Archive of Our Own

“Bamby hyung, are you really leaving Heaven next week?” A little boy by the name of Beomjin clings onto his leg with a pout heavy on his face. A chorus of “Don’t leave,” and “I will miss you so much,” follows after Beomjin’s whine. 

They’re currently at Bamby’s advanced 20th birthday party, also known as his going-away party. In a week, he will be leaving this place and going to Ohr; a place where angels go after turning 20 to become full-fledged angels and work under the guidance of the Almighty. Almost everyone heads there after turning 20, so Bamby will be able to meet these precious kids again.

That is not to say he will be able to see all of them. There are rare cases of angels being thrown into the Araphel instead. They’re deemed as corrupted angels in the eyes of the Lord. Since God will not be needing them, they’re thrown into Araphel forever, cleaning up the dirt of whoever. It’s basically a second Hell but in Heaven. 

Growing up, they are taught that it’s best to work under the Almighty. Only then will His love for you grow and you will have no sufferings. So that is where Bamby will be going. 

Bamby smiles.  “It’s not like we will never see each other ever again. I’ll see all of you in Ohr, right?” He squats down and hugs the 10 children who are crowding around him. He falls on his butt, unable to handle all of their weight. 

They laugh heartily. It’s another joyous day in Heaven. 

Hamin watches from the side, longingness is written all over his face. 

Bamby excuses himself from the kids and walks over to his childhood best friend’s side. “What are you doing all by yourself? Not going to join the fun?” 

What is so fun about sending you away? Hamin wants to ask. But he just smiles and shakes his head. 

Bamby playfully taps his nose. “You’re being like this because you’ll miss me, won’t you?” 

“If you know the truth, then why did you bother asking?” Hamin pokes his nose back. 

Bamby laughs. “It’s not like I’m leaving tomorrow. There’s still a week left. C’mon, cut the cake together with me, won’t you?” Before Hamin can respond, Bamby drags him to the long table where his three-tier birthday cake is at. 

Everyone starts clapping and singing the birthday song. The next moment, Hamin is holding the birthday knife alongside Bamby and they’re cutting the cake together. It looks like a wedding. Although, a homosexual wedding is not at all possible in Heaven. So this will remain as Hamin’s little fantasy. Bamby gives everyone a piece and thanks them for coming, Hamin helping him too. 

It really does feel like a wedding, their wedding . If only… 

The next few hours went by in a blur and soon the sun set. Everyone starts making their way back to the Haven, where they lodge. They each wish Bamby the best of luck one last time before leaving. Now it’s just Hamin and Bamby. They look around the place and Hamin sighs. Of course, it is them who have to clean up the mess. Naturally so, because they’re one of the oldest.

“I’m so glad everyone had fun today,” Bamby breaks the silence. 

Hamin nods. He’s still lost in thoughts. His brain is still trying to process how he only has a week, 7 days, left to spend with Bamby. 

“Did you not have fun, Haminnie?” Bamby’s question successfully snaps Hamin out of his thoughts. 

“T-that’s not the case at all, hyung.” 

“Then why do you keep frowning today?” Bamby taps at the space in between his brows. 

Hamin rubs the wrinkles away and tries to put on his best smile. Key word is try. 

“You’re not convincing at all,” Bamby chuckles. 

Hamin sighs and walks up behind Bamby, engulfing the elder in a hug from the back. He rests his chin on the shorter’s shoulder. “It’s because you’re leaving in a week, hyung. How am I supposed to live without you for the next 2 years? We’ve been together since we were wearing diapers.” 

Bamby just laughs and knocks his childhood best friend on the head. “You’re so dramatic. You said it yourself, that we will meet again 2 years later. Just wait until you’re 20, okay?” 

Hamin groans and tightens his arms around Bamby’s waist. “I know… but I hate this… being apart from you, I mean. I don’t understand why you can’t just stay by my side forever.” 

Bamby gasps and releases himself from Hamin’s grip. He whisper-shouts, “You can’t say that, Hamin-ah!” 

Before the elder can start lecturing him about how saying that is bad and it goes against the teachings, Hamin crashes him into a hug once again. “I know I know. I don’t actually mean it.” 

“You can’t say that ever again!” Bamby harshly whispers, warning Hamin. 

“I won’t… but on one condition!” The smug look returns on Hamin’s face. 

Bamby rolls his eyes. “Why are we making a condition on such a trivial matter like this? But since it’s my last week here, I’ll hear you out.” 

Hamin snickers. “Every day for a week, you have to hang out with me until it’s time for you to go.” 

The pink-haired angel raises a brow. “That’s all? We already do that anyways.” But Hamin just gives him a mysterious smile. It dawns upon Bamby. “Even while I’m using the toilet?” 

“Yup!” Hamin exclaims while popping the ‘p’ sound. 

Bamby sighs in defeat. “Fine. Only because it’s my last week here.” 

“Is that really allllll there is to that?” Hamin shakes Bamby’s arm. 

“And also because you’re special to me. There. Happy?” 

Hamin’s face brightens up and he tackles Bamby on the ground. “Yes!” He begins tickling the elder, again filling the quiet field with noise. 

Day 2

“What are we doing today?” Bamby asks Hamin who is dragging him out of bed as soon as he woke up. 

It’s currently day 2 out of 7. What a shame, Hamin thinks to himself. But it’s okay since he will be having the next 6 days all to himself. 

“We spent the whole day at the party yesterday, I know you’re going to be exhausted so today I’ll be playing the harp for you.” 

Bamby’s half-lid eyes shoot open instantly.  Hamin loves those magenta orbs. From the way the elder’s eyes are shaped down to the colour of it, and the way it sparkles. “You know I love it when you play the harp!” He exclaims. 

Hamin smiles and continues dragging him to the chapel where the harp is. “You can look forward to it. I’ll spend the whole day playing it for you.”

“Won’t you get tired?” 

Hamin scoffs. “Me? Tired? For you, never.” 

Bamby raises a brow skeptically. “If you say so. Then I’ll be sitting here and listening to you play the harp~!” The pink-haired angel makes his way to the window edge and settles down there. Hamin picks up a chair and the harp, positioning it in front of the older. He bows before taking a seat. Bamby claps excitedly, swaying to the melody of the song when Hamin starts playing. He’ll miss this for sure when he’s away. Bamby holds himself back from choking up and concentrates on remembering every single detail.

The way Hamin holds the harp and how his fingers move so elegantly when he plays it. The way he fixates his eyes on the harp, making sure that he makes no mistake and his posture remains graceful. Bamby can feel his breath slowly being taken away as he watches the way Hamin’s lashes gently flap against his cheeks when he blinks. Then Hamin will look up from the harp occasionally, locking eye contact with Bamby, and sending him a warm smile in his way. It’s beautiful. Bamby takes it all in and engraves it in his brain so he will remember this sight when he misses his best friend.

“What are you thinking of? You’ve been quiet for a while now,” Hamin asks, a little worried by how quiet Bamby is being.

Bamby shakes his head and smiles. “It’s nothing. Don’t let me distract you. Go on, you said you were going to play me music the whole day.” He’s not going to tell Hamin about it now. He’ll wait until it’s the last night. 

“As you wish, my Lord.” Hamin bows. 

Bamby panics. “Hamin, you know you can’t say that!” 

Hamin quickly starts another piece, silencing Bamby before the elder can begin to nag at him. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” he says rather casually. But Bamby stays quiet, even though, all he wants to do is tell off Hamin for addressing him so blasphemously. However, remaining quiet while one is playing music is one of the teachings taught by the elders. Although, Hamin and Bamby are long past that. Bamby still likes to respect the rules, though. Hamin, on the other hand, not so much. But Bamby isn’t going to snitch on his best friend for something this trivial.

Sooner or later, Bamby forgets all about how Hamin addressed him improperly. The younger’s beautiful playing makes up for it all. 

They stay there until the sun set and the moon has risen to its highest peak.

They make their way back to their room with Bamby is on Hamin’s reliable and stable back. Bamby admires how brightly the moon is shining into their haven. “Thinking about it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the moon this high before. Now that I’m looking at it, I’ve never realised it’s this big either. Thank you, Almighty, for Your great and sacred creation.” The pink angel remembers to show gratitude. 

Hamin hums. “That’s because you’re always sleeping once the clock strikes 10 pm.” 

Bamby turns to look at Hamin. “So you’ve seen the moon like this before?” 

Hamin ponders for a bit. “Yeah, when I wake up to use the toilet. You hyung, on the other hand, don’t wake up until it’s 6 am the next day.” 

He slumps on Hamin’s back. “Can you blame me? There’s basically nothing to do until the morning. Besides, I’m more thankful that because of the 10 pm curfew, I get to have a good night rest every night. Thank you, Lord Almighty, for that once again.”

Hamin restrains himself from rolling his eyes. “Since we are on this topic, do you want to go somewhere with me sometime this week?” 

“Hm? Where are we going and what are we doing?” 

“To stargaze!” 

Bamby’s eyes light up at the idea of that. But he proceeds to frown. “What about the curfew? We already stayed out late tonight. Do you think they’ll let us do it again?” 

“Yeah, why not?” Hamin replies without hesitation. 

Bamby finds that suspicious. “How are you so sure of that?” 

“Because I’m going to make them let us stay out no matter what. I already managed to convince them today, why don’t you think I can do it again? You don’t have to worry your pretty little mind, hyung. Just let me settle everything. You will watch the stars and moon with me before you leave.” 

Once Hamin has his mind set on something, no one can convince him otherwise. 

“Okay.” Bamby relaxes on Hamin’s back again and continues to admire the moon until they are back in their room. 

Day 3

“What are we doing today?” Bamby sits by Hamin’s bed, already all dressed up and done with his prayers. Meanwhile, Hamin is still in bed.

It has always been this way. But Bamby doesn’t mind. He likes watching his best friend sleep in. It is a sight that no one else has seen except him. Bamby feels special because he’s the only one who knows that this side of Hamin exists. 

Hamin jolts out of bed, pretending to be wide awake, even though his half-lidded eyes are betraying him. “Yes! Today we are going to enjoy some delicacies.” He quickly gets dressed, though it is sloppy. 

Bamby giggles. He gets up and helps the taller adjust his robes again. “Go get freshened up. I’ll do another prayer while waiting.” Hamin takes the chance to rush to the toilet to make himself look presentable like how he usually does. He’s not going to look sloppy when he’s out on a date with Chae Bamby. 

Yes. Hamin thinks of the last week they’re spending together as a date. Obviously, it’s one-sided. And Bamby doesn’t have to know how he really feels. He can already hear the elder’s voice in his head, nagging at him. Besides, it’s best to keep your true thoughts to yourself, especially in this place. No good will happen to him if he speaks the truth. Hamin knows that is the harsh truth and he will learn that soon. 

“Why did you suddenly want to eat?” Bamby asks as they make their way to the garden in the back.

“Because when we were younger, I remember the look on your face when you tasted a strawberry from the garden. And for a few weeks after that, that is all you can talk about. Even in your sleep.”

Bamby covers his mouth in shock. “I did that?”

“I remember it as clear as day, hyung. You can’t run from this.” Hamin points at Bamby, teasing him. 

Bamby’s face turns red. He doesn’t remember it at all but the thought of him constantly talking about it made him embarrassed. Was he being annoying about it? Hopefully not. 

Hamin goes ahead of Bamby after spotting something. He bends down and— pluck. He plucks a crimson red, big, and round strawberry from the bush. “This one looks good, hyung.” He takes a small bite of the strawberry, confirming the taste before feeding it to Bamby. The shorter briefly wonders if this is okay but Hamin has the strawberry against his lips. “Open up, hyung. Say ahh.”

“Ahhhh…” Bamby takes a big bite of the strawberry and he moans from how delicious that was. He thanks the Lord Almighty once again. “I can’t believe something as delicious as that exists.” 

Hamin laughs. “Alright then, shall we pick some and put it in the basket?” 

“Is that allowed?” 

“Why not?” 

“Yu Hamin!” 

“Alright alright! I already asked the elders for permission, they gave the green light.” 

Bamby puffs. “You should try being more honest, Hamin-ah.” 

Hamin shoves another strawberry in Bamby’s mouth. “I am honest.” 

“I beg to differ,” Bamby says after swallowing. 

“I’m just a trickster, hyung.” 

Bamby sighs. “Just do it in moderation, okay?” 

“I am. I’m only like this with you, Bamby hyung.” 

“I don’t know if I should be flattered.” 

“Of course, you should.” Hamin wraps an arm around Bamby’s waist. “Because you’re special to me, hyung.” I like you, Hamin wants to say. He wishes he could say that. But he can’t so he will just play the good childhood friend that Bamby thinks he is. 

Bamby stares into Hamin’s eyes. Behind those pink eyes, he’s thinking that Hamin’s arm around his waist feels really nice. “You’re special to me too.” He pats Hamin’s hand and smiles. “Let’s go and pick more strawberries and rest under the shade.” 

Hamin nods, agreeing. His hands are still on Bamby as they go around the garden gathering strawberries and other fruits. By the time their basket is full, they seek shade under this huge tree that has been here for generations. This is also the same tree where they carved their names. Right under the shade of the said tree, they dug a hole, keeping their memory box in it. 

“The memory box!” Bamby exclaims suddenly. 

“Yeah, I was thinking we can take it out before you go.” 

Bamby nods enthusiastically. “But you’re keeping it.” 

“Why me?” 

“Because I want you to continue adding into the box for the next 2 years. Bring it over when it’s your turn to go to Ohr, okay?” 

Hamin’s stomach churns at that. He does want to go to Ohr so he can be with his Bamby hyung. But he doesn’t know if that will happen. He’s not really the person Bamby think of him to be after all. He’s not just Bamby’s childhood best friend. He’s someone who loves the pink-haired angel and in this place, there is no such thing as same-sex love. That’s friendship. 

Still, he puts on a smile and nods. “I’ll bring it you then.” 

“Let’s dig it out on the last day though. I’m too tired now.” 

“Okay,” says Hamin. Anything Bamby wants. Hamin will make come true. 

So they stay under the shade, eating strawberries and other fruits they picked until they can no longer stomach any. 

Day 5

“But we want to play with Bamby hyung today!” Beomjin whines. For a kid as small as him, he sure has a tough grip on Bamby. 

Hamin smiles but he’s actually clenching his jaw. “How many times do I have to tell you that Bamby hyung and I already promised to be with each other all day this week?” 

“You’ve already played with him for the past 3 days! Bamby hyung is leaving in 2 days. I want to play with him too!” Beomjin cries out, his loud voice filling up their room. 

“But—” 

Bamby cuts Hamin off. He picks Beomjin up and sits the kid on his right arm. “Hyung will miss Beomjinnie too. So Haminnie hyung, let us play together, okay?” Bamby taps the taller with Beomjin’s small hand. He shoots Hamin his puppy eyes too, knowing that he will not be able to resist it. 

Hamin pinches the space between his brows, sighs, and gives in. “Fine.” 

Beomjin flies out of Bamby’s arms and spins around in joy. “I’ll go call the other kids!” He exclaims while flying away. 

Hamin approaches the shorter and lets out a groan while leaning on his shoulder. “I wanted to spend the whole day with you today…” he mutters a complaint under his breath. But Bamby heard everything so he pats the taller on his head, comforting him. 

“C’mon… you still have another 2 days with me. Give the kids a chance, won’t you? Aren’t you sick of me yet?” 

Hamin abruptly wraps his arms around Bamby’s frame. “No, never.” He buries his nose into the crook of the older’s neck. He stays like that for a moment, taking in the older’s natural scent. Roses with a hint of mint. It suits the pink-haired angel really well. Comfort and purity. That’s exactly what he is. Hamin can’t help but praise the Lord for how good Bamby smells. He wants to smell this forever. 

“Hyung, we are back!” Beomjin comes back with 5 other kids who are all ready to play with Bamby. 

Hamin reluctantly lets go of the hug and lets out a big sigh. Why on earth does Bamby have to be so well-liked by everyone? If he could, he would want to lock him away from the rest of the world and keep him all to himself. Hamin stops himself before he can further brew the thoughts. He nervously gulps his spit, wetting his now-dry tongue. He looks around jitterily. He didn’t say that aloud, did he? When he sees no one minding him at all, his shoulders relax. 

No one. No one can know that he thinks that way. Not even Bamby. 

“So kids, what should we play today?” Bamby’s baritone voice fills up the courtyard outside of their haven. 

“Let’s play house!” The children exclaim in unison. 

“Alright alright. How should we do it?” 

“Bamby hyung, you’re the mom!” Beomjin pauses and looks over at Hamin with attitude flaring in his eyes. “Haminnie hyung, you can be the dad,” he continues with his arms folded. 

“I see this is how you’re going to be with me, huh? You love your mom more?” Hamin runs up to Beomjin and lifts him up. “Then your dad is going to make you love him more since no one can love Mom more than me!” He spins the child around, filling the courtyard with hearty laughter and the demands of other children wanting to be spun around too. 

“Come to mom! I can do it too!” Bamby welcomes the children with his open arms and they come running to him. 

They play until the children are all plopped on the ground, beat. They’re all gasping for air. 

Hamin sees Bamby laughing at the side so he walks up to the shorter and puts his hand on his back. “Did you have fun today?” 

“Yeah.” He looks up at Hamin and rests his head on Hamin’s arm. “I know today didn’t exactly go according to your plans but I had a lot of fun. Plus we were still together, so I hope you don’t mind it too much.” Bamby grabs Hamin’s hand in his and locks their fingers together. 

Hamin feels the air getting punched out of his lungs by the sudden skinship. But he plays it cool. It’s not weird to do this with your friends, especially someone you grew up with. 

“I don’t mind it at all. I’m just happy as long as I’m by your side, hyung-ah.” Although, I still wish to be with you alone. 

Bamby taps Hamin’s arm with the top of his head. “You’re so corny, you know that?” 

Hamin puts his hand on Bamby’s head and he sniffs the top of his head. “I told you that it’s only for you, hyung.” 

Bamby chuckles softly. “This reminds me of when we were younger too.” 

“Hm? What does?” 

“When we were younger, you really loved playing house. And you would make yourself the dad, me the mom, and Yejun hyung our son. It’s really funny looking back now. Yejun hyung, who is years older than us, roleplaying as our son. What great imaginations you have there, Yu Hamin.” Bamby ends off with a laugh. 

Hamin blushes. Of course, he remembers doing that. That’s not the only thing he remembers too. He hopes Bamby won’t bring it up. 

But that is exactly what Bamby does. “You remember that one time, you were so engrossed in the role, you kissed me on the cheeks? And then you wouldn’t stop doing it so Yejun hyung and a few other elders had to pull you away from me?” Bamby cracks up at the fond memory. “And you proceeded to throw a tantrum, asking why can’t you kiss me? Since you loved me. Ha… those were the days.” 

Just as Hamin thought, Bamby thinks of that day as nothing more than a fond memory of his adorable childhood best friend. But to Hamin, that isn’t the case. 

After that day, he was kept under the supervision of 5 different elders. They gave him a long talk about how romantic feelings only happen between a man and a woman. And what he feels for Bamby is not a romantic attraction but affection towards a friend. But Hamin was only 7, he had no idea what they were talking about. So he’d continue sticking close to Bamby like how he usually does. 

But this leaves a bad taste on some of the elders’ tongues so they’d pull Hamin away from Bamby when it got too much for their liking. Hamin would give the elders attitude for that. Even then, they would be patient with him and give him a long lecture about how love is only between a man and a woman. 

Man and woman. Man and woman. 

Hamin groans in frustration. How many times does he have to hear this? 

So for a while, Hamin will stop approaching Bamby as much. This confused Bamby but he thought maybe it was because the younger is going through early puberty. 

Of course, avoiding the pink-haired angel did not last for a long time. It was only until the elders finally got off his back. Soon, they are back to their usual way. Where Bamby goes, Hamin is there. 

“Ah… why did you have to mention that? I’m so embarrassed…” Hamin hides his red face behind his hands. But it’s as if the red had seeped through because his hands are red too. 

“Oh? So you’re embarrassed now?” Bamby teases him. 

Hamin peeks at the pink-haired angel through his fingers. His eyes trail to the elder’s plump lips then to his cheek that he kissed and back. He briefly wonders if it would be any different now if he were to kiss Bamby?

Hamin licks his lips, finding it harder to hold back the longer he stares at Bamby’s lips. It’s tempting. So tempting that’s why it’s considered a sin. There’s no denying that now since Hamin knows that those feelings are indeed romantic. He wants to kiss Bamby because he’s in love with him. He does exactly what the elders tell him that he can’t do. But he can’t help it. 

Hamin uses his hand to tilt Bamby’s face up, their eyes locking. And his other hand falls to his side naturally. Drawn in and without a single thought in his mind, he leans in and aims right for Bamby’s lips. 

They’re inches away from each other. So soooo close when— 

“Hyungs! One more time, will you? Please!” Beomjin interrupts.

Hamin jolts. His eyes widen when he realises what he almost did. That could end badly. Not just for him, but for Bamby hyung. He could be thrown into Araphel because of that. If that happens because of him, Hamin will not let himself live peacefully. 

“Okay! Let’s do 50 more backflips, no 100 more!” Hamin scurries away and picks Beomjin up in haste before flipping the kid around again. 

Bamby stands there, dazed. What was that about? 

Day 7

“Let’s dig up the memory box today,” says Bamby after he’s done with his prayers. 

Hamin, on the other hand, has barely got any prayers done. He’s been watching the elder for the past 10 minutes. He doesn’t want to take his eyes off Bamby. He’s scared. Because it’s day 7. When the sun sets and rises tomorrow, Bamby will be heading off to Ohr. 

“Hamin? Are you listening?” 

“Huh? Oh. Yeah, let’s do that.” 

Bamby gets up from the ground and walks over to Hamin, sitting in the empty space next to him. He places his palms on the sides of Hamin’s temple and connects their foreheads. “You’re overthinking,” he says. Hamin doesn’t say anything to that. He doesn’t know what to say, Bamby’s right. How can he refute that? 

Bamby continues, “Hey… Look. I’m not disappearing forever. I’ll make sure to visit you now and then but we know how busy it can get in Ohr. Besides, you’re coming to find me in 2 years, right? So don’t think of this as a goodbye. We’ll meet again in the year 2024, 1st November. Hyung will be waiting for you on the other side, okay?” 

After hearing those words, Hamin can barely hold back his tears. But he’s trying his best to, he’s trying so hard that his hands are shaking as he places them on top of Bamby’s. He puts on the best smile he can muster without breaking out into tears. He nods, “I’ll find you, hyung. I’ll go to you.” 

Bamby nods and smiles. At that moment, it looks like Bamby is glowing. 

He’s an actual angel, Hamin thinks. How ironic of him to, considering that he is one too. But they’re different. Because Hamin is convinced that even if Bamby was born as a human, he’d still be an angel. 

Bamby gets up from Hamin’s bed and reaches his hand out for Hamin’s. “Let’s go to that spot.” Entranced by the pink-haired angel’s gloriousness and beauty, Hamin lets himself be dragged away to the tree they were sitting under a few days ago. 

“I’m not too sure where the exact location is, but it’s around here, isn’t it?” Bamby points at a random spot on the ground. 

Hamin laughs. “Not quite, hyung. C’mon, move aside. I know where it is.” The taller angel pushes the shovel into the ground and steps on it before digging out a big part of the ground. 

Bamby watches in awe. “How are you so sure that it’s this spot?” 

Hamin glances over at Bamby with a smirk, the uneasy boy from earlier no longer there. “Because I remember everything there is to remember relating to you, hyung.” 

Bamby knows that is the truth but he can’t help laughing at how Hamin said that with a straight face. He’s still thinking about the kiss they almost shared from 2 days ago and it finally dawns on him. Mild hints of uneasiness start bubbling in his stomach but he shrugs it away. That’s not possible, that’s what the elders taught them. So Bamby keeps this memory and feeling locked up in a box. It’s whatever, they’re childhood friends, that’s what Bamby chalks it up as. 

Another 10 minutes passes by while Hamin is digging. Bamby is just impressed now. “Are you sure it’s here? Shouldn’t you be able to dig it up by now? No way we dug that deep as kids.” 

“Hyung,” Hamin huffs. “We did dig that deep—specifically I did. You kept saying something about ‘What if we don’t dig enough and the next time we come back, someone had already dug it up.’ You were whining, hyung.” 

Bamby blushes. “I did that?” 

Hamin nods. 

“Still, how could I have made you, a child who is 2 years younger than me, dig a hole so deep? I think you must’ve remembered it wrongly, Haminnie-ah.” 

Just then— thump! 

Their eyes widen, and Bamby scurries to where the sound is coming from. Hamin raises the shovel and slams it down. Thump! There it is again, this time, louder. 

“I told you that I remember everything related to you, hyung. Besides, I volunteered to dig because that’s what you wanted, hyung. You were a real princess back then.” 

Bamby is shocked by the description. “But I’m not a woman, Hamin-ah.” 

Hamin ignores that and focuses on digging the memory box out instead. There’s no need for that reminder from Bamby himself, Hamin reminds himself every day. 

Man and woman. It’s basically a chant in his head. 

“Oh!” Bamby exclaims when he starts seeing a glimpse of the box. He gets down on his knees and starts digging with his hands. Hamin follows suit. 

Finally, the memory box is in their hands. Hamin blows and sweeps any remaining soil on the box. 

“It still looks as good as new.” Bamby gapes in awe. 

“It was worth digging such a deep hole at 8 years old, hyung,” Hamin teases the elder, causing him to hit him lightly. 

“Open it.” Bamby nudges Hamin who is holding the box. So that’s what Hamin does. 

The first thing that greets them is a portrait of them together. They were about 8 and 10 years old in the picture. Bamby still remembers that day. 

Yejun had gathered them together and made them stand in the middle of the chapel. 

“Are we here to pray, Yejun hyung?” Bamby asked, his round eyes sparkled at the thought of praying together with the elder. Hamin who saw Bamby reacting this way, reacted in the same way too. 

Yejun laughed endearingly at the two adorable kids. “We can do that later. For now, let’s do this!” He pulled out an unknown object to the two. 

“What’s that, hyung?” Bamby approached the object with curiosity. He poked it with his finger, almost like a kitten trying to approach something new with caution. 

“It’s a camera!” Yejun exclaimed. 

“A camera?” Hamin and Bamby said in unison. 

Yejun nodded. “Let me show you what wonderful things it does. Both of you stand right there. Let me just—” he backed up until there was a decent space between them. He put his eye to the camera and counted down from 3. “Okay smile!” 

Although, confused, Hamin and Bamby did as they were told. A flash went off, startling Bamby. Instinctively, he hid behind the younger despite him being the taller one. “What was that?” He mumbled under his breath, his voice trembling. 

“Ah! So sorry about that! I forgot to warn you about the flash. Don’t worry, it’s nothing much! Besides, come and look at this! The picture turned out so well!” 

Picture? That rings a tone to Bamby. Intrigued, he approached the ‘picture’. There in the picture were him and Hamin smiling happily despite them being confused seconds before.

“Picture… Camera…” Bamby articulated each syllable with care. These two things in Yejun’s hands felt so sacred to Bamby, even though, he had just came to know what it was. It’s sacred and precious to him because it captured a moment of happiness. How many more can it capture? Bamby wanted to know. “Yejun hyung, can we take one of you in it too?” 

Yejun’s eyes lit up. “I was just about to ask! Come, let’s huddle together and I’ll take it.” They got into place and before Yejun pressed the button this time, he warned the kids about the flash.

This time around, the picture came out really well. Bamby used all the muscles in his face to smile, and so did Yejun. Though Hamin’s smile wasn’t as wide, the affectionate look in his eyes made up for it. 

Bamby grabs the picture with Yejun in it and caresses it. “Hamin-ah, I’ll be able to see Yejun hyung again tomorrow.” 

“Yeah.” 

He looks at the younger. “So this means that Yejun hyung and I will be waiting for you. Make sure you come, okay?” 

“I will.” 

“Ah! Before I forget!” Bamby scrambles something out of his sleeves and presents it to Hamin. “I made this for you.” 

A necklace. It’s baby pink with hints of white. Pure, just like Bamby. Hamin is speechless. He did not expect this at all. When did Bamby even get the time to make this? 

Before he can ask anything, Bamby continues. “You can wear it or put it in our memory box.” 

“I’ll wear it, hyung,” Hamin says, rather choked up. He puts it around his neck and instantly, it feels like it’s meant for his skin. Hamin searches his mind, trying to find anything to say at all. He’s just so happy right now. Eventually, he throws himself in the elder’s arms. “Thank you so much, hyung. I love it so much. I’ll never take it off!” 

Bamby laughs. “You’re overreacting. You can take it off when it’s too uncomfortable or anything.” 

“No! Never!” 

“Alright, do as you like. I’m just glad you like it. Shall we continue looking through the memory box?” 

They finally sit down under the tree, just as they did days ago. And they rummage through the box. They come across random items that they picked up and gifted to each other when they were younger.

“Did you give me this leaf?” Bamby picks up a leaf that died long ago. Who thought it was a great idea to put it in a sealed box? They were clearly not thinking all that much as kids. “How cute.”

“Who? Me?” 

“I was talking about the leaf, but you’re cute too.” Bamby pinches Hamin’s cheek. It used to be fluffy. What a shame that Hamin had shedded it all away. 

“But hyung, you’re cuter.” The look on Hamin’s face is serious when he says this. 

Bamby gulps anxiously. The pace of his heart picks up at the intensity of Hamin’s gaze. He simply nods. Avoiding Hamin’s gaze, he looks for something else in the box. He pulls out a picture of Hamin that he took with the camera that Yejun gave him before he left for Ohr. 

Hamin leans to Bamby’s side so he can take a closer look of the photo. “Hm? When was this? I’ve never seen it before nor do I have the recollection of taking this. What was I even doing here?” The younger turns his head and his breath hitches. He can feel his face heating up too. When did he get this close to Bamby hyung? Their faces are barely just inches away from each other. Just like 2 days ago. How he had come so close to actually kissing Bamby if it wasn’t for Beomjin. Hamin clears his throat and backs away slightly. “So…?” He taps at the photo before taking it away from Bamby. 

“I think it was about 3 years ago. You were looking at the sky. I took the camera out to take a photo of the sky but you looked really good in that moment too. I thought I can’t let this moment pass by. Yejun hyung once told me that a photo lasts forever. So I took a photo of you without you noticing. Don’t you think that you look good here?” 

Hamin looks at the photo. “Is this what I look like to you?” He asks. 

“Hm? Yeah!” 

So this is what he looks like in Bamby’s eyes. Slowly, Hamin begins to nod. “Yeah, I look good here.” He looks at the photo in his hand and thinks for a moment before giving it back to Bamby. “Don’t put it back in the box. Bring this with you. Since 2 years is a long time and it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be given the free time to visit me. So look at this photo when you miss me. So you won’t forget how I look.” 

Bamby cracks up. “Me? Forget how you look? Impossible. I spent 18 years with you, there’s no way I’ll forget a face like yours.” 

“Still… I want you to have a photo of me when you’re there.” 

“What about me? You don’t have a photo of me. The camera’s no longer with me too. I accidentally broke it.” 

Hamin pauses before pulling a paper out from the bottom of the box. He unfolds the paper and there is a colour pencil drawing of Bamby in its full glory. 

Bamby’s jaw drops. “W-when… wh-what? When did you…” He can barely bring himself to form a sentence. He’s pointing at the drawing but he doesn’t dare to touch it nor go near it. 

Hamin scratches his jaw sheepishly. “I just did it during my free time.” 

“You didn’t have a photo of me, though?”

The younger shrugs. “I don’t need a photo of you to draw you, hyung. What I’m trying to say is I don’t need a photo of you since I have your face captured in here already.” He taps his head. Bamby doesn’t even know what to say to that. Because this drawing right here is proof that what Hamin said is indeed true. “Do you want to keep it?” 

Bamby shakes his hands. “You spent so much time on this, so you keep it. Although, I’d like to keep it after you come over to Ohr.” A beautiful drawing like that… Bamby wants to paste it on his walls. 

“Okay then. I’ll keep this safe and sound. I’ll also keep the picture of you safe in my head.” Hamin winks. 

Bathump. What was that? Was that his heart? 

Flustered, Bamby looks away from Hamin and pretends to admire his drawing. When in actuality, he’s too busy trying to calm his heart that started acting up suddenly. 

The duo takes a stroll in Heaven, their feet leading them to wherever. They don’t stop walking until the moon's shining light greets them.

“Shall we lie here?” Hamin points at the vast patch of green. 

Seeing how it is voided of any flowers, Bamby agrees. So they each take their spots and make themselves comfortable. Wow. When was the last time they did this? Lying down on the grass. 

They spend the next few minutes in comfortable silence, just admiring the beauty of this wonderful place they live in to the full extent. 

“So what do you think, hyung?” Hamin is the one who breaks the silence. 

“I’m just in awe with our Lord’s creation. I’m so thankful that He gave me the ability to see. And of course, for you too.” Bamby turns to Hamin. 

“Me? Why?” 

“Because you’re the one who asked the elders for permission to stay out late and now I get to see this. It’s thanks to you too.” Bamby searches for Hamin’s hand and when he finds it, he places his smaller hand on Hamin’s bigger ones. “I don’t say this enough but I’m truly thankful for you, Hamin-ah. Thanks to you, my time spent here is all filled with joy. I know I don’t act like it, but to be honest, I’m just putting up a strong front. I’ll miss you so much when I go over, Hamin-ah. Frankly, I’m scared. I don’t remember a day when you were not there when I woke up. But now I have to do that for the next 2 years and 4 months. It’s… such a long time.” Hamin can feel the tremble in Bamby’s hand. 

Hamin looks over and he sees the elder’s entire body shaking too. He quickly sits up to comfort Bamby but his heart shatters when he sees how puffy the elder’s round eyes have become. Using his thumbs, he gently wipes the tears away from those beautiful eyes that he loves very much. Without saying anything, he leans down and gives them each a peck. It doesn’t matter that the salty tears have engulfed his tongue. All he cares about is Bamby. 

“Bamby hyung, you don’t have to be scared. I promise that we’ll meet again. And after the day we reunite, I’ll never ever leave your side ever again. I swear. ” Bamby can feel Hamin’s sincerity through his eyes. Those dark green orbs hold determination. They don’t feel foreign because Hamin is always sincere whenever it comes to Bamby. 

‘I swear,’ is the choice of word Hamin chooses to use. Swearing is forbidden in Heaven, especially not in the name of God. But that shows how serious Hamin is. 

Bamby nods and hugs the younger. They don’t say anything else for the rest of the night. Bamby has his head on Hamin’s chest and he listens to the rhythmic pace of the younger’s heartbeat. Later on, it’ll become a song he hears whenever he misses Hamin. 

Bamby’s heart almost jumps out of his throat as soon as he opens his eyes from his slumber. Hamin is sitting by his bed, staring at him. “Hamin! You’re up so early today! Or did you not sleep?” 

Hamin’s eyes are visibly glazed over and the bags under his eyes are heavy. “You’re up,” he says without meaning to ignore Bamby. He’s just not in his right mind right now. 

“Oh… yeah, I am. Are you… okay?” 

“Yeah, don’t mind me. You should go get freshened up, hyung. I’ll be waiting for you here. Everything is in this bag, right?” 

“Yeah…” Bamby can’t take his eyes off Hamin even though he’s walking towards the toilet. The younger just feels so weird, he’s not being himself right now. But it doesn’t look like his presence will help make Hamin feel better. It actually looks like it has the opposite effect. “Then I’ll be right back,” he tells the latter but he doesn’t get any response. 

The morning passes by in a blur. Everything happened so quickly. After Bamby comes out of the toilet, the elders are in his room, giving him their final blessings. They proceed to drag him to the dining hall where everyone are seated with a bowl of Manna and a glass of wine in front of them. Bamby is then made to sit at the head of the table, Hamin sits next to him, still in a trance. He leads the morning prayer and everyone tucks in. 

After breakfast, the kids run up to him, tackling him to the ground just as they did at his birthday party/going away party. They attack him with hugs that will last him a lifetime. 

Everyone is paying Bamby attention. Everyone but Hamin. Very unusual. Bamby thought the younger would be clingier on the morning before he left. 

They return to their room so that Bamby can grab his bag. Hamin steps in and grabs Bamby’s bag on his behalf instead. “I’ll take it for you.” Bamby knows better than to talk back, so he doesn’t say anything and lets it happen. 

They start making their way to the border. The kids and the elders did not give Bamby any time to converse with Hamin despite them walking side-by-side. But it works since Hamin still doesn’t look all there. His tired eyes look even more dead than before. The light in his eyes has vanished. They look glassy. Hamin is tearing up, Bamby knows. So he closes the distance between them, causing their hands to bump into each other. Bamby takes this chance to hold Hamin’s hands. 

Hamin is surprised by Bamby’s assertion. But he doesn’t say or ask anything. He just closes his eyes and feels the faint thumping of Bamby’s heart in his palm on his own palm. 

Right now, they are connected. From palm to palm, fingers to fingers, and heartbeat to heartbeat.

When he opens his eyes, they’re already at the borders. He looks over at Bamby who has gone silent. But the tightened grip around Hamin’s hands speaks on his behalf. 

“Chae Bamby?” The Seraphim by the border asks. His tone is gentle and polite, yet his six wings hold power, status, and intimidation. 

“Yes. That is he.” One of the elders speaks up on his behalf. 

The Seraphim turns to Bamby and smiles. “Very well. Chae Bamby, are you ready?” 

The pink-haired angel turns back to look at the people he lived with for the past 20 years. And the children he watched grow up. There is a mixture of emotions on their faces. Some are happy for him while some have tears running down their cheeks. It’s breaking Bamby’s heart so he quickly turns away and looks at Hamin. 

But it only breaks his heart further. The desperation behind those dark green orbs is heart-wrenching. Now that Bamby has a good look at Hamin, he realised that the younger did not sleep a wink at all. How can Bamby leave him like that? He can’t. But the elders starts dragging him towards the Seraphim. 

Slowly, their fingers slip apart and the distance between them grows bigger and bigger. 

“Ham—”

“Hyung!” Hamin cries out and it reminds Bamby of the usual Hamin he knows and loves. He leaps forward and briefly, their fingers touch again. Bamby pushes the elder off him and runs into Hamin’s arms. 

“Hyung, listen to me, okay? I promise I’ll find you again. So promise you will find me too whenever you have the time to. Otherwise, that’s okay too. But we will meet again, okay? I’ll find you.” Hamin is repeating himself over and over again but that is all he can say. He wants Bamby to know his sincerity. 

Bamby nods. “I’ll see you again.” Slowly, he pulls away from the hug. He’s being dragged to the Seraphim yet again. Even then, he doesn’t take his eyes off Hamin. He’s taking in every detail and feature to last him for the next 2 years. 

“Chae Bamby, congratulations on making it to Ohr.” The Seraphim places a finger on Bamby’s forehead and presses his head back. 

A bright light blazes the border, blinding everyone momentarily. 

When Hamin opens his eyes, Bamby is no longer there. Then the wait of 2 years and 4 months begins. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

Bamby looks around, taking in the new environment, and trying to adjust his eyes to the brightness here. 

The same Seraphim who brought him here tours him around Ohr. It’s really not that different from Heaven. That is one thing that Bamby is thankful for. So just as easily as he breathes, he sings praise to the Lord. 

“This is your room.” 

Bamby opens the door and wow… the room is spacious. On top of that, it seems like he will be having the room all to himself. 

You would think that Bamby would be over the moon about this. But there is a hint of loneliness when it dawns on him.

Back in Heaven, right next to his bed will be Hamin’s bed. Even though, the duo did not share the same bed, their beds were so close to each other’s, that they might as well have slept on one bed to save space.

“I will give you some time by yourself to wander around. If you need anything, you can find me. I stay at the highest level of this haven, the same room number as yours,” the Seraphim says before flying away. 

“Thank you so much.” Bamby bows, even though the Seraphim has already turned his back on him.  

He goes back into his room and lies on his very spacious bed in his very spacious room. This feels a little weird. It feels like if he turns to his side, Hamin will be there, lying in his bed and staring at him. 

“Yu Hamin…” He reaches out to nothing in particular. But in that moment, the image of Hamin flashes before his eyes. The younger angel is also reaching his hand out, trying to touch him. Bamby gasps when he thought he felt a hand brush against his. 

No, that was just my imagination… So why is Bamby tearing up? 

Out of the blue, someone knocks on his door. Bamby jumps out of bed and walks to the door while wiping his tears away. He opens the door and he’s enveloped in a crushing hug.

“Bamby! You’re here! I’ve been waiting for you for the past 2 years!” 

Bamby looks up from the hug and his heart feels at ease again right away. “Soobin hyung!” He hollers. Soobin is definitely not the first person he expected to see after coming over to Ohr. He thought it would’ve been Yejun since they were much closer. 

“How are you!” Soobin pats Bamby’s head. 

“I’ve been doing well! Do you want to come into my room for a conversation?” Bamby opens the door further so Soobin can enter the room. 

“If you don’t mind me having over!” Soobin excuses himself and sits on the chair by the window. 

Bamby takes a seat on his bed. “Hyung, how did you know that I was here?” 

“Oh! I live right opposite you. Last night, I heard some commotion here since they were moving the furniture in for you. I came out and asked and they told me that it was you. So I thought I should come and welcome you. I picked up some strawberries for you this morning. Here, have some.” Soobin passes him a container full of strawberries. “I remember how much you loved eating strawberries.”

Bamby blushes as he remembers what Hamin told him about him dreaming about strawberries in his sleep. Grateful, he accepts the strawberries. “Thank you so much. By the way, do you know where Yejun hyung is?” 

The colour drains from Soobin’s face and the mood turns solemn. Bamby catches on quickly and he quietly brings up a question, “...did something happen to hyung?” 

Soobin turns away from the younger. How does he even begin to tell the latter what had happened to one of his closest hyungs? 

“Soobin hyung.” Soobin reverts his attention back to Bamby. “Won’t you tell me, please?” 

Soobin bites his lips. “I can’t tell you the full story because I’m not too sure myself. But I just know that Yejun hyung began acting weirdly after coming back from one of his missions on Earth. It was about 3 years ago.” 

The mood in the room is completely serious now. It feels suffocating and it’s starting to feel warmer. 

“So what happened?” There is a slight fear laced in Bamby’s tone. 

“He went to talk to a few of the older Seraphims and they eventually brought him to God’s feet. He was in there for about 2 days straight. I don’t really know what happened but when he came out, he packed his bags and never came back.” 

Bamby frowns. That is very unlike Yejun. What on earth will cause him to react this way? 

“I don’t really know the details of it but I overheard that it’s because he fell in love with a human.” Soobin continues. 

“Oh… but that’s not a bad thing, is it?” 

Soobin is starting to feel on edge with all the questioning right now. He wants to get this conversation done and over with. 

“No. But I guess maybe he just wants to be with this human. I’m not too sure and I don’t think it’s my place to tell you either.” 

Bamby nods. That makes sense. But it still doesn’t sit right with him. However, Bamby doesn’t ask any further questions. 

Soobin doesn’t give him the chance to either. “It’s nice catching up with you. I’ll see you around again, okay?” Before Bamby can say bye, Soobin has already left the room.

Hmm… something feels off. Bamby continues thinking to himself. He wants to know but it doesn’t look like Soobin will be telling him. The older has his lips sealed shut. 

The stand-offish mood in this room sends chills down Bamby’s spine, causing him to shudder. He snaps himself out of it and pulls out the photo of Hamin that he brought with him. He places it on his bedside and admires the picture.

“I miss you already, Hamin-ah…” He gently caresses the photo. A sigh leaves his lips subconsciously. 

No. I can’t feel this way. What should I do now? Right. I should pray and ask God for direction. So Bamby gets down on his knees and does just that. 

Hamin hears a soft knock on his door. It’s his door now but it used to be his and Bamby’s. He’s at it again. This is the nth time he has thought of Bamby in the past hour. It is starting to pose as a problem because every time the thought of the older comes to mind, he falls back deeper into his bed. He’s been in this exact position for the past few hours to the point where he feels like he’s slowly sinking into Earth. 

“Haminnie hyung… it’s me, Beomjinnie.” The kid whispers on the other side of the door. Hamin hears him but he doesn’t have the energy to lift his finger, much less speak. “Are you okay? It’s been a week since you left the room. We’re all starting to become worried.” 

No reply. But it doesn’t stop Beomjin from continuing to voice his concerns. “Hyung, we know that you miss Bamby hyung a lot and it’s because of this that you’re acting this way. We miss him as much as you do, you know? Tell me, Hamin hyung, what do you think Bamby hyung will feel when he finds out that you are not taking care of yourself properly? And what if because of this, you fall so sick that you can’t find him 2 years later?” 

Falling sick? Hamin scoffs with all that he has in him. That’s not possible in Heaven. But if feeling ill feels something like this, then Hamin is ill (probably.) 

Hamin groans to himself as he forces himself out of bed. He stumbles to his door and opens it. There is little Beomjin who looks pleased at the fact that he managed to get Hamin out of bed. For the past week, no one had managed to do so, not even the elders. So Bamby hyung is right. He does have a soft spot for Beomjin. 

“I get it now. So go back to your room, okay? I promise I’ll be better tomorrow.” 

“Really?” The sparkles in Beomjin’s eyes are as bright as the constellations in the sky. 

“Yeah. Now go off.” Hamin pats the kid on the head before sending him off. He turns around and scans the room that he once shared with Bamby. Everything is the same as before Bamby left. Of course, it is. Considering for the past week, he did nothing but rot in his own harmful thoughts. Thoughts that he should not be thinking of if he wants to be with Bamby in 2 years.

But he couldn’t help himself. He simply hates the idea of Bamby and the other older angels he grew up with, going over to Ohr and leaving him all alone here. It feels like God is taking away the people he loves from him, especially Bamby. Hamin can’t help but to blame the system in Heaven for being this way. He’s essentially blaming God for this. And that is not something an angel should do, blame God for the system that He created. 

But Hamin just wants to be able to have Bamby in his vicinity again. Touch and hold him again. He should’ve hugged the older before he left. But curse the elders for pulling Bamby further and further from him. Curse that Seraphim for taking his Bamby hyung away from him— 

Hamin slaps himself as hard as he can. Wow. He must be out of his mind now that Bamby is away. It’s getting harder for him to keep his thoughts pure. Back then, Bamby would constantly remind him about purity. Now that the older’s not here. His efforts from over 10 years of his life are going down the drain. 

He can’t do this again. He promised Beomjin that he would return to normal tomorrow. 

But can someone please define what is ‘normal’ to Hamin? Because even back when Bamby was still here, it feels like Hamin holds the corrupted thoughts of 10 different people. He’s always thinking up ways on how to skip prayers. However, that is nothing compared to the thoughts he has about wanting to touch and kiss his best friend. 

It doesn’t help that Bamby hyung is so cute… so darn cute that it once had Hamin wondering what the latter would look like in the palms of his mercy. Just… him writhing under Hamin. He had envisioned this one, two, three too many times and more. Even right now, the vision of Bamby under him with beads of sweat running down his forehead. It’s driving Hamin crazy. 

“Agh! I need to pray.” So Hamin gets on his knees and says his first prayer since Bamby left. 

“Hamin! You are back!” A small crowd disrupts his personal space. 

“So Beomjinnie managed to go into your heart, huh? Good job, Beomjin-ah!” The kid gets a head pat by one of the elders. 

Hamin presses a smile to his face. “Yeah. It’s because I have a soft spot for him.” He glances over at Beomjin who is looking at him with widened eyes. 

“Oh? I didn’t think the day you admit to this would come,” says the elder. 

Hamin shrugs. Only because Bamby hyung pointed it out though, is what he wants to say. But he doesn’t feel like bringing up Bamby right now. Since bringing him up will only cause the conversation to go south. Hamin can predict what the elders are going to say. Something about how he shouldn’t be too dependant on Bamby and how these silly feelings will pass because they’re not real feelings. Because you don’t get romantic feelings for someone of the same gender. Yada yada. 

“Hamin-ah, we are so proud of you for bouncing back. Praise the Lord for that,” One of the elders pats him on his back. “Now let’s focus on your heart so in 2 years, you’ll reunite with Bamby in Ohr.” 

Hamin finds himself agreeing with them. He needs to focus on doing good things so he can keep his promise. Psyched, he nods. “I’ll go to the chapel to pray now.” He walks off with determination burning in him. 

Since, Hamin does his best to get through every day righteously. When he gets to his room every night, he wonders if this is how Bamby feels when he does this routine of waking up at 6 am to pray and pray all day. Probably not. Bamby probably really enjoys spending time with God. Meanwhile, Hamin sees it as a chore. He’s trying to get rid of this mentality, but it’s deemed to be very difficult to do so. Still, he tries. 

Hamin lies on the bed that Bamby used to use, closes his eyes, and the pink-haired angel’s face comes to mind instantly. He doesn’t miss a single detail on his face. It’s as if the last time he saw Bamby’s face was 10 seconds ago. But it’s been almost a year since. In just a few weeks, it’ll be Bamby’s birthday yet again. 

Time feels slower now that Bamby isn’t here. Yet it’s almost been a year. Time feels like a deception. Nothing matters to Hamin because Bamby isn’t within his reach. 

Hamin buries his face into the pillow that is now void of Bamby’s scent. No matter how much he tries to concentrate and search for the peachy and citrusy scent, he can’t find it anymore. Just like that, the relationship he had built up with God in the past few months comes crashing down as Hamin curses God for taking away the last piece of Bamby he had within his hands. Hugging Bamby’s pillow to sleep no longer feels like Bamby himself. 

His tears seep into Bamby’s pillow against Hamin’s will. Bamby’s scent is no longer there, yet now he’s ruining the texture of his pillow. Slowly, it feels like Bamby is getting further and further away and it’s because of everything that Hamin does. 

His own thoughts and actions are going to be his downfall. It’s him from the start. It’s never God’s fault to begin with. He just needed someone or something to blame on. 

Everything is going down the drain. His hard work. Everything. I’m never going to make it into Ohr. I’m never going to see Bamby hyung ever again. Not when I’m being like this. Not when God knows everything that I’m thinking of.  

God must’ve heard him. Because that night, He cursed him. Hamin had a dream where Bamby had turned his back on him and walked away from him. 

Hamin jolts awake, his face wet from tears. If this is going to be the case then maybe Hamin should stop trying so hard. He knows there’s no way he’ll be making it into Ohr anymore. July 15 was the last day he was going to ever see Bamby. If he had known that, he should’ve looked at Bamby’s face longer. 

The drawing he did of Bamby can no longer suffice how much he misses the love of his life. 

“Haaaamin hyuuungg!” Beomjin leaps off the ground and flies onto Hamin’s neck. 

“Woah! What is this about?” Hamin catches onto the younger, ensuring he doesn’t fall. Beomjin giggles playfully before whispering into Hamin’s ears. 

The light finally returns to Hamin’s eyes after nearly a full year. “Are you serious?” 

Beomjin nods with a giddy smile on his face. 

Hamin carries Beomjin off his neck and books it to the cliff where he stargazed with Bamby before he left. 

“If you go to the area by the cliff right now, a very special person will be waiting there for you. Bamby hyung is here.” is what Beomjin had whispered in his ear. 

He hasn’t returned here since Bamby left since he thought it’ll be too difficult to deal with the emotions that he’d feel. But right now, he’s desperately searching for a hint of pink as he’s running up the hill. It’s exhilarating. Hamin doesn’t remember feeling this way before since both of them were always together. The feeling of being excited and running towards your childhood best friend whom you love so much is a foreign feeling to Hamin. But it’s not a negative feeling.

It’s slightly blurry but Hamin swears he sees pink on the floor. “Bamby… hyung?” Hamin whispers so inaudibly even he can barely hear himself. But in that moment, the pink-haired angel sits up and turns to look right at Hamin as if he heard him calling for him. Although it is vague, Hamin can see Bamby mouthing his name. 

In that moment, it’s like they’re bound to each other. Hamin feels a string tugging him to Bamby and it’s like his legs have a mind of their own. They bring him to Bamby. It was so sudden that Hamin almost fell over. Thankfully, he didn’t. 

Imagine meeting the love of your life after almost a year and the first thing he sees is you tripping over. Embarrassing. 

On the other hand, Bamby is flying towards Hamin. His wings took off on their own when he sees his childhood best friend. It’s only been a year but Hamin looks like he’s become taller and broader. 

The run to each other feels like forever, and their minds go blank when they’re finally in each other’s arms.

…

…

“Finally,” Bamby breathes out.

Hamin agrees by tightening his arms around Bamby’s petite frame. He frowns a little because— did he become skinnier? 

“How have you been?” Bamby asks, not pulling away from the hug. He runs his fingers through Hamin’s now-long hair. “You haven’t had a cut since that day?” 

Hamin shakes his head. “Didn’t want to cut it.” It’s silly but to Hamin, cutting his hair means cutting away the hair that Bamby last saw. “Why? Does it look bad on me?” 

“Eh?! Not at all! I’ve just never seen your hair this long before. On top of that, you’ve grown taller and bigger. Now your hair is longer too. Makes me feel like the Hamin I know has grown into a man.” Bamby pulls away from the hug and looks up at the younger endearingly. Yeah, he definitely grew taller. The angle of him tilting his head up is different now. 

Hearing Bamby put it like that had Hamin pondering. “Hmm… then I’ll cut my hair. You help me out with it, hyung.” 

Bamby is taken aback by Hamin’s sudden change in mind. “Why so sudden? Are you sure?” 

Hamin nods. “Eung! Let’s do it right now, hyung.” The black-haired angel starts dragging the older to the haven and back into the room they used to share. 

An air of nostalgia hits Bamby’s face when he realises that everything is the same as it was. “Even my bed is still here?” 

“Yeah, I told the elders that I wanted to keep it,” Hamin speaks as he goes around finding a pair of scissors before pulling out the chair by the window and sitting down on it. “C’mon hyung, help me cut my hair just like the old days.” 

Bamby hesitantly takes another step into the room he had lived in for the past 21 years. It shouldn’t feel this awkward, but somehow it is. He grabs the scissors from Hamin’s hands and starts trimming the ends. “Why did you decide to keep it?” He’s genuinely curious. 

“Because it’s one of the few things I have left of you. If they took it away, it’ll be too much.”

Bamby just nods. He doesn’t really know what to say to that. Because he can feel the sincerity in Hamin’s words and it intimidates him just a little. 

“Hyung…” Hamin thankfully calls out. The silence is slowly starting to suffocate Bamby. 

“Yeah?” 

“How is it like over there?” 

Bamby stops his hands for a bit before resuming. “It’s just as the elders told us. Lots of work to do. I don’t remember when is the last time I had a good night's sleep. But you indeed feel closer to the Lord Almightly.” 

There’s another silence. Hamin is contemplating. He’s choosing his words. He don’t want to cause any misunderstandings between them when they’re on limited time. “Are you happy there, hyung?” 

“Yes.” Bamby’s response comes immediately like he already know what Hamin will ask and he’s prepared for it. But it was so instant that… it sounded a little ingenuine. But Hamin brushes it off. It’s clear that Bamby doesn’t want to talk about it and he’s not going to get it out of the latter. 

“What about you, Haminnie?” Bamby quickly brings up another conversation. This time, he forces himself to sound brighter like how he used to sound before he left. 

“I’ve been doing my best to live like you everyday. Since I want to fulfil my promise and reunite with you in Ohr, hyung. But you came to find me first.” Hamin turns back and squeezes the older’s pink cheeks that resemble a peach. 

Bamby’s smile is genuine this time. “I told you that I’ll try to find you before the 2 years, didn’t I? Now that I kept my promise, you better keep yours too.”

Hamin agrees without thinking twice. The fact that he is most likely never making it into Ohr because of how corrupted he is flew past his mind. 

“Also hyung, how did they agree to let you come back?” 

“Ah..! Haha.” Even though he’s laughing, he sounds a little flustered by the question. “I asked if I could since it’ll be my birthday soon. Thank the Lord God for his generosity. He agreed so I came.” 

“Hm… so when do you have to go back?”

“Tonight.”

Hamin looks out at the sun. “So we still have about 9 hours left.” He reaches behind him and grabs onto Bamby’s wrist, stopping his movement. “You’ll spend it with me right?” 

“That goes without a say, Hamin-ah. I came back for you after all.” 

“Then after you’re done cutting my hair, can we lay down on our beds?” 

“Why not?” 

Hamin smiles and slowly releases Bamby’s hand. “Then are you almost done?” 

Bamby lightly hits the younger on the head. “How can I when you so abruptly grab my hand like that?” 

“Oops.”

They both let out a giggle and it’s starting to remind them of the old days again. 

After what feels like forever, Hamin is finally lying in his bed again. He turns to his side and his heart slowly feels at ease when he sees that everything has gone back to normal, even if it’s for a while. Pink hair on the pillow next to his; this is what he yearns to see. He reaches out for Bamby’s hand, the one he held the scissors with, and plays with it. Bamby doesn’t say anything and lets it be. 

“There was not a day when I didn’t miss you, Bamby hyung,” Hamin says so softly, matching his volume with the mood they’re in.

Should I be honest or not? Bamby thinks. Because frankly— “I missed you every day too. So much that it became unbearable. That’s actually why God allowed me to come back. He said I should take a day break to clear up any negative feelings. Since the only negative feeling I have is from missing you too much… I’m here now.” Bamby turns to his side and finally takes a good look at Hamin’s face.

It’s so different from the day he left. When he look closer, there are dark circles under his eyes. His face is now more chiseled, more masculine. But it also makes it easy for Bamby to see the solemnness hiding in his face. “You’ve grown.” Bamby breathes out. His breath fanning against Hamin’s face, reminding Bamby of how close they are, something that he hasn’t notice. 

Bamby reaches for Hamin’s face and cups his cheek. Hamin places his hand on top of Bamby’s. “It’s only obvious that I did.” Hamin smiles so he can try to bring out a smile on Bamby’s face too.

Saying and hearing something like ‘You’ve grown,’ usually brings a certain joy to someone. But hearing it from Bamby sounded melancholic. Hamin doesn’t want to see this sad expression on Bamby. Not his Bamby hyung who is always bright. Usually, when he smiles, it looks like there’s a halo hovering over his head.

But not now. Right now, it’s the complete opposite on Bamby’s face.

Hamin frowns. “Hyung, you know that I’m still the same, right?” Even my feelings for you are still the same. 

Bamby fakes a laugh, trying to lighten up the mood. “How can you be? Even I’m not the same as I was since a year ago.”

“What’s with the sad look on your face?” Hamin trails his finger along the older’s face. 

Bamby closes his eyes and kneads into the younger’s touch. He didn’t know that this was what he needed. “Do I look that way?” He slurs his words. The lack of sleep is finally catching up on him now that he feels safe. It’s not that Ohr is a dangerous place. He just feels safer with Hamin. Right here, he can hear Hamin’s breathing and feel Hamin’s touch. It’s comforting. 

“Yeah.” Hamin continues trailing his finger on Bamby’s face and eventually, his fingers are in Bamby’s hair, slowly threading them out. “You sleepy, hyung?”

In response, Bamby hums drowsily.

Hamin brings the older’s head to his chest. “You can fall asleep if you want to.” 

“But… I promised that I would spend today with you…” Bamby is barely even coherent anymore. But Hamin understood him just fine. Of course, he did. They’ve been together since forever. 

“We are spending time together right now. You said that you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a while right? Take this time to sleep, hyung.” 

Hamin’s offer is tempting. Bamby hasn’t felt this comfort in a long time. When he goes back tonight, he won’t be able to get a sleep like this. It’s so tempting… but he wants to open his eyes so he can stare at Hamin’s face and get used to his new features. Although, it is getting difficult for him to keep his eyes open. The calm, rhythmic beat of Hamin’s heart is not helping his case. Before he knows it, he has already dozed off. 

Hamin watches Bamby’s face. He misses this so much. Hamin squeezes Bamby every now and then, making sure that this isn’t just a dream and that he is very much real. 

As much as he’s trying his best to stay up, but watching the older sleep so peacefully in his arms is making him drowsy too. He pulls Bamby closer to him and he places his legs on top of the latter’s. He snuggles into the top of Bamby’s head and gently kisses his head.

“I love you,” he whispers. But whether or not that was a dream or real life, Hamin cannot distinguish. It doesn’t matter to him anyway. Maybe Bamby knowing his feelings will be for the best. 

That night, they part for a second time. It is less painful than the first time but it still hurts nevertheless. But watching Bamby go off with a brighter expression on his face, unlike the first time, brings some kind of relief to Hamin.

The short time they spent together awakens something in Hamin and that is that Bamby needs him more than he thinks he needs. “I must work harder then,” he says to himself. The determination he feels this time around is definitely different from the previous times. After seeing Bamby, he knows for a fact that the older needs him. 

Bamby needs Hamin to survive and vice versa.

So Hamin will ensure they reunite in Ohr the next time they see each other.

Beomjin’s wail fills up Hamin’s ears.

“Why are you crying?” Hamin teases the kid playfully.

“B-because… it’s your turn to leave now— waaaaaahhhh!”

Hamin quickly picks Beomjin into his arms and squeezes his cheeks. “There’s no need to cry! It’s not like we won’t see each other ever again. You’re being so dramatic.” He laughs light-heartedly but Beomjin glares at him. 

“I know…” he whines quietly.

“If you know then there’s no need to cry, okay?” Hamin ruffles the kid’s hair.

“Fine. You promise to visit?” 

Hamin’s eye twitches at that. “I’ll try.” He presses a smile to his face. 

Beomjin hugs him tightly by the neck. “Then let me stay with you until you go.” Hamin wonders if this is how he acted before Bamby left. No, he was probably worse. Not that Bamby minded though. 

There’s a knock on Hamin’s door. It’s one of the elders. “Are you ready, Haminnie?” She asks. 

“Yes,” he replies firmly, grabbing his bag. He has everything that he needs inside there. Some clothes, a Bible, the painting that he did of Bamby, and most importantly, the memory box he promised to bring. 

“Alright. Let’s go to the dining hall and have one last meal before you leave.”

Hamin makes his way to the hall. It feels exactly like 2 years ago when they sent Bamby off. Nostalgia is starting to hit him. He’ll surely miss this place when he is gone. He takes in every detail of everything he saw for the last time. Even the prayer he said at the dining table is a prayer that he will remember for a long time.

Now they’re by the borders, just like 2 years ago and even last year when Bamby visited. Hamin looks behind him and since Bamby’s departure, a few kids have grown into teens.

Wow. 

It’s all starting to feel unreal. But it is very much real. Just a week before today, they threw him a birthday/going away party, just as they did to Bamby. Hamin is finally going over. But who knows to where? He hopes it’s to Ohr. He’s been doing his best.

“Hamin!” 

Bamby hyung, he identifies immediately. If Hamin is put into a room full of people calling his name, he’d recognise Bamby’s voice in a split second.

He turns in the direction of Bamby’s voice and sees that the older is standing next to the Seraphim who’s here to bring Hamin to his decided fate.

Hamin waves enthusiastically at the older which Bamby did the same. He’s about to walk up to Bamby when a bunch of elders stands in front of Hamin, stopping him.

“What’s wrong? Can’t I go and talk to Bamby hyung?” 

“No, you cannot go forward.” They’re looking at him like they don’t even know him. Like he didn’t watch Hamin grow up. It’s like they’re looking at… a sinner. 

Seeing the tension rising, Bamby steps in. Or at least he tries to. But he gets stopped by the Seraphim. “Go no further, my child. For if you do, it will not end well for you.”

A surge of panic activates in Bamby’s body upon hearing that. “What do you mean by that?” He grabs onto the Seraphim’s arm. “Hamin is coming to Ohr, right?” 

The Seraphim doesn’t say anything nor does he spare Bamby a glance.

“Right?!” Bamby raises his voice in frustration, gaining the attention of everyone there, including the Seraphim who showed resolve in not looking at him. Soon after, he diverts his attention back to the crowd. Specifically at the elders who are still holding Hamin back. 

The Seraphim opens his mouth to say something but Bamby can’t quite hear him. Almost instantly, the thunder roared furiously, startling everyone there. And then in a still, small voice, the complete opposite of the loud thunder, God speaks.

“Yu Hamin.” Though God’s voice is small, it sends chills down Hamin’s spine. Every strand of hair on his body is standing up. 

“Yes, my Lord Almighty.” Hamin falls to his knees and bows. The elders too start falling on their knees and soon, everyone is on their knees. This is the power of God. 

“Chae Bamby.” 

“Yes, Adonai.”

“I figure that by now, you know why I’m here.”

Hamin gulps. So he’s going to Araphel. That’s why the elders did everything they could to stop him from going over to Bamby. That’s why they looked at him like he was a stranger. 

“Yes, Lord.” Hamin’s voice quivers. His mind goes completely blank. Is this the last time he’ll see Bamby? If that’s the case then—

“Who allowed you to look up, Yu Hamin?” 

Hamin’s head feels like it’s been pushed down. But no one was touching him, the pressure from God’s voice alone is overpowering. “Sorry, my El Shaddai.” 

God continues to speak. “1st November. It’s Yu Hamin’s birthday and it’s time to choose his fate between Ohr and Araphel.”

In this open area, everything goes quiet, including the birds. It feels like nature has stopped doing its work and everyone is holding onto their breaths. 

“Yu Hamin.”

Hamin’s chest tightens and it’s starting to hurt just to breathe. Amidst the quietness, he can hear whimpering and sobbing. He nearly scoffs. So this is how it is, huh? He kind of expected this. But still, he thought God would show him His agape love. Guess Hamin is a gone case in His eyes. 

“You are condemned to Araphel.”

Even though everyone there already has an idea that this is the case, they can’t contain the gasps in them.

No one says a thing. 

Except for one person.

“Dear Abba Father, why is that the case? What has Hamin done that he deserved to be condemned to Araphel? I’m not sure I understand, God, please be so kind and explain it to me.” Hamin is pleasantly surprised by how Bamby stood up and raised his voice for him. He never expected the older to do this for him. Not when Bamby loves God so much. Hamin notices the tears that stain Bamby’s cheeks and it pain his heart. 

In a stern voice, God announces to everyone the corrupted thoughts that Hamin has had for as long as he can remember, “He has never agreed with the teachings, thinks that living his life that I’ve breathed into him in a righteous way is a waste of time. He thinks that Chae Bamby needs him to live which we all know is not true because I give Chae Bamby life and a reason to live. Likewise, his sole reason for living is not to dedicate his life for me, but for Chae Bamby. I suppose that it is clear to everyone here now that he has romantic feelings for Chae Bamby. And they started a long time ago. He has nothing but indecent thoughts of the man. It is absolutely atrocious in my Heavenly realm. Therefore, I condemn him to Araphel.” 

Bamby’s brain is going into overload with all the new information and he can feel himself slowly starting to lose himself. He’s hyperventilating, trying to catch his breath but every time he does, he gets dizzier.. Still, he’s not going to lose his childhood best friend like this. Even if it means going up against God. “B-but my dear Creator, You created Heaven and Earth. Give life to us and the humans on Earth. You forgive us all with Your kind heart. For sure, you can forgive Hamin for his shortcomings too.” 

Hamin starts tearing up. Bamby is defending him like his life depends on it when Hamin knows for a fact that he wouldn’t even defend himself like that. He has already come to terms with his fate. 

“I am all-forgiving. I’ve forgiven him plenty of times. But there is something I cannot change about him and that is his heart for me. He doesn’t desire for me like how he does for you. He idolises you more than I, the Creator who gave him life. From the beginning of time and to the end and even in this moment. You know best that you cannot idolise anyone or anything else apart from me.”

Bamby is unable to get another word out, his brain has fully stopped functioning. There is no point going up against the Creator for He knows everything, the God who is all-knowing. 

“Bamby hyung…” Hamin whispers the name of the person he loves under his breath. He knows that the latter can’t possibly hear it, he’s too far away. But Hamin still says it because he likes the way Bamby’s name rolls off his tongue. He wants to be able to call out to the older one more time while looking at him because this is the last day he can do that. 

Bamby looks right at Hamin and something feels different about the older. The look in his eyes has changed. Bamby stands on his feet and suddenly, he’s bolting to Hamin, shoving everyone aside. He grabs Hamin up and now it’s just them standing up. It’s them against the world is what it felt like. 

Next thing, they’re taking off. They’re running as fast as they can. Even though they both know that it’s no use because God is everywhere. He’ll find them. Actually He’s looking right down at them now.

“What are you doing?!” Hamin asks between pants. 

Bamby looks back at Hamin, his expression screaming that he doesn’t know what is happening either. He’s completely acting based on his heart. “I don’t know! But I know that I am not going back there without you!”

Bathump. 

Hamin doesn’t say anything else and follows behind Bamby when—

Clash! 

Hamin can hear Bamby screaming but— 

What is this? Why can’t he see Bamby? Heck, he can’t even see his own hands. 

It’s pitch black. 

“Bamby hyung, where are you!” Hamin shouts at the top of his lungs, his voice bounces right back at him with no response from the pink-haired angel. He can feel the panic rising in him but he does his best to remain calm. He needs to get to Bamby as quickly as possible. Hamin tries moving to the left… and then to the right. But what is this feeling? He’s not on any form of ground that he can stand on. 

It feels like… he is falling..? 

Petrified, Hamin flails around, trying to find something— anything to hold onto. But there is nothing. “Bamby hyung!” He calls out into the abyss once again. No response. 

Meanwhile, Bamby can hear Hamin calling for him. He can see Hamin too. But for some reason, he can’t reach out or respond to the younger. 

They’re falling. Falling from Heaven. They’ve been exiled.

Bamby wants to hold Hamin but he’s paralysed. So the only thing he can do is helplessly watch Hamin trying to find him in a state of panic. Bamby has never seen Hamin this unnerved. What hurts more is that Bamby can do nothing to help except to watch the younger’s face just as he did on the day he left for Ohr. 

But it’s different from that day. His eyes are starting to sting almost like God had put Hell in his eyes. Just then, he hears a whisper in his ears, telling him to look and remember this forever. So Bamby watches Hamin’s face until it’s pitch-black for him too. 

“...hyung. Bamby hyung.” Bamby can hear Hamin calling for him faintly in the background. Hm? What is this? Did he fall asleep somehow? 

“Hamin?” He waves his arms around, searching for Hamin. He finally feels at ease again when he feels a firm grip on his arm.

“Hyung,” Hamin pants. 

“I think I fell asleep. Where are we now?” Bamby finally opens his eyes.

Hamin scans the surroundings. He’s not familiar with this place either. “I’m not sure where exactly we are but we’re in a forest.” 

“A forest?” 

“Yeah, don’t you know what a forest is, hyung?”

Bamby’s breath gets stuck in his throat. He squeezes Hamin’s forearm. “...we’re in a forest right now?” He whispers breathlessly.  

“Yes.” 

It’s happening again. The harsh heart palpitations that he felt from earlier when he went against God.

Right. God. They were just in Heaven a few moments earlier. But now they’re on Earth, in a forest? 

“A forest with many trees around, right?” Bamby sounds afraid.

Hamin catches on instantly. “Yes, hyung. What’s wrong?” 

“Trees… I don’t see them, Hamin-ah.” Bamby bites his lip, trying his best not to hyperventilate in an unfamiliar environment. 

“You don’t see them?” Hamin grabs Bamby’s by his shoulders and forces the older to look at him. “Then what do you see, hyung?” 

“I can’t see.”

Silence has never been more terrifying. 

“H-hamin?” Why did he go quiet? Where is he? Is this all a dream? “Hamin?! Where are you?” He’s scared. He doesn’t want to be alone. Not in this forest where he can’t even see. Oh God, he can’t see. He’s alone, isn’t he? He can’t see Hamin.

But he snaps out of it when Hamin brings his head to his chest and hugs him so tightly that it knocks all the air out of Bamby’s lungs. But he’s more afraid that Bamby might go anywhere else. On top of that, he feels sorry. This is all his fault. He is the reason why they are here, the reason why Bamby’s sight is taken away right before them. 

“I’m so sorry. Oh my god. Hyung, I’m so sorry this is all because of me.” Hamin keeps chanting the same words repeatedly and eventually, Bamby feels a wetness on his cheek. It’s not coming from him but from Hamin. The latter is crying hysterically while roaming his hand all over Bamby’s petite frame.

Bamby’s mind goes blank, empty just like his vision. This abrupt emptiness that Bamby is feeling, along with how heart-wrenching Hamin’s cries are, Bamby spirals too. 

God knows everything even if you don’t outrightly speak the truth. And no good happens if you do or even think of it. Hamin is now experiencing this harsh truth first-hand. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

The duo eventually ventures deeper into the forest, trying to find a place of refuge with Bamby on Hamin’s back. There’s no way Hamin will allow Bamby to walk around in this unfamiliar and possibly dangerous forest. However, no matter how much they walked, they couldn’t find signs of lives, let alone anything at all. Just where on earth are they?

Hints of orange is slowly bleeding into the blue sky. Hamin needs to make this quick. The best case scenario for them is they leave this forest and go straight to the city. Though, they could be cast out for dressing ‘weirdly’. But that is the last thing Hamin is worrying about right now.

Bamby listens to Hamin’s shaky breath, indicating that he’s starting to get anxious again. “Hamin-ah…” 

“Yeah?” The shakiness in Hamin’s voice confirms Bamby’s thinking. 

“If I’m too heavy, you can let me down,” Bamby says. But Hamin only readjusts Bamby on his back, unwilling to let him down. Bamby purses his lips. He feels bad for what he’s about to ask but he wants to know. “Hamin-ah… is it getting late?” He asks gingerly, not wanting to accidentally offend Hamin or bring down the mood since the latter is doing all the work here.

There is a long pause before Hamin replies. “Why do you ask that?” 

“The birds. They’re getting louder. It sounds like there are plenty of them and they’re all heading home.” 

“...you’re right.” 

“Is there… no hope for us to find a place to stay in for the night?” Bamby holds his breath,

“Hyung.” Hamin’s tone is serious.

“Yes..?” 

“I’ll make sure we have a place to rest in tonight. Don’t you worry.” 

Hearing Hamin’s conviction makes Bamby feel at ease that he hasn’t given up yet. Bamby nods, believing in Hamin. He doesn’t see any reason to not. Hamin always keeps his words and he will this time around too. 

“So hyung, if you’re tired. Just rest on my back first, okay? I swear I’ll find a place for us. You deserve so much, hyung.” 

Bamby tightens his arms around Hamin’s neck. “You deserve so much more too, Hamin-ah.”

“...I’m not too sure about that, hyung.” 

“Why not?”

“I’m the reason why we’re exiled from Heaven and why you lost your sight.” Hamin feels a stab at his heart. Admitting it aloud is definitely different from just acknowledging it. 

Bamby doesn’t know how to respond to that. As much as he wants to assure and comfort Hamin that that is not the case at all. But the fact is that it is half true. Bamby is not about to lie to his friend. But he will also not let Hamin take on all the burden alone.

“Don’t say that, okay? I’m fine because I’m here with you. Even if it means that I can’t see anymore. I don’t care because I looked at you for my whole 22 years of living. I know your face by heart now. Besides, God gave me one last time to have a proper look at you before we ended up here.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” 

“While we were falling. I could see you.” Bamby feels Hamin’s shoulders tense up. 

“You could see me? I couldn’t see or hear you, hyung. I thought it was pitch-black.” 

Bamby feels his heart drop. Pitch-black. Just like how it is like for him right now. Was that part of God’s scheme? To have Hamin experience what it’s like to be blind so he will know what it’s like for Bamby forever until the day he passes away? Bamby feels sick to his stomach. Indeed, God’s wrath is not something anyone should test. 

“I watched as you searched for me. Then I heard a whisper telling me to take a good look at you. I guess God was preparing me for this,” Bamby explains. 

“What the hell. Isn’t that just sadistic?” Hamin grumbles to himself. He’s absolutely thrown off by the fact that the God who claims to be loving could do something this vile to his angels. 

Bamby sighs. “Okay, let’s not say something like that. We may not be in Heaven anymore but God is still watching over us. Please refrain yourself, Hamin.” 

“Well, if God is still watching us in this moment, then I present this to him.” Hamin shoves 2 middle fingers up in the air. He’s been waiting a long time to do this. He aggressively punches them in the air. 

“Hm? What did you just do?”

Right. Bamby can’t see. That’s good then. Hamin chuckles nervously. “Nothing you should concern yourself with, hyung. Anyways, let’s get going!” The younger hypes himself up before putting his full concentration into getting them to a safe place.

Since Bamby couldn’t stay still, doing nothing. So he ends up singing for Hamin. Although the only songs he knows are hymns, songs that are singing praise to the Lord Almighty. Not quite the songs that Hamin wants to be hearing since they have been cast out by God Himself. Bamby doesn’t feel too good singing it himself. Nevertheless, Hamin enjoys Bamby’s singing. It’s helping him with his concentration. That’s what Bamby’s presence does to him in general. 

It is getting harder and harder to see in the dark right now. The sun has set approximately half an hour ago. They’ve been on this journey for about 4 hours now and still no signs of life. Even though Bamby is not saying anything out of consideration for the younger, he can hear the older getting more anxious. Hamin whispers words of assurance to Bamby every now and then. But he ensures that he’s not too loud since they don’t know what is out here, especially since Hamin can’t see as well now without the help from the sun. 

On top of that, Hamin’s breathing is getting more ragged by the minute. He’s been exploring the forest with Bamby on his back for the past 4 hours. The fatigue is catching up on him. 

Bamby too no longer feels comfortable being carried by Hamin. He taps the younger on his shoulder. “Hamin-ah, I think you should let me down now.” 

“Huh? Why?” 

“It’s tiring for you, isn’t it? It’s been a while.” 

Hamin sighs. “I told you that it’s fine, hyung. You should just go to sleep. Don’t worry about me.” 

But before Hamin can take another step, Bamby wriggles himself out of Hamin’s grip, landing butt-first on the ground. “Ow!” He grunts in pain.

“Hyung!” Hamin quickly goes up to Bamby’s side and helps him up. “Are you okay?” He swats the dirt off Bamby’s robes. He’s about to carry Bamby over his back again when the older stops him. 

“I can walk. I lost my sight, but not my legs. I can walk fine. See?” Bamby demonstrates.

Hamin knows there’s no point trying to convince the older anymore. He catches up with the latter and easily grabs Bamby’s hands in his. “If you don’t want be carried, you should at least allow this.” 

Now this, Bamby can work with. “Sure.” He smiles. 

Hamin is enthralled by how Bamby can smile like that even with his pupils dilated. He’s smiling so brightly at the person who caused them to be in this situation. The thoughts make Hamin’s choke up again but he holds it in.

All of a sudden, Bamby stops in his tracks and he squeezes Hamin’s hand. There is an unreadable expression on the shorter’s face. 

“What is it, hyung?” Hamin squints and looks around warily, looking for anything out of place that could’ve evoked such a reaction out of Bamby.

Bamby points north. “There’s something there.”

Hamin follows Bamby’s finger but he sees nothing. Besides, how is Bamby seeing right now? “Hyung, what do you see?” He asks rather nervously. 

“There’s faint light coming from that direction.” His legs start moving on their own before Hamin can even process. He ends up dragging Hamin with him.

“Hyung, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I really don’t see any—” Hamin’s words get stuck in his throat when they brush past this thick bush and before them is a run-down cabin. It looks like it’s being eaten up by vines. That aside, there’s light from the inside. Is this possibly the light that Bamby hyung saw? 

“Am I right?” Bamby turns to Hamin and in that moment, Hamin briefly forgets that Bamby can no longer see with how natural that was.

“Y-yeah.” 

“Should we go in?” Bamby rashly takes another step but Hamin stops him this time. 

“I’m not sure about that. The lights are on. There can be someone inside.” 

Bamby lights up at the thought of meeting another person here. It’s natural that he reacted this way since it’s been a while since they saw another person. And in this— what seems like to be an abandoned forest? Bamby is glad. 

Not Hamin though. “Hyung, do you know how dangerous other people can be? Not everyone is nice like how it is in Heaven,” he lectures the older. There’s nothing Bamby can say to refute that. 

It’s true. Not all humans are good-natured, that’s what he learned in Ohr. That’s why angels like him are needed so they can guide the human back on the right track, which is ultimately back to God. 

The smile on Bamby’s face drops and the colour is almost completely drained from his face. He drops to the ground and curls up into a ball. He presses his knees to his chest and covers his ears tightly. Why… He’s blind now so why can he still see images from that time… No… I don’t like this. He scratches at his eyes, trying to rid of the images. 

“Hyung!” Hamin’s loud voice saves him. “What happened? I looked back and you were suddenly on the ground, hyperventilating? Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere? Your eyes, maybe?” 

Bamby waves his arms, trying to find Hamin’s body. Hamin helps him by putting his arms around him. “Are you okay?” He whispers soothingly into Bamby’s ears this time.

Bamby nods. “Better now,” he says inaudibly. 

“What happ—” Hamin is interrupted by the door slamming open. 

There stands a man with silver hair and he’s pointing— what looks like a gun right at them. “Who’s out there?!” His booming loud voice startles Bamby.

Hamin quickly gets up and throws his hands in the air. “Woah woah woah! We’re not here to do any harm to anyone or anything. So will you be so kind as to put that object down, please?” 

The man only further tightens his grip on the weapon. “Who the fuck are you?!” He’s eyeing them up and down with his red eyes this time, trying to figure out where the 2 other humans came from.

Bamby clears his throat. “Excuse me… We actually came from very far away and we’re trying to make it back there. But the sun has set and we’ve been trying to find a place to stay for a while now. And this happened to be the first place we stumbled upon. Uhm… I’m actually blind. So it’s really difficult for my partner to take care of me in the forest at this time of the night. Will you be so kind as to let us in for the night, mister?” 

The silver-haired man finally lowers his weapon and he steps a little closer, testing if Bamby is really blind like he claims to be. He steps back after seeing his dilated pink pupils. He clears his throat. “You can come in. Quick!” He urges them. Hamin helps Bamby up and in the house, they go. 

The man hastily locks the door behind them and puts his weapon down by the door before letting out a big sigh of relief. He recomposes himself again after remembering that he has guests. He clears his throat. “I’m so sorry for the hostility earlier on. This place is not the safest place to be in at night.”

Bamby nods. “I totally get it. You don’t have to apologise. Thank you for trusting us and letting us in. It means a lot to us that you showed us your kindness. May God bless you.”

The last phrase causes the man to raise his brow. “So you’re Christian? Catholic?” 

Hamin knows he’s referring to their robes now. He has been eyeing them with a look since earlier. 

“Actually we are ang—”

“Yeah. We work for a church and we came here for some soul-searching but wasn’t able to make it back before sunset,” Hamin blatantly lies through his teeth. However, it is proven to not be a bad lie since the silver-haired man believes him right away. 

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Do Eunho, you can call me Eunho.” He reaches his hand out for a handshake.

Hamin accepts it. “I’m Hamin, and this is Bamby.”

“Thank you so much again, Eunho, for your kind heart.” Bamby struggles to find Eunho’s hand. The silver-haired man sees this and shakes Bamby’s hand.

“It’s no problem at all. I’m just sorry that there’s only two beds in here. I’m already using one so both of you might have to share… or something. I don’t know. But please! By all means, make yourselves at home, okay? The toilet is there! And if you need any food or water, it’s right here.” Eunho points to the kitchen right behind him. 

Now that Hamin is looking at it. This house is really small. Smaller than what they are used to. 

“Ahem. It might not be big but everything that you need is here. So you’re set for tonight.” Eunho pats both of them on the back. “I’m going to turn in for the night. But if you need anything at all, I’ll most likely be up. See ya!” The man strides to his room. 

Okay, this man is definitely too carefree for his own good , is what Hamin thinks.

He looks at Bamby who is touching everything, probably trying to gauge what the layout is like so he doesn’t bump into anything and falls. And that’s when he almost does. Hamin quickly grabs onto Bamby. “Hyung, let me help you out.” 

“Thank you, Haminnie.” Bamby flashes Hamin a genuine smile. It makes Hamin feel like dying and living at the same time.

“It’s no problem at all, hyung.” Hamin pats Bamby on the head before resuming what Bamby was doing. 

They finally settle down on the bed after what feels like 2 hours. The reason is that Bamby noticed a stench coming from them. It must be one of the effects of being a fallen angel. But the problem is Bamby is not at all familiar with the bathroom. He doesn’t know where the shampoos are. Even then, he doesn’t know if he’s using the right shampoo for the right area.

After being stubborn about not needing Hamin’s help, he calls the younger in for help. At first, Hamin is hesitant to put his hands on Bamby because he is not thinking of any good thoughts right now. But then his guilty conscience eats at him, nagging at him that this is a disabled person who genuinely needs his help. Hamin feels disgust at himself but quickly snaps out of it so he can give Bamby the help that he needs.

But that wasn’t the end of Bamby’s stubbornness.

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” he announces to Hamin.

“Eh? No no no.” Hamin grabs the older by his shoulder, stopping him from stepping out of the room. He drags the latter to the bed and sits him down. “You are not sleeping on the couch. I am not allowing that. The couch is small, what if you topple over? I can’t even see you because I’ll be in the room.”

Bamby pouts and folds his arms. “But I’m not letting you sleep on the couch after carrying me for half a day. You deserve the bed more than I do. So I’m sleeping on the cou—” Bamby is pulled back down onto the bed again before he can stand. This time, he’s pinned to the bed. “Wha—”

“I’m not letting you sleep on the couch, hyung. And that is final. Besides, you may not know this. But the bed fits both of us just fine. It’s big enough.”

“But won’t you think that it’s too cramped?”

“Cramped? Hyung, do you know how small you are? You’re not going to squeeze me to death. If anything, it’s the opposite,” Hamin laughs lightheartedly. 

Bamby sighs in defeat. “Fine then. Let’s sleep together. Where should I—” He gets lifted up mid-sentence and is placed on the bed again. 

“Alright, then you’ll be sleeping on the side closer to the wall.” Hamin claps at his own actions, like he just did a great job. 

But Bamby doesn’t think that. Why does he keep getting carried like it’s nothing? “Hey! Are you going to keep taking advantage of me?” His brows furrow together. 

Shit. Was that Bamby’s last straw? “S-sorry. I just thought—”

Bamby hears the panic in Hamin’s tone. Why did he say it like that when he clearly knows that Hamin feels responsible for his disability? Bamby relaxes the space between his brows and softens his tone too. “Hey… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come off that way. C’mere.” Hamin goes straight into Bamby’s open arms. “Tell me what you’re thinking of, Hamin-ah,” the older says gently as he caresses Hamin’s hair. 

“I know that you told me to stop apologising but… you can’t lie that this happened all because of me, hyung. If I didn’t have such corrupted thoughts, I would’ve never been thrown to Araphel. And you would’ve not had to go up against God and run away with me and you wouldn’t end up here with me, blind.” Hamin says the last word in a mere whisper as if the quieter he says it, the less real it will be. He finally takes a deep breath.

“Hamin-ah…” Bamby calls out after a long silence. “You know what I think?”

“What?” The ignorance of not knowing how the older truly feels about all this has been eating him up on the inside since he found out. To be honest, he doesn’t even know what he is looking for. Closure? Or does he want to know that Bamby doesn’t hate him? He doesn’t know. He just knows that he wants to hear some sort of answer from the older. 

“Although, it is true that because of this, the banishment of me from Heaven is sped up. But I don’t blame you at all. The problem doesn’t lie in just you but me too.” Hamin looks up and sees a bittersweet smile on Bamby’s face. 

“What do you mean by that, hyung?” 

“I just… maybe I was burnt out after going over to Ohr. But it started approximately 4 months before I visited you that one time. I just didn’t really understand how the mind of some humans works. And because of that, I started to doubt God. I did not tell anyone, of course. But just like you, God knows what I’m thinking of all the time. Maybe because of this, he gave me a harsher punishment after our banishment. Since I was on the road on becoming a Seraphim.” 

Hamin is speechless. He never knew that Bamby had the capability to think of something this when all he does is dedicate his love to God.

“So this is the negative feelings that you were talking about?”

Bamby nods. “Oh, I just remembered something. I didn’t get to tell you then but Yejun hyung got exiled too.” 

“What?!” Hamin shouts in disbelief. “B-but how can that be? It’s Yejun hyung that we are talking about!” 

“But I guess that is what you can say about me too.” Bamby scratches his head awkwardly. 

That’s true. “But what was the reason for this?” 

Bamby shrugs. “I wasn’t told the full reason except that Yejun hyung fell in love with a human on earth, asked God to become a human… I think.”

“What? This is absolutely bizarre. So God will just abandon a promising Seraphim because he fell in love with a human? God is way stricter than what we are taught by the elders, huh.” Hamin scoffs. 

Bamby bites his cheeks, hesitating to speak before deciding to. “But I don’t think that is all there is to it. Soobin hyung seems to be hiding something from me.”

“Ah. You met Soobin hyung too?” 

“Hm. Yeah, that is all I know.”

Hamin lays Bamby down on the bed, adjusting the pillow, and making sure that the older is comfortable before lying down himself.

“Wow. That is a lot of things in one day.” Hamin starts to daze off a little bit now that his back has hit the springy bed. How comfortable. 

“Yeah.” Bamby turns to the side where Hamin is at. “I don’t know if you heard me loud and clear earlier. I do not blame you for this disability, Hamin. So don’t feel guilty for it. But if you do, use your guilty conscience to help me out, okay? Let me say it again, I don’t hate you, Hamin-ah. I can never hate you.”

Although, Bamby can no longer see now. He knows without a doubt that Hamin is crying. He can feel the younger vibrating next to him. Thinking about it, ever since Bamby left for Ohr, he has seen Hamin crying more often than not. 

Quietly, Hamin crawls into Bamby’s arms. “Thank you so much, hyung. Now let’s go to sleep. I’ll have to wake up early tomorrow to explore the forest.”

“What about me?” 

“Like you said, if I feel guilty, then let me help you out. So you just stay here as I try to find other people around.”

“But we told Eunho that we’ll leave tomorrow.” 

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Eunho about it. I’m sure he’ll understand. He seems to have a pure heart.” 

Bamby remains silent, which means he sees a point. Him tagging along with Hamin might just hinder the younger. So— “Yeah, okay. I’ll stay behind. But you have to be back before the sun sets, okay?”

“Promise.” Hamin’s pinky finds Bamby’s.

That night, they fell asleep in each other’s warm embrace. 

A surge of anxiety is what Bamby feels first thing in the morning. His eyes are opened, he knows that they are. So why can’t he see anything?

His breath is shaky as he uses his hands to feel his eyes.“M-my eyes.” He is touching his pupils so why— why can’t he see—

As if it’s on cue, large hands engulf his, spreading warmth to his hands that have gone cold from fear.

“Bamby hyung.” The gentleness in Hamin’s voice feels like the cure to everything. “I’m here… I’m here for you. Shhh…” He hushes Bamby’s loud mind and presses his ear to his heart. 

Thump. Thump. It’s solid. The rhythm of Hamin’s heart. The same rhythm that Bamby would try to recall in Ohr whenever he misses Hamin. But now he doesn’t have to try to remember the beat. Hamin is right here with him. It comforts him, knowing this.

Hamin gently caresses Bamby’s eyes and— Bamby feels something wet on his eyelids. Did Hamin just kiss him? 

“Do you feel better now?” 

Bamby is not at all ready for Hamin’s question, but he needs to snap out of it. “Y-yeah. Thank you.” 

Knock knock.  

“Guys, are you awake? Have some breakfast before you continue on your journey!” Eunho asks from the other side of the door. 

Breakfast? There’s no need for that. Hamin is about to kindly reject the offer when his stomach makes a loud noise. Oh wow. He never knew that his stomach could make a sound like that.

Bamby giggles. “I guess we get hungry now.” 

Hamin chuckles. “I guess we do, huh? Then shall we eat breakfast with Eunho?” 

“Sounds nice!” 

“Mornin’!” Eunho greets them as soon as they come out of the room. “I made some eggs and meat for breakfast.”

“Meat?” Bamby mumbles under his breath. 

“Yeah, meat! You need to put nutrients in you so you have the energy to continue on your long journey!” Eunho’s voice is muffled out towards the end, Bamby assumes the man is stuffing his face with food. 

Hamin sits them down across from Eunho. “Oh, about that. Do you mind if Bamby hyung stays here? Since it’ll be difficult for him to explore.” 

Eunho glances over at Bamby and ponders for a millisecond before agreeing. “Yeah, sure!”

“Thank you so much. Although uhm… are you usually this carefree?” 

“Huh? What d’ya mean?” 

“Aren’t you scared that we could be very dangerous people?”

Eunho gives them a look before stuffing another piece of meat down his throat. “No. You don’t look like it.”

Hamin scratches his head. “I guess but for your own safety, be more aware, okay?” 

“I will. I’m not usually like this.” 

“Then why are you like this with me?” Bamby is the one who asks this time.

Eunho stares at them long and hard this time. “Hm… I’m not sure. You guys feel safe.”

Bamby can’t stop the soft smile forming on his face. “I’m glad you feel that way with us.”

“Ah right! Hamin, you should eat more since you’re going out later.” Eunho takes more eggs and sausages from the pan and passes it to Hamin. 

The fallen angel wants to tell him that it’s okay but for some reason, he’s famished. He has already finished his plate and he’s still starving. This is fascinating to him. He has never eaten this much, he never needed to. This is new. “Thank you so much.” Hamin smiles at the silver-haired man. 

“It’s no problem. I’ll give you some materials later since you’ll need it on your journey.”

Hamin’s brow raises with curiosity. “What materials?” 

“Some ropes as a marker since you could get lost out there.” 

Get lost? Bamby doesn’t like the sound of that. “Then Eunho, you should go with Hamin since you know the place well.”

“No,” Hamin says with a straight face. “Eunho should stay with you. Who knows what might happen to you without anyone caring for you here?” 

Bamby sighs, about to refute when Eunho cuts right in. “I actually agree with Hamin. How about I stay with you until I can guarantee that you won’t hurt yourself, then I’ll head out to find Hamin if he needs me.” 

“And how will you know where he went?”

“I’ll follow the marker.” 

“Okay… and how will you know if he needs your help or not? We might not even be able to hear him scream for help.” 

Eunho gets up from the table and heads inside his room. Bamby gulps nervously. Did he accidentally tick the kind-hearted man off? But Eunho returns with something in his hands. He puts one of the objects in Bamby’s hand. Bamby closes his hands around it, feeling the object out. 

“This is a walkie-talkie.” Eunho presses a button before speaking into it. “Ah ah. Hello. Testing.” The walkie-talkie in Bamby’s hand vibrates as it receives Eunho’s transmission. 

Hamin looks at the devices in awe. Wow. He never knew something like that existed. “It works like a phone,” he blurts his thoughts out.

“Yeah, basically. C’mon, I’ll show you how to use it.” Eunho approaches Hamin and teaches him how. “So do you feel more assured now, Bamby?” 

Bamby is rendered speechless. “Y-yeah. Thank you.” 

The food on the table disappears quickly and soon Hamin is set to head out. But he doesn’t leave without repeatedly reminding Bamby to take care of himself and not get hurt. Likewise, Bamby kept reminding Hamin to get back before the sun set.

Eunho groans as his back hits the couch. “Finally, the both of you let each other go. That was so dramatic for no reason. It’s as if he’s going to war.” 

Bamby’s cheeks heat up. “You did mention that it’s pretty dangerous out here. So I’m just taking precaution.” 

Eunho lies on his side, supporting himself on his elbow. He rests his chin on his palm and stares at Bamby. 

His stare is so intense, that it makes Bamby shudder despite not being able to see. “Wh-what are you doing?” 

“I was staring at you.”

“W-why?” Bamby is flustered by the man’s honesty. 

“Hmm… I was wondering something.” 

“What?” 

“Are the both of you dating?”

“What?!” 

“I guess not. Boring.” Losing interest, Eunho goes back to lying on his back. 

“W-why did you think so?” 

“Well… I can see,” is all Eunho says. 

Bamby scowls. What kind of answer was that? “Ahem. Are you perhaps mocking me?” 

“Not at all.”

Slightly irked by Eunho, Bamby stomps into the guest room. (Of course, with as much caution as possible.)

The stomping is impossible for Eunho to ignore. “Hey hey! Where are you going!” He gets up and follows the pink-haired man into the room. The first thing he notices is the large bag in the corner of the room. It’s the bag that Hamin carried yesterday, along side with Bamby on his back. “Oh, you guys didn’t unpack?” 

“We didn’t think there was a need to since we thought we were going to leave today. But thanks to your… generosity.” Bamby almost goes into the sarcastic zone but he catches himself before he’s about to. He clears his throat. “Which I am, once again, very thankful for.”

Eunho chuckles. “Okay then, let me show my generosity once again by helping you guys unpack a little. This bag looks like it needs a breather.” 

At that moment, Bamby feels bad for giving Eunho attitude. But to be fair, he never knew he had such a side in him. 

“Oh? Did you not pack any clothes for you? From what I’m seeing… these robes— wow! They’re way too big for you.”

Right. Bamby doesn’t have any robes with him since… being expelled from Heaven was not part of his plans when he went to see Hamin yesterday. “That’s fine. I’ll just use Hamin’s.”

“Did he not bring any normal clothes? It’s just 5 sets of robes in here.” Eunho can’t believe what he’s hearing and he’s the one saying it. He scratches his head. “So you are really from some church, huh?” 

Bamby tenses up. It’s not entirely a lie, but not entirely the truth either. What does he even say to this? “Uh… Haha, yeah.” His first lie. Bamby is holding his breath. Hopefully, that sounded believable. 

Seems like the latter took his words as it is when he moved on to the next item. “What is this box? This looks like a relic.” 

Bamby freezes. Their memory box. Hamin brought it with him like he promised to. He smiles fondly. “Yeah, that’s our memory box.” 

“I kinda already figured that out. Look at this photo!” Eunho has already opened the box without Bamby knowing. The pink-haired man sighs. He really just does whatever he wants. So carefree. “So I guess this is you and Hamin… hm? This man in the middle looks familiar.”

“What do you mean he looks familiar?!” Bamby shouts out of nowhere. 

“Woah! Do you have to shout that loud?” Eunho shakes his head and clicks his tongue. “Anyways… I’m not very sure. He just looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen him around before.” 

“H-how long ago?” Bamby lowers his volume now, feeling embarrassed for bursting out just like that. 

Eunho ponders. “Maybe about last week?”

Bamby jolts up. “Last week?!” 

Eunho covers his ears, frowning. “Wow! I never took you to be a loud person! But yes! Last week! Geez. I knew you were blind but I never knew that you were losing your hearing too.” He grumbles the last part to himself but Bamby heard it. But Bamby doesn’t say anything. He’s in a state of shock. His jaw is open.

S-so… that means that Yejun hyung is here too? So this means I have the chance to ask him what happened to him! But— where do I even begin to find him? And… I can’t even see now… 

Solemnness soon returns to Bamby’s face.

“Your mood sure changes quickly. Anyways, who did this drawing? It’s fucking impressive, holy shit!” 

Bamby’s normal reaction would be frowning at the foul language used by this human but the vision of that painting flashes before his eyes, and it brings a smile to his face. “Hamin did it. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” 

“You know what it looks like?”

Right. Eunho doesn’t know anything. He doesn’t know that they are fallen angels and how Bamby was seeing things just fine until yesterday. 

Bamby’s shoulder sinks. “Yes, I saw it before I lost my sight.” 

“Wow. So your life is basically fulfilled already. This is all you need to see before you die or turn blind. It’s even more impressive since I can feel his true feelings through this painting.” 

Those words cause Bamby to tilt his head. “What do you mean by that?” 

“C’mon, there’s no way you don’t know by now that Hamin has feelings for you.” 

“Uhh… I know that. He told me— well— kind of. But how do you know?” 

“Told you that I have eyes to see. I wasn’t mocking you. Maybe I was, a little bit but—! It’s obvious.”

For God to know the truth goes without saying. But for a complete stranger to know the truth, now that’s a different story.

“Can you… tell me what’s so obvious?” 

“The look in his eyes when he looks at you. It’s full of love. Almost like a child being attracted to a candy shop. But this feels deeper than that. It feels more like without you, there’s no him. Something like that? Man, I’m not too sure. Anyways, sick painting, holy shit.”

Once again, Bamby is too lost in his thoughts to care about the foul language used.

After a while, Eunho puts everything back into the memory box and scoops more things out of the bag.

Just then, there’s a loud knock on the door. Eunho freezes up. He gets on his tip-toes and harshly whispers to Bamby to stay quiet and get down low. He stealthily maneuvres into his living room, where his rifle is, and grabs it. 

Knock knock knock.

Eunho loads the rifle, all ready to shoot at the unknown person. 

Knock knock. 

“Eunho! It’s me, Hamin.” 

Eunho feels his legs getting weak from the relief. He thought the day had come when he would become a murderer or even encounter one. He opens the door, already going off about how he should mention that it’s him the next time when he notices that there is another man next to Hamin. Subconsciously, he points in the man’s face. “Oh. It’s you. The man in the picture.” 

“What’s happening now?” Bamby peeks his head out of the room. He assumes that it’s safe since he heard Hamin’s voice. 

“Oh, Bamby, it’s the man—” 

“Bamby?” 

This voice. He knows this voice. “...Yejun hyung?”

Footsteps rapidly approach him and bring him into a crushing hug. Yejun caresses the back of Bamby’s head over and over again, taking it in that he’s real. He’s standing right there before him. “It’s me, I’m here,” he quietly chants.

Bamby lets himself go in the arms of the older angel who he trusted so much when he was younger. Even after spending years apart, he still trusts Yejun without batting an eye.

“Yejun hyung…” Bamby misses the way the older’s name sounds on his tongue. 

Yejun pulls away from the hug, cups Bamby’s face with both hands and takes a good look at the younger. “You’ve grown so much…”

Bamby’s breathing hitch. What does he say to that? He can’t see Yejun hyung. “Y-you look the same as ever, hyung.” He tries to put on the same bright smile that Yejun used to see all the time, but Yejun sees right through him.

He pats Bamby and it reminds the latter of the past when Yejun used to pat him on the head after he did something good. “You don’t have to put on a brave facade in front of me, Bamby-ah. I know everything. Hamin told me all about it.” Hearing this, Bamby’s throat clogs up and he starts shaking again. “It’s okay. Let it all out, Bamby-ah.” Yejun rubs Bamby’s back up and down like he used to do back then when he comforted toddler Bamby. 

Hamin, seeing this heartwarming scene before him, can’t hold himself back from joining the hug. So he hugs the two precious people to him.

Eunho joins in too. He doesn’t know what is happening at all. But he feels like this is what all 3 of them need in this moment. So that’s how it is. 

“So tell me what happened?” Yejun asks.

Hamin starts explaining everything in detail from A to Z. Bamby will start trembling now and then at the vivid memories. When he does, Hamin rubs Bamby’s palm to calm his nerves.

By the end of it, all Yejun can muster up is a ‘wow’ and a scoff that involuntarily comes out of him. “I guess things are still pretty much the same up there after I was damned to Earth. But for God to take away your sight… it’s too cruel. How can He do that to such a promising angel like you?” This is all Yejun can think of after gathering his thoughts. 

“Hyung… don’t say that. If He thought that I didn’t deserve it, then He would’ve never done this to me.”

“Bamby… no one deserves to have their sight taken away from them. Not from someone who gave you sight and can heal people from blindness.”

Bamby doesn’t know what to say to that. Yejun is right. So he diverts the attention to the older. “What about you, hyung? What happened to you? Did anything happen to you after?” 

“Uhm…” Eunho raises his arm a little, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. “Before we move on… I’m kinda lost. So what I’m hearing is… you’re… all angels? Or should I say fallen angels? What— what is happening?” Eunho looks like he’s about to faint any moment if no one gives him an explanation immediately. 

Hamin looks at Yejun, freaked. He totally forgot about Eunho in the room. Shit . Ugh, I can’t even erase his memories now. 

Yejun calmly turns to Eunho. “That is exactly true. Whether or not you want to believe us, it is entirely up to you. But before anything else, I will like to extend gratitude to you for taking in both of them. Such kind and pure heart you have.” 

Eunho blushes at Yejun’s compliment. “I-it’s not a problem at all. And d-don’t get me wrong! It’s not that I don’t believe you guys. I just didn’t think that spiritual beings were real.” 

Yejun smiles. “Now you know.” He turns back to Bamby. “To answer your question, Bamby, I was unscathed. But I think God has other plans for me. I suffered a lot after coming to Earth. As for the reason I was exiled… it’s a pretty long story. But to put it shortly, I fell in love with a human.” 

Yeah. This is exactly what Bamby heard from Soobin. 

“But the human I fell for is a man.” 

So this is what Soobin was hiding from Bamby. ‘It’s best that you hear it from Yejun himself,’ he said. 

Bamby agrees because he wants to hear an explanation. “W-what do you mean by that, hyung?” He hears a sigh leaving Yejun’s lips, followed by a warm touch on his hand. This feels exactly like Yejun hyung, except the texture of his hands has gotten rough. 

“It is exactly as I said it, Bamby-ah. The human I have romantic feelings for is a man.” 

So something like this is possible? And not just for Hamin? Bamby never knew someone who is not Hamin is capable of feeling the same attraction that Hamin has for a man. With his narrow-minded mind, he never thought this was possible. 

“D-do you care explaining more about it, hyung?” 

“Bamby-ah, I need you to listen to my every word that I’m about to say, okay?” Yejun’s tone goes an octave lower, indicating how serious he’s about to get. 

“Okay.”

“Falling in love is possible even if it’s not between a man and a woman. It’s possible between two of the same gender. What they have been teaching us up there, it’s all idealistic. Us, living beings who have control over our minds and bodies, know best about our own feelings. Yes, your mind thinks and ‘knows’ that feelings like this towards the same gender are bad. But that’s the idealistic mindset and teaching that we grew up with. You know deep down that what you feel is very much real. Realer than this idealistic concept of specifically a man and a woman being in love with each other.”

Bamby bites his lip and clenches his fist. “B-but Yahweh is the one who created us and that will mean that we are fla—”

Yejun cuts Bamby off. He knows what he is about to say. “The Creator makes no mistakes. Hence, my feelings for another man are not a mistake.”

Bamby is bereft of speech. Yejun is right. He slowly nods, “I get it now, hyung. I do. Sorry if I offended you in any way.” 

Yejun pats the top of Bamby’s head. “No, you didn’t. You’re a good boy. You were just trying to understand me.”

“Then… hyung, will you mind telling us about the man you fell in love with? Are you still with him?”

An affectionate look appears on Yejun’s face at the thought of his lover. “Yes, we are still very much together. He is… a character. But it is also his unique personality that I fell in love with.” A soft chuckle leaves Yejun’s lips at the thought of what he’s about to say. “He’ll do anything and everything to convince me that sleeping late is not bad for his health. But we all know that sleeping late consistently is bad for our health. A gaslighter is what people describe someone like him as. But I still love him and his silly brain. I think he’s adorable.” 

“Wow…” Everyone turns their attention to Hamin. “Sorry. I just never seen that look on your face before, hyung.” 

Yejun touches his face and he can feel the heat on his fingertips. “I just can’t help it when I think about him. I love him so much.”

‘I love him so much,’ those words repeat in Bamby’s mind. He feels so ignorant now. Towards Yejun. And even Hamin. He should have a talk with Hamin. Soon. Or maybe later. Either way, they should really talk. Bamby wants to apologise. 

“By the way, hyung, how has life on Earth been for you? What have you been doing?” Hamin asks. He’s curious as to how he assimilated into the culture here. 

“I’ve just been around. I still go to church every week. I do odd jobs so I can survive out here with my partner.” 

“You’re living in the forest, hyung?” Bamby shudders at the thought of that. From what Bamby knows, the forest is a dangerous place. How has Yejun hyung been surviving with his lover? 

“Yeah. The area we’re living in is very isolated from the rest of the forest. So not many people bother to go in. Moreover, we’re well-hidden amongst the trees.”

“Oh! I think I know what you’re talking about!” Eunho chirps in. 

“You do?” 

“Yeah! Doesn’t Noah hyung live in that area too?” 

Yejun’s mature demeanor instantly made a switch into a boy in love. “That’s my lover!” 

Eunho almost falls back from shock. “So you are the lover that Noah hyung has been talking about? Oh my god.” He approaches Yejun and goes in for a handshake. “It is so nice meeting you. This is crazy. So you’re a fallen angel and Noah hyung is a witch. Wow. I never thought an angel would fall for a witch.” Magic is frowned upon in the Bible, much less is it in Heaven. Yet, both worlds collided and something beautiful came out of it. 

“A witch, hyung?” Bamby and Hamin say at the same time.

Yejun scratches his head. “Yeah, it just kind of happened. I was actually his guardian angel, that’s how I came to know him. Witches are… not as bad as you think they are.” 

“Oh hyung, you don’t have to explain yourself. I get it.” Bamby reassures Yejun with a smile. 

Meanwhile, Hamin is lost in his thoughts. “So he does magic, right?” 

“Yeah. I’ve been encouraging him to stop though.”

Hamin’s eye twitches slightly at that. “And why is that?” 

“It puts his life at risk. When we first met, he was on the brink of death. I saved him. After that, he risked his life to help me too. I had to stop him before we were met with the consequences.”

Hamin’s stomach sinks to the bottom, his breathing becoming ragged, and he clenches his fists. 

“Wow. It was that bad?” Eunho can’t help but be worried even if it’s in the past. It doesn’t mean that it won’t happen again since he’s aware that the blonde man is still actively doing witchcraft. 

“Yeah… he’s slowly pulling away from it. We’re thinking of moving closer to civilisation soon so we can live a normal life.” 

“You can’t.” Hamin jerks out of his seat. 

“What?” 

“Hyung, you can’t.” 

Yejun straightens out his shoulder. “And why can’t I?”

“What about Bamby hyung?” Hamin’s voice is shaky. 

Bamby is confused. What is Hamin going on about? “What about me—”

But before he can finish his sentence, Hamin falls to his knees, eliciting a sound so loud that it’s concerning. Bamby wants to get up to help Hamin but Eunho stops him. 

Hamin kowtows before Yejun’s feet. “Hyung, please let me be selfish. Noah might be the cure to bring Bamby hyung’s sight back. What if God put us here because we were meant to meet you and your lover? Because Noah is destined to get Bamby hyung back his sight? So hyung please, Yejun hyung, can you discuss this with Noah first before you decide that it’s imposs—”

Yejun pulls Hamin up from the ground. “Okay okay, I get it. So please, stand up.” He dusts the dirt off Hamin’s knees and hands and straightens out the latter’s tousled-up hair. “If it’s something simple, I think he can do it in a breeze.” 

“God. Thank you so much, hyung.” He flings himself onto the older and weighs the latter down with his body weight. It’s not on purpose. But his body has gone numb from anxiety. 

Bamby too gets up from his seat and bows. “Thank you so much, hyung. If it’s too big of a request, you don’t have to worry about it. Noah’s health is so much more important than mine.” 

“Oh c’mere. Don’t say that.” Yejun pulls Bamby into this odd hug that they’re having. “We will try our best for you, I promise. Why don’t I bring you guys over to my house tomorrow? I’ll let Noah know about this.” 

“If it’s not too much of a hassle. Thank you so much once again, Yejun hyung,” Bamby voices his gratitude once more. 

“There’s no need for that between us.” Yejun pulls away from the hug and looks at the two boys who are now fully grown adults. “Then I’ll see you guys tomorrow. If I don’t get home now, Noah will be worried.” He makes his way to the door and waves at the trio. 

“See you tomorrow, hyung!” They greet the oldest. 

“I’ll pick you up at around 9 am!” 

Bamby can’t help feeling a bubbling of excitement in his stomach. There’s a possibility that he doesn’t have to live in the darkness forever. 

The turmoil in Bamby’s heart and mind is starting to disappear and he thinks about this. So much so that it brings a smile to his face. He will forever be grateful to Yejun hyung and his lover, Noah.

Maybe God hasn’t fully abandoned him after all. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

“Wow! When you said you live pretty isolated from the rest of the forest, you were not joking!” Hamin pants heavily. By his side is the smaller pink-haired man holding onto his arm for dear life. Hamin offered to carry Bamby but the older wouldn’t allow that. Said he doesn’t want to exert Hamin’s body. Even then, Hamin can’t help but worry about Bamby. “Hyung, are you doing fine?” He tries to catch a glimpse of the shorter. 

“Yeah, don’t worry— ha— about me.”

Hamin holds back the urge to make fun of Bamby. How unconvincing. 

“A-are we almost there yet though?” Bamby manages in between pants. 

“I think in about 20-30 minutes?” Yejun replies. 

“20— ah!” 

“Hyung!” Hamin immediately grabs onto Bamby’s hand that is on his arm. “Okay, that’s it. I’m carrying you. It’s just for another 20 minutes. Get on my back, hyung, otherwise I’m carrying you—”

“Okay okay!” Bamby caves. He gets on Hamin’s back with Yejun and Eunho’s help. “Am I heavy?” He asks gingerly. 

“No hyung. How many times have I carried you like this? You’re not heavy at all.” Hamin reassures. 

Yejun chuckles, catching the duo’s attention. “Right. I remember when you were younger, Hamin tried to carry you on his back but failed. Good to see that he’s able to lift you so easily now.” 

Bamby hears his heart picking up its pace, thumping loudly in his ears. Right. Something like that happened, huh? But now Hamin seems like the older one between them since he’s the one who does all the taking care. Is this because he has feelings for me? 

“By the way, how old is Noah-ssi?” Bamby is trying to know all the relevant information before meeting the blonde. This is a huge deal. He is Yejun’s lover. It is important to respect him. 

“Oh, he’s my age. You can call him hyung too.” 

Same-age lovers. There must be a lot in common for them then. It must be easy to get along with each other. 

Hamin is 2 years younger… Will it work as well between a couple who are not the same age? Bamby jerks up. What was I thinking about? Me and Hamin? Lovers? No no no. Not possible. I don’t even like him that way. 

“Alright! We are here!” Yejun brushes past the last tall bush and there is the place that has been housing Yejun for the past few years. 

It is… nothing like what Hamin imagined it to be. It is… “Smaller than I think,” he blurts out subconsciously. 

Yejun just laughs. “It is definitely not as fancy as what we used to have back in Heaven or in Ohr. But I think a small place like this suits me more. It’s cozy. Besides, it’s not as small as you think it is. C’mon in!” After stepping inside the small cabin, the oldest takes off his shoes and settles his bag down in a corner. “Noah-ya, I’m home!” 

A hint of blonde and foxy-like eyes peeps from the room furthest in the back of the cabin. He pops back in before dashing across the hallway and into Yejun’s arms. “Junnie-ah!” 

“Woah!” Yejun almost topples over but he regains his balance, holding himself and Noah up. “I was only gone for less than 2 hours.” He laughs fondly at how cute his lover is being. 

The blonde pouts. “That’s not why I’m excited though. I’m more eager to meet your friends than to see you,” is what he says but he doesn’t pulls himself off Yejun. In fact, he’s tightening the gap between them. Hamin gets what Yejun means now. He’s a character for sure. 

Blue foxy eyes finally look them up and down. He smiles at Eunho, acknowledging his presence. He looks at Hamin and nods firmly. Then he looks at Bamby, but it appears more like he is examining the pink-haired man. “So I assume that is Bamby,” is the conclusion he came to. 

“Yes. That is Bamby and this is Hamin. And you know Eunho.”

“Yeah, shall we take a seat? Yejunnie, can you grab some tea for your friends?” Noah takes a seat on one of the chairs as he speaks, his eyes not leaving Bamby. 

Hamin sits Bamby down before taking a seat himself. He tightens his hand around Bamby’s, not liking the way the blonde is scrutinising the older. 

“Yejun told me everything. You’re looking for a cure to rid Bamby-ssi’s blindness?” 

“Yes. It will really be great if you’re able to help me out. However, I also understand that this is a huge request and it’s alright if you can’t do it—” Bamby’s sentence is interrupted by Hamin squeezing his hand. 

“If you can help my hyung, I’ll do anything. Please. Just help Bamby hyung.”

Noah raises his brow and tilts his head unsettlingly. “Anything?”

“Yes. Anything.”

The blonde leans in. He crosses his legs and folds his arms. “Do you know what entails in ‘anything’ when you’re speaking to a witch?” 

Hamin knows he’s probably doing this to scare him but he is not backing down without a fight. He leans in too, imitating the witch. “Even if it means giving both my eyes to Bamby hyung, I’d do it.” 

“Hamin! I won’t allow that! No!” An outburst comes from Bamby. “You can’t go through with this without my permission—” 

“Alright alright.” Noah calms the pink-haired down. “Don’t worry. I was just testing him. See if he really means it. Since we’re about to fuck with magic. I need to see your resolves. So don’t fret. I won’t have to do something like that, hopefully.” He ends off with a smirk. Bamby can’t see it, but he sure can hear it. 

Bamby huffs. He’s not sure he likes this. 

“Noah-ya, don’t tease them too much. Here’s the tea.” Yejun places a cup in Bamby’s hands. “Drink it slowly. It’s a little hot. Anyways, so will this be possible?” The navy-haired man turns his attention to his lover. 

Noah looks at Bamby before pondering again. “I’m sure it’s within my powers to get his sight back.” 

They all wait for a catch. But it wasn’t coming. 

“So you’re confident?” A smile is returning on Hamin’s face. 

“Hm… confident? Who knows?”

Hamin’s smile immediately falls. “Are you playing games with us right now?” His tone is agitated. 

“Woah. Calm down, lover boy. I just need to read through every single book in my library to make sure that I won’t fuck this up.”

Bamby winces before sheepishly speaking up, “If it’s too much for you, it’s alright. I don’t want to put your life at risk. You’re equally as important to me since you’re important to Yejun hyung as well.”

There is a pause before Noah’s laugh fills up the cabin. “You sure are a good boy! I see why Yejunnie wants me to help you.” The witch gets up from his chair to pat Bamby on the back. “Alright. I’ll get to work immediately. Hmm… should I start tonight? Or mayhaps tomorrow? Or maybe next week!” 

Before Hamin can scowl at the blonde, Yejun pulls Noah back to his side and tucks the blonde’s hair behind his ears. “It’ll be amazing if you start as soon as possible, love.” 

Noah points a finger at Yejun. “I know what you’re doing, sweet-talking me. I’ll have you know that… it absolutely worked. Alright then! I’ve decided to start on it right after I’m done with this cup of tea!” In which, the blonde instantly devours. “Ah! That was amazing! Okay, off to the library we go. Follow me!” 

They all make their way to the basement. What Yejun said about the house being bigger than it seems makes sense now. 

The library is as impressive as the one in Heaven. The shelves are as tall as the ceilings and it is filled to the brim. To be frank, it feels kind of claustrophobic. On top of that, slapped right in the middle is a huge cauldron. 

Noah gestures to his workspace grandly. “This is where I get my shit done.” Bamby trips on a book on the floor, letting out a squeal. “Yeah. It’s not organised. Anyways so I will be looking for the spell I need. Meanwhile, you guys can take a look around, I guess. It’s gotta be somewhere here…” is the last thing the witch said before putting his full concentration on his task. 

Hamin locks Bamby’s arm in his. “Stick with me, hyung. There are books everywhere . Noah was being truthful on that part. If you’re tired, we can go back upstairs and drink more tea.” 

Before Hamin can take another step, Bamby squeezes onto the younger’s arm, stopping the latter in his tracks. “Can we… just go back up?” He’s smiling but there’s a hint of awkwardness in it. 

Hamin blinks. “Yeah, sure. Guys, Bamby hyung and I will be going back up!” 

“Alright sure!” Yejun replies. 

“Is anything wrong, Bamby hyung?” Hamin asks after he helps sit Bamby down. 

The same awkward smile returns on his face as he’s trying to brush off his feelings, “It’s nothing serious. I just thought there was no use for me to stay down there when I can’t see anything… Uhm. What I meant is… can you describe how the place looked like to me?” Bamby is trying to change the topic and Hamin knows what he’s doing but he explained it anyway. 

Hamin stares at Bamby who is trying his best to smile. Really really trying. Hamin sighs. He ruffles the older’s head. “Hyung, you don’t have to put up a front with me. You can be vulnerable around me.”

“Sorry. I just— I don’t even know,” Bamby sighs heavily. “I know I told Noah hyung that it’s okay if he can’t do it. But Hamin… I want to see the things that you’re able to see. I want to be able to see Noah’s workspace that you saw, the forest that we are in, the cabin that we’re currently staying in. I want to know what Eunho and Noah hyung look like. Even Yejun hyung. How much did he change much over the years? Above all, I want to see your face the most…” 

Bamby’s words pricked at Hamin’s heart, at the same time, it made his heart flutter. Hamin holds Bamby’s face in the palms of his hands. “Hyung, listen up, okay? You will get your sight back. I promise. You will be able to see the things that I see again. I’ll make sure of it.”

“But how will you do that…?” Hamin doesn’t blame Bamby for being skeptical. It is an extremely major promise to make. But Hamin is also the kind to shoot the sun for Bamby if he says it’s too hot. 

“I’m not sure myself, to be honest, hyung. But you trust me, don’t you?” 

“...I do.”

“Then that’s all you have to do. Keep trusting me and I’ll make the promise happen.” 

For the first time, Bamby finds himself having a hard time believing in this promise that Hamin made. 

“Hey guys,” a voice coming from the basement, where they were just at, caught their attention. It is Yejun hyung, Eunho following behind him. “Noah sent me up here to send you guys home. As for the spell, he said that he’ll get back to you guys as soon as possible. Probably in a week or less. We’ll find you at the cabin. He told me to say sorry for not sending you guys off, but he’s locked in right now.” 

“It’s no problem at all. He’s already helping us a ton, we’ll see ourselves out, no issues.”

Yejun smiles at them but something feels off. Hamin can’t quite put his finger on it. He turns to Bamby and pats him on the shoulders. “I hope everything goes well for the both of you during the time being. We’ll see you soon.” With that, the navy-haired man walks them to the door and greets them. 

Something is odd. It feels hollow. 

Without dwelling too much on it, the trio make their way back to Eunho’s cabin while Yejun makes his way back into the basement.

He slams his hands on the table, where Noah has all his books scattered all around. He tilts the blonde’s head up and locks eyes with the latter. He’s serious as he speaks, “Be straight with me. Are you able to do it or not? I don’t want to lose you over this.” 

Noah breaks away from Yejun’s touch and eye contact. “It’s too early to tell,” he murmurs. “Just give me time, okay?” He diverts his attention back on the book he’s currently reading but Yejun slams it shut.

“If you’re using this to make up for the guilt you feel then forget it.” 

Noah tenses up.

Yejun sighs, irked. “I told you many times before. You are not held responsible for my banishment from Heaven. You don’t have to feel guilty.”

Noah swallows his spit nervously and he realises how dry his tongue was prior. “...It’s less of the guilt now. I really just want to help an angel just like you. Can’t you just let me do this?” 

Seeing the look of desperation in his lover’s eyes, Yejun’s heart softens. “Babe, look. I’m not preventing you from doing this. I just want to ensure that it doesn’t compromise your safety. I don’t want anything happening to you. I can’t live without you anymore.” 

“I won’t let my safety be compromised. I promise, Yejun-ah.”

“That better be the case then.” Yejun walks over to his lover’s side and gently kisses him on the lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Noah smiles. “Now go grab me some tea. I will need it.”

“Anything for you, honey.” Yejun walks off but not without walking backwards so he can look at Noah for a longer period of time. 

Yejun wakes up to the sound of books flipping. His eyes readjust to his surroundings. Noah is now hidden behind a mountain of books. “Noah?” He calls out groggily. But no response. He calls out once again.

This time, he hears a soft, “Oh. Yeah?” 

Yejun gets up from his seat so he can take a good look at his boyfriend, only to see that the dark circles around the blonde’s eyes practically take up half the space on his face. He nearly stumbles back from how rough his lover looks. “You should catch some sleep.” Yejun tries to pull Noah out of his chair but to no avail. Noah is putting his weight down on his seat. 

“Yejun.” It’s stern. 

Yejun doesn’t like the sound of this. It’s making him anxious. But he needs to know the next step Noah is going to take. “Yes,” he replies after inhaling a sharp breath. He doesn’t want Noah to know how nervous he is right now. But the shakiness of his voice gives it all away. 

“I want to go talk to them about this.” 

“Uh— right now?” 

The strength on Noah’s neck finally gives out as he buries his face into his book. “Not right now. Maybe tomorrow. I’m beat.” 

“But… what are you going to tell them?” Yejun needs to know. The wait is killing him slowly. Noah mumbles something but the book muffles it out. “What was that?” Yejun asks, not catching what Noah said. But when he doesn’t get an immediate response, he already knows that the witch has fallen asleep. The soft snoring that follows right after confirms that. 

“Haa… this is killing me.” Yejun throws Noah’s arm over his shoulder as he carries him to their bedroom. After putting Noah down on the bed, Yejun goes back downstairs to clean up a little. However, while doing so, his curiosity gets the best of him. He sits himself down and reads through the book Noah was desperately holding onto before he fell asleep on it. 

Yejun’s eyes widen as he reads through the text. His brain goes into overload and eventually, everything turns into a mush. It’s cloudy. But one clear thing is that there is no way on Earth Noah is doing that. 

The couple is now making their way to Eunho’s cabin. It’s not an easy journey. It’s normal for them to feel out of breath and tired. But it feels a little more than that now. Yejun seems to have too much on his mind and it’s bothering Noah. It would bother him less if the taller doesn’t keep glancing his way along with opening and closing his mouth like a fish. However, that is exactly what he is doing. 

Noah stops abruptly in his tracks. “Spill.” 

Flustered by the sudden confrontation, Yejun stumbles on his words. “W-w-w-what do you mean?” 

“You keep looking like me like you have something to say. So just tell me.” 

Yejun breathes out. “I… I saw. The book you were reading before you fell asleep on it.” 

“Okay… and?” 

“I don’t want you to do it,” Yejun deadpans. 

The sound of nature fills their silence. They stare at each other until Noah lets out a soft chuckle. He runs his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t tell you that I was going to do it, though?”

The light returns to Yejun’s tired eyes that resulted in losing sleep within the past 2 days. “So you’re really not doing it? I was so sure that you were going to tell them that you’ll do it.” 

There is a pause before Noah speaks, “I still want to help Bamby very badly. But this is just… I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it.” 

Yejun doesn’t say anything. He just hugs his lover. He’s glad. Glad that Noah is no longer pushing himself to do the things he can’t do. Glad that he knows his limits ever since that day. He pats the blonde on the head before sliding his hand down to find Noah’s and connecting their fingers. “Let’s go find them then. I’m sure they will understand, especially Bamby.” 

“I’m sure they will.” Although, I’m not too sure about Hamin. 

They continue on their journey. It’s not long before they arrive at the cabin.

Knock knock.

The trio in the house tenses up. 

Eunho looks at Hamin. “Do you think that’s…”

“It could be.” 

Bamby gulps. “I-if that’s the case then I’ll make us some t-tea.” 

“What?! No— hyung! I’ll make it with you.” Bamby is already making his way to the kitchen before Hamin can stop him from doing so. Yes, Bamby is comfortable enough to walk around the house alone now. But tasks like making tea are definitely still too dangerous for the older. “Eunho hyung, if you don’t mind. Please open the door for us. I’ll come back soon!” Hamin runs after Bamby who is feeling out where the pots and cups are. 

Eunho answers the door as he’s told to. Sure enough, it is Yejun and Noah at the door. “Come on in. They’re currently making tea for you right now. At least, they are trying to.”

Yejun’s conscience is starting to poke at him but he tries his best to ignore it. He knows the reason why they’re doing this. It is highly because they are expecting good news from them and this is an act of gratitude. Yejun’s eyes are not smiling despite his lips, giving his true emotions away when he says, “They really shouldn’t have.” 

Eunho catches on, he glances over at Noah who seems to keep his eyes busy. They’re wandering around with no aim at all. “Anyways… take a seat. They’ll come with tea soon.” Almost as if on cue, a loud clash is heard coming from the kitchen. 

“Hyung!” 

The sudden commotion causes everyone to gather around them. 

“Blood. There’s blood,” Eunho voices. 

“What do we do?!” Yejun freezes up at Hamin’s loud voice. He has never heard the younger shouting like this before. He’s frantic. He uses his white shirt to wrap around Bamby’s finger which is bleeding profusely. Strings of cuss words leave Hamin’s lips as he’s doing everything to stop the bleeding. 

Eunho runs off to presumably take the first-aid kit. Meanwhile, Yejun takes his place next to the pair. He places his hand on Hamin’s shoulder. “A small injury like this is not fatal. Let’s wait for Eunho to come back with the aid, okay? Bamby, are you alright?” 

The pink-haired man has been silent for a while now. “I never knew that pain felt like this…” he mumbles quietly.

Right. It’s only normal for him to react this way. There’s no such thing as pain in Heaven after all. 

“Yeah, that’s how it is. Does it hurt a lot?”

In a state of daze, Bamby doesn’t respond. Eunho soon returns with a first-aid kit. He hastily scrambles the items out and passes them to Yejun. “It’s going to sting a little bit more but it’s nothing unbearable,” Yejun says despite not knowing if Bamby is listening at all. But he supposes that a warning will suffice. 

“Shit. I’m so sorry, Bamby hyung. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve watched you more carefully.” Hamin apologises to Bamby, but it seems more like he’s apologising to himself with how unresponsive the latter is being. 

Noah watches as the tall black-haired man beats himself up for Bamby’s small injury, going on and on about how this is his fault. He scoffs to himself. Pathetic, he thought. Very very pathetic, yes. How can Hamin blame this all on himself? Noah doesn’t get it. But there is one thing that Noah gets now from the scene in front of him. And that is both of them will forever be miserable if Bamby doesn’t get his sight back. 

Bamby seems to be fine with his disposition (more like he just doesn’t like the idea of inconveniencing others), but Hamin, on the other hand, is not. And that is what Bamby is not fine with. He doesn’t like that Hamin feels a sense of responsibility for his disability. 

It’s as if God knows this will be the outcome and cursed them to this ill fate forever. Just like how he feels about Yejun becoming a fallen angel because of him. 

Noah looks over at Yejun, who is finishing up the final touches of bandaging Bamby. He sighs to himself. It has to be done.  

“Go and take a seat, I’ll finish making the rest of the tea.” Eunho helps the unstable Hamin to the couch, and Yejun does the same for Bamby. 

Everyone’s pretty much settled down, except for Hamin. The black-haired man keeps glancing over at Bamby, to ensure that he’s fine while shaking his leg anxiously. 

Eunho soon comes with the tea and pours everyone a cup. 

Now everyone is seated. The deafening silence in the room is now more apparent. Everyone’s holding their breaths while looking at Noah who is sipping the tea from his cup. Everyone is on edge, Yejun included. Despite having a strong feeling that Noah will say no to helping them, but that is just a feeling . Yejun knows more than anyone here that Noah is unpredictable. And he might change his mind anytime. 

The look in Noah’s eyes changes as he starts to speak. “I’m going to be honest with you, Hamin and Bamby.” 

They straighten their back out after hearing this as if they were about to be disciplined by their elders. 

Noah continues, “I came here with bad news. It’s just that— I’m not too confident I’ll be able to help you guys without risking my own life. On top of that, I was wondering if it’s even worth it. It might take weeks, months, or even years. What if by the time I’m done with the spell and you guys have already fully accepted Bamby’s disability, physically, emotionally, and mentally? Then I would’ve wasted my life away.” He pauses and looks at Yejun whose eyes are wavering. He’s trying to shake his head without making it too obvious. 

Noah darts his eyes away and picks up where he left off, “But I realised that’s not the case. God has basically cursed you guys. You’re damned to be miserable forever. The only way to get out of this misery is for Bamby to get his sight back. So I’ll do it. I’ll be the one to help you out of your misery. I’ll help you.” 

Hamin rises from his seat, unable to keep in his joy. All the anxiety in him from earlier has diminished. “Really? You’re seriously helping us?” 

Noah takes another sip from his cup as he glares at Hamin. “Make me say it again and I’ll take back everything I say.” 

Hamin falls to his knees. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Noah.” 

The blonde just nods as he tries his best to avoid locking eyes with Yejun. 

“Noah hyung?” Bamby’s voice is quiet as he calls out to the older. “First of all, I’m thankful that you’re willing to extend a helping hand. However, I can’t just blatantly ignore what you said about your life being at risk if you help me. Will you please reconsider this again? It’s not just your life that we are talking about. You’re Yejun’s lover. If you’re gone, Yejun loses the other half of his life.” 

Hearing this, Noah can no longer avoid the loud plea in Yejun’s eyes. He looks at the taller man. What Bamby said is right. It is unquestionably what Yejun is thinking about too. However, Noah will no longer be fickle-minded over this issue, like how he has been for the past 2 days. He has been shifting between wanting to help and opting not to. He will put his foot down on this matter. He will no longer hide behind his cowardice.

Noah stares into Yejun’s sapphire orbs, showing the latter his resoluteness. “I have decided to help and no one can stop me now. Not even you, Nam Yejun.” 

Yejun can feel his heart jump out of his body. It feels like he died for a few seconds, it’s the same feeling he had when he fell to Earth. But he forces a smile on his face nevertheless. “Okay,” is all he can bring himself to say. 

Noah nods. He knows it’s not exactly an approval. But hearing Yejun acknowledge his resolve is all he needs. “Okay. I’ll do my best, I swear on my life. Please cooperate with me when needed. I’ll start tomorrow after doing more research when I head back.” 

Even though, Bamby is still unsure about how he feels about this. He knows that he is more thankful than not. Who knew that he would meet someone here who is willing to sacrifice his life just to help him? To him, Noah is an angel more than anyone else here. So Bamby gives the blonde his gratitude. 

While finishing the tea, Noah explains how the spell will be made and how it will work. Hearing the witch go through the explanation feels surreal. Bamby never imagined he would meet a witch on Earth. Let alone, how this magic which is taboo in Heaven, is supposed to work.

Fear is now a common emotion everyone in the room felt. They don’t know if this will work for sure and yet, they’re all taking the chance. Hope feels closer than ever. It’s like they can grab it with their hands.

Soon, Bamby and Hamin will no longer be miserable. Neither will Noah. 

It’s been hours since Noah has cooped himself up in his library. Dinner is already served on the dining table, yet no one is sitting there, not even Yejun.

He’s down at the basement too, observing the witch as he intensely writes down some notes. “Are you really doing this?” 

“Yup,” Noah doesn’t miss a beat with his response, leaving no room for arguments. “In fact, you’re going to watch me start on it right now.” 

Yejun feels nothing but dread when he hears that. But he soon decides that maybe it’ll be better since he can watch Noah closely and ensure that he is not pushing himself past his limits. However, maybe not now. Yejun grabs Noah’s wrist and drags him upstairs to the dining table. “You will need energy for what you’re about to do. Who knows when is the next time you’ll have a proper meal again? Eat up first.” The taller forces the blonde to sit down and shoves a spoonful of the food he prepped into his lover’s mouth. 

Noah eats it unresistingly since he knows that Yejun is right. Knowing himself, it’s difficult to tell the next time he’ll be eating properly. He’s going to need this energy and stamina. So Noah stuffs his mouth repeatedly. Not a single second passes by when there is no food in his mouth. That is very unlike him. Usually, he’s a slow and small eater. 

Meanwhile, Yejun is barely eating. He’s watching Noah with yearning in his eyes. This doesn’t go without Noah noticing. He can’t ignore it either. “Why are you looking at me like that? It’s like I’m going to disappear or something. Don’t you worry, ‘cause I won’t.” He knows that Yejun is dying to talk about his decision. 

“I’m not doubting your skills. But how are you so sure? It’s been a while since you’ve used your power at all and now you’re diving head-first into something this big? Don’t you remember what happened to you?” 

“Well, was I supposed to leave you be when you were so miserable here?”

Yejun bites his tongue, bewildered and taken aback by how Noah is diving into the root of this issue, head-first. “Yeah, but I am here technically on my own accord. I wanted to be here because I love you.”

Noah scoffs. “It’s not like your big Lord God Almighty gave you a choice. You were basically manipulated into thinking you want to be on Earth with me. You wished that there was a better option too, don’t you? Like maybe you could bring me to Heaven with you. Then you wouldn’t be so damn miserable here.” 

Yejun is bereft of speech this time. He can’t bring himself to say anything, so Noah continues. “I know you want to go back to Heaven. You grew up there, you know how things work there. You don’t have to adapt to the damnation of this world. I, too, did wonder if things will be better if I could somehow live with you in Heaven. And I thought maybe then I didn’t have to hear you agonisingly cry out to your father. Because hearing that traumatised me, Yejun-ah.”

“...I’m sorry. I just didn’t think—” 

Noah cuts Yejun off. “What is there to be sorry for? You’re not the one who should be apologising. I know at that moment, you probably thought that being with me was what mattered most. You were blindsided by that, forgetting about everything else. Then you came here and you crashed and burned. I love you so much and hated seeing you like that, so I wanted to help with all that I can. I just never thought it would affect my life. Because just like you, Junnie-ah, you’re the most important to me. More so than myself.”

“If that’s the case then why do you want to help Hamin and Bamby? You said it yourself, you don’t know if this will cost your life. You know how much you mean to me. What if you actually end up knocking at death’s front door?” Yejun doesn’t understand Noah. He is currently contradicting himself. 

This time, it’s Noah’s turn to become speechless. “Who knows? I can’t even understand myself. You’re definitely still the most important to me, and I want to be alive just to love and be loved by you. But… when I saw Hamin like that, it reminded me of you somehow. When you almost lost me. The guilt and sorrow. I just can’t ignore the prickling in my heart. Maybe it has something to do with how they’re both your most beloved angels back in Heaven… Ugh! I don’t know! Let’s just finish up our dinner.” Noah resumes stuffing his mouth with food. 

Frankly, Yejun still doesn’t want Noah to go through with this. However, he just can’t fight the empathy he feels for Hamin and Bamby. Maybe it’s a good thing that Noah is putting his foot down on helping them. At the same time, the spiralling thoughts about losing Noah are not helping Yejun in staying positive.

It’s complex. Ever since Yejun came onto Earth, he realised how complex emotions really are. As complex and unclear Yejun’s feelings are, he knows one thing for sure. And that is how this time will be different. Because he will be watching Noah and protecting him from anything dangerous. It will not be a repeat of what happened last time. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

Hamin wakes up to the sound of someone whispering. He squints his eyes open only to groan at how bright the moon is tonight. The moon is at its highest point, shining right down at the pink-haired angel sitting right by the window, eyes shut, and his hands desperately clasped together. He’s praying. 

Hamin sits up from his lying position. “Bamby hyung? What are you doing? It’s late.” This is the first time Hamin is seeing the older one staying up this late. 

Hamin hears Bamby whispering a soft ‘Amen’ before turning his attention to him. “Uhm… I can’t fall asleep. But I should be fine now after praying.” Bamby shuffles to Hamin’s side and lays down next to him. He subconsciously snuggles closer to Hamin, like how a child snuggles into their comfort plushies. 

“How cute,” Hamin says so quietly. It’s a remark that is really for himself but if Bamby hears it, that’s fine too. And boy, did Bamby hear that loud and clear. And it had him flushed and squirmy under the blanket. Hamin pats Bamby, trying to soothe him so he’ll feel sleepy. Little does he know, it’s having the complete opposite effect on Bamby. “What’s on your mind, hm?” Hamin speaks louder this time, intending for Bamby to hear it. 

Bamby raises his right hand and puts it on Hamin’s hand on his head. But it’s so gentle that it doesn’t stop the consistent patting. “I was just praying… Asking God for mercy. That if He still loves me, He’ll let me see again. And that wouldn’t be at the cost of Noah hyung risking his life.” 

The patting halts as guilt starts to eat at Hamin. Frankly, it has been creeping up on him since the day Noah agreed to help them. It’s been close to 3 months since. 

Don’t get Hamin wrong though. It’s really not that he wants anything bad to happen to Noah. He just wants Bamby to see again. It hits Hamin all over again. The feeling when he realised that he and Bamby are not meant to be in the same realm. Bamby’s so pure… as pure as snow. Meanwhile, he is so tainted, so dirty.

“What are you thinking of now?” Bamby reverses the question to Hamin. 

“It’s nothing, hyung…” 

“It sure doesn’t sound like nothing. So tell me, what is it?”

“I will never be perfect, hyung. Even in Heaven, I was never the angel that God need me to be. Something must’ve went wrong with me, hyung. Why do I feel more like Lucifer’s son than the son of God? I know that a good angel will never wish death upon any human beings. But I swear that is not how I feel towards this matter. I just want you to be able to see again. And if the cost of that is someone’s precious life, I can’t help but think—“

“Hamin.” Bamby cuts him off before he can finish his sentence. He doesn’t want to hear the end of that sentence. He brings Hamin’s hand down to his cheek and then to his lips before pressing a gentle kiss to it. “You’re not a bad person. You are not…” 

“But I am—”

“You’re not a bad person, Hamin. You’ve been doing so much for me ever since we were kids. All you do is think about me, especially more so now. You have a good heart, Hamin-ah. It may not be towards everyone, but you are not a bad person. You do not wish for death upon Noah hyung or anyone, you’re just thinking of the best-case scenario for me. That’s what it is. So don’t say things like you are Lucifer’s son, God created you perfectly the way you are.” 

To Hamin, that is everything that he needs to hear. Bamby is right. That’s what it is. He doesn’t wish for anything bad to happen to Noah, he just wants the best for Bamby. His love for Bamby can be seen as a borderline obsession but it’s years too late to change that now. It’s not that Bamby wants Hamin to change that either, since this is how Hamin is. He’s still the same Hamin he knew growing up. The same Hamin he adores. He’s the cute younger brother in Bamby’s head. That’s how it has been and how it should be. 

However, it’s been different these days. Bamby doesn’t want to admit it but it is impossible to ignore when his heart is this loud. 

“Hyung, I’m back! Are you at the back?” Hamin strides his way to the back of the house, already so sure that the older will be there, gardening. 

Bamby’s response confirmed that he is indeed where Hamin thinks he will be. “Yes, I am!” 

Hamin looks back at Eunho who is strolling behind him before entering the backyard. Eunho freezes in his spot when he sees the look on Hamin’s face. It clicks in him instantly. 

“God, guys. I’m so tired from today’s hunting. I’ll take a nap in my room. See you for dinner!” Eunho informs them, but really, he’s only informing Bamby alone. 

“Aaaand off he goes.” Hamin walks up to Bamby and hugs him from behind. He rests his chin on the shorter’s shoulder and watches the latter spray water at the plants and flowers that he has been growing. It’s a new hobby that he picked up on eventually. It began with him helping Eunho to take care of his plants while he went out to hunt. It escalated from there. 

Eunho quickly realised that Bamby had a talent for gardening. So he brought home a few seeds that he picked up from hiking and gave them to the older. Hamin also noticed how Bamby spent more than half of his time in the backyard, just enjoying the nature and even talking to them. He too began to bring home seeds. Without a doubt, that included strawberries seeds. Since Bamby loves them. 

Eunho’s backyard that used to be green gradually became a colourful garden that is filled with love no matter how you see it. 

“You really love gardening, don’t you? You even have an eye for it,” Hamin blurts. 

Bamby chuckles lightly.  “Is that your attempt at making a joke? That’s funny.”

It really isn’t Hamin’s intention. However, if it makes Bamby laugh, then he will take the credit. “Did you really think that it was funny?” Hamin asks in a quiet whisper. 

Bamby shrugs. “It is not all that funny. A little bit, maybe? But I definitely do not think that it’s rude. I think I have come to terms that this is how it will be for a while… or maybe forever.” 

There is still no contact from either Noah or Yejun. Nor does it seem like God will be giving back his sight. Bamby has already given up slightly. Although, he does think that it’d be nice if he could see the garden that he has tended to. Not just that… he wants to see Hamin’s face again. He hasn’t given up on that. 

The arms around Bamby’s waist tighten, bringing his attention back to Hamin. Which brought Bamby to realisation about the position that they are in. Hamin’s head that was resting on his shoulder is shifted closer to his neck. Now Bamby can feel the latter’s hot breath fanning against his neck and the har sprout tickling his jaw. 

Sure, they have always been intimate. However, the rapid beating of Bamby’s heart cannot be healthy. It’s so fast that it makes Bamby feel like he has just run a marathon. It really does feel that way with how he finds it difficult to catch his breath too. But what has changed? There’s nothing notable in their interactions, it is the same as before. Except maybe one thing. The fact that he’s aware of Hamin’s romantic feelings for him. And maybe another thing and that is how Bamby has learned that having feelings for someone of the same gender is completely normal. 

But what does any of that have to do with how fast his heart beats and how he gets a tingling sensation in his stomach when Hamin is around? Furthermore, the areas that Hamin touches turn hot as if he has pyrokinesis. 

“Hyung? Are you okay? You are sweating so much. Is it too hot out here? Should we head back inside?” 

“H-huh? Y-yeah, sure?!” Bamby is stuttering way too much for his liking. He wants to dig a life-sized coffin in the garden that he loves. 

A squeak leaves Bamby’s lips when Haamin lifts him out of nowhere. He starts moving them into the living room. “Hey! Warn me when you do that n-next time!” 

“Hm? But you love it when I carry you out of a sudden though?” 

Bamby can’t say anything against that because it’s true. Heat rushes to his cheeks. 

“See? You’re even blushing.” Hamin pinches Bamby’s cheeks. “Why are you blushing, hm? Maybe you like me but you don’t know that yet, hyung.” He expected Bamby to react with his full chest but he doesn’t. Instead, he is met with silence and a bright pink Bamby. He gently places Bamby on the couch before stepping away, taken aback by this reaction. “H-hyung?” 

Before Hamin can say anything else, Bamby throws a pillow in his direction. “Of course I like you! You’re my best friend! How can I not like you?” He continuously throws more pillows in Hamin’s direction until there is none left. 

Now Bamby is by himself with nothing left to defend him but his beating heart that is breaking through his ribcage. It is definitely not defending him against Hamin who is striding towards him with a certain resolve in him. Bamby can hear that by the sound of his footsteps. Bamby hides himself behind his arms. This weak defense is efficiently taken down by Hamin as he pins Bamby’s wrists to the sides of his head. 

This time, it’s Hamin’s heart’s turn to act up. It’s so loud that Bamby hears it. His heart must’ve heard it too because it seems to catch up with Hamin’s heartbeat. And soon, the sounds of their heartbeats become one. 

“Hyung, do you hear that?” Hamin is breathless as he asks his question.

Bamby gulps. “Yeah.” He’s breathless as well. It’s a given that they are both breathless and giddy with the way their hearts are circulating right now. 

“Our hearts are beating as one. This… this means that you like me too, right? Hyung? My heart is beating this fast because I like you.” Hamin sounds desperate. 

However, the truth is that Bamby can’t give Hamin the answer that he wants to hear with his full chest. He doesn’t want to give Hamin half of his heart. It’s just not fair to him. “I don’t know about that yet…” 

That response doesn’t even hurt Hamin. Not when Bamby’s face is flushed red and he’s all breathless because of him.

“Then should I confirm it for you, hyung?” Hamin’s green eyes trail down to Bamby’s peach lips. So tempting. Hamin licks his lips. 

“H-how—”

“Like this, hyung. Tell me how it makes you feel after.” Hamin leans down and their lips finally meet. 

A kiss. Their first kiss ever. The same romantic kiss that Adam and Eve shared. A kiss that is shared, typically between lovers. What does that make the both of them now? 

Bamby lets out a surprised gasp when Hamin deepens the kiss by tilting his head to the side. 

Where did Hamin pick this up from? But Hamin doesn’t really know what he’s doing either, he’s just doing what feels right. And ‘right’ means getting closer to Bamby. That is all that is on his mind. So he starts moving his lips against Bamby’s. He tastes exactly like what Hamin has imagined, peaches. Hamin just can’t get enough. He doesn’t think he can ever in this lifetime. 

As Hamin continues kissing Bamby, he can feel the latter starting to reciprocate, trying to imitate Hamin’s movements. Bamby whines, wanting to get closer. So he tries to shift closer to Hamin. The black-haired man gets the hint and releases one of his grips on Bamby’s wrist. He places his hand on the back of his nape, bringing the compliant one closer to him. Using his other hand, he lace their fingers together. Now they’re connected, not only through their lips and hearts but also their hands. 

Noticing that Bamby is trying to catch his breath, Hamin pulls away from the kiss. And damn. Why did he close his eyes during the kiss? Why do people close their eyes? Because he almost missed how beautiful Bamby looks. His usual pink lips are pinker, glossier, and plumper. His flushed cheeks the same colour as his glossy lips. 

“How did that make you feel?” 

The question catches Bamby off-guard. How does he even reply to a question like that? 

“I… I don’t—”

“If that’s the case, then I’ll kiss you again—”

“Ah!” Bamby pushes Hamin away before he can take his breath away again. “I liked it! It was really nice!” 

“Really?” Hamin’s eyes lit up. “So that means that you like me enough to like kissing me, doesn’t it?” 

A surge of panic rises in Bamby as he tries to rack his brain for a good answer. He’s stammering over his words when Hamin steps in and eases his heart and mind. “You can take your time to accept your feelings, hyung. I know that this is not easy, especially with our upbringing. I’ll wait for you for as long as you need, hyung. I’ve been waiting since we were kids after all.” Hamin embraces the panicked Bamby who unwinds in his arms at once. 

“Is that true? You’ll wait for me?” 

“When have I ever lied to you, hyung?” 

Bamby just smiles. 

God, please, if you can hear me right now. I just want to see Hamin again. 

Close to 4 months have passed since they last saw the blonde and navy-blue-haired couple. The complete silence is beginning to drive Hamin nuts. Thoughts about how the worst has already happened can’t stop running in Hamin’s mind. He can only hope that isn’t the case. 

Bamby, too, is starting to feel a little impatient. He has never been impatient in Heaven. He is slowly getting influenced by earthly emotions now. However, not for the same reason as Hamin. He just needs to know if they are safe. He doesn’t want to depend on Noah for the cure. 

Bamby is out in the garden again. He’s feeling out the plants and flowers, trying to get a gauge of how much they have grown in the past month. 

He’s currently feeling up at the Monstera plant. “Woah… Wolhasumok, you’ve become big, haven’t you? Almost like Hamin.” Bamby giggles to himself at the comparison he came up. He has been spending so much time with Hamin lately that his mind is just full of him. 

Almost like the black-haired man hears him, he makes his presence known, startling Bamby in the process. “Hm? What did you say to Wolhasumok? Were you just talking bad about me to him?” He teases the older. Wolhasumok is the name that Eunho came up for Bamby. Hamin ended up liking it and that’s the story of how this Monstera plant got its name. 

Bamby is flabbergasted by Hamin’s teasing. “N-not at all! I was just comparing Wolhasumok to you. He feels bigger than the other plants and it reminded me of how you were always the biggest amongst our peers.” 

“I know that, hyung. I was just teasing you.” Hamin pokes at Bamby’s side, eliciting a giggly response from the latter. 

However, the giggling soon comes to a stop. And Hamin notices the change in Bamby’s face. It looks solemn. Hamin frowns. What could be bothering his Bamby hyung at this moment? “Hyung? What’s on your mind?” 

How does he even begin to explain this emptiness that is pretty much permanent in him now? This garden that he tended with love every day yet he doesn’t know what it looks like nor does he know what Wolhasumok looks like. He can only feel what it looks like. But how accurate is that? “Wow… I hate it whenever I feel this way. Haha… How pathetic.” As expected, losing your sight so suddenly like this, knowing that God had intended for this to happen. How does one even recover from that? 

“Hyung!” Hamin aggressively shakes Bamby by his shoulders, bringing his attention back to him.

“H-huh?” 

“What happened? Why did you call yourself pathetic? You’re anything but that, hyung.” 

“Oh… I just—”

Amidst Bamby’s sentence and train of negative thoughts, a series of knocks can be heard coming from the main door, stopping him mid-way.

Hamin’s defenses are up immediately. He reaches out for the closest weapon in the garden which is a rake. “Bamby hyung, stay here.” 

By now, it’s ingrained in them to stop whatever they’re doing and hold their breaths as either Hamin or Eunho answers the door. They have came to an unanimous decision that it’s too dangerous for Bamby to be answering the door. Since he will not be able to detect danger or protect himself efficiently. 

Eunho can be seen peeking his head through his room’s door with a weapon in his hands too. They share a look before inching closer to the door. Hamin points at the door, motioning for him to go closer. Eunho nods. 

The knocks on the door get increasingly impatient, and the tension in the house is only rising. 

Eunho is now inches away from the door. The knob is within his reach now. Hamin throws him a thumbs-up. Eunho grabs the knob, his other hand holding the weapon is raised high, ready to strike anytime. 

Before he turns the knob, a familiar voice is heard on the other side of the door. “Is anyone home? It’s me, Yejun.” 

A sigh of relief can be heard coming from all corners of the room. Bamby speed-walks to the door, surpassing Hamin in getting there. He clicks the door open instead of Eunho and spreads his arms for a hug. “Yejun hyung!” He’s overjoyed by the fact that Yejun is here. Because this just confirmed he is well and alive. 

But this also means that Yejun had come bearing good news, possibly. Bamby really hopes that’s the case. He just wants to see Wolhasumok, the plant that he grew, with his two eyes and not his hands. He wants to see the similarity that he came up in his mind between Hamin and Wolhasumok. 

“Hey, how are you?” Yejun hugs Bamby back. 

“Oh… uhm… great!” Bamby can’t exactly joyfully tell Yejun how great he feels when a few moments earlier, he felt anything but great. Yejun sees through Bamby’s white lie. However, he doesn’t pry any further because a cough is sounded from behind him. 

“Noah hyung! You’re here too! Oh wow. You look—” Eunho contemplates on whether he should finish his sentence but his mouth doesn’t cooperate with him. “Rough.” 

“Thanks,” Noah replies sarcastically. “Can we take a seat please? I’m so fucking tired.” He groans as he trudges to the closest cushion. 

“Yeah yeah! Come on in!” Eunho welcomes them in. 

Hamin is straight down to business. He’s already sat in front of Noah with a teapot and two tea cups. 

Noah gives Yejun a look and that is all it takes before he brings Bamby to the garden where he wouldn’t be able to overhear the conversation Noah is about to have with Hamin. He will surely not be too happy about it. Eunho follows the blue and pink-haired duo without having to be told to. 

Noah is fully aware of the stare coming from the green-eyed man. But he doesn’t let it faze him. He pours himself some until the teapot is more than half empty. He takes one final sip from the cup and looks right back into Hamin’s green eyes with the same intensity. “Remember how you told me that you would do anything?” Noah starts off.

It’s here. The favour from the witch. Hamin is ready. “Yes.” 

“What if I told you that the only way is to transfer your eyes to Bamby? Will you do it?” 

“If that’s what needs to be done, then yes,” Hamin answers without any hesitation. 

Noah shakes his head. He’s bewildered by the promptness of Hamin’s reply. But this is where he sees the similarity between the both of them. Hamin will do anything to gain back Bamby’s sight. Noah, too, did everything he could so that Yejun wouldn’t have to suffer on Earth any further. “You’re seriously willing to do anything for Bamby, huh?” It is not a question, but more of a statement and reminder to himself. 

Hamin still responds with a firm ‘yes’. 

“So I assume that if giving your eyes to Bamby is a hurdle that you will unhesitatingly cross. I assume that asking you to travel is just a walk in the park for you?”

This is definitely something Hamin can do as easy as breathing. “If that’s the case, then why don’t you go yourself?” 

Noah points at himself and scoffs. “There is no way that I’m going out there looking like this.” 

Now that Hamin is looking at it. Eunho is right. He looks hella rough. His eye bags are drooping down to his chin and he looks like he hasn’t combed his hair in days. And to top it off, his sunken cheeks is made really obvious due to the significant amount of weight loss. He is definitely not in the right shape to be going anywhere far away. Hamin looks at Yejun and sees that the older seems to be in a similar condition. 

Hamin gulps. “I can do it. I just have one question, though. Is the cure not turning out well?” That is the only conclusion Hamin can bring himself to after seeing the states that the older couple are in. 

Noah thinks for a moment. “Not perse. We are definitely on the right track now though. It took a few months but… Wait. Are you worried about us? That’s the last thing you need to do. Worry more about travelling. You have to survive out there.” 

Hamin nods. “So tell me what it is and what I have to do.” 

“There is a herb that can only be found in the Terra forest. It is nowhere near here.” Noah begins to explain the route to get there. Starting from how he first has to find his way out of the forest and into the city. He carries on to how he has to take the bus before switching to take the train, both things Hamin has never done before. 

“That sounds doable!” Hamin is trying to be optimistic. He’s not gonna let himself get beat down before he even starts. 

“Certainly. However, finding your way around will sure be difficult to do so. This is going to be your first time out of this forest, right? You have to make sure you know what you are looking for too. Ah right, you’re going to be away from Bamby for a while too, so there’s that. But I trust that you won’t let it stop you. Bamby’s recovery depends on you, I hope you know this.” 

Hamin pauses for a moment. He did not think that he would have to part from Bamby but that only makes sense since he is not going to bring Bamby to anywhere unfamiliar. Ultimately, Hamin nods with a certain fiery in his eyes. He is going to make sure that this is the last thing he does even if he drops dead. 

Noah looks outside the window, where Yejun, Eunho, and Bamby can be seen seemingly having a pleasant conversation. Bamby’s outburst of laughter makes Hamin turn his head to look at him instantly. He watches the side of Bamby’s eyes and nose crinkle up as he claps his hands. He is comforted by this sight and the melodious sound. 

It’s carefree, this sight. It reminds Hamin of what it used to be like back in Heaven. It’s easier to get the image since Yejun is standing next to him. 

This sight. This is what Hamin wants to protect. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to. The light has yet to return to Bamby’s eyes, even though, he tries to make it seem like he’s okay. Hamin knows that’s not the case. Not when he stays up late at night to pray to God. The same God who has turned His back on them. That’s how desperate Bamby actually is. 

“You’ve been staring at him. Did anything happen between the both of you?” Noah has been observing Hamin for the past few moments and something feels different. He can’t quite put his finger on it yet. 

“Eh? H-how did you know?” 

Noah raises a brow. “You’re not exactly the best at hiding your feelings in general. You are gawking at him, how could I not know?” He says as a matter of fact. “So did anything happen?”

Hamin blushes. “He’s no longer denying my feelings for him. Right now, I’m just waiting for him to be more honest with his own.” 

“I see. In time, he will admit them.” Noah finishes the remainder of the tea. 

Hamin smiles. “He will.” He says with confidence that quite frankly has Noah taken aback. 

“Who knows he will fall for you further after being able to see you again?” Noah is merely speaking without a second thought. But that does sound nice. Now that has Hamin thinking about thoughts on how he should ask Bamby to become his boyfriend officially then. 

Hamin nods approvingly. “Yeah. That will be the best-case scenario.” He can’t rid the permanent smile on his face now. It got Noah smiling too. 

Noah stretches his limbs out, groaning in relief at how great of a stretch that is. “Alright then. I shall take my leave. The next time I see you will be at my place. You must have the medicine with you. Come as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, I will work on strengthening myself.” 

Hamin nods and bows as an act of gratitude. “I won’t take long. Thank you so much, Noah hyung.” 

“No problem. Yejun-ah, let’s go!” 

The trio walks back into the living room, and Bamby walks right up to Noah. He can no longer keep in the questions he has for the witch. It all comes out at once. “Is everything okay? What did you guys talk about? How is the potion going? What about you, Noah hyung? Are you feeling alright?” 

Noah lets out a soft laugh and pats the pink-haired man on the head. “You sure are a curious little one. I’m fine. I just asked Hamin for a favour, nothing crazy. He will tell you more about it. And yes, I’m fine. So you don’t have to worry about me.” The last is a lie but nothing that will harm Bamby. He’s not about to worry Bamby with his situation. Noah brings his hand down to the latter’s shoulder. “The next time we see each other, I’ll bring the cure to you. Let’s hope it all goes well.” 

“I hope that is the case too, Noah hyung. I know that you are doing this for me. But if you need any help, please don’t hold yourself back from telling me.”

“Yeah, I will.” Another lie. There’s no way he’s going to bother Bamby. 

“That’s good. Thank you so much for doing all this for me, hyung.” Bamby spreads his arms wide and it only means one thing. Noah hugs the younger and pats his back rhythmically. Such a pure person with a good heart. I hope everything goes well for you. 

Noah pulls away from the hug first. “Then I’ll see you guys. Hopefully soon.” He turns to Hamin and points at him. “Except you. I’ll see you soon.” With that, the couple take their leave after saying their goodbyes to everyone. 

Bamby turns to Hamin as soon as the door closes behind them. “So what did Noah hyung tell you to do?” Hamin briefly explains the situation to both Bamby and Eunho (since he feels like he deserves to know too.)

However, the look on Eunho’s face does not look good. “So you’re going to go by yourself?” 

“That is the plan.” 

“Why? Is that impossible?” Bamby asks Eunho. 

“It is not impossible. However, it is Hamin’s first time. It might be tricky and possibly dangerous.” 

Bamby doesn’t look too good after hearing this since it’s coming from someone who has been living on Earth since forever. “Can’t I go with you?” He tries to reach out to Hamin. 

But Eunho interferes. “No, you can’t. It is definitely too dangerous for you.”

“...so what do we do now?” Bamby sounds so helpless, a complete opposite as to how carefree he sounded just minutes ago. 

“I can go alone though.” Hamin tries to convince them. 

Eunho furrows his brows in concentration. He’s trying to think of a better plan. Following Hamin is not a choice since Bamby will be all alone in the cabin. That is more dangerous than Hamin going alone. The scale is already tilting to staying behind with Bamby. “Hm… Alright. We’ll do it this way. For the next few days, I’ll show you the way to go out into the city. We will put up some markers. Then when you’re ready, I’ll follow you right up before you board the bus to the train station.” 

“Sounds like a good plan,” Hamin agrees. 

“But… how will we know if Hamin is safe when he’s out there all alone? How will we contact him since he will be going far away?” Hamin can feel Bamby getting increasingly anxious. “I don’t think I like this idea. Can’t you just not do this at all?”

Hamin grabs Bamby’s trembling hands with a firm grip. “I have to do it, hyung. Don’t worry too much about me. I’ll come back since I can’t bear to be away from you for such a long time anyway.” 

“If you’re worried about not being able to contact Hamin, you don’t have to because I just thought of an idea. When we are in the city, I’ll buy you a cheap phone so we can stay in contact.” 

“A phone…” Bamby mumbles to himself. 

Right. A phone is an earthly possession, something that they don’t have and don’t need in Heaven. It does resolve half of the issue. 

“Sounds like a good idea! Don’t you think so, Bamby hyung?” 

“I- I guess?” 

Slowly, but surely, they are assimilating on Earth. This is another step into it. 

“Alright! Then it’s settled. We’ll start tomorrow, Hamin-ah. Alright then!” Eunho cracks his knuckles. “I shall cook up some good dinner so we will be prepared for tomorrow.” The silver-haired man makes his way into the kitchen, leaving Hamin and Bamby all on their own. 

Hamin cups Bamby’s cheeks and tilts his head up so he can take a good look of the older’s face. Sure enough, worry is still written all over his face. 

Hamin presses the spot between Bamby’s furrowed brows, forcing his muscles to relax. “What’s wrong?” 

Bamby buries his face in Hamin’s chest. “It’s just scary to think about how you’re going to be alone on this Earth that is filled with danger. What if something bad happens to you?” 

Hamin caresses the older’s cheeks that has gone pale from how uneasy this is making him feel. “Even if something bad happens to me, I’ll still come back to you. Doesn’t matter if I’m bleeding or crawling back, I’ll make sure that I come back to you in one piece, Bamby-ah.” 

A soft punch is launched on his chest. “I know you’re trying to prove a point. But don’t say something like that next time. I don’t want you to be hurt at all if possible.” 

“Okay. Then I’ll make sure that is the case. I’ll update you through the phone every day. I’ll have Eunho read you the messages I send you. So don’t make that face anymore, okay?” Hamin squeezes Bamby’s cheeks, pouting his lips out. He laughs at the cute expression on the older’s face. “This is what I want to see.” He says before pecking Bamby on the lips. This is now a normal occurrence. 

The colour returns to Bamby’s cheeks once again, staining them a rosy-pink colour. Kissing Hamin never fails to make him feel like he’s on cloud 9. Bamby briefly wonders what kind of expression Hamin wears on his face when they kiss. 

As discussed, Eunho and Hamin went out every day to familiarise Hamin with the trail. They take about 8 hours everyday, setting off early in the morning and coming back before the sky turns dark. To decrease the workload, they also put out markers so when Hamin finally sets out on his journey. 

It’s been a week since and Hamin feels more ready than ever. The faster he set out, the faster they’ll get the cure. 

The trio is sitting in the living room, listening to the sound of nature while drinking some tea. Hamin and Eunho had just returned from their hike and now they’re resting. 

Hamin breaks the silence by announcing. “I think I’m ready to go now. I can do it tomorrow.” 

The statement got Bamby riddled with anxiety. His breathing starts to get uneven. He brings his hands to his chest, patting at it rhythmically, trying to follow to the beat of his pats. 

“Oh! That’s quick! You’re absolutely sure about this?” Eunho’s reaction is the complete opposite of Bamby’s. He’s stoked and more than overjoyed at the fact that they only needed a week to prepare Hamin for this. 

Eunho has always seen Hamin as someone serious. However, the only person who can break down that serious demeanor is none other than Bamby. At the same time, Bamby is someone who can get Hamin all serious. It’s almost a paradox. But that is all because he loves Bamby. 

It is also because of Hamin’s seriousness (for Bamby) that he is able to completely nail the trail in just a week. Eunho is grateful that that is the case. ‘So sometimes love is the solution to everything, huh?’ is what Eunho thought to himself. 

“S-s-so you’re leaving tomorrow?” Bamby finally says what’s on his mind. He does not look fine with this sudden decision at all. He’s plucking at his cuticles and biting at his lip. 

The resoluteness in Hamin vanishes after seeing the terrified look on Bamby’s face. He looks away and contemplates for a second before looking at Eunho. He seems to be crying out for help. 

Eunho mouths, “Do what you think is best for you, Hamin-ah.” He gives Hamin two thumbs-up before taking his leave.

Hamin approaches Bamby and sits next to him. He positions Bamby between his legs and brings the latter back so he is lying on top of him. They are now cuddling on the couch. Hamin replaces Bamby’s hand with his own. He looks at the older’s red nail fold that is irritated by all the plucking. He kisses all affected parts and blows at them. Then he keeps those smaller hands in his. 

“I won’t leave yet,” Hamin finally says. 

“Then when are you leaving?” Bamby squeezes Hamin’s hands. He’s unwilling to let the younger go. 

“Hyung, I’m not going to lie to you. If it’s not tomorrow then it’s the day after. I want this to be quick.” Hamin has no intentions of lying to Bamby if it’s going to worry him this much. 

“Why are we in such a rush though? Can’t you just take your time? What if I follow you? You know I can totally start training for this. You’re patient towards me so you can teach me—”

“That will not happen, Bamby hyung.” Bamby is shut down immediately. “I understand that you are concerned for me. But I’ll be so cautious, hyung. Nothing bad will happen to me.” 

“How are you so sure of that?” Bamby is close to breaking into tears any moment now. 

“Because you pray for my safety every night, don’t you? I heard you, hyung-ah. Even if God doesn’t hear you, maybe someone else in Heaven did. Maybe Soobin hyung heard you.” It may sound like a joke, but Hamin is 100% serious. 

And even to Bamby himself, it doesn’t sound far-fetched. That is totally possible. 

“As to why I’m rushing—” Hamin pauses and caresses the area beneath Bamby’s round eyes. He has love this pair of eyes since forever. They always look like they hold the entire universe in those orbs. Now it feels strangely empty. Yet those empty orbs will constantly search for Hamin frantically. It seems desperate. They cry out in desperation every night. He doesn’t need to hear from Bamby to know that he wants to see again. Even though, he doesn’t make it seem like his priority. Hamin can read Bamby like as clear as the sky. “How can I not? I love you, that’s all there is to it.” 

Cat catches Bamby’s tongue. He’s still taken aback despite hearing the L word from Hamin many times before. So he melts into Hamin’s body instead of saying anything. 

Hamin smiles. He can see through Bamby’s reactions now. This is how he tells Hamin that he loves him too. 

“Try being more honest with yourself, hyung.” 

“...that came out of nowhere.” 

Hamin laughs. “Did it really?” 

Bamby shrugs and turns on his sides so he can face Hamin with ease. There is a pout on his lips.

And the next is easy for Hamin. He sees a pout on Bamby’s lips, he pecks it. Bamby lets out a squeal and hides his mouth behind his hands. Hamin laughs at the older’s cute reaction. 

“I-I’ll be honest with myself when you come back! So make sure that you come back as quickly as possible. And and and! Use that phone to give us update every night— no! Every hour! Actually every 15 minut—”

Hamin puckers Bamby’s cheeks, stopping his ramble mid-way. “I get it, hyung. Since I’m not going off tomorrow, spend it with me.” 

Bamby will not say no to that. “Okay.” 

Once again, Hamin is tempted by Bamby’s pink puckered lips. So he lets his temptation win him and kisses the older. 

This time, Bamby doesn’t push Hamin away nor does he react negatively. He relishes himself in the way Hamin tastes on his tongue. He wants to be this way with Hamin forever. 

Bamby wakes up to the sound of shuffling in his room. He pats the spot next to him, expecting Hamin to be there. But it’s empty. 

“Oh hyung, did I wake you up? Sorry if I was being too loud.” Hamin makes his presence known before Bamby’s anxiety could kick in. 

“Not at all. What time is it now?” Bamby rubs his eyes as he sits up on the bed. 

“Close to 5 am. Sorry for waking you up this early when you were sleeping so soundly.” Hamin and Eunho had both decided that the earlier they wake up, the better. Since they have a few errands to run in the city before Hamin takes the train to the other province. Not just that, Eunho has to make sure that he’s back home before the sun sets. Hence, they concluded that they should leave before 6 am. 

“...that’s early,” Bamby mutters to himself. “It’s okay. I said that I wanted to send you off.” 

“Guess I couldn’t convince you in the end. You really didn’t have to, though. It’s ass o’clock.” 

“Hm… but I wanna send you off… soIcanholdandkissyouonelasttime.”

“What was that, hyung?” 

“Nothing. I’ll go wash up! Don’t leave before I’m done,” Bamby warns Hamin. 

“Alright~.” A smirk forms on Hamin’s face after Bamby leaves the room. “How cute,” he sniggers to himself. Yeah, he totally heard what Bamby said. If that’s what the latter wants, Hamin will give him exactly that. 

Hamin waits for Bamby in the kitchen, stuffing his stomach full for a long day of journey. Eunho doing the same. 

“Are ya nervous?” Eunho asks with a mouth full of food. 

“Not really. Right now, nothing scares me more than Bamby not being able to see.”

Eunho nods. “Keep this up even when you’re there all alone by yourself and you feel like you wanna give up at any moment. Bamby hyung’s sight will return, no doubt. You’re working this hard because you love him. Good karma will find you.” 

Hearing that motivated Hamin further. He smiles at the silver-haired man. Suddenly, he’s reminded of the first day they met. This man had a gun pointed at them and now he’s one of the kindest people Hamin has ever met. 

“Hamin?” Bamby calls out. 

“In the kitchen, hyung! Have some food as well.” 

Now everyone’s seated at the dining table, having one last meal together before Hamin heads out.

Hamin wouldn’t keep his hands off Bamby. Eunho doesn’t minds them and lets them be, even though he doesn’t quite agree with how Hamin is giving away his portion of food and feeding them to Bamby. But he doesn’t say anything. He observes the romantic scene before him and breaks into a smile. Yeah, only good things will happen to them now. 

Breakfast is over within a blink of an eye. Hamin and Eunho are now standing by the door with their backpacks. Bamby clasps his fists together. 

“Alright then. I’m off.” Hamin announces. 

Bamby knows that he should say something but his voice is stuck in his throat. 

“I’ll be back, Bamby hyung.” Eunho is first to leave the door. 

Hamin looks back at Bamby to see that there are now tears running down the older’s cheeks. Of course, there’s no way he’s going to leave Bamby like this. 

Hamin pulls Bamby in by the nape and presses their lips together. Bamby gasps into the kiss, surprised by the roughness of the kiss. Hamin runs his tongue across Bamby’s lower lips before slipping his tongue in. He cups the shorter’s cheeks and caresses them gently. An act that is contrasting to the desperation in the way he’s kissing Bamby. 

Bamby, too, is desperate. He snakes his arms around Hamin’s neck, pulling the taller down closer to him. He tilts his head to the side, taking in more of Hamin, something that he had picked up from the younger after months of kissing. 

Neither of them are willing to lose to the lack of oxygen that is now catching up on them. Although, they eventually had to pull away. 

Hamin brushes his thumb across Bamby’s slightly swollen lips. Then he wipes the tear stains off the older’s cheeks. “That should last us until I’m back.” 

Bamby nods. 

Hamin pats the top of Bamby’s head that resemblances a peach now that he looks at it. He proceeds to bring Bamby in for a hug. The shorter quickly latches his arms around Hamin like a leech. “Cute. Alright hyung. No more crying, okay? I promise I’ll contact you every day.”

Neither of them are willing to let go. If they could, they would continue hugging until the sun set and then Hamin will have no choice but to stay. Only for the cycle to repeat itself the next day and the next. 

“Hey hey! Time is not going to wait for you. C’mon, let’s go now!” Eunho finally steps in. 

Bamby is the one who pulls away from the hug. He knows he has to be the bigger person here since Hamin wouldn’t be. “You should go now, for real.” He practically pushes Hamin out of the door. 

“...alright.” Hamin pulls Bamby in for another hug but the older stops him just in time. 

“Go.” Bamby forces out through his clenched jaw. He’s holding back right now. If Hamin doesn’t leave there and then, Bamby is not sure if he won’t go after him. 

Hamin notices this. He takes a deep breath in before exhaling. “Alright then! I’ll see you very soon, hyung.” Just like that, Hamin leaves and catches up with Eunho. 

For the first time, Bamby is thankful for his disability. Because he doesn’t have to watch Hamin walk away. He’d hate that sight very much. 

Bamby is in the garden once again. However, he is not doing his usual routine of watering the plants and flowers. He’s sitting near where Wolhasumok is and touching it mindlessly. 

How many hours have passed by since Hamin and Eunho left? Is it about time for Eunho to come back? He wants to ask about the time, however, no one’s at home to read the time for him. So now he’s trying to gauge the time with the weather based on how scorching hot the sun is. 

However, it is not as hot as he was expecting. This means that it is well late into the afternoon. So anytime now, Eunho should return. But all this waiting is killing him. Out of desperation, Bamby puts his hands together again and starts praying. But he’s not praying to God. He’s targeting this prayer to one angel specifically, Soobin hyung. 

“Soobin hyung, if you can hear me from up there. Please. I beg of you, please keep Hamin safe. Please watch over him until he comes back home. Amen.” Bamby rises his head up in the direction of the sky. It’s bright for sure. So so bright. 

“Chae Bamby.” A voice calls out to him. 

Bamby opens his eyes and right before him is Soobin himself. “Soobin hyung? What are you doing here?” He slurs, still drowsy with sleep. “Hm? When did I fall asleep?” He rubs his eyes. He blinks a few times before looking right at Soobin. 

Eh? 

Wait. What? He’s looking at Soobin. He can see? What is happening? Is this a dream? 

“You called, so I came.”

“But… I can see? Did you—”

“No. This is just a vision, unfortunately.” Soobin leans down and pecks Bamby on his eyes as an act of blessing and affection. It’s an angel’s kiss. “However, listen to what I’m about to tell you. I’ll watch over Hamin for you. I’ll make sure that nothing happens to him.” 

Bamby holds Soobin close to him before he can pull away. He looks into the older’s eyes. It feels nice to finally be able to see someone else’s eyes after almost half a year. “...is there a catch for this? Sounds like there is.” 

“No.” Soobin smiles. “I think it’s about time that good things happen to you. For all that you’ve done as an angel. It’s time for your good deeds to return to you.” The angel embraces Bamby in his arms. 

Bamby’s heart finally feels at ease now. He closes his eyes and everything goes white as Soobin passes through his body. 

“...hyung? Bamby hyung? Bamby hyung!” 

Bamby awakens to Eunho shaking him awake. He opens his eyes and sure enough, he can’t see anything. He puts on a smile and pats Eunho on the arm. “I’m glad that you’re back. What time is it now?” 

“It’s almost time for dinner, hyung. I actually bought some ingredients from the city. There’s meat and fruit that we can’t get from here.” 

“Oh? That sounds good. Should I help you prepare the food? Since you might be tired.” 

Eunho is taken aback by Bamby’s compassion. “Woah. Did you perhaps have a good dream, hyung? You’re being so nice to me. Anyways, no thanks. You can take a bath maybe. And when you’re done, will you help to prepare some tea?”

Bamby just smiles and nods. “I did have a good dream. Alright then, I’ll go take a bath and prepare tea when I’m done.” With that, he walks off and into the bathroom. Bamby thinks about the vision while washing himself up. He touches his face and the smile is still there on his face. If it’s possible, he hopes that his mood remains this way until Hamin is back. He doesn’t want to be all sad and depressed when Hamin is away. He wants Hamin to come back to a Bamby who is bright and cheerful. 

Eunho notices Bamby coming out from the bathroom and calls out to him. “Oh hyung, you’re done? Dinner’s almost done too. Come take a seat!” 

“What about tea?” 

“Ah! Don’t worry about that. It’s already on the plate so come!” Eunho finishes plating the rest of the food. Bamby takes a seat across Eunho and they tuck in. 

It’s quiet at the table. Eunho never really knows how to strike up a conversation with Bamby. Normally, Hamin will say something and Eunho will jump into the conversation. Approaching Bamby is challenging for some reason. He seems to have his walls up despite being all smiley. 

Thankfully, Bamby breaks the awkward silence. “Has Hamin texted you yet? Does he know how to use a phone? We didn’t have those in Heaven.” 

“Oh right! Let me check the phone.” Eunho pulls his phone out of his pocket and realises that Hamin has already sent him a few messages. Eunho starts reading them. “He has arrived at the first stop. He’s currently lodging at a cheap hotel. He’ll head out into the mountains tomorrow morning. Oh! He sent a photo of the hotel. Looks pretty decent for the price!” 

The smile on Bamby’s face gets wider. He says a quick prayer, thanking Soobin for keeping Hamin under his watch. Now Bamby can sleep at night at ease. 

That is until Bamby reaches his breaking point. 

It has been 3 weeks since Hamin left and Bamby is getting increasingly anxious. The messages from Hamin are decreasing, causing Bamby to feel on edge. 

Sometimes Hamin will send a few pictures without saying anything and call it a day, leaving it to Eunho to describe the images for Bamby. 

Initially, Bamby really enjoyed the descriptions that Eunho gave. They were simple and sparked an imagination in Bamby’s mind. But when Hamin sends pictures of a flower, it’s difficult to describe it to Bamby when he has limited knowledge and imagination on what it could possibly look like. 

Eunho is slowly catching up on the dark look on Bamby’s face. He does not seem satisfied with just this. So Eunho took things into his own hands, practically begging Hamin to say a few words to keep Bamby’s heart and mind at ease. 

Hamin will keep up with this for a few days before reverting to his old habits. Eunho can’t blame the latter. Not everyone texts in an engaging way and Hamin happens to be one of them. What matters is that he is trying his best and Eunho sees that. But Bamby can’t really see that. Since he is not the one who reads the messages. Eunho does try his best to convey the messages in the way he think Hamin would. But there’s only so much he could do, he’s not going to be accurate all the time. 

So Bamby has been treading between being in a bad mood and forcing himself to be in a good mood. However, that is quickly dismantled when Hamin sends them a text, telling them that he has slipped and fallen, spraining his ankle. 

Bamby was absolutely shattered by that. He retreated into his room and stayed in there for 2 days, not eating or drinking anything. Eunho had to come up with a lie so Bamby would come out of the room to freshen up and eat. 

“He’s back on the trail now. He said that the sprain isn’t that serious and it didn’t hurt all that much. He’s alright, Bamby hyung.” is the lie that Eunho came up with. 

But it was as good as a prophecy because the next day, Hamin is out in the mountains again. (Eunho briefly wondered if he should become a witch just like Noah.) 

Hamin sends more photos of the surroundings. Breathtaking, beautiful pictures that Eunho has no words to describe, he wishes Bamby could see them for himself. Nevertheless, he does his best. 

Eunho thinks that this will finally bring up the mood in the house, but it’s doing the opposite.

All hells break loose. However, this couldn’t really be described as hell. It feels more like all the water-bodies in the world have struck down his doors and windows and forced their way through his cabin. 

Now how the fuck does Eunho fix this? 

“H-hyung? What’s wrong? D-do you not like the pictures that Hamin is sending?” He tries to pat the older on the back but the latter pushes him away. 

“That’s not it,” Bamby says between sniffles. 

Eunho almost lets out a sigh but he keeps it in like his life depends on it. He can’t let Bamby know his true feelings. “Then what’s wrong, hyung? Hm? If you tell me then maybe I can help you fix it.” 

“There’s no way you can fix it!” Bamby lashes out. Eunho backs away, taken aback by Bamby shouting at him. The older continues, “How can you fix my eyes?! I want to be able to see the things that Hamin sees too. Don’t you know how I feel whenever you describe the beautiful things that he’s seeing? Then I remember that God took my sight away from me, right before me.” The tears make their appearance again after his anger dissipates. 

“I just want to see the things Hamin sees. I want to share pretty memories with him.” 

Eunho figures that the best way to calm Bamby down is to let him cry his heart out. So that is exactly what he does. 

Eventually, the cries die down. But the hiccuping begins. Eunho gives Bamby a cup of water. He gently rubs his hand up and down Bamby’s back. This time, the older doesn’t push him away. 

“You know…” Eunho begins. “I may not know what you are going through in details, there’s no way that I can. But everyone around you is trying their best to help you, especially Hamin. The day will come when you will be able to look at the same things Hamin looks at. And then you will realise that he too wants to share pretty memories with you because that’s how much he loves you.”

The hiccups stop as Bamby dives deeper into his thoughts. Make pretty memories, huh? I wonder what that would be like if we were lovers instead. Would the memories become prettier? They say people wear a pair of rose-coloured glasses when they’re in love. I want to see the world in those colours with Hamin. Just like that, a decision is made. 

  “Eunho-ya,” Bamby calls out. 

“Hm?” 

“When Hamin comes back, I think I’m going to tell him all about it.” 

Eunho tilts his head in confusion. “Hyung, what do you mean?” 

“I’m going to be honest with my feelings.” — is all Bamby needs to say for Eunho to understand. 

Eunho’s entire body perks up in excitement. “I will be rooting for you, hyung! I’m so glad that you’re finally being honest with yourself!” His gentle rubbing is now replaced with pats on the back that might be a little too much for Bamby to handle. 

Bamby wipes the tearstains away. He tilts his head in the direction of the sky and prays that Hamin will come back as soon as possible. He needs to let Hamin know how he feels. The latter deserves to know all about it now. He is going to look into those dark green eyes and express his true feelings. No hiding it anymore. 

He is in love with Yu Hamin and have been for a while now. 

The cabin feels noisier today. If Bamby didn’t know better, he would’ve thought there were at least 10 people walking around in the cabin. But that’s not the case. It’s just Do Eunho. 

The silver-haired man has been pacing back and forth for the past 15 minutes or so. Bamby isn’t going to mind it at first. But it’s annoying when that’s the only thing you can focus on. Bamby clears his throat. “Can you please sit down, Do Eunho?” The smile on his face is polite, but his tone is anything but that. 

Eunho jumps in his spot. “Oh! I’m so sorry, hyung. I didn’t realise I was walking so loudly,” he apologises. 

Bamby holds himself back from saying, “How can it not be noisy? The floor is made out of wood.” But there is no reason for him to be this snappy when the younger has already expressed how sorry he was. 

Instead, he asks, “What’s gotten you all worked up?” 

Bamby can hear Eunho panicking. “Uhm— uh— n-nothing that you should be concerned about, hyung. Don’t worry about it!” 

Bamby’s not dumb. This doesn’t sit right with him. Why is Eunho so jumpy? Bamby folds his arms and leans back on the chair. “Be honest with me, Eunho-ya. Does this have anything to do with Hamin?” 

Busted. Eunho wants to scream at the top of his lungs. This is killing him. They are killing him, Hamin and Bamby, that is. They must be connected somehow. Now does Eunho lie or tell Bamby the truth? 

At the cost of what? 

At the cost of Bamby losing his shit. That is more likely than not. 

“Eunho,” Bamby says in a warning tone.

“Hamin hasn’t replied since yesterday!” Eunho blurts out of fear and pressure. 

Bamby jumps to his feet, already losing his mind. Exactly the reaction Eunho has expected. “Are you sure? Maybe we should check the notifications again. The signal here could be bad.” 

Eunho doesn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise, that it is more likely for Hamin to have a weaker signal than here. So he just does as he’s told. 

Alas, there is still no new messages from Hamin. 

“So?” Bamby urges. 

Eunho feels like his brain is about to explode from how much he’s frowning. “No hyung, Hamin still hasn’t—”

The door swings open. Eunho and Bamby snap their head in that direction. Eunho positions himself before Bamby. 

Fuck. How did this person break in? No one is supposed to be able to. Unless… 

“I’m back.” 

All the muscles that Bamby was using to frown just a second ago relax. His locked knees give out and he falls to the floor, relieved. “Hamin.” It’s been a while since that name had left his lips. And it sounds so good rolling off his tongue. 

Hamin runs up to Bamby and envelopes him in his arms. “Hyung, I’m back. I’m back so don’t cry anymore.” 

“I’m not crying,” Bamby says between sniffles. 

Hamin laughs and wipes the tears away. “Then what is this?” 

“It’s just water…” 

Hamin chortles. “Yeah right, hyung.” He gently kisses Bamby’s wet eyes, not minding the saltiness. Then he turns to Eunho who looks like he’s about to lose it any moment too. He smiles without a care in the world. “I’m back, Eunho.”

Eunho breaks out into tears and joins the hug, crashing down onto the both of them. He hits Hamin. “I bought you a phone for a reason, use it! God damn it!” 

Hamin pretends to groan, playing along. “I did use it though. I think the signal is just terrible. But hey, I’m back now! I even took some pictures along the way.” 

Bamby freezes up at the mention of ‘pictures.’ Eunho notices it and wants to tell Hamin that it's okay but the taller is already pulling the phone out of his backpack. Hamin proceeds to describe the photos. Bamby does his best to not show how bothered he actually is, plastering a fake smile on his face and occasionally nodding to show interest. 

“Don’t you think that it’s really pretty, Bamby hyung? I’ll show you all the pictures that I took once you regain your sight.” 

Just like that, Bamby’s mood has improved. Why didn’t he think of this before? Pictures can be kept forever. He can totally see the things that Hamin saw on this journey in the future. Heck, they can even travel there together next time. All this will happen when Bamby regains his sight. He needs to regain his sight. 

“By the way, I would like to apologise once again for not giving a prompt reply. After seeing Bamby hyung’s message, I just knew I had to come back as soon as possible. I had a surge of motivation that day and quickly found the herb. Then I set off instantly. It felt like Bamby hyung’s text led me to the right way.” Hamin pinches Bamby’s nose to show his affection. “Thank you so much, hyung.” 

“Did it feel that way? Like someone was guiding you, I mean,” Bamby asks. 

“Yeah, it did.” 

A smile flickered across Bamby’s face. He nods approvingly. “I see.” Thank you, Soobin hyung. 

Eunho gets up. “Alright then. I’ll take my leave. I’m going to go on a walk around the area. It’s been a while~. I’ll be back before dinner! The both of you have a good, long chat, okay? Bamby hyung, here’s your chance to tell him all about your feelings.” He basically sprinted out of the house, ready to be one with nature again. 

Hamin turns to Bamby, cups his cheeks, and their lips meets once again. Like their lips have been waiting forever for this day. A kiss to satisfy their cravings for each other. 

Nevertheless, they have to pull away. A kiss like that doesn’t satisfy their cravings but they will have to make do for now. Hamin is more curious about what Bamby has to say to him. The message that had gotten him more fired up than ever and had him running back home to Bamby the next day. “So hyung, what is it that you want to tell me?”

Bamby positions himself between Hamin’s legs and nuzzles his nose into the younger’s neck. He presses a gentle kiss, eliciting a gasp from the latter who did not prepare his heart for this at all. For Bamby to initiate such an intimate act. But he is here for it. 

“There’s so so so much that I want to tell you… I want to tell you all about them gradually but I think you deserve to know everything now. You’ve been so so so patient with me, Haminnie-ah.” He positions his arms around Hamin’s waist and pulls himself closer to the latter, ridding of all the distance between them. He now puts his ear against Hamin’s chest, the sound of Hamin’s heartbeat filling him up. 

Not really knowing what to do with his hands, Hamin puts them on Bamby’s back, drawing the older closer unintentionally. But it works well with everything that is happening and is about to happen. 

“I told you that I was going to be honest with myself when you came back, didn’t I? Woah—” Bamby chuckles. “Your heart is beating really fast right now.” 

“Don’t make fun of me.” Hamin buries his face into the top of Bamby’s pink head. How ironic. He’s hiding how pink his face is into a pink head. At times like this, Hamin is glad that Bamby can’t see him. Bamby thinks otherwise. He wants to see Hamin’s flushed face. He thinks that is endearing. 

“Alright, I won’t.” 

Silence bestows them as Bamby tries to find the right words to start. How did Hamin do this? Bamby wonders internally. How do I even begin to express my feelings for him? When did it all start? Right. That’s how I should start. 

He takes a breath in and slowly breathes life into Hamin with what he’s about to say. “I don’t really know when these feelings for you started but before I know it, my life revolved around you. I first realised it when I went to Ohr, the withdrawals that I got away from you were almost concerning. I wondered why I didn’t feel this way for the rest. I didn’t feel like this when Yejun hyung or Soobin hyung left. Nor did I feel this way when I left Beomjin and the other kids. But you, I thought about you every night when my back hit the bed. You were the first thing I thought of when I woke up too. You were in my mind every single moment. I’d look back to talk to you only to see that you weren't there. Then it hit me. It probably stemmed from the time the elders separated us when we were younger. I was younger back then and was in so much denial, I didn’t understand what these feelings were. I unknowingly beat myself up for it.”

Bamby pauses, looks up, and searches for Hamin’s face. Hamin helps the older put his hand on his face. Then Bamby traces the features on Hamin’s face with his eyes closed, trying his best to envision these features that he has looked at for the past 20 years. 

But a whopping 6 months have passed since, and the change in their environment is harsh. Bamby also never knew what Hamin’s features felt like with his hands until he became blind. But he knows this much for sure and that is the fact that Hamin’s features have changed throughout their time here. 

“And I think about the time when you almost kissed me in Heaven a lot. I was already in love with you. Now that I know that these feelings are, I don’t want to beat myself up for harbouring these feelings for you anymore. Yu Hamin, I love you. I’m sorry for making you wait this long.” 

It’s quiet. But the next moment, Bamby’s hands are wet then he hears weeping and sniffing. Bamby is flabbergasted. He tries wiping the tears away only to be met with more. “H-hamin, why are you crying? Is that no good? Should I take back my confe—”

Hamin squeezes Bamby, cutting off his sentence, not allowing the latter to finish that sentence. He doesn’t want to hear that, especially not after Bamby had just confessed.  Now Hamin is really a part of Bamby, he knows all about his true feelings now. 

“Don’t ever say something like that, Bamby. I don’t even know why I’m reacting this way. I never thought I would cry over something like this. But I’m incredibly happy, hyung. I’m so happy that if I die anytime now, I’d be fine with that—” 

Bamby hits Hamin on the chest. “How can you say something like that right after I confessed to you? We should aim to be with each other forever. Not saying things like… dying.” He whines. “And I have yet to show you just how much I love you too… And… I want to see you again, Hamin-ah.”

Hamin’s eyes light up and he squeezes Bamby so tightly that the latter almost can’t breathe. “I won’t say something like that ever again, hyung. We’ll be together forever so show me how much you love me too.” He presses their cheeks together like a cat rubbing their cheeks against their owner’s face. 

Then Bamby mumbles something that Hamin couldn’t quite catch. “Hm? What is that, hyung?” Hamin bends down, trying to hear Bamby. 

“I asked if we are now just like Yejun and Noah hyung.” This is probably the reddest Hamin has ever seen Bamby. 

Hamin chuckles in endearment and he lifts Bamby into his lap. Seeing how red the latter is makes Hamin want to tease him. “What are they like?”  

“You know… they… kiss and everything.” 

“So do we.” 

“But! They’re different.” Bamby looks like he’s about to cry from embarrassment any moment now.

“How so?” Bamby can hear the smirk in Hamin’s tone. 

“T-they are lovers just like Boaz and Ruth… but we are not.”

Hamin bursts into laughter. How comical this is. They’re about to get into a homosexual relationship, something that is frowned upon in Heaven. Yet Bamby is trying to explain how he wants to get into one with an example from the Bible. How ironic yet endearing.

He decides not to tease Bamby further. Hamin brings the latter’s face closer to his and it’s gentle yet needy. Their love and passion for each other are pouring out now and into this kiss. Their feelings for each other have never been this clear. Hamin can hear the desperation in Bamby’s voice as he whines and inches closer for more. More of Hamin. He wants to be filled up with Hamin’s love. Hamin too wants all of Bamby. He wants to be a part of Bamby. 

But maybe, just maybe. God’s creation is flawed. Because if it’s perfect, Hamin should be able to kiss Bamby without having to worry about whether or not they’re going to run out of breath. 

They pull away from the kiss, breathless. They rest their forehead against each other’s. Hamin laughs, spreading it to Bamby. Soon, their laughter fills the cabin, instantly lightening up the atmosphere that has been dull for the past month. 

“So I guess we are one flesh now…” Bamby further blushes at the thought of that (if it’s even possible. He’s already bright red.) 

But all that heart-pounding is shattered when Hamin laughs at him, teasing him once again. “I love you so much, hyung. But please do not use quotes from the Bible to describe our love. It feels a little wrong… and goofy, Bamby hyung.” 

Bamby’s hands shoot up to his mouth, shutting himself up from embarrassing himself any further. “I’m so sorry… it’s not on purpose. It just spilled out,” he whispers sheepishly. 

Hamin comforts him with his big hands, telling him that it’s okay. “We will work through this together, my lover.” The pet name got Bamby acting up once again. He shyly tucks his hair behind his ears, wanting to hear more. So Hamin repeats it for the one who he loves most and he’ll keep repeating it until the other is satisfied. “Lover.” 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

Noah gives Hamin a round of applause when he steps into the room. “Welcome back, Yu Hamin. I’ve been waiting for you! While you were gone, I was practising my magic and I feel stronger than I’ve ever been before. Guess the years of resting must’ve helped.” Noah gets closer to Hamin and whispers into his ears, “This is why you should always listen to your lover.” He winks. 

They had only just gotten into a relationship the day before. How does Noah know about this already? But it is expected of a witch, Hamin won’t bother himself with the questioning. Instead, he pulls the herb out which he had pre-wrapped before coming over. 

Noah coos, impressed. He observes Hamin’s face. “You went through quite a bit in that forest, didn’t you?” He asks while taking the herbs from the younger. 

Hamin shrugs nonchalantly. Isn’t that expected? Being alone in an unfamiliar place when you’re just unfamiliar with Earth altogether is scary. But what’s scarier is being apart from Bamby. He was so out of it then that he had fallen ill for the first time and even injured himself. But the gnawing feeling of being apart from Bamby scares him more, so he pulls through. 

“You could say that.” Hamin doesn’t go into details, he doesn’t want to recall those memories without Bamby. He’s so full of love now, there’s no need to think about anything else. He only needs Bamby to fill up his thoughts. 

“Bamby’s right upstairs with Yejun and Eunho,” Noah casually says like he just read Hamin’s mind. 

It’s a little bit creepy. “I know that,” Hamin says curtly. He came here with Bamby, why would he not know where his lover is? 

Noah looks at him with raised brows. “That’s me telling you to bring him down here. I need him for the next part.” 

“...oh. I’ll go get him.” What a weird way of saying that, Hamin thinks. In that moment, he decides that no matter how long they spend together, Hamin will never get used to Noah’s character. They might never ever get along but Hamin will forever be grateful to the witch. 

Hamin makes his way upstairs and sees him laughing with Yejun and Eunho. This picture right here. It’s peaceful and it feels like everything will be alright. Hamin captures a mental photo of this moment and keeps it safe in his memories. 

Bamby looks in Hamin’s direction almost like he can see or sense Hamin staring at him. 

That is such wishful thinking but it does feel that way. It feels like Bamby is looking at him with his eyes. His eyes that are supposed to be pink but now dilated. 

It’s almost fascinating how quickly Hamin’s mood can change just by looking at Bamby. Just a few seconds ago, he felt at peace. Now he feels like he can’t breathe with how tight his lungs feel. His legs start moving on their own and he’s hugging Bamby before he realises it.

“Hamin? Is something wrong?” Bamby is worried since the hug seems so abrupt. 

“Not at all.” Yeah, of course, he can’t see. If he could, he wouldn’t ask if I’m okay. He would be comforting him without any questions asked. “Noah hyung called you downstairs.” Hamin nearly forgotten his motive up here. 

Yejun is alerted by this. “We should all head down together, just in case.” Hamin gets it, he’s looking out for his lover, just like Hamin is looking out for Bamby. 

“Wow. I’m sure I only asked for Bamby but everyone came, huh?” Noah laughs and Eunho laughs along. Hamin throws Eunho a weirded-out look. 

“May I help you with something?” Bamby asks with a quiet voice. 

“Yeah yeah, you can. I actually need your DNA.” 

Not liking the sound of this, Hamin hides Bamby behind him. “What do you mean you need his DNA? You’re not asking for his blood or anything, right?” 

Noah’s eyes darken and his smile drops. “Don’t play with me. Of course, I need his blood for something like this. You think it’s going to work with just a strand of his hair?” His tone becomes deeper as he gets serious. 

“Noah—” Yejun tries to step in but is interrupted by an abrupt voice. 

“I’ll give it! I’ll give it so please don’t fight,” Bamby begs. 

“But hyung—” 

Bamby interrupts Hamin and directs his question to Noah. “Do you need a lot?” 

Noah smiles, pleased. “Good that you asked. No, I don’t. I just need to fill this tiny bottle here.” He raises a bottle that is merely an inch. “It’s not too much, is it?” Noah averts his eyes to Hamin. The tallest shakes his head and steps aside. 

“Then it’s settled. C’mere, Bamby-ah. It won’t hurt. I’ll use a syringe.” 

Hamin brings Bamby to the witch. “Is that what doctors use?” Bamby asks. This is his first experience with a syringe since they don’t see the use for it in Heaven. 

“Yes. I’ll use a numbing cream too so it won’t hurt one bit if there’s what you’re worried about,” It sounds like he’s reassuring Bamby when really, the person he’s consoling is Hamin. The black-haired man looks like he’s about to burst into tears anytime. 

“Sit here.” Noah helps Bamby sit down on the chair before him. “Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll count to 3 before drawing your blood.” The witch quickly applies the numbing cream on Bamby’s arm. 

“Breathe, hyung. You can hold my hand if you’re scared.” But everyone else in the room thinks that Hamin is the one who needs to hold Bamby’s hands. 

Bamby nods. “I’m ready.” 

“Okay then. 3, 2, 1.” Noah smoothly inserts the needle into Bamby and everything is done in less than 10 seconds. “Okay, done.” 

Bamby’s eyes widen. “That was all? Wow, I didn’t even feel anything. Now I’m wondering why humans are scared of getting an injection.” It is not uncommon for Bamby to receive protection prayers when someone is getting an injection so he had always wondered how scary it was. 

“Right? Let me just get this too aaaaand pluck! There we go.” Now Noah is done collecting all the items that he needs. He throws Bamby’s DNA and the herb he just got into the cauldron and swats his hands, satisfied with the end results of his work. He turns to look at the 4 of them. “The potion will take another few days to brew. By then, I’ll bring it to you and we can finally wrap this up and close this chapter of your lives. Then let’s all finally move on.” 

Bamby nods. Now that they’re all standing before the potion, it feels realer than ever. It’s brewing before them. Bamby can’t see it but he can hear it. 

The end feels so close now. Bamby will be able to see again. He’ll finally be able to see Hamin, his now boyfriend’s face again. Of course, not forgetting about Eunho, Noah, and Yejun hyung. His garden too, his beloved garden. And the pictures that Hamin sent to him. Bamby can’t wait to see all of that. 

He wants to live happily on Earth with Hamin and the rest. 

But mayhaps God did curse him to be miserable on Earth forever. After all, his expulsion from Heaven is a punishment. What rights does he have to feel joy here? 

And it feels like as though God is reminding him that with the sight of a certain blonde-haired man lying next to him, unconscious. Next to the unconscious man is Yejun who is holding onto his hands despairingly. The bags under his sapphire blue eyes are puffy. The tears on his face has already dried up, indicating that it has not been long since he stopped crying. The sight is baffling for Bamby. He had just woken up, why is Yejun crying before him? But it’s not long before he puts two and two together. That’s Noah hyung. 

This is the first thing Bamby sees when he wakes up. Screw that. This is the first thing Bamby sees after 6 months of nothing. 

Bamby quickly diverts his eyes to the ceiling, unable to bear with the pang he felt in his chest. Then he stares out of the window, where he can now see the forest he’s been living in. A complete opposite atmosphere to the tension that is in this room. It’s peaceful out there. Bamby doesn’t have to be outside to know. Meanwhile, the tension in this room is ice-cold. 

He looks back at Yejun and Noah hyung again. His eyes are starting to sting again. It’s from the tears forming in his eyes. He’s crying silently but it’s not too long before he’s gasping for air, catching the attention of everyone in the room, including Yejun. That’s the last thing Bamby wants. He doesn’t want to look into those tired blue eyes. 

A blob of black hair runs to his side and grabs onto his hand. It can only be Hamin. But Bamby can’t see his face through the tears. “Bamby hyung, you’re finally awake.” Hamin sounds relieved but there is still a hint of fatigue that he can’t hide in his tone.  

But the fact that he can see a bit of Hamin now sends him into a full-blown spiral. This is not the Hamin he wanted to see. He wanted to see a sparkly-eyed Hamin. He wanted everyone around him to be happy, not to look this distressed. He wanted to see a smug Noah parading around, telling him, ‘I told you so.’ Despite only meeting with the blonde a few times, Bamby has grown very fond of him. He is Yejun hyung’s lover at the end of the day and he’s doing so much to help him. 

But Bamby sees an unconscious Noah . Maybe he is indeed cursed. “What happened?” Bamby’s voice croaks as he asks. 

Hamin wipes his tears away, clearing up his vision. Finally, he can see Hamin again. But this is not how he imagined it to be. The rattled look on Hamin’s face only became clearer. “It’s been 3 days since… Noah hyung is not waking up… But hyung, don’t worry. This is not your fault. Don’t put the blame on yourself.” Hamin tries his best to smile to reassure Bamby. But how can Bamby not blame himself? It is a fact that Noah is now lying unconscious because of him. 

Because Noah used all the magic in him to recover his sight. 

Bamby wants to close his eyes again, he wishes that he can switch fate with Noah. 

“Hey, I’m here! It’s a very significant day today, isn’t it? Hamin and Bamby-ah?” Noah sashays through the door. Yejun tags along behind him, smiling fondly at his lover’s silliness. 

“Noah hyung!” Bamby opens his arms for a hug. 

Noah runs into his arms and squeezes him tight. “As expected of Bamby! If I died today, I wouldn’t even mind because you’re so well-mannered.” He rubs his cheeks into the top of Bamby’s head. 

“Don’t say something like that!” Bamby and Yejun shout in disapproval at the same time. 

“Geez. It was just a joke.” 

“I don’t think something like that should be joked about.” Hamin steps in and separates the blonde and pink-haired men. 

“Fine.” Noah gives in, too tired to be bantering with Yu Hamin. He pulls out a small bottle from his pocket and places it on the table. “Now for what we are really here for. Bamby, the potion is in that small bottle. After you drink it, I’ll chant some spells to finish the cure. You’ll probably wake up in a few hours and that should be the end of it.” 

Hamin is skeptical. “That’s really all?” 

Noah gives him a look. “It’s just that easy for Bamby if that’s what you’re asking. As for me, it won’t be as easy as just speaking. But it’s okay because Yejun will back me up.” The witch flashes a weak smile at Yejun who looks jittery now that Hamin is finally looking at him. 

Will they be alright? Hamin wonders. 

Noah claps, gathering everyone's attention. “Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s do it in the garden. It’s spacious there.” 

Everyone moves under Noah’s leadership. The atmosphere has turned serious. Everyone is holding onto their breaths, too scared to breathe. Noah is seemingly the most worried about this despite the front that he has been putting up. Everyone stands in a corner while Noah sets up a huge circle in the garden and displays the materials that he needs.

When he’s done, he tilts his head to the sky with melancholy in his blue orbs. Then he looks at Yejun before looking back at the sky again. Who knows what is happening in Noah’s brain right now, which scares Yejun. 

Noah mutters something inaudible under his breath while running up to Yejun and kissing him. “C’mon, don’t look at me like that. Don’t look at me like you’re going to lose me. You’re not and you will do everything within your powers to make sure that’s the case, won’t you?” 

Yejun feels his throat close in on him. That’s a huge responsibility. But that’s the responsibility that he needs to bear with Noah as his lover. So he nods. “I will.”

Noah smiles. “Then everything will be alright.” He takes a deep breath in and exhales before confidently walking up to Bamby and pulling him into the circle. “Are you ready, Bamby?” 

The shorter holds his hands. “Hyung, if it’s too hard for you to handle. Just stop, okay?”

Noah pats his head. “I won’t because I’m going to be okay.” He’s confident in this, in Yejun, in their love. 

And who is Bamby to break that confidence? So he nods his head. “Then I’m ready, hyung.” Noah passes him the bottle after opening it up for him. 

“Drink it whenever you’re ready.” 

It feels like everyone’s hearts stop beating for a moment when Bamby takes a sip and Noah starts chanting the spell. Bamby falls unconscious right after, plopping to the ground. Yejun has to hold Hamin back from going up to Bamby. That will interfere with the spell and cause more harm to both Noah and Bamby. 

Noah’s chants increase in volume. A purple aura surrounds him and he starts levitating. He reaches his hands out and the same purple aura can be seen surrounding Bamby too. The pink-haired man spasms for a bit.

A shout of cry can be heard from the witch before he retracts his hands back abruptly. He returns to the ground and takes a few deep breaths before resuming again.

“I-is he going to be okay?” Seeing a sight like that sent a chill down Hamin’s spine. He’s not sure if he can watch any longer. 

Yejun can be seen pursing his lips together, biting down on it until it starts to tear slightly. He doesn’t know what to say to Hamin. He can’t even comfort himself. 

Soon, a piercing scream penetrates in their ears. The witch is now grabbing at his eyes and writhing around in excruciating pain. 

“Hyung… shouldn’t you step in right now?” Eunho asks, tugging on Yejun’s arm. 

Yejun looks at his lover before looking at Bamby. “No… it’s not time yet. We can’t stop now…” 

“But what if something happens to—” 

Yejun raises his voice at Eunho, cutting the younger off. “He personally told me not to! It won’t do them any good to interfere out of nowhere. I know when to stop him so please… let me just… watch him do this.” Yejun looks like he’s about to cry any moment hearing Noah’s constant screaming in the background. Yet he has to keep his eyes on him, on them. He has to look out for something important, something that indicates that the spell is done. 

Something white is supposed to leave Bamby’s body, indicating that he is now free from his shackles. That should’ve happened earlier when Noah’s aura engulfed him but Yejun saw no such thing earlier. 

The screaming stops abruptly, making everyone turn their heads to Noah. The witch has his head thrown back to the point where it’s almost concerning. His chest can be moving up and down, urgently gasping for air. His eyes are unfocused, wandering around aimlessly before directing them on the sky. The next moment, it looks like he has passed out. But that is proven wrong by a startling, hysterical laugh. “What a good fucking life I’ve led.”

The next few minutes are spine-chilling to watch. Noah is clapping, laughing, and screaming hysterically. Then a loud silence ensues after. Noah locks eyes with Yejun before he starts chanting again. His body sways from side to side before a bright purple exudes from him and onto Bamby. He starts elevating again, bringing Bamby with him this time. Noah’s chant is so loud that he sounds like he’s about to lose his voice any moment now but he perseveres. 

He holds on until a white aura finally emits out of Bamby. Yejun wastes no time stepping into the circle and bringing Bamby down to the ground. Hamin and Eunho take this as a cue that it is safe to enter the circle. They immediately run to Bamby and carry him out of the circle. 

Meanwhile, Yejun rushes to Noah’s side and tries to pull him down. But the witch screams at him so threatening that it almost deafens him. But if this is what it costs to stop Noah from going feral then so be it. “C’mon babe, you can stop now. Come down, please? Come back to me, Noah-ya.” But Noah doesn’t look all there. His eyes are all dilated, almost similar to Bamby’s eyes. “Noah!” It’s so desperate and agonising, the way Yejun is trying to call out to Noah, trying to get his lover to regain autonomy over his body. 

This scene will be ingrained in Hamin’s brain forever. It’s gut-wrenching to see Yejun acting this way. His eyes are already bloodshot red from all the crying and screaming. A complete opposite of the usually soft and gentle Yejun hyung. 

Hamin walks up to Yejun and Noah, leaving Bamby with Eunho. He places a hand on Yejun’s shoulder, notifying the older of his presence. Without a word, he starts pulling Noah towards them. Yejun continues to pull at Noah’s torso while Hamin pulls Noah’s legs with all his strength. It feels like a game of tug-of-war between 2 humans and God. 

“Han Noah, please get it together!” Yejun makes one last cry, pulling Noah to the ground. Hamin lets go before he can fall to the ground with the couple. Yejun looks at his lover who is lying unconsciously on top of him. 

“Is he…” Bamby’s question is mostly for Hamin, but it lingers in the air. He had really hoped that Yejun wouldn’t be the one answering him though. 

However, of course, that is the case. “He’s still breathing. Don’t worry.” Yejun is still smiling at him despite the tired look in his eyes. He turns his attention back on his unconscious lover. He gently runs his fingers through those long locks. “To be honest, I think he will be just fine. Before he passed out, I saw the light returning to his eyes. His vitals are fine too. He’s just resting and we’re waiting for him to wake up from his sleep.” 

The looming question in the room is ‘When?’ But everyone knows better than to ask. 

Yejun looks at Bamby again. This time, he zeroes in on his eyes. A gentle smile forms on his face. This is what Noah did, huh? It is a good thing that he chose to help them, after all. “They’re beautiful, your eyes, I mean. I forgot what a beautiful shade of pink they were. Noah did a good job, so don’t beat yourself up for it. Noah won’t be too happy knowing that’s what you’re doing.” 

Hearing this from Yejun does make Bamby feel a little better. “Thanks hyung.” He does his best to smile, something that Yejun needs most right now. 

Yejun shifts closer to Bamby so he can pat him on the head. “Don’t waste your time in this room. You’ve already been here for 3 days. Go ahead and explore the things that you couldn’t before. With Hamin, of course.” 

That goes without saying. Hamin stands up and gives Bamby his hand. Bamby notices how his hand is now full of scars and just how rough it feels. So he has grown this much in the span of 6 months. 

“Hyung?”

Hamin snaps Bamby out of his thoughts. His hand is still stretched out, waiting for Bamby. “Ah yes. Sorry about that.” Bamby grabs onto his large hand. It feels so good being able to do so correctly on his first try and being able to look at this strong hand that has been supporting him in the past few months. “Then we’ll be right back,” Bamby excuses them.

They’re making their way to the garden. Bamby knows this. He knows this route all too well. It feels weird that he is finally able to see where he’s going. It feels like his world is spinning for a bit. Is it from how giddy he feels or from the fact that he hasn’t use his eyes for a while? Maybe both. 

Bamby stops in his tracks to take a good look at the cabin. So this is what it looks like. Eunho’s cabin. Speaking of— “Where’s Eunho? I haven’t seen him.” 

“He’s out hunting. He said that it’ll be good for the pantry to be filled with food since he’s going to have to feed 5 people when you and Noah hyung wake up,” Hamin explains.

“And you didn’t go with him?” Even though Hamin has never outrightly said it, Bamby knows that he enjoys hunting. It’s obvious with the state of his hands. 

Hamin rubs his nape. “I couldn’t just leave the house carefreely knowing that you’re still unconscious. Besides, I didn’t want to leave Yejun hyung alone. And hyung… you’re kinda staring.” 

“I know. I just kinda forgot how your face moves when you speak. I also felt it on my fingers that your face has changed a little so now that I’m looking at you, I was right.” Bamby traces his finger on Hamin’s chiseled cheeks. Now for what I have been wondering about for the longest time. Bamby stands on his tip-toes and kisses the taller on the cheeks. He takes a step back, fully enjoying the expression on Hamin’s face. An expression that Bamby has never seen before; bright red cheeks and widened eyes. Bamby can’t stop the chuckle from leaving his lips. “How cute.” 

Hamin, incapable of forming a proper sentence, drags Bamby out into the garden. He strikes up a completely new topic. “This is the garden you grew, isn’t it beautiful?” 

Bamby books it at a certain Monstera plant. “This is Wolhasumok, isn’t it? It’s bigger than the other peers so this must be it.” 

Hamin carries the plant in his arms. “Yes, it is. So what do you think? Does it look like me?” 

Bamby laughs. “You still remember what I said about that?” He takes a step back and puts a finger to his chin, pretending to think. “Yeah, it totally does.” 

Hamin doesn’t know what has come over him at that moment. He closes the distance between them and goes right for Bamby’s lips. Hamin pulls away first, taken aback by his own assertion. “Sorry, I—” 

“Put Wolhasumok down and kiss me, you fool.” Hamin does exactly just that. As soon as Wolhasumok is back in its original spot, Bamby throws himself in Hamin’s arms without wasting a second. 

Bamby has concluded that he loves kissing Hamin. He always did. But getting to see what the definition of love feels like with his two eyes is something else. When Hamin is kissing him, he looks like he’s craving for more of him like a kiss will not suffice for how much more love he has. And that is written all over his face when he pulls away from the lack of oxygen. 

There’s no need for Bamby to wonder what Hamin looks like after they’re done kissing anymore. The answer is right in front of him and he loves it. 

“Bamby hyung… I love you so much. I feel so bad for saying this but I’m so glad that you’re okay.” Hamin rubs his nose against Bamby’s and pecks his lips. He then rests his forehead on Bamby’s. 

“Don’t feel bad for that. I’m sure that’s the last thing Yejun hyung wants for us to feel.” Bamby stares into his lover’s deep green eyes, awakening the butterflies in his stomach. He misses those green eyes so much. It had been a hot minute, he almost forgot the shape and shade of Hamin’s eyes. Now that he’s looking at them again, it reminds him of the day where Hamin had almost kissed him in Heaven. Bamby remembers that day down to the T, especially the look in Hamin’s eyes. 

“...when do you think Noah hyung will wake up though?” Hamin asks the dying questions that no one dares ask. 

Bamby pulls away from Hamin and raises his head to the sky. “I don’t know about that… But I want to repay Noah hyung.” 

Hamin’s ears perk up. “Oh? What are you thinking of doing?”  

“I’m thinking of just staying by his side for as long as he needs until he’s okay. When he wakes up, he probably needs a lot of help so I’ll nurse him back to health. That is something that I’m confident in doing, I have experience from my time in Ohr.” 

Hamin opens his mouth before closing it. 

Bamby notices it. “What is it?” He makes the younger face him. 

Hamin’s heart picks up its pace. “It’s just— I’ve been thinking about this for a while now…”

“Hm?” Bamby tilts his head to the side, curious about what Hamin is about to say. 

Seeing his boyfriend being this adorable tugged at his heartstrings and his thoughts spill out. “I was thinking if we should move to the city after regaining your sight. You remember how I stayed in the city for a night. It came as a passing thought, then it kinda stayed with me when I was staying in the forest. The city’s really nice. We’ll be surrounded by more people and I thought that would help us with assimilating into Earth. And in the city, it’s easier to get access to things such as healthcare since we function like any other humans now. But that was just a plan in my head. After hearing you say this, I don’t think we’ll be moving to the city anytime soon, will we? I’m so sorry for not letting you in on this earlier.” 

Bamby looks at Hamin with nothing but love in his eyes. He caresses the taller’s cheeks before patting him on the head. “Don’t say sorry for something like that. I’m happy that you liked the city enough to want to stay there in the future. I’m even happier that you’re thinking about our future. It means that you’re taking our relationship very seriously, it makes me feel secure.” He pauses and looks at Hamin who seems to be enjoying his praises. “But… I’m not so sure about moving to the city. I mean… I’m not 100% opposed to it. I just don’t know what the city entails for me, for us. I’d love to see the city before deciding.” He gives Hamin a knowing look, hoping the latter will get it. 

It looks like he did because he sprints into the house before returning with a phone. “Here are some of the pictures I took while I was in the city. I didn’t send it to Eunho because I forgot. But hyung, look! There are a lot of tall buildings, lots of food too! They all look so interesting.” Hamin is beaming with excitement as he raves about the cityscape. But Bamby can’t ignore the saltiness that he’s feeling. But it’s as if Hamin can feel his emotions so he grabs his hands. “Why don’t we go together, hyung?” 

The saltiness is replaced by sweetness. Bamby nods in anticipation. 

“Then we’ll plan a short trip to the city after Noah hyung wakes up.” Hamin rests his head on top of Bamby’s. 

“Sounds like a good plan.” Bamby locks his arms with Hamin. 

“Oh but hyung, I just want to say that if you end up not liking it in the city, we can stay right here. I’m fine as long as I’m with you, hyung. You’re the only one that I need for me to live.” 

Bamby nuzzles closer to Hamin. A huge smile on his face. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re corny?” 

“Nope, because I’m only like this with you, Bamby-ah.” A chill is sent down Bamby’s spine when Hamin whispers his name into his ears. What a tease. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹

Bamby wakes up to the sound of someone groaning next to him. It is not Hamin for sure. That doesn’t sound like his lover. 

“Agh. What the fuck man. My eyes hurt. Oh wow! My head hurts like fucking ass too.” This foul language can only mean one person. 

“Noah hyung!” Bamby’s exclamation wakes everyone in the room.

“What’s happen—”

“Noah hyung is awake!” 

Yejun jerks up from his spot and crawls to where his lover is. He grasps the latter’s hands, his hands already sweaty and his heart feels like it’s about to jump out of his throat. “Noah-ya, c-can you see me?” 

Noah opens his eyes and stares at Yejun, looking him up and down. He’s safe, that’s good. “Why would I not be able to see?” 

“T-then does it hurt anywhere else? Your head? Your heart? Your hands? Your eyes? Your—” 

“Nam Yejun!” Noah successfully stops Yejun from going into a spiral. “Take a good look at me when I say I’m a-okay.” 

Yejun’s anxiety finally lets up and his limbs go numb. “That’s good. God. I’m so fucking relieved right now.” He gently pats his chest, calming his pounding heart. 

Eunho must’ve awoken up due to the commotion. He rushes into the room with a jug of water and a cup. “I heard that Noah hyung is awake. Here, have some water!” The water almost topples over with how aggressive his movements are. He is anything but calm right now. Eunho pours the water into the cup before passing it to Yejun who then feeds the water to Noah. 

“If I knew this is what I had to do to receive the queen’s treatment, I would’ve done it earlier.” Noah is clearly joking but boy, did Yejun not like that. 

He gently hits his lover. “Can you not say that when you just woke up from a 5-day-long coma?” 

“Wow! I was asleep for 5 days? Now that’s a new record.” If Noah could, he would totally give himself a round of applause right now. But he’s too weak to raise his hands. 

Yejun can feel that in his hands. Noah has been trying to lift his fingers in Yejun’s hands for a while now. “How are you really feeling?” Yejun lowers his tone. He’s serious right now. 

There’s a long pause before Noah admits, “Weak and beyond tired. I can barely even lift a finger. Feels like I don’t have an ounce of magic left in me anymore. I’m a useless witch now.” He lets out a soulless chuckle. 

“Noah hyung…” 

Noah turns to the person who called him. “Oh Bamby-ya, didn’t see you there with how small you are, my bad. So how’s my magic? Amazing, innit? As good as God Himself.” No one says a thing. Noah is smiling all by himself, trying to cheer himself up. While everyone else can’t hide the concerned look on his face. 

“Geez. I guess no one agrees. Whatever. I’m going back to sleep. Wake me up when breakfast is ready tomorrow morning. I’ll need a whole lot of protein.” Noah slides himself deeper into the blanket and within seconds, he’s knocked out, leaving the other 4 to have a sleepless night. They were all running high on anxiety, too afraid that if they fall asleep, Noah might be gone the next morning. 

But that fear vanishes the moment Noah is up and whining for food. This means that he is alive and well, which is the most important to them now. 

Yejun is currently feeding Noah his portion of food by the bed when Bamby politely knocks on the door, gaining their attention. 

“Do you need anything, Bamby?” Yejun asks. 

“Uh… no! I just– uhm… I just finished eating breakfast so I came here to look over Noah hyung while you go eat breakfast.” 

“Oh! That’s not needed. I can feed Noah myself—”

“Hyung, please?” Bamby pleads with his big eyes. 

Noah coos. “That’s a sight I’ve never seen before. You use your eyes well, Bamby-ah. Alright then, Junnie, you heard the boy. Now go eat breakfast, shoo shoo! You can put me in the trust of Bamby. So stop fretting and eat. You’re going to age faster than me at this point.” He shakes his head disapprovingly. 

Just like that, Yejun is kicked out of the room. Bamby now sits in his place. 

“You have something you want to say to me, don’t you?” As expected of a witch, he saw right through Bamby. 

Bamby nods. “We haven’t had the chance to be alone together so I decided that this is the best time. It’s also urgent, what I want to say.” 

“Okay. Feed me before you tell me all about it.” Noah opens his mouth, ready to devour the food. 

Bamby does as he’s told and then he starts, “I just want to say thank you so much, Noah hyung. The worst almost happened to you while you were helping me, but it didn’t. I’m glad that is the case. Now I really want to show you how thankful I am for your kindness, but I don’t know how else to than to help you in my own way.” 

“So what’s the plan?” Noah asks with his mouth full of food. 

“Let me nurse you back to health.” 

Noah stops chewing to think long and hard before deciding, “Okay!”

Bamby blinks. “That was quick.” 

“Because I figured that this is the only way you won’t feel indebted to me in any way. You’re also the type to get increasingly persistent, I don’t like that. Plus, if I keep you close to me, you’ll realise sooner than anyone else that I am doing fine and you can convince everyone else that is the case. It’s a win-win for you and I.” 

Unsurprisingly, Noah was scheming something. But that works for both of them. So Bamby agrees too, “Okay.” He flashes a smile at the witch. 

Noah surveys Bamby, especially his eyes. He nods approvingly. “I made a good choice. You look best this way.” Bamby doesn’t get the chance to ask what the older means as he starts demanding for more food.

That is the beginning of Bamby being Noah’s personal nurse but that didn’t last very long. 

Noah clicks his tongue in annoyance. “You are more persistent than I thought, Chae Bamby. When I agreed to let you nurse me back to health, I thought you would give me some space. At this point, you might even be more pigheaded than Yejun.” 

Bamby flushes from embarrassment. He pouts, “I just want to make sure that you’re okay.” 

“But I don’t need help in the fucking toilet! Oh my god! At least, Junnie gives me some privacy in the toilet.” Noah huffs out. “And it has been 3 fucking weeks since! Close to a month, Bamby, a month! The fact that I’m raising my lungs at you should mean that I’m more than fine, shouldn’t it?!” 

Bamby takes a step out from the toilet. Okay, so he might be just a little bit overbearing. Just a little bit! He’s about to say something when Noah silences him with a raised fist like a conductor ending a song. But the ‘song’ never started. Noah just didn’t want to hear anymore from Bamby. 

“You know what I think you should do?” 

Bamby’s eyes lit up, thinking that he could finally be of help for Noah. Instead, he is told to “Go and do something fun with Hamin. Don’t waste your time here, taking care of me. Yejun can take over everything now.”

Something like this will make anyone happy, instead, it makes Bamby look like a kicked puppy. “But—” 

“I’m serious, Bamby-ah. Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done. I have never told you this before. But helping you allowed me to heal myself. I still lived with the guilt of not being able to help Yejun. However, now that I have managed to help a fellow angel, I no longer live with that guilt. So thank you, Bamby-ah.” Noah shakes Bamby’s hand before pulling him in for a quick hug. “Didn’t wash my hands, by the way!” With that, he makes a run out of the toilet, finding any safe spot to hide from Bamby.

It caught Bamby so off guard, he couldn’t do anything about it. 

Because of his dismissal, Hamin and Bamby begin to plan their first trip together to the city. 

“Are you okay?” Hamin keeps checking in on his boyfriend. “It’s your first time going out of the cabin and to somewhere as far as the city. It might be hard on your body.” 

Sure enough, Bamby is struggling to breathe. It’s been a while since he has been active. He looks down at his body to see that he has put on some weight. Well, that is inevitable. “Are we— almost there?” He barely manages to breathe out. 

“We should be there in another 30 minutes or less if we keep up with this pace, hyung.” Hamin examines Bamby who is clutching his chest, trying to find the right pace to breathe. “Hyung, give me your bag. Don’t be stubborn now. The other option is for me to carry both you and the bag—” 

Bamby shoves his bag to Hamin without thinking twice. Don’t get him wrong. He loves being carried by his tall, strong boyfriend. But he doesn’t want Hamin to exert his body before they make it into the city. 

They finally make it to the city and Bamby’s breath is taken away. It’s not his first time in a city, he had been before when he was still serving the Lord. But he had never realised just how colourful and artistic it was, since he was always so preoccupied with the mission he has been assigned. 

Now that he is standing here as a human, the building closes in on him. A very different view from what he saw as an angel. This is more breathtaking in comparison. He never knew that humans could make something this impressive. It is… comparable to what God’s skill. So humans are capable too, aren’t they? 

“We’re in a city called Seoul, hyung.” 

“Seoul…” Bamby repeats. An unknowing smile forms. Seoul. I like the way that sounds. 

“Are you liking it so far, hyung?” Hamin places his arm around Bamby’s shoulder and pulls him in close. 

Bamby nods. He can totally understand why Hamin was so captivated by the city. “It’s exactly like the pictures that you showed me. I’ve never seen anything like this…” He looks around in awe at the buildings, the big billboard signs, the trees, the cars, and the humans. Living in a place like this with Hamin sounds like the life. In a nice house with Hamin. Bamby wants that. 

Hamin smiles. “This is not all, hyung. Let’s check into our hotel.” 

“A hotel?” 

“Yeah! I asked Noah hyung and Eunho for some suggestions and I managed to find a really nice one.” They start making their way to the hotel. 

“Do you have to use money for that? 

“Yeah, but don’t worry about that, hyung.” Hamin smiles. 

Bamby can’t help but feel spoiled. If Hamin smiles so sweetly at him like that, then he has no choice but to go along with it. Because the promise that Bamby has a hard time in believing that Hamin can make come true has already come true. 

The hotel room that Hamin got was beyond Bamby’s imagination as well. This is unlike any of the places he had stayed in before. It feels just like home, even more so with Hamin in the picture. The kitchen, the washing machine, the toilet, the bedroom with a single queen-sized bed. For Bamby, it’s the balcony in the living room that pulls it altogether. Standing in the corner is a tall plant. 

It’d be great to have a tiny garden here, Bamby nods approvingly at his passing thought. 

He walks out to the balcony which oversees the bustling streets and they can hear the sound of cars honking, the sound of people laughing their hearts out. They’re also high enough to see the top of other buildings. Seoul is such a beautiful place. 

Hamin stands right behind Bamby, overlooking the city together with him. “What do you think?” Bamby looks over his shoulder to see the whole city in Hamin’s eyes. Oh, how much he loves this city. “It’s even prettier at night,” he adds. 

If he were to stay in a place like this with Hamin, that would be just perfect, Bamby thinks. “This is prettier than the pictures you took,” he says, poking fun at Hamin’s camera skills. 

The taller shrugs. “There’s only so much I can do with a camera. Take you for example. The camera can’t capture all your beauty.” 

Flustered, Bamby shoves Hamin away gently. A weak attempt like that is not going to get Hamin off his cute lover. “Alright, hyung. Let’s go, we have a long day ahead of us. The hyungs recommended me some places to go. First, let’s go grab some food.” 

Their first stop is the cafe and lest to say, they are overwhelmed. They never knew that food could have this many variations. Nevertheless, they still enjoyed it very much. Homemade food tastes awesome and unlike any other. But cafe/restaurant food is a taste that they’ve never had before. The taste just bursts into their mouths, it’s amazing. Eating out once in a while doesn’t sound too bad. 

It’s also nice to find out that they have different preferences when it comes to certain foods. It just reminds them that even though you have been together for a long time, there are still endless things that you can learn about each other. Hamin is fortunate to still have Bamby by his side to do so. 

They’re now sightseeing around the city when Bamby stops right in the middle of nowhere, stopping Hamin in the process too. Hamin looks at what has gotten his boyfriend’s attention. A flower shop. Of course, Bamby is captivated.

“Do you want to go in, hyung?” Hamin asks. 

“Eh? Is that fine? Wouldn’t that mess with the plans that you had in mind?” 

Hamin tucks Bamby’s fallen strand behind his ears. “If it means that you enjoy it, then not at all, hyung. Come on, let’s go.” 

The second Bamby enters the shop, he became a butterfly. He is currently in his natural element, flying from plant to plant, flower to flower, admiring the way they look. He even identifies them using his knowledge.

“Wow! Young man, that is very impressive. Are you very interested in flowers and plants?” Someone who seems to be the owner strikes up a conversation with them, a very kind and sweet looking old lady. 

Bamby stumbles over his words, flustered by how a stranger just approached him like it was nothing. “I— I just do gardening in my free time.” 

“Ohh~, interesting. Are you a student?” 

Eh? A student? Does he look that young? Ah right, some 22-year-olds are still students in some country. “Not at all!” 

The owner clasps his hands together, reminding Bamby of the times when a human would kneel before him to beg for mercy and guidance. “If you’re looking for a full-time job, we have a spot open just for you! So please?” 

Bamby tilts his head in confusion. “A full-time job, huh?” If I move to the city, I’ll need to get a full-time job to get by every day just like normal human beings do. Besides being able to do what I love as a job sounds nice. The city life does sound thrilling after all. But how do I give an answer to this sweet old lady? 

Almost like Hamin heard his inner turmoil, he steps in for him, “We’ll think about it and get back to you, ma’am. Ah! Please give us your contact number so when he decides, he’ll get back to you.” 

“That sounds really good! Here is our business card. Do give us a call, we’ll be looking forward to it!” The owner claps celebratorily like she had just hired him. It tugs at Bamby’s heart, knowing that there’s someone as pure as here out here in the city, on Earth. 

Hamin and Bamby leave the store after saying their goodbyes. Bamby has a lot on his mind. 

“What are you thinking about, hyung?’ 

“Hm… I can’t help but want to give a helping hand to that ahjumma.” 

“If that’s the case then you’ll have to move to the city, hyung.” Hamin is stating the obvious but to Bamby, that’s a reminder of what he needs to do, what needs to be given up to come here. Hamin rubs his back soothingly. “Let’s not rush this, hyung. You take your time. We still have another day here to decide on your heart.” 

That night, they return to their hotel. It’s just him and Hamin. 

No Eunho. No Yejun or Noah hyung dropping by once in a while. 

Frankly, that doesn’t sound all that bad. It’s like they’re back in Heaven all over again. Them coming back from a long day in the chapel to each other’s faces. Then they’d sleep side-by-side and wake up to each other. But there’s also a sadness he feels about not seeing Yejun, Noah, and Eunho as often. 

Coming home to Hamin… Greeting Hamin at the door when he comes back home from work… Kissing and touching Hamin in the comfort of their home. Home. Home is wherever Hamin is. 

Now that they are in a hotel that looks like a comfortable home, Bamby’s imagination only runs wilder. Maybe I just have to suck it up. 

“Welcome back, lovebirds!” Noah’s loud voice is the first thing they hear upon entering the house. 

Hamin lets out a loud groan and rolls his eyes. “You’re here again? At this point, you might as well live here.” 

“Here? Nah. Why should I move from one small cabin to another small cabin? Doesn’t make sense. Moreover, Yejunnie and I are thinking of moving to an apartment in the city. Since we have plans on starting a normal job for a long time now. We both think that the best time is now since it feels like we’re closing a chapter now. After all that, Junnie sure as hell isn’t going to let me touch witchcraft and magic for a loooonngg time or maybe forever.” 

“Noah hyung, you’re moving to the city?” Bamby repeats so he can sink it in. 

“Yup!”  

“Right. I remember Yejun hyung telling us,” Hamin chimes in. 

Eunho, who is listening to the conversation from the kitchen, joins in too. “To be honest, I’m thinking of moving back home too. I was only supposed to be here for a few months to take my mind off the busy life in Seoul. But you guys came along. Now that everything is well and done, I think it’s time to go back.” 

Hearing all this strikes a chord in Bamby’s heart. Everyone’s moving on. If Eunho leaves the cabin, what use is there for him and Hamin to continue staying on? It doesn’t make sense to live without the owner. Moreover, their deeds here are indeed done. Now the thoughts he had about moving out doesn’t sound like a bad thing anymore. 

It’s time for him to move on too. 

“By the way, how was the city? The meat restaurant that I recommended, did you like it?” Eunho scrambles to Hamin’s and Bamby’s side with sparkly eyes. Bamby had to stop himself from expanding his thoughts on how Eunho looks like a dog. 

They spend the afternoon sharing about the enjoyable time they had in the city. Though, it doesn’t slip past Noah’s attention that Bamby seems to be preoccupied. 

He finally gets a chance to speak to Bamby alone while the younger is out in the garden, watering his plants and flowers. 

“Hey!” Noah whispers, startling the latter. He laughs at Bamby’s reaction, teasing him for a bit before nudging him. “What’s up?” 

“Huh? What do you mean?” Bamby is perplexed by the random question. 

“You look like you have a lot on your mind. So I’m asking you what’s up?” 

“Oh… It’s nothing important…” 

“Do it,” Noah says suddenly.

“Huh?” 

“I said do it.”

“Do what? You’re not making any sense, hyung.” 

“Whatever you’re hesitating on, do it. Move to the city. You have no reason to stay here.” 

Bamby blinks. He wants to ask how the older know what he’s thinking about. But it is Noah hyung who he is speaking to right now. 

“What is stopping you?” Noah asks, crosses his arms, and leans on his sides. He’s about to be here for a long time. Bamby is surprisingly sentimental and sensitive, that’s what Noah has learned over the span of 6 months. 

“First of all, if I leave, who is going to take care of all these plants? Secondly, I’m worried about getting a house there. It surely won’t be easy, will it? And lastly, what if the city is not as nice as I think it is? And then we suffer there.” Bamby’s heart feels a lot lighter now that he has let it all out. 

Noah lets out a fond chuckle and uncrosses his arms to pet Bamby. “All your worries are very valid. These plants will die, and that goes without a say. But there are some plants here that you can bring over yourself. And about the housing and suffering in the city, I might just have a solution for that.” 

Bamby’s eyes lit up. “What is it?” 

Noah leans in. “Yejun found a good place and it’s really cheap on top of that. If my memory doesn’t fail me, there are a few units available. And if we are your neighbours, maybe that will ease your heart about the last issue. Since we will be there, you can just come running to us if you face any difficulties.”

That certainly sounds nice and promising. Bamby nods with a new resolve. “I’ll think it over with Hamin tonight.” 

“That’s what Noah hyung said?” Hamin asks. 

Night has fallen. Noah had gone back home to Yejun hours ago. And now Bamby and Hamin are cuddling in this bed they have been sharing. 

“Yeah… what do you think?” Bamby asks while drawing tiny hearts on Hamin’s palms. 

“Having them as our neighbours sounds like a great idea! I’ve never thought of that. Plus Eunho hyung will come running to us whenever he feels too lonely.” That sounds about right. “But you know that I’m down for anything. I want to know what you think, hyung. You’ve been looking a little down since earlier. If it’s about this matter, I want to let you know again that I’m not pressing you, hyung. We don’t have to move to the city if you don’t want—”

“I want to,” Bamby interrupts abruptly. “I can’t stop thinking about that ahjumma. I know it’s a stupid reason to be motivated by, but I can’t help it. I want to help her.” 

Hamin grabs onto Bamby’s small finger and intertwines their fingers together before pulling the older onto him. He’s so enamoured by his lover and there’s no other way to expression this feeling than to squeeze him tightly. “Oh my god, Bamby. You’re so fucking adorable, the purest being out there.” Hamin nuzzles his nose into the top of Bamby’s head before showering the latter with kisses all over his face. 

Bamby hits Hamin with not a single violent intention at all. “You’re taking after Noah hyung…” He’s referring to the foul language. 

“Oops! That aside, if helping the ahjumma is what you want to do. Then let’s do it. Let’s move to the city!” 

Seeing how hyped up Hamin is, there’s no way Bamby can take this smile away from his lover.

Bamby inhales deeply and firmly squeezes Hamin’s large hands around his. “Let’s move to the city.” The smile that Bamby gives Hamin right after his statement is enough to make a flower bloom. 

Unable to contain his happiness, Hamin carries Bamby in his arms and twirls them around the room with what little space they have. Hopefully, their new house will have more space than this. Not that it matters to them. Because to them, as long as they are together, nothing can stop them from experiencing happiness together. Not even God Himself. 

“Careful there, hyung! I told you to let me carry that for you.” Hamin quickly runs to his lover’s side and takes the heavy boxes from him.

“I’m just worried… Wolhasumok is in here. But thank you, Hamin-ah.” He gives his boyfriend a peck on the cheek. 

Hamin blushes wildly. How often have they kissed and yet Hamin still reacts this way whenever they do? Bamby shakes his head, laughing at his boyfriend’s silliness.

“You should worry for yourself more… and if I knew that’s what it takes to get a reward from you, I should’ve kept helping you with the boxes.” Hamin pouts and is about to dive in for another kiss when Bamby creates a barrier between them with his arms, getting a whine from the taller. “Why did you do that for?” 

“There’s no more boxes for us to carry. Hence, no more kisses.” Bamby sticks his tongue out. 

“That’s unfair, hyung,” Hamin whines. 

Bamby just smiles endearingly at how cute his boyfriend is being. It’s not every day that you can see the Yu Hamin whining. Yet, Bamby has the power to do so easily. 

The couple takes a good look at their furnished apartment from the entryway, Hamin not forgetting to hug his smaller boyfriend. It is a habit by now. Whether or not it’s a good one, is up for debate. But Bamby personally likes it. 

“It’s small, isn’t it?” Hamin asks. 

Certainly, it is less spacious than the hotel they stayed in, but this feels so much more like home. 

“A little. But I think I like it better this way.” Bamby rubs Hamin’s strong arms that are around his waist. 

“Hm? How come?” 

“Isn’t it obvious? The smaller the space, the closer we have to be.” 

Hamin has to physically stops himself from screaming at the top of his lungs. He lifts Bamby up and carries him to the sofa before gently placing him on it. He climbs on top of the latter, his green eyes glossy and yearning for more. “Hyung, if you say dangerous things like that, I don’t know how much longer I can hold it in.” 

Bamby decides to further tease his lover. “Should we move to a smaller apartment then?” 

Hamin’s face becomes impossibly bright red. He looks like an angry light bulb. He buries his face into Bamby’s chest. “Do you know what you’re doing to me, Bamby-ah…” 

Bamby’s laughter fills up Hamin’s ears. It’s this laugh. The same one from Heaven, where Bamby was the happiest. It’s back. Hamin looks up from Bamby’s chest and steals a kiss from his lover. “Let’s not do that, hyung. Let’s move to a bigger apartment when we earn money. So we can have space for kids to run around.” 

Bamby’s eyes widen. “Kids? What are you talking about? I’m a male.” 

“I’m not talking about real kids. I meant pets and your plants. You have plenty of them, don’t you? You’re going to fill this house up with oxygen. As for real kids… if you want to, hyung, we can always adopt one or a few. That’s for the future, of course,” Hamin says gingerly. 

To be honest, Bamby has never thought of having kids. However, for Hamin, he feels like he can do it. He feels like he can be a great parent and lover. Hamin has done so much for him, this is what Bamby can give back to Hamin; happiness. 

“Let’s do it.” 

“Really?!” 

“Yes. I feel like anything is possible with you. And no matter where I go, as long as I’m going with you, it feels like Heaven.” 

“It sure does.” Hamin pulls himself and closes in for a kiss. 

The golden hour shines down on them, brightening up their house, and the portrait of Bamby that Hamin drew back in Heaven, hanging on the wall in their living room. 

Hamin pulls away from the kiss to see the person in the portrait glowing under him. He smiles. 

Now this is Heaven, not the place where they grew up, not anywhere else. It’s where the other is. 

⊹₊⋆☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆☁︎⋆₊ ⊹