Break Into My World

28: Starting Over

Hwanwoong and Youngjo were a bit confused when they walked out and saw the others sitting at the dining table. Seoho and Keonhee next to each other on one side, Xion and Leedo on the other. They didn't know where a sixth chair came from, though they were thinking it likely came from Xion's and Keonhee's room since it looked like the type of chair that would be used at a vanity. Nevertheless there was an additional one at the head of the table, set so close to the other one at the small end of the table that any two people would feel cramped, but the couple both thought it was a nice enough gesture. Not to mention how in their minds they didn't mind the close proximity at all.

Hwanwoong sat closer to Seoho, while Youngjo sat closer to Leedo. Their hands remained interlocked underneath the surface. Both of their thumbs unconsciously drawing shapes on the back of the others hand. Such a small gesture, but it was reassuring for each of them.

It was silent for a few moments, everyone taking everything in. Keonhee and Xion still seemed to be having a hard time understanding that Youngjo was back, the guilt being extremely evident on each of their faces and within their body language.

"I'm sorry for getting so upset earlier." Youngjo started, his eyes scanning around the table. "I didn't mean for things to come out that way."

"You have no reason to apologize." Keonhee was quick to follow up with a hesitant yet stern tone. "I can't speak for Xion, but I was a jerk. You have every reason to be upset at me for just forgetting about you so easily, especially after how great of a friend you were for me. You helped me so much yet I accepted so easily when you left, when I guess I should've really thought more into it, tried to reach out in some way, or something. It wasn't fair what I did and how I acted. So I should be the one apologizing, and I truly am very sorry Youngjo."

"I shouldn't of just moved on so quickly either, and I'm sorry for acting that way. Especially knowing that you've been here all along watching through the mirror world. I can't imagine what that was like, but I know you didn't deserve it." Xion added with a quiet voice, making eye contact for seconds at a time before his eyes darted in another direction. "After everything that happened I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't want to see any of the four of us anymore. Or even forgive how any of us acted for that matter."

Youngjo found himself nodding his head, consciously keeping his breathing in check.

"I'm glad your back though." Keonhee commented with a smile, it seemed genuine but maybe not the right moment for it.

That was when Youngjo found himself turning his head away, as if looking over his shoulder into oblivion. He was so obviously lost in thought that the others didn't know what to do or say. Hwanwoong glanced to his side out of worry, giving the olders hand a long, tight squeeze.

"Did you explain everything to them?" Hwanwoong turned to Seoho, asking the question casually, without any attitude. A way to change the topic, and while it still technically was pertaining to Youngjo, it wasn't directed at him.

"Essentially." Seoho answered with a shrug, glancing around the table as well. "At least the basic concept of how he came back."

Hwanwoong nodded his head, making eye contact with everyone but his boyfriend, who still refused to turn back towards the table. There was a silence that filled the air, more awkward than anything, but hidden deep beneath all of the guilt, anger, confusion, sadness, amongst other emotions, there was an odd sense of peace. Comfort in the fact that Youngjo was once again in their world, even if they didn't deserve him.

"Where did your ice pack go?" Keonhee suddenly snapped, his head turning so fast it could've gone flying off. It made Seoho jump, eyes going wide as he turned his head as well so he could lock eyes with the taller.