Chapter Text
{above and below-the bravery}
Why did Kihyun disappear? Well, to put it simply, he wanted adventure.
He left because there wasn't anything new to discover. He had friends, and even a boyfriend, yet it didn't seem like enough. So, he decided to 'run away'.
He does feel bad about not leaving any warning however, so he sets a date where he'll return to pick up anything he might need, or anything left for him.
But as the day approaches closer, Kihyun passes the time by backpacking through towns to see how they differ from where he came from. Kihyun finds things that he didn't know existed before, and he enjoys it. He lives for discovering new things, he's rarely ever bored since he's always doing something, or planning to do something.
The reason he left was because his own hometown became boring. Waking up to the same ceiling every morning was boring, and Kihyun didn't like boring.
So he left.
But here he is, sitting in the back of a taxi cab in the dead of night, catching a ride back 'home'. He gave himself only 24 hours to stay in the town and to give closure to the people that could've missed him.
He walks up the steps to his apartment and before opening the door to enter, he notices a small stack of papers under his feet. Kihyun reaches down and picks them up, smiling when he recognizes a couple of the names on the papers. Kihyun enters his house and settles into the couch, and opens up the first letter, from a man he knows as his best friend.
Kihyun,
I've been wondering why you left for weeks, it consumes all of my thoughts. I've talked to so many people, and I still don't have closure. I just want to know if you're safe and happy, that's all I want. I miss you Kihyun.
-Changkyun
Kihyun begins feeling a little guilty after reading the letter. He makes a note to himself that he'll let Changkyun know he's okay before he leaves for good.
The next letter is from a name he associates with warmth and happiness.
Kihyun, my angel,
I miss you so much. I'm sorry if I caused this, I really am. I'm sorry that I wasn't enough, but I hope that all you feel now is happiness, you deserve it. Please let me know if I did anything to cause this, and if I did, I apologize.
-Hyunwoo
After reading that letter, Kihyun feels a pang of regret in his chest. He feels as if he hurt Hyunwoo, which was the least of his intentions. But nonetheless, he continues on to the next letter.
Kihyun,
I kind of miss you, I'm not going to lie. I miss taking your order every day, even though I have it memorized. I miss the conversations we had. They were fun, I wish we could have more. But what happened, what caused you to want to leave? I'm asking because I kind of miss you a lot.
-Minhyuk
Kihyun finds himself smiling sadly after reading what Minhyuk had left him. He feels his eyes water as he continues onto the next message left for him.
Kihyun,
I have nothing to say. I'm not mad at you, but you're my best friend, really the only person I talk to enough to consider a friend, and I miss you. Why did you leave? I'm alone now, just as I was before I met you. I don't mind, not many people want to stay with someone who doesn't have much to offer towards conversation.
-Hyungwon
After this, the tears are staining his cheeks, but Kihyun doesn't care enough to wipe them away. He just moves on to the next in the stack.
Hey,
First of all, thank you. Your advice is very helpful, and I'm happy that you offered your time to a boy hopelessly in love. But where did you go? Without my support system, it's hard to apply the advice you gave me. I'll keep trying though, for you.
-Hoseok
Kihyun realizes how many people really miss him after reading Hoseok's letter. It's a bittersweet feeling, really, to know you caused this much heartache unknowingly. He sees there's one final envelope left in the stack, with a name he doesn't recognize. He opens it and reads it silently.
Kihyun,
I know you don't know me, I don't know you either. The thing is, I wish I did. You have this beauty and this approachable feeling around you and I wish I got the chance to talk to you. I can't say that I miss you, because I don't have anything to miss. I can say, however, that I miss passing you in the hallways. I want to be your friend, but I'm afraid that I lost the chance.
-Jooheon
This is what pushes Kihyun past the breaking point. Someone he didn't even know missed him? He found it flattering, but it was also a wake up call to see that there's more to life than constantly seeking adventure.
Kihyun realizes that not only was he missed, but that he missed his friends too. So he takes his phone out of his pocket, (it was rendered useless since he lost service out of the city) and after turning it on, he texts Changkyun.
From: Kihyun
[10:28]
Hey. I'm back, get all of my friends together and tell them to meet me in the park around seven.
After this, he texts Hyunwoo, just to let him know he's okay.
From: Kihyun
[10:31]
I love you so much. I've returned, none of it's your fault, in fact it's mine. I just wanted to let you know I love you, and I understand if you're mad at me after this.
,,
Kihyun arrives at the park at seven o'clock sharp. He gets out of his car and sees familiar faces looking out for him, all sitting around a picnic table.
When he gets to the table, he's taken aback that no ones mad at him. In fact he's being hugged tearfully, a chorus of 'I missed you' and 'I love you' being said all at once.
After they've all settled into the picnic table, Kihyun first sees Jooheon. He's sitting at the end of the table, looking out of place, as he's not looking at him. Kihyun gets up and walks over to him, engulfing him in a hug.
"Hey Jooheon, I'm Yoo Kihyun." He smiles, after pulling away.
"Um, hey Kihyun, I'm Lee Jooheon." Jooheon smiles sheepishly.
"I hope we can be better friends!" Kihyun is grinning, and Jooheon finds the corners of his mouth curling upwards.
"But, I'm really sorry that I left without saying anything, I'm young and seeking adventure, and frankly, I got bored of this town." Kihyun turns back towards the others at the table.
"That's understandable, I was just scared because you never said anything to anyone." Hyunwoo speaks up, not a hint of malice in his voice.
"I know, and I'm sorry, I didn't realize how much worry I would cause." He looks down, voice shaking slightly.
"Hey, Kihyun, don't sweat it alright? You're fine, we don't hate you, and I don't think we ever will." Changkyun says, standing up to comfort his best friend.
,,
That night, Kihyun packs up the letters and a couple other belongings before sending a text to the people that he'll miss most.
From: Kihyun
[21:56]
Thank you guys for everything. I'll text you whenever I can.
And the next day, he was gone.