Settling In

For the next couple of days, Lukas and Tingting worked hard to make the apartment their own.

Firstly, they made sure to pay a month's worth of rent. Then, with the permission of the owner, they changed the old furniture with brighter ones.

As they agreed to share a room with each other, they had to make appropriate sleeping arrangements. Therefore, a long beige couch was placed in the corner for Lukas and Tingting took the bed near the window. A fluffy rug had been laid in the middle and a small table had been placed on top. A laptop sat on the small table and a vase of blooming tulips bathed in sunlight on the window sill.

They filled the old wardrobe with new clothes and painted over it to make it look brand new. Their new wardrobe was made up of almost only leather, black and camo pieces. There was, of course, the occasional denim pieces and a dress for Tingting and a suit for Lukas but apart from that, the pair had agreed on wearing those types of outfits on Tingting's insistence that it made them seem chic. Lukas simply complied for he did not care what he wore, as long as he was wearing something.

Curtains were replaced by shutters, large book cases were replaced by shelves and the dark floral wallpaper which was found in most rooms was torn down and painted over in a baby blue.

By the time they had finished, the moon had already taken the stage and the darkness had enveloped the city.

With all these changes, their money soon ran out and they only had a few funds to buy a week's worth of food.

They needed to get a job. Fast. They decided to go looking for one the next day.

Tingting settled into their new beige couch and took in the changes in awe.

"You're really good at painting aren't you, the walls look amazing! Like a professional did it!" She gave Lukas two thumbs up happily.

"It's not really a big deal." Lukas shrugged. Something like this was nothing to him.

"That's right, mother told me you painted a lot. Should we get you some art materials?" Tingting thought Lukas might enjoy having a chance to continue drawing.

Lukas stared blankly at her. Memories came flooding back to him.

In a low detached voice, he barely whispered the words,

"No need, it was just... just a hobby."

He remembered the ruined drawings he abandoned at his previous home.

Tingting quickly noticed the change in his tone.

"Let's go to sleep, yeah?" She asked with worry reflected in her eyes.

"Sure" Lukas was still dazed as he went to the couch and lay on it. Tingting bit her bottom lip slightly but decided to say nothing. After switching the lights off, she climbed into bed and lay flat on her back, her face facing the ceiling.

"Good night Lukas" She called out to him in her usual bright voice.

Lukas finally woke up from his dazed state and smiled.

"Sleep well, Tingting"