The Light After The Storm | SUNSUN

Empty

The small apartment felt even smaller as Sunoo worked tirelessly to organize their new life. It was a far cry from the spacious home he once shared with his partner, and the reality of their situation settled heavily on his shoulders. The walls, freshly painted in neutral tones, were still bare, and the furniture, while functional, seemed to lack the warmth and familiarity of their old home. Sunoo moved with a mix of determination and melancholy, his hands working tirelessly while his mind remained trapped in a storm of anxiety and sorrow.

Sunoo paused to take in the room he had just finished arranging. The living area was beginning to take shape with a small sofa, a modest dining table, and a few boxes yet to be unpacked. Every item he unpacked seemed to carry the weight of his past life, and each piece of furniture he placed felt like a small step toward rebuilding a semblance of normalcy. Despite his efforts, the apartment felt cold and unfamiliar, a stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of the home he had lost.

He moved to the bedroom, where a single crib stood in the corner. Sunjin's tiny clothes were neatly folded on a small dresser, but the room still felt incomplete. Sunoo had chosen soft, calming colors for the nursery, hoping they would provide some comfort in their new environment. As he unpacked the last of Sunjin's baby toys, he found himself struggling to hold back tears. The sight of Sunjin's tiny, innocent belongings, now devoid of his boyfriend's presence, was a constant reminder of what they had lost.

The task of unpacking and arranging the apartment provided a temporary distraction from the pressing issues weighing on Sunoo's mind. He worried incessantly about their future. Without having completed his education and with his status as an omega, finding stable employment seemed like an insurmountable challenge. He had always been shy and reserved, traits that now felt like liabilities in his search for work. The thought of facing potential rejection or prejudice because of his background and status was daunting.

His worries extended beyond just finding a job. Sunoo often found himself consumed by the question of how he would balance work with taking care of Sunjin. The responsibility of being a single parent was overwhelming, and he feared that any job he could secure would barely cover their expenses, let alone provide any comfort or security. The financial strain of their situation added to his already heavy emotional burden.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Sunoo took a brief respite, sitting down on the edge of the bed. His hands rested in his lap, and he stared blankly at the floor, lost in thought. The silence of the apartment was punctuated only by the distant sounds of the city outside-horns honking, people talking, the hum of passing cars. The familiar sounds of life outside felt distant, a world away from his personal struggles.

He sighed deeply and stood up, determined to push through his emotional exhaustion. Sunoo knew that he had to keep moving forward, for Sunjin's sake if not his own. He glanced at the clock and realized it was time to check on his son. With heavy steps, he walked to the small crib in the bedroom.

Sunjin lay peacefully asleep, wrapped snugly in a soft blanket. The baby's tiny chest rose and fell rhythmically, a small beacon of tranquility in the midst of Sunoo's chaos. Sunoo's heart ached as he watched his son. The sight of Sunjin's peaceful slumber was both a comfort and a reminder of the gaping hole left by his partner's absence.

He reached out to gently brush a lock of hair from Sunjin's forehead, a tender gesture filled with both love and grief. Sunoo's heart was heavy with the burden of his loss. The sweet, nostalgic scent of bubblegum, once a symbol of his care and affection, now felt tainted by his stress and sadness. The fragrance, which should have been comforting, now carried an undertone of sourness, reflecting the emotional turmoil he struggled to keep in check.

As he continued to watch over Sunjin, Sunoo's tears began to flow freely. The grief was overwhelming, and he found himself unable to contain the sobs that shook his body. The tears seemed endless, a physical manifestation of the deep ache in his heart. Each cry from Sunjin felt like a painful reminder of his boyfriend's absence, amplifying the sense of loss and helplessness that had become a constant companion.

Sunoo's attempts to soothe Sunjin were often fraught with his own emotional turmoil. There were moments when the baby's cries would trigger a sense of inadequacy and frustration, exacerbating Sunoo's feelings of helplessness. The once-sweet scent of bubblegum now seemed to carry the weight of his struggles, a reflection of the stress and sadness he could not escape.

Eventually, exhaustion took its toll. Sunoo's cries subsided into quiet sobs as fatigue overwhelmed him. He found himself sinking to the floor beside the crib, his body feeling as heavy as his heart. With his head resting against the edge of the crib, Sunoo's eyes grew heavy, and he gradually drifted into a fitful sleep. The room, now dimly lit by the soft glow of a nearby lamp, was silent except for the gentle, rhythmic sounds of Sunjin's breathing.

In his troubled sleep, Sunoo's dreams were a mix of fragmented memories and haunting uncertainties. He dreamt of happier times with his boyfriend, moments filled with laughter and love, only to be jolted awake by the harsh reality of their current situation. The dreams offered no respite from his grief, only a glimpse into a past that seemed increasingly distant.

The night wore on, and the small apartment remained quiet, the only sounds being the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional rustle of Sunjin's blankets. In the stillness, Sunoo's sleep was restless, marked by the weight of his sorrow and the daunting unknowns of the future.

As the first light of dawn began to creep through the window, Sunoo stirred, his sleep disturbed by the persistent ache in his heart. He woke to find himself still beside Sunjin's crib, the baby's peaceful presence a small comfort amidst the chaos of his emotions. The day ahead loomed large with uncertainties, but for now, Sunoo allowed himself a moment of solace, holding on to the hope that somehow, they would find their way through the darkness.