17 YEARS LATER

      “But mom, how could he take the diary with him” Seunghyun complained to his mother over the phone, “I told him that I couldn’t do without either the two of them so if he travels he had to leave the diary with me”

“Are you crying over a diary right now”? Ever since Jiyong left for Seoul three days ago, he’d been more stressed than usual. “Why don’t you just come to Seoul instead of complaining, do you realize that you’ve called me over ten times since Jiyong’s been here. Why can’t you call him”?

“I miss him, but he’s ignoring me. He wouldn’t pick my calls, and I guess he told Seungri not to answer either” Seungri, according to Jiyong was his PA, “I miss him”

“He’s angry at you for not following him, same as I”

“Mom, you love Jiyong more than you love me don’t you? You’re always taking his side in everything”

“Of course I do... I’ve never tried to hide it…. even before. Just come”

“I can’t, I have to appear in court tomorrow morning, all the way through the afternoon. We’re finally concluding the case with that hospital, turns out they are going to plead out and the family is accepting a million dollars” He didn’t want to tell his mother but he had an open ticket to Seoul and he planned on leaving immediately after his court date.

“I’m happy for them, it was sad to have to see the kid dragged through the media. Seunghyun you need a vacation, a long one this time”

“Mom...not again”. He heard his mother sigh, “Mom, can you hand Jiyong the phone so I can hear his voice”?

“He’s not home”

“He went there again”? Seunghyun sighed.

“Yes he goes everyday”

“Fine... oh mom I have to go” His secretary walked in with a file he’d been waiting for.

“Seunghyun, you have a ticket to Seoul don’t you?... You can’t hide anything from me. See you soon” she laughed and hung up.

“I think mothers are psychics” He said to his secretary as he took the file. “I am going to be gone for a two days, I trust this place would be in good hands”

“Yes sir... With the way you’ve been moping, I knew you couldn’t stay away from Jiyong for too long” the man kidded, and they both shared a smile, “Sir I picked up your suit for tonight’s banquet, I had it sent it to your house”

“Thank Dave” He smiled at his secretary. 

     It’d been a long day, working two jobs was no walk in the park. At first he wasn’t sure he could do it, he didn’t want to miss Jiyong too much but work never took him away from Jiyong, Jiyong was with him every step of the way except when Jiyong went to spend time with Mirae and Eun Hyuk, at least then he had the diary. This was the first time Jiyong took the dairy with him, which was very unlike him.

       He loved being a lawyer; it was certainly what he was meant to be. He completed his degree at the tender age of 24, and worked his way to what he was today; being the partner of a major law firm at the thirty-five, which was what he was being honored for earlier in the evening. While being the partner of a law firm and raking the big bucks from working with big cooperation’s and celebrities, he also had a small firm on the side, helping the less fortunate, those who couldn’t afford a good lawyer. It was stressful but he made it work, and according to Jiyong he was superman.

                                                                                                              ***

Seunghyun took a deep breath as he stepped out of the airport. He loved the smell of Korea; it definitely smelled like home. He liked LA, but Seoul was where his heart was, literally. He took the next cab he saw after speaking to his mother, Jiyong wasn’t home again but he knew just where to find him.

“Sir, you sure this is where you want to go”? The driver asked as he pulled by the curb. “Do you want me to wait”? The polite man asked. “No it’s fine, I ... I...have a ride” His heart was racing; he paid the man generously, “Sir, are you okay”?

“F..Fine” He wiped the sweat off his forehead, before getting out with his briefcase.  

He stood for a good while for summoning the courage to go in, “SIR”! Seungri ran to him, taking the briefcase from his hands. “Sir I wasn’t expecting you...here of all places”

“Me too. Where is Jiyong”?

“He ordered me to stay here.... he can be quite scary”

“I know” he smiled lightly before walking away from the nervous man. He walked further in to see the small figure sitting by the bushes reading the familiar journal. ‘Be strong Seunghyun....Be strong Seunghyun’ “A little birdie told me I’d find you here” He said on approach.

“HYUNNIE”!!!!! Jiyong ran into his arm, and he picked him and spun him around, “I knew you would come”

“You cheeky brat”! He scolded, “First of all, you are not allowed to call me that, secondly how could you take the Journal with you”?

“You always tell me to face my fears, I knew taking it would make you face yours”

“I’m a hypocrite aren’t I”?

“But you’re here now” Jiyong wriggled out of his arms. “I have so much to tell you but I’ll go wait with Seungri by the car”

“Were you expecting me, is what why you’re this late…it’s almost six”? Seunghyun raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, but I wasn’t expecting you today. I made a friend but I guess he’s not coming today” Jiyong pouted before turning around leaving Seunghyun wondering who this new friend was, “And dad”?

“Hmm”?

“It’s okay to cry, and tell him why you never visited. I’m sure he will understand. Take your time” Jiyong smiled and ran toward where Seungri was waiting.

            Alone, Seunghyun finally looked around. There were so much flowers compared to the other head stones. He knelt down unable to say a word, there was so much to be said but none could come out so he just remained in that position until he heard footsteps approaching. He didn’t turn even as the person got closer, “Uh, did he leave already”? He heard the person whisper behind him. ‘Is this the friend he was talking about’? Seunghyun wondered before turning to face the person, “Doc”?

“Seunghyun”?

“So you’re the friend” Seunghyun stood up, and the two men exchanged a handshake.

“Wow the years have been good to you, the last time I saw you, you.....” Minhyuk stopped, and it got awkward.

Seunghyun bowed his head, yes the last time anyone from Seoul had seen him, he’d been mad. “It’s okay doc, you don’t have to say anything”

“But I want to.... I’m sorry for leaving you in that state. I know we were never close but still I....”

“It’s fine doc” Seunghyun attempted a smile, “I wasn’t the only one suffering”. There were no more tears, just tension in his chest.

“Yes but no one went suffered the way you suffered, Seunghyun you....”

“PLEASE”! He screamed as he shut his eyes, “Please just stop talking about that day. I don’t want to remember”. The problem was, he never forgot.

FLASHBACK

It was blurry at first when he was finally able to lift his eyelids, “J...J..Jiyong” He moved his head, but there was no one in the room except for him. There was a clock in the room, which read 5 A.M in the morning. He was administered the anesthesia around ten, so he’d been under for about seven hours. He couldn’t feel any pain but he’d been told earlier that he would be completely numb and groggy after waking up. “Mom...dad” Slowly, he was regain his nerves.

“Seunghyun” it was his father, “S.eunghyun you’re awake” his father was close now and he the look on his fathers face was one he’d never seen before; his face was pale, eyes blood shot and nose red.

“Dad... where’s Jiyong”? He tried getting up but his body still felt heavy, “They weren’t joking about not being able to feel a thing” he chuckled, “I bet Jiyong woke up before me”.

“Seunghyun..” his fathers voice cracked, “Seunghyun you should rest some more okay”?

“Dad why are you acting strange, we should be celebrating. Where’s mom”? Alarms were already ringing in his head. “Dad why aren’t you saying anything”?

His father then sat beside him, “Seunghyun, you see....” his father took a deep breath, “ahhh... Seunghyun you see..... the surgery didn’t take place” Tears dropped from his fathers eyes, “Seunghyun I’m so sorry”

“Dad I want to go see Jiyong” He finally fought through the numbness.

“Seunghyun, Jiyong’s heart stopped before they began the surgery...and they weren’t able to resuscitate him. Seunghyun we....”

“LIES.... YOU ARE LYING” Seunghyun shot up from the bed, “LEAVE ME”! He screamed when his father tried supporting him after falling from the bed, his legs felt like jelly but he fought it regardless, “MOM”!

“She’s in the funeral pa...”

“I SAID STOP LYING TO ME”!! His heart was racing but he finally made it to the door.

 “Seunghyun” Minhyuk was squeezing his shoulder now; he didn’t even realize he’d been crying.

“Seunghyun what you went through, having to wake up and find out” Minhyuk could still remember also, it was one of the worst days of his life. He’d been there when Jiyong flat lined, he’d been there when Jiyong was pronounced dead at 10:34 PM, he was there when Eun Hyuk ran in and kept performing CPR even after the defibrillator was taken from him and pronounced dead, he was there when Mirae fainted and had to be carried into one of the rooms. He was there for it all, and kept pinching himself in hopes of waking up to see Jiyong smiling at him like he saw him do before he flat lined. He was sure he saw Jiyong smile but then decided it was wishful thinking on his part.

He volunteered to roll Seunghyun out of the theatre and into one of the adjoining rooms, and within three hours, a funeral parlor was set with the help of Seunghyun’s friends as both Mirae and Eun Hyuk were too paralyzed to do anything. Soon the funeral parlor was flowing with people from the high school even though it was 3 A.M; the news had spread like wildfire and with all the commotion, he couldn’t help but worry about Seunghyun, the person who had put his life on the line. 

It all became real the moment he stepped in the funeral parlor, the place was littered with various people crying their hearts out, some praying, and others just staring into thin air that it finally dawned on him that he wasn’t dreaming. Jiyong was gone, and the picture of a smiling Jiyong with a funeral wreath around it, was enough proof.

He wasn’t sure how long he was there, but the saddest moment was when Seunghyun crawled in screaming. The Seunghyun he was faced with wasn’t the spoiled Seunghyun he’d originally thought Seunghyun was, nor was he the cool and brave Seunghyun he’d met the previous day, this was a broken person filled with rage. So much so that they had to sedate him, after he not only shredded some of the wreaths, but also punched several hospital staffs, he included. “Seunghyun I am so sorry. Sorry I ran away” he turned to Jiyong’s headstone, “Jiyong I’m sorry”. Jiyong used to tell him that he and Seunghyun would make good friends, Apparently, Jiyong saw him as someone that could be Seunghyun’s hyung but he failed. A week after Jiyong passed, he took some time off and went to Japan until about a year ago when he moved back to Korea to start his own practice. He failed Jiyong; one look at how Mirae, Seunghyun, and Eun Hyuk were, he knew he couldn’t stay.

         “What have you done to wrong him compared to what I have done”? Seunghyun shook his head. “This is my first time here... and my son had to trick me into coming. I haven’t even been able to properly go home since I left, seventeen years ago. My parents had to fly L.A every other month to see me” He went momentarily mad a few days after Jiyong’s passing. He neither ate nor drank, he cut off all his friends including Taemin, he couldn’t face any of them. He spent months in therapy; he pitied his parents through the whole ordeal because he knew they were only being strong for him. No parent should ever bury a child.  He only started to pull himself together the moment he mustered up the courage to enter Jiyong’s room. Their luggage’s from the trip were still intact, he unpacked it and found Jiyong’s journal.

       SEUNGHYUN THIS IS YOURS, IF YOU EVER FIND IT, was written on the first page. He was surprised at first but read it, all of it. Jiyong knew, he knew everything and was still able to comfort him and make him decide to want to live. It took him days to complete it, and on the last few pages, Jiyong had comforted him and outlined how he should live out the first few weeks of his passing. Jiyong knew.

He’d missed the fall admission into UCLA but after talking it through with coach Matheson, he was able to get admitted for the Spring semester and once he left he never looked back. He played football and won championships for the school until his junior year when he started getting deeper into his core courses. His teammates were sad to see him go but they understood. Jiyong’s journal became his inspiration, his bible, his everything. There were days he was going to give up because there was so much to be done, but then he’d imagine what Jiyong would do. It always felt like Jiyong was beside him whenever he read it. “But doc, I’m better now.... A lot better because I know Jiyong is proud of me right now” he said truthfully.

Both men remained silent for a while, each saying their own silent prayers, “Seunghyun I have to tell you.... I know I should have told you this earlier but I wasn’t sure then and your state of health was... well....”

“Spit it out doc”

“Jiyong smiled.... while you were put under he looked at you and smiled for a brief moment and then it was like he just stopped fighting because he flat lined shortly after” After a few nightmares of that moment, he finally realized it wasn’t a dream. “Jiyong stopped fighting, he didn’t want you to..”

“I know”

Min Hyuk was shocked, “You do”?

“I thought I was seeing things when I was put under but I definitely saw him smile. I was confused at first until I read his journal. He knew I was going to do it.... He knew I was going to put my life on the line, and I am glad I didn’t disappoint him”

They fell silent again.

“So you have a ten year old son”? Minhyuk asked and Seunghyun nodded “Imagine my shock when I met him here and he introduced himself as Jiyong. I almost had a heart attack”

Seunghyun laughed, “I can imagine”

“He’s a smart child, and well spoken too. Reminds me of his namesake, I like him”

“THIS JIYONG IS DEFINITELY MINE”!! Minhyuk laughed at Seunghyun’s sudden outburst, “Is he a piece of property? I see you haven’t changed much.... He looks so much like you. It’s scary. You had to name him Jiyong though, isn’t that too much”?

“It’s actually J.J, Jiyong junior but he drops the junior all the time. His mother did it to spite me”

“I never heard about your marriage”

“Not married, single father with an overly mature nine year old for a son. He’s not Ten, I don’t know why he keeps telling everyone that”.

When he found out that he’s been accepted to a major law firm just after he’s passed the bar exam, some of his friends decided it was time for him to let lose a little and threw him a party. Amongst the guests was a girl named Dara that had been crushing on him for a while, alcohol was involved and two months later she called to say she was pregnant. Although he never believed her, he supported her through the pregnancy, all while having to deal with her constantly nagging him for not loving her. In an effort to make her understand, he told her about his first love that he’d never been able to get over and it seemed like she understood his pain. Sadly, she cut ties with him a week before the baby was born, after he’d put a sizable amount of money in her account. He had to find out that she’d had the baby through a friend, after she ran away with the baby. It took him a month to finally find her and when he demanded sole custody of the child, she demanded a million dollars. Turns out she purposely gave him a defected in hopes of having his child and extorting money from him since most of his friends knew of his family’s wealth. He was more than glad to give her and take the child from her, especially since it was obvious that she was doing drugs. He immediately took the child to the hospital, and couldn’t help but inwardly thanking her for at least keeping the child safe and healthy. There he also found out that he was indeed the child’s father.

“It must have been hard having to raise a child and be a new lawyer at the time”

“It was.... I was an absentee father for the first two years. Then I thought being a good lawyer was more important but that changed after my mom threw a pan at my head when she came to visit”. Both men laughed. “I used to have four nannies watching him”

“So the guy in the suit out there is....”

“His nanny.... don’t tell him I said that”

“Dad he’s my PA not my nanny”!!!! Jiyong junior was suddenly behind them frowning.

“Oooh you’re busted” Minhyuk laughed. “Hey champ, sorry I was late” he ruffled the child’s hair.

“Is my son a dog”?! Seunghyun pulled Jiyong to his side, “Hey you, didn’t I tell you not to talk to strangers”?

“Jiyong your father is a very jealous man so be careful”

“Dad do you feel better now, youngie is so happy to see you”? Jiyong turned to his father.

“I am happy to see him also” Seunghyun smiled at his son “Sorry I kept you waiting, we should go home, the gramps are waiting” then faced Minhyuk, “How about it doc, dinner at the Choi house.... just don’t propose to make this Jiyong move in with you this time okay”? Both men laughed as Seunghyun scooped his son and placed him over his head, “Maybe I should prolong my trip” Seunghyun said, feeling a sense of relief. The tension in his chest had finally been eased.

“Maybe you should move here and open a practice here, what are you doing in LA when your family is here”? Minhyuk asked.

“Jiyong cover your ears” He ordered his son, “I don’t know.... hooking up with different models and celebrities”

“Dad you said all liars go to hell... ouch” his son yelled after being pinched, while Minhyuk laughed. “Dad I want to live here”

“Doc, stop putting ideas in my sons head”

As the two men walked away bickering, Jiyong junior kept looking back to his friend in white waving at him. ‘Jiyong take care of our hyunnie okay? Now that I have seen him, I won’t be here whenever you come back here but don’t worry I will always be in your heart. I love you, and make sure you grow up to be  even more amazing than your father okay’? The boy nodded and waved, “BYE JIYONG, I LOVE YOU MORE”! He yelled back.

“Did he say anything about me”? Seunghyun turned but there was no one there. “Dad it’s a secret”

Seunghyun raised an eyebrow, for the past three years, whenever his son returned from visiting his grandparents, he always spoke of seeing Jiyong, and that Jiyong told him stories. At first he didn’t believe but Jiyong junior seemed to know things that he was never told, things that Jiyong didn’t even write in the journal. “You know you have to tell me later right”?

Minhyuk smiled and shook his head at the two. “It’s amazing how much he knows about Jiyong” Minhyuk commented, “It’s almost as if jiyong was with him every step of the way”

“Yes, I used to tell him stories of an angel named Jiyong that watched over him, and then my parents told him about Jiyong”

“I know everything, dad is not allowed to keep secrets” Jiyong junior said happily, “Dad I’ll tell you if we move”

“Not going to happen smarty pants” Seunghyun spurn his son around and the boy laughed, “Dad can we ride with doc, Seungri drives too slow”

“Smooth car…I’ve always thought about getting a Lexus but I wasn’t if I’d like it” Seunghyun said as he got out of the car, Jiyong had already gotten out and ran inside, “but I might have to reconsider”

“Copycat” Minhyuk closed his door too.

“Dad meet my friends” Jiyong ran up to him as soon as they stepped into the house with three other children, all about his age, “Dad this is Seunghyun, your name sake, this is Adi, she’s funny, and this is Bom… my girl friend”

“Girl….” Seunghyun was about to burst when the small Seunghyun spoke, “She’s my sister not your girlfriend”! Seunghyun laughed.

“I guess jealousy prevails with Seunghyuns then” Seunghyun heard Minhyuk cough behind him.

“Kids lets go upstairs” Jiyong lead the gang and they ran up the stairs. “Am I missing something… whose kids are those”

“Mine”

“And mine”

Seunghyun turned toward the kitchen door to see a very pregnant Suzy and a bright looking Lana standing by the dining.

“I never thought I’d see Choi Seunghyun with facial hair…. I vote y”! Lana walked over to him and enveloped him in a tight hug, “Am I too late? I would leave my husband in a heartbeat”

“Yeah right, you two cannot live without each other, even for a day” Suzy hugged him also, “How was your flight…so there’s food…. drinks so help yourself” she continued while Seunghyun stood there gawking. He hadn’t seen them in almost two decades and tried as much as possible not to hear anything about them, he even stopped his parents whenever they were about to bring it up.  “Min”! She hugged Minhyuk, “You still have my bowls from two nights ago”.

“The boys are out back, barbecuing. We’ve been waiting for you” Lana said before exiting with Suzy.

“Did you call them”? Seunghyun whispered to Minhyuk when the girls left the living room, “No…. wait, you didn’t”? Minhyuk was equally surprised. “Doc, I haven’t seen them in over sixteen years”

“I called them” Mirae walked up to them, “Hurry to the back before the boys finish all the burgers”

“I’ll go ahead” Minhyuk left. “Welcome home son” Mirae enveloped her son, “I’ve missed you”

“Mom you and dad saw me three weeks ago”. Seunghyun rolled his eyes but hugged her back. “I meant I miss you in this house, not LA you. So how was it”? He instantly knew what she was talking about; she was asking how it felt being by Jiyong’s grave “It was… perfect”

“Good. Come everyone’s waiting”. He stopped her, “mom, I don’t know if I can face them” he bowed his head in shame.

“Trust me, you can. They’re here to welcome you” She led the way.

        It was almost like he never left, half the boys from his football team were present, some old friends. Turns out, they met regularly. He felt guilty. The most he knew was, Lana was an interior designer married to a business mogul and they both moved to Korea about two years ago, Suzy was a women’s right lawyer and did a good job from what he heard, and he was married to Taemin, who in the biggest plot twist ended up becoming a pediatrician. He knew that much at least, but after sitting amongst the for over an hour, he’d learned that Seunghyun and Bom were Suzy and Taemin’s kids, while Adi was Lana’s. Yes he definitely felt guilty; Taemin named his kid after him.

“So I guess Taemin couldn’t make it”? He asked Suzy when they were alone, “Doctors are very busy. I should know, both my parents are”

“Just give him a bit of time” She squeezed his shoulders, “We were really shocked when your mother called us”

“Suzy, I….”

“You don’t have to apologize to any of us, you were hurt. You not only lost the one person you loved, but you lost your brother too. Well maybe you should apologize to Taemin”.  He really did have to apologize to Taemin, not only the calls and emails, Taemin also flew to LA to see him twice but always had to leave without seeing him. He wasn’t ready then, but he was ready now. “Speak of the devil”, Seunghyun turned to where Suzy was looking only to see Taemin staring at him.

“You jerk”! Taemin rushed towards him and Seunghyun readied himself for a blow but what came was a hug, “I was ready to come here and kick your , but then I realized what it must have taken you to come”

“T, Just once…. Punch me”, and Taemin did.

1hr later

“Everyone, have you heard what Seunghyun’s kid did”? Minhyuk was the one addressing everyone; “He stole vinegar and baking soda and made a volcano in the school cafeteria. He told me himself” the people laughed laughed.

“Reminds you of anyone”? Taemin asked and everyone cheered, “The moment Kwon Jiyong became Heisenberg…. That is still the coolest thing I’ve ever seen till date”

“I wish I was there” Lana pouted, “Although I did see him dissect a frog and identify it’s organs in less than five minutes”. From there everyone told his or her favorite Jiyong story.

“Okay are we not going to mention the elephant in the room”? Minhyuk spoke again, “We now have two Seunghyuns and two Jiyongs, I want to call Seunghyun’s kid little Seunghyun, but that’s Taemins kid’s name” Everyone laughed, “It is going to be fun to watch” Seunghyun added, and the conversation went on.

“So are you staying”? Minhyuk sat beside him while the rest were engrossed in more Jiyong conversation. Seunghyun felt complete, he loved how everyone spoke about Jiyong like upstairs sleeping. “I have to admit, it sure is tempting” Seunghyun answered truthfully, “I should really make up with my friends, I’ve missed them”

“True, and you can be my private lawyer”?

“What’s it to you doc, you’re not my type you know”?

“What can I say, I’m too cheap to pay for a lawyer plus I heard the Choi Seunghyun is a court room god”

Seunghyun laughed, “You heard right”

Taemin walked up to the boys, “I never thought I’d ever see you two close. Jiyong would be so proud… and I mean real Jiyong”

“Hey my son is real too”! Seunghyun laughed, “This is definitely going to be fun to watch… hey T, the kids wanted us to go play football tomorrow, you up for it”?
“Definitely” Taemin sat with the men.

“Good. So I take your son and you take mine” Seunghyun quickly suggested. He’d seen his son with a ball; the kid was hopeless.

“No I take Bom, Minhyuk hyung can take Jiyong” Taemin quickly said and laughed, “My daughter is amazing, Seunghyun you should see her throw a ball”

“Fine I’ll take Jiyong” Minhyuk added. “NO NO NO…” Seunghyun burst out and the trio laughed.

“So I’ve been hearing suggestions of a sleepover, tomorrow is Saturday so why not, you two want to join me for a quick run to the stores”? Taemin got between the two men, “Unless you’re jetlagged”

“No I’m not, surprisingly… I just have to go see if Jiyong is okay” Seunghyun rose.

“And maybe change out of that suit” Minhyuk rolled his eyes. “I’m wondering why you two aren’t in suits, are you doctors”? Seunghyun shot back.

“Casual Fridays” Both men said in unison and laughed. “Hopefully my dad had something that’d fit me, or you two will have to deal with the suit” Seunghyun called over his shoulders before entering the house.

          Slowly he went up stairs, sighed and then walked into Jiyong’s room. Everything was different except the gigantic bookshelf filled with books. “Of all books I had to pick that day, it had to be ‘The fault in our stars’” Seunghyun smiled and sat on the bed, “No wonder you never wanted me to finish it”

“Hyunnie”

“Youngie”? Jiyong was suddenly seated beside him, “I’ve missed you…. Are you really here”?

“I’ve never left your side… but I will now because you’re finally home” Jiyong caressed his face. “Thank you Seunghyun, thank you for loving me so much that you would want to give part of your life to me. Thank you for being the man I always knew you would become. Thank you for allowing me experience love like most people never do. I will always love you”

“Youngie…”

“You’ve done an amazing job with Jiyong, now it’s time to open your heart to love”

“I can’t. I don’t want to”

“When the time comes, you will. Love is around the corner” Jiyong smiled. “Goodbye Seunghyun….My love”, and just like that Jiyong was gone.

“Seunghyun are you….” Seunghyun quickly dried his eyes when he saw Minhyuk at the door, “You okay”?

“I’m good” he laughed, “…better then good. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way. Don’t get me wrong, thanks to Jiyong junior, I’ve been happy but I always felt like there was a lump in my throat and now it’s not there anymore”

Minhyuk walked into the room and sat beside Seunghyun, “Home does that to a person. I was so scared to do so earlier, but I finally did, I loved it. You see everyone here is a family, you think this is a once in a blue moon thing? Nope, you parents are always hosting the guys. The only person missing was you”

Seunghyun laughed, “No wonder my house looks like the Brigg. It’s just different than I was expecting”

“But Seunghyun…..I have to tell you. When I first left, I kept tabs on you because…well, you were in a really bad state. It was a bit scared that you were going to try to…”

“Kill myself”? Seunghyun nodded, “It crossed my mind a few times but then I remembered how doing that would be shaming Jiyong’s memory. Like you said, he stopped fighting because he didn’t want to shorten my life span, so imagine if I did. I wouldn’t be able to face him in the next life”

“You’re one brave cookie, Choi Seunghyun. You’ve grown a lot, and I’m proud of you” Minhyuk moved to ruffle Seunghyun’s hair, but Seunghyun backed away. “Huh, you can’t run away though” he tried again, but Seunghyun stood and ran to the other end of the bed. “Come here”, Minhyuk chased Seunghyun around the room.

“Dad me too, me too” Jiyong junior joined them, bouncing on the bed while the older men chased each other.

“This is where you two have been, Taemin have been waiting for you downstairs” Eun Hyuk held them by the ear, “You two think you’re too old to be punished”? He asked when they complained.

“Grandpa is so cool”! Jiyong chuckled while still bouncing on the bed.

“Yah Jiyong, shouldn’t you be sad for your father”

“Nope, bye dad” Jiyong ran out. Eun Hyuk let them go, “I know I’ve said this about three times already, but I am so glad you’re home” Eun Hyuk hugged his son, “Actually dad, you said it five times, mom said it ten times” Seunghyun hugged his father back.

“Don’t keep Taemin waiting” Eun Hyuk made his way to the door, “Are the both of you still fighting till now”? He raised an eyebrow at the duo.

“No” Minhyuk answered, and at the same time, Seunghyun said, “Yes”, then they both smiled. Eun Hyuk smiled at them both before walking out.

“Since you’re staying, I could hook you up with my secretary.  She’s…”

“Not my type” Seunghyun answered as they both fought to get through the door.

 Jiyong looked at the duo walking away from him one last time. Everyone was finally at peace; it was time for him to leave for real. He gave one last look at his room, and smiled. 

A/N: So........I'm so so so sorry, some of you probably expected this when I said it was my final chapter. When i first thought of this story, this was always the ending i wanted for it, but then after writing it, I wanted to change it and make it all a dream but I decided to go with my original idea. The thing you're supposed to understand is that Seunghyun is okay, and being with Jiyong, even if it was for a only a little while, made him the best man he could be.  I love you guys so much, feel free to leave me a message okay? Off to 'Revenge' :)

p.s notify me of any errors, I didn't proof read it as much as I should have.