Lost Boy

Jack raised an eyebrow, “You thought I was just gonna let you show up here alone? What kind of friend would I be then?” He asked with a soft smile, holding up the garbage bags that he had brought with him. Jack wasn’t gonna say that he was also desperate for human contact, because that was really only a minor reason. “Plus, this-” he motioned to the apartment “can be overwhelming to deal with on you’re on, no matter how ‘ok’ you are” Jack shrugged, stepping over some of the glass to get closer to Ezra, “So tell me where to start”

“I didn’t...you didn’t have to...” He said unable to properly respond to the situation in front of him. He was greatful that Jack was there and he didn’t have to face this alone but leaning on the other seemed like too much. He could hold this over him or use it to make him feel guilty in the future. “It is a mess in here and I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” Ezra gripped onto the broom tighter not knowing what to do, “Just umm sit down and I will get you a drink and you can look up some guys who fix windows.” Thats something he could do that he can’t blackmail me for Ezra thought to himself. 

Always one to prepare, as soon as she’d discovered Lexie was pregnant, Mara checked out What to Expect When You’re Expecting from the library. “Did you know that ‘pregnancy brain’ is an actual, scientifically proven phenomenon? Apparently, pregnant people have less oxygen in their blood, which causes forgetfulness…” 

“Well pregnancy also improves cognition and the memory issues usually stop after 6 weeks.” Being a kindergarten teacher allowed Ezra to also learn a lot about pregnancy from the mothers of some of his kids. “Planing on having a baby?” 

\

As much as Mingyu was surprised at himself for not only allowing himself to get as cuddly and close as possible with Ezra, but also revealing his deepest secret that only Mankyo Kang knew about, he was also grateful that he could finally be true to Ezra. “Cl- claimed you…?.. Maybe…” Mingyu stuttered weakly, gripping harder at Ezra’s shirt, knuckles growing white from the firm grip he held. ”oh, I think it was a bad ki-” As Mingyu responded to Ezra, the artist felt the gentle kiss of soft lips against his own, eyes growing wide as the room started to spin a little. Ezra said something afterwards but Mingyu’s mind couldn’t really process that because he was still going over the kiss that just happened. “… Huh?” the male finally responded, his voice about three octives higher after what felt like a never ending silence. He was pretty sure this was exactly how he’d responded the new years eve when Matty kissed him too. Mingyu was also pretty sure his face was probably about as red as his reddest paint.

What did he do? WHAT DID HE JUST DO? Seeing Mingyu turn bright red and stop functioning made woke Ezra up to what he just did. He kissed Mingyu? HE KISSED MINGYU! Without even asking if it was okay or even reading the room. What if he hated him forever for this? “IM SORRY” Ezra blurted out falling off the bed to get up and away from Mingyu to give him space. “I don’t know why I did that? I just, I...I wanted to...I don’t know...I am so sorry. If you want me to leave I will and never come back.” He said his hands going to his sides beginning to pinch at his clothes something he did when under deress. “I am so sorry. Plase don’t hate me.....” 

special delivery for - @asteriastarters​

Daniel sat on a bench with a pizza box open next to him, his tongue brushing along his lower lip as he opened the box. It was weird being back in Asteria especially after the disaster struck and took out everything with it. He picked up a slice of pizza out of the box, lifting his eyes towards the figure in front of him. “Help yourself,”

Ezra laughed and sat next to Daniel, “I am good. The shelter only had pizza so I am offically all pizza’d out for a while.” He then laid back and looked at the sky, “It’s so interesting how angry the sky can get but then calm down just as quickly as if nothing happened. So what have you been up to now that mother nature is done yelling at us?” 

Ezra took a deep breath as he stood in front of his apartment. He had gotten the all clear to leave the shelter and after staying at a friends for a bit he decided it was time to go home. Opening the door all he could do was laugh at the state of his home. So this is what a hurricane does? Stepping over the glass of what used to be his window he grabbed a broom and began his work. As he got a good pile of glass going he heard the door slide open and he perked up, “What are you doing here? I said I was okay.” 

​Open: @asteriastarters​

Everything felt like it was out of balance so Phillip just went to the place that seemed to always bring him joy. The Valentine placed his tripod and camera and started to take pictures of the beach, but all the debris around just made him focus on that first that anything else, so he grabbed a garbage back and started to pick as many plastics and things as he could get to clean the beach. He saw someone started to help him and smile “Hey, thanks. This means so much, really, thanks.”

Ezra was spending some time sitting by the beach letting his mind relax from the craziness of the past couple of weeks. Deep down he missed his kids but was happy that they were all safe at home with their families. Usually around this time they would be out on the beach doing some community projects but the hurricane had canceled school for the foreseeable future. When he saw someone picking up the trash he took it as a sign he didn’t have to stop. “It’s no problem. I usually do this with my class so any invitation to keep Asteria clean is a good one. I am Ezra!” 

Mingyu’s cheeks were growing more red as he felt Ezra pulling him closer yet, their noses practically touching. Ezra was so warm and soft, his arms felt natural around him. His breath was shaky now, feeling anxiety at talking about himself again. He hated talking about himself and about what happened to him, but Ezra deserved to know. He’d seen the look of anger cross Ezra’s face for a moment, it was hard not too being so close to him. Mingyu realized they were so close, just a bit more distance being closed, the two of them could easily… he breathed in sharply, “I- I’m glad because the media thought I was.. I was a demon or something.. I was so… so in love with him and he just… for his career, he told them I attacked him and then…” Mingyu’s shoulders trembled with another shudder. “it’s why we moved here.” Mingyu murmured, keeping eye contact with Ezra. “I’m going to worry about you whether you like it or not, so you better get that thought right out of your head…” The artist let himself relax against Ezra, even though his heart was still going wild, he felt so much better. “Oh… I forgot about the movie…” he mumbled softly, refusing to break contact with him.

Ezra bit his lip feeling their noses in a sort of accidental eskimo kiss. Usually Ezra would be frozen like a statue but with Mingyu he was so worried about the other the same anxious feelings dissapeared. Instead they were replaced with an all to familiar feeling. The same feeling he had when sharing a drunken kiss with Matty. The tingles on the tips of his fingers and the heat radiating from his hands as if the person in front of him was made of fire. Every touch burning but satisfying beckoning him for more. Soon that feeling was joined by the pounding of his heart the same pounding that led him to kiss Matty in the middle of a crowded airport. Thats what he decides he will blame for his next action. Ezra leans forward and bites his lip, “I guess you have claimed me as yours then?” He teased, “Honestly I can’t even remember what we were watching. Mingyu....” Before he could finish the thought his body moved first and placed a soft kiss against the others lips, “We are going to be okay, I promise.” 

Mingyu groaned at his words, “No, that’s you and Matty, not me.” He whined and let both of his hands grasp the shirt in front of the other’s chest now, keeping him close so he couldn’t move away. Mingyu was blushing too- this was the closest he had ever gotten to Ezra but it felt really nice. He didn’t want to move away and it was honestly helping him from concentrating on the fact that his stupid heart rate had gone up. Literally giving away everything. “I am not going to stop worrying about you and I will not take care of myself and not you. That is not how friendship works.” He said, his eyes falling to his hands gripping the fabric of Ezra’s shirt, trembling. His heart felt like it was being squeezed at the thought of something happening to Ezra and the other keeping it from Mingyu, “I don’t want you to shut me out… I don’t want to lose you… Ever.” His eyes finally made contact with Ezra’s again. “I- I am tired of losing people. I am tired of hiding. I will not hide from you anymore, but you have to do the same…” he whispered, the words coming out before he could stop himself, “Back in Korea, my life was different than it is now. My parents liked me. Then I got caught… I got caught with this boy - an idol. He t- told everyone I forced myself on him, that it was not mutual. I was made out to be a horrible person in the media, like a… a-” Mingyu couldn’t say it, the word made him feel sick to his stomach. Swallowing hard, he continued, “I shut everyone out. My parents hate me. We came here, and I just… I just became a shell. But you… you made things easier for me when I came to this little town. You made me feel better, even if I was afraid to open up to you. I know I hide a lot in my studio but when you and I would hang out, it made me feel… so much better. Less alone. Yes, I have Matty and he is… he is my only family I have now. The people I call my parents do not even care about me - they care about their appearance. But when I first came here, I met you and you were so kind. I grew attached to you, Ezra. You made the separation between Mankyo and I so much easier to cope with because you cared for me too… so, I do not want you to shut me out. Please. Don’t tell me not to worry about you because I am always going too. You’re my family now too, Ezra.” He whispered, fighting back tears once again. But everything he said; it was true. “You’re my family.” Mingyu swallowed hard. Matty was the only other person who knew about his scandal and now, he’d opened up to Ezra. It was terrifying but it felt so freeing at the same time.

“Are you sure the hurricane didn’t effect your eyes? Cause you are literally the cutest human being the world has ever known.” Ezra said humming happily wrapping his arms around Mingyu to bring him closer. It was such a change from the way they were before, but he could get used to this. Hearing the beeping in the background gave Ezra the confidence to lean in closer as Mingyu spoke to him. “I-..” He didn’t know what to say as Mingyu began venting out to him. Deciding it best to keep calm to the end and just offer a reassuring nod and squeeze whenever he looked in his eyes. The wave of emotions he went through in that passed minute surprised even himself. From being angry about the stupid idol that hurt Mingyu to sadness realizing why Mingyu was so scared to trust again. “I could never shut you out.” He said softly trying his best to open up to the other. “I don’t care about any of that and I don’t believe a word of it. Knowing the Mingyu I know I couldn’t believe you would hurt even a fly.” He sighed and played with his fingers trying to find the right words, “I don’t want you to feel like you have to worry about me. You have so much to worry about and adding on my problems is not fair. I have made it this far alone and can keep going so I should.” He tried explaining his thinking to the other, “I-….I don’t know what a family is. I love you and Matty more than you could ever know and that makes me want to protect you from everything bad even when that bad thing is me.” Ezra shook his head and smiled, “You don’t have to worry about me. I am okay and as long as you are okay, I will be okay. Let’s finish this dumb movie okay?”

Mingyu decided to drop the subject of his legs before he started to cry again because Ezra didn’t need to see him doing that anymore. “Mm…” Nodding at the kid comment, it made Mingyu smile ever so slightly, the boy’s words making his heart do a little jump. He pretended the monitor didn’t just speed up like that. “Stop that, I’m not that cute.” He wrinkled his nose and subconsciously pulled himself closer to the other, “I- I love you too and I don’t want you to be living somewhere that isn’t safe and- and warm for you…” He whispered. “But Ezra… I’m worried about y- you…” Mingyu’s first response was to call Matty and talk some sense into Ezra but his friend seemed adamant on keeping the other out of it. His fingers tugged Ezra closer yet as Mingyu carefully rested his forehead against Ezra’s. 

Ezra smiled to himself noticing the slight rise in Ezra’s BPM from his comment. With Mingyu hooked up to these machines Ezra had his very own lie detector. He smirked and shook his head, “You are definetly the cutest person in our friend group and you know it.” Ezra opened his arms so Mingyu could come closer making sure to move his legs so they didn’t collide with the his. “It is safe and you shouldn’t be focusing on me. I am okay and can handle what happened. I want you to focus on healing and getting better.” Ezra looked down his ears a soft crimson as Mingyu pulled him closer, “I am really okay. You and Matty worry about me to much and you need to take care of yourselves. I don’t need help.” 

Jack: Hey, signal just came back so I wanted to message you. Are you ok?

Mingyu rubbed at his ear, his cheeks visibly red as he tried to get his mind off of that feeling. “I am not going to die, you are right.” He said softly, resting a hand on Ezra’s head, rubbing gently before giggling. “Ping ping is cute. You are cute… you act like a kid and I like it- that ping ping sounds like something a child would say.” Mingyu said happily before his face fell. “Do you need anywhere to stay? My parents said my little house on their property is fine. A window broke but they will have fixed it now… the would not mind if you stayed there while I am away…” He looked concerned, a hand resting on Ezra’s chest with a soft grip to the shirt there. “You could also ask Matty to stay with him…” Mingyu told his friend. “… I am sure Matty would gladly take you in.”

“You aren’t you just hurt your legs.” He said trying to relax Mingyu. Ezra turned a soft read leaning more into Mingyu’s hand. “Well, I do spend most of my time with children so I pick up some things. However, I am not as cute as you.” He teased then shook his head quickly. “I love you but the idea of being alone with your parents would make me so nervous I couldn’t sleep. I am alright my apartment is liveable just needs some remodeling.” Ezra bit his lip seeing Mingyu’s hand, “Please don’t tell Matty! He will freak out and he has so much to worry about already.” Ezra knew if Matty found out he would have no choice but to stay with him putting more burdens on them. “I am okay, I promise.” 

Mingyu jumped when his ear was blown on, eyes wide as goosebumps littered his skin. He whined and shook his head. “Why did you do that? It felt weird.” He huffed t the other and shook his head again. “I could be dying, you do not know.” Mingyu huffed, tugging at his shirt. “Everything will work out how it is supposed too…” his voice trailed off, thinking about that statement. Yes, things worked the way they were supposed too but how come he had to suffer for it like this? No no, Ezra told him not to think like that. He was right, Mingyu knew that.  He was broken from his thoughts as his friend spoke, leaning close to look at his phone at the mention of bars before giggling, “What? Did you say ping ping?” Mingyu asked, before blinking, “Fix…?” He looked shocked, “Did your apartment get destroyed? Ezra…?” He looked concerned, eyes wide. “Is everything okay? Do you need somewhere to stay?” He reached up, his hand cupping Ezra’s cheek. “Ezra, is everything okay?” Mingyu couldn’t help but feel so concerned about his friend. 

Ezra blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, “Sorry, I usually do that when the kids are sad to take their mind of the issue.” He shook his head, “I know that you are not dying, and you will not die.” Ezra spoke with full confidence of the words coming out of his mouth. He looked down and bit his lip, “Yes, ping ping that is what I call the bar graph thing.” Ezra looked away something he always did when he didn’t know what to say, “My apartment isn’t destroyed or anything. Just the windows broke and so there is water and wall damage. I was just going to stay at a hotel for now. How is your place?” He said wanting to turn it back to Mingyu feeling bad for complaining.

\

Mingyu boke out of his thoughts at the sound of Ezra’s voice, blinking a few times. “Huh? Oh. Yes, it is kind of silly but I do not mind as much… it is a good distraction… you are a good distraction.” Mingyu told him honestly and leaned into the hair petting, eyes closing for a moment. It was true, he remembered feeling so upset that Ezra wasn’t showing up when he and Matty invited him out. He was feeling really sad and finally after one time, he caught sight of Ezra in the coffee shop as he was passing by and immediately went into the shop and sat down and - practically crying - asked Ezra what he did wrong because the other didn’t want to hang out with them. After that, things got better between them and a lot easier to get ahold of Ezra. Of course, Mingyu understood. He and Matty had been together as friends for so very long, it was hard to get into a relationship like that. But Mingyu had tried to be open with the other, knowing that the two spent some time together before Matty moved to Asteria with Mingyu. He had been so glad the two had gotten along well, maybe a bit jealous that sometimes the others hung out without him - which Mingyu didn’t really understand why he felt that way - but they got along and that was all that mattered. “You’ve always been a good distraction… you’ve always been a good friend.” Mingyu murmured softly.

“I am happy that I can be a distraction for you during all of this. Sometimes its best just not to think about the world around you even if its only for a moment.” Ezra smiled feeling Ezra lean into his touch something he had only recently began doing. He had no idea what his life would be like without Matty and Mingyu and hoped he would never have to know. They gave him the family he missed so much and made him honestly feel that he wasn’t alone in this world. Him and Matty seemed to hit it off right away in more ways then one but Mingyu and his relationship grew a bit slower. Even though it took a while he wouldn’t change it for the world knowing full well that Mingyu was fully comfortable with him around. “Hey! Don’t talk to me like you are about to die, dummy.” He leaned over and playfully blew in Mingyu’s ear, “We are going to be okay. Everything will work out the way it is supposed to be and that’s destiny, love.” Ezra grabbed his phone and looked through his contacts, “Hey! Hey! I got a bar! Like an actual service ping ping. See everything is slowly going back to normal. I can finally call someone to help fi my apartment.” He blurted out then stopped. “I mean nothing.”

\

Mingyu nodded, “Yes but there is space in my heart for both of you - you have shoes that Matty cannot fill, you know.” Mingyu allowed himself to lean into Ezra, relaxing against him. It made him wonder why he’d denied himself to feeling of someone like Ezra’s arms around him for so many years. Even before Matty came to live in Asteria with him, he wasn’t okay with being touched, especially by guys because of the fear of being seen… unnatural, as his parents put it. They had known Matty for a very long time, they were used to the serious amount of skinship he and Mankyo shared. But they didn’t know Ezra so he had been afraid of being seen differently by them. But right now, Mingyu didn’t care about that. He didn’t care how his mom and dad would feel if they came in right now. He was warm and comfortable in his friend’s arms like this. Even though this movie was… not so great. But it provided a good distraction at least. After they got a little through the movie, Mingyu shifted so his own arms wrapped around Ezra’s waist, gripping at his shirt once more as he let himself space off, not really watching the movie anymore. Just enjoying the time he had with Ezra, despite his legs starting to hurt a little.

“I am just happy that I can have the both of you in my life.” Deep down Ezra always knew that feeling would linger there. He remembered when they had first all met and he would purposely uninvite himself places in fear of stepping in on Matty and Mingyu’s friendship time. It took a pouting Mingyu cornering him at a coffee shop to realize that he didn’t need to do that anymore. He was apart of their group and they would tell him whenever he overstepped which had never happened yet. Ezra shook away those thoughts and smiled at the movie. It was a stupid and low budget kids movie but it let him forget the faces of his class during the hurricane. The fear placed on their faces haunted Ezra till this day. As the memories started to creep back in he felt Mingyu’s arms around his waist making him smile. He reached a hand up and began playing with the other male’s hair. “This movie is kind of dumb.”

“Are you… are you sure about that?”, he asked, still in a worried tone. “Where were you when this all happened? God, I was so worried”, he continued, still holding tightly to him. “You know you can… vent with me if you need to. We’re all stressed today”, he finally let go of him and sat right beside him. When Ezra asked about Mingyu, Matty frowned a little, evident worry and sadness on his face immediately invading him. “He… he’s in ICU”, he let out, a sigh followed after. “He…”, he stopped, fightning back tears. He didn’t want to start crying before explaining anything to Ezra… that would only worry him more. “We were at the museum, I was helping him take care of the artwork so it was safe during the storm. We… we really thought we had more time before making it to my apartment safely and… and then power went out and we went to this room”, he paused a little. “And a window broke and…”, he sighed, he couldn’t even look at Ezra in the eye right now. “A candle fell on his tights and… his legs started burning I- I took the fire out thanks to some water bottles we had near and… he’s all burnt, he’s… he’s been treated now”, he got choked up. “It’s… it’s been quite a day”

“I am okay. You don’t have to worry about me.” He said rubbing Matty’s shoulders, “I and the kids were in the high school shelter. We just recently got the okay to leave.” Ezra sat down and smiled looking at Matty, “Seeing what other people had to go through I don’t think I have the right to vent or complain.” He said truthfully his hands messing with the sides of his now ripped jeans. However, as soon as he heard of Mingyu’s location he sat up straight staring into Matty’s eyes. “He immediately wrapped his arms around him his hand going to caress the other’s cheeks. “It has been quite a day hasn’t it love? For being a small town this place is very dramatic.” Ezra spoke softly trying to use humor to defuse the heaviness of the situation. “I am glad that you both are alive and safe. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss on Matty’s forehead, “Who else could I call shortstack?”

\

“I would not be even the slightest scared of you if I did not know you and saw you on the street, Ezra.” He said without hesitation, smiling back. Ezra’s smile was one of his favorites. “Matty is too good at cuddling…” He said softly, “but now I will compare notes after getting some from you.” Mingyu watched Ezra take out his phone and smiled lightly, “Okay I do not have a preference on which one you turn on, Ezra.” He told his friend and reached out to take the teddy bear, pulling it up against his chest. He pulled the tray over from the side of the bed for Ezra to rest his phone on while he pulled up his movie of choice. “Flowers are lame anyway.” Mingyu replied. He wasn’t the biggest fan of flowers honestly. “This teddy is really cute and soft and I love it.” Mingyu said as he wrapped his arms around the teddy to embrace it against his chest. 

“Hey, I actually have a pretty scary walk you know?” He said his lips jutting out in annoyance at the others words. “Don’t worry, I know that I will never compare to Matty in your eyes. I have come to terms with that a long time ago. Too big of shoes to fill.” He teased softly and put on a movie called spooky godmother. The kids loved halloween movies and nothing was better than ghost, ghouls and morals. Ezra smiled happy that he knew his friend well. “Yeah, why get things that are just going to wilt when you can have the cutest little guy staring back at you when you hug him.” Ezra let the movie play moving his arms back around Mingyu. He wouldn’t admit it but he needed a cuddle do after the past couple of days. The kids were okay and he would heal so he should be greatful. The windows can get fixed and new furniture can be bought.

Matty had gone through every emotion possible during the past few hours. The whole Mingyu being injured by the fire situation has been, by far, the most terrifying experience of his life. The thought of losing his best friend still ached, even if he was safe now… or well, away from all that danger at least. As the doctors took care of Mingyu and his burned and damaged skin, Matty had to be checked up too. Matty hated hospitals and avoided them at all costs, but this time… he had no choice but to be here. He hadn’t noticed some injuries he had suffered himself from the glass that flew all around the room when that window broke from the intense wind. A few cuts here and there. The most severe one on his left arm where a piece of glass made a deep cut: he hadn’t even noticed the bleeding or felt the pain of it back at the museum because he was too focused on helping Mingyu. 

He needed a few stitches for that, and he made it out of the room with bandages covering the wounds. Slight burns on his hands from escaping that room on fire. He then redirected himself to the waiting room, to await for any news on Mingyu. But then… a very familiar face caught his eye, immediately running up to him. Finally, something good happening today. “Ezzy”, he simply said, holding Ezra tightly as he also held back tears. Oh, how he needed to be held right now. “Are, are you okay?”, he worryingly asked as he softly let go of him and sat by his side. “I’m- I’m so glad to see you… I, I was so worried about you too” // @ezraxkim​

As the storm finally cleared out he was able to move the kids from the high school and take them to the hospital. Thankfully none of them had any serious physical injuries despite some small cuts from the glass shattering. He sat with each child as they were checked and waited with them all till all their parents were able to take them home. While most parents were thankful he did had some angry with him for taking the kids on a field trip during a storm. He knew that it wasn’t his fault but he couldn’t help but blame himself for putting the kid in this situation. He should have checked the weather more than once and canceled at the first sign of rain. Standing alone in the hospital he was close to sinking into his thoughts but a familiar voice pulled him up. “Matty?” Ezra opened his arms instinctively at the sound of the other wrapping his arms around him tightly. “I am fine, how are you?” He said not wanting to bother him or anyone with his problems. “I am so glad to see you too. I was worried about you and...Mingyu? Where is Mingyu? I thought you were sheltering together?”