# 15
Magician
Hyukjae's excited. Donghae doesn't doubt that. But there's still something quieter about him. Maybe it's just for this. Because it's new. Different. There's nerves. Or he's tired.
Donghae inquires every so often. To make sure they're okay. To go.
"Yes! Of course! W-Wait, are you okay? Is something wrong?"
Donghae smiles in relief. "I'm great. Alright, let's go."
"Let's gooo!"
---
"This is... a hotel?"
Donghae had a feeling this would happen. For a few reasons.
Hyukjae's read too many romances.
He was still recovering yesterday.
He was too busy staring out of the car. Then fell asleep.
Donghae hasn't been able to tell him much. On their ride. Yesterday. The day before yesterday. He'd start. Observe Hyukjae. Then stop. To let Hyukjae rest. Conserve energy. Stare. Whatever he was doing.
"Hm..." Hyukjae's got his hands on his waist. He's gazing at the short building. At the stairs leading up. "This is not a hotel." He turns to Donghae. "Is it?"
"No, not... quite a hotel." Donghae lifts a suitcase out of the trunk. Grabs his bag. Hyukjae's. "Can you help me with this, babe?"
"Yes!" Hyukjae dashes back. Takes the bag.
"If you can, Hyukkie, don't--"
"I can!" Hyukjae wears the bag. Grabs another one from him. Grunts. Shuts the trunk. Then glances back at the building. He blinks a few times. Confusedly. "Wait, so we are there? Here?"
"I did say that."
"Yeah. You did."
"So yes, we're here," Donghae says. "It's the second floor. Come."
He takes Hyukjae's hand. Leads him up on the outer stairs. They hear sounds from the flat below. Some windows are open. People are speaking.
"Isn't this someone's home?" Hyukjae whispers.
"I don't know... but this space is for us."
They move along. Through the open walkway. Towards the door. Hyukjae peers over the railing.
"Hae... a-are you sure?"
"Yes..." Donghae stops at the door. Smiles at Hyukjae. Lets go of his hand.
"But... do we just go in?"
"In a bit."
Donghae gives the door a knock. In a second, sounds come from behind. The door opens. Reveals a small woman with gray hair. She's holding a clipboard to her chest. Frowning. Hyukjae hugs Donghae's arm.
"Good evening," Donghae says. "Mrs. Kim?"
"Yes, hi," the woman says. She checks her clipboard. Looks up. "Lee Donghae, is it?"
"Yes, ma'am, and this is Hyukjae."
"Oh, hello, hello -- can I just confirm the credit card?"
Donghae quickly takes out his wallet. Presents his credit card. ID.
The woman examines it closely. Until her frown clears. She beams.
"Perfect! Come on in, I'll show you everything and give you what you need."
----
"So this is... not a hotel?" Hyukjae says.
"No."
"So... so there's no room service?"
Donghae's crouched in front of their bags. To take out their sleep clothes. Toiletries. Hyukjae's now come to the windows. In the bedroom. He's between the opening in the curtain. His hands are pressed against the glass. His nose is probably squished. But Donghae understands. It's too dark to see.
"I'm sorry, babe, no," Donghae says. "Are you hungry?"
Hyukjae turns around. Shakes his head. He then gets down beside him.
"Does Mrs. Landlady Kim live downstairs?"
"Maybe. I don't know."
"Where does she sleep?"
"Huh? W-Why?"
"Because... where will she sleep? Isn't this her house? She left because you're giving her money for staying here?"
Donghae laughs. Hands him his pajamas. Pecks his lips.
"She rents this out to visitors, okay? I'm sure she has a place to sleep, don't worry."
"So this isn't her house?"
"Well, she probably owns it, but she doesn't need to stay here right now. I think. I mean, I don't know, but it's ours for three nights."
He gets up. Hyukjae's concern remains.
"B-But Hae... what if she needs to?"
Donghae sighs. Shifts his items under one arm. Pulls Hyukjae up by the hand.
"Sweetheart, did you see her papers? There was a long list of people on it. This is like... a business for her. Like a job. So she earns money through it. I'm sure she has a place to sleep. Maybe it's better than this one."
"So this is like an inn?"
"You can think of it like that, sure."
"A small hotel? An apartment for three days?"
"Sure!"
Hyukjae follows him to the bathroom. Watches him through the mirror. Donghae places their items on the counter.
"Where are your pajamas, babe?"
"I put them on the bed."
"Aren't you going to change?"
"Hae, are there no hotels here?"
"There are, but a little farther down..."
"Hae, in the stories I read--"
Oh, there it is.
"--they always go to hotels and they have huge beds and they have and get delici
Comments