you wonder if you’ll ever get used to the quiet. years ago, standing on the crosswalk you’re on now you would have heard the sounds of a thriving city around you, of cars as the rushed past before the stoplight could turn red, of people as they bustled through the streets. but there is none of that now, the cars are still here, and you suppose they’ll be here until nature runs its course, and the ivy that has begun to climb over their exteriors cover them completely. the people; however, didn’t share the same longevity.
when the apocalypse came, the cities were the first to fall. it had been years ago, but remembering it now, you can still feel the way fear had become tangible, a lifeline you held onto as you ran along with everyone else. you had no destination, no clue where was safe, only that you had to get away from the fire and the smoke.
and now you’re back. you look around and see the scorch marks climbing up the sides of buildings, but you also see the trees growing towards the sky, already towering over some of the skyscrapers. this place is no longer your home, but it seems nature had found it just fine after the fires. it’s not rare to come across urban areas being reclaimed by nature, but there’s something about seeing it that makes you feel lighter.
hyunjin squeezes your hand, and brings you out of your thoughts. you hope you haven’t been lost in them too long, and he must’ve caught your embarrassment because he laughs and tells you it’s fine. it’s probably your favourite sound now, his laugh. you talk and joke as you walk through the trees and the ruins, and all thoughts of the quiet are pushed out of your mind. this place is no longer your home, but when hyunjin laughs it starts in his chest and settles in your heart, and it makes you think of one thing only: home.