After weeks of mulling over the issue, Minho had finally figured it out. He couldn’t let things stay the way they were right now. He couldn’t keep on facing the one he loved with silence. He had to tell him how he felt and put a stop to the lie he had been living in for months. He just couldn’t keep on being the doubtful and insecure Minho anymore; it has cost him too much.

The first step to making things right had been taken. He had finally mustered the courage to leave Hee Jin. It hadn’t been easy; on the contrary, it had been extremely painful to watch that beautiful face smeared with tears. An image he still couldn’t get out of his head.

‘I should’ve seen it coming,’ she had said as the first tears fell down her cheeks.

‘I’m so sorry. I really wish things could’ve worked out between us.’

She had just stared at him, anger hovering over her delicate traits. ‘Before I ask you to leave, I just need to know... why?’

Minho had looked down to ground, embarrassed. ‘Remember when I told you that my previous relationship didn’t end well...

‘You’re getting back together with her...’ she concluded.

‘I’m going to try to make things right... with him,’ he corrected.

Her eyes widened and a second later, he was leaving her apartment.

‘Thanks for bringing me here,’ Key said as his hands curled around his hot cup of coffee.

‘I know how much you like this café so I thought it would cheer you up,’ Jonghyun uttered with a smile.

And he was indeed right. Key really appreciated being in such a cozy and warm place; it always made him feel good. And what made the gesture even more significant was that he had only told Jonghyun about it once, but he had still remembered.

Key smiled back. ‘You’re the best best friend anyone could ask for.’

A quick laugh left the older one’s lips. ‘I know.’

Key rolled his eyes and took a sip from his cup. ‘But seriously though, aren’t you tired of me? With all the time we spend together...’

‘I would never get tired of you, Kibum,’ Jonghyun interjected.

Their eyes locked and silence momentarily settled between them.

‘I’m... I’m happy to hear that,’ Key finally replied.

‘And especially now, you need someone by your side and I’m more than happy to be that person,’ the older one intoned seriously.

‘I’m doing fine,’ the brunette objected.

‘I’ve known you for a long time and I know when something’s wrong. You’re not fine; you haven’t been for months now. And pretending that you are doesn’t change the fact that you aren’t.’

That made Key dwell on some thoughts. There was no lying to his best friend. He could always read into him. And as much as he had tried to deny that he wasn’t able to move on, it still hit him every time he found himself alone. It was the most painful thing; wanting something and not being able to achieve it.

He wanted to move on. Never in his life had he had wanted something more. But his feelings for Minho hadn’t faded. He still was harassed with thoughts of him throughout the day and sometimes, even fantasies of them being together made their way through.

The man that had hurt him so much still had a hold on his heart. It angered him and made him feel powerless. He just wanted to be with someone who would love him more than anything and that he would love just the same. And right there in front of him was someone who could make that a reality if he could only move on and make his heart realize the better choice.

‘Kibummie?’ Jonghyun voiced softly.

The younger one lifted his head, realizing his absence.

‘I’m sorry... I was... I...’ He stopped himself, unable to render a coherent reply.

‘You were thinking about Minho, weren’t you?’ the older one guessed.

Key sighed. ‘I was thinking about a lot of things.’

‘Like what?’

‘Like why am I not able to move on after so long,’ the brunette admitted.

It was Jonghyun’s turn to sigh. ‘It’s normal. I mean when you love someone they have such an impact on you.... it’s like... your whole world changes and revolves around them. And even when you realize it’s not the same for them, it’s not like you can just stop thinking about them. That love has taken over you, whether you like it or not.’

A pang of guilt ran through Key’s body. He knew Jonghyun was referring to him. And he couldn’t help but think how painful it must be for him to just linger around as a friend when he’d obviously like so much more.

‘I wish we could choose who we fell in love with,’ Key observed.

Minho couldn’t stop pacing back and forth which was driving his roommate a little crazy.

‘Seriously calm down,’ Onew ordered with exasperation.

The younger one stopped dead in his tracks. ‘I can’t calm down. You know I’m not good at expressing my feelings and I can’t screw up this time or I won’t get another chance.’

‘Look if you want to make things right, you need to keep in mind that it won’t happen today. You’ve hurt him beyond words and he is trying to heal from that. So telling him how you feel after so long probably won’t make him want to jump into your arms,’ the blonde exposed.

Minho stared at him, a little shocked. It was never easy to be told things so frankly. Especially when guilt was eating him up. He knew how bad he had screwed up and how messed up Key had become after the breakup. That’s why he dreaded the response he’d get when he would try to apologize. No apologies could make up for what he did. The damage was done and couldn’t be erased. The only thing that could be done now was to accept to get past it and start anew.

‘I just want him to know that I love him,’ he said as he finally let himself drop on his bed.

‘But you need to show him too. He needs to know that you won’t abandon him like you did the first time,’ Onew pointed out.

‘How?’ Minho asked instantly.

‘Just be there. No matter what. Even if he tries to push you away, don’t give up. That’s what love is about, never giving up even when things are hard, because you can’t imagine your life without that person.’

That resonated with him. ‘I need him,’ he uttered with a voice filled with emotion.

The sound of the front door opening had them both turning their gaze towards the hallway.

‘I guess this is your time,’ Onew said.

‘It could be Taemin...’ His heart was racing as part of him wished he was right and the other part wished he wasn’t.

‘I’m pretty sure it’s Kibum and Jonghyun.’

And the older one’s presumption turned out to be right as they heard their voices.

‘I guess it’s my time,’ Minho finally echoed as he got up.

‘Don’t think too much, just tell him how you feel,’ Onew advised before giving him an encouraging smile.

Key slowly closed the door behind them, confusion splattered on his face. He watched as the other one rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. Clearly, something was troubling him. But he wasn’t going to inquire; he was going to wait until Minho explained why he had asked to talk to him in private.

After a few seconds, his waiting came to an end as Minho said, ‘I ended things with that girl I was seeing.’

Key crossed his arms, trying to keep a composed demeanour even though that information had his heart beating like crazy. ‘So?’ he uttered with indifference.

‘I did it because I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. It wasn’t right for me to pretend like everything was okay when they weren’t. I was stupid for leaving you, Kibum. I let futile matters get the best of me, but now it’s over. I don’t care anymore. All I care about is making things right with you.’

‘I love you,’ he added as he caught a glimpse of surprise on the other one’s face.

He waited, but the only answer he got was silence. So he allowed himself to step closer, aching for closeness. He stopped right in front of him, their chests almost brushing.

‘I love you,’ he repeated gently as a certain confidence diluted his nervousness.

He brought his hand up to the smaller one’s cheek, relishing in the softness of his skin. He was surprised Key didn’t stop him.

And his surprise became even bigger when soft lips collided with his. He gave into it, only now realizing how much he had missed it. His body heated up as his tongue rediscovered the other one’s mouth and his arms wrapped around his tiny waist. A loud moan resonating through the kiss only fuelled his desire for him. He could feel himself losing it. He wanted more. His right hand found its way at the front of the other one’s pants. Wasting no time, he started ping them, but his action was brought to a halt as his hand was suddenly slapped away.

And then he was facing Key’s back. The latter had turned around, unable to look at him.

‘You need to get out,’ he rasped.

Minho was taken aback. ‘No,’ he brought himself to say.

Key turned back to look him in the eye. His were full of anger. ‘Why do you keep torturing me?’ he breathed.

Minho bit down on his lip, words failing him.

‘Why do you keep torturing me?’ he then yelled.

‘I’m trying to make things right,’ Minho reminded.

A sudden laugh shook the older one’s throat. ‘Make things right? You can’t make them right, Minho. You had your chance and you blew it. I still have some pride, you know? I won’t let you ruin me another time,’ he fumed.

‘I won’t make the same mistake twice.’

 Minho took a step closer.

‘Don’t,’ Key warned.

The younger one stayed still. ‘I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I won’t give up. There is still that spark between us, we both felt it just now. We both can’t deny that.’

‘That doesn’t mean we should get back together.’

That rendered Minho speechless for a moment.

‘You still love me, don’t you?’ he finally asked.

‘I do love you, but one day I won’t anymore. I will get over you,’ Key stated.

Minho just stared at him, hurt crawling up inside him.