff down to the hand cart real quick," Woonhak said when he'd finished filling the bag. "I'll be right back."

"Okay," Jaehyun replied, his focus on the clothes in his hands. He listened to the soft sounds of Woonhak's footsteps disappearing down the stairs.

Once Jaehyun finished packing the clothes, he slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to leave the room. He paused at the door, glancing back at the cold, empty space. It wasn't just a room; it was a symbol of everything Woonhak had endured.

He clenched his jaw, determination flaring in his chest. Woonhak didn't belong here anymore. He belonged with people who cared about him.

With that thought, Jaehyun headed downstairs to join his friend, ready to help him leave this place behind for good.

---

Word count: 957

Do ya'll know &Team? They're friends with BoyNextDoor and also a really cool group^^

I'm thinking of writing a fantasy fanfiction about them, but I'm not sure yet...