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

九

Hyungwon parked in front of Minhyuk's house, but he made no move to get out.

His fingers lingered on the steering wheel, gripping it tighter than necessary, as if letting go meant confronting how much he had missed this.

The porch light was on, spilling a warm, golden glow across the front steps. He could see faint shadows through the windows—Minhyuk's silhouette moving around, probably making last-minute adjustments, the way he always did when he was excited.

His chest tightened.

God, he missed him.

Finally, he exhaled slowly and stepped out of the car.

Before he could even shut the door, Minhyuk came flying out of the house, bare feet slapping against the pavement, a blur of flushed cheeks and messy burgundy hair.

"Wonnie!" Minhyuk's voice cracked with relief as he threw himself forward.

Hyungwon barely had time to react before Minhyuk collided into him, arms wrapping around his waist, clinging to him like he might disappear again.

The force of the hug made Hyungwon stumble back slightly, but he caught him, laughing softly.

"Hello to you too, Hyuk."

Minhyuk's arms only tightened, his face buried against Hyungwon's neck, breathing him in.

"You're really here."

His voice was barely a whisper, but Hyungwon heard every ounce of emotion in it.

"I'm here."

And he wasn't going anywhere.

"Come in, come in!" Minhyuk chirped, grabbing Hyungwon's hand and tugging him inside with the same childlike excitement he had when they were teenagers.

The house smelled like him.
Like clean linen and faint vanilla, the way it always had.
It was small but cozy, lived-in. There were half-packed boxes in the corner, evidence of the move Minhyuk had mentioned.

But all Hyungwon could focus on was Minhyuk's smile.

"Now, sit."
Minhyuk practically pushed him onto the couch, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"And close your eyes."

Hyungwon arched a brow, lips twitching into a smirk.
"Should I be worried?"

"Shhh." Minhyuk pressed a finger to his lips. "No peeking."

Hyungwon chuckled softly and let his eyes flutter shut.
He could hear Minhyuk shuffling around, the faint clink of something small being fumbled with.

Then, his voice—soft and sweet—broke the silence.
"Okay... open."

Hyungwon's breath caught.

In Minhyuk's hands was a small box, the cardboard slightly worn at the edges, as though it had been handled often.
And on his face was that bright, gummy smile—the one that made Hyungwon feel like he was sixteen again, falling for him all over again.

"Here," Minhyuk said softly, offering it with both hands.
"I got you a welcome home present."

Hyungwon's lips twitched into a tender smile as he took the box, the warmth of Minhyuk's fingers lingering against his own.
But when he opened it, his breath stilled in his throat.

Inside was a small silver locket, worn with age but still beautiful.
And etched on the back in elegant, familiar script were the words:

"Forever Lee Minhyuk's."

His heart stopped.

He stared at it, speechless, until his eyes lifted slowly to Minhyuk, the question hanging unspoken between them.

"You didn't..." Hyungwon's voice broke slightly.

But Minhyuk was already nodding, his smile soft, eyes glassy with emotion.
"I did."

He sank onto the couch beside him, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a second locket—identical but slightly smaller—and placed it next to Hyungwon's.
"I found the lockets we hung up when we first got together," he explained softly.
"I managed to get both off the wall."

Hyungwon blinked slowly, swallowing hard. His fingers brushed over the familiar etching, memories flashing vividly in his mind—the night they had locked them together, naïve promises of forever whispered under flickering streetlights.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, as if trying to hold the memory closer.

"I saw something funny while I was there too," Minhyuk added softly, his voice lighter, almost teasing.
"Guess whose locket I saw next to ours?"

Hyungwon glanced at him, brows furrowing slightly.
"Who?"

Minhyuk's lips quirked into a smirk.
"A locket in Kihyun's handwriting."
He paused dramatically, then added, "With 'Forever with Son Hyunwoo' written on it."

Hyungwon stiffened.

His breath caught.

For a moment, he couldn't move, only stared at Minhyuk, eyes wide.

And then, his voice slipped out before he could stop it.
"Maybe... because it wasn't his ex."

Minhyuk's head snapped toward him.
"What?"

Hyungwon's throat tightened.
"Hyunwoo... was my dance director at Juilliard."
The words tumbled out slowly, deliberately.
"He told me he had a boyfriend named Kihyun."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Yoo Kihyun."

Minhyuk's eyes widened.
His voice came out barely above a whisper.
"Y-Yoo Kihyun? As in—"

Hyungwon nodded.
"Yeah."
He exhaled sharply.
"I didn't think much of it until now. But maybe... maybe Hyunwoo broke up with him."
He glanced at Minhyuk, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
"He never told me."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, both processing the revelation in the stillness.
Then, slowly, Minhyuk reached forward, fingers trembling slightly as he placed his own locket next to Hyungwon's.

The movie played in the background, but neither of them paid attention.
They were too lost in each other.

Hyungwon's arms were around Minhyuk, holding him close, his fingers tangled in the soft burgundy strands.
He felt Minhyuk's breath warm against his collarbone, slow and steady, as if he could finally breathe again.

And so could Hyungwon.
For the first time in years.

"Hyungwon," Minhyuk murmured softly, tilting his head slightly, looking up at him.

"Mmh?"
Hyungwon brushed his thumb along Minhyuk's cheek, fingers memorizing the curve of his face.

"I love you."
His voice was barely above a whisper, but it was unshakable, steady.
"I really, really do."

Hyungwon's eyes softened.
And then, without hesitation, he lifted Minhyuk's hand to his chest, pressing it against his heart.

"I love you too," he whispered, voice hoarse with emotion.
"So much it hurts."

Minhyuk's eyes glimmered.
"C-can I kiss you?" he asked, voice barely audible.

Hyungwon's breath hitched.
He smiled softly.
"You never have to ask."

And then he kissed him, slow and unhurried, like he was making up for every moment they had lost.

When they finally pulled apart, Minhyuk pressed his forehead against Hyungwon's, voice trembling softly.
"I love you so damn much."

And with Hyungwon's hand over his heart, he whispered back:
"Not as much as I love you."