Chapter Text
"The sun is up, and your ass should be, too. Get the fuck out of bed, Park Jisung."
"Fuck off, Nana-hyung."
"You're gonna rot in here. When's the last time you showered?"
"The last time I felt happiness."
Normally gentle footsteps were now stomping across the floor, before a hand reached across and ripped the blankets down, revealing the crippled state of Park Jisung.
Squinting up at his tormentor, the disgusted face of Na Jaemin stared unflinchingly back at him.
"Take a shower you sick fuck."
The younger rolled his eyes, crinkling his nose in complaint. Kicking the elder back, he lazily swung his legs over the side of his bed. Dizziness passed over him quickly.
His gaze wavered to the other boy in his room, who was standing with his arms crossed, and an unimpressed look on his face.
"I'm going out today with Jeno and-"
"If you think I'm going out to third-wheel you and your boyfriend-"
"You haven't been out of this house in how long?"
"I've got a streak that I've gotta keep up with." The younger shrugged.
Jaemin sighed, running a hand through his fluffy, pink hair.
"You stress me out, kid."
"I'm one year younger than you. Shut the fuck up."
Inhaling deeply, he pointed a short finger at Jisung.
"Curse at me one more time and see what happens."
Jisung finally stood up, his bones cracking from lack of use as he stretched his arms above his head.
"Whatever, go have fun with your boyfriend. I'm gonna take a shower."
The elder pursed his lips, squinting his eyes in question.
"Will you be joining us, perhaps?"
The half-awake teen just shrugged, walking to the bathroom connected to the small den he called his bedroom. Before he closed the door behind him, he lazily waved a hand over his shoulder and shouted:
"What are you, my mother? Get out of my house."
Curses erupted from the elder as Jisung shut the door behind him with a snicker.
"Aish, Jisung! I'm just looking out for you! Stop being a little shit!"
Silence fell in the air, the sound of the shower starting interrupting it.
"Just text me and be careful. Alright?" Jaemin's gentle voice mumbled stubbornly from outside the bathroom door.
Jisung stared at his disheveled figure in the mirror, examining the black bags under his irritated eyes, his slouched posture, and permanent frown lining his plump lips. His messy, untamed hair that had not been washed in a week. The baggy t-shirt that was drooping off of his skinny figure.
"Alright, Nana-hyung."
Padding footsteps were heard before the closing of Jisung's bedroom window signaled that he was alone, yet again. He let out a sigh before stepping into the shower. It was already warm, he might as well use it. Besides, he really didn't need to waste more of the water bill.
Thirty minutes later, he stepped out to be met with the same bags under his eyes and skinny figure. The only difference shining back from the mirror was his lack of greasiness. After getting changed, he threw himself back into his bed, planning on sleeping yet another day away.
But the moment he closed his eyes, sleep wouldn't come.
He was thinking about Jaemin, and how worried he was. He was thinking about how happy Jaemin should be now that he had Jeno. He was thinking about how much of a burden he was truly becoming. That the older felt the need to come here every day and try to get him out of bed. Try to make him be alive with the rest of the world. When though he really, really didn't want to.
Opening his eyes, he made up his mind quickly. He was going out today. Maybe he could get some food from the nearby convenience store to last him another week of hibernation.
Anything to stop where his mind was going at the moment.
So, for the second time that day, Park Jisung dragged his tired body out of bed. Only this time, it was surprisingly of his own accord. Throwing on a hoodie, he desperately bounced on the heels of his feet, trying his hardest to motivate himself more to do this.
In a few minutes, his shoes were on, his hood was up, and he was out the door.
Glaringly bright sunlight greeted him as he squinted at the world around him. It seemed so busy and hectic. He let out a sigh as his tired feet took him onwards, down the familiar route to the convenience store.
It was so odd. Seeing people in the daylight. Seeing faces. Seeing strangers. Seeing other humans walking in the same direction as him. He just wasn't used to it, as sad as that sounded.
"Wow, you can survive in the daylight?"
Jisung's eyes flicked over to the beaming cashier, taking notice of how the man was always in a good mood. He was always working here, every time Jisung came here during the night. The man was always very nice. Too nice, sometimes. With that, the boy gave a small wave, shuffling down a random aisle after picking up a basket.
The store was mostly quiet, minus the soft music playing from the speakers and the soft talking of the few customers that came and went. It was one of the only places Jisung didn't mind going that was outside the premise of his house.
Letting out a small yawn, the boy began mindlessly picking out food that would be his supply for however long it lasted. A week or two was an accurate estimate. Placing everything into his basket, he made his way to the drinks. Stopping to briefly observe his haggard expression in his reflection, he shook his head to pick out the beverages he wanted. He filled the rest of his basket and turned to head up to the counter when a flash of bright color caught his eye.
Looking up, his eyes caught sight of a boy with faded green hair standing in front of him, talking to the cashier as he waited in line.
"Your hair is so obnoxious, kid." The man behind the counter chuckled.
The green-haired boy's head tilted slightly as a loud, high-pitched cackle erupted from his mouth. Jisung blinked a few times, trying to figure out what he had just heard.
"Shut up, grandpa!" The younger boy exclaimed, handing the cashier money.
Taken aback from the supposed rudeness, Jisung was reminded of his own cash in his pocket. Digging his hands into his hoodie, he grabbed it all in one hand, flinching as the piercing ping of a coin hitting the floor echoed dully throughout the store.
The green-haired boy turned around at the noise, his eyes scanning over the taller boy with orange hair peeking out from under his black hood, who cursed softly under his breath. The green-haired male hummed, turning around to the cashier again who handed him his bag.
"Thank you, Johnny-hyung! Have a good day."
"You too, kid. See ya."
Jisung watched the boy shove the change in his pockets as he headed towards the door, glancing back once more in his direction before leaving. Jisung blinked a few times, his eyes glued to the door.
"Yo kid, you awake?" The cashier, Johnny suddenly called out, snapping the younger from his shortened daze.
Jisung nodded, clearing his throat before stepping up to the counter, placing his basket on top. Johnny eyed the younger who's eyes were down as he arranged his mess of bills.
"There a reason you're here this early? I usually don't see you till around 1 or 2 am."
Jisung didn't say anything, wishing deep in his soul that Johnny would just shut the fuck up and scan his things. The elder nodded.
"Gotchya."
In a minute or so, he was taking his bags from Johnny and handing him a 20$ bill. He was handed his change, shoving it in his pocket as he turned to leave.
"Have a good day, kid. Take care of yourself."
Jisung's mouth twitched as he turned over his shoulder.
"You too, Johnny-hyung." He replied softly, barely giving a smile.
He turned around and exited the happy atmosphere, back to his apartment where he could wait in unsettled silence until the night comforted him again.