Locked Away

•43•

I wake up to the sound of Hongbin signing in the kitchen. It's tempting to just stay in bed and listen to him.

He is a really good singer. He never sings for anyone. The only time I ever hear it is if I wake up or come home and he is singing as he believes that no one can hear him.

Deciding that I should really get up, I kick off the blankets and put on my slippers before heading out of my room.

As soon as I open the door, Hongbin's voice becomes hushed and I cannot hear him anymore.

I head into the kitchen and he stops singing completely. "You don't have to stop" I assure him but he shakes his head.

"The only person who gets to hear this voice is me. No one else. Not even you my brother."

I just laugh at him and take a seat on the bench stool. I look to see what he is doing and I'm surprised when I see he is cooking a full scale meal.

He currently whisks a bowl filled with eggs as several strips of bacon sizzles away on the stove behind him. He has even gotten the juice out of the fridge and placed it on the bench.

"What made you decide to make this ?" I ask him as he whisks furiously.

"It's my brothers first day back. Might as well make it a good one!" he exclaims.

"Man it was so good sleeping in my own bed again. Not that the hotel beds were uncomfortable or anything. I've just missed my own bed" I tell him and he nods.

"I know what you mean. Your own bed is like your castle. You go to hundreds of others but none of them are ever the same as your own."

He takes the whisk out of the bowl and just throws it into the sink as he pours the mixture into a pot and begins to stir it slowly.

Within a few minutes breakfast is ready and he serves it up.

"This looks really good. Good work" I praise him as he takes a seat on the stool beside me.

"Why thank you Hakyeon" he hands me a fork and we both dig in to the food.

Its moments like these that I have missed more than anything. Hongbin and I haven't been this tight in a while.

We fought a lot after Hyuk died. I guess we actually started having big fights after what happened with Eun Hee.

I'm glad that we have overcome it all and are seated here together right now.

"Do you want to know the main reason that I'm happy for you to be back?" Hongbin asks me softly and I nod.

"You can wash the dishes again" he grins and I lift my hand, threatening to hit him.
"Yah" I call out, my mouth filled with food.

"Don't speak with your mouth open" he looks at me in disgust. I close my mouth and continue to chew before rolling my eyes at him.

We finish eating and just as Hongbin said, I washed all the dishes. I don't think he could have used more dishes if he tried.

Hongbin is currently in the shower as I watch a little bit of TV. I decide to pull my phone out and try something one more time.

I dial Taekwoon's number and it goes straight to voicemail. Maybe he has deleted his number.

Even after I told him that we were having a break in or relationship, he still answered my calls and texts even though they were extremely rare.

I hear the shower turn off and I turn off my phone. Hongbin would kill me if he caught me trying to contact Taekwoon.