Chapter Text
Two people are sitting beside each other on a visibly worn blanket, spread out on intensively green grass near a small beach, surrounded by comfortable silence. Local nature does all the talking.
It’s late spring, summer is around the corner, after months of winter it’s finally warm enough to hang out outdoors without freezing to death, both of them were longing for a long time to meet at this exact place.
Wooje slowly looks around a well known, secluded area with awe in his eyes, admiring the view. In front of him, an unwavering lake is spreading its calm, blue waters. Its shores are covered in flora common for Washington. Trees’ leaves rattle on delicate wind and birds are clearly audible, however not as loudly as in the full light of the day as sun is setting low above the horizon, making the sky painted in shades of orange, yellow and red.
Places like that are usually crowded with too many people enjoying their time outdoors, but here – they are the only ones, feeling like they are the last humans in the world, coated by nature’s gentle grasp. He is always speechless by how astonishing this place is, simply wonderful, and it’s only theirs.
Wooje is highly familiar with this spot, they have spent plenty of evenings here, and yet, every time he sees this view, it still makes him thankful that they found it many years ago in high school, it’s as beautiful as the first time he saw it. This little beach hidden from other people is their mutual secret.
Actually, it was Hyunjoon, who discovered this magical place. Shortly after, he decided to show it to Wooje. First time they came here together, Wooje thought it’s just another glade as many, visited multitudinously by people, but he found out it’s exactly the opposite. He glanced at Hyunjoon who was looking at him, waiting for his reaction. Then he realized that Hyunjoon shared with him something special and intimate, which made him appreciate his friend even more, because they didn’t know each other that well yet. At that moment he felt touched by this sudden trust he got, and he is grateful for that, even today, because it helped to push their friendship forward quicker, when both of them were just teenagers looking for a deeper connection. Fact that Hyunjoon showed this place to him first, doesn’t make sense in his head. Answer to the question “why” remains a mystery to Wooje to this day.
Well, later, he shared it with their joint friends too – Minseok and Minhyung, so sometimes they were hanging out with them as well. Although it's not happening as frequently as before, all of them have less free time nowadays. That’s how it goes after you graduate from high school.
Three of them, Minhyung, Minseok and Hyunjoon, were in the same class doing their best to survive high school, so they teamed up. Having this kind of back up made it bearable. They were spending a lot of their free time together, sometimes they were hanging out with Sanghyeok too, Minhyung’s uncle, who you can say, is more like a cousin or brother even. At that time, he could join them very often, because he was still nearby studying music at Western Washington University. Now he is starting his career as pianist and gives a lot of concerts in smaller towns.
However, they couldn’t agree on which sports club they wanted to enter, so for the first time they split up. Minhyung and Hyunjoon chose a swimming club, while from time to time trying to persuade Minseok to join them, but Minseok assertively refused to yield, and played in the school's football team, where after two years he met Wooje and brought him into their group.
Now, Minseok is happy he didn’t choose swimming, because he would miss his calling. Thanks to that he plays for Seattle Sounders, living his dream. And well, they wouldn’t meet Wooje if he didn’t choose football. All of them are proud of him, well, Minhyung especially. Sometimes Wooje imagines what would happen if he went with him, but every time he ends up thinking that he is fine with his own job. Minhyung spends most of his time researching ocean environments, because he is studying marine and coastal science, but despite being busy he never missed Minseok’s match when he played at home.
Hyunjoon always loved everything related to sports, so he ended up going for a degree in kinesiology in the same university as Sanghyeok and Minhyung. And Wooje…
Sudden phone chime and words whips him out of his musings.
”Are you free at the end of the month? Or do you have work to do?” Hyunjoon asks while concentrating on his phone.
“What? No, I don’t have any projects right now, just you know… usual programming. I have to design some new mechanics, nothing I can’t handle.” Wooje looks at his friend confused. “Why are you asking?”
Hyunjoon looks up from the screen. “They haven’t told you yet? Sanghyeok will be back in town for a few days, so Minhyung wants to organize a meeting with all of us, the whole five.”
Wooje gets excited hearing the news. “Oh, that’s actually pretty cool. I miss him.”
Hyunjoon smiles gently. “Yeah, me too. I’m happy he is coming. It’s been a long few months, since February I think?”
“Tell them I’ll be there for sure. I’ll try to do my assignments earlier, so I can meet with them without anything at the back of my head.” Wooje says firmly.
Hyunjoon just nods in response.
Sky is now garnished by a deep shade of blue, navy blue even. Dark clouds look ominous. Most of the animals became quiet as nature is ready to fall asleep, they can hear only crickets and distant sounds of cars coming from a road far beyond the trees.
Sun has already set, and the first stars are starting to appear. Wooje loves them, he always eagerly awaits for them to finally show up in the night sky. He remembers every single one of the many nights with just the two of them, laying on their backs in silence, staring at those inaccessible gas giants stranded and isolated among the cosmos. In these moments they could feel just like those stars - isolated. It is impossible to count them, so they are always just admiring the view. Wooje would lie, if he said that he isn’t doing it to just be next to Hyunjoon, as close as possible.
Through the years of their friendship, they got close to the extent that sometimes Wooje thinks Hyunjoon puts him first over his other friends. He invites him to meet most of the time, despite the fact that Minhyung and Minseok are Hyunjoon’s friends for much longer, he still invites them much less often. It seems even, like somehow Hyunjoon relies on them in a different way, exchanging plenty of messages in a single day and some late night phone calls. But he wants Wooje to be present in his life – literally, in person, as much as Wooje is able to grant that, and his own life isn’t stopping him. Over the years, it became more and more frequent, and it feels like there is this weird, invisible string stranded between them, pulling them closer whether one is going too far from the other, getting stronger and tighter with time.
There are days when Hyunjoon feels at his worst, when he is convinced that he doesn’t want to see anyone, which is always a lie, and he wants to hide somewhere, where no one is going to locate him, but Wooje, and only Wooje, always manages to find him anyway. He isn’t sure why it’s happening, it’s because he knows Hyunjoon that well, or the universe is sending them signs in twisted and subtle manner, and simply this magical bond allows them to find each other no matter what.
Some people believe in soulmates being a real deal - two souls are bound to be together forever until the end of time. Wooje never gave it a deeper thought except thinking it’s somewhat romantic, and… kind of enslaving at the same time? It depends on the situation and how you look at it. Are they truly two lost souls, who found each other again, right here right now, and are meant to be as oneness?
Now, when Wooje thinks about it, he doesn’t know how much authenticity is in it, but one thing he knows for certain – being around Hyunjoon makes him complete. And this realization scares him a little. Can this theory be actually true?
It can be, but the nature of their feelings might not, and Wooje isn’t sure it’s about him being like a younger brother or something entirely else, beyond comprehension. Yes, Hyunjoon is doing many little things, such as inviting Wooje to go on the beach, all the way down to the west coast, to see the ocean, inviting him to eat some ice cream at hot summer days, buying Wooje food when he doesn’t remember to go to grocery store and fill his fridge properly and it’s completely empty, shining like it was never used to store food inside. Hyunjoon of course solely buys what Wooje likes and what keeps him in good health, but there are days when Hyunjoon gives in and buys Wooje’s favorite snacks, so they can enjoy them at some watch party or while they are playing games at late night sessions. He tries his best to keep up despite being a rather traditional sports person.
Well, Wooje likes food a lot, like a lot , he can admit it proudly, and apparently it’s something Hyunjoon is aware of.
Hyunjoon also watches horror movies with Wooje, which he absolutely hates, because it scares the shit out of him, for most of the time they look at the screen. Or when they don’t look at the screen, it happens a lot too. He won’t admit it, not in a million years, not even a chance, but he agrees to watch horror movies, because Wooje likes this genre, and he simply likes making Wooje happy.
But sometimes Hyunjoon can be so caring to the point, that it almost feels like Wooje is his younger brother, and he can be so overprotecting, and when it happens, Wooje feels like he is boiling inside and so sad at the same time, it is making Wooje lose his mind bit by bit. In the end, he does nothing, so Hyunjoon protects him with his whole might and Wooje allows him to do so, regardless of the reason behind his actions. It’s easier that way, easier to pretend he doesn’t care, pretend these signs of affection aren’t making him nauseous and feel like falling from the edge.
One time, during their one of many evenings spent together, Wooje dozed off on the couch and from behind the veil of sleep he felt a blanket on his body and soft kiss on the forehead. Later, neither of them said anything about it. It made him feel something he can’t name yet. Something he isn’t ready for either.
Unfortunately, it isn’t as warm as they would like yet, hence Wooje shivers heavily. Seeing this Hyunjoon takes off his jacket and puts it on Wooje’s shoulders with a fond face and without articulating any word. Exactly this kind of gesture. Sweet, genuine, and full of care. He grabs both hems of the jacket and covers himself tighter. He can already smell the characteristic scent he likes and affiliates with safety and steadiness, instantly feeling warmer. His heart and stomach are making somersaults inside of him, but don’t worry he is used to it. All of Wooje’s insides are constantly fighting a battle of agreeing to disagree. Sometimes he was confirming himself that he isn’t ready yet to fall for Hyunjoon completely, and sometimes that he is eager to do it, and wishes these things aren’t only coming from a fact he is younger and needs to be taken care of.
Stars are beautiful today, well - like always, Wooje looks at them faintly, suddenly a little tired. They remind him of Hyunjoon – they are beautiful just like him. He actually is like a night sky, composed of many bright and beautiful pieces and elements which Wooje likes, he is like a mixture of small lights creating a larger light, glowing firmly, lighting up the darkness. Brightening Wooje’s life since they’ve met.
This night the second side of him wins, affection lurks from its cage and Wooje rests his head against Hyunjoon’s shoulder. “Do you want to check out new things I’ve been coding recently?”
Hyunjoon wraps his arm around Wooje’s back bringing his body closer. “Of course I do, I always look forward to what you do.”
Wooje doesn’t know why though. He was always an average student at school, average at sports, one thing he is good at are games, which isn’t ideal, in his thoughts at least. And that’s why he never considered studying further, so he skipped university entirely. On top of that, he never liked to follow the tight schedule he had whilst attending classes, he suffered all these years, half asleep most of the time. He is kind of a free spirit. Working from home at an hour he can choose is a lot better suited for him.
He lets himself sink in the warmth coming from Hyunjoon’s jacket and body and stays like that for a while. Safe and sound. In the meantime the last bird went quiet, which makes him a little sad. Wooje lifts up his head and reaches out to his collarbone, touches a piece of metal hidden under his t-shirt and fishes out a silver necklace, starting toying with it, rumpling its chain and bird shaped pendant. It is more like an impulse now, feeling the familiar texture of metal warmed by his body makes him calmer, mind clearer.
Hyunjoon turns over to see what’s the cause of the sudden movement, a surprise visible on his face. He looks at the necklace, then at Wooje. ”You are still wearing it?” he asks, trying to sound casual.
Wooje can feel Hyunjoon’s intense stare, boring a hole in his head, so he says truthfully “Yeah, every day. Actually, I’m just never taking it off, I guess. It’s part of me now, in some way.”
Hyunjoon settles his sight on the view in front of them struggling to process what he just heard. “Oh… That’s…” He looks at Wooje again fondly, eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you like it.”
Looking at the necklace and Hyunjoon’s tender face, shifting his glance between them, Wooje remembers how he got it.
Back in January, on his birthday, Wooje was spending the evening at home. He was lying on the couch watching the next episode of tv show peacefully after a long talk over the phone with his family. His family called, but his friends didn’t. He was thinking about weird silence in their group chat, and he knew they were up to something for sure. At this point it’s a law, it’s how it goes.
They were organizing a new thing every following year, and they had the most unhinged ideas in the world. Last year Minseok face-timed him and said that they booked a stay in some wooden shack located deeply in the forest surrounded by the mountains. And well, they are waiting for him outside, because they have to drive there right now. The year before they took him to Seattle’s Zoo, to this day Wooje thinks that it was Sanghyeok’s secret idea to see penguins with all of them. Another year before he got dragged to Hyunjoon’s garage to experience a little party. He doesn’t remember how much he drank, and he doesn’t remember much in general, but in the morning, he swore to himself - never again.
What will they come up with this year? He was about to find out shortly. Whatever it will be, he always appreciates their efforts and them simply being with him on this special day every year. Their presence is more important to him than any gift he could get. It is literally the best gift.
Undisclosed time later he heard pounding on the door. He got up startled from the couch and let the whole pack inside and immediately saw a procession of people with gifts and wide smiles. Minhyung brought food, Sanghyeok and Hyunjoon drinks and Minseok … he brought himself, because he was the mastermind of this party after all.
For the whole night Wooje was aware that Hyunjoon sometimes was looking at him in a weird way, with something unnamed in his eyes, so Wooje knew about the intended action before Hyunjoon actually walked up to him and asked Wooje to go with him to another room. Soon, Hyunjoon doubtfully fished out a black velvet box from his pocket, swiveling words in his mind he wanted to say. In silence they could indistinctly hear the others from the living room, muffled laughs, and sentences.
Suddenly Hyunjoon looks at Wooje, passes the box to the younger man's slender hands and says “Happy Birthday” with a shy smile on his face. “I know you don’t really need any gifts, but I saw this and…” Wooje opens the box with shaky hands. “And I immediately thought about you.”
“Oh” is the only thing Wooje can say at this moment, overwhelmed with too many emotions swirling inside his head. “It’s…” It was a silver necklace with a flying bird shape attached to its shiny chain. A Gleam of dim bedroom light reflected itself on the wide stretched bird’s wings.
Then Hyunjoon decides to continue, his cheeks pinker with every word coming out of his mouth. “It might sound cheesy… but it reminded me about how free you are, flying through life just like a beautiful bird…”
Emotions flooded Wooje again, he thought what Hyunjoon said was strangely accurate. A moment later Wooje finally found his composure to say “It’s stunning, thank you.” and hugged him tightly, touched a little, feeling warm inside and a small lump in his throat. When he stepped back, asked with an unsteady voice “Can you help me with the clasp?”
“Oh, yeah, of course.” Hyunjoon took the necklace and placed it around Wooje’s neck, who shivered under the soft touch of Hyunjoon’s hands and necklace’s cold chain. Hyunjoon smiled again, Wooje smiled back. After that both of them came back to the rest at the living room.
Wooje feels how a fond smile slowly appears on his face thinking about it. Then he hears his name. Wait, it isn’t part of the memory.
“Wooje! Wooje, are you ok? I was talking to you.” Hyunjoon shakes Wooje’s shoulder, worried.
Wooje came back to reality, although mind is still far away. “Oh, sorry. Yeah, I’m good, I was just lost in thoughts. What were you saying?” Wooje hides a precious necklace under his clothes again.
Hyunjoon sighs lightly and tries again. “I asked if we are going to your house now or later?”
“We can go now, I think.”
“Alright, then let’s go.” Hyunjoon stands up and gives a hand to Wooje, helping him get up. Wooje accepts the offer and grabs Hyunjoon’s hand, relying on his strength to pull him up.