-2014-

Woohyun glanced at his watch, showing 6:57pm. Just where is that old hamster? He thought.

Woohyun was looking forward to this day where he would watch the fireworks displayed today at the city center with Sunggyu and it's supposedly a date. It was a few minutes to 7pm, the time they planned to meet up at the park but Sunggyu was nowhere to be found. Sighing, he whipped out his phone and dialed the hamster.

Upon pressing the call button on his phone, a voice called from behind.

“Hyun.”

Woohyun turned his head and saw Sunggyu standing there, looking at him. Woohyun was stunned for a second, he knew Sunggyu was forever good looking despite his small eyes, but today was an exception, he was a million times more dazzling than usual. He was wearing a cling-on shirt that boasted the brief lines of his arm muscles, and jeans that suited perfectly with a pair of sneakers. Yes, it was simple, but the simplicity made Sunggyu stood out of the crowd, radiating his uniqueness. Woohyun can't help but gape longer at Sunggyu, he never failed to take Woohyun aback.

On the other hand, Sunggyu grimaced. Looking right ahead was Woohyun, a whole jar of grease. He just had to relent and come along for this annual date.

“Hey,” Woohyun stuttered and placed his phone back into his pocket.

“I'm not late, am I?” Sunggyu ruffled his hair and looked at his watch.

“Right on time,” Woohyun grinned.

“Shall we grab something first? I'm hungry,” the older stretched his arms.

“Sure, what do you wanna eat?” Woohyun asked.

Sunggyu eyed the older awhile and gave him a smirk, “Meat.”

Laughing, Woohyun locked arms with Sunggyu. “Let's go, I know just where to bring you.”

“Yah, don't cling on to me you greaseball,” Sunggyu shoved him away.

Pouting, Woohyun plastered himself onto his arm. “It's because I'm a greaseball, so I'm greasing on you.”

 

 

It's the summer season. And every summer, fireworks would be displayed at the heart of Seoul. This event started taking place a few years ago, eventually becoming an annual event that goes by the name 'Summer Fireworks'. Woohyun and Sunggyu loved fireworks, and through fireworks, they met each other, resulting love at first sight. They promised each other to witness the fireworks displayed every year, also turning it into an annual must-be-there-date.

These fireworks weren't just typical fireworks. These fireworks were the most beautiful fireworks that one could ever witness. Little dots that soar up to the night sky and explodes into colors never cease to amaze Sunggyu and Woohyun, delighting them every time.

 

“Ah~” Woohyun said and lifted a piece of meat right in front of Sunggyu, smiling. Sunggyu was deeply flustered. People in the shop were looking at them, filing the shop with indistinguishable gasps and murmurs. A few girls were softly shrieking at how cute and perfect Sunggyu and Woohyun were, careful not to let the two overhear them.

“Hyun, people are looking at us,” Sunggyu complained, obviously embarrassed.

“Of course they are, it's because we're so perfect,” Woohyun laughed. “Come on, don't reject me now,” he waved the meat. Heat crept into Sunggyu's face as he engulfed the meat in one go, glancing at the people who were watching them.

“You did a great job,” Woohyun patted his head.

“I'm not a dog,” Sunggyu whined.

“I never said you were one,” Woohyun made a face.

“But you're treating me like one.”

“No, I'm treating you like a hamster.”

“What difference does it make? Quit calling me a hamster, I know I have incredibly small eyes,” Sunggyu scowled.

Looking at Sunggyu being all childish and cute, Woohyun couldn't help but laugh, “That's why you're cute~”

“You guys are just the cutest couple alive,” the ahjumma approached suddenly, serving them the rest of their orders.

Smiling sheepishly, the two of them continued eating their food.

 

“Where to? The fireworks aren't starting till 8:30pm, we have 30 minutes left to kill,” Woohyun said as he and Sunggyu walked around the park. The sun was setting over the horizon, painting the vast sky pastel pink and yellow.

“I don't know, what do you want to play?” Sunggyu grinned.

“There isn't much to play here either...why don't we go grab some snacks for the fireworks later?”

“Wow, we just finished dinner and you still have room for food.”

“Can't I? Food is my best friend,” Woohyun grinned.

Grimacing, Sunggyu elbowed him. “What about me?”

“You...are a hamster,” he laughed.

“Hyun!” The older scowled, looking away.

“Stop being a child.”

Taking Woohyun's hand in his, Sunggyu was amazed that it fit his hand snugly. Woohyun's soft and delicate hand was wonderful at Sunggyu's touch, and he loved it. “Let's go get some tteokbokki.”

 

Picking just the right spot in the park, they both settled down with tteokbokki in their hands, sitting closely next to each other. Sunggyu could feel warmth radiating from Woohyun, and it made him nervous; he held his breath.

“You're gonna die if you hold your breath so long,” Woohyun turned to gaze at him.

Exhaling, Sunggyu fiddled with his tteokbokki. “Yeah.”

“Why are you so nervous, Gyu?”

“Ah, that-” There goes Sunggyu again, being all awkward and tensed. It's just Woohyun, why are you so nervous? Get a grip, Kim Sunggyu. Don't ruin the date because of your stupid nervousness. “-nothing.”

Woohyun let out a soft chuckle and nuzzled onto Sunggyu's neck and the latter can't help but flinch a bit. It's not that he didn't like Woohyun leaning on him, he loved it, but he doesn't know how to be natural. Every touch of Woohyun made his insides scream and melt, for he was a bit shy sometimes, especially when it comes to skin ships. Nonetheless, he tried to look strong and cool, trying hard to impress his Woohyun.

“The fireworks are starting soon,” Sunggyu said and shifted closer towards Woohyun, despite his heart going wow-you’re-gonna-die-of-a-heart-attack.

“Yeah, another minute,” Woohyun replied. Sunggyu narrowed his eyes to gaze at Woohyun, eventually finding himself admiring his lips-those thin upper lip and puffy lower lip. Sunggyu wondered how it would be like to kiss it...

Before he could say anything else, fireworks shot up in the night sky, exploding into colorful lights. He and Woohyun gasped, it was beautiful. Another thing special about this Summer Fireworks is that they can shoot really high up in the sky; almost the whole of Seoul can see it.

“It's beautiful,” Sunggyu smiled. Fireworks exploded continuously in the night sky, with everyone stopping whatever they're doing to gaze at it.

“I know right?”

Sunggyu missed Woohyun's voice for a sudden. He had that urge, wanting Woohyun to sing for him.

“Hyun, sing for me,” he leaned his head on Woohyun's.

“Hmm? Sing?” The younger let out a laugh. “What song do you want?”

“Anything.”

“Okay then,” Woohyun paused awhile and cleared his throat.

 

“Baby my love beautiful, I love you-”

 

Sunggyu smiled, listening closely to Woohyun sing, paying full attention. Woohyun's voice was perfect, perfect than any other singer on Earth, perfect than his own singing.

“Even if I close my eyes, at thoughts of you, my heart pounds and trembles-”

 

Woohyun's voice seemed to drown away the explosions of the fireworks, and Sunggyu only focused on his moving lips and melodious voice.

 

“Baby my love beautiful, I love you, I'll promise you that I'll be with only you forever-”

 

Yes, Sunggyu thought. He promised to be with Woohyun forever, Woohyun only.

“Oh, loving you.” Woohyun stops and looked at Sunggyu in the eye, “Gyu, I love you.”

As if on cue, the encore of the the fireworks exploded one last time in a thundering boom in the night sky, concluding the end of the display. Sunggyu looked at Woohyun, who was clearly flustered after a confession like that.

“Me too, Hyun.”

“Let's come and watch the fireworks again next year,” Woohyun planted a soft kiss on Sunggyu's jaw.

“Yes, Hyun. Let's come again.”

 

 

 

 

 

-2015-

Kim Sunggyu glanced at his watch, showing 7:05pm. Nam Woohyun is late. He sighed and laid down on one of the benches provided in the park. The sun was setting on the horizon, filling the sky in golden yellow and hints of pink. Birds flew hurriedly back to their nests, probably tired after a long day of exploring the sky. Kids who were gathered with their family were laughing joyfully, preparing themselves for the Summer Fireworks this year.

Sunggyu was waiting, waiting for Woohyun. Closing his eyes, he reminisced back then-how he met Woohyun.

 

“Noona,” Sunggyu casually entered into his sister's room.

“Yeah?” His sister turned to him. She was in the middle of finishing up her assignments when Sunggyu came in.

“Can you come with me to the Summer Fireworks? Mom and Dad are busy...” Sunggyu said, dejected.

“Aww... I'm sorry Gyu. Noona can't today, I haven't finish my homework,” she said. One thing she hated the most, is disappointing her own brother. But she has to this time, she had no choice. If she doesn't finish up her assignments given soon, the teacher will surely have her head, no joke.

“Why?” He sighed. “Nobody's gonna go with me already.”

“I'm really sorry Sunggyu-ah, I really can't. Why not you ask our neighbor Myungsoo to go with you?” she suggested. Sunggyu scowled hearing Myungsoo's name. Kim Myungsoo was one cold boy, he never bothers to talk to people and he gives out a scary glare. Sunggyu shivered at the thought of it.

“Ugh, Myungsoo? You know he barely talks to anyone in our neighborhood. He's like a block of ice, cold hard ice that even fire can't melt it...” he paused and pouted at his sister. “You really can't?”

Sighing, she shook her head. “I can't. Sorry.”

“Okay then, I'll go alone,” Sunggyu mumbled and left his sister's room, walking down the stairs glumly and exited the house, taking a bus to the heart of Seoul.

Originally, it was like a tradition for Sunggyu and his family to watch the fireworks during summer. But then things are changing. His parents were getting busier with work and his sister is already in college, studying to become a dentist, so she has to study hard. Eventually, his family distanced. He missed those times when he was still a kid, where everyone was still happy and close to each other.

 

 

 

 

Walking around with both handful and mouthful of food, Sunggyu was still depressed. He looked forward to spend time with his family to watch the fireworks but this year, neither of them made it.

Guess I can't help it. He thought. He would have to watch the fireworks alone this year. Walking absentmindedly, he bumped into someone. That bump caused the person to fall to the ground, and awaken the consciousness in Sunggyu.

“Oh my gosh, I'm sorry,” Sunggyu dropped the food in his grasp and hurried to lift the person up. “Are you okay?”

“Y...eah,” the person dusted his clothes. He looked at Sunggyu, and Sunggyu felt a jolt of electricity in his veins. The stranger he bumped into was quite handsome. Sunggyu found him cute. Insanely cute.

“I'm sorry, I didn't notice you,” Sunggyu apologized again. The stranger just smiled. The smile literally made Sunggyu's brain explode, it was beautiful.

“It's okay. I'm sorry, too.”

“Huh?” Sunggyu was dumbfounded. What was this guy sorry for? It was clearly Sunggyu himself who bumped into him. “For?”

Awkwardly, the stranger pointed to the ground beside Sunggyu. Sunggyu followed the direction that the stranger pointed. Realization dawned on him when he noticed his food splattered on the floor

“Ah...” he mumbled. “It's okay, I can buy it again.”

“Okay then.” The stranger nodded and walked away. “See you around I guess?” He smiled and disappeared.

Buy again. Sunggyu laughed inwardly as he knew he had no money left to buy food. If he did, he would have to walk home. Could this day get any worse?

 

 

 

 

Settling at one of the spots Sunggyu chosen, he made himself comfortable, ready to watch the fireworks. He was busy gaping and gawking when the fireworks exploded, feeling a tad bit better after all the ruckus that happened earlier today. A person sat beside Sunggyu suddenly and he turned to look. Boy, it was the stranger he bumped into.

“Hey. I thought I mistook you for someone else but I didn't,” he grinned. Sunggyu was surprised. What was this handsome stranger doing here?

“Here,” the stranger lifted a bag of what that seemed to be food in front of Sunggyu. “I saw you sitting down just now so I thought I could get you some food since you dropped yours earlier.”

“T...hank you,” Sunggyu stammered. This guy was really nice.

“Here to watch the fireworks too? Aren't they amazing?” He looked at the sky.

“Yeah,” Sunggyu smiled.

They both ended up talking to each other instead of watching the fireworks. They both had loads in common, like loving music, playing instruments and so on. Sunggyu was attracted to him. To Sunggyu, this stranger looked too perfect to be true. Handsome, tall nose, amazing collarbones and a puffy lip. Sunggyu had to admit, love at first sight had struck him right in the face. But was it like this to the stranger? He had no idea. The fireworks came to an end, and it was time to leave.

“What's your name?” The stranger asked him.

“Kim Sunggyu,” he smiled. The stranger then scribbled something onto the bag that contained food for Sunggyu with a pen from his pocket and handed it to him.

“I'll see you around?” The stranger said and got up. Sunggyu was shocked, it was the stranger's phone number that was scribbled on the bag.

“Wait!” Sunggyu called for him. He turned to look over his shoulders at Sunggyu. “What's your name?”

“Nam Woohyun.” He answered and waved, then disappeared into the crowd.

Nam Woohyun. Sunggyu thought. I'm in love with Nam Woohyun.

 

 

 

 

 

By the time Sunggyu woke up from reminiscing, it was 7:15pm. It was late, too late. Woohyun is never late, never was, never is and never will be. Sunggyu started to be anxious. What if something happened to Woohyun? No way, there's no way... that jar of grease...

He whipped out his phone and sent Woohyun a text. No replies. Adrenaline began pumping through him, he started to panic. Jumping up to his feet, he began looking everywhere, but no sign of the greaseball. He dialed Woohyun. A few beeps and the operator answered.

“This number you have dialed is unavailable, please-” Sunggyu ended the call before the operator could finish and dialed again.

NamWoohyun, where the hell are you? Sunggyu was about to make a run and search for Woohyun, when he heard a voice call him from a distance.

“Hamster-gyu!”

It was familiar, it was Woohyun. Sunggyu heaved a sigh of relief as he turned to see Woohyun running towards him. Seeing him washed away his anxieties, but he was no doubt mad at him for being so late without a heads up.

“Nam. Woo. Hyun.” Sunggyu emphasized his name, word by word. He then rushed to Woohyun and hugged him tightly. “Where were you? I was so worried. Why didn't you pick up your phone? I thought something happened to you.”

“I'm sorry,” Woohyun hugged the latter back. “I dropped my phone in the toilet bowl and took a long time fishing it out, so I missed the time. Sorry.”

Sunggyu couldn't help but laugh. Woohyun actually dropped his phone into the toilet bowl, just how much of a beanpole can he be?

“Don't laugh, weren't you worried sick just now?” Woohyun teased.

“Yes I was,” Sunggyu said sternly. “Next time, ditch your phone and just come right away. You can go do fishing when you get back home. Don't do this to me.”

“Okay, okay,” Woohyun patted his back. “Come on, let's go get ourselves dinner, you must be hungry.”

Slowly, Sunggyu released Woohyun from his embrace. “Of course I am, and it's your fault for being late.”

 

 

 

 

Again, the two of them made themselves comfortable at their usual spot, hands filled with snacks, patiently waiting for the fireworks to began. Woohyun leaned onto Sunggyu, his head fitted perfectly below Sunggyu's neck. Sunggyu wrapped both arms around Woohyun's waist and buried his face into the greaseball's hair.

“Gyu-ah,” Woohyun mumbled cutely.

“Hmm? You really are greasy...”

“I feel...” Sad. That's what Woohyun felt.

“Yeah?”

“Nothing, I just want to tell you I'm happy.”

Sunggyu saw through his lie. He knew Woohyun wasn't happy, but he pretended Woohyun was happy. Moments later, fireworks exploded in the night sky.

“Gyu, I sang for you last year, why don't you tell me a story this year?” Woohyun asked.

“Story? Sure,” Sunggyu nodded. “I thought you were gonna ask me to sing instead.”

“Nope, cause my voice obviously sounds better than yours,” Woohyun teased.

“Tch, then I ain't telling you any stories you idiot.”

“Aww,” Woohyun whined. “Sorry...please? Gyu-nim?”

Sighing, Sunggyu gave in.

 

“Once upon a time-”

“Sunggyu,” Woohyun scowled. He was too old for Fairy tales.

“Shush, Hyun. Let me do the talking. There was a hamster, and the hamster was glum. But then he meets a Greaseball, who lit up his glum world. They both loved music, and fireworks especially. Soon, they fell in love-”

Woohyun laughed. “Sunggyu, what kind of story is this?”

“Shush, Hyun. Greaseball was like fireworks. He was beautiful. Because of his cheerful heart and greasiness, he helped overcome hamster's glumness, even though hamster cringes at his greasiness sometimes. Greaseball loved hamster, he loved him a lot. He would give up everything for him.”

“But then, Greaseball couldn't stay long. He was sick. hamster tried to help him, in all of the ways possible. But no matter what, there wasn't a cure. Hamster was sad, depressed,” Sunggyu paused, swallowing back the lump that had formed in his throat.

“In the end, all hamster could do was spend all of his times together with Greaseball. They promised to watch the fireworks every year. Hamster wanted to make Greaseball happy, he wanted to love him with all his heart. But hamster was shy. Greaseball constantly told hamster that he loves him, and hamster would be too embarrassed to tell him that he felt the same way too,” Sunggyu felt Woohyun disappearing. The warmth he felt was fading.

“Then, Greaseball was gone, like fireworks that disappeared suddenly. Hamster regretted, he regretted not telling Greaseball that he loved him,” Sunggyu's voice trembled as he choked a sob. Tears streamed from his eyes.

“Hyun, you listening?” Sunggyu sobbed. There was no answer.

“Hyun, I'm sorry. I should have told you when I had the chance. But...now, it's too late,” Sunggyu sobbed painfully. “I love you Hyun. Forever and always.”

The last firework boomed in the night sky, concluding the end for this year's Summer Fireworks. Sunggyu looked up into the sky. He regretted saying 'Me too' instead of 'I love you too' when Woohyun told him that he loved him. He regretted. He wished he could turn back time, he would do everything just to tell Woohyun that he loves him.

 

I love you, Nam Woohyun. I will love you, always, forever, even after I die. I'm sorry, for not letting you know... I love you.

 

 

 

 

 

-2016-

Smiling bitterly to himself, Sunggyu couldn't help but let tears flow smoothly down his cheeks while standing in front of Woohyun's grave with a bouquet of flowers. He looked at his tombstone, engraved with his lover's name.

In loving memory of

Nam Woo Hyun

 

He remembered Woohyun's self-composed song: 'Close Your Eyes'. He closed his eyes and let the wind kiss his face. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he started to sing.

“When I close my eyes, I see your turned back with tears. I send it off to the wind as my heart aches and my throat dries. My heart endlessly grows smaller as I can only watch you from afar...”

“I close my eyes and see the days we'll be together...”

“You...”

“I miss you, Woohyun-ah,” Sunggyu mumbled. Just then, he felt a light touch of heat on his lips.

“I miss you too, hamster.”

Sunggyu opened his eyes immediately, finding no one around. It felt like Woohyun, it sounded like him.

Placing the flowers on Woohyun's grave, Sunggyu started to walk away.

“I love you, I always will.”