“Hey…do you an Baekho know each other or something?” Minhyun asked quietly as he shuffled some papers,

“No, why?” Ren shot back, hardly even noticing the easy lie.

“Well, he was kind of pacing before you showed up, looking worried. But when you came through the door he looked incredibly relieved…”
“I don’t know why he would do that,” Ren said, faking the wide eyed look to perfection, and Minhyun shrugged, before moving on to another topic,

“Hey, look, Mira’s got a new crib!” Minhyun said excitedly, fishing out the picture to show him his baby girl, all puffy cheeked and adorable nestled among soft sheets.

“Awww…,” Ren had always loved children, and despite the fact that this baby had been the reason why he and Minhyun weren’t together, she was just too cute. Part of him had always hoped he’d be able to settle down and adopt with someone, and when he had given up on a relationship he had hoped to adopt as a single parent. Only problem was, they didn’t accept single men, and especially not single men with his salary.

“I’m worried though,” Minhyun murmured softly, and Ren perked up at this, and Minhyun continued, “Crystal and I…well…we were fine after the baby came but lately…We don’t see eye to eye on anything. I…don’t know if we’re going to last much longer,” he finished softly, and instead of the sympathy he should have felt for his friend, Ren only felt anger.

“Well you won’t be crashing at my place this time!” he said harshly, “Don’t you dare even begin to think of giving me false hope again. Mira’s cute,” he muttered as he turned, ready to stalk off, and ran directly into Baekho, who must have been standing in the doorway, watching him, “OW!” he yelled, “What the hell is your problem?” he didn’t wait for an answer, shoving past him out the door. Little did he knew Baekho had followed him down the hallway, and he jumped in momentary terror when he heard the words,

“Do you love him?” spoken quietly right behind him. Hand against his pounding chest, as though to check it hadn’t just jumped through his skin, he turned.

“Love who?” He snarled, beyond caring about his attitude. It was his last few days of life, he could spend it however he damn well pleased. 

“Minhyun, that boy back there, with the baby,” Baekho elaborated and Ren deflated suddenly, leaning against the hallway wall as depression washed over him in a wave.

“No. I don’t love him. I thought I could, for awhile, he stayed at my apartment when he separated from his wife at one point,” Ren knew he should stop, Baekho didn’t need to know anything more about him, anything he could use later. But at Baekho’s seemingly expectant gaze Ren continued, “I’d never been so happy in my life during those three days. I thought we had a shot. Then he got back together with his wife – and now he has the audacity to tell me he doesn’t think it’s going to work out after all? I