The Seoul summer was suffocating, even in the shade. Han Jisung was pushing through the crowd, trying to get to the subway station, when it hit him. A wave of dizziness, a roaring in his ears, and the sudden, suffocating feeling of being utterly alone in a sea of faces.

He was having a panic attack, the familiar tightness in his chest escalating into a full-blown assault. His vision narrowed, the world around him a blur of distorted colors and panicked whispers. He stumbled back against the brick wall of the alleyway, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

He didn't know how long he'd been there, lost in the suffocating grip of his anxiety. All he knew was the overwhelming need to escape, to disappear into the shadows and vanish from this suffocating reality.

Then, a voice cut through the haze, a gentle, concerned inquiry. "Hey, are you alright?"

Han looked up, blinking against the sudden light. Standing before him was a young man, his features framed by a shock of dark black hair. There was a genuine concern in his eyes, a kindness that somehow managed to pierce through the fog of his panic.

"I... I don't know," Han managed to croak out, his voice trembling.

The stranger, sensing his distress, stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. "It's okay," he said softly. "You're safe here."

His presence, surprisingly, had a calming effect. The stranger's calm demeanor seemed to anchor Han to the present moment, pulling him back from the precipice of his panic. He gently guided Han to sit down on a nearby crate, his voice a soothing balm against the storm raging within him.

"Try to breathe with me," the stranger instructed, his deep voice a low rumble. "Inhale slowly through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth." He then started counting.

Han, following his instructions, found his breathing gradually slowing, the rapid, shallow breaths easing into a more controlled rhythm. The stranger continued to talk, his voice a steady stream of comforting words, describing the mundane details of the alleyway - the worn bricks, the graffiti art, the distant sound of traffic.

As the intensity of the panic subsided, Han finally felt a sliver of calm return. He looked at the stranger, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice still a little shaky. "I... I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't..."

The stranger smiled, a warm and genuine expression. "No problem. Happens to the best of us." He paused, then added, "I'm Felix, by the way."

Han, still a little shaken but infinitely grateful, introduced himself. They shook hands and exchanged numbers.

"It's rare to meet someone who truly 'gets it'," Han admitted, a quiet intensity in his voice. "You know," Felix said with a mischievous glint in his eye, "I think we could be friends. But only if you promise to buy the first round of coffee." Han grinned. "Today evening works for me. I'm always down for good coffee and good conversation."

xx

Felix slid into the seat opposite Han. Han was already deep in conversation with the barista, his brow furrowed as he debated the merits of different espresso blends.

"Sorry I'm late," Felix apologized, "Traffic was a nightmare."

Han waved a dismissive hand, "No worries. I'm still trying to decipher this new lavender latte they have...sounds interesting." He gestured towards the menu of 'Something sweet'.
;)

Felix shuddered. "Lavender? In my coffee? I'll stick to the Americano, thanks. What are you getting?"

"The 'Devil's Delight'," Han declared with a mischievous grin. "It's basically a liquid chocolate bomb."

As they waited for their orders, the conversation meandered. Han, true to form, asked a series of bizarre questions: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be? What's the meaning of life? Do you think aliens exist?" Felix, initially flustered, found himself surprisingly enjoying the absurdity of it all.

Then, Han leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. "You know, my birthday is September 14th."

Felix blinked. "Mine's September 15th!"

"No way!" Han exclaimed, "We're birthday twins!" They both laughed, the initial awkwardness melting away. "That's...freaky," Felix admitted, shaking his head.

"I know, right?" Han grinned. "Maybe it's a sign. A sign that we're destined to be friends."

xx

"So, I was telling you about my taste in men," Han said, taking a sip of his 'Devil's Delight,' "Well, I also happen to be in a band." He paused for dramatic effect. "We call ourselves 3Racha."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "3Racha? That's an interesting name." Han nodded, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, 3Racha. We write, produce, everything. It's...it's our passion. You should check us out sometime".

Felix's heart swelled with pride for his newly made friend. "That's amazing! I can't wait to hear it. Tell me something more about your band?"

"Hmm there's me, of course," Han said, "Then there's CB97 who mostly handles the rapping and songwriting. He's the leader too. Then there's Changbin-hyung. He's an absolute beast on the beat, like seriously, his production skills are insane. And finally, there's me! I'm the youngest, but don't let that fool you. I've got this incredible flow and write the most poetic lyrics," Han boasted proudly.

And just like that, the evening went on.

xx

Felix, a content sigh escaping his lips, stepped in the apartment building. A small, cozy place he'd recently rented.

As he walked down the corridor, his mind replayed the scenes of the evening. Han's laughter, the easy flow of their conversation, the shared meal that had felt more like a communion than a simple hangout. A smile touched his lips. It had been a good evening, a truly good evening.

He locked the door behind him, the key turning smoothly in the lock - a small victory. The quiet solitude was a comforting embrace after the vibrant energy of the city and the warmth of Han's company. He freshened up and slipped into bed.

Anticipation, a gentle hum, filled him as he drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and he couldn't wait to see what it held.
_____________________________________

I'm thinking of updating every day until the New Year now!

-M★