Dark Skies || Seongjoong

We Got Caught

It's almost night as Hongjoong sits by the only window in his small house, staring at nothing, lost in his thoughts. He lives with Mingi in the Gyurung area, one of the poorest parts of the kingdom. But life always wasn't the same for him. He lived in a bigger house with his parents and a younger sister. They were a happy family with everything they could ask for until one day when Hongjoong was 15, his father saw him with his boyfriend. He never told his parents about being gay, but he never expected the response to be like what he got. His parents were furious. He realized they would never accept him, so he had no choice but to leave the house. Hongjoong clearly remembers the day when he broke up with his boyfriend, packed his stuff with his eyes filled with tears, and left that house forever.

--- (These indicate the switch between past and present)

"Should we leave?" asks Mingi suddenly, startling Hongjoong. "Let's wait a bit more," says Hongjoong, observing Mingi closely.

---

He also remembers how Mingi found him for the first time, crying on the park swing after he ran away from home and had nowhere to go. Mingi was an orphan and mostly stole for a living. After two hours of talking, they became such good friends that Mingi gave him a place to stay. Hongjoong had to give up school, so he just joined Mingi in stealing. They didn't steal big, just small things, good enough to provide them with the necessities. "Do you ever want to go back?" Mingi has asked him once. Hongjoong would be lying if he said no. He missed his family, living a comfortable lifestyle, sleeping on an actual bed, and going to school. He likes living with Mingi, but this isn't the life he ever imagined for himself.

---

"Let's go get some food Mingi," says Hongjoong, picking up his bag, which they usually carry whenever they steal food. It was dark now, and the streets were much quieter."Should we meet Yeosang first? He must have got off work," asks Mingi. Hongjoong nods.As they approach the cafe Yeosang works at, they find him getting out, ready to go home.

"Hi Yeosang, how was work today?" asks Hongjoong, making him turn back to face the two boys."It was good. Where are you two off to?" asks Yeosang, happy to see them both again. He hasn't seen them much in the past week because he has been busy with work."We're off to get some food," says Hongjoong. Yeosang's smile fades away."I don't think I can get you any today," Yeosang is cut off by Hongjoong."It's fine. We didn't have plans to ask you. Don't worry, we'll manage," says Hongjoong, giving him an assuring smile."We should get going then. We just came to meet you. Let's go, Mingi," says Hongjoong, putting his mask on. They didn't want to delay any longer. As it keeps getting late, the number of customers decreases, and they don't intend to be the center of attention anywhere.

They bid Yeosang goodbye and move towards their target, a small convenience store nearby. They move in carefully and separately. They always plan not to be seen together. Hongjoong moves first and goes directly to the aimed section. Mingi enters after about a minute. They follow the usual plan. Mingi buys some things and goes to the billing counter to create a distraction. As the billing happens, Hongjoong tries to fill his bag with as much food as possible without being suspicious. Mingi gets done with his billing and moves ahead. Hongjoong comes in next with only a pack of ramen in his hand. The man at the billing counter looks at him weirdly. "He must be thinking why it took me so long to buy ramen," thinks Hongjoong."That would be 1000 won," says the man.Hongjoong moves towards the door with a slight smile. They now have food for the next few days. As he starts moving towards the door, something in his bank clings.