Third Person POV

"Remember when I said that I was kind of a geek?" Seong-jae said as he held the doorknob to his room.

"Yes? Should I prepare for something?" Devon inquired, excited by the potential geek overload he was about to witness.

"Just, brace yourself."

He opened the door to reveal his tidy, well-lit room. He had wall scrolls from the Legend of Zelda, two large wooden book shelves full of various books and DVD's, and a dark oak desk with various-sized figurines. The smaller figurines rested in between shelves and by the Hyrule crested box, that probably contained an ocarina, on the desk. Not to mention that his twin sized bed had Kirby themed sheets.

Devon was so in awe that he hadn't realized he'd already started to touch every thing possible. The figurines of video game characters and animated girls were what enticed him.

Seong-jae remained at the door as his eyes trailed over Devon. His habit of studying people came from his dominant observation skills. But there were times where he wished he wasn't so attentive. Times where he's most intrigued by an object or person. Times where he could get a natural high just by gazing at the perfection before him.

Seong-jae didn't want to come off as creepy so he did his best to refrain from starring at Devon for most of the day. But he just couldn't look away this time. The way the bay window shined light on Devon's strawberry curls, the way Devon's freckles moved with every giggle, the way Devon's dress fit perfectly around his petite frame.

Seong-jae just couldn't look away.

"Oh! I forgot to ask. Can I touch them? I promise not to break anything," Devon asked just as Seong-jae reset himself.

"Of course. I've had a few of them for years, so you're not going to do any harm to them," Seong-jae walked over to examine his Link figurine, leaving the door ajar.

"These smaller ones are so cute! And you have so many~!" Devon moved towards the shelves filled with the smaller, more adorable figurines of animated girls.

"They're called Nendoroids," Seong-jae aided, "I was lucky enough to collect a few while I was in Japan--"

"You went to Japan?!" Devon was shocked.

Seong-jae chuckled, "Yeah. I have some relatives in Osaka and they invited us to stay at their inn for the Summer."

The most prominent Nendroids were of nine girls in fancy outfits. Devon could even spot a DIY stage hidden on the side of the shelf. There were also a variety of Pokémon and Vocaloid Nendoroids that rested on their stands.

"They're called μ's," Seong-jae picked up the figurine of a girl with black pigtails, magenta eyes, and pink pajamas.

"What?" Devon blinked.

"μ's (Muse), they're a school idol group from an anime called Love Live! -- ah, I don't really watch anime though -- But they actually held concerts in Japan and they're really awesome. My favorite one is Nico, but Hanayo-chan is really cute too... and Maki-chan has the best voice, in my opinion, even though I love them all. And Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan would be an adorable couple-- sorry, am I rambling?"

The flustered Korean had got carried away with his passion. He could go on and on talking about Love Live with his headcanons, opinions, and ships.

Devon giggled, "It's fine, I'm not going to judge you or anything."

At first, Devon was so nervous about spending time with someone new. In the end, his natural charm and lovely personality eased any tension that was put between them. Seong-jae was content as well, finally able to be himself.

Ever since moving to America, he has been introduced to many cultural differences and cultural norms. Especially with the fascination of gender and sexuality.

Devon was an example of that.

ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ

As noon became Afternoon, the boys grew more comfortable about each other. They spoke about things like their similar interests in Kirby, video games, Korean foods, and their favorite TV shows. Devon made sure to keep his obsession of K-drama on the down low though.

They sat in the bay window that resided behind the dark, oak wood desk. Devon's back was to the left side and Seong-jae's to the right. They faced each other, sitting on handmade cushions, as the golden sunlight softly kissed their cheeks through the pulled back curtains.

Devon, with crossed legs, asked a burning question, "How did you know that I was a guy? Back at the coffee shop..."

Seong-jae leaned in before replying,"Do you really want to know?"

Devon nodded.

The flustered Korean had no choice but to comply. He took a deep breath and answered, "It was your butt..."

Devon's face was burning strawberry red, his hands were gripping the hem of his dress, his eyes were trying to gaze away. Out of everything that could have been said, it had to be about his ass. It wasn't magnificent or anything, Devon didn't even think it was worth praising.

"H-how so?" He stuttered.

"I was thrown off at first glance, even your voice convinced me that you were a girl. So... I had to focus on physical features..."

Birds spoke in song as the autumn breeze rustled the trees.

"I-I didn't mean to stare! I was just trying to figure out..." The flushed Korean justified with waving hands.

Both boys were embarrassed, unable to bring their gaze to the opposite person. Then, as the peering sunlight started to enrich its color, Seong-jae observed Devon once more. With tinted cheeks and wandering eyes he discovered something memorable.

"What?" Devon felt the opposing eyes, "Is there something on my face?"

"No," Seong-jae whispered, "Your hair..."

"Is there something in my hair?" Devon repeated, more alert.

Seong-jae chuckled, "No, it's... let me show you."

He pulled out his cell phone, making sure Devon was in the shot, and snapped a photo before showing Devon what he meant.

"Your hair shines in the sunlight, like a golden apple," he smiled.

The setting sun was a perfect filter that created a natural highlight to Devon's strawberry curls. It laid like golden ribbons down the curve of his dress and hugged his knees. There was nothing that could compare to this picturesque moment.

Devon looked between the photo and the grinning Korean, being flustered all the while. If Seong-jae was trying to flirt, he's doing a pretty damn good job of it.

"You're really..."

"Pretty?" Devon finished.

"Majestic," Seong-jae added.

"M-Majestic?" He laughed, trying keep from falling off the window. "What kind of compliment is that?"

"It's the first thing that came to mind! Don't patronize me~" Seong-jae chuckled.

Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）

Devon's POV

"Oh god... why now?" I moaned into the toilet, which now had a disgusting ring around it.

Everything was going fine until the food from Sonic's suddenly decided to come back up. My fucking immune system or metabolism can't seem to handle anything.

"Ugh..." It burned to speak any more.

The hot, slime-like taste in my mouth has almost become the weekly norm. I've retched so many times before that I can feel it coming before my throat burns up. I even know how to trigger my gag reflex so the process won't be as horrible. The worst part is breathing. The short, ragged, burning, incomplete breaths that leaves my head spinning.

The horrid thought of being unable to call for help only induces my anxiety. It seems like the bile never ends... retching has no mercy.

Huffing away from the toilet with a gaping mouth, I let it flush for a second time. Luckily I didn't throw up on Seong-jae like I almost did at school. Speaking of handsome Koreans, I'm glad that he was downstairs vacuuming instead of catching me in my lowest moment.

After washing my hands and using the mouth wash that was conveniently placed on the sink counter, I finally took a full breath. Just letting the air fill my lungs. I didn't dare look in the mirror, I already knew I looked miserable.

"Fuck..." I moaned effortlessly, gripping the counter with both hands and a low hanging head. I felt so adorable today, now I feel like shit. If this was a date, I'd say that it's no longer successful.

"One... Two... Three..."

I counted between soft air. This always helped me calm down after these horrible experiences. Hopefully it won't last too long.

"Eleven... Twelve... Thirteen..."

I started to feel weaker than usual as the air circulated. Is it because of my new prescription?

"Twenty-one... twenty-two... Twenty-three..."

The numbers wouldn't stop. Fifteen was usually the max, why can't I breathe? Why can't I breathe?

"Thirty..."

One long, concerning breath. It left a burning feeling in my chest, my heart skipping a beat, my head pounding. My body needed to be in the hospital longer, but I was sick of just laying there endlessly. I never want to see another hospital room ever again. At least, I don't want to be the one lying there.

I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to see Seong-jae checking on me. His eevee jacket comforted his torso and a Hyrule crested shirt lay underneath. A simple pair of jeans and matching Pokémon socks made his lower half.

Is he a boxers or briefs person? Does he go commando? Does his underwear have a theme?

"Are you okay?" He asked, "I could call Priscilla for you if you want."

"No, no," I cut in, "I'm fine, I just need... do you have any soda?" The door frame became my support. If anything, I could create enough strength to go downstairs normally.

"Yeah, there's some in the fridge. Come on," he extended his hand out to me.

I placed mine in his for a brief moment before he switched to linking my arm. With the light flipped off, we walked down the stairs. Ms. Min was reading the latest GameStop Game Informer issue in the kitchen and Hana must have still been in her room.

Their kitchen was quaint. Dark granite countertops, a stainless steel fridge, mahogany cabinets with a matching floor, a glass door that led to the backyard, and a small dinning room set hugged the wall to the right. The kitchen was also very open with room for an island.

Seong-jae must have noticed my subtle sulking because he said, "You still look adorable today."

"How could I still be adorable after what I just did?" I teased aloud.

"Well, I'm still smiling, aren't I?" He gave me the most sincere smile I've ever seen. Lovely dimples were accompanied by a rosy tint as he looked over me one more time.

I couldn't breathe, for a good reason this time. There's never been a guy that has looked at me with eyes like that. Eyes that sparkle with interest. Eyes that shine with compassion.

"Song!" Hana emerged from behind the stairway, "Stop being a flirt!"

"I-I'm not flirting! It was an honest compliment..."

Ms. Min looked up from her magazine to smoothly input, "Remember to invite me to the wedding~"

Are they...? Is he...?

I realized that they got the idea from our still linked arms. I felt like a puzzle missing a piece when he left my arm. He opened the fridge and crouched down to look for my request.

"We have... Cola, apple juice, Melon Soda--"

"Melon Soda!" I perked up from the all too familiar name. That was my favorite type of soda.

"I guess it's decided then," he chuckled, handing it to me.

"Oh!" Ms. Min wandered over to me, "Will you be staying for dinner?"

I almost dropped the glass bottle. I couldn't let her know of my condition. It's best if she just knows that I get sick sometimes...

"Of course," I smiled innocently.

I could see the excitement in her eyes as I felt Hana nuzzle me from behind. She had the faintest scent of strawberry cake.

"It's official, we're keeping him. You're so adorable~" she cooed in my ear.

Seong-jae held a reluctant smile, knowing the stress I just put myself through minutes prior. But he didn't stop me. He acted as if everything was normal.

"Thank you," I mouthed.

I pressed down on the bottle with the round plastic and a tiny marble came plummeting down into the carbonated drink, stopping where the bottle caves in. The bubbles sizzled as they crashed against the glass wall.

"Hey Devon, you're left handed, right?" Seong-jae inquired.

"Yeah, how did you...?"

               Ah, he really is observant.

"Do you want a fork?" He was standing over the drawer of utensils.

"I can use chopsticks. That's about thing only thing that I can use with my right hand," I grinned.

                                 (*≧∀≦*)

Third Person POV

Dinner was amazing and warm and... homely. Devon couldn't remember a time where he ate dinner with his Father and Priscilla. Let alone a time where his Mom was in the picture. But he let the face of envy slip away into the abyss of unwanted emotions. Nothing good will come from feeding the ever growing pit self-loathe.

When the sun was almost tucked away for the evening, They said their goodbyes as Seong-jae walked Devon home. The frigid air tickled Devon's arms as he snuggled more into his infinity scarf. They made plans to hang out again next weekend which would boost the progress of their English projects.

"Thanks for today," Devon smiled once at the Estate's gate, "I haven't had that much fun in a while."

"I had a lot of fun too. And hey, you're still really cute..."

Devon tried to hide his blush. Before he could push the gate, he noticed that he has missed about five phone calls from his Father. His heart sank and many terrible scenarios circled his mind. Seong-jae could see the distress on his face, he knew he had to do something.

"Devon..." he moved in closer.

"Hmm?" Devon could only look up for a brief moment.

Seong-jae has wrapped his arms around him, embracing him tightly, submerging his face in the strawberry curls he grew to love. Devon was engulfed in masculine comfort, standing in awe.

"He smells like lavender..." Devon thought, linking his arms around.

Devon's heart raced and pounded in his ears... or was that Seong-jae's heartbeat? He couldn't tell anymore.

"You looked like you needed this today," Seong-jae looked down with half-closed lids.

Devon gazed up with another reason to blush, "I did. Thank you..."