Final Piece

Chapter thirteen

We're walking slowly, thus it takes us some time to finally arrive at the area where I live. I don't even realize that we don't head to Subway like I've originally intended, I am too focused on the sensation in my hand, the warmth that spreads from my palm throughout my whole body.

Of course, I've held hands with Donghun before, but it feels so much different now.

It's the first time that I've told someone about my sexuality and haven't been rejected the moment after. I've had a feeling that the two of them would accept me, but there has still been a deep insecurity, an anxiousness that they wouldn't want to talk to me anymore. And I'm incredibly happy that, for once, my gut was right.

The moon shines down on us and bathes us in its silver light, making Donghun look like an angel, surrounded by its holy light. His face seems to shimmer, and even though there's a cool wind that gives me goosebumps, I feel the emotions in my heart warming me from the inside.

When have I gotten this lucky?

Some time passes where we just walk next to each other, stealing glances, both of us smiling. The atmosphere is relaxing, soothing, loving. At some point, I can feel my muscles in my face getting a bit sore from all the mouth-stretching, but I don't care.

I haven't been this happy in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't depressed or anything, and despite my financial problems, I was pretty content. However, it was more of a neutral feeling, like I just existed. But ever since I've met Donghun and Jun, my life seemed to have changed a lot. There's something that I look forward to, that makes me happy, and I feel like I have people in my life who actually care about me.

"Channie, is this right? Do you live here?"

Donghun's velvety voice, dripping with doubt, snaps me out of my thoughts. We stop in our tracks, and when I look at him, his face frowns in concern. After a few second, I realize that I've never told him where I live – and it hits me like a truck. How could I be this stupid? I didn't want him to find out – I don't want anyone to find out. I don't need pity.

I want to avert his gaze, embarrassed of my mistake, but I can't do it, as there is a sincerity in Donghun's dark eyes – he's genuinely worried. In addition, I don't want to give him the impression that I'm not able to live on my own, so I look at him and try to calm my nerves.

"I do."

"Why don't you live in the dormitory?"

He questions quickly, his eyebrows furrowed, and I can tell from the look in his eyes that he's torn – they are dark from concern, but I also notice a spark of curiosity. I contemplate about telling the truth or just the more comfortable half-truth, leaving out the harsh things about my family. However, I can't lie to him, and even if I could, I wouldn't want to – he's way too important to me.

"I can't afford it, the study fees are already a lot, and I barely earn enough at Subway. But I manage, it's okay. It's all I need."

Donghun doesn't say anything, he looks around instead, scanning our environment, his brows furrowed in disbelief and suspicion. When his gaze falls back on me, his eyes search for something, a hint, a trace, a shadow in the silver glow of my face.

"What about your family?"

This time, I can't help but lower my head. I rarely talk about my parents or my two older brothers. How should I explain my relationship to my family? To be honest, I don't understand it myself. I don't know why my family, whose fortune came from my grandparents' tangerine farm, can't accept my passion for plants, but instead tried to force me to study something else, something more suitable. It was tough and it took them a long time to finally give in to my wish, but ever since there's been a tension between us – a very unpleasant tension.

"Well, I do have family, but I want to do it on my own. I don't want to burden them."

Donghun looks at me for a few seconds. I can tell from his expression that he's thinking about what to say, that he's trying to process what I've just told him, but other than that his face is unreadable. Suddenly, he lifts his hand and puts it on my cheek. It's a soft touch, caring, and I can feel the warmth radiating from his skin.

"I know you can do it. But if there's anything I can help you with, let me know, okay? You're important to me, I want you to be happy."

His eyes are intense and wear a genuine, loving expression. I feel so grateful for him, my heart is about to burst from all the emotions. I don't know what to do with them, and they spread all over my body, overwhelm me, moisture my eyes, and even though I try my best to hold them back, I can't prevent a single tear from rolling down my cheek. He gently wipes it away with his thumb. I don't know why, my body seems to act on its own as I, too, lift my hand and lay it on Donghun's. I smile.

"I am happy. I can't even tell you how much. To know that you and Jun accept me, the real me, and all of me... Never before has anyone done anything like this, and I am so incredibly thankful for the two of you."

Upon hearing my words, a wide smile spreads over Donghun's face that turns his eyes into crescents. It's the kind of smile that makes my heart melt and the sun rise in the dark, and with the moonlight surrounding him he appears like he's straight out of a fairy tale.

And maybe he is.