Home Wrecker || xiuchen

Chapter Seven

<<<<<<<<5 years later>>>>>>>>>

if Minseok didn't leave Seoul with his husband, Jongdae wouldn't be the way he is now.

he's cold. he's bitter. and he's impossible to get to.

ever since Minseok got married and moved away, Jongdae put up a barrier around himself. he doesn't let anyone in anymore.

he sometimes still thinks about Minseok. he wonders how beautiful he is now. but then he thinks of him as the rat who left him to die.

he started to keep a journal it's all he used words for.

he never went out, never talked, never answers Minseok's texts.

Minseok texts him everyday. he's texted him everyday for 4 years and Jongdae never answered. he read every single one, and that's all Minseok cared about. too bad Jongdae didn't know his read receipts were on.

Jongdae was so sure that Minseok and Luhan wouldn't last. he remembered that he wished them well a they left for the honey moon. 

he really meant it. he wanted Minseok to be happy.

but Minseok's happiness maked Jongdae depressed. he started smoking more and more. he knew it was bad for him but that's what he liked about it.

maybe, just maybe, he didn't care about himself at all anymore.

Jongdae noticed he would be forced to leave the house if he wanted to eat for that week.

he always hesitated to leave his apartment in case Minseok was in town.

once he built up enough energy and courage, he walked out of his apartment.

he couldn't ever buy much. he was always short on money so he bought what he could afford. he always bought ramen and milk. maybe, if he had a little extra money, he'd get his favourite candy.

after shopping, he returned home and put the ramen away.

he needed to check his bank account because his rent fee was piling up.

he was so shocked at his bank account that he packed his bags and called his mom.

"hi mom."

"hello Jongdae. have you been well?" she cheerfully asked.

"yes, I've been well. I hope you're doing well too. but I have a request of you?"

"anything for you."

"can I come live with you? I can't pay my rent anymore and I miss having someone around."

"of course you can. pack your bags and I'll fly you here as soon as possible. also, contact your landlord to say you'll be moving out and that we'll pay him back for the times you've missed. I can't wait to have you with me again!" she cheered.

Jongdae couldn't help but smile.

"thank you, mom. could you help me find a job there too?"

"I'll start looking right away!"

"thank you so much. let me know when the flight is. I gotta go buy bags to take my clothes in. I'll talk to you later. love you." Jongdae hung up and grabbed his coat.

he called a cab and went to the store.

he bought three bags. two suitcases and then a carry on.

he returned home and paid the cab driver.

he began to pack his clothes up into the large bags. he packed his personal belongings in his carry on bag and his room was empty.

he never kept much stuff. all he really had was clothes. other wise, everything else came with the apartment.

when he packed up his wardrobe and his personal stuff, he set the bags aside. he had kept out some outfits he could wear until the flight and just shove in the bags before.

he made a pack of ramen for dinner and headed off to sleep.

-------

Jongdae yelled out as he woke up from another nightmare.

it was a dream about Yixing.

he dreamt that Yixing came back and yelled at Jongdae for leaving him in Seoul.

he knew it was all fake and that he'd be okay, but it still made his heart ache.

he looked at his phone and saw it was only 3:00 am.

he groaned and tried to go back to sleep. he tossed and turned for hours.

he sighed and picked his phone back up.

he decided to read through some of the messages Minseok sent him.

7/31/01 @ 11:30 am
"I hope you're doing well. call me soon. I miss you"

8/20/01 @ 2:46 pm
"hey Jongdae. i miss you. I wish you well. call me soon."

9/16/01 @ 6:54 am
"hi Jongdae. I got a cat today. I know you love cats so I inserted an image. I miss you. call me soon."

Jongdae smiled at the photo of the little kitten.

after skipping through a lot of messages, he sighed.

he groaned in frustration about what he was about to do.

he dialled the number of his best friend and waited.

when there was no answer, he shrugged, knowing there wouldn't be one.

he threw his phone back onto the bed and tried to fall asleep until his phone rang once again.

he shot up and answered it immediately.

he could hear slight crying on the other end.

"Jongdae." he heard through sniffles. "are you well?"

Jongdae started to tear up.

"I miss you so much, Minseok."

"I miss you too. are you doing okay in Seoul? why are you up so late?"

"a nightmare."

"do you want to tell me about it?"

"y-yes ok. I dreamt that Yixing came back and got mad at me for leaving Seoul because I'm moving in with my mom in a few days."

"I'm sorry you had to have a nightmare tonight. you should try to get some sleep. it's good for you to sleep." Minseok sniffled, crying less.

"I'm sorry."

"what are you sorry for?"

"for not calling you soon enough."

"well, it was soon enough because you did call. get some sleep and call me tomorrow. I'll answer. I promise."

"thank you. I love and miss you."

"I love you too. call me soon."

and then the line went silent.