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The winter air in Gimhae was crisp, but Youngjae’s heart was warm. He had spent the afternoon texting Junghwan, swapping jokes and updates about their lives. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, a wave of genuine longing hit him. Texting wasn’t enough.
He hit the call button.
"Hyung!" Youngjae exclaimed as soon as Junghwan picked up. "Youngjae-ya? What’s up? We were just texting," Junghwan laughed, his deep voice sounding a bit sleepy. "I don't know, I just wanted to hear your voice. Gimhae is great, but it’s quiet. What are you doing?"
They talked for an hour. After hanging up, Youngjae’s grandmother, who had been eavesdropping with a smile while peeling apples, spoke up. "If you miss your friend that much, why don't you go see him? You still have a few days of holiday left. Go to Yesan tomorrow!"
Youngjae’s parents, older brother and younger sister all went to Seoul earlier so he just left in Gimhae with his grandmother and some house helpers. He was planning to go to Seoul tomorrow to spend more time with his grandmother but he really can’t sleep at night. He feels like he miss his arm pillow.
His grandmother added because Youngjae just smile and continue cleaning "If you miss him that much, why stay here moping? Pack some bags and head to Yesan tomorrow.“ She gets the mop and lead him to the hallway going to his own room.
January 9,2025
Youngjae wake up at 7 am and still thinking to go to Yesan today or just go back to Seoul. Then, his grandmother knocked on his room and went inside because t is not locked. “I already told to your parents you are going to Yesan first because they might be worried you are still not your dormitory in Seoul now.”
Youngjae just stares because he is still processing everything.
“I already prepared things you can give to Junghwanie’s family.” His grandmother said and left his room.
Youngjae get his phone and called Junghwan. His hyung is still asleep that is why he sounds drowsy. “Jae ah, why?” He said softly.
“Hyung, do you have any plans today?”
“No, I’ll just stay here at home. I’m gonna play games.”
“Can I perhaps go there?”
“Of course” Junghwan said immediately without much processing what Youngjae have said but reality hits him because he knew that Youngjae can’t pass through to Yesan if he will go to Seoul. It is gonna be a long detour. “Wait what is it again?”
“I’m going there now. As in right now! In Yesan. I want to meet Dalgi personally and my grandmother prepared some gifts for your family.” He stopped for a while and said in soft voice that it is like a whisper “And I miss you, hyung”
“I miss you too but you will get tired”
“No hyung. So I’m going there ha! I’m about to go to the train station now”
“Okay Okay. Stay safe and call me or text me if you are near. I’m going to pick you up.”
“Okay hyung. See you!”
When he stepped off the train, Junghwan was already there, waving frantically.
"You actually came!" Junghwan laughed, pulling him into a brief, tight hug before helping with the heavy bags. "My sisters are going to lose their minds. They’re home from Seoul for the holiday. When I told them, you are going they arrange the house. My mother is now busy cooking meals for you."
Youngjae gets shy said “You guys don’t have to bothered of me going here. I just want to meet Dalgi that’s all and thank your parents.” He gets guilty because he thought he should have said earlier that he was going.
“That is how we are going to welcome you. It is alright.”
Junghwan lead Youngjae to the car. “You drove, hyung” Youngjae thought his Junghwan hyung is great at driving but in games only.
“Of course. I even borrowed my father’s car just to pick up my princess” He said opened the passenger’s door. He went to the driver’s seat and start the engine.
While Junghwan is driving, Youngjae stares at him where hands on his chin. He look at him lovingly.
“You look so sexy now” He muttered.
His focus is on the road but still replied “Only now? I’m always sexy, Jae- ah”
“Okay! My hyung is always sexy but now you look sexier.”
When they arrived at Shin’s residence, Youngjae was welcomed warmly.
Junghwan’s sisters welcome him excitedly. Our Youngjae is even handsomer in person!" the eldest noona exclaimed, quickly setting the table with an extra feast for lunch. They treated him like royalty, piling his bowl high with food while Junghwan watched, half-amused and half-jealous of the attention.
After the whirlwind of lunch, Youngjae found a quiet moment in the living room. He spent time playing with the family dog, named Dalgi. Youngjae seems comfortable interacting with them. Junghwan’s mother even ask tips about making her laundry more soft. After some talking, they exchange contact numbers without Junghwan knowing. Youngjae have now contact number of the Shin’s family. Junghwan’s father promised him to sent him some herbal medicine which is good for the throat especially Youngjae is a vocalist so he need those.
Later, the two slipped away from the busy house to walk through a nearby park and quiet cafe. Youngjae bid his goodbye to Shin family. They even give him some strawberries and more meals.
They decided to take a stroll. Junghwan led him to a small, well-maintained park nearby. The air was cooler now, carrying the scent of damp earth and late-blooming flowers.
They walked along a winding path, kicking at fallen leaves. The park was quiet, mostly empty save for an elderly couple holding hands on a bench. Youngjae spotted a swing set and, with a sudden burst of childlike energy, ran towards it.
"Come on, Hyung!" he called, already sitting on one of the swings. "Let's race!"
Junghwan chuckled, shaking his head but joining him anyway. They pushed off, soaring higher and higher, the simple joy of it bringing wide smiles to their faces. For a few minutes, they were just two friends, free from responsibilities, laughing with the wind.
After their impromptu swing session, they settled on a bench beneath a large, old tree. The golden hour light filtered through the branches, casting long, dancing shadows on the ground.
"It's been a really good day, Hyung," Youngjae said softly, leaning his head back against the tree trunk. "Thank you for picking me up, and for the lunch, and... everything."
Junghwan nudged his shoulder gently. "Anytime, Youngjae. I just wanted you to have a good time. It’s not often we get to just hang out like this."
“By the way hyung” Youngjae waited to Junghwan to look him in the eye.
“Can we not tell this to them? To the members. I don’t want them to be jealous that I even went to you in holidays even though we are roommates. I don’t know how to explain to them that I went here in Yesan not because to thank your family for take care of us but because I can’t sleep and I miss you”
“Okay I will not tell this to them” Junghwan said and hug Youngjae side. Youngjae lean on his shoulders. They just enjoying the view. They are not talking to each other and just feel the presence of one another.
“Thank you, hyung”
Then after several minutes, Junghwan stand up and extended his hand to Youngjae so they van go to the next destination which is a cafe he chosen.
Youngjae raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as Junghwan pushed open the door to a cafe that immediately washed them in a soft, welcoming glow. The interior was awash in various shades of pink – blush walls, rose-gold accents, and plush velvet chairs that looked like giant macarons. Fresh flowers in delicate pink vases adorned every table, and the aroma of sweet pastries and coffee filled the air.
"Wow," Youngjae breathed, his eyes wide. "You weren't kidding. This is so... cute!" He looked at Junghwan, a playful glint in his eye. "Are you secretly a fan of pink, Hyung?"
Junghwan just chuckled, a faint blush on his own cheeks. "It's popular here! And it just reminded me of you, somehow. Bright and cheerful." He found a cozy corner table by a window, the pink light making Youngjae’s skin glow. For Junghwan, pink is Youngjae color. His beautiful is showing more with pink color things.
They talked for what felt like hours, about their dreams, their anxieties, and the silly things that made them laugh. Youngjae recounted a funny incident with a mischievous cat back in Gimhae who seems like he can umder Him when he speaks Japanese, and Junghwan shared a story about his childhood. The comfortable silence that occasionally settled between them wasn't awkward; it was a testament to the depth of their friendship.
They also took some photos there. Youngjae is so happy he unconsciously posted his picture on Weverse.
Junghwan slowed the car as they approached the station lights, but instead of pulling into the drop-off lane immediately, he pulled over to the curb. He didn't turn off the engine. Instead, he reached across the center console and firmly grasped Youngjae’s hand, lacing their fingers together.
"Youngjae-ya," Junghwan said, his voice dropping an octave, sounding more serious than he had all day. "Don't go tonight."
Youngjae looked over, surprised by the intensity in Junghwan's eyes.
"The house is warm, the noonas are already planning what to make you for breakfast, and I don't want to drive back to an empty room," Junghwan pleaded, his grip tightening just a little. "Stay just one night. My plan changed—I’m going back to Seoul tomorrow afternoon anyway. We could take the same train. We could head back together."
For a moment, Youngjae wavered. The thought of another night of laughter, the cozy pink aesthetic of the day, and Junghwan’s constant presence was incredibly tempting. He looked at their joined hands, feeling the heat from Junghwan’s palm.
"Youngjae-ya," Junghwan said when he parked the car outside of the train station. "Stay. Just for one night, please. Hyungie wants to be with Youngjae tonight."
"I can't, Hyung," Youngjae said softly, his voice full of regret. "I have to be at the studio early tomorrow morning. I promised I’d be there to practice before the others arrive. If I don't go now, I'll miss that early start."Youngjae is going to practice his vocal so he gonna meet their vocal trainers and practice on his own.
Junghwan gripped the steering wheel with his free hand, looking like he was about to put the car in drive and just head straight for Seoul right then and there. "Fine. Then I’m coming with you. I’ll just drive to Seoul now."
Youngjae laughed, reaching out with his other hand to gently cup Junghwan’s face. His palms were warm against Junghwan’s cool skin, grounding him.
"Hyung, look at you," Youngjae teased gently. "You only have your wallet and your father’s car. All your clothes, your laptop, and your bags are still at the house. You can’t just run away to Seoul like this."
Junghwan sighed, leaning his face into Youngjae’s palm, defeated by logic but still loath to let go. He looked like a pouting puppy, making Youngjae’s heart melt.
Youngjae leaned in closer, his gaze softening as he looked at the man who had made his holiday so special. "I’ll wait for you in Seoul, Hyung," he whispered. "It’s only a few more hours of being apart. I'll be waiting for your text tomorrow."
He paused, a shy but certain smile crossing his lips. "Saranghae."
The word hung beautifully in the quiet car. Junghwan froze for a second, his heart thumping against his ribs, before a radiant smile broke across his face. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Youngjae’s for a lingering moment.
"I love you too," Junghwan murmured. "Go. Before I actually lock the car doors and kidnap you back to my house."
“Bye hyung, drive safely.”
January 10, 2025
Youngjae posted a picture of him with a pillow. It means he miss his arm pillow named Shin Junghwan who is still in Yesan at that moment.
At the dining table, Kyungmin who saw his Youngjae who is eating some strawberries. “Hyung, you’re back!” . Youngjae position the strawberries near Kyungmin so that he can get some. “How’s your holiday, hyung?” Youngjae just smiles.