Solid GrounD (MxM)

When Your Life Shifts

"Smile, Aus. You look like we'll never see each other again." Roh-Ahn said as he reached up and pressed a thumb to either side of Austin's down-turned lips, tilting them up slightly. 

The time had gone by far too fast for both of them. Roh-Ahn had to be on his plane in less than eight hours and there was nothing either of them could do about it. 

"Sorry, Roh. I'm trying to be happy, I really am." Austin said as he leaned in for their thousandth kiss that day. Possibly even that evening. They had spent both days after grades were turned together and it had been the best days of his life. But all good things had to come to an end. 

"You're starting to frown again." Roh-Ahn said as he took his hand and tugged him toward the door. 

After pulling on a heavy jacket and grabbing his walking stick, Roh-Ahn opened the door and smiled. "Let's go for a walk?" 

He'd agree to anything, as long as they were together. Without hesitation Austin nodded, pulling on a coat quickly before taking Roh-Ahn's free hand. The elevator had been down the past week after a bad thunderstorm, but Austin figured that the apartment building was finally just tired of bothering with it. For once, he didn't mind. 

Without an ounce of complaint, Roh-Ahn reached up, wrapping his arms around Austin's neck as he carefully lifted the guy into his arms and began to slowly descend the stairs. He felt Roh-Ahn nuzzle into his neck and inhale his scent as they got closer to the ground floor, sending little shivers through him. 

He gently set Roh-Ahn down when they got to the first floor, though he was reluctant, and he could tell that Roh-Ahn wasn't too keen on releasing him, either. If only people wouldn't bother them about it, he'd carry him all night, wherever he wanted to go. Granted, he wasn't that light anymore, especially after Austin had made him seriously step up his eating, but he'd totally have aching arms for a few days if it meant that it made Roh-Ahn happy. 

"Come on, Aus. Don't make me leave you behind." Roh-Ahn teased as he limped toward the door, trying to tug him along. 

He wanted to argue that he shouldn't be walking around a lot if he was hurting as bad as he seemed to be, but he had given up trying to keep him from doing something his mind was set on a while ago. 

"I'm coming, I'm coming." He grumbled, earning a surprising laugh from Roh-Ahn as they stepped out into the chilly evening. 

"That's what you said last night." Roh-Ahn clarified, causing Austin's face to immediately turn a shade pinker. 

He was about to ask where they were going after Roh-Ahn had guided him more than four blocks away from their apartment, when Roh-Ahn finally turned into a small park. 

"Push me, Aus?" He asked as he set his cane aside and plopped down on one of the swings. 

He didn't need to be asked a second time. Austin stepped behind the swing and leaned over, stealing a quick kiss as Roh-Ahn tilted his head back, then began pushing him slowly. 

They had warmed up a good bit after their walk, but the wind was picking up and Austin was starting to worry about Roh-Ahn possibly catching a cold. 

"Don't worry, Aus. I just wanted to get some fresh air. I wore my thick coat, so I'm not cold right now." He said, then added. "Are you okay, though? You aren't wearing much after being really sick." 

Austin nodded, then slipped onto the swing from behind, lifting Roh-Ahn into his lap as he sat down. Once they were settled, he wrapped his arms around the guy's waist and hugged him tight. 

"About what we talked about..." He said quietly, his words almost too soft to be heard over the passing cars meandering along the street. 

When Roh-Ahn leaned his head back against his chest and grinned up at him, he forgot how to speak.