The Statue - Yoongseok FF

Hobi and August

"So..." begun Hobi, trying to find the right words. "Is there a way to know if I'm like you?"

August looked down. He had thought about that every single day since they became friends.

"I don't know" he whispered. "I've never met anyone else like me."

Hobi didn't even think about it. He instinctively reached for August with opened arms. The pain in August's voice was too much to bear.
August accepted the hug without hesitation.

At this moment, all the loneliness August had experienced during his life found a new meaning. It became clear to him that he had lied to himself all along. He had chosen the easier path of convincing himself he was content on his own. However, as Hobi safely embraced him, August realized he had longed for someone with whom he could be close since the beginning.

And Hobi had been that someone.

Hobi had accepted him as soon as their eyes had met. Even though August had rejected him at first, Hobi had asked to know his name.

August didn't know how, but somehow Hobi had guessed he needed him.

A shy smile passed on August lips, as he fully gave in and hugged Hobi back.

"We'll figure it out" whispered Hobi in August's ear.

The latter didn't replied. He simply nodded, hoping they really would.

And thus, the day passed, along with a few other months. As Hobi's fifteenth birthday came clos r, the latter saw a unprecedented change in his mother's behavior. She seemed to get a lot more frightened that she used to. Every little normal sound in the farm made her jump. It was obvious to her son that something was bothering her.

He hadn't mind at first, however, after a week, he decided to talk about it.

"Mom" he called, surprising her. "What is happening?"

She didn't reply. She simply looked at her son, a frightened sparkle in her eyes.

Unfortunately for him, he would never get an answer.

~

"I don't know what to tell you" said August.

They were sitting near the forest, in their usual spot.

"She's acting weird" repeated Hobi, as if an answer would magically appear to him.
"Maybe it's because you're growing up" tried August. "Soon you'll be an adult and you will probably go live in your own house."

Hobi took this remark in consideration for a few seconds.

"That could be it" he said. "My birthday is tomorrow, we'll see how it goes."

Hobi was so busy watching how the wind moved the branches that he didn't notice the way August looked at him.

"We'll see" he said, smiling with his eyes.

~

As it usually happened on his birthdays, Hobi didn't need to help his mother in the farm that day. Instead, he slept until he naturally woke up, ate breakfast and noticed his mother had prepared a pie for later.