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Note: This might not be the ending y'all expected but yeah. I'm really sorry if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Seonghwa sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the sheets nervously. He could still hear his heartbeats clearly and feel all of his skin heating up, lips parched, throat dry and mind blank. The door of the room closed with a light sound, which made Seonghwa yelp a bit as his sudden train of thoughts was interfered. He looked up only to see Hongjoong standing in that room, a good few paces away from him. Seonghwa didn't know what the man would say to him. He knew very well, what he did was very wrong. Yet he didn't stop himself. Now seeing Hongjoong in front of him, he couldn't imagine what he was thinking and was still not very ready for the aftermath.

Hongjoong's face didn't hold any valid emotions. It looked empty. His head was hung low, eyes casted at his feet, hands deep into his trouser pockets, appearing to be in a deep thought. He pulled out a chair from the nearest study and sat on it. The distance between the two boys was almost inconvenient for a talk, but neither budged.

There was a prolonged silence. Neither knew who should start first. Even after stealing a couple of glances at each other, it was hard to know who should begin. Sweat popped out on Seonghwa's face, and beads of perspiration had already trailed their way down his temples, neck and drenched parts of his attire. He was feeling uncomfortable. He wanted to leave. He was planning to do so. Yet now, he knew, he couldn't. As for Hongjoong, the man was still lost in a daze.

"I...uh..." Hongjoong faltered, still not being able to choose the right words yet wanting to start the conversation and end it as soon as possible.

"I'm sorry," Seonghwa spoke in a whisper, "I-I didn't mean too..."

Hongjoong remained silent. He didn't know how to reply to this. He wasn't angry. He was just lost in a sea of mixed emotions and was still feeling a little uncomfortable about someone discovering his secrets and that 'someone' being Seonghwa made him feel even more agitated.

"D-Did you...Did you hear everything?" Hongjoong asked, not clearly looking at Seonghwa. He didn't know if his question was really appropriate, but he already blurted it out. For a few minutes, he waited in the silence only to get no reply from the other side. When he raised his head, he saw the other lad nodding his head in silence, indicating a yes.

"Was it...Was it all t-true?" There was a clear evidence of hesitance in Seonghwa's voice. Hongjoong casted his eyes down once again and bit his lips, his fingers continuously fidgeting with the edge of his tshirt. He didn't know what to say.

"Y-Yeah..." He finally said, closing his eyes, followed by a sigh.

"I...Why-Why didn't you ever tell me about it b-before?" Seonghwa asked, looking at Hongjoong. This time, there was desperation. The strain in his voice made Hongjoong open his eyes and look at the bed, only to see Seonghwa gazing back at him with a clear eye contact.

"I tried to," he breathed, looking away from Seonghwa, lest that face brings back memories and makes him teary, "I-I tried to, Hwa. Everyday at school, I died to talk to you, explain it all and get things right. You- You were the one who didn't want to listen. You were the one who ran away and never came to me. Y-You were the one who chose to break up without any clear communication, Hwa."

Seonghwa turned his gaze away. He couldn't blame Hongjoong. It was all true. He still remembered how persistent Hongjoong was to talk to him and make it okay. Yet he was the one to push him away. Hongjoong ran around him like a dog, begging him to hear him out, yet Seonghwa chose to shoo him away and demand a breakup. Whatever his eyes saw made Seonghwa loose all his trust on him and he was simply reluctant to believe that Hongjoong was innocent. Yet after listening to his ex lover talk about his woes to a complete stranger to Seonghwa, something in him changed and the bitter taste of regret was slowly hitting him.

"That girl came to the cáfe without my knowledge," Seonghwa was surprised as Hongjoong said 'that girl' instead of 'my fiancee', "I didn't know when or why she arrived, but before I could actually tell her to go away, she somehow managed to kiss me and...you saw it."

Hongjoong took a long breath and heaved it out through his mouth, his eyes fixated at his feet, still not being able to meet Seonghwa's gaze.

"Isn't she your...fiancee?" He heard Seonghwa question.

"She is," Hongjoong replied, "But never did I once like her. Forget about love."

"Th-Then what about the ring?" Seonghwa asked, eyes staring at Hongjoong's finger when the hoop of metal rested.

"My family..." Hongjoong said, "They- They want me to get married to her..."

"But you don't like her!" Seonghwa cried, his voice raised without a warning, expressions looking revolting. Upon realising it, he quickly changed his expressions and looked down.

"My wishes don't work in my family, Hwa," explained Hongjoong, eyes looking at the boy in sadness, "I'm a puppet to them. And this is something I can't break through. I have to go according to their orders to make my survival possible and...and there's no way out of this."

"B-But then..." Seonghwa wondered for a while, "You...You would have married her even if we were in a relationship, right? According to your family's norms, you would eventually have to break up with me even if all this didn't happen, right?"

"I..." Hongjoong was at a loss for words. Seonghwa's point was strong and so very true and Hongjoong had no words to argue back or give a stable reply. Feeling defeated, he just nodded his head.

"Then why...Why did you even begin a relationship with me?" asked Seonghwa, looking up at Hongjoong.

"I...I..." Hongjoong couldn't form the words in his mind. He felt too lost at that moment.

"You knew...You knew you would break up with me then why date me in the first place?" Seonghwa raised his voice and even though it was loud, Hongjoong could hear it cracking. He looked at him and even from the distance, he could clearly see his lips quivering and eyes glistening in the light. Hongjoong's chest contorted in pain at the sight and he kept quiet.

"You-You were the one to approach me first," Seonghwa continued, tears now flowing down his eyes and he knew he wouldn't be able to stop them so he didn't try to, "Y-You asked me to be your boyfriend, Joong. You-You asked me to be with you, by you, for you and I agreed. I fucking agreed to it not knowing that you would eventually leave me. You asked me to b-be your forever FOR WHAT?!? F-FOR WHAT JOONG F-FOR WHAT?" Seonghwa's voice lowered once again, turning to an almost inaudible whisper now, "Why did you do it Joong? Wh-Why? I never...I n-never-"

"Because I fell in love with you," Hongjoong cried, the loudness of his voice suppressing Seonghwa's and making the latter go mute. Hongjoong had already seen Seonghwa's tears and had no intention of making him weep even more. He tried to calm himself down first, clutching his trousers and closing his eyes, even though the tendrils of pain were already coiling around his throat. After a few deep breaths, he started speaking again.

"I-I had never fallen in love before I met you," he said in a gentle tone, "You were like an escape to me, an escape from my world of darkness. It-It was as if you painted my life with colors, the one which had always been stuck in black and white. I fell for you Hwa and it was never a lie. My l-love for you was never a lie. But everything is against us Hwa, everything. Even our fates! It-It's like...we-we...we weren't m-meant for each other."

The last sentence felt like a knife through Seonghwa's heart, a sharp chiselled pain striking deep into him. Tears pricked his eyes, as more started rolling down his cheeks. He had already pulled his knees to his chest and had his arms around them. Seonghwa felt helpless, and a sudden surge of extreme loneliness hitting him. Everyone had left him. Everyone. Even Hongjoong.

"I'm sorry Hwa. I'm sorry..." Seonghwa heard Hongjoong's voice crack and he could say, the other man was already in tears. A prolonged silence followed and the sound audible were the sobs from each of them.

"J-Joong?"

Hongjoong looked up at the boy on the bed. He hastily wiped his tears with hands and looked at Seonghwa.

"W-Would your family a-allow you to date me i-if i were a...g-girl?" Seonghwa managed to say between his sobs and hiccups.

"No," came the instant reply, "They wouldn't."

Something about that quick reply broke Seonghwa even more from within. Another silence followed. Seonghwa kept on biting on his lips, desperately trying to stop his sobs from being audible, his fingers clutching to the cloth of his trousers, squeezing them. A sudden shuffle made him look and through his blurred vision, he saw Hongjoong getting up from the chair.

"I..." The word slipped off his tongue, making Hongjoong look at him. Seonghwa didn't know exactly what to say, but there was something he did want to say to the man, regardless of what the consequences would be. "I-I'm sorry. I-I'm s-sorry for misunderstanding you and cr-creating this mess. I-If your family wasn't like this, m-maybe we could go back the w-way we were..."

Hongjoong's mouth fell open at the confession. He had never expected Seonghwa to forgive him, but here he was, looking at him all teary and listening to his words. Hongjoong felt awful.

"I-I'm sorry Hwa. I-"

Suddenly he noticed something.

"Where are all your stuff?" He questioned, looking around and seeing none of the boy's belongings around.

"I-I...I was thinking of leaving right now," Seonghwa replied in a low voice between sniffs, "I p-packed it all up."

"D-Don't," Hongjoong said quickly, "Th-The doctor will come for another check up tomorrow. Stay till then, pl-please."

Seonghwa didn't know how to give his words a proper reply. He thought for a while. Perhaps, staying back for one night wouldn't be bad, will it? He was too tired and too broken to move an inch now. Seonghwa didn't put his thoughts in words, neither did he say something else. His silence was prolonged, and Hongjoong didn't know how to react.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Seonghwa shook his head quickly, "I'm not f-feeling good. I'll not eating anything."

Hongjoong didn't reply anything. He couldn't force him to eat and neither could he plead him.

"Oh-Okay. Good Night."

With that, he left.

The night was long and tough for both. Seonghwa had not stopped weeping for once, burying his head within the pillows and crying non stop, brutal thumps of pain and agony hitting him in a continuous pace. Hongjoong hadn't been good either, the man had been sitting on the floor, back against the closed door of his room, head between his hands and tears drenching his knees.

At one moment, he remembered that Seonghwa had medicines for the night. He quietly sneaked into the room where the boy lay and had soundlessly placed the meds with a glass of water and a plate of Seonghwa's favorite cookies. He had also pasted a note beside the plate saying- Don't have the pills without having the cookies. They're not meant to be taken in a empty stomach. Hongjoong thought that Seonghwa was already asleep, so he left. He didn't want to wake him up.

Truth was, Seonghwa was awake.

The night went by and none of the two occupants of that house had given a break to their eyes.

The morning was sloth like and didn't see any improvement. When the doctor came to check on Seonghwa, Hongjoong had entered the room and was relieved to see both the cookies and two pills from the sachet to be empty. The doctor had informed that Seonghwa had already recovered and would not need further pills. Rest was still mandatory and a few other instructions were told.

The afternoon felt long. Seonghwa had insisted to leave in the afternoon but Hongjoong didn't allow him to step out due to the scorching heat. After a little pestering, Seonghwa agreed to leave in the evening once the heat subsided. They didn't talk much and had tried their best to avoid each other for the rest of the day. Though they tried their best to not see each other the entire day, the heaviness in their hearts and that uneasy feeling hadn't subsided a jot.

As Seonghwa swung his bag around his shoulders and put on his shoes, the clock struck 9. Hongjoong stood by the threshold of his house, looking at the boy tying his shoe laces, an unknown feeling of remorse and sorrow squeezing his chest. Hongjoong had almost begged Seonghwa to let him give him a ride to his condo but he had denied it and said a walk alone to his place would be far better. Seonghwa didn't look back at him, instead pushed the door open and stepped out. Hongjoong breathed out loudly and was about to close the door when suddenly he saw Seonghwa coming back.

"Joong..."

"Y-Yeah?" Hongjoong was confused as to why did come back.

"I-I want you to do something for me," Seonghwa responded, looking hesitant yet determined, "As long as we're in this college, please pretend that you don't know me. Pl-"

"B-But Hwa-"

"Please Joong," Seonghwa's face almost looked emotionless, yet Hongjoong could see that hint of pain within his eyes, pained yet adamant, "Please do this. Hopefully it'll help me move on..."

The last sentence hit Hongjoong hard, the pit of his stomach feeling too uncomfortable. He knew he had no other way but to abide by what Seonghwa said. Wordlessly, he nodded.

"Th-Thank you. Good Night."

With that, Hongjoong saw the boy open the gate of his house, walk out, close it and walk away, soon merging in the darkness of the night.

* * *

What did you? What did you do dumbass what did you do? You allowed them get a chokehold of something that belongs completely to you? You let him walk away just like that? That one person who fucking meant everything to you? He was sorry...he was freaking sorry for his fault and was ready to give you another chance yet you let him go. Dumbass!

How long? How long will you let your life get destroyed by them? How long will you let them drive you at their will as you keep being seated and let them do whatever they want with your life, doing absolutely nothing!? Love is not that easy. Love requires courage, patience, trust, believe and adamancy. If you want it, fight for it. Show them how big and true your love is, if you still have any ounce of affection left for that lad. Show them that you don't care about what they have to offer. Show them that you want no money, reputation, pride or pleasure. Show them, that you can earn all of that in the snap of your finger if you have your love by your side. If you are brave, show them that you will not back off at any cost. If you can do it, then call yourself a lover.

Otherwise, you've got no right to even think about him or utter his name in your mouth.

* * *
The night was dark and a slight wind had set into motion. Seonghwa was clutching the straps of his bag, walking in small steps down the semi dark alley, eyes brimmed with tears, some occasionally rolling down and merging with his shirt. A thousand thoughts crammed his head, bittersweet memories rushed in and made their place, certain events making his tears unable to be contained. Why? He asked himself, Why can't I be her? Why can't I be that girl? Atleast...he would be with me. He would be mine. He-

"Hwa! Hwa! Hwa wait!"

The voice made Seonghwa freeze at his place. Completely taken aback at it's familiarity, he quickly spun around, only to see a man running towards his direction. The alley was majorly dark, only a few dim litted lamps glowed. At first, Seonghwa wasn't sure of the person's identity. But as he drew closer, he realised.

It was none other than Hongjoong.

"J-Joong what-"

"I'm sorry," Hongjoong crashed at his feet right in front of the other boy, knees sinking into the stony path. His action astonished Seonghwa, who was too shocked to even understand what was going on. "I'm sorry Hwa. I'm so sorry."

"B-But what h-happened?"

"I am a fool," Hongjoong cried, looking up at Seonghwa with his tear stained eyes, "I am a fool to let go of you. I am a fool to go according to what they say. I am-I am a fool to let others take the reins of my life and gallop it in the way they want."

Seonghwa was beyond surprised at his sudden quick realisation, or rather, his words. But why was he saying all of it to him?

"Hwa, y-you're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Hwa. In all my life of rules and regulations, you-you were the only thing that I had as a positive sign, as my vital sign to my existence. Yo-You were the reason of everything, every happiness in my life and I don't want to loose it again Hwa. Not again. Please give my one last chance. Please. I beg you H-Hwa. Pl-Please..."

Seonghwa couldn't bear to see the man at his feet on the dirty road. He quickly kneeled down too, grabbing Hongjoong by his shoulders and trying to make him stand up.

"D-Don't do this Joong...get up..."

"I'm sorry Hwa. Please give me another chance..."

"B-But Joong your f-family...they won't-"

"I'll fight them!" The sudden raise in Hongjoong's voice and the heavy determination mingled with a little anger startled Seonghwa, "I'll fight them. I can't let them reign my life forever. It's MY life and the choices should me mine too!"

"But Joong what about the busin-"

"I don't want it!" The reply was strong and adamant, "I don't want anything from them. I can build everything myself. I can built my own business empire, I can get a job myself. I can do everything. But I'm not going to trade the happiness of my life just for being their perfect son. I'm not going to sell the meaning of my existence just to bring good name to the family. I want to live as me in my way and not as what they want me to be or in their way. And I'm ready for that. Please give me another chance, Hwa. Please..."

The determination and the raw truth in Hongjoong's words gave some hope to Seonghwa. Thinking rationally, Hongjoong had actually never done anything wrong. He had never cheated on Seonghwa or do something to upset him, if the entire misunderstanding was not taken into consideration. Seonghwa didn't know what to do. His heart did yearn for Hongjoong, but he didn't know whether it'll be right to let him walk into his life again.

"But Joong...are you s-sure?" Hongjoong noticed Seonghwa's gaze fixated at his ring. He understood, the boy's hesitation was not yet over.

Suddenly, Hongjoong did something that Seonghwa had never expected him to do. The man got up on his feet, took off his expensive engagement ring and without wasting a moment, he threw it away as far as he could, not caring where it landed. His face held no emotions at all and Seonghwa was completely bewildered.

"Joong! What did you do?"

"I don't care, I told you," Hongjoong replied, looking directly at Seonghwa, who was now standing up too, "If you agree to be with me Hwa, I'm ready to go against anyone and anything which will be in our way. I'm ready for it. I just need to hear a 'yes' from you Hwa. Please..."

Seonghwa didn't know what to say. He knew what kind of a man Hongjoong was and he believed him. Seonghwa knew it was mistake, more like a misunderstanding, and that it was more valid from his side. And now that the man was ready to give up everything for him, he didn't want to let go of him. Afterall he loved him till then and it was unknown to him how long it will be till he stops loving him. Perhaps, one last chance? Maybe things will be good once again.

"O-Okay-"

"What?" Hongjoong gasped, looking at Seonghwa in a completely shocked face, "Really?"

"Y-Yes," Seonghwa replied, looking at Hongjoong, "I'm giving you another chance. I'm sorry for making mistakes and I hope you forgive them all Joong. I'm not eligible to give you a chance because it was me who started this all. But as you asked for one, I'll give you. Pl-Please d-don't leave after this...pl-plea-"

Before Seonghwa could finish his sentence, Hongjoong had already pulled him against his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut, letting all his tears roll down, as he felt the warmth of the boy against his chest. He felt him slowly putting his hands on his back, and he couldn't have felt happier.

"Th-Thank you...thank you Hwa," Hongjoong mumbled softly, gently placing his hand against the boy's cheek and wiping off his tears.

"Please don't leave me this time, Joongie," Seonghwa replied, "I don't want to cry again-"

"I won't, love, I won't," Hongjoong replied, feeling giddy after hearing Seonghwa call him 'Joongie' once again. He quickly gave him a kiss on his forehead, and followed showers of little pecks all around his eyes, as if wiping away all those scars the tears had made all over.

"I promise Hwa," Hongjoong said, cupping his face. Even in the dim illumination, Seonghwa could see the true emotions on his face flowing out and couldn't have felt happier, "I promise, whatever happens in the future, I'm never going to leave you. Never. I'll fight. I'll fight for both of us and even if it costs me everything, I'm not going to leave you ever again."

"And I'll never misunderstand you," came a meek reply, and Hongjoong couldn't help but giggle at it.

"What-What are you giggling for?" questioned Seonghwa, immediately hitting Hongjoong on his chest and backing off.

"Oww why shouldn't I giggle? My baby's so cute-"

"Eww gross! Move!"

"No wait! Hwa baby nooo! Where are you running off? Wait for me!"

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Hope you all like it.
See you soon.
(˵ ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°˵)ﾉ⌒♡*:･。.