Five fifty-nine and eight seconds.

  Five fifty-nine and nine seconds.

  At exactly six o’clock, Taecyeon was up and out of his seat, desperate to escape the hell of his office. Just like always, he loosened his tie as he smiled at the picture that sat on his desk for the last year and a half. “Mr. Ok,” The voice on the intercom startled him. “Need I remind you that you’re supposed to be at the airport in exactly one hour?”

  Taecyeon rolled his eyes at his assistant, grabbing his coat and heading out of the office to meet with the man face to face. “I’m leaving now!”

  “You look exceptionally happy~” His assistant said, holding a bouquet of flowers.

  Taec shrugged. “I have an exceptionally good reason to be happy, Kwonie~” He said to Jo Kwon as he took the flowers and then nearly ran to the elevator.

  “Enjoy your weekend!” Jo Kwon shouted across the office and Taecyeon just grinned at him while the doors closed and the elevator took him to the lobby floor.

  Never in his life had one month been so torturous, so boring and monotonous that he counted the days in a dull depression with no desire to even leave the house for anything other than work. It was true what Nichkhun had said, he had been spoiled. But now, now he was alive again. He had something to anticipate, to look forward to.

  He stopped at the airport, underneath the well lit sign that said ‘returns’ in big bold letters, parking the car and getting out. This was it. Checking his watch, five minutes seemed like hours away. It was always a lovely scene, watching people reunite with their loved ones, coming back from vacation or work trips, college. Seeing the smiling faces of mothers and siblings, or just close friends as they held open their arms to embrace each other in a greeting.

  “Excuse me, sir . . . have we met before?”

  Taecyeon turned around and his smile was the brightest it had been in the past twelve days; twelve days without Junho. In hindsight, it seemed like nothing, but it was the longest they had spent apart since they’d moved in together. “Don’t ever leave me again!” He grabbed the smaller man by the arms and pulled him into a tight hug, making Junho drop his bag in front of the car just to hug him back. Their lips found each other’s and, just for a moment, they stayed that way, until Junho chuckled against the kiss and pulled back slowly.

  “I’ve missed you too.” Junho’s smile complimented the setting sun that cast down rays of orange and yellow across his pale skin. Looking quickly at his hand when they ended their hug, the younger nudged him, motioning to the roses he had completely forgotten to give his beloved. “Are those supposed to be for me?”

  With a grin, he presented the deep red bouquet. “But, of course~”

  “They’re beautiful.”

  “Like yourself~” Taec retorted and received a gentle shove as Junho picked up his bag and walked towards the car.

  “Jeez, I almost forgot your corniness.” The younger man laughed as he hauled his luggage into the trunk and got in the car, leaving Taec to murmur to himself.

  “You like my corny.”

  “Of course I do,” Junho said to him slyly.

  Inside, Taecyeon was just ecstatic. Outside, he was also ecstatic. Junho was home, with him, where he belonged. And as he closed the car door for his boyfriend of almost two years, jumped in the car and started driving away, he glanced over at the figure sitting beside him. He wanted the boy stare fondly at the flowers, lightly grazing his finger across one of the petals. “So . . .” He started to say and Junho looked over at him as he kept his eyes focused on the road.

  “How is your mother?”

  He finally found it in him to bring up the reason behind Junho’s trip, and he immediately wished that he hadn’t, once those eyes that were just full of glimmering sunshine looked down in a pensive stare. “She’s coping with it the best way she can . . .”

  With a nod of understanding, Taecyeon his chin with one hand as he drove along the highway, heading back to their shared apartment. “And your sister?”

  A soft smile graced Junho’s lips. “She wants to meet you.”

  He couldn’t help raising his brow in disbelief. “You told her about us?” The soft nod from the other male answered him and he looked ahead, squeezing the steering wheel a little harder. “And she’s okay with it?”

  “She’s apprehensive, but she said . . . She said she loves me too much to lose me, too.” There was a sound in Junho’s voice that Taecyeon recognized as immense pain, or maybe regret. His lover had suffered a great loss, and he was trying not to be overly cautious of his feelings, but it was hard, especially when Junho looked so incredibly pained.

  Taecyeon opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself when he heard Junho’s quiet mutter.

  “I wish you could have met him, Taec.”

  He clenched his jaw tightly, knowing that Junho was sick of hearing sympathies and apologies from everyone, knowing that there was nothing he could do to fix the pain of losing a parent, knowing that his silent support was the only thing the other wanted from him.

  So he was willing to give it.

Junho was glad to be home – more than glad. The time he had spent with his family was stressful, and full of tears. After twelve days, he no longer had the energy to cry anymore; instead, he just let wanted to sleep. Which is exactly what he did, though, not for long.

  It was still dark outside when he awoke, with a sigh, he rolled himself closer to his boyfriend and immediately felt those muscular arms that he missed so much hugging him.

  “I was wrong, Junho.”

  He couldn’t help recalling the last things his father had said to him. The words had been echoing through his mind for the last week, and nothing could shake them, not even Taecyeon’s touch.

  “Live your dream . . . while you still can . . . Don’t make . . . my mistakes.”

  He looked over at the sleeping giant beside him, brushing his fingers through the thick locks of hair. His eyes burned, from having just woken up, from tears that were trying to force themselves out of his eyes, and from lack of sleep. With a sign, he pulled himself out of bed, feeling comforted by the familiar feel of the cold hardwood floor as he reached for his robe, pulling it on while walking out to the balcony attached to the bedroom.

  A summer breeze hit him gently, blowing his hair slightly as he breathed in the fresh air. The cellular device in his hand illuminated as he scrolled through his ‘recent contacts’ until he found the one he wanted. The one he usually turned to, late at night, when he needed someone to talk to him.

  The phone only rang twice, which wasn’t unusual, since this person probably wasn’t trying to sleep anytime soon. Still, Junho wasn’t prepared for the blasting of loud dance music that answered the call, followed by a mostly drowned out “Junbaby~” Wooyoung’s voice cheered, Junho couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Where the hell are you?” He questioned his best friend.

  “I’m at an EDM party, it’s ing awesome!” Wooyoung cooed over the sound of the music, and then suddenly things got quiet and he spoke again. “Okay, I’m in the bathroom now . . . what’s going on, sweetie?”

  “I just . . . needed to talk for a minute.” He mused, sitting down in one of the chairs on the balcony and putting his feet up on the railing. “Taec’s asleep, and I can’t wake him up, he’s working early tomorrow.”

  “You got back tonight, didn’t you?” The other asked and he hummed a ‘yes’ in response. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

  “Shut up, Woo.” Junho mumbled, emotionally. “I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if you turned this chance down.”

  “But I just . . .” Wooyoung sighed into the phone, obviously struggling with his words, which was rare for the slightly older male. “I remember us being in school, we wanted to become idols . . . And your dad . . .” He trailed off, probably because he knew that Junho didn’t need to be reminded of that.

  Junho remembered full well, what it was like, the wrath his father showed when he tried to convince his parents to let him audition for an entertainment agency. He remembered the fight that almost had him homeless, and how it dictated so many aspects of his life, and now . . . that man was gone, and he was left with the aftermath of those decisions, picking up the pieces and trying desperately to put them together rightly.

  Finally, a tear rolled down his cheek and he wiped at it immediately. “He told me to do what I want with my life, right before he died . . .” He confessed. “And I’ve been thinking about it for so long, I don’t know what to do . . . I mean, I love Taecyeon so much – that’s never going to be in question – but I . . . this job . . . I’m not . . .” Now the tears were coming faster, before he could wipe them away and his voice creaked a little.

  “Honey, just breathe~” His best friend calmed him down, or tried to, at least. “There you go, stressing so much about something you can’t change . . . It’s not worth it, Junnie.” There goes Wooyoung, being ever reasonable and supportive. “You’ve just went through a lot, too much to focus on drastic life changes right now . . . I want you to go back to bed, snuggle up with Mr. Big Grin, and then talk to him about it in the morning, after you’re both well rested.”

  “Thanks, hyung.” He said, his eyes drying slightly.

  “I’m coming home next week, but call me again if you need anything.”

  “G’night,” He smiled softly. “Be safe over there.”

  Wooyoung’s scoff on the other end of the phone made his smile widen. “, Japan is ing amazing . . . The music scene is legit, no joke . . . You’re definitely coming with next time! Kay, byeeee~”

  Junho laughed as he looked at his phone once they hung up, he stared out at the city for a while before standing and retiring back to bed. Wooyoung was right, he was emotional, tired and over thinking everything.

Wooyoung tucked his phone into his pocket and pushed the bathroom door open, meeting the loud thud of bass and the flashing lights that surrounded everyone in the bar he was at. Part of him wanted to just go back to his hotel room and sleep, while another part wished he could be home, in his own bed, eating junk food with Junho and watching American movies.

  With a sigh, he sulked over to the bar and leaned against the counter. The bartender spoke Korean, which is why he frequented this particular bar every night since he had been in Japan.

  Tokyo was different. Amazing, full of so many wonders, and so very different.

  Once he got his drink, he couldn’t help but notice the loud laughter coming from the people next to him. It was obnoxious, almost, overly cocky and vaguely familiar. Glancing beside him, he couldn’t help his shocked expression as he set eyes on a honey blonde with broad features and large eyes that were almost closed in a bright smile. “Nichkhun?”

  The older man looked at him for a moment, before his eyes got larger and he grinned. “Wooyoung!” Khun pulled him into a hug immediately, splashing his drink and mumbling against his shoulder. “What the hell are you doing here?!” Wooyoung felt his breath hit his ear and shivered slightly, closing his eyes as he breathed in the scent of Nichkhun’s cologne.

  “I . . .” He almost lost it, that cool demeanor he tried to hold onto at all times. But then suddenly he was reminded of something. “Yah!” He smacked Nichkhun’s shoulder. “I should be asking you that! I thought your transfer took you to Nagoya.” He asked as the taller man leaned against the bar counter and they both took sips from their drinks.

  Nichkhun smirked. “I was in Nagoya . . . then they moved me here.”

  Wooyoung only nodded, trying not to let his heart flutter as he looked over the man. Not much had changed about him, he still had that arrogant heir about him that wreaked of privilege and comfort and all of those lavish things that Wooyoung was sure he’d never experience.

  Looking at Khun now, after not seeing him for over a year, he realized one crucial thing.

  This guy was way out of his league.

  Resigning to the idea of nothing ever being able to happen between them, Wooyoung stirred his drink with the tiny red straw and shrugged, trying not to sound disappointed. “Well . . . I’m here recording music for an up and coming star from Seoul.”

  “So you finally got that job with that entertainment company?!” It wasn’t fair how interested Nichkhun seemed to genuinely be. It wasn’t fair at all, but he could only nod, making the bigger guy squish him in another hug. “That’s so great, we have to celebrate together!” Khun cheered, calling out to the bartender in Japanese. “Next round’s on me!”

  The whole bar clapped and Wooyoung’s eyes went wide. “What?” He tugged on Nichkhun’s sleeve. “Is this what you do with your money? Waste it on booze?”

  The blonde looked at him for a moment, his eyes holding something that he obviously refused to speak, before he shrugged and finished the rest of his drink. “Woo, I’ve got no friends . . . I’ve got no hobbies . . . I’m literally just biding my time here, trying new things and having new experiences until I can get another transfer back to Seoul.”

  “Oh . . .” Wooyoung couldn’t come up with anything better to say.

  But he didn’t have to, Nichkhun just smiled and rested his entire arm across his shoulder. “Don’t look so down, we’re celebrating you tonight!”

  Looking at the new glass that was handed to him, he took the drink and toasted with Nichkhun. It was the first of many drinks they were going to share that night. A part of him wondered why he was doing this to himself. Why he would allow this guy to be so wonderful and amazing and everything he wanted but couldn’t have.

  But there was a voice in the back of his mind that answered him.

  He didn’t care if it was destructive.

To be continued