ending scene | l.hc

17

{her}

" i missed you. "

i was taken aback. i froze. i didn't know what to do.

his words shocked me, more than what he did.

his warmth encircled me. i could feel his heavy breathing, his heart's fast beating.

i missed you, too.

it was only a matter of time when i felt my shoulders getting wet.

" haechan? " i broke our hug to look at his face, but he immediately ran his fingers across his cheeks and gave out a small smile.

his face looked unhealthy. his eyes looked tired. it no longer twinkled like how they used to during summer. his smile looked weary, like he was forcing it.

as autumn was fast approaching, his sun-kissed skin no longer gleamed the summer glow it used to have.

and it broke my heart.

" hey, what happened? " i tried to sound as soft as possible. he looked down as he shook his head.

" i'm j-just tired. that's all. " despite his red eyes that were glimmering with the unfallen tears, he tried to sound okay.

but i know what he sounded like. because i sounded like that too.

•••

" i'm sorry for bothering you again. " he said, holding the mug of choco in his hands.

we were sitting in the balcony. the night was getting colder. i was wearing a thick sweater while i handed him a blanket so he could keep warm.

" you never bother me. " i replied, without looking at him. i was busy looking around, trying to appreciate the beauty he talked about.

" exhausted? " i asked, before blowing on my choco. i heard his little, humorless chuckle.

" more than that. " his voice was hoarse. i slowly looked at him. and i saw how his eyes blinked slowly, like it was tired too.

" you can tell me. " i said, showing off a smile. a smile i know that could help him. he looked through my eyes. and there was it again. those knowing gaze. like he was being careful.

" no, it's okay. i know you're carrying more than what i have now. " he replied, shaking his head. i reached for his hand, his cold hand, and held it tightly.

he looked surprised. his gaze went to me, then to our hands, then back to me. i had the urge to laugh at his cute reaction but i controlled it.

" i'm all ears. " i said, looking intently towards his eyes. i beamed a sad smile as tears pooled again in his eyes.

as a tear escaped his eye, i rushed to wipe it from his face.

" how can you ask me what's wrong like you're not also carrying your own burdens? " he faked a smile after giving out his question.

" well, it's been a while since i've carried extra 'burdens', so. . . " i trailed off, as i shrugged my shoulders. i emphasized the word 'burden', trying to extract a laugh from that hollowed soul. and he did. it was enough for my heart.

" training was exhausting. i get more emotional exhaustion than the physical ones. it really drained my energy. " he said, looking away. he drank on his choco while i was only wrapping my cold fingers around the hot mug.

" we always go through the bad times to earn the good ones, don't we? " i tried to sound happy. he only nodded at my remark.

" we always go through the pain, the loneliness, the sadness, everything bad and gloomy. just so we can say that we very deserve to see and feel the happiness, the best, everything. " i said, looking away as well. it sounds ironic to hear myself say positive things when i couldn't even apply it to myself. it feels weird helping others when i couldn't even help myself.

the tall buildings' silhouettes were the things we see tonight. the lights coming from its windows and the streetlights scattered along the road.

" yeah, i guess we do. " he whispered, as he placed his hand atop mine. i looked at him, while he was busy finishing his drink.

my lips curved into a smile as i silently placed my head on his shoulders.

i sighed.

' get the love that you deserve. '

///