Lost Light | Hyunlix

Field with blooming light

Felix's footsteps echoed faintly on the polished wooden floors as he approached the room where Hyunjin lay. The air was thick with a quiet sadness that had settled over the house since they had arrived. It was a beautiful estate, far away from the city, surrounded by fields of wildflowers and tall grasses that swayed with the wind. But inside, the heavy weight of what had been endured lingered in every shadow.

Hyunjin was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, his eyes half-closed and body still as though every ounce of energy had drained out of him. His once strong and lithe form had become gaunt, his skin marred with the marks of the cruelty inflicted on him. The scars crisscrossed his arms, his chest, and even his legs—remnants of a pain Felix could only begin to understand. It wasn't just the physical injuries; it was the hollow look in his eyes, the numbness that had taken root inside him.

Felix took a deep breath and stepped inside the room, forcing his voice to stay steady, despite the aching concern clawing at his insides. He had spent years as a doctor, but nothing could prepare him for seeing the person he cared about most in such a state. This wasn't a patient. It was Hyunjin—his Hyunjin.

"I thought we could get some fresh air," Felix said, walking up to the bedside. He reached out a hand, his fingers trembling ever so slightly as they hovered above Hyunjin's. "Come on, I want to show you something."

For a moment, Hyunjin didn't respond. It was as if the request was too heavy for him to process, his eyes fixed blankly on the ceiling. But then, after a moment, he turned his head slowly toward Felix and gave a small nod. Felix took his hand, helping him up gently. Hyunjin winced as he moved, his body still aching from the aftereffects of the drugs and beatings, but he didn't protest. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps a need for something different, even if he wasn't sure what.

Felix wrapped an arm around Hyunjin's waist, supporting his weight as they made their way out of the house. They walked in silence, the warm air brushing over them as they stepped outside. The sprawling fields stretched out before them, dotted with wildflowers in every color imaginable—blues and purples, yellows and reds. Everything was in full bloom, and the late afternoon sun bathed the landscape in a golden light.

The further they walked, the more the sounds of the house faded away, replaced by the gentle rustle of the wind through the tall grass and the distant song of birds. Felix glanced over at Hyunjin, who was looking around with a sort of distant curiosity, as though the beauty of the world outside was only barely beginning to reach him. They finally stopped in a small clearing surrounded by flowers, the colors vibrant and alive.

Felix turned to face Hyunjin, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. "I know... I know the pain won't go away easily," he began, his voice soft but filled with a quiet resolve. "And I know that there are so many things that happened to you that you don't even want to think about, let alone talk about. But I want to help you, Hyunjin. I'm here because I—" Felix's voice faltered slightly, then grew stronger again. "Because I did all this for you. So we could have a place where we can start over. Together."

Hyunjin's eyes met Felix's, the haunted look still present but softer now, as though a faint light was breaking through the darkness. Felix's fingers traced along the edge of Hyunjin's hand, his touch light and reassuring. A gentle smile curved on his lips as he pulled a bundle of canvas and a small easel from where they were resting behind a nearby rock.

"I thought... maybe you could try painting," Felix said, handing Hyunjin the supplies. "You don't have to say anything. You don't have to explain. Just... put whatever is in your mind onto the canvas."

Hyunjin looked at the blank canvas and then at the paintbrush Felix offered him. "I've never tried this before," he said quietly, as though the very idea was something alien to him.