Hiraeth ⚕ Seungjin

⒌Seungmin

" Run away," Seungmin deadpanned.

Minho nodded, a focused expression on his face. The younger really couldn't believe him. Here Seungmin was feeling like everything was ruined, and Minho comes and and somehow manages to make him crack a weak smirk.

" It's either you're trying to make me feel better or you're still drunk," Seungmin replied wrily, watching as Minho frowned a bit, obviously displeased.

" Why not? I know what everyone says but we'll be smarter. We'll manage-" The bench creaked beside Seungmin as Minho sat next to him. The sun was starting to rise, a pretty fog of pale red and yellow slowly rising upon the fading shades of blue. There was also a hint of orange, the sky glowing with a ethereal shean as the sun slowly rose. He remembered sitting so many times with Minho like this, watching the sunrise and probably annoying eachother. This would be their last sunrise together.

Seungmin turned to Minho, a weak, saddened smile on his face. " Minho, you know we can't. They'll find us, with all their kingdom alliances, and I'll be a prisoner. And... I can't let you throw away your future like that, not when I've been watching you build it from the very beginning." Turning back to the view, Seungmin realised how much his voice was wavering, and couldn't help but stop and gulp. " Let's... let's just enjoy the view, okay? One last time."

He could practically feel the pained gaze of Minho on him, could hear his heart beating, but Seungmin didn't turn back to him. If he did, he'd break down crying, begging for Minho to save him. He'd give in to the temptation of running away, of trying to escape this fate. So he didn't turn, his hands shaking as he gripped his knees and willed the tears away.

The slide of Minhos hand above his felt familiar. Neither of them ever knew how to comfort eachother when anything happened, but this was enough. To know, to feel Minho holding on to him could ground Seungmin for as long as he needed to compose himself. He could halt this moment and stay here for as long as he could, relishing the small calm before the storm.

༺☬༻

It all passed by in a blur. Walking home, falling asleep, and waking up. Minho tried to coax him into getting more rest but he shook him off. His time of freedom was dwindling quickly. Seungmin wanted to spend this time doing something. Anything.

Half way through packing his bags, Seungmin realised that he wouldn't even be able to wear these clothes in the castle. So he'd settled with packing the non-cloth items he'd need.

Now, Seungmin had 10 hours until he'd be escorted to the castle. He wouldn't waste this time moping in his amazing luck.

" Get up. We're going out," Seungmin stood infront of Minho, bracing his hands on his hips. The older raised a questioning eyebrow, clearly shocked by the determined eagerness radiating from seungmin, completely different from the defeated sadness he'd shown a few hours ago.

" Where, exactly? And why?"

Seungmin huffed, grabbing Minho's arm and yanking him off the couch. " I don't know. Let's go to the amusement park. Or a horror movie. Or let's go shopping. Anything. I just don't want to waste these last hours. Please."

A knowing look flashed in Minho's eyes, before a bittersweet smile replaced it. " Fine."

Apparently, Minho should have said no. He should've patted Seungmin on the head, sent him to bed, or headlocked him into shutting up.

Because Seungmin did everything.

They watched that horror movie in the cinemas. Minho had thrown up in the toilet right after, followed by a lot of not very pg family-friendly swearing. They also went to the amusement park, both clutching eachother and screaming their heads off as they rode the highest roller coaster. They ate every single snack they could buy, burning through their monthly budget, and topped it with ice cream.

They did it all. Together.

It was an hour before midnight when they finally headed back home, both completely drained. Seungmin couldn't, or wouldn't, let himself think of what was to happen soon. Not when he was feeling lighter, feeling content. Not when Minho had done all this to bring his mood up.

Just before Seungmin entered his room, Minho called out from behind. " Let's play video games. Loser has to kiss the other goodbye."

Seungmin turned slowly, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he strode back to Minho and flopped beside him on the couch. " You sure you won't regret that?"

" Have you ever known me to back out of anything?"

༺☬༻

" YES!" " NO!"

Seungmin dropped his head in his hands, fighting off the embarrassment of losing three times in a row.

" Are you sure you're not just using this as a way to kiss me?" Minho grinned cheerfully as he leaned back, resting his head against the pillow.

" Shut up," Seungmin grumbled as he threw the controller onto the table.

" I could let you kiss me twice if you ask nicely."

" Shut up."

" How about thrice?"

Seungmin snapped. Pouncing on Minho and trying to bite his hand off. The older was laughing his ass off, trying to save himself from Seungmin's attacks. They both rolled off the couch, Minho hitting his head on the floor and groaning. Before Seungmin could quite literally kill Minho, the bell rang.

A knock. Another one.

A deep, monotone voice echoed from Outside. " Kim Seungmin. You have been summoned to the castle. We are here to escort you."

Getting off Minho, Seungmin straightened, his hands shaking as he wiped off the sweat on his pants.

It was happening. It was always going to happen, but for a second, Seungmin had forgotten. And now he'd been reminded. Great.

Minho dusted himself off as he glanced worriedly at Seungmin. They both stood there, staring at the door, willing the people on the other side to leave.

Another knock. " Is someone there?"

The sound knocked Seungmin out of his stupor. " Y-yes! I'll be.. I'll be out in a minute.." He turned back to Minho, a look of despair slowly surfacing. Minho didn't hesitate, pulling Seungmin into a tight hug.

" I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you," Minho murmured into Seungmin's shoulder, his voice evidently quaking with so many emotions.

" Don't. Don't." Seungmin inhaled Minho's scent, pulling away. But Minho pulled him back again. For a second, Seungmin thought Minho was hugging him, but then realised how the older had turned his head to Seungmin's ear.

" I'll get you out. I won't leave. Wait for me. I'll find you." Minho whispered hurriedly, before pulling away and running to his room. His hands trembled violently as Seungmin tried to process Minho's words. Was he saying it in the heat of the moment? Or was he being genuine?

Minho came back holding Seungmin's bag, handing it to him, a steel look in his eyes. Seungmin took it from him, slinging it over his shoulder as he glanced at Minho.

" My goodbye kiss?" Minho smiled weakly. Before he could stop him, Seungmin grabbed Minho hand and smacked a sloppy kiss on its back. He looked back up, grinning in defiance as Minho scoffed.

" Goodbye."

Seungmin looked one more time at Minho, memorising his features, before turning around and leaving the house.

༺☬༻