The Man Who Could Not Stop Time (Monsta X Fanfiction)

Chapter Seven: Only One Can Survive

The thought of losing the real Hyungwon, the one that I knew, was driving me crazy. I sat tied to the chair, staring blankly at the ground as the fake Hyungwon watched me. The smile never faded from his face.

"I know this is hard for you." He said softly, brushing my hair behind my ear. A tear escaped my eye and he wiped it away. "But don't you wish that the Hyungwon in your life was actually nice to you? Cared about your opinion? Treated you well?"

I stared at the ground, thinking of the many times Hyungwon was mean to me.

But for some reason, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything else.

I wasn't going to sit by and watch this happen. But fake Hyungwon absolutely couldn't know my plot to stop him. How could I manage to do that?

"I could treat you so much better than he does." Hyungwon pleaded.

I looked into this Hyungwon's eyes. He was sincere, he really was infatuated me...

Maybe I could take advantage of that?

I decided to play along. "You're right..."

The fake Hyungwon smiled, patting me on the head.

I needed to convince him to untie me,. "Let me help you!" I begged just as he started pacing the room again, "I could... hold him back for you!"

Fake Hyungwon looked over his shoulder at me, "Really?"

I nodded vigorously. "Of course! You've treated me so much better in two days than the Hyungwon I know has treated me in months!"

He smiled at me, but didn't look convinced.

"Please?" I asked softly, "The ropes hurt..."

He stared at me blankly for a while, many thoughts running through his head, before giving in. "Alright." Fake Hyungwon disappeared behind my chair, cutting the rope.

I let out a sigh as I was freed of the restraints. Blood rushed to my wrists and ankles. I rubbed my wrists to ease the pain of the rope indents. I could finally breath easy, and I was free to move around now.

Time to phase two of my plot....

What would phase to be, though? I didn't think I'd manage to make it this far.

"He should be here any second now." Hyungwon grabbed onto my hand and pulled me into his chest. "In only moments, you and I can be together forever."

I nodded, forcing a smile. He started leaning in slowly to kiss me, but it was luckily interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Go open it." He said, motioning towards the door.

Slowly and skeptically with sweaty hands, I walked towards the door.

'What do I do?' I thought. I couldn't let fake Hyungwon succeed in his plans.

When I opened the door, I looked up at the real Hyungwon with scared eyes.

"What's going on?" He asked, looking down at me. His brows were knitted once he noticed something was wrong.

The real Hyungwon pushed past me to get into the room. His eyes widening when he saw the fake Hyungwon standing, smirking, on the other side of the room.

"I knew it," real Hyungwon growled, his brows knitted.

"Hi." fake Hyungwon smirked, waving playfully, "Long time no see."

"Areum, you can't trust him." The real Hyungwon turned to me. But I had to play along with the fake Hyungwon, so I pretended to be on his side.

"It's too late, she loves me now." The fake Hyungwon smirked, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "I'm taking over your life. No matter what!" He sneered through his bubbly voice, "You can run, but I'll catch you."

"You're delusional." The real Hyungwon rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. If he was scared, it didn't show. He looked over at me, staring into my eyes. Now real Hyungwon was talking only to me, ignoring the imposter standing beside me. "This is what happens when another version of a person exists in the same timeline. That duplicate goes crazy. Because they're just a husk of a person." He looked at the other version of himself. "You shouldn't exist, so you've taken on the extreme opposites of my true self. You're a fraud."

The fake Hyungwon seemed to get angry for the first time since I had known him. The grip on my shoulder tightening. "I'm not crazy! I'm much nice than you!"

"Right, you are nicer than me. But I'm not supposed to be that way. I'm cold and distant. Some people don't like that, but it's who I am." The real Hyungwon sighed. "You're not the real me, you'll never be the real me."

I saw my opportunity. "I love him!" I yelled, holding onto the fake Hyungwon's hand.

The real Hyungwon's eyes widened, I could see hurt in them. For the first time since walking into this room, he seemed truly scared.

"See?" fake Hyungwon smirked, "I'm the superior Hyungwon. I deserve to exist. You might as well just disappear."

I grabbed onto the front of Fake Hyungwon's shirt, pulling him into a passionate kiss. His eyes widened before they closed, wrapping his arms around my waist. It felt odd kissing this Hyungwon. It was so much different from kissing the Real Hyungwon. He was much worse at it.

Real Hyungwon saw his opportunity now that his imposter was distracted. He ran towards the fake one, placing a hand on his skin.

The fake Hyungwon's eyes widened as he realized what I had done. But quickly the two fused together, and soon only the original Hyungwon remained.

I was relieved knowing that Hyungwon was safe. There was no longer a threat of him disappearing anymore.

I threw my arms around him, letting out a sigh, "I'm so happy you're safe." I muttered.

He tensed in shock before placing his arms around me, hugging me back, "You really would have missed me... if I disappeared?"

I looked up at Hyungwon. He was unconfident for the first time. His eyes expressed vulnerability as he waiting for my response. 

"Of course I would miss you..." I murmured.

I've realized how much I care for Hyungwon now that I almost lost him.

He smiled at me, genuinely.

And it was a beautiful smile. Nothing like I could have ever imagined.

I threw my arms around Hyungwon's neck and pulled him into a kiss. He was taken aback for a moment before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against him.

I guess I couldn't live without him.