Tret was agitated as he lay in his bed, staring at the white ceiling. He sighed before shifting to his side. He was alone again. Wren had informed him earlier that he was going out, and he hadn't returned. Han hadn't come back either. Tret checked his cellphone, hoping for a reply from Heo. It was already eight in the evening, and he hadn't eaten yet. He wasn't used to eating alone. He felt disappointed that Heo had only seen his message but hadn't replied.
He inadvertently dropped his cellphone beside him and closed his eyes. The peaceful moment was abruptly disrupted by the sound of his messenger notification. Swiftly reopening his eyes, he hoped for a message from Heo, but to his dismay, it was Wren who had messaged instead. Given Wren's tendency to reach out only for important matters, he promptly stood up and settled back down, eager to check the contents of Wren's message.
Wren
Has Han come home yet? Have you eaten? Tret, Heo's at Graffiti. He was drinking excessively and now he's drunk alone. I can't drive him home, I'm on a date. I only asked the bouncer to keep an eye on Heo. Can you pick him up?
Tret gazed at his phone and reread the message, feeling a mix of disbelief and concern. Without hesitation, his worry prompted him to take immediate action. He realized it was important to locate Heo at Graffiti and ensure his safety. He had no idea if there was really a problem with Heo. If there was, why hadn't Heo told him? Wasn't he trustworthy?
Though he felt a bit resentful, he had no choice. He simply walked to Graffiti bar from their apartment. It wasn't far, approximately one and a half kilometers.
Tret arrived at the bar, panting from the rush. As he neared the entrance, disappointment set in. The previously serene establishment had morphed into a bustling hub, filled with people from all walks of life and a cacophony of noise.
The booming music and animated conversations only heightened Tret's irritation. Since it was his first time entering Graffiti, and it wasn't his place, the bar was unfamiliar to him. He sighed and walked in.
Tret scanned the bar frantically, searching for any sign of his best friend Heo. It felt like time was slipping away, and with each passing second, his apprehension grew. He looked around, hoping to spot someone he knew so he could ask if they had seen Heo. Finally, he spotted Heo slouched at a dimly lit table near the corner, surrounded by empty glasses.
Tret hurried over, a mix of concern and irritation bubbling within him. Heo's half-lidded eyes met Tret's worried gaze, momentarily registering surprise before a lopsided grin formed on his face. Tret's annoyance intensified at the sight, but he brushed it aside, focusing on Heo's well-being.
"You've had enough, Heo," Tret said firmly, struggling to hide his frustration. "It's time to go home."
Heo responded in a slurred voice, his words slightly muddled, "Ah, Tret, my best friend! My best friend in the whole world. Come, have a drink with me!"
Tret let out a sigh, a mix of relief and frustration washing over him. "What's your problem?" he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the booming bar music. "You said earlier that you had an important project to finish, so what happened?" He glanced at the empty beer bottles on the table, shaking his head in disbelief. He demanded an explanation. But given Heo's condition, he didn't expect a formal response.
Heo attempted to stand up, but due to his drunken state, he stumbled once again. Luckily, Tret was quick to catch him. He couldn't help but notice the way Heo's eyes squinted due to his intoxication, and somehow found it endearing. As Tret looked at Heo's face, he sensed that something might be bothering him. That's why, despite his growing annoyance, Tret chose to put it aside for the moment. He let out a deep, contemplative sigh.
"Let's go home, Heo," he said, standing up and approaching Heo. "Let's go, I'll help you."
Heo tugged on Tret, bringing him closer. Despite Heo being intoxicated, Tret surrendered to the pull. He found himself inches away from Heo's face, catching a whiff of beer lingering on his lips, blending with the scent of Heo's cologne on his shirt. Tret felt the urge to create some distance, but before he could act, Heo embraced him tightly, wrapping his arms around Tret's neck. Tret found himself kneeling down, attempting to steady the rapid beating of his heart.
"If I share a story with you, would you lend an ear? Would you stick around?" Heo whispered, still using slang.
What did Heo mean? What kind of story would he share with Tret? Naturally, Tret always remained by Heo's side unconditionally. He couldn't bear to leave Heo, unless circumstances beyond their control forced them apart. Who knows what the future holds for both of them? Sometimes, friendships are meant to go through periods of separation. "I'm always here for you. But for now, let's go home." He gently lowered Heo's hands from his neck and stood up, offering his assistance.