spaces | c.h.w + l.m.h

六

"You've been accepted to study at Juilliard School of Fine Arts."

Hyungwon read the letter out loud for the tenth time, as if saying the words enough times would make them feel real. He sat on his bed in Gwangju, the letter slightly crumpled from how many times he had held it.

"I've been accepted?"

This was his dream. The thing he had wanted since he was a kid.

So why did it feel like the worst possible timing?

His life was finally coming together—Minhyuk was back in his life, even if only as a friend, and Jooheon had always been by his side. But now, just when things were settling, he had to leave everything behind.

With a frustrated groan, he shoved his face into his pillow and let out a muffled scream. Why now? Why, after twenty-four years of struggling, did he have to choose between his dream and his heart?

"Jooheon, I don't know how to tell him," Hyungwon muttered, voice still muffled.

"Tell who what?" Jooheon asked, walking into the room with a bag of snacks.

Hyungwon lifted his head, waving the letter in the air. "I have to go abroad for two or four years. How am I supposed to tell Minhyuk?"

Jooheon raised an eyebrow. "Easy. You tell him." He popped a chip into his mouth. "I'll drive you to Seoul the day before you leave, and you can break the news then."

"But what if I have to leave tomorrow?" Hyungwon asked, his stomach twisting.

Jooheon froze mid-chew. "We just got back to Gwangju, Hyungwon."

Hyungwon exhaled sharply. "I know, but the letter says I have to leave on September third. It's the second. So... I guess we have to go back."

Jooheon sighed in defeat. Hyungwon was right—there was no time left.

"Get in the car," Jooheon muttered, wiping his fingers on his jeans before grabbing his keys.

Hyungwon smiled softly. "Thank you, really, Joo."

The drive back to Seoul felt longer than it should have. Hyungwon barely spoke, his thoughts tangled in how he was going to say goodbye.

When they arrived, he went straight to the café where Minhyuk worked.

Through the glass window, he could see him—Minhyuk, standing behind the counter, wiping down cups, completely unaware that Hyungwon was about to turn his world upside down.

Hyungwon took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

"Minhyuk!"

Minhyuk turned at the sound of his voice, his eyes widening in disbelief. "I thought you went back home?" His brows furrowed in concern. "Did something happen? Are you okay?"

Hyungwon swallowed, gripping the letter in his hand. "No, I made it back, but... do you remember that school I've always wanted to attend?"

Minhyuk blinked. "Juilliard, right?"

Hyungwon nodded and slowly brought the letter out, unfolding it in front of him. "I have to leave tomorrow."

Minhyuk's expression faltered. For a moment, he didn't react.

Then, slowly, he set the cup he was cleaning down, his fingers gripping the counter edge just a little too tightly. "Why are you telling me?"

Hyungwon hesitated. Why was he telling him?

"Because you should know," he finally said. "So I don't just... disappear."

Minhyuk opened his mouth, then closed it. His fingers twitched slightly on the counter, and his chest felt unbearably tight.

"Can't I go with you?" he asked before he could stop himself. The words slipped out too fast, too raw.

Hyungwon's eyes widened in surprise.

Minhyuk clenched his fists. He hated how desperate he sounded.

"I don't want you to leave," Minhyuk continued, his voice quieter now. "Not the way I left."

Hyungwon's heart squeezed painfully. Of course, Minhyuk didn't want this. The first time, Minhyuk had been the one to walk away. But this time, it was Hyungwon's turn to leave.

"You need to stay here," Hyungwon said softly. "By the time I come back, you'll probably be debuted. Don't worry. And don't forget about me either."

He turned to leave, but Minhyuk's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

"Wonnie," Minhyuk whispered, his grip tightening as if letting go would make everything real.

Hyungwon turned back, his breath catching.

"Stay with me tonight," Minhyuk pleaded, his voice almost breaking. "Please?"

Hyungwon's throat felt dry. "Why?"

"I want to be the last person to see you leave Korea," Minhyuk admitted.

They ended up at Minhyuk's place.

"Just make yourself at home, I guess," Minhyuk muttered as he shut the door behind them.

Hyungwon sat on the couch, fidgeting. "Minhyuk... can I ask you something?"

Minhyuk glanced at him. "Yeah, sure."

Hyungwon hesitated before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do you still have feelings for me?"

Minhyuk stiffened. His heart pounded.

"I already told you—old feelings came back," he said.

"Yeah, but old feelings can vanish in the blink of an eye," Hyungwon countered, his voice fragile. "I want to know that you still care. Because it's so difficult to stand in front of you, it really is."

Minhyuk crossed the room in two steps, grabbing Hyungwon's hands and holding them tightly. His grip was firm, but his hands trembled.

"Hyungwon," he whispered, voice barely holding together. "I really do care for you. I love you. Really."

Hyungwon searched his face, his own eyes glassy. "Then prove it."

Minhyuk stared at him, his mind spinning, his heart hammering in his chest.

For the first time in years, they were this close again.

"Hyuk," Hyungwon mumbled.

Minhyuk snapped out of his trance. "Sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be," Hyungwon whispered. "I love being close to you."

Minhyuk's breath hitched.

"If I could, I'd kiss you," he admitted, looking away. "But I don't think I should. We're technically exes."

Hyungwon tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze.

"Who says that means anything?"

Before Minhyuk could react, Hyungwon leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

Minhyuk's entire body went still. The moment their lips met, everything else disappeared.

Hyungwon pulled away first, searching Minhyuk's face. "I'm sor—"

"Don't be," Minhyuk whispered. His voice shook as he wrapped his arms around Hyungwon, holding him tight. "I wanted that more than anything."

The next morning, it hit Minhyuk all over again.

"You have to leave today," he muttered, staring at the floor.

Hyungwon sighed. "I'll be back. Let's go."

At the airport, Minhyuk stood frozen, watching Hyungwon disappear toward security. His chest ached, his hands curled into fists.

Then, Hyungwon turned back one last time, his eyes finding Minhyuk's.

Minhyuk swallowed hard. He forced a small smile and raised a hand in a small wave.

"I'll miss you two," Hyungwon murmured before disappearing from view.

Minhyuk stayed there long after he was gone.