He hadn’t actually planned on watching all of it. Just the first few clips – that’s what he told himself. But then the plane ride was so long and he wanted to know how it ended. Even though he knew it wasn’t a happy ending – that was impossible – he still somehow felt like there was a chance.

It was like a movie. Kyuhyun couldn’t even see how he fit into the story, because clearly he didn’t. With every watched video, he felt more and more detached from the situation. The Ryeowook in those videos wasn’t his. He would never be Kyuhyun’s.

That much made sense then.

Hyungsik silently stepped inside the room, directing the camera towards the lump of tangled blankets. “Isn’t he adorable?” he whispered, chuckling quietly. Pressing his hand into the mattress, he began creeping onto the bed. The device fumbled and crashed into the sheets, which was quickly followed by grumbling and laughter.

“You’re so cute,” he mumbled, caressing the sleepy boy’s face. Hyungsik kissed him sweetly, nibbling softly on Ryeowook’s bottom lip. “Wake up so we can go out on a date.”

Kyuhyun couldn’t even be jealous. He had nothing to do with them and a greater part of him realized that he didn’t want to hate Hyungsik. How could he hate someone who loved Ryeowook as much as Kyuhyun does?

“No…,” Ryeowook grouched, drowsy eyes shining with amusement, “…I don’t wanna go on a date…”

“What? You don’t want to go somewhere with me?” Hyungsik grinned teasingly.

“Not at all,” he muttered, giggling as he felt light kisses spread across his cheeks and neck.

“What a cold husband I have…”

Ryeowook weaved his fingers through Hyungsik’s hair, pulling his face back up. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, gorgeous,” he whispered gently, nuzzling into the slender digits gliding through his locks.

It took a few sleepless nights, but Kyuhyun was determined at that point to finish their story. Maybe he owed it to Ryeowook and what they had had. The more he watched, the more that idea seemed to grow in his mind. How many times had he insulted Ryeowook’s previous relationship?

Kyuhyun clicked on the final chapter of the CD, shifting around in his chair and leaning forward. His heart skipped a beat when he saw a church and then his apparently favorite couple standing outside of it nervously.

They were teasing each other as always, and Kyuhyun managed a smile.

I want to be with you no matter where we are.

You’re the sun, sky, and magic from my childhood.

You’re the little boy with the swing set.

You’re the one who saved me from sorrow.

Without you, I don’t think I would’ve ever seen the good things in me.

Thank you for being the first person to ever accept me for me.

Of all the things Ryeowook said, that was what stuck with Kyuhyun. He paused the video, replaying the words in his head. “You’re the sun, sky, and magic from my childhood…,” he whispered, feeling a tinge of jealousy for the first time. It wasn’t because those things weren’t said to him…it was because he never had someone who meant so much to him.

What did that feel like? To have a bond that powerful…

Kyuhyun pressed play, shaking his head. The camera shifted a little to show Hyungsik.

You’re the one I was destined to be with.

Maybe the heavens thought our love was too perfect,

So they’re sending me back sooner than expected.

That’s the only reason I can think of.

Because you see,

How could two people be more perfect for each other?

The rest of the video continued playing, but Kyuhyun couldn’t make sense of it anymore. He was stuck on those final lines. They were almost too true. How could two people be so perfect for each other? And if they were so perfect for one another, had heaven really deemed it too perfect for earth?

Kyuhyun coughed, biting his lip and trying not to let the wetness from his eyes fall. He knew how the story ended. It wasn’t a happy finish either.

He was angry. Pure, outrageous fury bubbled inside of him. There were a few reasons: one, Hyungsik shouldn’t have died; two, Kyuhyun shouldn’t have fallen in love with Ryeowook; three, it should have been a happy ending.

But that wasn’t how the world worked.

Good people faced tragedy time and time again. It didn’t matter how kind or gentle they were – bad things always chased them and tore them apart.

Kyuhyun smiled bitterly. Did he even have a right to speak to Ryeowook again? If he had had someone like Hyungsik, he couldn’t imagine ever pursuing someone again. How could anyone else ever match that level of dedication and love?

Why had Ryeowook ever agreed to be with Kyuhyun when he had been cherished by someone like Hyungsik?

And so, to arrive at an answer, Kyuhyun pulled out a piece of paper and pen.

Dear Ryeowook,

I don’t know why you would give me this CD. I’m thinking that it was a mistake or something. Either way, I watched the entire thing and I want to apologize.

It may be too late to get you back, but I want to express how sorry I am for treating you and your late husband so ignorantly. When I first learned that you were married before meeting me and that he had died, I couldn’t comprehend why you were still so heartbroken.

In my world, marriage isn’t about love. It’s a contract. I never thought a relationship like yours even existed.

Now I know and I understand why you could never accept me.

But I need to ask you. What made me different? I mean…why did you give me a chance at all? If I was in your position, I wouldn’t have even thought about looking at someone new. Can you just tell me that?

And…about what happened that day before I left…when you told me those things in bed. I wasn’t ignoring you. I just couldn’t believe in you. If I let things continue like that, you and I would’ve went on and on without ever reaching an end and I didn’t want to do that to you.

You know how Hyungsik is the first person to accept you for you?

Well, you’re the first one who accepted me for me, Ryeowook. No matter how crazy or temperamental I got, you would take it all without complaint. I changed after we met.

Kyuhyun hesitated, looking up and around the apartment he was in. The walls were sleek and modern, and the lights were absent in the dark room.

Is there still a possibility of us being together? That’s what I’m wondering right now, because clearly I’m insane. I know what Hyungsik means to you.

But more than that, you’ve also rejected my marriage proposal.

I mean…I should get the message that you’re not interested in me anymore.

Then you go ahead and confess those things to me with that look on your face when I reject you. How is it that when I see you hurt, I can’t do anything anymore? I thought after you hurt me, I would hate you – that no matter what I saw in your eyes, I could dismiss it.

But it’s already been a week or so since that time, and I can’t stop seeing you in my dreams with that agonized expression. I felt the door slam shut and now I’m clawing at it night after night, trying to get back in.

I still love you, Ryeowook.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you now, because I finally get it. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be your Hyungsik, and in a way, I really don’t want to be him. You two were part of a different story.

The Ryeowook I want isn’t the one in those videos. I want the man who bosses me around and keeps my life organized – the man who can cook and clean and dress in the most pleasing manner, the man who made me see that I’m okay as I am. I don’t need to change my personality. This one is just fine, even if only one person thinks so.

But give me your reply, even if that reply is just to tell me that I’m holding my breath for nothing.

Kyuhyun

The letter was dropped into the mail slot the next morning.

A month passed with no reply.

Kyuhyun considered flying back to Korea, but Siwon wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t a matter of wanting to or not. Siwon had authority in their situation. He didn’t have to threaten Kyuhyun. All he had to do was threaten Ryeowook and Kyuhyun would back off immediately.

That’s how it meant for another month, and then another.

By the fourth month, Kyuhyun was on the brink of losing it. Ryeowook wouldn’t just ignore a letter from him. That wasn’t the sort of person he was – no matter how angry.

And so he decided to sneak back to Korea without Siwon finding out. It was the best plan he had. Something had to have happened to Ryeowook if he wasn’t replying.

Kyuhyun barely made it down to the lobby before Siwon was there though.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

He sighed, shrugging his bag higher up his shoulder and pushing past Siwon.

“Answer me,” Siwon snatched his arm, jerking him back.

Kyuhyun stumbled, glaring up at the other male. Yanking away, he said, “I need to go. I don’t ing care what you plan on doing. I need to know what happened to Ryeowook. He never replied to my letter and I’m done playing by your rules.”

“You’re done?” he laughed, looking at Kyuhyun in amusement. “You think it works like that? You lost. You lost everything. Clearly—”

“—clearly,” Kyuhyun cut him off, “I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t need you telling me off. Paris was one ed up mess.” He gritted his teeth, “Maybe I never knew what love was, but I do now. I lost it for a while, but I’m not like you, because I’ve found it again. I still have a chance to make things right.”

Siwon shoved a crumpled envelope at Kyuhyun. “You know what love is?” he whispered, laughing sharply, “don’t even pull that . I didn’t give this to you because I knew you wouldn’t take to it well. If you still wanna go to Korea, go ahead.” Siwon brushed past him, heading out the doors.

Kyuhyun tore the envelope open.

***

“Did everything work out as you hoped, Mr. Choi?”

Siwon nodded a bit, taking a sip of his wine. “Thanks for the help. He’s been difficult ever since arriving in L.A.”

“I only gave you the forger’s number,” he chuckled, “You have a really strange interest in that kid, you know.”

“I’m just tired of seeing people get hurt,” Siwon shrugged.

“How do you figure?”

“He doesn’t get that there is no happy ending for him,” the man responded calmly, “He has this optimistic outlook on the world that makes him blind to the truth of the matter: his future is cold. There have been people over time that think love is the answer to everything, but that’s rarely the case. Someone like Kyuhyun is living a fantasy in his mind – a work of fiction to protect himself from a future he’s scared of.” Siwon pressed the glass of wine back down onto the table. “I’m doing him a favor by speeding up the process. He should pull it together sooner so he won’t have to suffer that sort of heartache, at least then he has a chance at happiness, not love, but at the very least, some sort of personal fulfillment.”

“You seriously think that it’s okay to mess with his life for that reason?” the other figure questioned mildly.

“I’m not doing anything illegal,” he stated, “I’m protecting him. He’ll understand that one day.”

His friend chuckled, leaning back in the chair. “Whatever you say. You’re just like a controlling parent.” Yawning, the man stood up, “I’m gonna use the bathroom. Be right back.”

Siwon frowned, but said nothing. He peered down at his phone, seeing the urgent email icon.

Dear Mr. Choi,

As per requested, all messages to Mr. Cho Kyuhyun are being forwarded to you. Currently Mr. Kim Ryeowook has been hospitalized and in a state of slumber for two days. The hospital reports that he should hopefully awaken soon. Information concerning his mental health is still unclear. We will keep you updated.

He pulled up a reply message.

Thanks. Make sure Kyuhyun doesn’t hear about this.