Farewell

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Jungwon sat at his desk in the dimly lit hotel room, the remnants of his project scattered around him like confetti after a celebration. He had finally completed the script that had brought him to Brisbane, a labor of love and creativity that had consumed his days and nights. But now that it was finished, a bittersweet feeling settled in his chest. The thrill of achievement mingled with the pang of impending separation.

After weeks of working closely with Jake, their connection had deepened into something special, something that felt too good to end. He took a deep breath, glancing at his phone. The time difference was no longer an issue; he had grown accustomed to sending and receiving messages at odd hours. But this time, he needed to tell Jake something significant.

With a few taps, he texted Jake: "Hey, can we meet? I have something to tell you."

Moments later, his phone buzzed. "Meet me at our favorite spot at the bar."

Jungwon smiled to himself. The bar had become their sanctuary, a place where they could unwind and share secrets away from prying eyes. He slipped on a comfortable hoodie and jogged to the bar, the anticipation mingling with a hint of anxiety.

As he entered, the familiar ambiance enveloped him. Dim lights cast a warm glow, and the hum of laughter filled the air. Jungwon spotted Jake leaning against the bar, his handsome face framed by the soft glow of the overhead lights. He looked effortlessly charming, even in a simple white shirt that accentuated his toned physique.

"Hey, Baby," Jake said, his lips curving into a playful grin as Jungwon approached.

"Hey," Jungwon replied, trying to muster a cheerful tone despite the heavy weight in his heart.

Jake ordered them drinks, and as they settled into a booth, Jungwon could see the excitement in Jake's eyes. "So, what's up? You look a bit serious today."

Jungwon hesitated, feeling the gravity of the moment. "I wanted to tell you that... I'm heading back to Seoul tomorrow. I finished the project."

The joy in Jake's eyes flickered, replaced by a hint of disappointment. "Oh," he said softly, the weight of his response hanging in the air. "I see. So, this is it?"

Jungwon felt a pang of guilt wash over him. "I didn't want to leave without telling you. I really enjoyed my time here with you, Jake. You made this project so much more than just work for me."

Jake leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, a frown creasing his brow. "I'm gonna miss you, you know. It feels like we just started getting close."

Jungwon nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "I'll miss you too. A lot. But I'll be back for the premiere, right?"

"Yeah, but it won't be the same without you around," Jake said, his voice lowering as if they were sharing a secret. "I'm used to seeing you every day. You're kind of a big deal for me now."

Jungwon felt his cheeks heat at the nickname. "You make it sound like I'm your secret boyfriend or something."

Jake laughed, the sound warm and genuine, but there was an underlying tension in his gaze. "Maybe you are," he teased, but Jungwon could see the seriousness behind his playful facade.

As they continued to talk, Jungwon couldn't shake the feeling of loss that threatened to settle in. They reminisced about their time together—the laughter, the late-night brainstorming sessions, and the moments when they let their guards down. Each memory felt like a reminder of what they would be leaving behind.

After a few drinks, Jake leaned closer, his expression shifting to something more serious. "You know, I didn't expect to feel this way about you. It's kind of terrifying, actually."

Jungwon looked into Jake's eyes, seeing the vulnerability beneath his confident exterior. "I feel the same. I didn't come here expecting to meet someone like you."

Jake's hand found Jungwon's, their fingers brushing together. "Promise me you won't forget about me when you get back to Seoul."

"I promise," Jungwon said, squeezing Jake's hand. "I'll always remember you."

Jake's gaze softened, and he leaned in, brushing his lips against Jungwon's cheek. "I hope this isn't goodbye forever. Just... don't forget to text me, okay?"

Jungwon smiled, feeling warmth radiate through him. "I won't forget. I'll keep in touch."

As the night wore on, they shared more laughs, but the weight of their impending separation lingered in the air. Eventually, they found themselves outside, the cool Brisbane breeze ruffling Jungwon's hair.

"I should get going," Jungwon said reluctantly, feeling a tug in his chest.

Jake's expression turned serious again. "Wait. Just one more thing before you leave."

"What is it?" Jungwon asked, curiosity piqued.

Jake stepped closer, his eyes locking onto Jungwon's with an intensity that made his heart race. "I want you to know that no matter where you go, you'll always have a place here... with me."

Jungwon's breath hitched as the weight of Jake's words sank in. "I... I really appreciate that, Jake."

Before he could say anything more, Jake pulled him into a tight embrace, the warmth of his body enveloping Jungwon. He relished the moment, feeling safe and cherished in Jake's arms.

But as they pulled away, Jungwon knew it was time to face reality. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Yeah. Soon," Jake echoed, though the sadness in his voice made it clear he was struggling to let go.

With one last look, Jungwon turned and walked away, feeling Jake's gaze on him until he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. Each step felt heavier than the last, but he knew he was taking a part of Jake with him—a piece of their shared experience that he would carry into his next chapter in Seoul.

As he arrived back at his hotel, Jungwon couldn't shake the feeling of longing that settled in his chest. He had to focus on his work, but in the quiet moments, he found his thoughts drifting back to Jake, the man who had become so much more than just a collaborator in his life.

In that moment, he realized that while he was leaving Brisbane, he was taking a new part of himself with him—one that would always be tied to the time he spent with Jake.

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