Once Upon a Time || Chensung

六.

     After a while of back and forth about everything in my house, Chenle flops back down onto the sofa and stares curiously into the TV that is still on from earlier. He looks mildly confused, and I don't blame him at all. If I thought about it, people moving in boxes was really weird, and don't even get Chenle started on the rewind and pause; he will widen his eyes comically and stare at the TV with a perplexed expression until he discovers something else.

     Making lunch was actually pleasantly surprising, because to my surprise, Chenle catches on very quickly to the new kitchen setting, albeit being mildly surprised about the fire that seemed to start itself. He made some stir fry vegetables as well as some fried rice, and it was simple yet delicious. I say as much when we settle down to eat at the counter, setting a light blush on Chenle's cheeks as he declines, saying "no, it's really simple, you could do it too!" To which I respond with "I probably couldn't".

     I observe the boy. I can see his fluffy hair, brown eyes, full lips. The cautious yet easygoing demeanor that he stands with, the wonder in his expressions as he sees things he's never seen before, his face as he tastes different spices in the spice drawer, his pout when he learns that we, in fact, do not usually time travel and he can't just go back and forth, and that this was really a weird freak accident that I had no idea about.

     After lunch, Chenle gets a wistful, sorrow expression on his face, and I know he's thinking about his own home, his battlefields and fellow soldiers, his family. I know that I can't get it to go away. I sit down on the sofa next to him, holding his hand tentatively, giving him the ability to reject it. But he doesn't, only squeezes my hand tighter, and I know that although I can't solve the problem, I can be a source of comfort for the poor boy.

     We watch some movies, Chenle still a bit sad but perking up at the advancement of animation and picture films. We eat some ramen while watching, Chenle amazed by the taste and saying that it was the best thing he's ever had. I personally liked the fried rice he made a million times more. The afternoon passed by in a blur, and it's time to go to the orphanage.

     We go to the orphanage, walking while Chenle marvels at modern architecture and the entire concept of cars, and we arrive at the place. After Chenle's amazement at the glass door, we walk in. The manager greets us, a kind boy called Donghyuck. I have a theory he's dating the son of the owner of the place, Mark, but I have no solid evidence, so I don't say anything.

     I tell him Chenle is my friend and he wants to see the volunteer work done at the orphanage, to which Donghyuck smiles at. We walk in and immediately get surrounded by little kids.

     Chenle, unsurprisingly, hits it off with the kids right away. They love him and his laugh, easygoing demeanor, and playfulness. I watch as all the kids pore over this new person, and smile when he smiles at them. It feels like sunshine and rainbows.

     Upon leaving, I pull Donghyuck, Mark, as well as the other volunteer, Renjun, into a circle and tells them what happened and who Chenle is, Chenle nodding his head in confirmation. Donghyuck is skeptical but not unkind, Mark is a little confused but otherwise accepting, and Renjun is over the moon at the prospect of having such a cool new friend who's also Chinese.

     Eventually, we leave, the kids clinging to our legs stubbornly until Renjun and Donghyuck have to coax them off. We walk back to my house in crisp night air, Chenle clinging to me. I fumble with the keys, Chenle laughing quietly. We shower and get ready for bed.

     It's quiet, unassuming, but peaceful. We don't talk as I climb in next to him on the bed. He curls up beside me, and I hear him thanking me as I drift away. A hand comes to reach mine, and the last thought I have is that I wouldn't mind this everyday for the rest of my life.

a/n: Thats a peaceful little chapter.. it kinda serves as a filler but I love this calm collected style of writing so idk it feels like more than a filler
Thanks for reading :)