In aeternum

Chapter 19

If someone had to ask Wooyoung when or how he fell for San, the other wouldn't have replied. Not because he didn't want to tell anyone, he was the type to be open about his feelings after all. But rather, he just didn't want San to find out. He loved him a little too much to risk everything that they had now. But the moment Wooyoung realized the type of love he had for San, he wondered how long before he went crazy and just poured out his love for him.

The same would apply to San. He too, loved Wooyoung too much to want things to be awkward between them and he wouldn't be able to handle a rejection if it came. He just wanted the best for his friend, even if it wasn't him. Even if he desperately wanted it to be himself.

But things often don't go in the way you want them to.

Not for Wooyoung, not for San and not even for Yeosang.

Yeosang who had lived for numerous years, who had experienced plenty of things and even have the memories of his previous lives. All he wanted was his best friend back. His friend who would shine like a sun with just a smile. His friend who would joke around with him. His friend. His only friend.

"Oh, you're here again, Yeosang."

"You look worse than yesterday, Wooyoung," he said as he knelt on the bamboo floor beside the mattress. All the windows were shut in the old looking room and only a single candle was lit up.

"When am I not?" the other replied with a cough. Yeosang looked at his friend worriedly. He had known the other since young and as they grew older, he realized that his friend was becoming paler than him and had eyes as red as a rose. It also hurt him to be under the sun and so they had kept the room dark. Countless doctors had come to see his friend but no one could tell what the problem was. The other also seemed to get weaker everyday without fail even though he ate food and drank water regularly. His friend still kept a sunny disposition although his appearance looked frail. "What did you bring me today?"

"Another book," Yeosang answered as he set the book beside Wooyoung's bed which was just a mattress. "It tells the story of a young Prince who seeks freedom."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

A pale hand took the book and Yeosang wondered if his friend could even read it in such a dim environment. Dim was an overstatement, in fact. The room was dark with only a small candle. He could barely even see Wooyoung until his eyes adjusted to the dark.

"How have you been these days?" Wooyoung asked as he flipped through the book.

"Good. Soon I'll be able to take the scholar exam. If I pass, I'll be able to pursue more and see more of the world too."

"Sounds wonderful."

"Maybe I'll be able to meet someone who can help you too," Yeosang said in a hopeful tone.

"Maybe. It would be wonderful too. I want to see the sun again. I want to run across the fields with you too."

"Wooyoung..."

"What is it?"

"There's been more development going around. Soon, the fields that we run in would be gone and unlike anything that you remember," Yeosang said softly. "The world outside would probably be different than you remember it."

"Probably. Our friendship would change too."

"Huh?"

"Once you become a scholar, it's unlikely that you'll come back often. You'll be busy with your studies while I... I'll still be here. Or maybe not anymore."