Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XXVIII

Joong

"Archen,Joong... open your eyes. Come on, this is not on bed, don't laze around...", the voice that teased me was familiar, Nine. Slowly I opened my eyes, I was back at Another Earth. No, I haven't said goodbye to...., but wait, Nine is here, on Another Earth?

"Nine?", I asked in wonder. This must be a memory again.

"Yes. You're right. This is an embedded memory. I am a genius, ain't I? I told you that they wouldn't find out this secret code. Because, here, they don't allow it, nor understand. Your pair is already set". I was shocked, that Nine could read my silent words. "Joong, this is Another Earth, not earth. You are acting surprised or what? The code will transfer between a pair, of course I could read your mind. You are becoming more humane, I guess. See, I am right again, this, inside your heart is outside of their boundaries to control. You could feel now?".

"A little. Some feelings are easily understood, some, Nine would explain it to me".

"Liked love? Ah, Nine said it to you; I love you; isn't it? That's our secret code, to open this memory. Don't worry, the Hunters nor Enforcer couldn't break it. They know I left something for you. That's why they used force to break me, and also mess with your sense of feeling when making you. They don't want you to understand anything beyond logic. You must not tell Nine about this, alright? He would remember, and then if you connect with him, then the Hunters would eventually, know".

"Why did you leave me this memory, Nine? I did catch a glimpse of it, here and there...is that your doing too?"

"Yes. But that was harder to control, wasn't it? Eyy, how much did you kiss Nine already? I'm jealous, alright, we are supposed to be that way".

"We?"

"Hmm, I am your key in the future that taught you everything. You're not defective, I am. No other key retain the memory of their genetic transfer, but I do. That's why I remember our time on earth together, and teaching you about life and living. They didn't like that, us together, becoming a threat to their perfect world".

"But, this world, why didn't you like it, when everything is managed well, we just need to exist. To be honest, I've made too many blunders in my short time on earth, there are too many uncontrolled variables".

"Like emotion? And the right to make decision? To accept that not everything could be pretty all the time? How many times have you fought with Nine? How many times did his heart feel burdened because of you? But, in the end, did he push you away for disrupting his life, making it less perfect, or accept your flaws with an open heart?". I smiled, thinking of our tumultuous start, and gradually started to find a middle ground of understanding and acceptance.

"Ah, you liked it, finding out new things, with Nine. Just liked me and you in the future too, before everything is messed up".

"What happened? I am in the dark, because your memory end with you asking to end everything...".

"It did end, didn't it?"

"What had ended?"

"Think, Joong, the answer is in front of you, right now, the one who's smiling, because the long wait, is finally over".

"Key? It's you? Ah, right, you didn't exist anymore, and only left hidden memories, because it is messed in transfer!"

"Yes. You of the future, travelled back to the time of the transfer, but could only manage to temper your own key and then vanished. Nine, is me on earth, that's why he managed to unlock this memory for you, although with a certain difficulty due to someone's so called act of sacrifice, that went wrong... ". I was scolded again. Ah, they are alike, really.

"I understand now, why you did leave this memory. It's an important turning point. To save a dying bloom; it's not Nine and Joong, but to save earth from becoming a dead world, isn't it?". Nine smiled brilliantly.

"Then, now, it's your time to put everything back in it's place. Let the earth grows old as it should, although with so much mess than it's once glorious past, at least everything is alive and breathing again".

"Thank you, Nine. I should go; I think, I heard my name being called repeatedly to wake up too. He must be in distress now, if I stay in here, longer". Nine nodded and smiled.

"Before you go, could I give you a goodbye kiss? This will be my last memory, and I've waited so long for you to come".

I moved closer and bent down to kiss Nine. He must have loved me so much, to find a way to leave me this last gift, without being found out by the Enforcer, eventhough he's being mentally tortured, continuously, till he's broken in pain.

"Goodbye, Joong. I love you".

***

"Oh, thank god, Chen. Don't scare me liked this again!", Nine was crying and holding me in his arms, kissing my face in relief.

"Why are you crying?", I asked as I sat up and rubbed my forehead for a severe headache.

"You passed out in my arms. I thought you're gone, but you're breathing. I tried to wake you up, but you gave no response. I...am afraid to call the emergency. I'm not ready to see you go".

"For how long, I meant, that I passed out?", I tried to look around, it was still the same room, the same shirt and the same crying Nine.

"Just a few minutes...but because...it was.. too sudden...and you're... unresponsive, it scared...the hell out of me...", Nine was having a difficulty to talk, he was about to break down again. His throat must be sore, to keep crying for different reasons, in a short range of time. My headache eased after a minute, and I shook off the remaining of it. Only then, I could pull Nine back into my arms to comfort him.

"Nine...".

"Hmm?", he sniffled.

"I love you", I said the words that I felt in my heart, and kissed him deeply; messy face, tears, snot and everything; because, whether he is ready or not, I'd really have to say my final goodbye too, in the end.