Archive of Our Own

"You look tired." Younghoon remarked when he came, he shut the white door that led him to the garden before sitting next to the younger whose skin is as pale (if not paler) than the white shirt under the denim jacket he's wearing, his eyes too focused on staring off space, he blinked a couple of times before smiling at Younghoon.

"I was worried sick, you didn't come yesterday." He said, resting his head on his shoulder. "I can't sleep because of the possibility that you were harmed or something. Did Kevin tell you to stop coming? Those… I... didn't sleep thinking of those things. I can't lose you nor do I want you to be in danger. I couldn't wait for the sun to set and for the moon to rise. I just wanted to know if you're okay."

"I'm sorry." Younghoon apologized, he looked at the tired boy before continuing, "There was an eclipse. Solar eclipse to be fair, seeing the Youngjae, Changmin and Kevin so happy, I forgot to leave because I spent the whole night catching up with my friends."

Chanhee smiled, he was happy to know he was safe. Safer than any days with him, he saw his friends, the happiness and feeling of safety he must have felt yesterday night was beyond what Chanhee is capable of understanding. Younghoon held his hand, intertwining their fingers. He used his thumb to rub his knuckles.

"I told them about you." Younghoon whispered, "How beautiful you are, how pretty your smile is, how you are my everything as I am yours too."

"And how I would like to steal the moon for you." Younghoon's smile became lovelier than usual. He loved talking about Chanhee, his smile would always be lovelier every time he talked about him. His eyes are full of admiration and love, he would always trace the moon before he turned his head to Chanhee with that lovestruck gaze. He blushed when he saw Chanhee look at him with the similar kind of affection in his eyes, looking away before continuing. "I wanted to spend a whole day with you, to see you sleep, to see the sunrise with you, to be somewhere else other than this garden."

"This garden is beautiful but I want you to take me somewhere else, won't you like that too?" Younghoon chuckled, he waited for Chanhee's answer, Chanhee's answer never came.

He turned his head to his lover again, Chanhee may or may not have fallen asleep on his shoulder. Younghoon could only let out a giggle, kissing the crown of Chanhee's head, smelling the scent of Chanhee's shampoo on his blonde hair.

Eventually, Younghoon carried Chanhee in his back to the small cottage in the garden. Chanhee wasn't as light as when he first carried him, he was lighter than the books that Younghoon carried when he was still a normal college student. Chanhee was as light as a dove and as heavy as an anchor, he was both of those things. His body was as light as a dove, like his body is just filled soft cotton fillings inside like a pillow, the bleeding and cuts on his arm was a reminder Chanhee is not made of cotton fillings, his skin is not pillowcase.

He was so light yet his mind and heart are heavy. Those were the two things he always carried with him. A heart that is so close to bursting and a brain that keeps on whispering and thinking about all the negative outcomes.

Chanhee was lucky that he met Younghoon, Younghoon would disagree and say that he was luckier but that was the truth. He came exactly when he was in another slump, he brought happiness to Chanhee even if Chanhee refused to accept the happiness that Younghoon was offering to him, too afraid and anxious that maybe this happiness was just another temporary bliss. He was scared, so scared that he cried and bursted out when Younghoon found him cutting his skin like it was mere paper, marking it with scars that seemed to be like he was writing how everybody could love him but not everyone would stay and that is exactly what Younghoon would do. Leave him when he finally became happy, when he learnt to be content.

But Younghoon wouldn't, so he justified himself, he told the younger male that he would not leave him, that he would do everything just to stay with him. He would steal the moon so they could always be together, he would do anything if not everything. They cried in the middle of the night together, sobbing out promises that might be impossible to keep but they knew that those promises would never be just words and would only get broken when the pigs fly.

Younghoon was certain he was causing good changes to Chanhee and Chanhee certainly did cause Younghoon to have changes too. Younghoon was once a lost soul. Ever since everything shifted and the line between the fantasy and reality started to blur, he became a lost soul. Lost without any directions, he wandered and wandered until he's lost. He kept finding and finding for his purpose but he found nothing. That was until he met Chanhee.

When Younghoon unlocked the door of the cottage, he immediately laid him down on the bed and removed his sneakers — which were awfully worn, the back of it almost broken because Chanhee just slips it on instead of wearing it properly. He also removed his denim jacket. Since the dainty man was a heavy sleeper, a noise just bubbled out of his throat before he trashed around and slept again.

Younghoon immediately got up the bed after he laid Chanhee down, he stretched his body before getting up and observing things in the room. He saw Chanhee's workbooks scattered on the table, he chuckled before closing it all, arranging it on the side of the table. He couldn't be of any help if he answered it, the younger would be angry at him if he did.

Chanhee wanted to work, he wanted and desired to learn. No matter how hard anything would be, he would do nothing but strive harder just to achieve and get the answers.

"Bbang bbang." Chanhee mumbled, half—awake and eyes still heavy, "C'mere baby, please."

Younghoon smiled widely at the way the smaller one opened his arm wide before yawning but he complied, gently laying beside Chanhee. Letting the latter wrap his arm on his waist. Younghoon reciprocated the action, although for Younghoon, he wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"I love you so much." He said, "I know I'll be gone before you wake up completely but I hope you remember that I told you again how much I love you and how this view looks like."

"I would." Chanhee mumbled, "For once I actually want you to stay 'til the morning, 'til the rays of the sun hit your face but I know you can't, I want to be greedy for once, but I know I can't."

"I could." He replied in a hushed tone, "Just ask me to give you the moon or take you to the moon and we'll be together from day to night."

"You know I can't." Chanhee answered, "Can I just ask for you to give me a kiss now?"

"You could—" Younghoon giggled, "do both."

Younghoon didn't talk anymore after that, he pressed his lips against Chanhee's soft ones, it wasn't a smack but a long, loving and chaste kiss. Chanhee moved his mouth against Younghoon's lazily meanwhile Younghoon was gentle and loving. Chanhee was the one who broke the kiss, "I love you too." he said before colliding their foreheads together. Chanhee let his sleepy soul take over him once again. It wasn't long until Younghoon followed him into dreamland, possibly dreaming about the same thing again.

["Hi!" Younghoon with silver blonde hair stood in front of him, who is Choi Chanhee, the boy with pink hair, jumped a little on his seat, particularly the swing that he is swinging slowly. The night was deep and there were stars everywhere, it was rare for a night like this, a night that has so many stars visible.

"You scared me." Chanhee said, "Who are you again?"

"Younghoon!" Younghoon introduced himself, "My name is Younghoon. I think we've never met before."

Chanhee responded with a nod, "Why are you so energetic? It's nearly midnight."

Younghoon hummed, scratching his imaginary beard before speaking, "I'm a nocturnal person— cursed to be one to be honest. I live on the moon but I visit here everyday so I'm always like this."

Chanhee looked at him as if he was confused if he's lying or is mentally sick, which caused Younghoon to sigh.

"Open your palm." Younghoon told him, Chanhee complied, the taller one put his hand on top of his and intertwined their fingers, he sat at the swing next to Chanhee, he used his pointer finger while it was intertwined with Chanhee's hand to point the brighter-than-the-usual stars. "I caused that and this..." He pulled his sleeve up and showed his freckles on wrist up to somewhat near his elbow, it was the same as the color of the blood red eclipse. "I'm so cool, right?" He smirked, Chanhee just laughed at it.

"Why are you laughing?!" Younghoon huffed, Chanhee answered him immediately, "You don't need to hold hands with me to prove it. You're just trying to flirt with me."

Younghoon just pouted at that, Chanhee might or might not be staring at him because of that. He scanned Younghoon's face, he looked like a puppy. His eyes are twinkling and shining like it's radiated by the stars at night, his nose is high, it fits his face and his lips are pinkish and a little chapped, his jawline... Oh his jawline.

"Your lips are chapped." Chanhee pointed out. He let go of Younghoon's hand and pulled out his flavored chapstick, using one of his hands to cup Younghoon's face, putting chapstick on his chapped lips, Younghoon popped his lips before smiling at the younger again, "What's your name?"

"Me?" Chanhee asked, pointing his finger to himself, Younghoon nodded. Chanhee hummed before answering, "I don't want to tell you my name."

Younghoon looked towards Chanhee, his head tilted, an unimpressed look on his eyes and lips turning into a frown. Chanhee laughed though, that laugh was a little loud yet it sounds so precious, Younghoon knew he's a keeper.

"It's not that I don't like or believe you." Chanhee paused, "I just don't want to tell you right now."

The frown on Younghoon's face turned into a little smirk, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Would you like it if I work to get your name?" He asked, before Chanhee could panic and think that he's mocking him or being sarcastic, he spoke again. "I think you're a keeper. I finally have a reason to keep going to earth."

"You think I'm worth keeping?" Chanhee snickered, "You'll find keeping me worthless after a couple of days."

Younghoon hasn't answered yet but he held Chanhee's hand again. He smiled at him before talking again, "Just trust me."

Younghoon told him that with a soft smile, eyes full with what seemed to be fondness but Chanhee still focused on the little glint of anxiety in his eyes instead of that fondness because that's the way he is, always focusing on the little glint of negativity rather than the positivity that's about to eat him whole. For what reason? To not give himself hope.

When Chanhee didn't answer, he hummed before looking at the moon, he traced the moon with his index finger, eyes filled with somewhat sadness and regrets, his fingers intertwined with Chanhee's fingers.

"The phase of the moon today, when we first met, is the new moon." Younghoon said, turning his head to him again. His smile became wider, looking at Chanhee with the same admiration and fondness again. "I'm gonna call you New."

"New." Chanhee mumbled the name, his eyes focused on the moon. "I don't like it."

Younghoon winced, muttering an apology to Chanhee repeatedly, but his apology was caught on his throat when the latter turn his head to him and that's when he saw a sincere and soft smile bloom on his face for the first time before he said "But I don't exactly dislike it."  ]

By the time Chanhee woke up, the sun was already up in the sky. Younghoon was still beside him, writhing because of the rays of the sun hitting his skin.

"Good morning.'' Younghoon mumbled, it was softer and not as gleeful when he greeted him every night.

"Good morning." Chanhee greeted back, watching as his lover tried his best not to squirm, the sun hitting his dark brown pupils, becoming a lighter shade of brown, something close to hazel, lips trembling and pale. Younghoon tried his best to open his eyes for a little more. Chanhee spoke again, "Why are you still here? Younghoon you know you... Can't stay…"

Chanhee hugged him impossibly closer, uselessly shielding him from the sun coming from the window, whimpering when Younghoon just pulled him impossibly closer to him.

"You told me you wanted me to stay until the morning." Younghoon said, his voice sounded weak yet he still managed to let out a chuckle, "so I did it. I love you and I would do anything for you."

"But you don't have to do anything you're not capable of." Chanhee retorted, his tone was stern even if he's not raising his voice, Younghoon was sure he's mad, so Younghoon asked him the obvious with his eyes closed, "Are you mad?"

Chanhee didn't answer but instead he planted a kiss on his cheek, a hand caressing his hair.

"Chanhee, answer me. Are you mad?" He asked him, his hand trailed to the other's hand stroking his hair to hold it.

"Don't ask stupid things." Chanhee said, "Am I mad? You know I am."

"Sinning once isn't that bad." Younghoon said, "I promise it'll be okay. Just give me a few hours then I'll be with you the whole day."

"What about the moon? Aren't you watching and guarding the moon when it's daytime here?" Chanhee asked, he sat up straight while waiting for Younghoon's answer, the latter hummed before speaking, "There's Hyunjun and Kevin left to watch over the moon. One single day with you would never hurt."

Chanhee blinked thrice, snorting at the irony of Younghoon's weak and frail appearance and the words he just said, Younghoon immediately asked him why he was laughing, Chanhee snickered before answering, "The irony. The fucking irony, Bbang."

Nevertheless, Chanhee turned serious, clearing his throat before looking at the other man who sat up. His clothes are white, the sleeves are not fully together, only a few— three to four on each sleeve tied together by small pieces of fabric, his pants are white too based on the little part he saw. Chanhee didn't notice yesterday that he wasn't in his usual white suit, maybe he was too tired last night to notice it.

"Do you want to come to my apartment? The sun is too strong here, just like the moon at night as you said before." Chanhee asked, it was a request rather than a mere question. He already knew that Younghoon would never say no to him.

As he thought, Younghoon didn't refuse or said no, instead the taller male told Chanhee to carry him to which Chanhee whined and that's how a squabble started but it ended when Younghoon pulled out his 'puppy eyes' card.

"Come on, please?" Younghoon pleaded again, this time he slightly pouted. "I was barefoot when I came here."

Chanhee exclaimed remarks like 'why would you walk barefoot on earth?!', 'you're heavy, I can't carry you!' and such but in the end he gave up, sighing and yelling an upset 'fine! fine!'

Chanhee looked at his own neck, a necklace that Kevin gave him for him not to feel lonely because they— Changmin, Hyunjun, Kevin and Younghoon— are and will always be with him but he also received it to feel an attachment or a pull from the moon. The chain was gold, the pendant was circular, gold too— nearer to the color of the moon than the usual color of the normal gold accessories. He gently removed it from his neck, putting it on the other's neck.

"Oh?" Younghoon exclaimed, "You don't— you don't have to! It's— this is Kevin's gift to you."

Chanhee didn't answer, instead he got up from their bed, slipping on his sneakers like it's slippers and not sneakers, adjusting his denim jacket before looking at Younghoon again who was sitting on the top edge of the bed now with a smile on his face while staring at the necklace then the blonde glanced at his watch again before fondly ruffling the hair of the other man again, this time he didn't stare at him much longer without saying a word.

"We have to leave now." Chanhee said, "I have classes and you," The dainty male glared at the taller one again, "are gonna get weaker if we stay here."

Chanhee poked his nose before kneeling with his back in front of Younghoon, offering his back to the latter. The latter ruffled his hair first before he jumped on his back, Chanhee stood up and secured his legs by holding it, Younghoon wrapped his arms around Chanhee's neck.

And they took off. Cutely, Younghoon would initiate a conversation, everytime, Chanhee would answer with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm. Giggles and laughs warmed the cold pavements they walked on.

Until there was this one question,

"Why do you even have to study?" Younghoon whined, "You're almost a successful idol! You're a famous trainee locked in the basement of your shitty company. Why do you need to study?"

Chanhee pondered at that thought, a small sound bubbling out of his throat before he quietly continued walking. A few quiet minutes when Younghoon was just about to apologize, Chanhee answered it.

"You know… I want to be someone who reminds people of their teenage years until early adulthood. A sweet memory of teenage and early adulthood? I want to be something like that. But now you're here, I think all I really want is to sing, you're here already and I know that I could remind you very vividly of your early adulthood until death."

A small hum came out of Younghoon's mouth, he never said anything that's disagreeing with his opinion nor agreeing, the hum is just a hum.

"A day might come when I need to leave this industry. I'm not even sure if I'm gonna last long in this dirty industry. I really want to debut, it's just a few big steps away from me. I'm not even sure if my money would be enough that I could survive after leaving this industry!" Chanhee chuckled, "Will you still be there after I leave?"

Younghoon nods, "I'll always be here."

Chanhee was the one who initiated another conversation, quickly moving away from that topic as Chanhee let his feet take him to where the wind blew.

Eventually, when they're somewhere near the train, there is a middle-aged lady who is selling slippers.

"You can get down from my back now." Chanhee muttered, he let go of the older's legs. "My back hurts."

Younghoon chuckled and ruffled his hair before coming down from Chanhee's back, feet hitting the cold pavement of the train station.

"Ahjumma, how much is a pair of slippers?" Chanhee asked, Younghoon excitedly picked the white pair of slippers. The lady told Chanhee how much that slipper would be and he paid the lady before the two of them thanked her, waved bye and Younghoon told her to have a nice day with an energetic voice.

"Can I hold your hand?" Chanhee was stretching like a cat while asking. Younghoon didn't answer, instead he just held his hand without any further questions nor answers. Chanhee snickered at that as Younghoon waved their hands on their way to the train. Once the two of them finally hopped into the train, Younghoon gasped, realizing something.

"What? Why?" Chanhee asked, his tone seemed to be panicked why his lover was reacting that way.

It's not that he dislikes the sight of Younghoon's parted mouth, eyes a little wide but still twinkling with both fear and something else that he can't describe, slender hand covering the lower portion of his face but it also does make him anxious.

"You didn't wear a mask." Younghoon stated, worry evident in his voice. "What if there are uh, paparazzi? Dispatch? Sasaeng?"

Chanhee let out a giggle, putting his head on the older's shoulder. "Let them know then." He whispered, it was near inaudible but Younghoon heard it, with how close their faces must be, he would hear. Of course, he would.

Younghoon sighed at Chanhee's lack of care, he didn't care if his image would get ruined. If his dreams would be shattered, all for a guy who would steal the moon for him. For Chanhee, it was okay.

It would always be okay. He had him, right?

Chanhee's thoughts got cut off when he felt a weight on his head, Younghoon nudged his head with his own head. After Chanhee looked at him, he smiled and sat up properly again as if telling him that he's right, he had him.

That was all the confirmation Chanhee needed.

Sunwoo was already there when he arrived at the university, talking to some girls while waiting for Chanhee to arrive. Chanhee was sure that they were talking about the whole cover that Sunwoo released last night, it was obvious because of the smile that Sunwoo had. His smile is beautiful, wide, his gums are showing and he giggled too. It was the expression and smile of pride and joy.

After a little while, Sunwoo bid goodbye to the girls and approached Chanhee.

"Hyung hi!" Sunwoo jumped in front of him, "You're late."

"Can you shut up?" Chanhee glared at him, "You haven't told me that there was an eclipse."

"Oh yeah, I forgot." Sunwoo scratched his nape, a shy and clumsy smile on his face. "I was filming that day so I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry?"

"Ah! whatever!" Chanhee huffed, "Younghoon is at my apartment today."

Sunwoo's reaction was expected, his eyes comically wide, mouth forming an 'o' shape and a yell, he fucking yelled a "What?! Is he insane?!" It didn't fail to make Chanhee laugh out loud.

"Where's your necklace?" Sunwoo asked then he gasped, oh. He finally understood how Younghoon is doing fine despite staying on earth during the daytime.

"Who's insane?" Changmin sneaked behind Sunwoo, which of course gained him a few smack on his arm, yell from Sunwoo and a screech from Chanhee. Changmin laughed at the two before asking again, "No, seriously. Who's insane?"

"You!" They both yelled at Changmin, the boy only snickered. “‘S it Younghoon?" Changmin asked, Sunwoo nodded. "No wonder, I felt a tug earlier but I'm already late so I hurried up here and didn't mind it."

You see, Changmin is one of the children of the moon as Sunwoo liked to call it. There were four children of the moon, Hyunjun, Kevin, Younghoon and Changmin. Kevin was the only son of the moon and God found inequalities since the children of the sun are five, thus when two eclipses happened, God would picked a child amongst the five children of the sun, Kevin would welcome them with open arms, no jealousy or whatever, Kevin couldn't feel anything but happiness, happiness because of the fact that he was not alone anymore.

Hyunjun begged God to pick him. He begged God to see that he was supposed to be one of the sons of the moon, not the sun. God understood, he saw the similarities between Kevin and Hyunjun, maybe Hyunjun was Kevin's twin separated from him since birth. Therefore, God picked him.

Changmin, Changmin's was a whole different story. Changmin is the golden child of the sun, he was so positive and the sun would light up brighter every single time he's on it. No one really expected that Changmin would be the god's pick, everyone expected it to be Sunwoo, the demonic child with a little angel sitting on his shoulder. When Changmin became the moon's child, rumors stated that he became a lunatic wolf. No one really knew if it's true, maybe Youngjae knew but he wouldn't tell. He wouldn't say anything to anyone else.

There was equality and such between the moon and the sun, peace and tranquility.

Until Younghoon commited the sin of swallowing the afternoon sun, thus the cause of him being cursed to be the moon's child, he was a normal college student before he commited that sin. No one really knew how he commited that sin. Only Kevin, thus Younghoon would follow Kevin's advice every time. He would listen very carefully to Kevin. and when Kevin told him to go for Chanhee's heart? He followed him, it was the best decision he ever made.

There's also four children of the sun, Kim sunwoo, Sohn Youngjae, Jacob Bae and Ju Haknyeon. The original five children— Sunwoo, Youngjae, Hyunjae, Hyunjun and Changmin.

Ever since Changmin became a moon child, Youngjae would always be unruly, he would always disobey rules just to see Changmin. The sun was like the Garden of Eden but Youngjae doesn't like the Garden of Eden. To him, it was stupid, that's why he would always find a way to commit a sin but God would never give a care about him, one time they did, God only asked for an apology, if Youngjae would apologize, God would give Changmin a free pass, to enjoy the sun everyday together with Youngjae. Youngjae hesitated, but when he figured out that they're not lying to him, Youngjae apologized to them yet he was still greedy. finding a way to be with Changmin every single moment, God didn't care about it, all they needed was an apology from youngjae once his life ended.

Hyunjae and Jacob's story is something about the sun, the earth and the moon. Hyunjae became the earth's son after a while, he didn't know how but one day he woke up, tried to go from the sun but he couldn't it's way too far from his reach. He cried and cried until that same night, a man who was certainly from the moon— based on what he's wearing approached him, the male comforted him without knowing the situation. Do you know that Juyeon was once a moon child? committed the same sin as Younghoon did but Juyeon was more gullible, he visited tons of people every time he can, he comforted many lonely souls, let every person steal from him as long as it makes the thief happy. A mistake he made that night was letting Hyunjae steal his heart. The boy of the earth cried his heart out, apologized all night to God, he just wanted to go back to the Garden of Eden. After that night, it turned messy, Hyunjae met the one who replaced him in the Eden garden. Instead of envy and ugly emotions, he felt admiration towards the new child of the sun. No one could ever be angry at Jacob, no one. Hyunjae couldn't reach Jacob no matter what, he doesn't know why. Juyeon would always be beside Hyunjae, wiping his tears and wrapping his arms around him everytime he could. It took so long for Hyunjae to realize that Juyeon likes him. Eventually, Juyeon and Hyunjae had a happy ending, Juyeon was forgiven for his sin, every time Chanhee asked Hyunjae how he broke the curse and got forgiven from his sin, Hyunjae shrugged, "God knows what he went through, I don't."

Sunwoo was like Kevin, he's the original son of the sun. He's basically brothers with Kevin, they're the results of eclipses. Sunwoo looked like a normal college student if you think about it, except from his red hair but it's really normal to dye your hair when you're a college student. His hair was black but during his late adolescent and until he was twenty-one, his hair would change colors into a shade closer and closer to the most vibrant shade of red.

Haknyeon was the brightest kid in Sunwoo's class, Sunwoo adored him and told him how he reminds him of the sun. During the senior year of high school, they eventually ended up together. Sunwoo brought him to the sun, Sunwoo showed him that all impossible things could be possible, thus Haknyeon turned into a child of the sun, the sun really liked him. It was sad that they broke up but the bright side is that Haknyeon would still stay beside him, holding his hand every time his heart was beating too fast due to anxiety or maybe love again.

Being the children of the moon and the sun doesn't mean they're blood related. God told them that when Changmin and Eric weeped out because they're the children of the sun and the moon, they're related but it was a misconception, the so-called God said, they're not related, no one is greedy for having two or more lovers, it's generosity not greediness.

God also told them that there would be four special humans from earth that would make them realize their purpose, make them realize that their abilities are never evil, God trusted them to use it for good. Two of them were Juyeon and Hyunjae, Younghoon knew the third was Chanhee, Changmin knew who was the last, it was Lee Sangyeon. The boy that Kevin and Jacob once saw when an eclipse happened, he remembered Jacob mumbling to Kevin, 'I want him.'

Sunwoo's arm loosely hung around Changmin's shoulder, his other hand holding a packet of pear juice extract. The three of them are walking out of the university and some are looking at them like they're celebrities. To be fair, they're popular all over the school, Sunwoo is a soundcloud rapper, Changmin is a dancer and vlogger and Chanhee, as mentioned a multiple times already, is a trainee. And who do popular kids hang out with? Popular kids too.

The three of them had a close bond, Sunwoo knows Chanhee's favorite perfume and Changmin's obsession with tteokbokki. Chanhee knows their secrets about being the children of the heavenly bodies and Changmin knows Chanhee's will to debut as well as Sunwoo's desire to be with Haknyeon again. The three of them complemented each other perfectly, Chanhee would always talk things out to them when the two of them fought, Sunwoo would always lash out at them when they refused to take care of themselves and Changmin would always guide them if they needed to be guided.

"Do you guys have classes after this period?" Changmin asked, looking at his watch. Both of them shook their heads, Changmin huffed at that. "I have one last class left after this."

"Skip it then." A different voice that wasn't Sunwoo's nor Chanhee's said. Changmin's face immediately lightened up, he snickered before removing Sunwoo's arm around his shoulder and tackled the smaller boy in front of him who suggested it.

"That's a great suggestion, boyfriend! Do you wanna go on a date?" Changmin asked, the smile on his face was wide, his lover giggling as he nodded. Changmin messed his hair before looking at the two behind them, "Sorry, I need to go. Youngjae comes first before anything else."

"Hey!" Sunwoo's first reflex is to yell at him and grab his hair that resembles blueberry. "We're going to Chanhee's apartment. Just take your boyfriend with you."

Changmin snarled and Youngjae was slapping Sunwoo's hand on Changmin's head repeatedly while talking, "Why are you guys going to Chanhee's apartment? Something important?"

"Younghoon is there." Chanhee said, snickering when Sunwoo hissed at Youngjae. Youngjae glared at him, "Let go of him for fuck's sake! You're gonna make him bald!"

So Sunwoo did, he let go of Changmin's hair and hid behind Chanhee so Changmin wouldn't attack him. Changmin shot a glare at him, as much as Youngjae likes to watch Sunwoo and Changmin squabble, he decided that today is not a good day to let the two of them squabble, not when he's so excited about meeting his boyfriend after two weeks and not when his favorite, completely sane, friend is a few streets away.

Youngjae grabbed Changmin's left wrist and made him look at him, Changmin's eyebrows furrowed, a frown still growing on his face. Youngjae mumbled a 'Please don't bite me.' before his index finger slides around Changmin's wrist, seemingly drawing a pattern before he intertwined his fingers with Changmin's gracefully. Changmin sighed, eyes shutting close and when he opened it, the frown was no longer on his face, eyebrows relaxed and not furrowed anymore.

"Youngjae, I really think you're a magician in your past life." Chanhee mumbled, the three of them looked at him with disbelief in their eyes, Youngjae was the one who answered this time, "I think I'm a son of a celestial body, not a magician."

The remaining two laughed, Changmin let go of Youngjae's hand and clutched his belly that's aching from laughing. Chanhee grumbled before clapping like he's hitting a slate before speaking like he's a professional director that worked with a worldwide famous movie, "Okay guys, cut it. Let's start walking."

Eventually the two stopped laughing even if it took like three minutes for them to compose themselves. Youngjae scratched his head before he started walking first, Chanhee followed him, walking beside him rather behind him. The shorter male greeted him formally like he wasn't asking his boyfriend to ditch them earlier. Chanhee greeted him back though, the two of them are so awkward while the two at the back are embarrassing them because they're so loud.

"Younghoon hyung really loves you." Youngjae suddenly muttered, "I know you hear it every night but I swear he's really in love with you, he never spoke with so much love and joy in his voice while talking about someone."

Chanhee smiled, a hand caressing the smaller male's vivid pink hair as they walked, Youngjae was smaller than Chanhee but he's more muscular than Chanhee. He likes wearing hoodies that hide his muscular frame and caps that gives him a more boyish look. Today he's wearing a hoodie, it rained earlier so that must have been the reason. He wonders if Youngjae feels sad if it rains, he wonders how Changmin and him express their affection to each other. He wonders if Youngjae also borrows Changmin's clothes, he wonders if...

"You know…" Youngjae started talking again, cutting his trail of thoughts and questions. "Younghoon hyung always hated the moon so much before you came. He hates it because his family was precious for him yet that one single night he arrived at his home, they didn't remember him. He hated it because it erased his whole identity, wiped out the traces of his life as Kim Younghoon, he just became… Younghoon of the Moon."

Chanhee listened attentively, when Youngjae paused, he nodded. Youngjae took it as a sign to continue.

"Then you came, it's like something snapped in him. Hyunjun told me that one night he was so happy when he came, his smile reached his eyes, something about him changed. He talked about the moon with so much love now. He always waits until the moon is up high with a huge smile on his face." Youngjae ended his story time with a chuckle, "I think you deserve to know the impact you had on him."

Chanhee smiled, it wasn't wide but Youngjae could see that he's happy, shoulders relaxed and eyes filled with pride from what he learnt.

"I think you deserve to know how much Changmin rambled about you too." Chanhee said, "It's not bad though! He would always ramble how much he missed you when he saw you literally three hours earlier. One time we got stranded in Sunwoo's house for like two days? He literally kept talking about missing your kisses for hours. It's disgusting!"

"I know that already!" Youngjae said, "Can I offer you something else to help me with?"

Chanhee kicked the imaginary brakes, his eyes widened and he covered his mouth in shock before laughing.

"So you told me that because you want to ask for a favor?!" Chanhee asked. "You're unbelievable." Chanhee remarked but one of his hands patted the younger's shoulder before whispering in his ear, "Tell me about it then?"

When the four of them entered Chanhee's apartment, they found Younghoon sitting in front of the heater. Chanhee's hoodie on, the hood was even on top of his head. His arms are on top of his knees. Chanhee put his bag on his sofa and slowly approached Younghoon. He hugged Younghoon from his back and kissed his head, "Are you cold? My hoodie is too small for you, why are you wearing it?"

"The clothes you bought for me earlier aren't as comfortable as this." Younghoon answered, the frown was evident in his voice, Chanhee hummed, "But I bought you a whole cart of casual clothes? There's a hoodie there too?"

"Chanhee, you sound like a sugar daddy." Changmin gave a snarky remark, Younghoon whipped his head to the couch and saw two figures resting too comfortably at the couch, the other one leaning on the refrigerator. Chanhee snarled at him, "So? You're literally Youngjae's sugar daddy."

Youngjae, who was the one leaning on the refrigerator while drinking water, spit his water and cough messily which caused Sunwoo to laugh loudly.

"Mop that mess." Chanhee snickered before turning to his boyfriend again. "Are you sick? Sorry, I was supposed to say that you got visitors but Changmin ruined it."

Younghoon shook his head and leaned on the younger's chest, "I'm just bored and it's cold."

"Your phone?" Chanhee asked, he stroked Younghoon's hair while humming a soft melody.

"You mean the phone you lent me? I don't know how it works, it's been like… three years since I last touched a phone." Younghoon chuckled, "I don't get how it works since the phone I owned three years ago was really old."

Chanhee let out a small sound of acknowledgement before he continued to stroke Younghoon's hair, Younghoon let out an exhale, reaching for his other hand, planting a kiss on it.

"I love you." Younghoon muttered, Chanhee smiled, "I love you too."

"I can't believe Chanhee called you sugar daddy when you live in my house and not otherwise." Youngjae huffed while mopping the floor, "Meanwhile he lives in a penthouse. You have a point."

"Oh my gosh! Shut the fuck up!" Sunwoo grumbled, his eyes fixated on the screen of his phone. "Stop talking about sugar daddies!"

The couples laughed, Sunwoo rolled his eyes, Younghoon and Chanhee got up. Chanhee headed for the kitchen while Younghoon headed for the sofa, plopping himself between Sunwoo and Changmin.

Younghoon peeped on Sunwoo's phone for quite a long time. Sunwoo just scrolled and scrolled endlessly, stopping when he saw Chanhee's image and an article attached to it. At the same time, Chanhee's phone started ringing. Younghoon read the post, "Trainee Choi Chanhee from M-net's survival show was seen with his boyfriend?"

Undoubtedly, it's Younghoon. Younghoon and Chanhee from earlier. At the same time, Chanhee also received a call. Chanhee answered the phone, "Hello? Yeah sure, you can come." He immediately ended the call after that. Younghoon grabbed Sunwoo's phone and clicked on the article.

After analyzing the article, he marched towards Chanhee. With a shaky exhale, he apologized, a hand on his cheek as he apologized and apologized. Chanhee grabbed Sunwoo's phone from him, Younghoon's tears started falling, maybe he's processing this too fast. Maybe he's too hurt by the homophobic comments made towards Chanhee.

To be honest, Younghoon doesn't know what to do. So he just hugged him, burying his face on the crook of his neck while apologizing. He's sniffling, apology almost reaching hundreds but Chanhee just laughed. He lifted his face from his neck, staring directly at Younghoon's eyes while wiping his tears, he smiled warmly to Younghoon.

"Ah, so this is why Sangyeon-hyung called." Chanhee said, "It's okay. Don't apologize, don't cry please. It's painful to see you cry like this. It's not your fault."

"It's not your fault… It's not our fault." Chanhee repeated, he kept telling him not to cry but everytime he told him not to, he cried harder.

A few knocks were heard throughout Chanhee's penthouse, Sunwoo opened it and there, Changmin finally saw Sangyeon in person, the man that Kevin and Jacob really wanted but could never reach down to.

"Hello. Is Chanhee here?" Sangyeon asked, his voice was masked with worry and fright. Changmin and Sunwoo nod. Changmin told him that he's in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry." Younghoon mumbled again, Sangyeon heard it. Sangyeon is in the kitchen now, a smile spread on his face when he saw Chanhee and his alleged boyfriend.

"Are you two okay?" Sangyeon asked, "I'm Chanhee's manager. Please don't think that I'm here to scold Chanhee. I'm here to make sure he's safe. I'm not just his manager, I'm his friend."

Chanhee nods, "We're okay but he's blaming himself. It's not his fault, right?"

To be honest, Sangyeon doesn't know what's the answer. He only knew that Chanhee and Younghoon are together but nothing more than that, just like how the media only knew that.

"I don't know… But it's not anyone's fault. It's the one who invaded your privacy's fault." Sangyeon answered.

It took Younghoon at least twenty minutes to settle down, all of them finally had the courage to meddle and tell Younghoon that it's no one's fault. When all of them sat down on the tall chairs at the dining room, Sangyeon finally started to interrogate them.

"How long have you been together?" Sangyeon asked.

"Two years." Chanhee answered, Sangyeon gasped, "You managed to hide for like, two years?! Woah, that's… long."

Sangyeon cleared his throat when he realized that Sunwoo was laughing at him for no reason at all.

"I'm not gonna make this long. What are we gonna do, Chanhee?" Sangyeon asked, "I'll support you whatever your decision is. I'll let you quit if that's what you want."

"This is the sign that I should quit." Chanhee answered, "I've been waiting for like five years to debut. The others already debuted and here I am, waiting and waiting for nothing, getting exposed for having a boyfriend."

"I think I already knew I'm not here for a long time already yet I'm still hoping. I've already lost my passion a few months ago, maybe this is the sign that I should let go. That I should not think about wasting things when I already knew that this is not for me anymore."

"Sangyeon hyung, would you still be my friend even if I quit?" Chanhee asked, Sangyeon smiled at him before giving him the answer that he wanted to hear.

"Of course, Chanhee." Sangyeon answered. "I'll help you with this mess and leave the company."

"You could join me in my dance covers, Chanhee." Changmin said to him, "I get that you're not gonna be an idol anymore but you're really good at dancing and singing, you shouldn't waste that. You should open up your channel too and do vlogs, covers and such."

"You could also feature in my songs!" Sunwoo offered, "I have quite a big audience, I think they'd appreciate you."

Those statements painted a soft smile on Chanhee's face, he appreciates it, he really does. Chanhee felt a small squeeze on his hand, when he turned to his boyfriend, he's smiling at him, he's telling him how proud he is.

"Welcome to our friend group, Sangyeon hyung!" Youngjae screamed, "I'm Youngjae, this is my boyfriend, Changmin. This is our dog, Sunwoo—"

"Hey!" Sunwoo yelled. Sangyeon laughed, his eyes forming half-moons. Changmin knows how happy Kevin would be once he told him that they're getting closer to Sangyeon.

Chanhee glanced at his phone, 16:24. He let out a sigh as he looked out the window again, Sangyeon is still not here. He remembered clearly that Sangyeon told him to meet up with him today at the Starbucks branch in front of his university, four o'clock pm as he said but he's already almost thirty minutes late.

Chanhee called him a couple of times already but he didn't pick up his phone. Chanhee unlocked his phone and decided to just leave him a message, considering he never picked up Chanhee's calls today. After he pressed send, he heard the chair in front of him creak, signalling that his friend arrived.

"You're finally here." Chanhee muttered, putting his phone down. When he lifted his head up to look at Sangyeon, he finally realized that it's not Sangyeon.

The brunette let out a little laugh, greeting him, "Hi Chanhee."

"Hyunjae hyung?" Chanhee asked, clearing his throat before greeting him back. "It's been so long."

"We met last week." Hyunjae said, Chanhee furrowed his eyebrows before answering him, "No, we didn't! The last time I saw you was on your birthday, which 
was last, last month."

"Wait really?" He laughed, "Oh gosh, I'm sorry."

Chanhee laughed too, "Why are you so distracted, hyung? Anyways, why are you here?"

Hyunjae exhaled, "Juyeon and I had a fight. He left our flat and I don't know where he is right now."

Chanhee knew something was up, it's the way Hyunjae's eyes are filled with anxiety and sadness. Chanhee easily read it off his face, his eyebags are dark and he didn't wear make-up today. If Hyunjae's mood is okay, he would totally be wearing make-up.

"That's not the reason why I'm here though." Hyunjae said, "I heard you quit being an idol trainee?"

Chanhee nods as a response. Hyunjae saw how his eyes were filled with confusion because of his question. Because of that, Hyunjae reassured him that he doesn't have any problem with it and he's actually happy for him.

"I think I figured out how Juyeon broke his curse." Hyunjae suddenly said, he licked his lower lip, playing with his fingers before continuing, "I know… I know… It's too sudden. I think we fought because of this speculation that I had."

"That's silly, why would Juyeon fight you for something that small?" Chanhee asked, "Juyeon is not a bad person, I know he'd help Younghoon if Younghoon asks. I'm pretty sure it's not the reason why he fought with you."

Hyunjae snickered, "Juyeon changed."

His voice was filled with sorrow and pain when he said those two words. His head that's usually boisterous and proud is now down, the pride he had because of Juyeon slowly turning into disappointment. Eyes glassy because of tears, if Younghoon's eyes sparkles because of love and everything nice, Hyunjae's sparkles because of the hope that's slowly being crushed and all the things he couldn't say to Juyeon.

Chanhee put his hand above Hyunjae's two hands that's clasped together, caressing it as if he's telling him that the Juyeon he loves would come back to him, giving him hopes all over again. Stupid hope.

"Chanhee, he… He's not the Juyeon I love. He's not the Juyeon that loves literature and arts, he's not the Juyeon that would make you laugh because the world is too fast for him." Hyunjae's voice broke halfway, the tears that are not supposed to flow started to fall from his eyes, "Something changed the night that he promised and broke his curse. It's just mild before though, it wouldn't come to the point where he'd hurt me just to not tell his secret."

Hyunjae sobbed, "I'm right… I'm right… It's the devil that broke his curse, not the angels."

"Hyung, you're…" Chanhee mumbled, "Lying. Juyeon would never talk to the devil. Juyeon wouldn't make a deal with him..."

"I know him more than you do." Hyunjae said, "I thought of that too, maybe I'm wrong but he wouldn't lash out if it wasn't right?"

Chanhee didn't answer, all he could do was listen to Hyunjae. Listen to Hyunjae's speculations, it's too crazy for him to comprehend but again, all of these are too insane at first place, the curses, the moon children, the sun childrens, everything.

"It was those cherries that broke his curse, we ate those cherries while watching the eclipse and he broke the curse." Hyunjae said. "I'm pretty sure that's the reason but I don't know if normal cherries would do."

After that, Hyunjae didn't speak but his tears were still flowing. Chanhee offered him his drink and some tissues, he gratefully accepted, staring out at the window of the cafe.

"It's embarrassing." Hyunjae suddenly chuckled, eyes still fixed outside the window, "I'm not supposed to cry like a crybaby but here I am. I'm sorry, Chanhee."

Chanhee held his hand again, "It's okay, how many times should I tell you? I'm not gonna judge you, I'll be here. Continue talking if you still have more stories, I'd be willing to listen."

"Juyeon is here." Hyunjae suddenly said, "I think I need to settle this first, I'll get going. I'll call you later, Chanhee. Thank you so much."

"No, thank you." Chanhee smiled, "Thank you for letting me listen to you and for being my company."

Hyunjae smiled back at him, messing his hair before standing up from his seat.

From his seat, Chanhee watched as Hyunjae ran to Juyeon. Juyeon hugged him, apologizing to him (based on Hyunjae's reaction, the said reaction was a warm and loving smile while his tears started falling again.) Hyunjae hugged him tightly too, not wanting to let go.

Chanhee sighed contentedly, getting his bag and exiting the cafe as the two made up.

It was 9am when Hyunjae called them, Younghoon once again stayed on the earth today because Chanhee persuaded him, like Younghoon wouldn't agree once he opens his mouth.

"And then he told me that he called off the deal with the devil and apologized to the god." Hyunjae said over the call. "I dunno why he apologized but he said it's so God will protect us."

Chanhee's phone is on the counter, Younghoon is talking to Hyunjae while Chanhee is cooking.

"Do you think I should believe in God too?" Hyunjae continued to blabber, "It would be really hard to! You know?"

Younghoon hummed, his arms still wrapped around Chanhee's waist, "Then don't? They'd still watch over Juyeon and Juyeon would watch over you."

"What about you?" Hyunjae asked, "Do you believe?"

Younghoon made sure that his confusion was made known on the other line, "In what?"

"God." Chanhee answered to him, "Do you believe in God?"

"I have to." Younghoon said, "Actually, I'm not very religious but I still do believe in God."

"What do you mean you have to?" Hyunjae and Chanhee asked in sync, Younghoon laughed at them.

"Just." Younghoon simply answered with a shrug, not wanting to find or say any words available to describe what he means or feels.

"Whatever." Hyunjae sassed, his eye roll was felt by the two even if they are three whole three streets apart.

Chanhee turned off the stove, Younghoon let go of his waist and let him set the table while Younghoon was still talking to Hyunjae through the phone.

"Juyeon wants me to do his make-up, I'll talk to you later!" Hyunjae bid a goodbye, Juyeon bid a goodbye too even if he doesn't know who he's talking to. Younghoon laughed, "It's me, Juyeonie! Chanhee, come here."

"Yeah, bye." Chanhee came only to say that and end the call.

"New, New, New." Younghoon called him repeatedly, putting his arm around Chanhee's shoulder.

"Gosh, will you stop it?" Chanhee rolled his eyes. Younghoon laughed at him, "Exactly what you said that time I bothered you like that."

"Whatever." Chanhee rolled his eyes, "Let's eat already, please."

Chanhee was already walking to the table, still sulking or being sassy, Younghoon doesn't really know which one but he's sure about the reason.

To solve the problem, Younghoon made Chanhee turn around by his shoulders.

"New." Younghoon called him again, his hands that were on his shoulders slowly traced up until it reached his chin, Younghoon lifted his head up, the smile on his face grew wider as he bumped his forehead with the smaller male. "It's November 19. Happy anniversary, baby."

"I thought you forgot." Chanhee remarked, the cruel snarl on his face melted into a soft and warm smile. "Happy anniversary."

"Yeah, bye." Chanhee said as he ended the call with Changmin who was reprimanding him again.

"New, New, New!" Younghoon called him, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

"Gosh, will you stop it?" Chanhee rolled his eyes, that same cruel snarl he always gives Younghoon is on his face now. It's cruel, too good to deceive Younghoon sometimes, something that's like telling him that he doesn't love him when in reality he does. "Why are you wearing clothes that's meant to be for winter?"

"Huh?" Younghoon asked, "It's supposed to be the first day of winter."

"It's not. There's no winter anymore." He answered. "Been three years since the last winter here."

Younghoon huffed, the prediction he made that today would be the first snow is ruined. He was supposed to confess to Chanhee today as it's the first snow but there's no snow!

"Global warming?" Younghoon asked.

"Global warming." Chanhee answered.

"Do you like winter?" He asked again, Chanhee nods. He grumbled, "Come on, speak!"

"I like winter, Hoonie." Chanhee said.

Younghoon smiled warmly at him, taking off his padded jacket and putting it on Chanhee's shoulders.

"What are you doing?! It's so hot!" Chanhee complained, maybe it's the reason why his face is burning now. I mean— it's possible, Chanhee is already used to Younghoon putting jackets and clothes over his shoulders when he's cold.

Younghoon's index finger traced the moon before he drew a snowflake in the air. Almost immediately, the snowflake he poorly drew became a real snowflake, few snowflakes dropped on the ground until it started snowing.

He turned his head to Chanhee, Chanhee's eyes are sparkling. He's still fighting the urge to smile but he can't. When the snow hit his face, a small smile bloomed on his face too.

"It would be cold." Younghoon said. "I was planning to confess to you during the first snow. Guess I had to make it snow by myself."

"Why are you telling me all of that first before confessing." Chanhee complained once again, this time his face is more relaxed, joy was evident in his voice as he laughed. "Please just confess."

"I'm bad with words." Younghoon rubbed his nape. "All I could say is I love you. Since the time you first laughed at me."

Chanhee tiptoed and bumped his forehead with Younghoon. Younghoon held his waist and smiled, Chanhee giggled.

"That's all you need to say, to be honest." Chanhee replied. "And that question. Ask that question."

"New, will you be my boyfriend?" Younghoon asked the question that Chanhee was referring to, if Chanhee's smile was wide before, it's surely wider now. His smile reaches his eyes.

"I, Choi Chanhee, would like to be your boyfriend." Chanhee answered, Younghoon's eyes widened. Chanhee kissed him anyway so he closed his eyes a few seconds later.

"Choi Chanhee." Younghoon muttered his name, "Your name is so beautiful, I love you so much, Choi Chanhee."

Then he kissed him again, Younghoon was right. It would be cold, but those kisses and confessions are surely more than enough to warm their nights.

"I love you too." Chanhee said it back, the words he hides using that unfriendly and cruel snarl that can't deceive Younghoon that much but it still gave Younghoon anxiety. Sometimes, it crushes his hopes but he was correct, Chanhee loves him and he just hides it behind that snarl.

Chanhee pulled him to the balcony, pointing to the moon. A small grin is on his face as he pulls Younghoon closer to him again.

"It's an eclipse." Chanhee mumbled, "Exactly on our anniversary." Younghoon replied.

He traced the moon with his finger, slightly shaky and all, the other hand— or rather arm around Chanhee's shoulder. Chanhee looks absolutely lovely under the moon's light. So beautiful. The pretty smile on his face, how his newly-dyed black hair gets swayed by the wind without any hairspray, how his cheeks look so cute because his face is puffy.

"Look what I have right here." Chanhee said, taking the cherries that Sunwoo gave to him as he asked. Younghoon's eyes widen, looking at the cherries like it's a bad thing. Chanhee smiled at him, "I think we just need to eat these now and you'll finally be free from the moon's hold on you, right?"

Younghoon desperately tried to stop Chanhee from eating the cherries but no words came out of his mouth.

"Your human just needs to eat one of these cherries." Sigma had a smile on their face, "And you'll be free. Away from the moon's hold, from my hold."

But that smile turned into a grin, a cruel one, "However, your memories of them will vanish and your life from years before all of these madness will continue."

"So, Younghoon." Sigma sat in front of him, the cruel grin widening as he continued. "It's basically just committing suicide to escape from me."

Maybe the reason why Younghoon doesn't want to believe in God— Sigma, is because they're cruel. Despite all the good things that Sunwoo said, none of it was true.

"I gave you everything, Younghoon."

Their voice rang in his ears, Younghoon's ears. Tears are just falling on his face wildly, the words didn't come from his mouth but sobs did. Loud, annoying, sobs that made Chanhee turn his head to him.

"Don't…"

Too late, one of the cherries is not on the stem between Chanhee's delicate fingers.

"Fuck…" Younghoon yelled, crying out a "...I'm sorry."

Younghoon cried for the last time, his head was spinning wildly and the voice he hated— No, hate is a soft word. Maybe despise would be a little stronger— the voice he despised the most kept on ringing in his ears. Slender arms wrapped around his waist before his head dropped onto the curve of the younger man's neck, sniffing his too familiar scent, his favorite scent, for the last time.

"I love you." He managed to say it for the last time.

His consciousness slipped out of his hand like a glass. Like a glass, everything is finally broken, the curse— the promise, their relationship. Everything.

Chanhee watched as the moon devoured the sun, when the moon completely devoured the sun, that's when Younghoon faints.

That's when Younghoon's silver hair started to change back to the original black hair that he had before.

Chanhee cried, not because of fear or anything similar to the reason why Younghoon did. He was happy, fooled by Sunwoo that nothing bad will happen. He was happy that Younghoon will finally be normal.

He didn't know his happiness would be the price.

"Younghoon! Oh my god." Chanhee cried, "You're awake!"

Younghoon blinked a couple of times, staring blankly at the ceiling of Chanhee's too-big-for-someone-who-lives-alone apartment. He doesn't know what happened, all he could say is that this is not his house. He couldn't smell the scent of his mother's newly cooked soup, neither can't he hear the tunes on the radio his father always play.

He flinched when Chanhee tapped a cold water bottle on his cheek. He again blinked a couple of times before sitting up, accepting the bottle and finishing it within a few gulps.

"Thank you." Younghoon said, "Can I ask why am I here?"

Chanhee sat on his bed, the mattress slightly submerging because of his weight.

Then suddenly Chanhee hugged him.

"You're so formal." Chanhee said, "You fainted. It's been a couple of days since you fainted, Younghoon hyung."

Younghoon slightly pushed him away, "I don't know who you are."

"I'm your boyfriend." Chanhee said, pulling away from him, "It's not a funny prank, hyung."

"You? My boyfriend?" Younghoon confusedly asked, Chanhee nodded. Younghoon snickered, "I don't know you. Stop all of these. I'm thanking you but please..."

Younghoon got up from his bed and fixed his clothes. He turned the doorknob before he continued speaking, "Don't say I'm your boyfriend. I have no such interest in other men."

Chanhee froze on his spot, once Younghoon got out and the door closed, he fell back on his bed.

"It can't be…" He shakily said, he couldn't even feel the tears that fell to the sides of his face. The pain was overwhelming, not letting him feel anything else. His phone rang and he shakily answered it.

He shakily told Juyeon all of these, all of these while crying. Juyeon comforted him.

"Sigma is evil." Juyeon mumbled, "This is why I made a deal with the devil."

"Who is Sigma?" Chanhee asked in between his sobs.

"The God." Juyeon answered. "The god, Sigma is the god. They're worse than the devil. Sigma is the real demon."

Chanhee laughed shakily, "Juyeonie, do you think I should work for my happiness with Younghoon?"

"No, Chanhee." Juyeon laughed, "This is Younghoon's punishment for leaving Sigma."

Chanhee laughed again, "If it's Younghoon's punishment… Why must I suffer?"

But Chanhee's laugh became louder, Juyeon was sincerely concerned if he's going insane because of Younghoon. The laugh slowly bleeds into sobs, Chanhee never cried this much. He never knew it would hurt this much, Younghoon promised not to hurt him. Why did he break the promise? Why did he forget about the promise?

"Am I suffering because I'm at fault or is it because we're still two halves?" Chanhee cried, "If it's the latter then that's okay."

Chanhee removed the necklace from his neck, the necklace that Younghoon uses when he stays during daytime. He traced every single detail on the necklace, every single gem, every single line on the necklace reminds him of a memory of Younghoon.

Chanhee smiled, the tears on his face started flowing again. If he's being honest, he doesn't want to let him go. He knows he's also at fault, he knows he's a part of this punishment because he's the one who ate the cherry.

"But it's okay, I'll let him go." Chanhee mumbled, "However, I'm selfish. You know that, Juyeon."

Juyeon sighed, muttering a curse as Chanhee laughed. It's really an insane thing for a person to laugh while crying but again, it's Choi Chanhee. He laughs easily. Just do the bare minimum and he'll laugh instantly.

"Are you gonna ask me a question to make him yours again?" Juyeon asked, Chanhee let out a noise as if to say he's wrong.

"No!" Chanhee huffed, "I'm gonna ask how can I make him commit the same sin as he did before."

Juyeon chuckled at that. He knows that Chanhee is selfish but he never thought that Chanhee was that cruel. Taking away Younghoon's freedom once again, just to make him remember him again. 

"You're unbelievable."

"I'm not cruel." Chanhee replied, his voice wasn't full of emotion anymore, it's just plain emotionless, he probably stopped crying. "I know you're thinking that I'm cruel. It's just that his whole family died, there's no way he could have that peace and happiness once again. I wanted to give him that again, I didn't know that he'd actually forget everything."

"You don't have to ask why. I'll tell you how I knew. When Youngjae told me that his family doesn't remember him, I confronted him and asked him if that was true.He told me it was but he still likes checking what they're doing sometimes. But then one night, he found out that they were already dead. His mom from cancer, his dad commited suicide because of it. And his brother… He's in Japan, already has a fiancee and he doesn't want to bother him."

Juyeon muttered small words of pity, the call ending suddenly when Jaehyun messaged Juyeon and told him to call, Juyeon made a half-assed promise to call him back when he could, knowing that Juyeon is probably too busy.

Chanhee plopped his whole body down the bed again, he felt empty. So empty yet so full like he's about to burst at the same time.

He continued to think about things, things that usually keeps him up. Memories that usually make him the happiest man on Earth, now it just makes him chuckle. The possibility that Younghoon won't come running back to him made him chuckle.

It's not that he can't live without Younghoon. He's sure he could but to be honest? It would be hard to. Younghoon promised him that it's okay to be dependent on him, Chanhee realized that Younghoon used to be dependent on him too. They used to depend on each other, they used to—

His thoughts were cut off by knocks on his door, it's getting louder each knock and Chanhee is about to beat up whoever is knocking on his door when he literally has a doorbell.

"Good grief, There's a doorbell. Why are you knocking?!" Chanhee complained while opening the door, the one who supposedly knocked on his door, fell on his neck. He was taller than Chanhee, his figure is so familiar, Chanhee thought that his mind is playing tricks with him but the familiar sounds of sobs and the scent that Chanhee's laundry conditioner smells like. Chanhee wrapped his arms hesitantly around him but the other's sobs became louder.

"If you're my boyfriend, why didn't you tell me they're gone?" Younghoon asked, his voice broke. Chanhee answered without hesitation, "You wouldn't believe me. You'd still come and see it for yourself."

"You know that I would come running back to you, don't you?" Younghoon asked once again, Chanhee just shrugged. He anticipated it but he never knew that he'd actually come. Younghoon pulled away but Chanhee put a hand on his head to scratch and make him stay. Younghoon didn't try to pull again once but he spoke once again. "I don't love you."

Chanhee could feel his heart tore a little bit more but he chuckled and loosen his hold, "I know, Younghoon."

Younghoon looked at him, the sparkles in his eyes are gone, it's replaced with sorrow and desperation. He pouted, his usual habit that Chanhee finds adorable whatever is going on, even if they're fighting. Younghoon hesitated, when he opened his mouth, Chanhee nod as an encouragement to keep on going.

"Can you teach me how to love you?"