Page 281 of Scarbound

“I’ve been thinking about traveling.”

Duri stared at him. “Traveling?”

“Not now.” The idea felt fragile spoken aloud. “But someday soon.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know.” Noeul gave a small laugh. “That’s sort of the point.”

Duri did not laugh.

“I want to wake up somewhere I’ve never been,” Noeul continued, his voice growing quieter.

Duri looked down.

Noeul swallowed. “I think I need to know what it feels like to be somewhere where I’m just… me.”

Neither spoke for a long time. Finally, Duri exhaled.

“I hate this idea.”

Noeul almost smiled. “I know.”

“I really hate it.”

“I know.”

“But…” Duri looked at him. “If that’s what you need, I’m not going to stop you.”

Noeul’s eyes burned. Duri frowned immediately. “Don’t cry. I’m already struggling here.”

That made Noeul laugh through the emotion. Duri looked toward Yujin. His mother pretended to be extremely interested in the remains of her dinner.

“Eomma.”

“What?”

“You’ve been listening the entire time.”

“This is my kitchen.”

Noeul laughed again. Duri shook his head, then turned back to him.

“Stay one more week.”

Noeul’s smile faded. “Duri.”

“Not because I think you can’t manage.” He lifted one hand. “Let me finish.”

Noeul stopped.

“Dr. Daniels still wants to see you again. You have appointments with Dr. Kim. You need somewhere to live while you decide whether you’re actually going to disappear into the mountains or whatever insane thing you’re planning.”

“Mountains sound nice.”

“That was not encouragement.”

Noeul smiled.