Krampus [Book Two Of King-Queen, Jester Series](CYJ)

12 :: Switchel

"Displaying thy rictus,switchel in hand
The demon is on thy land"

⊱ ───ஓ๑♧๑ஓ ─── ⊰

Happiness has been the topic of discussion and debate since the ancient Greek times. Hedonism has a long history. Science has looked closely at happiness as 'hedonically' defined - or, in other words, happiness is the outcome of the pursuit of pleasure over pain.

Each person has a happiness set point, which refers to one's genetically determined predisposition for happiness. This set point for happiness has been found to be responsible for about 50% of the differences in happiness from person to person.

Aristippus, a Greek philosopher from the 4th century BC claimed happiness was the sum of life's 'hedonic' moments. Hedonic enjoyment is a state whereby an individual feels relaxed, has a sense of distance from their problems and, can be said to feel 'happy'.

Since the days of Aristotle, happiness has been conceptualized as being composed of at least 2 aspects - hedonic, or pleasure, and eudaimonia, a sense that life is well-lived.

Yeonjun's current state couldn't be put in terms to only one emotion. It was, in simpler terms, a farrago of several complexities of a mind, a tired but excited mind.

Yeonjun might have skipped a breath, dazed at the information. He had blinked several times at Eunhye, unbelieving is own ears. He had gestured at her, asking again, clarifying over again. She nodded yes, she yelled yes. Yes.

The lost momentum in Yeonjun's body raced through his veins, the heat gushing all over his body. He dropped his cup on the table and ran across to hug Eunhye. They'd shared more than a few hugs in the little span of time, all to seek sympathy in each other's presence. This one however, shared happiness.

"I love you, man! I love you!" The words held a different emotion, a different chapter. But, it was enough. It was more than enough than what her ears throbbed to hear.

Yeonjun had tired himself but he chose to try to give Soobin a call, what if, he could get to hear him. Even if for the final time.

He settled down on his couch, immediately skipping through his call history to find Soobin's contact. It said, the number had been connected at 4:57 pm for 2 minutes. It was not a dream, yes, it was true.

Eunhye remained quiet, smiling to herself. He didn't know why she was smiling but he wasted no more time.

"Soobin?"

"Hyung?"

"Soobin, is that you?"

Yeonjun had immediately recognised that hyung, the owner was Soobin. How could he not, he had heard that term for the longest and oldest of his memories.

"Yes, hyung."

Soobin's voice was weaker than usual. He was tired, probably surviving on no food. But the child was smiling. And so was Yeonjun. Seperated by miles, the little call left him speechless. He had so much to tell him, so much to ask him. But he couldn't form words. Those words cascaded in tears around his cheeks, over the injuries he survived.