Ch 26 - A Night With No Shadows
Waxing & Waning: Two MoonsMake sure you've read Ch 25 already before scrolling down! (There was a double update.)
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Ch 26 - A Night With No Shadows
~~~~ 5 years later ~~~~
EXO agrees to stop releasing albums when Minseok and Junmyeon enlist, each member deciding to forge their own path and let the group disband while they are still on top. Baekhyun goes on to have a successful career in musicals and has released an OST for a top drama every year. Jongdae has a flourishing solo career and earns a permanent spot on Immortal Songs. When he’s out of the military, Junmyeon starts his own variety show with other former idols, including Minseok, where they compete in various challenges with new aspiring trainees, helping them prepare for auditions with entertainment companies. Sehun lands a lucrative modeling contract that has him doing high fashion throughout Asia. Yixing returns to China and has been incredibly busy acting and producing his own artists through his company. Chanyeol has been writing songs for a smaller entertainment company in Korea and selling some of his compositions to major Western record labels. Kyungsoo feels fortunate that his acting career has only continued to rise as he gets to play prominent roles in movies and dramas each year.
Jongin’s career shift was a bit of a surprise to Kyungsoo. He took a behind-the-scenes role in doing art and creative directing for music videos rather than staying in the limelight. Then again, he supposes it shouldn’t be that surprising given that of all of them, Jongin is the first to prioritize settling down… The wedding invitation arrived in the mail just yesterday.
The singer-turned-actor still hangs out with Chanyeol fairly frequently, and Yeol called him up to schedule dinner for this evening. After they go over the usual small talk, the giant gets serious.
“So how are you taking the engagement news?” He tries to avert his eyes and focus on his wine glass as he asks, but Kyungsoo can tell he’s checking his reaction pretty carefully in his peripheral vision.
“What do you mean, how am I taking it? I’m happy for him, I suppose. I don’t know, it’s not like we’re still friends who keep in touch. I haven’t spoken to him in years.” He points his chopsticks at the giant, letting him know he’s aware there’s an ulterior motive behind the question. “You know this.”
“Yeah… but I always had the feeling you guys had some unfinished business.” Kyungsoo starts to interrupt but Chanyeol holds up a hand to stop him. “I’m not pretending that I know what happened between you two: I’m just saying… you guys were so close, not just as Kai and D.O, not the fanservice stuff, I’m talking about YOU and JONGIN. You had a special bond, and whatever happened that shook it –and I’m not talking about Krystal, it was before that – I just never got the sense that you two had time to properly talk it out.”
Kyungsoo winces at this, because it’s both true and untrue. They had time; looking back now with the wisdom that comes with age, they had so much time. They just never did talk about it. Both were too wrapped up in their own fears. Or maybe he’s projecting. Maybe he was always the one keeping secrets or holding back while Jongin was fearless and always laying his cards on the table. ‘That actually sounds more likely,’ he considers wryly.
Chanyeol continues. “Seeing as how he’s moving onto a new phase of his life, this is probably the best time to try and end on good terms. Waiting any longer to reach out would be awkward as , and you know you’d never end up doing it. I’m just saying, it’d be nice to clear the air at least. Isn’t there anything you want to say?”
Kyungsoo sighs and pushes his food around his plate as he ponders this. “There’s a lot I’d want to say, but it’s been too long already, and I’m a coward. I can’t call him up and say anything.”
“Then write it down.”
“Pfff, so I can overanalyze every word and never find it adequate enough? Yeah, that sounds like a brilliant idea. Maybe I’ll finish the first paragraph by the time they’re celebrating their first anniversary,” he deadpans.
“At least write it down for YOUR sake. One of those cathartic letters that you write but don’t send. I think you need that, especially if you’re going to the wedding.”
“I’m NOT going
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