Efflorescence (2won)

20. Secrets of the past

Hoseok didn't understand. What he had done to irritate Hyungwon? Was it his character? Looks? Behavior?

Hoseok had tried to get Shown to tell, but he hadn't agreed to it. Nothing made sense anymore.

"Please, hyung! You must tell me what I have done! I don't get it!" Hoseok pleaded for the thousandth time.

"I... I can't."

"Please, hyung... I need to know, so I can fix it. You know, I really do love him and if I hurt him in some way... I want to make sure I know what it was, so I will never do it again." Hoseok said, his eyes almost watering up.

"Hoseok... uh, okay. I know you love him. And I know you would never hurt him again. But you didn't hear this from me, okay?"

"Yes, I promise I won't tell anyone you said it."

"Hyungwon saw you and Kihyun talking. You seemed really close... so Hyungwon thought you're in love with Kihyun. I know, it might sound dumb, but he was really heartbroken by it." Shownu explained.

"D-does it mean, that he... he..."

"Loves you? Yes, Hoseok. It's been clear since day one."

Hoseok fell down on the couch and he closed his eyes. His mouth turned into a gleeful smile, his hand coming up to his face to hide the redness and his knees went up against his chest.

"Hoseok... I know it makes you happy, that Hyungwon has feeling towards you, but may I remind you that he's right now very, very sad."

Hoseok's smile faded and he frowned. "I... have to fix it."

"You do, but please... give him a day or two to calm down, okay?"

Hoseok nodded. Shownu decided to go out for a moment, but in reality he called Kihyun.

"Hi... I had to tell him." Shownu started.

"Well, it wouldn't have remained a secret for long after all." Kihyun hummed.

"Yeah. He wants to fix things. Hyungwon is really upset right now, I'm just... kinda worried."

"Worried? Did something else happen?"

"No... I think there's more to it than just last night. There's something else, that's bothering him too." Shownu sighed. "I wanted to ask, but... he ran away."

"Oh... sounds serious." Kihyun stated. "I'll try talking to him, okay? Also, I might as well tell him about my crush on Minhyuk."

"What? Really?"

"Yes, we confessed to each other after we left, so... we're a thing now." Kihyun laughed awkwardly.

"Congratulations." Shownu smiled, even though Kihyun wouldn't see it.

"Thanks... I will talk to Hyungwon. Maybe he'll tell me what's bugging him. I've been worried about him too."

"Go check on him, I'll handle Hoseok." Shownu said.

"Right, talk to you later."

"Bye."

Kihyun's suspicion came true. He had suspected something for a moment and what Shownu told, made him sure, that there was something wrong. Hyungwon was hiding something from them.

Kihyun quickly left the café and started walking toward Hyungwon's apartment. It didn't take long for him to see a lanky man sitting on the stairs that lead to his apartment. Kihyun walked closer, hummed and sat down next to him.

"Tell me what's going on." Kihyun said gently.

"No."

"Wonnie, I know something's bugging you. Why won't you talk to me?"

"Not you."

"Is this about me and Hoseok?"

Hyungwon's head perked up and he glared at Kihyun.

"So it is." Kihyun smiled. "Do you want to know something?" He then asked, straightening his legs.

Hyungwon only looked at him, not saying a word.

"Me and Minhyuk are a thing now. We confessed to each other last night."

Hyungwon's mouth was hanging open and he seemed to have trouble saying something.

"I know, crazy right?" Kihyun laughed. "So you don't have to worry about me snatching Hoseok from you."

"Hyung... why didn't you just tell it earlier? That you're interested in Minhyuk?" Hyungwon asked.

"I was insecure. I was doubting." Kihyun answered. "But then I knew I had to tell the truth."

Hyungwon smiled, but it faded quickly. "So... I've been mad at Hoseok for no reason?"

"Hey, he's... it's okay. It was a misunderstanding, okay?"

Hyungwon nodded.

Kihyun looked at the younger for a while and then placed a hand on his knee. "Do you want to tell me what else is bothering you?"

Hyungwon avoided eye contact. He looked at the ground, hands shaking slightly.

"Hyungwon, please... I want to help."

"I... promised myself to never trust anyone again." Hyungwon said quietly. "I really thought they were on my side, but once I turned my back they took everything from me."

Kihyun grew sadder when Hyungwon started crying. He pressed his hand quietly against the other's back and rubbed it.

"I wanted to trust, but I'm scared... hyung, I don't want to hurt anymore."

Kihyun pulled the younger into his embrace and started humming a song to his ear.

"It's okay... Do you want to tell me?" He asked carefully, making sure Hyungwon was comfortable.

"I... hyung, my family." Hyungwon started. "I told you that I don't have good relationships with them, but the truth is... They threw me out."

Kihyun wanted to scream. He wanted to tell the world to fuck off with the bullshit they've given the younger.

"They took everything from me... I had no home, no money, no friends. My mother said she hated me."

"How could someone do that to their own child?" Kihyun sighed. "What happened? Why did they kick you out?"

"I... told them I'm attracted to men. My family is religious, so they literally thought I was possessed by satan or something." Hyungwon said. "I left... they wanted it so I left. sometimes i wonder how they're doing, but I'm not a part of the family anymore."

"You don't have to worry... you have us now, right?" Kihyun smiled, rubbing his back. "We can be your family."

"Hyung... I... I am so happy that I met you. Without you I would have nothing."

"And we're going to stay. We won't hurt you, I promise. If someone does, I will personally take care of the matter." Kihyun grinned. "Do you want to go inside? You seem cold."

"Yeah... can you stay with me for a little longer?"

Kihyun nodded. He knew the younger needed him.

The sun was falling and Hyungwon was relieved. He told the truth and didn't hurt him. Maybe he could still trust people.