The Odd Doctor Out | A Drama | S. 2

264 🩺 The Grand Realisation

Leaning against Seonghwa's bedhead, Hongjoong sat with his legs outstretched before him, crossed at the ankles. Curling and uncurling his toes in content as he read one of the many books laying around the younger's apartment, he licked the tip of his finger and used it to turn his page. He then let his hand drop back down to where it had been resting in Seonghwa's soft hair as he laid with his head in his lap.

The poor thing had a wet cloth over his eyes for the irritation and was catching up on some sleep, letting his body rest in the morning sun shining in on his bed, like a cat soaking up the warmth. His lips were slightly parted, and as his chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, he looked incredibly calm.

It made Hongjoong's heart throb.

Letting his book rest down for a moment, he gazed down at the man in his lap.

He was beautiful, but it wasn't his physical beauty that made his heart melt. No, it was the feeling of the trust, and comfort with each other that moved him the most.

Over the years, Hongjoong hadn't had too many serious relationships, all mainly thanks to his busy schedule and commitment to his family. But in every one of his less intense relationships, never once had he felt so stable and relaxed.

He was sure there must have been at least one time where he had spent time with his ex's doing more mundane things, but he didn't remember anything other than going to the city together. And so it felt like it should have felt strange to read a book and just spend time passing time with another person.

And yet it felt like it was something he'd been doing his whole life with this person. He didn't know how he'd fallen for him so quickly, but being with Seonghwa felt like it was supposed to be that way. It felt like that was it.

This was the way two people who could spend the rest of their lives together, should feel. Being able to enjoy just passing the time with another person, who when you'd been with them long enough for the spark to turn to a flame, and the flame to eventually burn the candle out, that they would still feel comfort and joy, just passing time together...

'Hwa, I think I just had a realisation.'

He watched as Seonghwa suddenly looked up at him. But realising he had a face washer over his eyes, he reached up, feeling around for his face and taking it away, leaving Hongjoong to smirk at his goofiness.

'That you're hungry? I could really go for a coffee right now...' he expressed wistfully, gazing up towards the ceiling as though there was a massive mug of steaming hot coffee up in the heavens, and he was the squirrel from Ice Age, ridiculously, and eternally, in love with it.

Hongjoong exhaled in amusement, brushing his hair back and running his fingers over the slightly damp skin under his eyes; still slightly irritated - however much better than earlier. 'You could have said you wanted coffee,' he laughed, rolling his eyes as Seonghwa's wistful gaze fell upon him once more with that harmlessly foolish expression on his face.

'Well I didn't realise I wanted coffee, until you mentioned it.'

'Hwa babe, I didn't mention coffee.'

'Oh... Really?'

Hongjoong laughed, took a deep breath and leant back, running a hand down over his chest and tapping gently. 'How has it taken this long to realise how goofy you are?'

Those dark brown and slightly reddened eyes widened in offence. 'I am not! Says who?'

'Says me,' Hongjoong chuckled, brushing his fingers idly through his hair once more. 'Should we make or buy coffee?'