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The air feels different in South Korea, more hurried but filled with excitement. The change, though small, is perceptible enough that Barcode can’t sleep because of it. Being here in Seoul, a city that holds endless possibilities, feels overwhelming. Filming Wuju Bakery has been a shapeless sort of dream for months, something that belonged in the future and that he couldn’t quite picture in his head. The Wuju Bakery workshops they followed helped to sharpen the image, but now that he’s here, he can barely believe it’s actually happening.
Barcode turns around in bed for the hundredth time that night. The blanket is uncomfortably warm and the sheets are itchy. He has never had trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place, so he doesn’t understand why he can’t fall asleep now, especially after the busy day they had meeting the entire cast and crew for the first time and talking about their personal experiences while workshopping the script. They had dinner and drinks afterwards, which was fun but exhausting after barely getting any sleep on the plane. When they got back to the hotel, Barcode was convinced he’d fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Sighing heavily, Barcode taps his phone screen and blinks against the harsh light it emits. It’s just past three in the morning. Why can’t he just fall asleep? He doesn’t want to be tired on the first day on set, but if he doesn’t get some sleep soon…
Barcode unlocks his phone and opens the chat with his mom. Would she still be awake? Maybe he can sleep in her bed; she always calms him down when he’s nervous, and she might feel anxious as well since this is her first time outside of Thailand. Though Barcode is glad everyone got their own hotel room and he can have his own space to wind down, he is somewhat of a mama’s boy, which he isn’t ashamed to admit despite Jeff’s teasing.
Mom, are you awake?
Barcode waits for a minute, but when there’s no reply, he doesn’t text again. She’s already sleeping. Lucky her.
Staring at the ceiling isn’t helping, so Barcode puts on some calming piano music and closes his eyes. It doesn’t work because all he can think about is possibly lyrics and the guitar riff he’d add to make it more exciting. Maybe some white noise will work? He gives it a try, but the sound is too harsh. Frustration bubbles up in his stomach as he forcefully taps his screen to turn his Spotify off.
With nothing better to do—because sleep isn’t going to come to him any time soon—Barcode aimlessly scrolls through his contact list, tapping on profile pictures and revisiting funny conversations. His chat with Jeff is near the top. Would he still be awake? There’s no harm in trying.
Are you still awake?
Is it too soon to get ready for the day? Call time isn’t that early—nine-thirty—but the Thai cast and staff want to have breakfast together to celebrate the start of filming. If he takes a long and relaxing shower now, he can spend the rest of the time going over his lines for his scenes today. It’s not a bad plan and definitely a more productive use of his time than fitfully rolling around in bed.
His phone buzzes with Jeff’s reply before he can even get out of bed.
Yeah, I’m awake
Really??
No, I’m sleeping and texting you at the same time. Don’t tell anyone I have this power
The power of sleepwalking? Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. Can’t sleep either?
Nah. Wanna come to my room for a bit?
Barcode’s heart skips a beat. How thrilling, sneaking into each other’s room in the middle of the night.
Sure, I’ll be there in a minute! ^^
Barcode slips out of bed and into his slides. With his phone and keycard in hand, he leaves his hotel room and steps out into the corridor. It’s still brightly lit, but it feels creepy in the early hours of the morning. Jeff’s room is two doors down, between his own and his mom’s, so he quietly pads down the corridor and texts Jeff he’s here instead of knocking so he doesn’t wake anyone up.
Jeff opens the door with a tired smile. Only the soft lights in his room are on. He’s dressed in his pyjamas, but his hair is neat—unlike Barcode’s, which he can feel sticking out at odd angles.
“Come in,” Jeff whispers.
“Thanks,” Barcode whispers back, frantically flattening his hair once Jeff has turned around.
Jeff wordlessly gets back in bed, nestling under the blanket. When Barcode doesn’t move from his spot by the door, Jeff pats the space next to him with a questioning look in his eyes.
“Ok, okay,” Barcode says, his voice still quiet. He thought they were just going to watch tv or chat or something, not lie in the same bed together.
Barcode gets comfortable under the covers. They feel softer in Jeff’s room and they already smell like him a little bit, which is a strangely comforting scent. It reminds him of home.
“You nervous about tomorrow?” Jeff asks.
“A little bit.”
“Me too.”
“Really?”
Jeff laughs at Barcode’s bewilderment. “What, am I not allowed to be?”
“No, obviously you are! You’re just always so calm and collected. You come across as if nothing phases you, so I’m just a little bit surprised.”
Barcode feels Jeff shrug next to him. “I’m good at relativising. But I still get nervous sometimes. I just want this to turn out good, you know? I never expected KimChay to be loved by this many people, for us to gain this many fans. It adds pressure, having a dedicated fanbase. I don’t want them to be disappointed.”
It’s unfamiliar, this honest vulnerability coming from Jeff. He doesn’t often wear his heart on his sleeve, but it’s a welcome change. Normally it’s only Barcode who shares his worries.
“I think people will be happy no matter what we put out.”
“Probably. But they deserve something good.”
“We’re going to give them something good,” Barcode promises him confidently. It feels nice to be the one handing out reassurances for a change.
“Are we? But how are we going to do that? Should I take my shirt off?” Jeff says in a feigned serious voice.
“Jeff!” Barcode turns to his side to push Jeff’s chest, but Jeff knows him too well; he’s already gotten his pillow from under his head and is using it as a shield. Barcode keeps punching, but Jeff is faster.
“Okay, okay,” Jeff says after a while, the chuckle still in his voice. “Calm down, your mom will think we’re doing something else in here.”
Barcode blushes furiously and pretends to fluff up his pillow so Jeff can’t see his flaming cheeks. He lies down on his side again, ready to be met with Jeff’s teasing eyes but there is no need to worry; Jeff is staring up at the ceiling as if the secrets of the universe are hidden within the plaster.
Barcode observes him for a while. He almost looks wistful. “You okay?”
“Hmm, what?” Jeff turns his face towards Barcode.
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah, I am.”
Barcode sighs and settles deeper into the pillow, pulling the blanket closer to his face. He’s feeling a bit sleepy now. “I can’t believe we’re actually here.”
“Me neither.”
“We’re going to be so busy. Do you think we’ll have time to explore the city?” His eyelids are getting heavy so he closes his eyes.
“Definitely. And if we don’t, we’ll just make time. Add days to our stay here, have a little mini-vacation. We could even go to different cities, like Busan by the sea. Or we could go to Jeju Island.”
“Where’s that?”
“It’s south of Korea. It’s beautiful.”
“How would you know? You’ve never been there.”
Jeff laughs so hard that he rolls over. Barcode feels the shift and opens his eyes. They’re facing each other. There’s something serious in Jeff’s eyes, something Barcode can’t decipher, but it feels significant.
“I’m really glad I get to do this with you, Code. There’s no one else I’d want to go on this adventure with.”
His sincerity makes Barcode feel warm inside. Jeff is always sweet, but he usually expresses that with actions, not words.
“Me too. You’re my favourite person to be with.” Maybe if he were more awake, he’d realise how that might sound to Jeff, and how uncomfortably close he is to revealing something he probably shouldn’t, but he’s too tired to analyse anything. He blinks and finds himself unable to open his eyes again.
The mattress dips as Jeff scoots closer. “Good night, Barcode,” he whispers close to his ear. His face remains there for a few seconds as if he’s hesitant to pull back. “Good night,” he repeats sweetly, softly, his voice like a lullaby pulling Barcode under and sending him to sleep.