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It had been months. Almost a year. Those stupid fucking games ended, thankfully more than one person survived. Gi-hun was very helpful the whole time. Thanos isn't surprised he survived just annoyed on how it was like to survive. He payed off his debts and still had quite a bit of money left. He got a nice apartment. A better car. He managed to get some nicer clothes.
He was going to do better. He had to. He promised namgyu he would.
During the last game, right before it started Namgyu said one last thing to him. It was the last thing they got to say to each other.
"Thanos, promise me when we get out of here you'll do better with your life. Promise me?"
"I promise."
He hasn't seen namgyu since then. Hasn't seen any of the other players. Or atleast he hadn't until a coffee shop opened near by. And Minsu was the owner.
Thanos stopped by a few times. Minsu had gotten all sentimental when he first saw Thanos, cried a bit and hugged him. Going on and on about how he didn't know where any of the other players went and how they were doing, Thanos just gave him a tight smile and ordered a coffee.
He continued showing up. He'd check in once a week just so Minsu can have peace of mind and know he's doing alright. I mean, he sure as hell looks like he's been doing alright. He has nicer clothes, his hair is clean(still styled with a good ass undercut) but clean. He got his ears pierced and matches his earrings with his outfit.
He looks good.
He knows that.
What he didn't know is that Namgyu was doing good for himself too. Namgyu had grown his hair out a bit, and got glasses! He can finally see properly! After he payed off his debts he got a stable job. Which that came more money so he usually dresses business casual. Of course that's when he has to go out.
At home he dresses like a bum and acts like one too.
But with his job he has to keep a good reputation. And he has to wake up at the brink of dawn. So by the time his lunch break rolls around he gets a cup of company coffee.
Which is what he's doing now, going to the break room to get a nice warm cup of-
..oh
The coffee machine is out of order.
............
Well...
He can go to the new place down the road, it opened a few months ago. He hasnt checked it out yet.
..sure why the hell not?
So a deeply tired and caffeine deprived namgyu walks over to the coffee shop. He didn't drive, it'd be a waste of gas and also he didn't want to get behind the wheel while tired.
The place wasn't busy. I mean it definitely wasn't dead but it also definitely wasn't busy.
So he walked in, pushing his hair out of his face and looking around. He didn't notice Thanos in the corner of the shop on his phone drinking a coffee.
But Thanos noticed him.
And so did Minsu.
"Holy shit, namgyu?!"
Namgyu flinched and looked at the counter.
"Minsu? Oh my god, hey! I didn't expect to see you here! I haven't expected to see any of the players for months now!" He laughed slightly as he went to the counter. Minsu walked out from behind it and hugged namgyu, politely he hugged back once he got his palms covered with his sleeves.
He still hated stuff touching his hands.
Minsu rambled for a short period of time on how everything had been and how he was doing, and asking namgyu questions without letting him answer,, before they both froze. Someone was hugging namgyu, from behind. Hugging his waist with their head on his shoulder.
"H-hey i know i hugged minsu-ssi but w-we know each other and—"
"Shut up, you bastard."
Thanos.
Oh my god, it was Thanos. He was here. He was alive he was hugging namgyu, it was him.
Namgyu quickly turned around. Eyes wide and beginning to water as he looked at Thanos. His mouth was open but he couldn't manage any words. His bottom lip began to shake as he fully processed that Thanos was alive and here. Whispering a broken, "Oh my god" before latching onto Thanos' neck. Hugging him tightly. Like his life depended on it.
And Thanos hugged him back the same. His arms around namgyus waist tightly and refusing to let go.
They managed some short hellos and how are yous through sobs before namgyus phone went off. He pulled it out, his manager, was calling him. He just groaned and hid in Thanos' neck.
"I don't want to go back, I can't go back. I just found you." He complained, whines basically, as Thanos lead them to a booth. Sitting down and pulling Namgyu up onto his lap.
"It's okay. I'm never letting you go now that I have you back."