A Fight For Integrity

XIII | Closer

"Why does it have to be me all the time?" Seungmin blurted out loud not caring about waking up people. He needed to clear things up. It was getting too much to sustain. Using his leftover force Seungmin started pacing towards nowhere particular. He just let his brain take him anywhere as he felt himself in a daze. After walking for what Seungmin felt like miles he reached the place he wanted to. He wanted to clear his mind but again his mind drifted to Hyunjin.

It was a small cottage behind which was a beautiful garden which no knew existed. There was a rusty key in the lock of the gate which he managed to turn. Entering the broken house he made his way towards the back door of the cottage. It led him into a small wooded area, path trampling through the grass and silver fingers of light streamed through the leafy canopy of over-hanging trees, catching the pollen and spores that sparkled and danced in the scent laden air. He felt ease as he walked a bit further and sat on the damp grass focusing on the enchanting view in front of him.

He needed to focus on something in order to calm down his heart and mind. Suddenly his mind drifted into a memory and a small smile took over his face.

It was a quiet sunny day. Not many people was seen on the road as Seungmin and Hyunjin made their way down the street hand in hand. They were just 10 years old that time, nothing bothered them and everything was pure. "Hey Seungmin, wanna play hide and seek?" Hyunjin coaxed out excitement laced over his voice. "Sure" Seungmin replied giggling and pinching his hyung's cheek. "You're cute hyung" Seungmin said and found the other boy smiling while his eyes turned into cresents. "I already know that Minnie, tell me something else" Hyunjin said and Seungmin laughed at his hyung's silliness. "You're silly now let's play" by the time they started playing they reached the ground. "I'll hide" Hyunjin yelled and Seungmin started counting loudly. After completing Seungmin yelled "First clap" a clap was heard from far away. Seungmin quietly ran over the dry grass and made his way to the tunnel. But there was no one. Walking further he got a sight of a unknown cottage which looked too old. Furrowing his eyes he reached there ready to knock but there was a key hanging on the door. Hastily opening the door wide open he entered the room. The interior wasn't at all like the exterior. It looked much more cleaner and Seugmin gaped at the expensive furnitures located there. It looked so old from outside but inside its just filled with beautiful furnitures and beautiful sculptures. "Hey what are you doing?" Suddenly Seugmin heard a boy. Turning towards the unknown voice Seungmin found a boy who was a bit shorter than Seugmin standing at the door. "This is your house?" Seungmin questioned without answering. "I do not take a question instead of another question" the boy retroted. "Fine! I was playing hide and seek with my friend and I reached here and found this house. I found that key on the door so I just entered" Seungmin replied adding a shrug afterwards. "Shit! I shouldn't have left the key" the boy cursed under his breathe. "So you live here. Then why'd you leave the key there silly" Seugmin said. "You can leave now. I am not in the mood of your tantrums" the boy said. "Oh come on we met just now, why are you behaving so rudely?" Seungmin watched the boy's eyes changing into horror when he said those words. "I wasn't being rude. It's just today was a really tired day for me so I said like that" the boy confessed. "The day hasn't even started and the day is already bad for you?" "When will you stop being sarcastic with the person whom you just practically met right now ?" The boy said and threw a glare towards Seungmin. "Okay what's your name?" Seungmin asked. "Changbin. Yours ?" The boy whom Seungmin just encountered was named as Changbin said. "Seungmin" he replied shortly moving his eyes around the room once again ignoring the boy. Suddenly a loud thud was heard and Seungmin panicked as he saw Changbin laying down on the floor. He quickly rushed towards the boy and that was when Seungmin understood the boy was having high fever. Changbin didn't even let Seungmin understand that he was in discomfort and Seungmin felt guilty for speaking like that. The boy tried to be nice. Picking up Changbin into bridal style Seungmin reached the bedroom after searching which room it was. Gently placing Changbin on the bed Seungmin went to get some cloth and cold water. After searching for the millionth time Seungmin atlast found some piece of cloth and rushed into the bedroom. Changbin was curled up on the bed slightly shivering. Clicking his tongue Seungmin quickly covered Changbin with the blanket. Not wasting any other second Seungmin dipped the cloth in the water and placed it on Changbin's head. After repeating this for times Changbin finally opened his eyes peeking to look towards Seungmin. "Seungmin" Changbin called out weakly and Seungmin hushed him the next moment. "You're suffering in high fever. Why did you not tell me earlier huh? You need to take rest. Wait here, I will be bringing the meds" Seungmin turned to leave but got stuck midway because Changbin grabbed his hand making Seungmin turn his head towards Changbin. "Please don't leave" Changbin said and after thinking for sometime Seungmin nodded. "I am not going anywhere. I will bring the medicines quickly" Seungmin said and made his way to find where the meds were. Successfully finding the first aid box he opened it and found the things he wanted making his way back. Seungmin's dad always taught him about different medicines and that's why Seungmin had enough knowledge about what should be given to one during a fever. "Here, have these" Seungmin said handing Changbin some medicines and giving him a glass of water. "Thanks" Changbin said after having the medicines and again laying down on the bed. "It's not a problem. You sleep I am here" Seungmin said placing a soft kiss on Changbin's forehead. "Promise?" Changbin said helping out his pinky finger. " Promise" Seungmin smiled and went back to sit where he was sitting. Changbin just pulled the blanket above his head and made himself comfortable. Hours spend and the thought of Seungmin playing with Hyunjin was he totally out of his mind. Getting bored Seugmin stood up and started to explore the house. Reaching the back door his eyes was met with the beautiful view infront of him. On the other hand Seungmin never came to find Hyunjin and time passed he grew anxious about the younger. There was no way he lost the younger right? Panicking he went back to Seungmin's house informing his parents. "Don't worry Hyunjinie, he must be busy somewhere. He will come back. Our Seungmin is strong nothing can happen to him" Seungmin's mother assured but Hyunjin wasn't convinced. But the only he could do was wait for the younger. Changbin opened his eyes, feeling less tired. Waking up he started rubbing his eyes and recalled all the incidents happening that day. That was when it clicked that Seungmin wasn't there. Changbin climbed down the bed with a great speed not worrying about his health. He stumbled on his way but reached the drawing room, yet no sign of Seungmin. "Seungmin" he called out. No answer was heard. "Did he leave me?" Changbin questioned himself and continued to call Seungmin's name. "Seung-" he stopped when he saw a familiar figure standing outside in the garden." Seungmin" he again called catching the others attention. Seungmin furrowed his eyebrows and started walking towards him. Changbin's leg felt extremely weak and his heart was in a racing because of the panick. "You idiot, why are you here?" Seungmin said closing the door. "I thought you left" Changbin said trying to stand up but failed. "you're an idiot" Seugmin said helping Changbin stand up and helping him to walk back to Changbin's room. "Lie down, do you have any food in here" Seugmin asked and Changbin nodded. "I guess ramen is there" Changbin said thinking a bit. "That will do, wait here don't come behind me. I am going to cook something for you" Seungmin left the room without waiting for any reply from the other. It was an idiotic move to walk out like that. What if Changbin passed out again? Seungmin was just worried. He reached the kitchen and started fishing for the things needed to cook. Soon he found everything he needed and started cooking a bowl for him and Changbin because he knew Changbin wouldn't let him leave if he didn't had anything. Completing the food with much difficulty Seungmin was able to serve them some food. Surely Seugmin did waste some because it was his first time cooking something. "Eat this" Seungmin said handing Changbin his bowl. "Can you feed me ?" Changbin pouted and Seungmin felt like he couldn't resist the pout. "You're lucky you are cute " Seungmin said and Changbin grinned widely opening his mouth waiting for Seungmin to feed him. They completed eating and Seungmin cleaned the mess they created. "I should get going now, my parents will be worrying about me by now" Seungmin said and looked towards Changbin. Though Changbin wanted Seungmin to stay he nodded and replied with a short yes. "I will come to meet you tomorrow" Seungmin said and it seemed to excite some kind of sparks in Changbin and his eyes went to sparkly ones from gleamy ones. "Sure" Changbin said and Seungmin left making his way back to his house. "Minnie" he was instantly hugged as the door opened and a Hyunjin came out quickly hugging him. "Where were you at? I missed you. I was so worried about you" Hyunjin said and Seungmin just smiled. "I made a new friend today. I was with him" Seugmin smiled but Hyunjin's smile faded away. "Let's go inside I am telling you" both of them entered and Seungmin ran to his mom hugging her tightly. "Eomma you know I made a new friend today" he said smiling. "Aww that's so great Minnie, how ? What happened? Were you with your new friend?" His mother asked and Seugmin explained what happened. After that day Seugmin and Hyunjin started vising the house often. By 16 the three of them were quite good friends. Though Changbin was a year older than them, they got along really well. Everything was going fine until the day Changbin was announced as the prince of Death and Seungmin felt heartbroken when he realised Changbin hid the truth from the him despite being so good friends. Seungmin's parents told him not to meet up with Changbin further because he was harmful. Changbin was so powerful that he could destroy anything with his willpower. Seungmin felt like another part of him was taken away from him and it made him really sad but Hyunjin comforted him that time. Hyunjin stayed by his side and showed what love is. After that day Seungmin and Changbin never met until the ceremony took place.

Seungmin smiled to himself remembering the moments by them in the place. Seungmin always came there whenever he felt overwhelmed. It helped him to calm himself down. Seugmin was lost in thoughts that he didn't even realise that a figure walked behind him wide wide eyes. "Seungmin?" Changbin called out making Seungmin come out of his daze. Quickly standing up Seugmin found Changbin standing not so far away. After so many years yet again they met in the same place. Is it what you call destiny? Seungmin felt his eyes stinging as both of them kept staring at each other. Even after so many years Seungmin found the boy he met accidentally amusing. And yet spending so many years Seungmin felt weak in his knees for the boy in front of him. Changbin started walking towards him without breaking the eyes contact.

"Seungmin" Changbin said out reaching infront of Seugmin. None of them knew what to do or say they kept staring at each other. It was awkward but it was somewhat relaxing to Seungmin. "I missed you" Changbin said and pulled Seungmin into a hug. Seugmin felt chocked as he gulped hard trying to supress his tears. What is really happening with him? Will he just cry infront of the person whom he met after so years? "Hyung" Seungmin made a great effort to mutter but he lost it and tears started to shed from his eyes. "Oh my god, what happened?" Changbin said not breaking the hug and circling his back in a comforting way. Seungmin felt like he was crying after so many years. Everything was too much for him and he felt suffocated. Seungmin was clueless. His heart and mind was mess. Seungmin didn't know what was wrong or what was right as he kept on sobbing with Changbin comforting him and whispering sweet words to calm Seungmin down. "I am tired hyung, I am tired" Seungmin said within crying and his words got stuck in his throat.

"Everything will be fine Seungmin. I am here now. I am here don't worry. You're hyung is here. Nothing to worry. Hyung will take care of you" Changbin said and Seungmin's sob become quite sniffles. "It's cold let's go inside?" Changbin asked and Seungmin nodded lowering his head. Both of them walked in with Seungmin practically sticking onto Changbin like his life depends on that. "Sit here" Changbin said pulling out a chair. Seungmin did as he was told. Changbin quickly switched on the lights and atlast he was able to see Seugmin properly. Changbin felt his heart break when he saw Seugmin in that state.

"Want to have some ramen?" Seungmin looked towards Changbin after listening his words and thought for a while. "Won't be bad" Seungmin replied and Changbin smiled rushing into the kitchen. Seugmin felt like the past was repeating itself but now it's happening the other way. Earlier it him who took care of Changbin but now it's just the opposite. He sat there quietly waiting for Changbin. "Hey" Changbin called for Seungmin coming with the food and placing it infront of Seugmin. "You mind if i feed you?" Changbin literally said what Seungmin was thinking and Seungmin nodded like a child. "Cute" Changbin muttered under his breathe and started feeding Seungmin.

After finishing their food Changbin pulled Seungmin out of the chair and guided him to his bedroom and making him sit on the bed. "You sleep here. I will sleep on the couch" Changbin said and Seungmin felt hurt by the words. Whenever Seungmin spend the time there Changbin was beside him but now Changbin wanted him to sleep alone. Seungmin felt hurt because there was a long gap between them now and he realised how much they had drifted apart. "But we always slept together" Seugmin's voice broke while saying and Changbin widened his eyes looking towards Seungmin in a shocking way. "Not in that way you idiot" Seungmin said because he knew what Changbin meant by that stare and Seugmin felt his cheeks getting hot as his lips turned upwards into a small smile.

"I know you didn't meant it that way. I just wanted you to smile" Changbin grinned and slipped under the covers along with Seungmin. Seungmin turned around so that now they were facing each other. "Hyung, make me forget about him" Seungmin blubbered. "Who?" Changbin asked. "Hyunjin" Seungmin said and Changbin eyes flashed with a hint of sadness. Changbin already knew the other liked Hyunjin but now he was sure. Changbin always loved Seungmin because Seugmin was his first friend and he showed him what love is, what comfort is. Seungmin was Changbin's first love and it always hits different because the deep feeling never fades away from your heart. " I promise" Changbin said not looking away from the younger.

Seungmin felt safe under Changbin's touch as Changbin drew circles on Seungmin's cheeks in a comforting way. "You won't leave me right?" Seungmin blurted out, the pain clearly visible on his voice. "I won't leave you Seungi, never ever" Changbin said and Seugmin felt a churn in his heart hearing the familiar nickname hearing from Changbin. That was the last conversation between them as both of them closed their eyes drifting into sleep.