Morning came quietly. Soft light slipped through the thin curtains, painting golden stripes across the room. Minjun slowly opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to realize where he was. First came the silence - steady, calm, broken only by the distant hum of the city and the faint chirping of birds. Then the pillow under his cheek - soft, carrying the scent of fresh linen, not the chemical sting of detergent like at home.
He turned onto his back, staring at the ceiling, and allowed himself a deep breath. The feeling in his chest was unfamiliar - lightness. Not complete peace; the anxiety was still there. But for the first time in months, he hadn't woken from nightmares, or thoughts of his parents. He had simply… woken up.
His heart trembled at the realization, followed quickly by a wave of embarrassment. How could he feel at ease in someone else's home? In an alpha's home?
Minjun sat up abruptly, wrapping his arms around his knees.
From downstairs came the creak of floorboards, then the quiet sound of a door opening. A few minutes later, footsteps returned. The door to his room opened, and Hyuk appeared. He carried two mugs and a plate with bread and jam.
"Good morning," Hyuk said calmly, a faint smile on his lips. "The tea's still warm."
He set a mug on the nightstand and held out the other to Minjun. Awkwardly, Minjun took it, trying not to brush against Hyuk's fingers - but their hands still touched. A brief contact, a spark against his skin. Minjun quickly looked away.
"…Thank you," he said, quieter than intended.
The aroma of tea rose, mingling with the scent of fresh bread. Suddenly, the morning felt more real, more tangible.
Hyuk sat in the chair nearby, asking no unnecessary questions.
"Today we'll look into housing," he said evenly. "No need to rush. We'll take it step by step."
Minjun nodded, sipping from the mug. His chest tightened - the thought of living alone scared him. But Hyuk's steady tone made the fear retreat, if only for a moment.
***
They stepped outside closer to noon. The city was alive now. People hurried with shopping bags and phones, someone walked a dog, a cyclist sped past. The air carried the smell of fresh bread from a bakery, coffee from a nearby café, and damp leaves. A cool breeze brushed his face.
Minjun walked beside Hyuk, trying to keep his posture steady, though awkwardness gnawed at him inside. Next to the alpha, he felt protected - too protected. And it irritated him. I don't have to depend on him. I have to handle things on my own.
But when a group of noisy students passed by and one of them bumped his shoulder, Minjun instinctively flinched closer to Hyuk. The man cast a brief look at the culprit - calm, but firm enough that the boy quickly stepped back and muttered an apology.
"You alright?" Hyuk asked quietly, already guiding him forward without waiting for an answer.
Minjun gripped his backpack strap tightly, eyes on the ground.
"…Yeah," he muttered. But inside, his pulse quickened. He hated that his body sought safety beside the alpha.
Hyuk showed him the streets as they walked. He pointed out shops, little cafés, bus stops. Occasionally he stopped to explain:
"This route's convenient, you can reach the university quickly."
"The bakery over there - the owners are kind, always helping neighbors."
"This district's quieter, but more expensive."
Minjun listened, nodding, but his thoughts drifted. He tried to picture himself in each place. Could he really live here? Could he wake up alone, without Hyuk's tea, without his steady voice nearby?
The thought pricked at his chest. He frowned and quickened his pace.
"In a hurry?" Hyuk asked calmly.
"…No," Minjun answered too sharply, regretting it immediately.
The alpha didn't take offense. He only lifted the corner of his lips and kept walking beside him.
***
They stopped in front of an old but well-kept building. Fresh paint on the walls, clean windows. A free apartment waited on the third floor.
"The landlord agreed to show the room," Hyuk said.
The stairs were steep, the steps creaked faintly. Minjun's heart beat faster with every step upward.
Hyuk opened the door and gestured for him to enter first.
Light welcomed him. White walls, a neatly made bed, a bookshelf, a desk by the window. Fresh air drifted in from a slightly open window, carrying the faint scent of paint - the place had been renovated recently.
Minjun walked slowly inside. He touched the desk, glanced at the shelves. The room was small, but it didn't feel cold. For a moment, he pictured himself here with a book.
"What do you think?" Hyuk asked, still at the door, not rushing him.
Minjun clutched the strap of his backpack.
"I… like it," he said softly.
But fear rose at once. What if I can't manage? What if the money runs out? What if my parents were right?
He turned sharply to the window so Hyuk wouldn't see the tremor in his eyes.
The alpha said nothing. He only stepped closer and adjusted Minjun's collar where it had shifted. The touch was light, almost nothing, yet the skin on his neck burned.
"It'll be comfortable here," Hyuk said quietly. "But the choice is yours."
Minjun nodded, not daring to lift his gaze.
***
By the time they stepped outside again, the sun was already leaning toward evening. The city bustled, but inside Minjun there was an unfamiliar calm. Fatigue mixed with a hint of hope.
"We'll continue tomorrow," Hyuk said. "Enough for today."
Minjun nodded. His backpack felt a little lighter than in the morning.
He walked beside him, stealing glances at the man. He wanted to say thank you, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he drew in a deep breath. The air smelled of neon, bread, leaves - and, close by, that scent that made his heart race.
I mustn't grow attached, he told himself. This is only the beginning. I have to learn to stand on my own.