My Solace (mxm)

1

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

He was panting heavily when he finished his 3rd round around the playground. His fair skin red and face glistening with sweat. He felt his legs giving up as he walked to his friends, Chan Byun and Park Min Ju. He plopped down on the grassy ground under the shining sun beside his friends who had finished their run minutes before.

Even though it was late September and wind was becoming colder but because of heat rushing in his body because of all the running, it felt pleasant.

He took deep breaths to regain normal breathing, looking at his friends who were looking pretty relaxed even after all the running.

His innocent brain sometimes feel envious of his friends and other kids who were more energetic and fit, unlike his chubby body and lethargic nature. He pouted as he looked at his own hands, his chubby hands. He most of the time wished he wasn't chubby.

He shivered as cold breeze, which felt pleasant a while ago, now giving him goosebumps. He zipped up his sweatshirt as he sniffled. He was always sensitive to cold. He then looked at his friends. Min Ju was looking at someone with a big smile on her face and he knew who she was staring at. He followed her gaze and as expected there he was, Choi Ji Wook, the little prince of the school.

Choi Ji Wook was standing in front position in the line of students as their teacher was giving instructions. They were in same grade but different sections, and Choi Ji Wook was from 7-A, the elite class. He was nephew of school principal and hence favorite of all the teachers and students, especially girl students. The Prince Charming of the school.

"Ahn Soo, you good?" He heard his friend, Chan Byun who was munching on granola bar which he carried with himself all the time.

"Yeah, I'm ok.. But why do they have to make us run around everyday? I hate PE. It's not like we are going to run marathons." He whined making Min Ju giggle.

"Ahn-Soo PE class is fun and you are not. That's why you hate it. I bet if this was about eating you won't even want to leave anytime." she giggled showing her pearly teeth that had gap in between, none the less she was beautiful.

And Ahn-soo agreed with her silently that if this or any other class was about food he definitely won't have wanted to leave, cause food is love, food is life, food is everything for him.

And hearing about food he got lost in thought of what would he eat after going home, after attending the last class, and his mouth already started watering thinking about Kimchi-jjigae, fried rice, pork belly. The more he thought about it the more his mouth watered, wanting nothing but run back home.

He came out of his delicious thoughts when he heard loud sound of bell indicating it was time for last class. He pouted as he hit the ground with his chubby fist feeling annoyed that he still had a class to attend. Chan Byun and Park Minju laughed at his cute antics and soon they were entering their classroom to attend last class of the day.

Ahn-soo left his shoes on shoe rack clumsily and threw his bag on the couch in living room as he ran to kitchen. The delicious aroma of sweet chilli chicken and bulgogi was calling out loudly for him ever since he entered through main gate of his home. He ran his pink tongue on his pinkish lips, his eyes shined ten times more brighter than usual when he saw his lovely grandma putting the dishes on dining table.

"Halmeoni I'm home and I am hungry.." he said excitedly as he took his seat on dining table.

"My Sugar plum" he heard sweet voice of his grandma and soon a kiss was placed on his forehead. His grandma caressed his hair soothingly. He loved it when someone caress his hair, it feels so relaxing.

"Halmeoni have cooked your favorite food, I knew my pumpkin pie must be hungry." she said as she served food in plate before placing it in front of him. Ahn-soo didn't waste single moment, and was quick in savouring mouth watering food. He ate till his stomach was full and there was no space left in his tummy.

"I'm going to take nap, I'm so tired." he announced and ran upstairs to his room. And soon he was found tucked in blanket and in a dreamland, where he was a superhero, fought with enemies to save chocolate lava cake, his favorite chips and snacks, pasta, chicken nuggets and more.

He rolled on his bed as the delicious aroma of lamb screw broth reached his nose, followed by fried rice and chicken making his stomach and mouth excited .

He opened his eyes and looked at the darkness outside of window. It was already night. He rubbed his eyes as he get off the bed. He was about to go out of his room when the door of his room opened and the beautiful lady, his mother Han Jung-Su, entered inside.

"Looks like my pumpkin pie had a great nap..." she said as she kissed his cheek.

"Yes eomma. When did you get home?" he asked as a yawn left his pink lips.

"It's been more than for an hour. Dinner is almost ready love, so get a quick bath and come downstairs. Eomma will serve food for you hmm..." his mother caressed his messy hair softly and lovingly.

Ahn-soo pouted and nodded cutely, loving the soft touch. He was eager to eat but he needed to change school uniform which he didn't before falling asleep. His mom patted his head softly and went out of room and he went into bathroom. After 20 minutes he was changed into his white hoodie and black knee length shorts.

He was on last step of stairs when his mother emerged out of kitchen.
"Love, can you please go and call Appa too?" she asked. Ahn-soo scrunched his nose and pouted.

"Eomma I just came downstairs and now you want me to climb all this stairs again. I'm tired..." he whined.

"It's a good exercise my love. Now go fast and call Appa, and you will get extra serving of chicken. " she bribed him.

When Ahn-soo nodded still sulking she make a kissy face to him and he went upstairs stomping the stairs making her and his grandma laugh.

Ahn-soo entered into his parents room and found it empty and heard sound of water running in the bathroom. He plopped down on the couch facing the window. His parents both were working in a bank, had a decent position and salary. His grandma was running a diner which was just a street away from there house.

Ahn-soo was in his thoughts when he saw someone, across the window, in the balcony of the house besides his. It was Choi Jiwook, who was talking on phone with someone while giggling while walking back and forth in the balcony.

Soon a handsome man appeared from the glass door of balcony and he lifted the boy talking on phone by circling his arms around tiny waist of boy from behind who giggled more. Seemed like he enjoyed being lifted by his father.

"Hey Bud!" Ahn-soo heard his father's voice. He looked at his father who just came out of shower drying his hair with a towel.

"Appa!" "How was your day bud?" asked his father, Lee Ju-Ahn, as he slipped t-shirt over his head.

"It was so and so dad. I hate school. Can't I just quit school... And work at diner with Halmoni?" he asked hopefully. Ju-Ahn laughed hearing his son.

"You can't quit school yet bud. You have to study hard and then do whatever you like after growing up."

"Humph! School is boring Appa." He complained. "Oh, Appa let's go downstairs, dinner is ready and I'm so hungry." his father laughed when his cute chubby son dragged him downstairs and soon they were enjoying dinner.

After dinner, before sleeping Ahn-soo had to complete his homework, with the help of his mother while whining and sulking, like almost everyday routine.

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