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“This is the first time that the worlds-three peat bottom duo face each other.”
Minseok smiles as he hears this, but more so with the person standing in front of him, having the same smile as him, he can’t help but return it, even if he feels his heart breaking.
“Hi, Minseokie.” The other said sweetly.
“Hello…” Minseok smiled, tried his best to keep it together.
He thought he got over it. The changes, him not being by his side. But seeing him sit across and not beside him made him relive all those memories.
As the final nexus explodes. Minseok simply smiles. “Close..” he says as he gets up to wear his jacket.
Smiling more as he meets the opponents.
“Good game.” The opponent’s support smiles back.
Minseok just laughs. And his hand was caught in a handshake.
“Great game as always, Minseokie.” That damn name again. Oh how much Minseok hated that -ie added to his name.
“You too.” Minseok responded, ignoring the crack on his heart.
Am I comfortable now?
Even asking for a small heart fluttering moments, would be greedy, right?
“Good job today, Guys. It was close, but we’ll work harder.” Their coach starts their brief feedback. But Minseok’s brain shut down before it even started.
“Tomorrow let’s practice, for now all of you will rest.” The coach clapped again, signaling their dismissal. Minseok just stared at the floor.
“Minseok?” Sanghyeok called. “Let’s leave.” Their captain casually stated.
This broke Minseok’s trance. “Huh? Oh yes. Hyung.” He smiled, like always.
You were always by my side
so I guess I assumed we would be together forever
“Just follow us.” The team then left. Leaving behind Minseok fixing his things and Sanghyeok observing him.
“You know, it’s normal to not always smile. You’re still hurting and It’s okay.” Sanghyeok pointed out.
Minseok stopped in his tracks. “But I can’t, no, shouldn’t. It’s been weeks.”
“Exactly, it’s only been weeks. It took me years to get over the fact that Seongwoong hyung left me.” The ever so humble man said. “Even with Wangho and Sunggyu, it felt empty. I felt that empty hole.” Sanghyeok said as he pointed to his chest.
I grow tired of these repetitious days
There’s nothing for us to smile about anymore
Minseok stared at him. Eyes started to glisten.
“But…”
“He’s hurting too. Both of you are. And that’s normal. I, nor the team won’t blame you for anything. Just let it out.” Sanghyeok approached Minseok as he engulfed him in a small hug.
Minseok’s tears started streaming. He sobbed, as he hid his face on their captain’s chest.
And Sanghyeok gave him the silence he needed.
Those times, warm like spring, were good
Those times, when having only you was enough, were good
“Minseokie… I brought you plushies from my trip in Japan. Here.” A voice cut their walk to their headquarters. Holding three bags, the person called the two players.
“Minhyung?”
“Yep.. Hi Hyung…” Minhyung waved to Sanghyeok.
“Minhyung-ah.” Sanghyeok smiled as he saw the ADC.
“Oh.. Wait, I have things for you and the others too.” Minhyung gave the small bag to Sanghyeok.
“Thanks.. you didn’t have to.” Sanghyeok smiled.
“Oh I ought to.” Minhyung then looked at Minseok. “Here.. These are for you. You were sick last stream. And I saw your vlog with Eujin hyung, you shouldn’t get sick. You should really wear thicker clothes.” Minhyung started to remove his scarf and wrap it around Minseok’s.
Minseok just stared… just observed…
Sanghyeok sighed, but smiling. He knew they both needed time with each other. “Minseok, Minhyung. I’ll go ahead first. Minseok-ah, I’ll get your things.”
Minseok was frozen, the familiar, gentle smell of Minhyung's cologne and laundry detergent now enveloping him with the warmth of the scarf. It was the smell of late-night scrims, shared meals, and years of perfect synergy.
"It's cold out here," Minhyung murmured, his fingers brushing Minseok's neck as he adjusted the wool. His eyes, usually bright and mischievous on stage, were serious, filled with an unreadable mix of concern and regret. "Take care of yourself."
Minseok finally found his voice, a small, wet sound. "I... I will. You too."
Minhyung's lips twitched into a sad, small smile. "I always do. Especially when I know you're watching." He gently nudged one of the shopping bags toward Minseok. "Check inside later. It's the little penguin you’ve always wanted."
He didn't wait for a response. He simply nodded once, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the city crowd, leaving Minseok standing alone, warmed by a scarf he shouldn't be wearing and holding a bag he didn't ask for.
Minseok brought a hand up to the scarf, his fingers closing around the soft wool. The warmth spread from his neck, but the tears, dried by Sanghyeok’s hug, threatened to return. It wasn't just a scarf. It was a silent admission of care, a familiar gesture that felt like a crack of spring sunlight in his winter-cold heart.
~~~
Minseok walked slowly back to the headquarters, the scarf a heavy presence against his skin despite its softness.
He clutched the plushie bag, the memory of Minhyung's serious eyes and gentle hands replaying endlessly.
He finally reached the shared living area. Sanghyeok, true to his word, had placed Minseok’s things neatly on his bed, and was now watching a replay on the screen. He glanced up as Minseok entered.
"You're back. Dinner is ready." Sanghyeok said, his tone deliberately light. He noticed the scarf immediately.
Minseok didn't answer, moving instead to sit heavily on the sofa.
I only finally realized it after we broke up
Things were so good, we were so beautiful
Those days in times gone by were so good
He opened the plushie bag slowly. Inside, the penguin he'd once casually mentioned wanting. And there was a small, personalized vitamin container. Minhyung, ever the attentive one.
We were so beautiful. Minseok thought, remembering the endless hours in the practice room, their chairs side-by-side, the silent, intuitive communication that made them legends. It wasn't just a perfect synergy on the Rift; it was a silent, comfortable bond that extended into every aspect of their lives.
Back then, back then
Back then, back then
"Hyung," Minseok finally whispered.
Sanghyeok muted the screen and turned fully toward him, his expression one of patient concern.
"What do I do? He still looks at me the same way. He still takes care of me. Why is he doing that?" Minseok's eyes were desperate.
"Because he still cares, Minseok-ah," Sanghyeok stated simply.
"But why can't he just... stop? It makes it harder. I need to move on, we need to move on. He's on a new team now, with a new support," Minseok argued, tears starting to pool, brightening his eyes.
You already know, too, don’t you,
that we’ve come so far we can’t go back
Sanghyeok sighed. "You know the answer, Minseok. You both went too far. It changed everything. And even though you're both hurting, sometimes even if we desperately want to, there's no way to repair it fully. You can't just go back to being friends after that."
"But," Minseok choked out, "it was an accident. It was just a stupid, drunken kiss. It didn't mean anything to him, but it ruined everything for us. Our friendship, our careers together..."
Even if we force ourselves to try harder,
there are some things that cannot be
When did we become like this?
I don’t have the confidence to meet you anymore
He stood up and walked to the window, staring out at the hazy city lights. When did we become like this? They were supposed to conquer the world together for years to come. Now, every interaction was a sharp, painful reminder of the line they crossed and the home they subsequently lost.
The silence hung between them, thick with Minseok's unresolved pain. Sanghyeok stood, walking over to Minseok and placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Minseok-ah, look at me," he commanded gently. "Don't let the regret eat you alive. Remember the good times, yes. But understand why you are where you are now. You have something beautiful.”
Those times, warm like spring, were good
Those times, when I was so happy I cried, were good
I only finally realized it after we broke up
Things were so good, we were so beautiful
Those days in times gone by were so good
Minseok remembered their first paycheck, their first trophy, the night they spent bundled up watching a silly movie because the power went out. Moments that cost nothing but were rich with shared joy.
Even if we were poor and had nothing,
we would have been enough for each other
"I was so happy with him, Hyung," Minseok whispered, tears finally tracing new paths down his cheeks. "Just being his support... being his Minseokie... I was enough."
I liked it being you
I was happy
Those times, when love was everything, were good
"I know," Sanghyeok said, pulling him into a brotherly embrace. "I know."
Minseok clung to him, the fabric of Minhyung's scarf dampening his cheek. He knew if he could go back, if he had a single moment to undo the mistake or fully embrace the feelings he'd hidden, he would. Anything… He would do anything to change at least something.
If I had known back then, I would have loved you more
I would have held you more; I regret not doing that
The realization was a sharp, final stab, he hadn't regretted the kiss because it happened, he regretted it because it forced a reality he wasn't prepared for. He missed the ease. He missed the certainty.
I miss us being in love
Back then, back then
Back then, back then
Minseok took a shaky breath and slowly pulled away from Sanghyeok. He wiped his face with the back of his hand, the wool of the scarf brushing his chin.
"I need to wash this," he mumbled, carefully unwrapping the scarf. "I need to give it back."
"Don't," Sanghyeok advised, his eyes kind. "Keep it tonight. Just... rest."
~~~
Minhyung walked quickly, his head down, the noise of the Seoul streets, barely bothering him.
He kept his hands warm into his jacket pockets, the chill wind irrelevant compared to the knot of tension in his chest.
He had meant to be quick, just a handover of the gifts, a check-in. But seeing Minseok, even tear-stained and slightly guarded, had instantly dismantled the professional mask he wore on stage. And the look in Sanghyeok's eyes had confirmed everything: Minseok was still suffering.
Minhyung felt a sudden wave of guilt.
He hadn't intended to hurt Minseok. He hadn't intended to change their relationship. The kiss, that impulsive, stupid decision after a championship party, had been a boundary crossed in a moment of overwhelming shared euphoria and exhaustion. He immediately regretted the awkwardness it caused, but he hadn't regretted the feeling it sparked.
What followed, though, wasn't a breakup in the traditional sense. It was a cold rejection, with Minseok retreating instantly, making the decision for both of them that the team, their careers, and their friendship were too important to risk on something confusing and ambiguous.
Minhyung had then decided to leave the team shortly thereafter. He’d accepted the contract elsewhere, thinking the constant proximity was making Minseok miserable.
I only finally realized it after we broke up
Things were so good, we were so beautiful
We weren't even dating, Minhyung thought bitterly, kicking a stray pebble. We just stopped being what we were. And they were, inseparable, flawless, perfectly matched duo, and that had been something far more beautiful and far more important than any brief romance could have been.
He pulled his phone out and checked the weather. It was cold. He remembered Minseok’s slight shiver when he saw him. That was why he’d wrapped the scarf, his favorite, the one he'd worn for months. It was an involuntary act, a habit ingrained over years of shared life.
If I had known back then, I would have loved you more
I would have held you more; I regret not doing that
Minhyung pressed his head back against the wall of the subway station. This was his pain, the realization that the silent and ambiguous love they shared, the kind that manifested in shared comfort, synchronized gameplay, and constant presence, was the best love he had ever known and he believed he would ever feel.
He had been too afraid of destroying the duo, too afraid of scaring Minseok off with bigger words.
Now you have nothing, a voice in his head taunted. The duo is gone anyway.
He imagined Minseok back at the headquarters, maybe crying, maybe just staring at the penguin plushie.
I miss us being in love
Minhyung scoffed, running a hand through his hair. They were never "in love." They were just them.
Tonight, sitting across the stage, looking into Minseok's familiar, strained smile. He'd used the nickname, "Minseokie," precisely because he knew it would break through Minseok's professional shield, just for a moment. He needed to know the connection was still there.
You already know, too, don’t you,
that we’ve come so far we can’t go back
He sighed, he knew the truth. They were too far apart now, both geographically and emotionally.
Their current roles as rivals were the only connection left. The attempt to become anything more than friends had failed, and now, even friendship was impossible because of what he did.
Minhyung concluded. He wouldn't show up again. Not until he could look at Minseok and feel nothing but professional rivalry.
But when would that day come? Because deep in him, he knew, that past, that day was the most beautiful.