Oneiric Tryst

33. Visiting Grandma

The couple spent their Friday at leisure. They sat back and ordered food to their home to enjoy it while watching whatever cartoon that ran on the TV. Giggling over the nonsensical plots of a bad fantasy show, they fell asleep wrapped around each other multiple times. Hongjoong slept better than usual. The proximity to Seonghwa not only calmed his nerves, but the warmth they shared also fended off bad thoughts and paranoia. According to Seonghwa, he also didn't have nightmares on both nights that they slept in the same bed together. Proud of his fending off skills that showed in his every being, Hongjoong had hugged the other man even closer.

After a peaceful Friday, the weekend dawned upon them with more snow. It tumbled from the sky in thick flakes, as if trying to make up quickly for the prior lack of it.

Seonghwa stood at the window with a mug of hot chocolate and watched them dance outside. Behind him, Hongjoong got ready. He had gone home only once to get a bag with fresh clothes, but returned instantly after. As he slipped into his comfortable hoodie, he curiously peeked at Seonghwa's forlorn expression.

Seonghwa was absent-minded a lot when he was afraid or cornered. Bundled with his difficulties finding joy in life, he fled reality on any occasion. While Hongjoong liked to wonder a lot about what was going on inside his head at those times, he also always feared that Seonghwa would drift too far off. Like a raft on the ocean.

"If it continues like this, we'll actually get snow this Christmas," Hongjoong announced cheerfully. At the sound of his voice, Seonghwa snapped right back into being. With a serene smile on his lips, he sipped on his chocolate.

"We didn't get that last year, so that would be nice. What are your plans for Christmas?"

Usually, Hongjoong was at work that day, like any other day. The nightmares on Christmas were rarer in most people since they were delighted with happiness and surrounded by family or friends. But there were always those lonely ones who got even more depressed observing communal happiness but not being part of it.

However, Seonghwa was his only case as of now. And seeing that Seonghwa would probably go home and spend time with his friends there, Hongjoong hoped he would sleep well.

"Depending on you, work. Do you celebrate Christmas?" Hongjoong took a few berries from the bowl and popped them into his mouth. Now that he was also finally finished getting ready, Seonghwa gulped down his drink and rinsed out his mug.

"No, I usually hang with Wooyoung. But he sounds as if he will make a couple event out of it this year and be with San. I can be lucky I found a person in the same year, or else I might be very lonely. Do you want to go on a date that day?"

Hongjoong smiled at him, charmed. They put on their boots and jackets, Seonghwa looking classily elegant while Hongjoong preferred baggy street style.

"Why not? If San is busy, my second plan also disappears. Then let's do something together."

Hongjoong held the door open for Seonghwa as they marched through. Downstairs they had a brief conference on which car to take, but Seonghwa succeeded. Hongjoong got to sit beside him and watch him drive once more. The idea of doing all those sweet couple things together with Seonghwa made Hongjoong giddy with joy. In his eyes, Seonghwa was a wonderful man. And Hongjoong was lucky he had scored with him, despite his initial awkwardness.

The drive to the nursing home was filled with the beats of the overplayed pop music from the radio. Seonghwa tapped his fingers to the rhythm on the steering wheel, having fun even when he didn't match the beat perfectly. Hongjoong watched him, enamoured.

The current residence of the tyrannical grandma was a sweet, white building in the outskirts of town. It was surrounded by a park much appreciated by the old people that got led around by nurses if so needed. Seonghwa parked in front of a prettily decorated fir. When he sat there for a moment, collecting himself, Hongjoong patiently waited for him.