Chapter 36

                                    

                                          

They were in Sydney so of course Hyunjin was having the time of his life, content that Chan and Felix were in their homeland and being in the country – a whole continent really -  that he felt at peace in (despite the snakes and spiders) always felt great. Performing there was a bit more electric than other places somehow as if Down Under had a special energy. Or maybe it was the weather. Or the animals. Or the people. Or the people he was with being more comfortable. 
Or maybe this time it was the great news he'd just read coming from his homeland – the one that he loves but that he sometimes is heartbroken by and has at times given up on.
"Anyone can be a minority and being a minority simply means different from the majority, not being wrong or incorrect" the ruling said.
The ruling which was historic, in modern times at least. The one which a gay couple had sought to be treated like everyone else and won. The one that allowed for same-gender couples the same health insurance rights as heterosexual couples. Something small really but big for its unprecedented occurrence. 21st February shall be marked in history and he made sure to write about that in his diary so he can look back at it and see his thoughts marked in history. Now, it still remained for insurances and hospitals to actually follow the ruling but the highest institution had at least recognised a minor but landmark right. Everything else seemed far off but it was a sure start...well hopefully not a false one.
Seungmin was still listed as one of his own emergency contacts but he, and all of them, always dreaded simply being told 'no, you're not family' if something were to happen that would land them in hospital. Who knows, maybe that would be next but for now, they had to be happy with health insurance.
And he was. So happy. Not that if anything were to happen, he'd be covered but that there was some progress in sight. Sometimes, an open world seemed so far away...or a flight away but he didn't want to have to travel every time.
He was Korean. He loved being so most times. He didn't want to have to travel or go underground to experience acceptance. Underground meetings were all nice and fun but sometimes he wanted to be showy in public; Hyunjin was full of affection and who could blame him for wanting to show it? Nothing too explicit...well...visibly, but a small peck on the lips or a hug that lasted shorter than he'd like but longer than a greeting would be nice.
He felt slightly acknowledged now so he was extra hyped for the performance.
While at the venue which of course they were in hours before the actual sound check much less the performance, Seungmin got a call. The other immediately came next to him and his heart filled with joy not only because he hears Miya's giggles there but because Seungmin still treated him like family, like it was expected for him to join the call even though no one from the other side had suggested it. They weren't against it however; far from it.
The Kims greeted him with a familiarity that warmed his heart further. 
"You're not asleep yet?" Seungmin teased.
"Oppa! It's only one-hour difference! It's still daylight!"
Hyunjin giggled at her exasperated tone. He missed her.
Seungmin had a tendency to hold his phone really close when on a video call and he couldn't see her so he did the logical thing and moved from besides Seungmin to on him. His lap was warm and comfortable – even though a bit bony he was used to it. No one bat an eye, so used to it were they.
"Jinjin! How are you?" She asked sweetly and the rest of Hyunjin's heart didn't just melt, it dissolved.
"I'm good thank you. Great even."