The Black Fox & The White Tiger

Black Smile

Baekho couldn't exactly agree to the plan Xiyeon had. Trapping that guy in their universe only meant two of him would exist in their time. And he didn't want that guy to be anywhere near Minhyun either. Yet their universe was the only hope of ever stopping him from travelling between other dimensions. He was frustrated by the thought of it as he was led by Minhyun to another room to rest and think about his decision. All he wanted was to save Minhyun, the others and give that guy a punch in his face. He didn't want anything more to do with him.

"I can see you're troubled," Minhyun said once they entered the room that had basic furniture. He put his backpack down and sat on the bed. Minhyun placed the sword down onto the table.

"I am... I've already come this far and now I find out that I might have to find a way to trap that guy in our universe. I don't want to," Baekho grumbled.

"Why?"

"Because two of us will exist then. And... what if he tries to do something to Minhyun while he's there?" Minhyun touched the blade of the sword as he listened to Baekho talk. "I don't want that to happen. I'm worried..."

Minhyun glanced over to Baekho. He didn't know what to say for he had no advice to give the other. Baekho looked at Minhyun who quickly casted his eyes away.

"I'm sorry I'm rambling..."

"It's okay. Kang Dongho does that too," Minhyun replied, still in that stoic tone. Baekho felt guilty now. He didn't mean to complain.

"Um.... enough about me. Why're you mad at Dongho?" Baekho asked instead. Minhyun let out a grunt and stopped touching the blade.

"I'm not mad at him," he replied flatly as he headed to the door.

"That's what you say but I haven't seen you smile once at all ever since I saw you." Minhyun seemed to stiffen up at Baekho's words. There was an awkward silence that filled the air but Minhyun opened the door to find Dongho standing there.

"Ah-"

"Kang Dongho, what are you doing?" Minhyun asked and Dongho scratched his head with an awkward grin.

"I just thought I should check up on you...?" Dongho replied and Minhyun sighed. He walked away and Dongho had an upset expression. He was about to walk away too but Baekho hurriedly got up and grabbed his shirt.

"Wait! Can I have a talk with you?" He asked Dongho.

"Me? Are you allowed to do that?" Dongho asked with a surprised tone.

"Why not? No one is monitoring you or me now," Baekho replied and Dongho looked around before nodding. He entered the room and shut the door, taking a seat with Baekho on the bed. "Tell me. Does Minhyun not smile at all?"

"Wow. You really don't know how to talk to people, do you?" Dongho huffed and Baekho laughed awkwardly. Minhyun had told him that before too. "It's not that he doesn't smile at all. He just lost the ability to do so and I'm to blame for it."

"What happened?"

"Well... we were sent on a mission together and I got into a fight. Wasn't even me who started it but Minhyun protected me and in return, he was bashed in the head. The doctor said his facial nerve was damaged."

"Won't it recover?"

"It will... slowly. I don't know how much longer though.... I miss seeing him smile too. I guess not being able to smile makes him just look mad all the time now." Baekho nodded and took out both pictures he had of different Minhyuns. They were both smiling in the picture though. Dongho looked at them and smiled. "He looks just like that when he smiles too."

"Well... they are all Minhyun in some way." Baekho felt more relaxed around Dongho and soon they were chatting more casually together, even telling jokes about their time together with their own Minhyun. They talked for about half an hour before Minhyun opened the door to find them laughing together. The both of them stopped and looked at the other who quickly stormed off again.

"Minhyun!" Dongho called out and went after him, leaving Baekho alone in confusion. He chased the other until Minhyun finally stopped and turned around to face Dongho. His expression was unreadable.

"Won't it be so much better if you just went to another universe where there's a me who can smile for you?" Minhyun said in a cold tone. Dongho frowned and held Minhyun's arms.

"What are you talking about? I don't want another you. I want you," he said in a pained tone.

"But I can't make you happy anymore. I can't even make myself happy. I can't smile for you."

"Listen. You don't have to. I can smile enough for both of us. Is that why you're acting so cold to me? Just to make me go away?"

"Yes." Dongho could see the pain in the other's eyes. How could he have not notice it before? He hugged Minhyun who stiffened in his embrace.

"I don't want to go away. I want to stay with you. I've told you before.... I'll be with you no matter where you go."

"Even though I've been reduced to a robotic person?"

"You just can't smile. It's not like you can't feel," Dongho chuckled and squeezed Minhyun.

"Right... I think I needed to be reminded of that. Dongho, I'm sorry." Minhyun returned the hug. "I'm sorry that I hurt you. Sorry for not talking things out with you."

"You can always start again. I'll always be here for you," Dongho said and looked up at Minhyun. "I still love you a lot. You know that, right?"

Minhyun nodded. Even though he couldn't smile and he was acting mean to the other, he was still grateful that Dongho would be willing to stay by him. He would kiss the other but he felt too awkward about it. "I love you too, Dongho."

Meanwhile, Baekho was just watching from afar. He smiled gladly when he realised they had fixed their relationship.