You Belong With Me | Jeongcheol Fanfic

Chapter 68

The plane was already in the air, cutting through the skies above the clouds as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The gentle hum of the engines filled the cabin, a comforting sound that seemed to soften the edges of their lingering unease. Jeonghan and Seungcheol sat side by side in the window seats, just a few rows away from the bustling chaos of the rest of the passengers. The flight was long, but it wasn't the distance that seemed to weigh on them—it was the shift, the transition from one life to another.

Seungcheol leaned back in his seat, his eyes focused on the tiny window next to him, watching the fading glow of the sky. Beside him, Jeonghan had already plugged in his headphones, but his gaze was far from the screen in front of him. He wasn't watching the in-flight movie, but rather lost in his thoughts, his fingers gently tapping along the armrest between them.

"You're awfully quiet," Seungcheol commented after a while, not looking away from the window. His voice was low, careful—like he knew there was something unspoken between them.

Jeonghan didn't answer right away. He was caught somewhere between nostalgia and anticipation. His mind flickered to the images of New York—the crowded streets, the faces they had passed every day, the cold winters that had been both brutal and somehow comforting. He thought of the small, cozy apartment they'd shared, the late-night conversations over takeaway, the hectic schedules, and yet the deep satisfaction that came from simply being together, in a city that never seemed to rest.

"I was just thinking about everything we're leaving behind," Jeonghan finally replied, his voice soft but steady, as though he had been sorting through his feelings in his head before speaking them aloud. "New York... It's been a part of us for so long. And now it feels like we're just walking away from it. Like it won't be the same when we come back. Like we'll be different. Or maybe it's just me."

Seungcheol turned his head, his gaze searching Jeonghan's face as if looking for something there—something to ground them in this moment. "I think it's normal to feel that way. It's a big change, moving back to Seoul. But it doesn't mean we're leaving behind everything that we are now. We're just taking that with us, and it'll shape the next chapter."

Jeonghan nodded slowly, his fingers absently brushing his wedding ring as if seeking reassurance from the simple symbol of their shared life. "I know. But it's just... I don't know how to explain it. It feels like we've already built a new life here, and now we're going back to one that's already been set. Like we have to fit into something again. And what if it's different than how we remember it?"

Seungcheol leaned over, his hand finding Jeonghan's on the armrest, squeezing it gently. "You're overthinking it," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We've been through a lot together. We've changed. But so has Seoul. It's not like we're stepping back into the same life we left. We're starting a new one, just like we did here. Together."

Jeonghan turned to him, meeting his gaze, and there was a flicker of gratitude in his eyes—like Seungcheol's words were the anchor he needed. "You're right. I guess I just didn't realize how much I was holding onto New York until now. I didn't want to admit that I'd miss it this much."

Seungcheol smiled softly, his thumb brushing over Jeonghan's knuckles. "It's okay to miss it. I miss it too. But think of all the things we've been waiting for in Seoul. Our families. Our friends. The food we haven't had in years." He grinned, trying to lighten the moment. "And the quiet. You know we've missed that, even if we haven't admitted it."

Jeonghan chuckled, a small, relieved sound. "The quiet, yeah. I can't wait for that."

~

As the conversation settled into a more comfortable rhythm, the plane continued its journey, cutting through the night sky. The cabin lights dimmed as the passengers settled in, some sleeping, some still watching movies, while others quietly read or stared out the windows. Jeonghan leaned his head back against the seat, eyes closing for a moment as the weight of their upcoming return began to feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity.