Frozen Grapes | KSJ ✔

.twenty-four.

There's something so beautiful about silence. And yet, when surrounded by a world of noise and movement, it's hard to find a single moment of absolute silence. 

Around you right now, what do you hear? The ticking of a clock, the sound of your computer fan, a car rushing past outside, the air conditioning running. Wind could be rustling trees, birds maybe caw above, or a biker maybe rushes past. 

Regardless, I don't remember the last time I've been in complete silence. Even now, with waves from the lake colliding underneath the dock we're atop, sound still reaches my ears. But with the scenery set out in front of me and the tranquil environment, I can't help but think that this is what being in complete silence must feel like. This feeling of equilibrium, contentment, happiness, peace. Ataraxy. 

A half-frozen grape crunches in my mouth, the melted liquid trapped inside the purple skin exploding. Seokjin lies beside me on the blanket, sunglasses covering his face. No one else is in view and I cling onto every second of being out in public with Seokjin. Both of us remain silent, having stayed wordless for the past few minutes and simply relishing in this temporary escape filled with placidity. We retreat to our own mental corners, grateful for no longer having to fill that image of comedians we know is held in the minds of those that know us. 

Finally, our introverted selves are thriving, only speaking up when we want to and not because we feel a self-induced pressure to make others laugh. 

"You know," I say, closing the lids of the containers sandwiches were once held in, "I've never gone fishing before. This is my first time." I glance over at the two fishing poles stuck into holders hanging on the railing of the dock. They bend over the edge, an invisible line drifting down to the lake surface. 

"I've recently found my love for it," Seokjin says, still lying on the picnic blanket and eyes still covered by sunglasses. "After finishing a busy period of promotions or world tours, it's nice to come back home and take a moment of silence for yourself." Seokjin sits up and takes off his shades to hook one leg on the neckline of his shirt. "Do you know what the fastest fish in the water is?" 

My head shakes. 

"A motopike." 

And just like that, the peace is disturbed by Seokjin's loud laugh, but I don't mind. I smile along with him and shake my head. 

"Do you mind if we turn on some music while we fish?" I pull out my phone. "I'll make sure to turn on something catchy." I can't imagine how ridiculous we would look to a passersby, laughing at terrible jokes and enjoying ourselves like idiots. 

"Remember how uptight we were when we first met?" Seokjin shakes his head. "I was so confused as to how I was supposed to act around you." 

My eyes widen. "You were confused? Imagine how I felt when every action felt so guarded! I felt like I was in that kind of friendship where both of you know that the other is being fake but you guys hang out regardless." 

Seokjin laughs. "Wow, Love. Quite a comparison." 

"You know what I mean." 

"I guess. I find it really funny how both of us hid behind our dad jokes." 

I smile, knowing he was right. With both of us having grown so used to being the ice breaker and making others laugh, our automatic reactions were the same. "It's so weird," I say quietly. "I've never met someone with such similar actions and motives." 

Seokjin nods. "Honestly, I've always thought that being so close to someone so similar to me would never work out. I just feel like there would be a lack of balance."