Just Us

Mix arrives at Ter's apartment drenched, his clothes clinging to his frame, water dripping from his hair and making a mess on the floor. His face is pale, his eyes hollow, and he hates how exposed he feels in this moment.

He silently wishes Ter wouldn’t be home, that he could just sit in solitude to gather himself. But the moment Ter opens the door, any hope of avoiding this confrontation evaporates.

“What the hell happened to you?” Ter’s voice is sharp, laced with concern as his eyes scan Mix’s sodden state. “Jesus Christ.”

Before Mix can respond, Ter rushes to grab a towel. He pulls Mix inside, not caring about the water soaking into the floor, and wraps the towel around his shivering frame. His grip is firm but gentle, his actions efficient as he leads Mix.

“You need to change your clothes,” Ter mutters, already moving toward the bedroom. He rifles through Mix’s spare clothes, places them neatly on the bed, and returns to the living room. “Go change,” he instructs firmly.

Mix doesn’t move, his mind seemingly stuck in a loop, his body heavy with exhaustion. Ter’s patience falters. “Go change, or I’m gonna undress you right here, right now."

The words seem to snap Mix out of his trance. He drags himself to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He stands there for a moment, water dripping from his clothes and forming a puddle beneath him. The room is silent except for the faint patter of rain against the windows.

Mix stares at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes tracing the water stains spreading across his shirt. He doesn’t move until his toes wrinkle from the wetness. Finally, he pulls off his soaked clothes, drying himself with the towel Ter provided, and slips into the dry ones waiting on the bed.

When Mix steps back into the living room, the warm, inviting scent of chocolate fills the air. He sees Ter standing by the kitchen counter, two steaming mugs in his hands. Ter glances up and motions for Mix to join him. Mix moves quickly, his earlier hesitation replaced with a need for comfort.

Ter hands him one of the mugs and gestures toward the sofa. They sit side by side, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily between them. Mix wraps his hands around the mug, letting its warmth seep into his chilled fingers. He takes a small sip, savoring the sweetness before Ter finally speaks.

“Well?” Ter prompts, his voice gentle but probing.

Mix lets out a shaky breath. “The universe must hate me,” he mutters, staring into the swirling chocolate in his mug. “Everyone I like is either in a relationship, doesn’t like me back, or just sees me as a friend. And then there’s... someone who likes me, but it’s way too complicated to be with them.”

Ter leans back, his gaze unwavering. “You said you’d wait, right? So what are you crying about?”

Mix sets the mug down on the table with a soft clink. “I gave him space, and now part of me feels like I’m going to lose him. Completely.” His voice cracks slightly.

Ter sighs deeply, rubbing a hand over his face. “Mix, sometimes, you need to fight for the people you want—and the people who want you.”

Mix turns to him, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “You hypocrite. You didn’t even fight for me.”

Ter chuckles dryly, shaking his head. “Exactly. That’s why I’m saying this. Because back then, I regretted it so much. I don’t want you to make the same mistake I did.”

Mix rolls his eyes, feigning annoyance to hide the weight of Ter’s words. “Oh my god, you’re still in love with me, aren’t you?”

Ter smacks him lightly on the back of the head. “Dream on. I’m courting someone right now, idiot.”

Despite himself, Mix laughs, the tension between them momentarily broken. But deep down, Ter’s words plant a seed in his mind—one that he knows will grow long after tonight.

The sound of Mix’s phone vibrating on the table pulls them both from the moment. He glances at the screen and freezes. Earth’s name flashes on the caller ID.

Ter raises an eyebrow. “Not going to answer?”

Mix hesitates, his hand hovering over the phone. Seeing his reluctance, Ter grabs it and answers for him.

“Ter, I swear to God—” Mix voice threatens but Ter cuts him off.

“Hello?” Ter says, smirking at Mix, who looks ready to tackle him. But as the voice on the other end continues, Ter’s smirk fades. His expression shifts to one of confusion, then concern. “Wait. What's wrong with this man's voice? He sounds like a kid.”

A kid? It must be Edin.

Mix snatches the phone. “Edin? Is that you?” he asks urgently, his brows knitting together. “Is everything okay?”

Edin’s voice is barely above a whisper. “Teacher Mix? Can you please come here? Edin is worried.”

Mix hears muffled shouting in the background, his stomach twisting into knots. Without a second thought, he stands, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

“Where are you going?” Ter calls after him, standing up. “Mix!”

Mix pauses at the door, his eyes determined. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“Take my car,” Ter says, tossing him the keys without hesitation. Mix catches them mid-air, nodding his thanks before bolting out into the rain.

When the door opens, Mix is met by Edin's smiling face. The child immediately pulls him in, holding him by the hand. Once inside, he sees Earth immediately, and Mix stands, drenched once again, staring at Earth, whose wide, tear-filled eyes mirror an unspoken pain.

Mix's breath catches, and without realizing it, he tightens his grip on Edin’s small hand, seeking some kind of anchor.

“Mix?” Earth’s voice cracks, barely audible over the soft patter of rain. Edin looks up at his father, then to Mix. Sensing the tension, Edin gently slips his hand free from Mix’s grasp and steps aside, giving the space.

Mix’s heart pounds in his chest, but he forces himself to move. He takes slow, hesitant steps toward Earth, every motion deliberate, as if afraid the moment might shatter. Earth doesn’t wait for him to fully close the distance; he meets Mix halfway, pulling him into a desperate, bone-crushing hug.

The rain-soaked fabric of their shirts sticks uncomfortably between them, but neither notices. Earth buries his face into Mix’s shoulder, his emotions pouring out in waves. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, his voice thick with guilt and sorrow. “I’m so sorry.”

Mix’s arms come up to encircle Earth, his embrace strong and steady. He presses his cheek against Earth’s temple, his hand moving in gentle, soothing circles across Earth’s back. “Shh,” Mix murmurs softly, his voice a quiet balm against the storm of Earth’s emotions. “Stop crying. I’m here.”

For a while, they stand there, lost in the comforting rhythm of each other’s presence. The world around them blurs, leaving only the sound of their breathing and the steady patter of rain on the roof. Edin, standing a little off to the side, watches them quietly, his presence grounding them.

Eventually, they move on the sofa. The warmth of the room contrasts sharply with the chill that clings to their wet clothes. Edin, ever the caretaker despite his young age, grabs a towel from the couch and hands it to Mix.

Mix takes it with a small, grateful smile and begins gently drying Earth’s hair. Earth sits still, his gaze locked on Mix, watching the careful way he works. The tender gesture soothes him, but it also makes him notice something else: Mix is even wetter than he is.

Earth’s hand shoots up, halting Mix mid-motion. “Stop” he murmurs. He takes the towel from Mix’s hands, his expression softening as he lifts it to Mix’s face. With deliberate care, he wipes away the rainwater clinging to Mix’s skin, then moves to dry his dripping hair. His touch is gentle, almost reverent.

“You’re going to get sick,” Earth says, his tone a mix of worry and quiet reprimand.

Edin, standing nearby, huffs dramatically and plants his hands on his hips. “You both are going to get sick,” he declares, his small voice filled with authority. “Daddy, Teacher Mix, please change.”

Earth and Mix blink at Edin, caught off guard by the seriousness in his tone. For a moment, they simply stare, and then, as if on cue, they both break into soft chuckles. Edin, unimpressed by their reaction, waves his arms in exasperation. “I mean it Daddy and Teacher Mix.”

His insistence finally spurs them into action. Earth and Mix share a glance before rising from the sofa. They head toward the bedroom as Edin shoos them along, a proud sense of accomplishment lighting up his face.

Inside the bedroom, the air is thick with an unspoken tension. Earth steps to his closet, the faint shuffle of hangers and rustling fabric breaking the heavy silence. Mix stands by the door, unmoving, the faint drip of rainwater from his clothes marking time in the stillness.

Earth pulls out a simple shirt and a pair of sweatpants. He glances over his shoulder at Mix, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. In that fleeting connection, words they cannot bring themselves to say pass between them—longing and answers.

Without a word, Earth sets the clothes on the edge of the bed for Mix. Then, he pulls out another set for himself, his hands working a little slower, his gaze flickering back to Mix as if to check that he’s still there.

Mix doesn’t move, but his eyes follow Earth’s every motion, taking in the quiet strength of his posture, the way his hands linger on the fabric, the tension in his shoulders.

Earth finally stands straight, holding his own dry clothes loosely in his hands. For a moment, neither of them moves. Their eyes meet again, and this time, it lasts longer—too long, perhaps.

There’s a rawness in Earth’s gaze, a vulnerability he can’t quite hide. In Mix’s eyes, there’s a mirrored ache, a quiet yearning that threatens to spill over if he doesn’t look away.

But neither of them looks away.

The space between them feels impossibly small yet unbridgeable, the weight of their unsaid words pressing down on them.

Earth swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and turns his head slightly as if to break the spell. Yet his gaze returns to Mix almost immediately, drawn back by a force he can’t resist.

Mix takes a hesitant step forward, his wet clothes clinging uncomfortably to his skin. Earth shifts, but he doesn’t move back. His breaths grow uneven, his chest rising and falling as the tension between them builds, fragile and electric.

The soft knock on the door is tentative, barely audible over the sound of the rain pattering against the windows. Yet, it disrupts the delicate moment between Earth and Mix.

"Is it cuddle time? Did you forget to invite me again?" Edin’s small, curious face peeks around the doorframe, his voice a mix of indignation and excitement. His big eyes, full of playful mischief, dart between the two adults.

Earth laughs, his voice warm and soothing. “We’re gonna change first, bud, and then we’ll have cuddle time later, okay?”

Edin’s face lights up like the morning sun bursting through stormy clouds. He throws his hands in the air with an exuberant “Yay!” before dashing off toward the living room, his tiny feet padding softly against the floor.

As Earth and Mix change into dry clothes, their movements are quiet but charged with an unspoken awareness of each other. Mix’s cheeks are still faintly pink from earlier moments of closeness, and Earth’s eyes linger on him a moment too long when their gazes accidentally meet.

When they're done, they head outside and sees Edin perched on the sofa, strategically avoiding the wet spot from earlier. His tiny fingers swipe clumsily across Earth’s phone screen, the device looking almost comically large in his little hands.

“Ready for cuddle time, bud?” Earth asks, extending his arms. The words are barely out of his mouth before Edin launches himself off the sofa and into his father’s embrace. Earth immediately picks him up in his arms.

“Daddy, your phone,” Edin says, handing the device back with a smile. “Edin used it to call Teacher Mix.”

Earth freezes for a split second, his expression morphing from confusion to realization. “You called Teacher Mix?” he asks, his tone incredulous yet soft.

“Mmm-hmm!” Edin nods proudly, his small chest puffing up. “Edin knows Daddy will feel better if Teacher Mix is with him.”

For a moment, Earth is stunned into silence, his gaze flickering between his son and Mix. Mix, standing nearby, looks equally bewildered, his mouth slightly agape as his cheeks darken to a rosy hue. Then Earth’s face breaks into a broad, heartfelt smile, one that seems to chase away every shadow of doubt in the room. Without a word, he snakes his free arm around Mix’s waist and pulls him close, their sides pressed together in a way that feels natural and right.

Edin, oblivious to the weight of the moment, wriggles impatiently. “Come on! Cuddle time!” he demands, already squirming out of Earth’s arms and bounding toward the bedroom.

The three of them make their way to the bed, Edin leading the charge with uncontainable excitement. He climbs onto the mattress with the agility of a kitten, settling himself squarely in the middle. He pats the empty spaces on either side of him with a sense of authority. “Here! Daddy on this side, Teacher Mix on this side!”

Earth and Mix exchange amused glances before lying down as instructed. Edin beams, his joy so radiant it seems to fill the entire room. “Edin loves this!” he exclaims, his voice brimming with pure, unfiltered happiness.

The three of them lie there, arms intertwined, with Edin nestled snugly between Earth and Mix. The rain outside continues its gentle rhythm, but the room is warm and filled with a profound sense of peace. Earth asks softly, “You’re not hungry, Edin?”

Edin shakes his head, his eyelids already drooping. “Nope. I ate a lot at Mama’s,” he mumbles, his words slurring as sleep overtakes him.

“That’s good,” Earth whispers, his hand moving in soothing circles on Edin’s tummy. Within moments, the little boy is fast asleep, his tiny breaths steady and rhythmic.

For a while, they lie there in silence, watching Edin’s peaceful face. Then Earth’s voice cuts through the quiet, barely above a murmur. “Mix?”

“Hmm?” Mix replies, his tone equally soft.

“Do you wanna eat?” Earth asks, just as his stomach growls audibly, breaking the solemnity of the moment.

Mix chuckles quietly, his laughter like the tinkling of wind chimes. “Yeah, let’s eat.”

They slip out of bed carefully, ensuring they don’t disturb Edin, and head to the kitchen. Earth sees the food Namtan prepared earlier. "Namtan cooked something earlier,” he says as he begins heating the food. “I guess we can eat this.”

Mix hesitates, his brow furrowing slightly. “She was here?” he asks, trying to piece together the earlier events. “Did you two… have a fight?”

Earth sighs, his shoulders tensing as he turns off the stove. “We were supposed to just talk, but… I guess emotions got the better of us.” He pauses, glancing at Mix. “How did you—”

“I heard it over the phone when Edin called,” Mix admits, his voice quiet but steady.

They work in companionable silence for a few moments, Mix setting the table while Earth dishes out the soup. When they finally sit down to eat, the tension between them feels heavy, but not insurmountable.

“Mix,” Earth begins, his voice earnest. He heaves a deep breath before continuing. “I know talking about this over the table is not the nicest timing but I kinda can't wait. I just.. I want you to know that Namtan and I… we’re over. There’s no rebuilding. We talked, and it’s really over. And… I’m sorry. I should’ve talked to her sooner, cleared things up and.. and after our misunderstanding, I thought you needed space, and I didn’t want to push you away.”

Mix looks up at him, guilt clouding his features. “No, Earth. I should be the one apologizing. I acted like a child, running away instead of giving you a chance to explain. I was selfish, thinking only about my own fears.”

Earth, with an assuring smile, lifts his hand and reaches across the table, his hand covering Mix’s. “Don’t apologize for choosing yourself, Mix. You deserve clarity, and I didn’t give that to you. But now, I want you to know—I’m here. I’m here to give you everything you deserve.”

Tears well up in Mix’s eyes, but he blinks them back, his lips curving into a soft, genuine smile. In that shared moment of vulnerability, no more words are needed. Their hearts feel lighter, the weight of past misunderstandings melting away.

Earth and Mix tidy up after their late-night meal with smiles on their faces. Mix rinses the last plate, the cool water running over his hands. He turns off the tap and dries his hands just as Earth approaches him, handing him a glass of water.

"Thank you," Mix says, his voice soft but warm, taking a sip. He finishes quickly and moves to wash the glass.

As the glass clinks lightly against the sink, he feels the warmth of strong arms encircle his waist. Earth’s embrace is tender yet firm, and Mix freezes momentarily before a smile spreads across his face. Earth rests his chin on Mix’s shoulder, his breath warm against Mix’s ear.

"You're distracting me," Mix teases, his voice barely a whisper, but he leans back into Earth’s hold..

“But I'm not doing anything,” Earth murmurs, his voice low and rich, sending a shiver down Mix’s spine.

Mix finishes washing the glass, sets it aside, and turns in Earth’s embrace, their faces now inches apart. He looks at Earth, and for a moment, the world seems to stop. The rain outside, the ticking of the clock, the hum of the refrigerator—all of it fades. All that remains is Earth, his deep, earnest eyes that seem to hold entire universes, reflecting nothing but love.

"Mix," Earth begins, his voice soft but deliberate, "did I ever tell you how your eyes look like they hold the entire galaxy? How they shine so brightly, especially when they’re looking at me? Only me?"

Mix's cheeks flush a deep red, and he tries to look away, but Earth gently tilts his chin back, refusing to let him hide.

"And your love for kids," Earth continues, his voice now tinged with admiration. "It’s incredible. You pour your heart into them, into everything you do, even when the world doesn’t give you half the credit you deserve. It inspires me."

"Earth..." Mix whispers, his voice catching. He buries his face into Earth’s shoulder, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions coursing through him.

Earth chuckles softly, the sound vibrating against Mix. "What? I’m just trying to make up for all the times I’ve held back, for all the words I didn’t say when my heart screamed them."

Mix clutches at Earth’s shirt—never expecting this cheesy side of him—his fingers curling tightly into the fabric, and when Earth gently lifts his face, Mix struggles to meet his gaze. But Earth’s warmth, his gentle persistence, breaks through Mix’s shyness.

Their faces draw closer, and Earth tilts his head, placing a soft kiss on Mix’s forehead. Mix closes his eyes, letting the sensation wash over him.

Earth’s lips move to his closed eyelids, then to his cheeks, planting feather-light kisses that send tingles through Mix’s entire being. When Earth’s lips brush the tip of his nose, Mix lets out a shaky laugh.

"Mix," Earth says softly, his voice filled with a mix of nerves and affection. "Look at me, please."

Mix’s eyes flutter open, meeting Earth’s gaze once more. His heart pounds wildly in his chest, so loud he wonders if Earth can hear it.

"You make me so happy," Earth whispers, his hand brushing a stray strand of hair from Mix’s face. He hesitates for a moment, then adds, "Mix, I’ve been meaning to ask you something."

Mix’s breath hitches. He knows what’s coming, and yet, his heart races as though it’s a surprise. The anticipation coils tightly in his chest.

"Mix.." Earth trails, the nervousness vivid in his voice. "Can I be your boyfriend?" Earth finally asks, his voice trembling slightly despite the confidence in his eyes.

Mix’s world seems to stop entirely.

For a moment, he can’t breathe, can’t think. The words reverberate in his mind, and a rush of emotions overwhelms him.

The words hang in the air like a melody, soft and profound. "Can I be your boyfriend?"

The way Earth says it isn’t casual, isn’t fleeting—it carries weight. It’s as though Earth isn’t merely asking for a label, but for a place in Mix’s heart, a role in his world, a chance to intertwine their lives.

And for the first time, Mix feels seen. He feels chosen. Relevant in a way he never thought he could be.

He’s spent years thinking of himself as just a piece of the background, the ever-reliable teacher with nothing particularly exciting to offer. His days are an endless cycle of lesson plans, tending to children, and late-night study sessions—important, perhaps, but far from extraordinary. To him, his life is a collection of routines, predictable and dull.

And yet, here’s Earth, standing in front of him, eyes warm and sincere, wanting to join that life. Not to change it, not to demand more, but to be part of it, to cherish it.

Mix doesn’t realize the tears spilling down his cheeks until they’re already there, hot and unbidden. He doesn’t sob; it’s not that kind of crying. It’s quiet, the kind of tears that flow when emotions run too deep for words.

Earth notices immediately, his face shifting from hope to panic. His hands, warm and slightly trembling, cup Mix’s face as if to hold the pieces of him together. “I—I'm sorry... Did I scare you? M-Mix?”

Mix shakes his head, a watery chuckle slipping past his lips as he wipes his tears with the back of his hand. His voice comes out uneven but steady enough to say, "Yes."

Earth's brow furrows in confusion. "Yes?" he echoes. "Yes, like I scared you?"

Mix laughs again, a soft, broken sound that’s equal parts disbelief and joy. “No,” he says, shaking his head as his heart swells to the point of aching. “Not that.”

Earth’s eyes widen, realization dawning. "Yes... as in—"

“Yes, Earth,” Mix interrupts, his voice firm despite the shakiness. “Yes as in, please be my boyfriend.”

The relief and joy that flood Earth’s face are almost too much for Mix to handle. It'll sound exaggerated but Earth’s smile right now, is brighter than any star Mix has ever seen.

Earth pulls Mix into a tight hug, murmuring, "Thank you, thank you," over and over again, his voice cracking with emotion.

Mix pulls back slightly, just enough to cup Earth’s cheek, his thumb brushing against the faint stubble there. "No, thank you, Earth," he whispers before leaning in, pressing his lips to Earth’s in a kiss that is soft, slow, and filled with every unspoken word, every suppressed feeling they’ve ever had.

Earth is stunned for a moment, but then he melts into the kiss, his arms tightening around Mix as if afraid to let him go. The kiss deepens, their movements synchronizing, every touch, every press of their lips saying what words cannot. It’s a kiss that speaks of promises, of hope, of love.

When they finally break apart, both gasping for air, they stare at each other, their faces flushed, their hearts full. But Earth isn’t done. He kisses Mix again, this time more fervently, his hands wandering to Mix’s waist, pulling him impossibly closer.

Mix clutches at Earth’s shirt, his hands trembling slightly as they slip under the fabric, brushing against Earth’s skin. The sensation makes Earth shiver, and he breaks the kiss, his breath hitching. They look at each other, their gazes heavy with a new, electrifying intensity.

Earth then lifts Mix effortlessly, setting him on the kitchen counter and their lips meet again. Earth’s kisses trail down to Mix’s neck, leaving a path of warmth and desire and Mix arches into him, a soft moan escaping his lips.

"Earth…" Mix whispers, his voice breathy, but he freezes when he hears a small sound.

Both of them pause, their breaths still heavy. Then they hear it—a small voice calling, "Daddy?"

Mix scrambles off the counter, his face a mix of panic and embarrassment. He smooths his clothes hastily, his hands shaking slightly. Earth chuckles at the sight but fixes his shirt as well.

Edin walks into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and squinting at them suspiciously. "You’re cuddling without me again?" he accuses, his voice adorably grumpy.

Earth laughs, his tone light. "No, bud. I just had to ask Teacher Mix something important."

"Oh?" Edin perks up, curiosity lighting his sleepy face. "What is it?"

"I asked Teacher Mix to be my boyfie," Earth says, grinning.

Mix chuckles at the word “boyfie,” knowing Earth used it because it’s how Edin usually says it.

Edin’s face lights up with pure joy. "And Teacher Mix said yes?"

They chuckle, eyes looking at each other for a brief moment before Mix replies. "Yes, Edin. I did."

Edin squeals with delight, running toward them and wrapping his little arms around their legs. "Teacher Mix is now my papa!" he exclaims.

Mix’s heart swells at the word, and Earth’s smile is impossibly bright. They crouch down, enveloping Edin in a hug. In that moment, with Edin’s small arms around them and their own arms around him, everything feels perfect.

It’s not conventional, it’s not traditional, but it’s theirs. And it’s everything they need.

:thank you for still being here 🖤