Lexie rarely took days off. Between comeback schedules, trainee evaluations, and the final edits of the documentary, her calendar had become a blur of tightly packed meetings and color-coded chaos. But this time—this week—she let herself pause.
Not to rest.
But to move forward.
The air had cooled into a crisp autumn breeze by the time she arrived at Matthew and Mark's shared apartment. She still brought her laptop, out of habit, but didn't open it. Matthew had the same day off, so it felt like the right time to finally talk things through face to face.
They sat on the floor by the low coffee table, sharing snacks from the convenience store. The forms she brought lay between them—residency papers, application files, and notes she'd scribbled late at night when everything else felt too loud.
"You've really thought this through?" Matthew asked, his eyes scanning the documents.
Lexie nodded, pulling her knees up to her chest. "It's not just for me. It's for Ethan. I'm trying to finish this residency process before he starts school full-time here."
A quiet hum from the air purifier filled the pause between them.
"I'm tired of making him feel like home is temporary," she added. "I want to give him roots."
Matthew glanced at her, a knowing warmth in his expression. "The house in Gapyeong... it's really for your dad, isn't it?"
She nodded again. "I figured... they deserve it. A place of their own. Dad misses it here, I can tell. He hasn't said it out loud, but—" she paused, "—he never had to, really."
Matthew flipped another page, thoughtful. "That's a big gesture."
"It's long overdue," she said quietly. "They gave up everything for me. I want to give something back."
A soft laugh escaped her lips. "He still talks about that summer in Vancouver. How your mom used to leave fresh bread by the fence."
"She still does. Except now it's cookies," Matthew replied, raising a brow. "She bakes around your birthday, you know."
Lexie blinked. That made her pause.
Her gaze drifted toward the window. "It's the same layout, too. House on the left, house on the right. Just like it used to be."
Before she could say more, a soft jingle of keys sounded at the door. Mark stepped in, setting his bag down near the entryway. His expression shifted when he saw her—surprised, then relaxed.
"You're here," he said, his voice light.
Lexie smiled faintly. "Day off. Rare event."
He grabbed a water bottle and joined them on the floor, settling beside her. His shoulder brushed hers—casual, unhurried.
"Didn't think I'd get off early either," he said, his gaze catching hers briefly. "Guess we're lucky."
Matthew watched the exchange closely. Something about it felt... easier now. Mark didn't hover or hesitate anymore. And Lexie didn't flinch or close off.
She even leaned into Mark's shoulder, just slightly. And when she did, Mark didn't move away—he shifted closer, just a fraction, like it was instinct.
Matthew nearly choked on his drink.
"Wait—hold on." He narrowed his eyes. "Did the sun just rise in the west?"
Lexie blinked. "What?"
He pointed between them, mock suspicion in his voice. "You two. Sitting this close? Sharing air like it's normal? Last time I checked, you were busy pretending the other didn't exist."
Mark groaned, flopping back against the couch. Lexie rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her.
"I'm serious," Matthew pressed. "Should I call someone? Are we in a parallel universe?"
Lexie laughed, trying to hide how her heart stuttered. "Shut up, Matt."
But even as she joked, she felt it. A shift—not loud or dramatic, but enough to startle her. Enough to feel real.
Later, after Mark stepped out to take a call from his manager, Matthew helped her gather her papers. She traced the edge of the folder absently, her thoughts drifting.
"You're really doing this," he said softly.
Lexie nodded.
He studied her. "Are you sure about everything? Even about staying here? Not the Philippines or Canada?"
Her voice didn't waver. "I want Ethan to grow up feeling like he belongs. That this life, this place—it's his too. Not just his grandparents' house and FaceTimes and a mom always catching flights."
Matthew nodded. "And Mark?"
Lexie paused. "What about him?"
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You really need me to ask that?"
She hesitated, then gave a small, sincere smile. "I'm not expecting anything. But... I think we're both trying now."
He leaned back. "I haven't seen you like this in a long time."
She didn't respond. Just held the folder to her chest, heart full—but lighter than it had been in years.
When Mark returned a few minutes later, Lexie looked up—and smiled before she could stop herself. Mark smiled back.
Matthew, watching from the kitchen doorway, sipped his drink and shook his head.
"Sun rises in the west," he muttered under his breath. "Guess anything's possible now."
~~ 끝 ~~