Healing

XXI - apology

Hello there! New update, I hope you enjoy it :)

Bel, xx

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After the exhibition, they leave the building and decide to walk for a bit. It's still early for dinner, so they take a stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is full of people, so Jaebeom keeps Jinyoung close to his side as they walk, talking about the exhibition. The younger man asks many questions about the other's university life. As Jaebeom tells him stories—including how difficult his last year was due to his mother's coma—Jinyoung can't help the melancholy squeezing his heart. This is becoming a common feeling for him when Jaebeom talks about his life before they met. The young man assumes it must be because of those dreams he keeps having.

It feels a bit stupid, Jinyoung thinks, to feel sad for a past he didn't share with Jaebeom when the older man is right there by his side. How greedy can someone be? Apparently, quite a lot, in Jinyoung's case.

As they continue their stroll, the sun starts to approach the horizon. With it, the temperature drops further, making Jinyoung shiver even with the scarf Jaebeom gave him.

"Let's go somewhere warm," Jaebeom comments. "You're getting cold."

"But it's so nice out here," Jinyoung laments, because it truly is. As sunset approaches, the stream feels as if it is being painted in warm pinks and oranges. The sound of running water is calming in the middle of Seoul.

"Then let's get something warm to eat or drink so you don't freeze," Jaebeom concedes with a smile.

Jinyoung ultimately agrees, and they exit the walkway by the stream. When the young man looks around, he realises they have gotten quite far from their starting point; they are close to Myeongdong. He remembers then that the truck driver sells his tteokbokki around this area.

"Are you okay?" Jaebeom asks when he notices Jinyoung has stopped walking.

"Oh? Oh, yes," Jinyoung replies, snapping back to the present. "I just remembered the truck driver from the accident works around here."

Jaebeom's expression changes. His smile vanishes and he looks tense for a few moments, watching Jinyoung very closely.

"Do you want to go see him?" the older man asks. His voice sounds different—lower, strained.

Jinyoung frowns, a little surprised by Jaebeom's reaction.

"Um, I don't know," Jinyoung answers honestly, still watching the man beside him. "Perhaps. I keep postponing going to apologise."

"Do you feel ready?"

"I don't think I ever will," the young man sighs defeatedly, turning his head to look at his feet. "But considering I'm here, maybe I should go?"

His eyes search for Jaebeom once more. The other man is watching him, his expression still tense, as if he were fighting something inside his head.

"I can go with you if you want," Jaebeom finally offers. He is smiling again, but Jinyoung can tell the smile doesn't reach his eyes. Not really, at least.

"I can try," Jinyoung whispers, and watches Jaebeom smile a bit more encouragingly.

"Then lead the way."

That is how Jinyoung ends up leading Jaebeom through narrow streets until they reach the intersection where the blue small truck is parked. The driver is stirring the tteok in the spicy sauce. His wife works by his side, helping with sales and giving customers cups of soup with fish cakes. They have one customer by the time Jinyoung finds the truck, and he freezes, too nervous to move.