Small Space

Namtan's sudden return sends shockwaves through Earth. Her presence alone brings a whirlwind of emotions that Earth thought he had put behind him.

Earth stands frozen, his mind racing as he processes the sight of Namtan in his home after so many years. She had walked away-left him and Edin behind when things got hard-and he had long stopped expecting her to come back. But now here she is, looking remorseful, with soft eyes that plead for forgiveness.

"Hi," Namtan begins, her voice shaky.

Earth furrows his forehead, confusion vivid in his face. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry, Earth." Namtan says, not quite answering the question. "I know I messed up. I left, and I shouldn't have. But I've been thinking about Edin every day, and I want to make it right. I want to be in his life."

Earth feels like he's been hit with a tidal wave. He doesn't trust her words, not yet. Too much time has passed, and her abandonment still stings. Namtan just opened up old wounds.

But, deep down, Earth also knows that Edin has a right to know his mother. As a father, he has to put Edin's well-being above his own feelings, but as a person, he's filled with doubt, anger, and confusion.

"It's not that easy, Namtan. After all those times..." Earth says, his voice filled with bitterness. "I don't know if I can let you back in like that. It's been years. I've been raising him alone. You can't just show up and expect everything to go back to how it was."

Namtan's eyes shimmer with unshed tears as she gazes at Earth, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I know, Earth. I don't expect it to be easy. I don't expect you to forgive me right away." She swallows, her gaze briefly shifting to the ground before lifting again, pleading. "But I want to be there for him now. I want to try."

Earth stands frozen in the doorway, his mind spinning with too many thoughts, too many emotions. He opens his mouth but no words come. The familiar weight of responsibility for Edin collides with the shock of Namtan's sudden return. All he can do is stare at her, his silence heavy and palpable.

Namtan lifts her hand hesitantly, revealing a neatly wrapped gift. "It's Edin's birthday," she says, her voice softer now, almost tentative. "Please... tell him about me. Soon."

The words hang in the air, thick with unspoken meaning.

Earth doesn't reach for the gift, doesn't move at all, lost in his internal chaos.

It's Mix who steps forward, his gaze flickering between the two, understanding the weight of the moment. He takes the gift gently from Namtan's outstretched hand, his fingers brushing against the box and the awkward tension between them seems to shift.

Namtan's eyes linger on Mix a second too long, filled with curiosity, maybe even something like bewilderment. Her gaze is searching, as if trying to decipher what Mix means to Earth and how he fits into this new dynamic.

Mix holds her gaze, but his own thoughts are muddled, unsure of what she's trying to see in him.

"I'll be going then," Namtan finally says, breaking the silence. Her voice wavers slightly, and she glances at Earth one last time, hoping for something-anything-that would offer reassurance. But Earth's eyes remain downcast, fixed on the floor, unwilling or unable to meet hers..

Namtan turns and walks away, her footsteps soft yet echoing with the weight of her departure. The door clicks shut behind her, and the sound reverberates in the quiet space.

Earth leans heavily against the door, sliding down to the floor as if the strength has left his body entirely. He sits there, eyes closed, exhaling slowly, the exhaustion of the moment pressing down on him like a crushing force. He looks lost, like the ground beneath him is unstable and about to give way.

When Earth opens his eyes, he finds Mix standing in front of him, watching with concern etched across his face. There's a hint of uncertainty in Mix's expression, as if he's unsure whether to comfort Earth or give him space. Behind Mix, First and Khaotung hover in the doorway of the bedroom, worry evident in their eyes as they take in the scene.

Earth glances past Mix and asks First and Khaotung, his voice a hoarse whisper, "Edin?"

"He's already asleep, Earth," Khaotung replies gently. Earth heaves a long, shaky sigh of relief, though his body remains tense.

First, sensing the need for privacy, pulls Khaotung back toward the room, leaving Earth and Mix alone in the quiet hallway. Mix clears his throat, his voice almost too quiet as he speaks. "I should... give you some space."

He turns to walk away, guilt gnawing at him for intruding on such a personal moment, but Earth's voice stops him, raw and pleading. "No, stay," he says quickly, his eyes meeting Mix's with a desperation that cuts deep. "Please, Mix."

Mix hesitates, caught between wanting to help and feeling like an outsider in a moment that doesn't entirely belong to him. "Are you sure?" he asks, his voice soft but full of concern.

Earth nods, his hand lifting slightly, almost childlike in its need for comfort, his vulnerability laid bare.

Without another word, Mix steps forward and kneels beside him, pulling Earth into his arms. Earth collapses into the embrace, burying his face in Mix's shoulder, his breath trembling as though holding back tears. His arms wrap tightly around Mix, clinging as if Mix is the only solid thing in his world right now.

They stay like that for what feels like hours, Earth leaning into Mix's warmth, seeking solace in his steady presence. Mix strokes Earth's back in slow, comforting motions, offering silent reassurance. He can feel the way Earth's body finally starts to relax, the tension slowly ebbing away as exhaustion takes over.

Eventually, Earth's grip loosens, his breathing evens out, and Mix realizes that he's fallen asleep, his head resting heavily on Mix's shoulder.

Mix doesn't move, though his mind races with thoughts of Namtan's return. His heart aches for Earth, knowing how much he's given for Edin, how hard he's worked to make up for the absence of a mother. And now, Namtan's sudden reappearance threatens to unravel everything.

But more than that, something else gnaws at Mix-a quiet insecurity.

What does Namtan's return mean for him?

Just as he had begun to feel a connection with Earth, just as tonight felt like the beginning of something real, Namtan has come back, and suddenly everything feels uncertain again.

Mix looks down at Earth, his heart heavy with the question he can't quite voice.

Does Earth still need him, or will Namtan's presence pull them apart?

He feels torn, wanting to be there for Earth but terrified of being pushed away.

He whispers softly, "Earth?" His voice barely audible, not wanting to disturb him, but knowing Earth can't stay like this. "You need to move to the bed, or you'll wake up with a sore back."

Earth stirs at the sound of his voice, blinking blearily as Mix helps him to his feet. They move slowly toward the bedroom, and as they enter, First and Khaotung are already there, watching quietly. Without a word, the three of them work together to carefully lay Earth down beside Edin, who sleeps soundly, unaware of the storm that's brewing around him.

Earth instinctively reaches for Edin in his sleep, wrapping an arm around his son, pulling him close. Mix watches the scene, his chest tight with emotions he can't fully name. He tucks the blanket around Earth and Edin, making sure they're both comfortable.

"Umm..." Mix mumbles, turning toward First and Khaotung, unsure of what to do next, feeling out of place and lost.

"We should go," Khaotung says softly, his hand resting on First's arm. There's a sadness in his voice, a sense of understanding between them that Mix can't quite grasp.

"I'll go with you," Mix offers, the uncertainty in his voice betraying his emotions.

Before anyone can answer, Earth stirs again, mumbling in his sleep. "Mix?" His voice is thick with sleep, but the plea in it is clear. "Please stay. Don't leave..."

Mix freezes, leaning down closer to Earth. "I'm here," he whispers, his heart aching.

"Please..." Earth's voice trails off as he slips back into sleep.

Mix looks up at First and Khaotung, their eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and support. First speaks softly, "Take care of him, Mix. He needs you."

Mix smiles weakly, sadness tinging the edges of his expression. "I will. Take care of yourselves."

Khaotung places a hand on Mix's shoulder, squeezing gently before leading First out of the room. "Thank you, Mix."

As the door closes behind them, Mix sits down beside the bed, his heart heavy with all the words left unsaid. The depth of what's happening presses down on him, but for now, he stays, because Earth asked him to.

And right now, that's enough.

Mix takes one last look at the sleeping figures of Earth and Edin, the soft rise and fall of their breaths filling the quiet room. His heart aches a little as he pulls away, heading toward the sofa. The day has been overwhelming-emotionally and physically-and as soon as he closes his eyes, sleep overtakes him in seconds.

In the middle of the night, Earth stirs, his throat dry and his body craving water. The faint light from the moon filters through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. Earth blinks sleepily, pushing himself up, careful not to wake Edin, and quietly walks toward the kitchen. But as he passes through the living room, he notices Mix curled up on the sofa, his figure almost too small for the space, his face peaceful but his cheeks touched with the cold.

Earth stops in his tracks, his brow furrowing. He remembers asking Mix to stay-so why is Mix out here, sleeping on the sofa instead of in a warm bed?

Guilt tugs at Earth, realizing he's let Mix sleep uncomfortably after everything that's happened. He takes a quiet step closer, his eyes softening as he watches Mix sleep.

Mix looks peaceful, his expression free from the worries that had weighed him down earlier in the evening. Earth sighs deeply, a realization settling in his chest. Mix has been his constant-through Edin's challenges, through the chaos of Namtan's sudden return, Mix has been the steady presence Earth didn't know he needed.

In this quiet moment, watching him sleep, Earth realizes...

...Mix is the peace he's been waiting for.

Without thinking, Earth leans down and gently brushes his hand against Mix's cheek. The warmth of his touch stirs Mix, who blinks his eyes open, surprised to see Earth so close, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Earth?" Mix murmurs, his voice still laced with sleep.

"Hey," Earth responds softly, his thumb continuing to graze Mix's cheek. "Why are you out here? You should've been inside with Edin."

Mix smiles, sitting up slightly. "I'm fine here."

Earth shakes his head. "No. Your cheeks are cold," he says, his voice tinged with concern. "I'm going to grab some water. I'll be right back."

Mix stands too, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "I'll come with you. I'm thirsty too."

They head to the kitchen together, the night's silence stretching comfortably between them as they drink their water. There's an unspoken understanding, a shared feeling of quiet contentment, as they move back toward the living room. When they return, Earth moves toward the sofa instead of the bed, lying down quickly. Mix chuckles, confused by Earth's sudden playfulness.

"What are you doing?" Mix asks, amusement coloring his voice.

Earth doesn't answer, just gives him a smile and taps the small space beside him on the sofa, urging Mix to lie down next to him.

Mix shakes his head, still chuckling. "Earth, there's not enough space."

"There is," Earth insists. "Come here."

Mix hesitates, glancing toward the bedroom where Edin sleeps. "What about Edin?"

"I'll move to the bed before he wakes up," Earth says, his voice full of reassurance. Mix rolls his eyes but smiles, relenting.

"Alright, alright," Mix mumbles, sliding onto the sofa as Earth shifts to make room for him.

Earth, being the bigger of the two, immediately wraps his arms around Mix, pulling him close. He nestles himself behind Mix, his body curving perfectly around him in a warm embrace. Earth's chest presses against Mix's back, and his right arm slips beneath Mix's head, serving as a makeshift pillow. His left arm drapes securely over Mix's waist, holding him close, creating a cocoon of warmth between them.

Mix feels Earth's steady breathing against his back, and a wave of calmness washes over him. Earth's presence, solid and warm, makes him feel safe.

Earth's hand absentmindedly plays with Mix's ear, a small, affectionate gesture that makes Mix's heart swell with something indescribable. "You must've been startled by everything that happened today," Earth mumbles, his voice soft and drowsy, his fingers still lightly tracing Mix's ear.

Mix doesn't respond with words. Instead, he breathes in deeply, taking in the familiar scent of Earth, letting it ground him. The weight of the day melts away, replaced by the comforting warmth of Earth's embrace. He closes his eyes, feeling a sense of peace that had eluded him all night.

Earth smiles faintly, his lips brushing against Mix's hair as he whispers, "Good night, Mix."

"Good night, Earth," Mix murmurs, his voice barely audible, but filled with quiet contentment.

And in that small space on the sofa, wrapped in each other's arms, they fall asleep, the world outside fading into the background.

:i am not sure, but i'm having trouble while writing this. i hope the emotions went through somehow 🥺 thank you for reading!