In Between Time | Seongjoong

23

Hongjoong had told Seonghwa the story of his little brother and how the devices they both possessed would be able to function as a time machine.

"You mean that those small case looking things have the ability to turn into a time machine?" Seonghwa was puzzled.

"Yes, and I need them to save my brother."

"Won't altering the future like that change a lot of things?" Seonghwa was being selfish in a way. He had met Hongjoong and got to know the other because of the device he had.

"It probably will but I'd do anything to just have my family back together."

Seonghwa nodded understandingly, "I'll help you no matter what."

The two walked around the park retracing every place they had been in hopes of finding the device. It was getting late and the drive was already long enough. The opportunity slipped through Hongjoong's hands because he was careless and that crushed him. Seonghwa's hand met Hongjoong's shoulder as the other kept himself together but his facial expression showed it all.

"I'll ask San if they accidentally picked up anything that belongs to us. I promise I won't tell him anything else if you don't want me too."

"Okay, I'm going to call my parents. I haven't talked to my mom much since I've been here."

"Hey mom," Hongjoong smiled. It was a pained smiled and all Seonghwa wanted to do was turn it into a real one. Even if that meant letting the other go back in time and possibly forgetting everything that happened recently.

"I had a lot of fun with Seonghwa and his friends their performance was awesome I recorded some of it for you to watch." Seonghwa's eyes widened. 

"We'll be home pretty late, something happened but don't worry. Love you too, bye."

"You recorded the performance?" Seonghwa questioned.

"Yeah, my mom wanted to see." That and the fact that he wanted to see if the man he saw on stage was the same person.

"Can I see?" Hongjoong scooted over into the middle seat and suddenly this seemed too close.

Seonghwa had been closer to Hongjoong, he's literally wrapped himself around the other before. He couldn't help but stare as the other pulled up the clips from his gallery. The moment just felt different like it was the most amazing thing that Hongjoong existed next to him. Maybe it was his realization that pretty soon he or Hongjoong won't remember each other once he finds the device.

"I think this part is really cool," Hongjoong pointed out the part where Seonghwa was centered. The camera mainly followed Seonghwa but would occasionally jump to San or Yeosang. The video might as well be titled Seonghwa fancam at that point.

"We're making a quick stop at this gas station so if anyone else needs to use the bathroom or get something now is the time."

Hongjoong followed the older two into the store while Seonghwa stayed behind. His mind was racing he wanted a way to ensure they'd meet again. He just couldn't leave it up to destiny alone. Time travel clearly isn't something with hard science proven facts that guarantee you'll still remember someone. Seonghwa wanted to know if Hongjoong was just as worried about it as he was.

The red head had come out of the store rather quickly and sat himself quietly into the backseat. He faced the window watching as the cars drove by and the people ran in and out of the store. He kept thinking about what Seonghwa's brother said to him.

"You know, I can tell my brother really cares about you. He likes you a lot and I can tell that you like him, so I really hope to see you around more often."

Hongjoong knew he liked Seonghwa and it was painfully obvious. The other was always so caring and understanding about this whole situation and Hongjoong was glad it was Seonghwa that he met.

"Your brother told me that you liked me," Hongjoong fiddled with his earbud not making eye contact.

"He said that he hopes to see me around more often." Hongjoong added and the realization hit harder than it had before. Why would it matter if his brother wouldn't even remember the guy he liked?

Hongjoong really liked Seonghwa and enjoyed his company and for once he felt at peace with his brother's death.

"I think they're really gone, the chance of finding the devices is...it's just gone. There's no chance."

"Let's not give up. What if San or Yeosang accidentally picked it up. They were already on the road when I asked and San said he'd check as soon as they got home." Seonghwa tried to reassure the other but in a way he knew that if that wasn't the case there was no hope.