Before Jiyong’s world went black he unfortunately managed to catch the broken expression of his love and he was sure the image was going to hunt him forever. He didn’t know what was going to happen next but he could feel his powers fading rapidly and he was barely able to move his finger. It didn’t hurt anymore, his body felt as if it was floating in the air. Like he was back to the way he was before he left for his mission. There was still a huge gap in his heart that was the result of his shattered connection with Seunghyun. Although he wanted to cry, there were no more tears. Everything was over and he tried his best to accept it. Maybe in the end would he manage to fool his mind into thinking that this was how it was supposed to be; empty and without Seunghyun. Feeling power return to his body and the high angel and the gatekeeper becoming visible he tried to swallow the painful lump in his throat.

“Jiyong, you did well.” He tried to smile back at the high angel but found it strangely difficult.

“Thank you.”

“I’m going to let you rest now, you can have a few words with Youngbae before I send you off.” The high angel smiled, filling him with warmth and gratefulness. Jiyong turned to his friend with a smile and a small laugh.

“So, did I do well?” Youngbae’s eyes turned into crescents as he smiled, nodding quickly.

“You did, Seunghyun sure did have a lot of problems…” He trailed off and Jiyong couldn’t help but laugh at his friend. Their little moment only lasted for so long because Youngbae knew exactly how Jiyong felt about Seunghyun. How he hurt inside from being separated and how he currently wanted nothing other than to crawl into a hole and stay there alone. So he hugged him, making Jiyong struggle even more with his tears.

Youngbae’s voice was coated with sadness as well and Jiyong thought for a moment that he had a really good friend.

“You need to get going. Go, do well from now on.” He ushered Jiyong who only became confused by his cryptic wording. “I’ll see you around, okay?”

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” Jiyong pulled back and for the first time saw the gatekeeper’s forlorn expression. But before he received an answer, the high angel interrupted and demanded his attention.

“It’s time for you to go rest,” He smiled with a small sigh. The blonde was beyond confused but figured this was all part of the task. Maybe later he will go back to what he was doing before, he just had to get all his powers back. Daesung also gave him a sad smile before hugging him and Jiyong could feel his spirit soaring then, and he gave in to the nothingness that followed it.

The familiar feeling of his brain rebooting happened before he could even open his eyes. Seunghyun shifted with a groan and realized – from the texture beneath his chin – that he was currently on the couch and it was killing his neck. Blinking slowly he tried to shield himself from the blinding light that shone through his open window and he couldn’t help but let out a strangled curse. When the blood returned to his arms he tried sitting up, a splitting headache tearing his head apart. He closed his eyes and sat there for a while, only listening to the birds outside and the hum of the cars rolling past his house. Drugs were all washed out of his system and he couldn’t even remember touching alcohol so he couldn’t find any reason as to why he felt like someone had run him over with a train.

“Why did I leave the window open…?” Standing up to close it as goose bumps appeared on his skin because of the cold wind, he wondered what might’ve happened. Maybe someone knocked him out and stole something. That would at least explain the open window. However it seemed like everything was in its proper place as he glanced around the room. Picking up his phone he texted Seungri on the way to the shower.

‘Hey, did we do something weird yesterday? Did I?’ His phone beeped after he pulled his shirt off and discarded it into the laundry basket.

‘Not that I know of, hyung. Was home yesterday.’ Well then he probably just was too tired and passed out on the couch. He thought it was a bit strange though, that he couldn’t remember anything from the past days. Surely he wasn’t old enough to suffer from sudden memory loss. Entering the shower, he thought how weird and slightly concerning it was that he couldn’t remember what happened the other day. ‘Maybe I’ll ask at work, I might’ve told them something…’

However no one at work knew about it and he was left with nothing to go on. In the end he thought that maybe it was just his imagination, that he didn’t do anything special and just went on automatic the whole day. After all, work was stressful lately. Dongwook gave him a merciful pat on the back after seeing his forlorn expression and handed him more work to distract him. It was clever and even though he saw straight through him, Seunghyun voluntarily took the bait.

After only a few days he found himself drowning in work, deadlines coming up and a cranky boss on his back. But he was feeling better than before, his body was thankful to the lesser amount of alcohol and he didn’t even spend one second thinking about wanting to escape into the amazing world of drugs. Seungri had also calmed down, it seemed. As if he was growing up finally and Seunghyun almost smiled at the thought of him getting a real job. Well he did, but not in front of his friend.

“Alright guys, work ends early today! Go home and get some rest.” Dongwook exclaimed happily although the fatigue was evident on his face. The deadline was over and they’d all lived through it without any serious injuries. As Seunghyun packed his bag he thought that he’d earned at least a small meal. It was too early for dinner so he figured he could drop by some café or restaurant to grab a bite. He called Seungri who excitedly accepted his offer to pay for the food and decided to meet up somewhere close to his office. Leaving his bag in the car, he started walking to their meeting place. It was a nice, cozy café nearby which he had visited many times before because he loved their BLT sandwiches.

It was a nice day, having the deadline finished was like a ton lifted off his shoulders. Had he been younger he would’ve skipped a little. Instead he opted for humming when there were less people around to judge him. While he strolled his mind started to wander. Even in the midst of all his stress he had not let the feeling of something missing go unnoticed. Every time he walked out his own front door, he paused and tried to think of what he had forgotten. But there was nothing, he always had his keys and wallet and sometimes he wondered if he should see a doctor. It was not a strong inclination, only a small sense of forgetting something in the house after he got in the car and drove off. However strange it was though, he played it off with a swat of his hand.

Rounding the corner of a building he could see Seungri standing outside the shop, chatting with a shorter woman and a man. He squinted slightly, his vision not good enough to unblur the silhouette of the two strangers. Seungri waved him over when he neared them and when his eyes flickered to the smiling man he faltered comically in his steps. In front of him was a man – or a boy, he wasn’t sure – with striking blonde, short hair and a grin that made him wonder how he wasn’t blinded by it. His form was thing but well-built and he was covered with fashionable clothes which he wore too well. Seunghyun barely registered the other woman who looked slightly familiar. Maybe he saw her somewhere around town. It took a lot of self-control to rip his eyes away from the blonde stranger and fix them on Seungri who was impatiently waiting for him to reach them.

“Hyung, this is Chaerin,” His friend grinned and he bowed at her, smiling at how sweet she looked. She was definitely staring him down but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as it usually was. “And this is Jiyong, he recently moved here.” Now he couldn’t help but swallow slightly, trying his best to keep his cool as he turned to the blonde with the same smile.

“My… name is Seunghyun,” he greeted them both a little awkwardly and Seungri laughed at him, the bastard.

“Nice to meet you, Seunghyun,” Chaerin’s voice was soft and he liked her already. He couldn’t fathom why Jiyong stole all his attention because he acted like a teenage boy with a crush when he’s never even been close to liking a guy before. If anything he should’ve fallen for Chaerin’s sweetness. “I was showing Jiyong around the city, it’s his first day here. I hope you guys can be good friends to him.” She explained to them, bowing her head slightly. It was alarmingly how endearing it was to see how Jiyong’s cheeks turned red as he bowed in turn.

“Thank you very much!” Even though his cheeks were red, he sounded happy and Seunghyun felt like something in his chest stirred at the sight of his smile. He shook his head inwardly and glanced at Seungri curiously and he smugly smiled in return.

“I invited him to have lunch with us, I know you won’t mind,” Seunghyun rolled his eyes at him before shrugging but feeling like dancing inside.

“I don’t, as long as I get to eat soon. I’m starving.” He wouldn’t have noticed how funny his words were had it not been for Jiyong’s melodic laugh that affected him all the way in to his gut. Starting to worry about his own sanity, he ushered for them to go inside and get a table. Chaerin gave him a long, yearning look which he was uncertain of how to respond to before she smiled again and said goodbye, excusing herself by saying she had somewhere to be.

When the boys sat down at one of the tables, Seunghyun was excited to see how Jiyong would like the BLT sandwich he recommended. After seeing the wide grin on his face fully directed at him, a turmoil of emotions started within him and he knew for sure that he was completely done for.

“… Do you regret our decision?” The high angel stood next to the gatekeeper, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Youngbae looked sad but he still had a smile on his face because the high angel’s presence always made things better. Slowly he turned to him and shook his head, sighing heavily.

“I’ll miss him,” He straightened his back slightly. “But I guess it’s for the best. I’ll see him again after all.”

“Letting Jiyong be reborn was better for everyone, I believe.” The high angel nodded with a smile. “His presence is needed on earth more than here.”

“Yes, although I’m sad they cannot remember each other…” Youngbae confessed bitterly.

“Well, they have found each other already. And even though they have no memory of the events that happened I’m positive they will find love again if not very soon.” There was a mutual agreement between them, although they were equally sad they were also happy for Jiyong. Their long-time friend finally could be happy after being caused so much pain and sacrifice. “Also I believe Jiyong left you with quite a present?” Daesung said with amusement.

“He did. He gave me the honor of watching over that rascal Seungri.” He chuckled and closed his eyes, content with observing the busy life happening beneath them.

A/N: I have an epilogue coming up, don't you worry :D