When the Ground Shifts

“Italic speech is talking in Korean.” 

Welcome to the second book of the MiMiC series. It is a stand-alone but will likely have some characters appear from the previous story, so I’d recommend reading it first :) 

It was far, far too sunny out for any normal person to want to be outside. He loved Florida’s warm weather, but he nearly had to squint just to see some days, and he even had an extremely good pair of sunglasses almost permanently glued to his face. 

“Hey professor, heading home for the day?” 

Austin turned to find one of his students from the class he’d just dismissed about fifteen minutes prior walking up to him. The guy was a genius and a good friend outside of school, but he also tended to get ahead of himself on exams and made simple mistakes. He also had a knack for eavesdropping. 

“Hey Emri. Yeah, heading home in a few minutes since I have no other classes today.” Austin replied with a smile as he tucked his bag underneath his arm. 

He always brought his laptop to classes and, of course, the required textbook. Most teachers didn’t really use the book for more than a lesson or two, but when he told each of his classes on their first day of whichever history class he was teaching them to get the book, and that it would be used, he hadn’t been joking. 

“Thought so. The other history professors wanted me to try and catch up to you so I could pass along a question. They wanted to know if you’d like to go out this evening?” 

Always trying to get me drunk. 

“As much as I’d love to, I need to be home soon. I volunteered the spare bedroom in my apartment for the exchange teacher this semester.” 

Emri stared at him for a moment, blinking dumbly. “Wait. You’re actually going to allow someone you’ve never seen, let alone met or spoken to, live in your apartment with you for an entire semester?” 

Yeah, he knew it sounded insane, specifically because he hated people in his space. He wasn’t OCD or anything. He liked a good mess as much as the next guy, but he just needed alone time. A lot of it. 

“The dean is paying me.” He said, giving up his reason. 

He did get paid okay teaching, but the extra money would definitely help. 

“Ah, well, I hope it’s worth it. I haven’t heard much about him except that he’s pretty young and graduated high school and college early.” 

Overly-smart Asian kid. Fun. 

Shaking his head at his own rude thoughts, Austin shrugged. “Can you just let them know that I can’t tonight? I’m gonna take a quick walk around campus to pretend that I exercised, then head home and make sure everything’s in order when the guy gets there.” 

Emri nodded. “Yeah, I’ll pass along what you said. It’s a shame, though, I was hoping to see the new teacher walking around. They said they would be giving him a quick tour today, but I guess I missed him. You’ll have to introduce me to him sometime.” 

Of course you’re going to want to talk to the genius, genius. 

“Sure, sure. I’ll hook you up.” Austin replied before giving a small wave and heading toward the back field that stretched out behind the giant art building. It had a pretty nice museum in it with collections that changed every semester or so, but he didn’t go too often. He wasn’t exactly the best at appreciating pictures when he could barely draw a stick figure himself. 

Now the campus itself? That was a beauty he could happily enjoy. The historical stone buildings that made up some of the lecture halls and dormitories were extremely well kept, but showed their age. Trees that could have easily been standing during the civil war brought shade to students getting a head start on studying for their new classes… or, as it would seem for at least one student, resting in one of the large hammocks supplied by the school. 

Grinning, Austin began heading up the steep hill littered with live oak trees. He began weaving in between their large trunks, grateful for the shade they provided. Several different kinds of birds sang to him from their homes far above, drawing a smile onto his face. They likely came from the wilderness preserve that was attached to the school. It was his usual walking path, but he just wasn’t feeling up to the two mile distance he normally did there right then. 

When his feet finally slowed as he came upon one of his favorite trees, he dropped his gaze to the ground and watched the scattered light from the swaying branches above his head dance along the grass. 

To think, the hustle and bustle of the school is only a few hundred yards away, yet it’s so peaceful here that I feel like I could just sit down and think for hours without any trouble. 

Sighing out a content breath, Austin lifted his dark brown eyes, only to realize that his feet had taken him to one of the large hammocks hanging between two trees a few yards away from his favored one. 

I saw a shadow in the fabric from the bottom of the hill… wonder who’s here?

It wouldn’t hurt to look, so Austin did just that. He leaned over, a small smile on his face, ready to greet whoever was likely reading or dozing, but his words died on his tongue as he caught sight of who was in the light red hammock gently rocking in the breeze. 

Wow. 

There was nothing normal about the young man he saw slightly curled up before him. His skin was crystal clear and pale like a porcelain doll. The only  non-perfect thing I can find are the shadows beneath his eyes. 

Swallowing his sudden bout of nerves, Austin rubbed his palms on his black slacks and allowed his eyes to slowly move over the sleeping young man’s body. He was wearing a simple white T-shirt that looked nearly brand new. A worn, dark blue and green twine bracelet wrapped around his left wrist, but also drew his attention to what the young man held in a loose hug against his chest. 

A cane? 

Blinking, Austin frowned and ran his eyes back up to the man’s face, noticing a pair of lopsided glasses that were just begging to be broken if he shifted at all. Licking his suddenly dry lips, he reached over and gently tugged the item from the young man’s nose, then folded the sides in before setting them above his head. It wasn’t the safest place for them, but it was better than where they’d been. 

With that task complete, he turned his attention back to observing. In all honesty, he felt a bit weird for looking at the man so closely, but he just couldn’t help but take in every bit of his appearance. His light brown hair and pale lips stole his attention next, but he made himself not dwell on the way the strands rustled in the light breeze, or how his lips parted ever so slightly each time he took a quiet breath. 

Come on, man. You’re bi, but this is getting a little ridiculous. You’ve only ever had one boyfriend and it didn’t end all that well. 

Not that he didn’t appreciate looking sometimes, but women were just much more his thing. Forcing his eyes away from the young man’s face, Austin was about to turn around and head back to the parking lot, and his car, when something else caught his attention. 

Tilting his head curiously, he quietly walked around the side of the hammock, stopping near where the man’s legs were slightly bent for comfort, resting one on top of the other. He had on a pair of khaki dress pants, but the fabric on the right leg was pulled up, likely from shifting a bit. 

That’s a serious leg brace. 

The device was pure black and the several inches of it that he could see was fastened firmly around the young man’s leg. Judging from the wrinkles in the pant leg further up, it wasn’t a small brace at all. 

Ah, so that’s why he has a cane. His right leg is damaged. 

It was a shame. The guy didn’t look older than twenty. He was curious as to what had happened, but he definitely wasn’t going to wake the guy up just to ask such a thing. He might be a bit rude sometimes, but he wasn’t that rude. 

Running his fingers through his dirty blond hair, Austin decided to just head back. He didn’t need to get caught staring at a student while they slept. Wouldn’t that be a great thing to add to my resume? He thought sarcastically as he hurried back down the hill at a brisk walk. 

The drive home was thankfully lacking much traffic. So glad I decided not to take full days on Mondays and Thursdays. He could have, but he’d done that, and some night classes, last semester. This semester was going to be much less crazy. 

Or more crazy, depending on who walks through the door later. He reminded himself with a frown. 

Pulling into his assigned parking spot, Austin put his car in park and hopped out. He could technically walk the few blocks to the school, but he had a tendency to get stuck in sudden rain storms… and be incredibly lazy. 

Thankfully, his apartment complex had one elevator still working, allowing his lazy streak to continue as he swiped his card for it. It was ridiculous that you had to pay an extra ten dollars a month for a card to use the thing, unless you were legally handicapped, but it was definitely worth it over taking the two sets of stairs to get to the second floor. 

They made the excuse that they needed the funds from the fee to keep the elevators up and running, but considering they only had one that still somewhat functioned… yeah, the idiots were just raking in the dough and not bothering to fix anything. 

When the doors opened, without the chime that had been broken for at least a month, Austin headed for his apartment. He did have to say, the place was kept really clean and there was at least never any bug issues. It also helped that all of the units were inside a building and the doors weren’t leading directly outside. 

His feet paused a few feet from his door when he noticed several packages and a suitcase sitting outside. Right, I forgot that they were going to mail his things. They almost didn’t make it here before him. Smiling slightly, he walked around the items  and unlocked his door, then left it open as he tossed his sun glasses and keys on the small kitchen counter, then turned back around to start bringing the suitcases and boxes inside. 

There was only one actual big box, but thankfully it wasn’t as heavy as it looked. It was just a bit awkward, because it was mostly flat, but somewhat tall. He leaned it against the wall in the spare bedroom, then brought the rest of the things inside before checking his phone.

No messages. Guess I’ll hop in the shower real quick. 

Tossing his phone on the bed, Austin stripped out of his suit and got the water started in the shower. He waited until it was nearly burning before stepping in. I wonder if I should have just kept my suit on until he got here… Scrubbing his hair, and the thought from his mind, Austin sighed. 

He really didn’t want someone else in his space. Sharing a bathroom freaked him out. If the guy wasn’t cleanly… Don’t think about it. You could really use the money, and he needs a place to stay for a semester. It’s not a big deal. 

Even though he kept telling himself that, his mind was going crazy by the time he finally turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around his waist, Austin walked over to the spotless sink and reached for his hairbrush, right as the sound of someone knocking on the front door met his ears. 

Perfect timing. Just perfect. 

Grabbing a pair of pajama pants that had just been draped on his bed after dropping his towel, Austin yanked them on as he ran for the door. He threw it open the second he got there, a fake smile plastered on his face… only for it to fall into a confused frown.

He’s… the doll man. 

“Doll… man?” The young, light brown-haired man replied with a thick accent. 

Oh shit. Did I just say that out loud? 

“Um, it’s nothing. You just startled me. Are you Rowan?” Austin asked, trying to remember the guy’s name after only having been told it once. 

The young man smiled, but it definitely didn’t reach his eyes. He looks absolutely exhausted. Actually, he looked like he was about to pass out right there in the hall. 

“Hey, um, would you like to come in? You look tired.” Austin said, stepping aside to make room while holding the door open. 

The young man sighed, seemingly with relief, as he shakily lifted his right hand, along with the cane it held, and slowly made his way inside. He didn’t walk like an old person, but he did move like he was in immense pain. 

Austin wasn’t sure if he should try to help or not, but he did quickly shut and lock the door before following the man to the sofa. The guy dropped into it, then doubled over, panting quietly. 

The dean hadn’t said that he had any health problems I should be aware off, but he doesn’t look like he’s doing well at all. 

“Um, can I help at all?” He asked, worried. 

He got a response about a minute later, when the young man seemed to get control of his breathing enough to speak. 

“Box.” 

Austin furrowed his brows, not understanding. The dean had said that he was Korean, but he also said that he understood English…

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” He said, hoping the guy would realize that he needed to switch languages. 

The man looked up at him, his eyes shining with unshed tears. 

“Box, please. Was brought here?” He said, making Austin nod quickly. 

“Yeah, I’ll go get them.” He said as he walked into the spare room. 

He came back carrying all of the small boxes. They weighed a pound or so each, so it was no issue. He set them on the small coffee table in front of the young man before running to the kitchen and fetching a knife to cut the tape. 

Austin offered it to the man at first, but when he grasped it in a shaking hand, he quickly took it away from him. “You’ll hurt yourself.” He stated before grabbing one of the small boxes and slicing through the tape sealing it shut.

Thank god. This one looks right. He thought as he opened the box to reveal a medical letter that had been typed in English. Taking it out, he scanned over it, his mouth nearly falling open. He’s got some serious shit going on, damn. Austin flipped the paper over and read through the small chart a doctor had clearly typed out, thankfully in English, too, that said what to give him for what symptoms. 

The medication labels were mostly in Korean, but a piece of tape had been added to each that stated what they were in English and what they helped with, as well as dosage. Perfect. He definitely would have freaked out if everything was unreadable. The guy’s preplanning had saved Austin a lot of stress. 

Retrieving two pills from two different bottles, Austin handed them to the young man, then ran to the kitchen for a glass of warm water. The pills were already gone by the time he knelt beside the sofa and handed the man the glass. 

He downed it in a few moments, then tried to set the glass on the coffee table, but Austin had to help him because his hand was shaking too badly. 

“Sorry.” The man said as he leaned back against the couch, finally seeming to relax a little. 

Austin didn’t understand, again, but he just slowly stood up and recapped the pill bottles, then set them back in the box before taking a seat beside the young man. With the emergency seemingly averted, and the guy’s eyes closed for the moment, Austin took his chance and really looked the guy over. 

His crisp clean clothing from earlier was now a little dirty and his shirt was damp with sweat in a few places. The leg brace was still clearly present, but now hidden completely beneath his pant leg. His attention went to the young man’s hands when he saw them shaking a little, and without really thinking, Austin grasped the one next to him between his own hands and gently squeezed. 

“It’s okay.” He said, though he had no idea what he was really talking about. 

They stayed that way for a few minutes before the young man finally opened his eyes again and stared slightly up at Austin through his lopsided glasses. 

“I’m sorry.” He said as he slowly slipped his hand from Austin’s to adjust his glasses. 

Austin offered him a real smile and shrugged. “it’s alright. Are you feeling better?” He asked. 

The man nodded, his smile growing. “Yes.” 

That smile. 

“My name is Roh-Ahn, by the way. I am sorry I did not reply before. I did not feel good at all.” He said, making Austin nod. He could believe that, he’d looked terrible. 

“That’s alright. My name is Austin. I’m one of the history teachers on campus.” Roh-Ahn nodded. 

“Nice to meet you, Austin.” He said before covering a yawn. 

I bet you’re exhausted. 

“Do you want to rest? There’s already a mattress and spare pillow in your room. I put the rest of your stuff that arrived in there too.” He said as he stood up. 

Roh-Ahn nodded again, but didn’t try to get up. Instead, he looked toward the spare room, likely noticing the boxes. 

“By chance, could you please open the big box?” He asked as he glanced up at Austin with a hopeful but sheepish look. 

Austin glanced away for a second before replying. “Of course.” 

He hurried to the box and brought it over to the sofa. Laying it down on the carpeted floor, he carefully cut away the tape, then opened it. 

Aw man. 

His heart hurt for the guy as he carefully unfolded the dark blue wheelchair that had been carefully packed in the box. When he moved it close enough, Roh-Ahn reached for it and shakily got himself situated in the seat. 

“Thank you.” He said as he grabbed the wheels and backed the chair up a little so that he wasn’t crowding him. 

Austin grabbed the packing material and stuffed it back into the box, then set it inside one of the spare closets, since he figured that he’d likely need it again later to ship the chair back to Korea. 

“I don’t usually need it. I think the stairs and walking a lot made my condition bad.” Roh-Ahn said, bringing Austin’s attention to him as he shut the closet door. 

He really wanted to ask what was wrong, especially considering the amount of pills he had prescribed to him, but it wasn’t his place. If things did get bad again, he would have to ask, though. He had looked minutes away from passing out before. 

At least the medicine seems to work well. 

“I think I will rest some and text my uncle to let him know I have arrived safely. Thank you for having me, Austin. I hope that we can be friends while I’m here.” He said before wheeling himself to his room and quietly shutting the door. 

Friends? His cheeks looked a little pink just now.

He hadn’t really planned to make a friend out of this situation… but Roh-Ahn seemed like he would be easy to get along with. Scratching the back of his head, he glanced down at himself, then felt his own face heat. 

Crap. I’m not wearing a shirt and I grabbed my loose pajama pants! 

Christ, he’d almost flashed the guy. 

First impression. Aced it. 

Shaking his head, Austin turned to head back into his room to put on reasonable clothing, when he realized something. 

He climbed those two flights of stairs. 

God, he was going to worry himself to death after only knowing the guy for twenty minutes! Not even bothering to argue with his lazy self, Austin retrieved his wallet and pulled out the card for the elevator and set it on the kitchen counter with a sticky note attached to it before disappearing into his room to take a much-needed nap.

The note read:

This is for the elevator. It’s my only extra one, so don’t lose it. 

It wasn’t an extra.

When Your Thoughts Shift

(Shhh, this isn’t updating yet. You see nothing.) 

The smell of something absolutely mouthwatering drew Austin out of his dream. He knew that it had been a good one, but as he opened his eyes, he just couldn’t remember what it had specifically been about. 

Sitting up, he ran his fingers through his messy bedhead and yawned as his mind put together what was going on. At first, he thought that he’d left the stove or oven on, but that didn’t make much sense, since he rarely cooked. He also sucked at it unless it was basics like boiling water or throwing fish sticks in the oven. So that couldn’t have been it. At least, not with how good whatever was cooking smelled.

Wait. That guy’s here. 

Now it made sense… though, after what had happened earlier, how was he able to safely stand in the kitchen to cook? 

Shit. 

Scrambling out of his bed, he hurried to his dresser, only to realize that he’d been too lazy, again, to put his clothes away that weren’t suits or dress shirts. Hurrying over to his clean laundry basket, he tugged out a dark orange and brown shirt that wasn’t too wrinkled and pulled it on over his head. While he was there, he decided to switch out his pajama bottoms for a more fitted black pair, not wanting to risk flashing the poor guy by accident. 

After a quick glance down at himself, Austin headed for the door and slowly pulled it open. His room was almost lined up perfectly with the small kitchen, so he only had to step forward and to the side slightly to be able to see everything that was going on inside it. 

Aww. 

He knew the Roh-Ahn probably wasn’t trying to be cute on purpose, but seeing him sitting in one of the chairs he must have dragged around from the small circular dinner table on the other side of the counter, his eyes closed and lips turned up as he took in the delicious smell of his cooking dinner…

Okay. He’s cute. I can accept that. 

“Evening, Rowan.” Austin said as he walked to the fridge and pulled out a small bottle of protein shake. 

Why did you just say his name wrong on purpose, idiot. 

When he turned away from the fridge, the drink pressed to his lips as he took a sip, he saw Roh-Ahn glance away. “Hello, Austin.” He replied quietly as he reached up and stirred his food a little. 

It was sizzling in the pan and looked to be just about done. At least, that’s what Austin thought. If it was up to him and his stomach, he’d already be putting it on a plate so that he could make it disappear. 

“You’re a very good cook, it seems.” Austin said with a smile as he walked around the counter so that he wasn’t in the kitchen, but could still see and talk to Roh-Ahn. He didn’t want to crowd the guy, since he was acting a little nervous. 

That seemed to get him to relax a little and brought forth a small smile. “Thank you. I love cooking.” He said, then paused before glancing from his meal to Austin. 

“Would you like to try it? I called for the store to bring a little food, so I have enough if you would like to try…” He said, seemingly rambling a bit at the end while his eyes dropped away from Austin’s. 

Why is he so cute? You don’t like nervous girls, let alone guys. 

“Sure. It smells great. I’d love to try it.” He said as he pulled out a stool and watched quietly as Roh-Ahn nodded, then carefully stood from the chair he’d been resting on, using the cane Austin hadn’t noticed was likely propped against the counter nearby. 

He wanted to run back into the kitchen and make sure that he didn’t accidentally fall, but Roh-Ahn probably wouldn’t appreciate it. He had been living alone for a few years, from what he’d been told, so he had to be used to doing things by himself. 

When Roh-Ahn started dishing out the food, which looked like a beef and rice dish, with one hand, the other holding onto the counter, Austin did walk back around and help. 

“I got it. Go ahead and sit at the table and I’ll bring it over?” He asked, not wanting to belittle the guy’s abilities, but he seemed to be getting tired again. 

Instead of being frustrated, Roh-Ahn bowed his head slightly and smiled up at him. “Yes, please. Thank you.” He said before taking his cane and carefully limping toward the table. 

So he was hurting. 

He wasn’t sure if the injury was a constant issue or if it was worse on some days over others, or after exercising, but as he dished up the food, making sure to give Roh-Ahn the bigger portion, he knew that he’d have to ask. 

Picking up the plates, Austin brought them over to the table, then went back and retrieved two forks, only to notice a pair of chopsticks sitting on the counter near the stove. 

Oh, I bet he wants those instead. 

Grabbing them, along with the forks, Austin returned to the table, then left again. His last trip had him filling two glasses with water before bringing them over and finally sitting down. 

“Thank you, again. I was getting a little tired.” Roh-Ahn said, proving Austin right. 

“Jet lagged?” Austin asked as he stabbed a piece of beef with his fork and lifted it to his lips. 

Holy crap. 

Roh-Ahn finished chewing the bite he had taken before Austin had questioned him, then tilted his head slightly. “Lagged?” He asked, clearly not understanding the word. 

“Oh. You took a plane and there is a time difference, so it makes you tired.” Austin explained. 

“Ah, yes.” Roh-Ahn said, agreeing with a nod before taking another bite of food. 

Austin decided to let the conversation go quiet so that he could enjoy the amazing meal the guy had made before it got cold. Roh-Ahn seemed to have the same idea, because they both ate in companionable silence until their plates were mostly empty. 

“That was delicious, thank you for letting me have some.” Austin said as he leaned back in his chair and sighed, his stomach quite happy. It had been a little sweet and a lot spicy. He’d absolutely loved it. 

“You are welcome. I wanted to make you something for letting me stay. I’m glad you liked it.” Roh-Ahn said as he relaxed back into his own chair. 

I guess now would be as good a time as any to ask about his health issues, so that I can be ready to help him if it gets bad again. 

“I uh, wanted to ask you something about your reaction earlier…” He said, hoping that the guy wouldn’t get upset about his prying. He just wanted to be sure that he could keep him safe. 

Not that that’s your responsibility since he’s an adult, but it can’t hurt to know in case he does need help. He told himself, wanting to flick himself in the forehead right after he completed the thought. 

Roh-Ahn shifted a little in his seat as his eyes dropped, but he straightened a few moments later, his gaze meeting his. That’s some determination. 

“I have bad nerve damage on the right side of my body.” He said, his tone sounding as if it was something he told people daily. The look in his soft eyes, however, told Austin to tread lightly and that he was trying his best to put on a strong front. 

Nodding, Austin thought for a moment before replying. “Is there anything that you want me to know about the reactions you have, or do you want me to let you handle it yourself?” 

Roh-Ahn looked hesitant as he opened his mouth to reply, only to close it, then open it again, but not speak. He’s so easy to read. Austin looked behind him at the box of medication still sitting on the coffee table by the sofa, then back to Roh-Ahn. 

“What about just explaining what those medications are for, in case I need to get you a specific one in the future?” 

The relieved look on Roh-Ahn’s face made Austin question why he had decided to live alone for so long. He watched the guy eagerly but carefully get up from the table and, using his cane, limp over until he could safely drop down onto the sofa. 

Austin took their empty plates to the sink and rinsed them, then set them in the dishwasher before heading over to sit beside Roh-Ahn. The guy already had the box of medication in his lap and was unfolding a piece of paper that had likely been inside. 

“I had my doctor write in English for them.” He offered him the paper. 

Austin took it and scanned over each medication and the explanation of what it did. It was well written and gave him just enough information to feel comfortable offering certain ones to Roh-Ahn for specific issues that arise. 

“Are there any that shouldn’t be taken together?” He asked, making Roh-Ahn nod and reach over, flipping the paper Austin held. 

Ah, there was writing on the back. 

“Okay, so the really strong pain pills can’t go with the ones for seizures. It says that you don’t get bad seizures too often, though, so that’s good.” He went over a the rest of it, noting that shaking was normal for him when he got tired, but that wasn’t considered a seizure that would need medication. 

The paper stated that pain and numbness on his right side were the worst problems and that’s what most of the medicine helped with. 

“Okay, what goes numb in general? I’m going to assume your leg, for the most part?” Austin asked, earning a nod. 

“If I get tired it either starts hurting really bad, or I can’t feel it at all.” He said, looking a little depressed before he forced the emotion away and gave a small smile. 

“It has not been too bad lately, though. I feel good right now.” He said, making Austin at least a little relieved that he wasn’t struggling all the time. 

He really wanted to know what the hell happened to hurt him so badly. Aside from a bad car wreck, he couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t come close to someone trying to beat him to death. 

“Are you alright, Austin?” 

Blinking, Austin realized that he was staring off into space and grinned. “Yeah, fine. Got distracted by a thought. Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?” He asked. 

Roh-Ahn leaned back into the sofa and lifted a hand to his mouth. The thinking position was pretty cute, but Austin ignored it and waited until the guy seemed to remember something and sat forward again. Pointing up at his right eye, he began speaking. “I sometimes have trouble seeing in my right side. It will look wrong, a lot of black, but it does not hurt. I just won’t be able to see for some time. There is no medicine for it.” 

This guy. It’s like he has ten people’s problems forced into him. 

“Okay, thanks for letting me know.” Austin said as he set the paper on top of the box and got up, then turned to give Roh-Ahn a hand up, since he seemed to be having a bit of trouble trying to balance. 

“I’m going to go get some food at the grocery store. Did you get what you needed delivered, or would you like to come with me?” He asked. 

The way Roh-Ahn’s face lit up answered him before the guy could get a word out. 

“Alright, I’ll be ready to go in about ten minutes.” Austin said as he headed for his room to change. 

He settled for a pair of faded blue jeans, a black shirt and light red jacket, and blue ball cap. His hair was still a bit messy since he hadn’t brushed it, but since it was beneath the hat, it was perfectly fine. 

When he stepped back out into the living room, Roh-Ahn was surprisingly changed and standing leaning against the counter with his cane. He had on a pair of slightly loose khaki pants and a faded grey T-shirt. 

“All set?” Austin asked as he grabbed his keys from the counter, noticing that the card key for the elevator, as well as the note he’d left, were gone. 

“I have the key.” Roh-Ahn said as he carefully walked by him, holding up the card key in his left hand. 

I should try to get another, but the office will probably make me beat it out of them. They can never just be nice. 

“Perfect.” He said as he unlocked the front door, then paused. 

“Wait. I have something else you need.” He said as he turned and ran back into his room. 

It took him a minute of digging, but he finally managed to find the spare set of keys he’d gotten made a few days ago. They were already set up on a key ring and even had a clip to secure them to a belt loop. 

“Here.” He said, about to toss them to Roh-Ahn. 

The guy flinched a little as he lifted his left hand, which still held the key card for the elevator. 

“Oh. Right, sorry. Habit.” Austin said, catching himself before he threw the keys at the poor guy. 

Instead, he walked over and tugged on one of the belt loops for his pants and clipped the keys there. “That’ll work.” He said before holding the front door open for Roh-Ahn. 

They were both silent as they made their way to the elevator, then down and outside to the car. After they’d both gotten situated and they were on their way, Roh-Ahn’s phone began ringing. 

Austin focused on the road as the guy began talking, mainly because he couldn’t figure out a single thing he was saying. 

“Hello, uncle. How have you been?” Roh-Ahn said in Korean. 

Austin glanced over at him when they stopped at a red light. He was smiling and looking out the front window, but clearly not paying attention to anything but his call. 

“I’m doing well. I had some trouble but the person I am staying with helped me. He also gave me his spare key for the elevator, so I don’t have to worry about the stairs.” 

He never really liked hearing other languages. His father had never been very open to different people, and he’d kind of passed on his agitation at not being able to understand others to him. Of course, he’d never tell anyone to stop talking around him or anything, it was just something that annoyed him a bit. 

That, and he really wanted to know what Roh-Ahn was talking about… and if he was part of the topic. 

“Yes, uncle. He’s actually really sweet. I think we will be good friends.” 

There was quiet for a minute as the person on the other end spoke, then Roh-Ahn replied as they pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store. 

“We’re at the grocery store now to get some food for the week. I’ll speak with you later uncle Wan-Nu. Take care.” 

“Ready?” Austin asked as he watched Roh-Ahn tuck his phone into his pocket. 

“Yes.” He replied while opening the door and using it to carefully get himself up from the seat. 

Austin waited for him around the front of the car, then they walked in together. It took a bit of focus to be able to match his stride, but he hadn’t needed to worry. As soon as they got to the carts, Roh-Ahn set his cane inside and took the push-bar in his hands and began walking at a surprisingly normal pace. 

Wait, is he actually having fun simply walking with the cart? Austin thought, unable to hold back his own smile when he saw Roh-Ahn’s. It must have felt amazing to be able to walk normally, even if he had to use the cart to help him. 

I wonder if he would be open to getting a push walker. 

On second thought, he doubted Roh-Ahn would want one of them. He could hide behind the facade of pushing the cart to be able to enjoy walking somewhat normally again, but if he got a push walker, it would scream handicap, even if it helped him more than his cane would. 

On the other hand, he’s got a wheelchair for the bad days. 

Shaking his head, Austin decided to not think about it. It was Roh-Ahn’s decision to make. As long as he was comfortable with his choices, then that was what mattered. 

But it has to be safer to have a walker than that little cane… 

“Hey Austin, I like to cook a lot. Would you like to share some of the cost and we can share meals?” 

If the rest of his cooking was anything like what they’d had earlier…

“Absolutely. I’d be happy to split the cost, or even pay a little extra, if you’d like to cook some evenings.” He said, earning a big smile from Roh-Ahn as the guy got down several spices. 

“Could you get a large bag of rice, please?” He asked as he pointed to one on the bottom shelf that he would likely struggle to lift into the cart with his bad leg. 

“Sure.” Austin replied as he knelt down and reached for a bag, only to see a hand reach over his shoulder to point at the bag right next to the one he was reaching for. 

Instead of grabbing it, he turned and reached up, gently lifting Roh-Ahn back up from where he was leaning toward him. 

“Be careful. Just tell me to get the one next to it, okay?” He kept himself from saying I don’t want anything to happen to you. But just barely. 

Of course, he didn’t want anything to happen to the guy staying with him. It would be an inconvenience, and he would never wish anything bad upon someone else, but it would sound odd coming from him so randomly. 

Roh-Ahn seemed a little surprised, but ended up nodding as he grabbed the handle for the cart again with both hands as Austin lifted the bag of rice into the cart. 

“Alright, lead the way. I’ll grab what I need as we go.” 

He got another nod before Roh-Ahn began pushing the cart again. He was quiet at first, possibly a little embarrassed or frustrated about what Austin had told him, but he eventually began pointing out things that he needed help reaching or picking up from higher or lower shelves. 

Austin was more than happy to help him and didn’t complain a single time. He felt a lot better that Roh-Ahn wasn’t taking his hands off of the push bar except for simple gestures and they were adding weight to the cart, so if his right leg acted up, he would be able to catch himself without risking the cart flipping back on him from it being too light to handle his body weight. 

Granted, he wasn’t heavy at all, and appeared quite slim, but he was still built well and was probably somewhere around one hundred and thirty pounds, give or take. 

They were just finishing going through the last isle when he noticed that celery was on sale. Sure, why not. I already got peanut butter. He grabbed a bag of stalks and tossed them into the cart, noticing the look Roh-Ahn gave the food item before he could hide the expression. 

“It’s actually not bad with peanut butter on it.” Austin said as they began heading toward the front to check-out. 

“I have never tried that, but I do not like it in dishes…” Roh-Ahn said as they began unloading the cart. 

Austin watched him carefully as he put light objects onto the moving conveyor, and made sure to grab the heavier things first. The cost was a little higher than his normal bill, but he’d barely bought any of his normal junk foods or easy things, like chicken nuggets or TV dinners, so he was content with paying a little more. 

He paid about two thirds of the cost, then let Roh-Ahn get the remainder before heading outside. The sky had clouded over a bit while they’d been in the store, but that was nothing new for Florida. In fact, he was completely unsurprised to feel little raindrops falling against his skin after they’d gotten the car loaded up and returned the cart. 

While Roh-Ahn got himself situated in the passenger’s side, Austin fished two things out of their grocery bags, then dropped into the driver’s seat. He handed them over once Roh-Ahn had his seatbelt on and cane situated out of the way. 

“Try it together.” Austin said as he buckled his own seatbelt, then got them out of the parking lot and headed home. 

Roh-Ahn hesitated, but then slowly unscrewed the lid on the peanut butter, then just as slowly took out a stalk of prewashed celery. Austin had to bite back a grin when he noticed the guy glance up at him at a red light before dipping the celery into the creamy peanut butter. 

He didn’t hear any words from him for the rest of the ride after that. Only the content crunching of the snack broke the silence in the car and drew a faint upward curve to his lips.

When Your Heart Shifts

“Austin!” 

Pausing on his way to his office, Austin turned around to see Emri running toward him, waving his arm as if his shout hadn’t gotten him enough attention already. 

When the guy stopped in front of him, bending over and panting to catch his breath, Austin bit back a smirk and waited. Emri lifted his head after a minute, a large grin on his own face. “That new teacher is amazing!” 

Is he now? You had just been making fun of his handicap when he had to come to work in a wheelchair the other day, yet now, after you finally stopped being an ass and talked to him, you think he’s all that? 

Roh-Ahn had been staying with him for nearly a week and just finished his first few days of classes. Austin hadn’t needed to help him again like he had to on the first day they’d met, but he did definitely notice that Roh-Ahn had good and bad days. 

“I’m glad you understand that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” Austin said, feeling slightly like a hypocrite, cause he still judged others without even thinking about it most times. Thankfully, he was getting better at holding his tongue, at least.

Emri shook his head and patted Austin a bit too strongly on the shoulder. “Dude, you have a damn genius living under your roof! Not to mention, he’s actually pretty cute if you look past his disabilities.” 

That’s exactly what I needed to hear today. 

“I already knew that he was smart and looked good. Also, you don’t swing that way. What was your point in running over here? Just to tell me those things?” Austin asked with a bored expression. 

When Emri’s grin grew, Austin frowned. 

“You think he’s cute, too?” 

Rolling his eyes, Austin turned and began heading toward his office, only for his eye to immediately redirect to the subject of their conversation. Without even thinking, he headed for him, ignoring the snicker he heard coming from somewhere behind him. It wasn’t important. 

When he was close enough, Austin reached out and took Roh-Ahn’s free hand, drawing the man to a stop on his wobbling legs to look up at him. The relief in his soft eyes made Austin’s heart flicker in his chest. “It looked like you could use a hand, and I happened to have one free…” He joked with a half smile, earning one back as they began to walk again. 

“Thank you.” Roh-Ahn said as he rolled his shoulders, slightly adjusting where his backpack set on them while accepting the assistance without an ounce of hesitation. 

It was refreshing to not have someone fight him on a simple kind gesture. He had so many friends who had needed help over the years but were too stubborn to accept it, yet Roh-Ahn never complained when he offered to help him, though he sometimes declined courteously. 

“How have your classes been?” Austin asked as they made their way toward the parking lot. He knew that Roh-Ahn often took the bus, but he didn’t have anything else to do besides grade homework, which could be done at home, so there was no way that he’d let the guy wait for the bus when he was clearly getting tired. 

Roh-Ahn was quiet until they were situated in Austin’s car, then sighed out a breath and looked over at him. “Good. There are some students that do not take me seriously because I don’t know some of the words they choose to use, but they will not be laughing for long.” 

That’s one thing Austin knew for sure. As he got them headed home, he thought through the multiple times that he’d caught Roh-Ahn thinking out loud about his grading policies as he went over his few assignments. Generally ones just about the class syllabus or introduction. He was a little spitfire when it came to respect. He highly disliked others talking down to people or taking advantage of another. Austin felt bad for the first person he caught cheating on his exams. 

“Hey Roh?” Austin asked, shortening the guy’s name without even thinking about it. 

Roh-Ahn glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow, but seemed to let the nickname slide with a tired smile. “Yes?” 

“Want to get some ice cream?” Austin asked randomly. 

He had clearly taken Roh-Ahn by surprise, because the guy didn’t have a response for a moment. When he did finally reply, it was kind of cute. 

“Ice cream is not a meal and it is going to be dinner time soon.” 

Austin also knew that he wasn’t the biggest fan of sweets, but he did mention that he didn’t mind ice cream once in a long while. 

“But there aren’t any rules that say you can’t have a treat before dinner sometimes, right?” Austin asked as he glanced at him for a second before returning his attention to the road. “Dealing with freshly graduated American high school kids deserves some sort of reward, right? Especially since you didn’t yell at any of them yet.” 

When he stopped at a red light, Austin looked over at Roh-Ahn again, only to see the guy looking a bit bashful. He quickly glanced away toward the window, too, making Austin laugh out loud. 

“Oh man, you’re going to be awesome for this college. Those brats won’t know what hit them. They all think taking a foreign language will be like the free trip in high school.” He said as he turned left, then pulled into a parking lot a few moments later. 

“And we’re already here, so unless you want to stay in the car with no delicious ice cream, you might want to get out.” 

He didn’t wait for Roh-Ahn’s reply as he slid from the car and walked up to an old-looking building. It had long since seen better days and the paint was peeling on just about every inch of its surface. It was nostalgic. He’d been going to the rundown parlor since he was a little kid.

“Hey Austin, how have you been, you troublemaker?” 

Grandpa Jessum. 

“Hey you crotchety old bag. Rosie hasn’t sent you away to a retirement home, yet?” Austin replied, smiling. He was glad to still see the old man running the tiny place again. He had been gone for a while dealing with cancer in his kidney but looked a lot better now. 

The old man chuckled and shook his head. The place only had five flavors, and Austin never deviated from his chocolate and vanilla swirl. 

“Unfortunately, I beat that nasty cancer and can still stand for more than ten minutes, so you’re stuck with me.” 

Austin was about to reply when he heard someone walk up behind him. He didn’t even need to look to know that it was Roh-Ahn. He had the sound of the young man’s slight limp memorized in his mind. The tick of his cane on the gravel also helped confirm that it was him, too. 

“Oh? Who do we have here, Austin? Do you actually have a friend or am I truly going blind?” Jessum asked as he leaned forward a little, getting a better view of Roh-Ahn as he stopped beside Austin. The guy seemed confused as he looked around, probably trying to find the menu that didn’t exist. 

“Hey bud, it’s chocolate, vanilla, twist, strawberry, mint or any of those dipped in a chocolate shell.” Jessum said, making Roh-Ahn glance up at Austin with a confused look. 

Just wait. 

“We’ll take two chocolate dipped cones.” Austin said, only to be interrupted by Roh-Ahn. “Strawberry please, not dipped.” 

The old man chuckled and nodded as he got to work. Austin fished a five dollar bill out of his wallet and tossed it inside the window onto the counter. 

“Don’t throw money at me, boy. I’m not a stripper.” Jessum said as he made the ice cream. 

“Not an image I needed in my mind, grandpa.” Austin replied as he reached forward, taking the first proffered cone and handing it to Roh-Ahn. 

He saw Roh-Ahn turn and head toward the car, but quickly grabbed his own cone a moment later and followed him, taking his hand holding the cone and nodding toward an old picnic table off to the side beneath a large oak tree. It was worn down and one side was broken, but he didn’t want ice cream in his car. That was asking to get it stained. 

“Come on. Let’s sit over there and eat.” He said, not really giving Roh-Ahn a chance to decline as he gently tugged him toward the table. 

A few steps away from the table Roh-Ahn’s phone began to ring. Austin figured that it was a reflex when the guy tucked his cane under his arm and reached for his pocket. Only, he was clearly more tired than he’d anticipated, because his right leg refused to hold his weight. 

Austin just barely managed to snag him with an arm under both of his before he dropped to the ground. His own ice cream hit the dirt, but he didn’t even notice as he helped Roh-Ahn the last few feet to the picnic table and got him safely settled. 

“You definitely keep me on my toes sometimes.” He joked, honestly glad that Roh-Ahn hadn’t fallen. It was mostly dirt and grass, but still. 

When the guy’s soft brown eyes lifted to his, then looked down at his now-empty hands, Austin knew that he was probably going to be upset. 

“Don’t worry about it.” Austin said, hoping to get a shrug or smile from Roh-Ahn, but the guy just stared down at his own cone, then over to where his was melting all over the ground. 

I really just wanted to get you one. 

There was no way Roh-Ahn wasn’t going to try something, though. This dweeb. “Eat what you want and if there’s any left, I’ll finish it. But I doubt that you’ll be willing to share once you taste it.” Austin said, raising an eyebrow to goad Roh-Ahn into eating his treat. 

It took a minute, but Roh-Ahn finally let his pink tongue dart out and swipe a bit of ice cream from the slowly melting cone. It didn’t take anymore time after that first taste before he was eating it in honest while checking who had called him a few moments ago. 

“Isn’t that your uncle’s name?” Austin asked as he glanced at the small screen, drawing a surprised look from Roh-Ahn, who had his mouth full of strawberry ice cream. 

“You showed me a few times before when he called and the symbols look the same. Are you two close? He calls you a lot.” Austin asked as he leaned forward on the picnic table, relaxing and enjoying the overcast day. 

Roh-Ahn nodded, taking a few seconds to swallow his ice cream before replying. “We do not live close but he does call me often.” 

Austin wanted to ask about his parents, but considering he hadn’t mentioned them once in the week they’ve been living together, he figured that the topic wasn’t a smart one to bring up. 

“Ah, that’s cool. I’m not really close to any of my relatives, though my brother visits once in a while to drink with some of our old friends and play cards.” He said, earning a smile from Roh-Ahn before the guy called his uncle back. 

“Hello uncle. How are you doing?” He said before taking another lick from his ice cream. 

Austin found himself watching him without meaning to, but Roh-Ahn seemed oblivious. He was all smiles as he spoke, his eyes squinting every few moments when his uncle said something he particularly liked or thought was funny. 

“That’s great. I hope to see you guys when you come over for your tour! Please get me and my friend a ticket!” 

There was a pause in the conversation, then Roh-Ahn looked over at him with a big smile, making Austin fidget and quickly look away, not wanting to get caught having stared for so long. 

“Yes. I made a friend. The young man I am staying with, the teacher. He’s super sweet!” Roh-Ahn said, laughing after a moment at something his uncle said in response. 

I really wish I knew what he was saying, but it’s none of my business. Austin thought as he felt something being slipped into his hand, drawing his eyes downward. 

His ice cream? 

It had been eaten down to the cone, but there was still a decent bit of strawberry ice cream in the middle. When he looked back up, Roh-Ahn smiled, making Austin copy it without thinking before lifting the cone to his lips and taking a bite. 

I feel like a damn teenager thinking that I’m kissing him indirectly by eating this. He thought as he chewed slowly. 

“That would be great. I can’t wait!” 

There was another pause with a nod or two from Roh-Ahn, then he glanced over at him again, making Austin tilt his head as he finished off the ice cream cone. 

“I don’t know.” He said into the phone. 

Austin watched his expression fall for a millisecond before he was smiling again. 

“I don’t want to complicate things, Wan-Nu. Austin wants to head out now, so I’ll call you later.” He said abruptly, his words suddenly much faster than before. 

He made a small sound of confirmation before ending the call and smiling at Austin, only, it was obvious that he wasn’t happy any longer. I have no idea what they were talking about, but if I say something stupid, it might be exactly what he doesn’t want to hear. 

Forcing a small smile, Austin got up. Roh-Ahn followed once he was steady on his feet. He wanted to offer him a hand, but he’d already crowded him a lot recently, so he just walked calmly beside him, but paid attention just in case he had trouble. 

They made it to the car in silence, but as soon as he started driving them home, he realized that something was definitely wrong. Roh-Ahn had his left hand settled on the center armrest, but it was fidgeting and his fingers were curling and flexing off and on, then drumming on the fabric. 

Is he nervous? Having a reaction? 

When they stopped at a red light, Austin reached up and settled his hand over Roh-Ahn’s, squeezing just enough to get his attention. 

He looks scared. 

“Is everything okay? Do you need medicine? We put some in the car just in case, in the glove compartment…” Austin said, trying to keep how worried he was out of his voice. 

Roh-Ahn stared down at their joined hands and licked his lips quickly, then jerked his head side to side. “I am okay. Just very tired.” He said. Austin could believe it, but it still felt like there was something else there. 

Not your business. He reminded himself as he gave Roh-Ahn’s hand a final squeeze and returned his to the steering wheel, focusing on driving. He would tell him if he wanted to, but Austin was going to be a considerate friend and keep his mouth shut about it for now. 

Damn it all, I wanna know what happened.

When Your Sight Shifts

(Yay it’s midnight again. If there are any errors, I’ll get to them tomorrow.) 

Eyeing the stove, Austin licked his lips and nervously tugged at the bottom of his Pittsburgh Steelers shirt. You looked a the recipe a million times between classes today and bought exactly what the list said to, right down to the brand, even though that was just advertising. 

It was just a simple recipe with kimchi and fried rice. He’d picked it because there wasn’t a whole lot of specifics to do. It was just cook the rice, cook the extra stuff, and mix it all together. At least, that’s what he’d thought. 

He decided to try the rice first and see what he got, so he filled a big sauce pan with water, then stirred in rice and set it to the temperature the recipe required. He then set a timer, but realized after hearing the water boil over onto the stovetop a bit later, that he hadn’t added nearly enough rice compared to the amount of water he’d put into the pan. 

I guess the measurements were important…

Since he didn’t know exactly how much rice he’d added the first time, he decided to just add a good bit more, then pull up the stool that they now left in the kitchen for Roh-Ahn and went about surfing the internet on his phone as he waited. 

When it looked done, he scooped out a small spoonful and after blowing on it for a few seconds, tried a bite. Okay. Bland as hell, but it doesn’t taste bad. He had no idea how it would taste after he was done, but he had a hard time thinking that he could turn something so flavorless into something as delicious as what Roh-Ahn consistently cooked each night. 

He’s spoiling me and I swear he’s using magic to make our dinners. 

Shaking his head, he set the pan aside and got another out. He added a little sesame oil, but quickly realized that he had needed to cut up the vegetables and chicken before heating up the oil. Scowling at the pan, he removed it from the heat and turned off the burner, then got busy chopping up the onions, carrots and chicken he’d bought. 

His eyes were sore from the onions within seconds, but he persevered and gladly threw everything into the pan about twenty minutes later with a good bit of hot spices. The sizzle that accompanied that action made him feel a little confidence. 

While that cooked, he opened the jar of kimchi he’d bought and after double checking the recipe, added it and the rice to the pan. The sound of the lock turning in the door a few feet away was drowned out by the sound of the food cooking in front of him, so when Roh-Ahn stepped next to him and leaned over to smell the food, Austin jumped, unintentionally knocking into him. 

Without a second thought Austin wrapped his arms around Roh-Ahn’s middle, stopping his fall for only a brief moment before they both went down. Even though he desperately tried, Austin couldn’t keep from landing partially on Roh-Ahn. He scrambled onto his hands and knees the second he was able to, only to see his roommate quietly laughing. 

“Are you okay?” Austin asked, noticing that Roh-Ahn had to have hit his head on the lower cabinet. 

Roh-Ahn smiled, the simple gesture making Austin fidget where he leaned over him. When neither of them spoke for a few moments, Roh-Ahn glanced past Austin and pointed up toward the stove. 

“You are burning your food.” 

Oh shit.

Jumping up, Austin turned toward the stove, but then looked back down as Roh-Ahn started pushing himself up. Glancing back and forth a few times, he decided to just reach over and switch off the heat and move the pan, before dropping to his knees and carefully helping Roh-Ahn up. Once he was safely holding onto the counter, Austin reached back down and grabbed his cane and bag. 

“Thank you.” Roh-Ahn said, a small smile still on his lips before he glanced past Austin to see his slightly burnt meal. 

“It doesn’t look ruined and smells really good.” He said as he steadied himself with the cane, then lifted his bag to his shoulder. 

Austin was far too pleased with the simple praise but he soaked it up like a sponge and returned Roh-Ahn’s smile. “I wanted to try making dinner since you’ve been doing it every night.” He said nervously, suddenly worried that Roh-Ahn might have eaten already. 

“Oh? Perfect. I’m going to wash up, then we can eat?” Roh-Ahn said, earning a quick nod from Austin before he smiled and headed toward his room. 

In the time that it took Roh-Ahn to do what he needed, Austin got the table set, the food in a large bowl in the middle, and two waters on the table. He was just turning off the lights in the kitchen, having turned the small one on over the table. 

When Roh-Ahn finally appeared from his room, he had ditched the suit he’d been wearing and now had on a pair of flannel pajama pants with little snowmen and polar bears printed on them. His shirt matched the theme with a snowman on the bottom left side, holding up one skinny stick arm in a funny wave. 

“If your students ever saw you in that, they’d probably never take you seriously, Roh-Ahn.” Austin said, a chuckle in his voice as he watched the young man carefully walk toward the table. He didn’t have his cane, which worried Austin far more than it should have, but he seemed to be doing okay. 

He must be feeling really good today. 

The thought made him smile. He’d seen decent days and two bad ones, but he’d never seen Roh-Ahn risk not bringing his cane anywhere he went. Austin forced himself to stay seated as he made his way to the chair across from him. When he was finally settled, Austin nudged the bowl toward him. 

“It looks like you’re feeling pretty good today.” He said as he waited patiently for Roh-Ahn to serve himself. 

He got a nod to his question right away as Roh-Ahn filled his plate, then offered the utensil to Austin so that he could do the same. When his own plate was full, he looked over at Roh-Ahn, noticing that he wasn’t eating. 

“Is it that bad?” He asked as he hesitantly picked up his spoon and poked at the rice. 

His question received a quiet laugh as Roh-Ahn grinned. “Am waiting. You test it for poison first.” 

“Wow, you have great faith in me, don’t you?” Austin joked back as he slid his spoon beneath the rice and some veggies, then lifted the bite to his mouth. 

He chewed for several seconds before swallowing, but he refused to say anything as far as if it was good or not. Roh-Ahn watched him, his impatience clearly growing as he fidgeted in his seat. When his stomach finally growled, he gave Austin a scowl and picked up the chopsticks Austin had remembered to bring over and took a bite of the food. 

When he simply swallowed and set down his chopsticks, Austin felt like kicking himself. Roh-Ahn was playing his game right back at him. 

“I think it wasn’t too bad.” Austin said sheepishly as he took another bite, needing to do something with his mouth before he said something stupid, like begging for what Roh-Ahn thought about the dish. 

As he chewed slowly, staring down at his plate, he noticed Roh-Ahn taking another bite from the corner of his eye. He took his time chewing, again, but when he finally swallowed and spoke, Austin gave him his full attention. 

“It is not bad. You burnt some of it, and some of the rice isn’t cooked, while some of it is overcooked, but it is a good first try. The vegetables and chicken are pretty well done and the spices are nice.” 

He wasn’t sure why, but Austin felt like he’d just gotten an exam graded instead of some commentary on his cooking. 

Is it bad that I liked it, even though half of what he said was negative and I suck at taking negative criticism? 

Roh-Ahn took a few more bites before giving Austin a slight smile. “I can teach you how to make some of the things I do, if you’d like.” 

While he hated listening to other teachers lecture, Austin was pretty sure that he wouldn’t mind hearing Roh-Ahn talk him through just about anything, even if it was scolding him for messing up cooking instructions because he was usually too lazy to measure ingredients. 

“That would be great.” He said as he went to take another bite, only for his spoon to miss his mouth as something caught his attention. 

He was about to comment on it unintentionally when Roh-Ahn pursed his lips and rubbed at his bad eye. It had dilated, like he said it would when he was having a reaction. He said that there’s nothing I can do to help him with that and that he loses his vision in that eye, but it doesn’t look like it’s very comfortable, either. 

“Just a little  headache going along with it. I’ll be okay.” 

Austin bit his tongue and just nodded as he continued to eat his food, but he couldn’t bring his attention away from Roh-Ahn. He was beginning to have trouble using his chopsticks and his hand was shaking every few seconds, making him drop his food back on his plate or on the table. 

It doesn’t look like he’s having a seizure… is he shaking because of the stress from temporarily losing his vision in that eye and the headache?  He had said before that it wasn’t a big issue… but is it? 

He wasn’t going to bother him, but Austin just couldn’t keep himself seated as he watched Roh-Ahn struggle. Even if it was only a little, he could help. “Let’s eat on the sofa. These seats aren’t that comfortable.” He said as he stepped up to Roh-Ahn. 

The guy was hesitant at first, and seemed confused, but then he slowly set his chopsticks down on his plate and carefully stood. Thankfully, his leg still seemed okay. “I’ll get our plates and drinks.” Austin said, not giving Roh-Ahn a chance to respond as he grabbed both of their plates and set them on the coffee table, then walked back for their waters. 

By the time he was done, Roh-Ahn was settled on the sofa. He looks scared, but there’s nothing you can do about it. He said his vision will fix itself in time. Austin told himself as he sat down beside Roh-Ahn, handing him his plate before taking his own to continue eating. 

They left the television off and just enjoyed the silence. Austin finished his meal first, then stole glances at Roh-Ahn as he sipped his water and relaxed back into the old sofa. He was nearly done drinking when Roh-Ahn leaned forward and set his mostly-cleaned plate on the coffee table. He then reached for his half full cup of water, but his hand was shaking so badly that he hesitated to pick it up. 

Without a word, Austin leaned forward and set his empty cup down, then picked up Roh-Ahn’s. He held it in front of Roh-Ahn until he was able to get a good grip on it with both hands, then helped him slowly lift it to his lips. 

He was relieved when he finished its contents, then let him take the cup and set it back on the coffee table. They sat in silence for a few more minutes until Austin couldn’t help but speak. 

“How are you feeling, Roh?” He whispered, not wanting to aggravate Roh-Ahn’s headache. 

When Roh-Ahn just shook his head, his eyes having closed, Austin sighed out a silent breath. “Do you want me to do anything? Do you want to go lie down?” He asked, needing to be of some use. 

Roh-Ahn shook his head against the cushion, but then slowly let his eyes drift open. Austin swallowed down his nerves and watched quietly as Roh-Ahn’s good eye met his. He noticed him lifting his right arm toward his chest, but remained still, curious as to what he was doing. 

When shaky arms tried to wrap around his neck in a hug, Austin scooted closer and leaned toward Roh-Ahn so that he could carefully tug him into a hug. 

“I’m not used to having someone there when I’m afraid.” Roh-Ahn said quietly in Korean while he hid his face in the crook of Austin’s  neck. 

Unsure of what to say to that, since it wasn’t in English, Austin hesitantly scooted Roh-Ahn partially into his lap so that he wasn’t leaning too much or uncomfortable, then began rubbing one hand along his back soothingly. 

“It’ll be okay. I’ll help you any way I can.” He whispered, earning a few sniffles from Roh-Ahn before the young man replied in Korean again. 

“I think I like you too much already. I don’t want you to have to help me so much.” 

Austin paused his hand  on Roh-Ahn’s back as he spoke, but when he had finished, Roh-Ahn hugged him a little tighter, pressing himself closer, so Austin continued trying to calm him. 

At some point during the next half hour, Roh-Ahn dozed off and Austin found himself carefully carrying him to his room. As much as he didn’t want to, he undid Roh-Ahn’s arms from around his neck once he was settled on his bed. 

After tugging up the blanket and tucking him in, Austin settled a hand against Roh-Ahn’s soft hair and smiled sadly. 

“It will be okay, Roh. Rest up so that you can face tomorrow with that same determination I love too see from you every day… and if it ever becomes too much again, please lean on me.”

When the Rules Shift

Rolling over, Austin nuzzled the pillow beneath his head and stretched, trying to remove the ache he felt along his back and side. When adjusting his position again didn’t help, he rolled onto his back and slowly blinked his eyes open. 

Huh? 

It took him a minute to blink away the blurriness of sleep from his eyes to realize that there was something written on the ceiling.   미소. The letters looked like little pieces of foam meant for tacking onto walls, or in this case, it seemed, ceilings.

Licking his dry lips, Austin felt along his jeans until he found his phone. Well, that’s why my waist was hurting a bit. Pulling out the device, he looked up each symbol, then copy and pasted them into the Google translator.

Smile.

He did so without even thinking about it, then turned his head to the side, only to see an empty bed beside where he lay on the floor. “Roh-Ahn?”

Austin pushed himself up at the same time his attention was drawn to the bathroom door in front of him as it was pushed open. Shit, don’t look! Yeah, he wasn’t good at listening, even to himself. The steam from the shower emerged with Roh-Ahn, carrying the scent of his shampoo with it. Austin’s mind immediately registered that the guy had a towel barely secured around his waist and was walking with his cane, but when Roh-Ahn stopped in the doorway, clearly surprised to see him awake, Austin lifted his gaze from the towel to land on a small X shaped scar on Roh-Ahn’s lower abdomen.

In the silence, his eyes continued to take in each individual mark that turned the right side of Roh-Ahn’s body into a latticework of old scars. It was clear to him that someone had done the damage, and it hadn’t been from an accident. You didn’t get only the right side of your body torn up so badly, and not have more than one or two tiny scratches on the left side in a car crash.

He silently cursed himself for watching all of those late night crime dramas over the years because he began to pick out scars that had to have been caused by things other than knives. Several dots near the middle of his stomach and two just beneath his collar bone denoted cigarette burns. A couple others looked like they were from some sort of small item like a pen or pencil. The last, and most prevalent injuries scattered across his skin were undoubtedly caused by someone’s fists. 

How could someone hate so much as to do something like that? And to someone as sweet as Roh-Ahn…

He couldn’t understand it, but he did now know why Roh-Ahn had so many problems. 

If I ever find out who did it, they’re dead. 

Austin was going through all of the ways he could torture the asshole who’d attacked Roh-Ahn when he noticed that the guy still hadn’t moved a muscle. Okay. Don’t do anything stupid. If he wanted you to see the scars, he would have just showed you them, but he’s clearly freaking out on the inside since he hasn’t even moved the entire time you’ve been staring. 

He really wanted to just get up and pull him into a hug, but watching all of those dramas also told him that doing that while someone was so surprised that they weren’t even reacting, wasn’t a good idea. So, he just gave a quiet sigh and smiled, then pointed up toward the word Roh-Ahn had put on his ceiling. 

Slowly, Roh-Ahn’s eyes rose to the word, giving Austin the chance he’d needed to quietly get up and grab the shirt he’d noticed at the bottom of the bed. It was a dress shirt and mostly buttoned already, so he bunched up the fabric a bit and as Roh-Ahn began looking away from the ceiling, Austin tugged it gently over his head. 

Without a word, he settled the shirt over the scars, then waited until Roh-Ahn slipped his arms through the sleeves. Austin then reached up and buttoned all but one of the buttons before stepping back. “Would you like a ride to work today? I’m off.” Austin said as he walked back over to where he’d slept and knelt down to pick up his phone. 

“Why didn’t you look at me with disgust?” 

Frowning, Austin stood up and turned back around to face Roh-Ahn, slipping his phone into his pocket as he did so. “What was that?” He asked.

Shaking his head, Roh-Ahn finally smiled as he replied. “You are strange, Austin.” 

Is it bad that I don’t mind being strange if he says my name again? 

“Yes, I completely agree with you.” He said, grinning when Roh-Ahn smiled wider, then gestured toward the door. 

“If you would not mind, I am not one for free shows.” He said, making Austin have to bite his tongue to not ask for a price. 

Nodding, Austin showed himself out, then went straight to his room and tossed his clothing. He left his door open since the inside of his bathroom wasn’t visible from the hall. His shower was cold, for reasons, so he was quick to wash himself, rinse, then get out. 

He swiped a towel over his hair quickly, then wiped off his body and wrapped it around his waist. The slight chill from the air condition blowing into his room as he stepped inside from the bathroom had Austin moving even faster than he had while showering. In less than a minute he had tugged on a pair of checkered boxers and faded blue jeans. 

When he turned toward his dresser to take out one of his normal T-shirts, he noticed Roh-Ahn standing in the entrance to his room. Withdrawing his hand that had been reaching for the second to top drawer, he turned to Roh-Ahn and raised an eyebrow. 

“Like what you see?” He asked, earning a chuckle from the guy. 

Austin noticed that he’d finished getting dressed in his normal suit and dress pants, but today he had the leg brace over his pant leg. He was actually glad that he did it that way. It was slightly hidden if it was underneath, but that limited his  mobility. 

Roh-Ahn shrugged in response to his question, then tilted his head, his eyes running from the top of Austin’s head, all the way down to his bare toes, then back up again. When Roh-Ahn still didn’t say anything, Austin pursed his lips, then rolled his eyes before turning back toward the dresser. 

He was left alone for a minute as he dug through the drawer, trying to find a shirt he wanted to wear. He was so focused on his task that he hadn’t heard Roh-Ahn return, or walk up beside him. He nearly jumped when a damp towel was set upon his head, making him turn toward a slightly blushing Roh-Ahn. 

“Your hair is too wet. You will soak your shirt.” He said as he hesitantly reached up and began gently rubbing the fabric against Austin’s hair. 

This towel smells like his soap… like him. 

Closing his eyes, Austin let himself get lost in the simple attention. He remained leaning over just enough to give Roh-Ahn easy access to his head until he felt the young man’s fingers still against his hair, drawing his eyes open slowly. 

That look.

Austin went through a thousand different things the look Roh-Ahn was giving him could mean, but each one was eliminated in a blur until he could only think about needing to kiss him, and him, maybe, wanting it. 

Swallowing down the bundle of nerves that had suddenly built up in the back of his throat, Austin took a hesitant step forward, closing the minuscule gap between them. When Roh-Ahn didn’t step backward, Austin tilted his head slowly, then leaned forward. 

The sound of Wan-Nu’s ring tone chimed from the kitchen counter right at that very moment, immediately making Roh-Ahn take a step back and remove his hands from the towel that was  slowly slipping to settle around Austin’s shoulders. 

His heart thundered in his ears as he watched Roh-Ahn quickly turn and start limping from the room to try and get to his phone before it went to voicemail. 

Against his better judgement, or any logical judgement that was shouting at him to just let the situation go, Austin hurried forward. His hand snagged Roh-Ahn’s left one and spun him around, pulling him forward as soon as he became off-balance. 

The moment Roh-Ahn was close enough, Austin wrapped his arms around him. His left one dropped to the small of his back while the other delved its fingers into his soft hair as he leaned down to press their lips together. 

it had been a bad idea. He knew that it had been absolutely stupid to do such a thing, but as Roh-Ahn pushed against his chest and Austin released him without a fight, then watched him turn and stumble from the room, and seconds later, he realized that he’d just screwed up royally.

When the Storm Shifts

It was driving him crazy. Roh-Ahn hadn’t come home after his normal lectures that evening so Austin, like the stalker that he swore he wasn’t, went to the college on his day off. At first, he’d just walked around a bit, greeting anyone who happened to recognize him, but when it began to drizzle, as it often did in Florida completely out of nowhere with the sky as clear as can be, he used it as an excuse to seek shelter… right beneath the overhang that connected the Business Education Center with the Languages lecture halls. 

Smooth, idiot. Real smooth. 

As the rain began coming down harder, Austin backed up, eventually deciding to just get it over with and go inside. His wet shoes squeaked on the bright white tile floor as he made his way through the quiet building. It was right between night classes, so there was barely anyone outside of the lecture halls, and those who were were busy typing away on laptops and drinking coffee, likely in the hopes that it would keep them awake through their evening labs. 

He wanted to go look for Roh-Ahn’s office, but instead, he bought himself a coffee at the little concession cubicle tucked into a corner on the upper floor, then took a seat in one of the armchairs that gave him an embarrassingly good view of anyone coming and going from the lower and upper hallways. 

Stupid idiot stalker. 

Right as he thought that a loud boom of thunder echoed through the building, vibrating the floor beneath his feet before dissipating into the thrumming of rain picking up against the roof. He relaxed there until the current classes dismissed their tired captives. Still no Roh-Ahn… Grudgingly, he pushed himself up and tossed his empty cup, then headed down the stairs and into one of the halls. 

He actually wasn’t sure which office was Roh-Ahn’s, but thankfully there weren’t too many languages at the college, so the amount of teachers, and thus, offices, couldn’t be too high. After checking the name bars near each door and not finding Roh-Ahn’s, he turned on his heels and headed for the other hallway. 

Before he was able to start looking at the name plates in that area there was another loud crack of thunder, then the lights flickered. Three. Two. One. The entire area went pitch black for a second before the emergency floor lights switched on. 

Not the greatest, but at least I can see a little. 

To read the plates, he pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight. About six rooms down, near the back corner, he finally found the name plate he was looking for. The door swung open at that exact moment, a student he didn’t recognize stepping out as he looked back into the room. 

“Thanks a lot for the help, professor. See you in class.” 

When the girl turned back around to leave, she jumped seeing Austin standing right there in the dim light. 

“Sorry, excuse me.” She said, not recognizing him. 

As soon as she was out of sight, Austin, having held the door open, stepped inside of the small office. He couldn’t see Roh-Ahn at first, but after lifting his phone’s flashlight and scanning the room, he found the young man sitting on an worn dark red sofa against the left side wall. 

He seemed surprised to see him there, but Austin just smiled and dropped down onto the sofa beside him. “I had to pick up something and thought I’d swing over here real quick before heading out.” He said, drawing one of Roh-Ahn’s eyebrows up. 

“What did you come to pick up?” He asked. 

You. 

“I’m a terrible liar.” Austin mumbled, looking away for a moment before hearing Roh-Ahn’s quiet laughter, drawing his attention back to him. 

“You’re a sweet liar.” Roh-Ahn said before setting aside the notebook and textbook he had sitting on his lap. 

He grasped the armrest to his left and carefully pushed himself up, but seemed to hesitate after taking his cane in his hand. Austin got up immediately. “Can you see okay? Is your eye giving you trouble?” He asked, already worried as he slid his phone into his pocket so that the little light faced out, illuminating just enough for him to feel comfortable moving. 

Roh-Ahn nodded as he carefully made his way over to his desk and tugged the backpack off the back of the chair. Austin didn’t want for him to shift his weight on his cane or lean against the desk to put it on, though. He took it from Roh-Ahn almost immediately, then gently helped him get his free arm through the strap before wrapping one arm around his middle as he helped with the other. 

Can I just finish hugging him? Please? 

Squeezing his eyes shut, Austin chastised himself and took a step back when he could feel Roh-Ahn regain his balance. 

“Are you done tutoring for tonight? I could take you home if you’d like to skip the taxi or bus ride…” He offered sheepishly. Roh-Ahn already knew that he’d come specifically to see him, so he wasn’t going to bother trying to lie and say he still had to pick up something.

He couldn’t see Roh-Ahn’s face all too well but as the silence stretched on, Austin began to realize that he probably should have apologized for earlier before showing up, or at least he should have done it before saying anything else. 

“Hey, um, I probably should have said this the second I saw you, but I’m sorry for jumping the gun earlier. I shouldn’t have kissed you without your permission, and I swear I’m not like that. I made a-” The barely-felt brush of Roh-Ahn’s lips against his own silenced his words. 

What…

The sudden jarring sound of the weather alarm on his phone startled Austin enough to make him stumble back into the wall, one hand grasping his shirt tightly over where his heart pounded angrily in his chest. 

“Holy shit.” He gasped at the same time Roh-Ahn dropped to the sofa, shaking his head, having clearly been startled, too. 

Austin slowly walked back to the couch as he pulled out his phone and checked the notice, dropping down next to Roh-Ahn as he read it. 

“Severe thunderstorm warning with a tornado watch.” He said out loud. 

It was rare for them to get tornadoes around where they were, and they were never big enough to do much, but the thunderstorms could get extremely dangerous, and considering that he could hear it raging on the bottom floor with thunder going nearly nonstop…

“I don’t think we should go home until this blows over. They usually don’t last too long, but they’re no joke.” Austin said as he turned off the flashlight on his phone, needing to save the battery if they were going to be stuck there for a bit. He had a charger in the car, but that wouldn’t do him much good if he drowned on his way to get it. 

There was silence from Roh-Ahn for so long that Austin thought he might be ignoring him or maybe had a headache, but when he felt a hand hesitantly brush against his left one, he turned  slightly and reached for it. 

He found Roh-Ahn’s hand with a brush of fingers, and when it wasn’t retracted, he slowly took it in both of his. I just want to cuddle him. What the hell is wrong with me? As if answering him without words, Roh-Ahn scooted a little closer, and Austin didn’t hesitate a second to take the invitation. His arms wrapped around him and gently tugged him into his lap for a strong hug. 

It didn’t make much sense to him after barely being attracted to any male for years on end and only having one minuscule boyfriend that wasn’t even a real thing, but Roh-Ahn, even with all of his troubles and scars, was absolutely adorable to him. Just the thought of possibly being allowed to call him his boyfriend made Austin smile in the darkness. 

Their lips met after several long, silent minutes with the only sound in the room being the storm raging outside. The kisses were hesitant and slow, with Roh-Ahn refusing to open his mouth, nor seek entrance to Austin’s. It was odd, since all of his past girlfriends had been all about shoving their tongues down his throat. But at the same time, it was nice to just enjoy the attention Roh-Ahn was offering him. 

They kissed until the flickering lights buzzed overhead, illuminating them after a few failed attempts to turn on. Austin slowly allowed his eyes to open as Roh-Ahn leaned away just enough to separate their mouths. They were both panting quietly and Roh-Ahn was wearing the most adorable blush. 

I’m so screwed. 

“Let’s get out of here, hm?” He asked as he carefully set Roh-Ahn on the cushion beside him and stood, then offered him his cane that was leaning against the sofa, as well as his free hand. 

Roh-Ahn smiled and accepted the help, only limping a little as he got his balance. Austin picked up his notebook and textbook, then walked over to hold the door open. The storm had quieted quite a bit, so he wasn’t too worried about heading home in it. It was a short drive and he was used to the weather. 

Thankfully, the rain had dwindled enough to not be an issue and the lightning strikes were few and far between. Unsurprisingly, the electricity for the old apartment building hadn’t been restored as quickly as the colleges, so the elevator and most of the lights were out. 

They made their way to the stairs, and after watching Roh-Ahn hesitate on the first simple step for three full minutes, Austin shook his head and walked up to him. “Let me help you.” He said as he tucked his phone back into his pocket, having turned on the flashlight again. 

He then knelt down with his back to Roh-Ahn and waited patiently as the young man carefully climbed on. Once he was settled, Austin took his cane and tucked it under his arm with the books he’d brought from Roh-Ahn’s office, then took hold of the dilapidated railing and slowly made his way up the flight. 

Thankfully, his keys were just on a clip on his waist, making it easy for Austin to unlock the door, letting them inside of the dark apartment. He nudged the door shut with his foot and locked it before setting the books on the kitchen counter and yawning. 

Roh-Ahn fidgeted on his back, silently signaling that he was going to get down. Austin did his best to hold still, but when he felt Roh-Ahn stagger when he tried to balance on his left leg, he spun around in time to catch him, but became off-balanced himself, and ended up on the floor with Roh-Ahn partially in his lap. 

“I’m sorry. I suppose I am more tired than I thought.” He said as he stared up at Austin, who couldn’t help but grin. 

“It’s alright. I’m ready for bed, too. Not even really hungry, either.” 

Roh-Ahn carefully got himself off of Austin’s lap and nodded. “Yeah. Just tired…” 

Reaching up, Roh-Ahn wiped his hands over his face and yawned as they fell away, making Austin put his own hands behind his back to keep from pulling him into another hug and hopeful kissing session. They were both tired and had a full day tomorrow, with Roh-Ahn’s uncle coming sometime soon, too. He just couldn’t remember exactly when, only that he’d put a spare key above the door frame so that he could let himself in if they worked a bit late and weren’t able to get home to greet him. 

When Roh-Ahn began getting up, using the wall and his cane to help, Austin jumped up. He was going to walk Roh-Ahn to his door, since he still had his phone flashlight turned on and it was pitch black in the apartment, but when Roh-Ahn glanced up at him from where he was leaning against the wall, Austin frowned. 

“Is everything okay?” He asked. 

Roh-Ahn hesitated for a moment, but then seemed to decide on what he wanted to do, and did it. Austin caught him as he stepped forward, his bad leg giving out halfway through the motion. He was about to help him to the sofa when he felt Roh-Ahn’s arms wrap around his middle and hug him tight. “Lonely.” He mumbled against his shirt. 

That makes two of us. 

Hearing Roh-Ahn explain their current awkward day with such a simple word made Austin’s heart finally relax in his aching chest. It made so much sense. sighing, he pulled Roh-Ahn a little tighter against him and pressed a kiss to his hair. 

“Me too, Roh. Rest with me tonight?” 

When he felt a soft up and down brush against his collar bone from Roh-Ahn’s forehead, Austin smiled and leaned down. Using one hand, he tilted Roh-Ahn’s chin up, giving him just enough room to press a soft kiss to his lips.

They took care of what they needed to do before bed in Austin’s bathroom after he’d fetched Roh-Ahn a change of clothes for after the shower he wanted to take and his toothbrush, then they both literally fell onto Austin’s blankets. With the air conditioner off from the power outage, neither of them ended up using a single one, and besides, Austin felt more than enough warmth to be completely comfortable as he pulled Roh-Ahn into his arms and closed his eyes. 

And, judging from the quiet, steady breathing he heard as he drifted off to sleep, Roh-Ahn was quite content too.

When the Odds Shift

A shiver running down Austin’s spine awoke him sometime during the early morning. It took him a minute to force his tired eyes open, then another two for them to focus enough to read his alarm clock.

Two.. . the power came back on, with the air conditioner.

Yawning, he started to sit up, intent on reaching his blanket that he could feel somewhere around his feet, but a weight kept his shirt from being able to move with him, forcing him to stay lying down and refocus on what exactly had a hold on him. 

At first, his half-asleep mind couldn’t make sense of the young man cuddled up to him like a cat starved for attention. He knew that he hadn’t brought anyone home. His memory filled itself in after several quiet moments, specifically bringing up their second kiss, then Roh-Ahn asking to spend the night with him. 

He was about to shake him awake so that he could return to his room, because honestly, he hadn’t really been thinking clearly last night, obviously, but when he felt Roh-Ahn shiver against him, then give a nearly silent whine, Austin clamped his mouth shut and slowly moved his feet so that he could lift the blanket with one. 

It was close enough to grab after a few tries, allowing him to pull it up and over them both. He made sure, however, to tuck Roh-Ahn in snugly before tossing it lazily over his own shoulder. 

I could have sworn that last night was a dream. Austin thought as he hugged the guy a little closer, secretly loving the fact that he responded immediately, even though he was definitely asleep, and snuggled in right up against him.

The faint brush of Roh-Ahn’s damaged leg, the pajama pants covering it having gotten pushed up while he’d slept, against his own, had Austin’s thoughts darkening. He hugged the man tighter and lifted one hand to press against the back of his head. 

How dare someone hurt such a sweet person. How dare they. 

“Aus…” 

If anyone hurts him ever again, I’m going to-“Austin, you’re hurting me.”

Huh?

“Austin, please…” 

Shoving himself away abruptly, Austin pushed too hard and off-balanced himself, making him fumble to the floor with a thud . He remained with one leg up on the bed and his body on the carpet, rubbing at the back of his head with one hand. 

“Dammit, that was smart.” He grumbled to himself as he heard a faint sound coming from up on the bed. 

Opening his squinting eyes, he saw the outline of Roh-Ahn looking down at him. The almost-silent sound of a chuckle met his ears, making Austin scowl. 

“You are not laughing at me.” 

Roh-Ahn immediately disappeared from the edge of the bed, spurring Austin to swing his leg off, then jump back up and grab the guy before he could manage to slip back under the covers completely. With little effort, he dragged him backward and into his lap, bringing some of the blanket with him. 

Even in the darkness, his mouth easily found Roh-Ahn’s, silencing any possible protests. The kiss was hungry, but still close-mouthed and careful. He didn’t dare nibble at his lips, nor did he try to use his tongue at all. It just didn’t seem necessary as they enjoyed each other’s attention. 

When their mouths finally released each others’, Austin grinned and pressed another kiss to Roh-Ahn’s forehead. “We should get some more sleep. Your uncle will be getting here pretty early, right?” He asked as he carefully guided Roh-Ahn to lay down, then followed him so that he could pull him back into his arms. 

“Yes. He will be here sometime in the morning. Probably around six or seven.” Roh-Ahn replied as he squirmed as close as he could get, making Austin give a quiet laugh. 

“Why are you so sweet?” He whispered. 

Roh-Ahn tilted his head up, replying with a grin in the dim light from Austin’s alarm clock. “My students wouldn’t think such a thing.” 

Rolling his eyes, Austin nudged his head forward with one hand, then rested his chin atop his hair. “Ruining the moment.” 

He could feel Roh-Ahn’s shoulders moving with laughter, but when the guy calmed down, then didn’t respond, Austin noticed that his breathing had evened out again. 

Back to sleep, then. 

Austin remained awake for another thirty minutes or so before his eyes refused to stay open any longer. It didn’t feel like even an hour had passed when he heard the front door opening. 

Roh-Ahn doesn’t go into work today…

He tightened his arms a little to confirm that the young man was still secure in them. 

Then who…?

The second he heard someone talking to someone else in Korean, he realized how screwed they both were. 

“Roh-Ahn! Your uncle is here!” He whispered as loud as he could against the guy’s ear. 

Thankfully, he didn’t have to try again as Roh-Ahn grumbled quietly but opened his tired eyes. It did take him a minute to process what was said, but the voices just outside the bedroom door cleared up his mind quite quickly after he realized who exactly was talking. 

“Oh shit!” He whisper-shouted, fumbling toward the edge of the bed. 

Austin turned, swinging his own legs over the edge. “What do we do?” He asked, knowing that it was likely not a great idea to just walk out of his bedroom, together. 

“How am I supposed to know!” Roh-Ahn replied in Korean, again. 

“Wrong language.” Austin noted, getting a scowl from Roh-Ahn as the guy stood up, then promptly dropped. Thankfully, Austin was paying attention and caught him before he could hit the floor, settling him back on the edge of the bed. 

“Okay, I’ve got an idea. You’ve been having a few good days and a few bad days recently, and I’ve heard you calling your uncle every other one.” Austin said, getting a hurried nod from Roh-Ahn. 

“So, let’s say that you stayed in here and I slept on the floor to watch over you? Your medicine is still in your room, but that’s not far if I’d need to get it, so I think it might still work as an excuse.” 

They were both silent for a moment as Roh-Ahn considered the idea, then lifted a finger to tap against Austin’s bare chest. He could have sworn that he’d fallen asleep with a T-shirt on, but who knows, maybe he’d woken up just enough to toss it since the air conditioning was out for part of the night and he normally slept without one. 

Not wanting to waste time dwelling on it, Austin reached down and picked up the shirt on the floor by his feet and tugged it on. He was just reaching down to pull it into place when he felt Roh-Ahn’s arms wrap around his upper body in a hug. 

Austin didn’t hesitate to return it, pressing a kiss to his soft hair before helping him stand. 

“We’ll be fine. We didn’t do anything to be worried about, anyways, just slept.” Austin said as he offered Roh-Ahn his arm so that he could walk by himself but still had some support. 

He took his proffered arm, carefully using it to balance so he could limp to the door and grab his cane. After a quick once over for each of them, to make sure that none of their clothing looked odd, Austin took a step back and let Roh-Ahn open the door. 

The person Austin saw in front of them when the door slid open definitely wasn’t old enough to be Roh-Ahn’s uncle. He also didn’t look Korean, at all. When he noticed them, his eyebrows rose, a smirk slipping across his lips as he looked between them both several times. 

“Hey grandpa! I found them. They were just banging in the guy’s room.” 

Jesus Christ. 

There were five more people crowding the door seconds later, making Austin fidget. He didn’t like people in his place, and hadn’t known that Roh-Ahn’s uncle was going to bring the whole group along with him. He’d hoped that they’d just stay at the hotel they had booked. 

“Roh-Ahn, what are you doing in his room?” An older man, looking to be around thirty or so, asked. 

That guy fits the uncle category, and even though I don’t understand what he just said, the tone of voice makes it pretty clear that he’s talking about us being together. 

Roh-Ahn took a few careful steps forward to put himself close enough to the man to give him a half-hug, still needing his cane for support on his right side. 

“Hello, uncle. I was having a pretty bad night yesterday. Austin said he wouldn’t mind if I stayed in his room just in case.” 

The man looked up at him, making Austin do his best not to look nervous. When the guy’s eyes scanned over what he was wearing, then returned back to his face before finally refocusing on Roh-Ahn with a hesitant smile, Austin gave a silent sigh of relief. 

“You look like you’re feeling better. Sorry we came so early, it was the only flight that wasn’t full.” He said, making Roh-Ahn shake his head slightly. 

“It’s not a problem, uncle.” He said before turning his attention to the group of people staring at them. 

“Ah, right, hello Austin, my name is Wan-Nu. I’m sure my nephew has mentioned me a few times?” The older man said as he stepped slightly to the side and offered a hand to shake. 

Glad that he could finally understand something, Austin gave a small smile and grasped the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you, and yes, he has talked about you quite a few times.” 

“All good things, I would hope?” The man said with a heavy accent. 

Austin chuckled and walked into the kitchen to get the coffee pot started. He wasn’t the biggest fan, but he definitely needed some right then. 

“Of course. All good things, and bad things, and some in between.” He said before the guy he’d first seen walked past him to look in the fridge. 

Really? 

“Ike, we’re going to eat in a few minutes. Leave their food alone.” Wan-Nu warned, getting a frustrated grumble from the guy as he shut the door and wandered out of the kitchen just in time for another person to step inside. 

The new guy was shorter and had a messy head of dark hair and innocent but mischievous eyes. 

Not sure how those two things go together, but they definitely show well on him. 

“Hello, my name’s Teller.” He said in greeting, smiling sheepishly. 

Austin returned his smile after getting down a mug from the cabinet to set beside the coffee maker. “Name’s Austin.” 

Teller nodded, then continued. “Wan-Nu told us that you’re a professor at the university nearby?” 

Austin was just opening his mouth to respond when another guy appeared behind Teller, reaching an arm around his shoulders to tug him backward against his chest. 

“Wan-Nu went over all of this already. I think he might just want to be able to relax before Wan-Nu likely drags him, and his nephew, out for lunch or dinner later before the show.”   The taller man said as he leaned down to partially whisper his words. 

Teller’s eyes widened for a moment, but then he seemed to realize something and promptly bowed his head slightly. “I think we might head out to get some breakfast. We’ll have to talk later?” 

Confused, but glad that he was going to be left alone, Austin nodded. “Yeah, sure.” 

He noticed two others, whom he hadn’t met yet, just toss him quick glances before darting out the door. One of them looked like he had enough energy to power the sun, while the one he was chasing after appeared more like a tired, frightened animal. 

Strange group. 

“It seems that you two still need to wake up. We will meet with you both later before the show?” Wan-Nu asked after he shoved Ike out the door. 

Roh-Ahn slipped into the kitchen, turning to his uncle once he was balanced. “Yes, uncle. We’d be glad to meet you all later. Just let us know.” He said with a smile. 

His uncle nodded, and, after Teller and who Austin could only assume was his very possessive boyfriend left, he bowed slightly and took his leave. Austin couldn’t close and lock the door fast enough. He sighed and thumped his forehead against the worn wood afterward, letting the stress drain from body. 

“You really don’t like people around.” He heard Roh-Ahn say from a few feet away, prompting him to turn around. 

Shaking his head, Austin walked back into the kitchen and poured himself half a cup of coffee. He wasn’t sure if Roh-Ahn drank it, since he hadn’t seen him do so since he moved in, but he left enough for another half cup if he wanted it. 

“Does me being here bother you?” Roh-Ahn asked, making Austin pause the sip he’d been about to take of his hot drink. 

Setting the cup aside on the counter, Austin slowly walked up to Roh-Ahn, stopping only a few inches away from their toes being able to touch. 

“Honestly? I thought that I’d be going crazy having to deal with another person in my space, because frankly, I can’t stand it when people come over here for more than an hour or two every few weeks. I like my space. I like to be alone…” 

He paused for a moment and sighed, shaking his head as he stared slightly down at Roh-Ahn’s wide eyes. 

“But, I think that I could live with you forever and never say that I needed space.” 

The look that Roh-Ahn gave him in response to his words had Austin closing the small gap between them and pressing his lips to his. 

I think I’m becoming addicted. 

He intended to kiss Roh-Ahn senseless, until he needed to be carried to his room so that he could finally start getting ready for the day, but not even a minute had passed when he was suddenly yanked away from him, then promptly shoved out of his own apartment door by Roh-Ahn’s uncle. 

How the hell did I not hear his spare key in the door? Austin thought as it slammed in his face, then he heard the lock click shut. 

Wait. He just locked me out of my own apartment…

Knowing that knocking likely wouldn’t accomplish anything except to piss off his elderly neighbor two doors down who had the hearing of a bat and a vicious cat named Fido, Austin turned around and leaned back against the door, then slid down it to sit and wait on the cold, dirty, tile floor. 

Great start to the morning. First impression. Aced it.

When Your Mind Shifts

(I was gonna be gone most of the day/night today and hadn’t planned on updating, but that didn’t happen (again), so here’s the other half of the chapter I put out the other day.)

Almost an hour had passed before the door behind him finally swung open, making Austin flop onto his back with a surprised grunt. He quickly rolled over, then pushed himself up to his feet before stepping inside, not wanting to risk the door being shut in his face for a second time. 

He slowly closed it behind himself, then followed Roh-Ahn’s uncle to the living room, where he took a seat on a chair he’d pulled over from the small dining table to sit across from the sofa, where Roh-Ahn was currently waiting silently. 

“Sit.” Wan-Nu said, gesturing to the second chair at the table that had simply been turned around to face them. It was notably a bit further than usual from the sofa. 

Without a word, Austin did as told, then crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back slightly, meeting Wan-Nu’s narrowed eyes as the man began speaking, his attention shifting between him and Roh-Ahn. 

“I had very reluctantly encouraged you to take this trip because you were so excited to see another country and meet new people. I grew more hesitant when you mentioned that you were staying at a place that was upstairs, but you told me there was an elevator…”

Austin pursed his lips, trying his hardest not to tell the man to get the hell out of his apartment… and leave his nephew where he was. 

“Now I come in, having been told that there is a spare key above the door for me, and see my nephew walking out of your room with disheveled hair, and you, with a shirt that is inside out and backwards.” 

Austin’s eyes widened slightly as he looked down, noting that, indeed, his pure black shirt was inside out and backwards. 

I hadn’t seen it clearly in the darkness… 

His eyes rose to Roh-Ahn’s, noticing that his bad eye was dilated. 

Had he been having trouble seeing then, too? 

Pressing his fingers to his forehead, Austin felt a headache coming on. 

“We didn’t do anything besides sleep.” He said. 

Wan-Nu sighed, turning his attention to his nephew. 

“I will fund a hotel for you to stay in during your time here, Roh-Ahn. If you need any assistance, I can also get you a personal nurse if you’d like.” 

Roh-Ahn opened his mouth to say something, but his uncle raised a hand, clearly not finished speaking. 

“You have been here only a short time, yet you are already spending time in his room, and at least one of you was in a state of undress. I can understand if you two had been dating for a time, but after everything you’ve gone through, to do such a thing so quickly after meeting someone?” 

Roh-Ahn seemed to shrink back into the couch, hunching his shoulders and ducking his head. 

“We didn’t do anything!” Austin shouted, beginning to lose his temper. 

He doesn’t deserve to be reprimanded for a decision he chose to make. You might be his uncle, but it’s his choice.

Wan-Nu opened his mouth to talk again, but surprisingly, Roh-Ahn cut him off. His voice was a quiet, hesitant mumble, but he was determined to speak. 

“We really didn’t do anything, uncle. The air system turned off because of the storm and it got really hot. Austin probably just took his shirt off during the night and put it back on wrong when we heard you come in.” 

His uncle shook his head, turning his attention back to Austin. 

“If that’s true, then why were you kissing him when I came back to ask about your shirt being on incorrectly? I was going to ask when everyone else was here, but I decided to send them out to lunch instead, not wanting to cause a scene.” 

Austin knew that that specific question was coming, but he hadn’t managed to find a sufficient answer that would placate the guy. He glanced over at Roh-Ahn, seeing the same worried stare looking right back at him. 

Deciding that the truth probably wouldn’t get them very far, since it hadn’t helped much yet, Austin took in a deep breath, then blew it out on a frustrated sigh. 

“I got ahead of myself and kissed him because I’m starting to really like him. It was uncalled for and you’re right, he probably should go stay at a hotel, at least for a while, until we can figure out what’s going on.” 

He thought it was the dumbest idea ever, especially considering how many issues Roh-Ahn had been having recently, likely from the stress of being in a new country. He also didn’t want some random nurse taking care of him. Roh-Ahn didn’t like accepting help too often, especially when he could honestly take care of himself, so Austin doubted that he’d call for a nurse, even if he really did need one at some point. 

“I can accept that. Roh-Ahn?” Wan-Nu said, raising an eyebrow at his nephew. 

It was obvious that Roh-Ahn was extremely nervous. It was awkward to have his uncle dealing with the situation, but it did kind of make sense that he was acting so overprotective. They really didn’t know each other that well, and having heard nothing about Roh-Ahn’s parrents, Austin had a feeling that they were out of the picture… yet he still wanted to pull Roh-Ahn into his arms right then and shove Wan-Nu out his door. 

“Uncle, I don’t know why, exactly, but I want to stay here with him.” Roh-Ahn said in Korean, drawing a frown from Austin. He was part of the conversation and didn’t really want to be left out of what was being said, considering it likely concerned him. 

Wan-Nu glanced at him for a brief moment, but then refocused his attention on his nephew. 

“What do you mean, you don’t know why but you want to stay? You couldn’t possibly have come to love him in a few simple weeks. Roh-Ahn, what happened?”  Wan-Nu said. 

Austin watched Roh-Ahn carefully as his uncle finished speaking. He hated the worried look that made his forehead crease. The look in his eyes as they blinked repeatedly, clearly trying to hold back emotion. 

What took and held his attention, however, was the beginning of a twitching action in Roh-Ahn’s right fingers. 

No. 

Without hesitating, Austin got up from his chair and quickly made his way over to the couch as he spoke, keeping his attention on Roh-Ahn. 

“Go get his medication for seizures. He’s about to have one.” 

He knelt in front of Roh-Ahn and carefully grasped his shoulders to gently move his body forward into his arms. From there, he guided him to lie down on the floor. 

“It’s okay, Roh. I’ve got you.” He whispered as he made sure that he was on his side, then began softly rubbing his back as he grasped his shaking hand with his other one. 

He heard footsteps approach a few moments later, then saw Wan-Nu drop to his knees next to him, setting a bottle of pills beside him. 

There was little more he could do until it was over, so he just made sure that Roh-Ahn knew that he was there and that he’d be okay. Thankfully, it wasn’t a bad one, and he calmed after a short bout of shaking, but it took a few more minutes for realization to return to Roh-Ahn’s faded eyes. 

His right one remained dilated, but as soon as Austin saw the tired, yet mischievous light return to the other, he couldn’t help but lift him into his arms for a strong hug. 

“I’ve got you. You’re okay, Roh.” He whispered as Roh-Ahn pressed himself against him, tucking his head to cry. It was rare that he didn’t shed a few tears after reach seizure, so Austin just leaned back against the old coffee table and held him close, letting him cry out the remainder of the stress that had likely triggered it. 

“How did you know that he was about to have a seizure?” Wan-Nu asked after Roh-Ahn had been silent for several minutes and his breathing had returned to normal. 

Pressing a hand to the back of Roh-Ahn’s head, Austin softly ran his thumb through his hair as he replied. “I picked up on it after the first few. His right hand begins to shake if it’s going to be a light seizure. Sometimes it can also be moderate, but the bad ones usually start with his eyes going completely blank and his expression fades away abruptly.” 

There was silence for a moment before Wan-Nu replied again. 

“I never noticed…” 

Licking his lips, Austin gave Roh-Ahn an gentle squeeze, relaxing a little as he squirmed against him, trying to get even closer. 

So sweet. 

“He’s really stubborn sometimes. I can understand him not wanting help, because honestly, he usually doesn’t need it. He does amazingly well on his own, but I wanted to be useful to him when he couldn’t help himself… so I began noticing the little warnings his body gives before he’s about to have a seizure.” 

Another stretch of silence took over the next ten minutes or so, ending only when Roh-Ahn finally leaned out of Austin’s arms to sit up against the sofa. He looked exhausted and likely needed to rest for a while. 

“I’m going to leave for now so that you can rest, Roh-Ahn. Please be sure to take your medicine, and I’m sorry for stressing you so badly.” Wan-Nu said, his voice shaking slightly with emotion. 

Well, at least he really does care. 

“I know you didn’t mean for that to happen, uncle. I will call you when I wake up and maybe we can meet tonight before the show?” Roh-Ahn said with a sleepy smile that tried hard to reach his closing eyes. 

Wan-Nu nodded and stood up, offering Roh-Ahn a hand. Austin watched him take it, but it was clear that he didn’t have the strength to hold himself up just yet. 

Hiding a grin, Austin stood and gently scooped Roh-Ahn into his arms. “You weigh a ton, Roh.” He joked as he headed for Roh-Ahn’s room, earning a light smack on his chest for the comment. 

Once Roh-Ahn was settled on his bed, Austin ran back to get the bottle of medicine and made sure that he took the recommended dose and drank some water before allowing him to lie down. 

The moment he saw Roh-Ahn’s head hit the pillow, he was out cold. 

Sitting back on his heels, Austin sighed, his body sagging with relief. Things could have gone a lot better, or a lot worse. 

He got as comfortable as he could on the old carpet, resting his head on the uncomfortable, rough fabric. 

Closing his own eyes, he just barely heard the click of the lock turning in the door as he reached up and took Roh-Ahn’s hand where it hung just barely off the edge of the bed. 

Some time later, Austin blinked open one heavy eyelid, only to realize that he’d found his way into Roh-Ahn’s bed and now held him tightly in his arms. 

I don’t remember coming up here… but I’m not going to make myself go back to the floor. He thought as he closed his eye again and nuzzled contently against Roh-Ahn’s soft hair. 

Wan-Nu will just have to get used to us. 

The edge of his lips tilted upward in an awkward half-smile. 

I hope there will be an us.

When the Words Shift

Hungry…

Rolling onto his back, Austin stretched his arms over his head, then yawned before opening his eyes. 

Fuck, I want to eat that. 

Roh-Ahn was standing in front of him by the dresser, his bare back to him. He absentmindedly noted that he had no scars on the smooth skin there. 

“I approve of that look for dinner.” He said with a lazy smile. 

Roh-Ahn jumped slightly and turned around, a faint blush on his cheeks. 

“How are you feeling?” Austin asked as he pushed himself up into a sitting position and yawned again. 

“You’re adorable when you first wake up.” Roh-Ahn said in Korean, then quickly added. “Sorry, sometimes I forget to use English. I’m feeling much better, thank you.” 

Austin nodded and finally got himself out of bed, scratching a spot just under his shirt after he straightened up. “I’m glad.”

Roh-Ahn was silent for a moment before taking a careful step forward. “Don’t be too upset with my uncle, please. He knows… what happened before, so he doesn’t trust anyone around me.” 

He wanted to argue that he should have known that stressing him would have caused a seizure, but Austin bit his tongue. Roh-Ahn knew that his uncle had made a mistake and gotten hot-headed, so he just sighed and walked forward, tugging the young man into his arms for a tight hug. 

“Alright. I’ll let him off the hook… this time. I won’t be happy if he does that again, though.” 

“I love you.” 

Roh-Ahn stiffened in his arms after speaking, making Austin draw back enough to look at him. “Are you okay? What did you say?” 

“I, uh, it was just a thought that slipped out. Nothing important, I promise.” He said with a half-hearted smile. “We should get ready. We have to be at the restaurant Wan-Nu texted me in thirty minutes, and it says it’s a twenty minute drive.” 

Austin’s jaw dropped open. “Crap!” 

He bolted from the room and headed straight for his own, and his dresser. He didn’t have a large variation of pants, so he just went with a pair of grey slacks, but the shirt… I think I need to donate some stuff. I didn’t think I had so many. 

The problem was, he wanted to wear them all for some reason. Which would Roh-Ahn want me to wear? The question was absolutely illogical, but he couldn’t help but keep picking up shirts, looking at them, then putting them back. 

When he was about to reach for another, he was handed a shirt. Turning, he saw Roh-Ahn standing before him wearing a pair of black dress pants and a button down blue and white checkered shirt. 

He’s so handsome. 

“I think this one would look good on you.” Roh-Ahn said, ending his words on a whisper as he glanced down at the shirt. 

Austin followed his gaze, smiling when he noticed that the shirt was the same one that Roh-Ahn had on, but instead of the blue color, his had red. 

“Ah, yeah, this one would look perfect. Thanks, Roh.” He said as he took the shirt and slid his arms through. He was about to start buttoning it up when Roh-Ahn’s hands beat him to it. 

Unsure of what to do with his own, since their task was currently being done, he hesitantly lowered them, then let them settle on Roh-Ahn’s waist. He did his best not to move his hands his any further south, even though they kept inching that way every few seconds anyways. 

He could have sworn that Roh-Ahn was taking twice as long as it normally would to simply button the shirt, and it was absolute torture until he finally stepped away with a quiet chuckle. 

“What’s funny?” Austin asked as he glanced down at his shirt, noting that the top button was undone, but the shirt looked perfectly fine. 

“I gave you so much time. You must have an iron will .” Roh-Ahn replied, making Austin sigh and shake his head. 

“I swear I’m going to learn Korean just so I know what you slip into our conversations, you punk. I bet you commented on my non-existent six pack.” 

“You’re very healthy and look perfect to me, you don’t need that extra muscle.” 

“Probably poking fun at my messy hair, too, right?” 

“I love its color and I want to run my fingers through it, especially when you’re just waking up.” 

“That’s it, you’re gonna get your butt kicked.” Austin said playfully, reaching forward to muss up Roh-Ahn’s previously styled hair. 

The guy didn’t seem to mind in the slightest and just laughed, so Austin stepped closer and, using his foot, carefully knocked Roh-Ahn’s good leg out from under him. He didn’t let him hit the ground hard, though. Instead, he easily caught his weight and lowered him until his back settled softly against the carpet. 

He was just opening his mouth to ask for a kiss when Roh-Ahn reached up and wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him down so that their mouths could meet. The kiss lasted far longer than intended, but neither of them complained, even when they stopped to catch their breath three separate times. 

The sound of footsteps stopping by the open door had Austin sitting back on Roh-Ahn’s waist to stare up at a smirking Ike. 

“Damn, I like the positions, but I highly suggest not doing it on carpet. Even wearing clothing, that shit hurts.” 

This guy…

Thankfully, he got off Roh-Ahn just before Wan-Nu walked up to the door. 

“Why is Roh-Ahn on the floor?” He asked as Austin quickly leaned over and helped him up. “You know what, I have other questions, mainly about your shirt being almost unbuttoned and his hair looking like he had just woken up, but I’m going to just back away from this subject right now and ask if you two can be ready to leave in five minutes? We were going to meet you at the restaurant, but it looks like you might have been late if we didn’t decide to just come pick you up…” 

Roh-Ahn quickly tried to fix his hair while nodding. “Yes, we’ll be ready.” 

Instead of answering, Wan-Nu just sighed and started walking toward the sofa to sit, but then turned around and pointed at Austin. 

“That door stays open.” 

Giving an awkward chuckle, Austin nodded, then turned to step into his bathroom in order to check himself in the mirror. 

Holy crap, I didn’t notice him give me a hickey at all. 

There was an obvious bruising mark on his chest just low enough to be hidden if he buttoned up his shirt most of the way. 

No wonder Wan-Nu looked like he did. 

“Let me help.” Roh-Ahn said, startling Austin a little as he limped in front of him and quickly buttoned up his shirt. 

“Hm, that was much faster than before, Roh.” Austin noted with a hint of teasing in his voice. 

He loved the faint blush that painted Roh-Ahn’s cheeks and would have taken full advantage of their close proximity, but with Wan-Nu in the living room? Not possible. 

Grabbing some hair gel from the counter, he quickly added some to his hands, then ran it through Roh-Ahn’s hair until it was somewhat tamed from their little bout on the carpet. 

“I should probably do mine.” He mumbled as he added more to his hand, only for Roh-Ahn to hop up on the counter and reach forward, rubbing the gel off of Austin’s hand and into his own. 

“Lean down.” 

After a quick raised eyebrow, Austin slowly lowered his head after putting his hands on the counter on either side of where Roh-Ahn sat in front of him. 

The attention felt good, but he was confused when Roh-Ahn was done and he leaned back to look at his hair in the mirror. 

“Why did you mess it up even more?” He asked, lifting a hand to start pressing it down, but it was caught and held by Roh-Ahn’s. 

“I like it like that. You look handsome.” He said with a bright smile that made Austin’s heart fidget. 

“Alright, I’ll leave it… but only for tonight.” He said. The hairstyle made him feel younger but also less professional, and while he wasn’t a stern professor by any means, it still felt odd. 

Roh-Ahn slid off the counter after a quick nod, but unsurprisingly, his bad leg wasn’t up to holding his weight so abruptly. 

Austin caught him in a hug and carefully lifted him back up, a grin on both their faces because it had honestly felt like the most natural situation. 

“My bad.” Roh-Ahn said as he took Austin’s proffered arm and carefully walked with him out of the bathroom, hitting the light on the way. 

“Yeah, you are. You left a hickey on my chest.” Austin taunted back, loving the shade of pink that colored Roh-Ahn’s face at that realization. 

“Everyone’s waiting in the car… we should head out soon, if you two are ready?” 

Austin and Roh-Ahn looked up at the same time, surprised to see Teller standing in the hallway, peaking hesitantly into the room. 

“Ah, right. Let’s get going.” Roh-Ahn said as he let go of Austin’s arm and, using the wall for balance, limped over to the entrance to the room and grabbed his cane he’d left leaning there. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to bring your wheelchair since we’re probably going to the concert right afterward?” Austin asked as he grabbed his wallet and keys, then stopped by the door a few feet away. 

When Roh-Ahn shook his head, Austin opened his mouth to try and talk him into it, but then clamped it shut with a shrug. It was Roh-Ahn’s decision, and even though he thought that it would be smart to just have it in the car, he couldn’t make him take it. 

“Alright, I think we’re ready then?” He asked, getting a nod from Roh-Ahn as he stopped beside him. 

Instead of following Teller downstairs, Austin rode the elevator with Roh-Ahn. It surprisingly still worked, but barely. It rattled when it stopped on the bottom floor, but thankfully the doors proved functional and they both stepped off after waiting nearly a minute for them to open wide enough. 

Teller was already by the doors, holding one open with a small smile. Austin returned it as he and Roh-Ahn walked over to him. He let Roh-Ahn go through first, then stepped past, only to see Teller’s boyfriend staring at them from where he was leaning against the car. 

“This is a car ?” Austin mumbled as they followed Teller and his boyfriend into the limo. 

Everyone else was already there and quickly made room for them both to sit before Wan-Nu told the driver where they needed to go. Thankfully, the ride was short, because Austin could have sworn that every pair of eyes were glued to him when he wasn’t directly looking at them. 

He turned his attention out the window, but since Roh-Ahn was sitting in the seat next to it, his focus shifted more than a few times. 

“He likes you so much!” Teller said to his left, making Austin turn toward him with a confused look. He didn’t understand him, but when Roh-Ahn leaned over to send Teller a scowl, he had a feeling that it had to do with at least one of them, if not both. 

“Don’t talk about him as if he’s not here. And don’t talk about that!” Roh-Ahn replied, sounding shockingly stern, as if he were scolding one of his students instead of talking to an acquaintance. 

It was quiet for a few minutes before the limo found a parking spot at the restaurant. Right as they were going to get out, however, one of the other guys who Austin faintly remembered was named Sahn-Re, or something close to that, spoke up, and in Korean again, of course. 

“Well, do you like him back? He hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of you.” 

Instead of replying, Roh-Ahn pushed the door open and got out, moving away quickly so that everyone else could do the same. Austin hurried over to him, taking a hold of his lower arm out of habit in case he tripped or lost his balance. 

“Alright, let’s get inside. Hopefully we aren’t too late.” Wan-Nu said as he checked his watch and headed for the entrance to the Korean restaurant. 

You would think they’d want something besides what they eat all the time. 

Granted, he wasn’t sure what exactly they ate in Korea, but considering all of the dishes Roh-Ahn tended to cook, it seemed a bit odd to go somewhere that practically made the same things. 

I bet Roh-Ahn’s taste better, though. 

That thought didn’t leave his head no matter how much he tried to push it away as he looked over the menu. The names of the dishes were Korean, but thankfully the explanation was in English. 

After looking for several minutes, Austin leaned over to whisper in Roh-Ahn’s ear. 

“What do you suggest?” 

When Roh-Ahn grinned and turned his head to reply, Austin tilted his, giving him his ear so that he could hear him in the bustling restaurant. 

“Going back home so that I can cook for you.” 

Blinking, Austin turned his head to stare at Roh-Ahn with a raised eyebrow. “Somehow, that doesn’t sound like a dish.” 

Roh-Ahn grinned and leaned over, pointing to something on the menu. “This one. It’s very hot, but if they make it right, it should be something you will like.” 

After thanking him for the suggestion, Austin ordered the dish. Their food came quite quickly, which he was happy about, considering everyone’s eyes just seemed to keep finding him, even when almost everyone was holding conversations of their own. 

It was definitely hot, and actually pretty tasty. 

“What did you order?” Ike asked as he speared a piece of Austin’s beef on his fork and took a bite. 

Thanks for asking, Mr. Manners. Enjoy the fireball you just put in your mouth.

The look on Ike’s face changed over the next several seconds as he began to realize how bad of a mistake he’d just made. 

“Holy shit!” He half-shouted, his words muffled by Wan-Nu’s hand. 

Ike flailed his arms toward the table as tears streamed down his face until he managed to grab his glass of water. That won’t help much, bud. Austin thought, but didn’t voice, as he watched the guy down the entire thing while holding it up with shaking hands. 

Wan-Nu, shaking his head, flagged down a waitress and got Ike a small glass of milk. It disappeared the moment it was handed to him. When the guy finally lowered the glass to the table and gave a shaky sigh, Austin spoke. 

“It’s a little hot.” 

Clearly biting back a smile, Wan-Nu reached over and began gently patting Ike’s forehead and cheek with a cloth napkin. 

“You should know better than anyone to be careful of Korean food. We like our heat.” Wan-Nu chastised softly. 

How is it that they actually look like a couple, even though they shouldn’t? Austin thought as he continued eating, but kept his attention on them without really staring. 

He may or may not have felt a few pangs of jealousy about their little PDA display, but Austin knew that he couldn’t just lean over and pull Roh-Ahn into a hug, no matter how much he wanted to. 

As dinner continued, he ended up mainly listening in to any brief English conversations he managed to catch. Of course, he was involved in several small ones, but he made sure to keep just enough food on his plate to keep his mouth full when the topic got too bothersome. The main one everyone seemed to want to poke at and around was sitting right next to him, blushing faintly as he picked at his own food. 

He’s so cute. 

When he realized that he’d just been pushing around two tiny pieces of beef for more than five minutes, Austin fished out his wallet and set out enough money for his and Roh-Ahn’s food, plus a tip, then pushed out his chair. 

“Would you guys mind if we went back to the apartment for a few minutes? I think I forgot something. We’ll meet you at the concert hall before it starts, though.” He said, needing to get some fresh air… and maybe wanting a few minutes with Roh-Ahn before they were packed into such a dark, loud building like sardines. 

Wan-Nu didn’t look pleased, but Sahn-Re managed to answer before he could. 

“Of course! We’ll see you there!” 

Austin nodded and gently took hold of Roh-Ahn’s arm once he was standing. It seemed like his idea was appreciated, because Roh-Ahn was walking so quickly that he almost had to focus to keep up. 

When they finally got outside, Austin called for a taxi. Before he could slip his phone back into his pocket, though, he felt arms gently wrap around his middle. 

“Hey.” He whispered as he settled his hands on Roh-Ahn’s clasped ones. 

“Did you enjoy dinner, Roh?” He asked as he looked up at the faint stars shining down on them from the fading night sky. 

“No… I want to redo the date with just us.” 

Austin glanced over his shoulder but couldn’t see Roh-Ahn’s face because he had his head tucked against his back. 

“Can I have the English translation? Or at least whatever you want to tell me in English?” He asked as he turned around, slipping his phone into his pocket before wrapping his arms around Roh-Ahn and tugging him closer. 

When the young man looked up at him, he smiled reassuringly. 

“I said… No, I want to redo the date with just us.”

When Your Understanding Shifts

(I just needed a little cute today it seems)

The taxi ride back to their apartment was a quiet but pleasant one. The restaurant had been a bit too loud for his liking, so the near-silent ride was just what Austin had needed to relax a bit. It also helped that Roh-Ahn was the only person sitting next to him and their fingers were loosely entwined on the middle seat. 

When the car stopped outside of their apartment building he slid out and walked around to the opposite side, holding a hand out when Roh-Ahn opened his door. He waited patiently while Roh-Ahn got himself out of the car and balanced with his cane, then greedily closed his fingers around his hand the moment it was set in his own. 

“What did you forget, by the way?” Roh-Ahn asked once they were back inside the apartment. 

Austin turned around, opening his mouth with the intention of lying… I’m such a terrible liar. “Am I a horrible person for saying that I wasn’t enjoying myself at all, even though the food was pretty good? I would have rather skipped dinner and just hung out here with you. That’s kind of what I want to do until we have to leave for the concert.” 

At first, he couldn’t tell what Roh-Ahn was thinking, the guy’s face being almost completely blank as he contemplated what he’d said. Please don’t be mad. Please don’t be mad. When a sheepish grin finally found its way onto his lips and he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his chest for a hug, Austin let out a quiet, relieved breath. 

“I love my uncle but it was a bit too much after working all week and having more seizures than normal the last few days.” Roh-Ahn said as he pressed his cheek against Austin’s shoulder, making him happily wrap him up tight in his arms. 

I can understand that. Those seizures definitely steal your energy. 

Considering his uncle had accidentally triggered one earlier, Austin wasn’t surprised at all to hear that Roh-Ahn wasn’t feeling up to being around so many people for dinner.  

“Did you get enough to eat?” Austin asked as he tilted his head down, his lips brushing against Roh-Ahn’s soft hair as he spoke. 

When he got a nod in response, he opened his mouth to speak, but Roh-Ahn beat him to it. “But you didn’t. You always eat almost twice what you got there, but you didn’t even finish your last few pieces of meat.” 

Well, he couldn’t argue that. He’d liked the food, but the atmosphere had just stressed him too much, it seems. It was also sweet that Roh-Ahn had paid attention to something so simple. 

“I’ll just have some leftovers. I like your cooking more than theirs, even after a few days in the fridge.” Austin said as he released Roh-Ahn. It took the other guy a few moments before he let him go, then he quickly followed Austin into the kitchen to perch up on the bar stool they’d left by the stove. 

He had planned to heat up the fried chicken and rice, but the delicious smell that hit him when he opened the container made Austin just grab a fork and start digging in right away. Roh-Ahn had definitely been right about him not eating enough at the restaurant. 

“I love watching you eat what I cook, it’s cute.” Roh-Ahn said, drawing Austin’s eyes away from the food so that he could nod. 

Granted, he had no idea what he’d just said, but his mouth was full and he figured that it couldn’t hurt to just agree with him. 

“Will you keep nodding if I keep speaking in Korean?” Roh-Ahn asked, earning a raised eyebrow, then a cautious nod in response. 

Austin paused in his eating to see if Roh-Ahn would say anything else, but when he just smiled, he took another bite of food. 

“I hope you can be patient with me, I might not be very easy to deal with if we try to get more physical.” He said, his sentence ending a little quieter than it had started. 

Swallowing, Austin lifted his fork to point at Roh-Ahn. 

“What did you just say?” He asked. 

Roh-Ahn pursed his lips and looked down at his hands that were gripping the stool cushion. 

“Nothing important.” He mumbled, only for Austin to set his food aside and step forward, lifting Roh-Ahn’s chin gently. 

“The look on your face and the tone of your voice tell me that it was something important. Please, give me the actual translation.” Austin said as he settled his hands on Roh-Ahn’s shoulders and squeezed gently. 

When Roh-Ahn only looked up at him with worried, wide eyes, Austin closed his for a moment and sighed. He really wanted to know why Roh-Ahn’s smile had disappeared so quickly, but if he wasn’t comfortable telling him what he’d said, he’d just have to get over it. However…

Lifting his hands, he settled them softly on either side of Roh-Ahn’s face and lifted it a little more. 

“It’s okay. You can tell me when you’re ready, but can I see that smile again? I like that smile a lot.” Austin said as he leaned in, pressing his lips against Roh-Ahn’s for just a brief moment. 

He’d planned to back away then, because they likely needed to get to the show, but when Roh-Ahn reached up to carefully grasp his face and guide him forward again, Austin didn’t even consider resisting. How could he? Their lips met again, the pace of the kiss soft and slow, neither of them rushing as their hands began to wander. Roh-Ahn’s drifted down from either side of Austin’s face to brush along his shoulders, then further until they came to rest on his waist. 

One of Austin’s hands rose to entwine its fingers in Roh-Ahn’s mussed hair while the other dipped along his back until he had his waist firmly grasped. The attention forced him to step closer, too, putting him between Roh-Ahn’s spread legs. If he’d still been in high school, or even college, things would have gotten out of hand, fast. 

Thank god I can control my idiot self far better now. He thought as he felt Roh-Ahn’s fingertips hesitantly fuss with the hem of his shirt. 

He’s so cautious…

Austin didn’t have to think for very long to piece together why. It made his blood boil to know that whatever had happened to cause the scars on his body were likely from someone who had possibly been intimate with him before the attack. 

“Roh-Ahn…” He whispered against his mouth before sealing it again, only to separate their lips again a moment later. “Roh-Ahn.” 

“Sweetheart, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” He breathed as he moved his lips to the edge of Roh-Ahn’s, then slowly downward toward his neck. 

The shiver he felt run through Roh-Ahn’s body when his lips pressed against his collar bone drew the same response from his own, but he remained still as he felt Roh-Ahn’s shaking fingers ever-so-slowly slip underneath his shirt. 

Instead of making a mark, Austin just closed his eyes and focused on calming his breathing as he felt Roh-Ahn’s warm fingers carefully explore little portions of his lower back. 

So sweet. 

Feeling Roh-Ahn’s hands retreat, Austin lifted his head, only to realize that his fingers were now gathering the fabric at the bottom of his shirt in his shaking fingers. When he figured out his intentions, Austin ducked his head and backed up slightly, allowing Roh-Ahn to begin tugging his shirt up, and potentially, off. 

It was just his luck that Roh-Ahn’s phone started ringing right at that moment. Before he could even react, Roh-Ahn was tugging his shirt back down. 

“Hey,” he said as he watched him quickly reach for his phone and lift it to his ear. 

“Hello?”  He said before going quiet, listening to the person on the other end of the call. 

He nodded once, then replied. “We didn’t get distracted. We’ll be there shortly.” 

When he hung up, a frown back on his face, Austin rubbed a hand over his face and forced a smile. 

“I guess we’ve got to go?” He said as he offered Roh-Ahn a hand down from the stool, then handed him his cane that he’d left leaning against the counter. 

The guy nodded, but it was obvious that he didn’t want to leave. Neither did Austin, but they couldn’t really skip the concert after leaving dinner early with a lie. 

“Don’t worry, if you want to go at any time, just tell me.” He said as he took Roh-Ahn’s free hand and they headed for the door. The squeeze he got from Roh-Ahn’s hand in response drew a smile to his face. 

“Just a few songs.” Roh-Ahn said, earning a nod from Austin right away. 

He normally didn’t mind concerts, but Roh-Ahn definitely didn’t need to be at one that evening. He already looked tired and was probably stressing a little from their noisy dinner, so triple the sound and multiply the amount of people by at least a few  thousands… 

Yeah, we’re not staying long at all.

When the Music Shifts

(These guys are too sweet. I feel like I’m getting a cavity just writing these chapters.)

He’d been right. The moment they’d stepped into the giant concert arena Austin felt like his head was going to explode from the sheer noise of the crowd alone. The band wasn’t even visible on the stage yet, but he could tell that it was going to get crazy. 

“Do you want to go try to find them?” He yelled, barely able to hear himself. 

Roh-Ahn frowned and shrugged, clearly having not heard him at all. Blowing out a frustrated breath, Austin took Roh-Ahn’s free hand tightly in his and carefully began tugging him along one of the main walls. They got shoved several times and their path was blocked repeatedly by people that were either just not paying attention or had already gotten themselves drunk out of their minds. 

Thankfully, it seemed like the paying attention excuse was the one that occurred the most. Still, though, it didn’t make him feel any less worried about losing Roh-Ahn. 

He finally managed to get them to a small hall leading back toward what seemed like a set of bathrooms and some armchairs that were spread out around a little nook corner. 

“Is this okay, or do you want to actually go out and watch?” He asked as he lead Roh-Ahn to one of the padded chairs. 

The moment Roh-Ahn dropped down into it Austin knew that they weren’t going to be moving for a while. Thankfully, he noticed a small television hanging from the ceiling a few feet away that was showing the stage. The volume wasn’t on, but he knew that it wouldn’t matter once the concert actually got started. They weren’t too far from the opening leading back to the main area so they’d hear it well enough. 

But this place is secluded enough to not have to worry about it getting filled up. Right as he thought that and sat down in the chair beside Roh-Ahn, a group of three people looking to be around twenty or so took three of the seats to their right, pushed up against the opposite wall. 

Well, at least they aren’t being loud . 

The concert started a few minutes later, since they had technically been a bit late. Austin had expected the group to come out first, but when he saw the young guy he’d talked to a few times before, Teller, step up to the mic, he raised an eyebrow. 

When the guy actually got into his first song, which was Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, Austin’s mouth dropped open.

“What the hell?” He whispered to himself as he listened to Taylor Swift’s voice come out of Teller’s mouth. 

I’m so confused but excited at the same time… it’s like high school all over again. 

By the time Teller’s opener for the show was over Austin noticed three more groups of people had taken the remaining seats in their small hidden area. 

Guess this area is somewhat known. 

All of the people were pretty quiet, though, and weren’t being rude, so he didn’t mind sharing the space at all. When Ello finally got on stage the volume shot up, both from the fans and from the speakers around the stadium area. He couldn’t deny that Ello was a damn good band, even if he couldn’t understand pieces of the songs, but the switching between Korean and English was actually pretty cool. 

“They’re not bad at all.” He said as Roh-Ahn glanced toward him, leaning against the armrest so that he could hear what he said. 

His lips curved into a tired smile and he nodded. 

“My uncle has managed them for several years and they have only gotten better.” Roh-Ahn said as they continued to watch the next three songs. 

There was a short break where the leader, who Austin now knew was named Tay-Yun, spoke with the audience. He took that time to stretch a bit, then check on Roh-Ahn. The guy looked half asleep, but the smile on his face told Austin that they would be staying for a while longer, which he didn’t mind. He thought that he’d get annoyed by the loud volume and insane amount of people, but he was actually enjoying himself. 

The sound of shuffling feet brought his attention to a new group arriving at the area. There were no more seats left, but most of them didn’t seem to mind as they took spots on the carpeted floor, except for one older person that appeared to have trouble walking. One of the young people with her, possibly a grandson or other relative, looked around the room again, clearly searching for somewhere for her to sit down. 

Austin pursed his lips in thought, then turned to Roh-Ahn, only to see him grab his cane and stand from his chair. The young man standing with the older woman noticed right away, looking at the now-empty chair with a bit of curious hope. 

Roh-Ahn smiled and nodded, taking the few steps to the side that put him beside Austin’s chair. 

“Thanks a lot.” The young man said quietly, not wanting to disturb the others who were listening to Tay-Yun speak. 

Roh-Ahn replied just as quietly. “You’re welcome. Enjoy the show.” 

Once the young man had the woman situated and took a seat on the floor beside her, Austin reached forward in the dark room and gently took Roh-Ahn’s hand. “Come here, hun. No standing for you, either.” He whispered as he tugged Roh-Ahn into his lap, not caring if anyone happened to see. They could mind their own business if it bothered them. 

Much better. He thought as he wrapped the guy in a snug hug against his chest. Roh-Ahn didn’t seem to mind and snuggled in right away, sighing when he was finally comfortable and they turned their attention back to the screen. 

“That shorter guy with all the energy is actually kind of cute when he’s on stage. His excitement is contagious.” Austin mumbled to himself. 

He was startled when, a few seconds later, Roh-Ahn’s mouth was firmly sealed over his own. Of course, Austin didn’t mind returning the kiss at all, but when Roh-Ahn ended it after a minute or so, then grumbled as he returned his attention to the screen, Austin just quirked an eyebrow and grinned. 

It didn’t take many more songs  he felt Roh-Ahn’s breathing even out with sleep. He was a bit surprised that he could pass out since it was still pretty loud and the base was easily at headache level, but he took that as his sign that it was time to head out. 

Except, when he shook Roh-Ahn gently to try and wake him, the guy didn’t even respond. You are really out cold that quickly? He thought as he tried to wake him again. He got a quiet mumble, which at least gave him some relief. They’d stayed a bit too long and Roh-Ahn had gotten worn out. 

“Can you hold on if I carry you on my back, Roh?” He whispered against his ear before pressing a quick kiss right beneath it. 

When he got a sleepy nod he carefully knelt down in front of the large chair and waited as Roh-Ahn took a few moments to get himself situated on his back. His leg brace kept him from being able to wrap his bad leg around his waist, but Austin was ready and helped hold his legs with both of his hands. 

It was a bit awkward to have the cane pressed against his chest where Roh-Ahn was also holding on, but he didn’t know any other way they could carry it so he ignored the odd pressure as he stood. 

Okay, it’s not so bad… and he’s too light. I’m going to make sure he eats more. He thought as he started following the glowing EXIT signs. Thankfully, they didn’t have to go back out into the crazy crowd and after a few minutes of walking, he managed to find a small metal door that had the final lit up sign above it. 

Bingo. 

Pushing it open, Austin sighed and took in a deep breath of the cool air that greeted him. Granted, to anyone else from out of state, it likely wasn’t cool at all, but to him, the seventy degree weather felt nice. 

“Mmm, tired Aus…” Roh-Ahn mumbled, making Austin duck his head for a moment as a blush crept onto his cheeks in the darkness at the nickname. 

“We’re heading home. Just hang on a little longer, okay?” He said as he quickly found his car and got Roh-Ahn situated in the back, so that he could lie down, then hopped in the front. 

The drive was silent besides the quiet, cute snores he could barely hear coming from Roh-Ahn. He couldn’t keep himself from glancing in the rear view mirror at every traffic light, and after he’d parked back at their apartment, he might have waited a minute or two extra so that he could just watch the guy rest. 

I’m a creeper. It’s official. He told himself with a stupid smile on his face as he got out of the car, then opened the back passenger door to carefully tug the out-cold guy into his arms. The cane would have to be retrieved another time, because he knew that he’d just end up dropping it, or tripping himself trying to carry it along with its owner. 

Sorry, cane, this guy is way more important. Austin thought as he nudged the door shut with his leg, then headed up the stairs. He took them all the way to their apartment, not wanting to mess with the elevator. He also knew that Roh-Ahn had the elevator key in one of his pockets, and digging through them while the guy was asleep… he couldn’t do that. 

The idea of running his hand over Roh-Ahn’s backside, though… even if just to check his back pockets for the card key made his face heat. Best to take him to his own room tonight. He told himself as he did just that, laying him down on his bed as gently as he could manage. 

Roh-Ahn’s arms easily slid from around his neck where they’d been holding on, just barely. 

I don’t  know how this guy can be such a strict professor yet so sweet and adorable, too. 

He was just finishing removing Roh-Ahn’s large leg brace when the guy’s phone suddenly started ringing. Austin fumbled to grab it from where he’d set it on the nightstand and accidentally brushed the accept call  button with his finger. 

“Roh-Ahn, where are you? The concert’s over.” Came Wan-Nu’s voice over the speaker. 

Can’t understand a word he’s saying but at least it’s him and not someone else. Austin thought as he lifted the phone to his ear. 

“Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to pick up his phone but you’re Wan-Nu, right?” He asked, though he was already pretty darn sure that was who was talking. 

“Ah, yes. Austin?” Wan-Nu replied, in English this time so that he could understand. 

Austin nodded as he got up and walked into the living room, closing Roh-Ahn’s door halfway before dropping down onto the sofa. 

“Yes. I just brought Roh-Ahn home, he fell asleep a while ago, though we stayed for a good part of the concert.” He replied as he leaned back, stifling a yawn with the back of his free hand. 

“I see.” Wan-Nu said, then added. “Is he doing alright? Does he need anything?” 

Alright, I’ll forgive you partially for causing his seizure earlier. 

“I think we’re good. His medicine is all stocked up and he’s out cold in his room right now.” Austin replied, glad that everything had gone well. 

“Alright, we’ll stop by tomorrow morning before heading to the airport for our next flight?” He asked. 

Damn, going to have to make sure we don’t get caught in a compromising situation again. 

“Sure, that’s fine. Just call when you’re on your way.” He said. 

When Wan-Nu confirmed he would, they both said their good nights and hung up, leaving Austin alone to the quiet of his apartment. His eyes slowly moved over each individual surface in the small room as he let his mind wander, noting all of the changes that had occurred since Roh-Ahn had arrived in his life such a short time ago. 

He always leaves the assignments he grades in labeled folders… I should do that. 

His attention wandered to the small box of medication they left on the small shelf under the coffee table, just in case there was an emergency. Of course, he had the medicine in his room, too, but Austin had forced him to leave some of the pills in the living room as well. 

I need to put some in my room and in the kitchen, too. 

He took his time looking at all of the other subtle changes, and at some point must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he realized he was blinking open sleep-heavy eyes and yawning. 

“Didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He mumbled as he started to get up, only to realize that he had a weight in his lap. 

Looking down, Austin shook his head and yawned again. Roh-Ahn was using his lap as a pillow, and had clearly gotten hot, because his shirt was conspicuously absent. 

“As cute as you are, this isn’t the place to be sleeping.” Austin whispered as he carefully lifted Roh-Ahn into his arms and returned him to his room. 

He headed to his own afterward, taking a little bit of time to grade some assignments before turning off the lights and climbing beneath his blankets. It had to have been close to one in the morning, but when he awoke at three, suddenly a bit too warm beneath the layers of fabric, he realized that a certain someone had found his way back to him already. 

Roh-Ahn was snuggled up against him, and he really couldn’t complain… because he already had his arms wrapped around him and was comfortably holding him against his chest, his head tucked just beneath his chin. 

I give up. 

I fucking give up. 

This guy is going to be mine.

When the Leaves Shift

(Thanks for the patience, I’ve been super busy these last few weeks x.x) 

The next week flew by far faster than Austin wanted. They’d thankfully awoken just in time to get dressed before Wan-Nu showed up to bid Roh-Ahn farewell. Wan-Nu had also given Austin his number, just in case Roh-Ahn needed anything and was too proud to ask for it. Austin could understand.

Leaning back in his desk chair, Austin glanced up at the small clock across the room from him and lifted his feet up onto his desk. He’d already finished grading most of the midterm exams he’d given out earlier in the day, so he wasn’t too worried about taking a small break and letting his eyes rest for a bit. 

It was no surprise that he had an awkward weight in his lap when his eyes opened again an hour or so later. “I think you missed the chair by a few feet, Roh.” Austin mumbled as he reached up and pulled the young man against his chest. 

The lights were out and there was a piece of black construction paper over the window to his door, signaling that it was locked and he did not want to be disturbed if it wasn’t important. 

Already know my habits. He thought as he allowed his right hand to wander upward along the suit that hugged Roh-Ahn’s slim body until it delved into his soft hair. 

“Done with all of your midterm exams already?” He whispered as he closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of having Roh-Ahn against him. 

When he felt Roh-Ahn shake his head, Austin frowned. “Another to give tomorrow.” 

Ah, good. He’d hoped that he could quickly finish grading the remainder he had to do, then maybe take him out for an early dinner. 

I’ve decided to try and win his heart yet I can’t even manage to find enough time to try and spoil him. 

Just thinking about all of the missed opportunities they’d had over the past week made him sigh. The remainder of their weekend was rained in by one bad thunderstorm after the other. Besides their college classes for the week, Roh-Ahn hadn’t been doing too well Monday and took most of Tuesday to recover and finish up some grading. 

He’s been cooking almost every night, too. 

“What’s wrong, Austin?” Roh-Ahn asked, drawing Austin’s eyes open as he felt gentle fingers massage the crease his frustration often caused along his forehead. 

Truth, or lie? 

He didn’t need to think very long about that. He was a terrible liar. 

“I just wanted to spoil you a little this week but it’s already half over and I haven’t even gotten to take you out for dinner.” 

The little grin Roh-Ahn tried to hide at his response had Austin’s cheeks warming, but Roh-Ahn didn’t let him suffer for long. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around his neck, then sealed his lips with a sweet kiss. 

“But I got to spoil you.” He replied, making Austin lean back just enough to free his mouth to speak. “You got to what?” He asked. 

Roh-Ahn’s eyes jerked wide and he leaned back in Austin’s lap slightly, absolutely shocked to hear that he’d been partially understood. Why do you think I’ve been so tired lately, hun? He thought, remembering the countless hours he’d stayed up the last few days working on learning Korean with his earbuds in at three in the morning. 

So glad that you’re a deep sleeper. 

“I…” Roh-Ahn stuttered, still seemingly in shock. 

Austin shook his head slowly, a smile playing at his lips before he leaned forward to steal a quick kiss. “I’ve been studying a bit. I want to be able to understand you better.” 

When Roh-Ahn still couldn’t form a coherent sentence, Austin reached up and mussed his hair, then winked. “So, what is it exactly that you got to do?” 

He waited patiently for Roh-Ahn to pull himself together, wanting to hear his answer. I really hope he tells me the truth, too. Although, he didn’t think Roh-Ahn ever translated what he said incorrectly to keep something important hidden, but he did feel like he didn’t get the full messages sometimes. 

A soft, warm hand against his left cheek brought Austin out of his thoughts. Roh-Ahn’s face was barely an inch from his own, and he very much loved the view. Love. He thought as he felt Roh-Ahn kiss him softly. 

“I got to spoil you.” 

Austin grinned, pressing a kiss to Roh-Ahn’s nose. 

“You are sweet” He said, mispronouncing the words a little, though still managing to make them decently understandable since Roh-Ahn gave a little laugh and leaned in for another kiss. 

“Really?” Roh-Ahn asked, his smile widening as he snuggled in against him. 

Austin tiled his head down to press a kiss against Roh-Ahn’s hair. “Of course.” 

He was quite proud that he’d managed to remember so much. The grammar and sentence structure, especially, had thrown him off for several hours when he’d first tried to figure things out. 

Of course, my patience is non-existent. 

“I can’t believe you studied so much for me already. Half of my students still don’t do well with sentence structure and you are only messing up a little.” Roh-Ahn said as he rested against Austin’s chest, his eyes closed. 

“That one’s a bit over my head but I got the I can’t part.” Austin said at the same time they both heard a light knock at the door. 

Pursing his lips, Austin looked at the clock, then sighed. 

“Still have office hours for another fifteen minutes.” He grumbled as he carefully helped Roh-Ahn from his lap and into one of the two armchairs across from his desk, then went to open the door. 

Emri walked in the second he turned the lock, and went straight for Roh-Ahn as soon as he saw him, easily perching on the arm of the chair where he sat with an unsettling smile on his face. 

“What are you doing here, Emri?” Austin asked as he walked over, sitting on the edge of his desk, trying to be close without giving his unease away. 

It didn’t seem to work, though, because Emri was already smirking at him before his backside even touched the worn desk. 

“Down boy, I just came to chat.” He said, not lessening Austin’s worry much. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the guy, but that he knew him somewhat well. Emri liked to poke at people, if only out of curiosity. I don’t want him bugging Roh-Ahn, though. 

“Hey, you’re the new language teacher for this semester, right? Korean?” Emri asked as he leaned over a little, making Roh-Ahn scoot into the far corner of the chair as he put his hands in his lap. 

“Yes. My name is Roh-Ahn, nice to meet you.” He said in a professional tone, offering a hand to Emri. 

The moment they shook, Austin wanted to grab Roh-Ahn, toss him over his shoulder and storm out of the room. I don’t think he’d appreciate the cave man antics… dammit. 

Wisely, he instead just grabbed the edge of the desk and leaned forward. “Did you do well on your midterms? I already graded yours for my class and you got a ninety-seven.” 

Emri faked looking surprised, making Austin roll his eyes, as well as sneak a glance at Roh-Ahn. The guy looked uncomfortable, but not terribly so. 

“Cool. How have you two been doing? Is Austin driving you crazy yet?” Emri asked, bringing a bright blush to Roh-Ahn’s cheeks that Austin’s mimicked. 

The look on Emri’s face made him want to shove the guy out of the room right then and there, but Austin bit his tongue as Roh-Ahn replied. “In more ways then one.” 

Shit, I can’t figure that one out completely, but I’m praying that my guess of i’n more ways than one’ is correct. 

He did study, a lot, and was getting the hang of the language, but Roh-Ahn talked very quickly, especially when nervous, so Austin couldn’t really pick up the sentence as a whole. He was pretty confident that he’d guessed the missing words correctly, though. 

“You know what he’s saying, Aus?” Emri asked, glancing up at him at the same time Roh-Ahn replied. “His name is Austin.” 

Oh boy. Is that jealousy I hear? 

Emri raised an eyebrow at Roh-Ahn, who seemed to be trying quite so hard to not appear frustrated in any way. 

“I feel like I’m standing between two very horny teenagers that need some alone time, so I’m just going to back away slowly…” He taunted, standing from the chair and backing up toward the door with his hands raised slightly. 

“We’re adults and just had a pretty stressful week. We’ll talk later, okay Em?” Austin said as he stood up, suddenly feeling much less like a lion trying to defend its territory and more like a civilized human being. 

Emri glanced away for a moment before shrugging. “Sure. Just uh, somewhere on neutral territory.” He joked, earning a scowl before he darted out the door. 

Sighing, Austin looked down at a still-blushing Roh-Ahn and rubbed one hand over his face. “Sorry about him… he tends to just say whatever he thinks. Not much of a filter.” 

“I wouldn’t mind more time alone with you, though I don’t know how I’ll react if we do much more than what he have been.” Roh-Ahn mumbled, making Austin frown. He barely caught much of that sentence, either. 

“Translation?” He asked as he walked back around his desk and grabbed his suit-jacket and bag, then slung them over his shoulder. 

When Roh-Ahn just blushed darker and got himself up using his cane, Austin figured that he wasn’t comfortable saying it in English… yet. 

Glancing over Roh-Ahn’s shoulder, Austin made sure that the door was completely shut before walking over to him and taking his hand, then leaning down to whisper against his ear. 

“If I remember correctly, there is one phrase that I definitely want to say, but I’m afraid I can’t quite do it in English yet.” 

Roh-Ahn licked his lips and looked up to meet his eyes as Austin leaned back, a nervous smile of his own stretching across his lips. 

“I love you.” 

He waited for the dramatic pause to end, but when Roh-Ahn seemed to process what he’d said, instead of smiling or hugging him, he elbowed him in the side and laughed. 

“What on Earth? Do you know what that means?” He asked, his cheeks turning a bright pink with how much he was getting into his laughter. 

I swear I checked that one over and over again so that I didn’t look like an idiot by saying it wrong… 

“What did I say?” He asked, trying to get Roh-Ahn to stop laughing at him. 

When he still got no response, Austin blew out a breath through his nose and fished out his phone. He went to one of the apps he had downloaded and then held the phone up as he pushed play on the short sentence. 

“I love you.” 

There was a brief pause, then. 

“I love you.”  In Korean. 

That drew Roh-Ahn’s laughter to an awkward end as he reached up, mussing his hair with one hand as he looked down at his shoes. 

Might have pushed that a bit too far and gotten defensive humor. 

“Alright, my office hours are finished. Let’s get out of here?” He asked, offering Roh-Ahn an out by dropping the previous subject. 

The guy seemed grateful, because he quickly grabbed Austin’s hand and began tugging him toward the door, flicking the light off on their way out. 

They walked in silence out into the light drizzle that had started up, foreshadowing an oncoming storm in the distance. Austin swung their hands gently, loving the cool breeze that the storm was bringing as it rustled his hair. 

“This feels great.” Roh-Ahn said before he stopped, making Austin pause and turn his attention to where Roh-Ahn was looking. 

At first, he didn’t really understand, but then he realized that he was looking at the items swaying in the growing breeze up on the hill. 

“You’re looking at the hammocks?” 

Roh-Ahn nodded, then, after a moment of hesitation, began tugging him up the steep grassy hill leading to them. They skipped the first few, which were on smaller trees without much shade. The one they ended up stopping at made Austin’s heart beat harder in his chest. 

This is where I found you that day… 

It felt like forever ago, yet it hadn’t even been a month or so.

Roh-Ahn hopped into the large hammock after leaning his cane against the tree, then grinned up at him. It was clearly about to rain, but Austin didn’t need to be asked. He carefully scooted himself into the hammock, then tugged Roh-Ahn snugly against his chest. 

He wouldn’t dare risk falling asleep right before a storm, but it was absolutely gorgeous outside to him at that moment as the growing wind slowly rocked their hammock and a light sprinkle of rain that managed to get through the full canopy of leaves above them tapped against their clothing and skin.

When he felt Roh-Ahn’s breathing even out with sleep after only a few minutes, he grinned. It didn’t bother him that the guy fell asleep often. It usually just meant that he was hurting and hid it. He’d only called out of work once when he was having a really bad day, but besides that, even if he was clearly hurting, he refused to miss any other classes. 

“I like you.” Austin said, his words disappearing into the growing patter from the rain around them. “I love you.” He added, waiting a few moments to be sure that Roh-Ahn was still asleep and didn’t react before pressing a kiss to the back of his head. 

He was just considering waking him so that they didn’t get caught in the worst part of the storm when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. Fishing it out quickly, he pressed the accept button without looking at who was calling, then shoved it against his ear. 

“Hello?” He said quietly, hoping that he hadn’t just picked up a telemarketer’s call. 

A rough but familiar voice rang out through the speaker, making him scowl at the back of Roh-Ahn’s head. “Hey Aus! Me and the guys are in the area, want us to bring over some beers?” 

No! Stay the hell away. 

He wished that he could say that, but his brother, unfortunately, had a key, so he’d likely come by anyways, like he had the last four times. 

Wish I could hide Roh-Ahn…

“Yeah, I guess.” He said, feeling his heart sink in his chest as worry swallowed it. 

“Cool. We’ll see you in two hours or so, bro.” His brother, Max, said before hanging up, not waiting for a response from him. 

As he slipped his phone back in his pocket, slightly on panic mode, Roh-Ahn decided to wake up and roll onto his back. He gave a small yawn before looking up at him with half-lidded eyes that Austin just wanted to kiss. 

“Is something wrong? You look stressed.” 

You’re getting really good at reading me. Though I know I suck at hiding shit, too. 

“My brother is coming over with his friends tonight…” He said before leaning down and kissing each of Roh-Ahn’s eyelids, then leaning back. 

When Roh-Ahn opened his eyes and smiled, Austin knew that he wasn’t thinking along the right track. “Is your brother like you? I’d like to meet him.” He said, making Austin’s worry triple and his newfound jealousy nearly make him growl. 

“He likes to drink… a lot.” He said as he carefully got himself out of the hammock, then offered Roh-Ahn a hand once he’d sat up… which was left hanging in the air, collecting raindrops. 

Whatever happened to him had alcohol involved. 

It was obvious once he looked up into Roh-Ahn’s wide, terrified eyes. 

“Hey, Roh. It’s okay. I can just tell them not to come.” He said, already reaching for his phone. 

Unfortunately, when he dialed his brother’s number, it went straight to voicemail, telling him that he likely hadn’t charged his phone, like usual, and had used the last bit of battery to call him. 

Roh-Ahn noticed that there was no conversation and looked down at his hands. 

“Don’t worry. If they show up, I’ll just tell them I’m too tired to drink.” Austin said, trying to get Roh-Ahn back to his previously-happy self. He hated seeing him down. 

It took a few minutes of standing in the cool rain before Roh-Ahn finally lifted his head back up and put on a fake smile. “It’s okay. I can always stay in my room and grade things.” 

I want you to stay with me and maybe watch a movie on the sofa while we eat dinner together. 

“Are you sure? I swear I won’t feel bad turning them away.” He asked, hoping that Roh-Ahn would stop putting on the fake act and just tell him to get rid of his brother when he showed up with his friends. 

When Roh-Ahn licked a droplet of rain from his lips and nodded, Austin resigned himself to a terrible night. You’ll make it through. Just make sure that they don’t bother him. 

Thankfully, Roh-Ahn finally reached up and took his hand, making Austin realize that he was shaking pretty badly. Shit. He didn’t hesitate to lift him into his arms, then retrieve his cane before hurrying down the steep hill toward the parking lot. 

“Roh-Ahn, can you talk to me, please?” He asked, hoping that it was just the cold from the rain and a little stress making him shake, and not a bad seizure starting. 

The second he got Roh-Ahn settled lying down in the back seat Austin tugged off his wet shirt and grabbed the blanket he left folded on the floor of his car. He dried him as best he could, then covered his upper half with the thick blanket. Then watched and waited. 

If Roh-Ahn had started shaking worse or convulsing, he would have grabbed the medication he left in the glove compartment, but thanks to some miracle, it seemed like it hadn’t been a problematic seizure and he’d just gotten too stressed while already being cold, because his body slowly calmed and after a few tense minutes, his eyes cracked open. 

The moment he saw those beautiful eyes look up at him with a mixture of sleepiness and confusion, Austin let out the breath he’d been holding and felt his own body shake. He’d been standing in the rain the whole time, not having wanted to cramp Roh-Ahn in the car. 

“You scared me there. Are you feeling better, Roh?” 

When he got a nod in response, Austin smiled and carefully shut the door, then walked around to drop into the driver’s seat. He quickly tossed his soaked shirt onto the floor of the passenger’s side, then cranked up the heater. 

It would have  been so nice if the storm had held off for a bit longer. 

“Sorry.” Roh-Ahn said as he sat up, making Austin run through his limited Korean vocabulary before realizing that he’d said sorry. 

“It’s fine. I was enjoying myself. The storm just hit a bit too fast.” 

Roh-Ahn nodded as he clicked his seat-belt into place and relaxed back against the seat. 

“I do not mind if your brother comes over, by the way. I do have a lot of things to grade, so I will get that done while they are there.” 

Austin didn’t like that idea one bit, because he knew that he was still clearly uncomfortable with them, but he wouldn’t argue. He couldn’t just ignore his brother forever, and at least he wasn’t an asshole when drunk. Just an idiot. 

Absolutely no drinking for me, though. The second they’re gone, I’m going to drown Roh-Ahn in so many kisses he’ll get annoyed and shove me out of his room… or we’ll just be up all night making out, again.

When the Steaks Shift

It was hard to hide just how cold he actually felt by the time they finally got back into his apartment. Both of them were shivering, but Austin felt like his teeth were going to break with how tightly he was clenching them to keep them from clicking together loudly.

Instead of setting Roh-Ahn on his feet, since he’d just carried him upstairs anyways, he went straight for the guy’s shower and set him down on the chair he left there.

Turning, he got the hot water go, blocking the cold spray until it warmed. While he waited the fifteen seconds or so, Austin quickly pulled off his sopping wet clothing with shaky hands, except for his boxers, then turned and helped a struggling Roh-Ahn do the same.

If they weren’t both shivering terribly, he would have rather enjoyed undressing the adorable guy, but he made himself focus and began scrubbing Roh-Ahn along his arms and legs with a soapy cloth to try and warm him up faster.

“A-Austin?”

He looked up immediately, part of the spray of water dusting his already-soaked hair.

“You need to warm up, too.” Roh-Ahn said as he tugged on Austin’s arm, drawing him back up to his feet to stand under more of the hot spray.

The heat made him sigh, but he also couldn’t shake the shivering that was beginning to make his muscles ache. Sniffling, he smiled and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the top of Roh-Ahn’s head before stepping out of the water of the water so that it could rinse him off.

When Roh-Ahn seemed much more relaxed and his shaking had stopped, Roh-Ahn turned off the water and grabbed the big fluffy towel hanging on the little rack just outside the shower.

“But Aus, you are still shivering.” Roh-Ahn complained quietly as he carefully slid from the chair and all-but fell into towel he had spread out with his arms.

Mine . He thought as he wrapped the huge towel around Roh-Ahn, then hugged him tight, ignoring his own shivers.

“Aus, you need to warm up. You’re going to get sick.” Roh-Ahn said, trying to nudge him back toward the shower.

He did want to go, but he still had to take care of their dinner and clean up a bit.

“After my brother leaves.” He said as he started leading Roh-Ahn into his room.

He knew that Roh-Ahn wanted to argue, but he hurried him to his bed and helped him sit, then quickly got him some warm clothing to change into.

“I’m going to go start dinner and clean up some.” He said after handing him the sweats, then headed out of his room, closing the door behind him to give Roh-Ahn some privacy.

The living room was easy enough to clean up after he’d changed into some new clothes, but his own room was quite a mess. It probably had something to do with Roh-Ahn spending more time in it than in his own, but that thought just made Austin grin as he picked up any dirty clothes, papers, and miscellaneous other items that had been tossed aside at one point or another.

Ah, right. Roh-Ahn bought us a hamper.

Smiling wider, Austin tossed all of their dirty clothes in it, then carried it into the tiny laundry room to start a load in the washer. Once that was done, he quickly wiped down the kitchen, then vacuumed.

By the time he had a simple dinner of baked chicken in the oven, he noticed eyes watching him from the entrance to the kitchen.

“You know, peeking isn’t quite appropriate. If you’d like to watch, feel free to openly stare.” Austin said with a wink as he walked over, tugging Roh-Ahn into a hug.

When he felt a grumble against his chest, Austin glanced down, raising an eyebrow a second before a towel was thrown over his head. He freaked out for a second, but then realized that Roh-Ahn was just forcefully drying his still-damp hair.

“I’ll be okay, Roh. I swear I’m not going to catch a cold from just a little rain.” He said with a light chuckle to his voice before he sniffed a little.

“Liar. You’re a liar. A very bad liar.” Roh-Ahn grumbled, making Austin roll his eyes jokingly and pull the guy back in for a tight hug.

“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Do you want to meet my brother before you go work in your room, or?” He asked, not minding either way.

Roh-Ahn opened his mouth to reply, but a knock on the door interrupted him, making both of them jump a little.

“Uh, guess they are a little early.”

The turn of a key in the door’s lock drew Roh-Ahn’s eyes wide as he quickly stumbled behind Austin, grabbing his shirt tightly to keep from falling since his bad leg seemed to have trouble with the abrupt movement.

“Hey bro, we’re he-,” his brother started saying as he walked in, only to pause when he spotted one of Roh-Ahn’s hands tightly grinning the front of Austin’s shirt.

The two brothers looked somewhat similar. Their height was near exactly the same and their hair color matched, but where Austin’s was almost shoulder length if it wasn’t styled, his brother’s was cut much shorter. He also had several ear piercings and a single one on his left nostril.

“Oh? You finally got yourself a girlfriend?” His brother shouted loudly, making Roh-Ahn physically flinch against his back.

Austin swallowed nervously and lifted one of his hands to gently grasp the one Roh-Ahn was tightening in his shirt.

“Ivan and Terry are getting the stuff out of the car, but let me see your cutie first? I promise I won’t bite too hard.” He said, nearly pleading to see the young woman who somehow managed to steal his brother’s attention.

How am I supposed to play this? He just laughed when I had a boyfriend for a few weeks in high school… and are we together?

“Um, actually, could you just back off for now? This is my roommate, Roh-Ah, the exchange teacher from Korea and he’s not great at meeting people so abruptly. You kinda spooked him.”

Of course, he knew that Roh wasn’t that bad, but he just wanted to deescalate the situation to keep the stress to a minimum.

The look on his brother’s face screamed that he knew he was lying, to some degree, but he took a step back anyways, then opened the door. “I’m going to go help them bring stuff in, be back in a minute.”

As soon as his brother was out the door, Austin turned around and hugged Roh-Ahn tightly, then stepped back and took his hand.

“Don’t lie to me, Roh. Do you want to meet them or would you prefer to stay in your room and I’ll bring you dinner soon?”

He wasn’t going to be upset, and almost preferred that he was away from his brother and his friends. They got to be very rowdy drunks.

Thankfully, Roh-Ahn only hesitated for a moment before giving him an awkward, shy smile, then turning toward his room. Noticing that he hadn’t brought his cane, Austin walked with him, holding his hand just tightly enough so that Roh-Ahn could use him to help balance the few times his bad leg caused him to trip a little.

His brother must have stalled the other two because he was easily able to get Roh-Ahn settled at his desk with everything he wanted to work on for the evening, as well a big plate of dinner before he heard the front door open again.

Stealing one final quick kiss, he smiled and hurried out of Roh-Ahn’s room, quietly shutting the door behind him.

“Hey man, been a while.” One of his brother’s friends, Terry, said as he walked over and yanked him into a too-strong hug.

Coughing a little once released, Austin brought his smile back, though it was a bit forced now. “You too, buddy. How have you two been?” He asked, including Ivan, who had just walked in with a six pack of cold beer they must have literally just picked up since it still had condensation on the bottle.

“Damn good. New job. New chick.” Ivan said with a laugh to his words.

Austin didn’t find them funny. His previous wife had been an absolute sweetheart, but he’d cheated on her since she hadn’t been a sex maniac. It probably hurt her to find out, and was even worse going through the divorce, but he knew that she’d be happier away from that sexual predator.

“That’s good.” Austin noted with little enthusiasm.

Terry shook his head and punched Ivan in the shoulder a little too hard. “You’re an idiot. You had it good, you dumb ass.” He said as he took a bottle from a different case of beer he’d slipped in without Austin noticing.

Not that I’m really trying hard to pay attention to them. Please just get shit faced and take a cab home.

Thankfully, they always took a cab to and from, or at least an Uber, so they never needed to stay over at his place.

Max appeared a moment later carrying the last six pack. He set it on the coffee table, then grabbed two bottles, popping the lids to take swigs from both flavors, one after the other.

Here we go.

It didn’t take long for Ivan and Terry to become dumber. To his surprise, though, as he sat in his recliner watching them, his brother seemed to simply nurse his drinks instead of actually downing them like his friends. He was probably buzzed, since he’d already had several, but he was nowhere near drunk, and it bothered Austin.

“What’s with all the medication under this table?” Max asked suddenly, drawing Austin’s wide eyes down to where he thought he’d nudged Roh-Ahn’s box of medicine far enough under the table to not draw attention.

Of course, I forgot to shut it, too. Genius.

“Just some stuff for my headaches and what not.” He said.

Of course, he rarely needed meds. He was just that bad of a liar.

“I’m going to just pretend that you didn’t say anything. Is that teacher a druggy or something? No one should need this much shit unless they’re getting high as hell daily.” Max said as he pulled the box out from beneath the table an d started taking different bottles out.

“Of course these are his. They’re all labeled in gibberish.” Max mumbled as he tossed more onto the table, drawing the attention of his wasted friends.

One of them held up a particularly strong medication and narrowed his eyes on the English translation written on it.

“Holy hell man, this is some serious shit.” He slurred as he tried to open the little white bottle.

Amen for child locks.

Austin reached forward and grabbed the bottle, then began packing everything back into the little box neatly.

“Either way, these aren’t yours. Leave them alone.” He said as he finished replacing the bottles and took the box, setting it in his lap.

His brother narrowed his eyes on him, then glanced toward Roh-Ahn’s closed door, lips pursing tightly in thought before his attention returned to Austin.

“Are you fucking him? Is that why you’re a pussy now? Did he bring this shit to fuck with your head? Or is he doing you? That would make more sense. I do remember when you had that boyfriend for all of what, two weeks? I would have thought that you’d figured it out then, but clearly you must like getting shit shoved up your ass.” Max went on, making Austin’s muscles tense the longer he talked.

It would be useless to argue, too, because even if Max hadn’t drunk anything, he was always right. Even when he was completely wrong.

Boy are you so damn wrong.

He sat still as his brother went on and on, his friends commenting several times on what things they thought could fit up his backside. When Terry was about to get up and go find a broom to try something that Austin definitely wouldn’t allow, the sound of Roh-Ahn’s door creaking open quietly drew everyone’s attention in his direction.

Austin expected him to look nervous, or even shaky since both Terry and Ivan were very drunk and not exactly sending him friendly looks, but there was no hint of worry in his angry expression. He also looked damn good, and professional, in his full suit and styled hair.

Those glasses. I know they’re for his fluctuating bad vision, but still.

Using his cane, Roh-Ahn calmly walked up to Austin’s brother and extended a hand.

“Hello. I believe that there’s been a misunderstanding. I seem to have overheard some things that are untrue. So, I’d like to correct them, if I may?” He said with a small smile as Max unthinkingly took his proffered hand.

Austin could tell that Roh-Ahn didn’t hold back on the firmness of the handshake, too, because his brother winced, though he pretended that it hadn’t hurt.

“Although your brother is quite handsome, we do not have that kind of relationship at this time. Those pills are also all mine. Someone I had trusted tried to hurt me very badly, and did a very good job of it.” He said before looking toward Austin with an honest smile.

“Would you mind bringing that to my room, please? I forgot and left it out here.” Roh-Ahn asked, making Austin jump up right away, eager to move his stiff muscles.

“Sure.” He said simply as he did just that, reappearing a few seconds after he’d placed the box on Roh-Ahn’s desk.

Terry and Ivan were both standing in front of Roh-Ahn, eyeing him like some type of food that they couldn’t figure out, but were still possibly considering eating.

Oh hell no.

“Well, it’s been fun, but I think that you guys have overstayed your welcome.” Austin said as he calmly stepped in front of Roh-Ahn, blocking Terry and Ivan’s view enough to bring their attention to him.

His brother got up at that moment and lifted his current bottle to his lips, finishing what little remained in it before speaking.

“You’ve really changed. You used to drink with us, even though I knew that you didn’t care for alcohol much.” He said, seemingly trying to fight the frown that marred his somewhat handsome features.

Austin couldn’t argue his point. He did always drink when they came over, even if he didn’t want to. It was a chance to relieve stress and just be an idiot for a few hours…

But I don’t need to do that now.

Just cuddling up to Roh-Ahn at night was relaxing. Having great dinners together, just the two of them in his quiet apartment, easily took away his daily stresses. Even grading basic assignments was surprisingly nice when they did it together on the couch late into the evening.

Of course, they’d poke fun at each other half the time, and make out more than once during that stretch of time, but he rather enjoyed it as a whole.

“Things changed, bro. You’re welcome back anytime, and you know that, but I think the drinking will have to take place elsewhere from now on.” Austin said as he squared his shoulders, ready to deal with his brother’s insistent habit to argue.

Except, it never came. Max looked at his two friends, who were clearly waiting for the argument to start, and then back to Austin before shrugging.

“Your place, bro. Your decision. I’ll be back soon, though.” He said as he slowly walked around Austin just enough to meet Roh-Ahn’s eyes.

Austin could feel him leaning into his back.

Running out of stamina…

“We’ll talk more next time. Just know that I don’t like you being here with my little brother. If I hear anything I don’t like… you better be careful.”

The muscles in Austin’s right arm flexed with the intent to punch his brother for his obvious threat, but Roh-Ahn’s shaky hand on his forearm stopped him immediately. Instead of attacking, Austin ground his teeth together and hissed.

“Get out. And leave your key on the counter.”

The hurt look on his brother’s face would have made Austin hesitate, but he knew that Roh-Ahn was going to be far worse, especially if he didn’t get them to leave right away.

“Get out. I’ll talk to you later, but you and your friends aren’t welcome here anymore tonight.” He said with the amount of authority in his voice he usually saved for the assholes in his classes.

Thankfully, Max didn’t try to fight him on it, and his friends were too messed up to put up any kind of fight as Max ushered them to the door. Austin was a bit miffed that they’d left a mess of bottles all over the floor and coffee table, but he ignored them as he hurried to the door and locked it.

He leaned his forehead against it for just a few moments, but evidently it had been long enough, because cautious arms wrapped around his middle not a second later. When he didn’t feel Roh-Ahn lean against his back, Austin straightened and turned to pull him into his own arms.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered when Roh-Ahn still didn’t try to get closer to him.

When he got no response, and Roh-Ahn wouldn’t look up at him, he slowly knelt on one knee and looked up. Roh-Ahn’s glasses were askew on his nose. He usually only wears those when he’s having trouble with his bad eye… He had hoped that he’d put them on to just look more mature, but he was hesitant to believe that now. Reaching up, he gently straightened the spectacles on his little nose, noticing the faded color in his right eye.

You’re crying, too. You hid it well, but your eyes are red.

A quiet sniffle came a moment later, bringing a sad smile to Austin’s lips as he softly caressed Roh-Ahn’s cheek with one hand.

“I’m sorry, hun.” He said again, getting a hesitant shake of Roh-Ahn’s head in response that left him confused. He was about to ask what was wrong when Roh-Ahn began stuttering and sniffling more.

“I’m not trying to use you.” He mumbled as his tears started up.

He coughed as his stress began to build, bringing Austin to tug him carefully down into his lap and wrap him up in a tight hug as he leaned his back against one of the low kitchen cabinets.

“I really need those… those pills. I don’t want them, but I need them.” He rasped, sniffling several times before trying to catch his breath as droplets of saltwater began to dampen Austin’s shirt.

I’m going to beat the crap out of Max the next time I see him.

Taking a deep breath of his own, Austin began rubbing a hand firmly along Roh-Ahn’s back, tucking his head down so that he could place a few kisses against his soft hair.

“I have never thought that you have used me, or ever even had the intention to do so. I know you need those medications, hun. I’ve learned every single one, and I hate some of them, but they keep you here with me.” He said just loud enough for the young man in his arms to be able to hear him.

Roh-Ahn murmured something against his chest, but Austin couldn’t pick out his exact words and leaned forward, trying to hear better.

“What did you say, Roh?” He asked in a gentle voice.

His heart leaped a little when Roh-Ahn finally returned his hug, then nuzzled against his chest. He sniffled a few more times, then yawned once from stress before settling down enough to make Austin relax a little.

“I’m sorry.” He finally said, drawing Austin’s lips down into a frown.

He never wanted to hear Roh-Ahn tell him that.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Roh.” He said before Roh-Ahn continued after another sniffle.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t, but I do.”

Austin caught the apology again, but by the time he put together the rest of what he had said, he was already speaking again… and what when he finished, Austin felt his heartbeat nearly stop.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t love you, but I do. So much.”

Roh-Ahn slowly looked up, his tear-filled eyes tugging at Austin’s aching chest.

“I love you, Austin. I love you, Austin.”

When Priorities Shift

(A little cute)

He’d honestly never expected to hear those words from anyone again. After his previous relationships had ended one after the other, he hadn’t been looking for someone to say such a thing to him.

“I love you…” He repeated slowly, tasting the words on his tongue as he stared down at Roh-Ahn in wonder as he settled into his arms.

A smile curved his lips at the idea of actually being able to call Roh-Ahn his boyfriend. It was a crazy idea, considering that he was only there for the exchange program, and the semester was already half over, but Austin couldn’t think about anything else besides eagerly accepting his words.

He was just opening his mouth to reaffirm what he’d just said when a hard sneeze made him jerk his head to the side and cover his mouth with his arm.

Before he could even straighten back up, sniffling, Roh-Ahn was grasping the sides of his face with wide, worried eyes.

“I told you to dry off earlier.” He said with a frown before hurrying to his feet and partially hopping to his room.

Austin shook his head, feeling a slight ache behind his eyes as he slowly got himself up off the floor. By the time he headed out of the kitchen to find Roh-Ahn, the young man was back with a bottle in his hand and his cane in the other.

“Here. Take one with some water and a few bites of food.” He said as he shoved the bottle into his hand.

Austin eyed it, noting that it was something to help with general illness.

“I swear I’ll be fine, Roh. I just sneezed.” He said, sniffling again as he offered the bottle back.

He had a slight headache building and felt another sneeze itching at his nose, but it was nothing that sleep couldn’t get rid of.

“I’ll just go to bed and be good as new tomorrow.” He said with a tired smile that Roh-Ahn didn’t mirror.

Instead, he pushed the bottle back into his hand.

“Please? If you get sick, I’ll have to stay far away from you, and I don’t want to do that.” He said quietly, looking down at their joined hands, the bottle pressed between them.

Realizing that him getting sick would hurt Roh-Ahn’s already compromised system, Austin quickly took the bottle and shook out a pill, then walked over to the sink and got a glass of water to wash it down with.

He took it with a slight grimace, not being one who liked taking any kind of medicine. But if it will keep him safe… A small container was nudged against his free hand after he set the empty glass down, drawing Austin’s eyes downward as he grasped it, setting the bottle of pills aside.

“I sneaked this into my cart the last time we went shopping. You were so distracted by the fried chicken in the cart of the lady in front of us that you didn’t notice.” Roh-Ahn said with a smile that turned his cheeks slightly red.

Opening the lid on the small plastic container, Austin couldn’t help but grin after coughing a few more times into his arm.

“Oh?” He whispered as he saw the banana chips stacked in neat lines inside.

He often snacked on them while grading to keep himself from eating something bad, but had forgotten to get them during their last trip to the store.

“Thanks a lot.” He said, as he started to lean over and give Roh-Ahn a kiss, but caught himself just in time.

The look on Roh-Ahn’s face when he took a step away made Austin wish that he wasn’t feeling worse by the second. He’d pull the guy into the tightest hug possible.

“I can’t get you sick.” He said, the tone of his voice proving just how upset he was.

It felt like he was stuck standing there with nothing important to do without the ability to touch Roh-Ahn. I don’t know how I got this bad. He told himself as he looked down at the container of chips and began lifting them to his mouth, one at a time.

“It’s already pretty late, so I’m going to get myself ready for bed.” Roh-Ahn said as he turned, leaving the kitchen with a slight limp.

Automatically, Austin began following, but when Roh-Ahn shut the door to his room, Austin’s feet came to a stop near the coffee table, confusion clouding his thoughts for a moment before he realized that they wouldn’t be sleeping in the same room that night.

He was about to make himself go to his own room and start getting ready for bed when he noticed the shadow just beneath Roh-Ahn’s door. He’s leaning against it? Walking forward, Austin pursed his lips, clasping his hands behind his back to be sure that he didn’t try to touch the handle.

“Good night, Roh. I love you.” He eventually whispered as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the worn wood before turning and heading toward his own room.

It took him very little time to change, get his teeth brushed, and hop into bed. Far less time than it normally did when Roh-Ahn shared his room. He did know that he had to sleep, though. It was already close to midnight.

Sighing into his pillow, Austin forced his eyes to close. Stop this cold before it starts. He told himself as he yawned. To his surprise, he did start to feel sleepy after a few moments, and even though he was restless and ended up hugging his spare pillow that Roh-Ahn always used, he managed to fall asleep after a little while.

“Uncle, he’s sick but I want to be with him anyway.” Roh-Ahn whined into the phone, feeling like a stupid teenager who didn’t get what they wanted.

I want Austin. He grumbled in his head as he rolled over onto his belly on his bed.

“You need to be careful. You could end up in the hospital if you get a simple cold. Stay away from him, Roh-Ahn. If you need to, get a hotel for the time that he is sick, I will help pay for it.” His uncle said.

He couldn’t even think about doing such a thing. Leaving his new boyfriend alone right after they’d finally said the words to each other.

I love you. I love you. I love you. He repeated in his mind with a huge smile on his face as he rolled back over and stared up at the ceiling fan spinning slowly above him.

“I can tell that you’re not listening, so please just be careful, alright? Call me if you start feeling unwell, I’ll get to you no matter what.” Wan-Nu said before disconnecting the call.

He knew that he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, even though the medication he had taken earlier was making him drowsy.

I’ll just make sure that he has enough to eat tomorrow and call in a message in case he can’t get to his classes. He decided, dialing the school and leaving a message, then sitting up and tossing his phone aside on his bed.

Pulling on the leg brace he’d taken off a bit ago, Roh-Ahn carefully got himself up. Not good. My leg isn’t working quite right. He thought as he carefully limped over to his wheelchair. He was starting to hurt a bit, but thankfully the limb was just mostly numb for the time being.

“I can just make something simple that he can heat up.” He told himself as he sat down, then headed to the kitchen.

To be extra careful, he grabbed a pair of sterile gloves he kept in the far drawer.

“There. Now I don’t have to worry.” He said with a smile as he carefully got himself up, using the counter to hold some of his weight as he moved about the small area.

“I’ll just make some chicken… and maybe beef.” He whispered, being quiet as he went through the fridge and got out different ingredients.

By the time he finally sat down on the stool he used while cooking, all of the burners were in use and the oven was baking a large dish.

It began smelling really good after a few minutes, making Roh-Ahn lick his lips before yawning.

Just stay awake a little longer.

The next thing he knew he was opening his eyes on another yawn. His face was pressed against something soft… and moving.

Austin?

“It’s alright. I’m going to wash this blanket as soon as I get you in bed, Roh.” He said quietly, making Roh-Ahn’s heavy eyelids open just enough to see his blurry face.

Ah. He’s wearing one of my surgical masks for when I’m not feeling well and have to be careful around sick people.

His hair looked like a total mess, too.

So cute.

“Don’t give me that look, Roh, or I’ll want to take you back to my room, and I can’t do that.” He said as he laid him down gently, then stood back up.

Roh-Ahn couldn’t see his mouth beneath the light blue mask, but the look in his eyes warmed his heart.

“I’ll finish taking care of all the food.” He said, showing his hands, and that he had gloves on.

When Roh-Ahn just nodded and slowly sat up to start taking his brace off again, Austin put his hands behind his back to keep from helping.

“Get some rest, Roh, and thank you for making so many dishes. I’ll eat some, but I better see you eating your fill, too.” Austin teased before walking to the door and nudging it closed with his foot.

When he didn’t hear Austin’s footsteps right away, Roh-Ahn grinned and, after setting his brace aside and tossing his disposable gloves into the little trashcan he kept near his bed, he called out toward the door.

“Sleep well, love!”

A few moments of silence filled the air before he heard Austin’s hesitant footsteps slowly walk away.

Get well soon, please. I want to be back in your arms.

When Emotions Shift

“Why can’t you cook like this, grandpa?” 

That voice sounds familiar… and unwanted. 

Groaning, Austin coughed roughly a few times before forcing one of his aching eyes open. The other was still pressed against his pillow, and he had little strength to bother wasting moving in order to get a better view. Not that he wanted it. 

Ike stood in the doorway to his room, holding a bowl of food that he just knew Roh-Ahn had made for him, not Ike. 

Wait. He said grandpa? 

Sitting upright far too quickly, Austin felt his head spin and teetered for a second, then fell right back down. His head flopped against his pillow, amplifying the headache his fever was working hard on. 

“Don’t instigate him right now, Ike. He’s already in bad shape.” Wan-Nu said in English, making Austin grateful that the guy had thought about not using Korean around him… at least while his brain felt like a pile of overheated mush. 

When Wan-Nu came into view, having stepped out of the bathroom with a few small damp towels folded in his hands, Austin felt confused but relieved at the same time. 

He would have been absolutely furious with himself if Roh-Ahn had been the one taking care of him. 

“Where is Roh? Is he okay?” Austin rasped, leaning over his bed in time to nearly hack up a lung. 

Thankfully, he had nothing in his system since he’d thrown up hours ago, but his throat sure burned once he was finally able to return to resting on his back. He’d coughed so much already that it was practically raw. 

“He’s at work. He got so worried about you that he was going to try and take care of you anyways, even if his health would most likely deteriorate from doing so. I told him to not be stupid and just call the hospital to send out an ambulance, but my darn nephew couldn’t bare the thought of not being able to at least check in on you regularly, and he can’t go anywhere near a hospital unless it’s an emergency.” Wan-Nu said as he knelt down besides Austin’s bed and began pressing one of the cool cloths to his forehead. 

Just the temperature from the cloth tapping along his overheated skin made Austin sigh in relief. 

“What time is it?” He whispered, knowing darn well that he could turn his head and try to read his alarm clock, but also knowing that he was likely going to pass out with just the simple action. He was barely hanging on to consciousness already. 

Wan-Nu frowned and glanced toward the alarm clock, but before he could reply they all heard the front door open and the sound of a stumbling limp head their way. 

Austin couldn’t help the huge grin that covered his pale face as he looked toward the bedroom door. His vision blurred with the action a little, but when he saw Roh-Ahn’s head peek just a tiny bit inside his room, Austin nearly melted. 

Thank god he looks amazing. Roh-Ahn’s face was a little flush, but it was clear that he’d been moving as quickly as he could manage to get back home. His eyes were bright and the smile Austin had dreamed about waking up to every day since he’d been sick made his heart beat excitedly in his aching chest. 

“Aus, you’re awake!” Roh-Ahn nearly shouted, looking so relieved that Austin just knew he had to try and act like he wasn’t feeling as bad as he actually was. 

With a good deal of effort, he shoved himself up against the pillows and smiled. 

“Sorry for worrying you, Roh. I’m still not feeling that great, so don’t come in, but thank you for getting me some help. I was feeling pretty horrible there for a while.” 

The look he got from Wan-Nu was a bit hard to read so he decided to push it aside in his mind and instead licked his lips and gave a slight nod toward the kitchen. 

“Would you mind heating me up something that won’t be too hard on my stomach? I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to keep down food right now.” He said, hoping to give Roh-Ahn something to do so that he could feel like he was helping too. It was obvious that he desperately wanted to come in, but that was an absolute no. 

When Roh-Ahn nodded, disappearing a second later, Austin relaxed back against the pillows and sighed, closing his eyes to the sound of the front door opening again. 

No soliciting…

“Who the hell are you?” Ike asked before Austin could hear him grunting, as if he were shoved out of the way. 

The sound of Max’s voice meeting ears drew Austin’s eyes open wide and toward the door. His brother had never come when he’d gotten sick. Granted, he’d never called him, but still. Wait. Why is he here? I didn’t call him and no one knows his number. 

When his brother stormed into the room looking quite out of breath, a scowl on his face as his eyes zeroed in on him, Austin fidgeted. 

“Hey… what are you doing here?” He asked, not bothering to sugarcoat his words or change his harsh tone. He was still miffed at his brother. 

Wait. If he had just barged in, after I’d made him leave his spare key here last time… 

“Roh-Ahn contacted you and left the door unlocked?” He asked in disbelief. 

He would severely harm his brother if he had said anymore horrible things to his boyfriend. 

Max nodded, swinging a heavy-looking backpack off his shoulders and dropping it on the floor beside Austin’s bed. He then knelt down and reached over, checking his forehead as if Austin was a little kid. 

“You idiot, why didn’t you go to the hospital if you were feeling like shit?” His brother started, making Austin groan and turn his head away, closing his sore eyes. He wasn’t going to argue. His throat already hurt enough, and Max was never one to give up on an argument until he’d won it. 

I surrender. You win. 

“Damn, you aren’t even trying. Your boy was right, you are sick as hell.” He said as he pulled out several things that sounded like pill bottles from his bag. 

Why Roh, why? 

“Wait. What did you just say?” Austin rasped, coughing terribly for a few seconds before a glass of warm water was pressed against his lips. He sipped carefully for a few moments before he could manage to catch his breath. 

“I said, your boy. Dude, you think I’m blind? We grew up together. I know you, and I know you don’t get defensive over shit unless you seriously give a damn. You’re head over heels for that Spanish guy.” Max said, making Austin purse his lips. 

“He’s Korean.” He corrected his brother. 

“Whatever. Why the hell didn’t you call me?” He asked, finally drawing Austin’s attention back to him, making him open his tired eyes. 

“Because I was extremely mad at you.” He whispered, not daring to talk much louder in case he got another itch in his throat and started coughing again. 

When his brother tugged off the gold wrapper of a small lollipop and shoved it toward his mouth, Austin wanted to turn away, but he knew what it was and couldn’t decline anything that would help his hurting throat. 

It was a ginger candy. Their parents had always kept them on hand in case one of them wasn’t feeling so well. It really helped sooth sore throats and was just sweet enough to not make their younger selves spit them out and throw them under the bed like everything else their parents had tried on them. 

Wan-Nu took that moment to step out of the room, pulling Ike with him, who had been lingering in the doorway with a fork in his mouth. The awkward silence stretched for several minutes before Max sighed loudly and rolled his eyes. 

“I’m sorry, alright? I was an ass to your boyfriend, okay? I still don’t like the idea but I shouldn’t have said what I had.” Max said, surprising Austin with the apology. 

He didn’t have to like the idea of them being together, but he had been way too harsh on Roh-Ahn. 

“Apologize to him.” He said quietly, making his brother glare at the floor and scratch the back of his neck. 

“Seriously? You can’t just accept it and tell him later?” He asked, clearly not wanting to say it to who really needed to hear it. 

When Austin just returned his glare as his brother looked back up at him, Max grumbled under his breath and got up, stomping out of the room and turning toward the kitchen. 

“Sorry I was an ass Rowan!” He yelled far louder than necessary. 

If he could move his arm decently, Austin would have smacked himself in the face. He was about to tell his brother off, again, when he heard Roh-Ahn answer him in Korean. 

“You are forgiven for being what you are!” 

Unable to help himself, Austin leaned onto his side to keep from choking on the lollipop as he burst into laughter. The candy dropped from his lips to one of the pillows but he couldn’t keep himself from laughing, even as he began coughing badly. 

It took him a full glass of water and some very toxic glares from his brother to calm himself down enough to keep from coughing more. He then returned the candy to his mouth and tossed the dirty pillow off the bed. 

“The hell did he just say to me? Am I going to have to go steal his walking stick to feel better?” Max growled out, making Austin roll his eyes. 

“He said that you are forgiven for being what you are.” Austin said, his lips curving into a smirk, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. He was proud of himself for catching the entire sentence with his muttled mind, and of Roh-Ahn for saying it. 

Max didn’t seem pleased at all, though as he ooked toward the kitchen with a determined stare. 

“Hey Rowan, come here!” He called loudly.

That’s not his name.

When Roh-Ahn appeared in the doorway holding a container of something he’d clearly just warmed up with a hesitant smile on his face, eyes raised to Max’s, Austin had a bad feeling immediately begin to twist his stomach into knots. 

“Don’t do it. Whatever the hell you’re thinking.” Austin warned his brother, who didn’t seem to have heard him. He swung his arm around Roh-Ahn’s shoulders and pulled him too close, then leaned over as he spoke. 

“You’re not too bad, and I can totally deal with you being a… gay guy, see?” He said as he tilted his head just enough to press his lips against Roh-Ahn’s for less than a second. He then disappeared toward the living room area, a bit of pep in his step, as if he had just fixed the whole situation he’d caused before instead of making it ten times worse. 

You. Are. Dead. 

You. Are. So. Dead. 

As soon as I can fucking stand on my own again! 

(Max… you are not getting a story. Get out. I have enough things to write. shoves him toward the door)

When Time shifts

“You are staying in here.” Austin warned his brother for the tenth time, earning a frustrated glare that he dismissed. 

“I’m tired of staying cooped up in here! I might have the immune system of an ox, but I want to hang with the other guys.” Max complained as Austin carefully got himself to his feet. 

His brother had been helping him for the past two days, and he appreciated it, a lot, but he couldn’t get that stupid kiss between him and Roh-Ahn out of his head. He didn’t like the idea of him even seeing his boyfriend again, let alone hanging out  with him. 

“I forgot how illogically jealous you get.” His brother grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest as he inched backward toward the door. 

I wouldn’t need to be jealous if you hadn’t kissed him! 

“Just stay here for another ten damn minutes while I shower.” He said, knowing darn well that his brother wouldn’t, just to spite him. 

Sighing, he knew that he would just have to make himself relax… or drag his brother into the shower with him. 

Not something I want to do, or see. 

Hesitantly, he walked into the bathroom. Just to be sure, though, he peeked out a few times, getting a glare every glance. He’s going to leave as soon as I turn on the water. To prove his point, he walked over to the shower and turned both nobs, setting the temperature, before quietly hurrying back to the door and looking out. 

“Come on, bro. I’m not some rapist. I don’t want your boy and I’ll stay in the damn room, but not if you are going to play peek-a-boo with me for twenty minutes instead of scrubbing your sweaty ass. Remember, that guy is waiting on the other side of this door.” His brother said, gesturing over his shoulder to his closed bedroom door. 

Pursing his lips, Austin huffed but turned and actually went to shower. He tossed his clothes in seconds, and while he wanted to rush, he knew that he really didn’t smell great, even though he did shower once or twice while sick. It wasn’t enough. 

I want Roh-Ahn in my arms for the next week nonstop, so no smelling at all. He told himself with a grin as he scrubbed himself raw. 

When he finally got out, wrapped a towel around his waist, and looked out of the bathroom, his brother was gone. 

“Dammit.” He growled as he tugged off his towel to lift to his head so that he could dry his hair. 

The sound of the door creaking open, then quietly clicking shut drew Austin’s head up, his hands still mussing up his wet hair. “I told you to st-…” His words died on his tongue as he stared, wide-eyed, at Roh-Ahn, who was very intently staring back at him with a big smile on his face. 

God I missed seeing him all the time. 

He started walking toward him automatically, as if drawn by some invisible force, when he realized that he was completely flashing the poor guy. Austin quickly dropped his towel to hold in front of his crotch. He was still hot from his shower, but he knew that his face was burning for another reason right then. 

The smile never left Roh-Ahn’s face as he started walking forward, though. Austin fidgeted, wanting to retreat, but made himself stay where he was until Roh-Ahn leaned up on his tip toes and wrapped his arms snugly around Austin’s neck, then buried his face in the crook of it and inhaled deeply. 

“I’ve missed you.” He mumbled against Austin’s hot skin, making him shiver as he awkwardly held his towel between them in shaking hands.

They had showered together plenty of times when Roh-Ahn had needed a little extra help, but they had always worn swim trunks and Austin had stepped out whenever asked. 

When Roh-Ahn didn’t release him, or even change position, Austin hesitantly let his damp towel slip from his fingers. That action had Roh-Ahn pressing closer, which quickly broke through Austin’s worry as he brought his own arms up to wrap around his boyfriend tightly.

“Can I kiss you? I really need to kiss you, Roh.” He whispered quickly against Roh-Ahn’s hair right before his boyfriend reached up and took his face in his hands, then leaned in. 

His blood burned hot as he fought within himself not to use his tongue. It had been far too long since they’d been able to be close and he was itching to kiss him and touch him everywhere. Before he knew it, he had Roh-Ahn pushed up against a wall, his right leg between his and his hands firmly grasping his hips. 

He was doing his best to be careful and pay attention to any signals Roh-Ahn was sending, but so far, the guy seemed more than happy with the attention. He was even wrapping his arms around Austin’s waist, not seeming to mind his nakedness in the least. 

“Can I touch you?” Roh-Ahn asked once they both broke away from the kiss to catch their breath. 

Austin nodded, but when Roh-Ahn didn’t reply, he raised his head from where it was tucked against his chest and met his eyes. 

“Consent is very important to me, Aus.” He said, blinking a few extra times. 

Oh crap. Don’t stress, I’m sorry. I should have known to answer you with words. 

“I’m sorry. You can absolutely touch me.” He said as he reached up, tucking a piece of hair behind Roh-Ahn’s ear with a smile. “I love it when you touch me. I’ve missed you sleeping next to me.” He added. 

Roh-Ahn gave a quiet chuckle and let his entwined hands drift lower until they unclasped and each one rested on his backside. It felt a bit strange, because he’d never really had a girlfriend who was interested in simply touching him, and especially not there, but Roh-Ahn seemed to be rather enjoying himself, so Austin wouldn’t argue. 

He also didn’t mind at all that Roh wanted his hands on him. It felt great to bring a smile to the guy’s face after making him worried for so long. 

“Would you be comfortable with me touching you?” He asked, knowing that, of course, he had touched almost all of him in the shower several times, but those situations had been purely to help. 

This situation was definitely not similar and he didn’t want to assume that his reactions would be, either. 

Instead of replying right away, Roh-Ahn smirked and squeezed Austin’s backside, making him jump slightly. He didn’t mean to poke Roh-Ahn with something, but they had been making out pretty heatedly, and he did just make him hop forward a little…

“You’re really cute.” Roh said, earning a small scowl from Austin before he laughed and added. “Let’s try above the waist first?” 

Austin was about to just have at him when he put the brakes on, forcing another question from his lips. 

“Uh, how fast should I go?” 

He wanted to eat him alive, but that probably wouldn’t be the smartest move on his part. 

“And wait. You walked in here without your cane. You’re feeling okay?” 

Roh-Ahn chuckled again and kissed him, then leaned back with a bright smile. “I feel amazing.” He said, his happiness easily audible in his words. 

“Hey, we’re going out to eat! Get out here, guys!” Ike called from beyond the door, freezing Austin in place. 

“O-Oh.” He mumbled, more than a bit unhappy about the idea of leaving at that moment. 

Sighing, he opened his mouth to reply, but Roh-Ahn sealed it shut with his lips. Austin remained still for a moment, waiting for a response, since he had no inteniton of removing Roh-Ahn from his mouth. 

“I think they’re banging. Let’s leave them alone, I’m sure they wanna get some after having to stay away from each other for so long.” Ike said with excessive enthusiasm. 

There was the abrupt sound of several footsteps before someone began banging on his bedroom door. 

“Austin, you open this door right now!” 

Uh oh. 

He started stepping around Roh-Ahn to grab his towel, then get the door, but he was stopped, again. A hard shove sent him sprawling onto his bed, his back dropping onto his thick blankets before Roh-Ahn followed him down. 

“Roh?” He questioned, only to have his boyfriend’s finger press against his lips. 

It was hard not to squirm… especially with Roh-Ahn lying on top of him. 

“Just leave them be, grandpa. They’re both adults. Let them have at it like we did last night.” Ike said from the other side of the door before Austin heard the sound of several people running out the door, followed by, what seemed like, someone nearly dragging someone else. 

When the front door finally shut and the faint click of the lock sounded, Roh-Ahn removed his finger. 

“You locked the bedroom door when you came in?” He asked right away. 

Did he actually plan this? 

Roh-Ahn smirked down at him and licked his lips. 

“Are you proud?” He asked before leaning down and stealing a quick but intense kiss. 

When Austin was given a second to breathe, he laughed and nodded against the blankets. “Very.” He replied as he let his hands wander down Roh-Ahn’s sides. 

Normally, he loved the cute tan and maroon sweatshirt the guy wore around that he’d bought him earlier that month, but it was quite big… and it wasn’t making it as easy as he’d like to be able to touch. 

“Dork. Just ask me to take it off.” Roh-Ahn said as he leaned up, sitting on Austin’s abdomen. 

He liked the view, a lot. Especially when the sweatshirt was tossed aside and there was nothing but bare skin beneath it. 

“I like what I see.” He whispered as he reached up and hungrily pulled Roh-Ahn down into another kiss. 

While their mouths were busy, he didn’t hesitate to begin exploring with his fingers. Even with all of the scarring that marred his body, Roh-Ahn’s skin was mostly soft and smooth and felt amazing. 

“You look like you have your hands in a cookie jar.” Roh-Ahn said in Korean, his words too much for Austin’s fuzzy brain to process correctly. 

“If that was something about me eating you, I’m all for it.” He mumbled with a sloppy smile that had Roh-Ahn laughing. 

When he calmed down a little, Roh-Ahn glanced behind himself, drawing a blush from Austin when he returned his attention to his face. 

“Can I touch?” He asked, making his blush far worse. 

Unable to think just yet, Austin nodded, but when Roh-Ahn didn’t do anything, his brain caught up and he stuttered out his agreement. 

He hadn’t expected Roh-Ahn to be so forward, but once he got a hold of him, he was anything but shy. It also helped that he faced away and leaned over a little, giving Austin a very nice view. 

It would have been amazing without pants, but he had no problem being patient, especially if Roh-Ahn wanted to touch him like he was currently doing more often. 

Since he hadn’t exactly had a significant other in quite a while, and his hands weren’t often employed in the task with how busy he’d been recently, Austin didn’t last very long. It hadn’t helped that Roh-Ahn made little sounds each time he pumped his hands up and down, though Austin doubted he realized he was doing it. 

When he turned around and slipped off the bed, Austin started getting up, too, but Roh-Ahn just shook his head and raised his clenched left hand. 

“I need to wash it real quick.” He said before turning and hurrying into the bathroom. 

Oh. Crap. I didn’t give him any tissues or anything. 

Not that his brain had been functioning much before or during that particular situation. Before Roh-Ahn came back, Austin decided to scoot back against the pillows and at least tug one of his blankets over his lower half. 

Once Roh-Ahn had returned he stopped near the edge of the bed to silently note that he’d covered up, but instead of picking at him like Austin would expect anyone else to do, he just smiled and quickly climbed into his lap, snuggling in with a content sigh. 

I really should ask if he wants me to return his favor… The question just seemed awkward on his tongue, though. He’d never considered ever helping another guy in such a situation. Even his failure of a boyfriend trial years earlier hadn’t resulted in anything that personal. 

“It’s okay, Aus. I already took care of myself.” Roh-Ahn said as he looked up, resting his cheek against Austin’s shoulder. 

“I don’t think I’m ready for someone to go that far.” He said, his voice getting a little quieter as he glanced down at his lap. 

Honestly, that makes this a whole lot less awkward. 

He hadn’t been sure that he was ready to try that, either. Granted, he was definitely looking forward to it, and felt a little bad for not reciprocating, but when he wrapped his arms tightly around Roh-Ahn’s still bare chest and squeezed him against him, the younger guy gave him one of the brightest smiles he’d ever seen. 

“We’ll work on at your pace.” He said with a his own reassuring smile. 

When Roh-Ahn nodded and settled in, Austin let himself relax back against the pillows with a content hum. He wasn’t tired, and he didn’t think Roh-Ahn was either, but both of them seemed content to just relax. 

Sounds like a perfect thing to do before everyone gets back. 

On hindsight, he glanced warily toward the door, turning his head on the pillow. 

“I hope your uncle doesn’t beat me up.” 

Roh-Ahn shifted his position to get a bit more comfortable, then replied with a quiet chuckle. “Ike said that they were busy last night. I doubt he has the energy.” 

Wow. This guy’s got some serious sas in him. He thought as he grinned and patted Roh-Ahn’s back, his eyes slipped closed with the intent to just rest for a while.  I like it.

When You Shift For Him

He wasn’t happy. 

Well, he was, about not being sick anymore, but he wasn’t because the semester was beginning to draw to a close far quicker than he expected or wanted. 

Roh-Ahn and him had spent quite a lot of time together over the past few days. He hadn’t gotten too much further with the young man physically, but Roh-Ahn was more than happy to continue with what they had been doing, though he always declined going further. 

You need to chill out. He told himself as he leaned back in his office chair and mussed his hair with his hands. 

You can’t think that he’ll just have sex with you before he leaves. This isn’t a movie and he’s worth more than that. 

For some reason his mind was just set on making sure that Roh-Ahn belonged completely to him before he had to return to Korea, and somewhere in that idea was them doing it all the way. 

What if I get him a ring? He thought, before quickly shaking his head and sighing. That was way overboard. They had only known each other for a few months and been dating for way less time than that. 

A knock on his door brought Austin’s attention away from his thoughts as Roh-Ahn slipped inside and gently nudged the door closed. He was immediately smiling without even thinking about it as he reached out, taking Roh-Ahn’s hand the moment he was close enough and pulling him onto his lap for a hug. 

“How did your classes go?” He asked as he began moving his hands to slip under Roh-Ahn’s shirt, only to remember that it was tucked in. 

Calm your ass. 

Roh-Ahn chuckled and leaned in for a brief kiss before resting his head on Austin’s chest. It was probably his favorite position for them to cuddle. 

I’m going to miss him so much. 

“Aus? What’s wrong?” 

The question drew his attention back out of his thoughts. 

“Nothing.” He said too quickly. 

Roh-Ahn raised an eyebrow and started getting out of his lap, making Austin quickly grab him around the waist and tug him closer. 

“Sorry, I was just thinking about stupid stuff. It really isn’t a big deal. I’ve figured it out.” He said with a reassuring smile. 

He was about to say something else when the door to his office slid open again. Emry stuck his head in, raised an eyebrow, then, unfortunately, stepped inside and shut the door behind himself. 

“I’m sure I’m interrupting, but office hours aren’t over, and I really don’t mind a show.” He said as he set his bag on the floor and took one of the chairs Austin had set up in front of his desk for students. 

His arms tightened slightly around Roh-Ahn’s waist as he scooted back a little, then straightened up, but didn’t let his boyfriend off his lap. 

“What do you need help with, Emry?” He asked, trying to keep his annoyance out of his voice. Emry was probably the best person to have come in. He already knew about their relationship and he probably didn’t even need help with anything. 

He’s not even my student this semester. 

“Can you find me someone as cute as him to cuddle with while at school?” He asked, making Austin roll his eyes as Roh-Ahn chuckled quietly. 

“Maybe I can just borrow him?” Emry asked, pointing at Roh-Ahn. 

His arms tightened a little more, inciting another giggle from his boyfriend that made him frown. 

It’s not funny! 

He was also way too jealous. He knew that Emry was joking, but he couldn’t help himself. 

“Before  I get attacked by an angry jealous porcupine, let’s change the subject. Have you liked teaching here, Roh-Ahn?” Emry asked as he relaxed back into his chair with a lazy grin. “The semester is coming to an end soon. Are you planning to stay for another one, or is that possible?” 

Austin clamped his mouth shut on what he was going to say when he heard Emry’s second question. His stomach tied in knots waiting for Roh-Ahn to consider both. 

“I liked teaching here a lot. Some of the students were quite a handful, but not as much as Austin.” He said, making Austin choke on the innuendo. 

Emry snickered but kept himself quiet since Roh-Ahn still had the most important question to answer. 

He took his time thinking it over, almost too much time. 

“I’m not permitted to stay for another semester. It was a one time thing for this program.” He said quietly, his shoulders hunching a little as he sighed. “I have my plane ticket back for the end of the month.” 

Wait. What? 

Austin felt his heart stop in his chest and water prick at his eyes. He was going back. They hadn’t even discussed it yet and Roh-Ahn already had his ticket. 

Swallowing down a lump that had formed in the back of his throat, Austin leaned forward, dropping his forehead onto Roh-Ahn’s shoulder, startling the guy slightly. 

“Bah, you two. Seems like you need to talk about a certain something. I’ll take my leave, but I’ll be back during your next set of office hours tomorrow, so be ready.” He said, clearly trying to lighten the mood as he grabbed his bag and hopped up, then hurried out, flicking the little handle lock on his way out so that no one else could come in. 

“Roh?” Austin said, his voice rasping slightly with the man’s name. 

He could feel his boyfriend trying to turn in his lap and hesitantly loosened his grip. When hands grasped his face and lifted it so that he had to look at Roh-Ahn, Austin sniffled and quickly blinked away the gaining moisture in his eyes. 

“I can’t just stay here, Aus. My Visa was only for this semester. I have to go back two days after grades are submitted.” He said, the sadness in his voice bringing Austin to lean forward and press a soft kiss to his cheek as a tear ran down his own. 

I’ve gotten way too attached to him, and I desperately don’t want to let go. How will I be able to go home every day from work and not see him sitting on the sofa nibbling a snack while grading or in the kitchen cooking something delicious? 

I’m going to miss him taking naps in my bed. I’m going to miss taking care of him on his good and bad days. 

There honestly wasn’t a single thing about the man that bothered him. He was sweet, kind, thoughtful, stubborn, aggressive at times, and just the light he never knew he needed in his life. 

“You can’t go.” He mumbled against Roh-Ahn’s hair as he pulled the guy closer for a tighter hug. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, even if that is one of the cheesiest lines known to man.” 

Roh-Ahn laughed, but it sounded more painful than joyous. 

Wait a second. 

Leaning back, Austin gently grabbed Roh-Ahn’s face and tilted his head up to look at him. “What if I do what you did and get a visa to for a semester over there?” He asked, hope brightening their bleak discussion. 

He would have thought that the idea would bring a smile to Roh-Ahn’s face and finally allow them both to relax a little, but when he shook his head, Austin frowned. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked, worried that, perhaps, Roh didn’t want him to go to Korea. 

“I already looked into it, but you have to apply far in advance… you could only sign up for the one after this coming semester.” He whispered. 

Austin wanted to scream, but he settled for a deep sigh and some extra nuzzling that made Roh-Ahn giggle since his neck was a bit ticklish. 

“I don’t want to wait, but I don’t have the money for a ticket right now. How about we put this situation off until tonight when we can really discuss what we want to do after the semester is over? I know you have to go back, but I also know that I’m going to have to follow you, too. Hopefully the sooner the better.” He said, earning a bright smile from Roh-Ahn. 

“I’m overjoyed that you think I’m worth following so far.” He said in Korean, making Austin raise an eyebrow. 

“Something about being worth it. And damn right you are.” He said, his voice completely serious. 

Roh-Ahn gave him one more smile before the little chime alarm he set for his office hour went off on the phone in his pocket, signaling that it was time to go. 

“You’ve got one more class to teach today, right?” He asked as he helped Roh-Ahn to his feet, noticing that he hadn’t used his cane again. 

He’d been doing that more and more often, but while it made Austin extremely happy that he didn’t feel like he needed it, he still felt like he should have it with him, at least. 

“Take this with you.” He said as he reached under his desk and produced a walking stick he’d specially had crafted for him. It had a twisting design but wasn’t cut too deeply, allowing for a good amount of support if it needed to help take his full weight. There was also a small rubber piece on the bottom so that it wouldn’t slip on tile. 

He saw Roh-Ahn begin to scowl at the item, but Austin just poked him in the forehead with it and grinned. “Not a time to be stubborn. You know I’ll just follow you to class with it until you take it.” 

Roh-Ahn pursed his lips and glared at it, then looked up at him. 

“If I take the walking stick, will you still sit in on my class?” He asked with a faint blush that made Austin want to hide him away so that no one else could see how cute he really was. 

Handing over the item, Austin took Roh-Ahn’s free hand and tugged him toward the door, flicking the lights off on their way out. 

“Of course. And we can go get ice cream for dinner at that grump of a man’s shop after?” He said, earning a sheepish grin from Roh-Ahn as the man nodded and squeezed his hand. 

“I’d like that.” 

He wasn’t really paying attention to their entwined hands, or the eyes that landed on them as they came out of the hallway leading from the offices. Neither did he hear the whispers that their actions were starting to circulate. For once, Austin only cared about one thing, and that was the person who was walking beside him with a content smile on his face. 

(Thanks for your patience. I’ve not been feeling great this month. Slowly getting better.)

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. 

“We didn’t really talk about what we needed to, Aus.” Roh-Ahn said in Korean, then stuck his tongue out before getting a bit more comfortable and sighing. 

“There isn’t much we can do. I’ll be going back tomorrow morning, and until we can figure out what you can do, you’ll be staying here.” He said solemnly. 

He felt like a little kid whose best friend was moving away and there was nothing either of them could do about it. 

“You’ll wait for me, right, Roh? I will come find you, and I won’t let you go again when I do.” Austin said, his tone getting a little gravely toward the end of his sentence. 

“I trust you, Aus, but don’t be pressured. We each have to take care of ourselves and our situations. I’ll wait for you, however long it takes, and you have my number. I expect some phone calls, and texts… maybe some sexts, too.” He said, laughing as he watched Austin’s expression. 

“I suppose we could do that Facetime things kids are doing these days… I’ll have to practice getting most of my body in the video screen part, though.” He said, clearly pretending to be deep in thought. 

“We’re not shooting a porno!” Austin squeaked out, drawing another laugh from Roh-Ahn that eventually had him joining along. 

They laughed together for what felt like hours, but Austin sobered much faster than he’d wanted to when his phone chimed, letting him know that they had to get to bed soon so that they could get to the airport in time for Roh-Ahn’s flight. 

“It’s 10 already?” Roh-Ahn asked, a frown on his face that Austin tried to wipe away with a slightly sloppy kiss. 

For once, Roh-Ahn let himself be distracted, but only for a few minutes. When he leaned away enough to break contact, Austin sighed and helped him to his feet as he stood up. 

“Yeah, we need to head back.” He said, his tone sounding quite unhappy with that little fact. 

Roh-Ahn nodded, taking Austin’s left hand. Figuring that he was going to guide him back, Austin started walking, but when Roh-Ahn didn’t move, he paused and turned back, a questioning look on his face. 

“I have something I want to give you to hold onto for me, if that’s okay.” He said as he pulled something small from his pocket. 

Austin tried to squint and see what it was, but the item didn’t become visible until it was slipped onto his ring finger. 

Oh damn. 

If he wasn’t crying, then it was raining hard enough for his vision to become terribly blurry all of a sudden. 

“I hope it’s not too forward…” Roh-Ahn whispered, pursing his lips as he looked down for a brief moment, then up to meet Austin’s wide eyes. 

“Would you be surprised if I said that I was thinking the same thing, but thought that it might be a bit too much and didn’t want to worry you?” He asked as he lifted his hand to admire the simple silver ring in the faint light coming from the streetlamps. 

When he looked back down at Roh-Ahn the guy had on a hesitant smile that had Austin leaning over. He pulled him into his arms tightly, then stole a long kiss. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it back to you as soon as I can.” He said. Of course, he would be coming with it, and hopefully be staying with it permanently. “Let’s get home.” 

Nodding, Roh-Ahn retrieved his cane and hurried forward, making Austin jog a few steps to catch up to him, worried that he might trip since he had been limping earlier. 

“What’s your hurry?” He asked as he took his free hand, wanting to make sure that he had a hold of him in case he stumbled. 

“If we get home faster, we can maybe watch a movie together before we go to sleep?” He asked, his eyes filled with hope as he looked up at him. 

How can I say no to that? How can I say no to anything he wants? 

“I guess we can. What do you want to watch?” He asked as they finally slowed to a normal pace. 

Roh-Ahn seemed to think for a moment, then replied. 

“Harry Potter.” 

Raising an eyebrow, Austin frowned. 

“But you have to watch all of those together.” He said, a habit that they had developed the few times they’d had enough time to actually sit down and watch movies or shows. 

When Roh-Ahn just grinned up at him, he realized what he meant. 

No sleeping, huh. 

He could do that, since he didn’t have to work for a while, but he doubted that Roh-Ahn could manage it. They wouldn’t even have enough time to do all of the movies, anyways, so it didn’t really matter. 

“Sure, we can do that.” He said with a smile, earning a bigger grin from Roh-Ahn. 

When they finally got back to the apartment, they both rinsed off quickly to warm up, then put on their most comfortable pajamas, dragged all of Austin’s blankets onto the sofa, then made two bowls of popcorn. 

Once they were all set up, Roh-Ahn tossed his cane onto the recliner and climbed into Austin’s lap, snuggling in as one arm wrapped around him and the other pulled the blankets over them. 

“I’m going to stay up the whole time, Aus.” Roh-Ahn stated as the first movie started playing in the dark room. 

I give you two movies. Three, tops, before you’re snoring quietly against my chest and I’m staring, unashamed, at your sleeping face. 

True to his thoughts, Roh-Ahn was nestled in his arms right as the action started up near the end of the second movie. They had switched to lying down, making Austin quite glad that he’d brought in his pillows earlier, too. 

“I’m going to miss you so much.” He whispered as something exploded in the movie. The loud sound did nothing to wake Roh, which was unsurprising. Once the guy was out, he was out for the night. 

I really do hope that you’ll be able to video chat me sometime… I wouldn’t mind falling asleep being able to watch you do the same. I’ll only regret not being able to have you in my arms as you doze off. 

His mind kept going back over his thoughts and the memories they had shared during their short few months together, until he was suddenly blinking open his aching eyes to a new day. 

Except, Roh-Ahn was gone. 

“Roh?” He asked as he sat up quickly, then jumped up when he didn’t see any sight of him. 

After a quick sprint around the apartment, he noticed that all of Roh-Ahn’s belongings were gone. Without thinking, he ran for the door, still wearing just a pair of flannel pajama pants and no shoes. 

He was just reaching for the handle when a piece of paper taped to the worn wood caught his attention. Tugging it free of the thin strip of Scotch tape that held it, he quickly began scanning what was written, his expression getting more pained as he read. 

I am sorry for leaving so abruptly, Aus. I tried to wake you a few times but you were fast asleep and didn’t respond to anything. (I hope you don’t mind that I stole a very long kiss, though.) 

My plane took off at seven and don’t worry, I’m feeling great but still used my wheelchair, just in case and so that I have it on the plane if I need it. 

Thank you for opening your home and your heart to me, and I hope to see you very soon. I will call you when I get home, so don’t stress. 

Love you, Aus. 

         -Roh

Wiping at the tears running down his face, Austin sniffed a few times and forced himself not to accidentally crumple the paper in his shaking hand. He wasn’t mad at Roh-Ahn for leaving in such a way. He probably wouldn’t have been able to let him go otherwise. 

He was just starting to get control of himself after several tough minutes when his phone chimed, signaling a text message. 

It was the tone he’d chosen for Roh-Ahn, but he hesitated to check it. 

Don’t even think about not doing it. You might be a little upset, but you aren’t mad. He did what he felt was best and he needed to go. He told himself as he pulled his phone out, nearly dropping it with how fast he moved. 

Better study your Korean, too. My texts will start being split between it and English. >:) 

“Oh, you demon. Now I see what those poor kids had to go through.” He said, a smile returning to his lips after reading the two simple sentences. 

Taking a few deep breaths, Austin leaned against the wall beside him and typed a response. 

Don’t worry, I’m already ready. He taunted, knowing damn well that he still struggled with a few of the letters, let alone reading them coherently. 

There were dots on the screen for a minute before another text popped up. 

“Okay, let’s start now. I want what’s in your pants in my mouth right now, a lot more than this gross airplane food.” 

Austin frowned at the confusing message, his mind not processing the symbols or words well enough to see much more than the simple parts. 

Instead of having his phone translate the message, he pursed his lips and quickly typed, then sent his reply. 

“Whatever you want.” 

The three typing dots popped up after a few seconds of nothing, then disappeared, then returned before a message appeared. 

It was a simple heart emoji, followed by a second message. 

I just snorted water out of my nose. I love you, Aus. 

With that, since he was pretty sure he had just made an absolute fool of himself, Austin pocketed his phone and shook his head, sighing as he stared at his apartment, empty of everything Roh-Ahn. 

“Well… standing here and feeling bad about this situation isn’t going to fix it. I guess I’ve got some serious studying to do, and a good deal of saving, too.” 

Feeling his lips curve up into a grin, Austin pushed himself off the wall and walked over to his fridge. 

Of course you prepared extra meals since you were leaving. 

“Just wait. I’m going to be a damned good cook when I see you next time, too. You won’t be able to say no to the ring I’ll slip onto your own finger, Roh.” 

Time to get serious. Let’s do this, Aus. 

(This is the technical end but there will be a very big Epi, since obviously I won’t leave them like that XD Be ready for way too many feels.)

When the Shifting Ends

Tying his shoelaces, Austin took in a deep breath and tried to relax his shoulders as he blew it out. It had been nearly a year since he’d had Roh-Ahn in his arms. He’d worked, really hard and lots of overtime, to be able to afford the trip he was about to take. 

He’d thought that he would be able to manage it after one semester, but the apartment that he was renting had been condemned. He wasn’t surprised, but it had left him hanging pretty badly. He’d stayed with another professor for a week or so while finding different place, but the rent had definitely been higher than what he’d wanted. He supposed he had just been lucky that the dump he had been in had been so cheap. 

At least he was proud of where he lived, and if things worked out, he’d be happy to welcome Roh-Ahn into his new home. And if things work out to where I can possibly stay over there, I’m only paying a month to month lease… 

The thought, though still up in the air since he hadn’t even gotten on a plane yet, brought a big smile to his face as he stood up and grabbed his suitcase. 

“Only one way to find out.” He told himself as he headed out the door to catch the cab he’d called ahead for. 

The ride was short, but it felt like forever before he was standing at the gate waiting for the plane to begin boarding. Deep breaths. He looked toward the giant windows showing the plane he would be getting on shortly right before his phone chimed with a text message. 

He fumbled for it, nearly dropping the thing before he managed to pull up the message and read it. “Hello Aus! Take care on your flight! I will see you when you land :D” The Korean was easy for him now, though he still got tripped up now and again. He had studied nearly every night and even gone to one of the local Korean restaurants where the staff were very fluent in it. It was a little awkward to ask for some lessons, and to be able to stay there for extended periods of time to learn more, but it had really helped. He’d also taken several classes in it when he wasn’t teaching his own. 

Those chefs were pretty darn good, but I can’t say they beat Roh’s skills. I can’t wait to taste his food again… and him. 

He knew that he was blushing a little but just shrugged it off and took in a calming breath as he looked down at his shoes, then back out at the plane. 

I’m coming, Roh. Just wait a little bit longer. 

Ten minutes later he was walking onto the plane. As he sat down, he couldn’t manage to get himself to stop fidgeting. He’d only ever been on a plane when he was really little, and he didn’t remember anything. His phone chimed again as the plane filled with people, reminding him to silence it, but not before he checked the message. 

“You got this! Fighting!” 

Without realizing it, he was crying. 

“Is everything alright, young man? Are you off to see your loved one?” An old woman who had sat down next to him asked with a warm smile. 

When Austin nodded and tucked his phone away, the woman replied. “She must be very eager to see you again, too, if what she said has you so emotional.” 

He is. Austin corrected in his mind as he smiled at her, not wanting to bother with telling the woman who may or may not agree on the situation that was really not her business. 

As soon as the plane began taxiing he clicked his seatbelt into place and relaxed back into his chair. He’d be lying if he said that he wasn’t extremely nervous, but as the plane started down the runway, he just squeezed his eyes shut and repeated Roh-Ahn’s words in his head over and over until the horrible shaking stopped and they were thousands of feet above the ground. 

“You aren’t one for flying, are you lad?” The woman asked with a hint of humor in her voice. 

Austin hesitantly squinted his eyes open and shut the cover for the window he was right next to before turning his attention to the woman. 

“It’s not really my thing.” He said with a shaky voice. 

The woman smiled again and relaxed into her own chair. 

“Do not worry, hun. If we fall out of the sky, at least we’ll all die instantly. There are rarely any survivors when that happens. I am going to visit my cute grandson who’s sleeping with the leader of a band in Korea, so I do hope we make it safely. I’ve missed embarrassing him.” She said as she closed her eyes and began snoring a few seconds later. 

You are a strange, evil old woman! 

Needless to say, every tiny drop in altitude or fidget the plane made had Austin’s heart jumping in his chest. He had planned to sleep most of the flight, like Roh-Ahn had suggested, but by the time it was landing, his eyes were wide open and he had drunk four cups of coffee. 

He practically ran off of the plane and immediately straight for the bathroom. Dear god, I’ll take a boat back. Or swim, or something! He thought as he relieved himself, then scrubbed his hands, then face, to try and wake up a bit. 

Alright. Go find your man now, and don’t let him realize that you nearly had a heart attack on the plane. 

Turning around with that thought in his mind, Austin nearly miss-stepped and fell right on his ass. Instead, he stumbled backward against the sink, grabbing it with one hand to keep himself upright. 

“R-Roh?” He asked, his voice nearly a whisper. 

Wow. Just, wow. 

There was no wheelchair. No pained hunch or crinkled brow. No cane or walker. 

“Hi, love.” Roh-Ahn said with the smile that had haunted Austin’s dreams for nearly a year. 

Austin was stuck, frozen in place as Roh-Ahn walked up to him, only limping slightly as he wrapped his arms around him in a hug. The heat from Roh-Ahn thawed Austin’s shock, allowing him to wrap the man in a desperate hug that Austin had to focus on so that it didn’t get too tight. 

“I missed you, too.” Roh-Ahn said with a quiet laugh as they both leaned back just enough to find each others’ lips with their own. 

When they separated again, after nearly three minutes, Austin realized where they were. 

“This probably isn’t the best place for this.” He said right before Roh-Ahn took his hand and began tugging him from the restroom with more strength than he’d ever thought the guy could possess. 

I’m so happy, but I have so many questions. 

They stopped at the baggage claim area, then again when they got outside. After a glance around, Austin wasn’t sure what Roh-Ahn was intending to do. One of the many golf carts transporting people to and from cars stopped in front of them, and immediately Roh-Ahn tugged him toward it. 

“Is someone waiting to pick us up?” Austin asked as the cart stopped and Roh-Ahn pulled him off. 

I don’t see Wan-Nu, or Teller, or any of the other guys… 

“I have a car now.” Roh-Ahn said as he walked over to a small compact car. 

“Wow, really?” He asked as he walked around the car and put his luggage in the trunk, then slid into the passenger’s seat. 

It wasn’t new, but it was very well kept and, he noticed, that there were mechanisms for the gas and break up by the steering wheel instead of down by the pedal area. 

“It was modified for someone else but then they sold it and I bought it.” Roh-Ahn said as he plopped down into the seat and started up the car with a push of a button. 

You look so happy. 

“Austin?” Roh-Ahn asked, making Austin blink out of his daze. 

“Yeah? What’s up?” He asked. 

“You are staring at me funny.” He said with a nervous glance before returning his eyes to the road. 

“Hmm, funny? I was looking at you thinking that you must be very happy.” He said, glad that he had studied so much Korean. 

As they slowed to a stop at a red light, Roh-Ahn looked back over at him, his smile wide. “I am very happy now that I have you back.” He said, making Austin look away for a moment to cool off a bit. 

“You are still so cute.” Roh-Ahn added as they pulled into a parking spot in front of a small, well-kept house. 

It’s really nice. 

Stepping out, he looked around at the small, yet soft green lawn. The trees on either side of the driveway, and the little bench swing set up on the porch with just enough overhang to enjoy it while it was raining. 

I could absolutely live here with him forever… if he’d have me. 

He had thought that his new apartment was a great place, and it wasn’t bad, but this… 

“Do you like it? I couldn’t really do much with it when I couldn’t walk well, but I’ve been working really hard since the surgery.” Roh-Ahn said, bringing Austin’s attention abruptly back to him. 

“You had another surgery?” He asked as Roh-Ahn took his hand and slowly lead him up the white wooden stairs. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t want to make you worry… and when it turned out to be a success, I wanted it to be a surprise.” He said as he unlocked the door, then held it open for Austin to step through. 

Wow. 

To say that he was surprised, not just by the fact that Roh-Ahn could walk again nearly perfectly, was an understatement… but his house was just amazing, too. It wasn’t big, but that was absolutely perfect. The rooms were painted a very faint tan color. The kitchen was giant, and seemed to have every gadget in the books neatly in their own space. 

Walking toward the first room, he opened the door to see a guest room set up with soft white bed linens and pillows. A dark grey fan rotated its blades slowly overhead and a similar colored curtain pulled partially over the window kept out an excessive amount of light. 

“It’s really cute.” He said, noting the little clock on the wall and several pictures, that he assumed Roh-Ahn had taken from around Korea, because they didn’t quite look professional, but they were still very good and just seemed to be his exact taste. 

“Aus, come see this.” Roh-Ahn said in English, his excitement palpable as he tugged Austin toward the fridge. 

When he opened the door, Austin immediately remembered that he had skipped breakfast and not eaten anything on the plane because of his nerves. 

“I think I’m in love all over again.” He mumbled, earning a quick kiss from Roh-Ahn before he was suddenly tugged out of the room, away from the very full fridge, and into what he couldn’t mistake as anything else but Roh-Ahn’s bedroom. 

It was more decorated than the guest room, but the photos that were on the wall… 

“You brat.” He whispered as he wiped at his eyes. 

He hadn’t expected to see all of the random photos they had taken while together in America. Even the dorky ones, the half-asleep ones. The ones where they had been staying up way too late to grade papers, but weren’t really grading and were just messing around with the TV on. The ones were they finally went back to that old bastard’s ice cream place, only for him to have passed away the day prior. The funeral photo was there, too, but there had been very few tears. The man’s family was ridiculously cheerful about his life and had even made it an ice cream social thing. They had both gone home feeling much like a tub of Neapolitan and needing a shower. 

Licking all of that ice cream off of his face and neck was one of the highlights of that month for me. 

“Aus?” 

Turning his attention back to Roh-Ahn, Austin smiled. 

“Yeah?” He asked, noticing Roh-Ahn grabbing his other hand to hold them together. 

“After I recovered somewhat from the surgery I started saving up as much as I could and began giving out meal samples to people.” 

Meal samples? 

“A lot of people actually really liked them.” He continued, though that information was unsurprising. He was one hell of a cook. 

Looking down at his feet, Roh-Ahn paused for a moment, then looked up at him with a hesitant smile. 

“I am actually a caterer now. I-I’m one of the top twenty in Korea already, though I don’t know how that all happened so quickly.” He said, his words fumbling over each other a bit. 

Why do you seem embarrassed by that, you punk? 

“Come here.” Austin said, pulling Roh-Ahn into his arms for a strong hug. 

“I’m proud as hell of you. Of everything you’ve done, and everything you will do.” He said before holding him at arms length and smiling warmly. 

“I’m so proud that you are standing in front of me. That you look so healthy, and that you are doing so well.” He said. 

Roh-Ahn beamed at him, earning a kiss to his forehead. 

“What about you, Aus? You have been doing very well from what I know of our calls?” Roh-Ahn said as he took Austin’s hand and led him back to the kitchen. 

Without even asking, he took out a container that, when the lid was removed, Austin knew was immediately one of his favorites that Roh-Ahn had made while they were in America. He could eat it every day and never get sick of it. 

“I made a lot, and everything else we had at your apartment that you liked.” Roh-Ahn said. 

So, everything? Hell yeah you are an angel. 

As the food was heating up in the microwave, making his stomach growl, Austin pulled Roh-Ahn in for another kiss. Even when the food chimed that it was done, he refused to let the guy go until they were both out of breath. 

“I love you.” He said before kissing Roh-Ahn one more time. 

After grabbing the food and inhaling nearly half of the container, Austin took Roh-Ahn’s hand and took him over to the little dining table. Sitting down, he tugged the young man into his lap, then wrapped the arm holding the food container around his middle. 

“I’ve been doing really well, I think. It took me a while to save up because I had to move to a more expensive apartment. The one I was at got condemned.” He said as he reached around Roh-Ahn and got another bite of food, then fed Roh a piece. 

“I am not surprised.” Roh-Ahn said as he took the meat happily and leaned back against Austin’s chest while he chewed. 

“My new apartment is a month to month lease, so it’s nice not to be tied down, even if it does cost a bit more.” He hinted nervously before filling his mouth with several pieces of chicken. 

Roh-Ahn shifted in his lap until he was partially facing him, then leaned in to press a kiss to his closed mouth, effectively stopping him from chewing out of sheer surprise. 

“So you can move in with me soon?” He asked, making Austin nearly choke as he struggled to swallow the food in his mouth. 

Once Austin was done nearly suffocating on meat, Roh-Ahn chuckled and mussed up his already messy hair a bit. 

“I missed you, a lot. And I don’t want you to ever disappear from my life again. A phone call or video chat isn’t enough. It’s not you eating dinner with me. Or watching movies on the sofa until I fall asleep. Or lying in bed snuggling… or doing other things.” He was going to continue, but Austin sealed his mouth with his own. It was a very gentle kiss, but when he leaned back, he knew exactly what he was going to say. 

“If you’ll have me, I’ll move in immediately, and I’ll never fucking leave.” He said, knowing that he could always deal with his stuff back in the states another time, or even have his brother or parents take care of it. 

Roh-Ahn sniffed a little and smiled. “I could use some help with the financing part of this catering business..” He hinted, making Austin laugh quietly. 

“I am horrible at math, but I am damn good at studying when I want something.” He said in Korean with a wink, earning another kiss before Roh-Ahn slid from his lap and pulled him toward his room. 

“We have a lot of things to catch up on, first.” He said right before he stumbled a little. 

Austin ran forward, easily catching him. Gained a little weight. I like. He thought, proud that he wasn’t nearly as light as he had been. He’d been worried. 

“What, pray tell, are we catching up on in your room?” He asked with a wicked smirk that soon matched Roh-Ahn’s. 

“Naked things!” Roh-Ahn yelled excitedly as he wrapped his arms around Austin’s neck so abruptly that he fell forward and they both dropped to the carpet partially inside, and partially outside, Roh-Ahn’s bedroom. 

“Here is good enough.” Roh-Ahn chimed as he began kissing Austin’s neck, immediately making his breathing grow ragged. 

“Shouldn’t we shut the bedroom door?” He panted as he shifted a little, his pants quickly growing uncomfortably tight. 

Roh-Ahn let his head drop to the soft carpet, making Austin’s thoughts pause as he just stared down at the beautiful man beneath him. The man who wanted him. Who had waited for him. Worked hard for him. 

“The door to the house is closed, and you’ll be the only one who ever has a key. So love me, Austin, and don’t ever stop.” 

-End 

(Sorry I don’t do very pervy stuff in this specific series lol I hope you guys enjoyed it, I really loved writing for these two dorks.)