Hyunseong pulled nervously at his sleeves, forcing his eyes to the ground as he walked home. Side-by-side with Lee Jeongmin... He never could stop staring at him. He did, after all, have such a beautiful face. The delicate curve of his nose blending so sweetly into his plump, pouty lips. The round face and the big, curious eyes. But it was so enthralling to see how they squinted up when he laughed. His laugh... It was so contagious and uncensored.

How could a man be so soft and gorgeous and sweet?

“Yah... Hyunseong.” the statement was stern, yet did little to gain the man's attention. “Your tension is giving me hives. What's wrong?”

Their pace had slowed considerably after the query. Hyunseong had to admit; the way he went about bringing up the subject eased some of his nerves. That was another thing-- Jeongmin always knew what to say and how to say it.

Eventually they had come to a crosswalk near their shared apartment. Jeongmin nudged his shoulder in a friendly way, once again easing Hyunseong's tension. “I'll get it out of you. You know I always do.”

What was it about today that made him so nostalgic over Jeongmin? It's not like he needed to be reminded about all the reasons love him-- and all the reasons he should never admit it. Hyungseong was convinced that everything about Jeongmin, even his flaws, was perfect. Perfect for him. They fit together so well; Jeongmin had just the right balance of intuition, humor, and sympathy to keep Hyunseong calm, and Hyunseong could provide Jeongmin with all the attention and admiration he needed and deserved.

They just... Fit. Or at least he thought so.

Jeongmin practically wiggled with impatience as they waited for the signal to walk. He made a displeased groan and slouched in his stance. “Why does it have to take so long?” he pouted as his voice practically raised to a whine.

Hyunseong chuckled and hit Jeongmin's back lightly. “We've only been standing here for a minute or two. Idiot~”

Jeongmin turned his head to frown deeply at Hyunseong, though he knew his elder wasn't being serious. “Yah, who are you calling an idiot!” his temper suddenly rose playfully, and he shook his fist at Hyunseong as if he were about to hit him. “I think you're forgetting the time you failed Algebra for a whole year~”

Hyunseong simply laughed and headed across the road when the signal went off; already feeling better. Jeongmin was like a secret obsession. One that you can't get enough of. One that you can't tell too many people about. Like a necessary drug that you had to take in secret; a potion that gave life and only resulted in a deep sin.

He needed Jeongmin. He needed the comfort and the forbidden feeling he provided. He wanted him; desired him. Flaws and perfections. Burdens and lightness. Griefs and joys. He wanted it all.

But, alas... It was something he could never fully obtain.

As they walked in a more comfortable silence, Jeongmin tilted his head to the sky and breathed in the crisp scent of fall. It was his favorite season-- always had been. He said it gave him hope that he would be born anew; just as the leaves on the trees or the roses paired with thorns.

He began to sing; filling Hyunseong's ears with a sweet melody. A melody from their nearly forgotten childhood. Hyunseong smiled softly at the familiar words.

Come a little closer

Hear what I have to say

Just like children sleeping

We could dream this night away

Jeongmin paused momentarily to tear a few still green leaves off the branch of a tree that was small in stature; letting them drift from his fingertips as he unknowingly slowed his pace even more. He gave a bittersweet glance at the dying flowers; remembering how delicate they had once been.

But there's a full moon rising

Let's go dancing in the light

We know where the music's playing

Let's go out and feel the night

Hyunseong recalled, very tenderly, Jeongmin's late mother teaching this song to the both of them. It was a crisp autumn evening; just before sunset. She had even brought her guitar and played the chords. She had taught them the song on guitar as well; though Hyunseong knew he wouldn't be able to recall the tune.

Beca--

Jeongmin paused suddenly, placing a hand over his throat. His eyes were wide and teary as he looked at Hyunseong. His voice had cracked... he never let that happen, no matter how emotional he was getting. He blamed the strong smell of death for the mishap; though he knew the real reason. Nonetheless, Hyunseong quickly recovered for him, using his soft sweet-- albeit underused-- voice to pick up the pieces.

Because I'm still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I'm still in love with you

On this harvest moon

And although he couldn't hear Jeongmin's tears, he knew how they fell. He also knew that the greatest comfort he could provide was to finish the song out, just as his mother would have.

When we were strangers;

I watched you from afar

When we were lovers;

I loved you with all my heart

He heard Jeongmin draw in a shaky breath; strongly tearing through the next few lines; his voice barely above a whisper. Hyunseong couldn't imagine losing his own mother at such a young age... especially if she meant as much to him as Jeongmin's mom meant to him.

But now it's getting late...

And the moon is climbing high

I want to celebrate;

See it shining in your eye

And the pure longing in the small male's voice... the way it cracked in certain places, as if he knew the words would never reach her; though he desperately wanted them to. Hyunseong hardly cried in his life; he never saw much reason to. But all the emotion and melancholy in his love's aura made tears flow unabashedly down his cheeks, joining in for the last few lines in an allegory harmony.

Because I'm still love in with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I'm still in love with you

On this harvest moon...

The silence that followed the song was filled only by the sound of shifting fabric as Jeongmin wiped the silent tears from his eyes. If Hyunseong could read his friend's mind, he was sure it would be full of thoughts of way back when. Maybe the last few nights he had her in his possession.

“You know...” Jeongmin started, as they turned down the last corner; their small apartment building coming into view. “I hardly cry when I remember her, anymore... I've had time to heal.” he kept his head down, watching absently as more tears fell to the sidewalk; temporarily staining the cement a darker pallor. “But that song... Brings back all the hurt.”

Hyunseong simply listened; knowing that doing anything else would hurt the small boy's feelings. Jeongmin almost never spoke up about his true, hidden feelings. But when he did; you had better listen. The things he said, such a cheerful and bright person, would absolutely break you.

“I remember,” a small, breathy laugh escaped his lips as his eyes retrieved a bit of their brightness, “the weekend we went camping, dancing like complete idiots around that fire... She... She made such a sad song so bright, you know?” a forced laugh, this time, and another permanent glance downward.

“She was always the bright ray of light piercing through the darkest of darks...” Hyunseong supplied, almost immediately regretting it as Jeongmin halted yet again. For the first time that evening, he let out a choked sob. The sound nearly tore Hyunseong in half. All he wanted to do was take the male into his arms and comfort him. Give him someone to cry on if only for a moment.

Jeongmin wiped the rest of his tears away, scoffing lightly at himself. “Ahh... It happened so long ago.” he gave a soft shake of his head. “I'm... over it.”

Those words hurt the most, because they were a blatant lie. And anyone could tell. He knew he had missed his chance to make Jeongmin feel better, and he knew that he completely blew it; that his friend probably only felt worse.

They walked into their apartment; comfortably kicking off their shoes and flopping down on the couch together. They watched an hour or so of pointless television, before their stomachs managed to make their protests known.

“Ahh,” Jeongmin winced slightly, curling his legs up to his chest and rolling in his place on the couch. “So hungry...” his pout could kill anyone if they dared to look.

And Hyunseong did dare. He cooed sympathetically, ignoring his own stomach's growls as he poked the other's cheek. “Why don't you make food, then?”

The feminine male suddenly stopped, turning to face Hyunseong with an even more pathetic pout. “I don't want to cook today.” he sighed, whimpering and curling into a ball; hoping to pull on his roommates soft heartstrings.

“I cooked yesterday, it's your turn.” he bit his lip to suppress the laughs that threatened to bubble over.

“Meanie...” huffing, Jeongmin suddenly stood. “I'll just order out. My treat, since it's my day for dinner.” he spun to face Hyunseong, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Ah... Those eye crinkles...

He nodded. “Alright. What will we have, chef?” he couldn't help but chuckle at his love's silly actions.

“Pizza!” the thick accent bubbled over as Jeongmin jumped, a pointing hand flung toward the ceiling.

Hyunseong only laughed louder as his roommate scrambled to the phone, ordering something for the both of them to share.

“Ahh~” Jeongmin flopped back on the floor, hands on his full stomach and a content expression passing his face. “Much better!” an equally content nod followed.

“You're a quick eater.” Hyunseong gave a laugh, still munching on the western treat.

Jeongmin whined and his side, wiggling around to give him yet another pout. “I was so hungry, what do you expect?”

The elder simply shook his head in response, returning to his food as Jeongmin buzzed his lips absently.

“I think we should play a game!” the younger boy suddenly bounced up, distracting the other male from cleaning up after supper.

“What game?”

“Hmm... I like Truth or Dare.” a proud nod ensued as he knelt on the carpet in front of the television, waiting for the other male.

“That's fine. Just don't make me do weird things like last time.”

“What weird things?”

“ your toe was pretty strange, Minnie...”

“Oh, whatever. I got a good laugh and that's all that matters.”

“How smug of you...”

“Shut up!” Jeongmin feigned annoyance, snapping playfully at the other. “You go first.”

“I pick dare.” and an affirmative nod later, Hyunseong was Jeongmin's slave for but one request.

“Truth?” Jeongmin tapped his chin, trying to think quickly. “I didn't have a good question...”

“Okay, it's void~ For taking too long!” Hyunseong sung lightly, laughing. “You. Truth or dare?”

“Wait, wait! I have one!!” Jeongmin threw his hands out in protest, glancing at Hyunseong with a sly grin. “Do you have a crush on anyone?”

By the way the queried man's face deepened a few shades of pink, the answer was yes. But his voice spoke otherwise. “No, not at the moment.” he hoped his voice was convincing enough.

“Lie!! Now you have to do a dare and answer the question truthfully.”

Hyunseong puffed his breath out angrily. “That's not fair.”

“Them's the breaks, kid.”

With a loud sigh, the elder collected his thoughts. “I do...” he bit his lip, glancing sneakily at the man across from him, who nearly exploded with excitement.

“I knew it! It's that cute regular that comes by around eight, isn't it? She's so gorgeous, you should go after her! Ahh, I saw her checking you out the other day... She's total--”

“Jeongmin!” he suddenly barked, a bit too loudly. He took a small pause to level his voice. “It's not her.”

Tilting his head and knitting his brow together, Jeongmin asked, “Then who is she?”

“It's... not a 'she'...”

Further confusion passed the small male's face before his face softened in realization and his mouth formed a small 'o'. “Then... who is he?” his voice was recognizably softer as he leaned forward a bit, nibbling the inside of his lip in anticipation.

Jeongmin thought that, maybe, it might be him. After all, they had been with each other forever, and he didn't really know of any other men Hyunseong saw very often. Maybe it was just his imagination, since he had loved his friend since the day they found out each other's secrets.

The day Jeongmin learned about the scars littering Hyunseong's wrists and arms, and the day Hyunseong learned about how Jeongmin wouldn't let himself eat for days.

The words that escaped his roommate's lips brought him back to reality.

“You.” Jeongmin's heart stopped. “It's you, you idiot. I need you with every breath I take.”

Dumbstruck, Jeongmin didn't say a word. Hyunseong started to think that he was disgusted with the confession; that maybe he would be full of hate towards him from now on.

“Minnie...?”

With a shake of the head; Jeongmin smiled gently. “For lying you have to do a dare too~”

Hyunseong gulped down a nervous swallow; not exactly enjoying the mischievous grin the other boy was sporting.

“Kiss me.”

Eyes widened, showing obvious, nervous hesitation as he exclaimed; “What!”

“Kiss me, you idiot.” Jeongmin mocked, pulling on Hyunseong's collar, letting their lips meet in a light and sweet embrace, a perfect kiss for the both of them to enjoy.

Hyunseong pulled Jeongmin onto his lap gently, resting his forehead on against the latter's. “Truth or dare?” he grinned.

“Truth.”

“Would you be my boyfriend?”

And maybe they weren't famous. Maybe they weren't singers or authors; maybe life had tore them down a few too many times. Maybe their lives weren't Hollywood quality and their daily grind did nothing but exhaust them.

They had their scars; and both were well aware of their own whether literal and tangible or figurative and unseen. They knew each other's, too. Sometimes they could accidentally reopen a long-forgotten wound. But they could see the pain on each other's faces; it was impossible to hide from someone who knew you so well.

They could get through the painful feelings and regrets together. They always had before. Together.

“Of course, you idiot.”

Because one day, when their lives slowly came to their ends; nothing else would really matter. Nothing but the company they kept and how it shaped them. Would they be proud of the lives they led? Disappointed? Indifferent? They didn't know.

But they would find out together.

A/N: Ahh, that went a different direction than what I orginally intended. But I still hoped you all enjoyed it ^^

Thank you for reading! Please leave a nice comment; preferably with some good feed back. I plan on writing more Boyfriend stories in the future, so I want to know if I've done well ;;; 

Anyway, thanks again! Oh, and thanks also to Neil Young. He wrote the song in this chapter, haha. Here's a link. Hope you enjoyed!