The Black Fox & The White Tiger

Blind Black

Why? Why won't he end up where Minhyun was? How many more worlds must he go? How many more times must he be forced to come face to face with another Minhyun before he finally reach his own? It was like a slow torture, being unable to hold the other. In front of him now was another Minhyun except this Minhyun had a blindfold over his eyes and he didn't even know Baekho was there. Baekho just stood there, not knowing what to do or say. Maybe he should just leave. He moved his hands, unintentionally shifted his leg and his shoe made a squeaking sound. Minhyun reacted to the noise and turned his head at Baekho's direction. The other gulped and went still.

"Who's there?" Minhyun asked in his sweet honey like voice. Don't answer. Don't answer.

"Baekho." He gulped. Why did he answer? A smile graced Minhyun's beautiful lips. His cheekbones rising along with the smile.

"Baekho... I thought you wouldn't come back anymore," he said while shifting his body so he was facing the male. Minhyun was in a small room that had a piano and a chair. A window that had white curtains and a door that led elsewhere. There was nothing else in the room.

"Why wouldn't I?" Baekho asked, silently cursing himself for being unable to stop replying.

"Because you blame yourself... for what happened. Do you still... blame yourself?" Minhyun asked, twirling his fingers together.

"I... I don't understand." Baekho took a step forward. Minhyun seemed to tilt his head slightly.

"You don't... Hmmm... Could you take another step closer?" Baekho did and took another step forward. "Who are you?"

"I'm Baekho."

"I know but I also know you're not. You sound just like him but your steps are very different," Minhyun replied and Baekho gulped. He couldn't manage a lie even to a Minhyun who couldn't see him?

"I'm sorry... I really am Baekho but from a different world."

"Ah... I see. Not literally but figuratively. And what do you want, Baekho from another world?"

"I... I'm looking for Minhyun. I have no idea where to find him though so I'm pretty much just... roaming other worlds in hopes that I'll find him soon."

"Is that so.... Pardon me but could you help me face the piano?" Minhyun lifted a hand out and Baekho went closer. He gently took the other's hand and moved it so he would touch the piano. Minhyun smiled and held Baekho's hand, feeling his arm. "Fascinating. You're not that much different in build compared to Baekho either."

"Did you just ask me to do this so you could touch me?" Baekho asked in surprise.

"And what if I did? Come, sit with me for awhile if you're not in a rush."

"Well...." He was but he guessed it wouldn't hurt to humor the other for a moment. He seemed lonely after all. Baekho sat down beside him.

"Do you know how to play the piano?" Minhyun asked, hands moving to the keys and feeling them.

"A little. I stopped playing a long time ago though."

"Why?"

"Because... my brothers were better than me at it."

"Let me guess. You took up swordfighting." Baekho raised his brows.

"How did you know?"

"Because that's what you did here too. After the incident, you took up sword fighting to be stronger. To protect me."

"Then... where am I now?"

"I don't know." Minhyun started pressing on the keys and playing a simple music. Baekho followed suite, trying to merge his own tune to the other.

"Could you tell me.... what happened?" Baekho asked, somehow feeling at peace with this Minhyun. Maybe it was the gentle way he spoke or maybe it was the environment. The piano. The light breeze that came in through the opened window.

"We got into a fight. It was my fault for getting drunk and flirting with some random guy at the bar. You got angry and splashed the drink in my face to wake me up but it got into my eyes and this is what I've been reduced to," Minhyun explained. "And so you blame yourself for what happened. For being unable to keep your cool and splashing a drink at me out of anger. I don't blame you though. It was my fault after all."

"Were you dating me?"

"Yes... I still am unless...." Minhyun's smile faded and he stopped playing. "Unless you no longer love me." Baekho noticed his hand was trembling and so he held it because it seemed like the right thing to do.

"I'm not him but... I know I'll always love Minhyun. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Thank you, Baekho from another world. I hope you find your love and appreciate him because you'll never know when the last time would be." Baekho squeezed the other's hand.

"I will."

"Go on then. You've probably wasted enough time talking to me. Thank you though. It was nice to at least hear your voice again." Minhyun slowly pulled his hand away and Baekho got up. He felt bad for leaving the other but told himself again that he can't help every one of them too. He exited the room and noticed that the him from this universe was standing right outside. Crying with arms crossed together.

"Baekho," he said softly and the other turned to look at him.

"What? Can't you see that I'm crying?" The other said sarcastically. Baekho smiled and patted his shoulder.

"You should go see him. I can tell he really misses you and he still loves you."

"Shut up. Of course I'm going in." The other Baekho swatted his hand away, rubbed his eyes clear of tears before entering the room. Baekho watched him go nearer to Minhyun and pulling the other into a hug. Minhyun's smile returned as he felt the other Baekho's arm, knowing just who it was without having to see. Because he held a special place in his heart.

Baekho felt warm inside but knew he had to leave. And hope that he was just somehow, even one small step, closer to finding Minhyun.