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A heavy fog rolled around in Han Yoojin’s head, blurring his thoughts. Something must have kept him up at night because he felt fatigued, yet here he was, sitting down in his home. Waiting for…something.
Or was he waiting for someone?
A gentle voice called out to him. “Hyung?”
Yoojin didn’t know what he was doing before, but once he heard his younger brother’s voice, he turned to see Han Yoohyun holding a picnic basket.
“Whoa, how long have you been standing there?”
Yoohyun let out a quiet laugh. “For a while. Did you hear what I said earlier hyung?”
“Sorry Yoohyun, I’m totally out of it!” He scratched his cheek embarrassed. “Were you saying something?”
“Hyung, it’s my birthday.”
Yoojin blinked, his mind quietly registering Yoohyun’s words. “Your…birthday?”
Yoohyun smiled patiently as he knelt by the couch that Yoojin sat on. “Yes. Today is December 25th,” he said slowly, “How could you forget hyung?”
“How?” A surge of pain flashed through Yoojin’s head, making him wince. He clutched his forehead until the pain subsided.
Yoohyun’s warm hand held his shoulder. “Hyung? Are you hurt?”
“I…No, I could never forget!” How silly of him. Yoojin had been saving up his paychecks for weeks now so he could give Yoohyun a cake. He clocked in over 40 hours of overtime to get something for his dear brother. How could he forget that? No wonder he was so tired, it must have been from all the hard work.
Yoohyun chuckled at Yoojin’s outburst and gestured to the picnic basket. “You already prepared the food last night, remember? We should get going now.”
“Y-Yeah sure.” Han Yoojin rose to his feet and Han Yoohyun took one of his hands, holding it tightly as they left their home.
Han Yoohyun led the way through their old neighborhood, weaving through the streets with ease. They passed by their favorite fast food places and their old elementary school. Yoojin smiled as he recalled the picture of Yoohyun on his first day that he kept in his wallet.
Even though the sun was bright and shining, there didn’t seem to be many people out and about. In fact, they didn’t pass a single soul. Yoojin tried to peek into the store windows, but no one seemed to be around.
“They’re probably at home,” muttered Yoojin, “It’s Christmas after all.”
They reached their destination quickly. Yoohyun guided him through the grasses of a vast meadow, where flowers bloomed in many colors. The light breeze was refreshing as they laid down a red blanket under a plum blossom tree. After making sure that the blanket was secured, they began to take out the various foods from the basket.
Yoohyun opened the food containers as Yoojin prepared the utensils and plates. All the foods were Yoohyun’s favorites from when he went to school. They divided the food in half and feasted while they watched the waves of the river at the bottom of the hill.
Yoojin raised his chopsticks to Yoohyun’s mouth. “Say ‘Ah’ Yoohyun!”
Yoohyun opened his mouth and Yoojin fed him kimbap. He watched Yoohyun chew and swallow, enjoying the meal that he cooked.
At least, Yoohyun said he cooked it. He didn’t really remember.
While Yoohyun quietly snuck the last sandwich onto Yoojin’s plate, Yoojin poured himself a soft drink and sipped it.
“Since we’re having cake at home, why don’t you open your present?”
Yoohyun’s lips were curled up. “You got me a present?”
“Of course!” Yoojin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “I got it specially made just for you. It’s one of the most famous brands out there.”
“You didn’t have to get me something,” Yoohyun’s eyes softened as he accepted the gift box. “Being with you is enough.”
Yoohyun opened the box. It was empty.
“Huh?” Yoojin snatched the box back, “I swore there was a gift in here!” Did he just get ripped off?
“No worries, I’m sure I’ll love whatever you got me.”
“M-Maybe I left it at home! When we eat your cake, I’ll look for it.”
“Alright hyung.”
Yoojin apologized profusely while Yoohyun assured him that it was fine. He forced his hyung to calm down and watch the clouds with him. It only slightly helped Yoojin.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Yoojin said with a content sigh, “How did you find this place?”
“It has always been here,” said Yoohyun, “If you want, we can come again.”
“I think I’d like that.” Yoojin rested his head against Yoohyun’s shoulder. He closed his eyes and felt Yoohyun wrap an arm around his shoulders. His brother was so warm, he could fall asleep like this.
“I want to stay like this forever with you hyung.”
A smile graced Yoojin’s lips. “Me too Yoohyun.”
Something soft landed on Yoojin’s nose and he opened his eyes to see a plum blossom petal. Yoohyun picked it up and blew it away. Yoojin watched as the petal flew off into the clear, blue sky.
Clear…blue…sky?
Yoojin abruptly sat up, shaking off Yoohyun who pouted at the loss of warmth.
“Yoohyun…” Yoojin spoke slowly, “your birthday is December 25th.”
“Yes, it is hyung. That’s why we’re out here. You planned this, remember?” Yoohyun replied as he gestured to the picnic basket.
“No, I didn’t,” said Yoojin, mind beginning to clear, “Where are we?”
“Hyung?”
“If it was really December, then it’s supposed to be winter right now,” Yoojin slowly looked up at the blossoming tree above them, “It should be snowing…”
Yoohyun’s eyes darkened. “It cleared up last night.”
“Yoohyun, how is the tree blooming when it should be the dead of winter?” Yoojin’s eyes began to frantically scan the meadow. The sun was beginning to set, but it felt as if the day had only begun. “Yoohyun?”
The smile on Yoohyun’s face gradually faded. He let out a sigh and slowly stood up.
“It’s time for you to forget.”
“Yoohyun, do you know what’s going on?”
Yoohyun was silent as he offered a hand to Yoojin.
Yoojin grabbed Yoohyun’s hand and was pulled up, crashing into Yoohyun’s broad chest. Strong arms wrapped around his middle. Yoohyun was hugging him.
“Time is fleeting,” whispered Yoohyun, “but I’m glad to share this brief moment with you.”
“What are you talking about?” Yoojin tried to wrestle out of Yoohyun’s grip. He glanced to the side. “Are we in a dungeon?”
The meadow was no longer filled with life. The previously colorful flowers were now dying and gray. The tree above them was now stark white, its branches wilted and decayed. Even the winds were still, only stale, stagnant air remained.
The sky was black and only the moon shone above them, the only witness that watched the two brothers in the forgotten meadow.
“Hyung, please live.”
Why didn’t Yoojin notice sooner? “Yoohyun, if it’s your birthday, how old are you?”
A black butterfly flew past Yoojin and he lost the strength to speak.
Yoohyun’s arms tightened their hold over Yoojin. He buried his face into Yoojin’s hair, deeply inhaling the scent of his older brother. “I’m sor—”
Han Yoojin awoke with a start, a woolen blanket slipping off of him and onto the floor. He heaved for air as he checked his surroundings. He was in his room, the light of the sun peeking through the curtains and onto his face.
Peace, who was laying down near Yoojin’s thigh, was startled and began to mewl at Yoojin, concerned for his caretaker. Yoojin brought Peace onto his lap and began to pet the manticore’s fur, hoping it would calm him down.
“Sorry Peace, I don’t know what came over me.”
Peace pawed at his chest, still mewling up at him. Yoojin tried to smile, but failed.
There was a knock on his door, but before Yoojin could say anything, it opened to reveal Yoohyun. As Yoojin stared at his brother, a full body shiver went through his body. He felt a pang in his chest and resisted the urge to keel over.
“Hyung, I cooked breakfast—” Yoohyun immediately rushed to Yoojin’s bedside. “What’s wrong hyung? Are you in pain?”
“What? No, I feel fine.”
“Then why are you crying?” Yoohyun cupped Yoojin’s cheek and swiped away at the fresh tears that trailed down Yoojin’s cheek.
“I am?” Yoojin touched his face and his fingers came back damp. He didn’t realize it at all. No wonder Peace and Yoohyun were so concerned. “So weird.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need a potion?” Yoohyun was shuffling through his inventory, ready to grab his strongest potion, but Yoojin seized his wrist.
“No no no, I’m fine! Stop it.” Yoojin rolled his eyes as he wiped his face dry. “I probably just drooled over myself or something.”
“Drool doesn’t come from your eyes,” Yoohyun said with a frown, completely unconvinced. “Don’t lie to me hyung.”
“I’m not!” Yoojin lightly shoved his brother off of him. “It was just allergies or something.”
Yoohyun pursed his lips before letting out a sigh. “...If you say so. Anyways, I prepared breakfast.”
“You did? I told you I was going to cook breakfast.”
“Well, maybe if you didn’t sleep in,” Yoohyun snorted as Yoojin finally got out of bed, “but you did.”
“Don’t lecture me,” Yoojin huffed as he stared at Yoohyun’s pout. There was a brief flash of recognition but Yoojin just shook his head. He ruffled his brother’s hair before heading to the bathroom. “I’ll be ready in a sec.”
When the bathroom door shut, Yoohyun’s face fell. He clenched his shaking fist as he returned to the kitchen.
Yoohyun still felt the lingering pains from the confrontation on his birthday, but how was it possible that Yoojin seemed to be affected? His other self said that Yoojin wasn’t supposed to remember anything. He silently filed the thought away for later.
For now, he had to prioritize breakfast with hyung. He would deal with it later.