The June sun beat down on the windows. Air conditioning streamed through the vents, keeping the high-end restaurant chilled. Almost a month had passed since his last attempt to fly back to Korea. In just a few weeks he would be making his way back to the homeland anyway.

His eyes flitted up to his date. She was supposed to be his new fiancée. Shaking his head, he averted his eyes before she could catch him looking.

Kyuhyun sat quietly in the restaurant. The woman sitting across from him chattered on incessantly about something or other. She was fairly attractive, though not nearly enough. Her hands moved frantically as she described something that was apparently interesting.

Don’t contact me anymore.

He flinched, curling his fingers into the fabric of his napkin.

I don’t want to deal with you.

The letter was tucked into the inner pocket of his blazer. He could still feel the frayed edges and fold lines from where he had read and reread and creased it over the course of a month.

There wasn’t much written. It was just a few sentences, all short and precise and very unlike Ryeowook. But then again, maybe it was like Ryeowook. Kyuhyun didn’t want to think he knew the male anymore. It seemed too arrogant and naïve of him to imagine that he could tell Ryeowook’s emotions and thoughts better than anyone else.

“Are you paying attention?” the woman snapped.

Kyuhyun’s eyes flitted up. “What?”

“I was talking about meeting your parents properly when we fly back to Korea,” she frowned, “It is only proper for them to meet their future daughter-in-law.”

“Yeah, whatever,” he dismissed, turning away again.

The woman, Tiffany as she liked to be called, kicked him underneath the table. Kyuhyun shot her a cold glare. She wasn’t backing down either though, sneering at him. “I never thought Cho Kyuhyun would be such a stupid man. Aren’t you interested in me at all? Or maybe you’re more interested in gays?”

“Not really,” he said casually, “but if I’m going to marry you, I’m probably going to go full-out homo in the process.”

Her face flushed bright red.

He smirked a little. “Who knows? I might not even want to marry you.”

“It’s not your decision,” Tiffany retorted, trying to recover her composure, “Siwon already said—”

“—oh Siwon,” Kyuhyun growled, watching her back up reflexively, “I don’t care anymore. I just don’t ing care. I’m tired of this cold war.” He felt the letter burning in his pocket. “What does he matter? I played his game and do you know what happened?” He laughed harshly, “I gambled away everything. I lost my chance to be with the one I love. I lost my freedom. I lost the ability to breathe without fear. Just .”

Kyuhyun shook his head, standing up and taking the worn letter out. He tore it apart, looking ready to spit on the wide-eyed, terrified woman. Scoffing, he shoved his hands into pockets. “Go find another tool, . I’m going back to Korea alone.”

He stepped out of the restaurant, walking towards his car. There were two bodyguards waiting for him, neither looking prepared to let him take another step. Kyuhyun raked fingers through his hair, pissed and tired. “Really?”

“Mr. Choi has strict orders—”

“—he always does,” Kyuhyun bit out. He turned around, hailing a cab by the curb. One the guards grabbed his arm and Kyuhyun swung around, punching him square in the jaw. Surprised, the man staggered back. “Touch me again and I’ll tear your off and shove it down your throat,” Kyuhyun growled, low and cold.

Climbing into the cab, he slammed the door shut and told the driver to take him to the airport.

“Well whoopty-ing-doo, look what the bat crazy lady brought out,” Kyuhyun leaned back against the counter as the worker finalized his plane ticket to Korea.

Siwon stood over him, eyes coal black and dangerous. “Are you out of your mind?” he asked tightly.

“A little,” he shrugged, eyes hidden behind sunglasses. Kyuhyun smirked lazily, white teeth catching the light of the airport, “I had to drink a few glasses of wine to get through lunch with that .”

“What is wrong with you?” Siwon bit out in disgust. He grabbed Kyuhyun’s wrist, managing to jerk him forward only a step before the male was furiously ripping away.

“I don’t need you to protect me, Siwon.” Kyuhyun lowered the sunglasses, staring at his old friend a mentor steadily. “I’ve spent half a year regretting every single day I didn’t spend trying to get back the only person who has ever wanted me.”

“Kyuhyun,” he sighed as if speaking to a child, “There are plenty of people out there that want you. Those people have stronger futures—”

“—I used to admire the way you broke away from cookie cutter rich kid stuff,” he interrupted, “I really did. I couldn’t imagine having learned so much about the world without you. But now, when I look at you, I realize that you were never a rebel. You’re just another screwed up, locked up, waste of breath.” Kyuhyun had something almost akin to pity in his eyes. “You’re everything you always taught me not to be – a follower, a corrupt loser, a heartless bastard.”

He shook his head, grabbing the ticket the worker offered him. “Siwon,” Kyuhyun began softer this time, “you think you’re just playing your old games, but you’re not anymore. You’re playing their game. You fell right into that trap and now you can’t even see the way out.” He waved the boarding paper, lips pressed into a grim line. “But I have a chance. Thanks for taking me in when I was a mess in Paris. You gave me a chance to finish what I left behind.” Kyuhyun turned away, heading off to security quietly.

On the inside though, he couldn’t calm the beating of his heart.

He had no idea what Siwon would do to him now, but it was already too late to take everything back. If the man decided to destroy his career, Kyuhyun wondered what he would do. It would take forever to pull himself back together, but it would probably work out.

Life had its ups and downs after all. At some point he had to rise back up, even if the end had come. That just meant it was time to open a new door.

Some fifteen minutes later, he was heading towards the boarding gate. Kyuhyun found a line already formed and he quickly joined it. The ticket had been last minute and for the earliest flight back.

He checked his Passport, wallet, keys, ticket, and phone, pausing when he felt the device vibrating. Pulling it out, he saw an email.

Kyuhyun looked around, confused as he read the sender address and then the short sentence.

Fr: Siwon

To: Kyuhyun

Subj: End Game

I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

There was a document attached and he pulled it open, lips pressed softly together as he waited for it to download.

Kyuhyun passed his boarding pass the attendant absently. Slowly, he made his way towards the plane, reading the short, concise reports in the document.

[Official Report for June – Kim Ryeowook]

[June 2] Kim Ryeowook was found unconscious in his apartment. Several open and spilled bottles of painkillers were in the bathroom and hallway. A closet was barricaded. The walls of his bedroom were drawn on with pen. The kitchen appeared to be the only clean thing inside the apartment.

[June 2 - Extended] Closer investigation shows the wall drawings pertain to Mr. Cho Kyuhyun. The phrases and words are intimate and therefore not easily interpreted.

[June 3] Shim Changmin and Victoria Song called the office to explain the situation. They found Kim Ryeowook passed out on the floor on June 2 in front of the bathroom. Shortly after, they called an ambulance. Kim Ryeowook is currently resting in the hospital. Shim Changmin requests for Kim Ryeowook’s temporary leave of absence for severe illness.

[June 4] The request for Kim Ryeowook’s leave of absence has been processed and approved for four months. The hospital issued an official report on his condition. Kim Ryeowook suffered a mild concussion, most likely causing his fainting. He has been extremely malnourished and has had insomnia for some months. He still has not woken up.

[June 5] Shim Changmin has begun cleaning and repairing Kim Ryeowook’s apartment. The estimated amount of time for cleaning is a week. Shim Changmin contacted several psychiatrists, and has also called his landlord to add Kim Ryeowook to the tenant listing. He has not woken up.

[June 6] Kim Ryeowook has awakened.

[June 7] Kim Ryeowook was allowed to leave. He will be staying with Shim Changmin and getting at home help from a world-renowned mental health specialist.

**June 8 – June 12: Nothing to Report**

[June 13] Kim Ryeowook left Shim Changmin’s apartment for the first time since arriving six days earlier. He took a short walk with Victoria Song and then returned.

**June 14 – June 16: Nothing to Report**

[June 17] Shim Changmin took Kim Ryeowook to a personal trainer at the nearby fitness center. Kim Ryeowook has begun doing low weight arm curls with dumbbells.

[June 18] The doctor said Kim Ryeowook is doing well in therapy. He is expressing himself clearly and sincerely wants help with his problem.

**June 19: Nothing to Report**

[June 20] Kim Ryeowook called his parents to tell them about his recent mishaps and that he would be coming to visit them first thing July.

**June 21: Nothing to Report**

[June 22] Shim Changmin sat out on the balcony with Kim Ryeowook. They fell asleep early in the afternoon. Shim Changmin awoke first and kissed Kim Ryeowook’s hair, carrying him inside.

[June 23] Kim Ryeowook spent the day in the city shopping with Victoria Song. They looked at clothing, accessories, furniture and stopped at a café for lunch. Kim Ryeowook has gained some weight.

[June 24] Kim Ryeowook bought a train ticket back to his hometown for a visit. Mr. and Mrs. Kim called him earlier to come and tell him about his hospital stay and current health. He departs tomorrow morning for an estimated one week.

[June 25] Kim Ryeowook arrived in the late afternoon on the 24^th and has spent the day of the 25^th with his parents in town running errands and visiting old friends.

**PROJECT TERMINATION AT 3:06 P.M. ON JUNE 26TH BY MR. CHOI SIWON**