Loving You Forever Can't Be Wrong | C.S.C x Y.J.H

thirteen

Woozi was never the one for theatrics. But he and Seungcheol were definitely soulmates.

They had each other from way before they had anyone else. Whenever it felt like they wouldn't make it, whenever the future became hopeless, they were each other's hope.

Woozi knew everything about Seungcheol, he was the first one to. From he wrote his very first song to he is in love with Jeonghan, every single thing. So, not knowing why Seungcheol left, where did he go, felt like the ultimate betrayal, especially when even Jeonghan looked at him desperately for answers and pleaded not to keep any secret.

Maybe it was the fact that Woozi had known Seungcheol the longest, had respected him, loved him the longest or maybe it was just their bond but he couldn't bring himself to hate the elder. He was hurt, angry, yes, but he couldn't just turn the love off.

The studio, his sanctuary, had started feeling like prison but being there was what kept him afloat. It was quite bittersweet. Like Wonwoo in his gaming room, Woozi in his studio. It was like stepping into a dream; a dream where Seungcheol still existed in their lives. But that dream used to shatter quickly, letting the cold reality sink in; Seungcheol was gone and he had taken half of Woozi's soul with him.

Without a word, he starts doing the dishes alongside.

"Oh", Seungcheol seems a bit surprised by his presence, "You don't need to do that. I'll manage".

"If we are eating food separately, we should do our dishes separately."

"That was used by us", Seungcheol points at the cutlery in his hands.

He merely shrugs, "I didn't know. Btw, you should do something about your hand".

He doesn't have to look directly at Seungcheol to see the small smile that has emerged on the said man's face, "Jihoon-ah", Jihoon's breath gets stuck in his throat for a second. It's been three years since he's been called in that manner, "Are you worried?"

He doesn't answer, just takes a deep breath and continues doing the task at hand.

"Can I ask you something? Like not to you but to Lee Jihoon, the songwriter and producer", No, please, "He can't be biased. So...what did you think of my song?"

A blatant lie was ready before the question was even asked but it doesn't make its way out. Songwriter and producer Lee Jihoon can't be biased, "It would've been a hit if it was sent to some other person."

Seungcheol shrugs, "Too bad I wanted it to be under your name, Seventeen's name".

Honestly, that doesn't surprise Jihoon. Seungcheol never had any desire for fame if it wasn't with Seventeen but he also never had any desire to be without them, did he?

Suddenly, a particular line from the song they are discussing crosses his mind, The desire to run away, I guess that was easy.

"Why...?", Jihoon croaks out, desparate for answers, "Why did you leave us?"

"Things happened....", Seungcheol didn't hesitate, didn't even take seconds before answering. It was as if he had specially prepared this answer, as if this was an actual and apt answer. But things happened is such a vague, insulting justification to the ones who spent every day and night for three years of their life wondering what actually happened.

Jihoon could really hate Seungcheol in this moment.

"That's it?! That's the explanation? So we spent our three years with a question mark and we are expected to spend the rest of our lives with a mere 'things happened'. What things?! What happened? We have a right to know about the things that impacted our lives, that too immensely. At least tell me. You used to tell me everything...", His voice gets low and distant, remembering the distant memory. "Please tell me; why, Why, WHY?!", Jihoon's vision blurs with tears, his whole body shaking. His voice gets hoarse with every word that prickles his throat.