I'll take your bad days with your good, walk through the storm, I would, I do it all because I love you

Today was Yunho's off day, and he wanted to do something special. But first, he had to wake up. It was already 11am, and the bed clothes had not budged in the slightest. Only when his mobile phone chimed a notif did he get up, hair sticking this way and that due to him washing his hair the night before. Rubbing his eyes with one hand, he swiped down to see the info, and his heart twinged with sadness. Today was his and Sangie's first year anniversary, but Sangie wasn't even here to celebrate it. Flinging his phone atop the covers, he lay back down, heart racing with the number of things he could have done with Yeosang today. They could have had a meal together, they could have watched a movie together, they could have gone for a walk together... He had wanted to do all those things today, packing the itinerary full of the joyous moments they had shared. So many could haves, instantly spoiled by the absence of one person.

They could do it all tomorrow, but what's the significance of one year if you're going to celebrate one year plus one day? It loses its purpose. Today would have been a great day, but instead, he's just going to slouch on the bed, mope around the house, maybe binge eat some ice cream because why not. He was feeling lonely after all. His phone started buzzing once again, its vibration condensed and muffled due to the covers being slightly bunched around it. Without looking over, Yunho stretched out his fingers and picked it up, dropping it once on the way. It was a text from Jisung. "Hey Yun. Minho and I are gonna go out tonight. Just a friendly drink and all. Care to join us?" If Yeosang were here, he would have responded with an immediate yes. However, this time he was alone. Not wanting to seem like a third wheel, he decided to decline the invitation.

"Sorry, I have plans tonight. Hope y'all have a good time though." In reality, he was probably going to spend the rest of the day in bed, but who had to know that? And they'd have a better without him, sincerely.

The phone buzzed again, this time on his chest where he had casually left it. "No problem, I'll see you Monday. 😊" How could Jisung stay so happy everyday, he wondered. If it were him, could he stand putting on that masquerade every single day? Clearly it didn't even twitch his conscience if he could do that for the last six years. Maybe today will be that day, the day that he ends it all...

As if it could read his thoughts, his phone buzzed again, interrupting his self-dismissal.

"Hi Yunho, this is Dino. I got your number from the registration book. Yeah, I know, I shouldn't be snooping like that sorry. Anyway, just wanted to ask if you were free cause I'm heading out for lunch soon and I don't wanna look like a total loner otherwise Mingyu hyung won't come to chat. Please?"

That's a good distraction from his own mind if he'd heard of one, Yunho thought. "But then won't Mingyu hyung think we're on a date? 😉" "I hope not, he knows Vernon owns my heart. Though he still hasn't answered me yet. Maybe I just suck at this." Ouch, the hidden roast plus self-burn in that statement.

"Sure, I'll be there. Also, I'm sure Vernon will respond soon. Be patient, my young padawan."

"Good good and oi, I'm no padawan. See you later, Yun."

Yunho dumped his phone to the mattress once again, this time actually getting up and moving. Changing himself didn't necessarily end with him, but it definitely started with him. Maybe today would be a great day to start that small change. And for a start, he could begin by interacting with more people.

A few moments later, he found himself completely dressed, although still head to toe in black as though he wanted to blend in with shadows, but hey, you can't change a full wardrobe in a day. He left the apartment, and in less than half an hour found himself walking up to the café. As he was about to enter, a voice called his name. "Hi Yun!" It was Dino.

"Sorry if I bothered you."

"Oh, its no issue. I don't have much to do anyway."

They enter the café, filing in one behind the other. "Ah hyungs you're here again."

As per usual, it was Hyunjin behind the register.

"Same as yesterday for you both?"

"Actually, can I have what I had the day before?"

"Wow, you really like making things difficult for me, huh."

Dino smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Jinnie."

"Nah, it's fine. You know I wouldn't have it any other way. How about you Yunho hyung? Same as yesterday?"

"You know what, maybe I'll just have a mocha ice blend today."

"You got it, I'll send you guys your stuff soon."

They plonked themselves at the same table as yesterday, wordlessly staring at the wood before beginning to speak. "So, how was the lesson today?" "It was pretty good, actually. At least, they cooperated. It ticks me off when they don't listen. Like, why come for lessons if you don't want to learn?" Yunho couldn't help but agree.

Their conversation continued until their food and drink arrived, where they both became quiet as they tucked in. When they'd almost finished, Yunho spoke up once again. "So anyway, how do you know Vernon?"

At the mention of the other's name, Dino's eyes lit up, you could almost see light bulbs in them. "He's been my friend since childhood. Hansol's a true sweetheart, and he's really handsome too. I only found out I harboured feelings toward him recently, though. I told him how I felt over text, which probably isn't the best way, but I got scared. Like what if he rejects me straight off? Fucking hell, maybe I shouldn't have even told, I don't want to ruin our friendship just because I like him."

"Is he part American or something?"

"Yeah, he's half Korean half American."

"Have you got a pic of him?"

"Of course I do!," But he clarified immediately, "I'm not a crazy stalker, okay? I have pictures WITH him, not of him." Dino scrolled through his gallery, and found one from a month back. "We haven't met up recently."

"Did he recently change his hair colour, by the way?"

"How do you know so much? Have you seen him around?"

"He's literally right over there." Yunho nodded towards the other end of the café. His hyung swung around in his seat, glancing across the room. Sure enough, seated in one of those cozy arm chairs in front of the large café window was the exact same man in Dino's picture. Dressed in a simple shirt, jeans and overcoat, the guy was the perfect example of true boyfriend material.

Dino adverted his gaze instantly as he caught sight and swung back to face Yunho in alarm. "Oh holy fuck, what do I do, Yun? I can't even look him in the eye without breaking it instantly, especially since he hasn't responded yet. Literally, I don't know what to do.."

"Well, there's nothing quite like facing your fears head on. For all you know, the outcome might turn out better than you expect. We often create the worst-case scenario in our minds as a buffer so we don't fall too hard, but in reality, it comes to remind us in the future too. Bad or good. If it's good, you remember it as a moment that you'll treasure. If it's bad, you treat it as a learning experience. No point dragging later what you're gonna do eventually. There's no time like the present, they say. Just do it!"

Still nervous, Dino finishes his drink in a single gulp.

"I'm here for you, Chan hyung, and I'm right behind you on this. How about you just ask if you can sit and chat? After all, you guys are still friends, and it can't hurt to catch up."

"You're right, you're right. I'm worrying over nothing." Dino takes a deep breath. "Right."

He walked over to Vernon and tapped him on the shoulder, and not before long, they seemed raptured in conversation. They looked so happy together, and Yunho couldn't help but think that if Yeosang were here today, that's how they'd be too. Taking his mind off his misfortune, Yunho took out his phone and preoccupied himself with reading an e-book he had bought yesterday. After all, he had plenty of time to kill.

When he looked up again, the sky had gradually darkened into a dull grey, the tell tale sign that it was going to rain again. The duo were still seated at their small table cross the room, keeping up their chatter. Just then, Yunho's phone pinged with a text message, and he swiped it open. It was Jisung, and he seemed to be the bearer of bad news.

"Yunho. I don't know how to say this. You gotta come see for yourself. I'm really sorry. Lovers' Infatuation bar. -Minho"

He shoved his phone in his pocket and ran, not caring if Dino saw him or not. If even Minho could feel sorry for him, then something was definitely up.

.

.

Yunho reached the bar before the rain started, and quickly located the couple, who were in very different states of tipsiness. Jisung was out for the count, laying with his head in Minho's lap sound asleep. Or maybe he'd just fainted.

"Oh, Yunho, I'm so, so sorry... They went to one of the private rooms upstairs." "Who?" "This rich looking girl, and, and Yeosang." He choked the last word out unwillingly. Physically, Yunho felt his heart plummet all the way to his feet. "N-no, no, you must be lying, Yeosang's overseas. He can't be here."

"Sungie and I both saw him, I'm not entirely sure, it did look a lot like him; but I thought you should know."

At that, Yunho made a beeline for the staircase, shoving past random people, earning the occasional glare. He didn't give a shit about them. If what Minho said was true, then his love life was well and truly broken. Halfway up the stairs, his worst fear was already confirmed. The deep laugh coming from the closest room sounded eerily similar to Yeosang's. That laugh had brought him such happiness and warmth, but now it only gave him pure sadness, hatred and bitter anger.

Vaguely, he flashed back to a few hours ago, when he had told Dino about facing fears. He hadn't realised it would apply to him too. The adrenaline rush from the anger boosted his courage and he stomped up the stairs before slamming the door open. He didn't even need to look twice to know that the guy seated on the couch with an unknown female was HIS Yeosang.

The girl glared at the unwelcome intruder. "Who the fuck are you? Get out of my private room!"

"Who the fuck are you?! Why are you with Yeosang?!" a dangerous tone had entered his voice.

"He's my boyfriend," the girl purred, dragging one jet red manicured nail down Yeosang's neck and across his chest, gazing at him with an aura of possession. "We've been together for 3 months."

"You cheated on me for 3 months?! For 3 whole fucking months?!" He blew the full force of his rage at Yeosang. "You cheated on me for 3 months with this bitch?! We've been together for a whole year Yeosang, and you dare pull this sh-"

"Wait, you said you didn't have anyone else, and that you weren't gay. You lied to me too?!" The girl had stood up, her face flushed with anger. "That's it, we're breaking up, Yeo. I can't stand liars." She stalked out from the room, her faithful bodyguard, who had been standing in the far corner of the room, following after her.

"Jennie, wait, I can explain..." Too late, she had already gone. Now, he turned toward Yunho, with the angriest look Yunho had ever seen in the whole year they had been together: one of extreme hatred. "You really had to ruin things, didn't you Yunho. Did it get so tiring living your quaint, everyday life?"

Yunho mentally felt himself explode. "I ruined things?! You should go fucking look at yourself, Yeosang, cause you're the one who ruined everything. What kind of bitchass move was that, cheating on me. You're the one who should get a life. We're over, Yeosang."

He turned and left, but immediately froze when he heard what the other said.

"No wonder those guys killed off your dog, your lives aren't worth that much anyway."

Yunho whipped around, tears of anger filling his eyes instantly. "What did you say?"

There was a look of complete indifference on Yeosang's face as he stood there picking his nails. "I said that it wasn't a surprise that those guys killed off your dog-" His sentence didn't even finish before Yunho slapped him, the sound echoing through the small room, leaving a red imprint on Yeosang's cheek.

The other looked at him in shock, disbelief that his usually calm ex-boyfriend would do something like that. Unable to control his voice, Yunho choked out his final words. "I should have never trusted you."

He bolted from the room, not caring that tears were rapidly flowing down his cheeks, nor that the rain was pouring down in buckets as he left the bar. He didn't care where he went, as long as he was as far from Yeosang as he could be. Eventually, he made it to the park, where he threw himself on a bench and let his emotions free, crying his heart out.

A few minutes later, he felt a tap on his shoulder, and looked up through cloudy eyes to see a familiar face.

"Yunho, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

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Thank U for being on my side everyone
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