[Halilintar's POV]

Right after I got my necessities from my house, I immediately followed the airhead until we reached his home. My eyes blinked a few times in disbelief when I realized, his house was just a few blocks away from mine. I shook my head slightly, pursing my lips as we went inside, feeling anxious about this airhead's parents.

As we entered his house, I was expecting that his parents are inside because it's already night time. But no. I only saw an old woman sitting comfortably on a rocking chair, which I think it's his grandmother.

"Good evening, Grandma!" The airhead greeted, making his way towards his grandparent and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Good evening too, dear."

"I brought a friend with me. I hope you wouldn't mind if he stay here for a while?" Pointing at my direction, his grandma glanced at me, giving me a warm smile afterwards.

"Sure, dearie. He can stay for as long as he like." His grandma said, making the airhead's face lit up in excitement. "Make yourself at home." She softly said to me, which I shyly nodded at her in response.

"Yay! Thank you so much, grandma! I love you!" The airhead exclaimed, gently hugging his elderly parent wholeheartedly.

I only watched them from a distance, as I felt my heart sunk down to my stomach. Oh how I wish my family and I would become like this as well when I get home. But I would always, and only received a hassle from them everytime.

"Come, you two. Both of you are probably hungry. I made a macaroni soup for dinner." His grandma stated, slowly standing up from her rocking chair and proceeded to the kitchen afterwards.

"Yummy! Come on, Hali! Let's eat dinner together!" The airhead cheerfully said.

"My dear Fan-Fan, why don't you two dress up first before you eat? So it wouldn't be a burden for you two to change up after you ate your dinner." His grandmother spoke, making her grandson nodded obediently.

"Okay, grandma! Come, Hali! I'll show you my room!" The airhead grinned, before rushing upstairs without even waiting for me. I heaved a slight sigh, following him afterwards.

As we reached his room, my eyes wandered around inside of it in awe. His room was quite big, containing a study table, a medium-sized window, wardrobe and of course, his bed. His walls were painted in dark blue color with a combination of white and yellow, and some other decorations were hanging there, like his own skateboard, some motivational posters, and some night-lights like stars and a crescent-shaped moon.

"... cool." I unexpectedly mumbled.

"What was that? Did I heard you complimented my room just now?!" The idiot exclaimed, smirking at my direction.

"S-Shut up...!" I snapped, looking away afterwards with my arms crossed on my chest.

"Aww... You're so cute when you're sulking." He giddily commented, making me glare at him.

One more freaking word from you and I'm definitely going to throw you off this room through the window...

"Alright, alright! Go and change here. I'll just change at my... parents'... room..." He stammered, chuckling nervously before leaving me here in his room, gently closing the door as he exited the room.

My brows furrowed at his sudden odd behaviour. 'Why is he acting... weird?' I thought, before shaking my head and started to change my own clothing before going downstairs to eat dinner.

[End of POV]

<<>> <<>> <<>>

After having their dinner, Halilintar and Taufan then went up to the wind elemental's room, with the grumpy teenager trying to adjust from his own, temporary, foamy mattress he just borrowed.

Taufan was already fast asleep on own his bed, while still wearing his blue mask. Halilintar on the other hand, couldn't sleep, so he decided to lean onto the window, gazing at the night sky from above, with the moon gleaming from his direction. His body was reclined, hugging both of his knees onto his chest while quietly over thinking about his life.

He was honestly glad that he's here in a house, where it's silent, and he wouldn't have to hear any exasperating noises coming from downstairs. Truthfully, he felt like staying in Taufan's home longer than his real home, but after hearing those sincere words from Taufan's grandmother that he could stay for as long as he want, he was grateful about it. But it's not like he's excited because he's about to have what people call a 'sleepover' in Taufan's house but, he just want to get away from my parents' chaotic arguments.

However, now that he's finally staying in a peaceful place, he still couldn't sleep. He wanted to take a nice, long rest, but his mind doesn't want him to. Maybe because, his negative thoughts kept on bothering him, keeping him awake at night.

He was feeling a bit lonely on the inside, even though he's sharing a room with Taufan. He probably just needs a company, but he didn't want to wake Taufan up in the middle of the night, feeling ashamed that he might disturb his restful slumber. He think that it's better to just leave him be, and try to face his problems by his own instead since, all he got was his self anyway.

"You're still awake...?" Waking up from his sleep, Taufan slowly rubbed his eyes, sitting up straight on his bed.

"Go back to sleep, airhead. It's still too early in the morning." Halilintar grumbled, frowning as he looked at Taufan then back at the window.

"I think I rested enough." When Taufan finally got back to his senses, he chuckled softly, getting up from his bed and walked towards Halilintar, sitting on the other side of him afterwards.

"I told you to go back to sleep."

"Like I said, I rested well enough. What about you? Are you bothered by something again?" The blue-masked teen asked, staring at the lightning elemental in worry.

"It's none of your business—"

"Well, it's my business now. So, come on. Speak up." Taufan stated, with a determined look plastered on his face.

Halilintar only sighed in defeat, thinking it's impossible for him to get rid of him. His dull eyes slowly looked up at him, not knowing where to start since his mind was filled with countless thoughts. His anxiously bit the bottom of his lip, staring at the window afterwards.

"You just... remind me of someone..." He uttered.

"Who...?" Taufan curiously asked.

"... An old friend of mine..." The electrical element stated, gloomily looking back at the wind element.

"But... I thought you didn't have any friends— wait, why do you think I remind you of your friend?" 

"... Your gentleness. How you talk, how you comfort, how you treat me. You're just like him."

"Who's 'him'? What's his name...?"

"... Gempa."

"Gempa..." Taufan softly mumbled.

"He... was my first friend to ever treat me with kindness. My first friend to ever vent my feelings to. My first friend who'd given me hope. My first friend to ever give me comfort. My first friend to ever understand me. My first friend who'd helped me. My first friend I could talk with. My first friend I could trust with. But then one day... he left me." Halilintar gritted his teeth angrily, tears were visible from the corner of his eyes. "He freaking left me...!"

Taufan glumly looked at him, pursing his lips. "Why? W-What happened...?"

"He... died... from an accident." The ruby red-eyed boy replied, breathing deeply as he tried not to shed a tear. "Then here I am, all alone. Getting judged by almost everyone, treating me like I'm a horrible person, while living with a miserable life." He added, his trembling hands started forming into fists.

Seeing Halilintar trying to open up to Taufan made the latter feel that he trusts him, but the pain he's feeling inside right now, he can feel it as well.

"Indeed, losing your only friend hurts, but never getting a chance to see them again is by far, the worst." The lightning elemental stated. "I'm afraid that if I ever became friends with someone again, I might lose them again... That's why I thought of pushing everyone away and decided to never have one in my life anymore."

Without warning, Taufan immediately moved towards him, giving him a comforting, gentle, warm hug afterwards. Halilintar was surprised by his sudden action, making him froze completely on his spot. He was on the verge of tears, as this was his first time to ever receive a hug from someone.

"Just let it all out, Hali. I'm here for you, okay?" The wind elemental breathed, smiling softly underneath his blue mask.

"Please, promise me you won't leave me like he did..."

His statement made Taufan's brows to furrow both in disbelief and in guilt. He wasn't expecting him to say those words, and surprisingly, it actually came from his mouth; from him. He knew that he couldn't keep that promise, he knew he could break it one day, but he doesn't want to hurt him no more.

"... Don't worry, I won't make you feel that way..." Taufan then felt like his heart ached after responding something he'll surely regret saying in the end. "... I promise."

Halilintar didn't returned the hug, he only buried his face on his shoulder, trying to resist himself from crying. He could feel his breath hitching, but he calmed down after a few moments. Feeling too exhausted and without even realising it, he drifted off to sleep, with his head still resting ontop of the blue-masked teen.

Taufan stayed in his position, as he didn't moved an inch for a moment. He quietly chuckled, carefully lifting his friend's head before gently leaning it on the wall behind him. He silently got up from where he's sitting, taking the lightning elemental's covers and put it on him. Before going back to bed, he warmly smiled at his sleeping figure, sighing lightly afterwards.

"Sleep tight, Hali."