Chapter 35 (Epilogue)
The Devil Besides Me...Time goes by. It is just slower when you are having a hard time. If you try to enjoy the moment, everything will be alright...
...One of the best feelings is finding someone who really gets you. A person who lets you be vulnerable and honest. The kind of person who encourages you to push past your flaws because they accept you as you are. Someone who never tells you that you're too much of this and too little of that. Because to them you're just enough of everything they love....
...Life is a series of encounters and farewells. I believe we grow in the process. For now, it's very sad but we will meet again...
...This is Jonghyun from Blue Night signing off. Whatever your dreams are, I hope you live by holding onto them...
(Six months later)
Taemin exits out of the podcast app, having listened to it while preparing breakfast. The MC's voice is so soothing like an angel, giving encouraging words of wisdom to its listeners. He looks down at the table and realizes he made more than one serving, a habit he could never fix.
The doorbell ring had him startled, almost tripping himself to answer the door.
“Hey Taemin.”
Taemin smiles. “Jongin! Good to see you!”
“I got you the jelly flavor candy from the store, limited edition,” Jongin hands Taemin a bag. “And my mom wanted to give you some rice cakes.”
“Oh tell your mom thanks,” Taemin says, looking in the bag. “Limited edition, you mean the one with the egg tart flavor?”
“They also had the matcha flavor,” Jongin explains. “I bought the combined mix so it has all types of unique flavors but knowing you, you'll just stick to the strawberry flavor so I got you your usual and banana milk to go along with it.”
Taemin pouts adorably which makes Jongin ruffle his hair with a boyish smile.
“Oh sweet, breakfast?” Jongin let's himself in and made himself comfortable. “You always made more than one serving for breakfast.”
“And yet you still come by everyday to eat my food,” Taemin replies, sitting down ready to eat. “Hey did you see the M-Countdown last night? SHINee's performance is amazing.”
“Yeah I saw it. But EXO is just as amazing as ever. Did you see that hip-?”
They talked over a meal, falling into a comfortable pattern as though they have been doing this their whole lives. But it couldn't last for long as the food dwindles down, fuel for their energy to start the day on the right track.
“What's your plan for today?” Jongin asks as he helps washing the dishes.
“Bunch of stuff,” Taemin replies, cleaning up the table. “My parents are coming to pick up my brother from the hospital to take care of him, so I'll go visit before them. Key is going to leave for his army enlistment so I need to see him off. I finally finish his care package for him.”
“Why didn't you give it to him earlier?” Jongin wipes his hands, done with washing. “Now you're rushing all over the place.”
“Because it wasn't complete,” Taemin pouts. “Key is nitpicky and the present has to be perfect.”
“You procrastinated, didn't you.”
“Gasp. Such unfounded accusations!”
It causes both of them to chuckle. Jongin looks at Taemin with a warm expression before coming over to him. He tucks a hair behind Taemin's ear with unusual gentleness, meeting his eyes. “Don't ever change, Taemin. Even as the seasons change, your smile is always warm.”
“You practicing your pickup line?” Taemin scrunches his nose cutely before lightly slapping Jongin's hand away with a huffs. “What drama did you hear that from?”
Jongin smirks. “What do you think?”
“If I was a girl I would fall for you,” Taemin says, reaching up to poke at Jongin's cheek. “My Jonginnie is so mature. So handsome that my heart almost skip a beat~”
Jongin chuckles before ruffling Taemin's hair, messing it up. It causes Taemin to go at Jongin too, both tussling each other until they are out of breath.
When it's time for Jongin to go, Taemin walks him to the door. “Don't skip class and don't forget to do your homework.”
“Yes umma,” Jongin jokingly replies.
He turns around and looks back at Taemin with a serious look. Under Jongin's gaze, Taemin tilts his head confused. “What?”
Jongin smiles and embraces Taemin. Warm, strong, and steady, Taemin couldn't help but melt into those arms. But this hug feels more than the hugs they shared in the past. A feeling as Taemin returns the embrace with equal strength and measure, leaning his head against Jongin's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
It seems like an eternity when Jongin finally let's go, reluctant to part ways. “Goodbye, Taemin.”
Taemin answers with a hum and Jongin leaves, closing the door. He leans his head against the door, tracing the wood with his finger idly. That hug he had, for some reason it left him feeling lost and empty. And yet it filled something inside of him that he couldn't explain. A tear escapes from the corner of his eye, causing Taemin to blink confused as more tears escape. “I'm crying?”
Taemin rubs his eyes with the back of his hand. In the back of his mind, something is prodding him that this moment isn't right. Something-
Following that momentum Taemin grabs the door knob to open the door and steps out. “Jongin-”
And then he stops, outside of the empty hallway.
What was he doing?
Why was he outside?
Who is Jongin?
Outside of the apartment Jongin looks up, his eyes on the window where he knows Taemin lives in. A sad smile graces his face. His heart wanted nothing more than to return back to where Taemin is, to have those idle relaxing days they would share.
“Ready to go?”
“...yes...”
Life goes on for Taemin as he hums under his breath, waving hello to Taeyong passing through in the university's hall. Classes are done so he leaves to buy some things to add to Key's military enlistment present.
Purchase successful he makes his way back to the university campus where a bus will take the recruits to the military enlistment site. On his way there he stops by Onew's cafe.
Taemin let's out a regretful sigh. Onew's cafe has been closed for quite some time. Onew had left, claiming for early retirement, going to Jeju for vacation. The announcement had caused Key to freak out but they had sent him off on a good note, spending the day with just the three of them. Too bad Onew couldn't be here to send of Key but Onew had sent a message wishing them good luck.
“Seriously did you look at the messages?” Key complains as he scrolls through. “I think I finally believe Onew is being the old man he claims to be.”
“Don't be so harsh on him, Key,” Taemin leans on Key's shoulder. “You were the one who practically forced Onew to make a social media profile.”
“If I didn't, how would we know if he didn't kick the bucket?” Key huffs and shakes his head. “I swear, these pics... did you know I was the one who created a profile for Onew's cafe? How else did you think the place got popular in the first place?”
“The good food, clean and fresh atmosphere, reasonably priced, the nice, handsome owner,” Taemin lists off, counting with his hand. “I'm gonna miss that place.”
Key hums, agreeing. “Hey, you couldn't wrap my present better than stuffing them all in a bag?”
“I tried to but the box is too small to fit them all,” Taemin explains, shrugging. “Why are you even complaining about your present? Unless you don't want it? Not even the bulgogi flavor chips?~”
Key huffs, glomping Taemin in his arms. “I'm gonna miss this brat so much.”
“Key – you're choking me – gasp~”
Taemin waves goodbye at the bus Key is in before being left alone on campus. He turns to the direction to the tall clocktower, his hand raised to block out the setting sun that's blinding him. The orange glow of the setting sun sent the surroundings a sleepy lull, commencing another day successfully completed.
He's spent these six months passing the days on his own. Going to class, shopping for food, spending brief moments with friends before waving goodbye, rinse and repeat. Only what was strange was, days spent on his own like this used to be the most normal thing in the past but now it becomes difficult in getting used to it again.
With the sun going behind the clocktower, easing the brightness shining to his eyes, Taemin finally puts his hand down that was shielding him. It was then he saw there was another person who is enjoying what the light has brought.
The man had his back to Taemin, looking at the time on the clocktower before turning around. Tall, handsome with a clear cut figure illuminated by the sun shining behind him and the clocktower. Eyes brighter than the stars, gazing unblinkingly at Taemin. Eyes that holds unnatural softness, conflicting for someone with such fierce qualities. But it pairs naturally with a warm smile that lacks the fierceness of a harsh fire.
And yet it doesn't make him any less than what he is.
There were no words as both started to close the distance. A step, another step until they full on ran. Taemin voiced in his heart and calls out to him.
“Hyung.”
And his heart receives an answer back.
“Little one.”
When a angel falls from heaven, they become a demon. When a demon rises from hell...
Half angel, half demon? What do you call that?
Minho smiles. “Human.”
And that's a wrap folks! Thank you so much for following this fic. If you enjoy it make sure to subscribe, upvote, comment, and rec it to others to read! I apologize for the radio silence and lack of replies to the comments for the past few chapters as RL takes a toll on me and I wanted complete concentration on finishing this up.
Although this story is complete I will be adding an author's note chapter at the end of the month. This will be about background information and my inner thoughts about this fic. And if you have any questions about anything of this story in particular, I will be sure to answer and include them to the author's note chapter as well. Just comment below and i will definitely reply!
Once again thank you all so much. I hope you enjoy and see you at the end of the month!
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