-All Too Well-

32. 서른둘

(^^ Blonde Matthew in a white shirt and that adorable smile>>>>> I love today's preview 😭)

To the nervous five in the living room, anxiously waiting for any update, worried at the sound of crying, Jiwoong walked out holding Matthew in front of him. Gyuvin was seated such that he was the first one to notice them. He stood up immediately, watching him, everyone peeked at them.

"Hyung!" Gyuvin called, trying hard to read the situation. Neither Matthew nor Jiwoong talked for a few seconds.

"Matthew hyung!" Yujin called, going to stand before him but Gyuvin stopped him. Taerae was also agitated, so Ricky lightly held his hand, trying to assure him. The way Jiwoong was just standing there, things didn't look bad all of a sudden.

"I have something to tell you all..." Matthew took in a deep breath. Behind him, Jiwoong squeezed his shoulders. The gesture itself answered a lot of the unanswered questions, but there was still so much to unravel.

Jiwoong showed Matthew a chair on the dining table. The others sat around it too. As the Canadian took his seat, Jiwoong stood behind him. He leaned down and whispered something in his lover's ears, making almost everyone steal glances at each other.

"Did they make up?" Taerae whispered to Ricky who replied with, "I think so."

"Thank God!" Taerae smiled. One after hours of nervous waiting. Ricky felt euphoric. Smile on Taerae is the reason he fell for the man. It should never leave the pretty dimples of the pretty guy.

So Matthew started. Just the way he said everything to Jiwoong, filtering his words at places, and with Jiwoong's help, he explained what had happened that night. That it wasn't the way Zhang Hao interpreted it. That it wasn't like he was innocent, but he had his reasons and he was heartily sorry.

"Hyung!" Yujin couldn't but feel the relief, as he stood up and ran to his hyung's arms. Matthew patted him, his puffy face shining under the lights. He felt so happy that he could still look at everyone's face. That they understood. Behind Yujin, he saw Taerae standing for his turn of the hug. It filled the Canadian with a graceful feeling of love. He felt grateful towards his friend, who believed in him above everyone.

So after Yujin, Taerae gave him a brief hug, "I knew you didn't do it, man. I'm happy that you got to clear everything."

"It's all thanks to him." Matthew showed the man behind him, smiling in love and adoration.

"Thanks for trusting him again." Taerae smiled. Jiwoong nodded. The naive looking roommate of Matthew actually was a lot more mature than he looked. He watched his friend go through everything- the heartbreak, the reconciliation, and then the hit of truth. He saw Matthew's progress little by little, of moving on, and falling in love with another man, and protecting the bond to the best of his ability. He meant it when he said he was happy for his friend.

"Um.. Matthew hyung," Gyuvin called, "I'm sorry I misbehaved."

"It's okay." Matthew shook his head, "I understand, and I'm also sorry for... Everything." He left a small sigh. Before the incident got to him again, Jiwoong pulled him by the arm, "Okay, so there's nothing more to worry about, right?" He looked at the five boys, "So if you don't have anything else to say, I'll take my man to my room."

Ricky held back from teasing Jiwoong, he knew Gyuvin was doing the same. Beside him, Gunwook accidentally laughed, making Taerae struggle to hold his laughter in. Matthew looked a little shy, but thankfully the naughty boys kept silent.

"Kay then, good night." Jiwoong waved at them with a cheeky smile. He turned Matthew around, pushing him towards the room. The latter kept shaking his head, but followed the order nonetheless. It would be a lie to say he wasn't excited about cuddling his man for the rest of the night.