#ck;starter

Christian couldn't contain the smile that adorned his face upon seeing the picnic Aeri had prepared for their date. The setting was perfect, with a clear sky overhead and the serene sound of ocean waves accompanying them. Nodding approvingly, he extended his hand for Aeri to take, and as she did, he followed her lead toward the blanket spread out on the sand.

"I'm at a loss for words, Aeri," Christian confessed, his gaze shifting between the delicious spread of food she had prepared. "Thank you for putting all this together for us. It looks fantastic."

Christian entered the club, looking around. The lights, the loud music, everyone in a state of euphoria, everything was familiar to him; back in the U.S. that was the only life he knew for a couple of years and right now, he had to be aware of the moment and stay anchored to the ground.

He sat down near the dancers, his friends ordering alcohol and his weakness awakens, a glass of whiskey on his hand already. “Ah, you guys won’t waste time.“

Christian turned on the lights, slipping off his shoes with a heavy sigh that carried all the burdens of the day. He sat down on the couch for a moment but a sound scared him. Standing up, he checked behind the couch and jumped slightly. “Why are you hiding behind my couch!? How the hell  did you get into my house?”

Just one beer and I'll go home, thought Christian when he sat down on the bar. One, two, three... And he was still there. A group of people was slowly raising their voices and not just him but also the person sitting next to him noticed too that they were not with a 'friend', instead, they were bothering someone.

Christian stood up with his beer and approached the group. "Hi! Long time no see, are you with them? Why don't you come here so we can talk." A small lie never hurt anyone or maybe it did but who cared.

"Ouch, ouch!" He whined, shutting his eyes tightly. "Don't pull! You are hurting me!" His hair was stuck and he was starting to get desperate.

“So…” Christian started. “Why are we going to the Han river at this time?” He took out his phone and the screen lit up so he was able to see the exact time. “1 a.m. to be exact.”

“I come here when I want to get my mind off things. I had no idea someone else was going to be here this time…" It was almost midnight and he thought he would be by himself as usual but no. “Do you mind if I sit here for a moment…?” Christian said softly when he pushed his scarf down a little bit. Admiring the view was always helpful.