“The Sunrise and The Sunset”

Wonshik was away in Japan in order to promote VIXX LR’s full album debut. As the morning came, the light from outside of the hotel window was almost too blinding as if it was screaming at him to wake up.

He always felt strange whenever he had to go overseas to Japan. He can’t help but feel lost due to the language barrier. He tried to study Japanese multiple times and he’s even had s help him but no matter how much effort he puts into studying it, the language just didn’t seem to register into his mind. Even Taekwoon who has been very busy with his musical seems to be improving much faster than him.

His alarm finally went off and as it did, he immediately went to turn it off. The birds started to chirp loudly to the sun which kept him awake despite how much he wanted to stay in bed. Wonshik didn’t want to give in to the sounds outside and go back to bed. If it was back in Seoul, he would have no problem with going back to bed and sometimes, not even loud noises would be able to wake him up. But it could be because of the unfamiliar environment that he was in or because of the unfamiliar bed he had to sleep on, he just couldn’t seem to go back to sleep.

He let out a sigh of defeat and sat up on his bed, trying to keep his eyes open.

Ding.

A message came through his phone.

He reached for it to see what it was and as soon as he saw the name, he was a little more awake.

[Ya, are you awake yet? It’s morning~] Hakyeon sent to him at seven in the morning.

Wonshik really wanted to reply but he was honestly too sleepy still to even want to move a muscle. But it seems the leader knew the younger’s personality too well especially since each time you read a message on Kakaotalk, a notification would pop up next to the message if someone have read it.

[How’s Tokyo? Taekwoon told me you caught a cold the other day. You OK?]

[I know you’re awake~ the sun is already up~]

Hakyeon continues to spam Wonshik with text messages.

The younger grunted a bit as he read the mountain of messages that popped up, he didn’t even have enough time to read each one of them in time. So, he finally decided to send a reply back.

[Hyung, the sun just rose not too long ago. Let me sleep…] Wonshik responded.

For a minute, the younger was expecting an immediate reply but this time, it was Hakyeon’s turn to become a little silent despite having had read the message already. Wonshik couldn’t help but think that because he replied too late that the older was upset with him. So, he decided to send another message just in case.

[Hyung?]

Seconds later, Hakyeon finally sent him something as a reply. It was a photo of the sunrise and it was somewhere Wonshik could recognize right away. It was at the same location where he and Taekwoon had their photoshoot for their Eclipse concert.

[Like this photo?] Hakyeon asked.

[When did you take it?] Wonshik asked back in curiosity.

[Right now.]

[What? You’re there right now?]

[Mhmm.]

[Why? It’s so early in the morning.]

[I couldn’t sleep last night so I decided to watch the sunrise here. Can you see the sunrise where you’re at in Tokyo?] Hakyeon asked.

[A little.]

Wonshik went out the balcony of his hotel room and took a picture to send it back to his leader to show Hakyeon the scenery that he saw.

[So pretty. As I thought, I like the sunrise more.] Hakyeon said.

[What’s that?]

Wonshik was the opposite. He liked the sunset much more than the sunrise.

[I don’t know. I think it’s because it kind of reminds me of you.]

[Me?] the younger unknowingly tilted his head as he read the message even though no one would see it.

[Yeah. Whenever the sun rises, the weather becomes much warmer and the sky gets lit up completely. It’s just like you. Whenever you’re around, I can’t help but feel like the atmosphere is much warmer and gentler. It’s nice.]

Hakyeon’s message caught Wonshik by surprise. The younger honestly didn’t know how to respond to such a heartfelt message because as cheesy as it could sound to some, he found it endearing to read. Hakyeon’s message gave him a warm-fuzzy feeling to be honest. He didn’t like the sunrise at first and if he had to pick, he’d choose the sunset any day because the sunset reminded him of Hakyeon just as the sunrise reminded the older of Wonshik.

Wonshik scrolled through his phone and dialed Hakyeon’s number this time.

“Hello?” Hakyeon picked it up immediately.

“I miss you,” was the first words that the younger said as soon as he could.

“M-me too,” the leader stuttered shyly. “How’s Tokyo?”

“Not bad. But I miss you…”

“Are you still half-asleep?”

“No. I’m wide awake now thanks to you, hyung. I just… wish you were here with me. You should see how badly me and Taekwoon-hyung are struggling because of the language barrier here. Usually, you’d be the one doing all the translating and talking. Now, it’s just us two who are the worst in Japanese,” Wonshik told Hakyeon his frustrations.

“Com’on, you two can do it. Plus, wasn’t Taekwoon learning Japanese not too long ago? He even asked me which Japanese drama was good to watch for a starter before,” Hakyeon said.

“Yeah… he talks even more than me now during the interviews,” Wonshik let out an obvious sigh.

“Don’t feel so down. You’ll be back in Seoul and back home in no time,” Hakyeon comforted him on the phone. “So, do you have any schedules today?”

“Yeah. Later though and thanks to you, I’m wide awake now.”

“Hehe~ guess my plan worked. Wonshik-ah,” Hakyeon said.

“Hmm?”

“Come home soon, okay?”

“I will.”

Wonshik had a lot he wanted to say to the older to be honest. But if he said all those he had in his mind, he would urge to fly back to Seoul immediately. He wanted to be next to the older and be able to see Hakyeon whenever he could. He got out of his bed and opened his laptop. He turned it on and opened his notepad to type a few words down as if he was writing lyrics to a song.

I miss you. If it was the usual, your beautifully soothing voice would always call out my name in the morning and wake me up. As I open my eyes, you would be the first person I see, lying next to me in my arms. If it was the usual, I would continue to hold onto you and whine a little while I say,’ just a little longer,’ as we lay in our bed even when the sky is completely lit. But right now, as we are divided by the sea, I’m unable to do the things we usually do and because of that, I resent the morning sun that’s in front of me. Do you miss me as much as I’m missing you right now?

Wonshik let out a sigh and hummed to the random tunes that popped into his mind as he wrote down his feelings on his laptop. He grabbed his jacket and covered himself warmly as he continued his writing.

These unfamiliar noises from the outside and the sights that I’m still unable to get used to, makes me think of you every time. At times like this, I feel so helpless and lost because every time we come to this place, you would always be there by my side to help me and spoil me. Just having you next to me made me feel at peace but because you’re not here this time, I feel as if my mind is shattering into thousand of pieces. I must admit, I’m feeling nervous and anxious just because you’re not here. But I cannot resent this city as much as I wish I could because this is the place you love. This is the place you adore and cherish the most. So, I’ll try my best and each time I look out into this unfamiliar place, I’ll think about you instead. Because each time I think about you, I’ll feel warm and at home again.

~

“Hyung, wak- oh, you’re already awake?” Jaehwan opened the door and noticed Hakyeon was already in a coat as if he just came back. “Did you go somewhere?”

“Yeah, I went to watch the sunset,” Hakyeon said and let out a yawn.

“That’s sudden. Where’d you go?”

“Haneul Park.”

“That’s far. Why’d you go there?”

“I just… wanted to go watch the sunset,” Hakyeon told the younger. “Anyways, I’m going to get changed. Can you get breakfast started?”

“Okay!”

Hakyeon took off his coat and let out another yawn. He was sleepy since he got up so early, but he felt a lot better after getting to talk with Wonshik on the phone. Honestly, he’s been having a lack of sleep recently ever since Wonshik left for Japan for his sub-unit promotions. Usually, Hakyeon would have no trouble sleeping at night because he knew that there would be Wonshik next to him when he falls asleep. So, he didn’t like the sunset very much. When the day disappears and the weather gets colder at night, he can’t help but feel lonely. And every time he passes by Wonshik’s shared room with Hyuk, Wonshik’s bed would be left untouched for days.

Hakyeon let out a sigh, I really miss him… I wish he’d come back soon.

He looked outside for the sky to be fully lit in the morning. Despite his loneliness, he couldn’t help but smile just a bit in relief.

Even though it feels like we’re worlds apart, I realized that we’re watching the same sun under the same sky. Even if it’s going to disappear eventually throughout the day, I can tell that we’re watching the same starry nights. And because of that tiny thought, I’m able to go on with my days just thinking about you.

A/N: The idea was actually from months ago where I was randomly on Twitter and @swagdaddyravi mentioned something about sunsets and sunrises. I don't remember what the content was about but I did have the idea written on my phone for awhile... Oops for being like more than three months late?