snowflake ☆ k.dy ☆ ayakashi series | ✔

doyoung [sixteen]

Arriving at Doyoung's apartment just a few minutes later, you looked around to take note of it again. You'd been there only a couple times before, and never for very long, usually waiting for him to change or put his work bag away. The walls were a muted deep blue, the furniture all varying shades of greys and blues, and had previously only been decorated with a few minimalist décor pieces, much like his office. Now, pictures of the two of you were dispersed around, one hanging by the front door, another on the coffee table, and you knew there was at least a couple more in his bedroom and home office as well. Next to the TV atop the black entertainment center was a dock for a Switch, the red and blue joycons sticking out of the sides. This made the corner of your lip twitch up a bit. You'd have to ask what he played some day.

"Oh, uh, set the thermostat at whatever temperature you want. I wasn't expecting you so it's pretty cold," Doyoung gestured in the general direction of said device as he moved towards the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Tea," you called over your shoulder, already on your way to change the temperature. Something quite a bit warmer, especially since you wanted to be able to hold your boyfriend's hand without the gloves on.

He returned from the kitchen a few minutes later with a glass of ice water and steaming mug of tea, setting them on the black coffee table. You sat down on the dark blue couch beside him, pulling both of your gloves off before taking the mug in your hands, warming your fingers in preparation.

"Do you have any questions, or should I just talk?"

You shifted in place to turn to face him, holding a hand out towards him. He got the idea, lacing his cool fingers with yours and bending over to press a kiss to the back of your hand. Rubbing your thumb against the back of his, you took a moment to ponder before answering.

"I've got a couple, then you can talk."

"Okay."

"Why did you never try to go back before?"

"I thought I'd cause more trouble than I was worth," Doyoung admitted, his familiar thoughtful frown coming to his features. "I was perfectly fine just being someone's assistant, I had no want to return, either."

Now it was your turn to furrow your brow, trying to imagine yourself in his place. Running away from home at such a young age, and found yourself feeling a great longing, "Didn't you ever get homesick?"

"When I was young, yes. I used to think about playing in the halls of the castle with my mother and father," his fond wistfulness was replaced by a much deeper frown than before. "I haven't thought of them in years... I can't even really remember what their faces looked like, actually."

"Do you have any pictures of them?"

"I'm sure the Chancellor destroyed all depictions of my family after he took over."

You scooted closer to him, adjusting your hold on his hand to be able to squeeze it gently. Your heart ached just thinking about, thinking about how much you'd miss your own parents, "I'm sorry, Doyoung."

He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment, jerking his head to the side before opening them again, bringing his free hand up to his chest, "It's strange. My chest hurts, but it feels like these memories aren't even mine, like this tragedy isn't mine to feel sorrow over."

"I'm so sorry," you whispered, setting your mug down and letting go of his hand to instead wrap your arms around his waist. "I wish I could say anything else but..."

And for the first time Doyoung immediately returned the embrace, holding you tightly to him without hesitation, without concern for your bodily temperature.