Party of Eight

Grow up

January 2022

Hyunjin and Chan's text conversation:

["Hyung, if I come home with a piercing today, will you be mad at me?"] - Hyunjin.

["Did you get a piercing?"] - Chan.

["I'm walking to the shop."] - Hyunjin.

["I won't be mad. It's your choice. As long as it's not so ugly/stately that no one wants to hire you in the future."] - Chan.

["K."] - Hyunjin.

["Are you coming home right after?"] - Chan.

["Probably. Why?"] - Hyunjin.

["I have a dinner with a few coworkers. If you won't be home, it's okay. But I'm leaving in an hour, so if you will be home, can you remind Jeongin to go to bed on time please?"] - Chan.

["Yeah, okay."] - Hyunjin.

["How was class today?"] - Chan.

["It was kinda boring. I'll probably quit going."] - Hyunjin.

["You will not. That course cost me $8,000."] - Chan.

["I was JOKING. 🤦🏻"] - Hyunjin.

["😑 Funny."] - Chan.

["ikr"] - Hyunjin.

Hyunjin didn't end up going straight home. Instead he walked downtown for a while, and then he picked up some food, before finally heading home. It was January, so it was completely dark by the time he got home.

He settled down on the couch, with his laptop, ready to start on his 3 new assignments due today.

He remembered to set his alarm for 9:30, so he didn't forget to tell Jeongin to go to bed.

Then the time just flew by. Suddenly it was 9:30.

Hyunjin yawned and got up to go get Jeongin.

He found him in Jisung and Felix's bedroom, playing minecraft.

"Innie. It's 9:30." Hyunjin said softly.

"Okay." Jeongin responded, not bothering to take his eyes off the screen.

Hyunjin waited by the door. 

Jeongin seemed to forget he was there.

So Hyunjin went in and sat on the bed, watching them play for a while.

"Do you wanna play?" Jisung asked Hyunjin.

"I have to finish an assignment." Hyunjin said, nodding toward the living room.

"Hyung, can't you play for a little while?" Jeongin asked.

How could Hyunjin say no to this?

"Five minutes." Hyunjin said, taking Jisung's spot, and sitting down to play with Jeongin.