ENHYPEN IMAGINES

H e e s e u n g

Word Count : 1163

BGM : Overthinking - offonoff
Author's note : Please read slowly and imagine the smells and sounds as you listen to the song and read.

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The cold breeze blew as you walked through the bare streets, the sound of your footsteps filling the atmosphere. There was something about nights like these that just make your heart feel lighter. Looking up at the night sky, you could see the bright light of the moon slowly hide behind the clouds. You wanted to hide, too. You wanted a break from all of these emotions. You'd rather be here than at home, listening to the same insults you thought you were numb to by now.

You inhaled deeply, letting the smell of the trees and grass engulf your senses. You always loved that smell. The familiar sight of your favourite spot slowly comes into view. It was a hill that overlooked the town and you could see your house amongst the other buildings that hugged closely. As the bench came closer, you realised there was a tall figure sitting already, but your footsteps alerted the stranger before you could walk away.

" Ah, I didn't realise there was already someone here, sorry. I'll lea-" The figure turned around, his eyes glistening a little as the street lamp illuminated his face softly. He seemed to be your around your age. His hair was a little long, his bangs almost covering his eyes and his nose was so pretty. Heck, he looked like a manga character. The man's eyes met yours and you realised there were streaks down his cheeks. Damn it, this is awkward. Not to mention you pretty much stared at him.

" No! Uh, you can sit. I think it's time for me to leave. " He sniffed, hurriedly wiping his face with the sleeves of his shirt before standing up. Now you feel bad for interrupting someone who probably wanted to clear their thoughts, like you did. " No, it's okay. I'll just.. have a moment there, " you pointed to the railings nearby. " Ah.. Are you sure? " his hands were clutched together, looking guilty. You nodded, giving a small smile as you gestured to the railings.

You approached the railings, casually leaning against it while resting your head on your arms. Looking at your house in the distance, you could feel the wave of sadness seeping into you. The sound of the crickets filled the silence. Occasionally, you could hear the sound of vehicles driving past. It's all of these things that make the night feel nice. To be in your own thoughts, just listening to the surroundings and feeling like time has slowed down.

" Life is... tiring. " you sighed to yourself. If only you could sit somewhere and just watch life pass by without having to feel so many things at once so often.

" It is, isn't it.. " the man responded in a sad tone. You looked back to see him approaching the railings, too. " Sorry if I interrupted your thoughts. I didn't expect anyone to be here, either. " he sniffed, leaning onto the railings a little further from you. Well, maybe it's fine to have someone to relate to. Also, how does he still look pretty after crying?

You chuckled at the thought. " It's fine. "

The two of you stared into the distance for a while, keeping your own thoughts running in your minds. That is, until he asked a question. " Do you ever feel like you just don't know yourself anymore? "

You felt your heart jump for a moment. The memories of you breaking down every few months, feeling so lost and overwhelmed rushed through your mind. You've never told anyone, but with this guy... His presence was as calming as his voice. It's not like he was going to tell anyone, anyways. " Yeah. Every time I go out on nights like this, I get caught up in my own thoughts and emotions that I've hidden so long for god knows what reason. "

He turns to look at you, his face serious. " I think we know the reason. " His tone made you turn to look at him.

" We just needed someone to listen. " You could feel your heart drop a little as you stared into his eyes. You knew. He knew.

You sighed, turning to look back into the distance. " It's hard. "

" After carrying a facade of being happy for so long, it's as if I'm not supposed to.. have feelings anymore. " You could see his head nodding in agreement. " Yeah. The thought of telling someone that I have problems seems to be impossible. " he sighs, burying his head into his arms.

" You would think that after so many times of feeling like this, you'd be used to it. It never gets old, huh? " You chuckle in amusement at your own thoughts. He chuckles softly too, lifting his head to rest on his arms. " Sometimes, I wonder if this is just our fate. I know we just can't help it at times. We know how hard it is to keep things in, so we offer to listen. At the end of the day, we forget that we, too, are humans. "
Maybe it's just because he's speaking softly, but his voice was really calming. Sad, but calming. It felt like you could tell him anything. " You're nice to talk to, did you know that? "

" I've heard. You're nice to talk to, too. " He replies, this time his tone was a little lighter. " This is probably why we ended up like this. " He chuckles. You chuckle, agreeing. " If this is what it's like talking to me, I see why I'd end up telling all my problems and feeling better. "

He was right. We just needed someone to listen. That's all. It was something so simple yet so difficult. " Thank you. " The words came out before you could stop yourself. The man hummed in confusion as he looked at you. " For listening. "
You could see his lips curving into a smile and naturally, it made you smile. It was genuine. Looking into his eyes that seemed to sparkle underneath the faint light, it made your heart flutter.

" We barely know each other, but if you need someone to listen, I'm here. "

His brows raised in surprise. He chuckled, giving another smile as he searched for words to say.  " I'll be here, too. "

He stepped away from the railings, taking a few steps before stopping in front of you.

" I'm Heeseung. " he stretched out his hand to you, to which you gladly accepted with a small smile.

" I'm... "

Who would've thought tonight was going to be a pleasant night after all? It was lonely. Everyone is lonely at the end. Though, to have someone who listens without judging you is a blessing. To have someone to listen.. that's all I needed.

End