Meical's eyes narrowed. "What are you laughing at?" he asked, though his voice carried no real annoyance.
"I'm laughing..." Min-jae said, still smiling, "because you look ridiculous. You've been gone two weeks, and you come here looking like a desert hermit, saying all this serious stuff, and I… I can't help it."
Meical blinked, then let out a low, exasperated sigh, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips despite himself.
"Ridiculous?" he repeated.
"Yes.." Min-jae said, reaching up to brush a hand over Meical's cheek, careful not to smudge the beard he secretly found endearing. "Ridiculous, messy, tired… but also honest. I love that you can say this, even looking like that. Even now, I.."
He stopped, realizing that words weren't necessary. Meical's hand covered his, warm and firm, and the look in his eyes said everything he couldn't put into words.
