TWO 

Kim Sunggyu was nervous. It was the day he’s supposed to go back to Seoul. For good. After three years being sent to the States because of a huge project his company is working on. As the COO, it was only reasonable for him to move and monitor their progress over there. What was overlooked by his career driven mind was the fact that he had to inevitably leave a lot of people who was dear to him behind, and perhaps, hurting some of them. 

“I really don’t know what’s with you,” his apartment mate said when he saw Sunggyu coming out of his room looking like it had been 3 days since he last slept well, “You’re going back home, you should be really excited. Why aren’t you sleeping well?” 

Sunggyu shot him a glare, “I don’t need your nagging in the morning, Lee Howon.” 

Howon grinned, “Here, have some breakfast hyung, I made you a toast. You need to eat something before your flight.” 

The elder went to their pantry counter and munched on his toast. He scanned his two bed room apartment which was now half empty. He managed to finish clearing and packing his stuffs up yesterday. A part of him felt empty, but at the same time, he was excited to go back to Seoul after so long. 

Howon stood next to Sunggyu, leaning his back on the counter, “I’ve never imagined I’d say this but I’ll really miss you Kim Sunggyu.” 

Sunggyu laughed and turned his head to Howon, “I hope I didn’t give you a hard time,” The elder said, “Thanks for being there for me for the past three years, even though I’m just your apartment mate.” 

“Eyy, don’t say that hyung, you’re a great friend.” Hoya patted Sunggyu’s shoulder. 

Sunggyu gave him a grin before finishing his toast. The two males then started moving Sunggyu’s baggages to Howon’s car. The ride to the airport wasn’t too long, but once Howon parked his car, Sunggyu felt the sadness creeping in him. The both of them got off the car and Howon helped Sunggyu with his luggages. 

“Thanks Howon,” he gave the younger one a long hug before pulling away after closing the trunk of the car, “Don’t stop dancing and visit us in Seoul.” 

Howon laughed and shrugged, “Well, now you make me want to go back to Seoul,” he said, “I know you’re a workaholic and all, but you have a golden voice hyung, so I have the right to tell you to not stop singing too.” 

Sunggyu smiled and nodded, “I’ll consider that Howon,” he said and then waved, “Take care, and call me if you need anything.” 

Howon nodded, “Thank you hyung,” he stepped inside his car, but before he closed the door, he turned back to Sunggyu, “Hyung! Good luck with Woohyun too!” 

The elder male glared at him for mentioning Woohyun but nodded anyways. He entered the airport building and checked in his baggages. Sunggyu was more than restless in the waiting area, and also throughout his 12 hour flight to Seoul. 

He was glad that the flight ended once the plane landed. Sunggyu had asked his parents in Jeonju to not come and pick him up as it was too far and he still needed to stay in Seoul for several days to report to his office. 

“But we want to get you, Sunggyu,” his mom whined through the phone, “It’s been three years,” 

“Umma, please don’t worry about it,” Sunggyu pleaded, “I promise, I will not take more thank three days in Seoul.” 

With that, Sunggyu booked himself a hotel next to his office. 

Once he exited the airport, he couldn’t help but notice the excited woman standing near the exit door. She rushed towards him and threw him a hug. 

“Wow, you actually missed me that much,” Sunggyu teased. 

The female hugged him even tighter, “You really left us for three years, how mean.” 

“Yah, I missed you too, but this is too tight, Jung Eunji, I can’t breathe,” Sunggyu complained as he pulled his body back. 

Eunji laughed and let go of her hug before ruffling Sunggyu’s hair, “That’s what you get for leaving for three years!” 

Sunggyu rolled his eyes as he followed her to her car. Eunji told him she didn’t mind dropping him at the hotel. 

“You know, it’s been too long,” Eunji said as she stopped at the stop light, “How have you been?” 

“Are you going to ask me if I have found someone there?” Sunggyu shot her with a playful smirk. 

Eunji looked away, her face turning slightly pink, “Well, if you wanna talk about that, I’ll gladly listen.” 

Sunggyu laughed, “I was just joking, Eunji,” he said, “But no, it was solely work there.” 

“Yeah, right,” Eunji rolled her eyes, “I bet no one likes a man who’s good looking, young, and has a stable job.” 

“Well what can I say,” Sunggyu shrugged casually, “Not everyone has the same taste as you,” 

Eunji shot him a glare, “You really like teasing people,” 

Sunggyu just smiled at her. 

“Have you ever given it a thought though?” Eunji asked again nervously. 

She rewind her memories to the time she dropped Sunggyu off at the airport three years back. She hugged him and she remembered how nervous she felt and how her lips stuttered when she told Sunggyu that she didn’t want to let him go and how she liked him more than a friend. Sunggyu told her that it wasn’t the right time to be thinking about this, so she should just take it as a no. 

Sunggyu nodded solemnly, “Everyday for the first year,” 

“So do you have an answer?” 

“It’s always a no, Eunji,” Sunggyu said as he gazed at her, “because I know we won’t work out and I love you too much as a sister.” 

Eunji smiled bitterly, “Of course, I expected that.” 

Sunggyu just kept quiet. He knew how Eunji was always fond of him - she didn’t have that many friends but she was willing to let her guards down in front of Sunggyu, but there was this one time at their high school graduation where he caught her looking at him in a different way. Like she imagined having a future with him, a proper romantic relationship. But he could never do that, because she has always been a sister to him, since they were 8. 

“Well, you’re still my best friend though, Kim Sunggyu,” Eunji declared, “I won’t let anyone snatch you away from me in this matter.” 

Sunggyu smiled, “Of course,”

-//- 

It was around 9PM when Sunggyu arrived at his hotel and he was confused. Confused because he knew that he should be telling everyone that he has safely landed at Incheon but didn’t know how. Except for Eunji and his parents, no one had received any news on his arrival.  

He decided to take a shower. When he went out of the bathroom and checked his phone, his eyes could only widen with surprise. He had a missed call from a number, a number he had memorized by heart. 

He scoffed at himself when he felt his heart started doing those somersaults again. Without thinking twice, he pressed the call back button. 

It didn’t take long before the other end answered. 

“Wow, you actually called me back, I’m surprised.” 

Sunggyu grinned widely, he finally got to hear the voice he longed the most, “Hello Nam Woohyun, it looks like you’ve been counting days to my arrival.” 

Woohyun chuckled, “Hmm... You’re not exactly wrong,” he said dreamily, “Are you busy?”

“No, not really,” Sunggyu replied with anticipation, hoping the younger would ask him to meet up. After all Kim Sunggyu had his pride to guard. 

“Well... do you want to go out with me then?” Woohyun asked. 

Sunggyu could’ve leapt and jumped all over the place but he held his excitement. He sneaked a small smile, but answered as carefree as possible, “Yeah, sure, where do you want to go?” 

“Should we get some drinks at my place?” 

Sunggyu gulped quietly, knowing how this night would end, not that he was complaining. 

“Sure, are you still at the same place?” 

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon.” 

-//- 

Kim Sunggyu was nervous, and a Kim Sunggyu does not simply get nervous. He was standing right in front of Woohyun’s penthouse. He had waxed his hair up, something he would only do if he wanted to impress someone. He chose to wear a white shirt with his black bomber jacket on top of it, paired with his washed out jeans. 

After letting out a sigh, he knocked on the door before him. 

Woohyun opened the door almost immediately, as if he has been waiting behind the door all this time. The two males stood face to face in front of each other in silence. They gazed into each other’s eyes, full of affection. 

“Hi,” Woohyun finally broke the silence with a nervous smile, “Come in,” 

Sunggyu bit his lips nervously and stepped inside the other’s apartment - a place he knew too well. 

“Come sit,” Woohyun ushered the elder to the couch, “I got some wine, but if you want any other drinks, I can get those too- I mean, there’s a convenience store below, I can just grab soju or-“ 

“Woohyun,” Sunggyu cut him gently and gave him a smile. Woohyun gazed down to the ground, slightly embarrassed and  scratched the back of his neck. 

“It’s alright,” Sunggyu chuckled and sat on the couch, “I came here to see how you are doing, not to make you my bartender.” 

Woohyun nervously sat next to Sunggyu, keeping a small distance between them. Sunggyu was also as nervous, but he knew that if he showed it, it would make the situation even more awkward for the two of them. 

“I missed you, Sunggyu,” Woohyun said as he gazed back up to Sunggyu’s eyes before he muttered, “And you look really good.” 

Sunggyu laughed his nervousness, “Nam Woohyun, that’s not fair,” he said with a playful smirk, “You’re really adorable and you’re not letting me do anything to you.” 

Woohyun blushed furiously, “Stop it,” he cleared his throat, but slowly, his hands made its way to Sunggyu’s. 

Sunggyu played with it, the familiar feeling made his heart relaxed with ease. The two kept on gazing into each other’s eyes, like high school students going through their first love. 

“Three years, Sunggyu,” Woohyun said quietly. 

Sunggyu nodded as his hands made its way to Woohyun’s cheeks, “I missed you so much, Woohyun.” 

Woohyun took Sunggyu’s hands and brought it to his lips, kissing it. Sunggyu graced a small smile on his lips and inched closer. He chuckled when he saw Woohyun’s face getting even redder. 

“You should stop getting embarrassed every time you’re with me, you know,” Sunggyu teased, “You’re cute right now, but I like the talkative Woohyun too.” 

Woohyun let out a small laugh, “No, it’s just...” he sighed, “It’s so weird having you back after so long, and I’m really happy but I’m really nervous too.” 

Sunggyu leaned closer and without thinking, he pressed his lips softly against Woohyun’s. The kiss was so passionate, yet gentle - the two expressing how they missed each other’s presence. 

“It’s been so long,” Sunggyu said when they broke the kiss off. 

Woohyun nodded with a grin. He felt a lot less nervous now.

“Should we take this to the bed?” Woohyun suggested, wiggling his eyebrows. 

Sunggyu answered by giving Woohyun another kiss as the two stood up. The elder took off his jacket before pulling off Woohyun’s shirt. It took Sunggyu several seconds to admire the latter’s body. 

“Damn Woohyun, you’ve been working out,” 

Woohyun pushed his body towards Sunggyu and kissed his neck, “Only for you,” he whispered, sending shivers down Sunggyu’s spine. 

Woohyun grabbed Sunggyu’s body and went to his bedroom. He immediately pushed the elder’s body on his bed and crawled above him. Sunggyu was amused at how bold Woohyun was and he was secretly enjoying it too. 

Woohyun stripped Sunggyu’s jeans and threw himself on top. When Woohyun felt Sunggyu’s hard wood pressing against his, he smirked, knowing it was going to be a good night. 

-//-

Woohyun woke up the next morning feeling like he was in cloud nine. He was shirtless, only wrapped by the arms of the man he loved. He felt Sunggyu’s warm kisses on his head and turned his body to face him.

“Good morning,” Sunggyu’s hoarse morning voice was reciprocated by Woohyun with a kiss on his lips. 

Both of them were shirtless under the sheets and it could not have been any better. Woohyun could stare at Sunggyu’s eyes the whole day if his phone didn’t shrill. He groaned and Sunggyu let out a small laugh. 

“Go get it, Woohyun,” 

Woohyun rolled his eyes and reached over to his phone at the side of the bed, “I don’t know if I should be happy that you still have that nagging habit,” 

Sunggyu threw him a pillow before Woohyun took the call as he sat at the edge of his bed, listening attentively to the call. 

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon.” He said as he ended the call. 

Sunggyu watched the younger move nervously around the room and couldn’t help but feel disappointed at how Woohyun couldn’t join him in the bed again. 

“Look Sunggyu, I’ll have to leave,” Woohyun said as he stopped in front of his dresser and put on his clothes quickly , “Something came up and I have to go. It was a great night, and let’s meet again soon.” 

Sunggyu frowned, “Yah, what’s with that? Are you not going to tell me what’s going on?” 

Woohyun shook his head and bit his lips, “I’m kind of in a hurry right now, but I promise I’ll tell you everything later,” he said and put on his black slacks, “Feel free to stay here as long as you want, consider yourself at home.” 

Sunggyu was left speechless and clueless by the way Woohyun acted that morning. Just last night, he was pretty sure the two of them had one of their best nights after so long. But that morning, he realized how everything might have changed after the three years he went away without any contact with Woohyun. He suddenly felt that he was just a tiny part of Woohyun’s life and the latter had other more important issues to address. 

Feeling frustrated, Sunggyu dressed up and headed back to his hotel to get a quick shower before going to his office to file in the reports.  

-//-