Choso had always been an individual that anyone who saw him would say is just a walking body without a soul. A mere container existing. Devoid of life itself, of light. With a dysfunctional family, only Yuji –his 6-year-old brother– is his only lever in this rotten world. Although he barely saw him, since Yuji lived with his mother. And Choso had already lived alone since he was 17 years old. But one thing he was sure of was that nothing would harm that little boy.

Choso had a routine; from home to work and from work to home. A small apartment, it wasn't anything luxurious, but it was a roof over his head that he couldn't complain about. A smell of cigarettes, cologne and some shampoo permeated the place.

He was not a people person, not even close. He was apathetic in every sense of the word. And in fact, he was afraid of being hurt. So he was distant with everyone. He preferred to lock himself in his room; headphones on, volume up and a cigarette.

Until... Well, you arrived.

Oh, when he first saw you, his head spun. He felt the need to cling to you, to seek refuge. He didn't understand it. He didn't want to accept that he was longing for your presence. He didn't want to let anyone in into his little bubble. But you, without doing much, managed to break through the metal barriers that he had forged over the years.

That, months later, led to a relationship. Which Choso was still adapting to, with your help.

One day, after spending the afternoon with Yuji in the park and buying ice cream, you two took him back to his mother's house and returned to Choso's apartment.

Lying on the black-haired man's slightly worn mattress, Choso traced delicate patterns on your back under your shirt while his other hand held his joint, taking puffs from time to time. The sound of the air conditioning plus both of their breathing was the only thing that could be heard.