rewind.

1

"That's it for today. Go home and rest up for the tournament. Remember practice is canceled for the rest of the week. There will be a different instructor for the next few practices."

All of the kids laughing and playing thanked the man at the front of the room before exiting.

Jaehyun walks into his dojo, well he partially owned it with Johnny. They both had invested in the dojo to give back to the children in the less fortunate neighborhoods.

"Hey stranger, are you finished for the day?" Jaehyun asks with a proud smirk on his face. He doesn't know how good he must have been in his past life to deserve this man in front of him.
He walks over to his husband. "I miss you a lot."

"I miss you too." Johnny leans in and wraps his arms around his husband. It didn't matter that he was sweating like a hog while suffocating in his karate attire he loved embracing Jaehyun, kissing Jaehyun, just being in Jaehyun's bubbly presence was more than gracious. Johnny knew he deserved so much less than what he had in his arms. But he can't let him go.

How to describe them? Well, they were each other's rock. By far they are also the longest-lasting relationship out of their friend group. They are also known as the staple relationships for many kids. Their relationship is like cement, strong, durable, and dependable.

Jaehyun leans his head to the side as Johnny closes the gap between their lips. He hums in contentment as his husband's long graceful fingers massages his scalp. It feels so nice and relaxing. It was too perfect.

He pushes Johnny back, "what's the bad news?" In his give or take three decades with Johnny Suh there are simple things he picks up on. For example when the older one gets over-excited he always claps his hands and shouts coherent phrases of joy. When he is disappointed he barely says anything, almost like he was playing the world's longest quiet game but with himself.

Then there's being or feeling guilty for something or of something. Johnny always sets the mood of the atmosphere before dealing with his bad news. It was quite hilarious the first two times he tried this way of breaking news to him. However now he knows it's something to do with his job. It's always his JOB!

Jaehyun knew that "I'm so sorry but," is coming sooner or later. So why not sooner? How bad can the news be?

"I'm sorry but I'm leaving for a few weeks," Johnny whispers as if whispering would be erasing his words from existence. But they were out and there was no turning back.

There it was the bad news. Jaehyun just looks away from Johnny. "Why are you sorry about that?" Foolish question on his tongue. Jaehyun knows the promises Johnny keeps making. But in the end, Johnny can't keep a single one.

"It's my boss, he wants me to leave for New York tomorrow."

Jaehyun's head snaps up. His eyes widened in shock. "Tomorrow? You couldn't have told me sooner." Upset is such an understatement.

There's a swirling storm inside the pit of Jaehyun's stomach. It was jealousy. This is when the cement begins to crack deep within.

It's all because Johnny always "forgot" to tell him until the last moment. There's no time for preparation.

"I just found out today. I can show you the messages if you want." Johnny pulls out his phone. He types in his password.

This is a test, a test for Jaehyun. Jaehyun pushes the phone back into Johnny's pocket. "I believe you. I just wish I.."

Johnny saw the sudden far off look in Jaehyun's eyes. It only takes one thing, one word, one voice, and one person and everything turns upside down in Jaehyun's life.