Giving up on you

XIV

- Hongbin...

He was there, standing right in front of you, behind Leo whose face went pale as he turned around to your old friend. Hongbin had the opposite reaction of him, he stood still for a second then started walking towards you in a hurried pace, he walked by Leo not even sparing a glance at him. He was fully concentrated in you, like everything around had disappeared.

He immediately held you tight, so strong that it made your forearms hurt but you didn't care, all that mattered was that Hongbin was there, next to you. He had changed so much but his warm embrace was the same as it had been for all those years. You hugged him back and without noticing your breath quickened its pace and your eyes got watery.

- y...you are here – you sobbed with your head buried in his chest – I thought you had forgotten me.

- never – he answered as he held you closer – I had to be death to forget about you.

- I'm sorry I doubted you... - you finally looked up to his face. He was crying too but still flashed you a smile and stroke your hair.

- I'm back, my friend

- welcome back, my friend. – you smiled back, it was true happiness after all those years.

Leo was bearing the pain of seeing you but after all he felt happy, because he had already made up his mind to give up on you. He took the girl into a taxi and was about to get in too but Hyuk stopped him.

- are you sure? ... - he initiated. He saw Leo's eyes wander to you and Hongbin for a split second.

- yeah... I'm sure... it was supposed to be like this since the beginning. – he got in the taxi.

Hyuk just watched him part with a sad smile and then reunited with you and Hongbin. He greeted him and Hakyeon as well.

- Thank you, Hyuk – he gave a fraternal tap on his younger friend back.

- No need to thank me, it was... - he remembered Leo told him not to tell Hongbin he had been looking after him when he was in a coma – my duty as a friend.

- I'm pretty sure you have a lot to catch up with, so I'll see you tomorrow – Hakyeon interrupted but Hongbin approached him and reached out his hand.

- Thank you so much, for taking care of her... for everything...

- You own me big time, Hongbin – Hakyeon joked taking his hand. – the boss said you can go back to work whenever you want. – he lastly said and turned around to walk in the opposite direction, after a few steps he noticed he was been followed by a blond boy.

- so... do you have any business with me? – he raised an eyebrow.

- I'm Hyuk! – He bowed down.

- yeah, I know...so what? – he was getting pissed off at Hyuk's clueless expression.

- Nothing... it's just that ... – he chuckled – it would be awkward to stay in that kind of atmosphere.

Hakyeon found funny how that boy went from being a total cynic to a naive.

- I guess you are right – he smiled and both walked together.

You and Hongbin stared at each other before he took your hand and started to walk with peaceful steps.

- I'm sorry I wasn't there the day you graduated – he sighed.

- mmm – you nodded – I'm sorry too.

Both fell silent a few seconds, just walked under the street lights on the empty streets. Hongbin wasn't looking at you but he never lost the hold of your hand. His hair, now short and black, made his skin look even paler than before or maybe it was the fact that he had grown up into a man now.

- so... amm... what happened between you and him? – he finally asked.

- him? You mean Leo?

- yeah... - he answered not sure if he wanted to hear what you were going to say.

- ... - you tried to summarize everything up but forgot to take out the part when he rejected you.

- wait! So he rejected you?!! – Hongbin shouted amused.

- well, yeah...

He felt happy for a moment but then he thought maybe he was being an obstacle to your happiness and guiltiness invaded him.

- I'm sorry. If only I hadn't disappeared...

- No, Hongbin... – you too held his hand tighter – it has nothing to do with that, even if you were there it'd been the same because I loved Leo even when you were there. – you averted your gaze from him missing the painful face he had for an instant.

Hongbin felt everything going silent for a second but recovered his senses back in a blink.

- What about now? – he said making you turn back to him – Do you still love him now?

His eyes piercing yours with a manly yet gentle gaze, you couldn't escape from him now. You doubted for a moment when remembered you said you were going to give up on Leo until you find Hongbin.

- I.. – you doubted, no it was not doubt, you didn't think about it for so long that you didn't even know your feelings in that moment.

- Whatever... I have no doubts about my feelings. – he grabbed your face between his hands and literally slammed his lips against your forehead than against your lips in a swift movement. You lifted your hands to grab his arms to stop but something inside you told you to stop. He continued kissing you until you finally gave up and kissed him back placing your hands on his shoulders to support your weight as you were on your toes to match his height. He was surprised at your reaction at first but then he started to deepen the kiss, lowering his hands to your waist.

- Are you okay? You seem out of it – said the woman under the sheets lighting up a cigarette.

- I'm okay I just felt a little sick – Leo lied leaned on the desk of the hotel room but it was the thought that you might be with Hongbin right now the reason he had been walking in circles around the room no even paying attention to the beautiful woman on the bed. Like a trapped lion.

- I think we should stop here for today... – she continued.

Without second thought Leo took his jacket and left the room in a rush.

I want to be selfish, just this time...

He ran all the way down the hill while the cold winter hit his face but he didn't even feel as he was only focused to find you. And he did...

he shouted to you. You and Hongbin broke the kiss and looked him walking with large steps towards you. His usual poker face was replaced with one full of confidence and courage. – I am sorry, Hongbin – he said taking his last step and pushing Hongbin away from you with his left arm and grabbing the back of your head with the right one and placed his lips on yours.

It was a quick kiss because Hongbin pulled Leo's shirt neck to get him away from you and punched his face. Blood ran down the corner of his now parted bottom lip.

- What do you think you are doing, Leo?! – you screamed, not scared but out of concern.

- Now that you are back... I won't hold back. Let's do this fair and square – Leo threatened Hongbin while cleaning the blood with the back of his hand then looked at you with smirk on his face – Be prepared.