Work Text:
Wonwoo runs as fast as his legs could carry. His lungs feel like they are about to burst but he doesn’t care.
Junhui… Junhui… my Junhui…
Just one more block and he’ll reach the bakery shop. Wonwoo pushes forward. He could see it already, the light blue shed and the soft cream walls. Then the next thing he knows, he’s tumbling backwards.
The entire shop has exploded. He stares for a second, failing to digest the sequence of events. His ears are still ringing, eyes stinging from all the smoke, yet his feet trudges forward.
He was about to get in when strong arms pulls him back. “Sir, you can’t go in there.”
“No, I need to go. My husband..” Wonwoo struggles to free himself. “He’s there. My husband is still there.”
“Sir, you can’t.” The firefighter tries to drag him away.
“I need to g-“ Wonwoo stops flailing. A blonde man stands near the burning shop. He shakes his head.
-
“519”
Wonwoo mutters, head down. The blonde man from earlier is standing in front of him. “You’ve been counting, I see.”
“How could I not, Hoshi?” Wonwoo looks up, eyes glazed. Hoshi could only give him a pat on the shoulder before sitting beside him.
“So what do you plan to do now?”
There was a silent pause, neither of them moving and just staring head on.
Wonwoo stands up abruptly, the light from the street lamp casting a soft shadow.
And like how the sun sets in front of them, the turmoil within him settles.
“See you on the next one.”
—
520.
Junhui stares at the wallpaper of his laptop and scrunches his nose.
It’s today. August 2. His stomach starts to sink as he dread starts to seep in.
Ping
[See you later, love! Don’t go anywhere, I’ll pick you up]
He reads the message and he smiles a little. He’s pretty sure it’s one of Wonwoo’s ways of trying to keep him alive.
“He’s persistent, isn’t he? It’s beyond impressive.” Hoshi mutters as he swivels his chair towards Junhui’s desk. Jun gives him a nod.
“I have a question. I’m just really curious.”
“You’re always curious.” Jun chuckles. “What is it?”
“How come you never told him you remember?”
Jun’s face turns solemn. It’s something that conflicted him internally for 520 cycles. It’s not that he wants to see his lover suffer. Rather, he always felt that giving that information would only bring more sorrow to Wonwoo.
“It would only hurt him more. Imagine being in his shoes, would it bring you more comfort that the person you’re trying to save knows exactly when he’s about to die and how he died for hundreds of years? He already worries about me too much. I just…”
So he doesn’t speak a word about it. He sees him struggling and it pains him more than he could ever say. But still, his mind tells him it would be better this way - wherein they could both pretend to be normal and okay till the day arrives. He wishes it would give Wonwoo a semblance of peace that he’s died all those lifetimes without the dread and fear.
—-
520. 6pm
Jun sits by the building guards, bantering with them like they’re relatives. Wonwoo rushes in and sees them. He looks disheveled and Jun could only imagine what hurdles he faced this time.
And of course, everything would appear to be against them. They, after all, had been challenging fate.
“You’re here.” Jun smiles, bright and hopeful. He wonders if they’ll survive this time. He wishes they would. 520 cycles is a long time.
“Of course.” And Wonwoo hugs him tightly. He doesn’t say a word. He’s savoring each moment and hugs him incredibly tighter. Jun doesn’t protest.
It’s rare for him to reach Jun on time. Rarer for him to be there early. They wonder if this is a sign.
Jun bids goodbye to the guards, walking out hand in hand with Wonwoo. They were almost by the door when one of the guards shouted.
“Sir, wait!! Wait!! You have a package delivered earlier.”
Wonwoo and Junhui shared a look. He didn’t have any orders and wasn’t expecting anything from anyone.
They walked back towards the table and got handed a small blue box with purple ribbons.
6:08pm
They take a deep breath. Jun starts to unwrap it.
Inside was a small snow globe with 2 men sitting on a bench with 2 cats.
He lifts it up and a small paper falls.
“You endured well. That is enough.”
6:10pm
They heard a crash. Just outside, Wonwoo’s car has been hit by a truck. It’s destroyed like a can of soda squished.
They looked at each other. Then the snow globe, then the paper and finally, outside towards the car.
They see Hoshi across the street.
For the first time in 520 cycles, he smiles and gives a salute.
6:11pm
They survived.
*
It was a good lifetime for them. Finally, getting to age together and spend each day with love.
——
0
Sirens are blaring in the background and Jun slumps on the floor.
“No…no….Wonwoo no…”
“I’m so sorry.” Hoshi bites back a sob. He’s been with them for far too long. They’ve earned a soft spot in his heart already.
“Please, Hoshi. Bring me to him. Bring me to them.” Jun cries out, holding Wonwoo tighter in his arms.
It was the first time he’s heard him that way. So he does what he’s asked.
*
Hoshi brings him to an empty dock. It was windy, cool and the sound of the sea calming everything around.
“Go on.” He said, pointing at the figure sitting on the edge, feet dangling on the cool water.
Albeit unsure, he strides forward.
“I’ve come to bargain.” He whispers a prayer. Just one more chance.
“Hi Junhui, I’ve been expecting you.”