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The path had never changed since the last time Seungcheol walked through it. The wildflowers were still there, growing faster than ever, blooming in even greater numbers now. Come to think of it, he used to pick those flowers all the time, tying them into messy bouquets before giving them to the one and only love of his life.
The one who had always remained in his heart, in his pulse, in every breath he inhaled.
That had never changed.
Perhaps that was why he unconsciously found himself walking down this path again, even though they were no longer... together.
His eyes glistened when he looked at the house, still exactly the same as he remembered. Jihoon never changed. And the fact that he still took care of the flowers Seungcheol once gave him made him want to cry right then and there.
Minutes passed, and Seungcheol could feel his body trembling more with each step. He didn’t know what caused it; maybe the cold night air, or maybe because his time was nearly over.
So, with whatever strength he had left, he opened the gate and knocked on the door.
Hurried footsteps echoed from inside, and Seungcheol smiled.
I really missed that sound.
Jihoon froze the moment he opened the door and found Seungcheol standing there. But the shock quickly turned into horror when he realized Seungcheol was a mess—his clothes soaked with blood, the metallic scent clinging heavily to him.
“What are you—”
Jihoon couldn’t finish his sentence because Seungcheol suddenly pulled him into a hug. He buried his face into Jihoon’s neck, breathing him in like someone afraid of forgetting.
After a long moment, Seungcheol pulled away just enough to look at him. His trembling hand cupped Jihoon’s face with so much tenderness it hurt.
“I’ve always loved you.”
Seungcheol’s breathing grew weaker in Jihoon’s arms.
At some point, Jihoon had stopped trying to ask questions. The towels he pressed against Seungcheol’s wound were already soaked through, stained red no matter how hard he tried. His hands trembled violently, but he refused to let go.
“Stay awake,” Jihoon whispered, voice cracking. “Cheol, look at me.”
Seungcheol did.
Even now, with blood on his lips and exhaustion weighing down his eyes, he still looked at Jihoon like he was the most beautiful thing he had ever known.
It made Jihoon hate him a little.
Because how dare he come back like this?
How dare he disappear from Jihoon’s life only to return at the edge of death, looking at him so lovingly as if he had never left at all?
“You’re unbelievable,” Jihoon choked out, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. “You always do whatever you want.”
A weak laugh escaped Seungcheol.
For a brief moment, it almost felt like old times again.
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Jihoon could hear the grandfather clock ticking from across the room. The rain outside had started pouring harder now, tapping softly against the windows. Somewhere near the doorway, the flowers swayed gently from the cold wind that slipped through the still-open door.
The flowers Seungcheol used to bring him.
The flowers Jihoon could never throw away.
Seungcheol’s fingers twitched weakly against Jihoon’s wrist before slowly losing strength.
“Jihoon…”
“I’m here.”
His response came out too quickly, too desperately.
Seungcheol smiled faintly at that.
Then, quietly-almost too quietly-his body finally relaxed against Jihoon’s embrace.
Jihoon froze.
“…Cheol?”
No answer.
His trembling hands cupped Seungcheol’s face, as if warmth alone could bring him back.
“Seungcheol.”
Nothing.
And somehow, that silence hurt more than anything else.
Jihoon lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Seungcheol’s as sobs wrecked through his chest. Years apart, years of longing, years of loving him in silence; none of it had ever truly disappeared.
Outside, the wildflowers continued to bloom beneath the night sky.
Just like they always had.
Jihoon shut his eyes tightly and held Seungcheol closer.
“I’ve never changed,” he whispered brokenly
"Not even a bit."
Jihoon woke up at the sound of a car door clicking shut outside.
He blinked slowly, chest aching for reasons he couldn’t understand. His breathing felt uneven as he looked around the dim living room in confusion.
Then he saw Seungcheol.
Standing near the doorway, casually changing his shoes into sandals before dropping his keys into the small bowl by the cabinet like he always did.
Jihoon’s eyes widened.
Without thinking, he rushed toward him and wrapped his arms tightly around Seungcheol’s body.
Seungcheol let out a surprised noise, nearly stumbling back before softly patting his husband’s back.
“Hey,” he laughed quietly. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Jihoon only held him tighter, burying his face into Seungcheol’s neck as if letting go would make him disappear.
“I love you.”
Seungcheol pulled back slightly, clearly caught off guard, before warmth spread across his face.
A soft chuckle escaped him as he pressed a kiss against Jihoon’s hair.
“I love you more, Jihoonie.”