A Dance to Remember ||| Yunwoo (Ateez)

8

"You don't have to do this, you know." Mingi sounded like he was on the verge of tears as he helped Yunho load his last bag into the car he'd ordered.

Normally Yunho would feel guilty for hurting his friend, but most of his feelings had been locked away inside him and now all he desperately wanted was a fresh start.

His boss had been ecstatic when Yunho had called to say he'd changed his mind, and preparations began immediately.

After almost a month, it was finally time for him to leave.

Finally time to leave his pain behind.

"I'm sorry, Min." He said softly, unable to look at his best friend. "But it's a good opportunity for me." His explanation was so robotic and forced, he knew Mingi would see right through it.

His friend sighed, then pulled him into a fierce hug. "I know I originally said I was okay with this... But I'm going to miss you."

Yunho patted his back a few times. "I'll miss you too. You and Hongjoong are welcome to come visit me whenever."

They parted and exchanged on final look, then Mingi stepped back to let Yunho get into the car.

And he would have, if he hadn't turned to see Seonghwa and Yeosang walking toward him.

He was too shocked to be upset by it, so he just tilted his head and asked, "What are you guys doing here?"

"We may have called your work and got someone to tell us when you were leaving." Seonghwa admitted sheepishly. "We wanted to come see you off."

"And wish you luck." Yeosang added.

"Thank you, that's really nice of you." Yunho tried to smile for them, but he just... couldn't.

Seonghwa knew to answer before Yunho could muster the courage to ask. "He's doing fine." His lips curled into a small smile when Yunho perked up a little. "He's actually living in the academy dorms now."

"He is??" That surprised Yunho more than he'd care to admit. "But, how?"

Yeosang shrugged. "He's making it work with the new video and his diary. We talk every day, so I think that helps too."

"He said he wanted to stop being a burden to us." Seonghwa said with a slight frown. "We couldn't talk him out of it, especially when he showed us his plan and the new video he made. It was too good, so it was easy to see we wouldn't win the argument."

Yunho's eyes fell to the ground, and he just nodded. "Good for him."

"I know it's hard, and I'm sorry about what happened, but I want you to know that he's happy now. And he'd want you to find happiness too." Seonghwa's voice was soft, almost soothing, as he lifted up an unmarked CD. "This is from us, just a little going away present."

"Oh, thanks." Yunho once again tried to give them some form of smile, but all it felt like was his lips twitching a little.

Yeosang and Seonghwa gave him one final parting good luck, then left, ripping away yet another part of Yunho's heart as he looked down at the CD.

Something told him he should listen to it now, even though it was inconvenient. Why would they give him a CD?? How the hell was he supposed to listen to it while traveling.

With a sigh, he gave Mingi one more long hug, then got into the car, knowing if he didn't now, then he may try to convince himself to change his mind, and he did not want to do that.

"Airport please." He confirmed. Then his eyes darted to the dashboard, and he let out a small groan. "I know this is random, but can I give you a CD to put in really quick? I have no idea what's on it, so I apologize in advance."