"You're walking too slowly."
Hyuk's voice was calm, laced with a hint of teasing. Minjun flinched, tightened his grip on his backpack strap, and quickened his pace.
"I was just looking," he muttered.
"At the asphalt?" The corner of Hyuk's mouth twitched.
Minjun stayed silent. The street moved to its own rhythm: the smell of fresh bread from a bakery mingled with coffee, cars honked, people rushed past. To him, it was all too loud, too unfamiliar. But beside him walked a man who seemed to keep the noise at bay.
They stopped in front of a shop window. Behind the glass, stacks of towels, neatly folded blankets, and dishes were displayed.
"We'll start here," Hyuk said. "Otherwise your apartment will look like a storage room."
Minjun nodded and followed him inside.
***
The store smelled of new fabric and detergent. Minjun stopped at a row of towels, running his fingers over the soft surface.
"Want something bright?" Hyuk asked, watching his hand. "Red? Blue?"
Minjun frowned.
"What? Is gray too boring?"
"Gray will last longer," Hyuk replied smoothly, handing him a folded set. "It'll survive your laundry… and your moods."
Minjun rolled his eyes but dropped the gray towel into the basket.
"So I'm boring?"
"It means you're practical. At least in one thing." Hyuk moved on.
Minjun pressed his lips together, but inside, something traitorous flickered - something close to a laugh.
***
The box with a pillow turned out too bulky. Minjun tried to lift it, but it wobbled in his arms.
"Careful," Hyuk quickly caught the other side. "I don't want your new life ending with a hospital visit."
Minjun flushed, embarrassed.
"Thanks for saving me from a deadly pillow," he muttered.
Hyuk chuckled quietly.
"Let's just make sure you survive the store first."
***
Next came the stationery shop.
Minjun lingered at every shelf, running his fingers over notebook covers. A strange feeling stirred inside him: these simple items felt like symbols of a new beginning.
"Lined or blank pages?" Hyuk asked.
"Lined," Minjun answered. "It's… easier to keep thoughts in order."
"You already keep everything in order," Hyuk remarked. "Too much, even."
"And that's bad?"
"Sometimes order gets in the way of living." He handed Minjun a pack of notebooks. "But for now, it'll do."
Minjun took them, turning away, not sure what to say. Something sharp pricked in his chest - annoyance, or maybe embarrassment.
He reached for markers, but one slipped from his fingers. Hyuk caught it before it hit the floor.
"I see you're a natural decorator," he said. "Better grab more, in case you decide to cover the walls."
"Very funny," Minjun muttered, but the corners of his lips twitched.
***
When they left with bags in hand, Minjun reached to take some from Hyuk.
"I can carry them myself."
"Of course," Hyuk said evenly, not letting go. "But together, it's faster."
Minjun pressed his lips tight. Unlike his father's judgments, this simple phrase wasn't a command. Yet somehow, it squeezed his heart all the same.
***
The apartment welcomed them with the scent of fresh wood. Sunlight spread across the floor in golden patches.
"Let's unpack," Hyuk said, setting the boxes down. "I'll help."
Minjun knelt by a box, carefully placing a stack of books on the shelf.
"You like order?" Hyuk asked, watching his deliberate movements.
"It makes it easier to think," Minjun replied, aligning the edges.
"Then you'll have plenty of thoughts here," Hyuk said, putting towels neatly into the closet.
They worked for nearly an hour. Shelves filled with books, notebooks lay arranged on the desk, linens folded into the wardrobe. The room no longer looked empty.
***
At one point, Minjun lifted a box of bedding. It was heavier than expected and nearly slipped.
"Stubborn," Hyuk said, quickly steadying it from beneath. Their hands brushed, and Minjun felt heat rush across his skin.
"I can handle it," he breathed.
"I don't doubt it," Hyuk answered calmly. "But letting someone help isn't a weakness."
Minjun turned away, staring anywhere but at him.
***
By evening, the room had come alive. Books lined the shelf, notebooks rested on the desk, linens lay folded in the closet.
Minjun sat on the bed, hugging his knees, gazing around. His chest was heavy with fatigue - but also with a strange joy.
"…Thank you," he said softly.
Hyuk leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
"I told you you'd manage," he replied.
Minjun flinched and lowered his eyes. His pride resisted, but deep inside, warmth spread quietly.
***
When Hyuk went downstairs, Minjun lay back on the bed. The room smelled of new things and fresh wood. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
I took a step. The first one. Small, but mine.
And with it came another feeling - cautious, yet dangerous. With this alpha nearby, everything felt easier.
And that was what scared him most of all.