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Who would’ve thought living under the same roof as your lover will be so peaceful like yes! We’re living that life together.
Jeongin is whipped for his boyfriend, Seungmin. Though a year older than him, both now in their final year of their college, being together for almost 2 years now… Yeah they were that much in love. They ended up becoming batchmates in college since Seungmin had to take a gap year for personal reasons. But now it was all resolved and he also had a loving boyfriend to look after him. What could possibly go wrong right?
Sirens blaring loudly from here and there on the highway, no one could tell the direction. In the car lay two bodies dangling upside down, blood dripping, no response.
An accident took place when Jeongin and Seungmin were on their way to Busan to meet Jeongin’s parents. It was going to be a special day since both their parents came to know about their relationship and were overjoyed, happy that their sons found the one, they love.
They were on their way when it started to snow. First snow of the season, just perfect for December. It wasn’t quite much but still made the roads slippery. Just at the entrance of the tunnel a truck came sliding across their way. “Hyung!!! The steering THE STEERING!! TURN IT TUR- ” “Crash! Tires screeching”, the collided car sliding along with the heavy mobile. It was as if the car got completely crushed by the weight, turning and flipping over. It would be a miracle if anyone manages to survive. Turns out the truck driver couldn’t control the wheel as the breaks gave up on entering the slippery road.
Firemen, Policemen and the Paramedics reached the site after receiving a report of the incident. The bodies were taken out of the vehicles carefully, checking for their pulses.
“Two males, likely in their 20s, low BP, one with deep concussion other no pulse. Quick!! Get the stretchers ready!!” “Stat!! Starting compressions,” said the paramedic’s staff.
“Epinephrine, one milligram, IV push.” The body's skin pale, lips tinged blue. A faint smell of antiseptic mixed with the metallic tang of blood. The monitor’s flat line mocked them, a thin green thread of silence. “We have to reach the hospital before its too late.”
On the way to the hospital, one all bloodied red, other barely alive. The tension in the air hung thick because even a second delay could cost a life.
In the hospital Jeongin opens his eyes, all the unfamiliar ceiling, strong antiseptic smells. Yeah…. he was alive, barely able to move, body all painful probably from the high impact. He rose up from his bed to see a figure by the room’s door. “Jeongin-ah, be careful. I’ll call the doctor, just stay put.” The nurse came check his condition, asked a few questions then went back. There were people outside the room. His memory was hazy as to what happened suddenly he remembers…. The important part of his life was missing. He suddenly jerked off of the bed then slumped down as his knees gave up, weak from the anesthesia and being in bed for six days.
“Hey, hey, hey. I told you to stay put right?” The same voice from before, he lifts his head up to see who this voice belonged to. “Ah. It’s Minho Hyung” he thought to himself. Minho, his sunbae from college and an alumnus. Soon he sees more figures entering the room. Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Yongbok and his family. Since crowding the room was not allowed they all waited outside taking turns, assessing the situation he was in. He calmed down a bit but that feeling soon gone as he panicked again and started asking for Seungmin. His Seungmin.
Their worried faces had told something which only made his already aching head throb more….
A voice came, “Shhhh everything’s fine. Seungminnie is fine he is in the other room waiting for you”, that voice was Chan’s. Though he was also their senior and alumnus he was also like his older brother, who was always there when things got escalated between Seungmin and Jeongin. The older acting as a bridge always helped them both come together and resolve things calmly.
Hearing the whole story Jeongin started sobbing, memories of the crash kept rushing in & tears started spilling as quickly as his desperate whimpers for his lover escape his mouth. He missed him. He wanted to see him, right now. He wanted to see it with his own eyes whether his lover was okay or not.
With the help of the others, he got up and went to see in the other room where Seungmin was waiting for him. “I was waiting for you dumbo. What took you so long to wake up huh?”, and with those puffy red eyes full of tears and the devastatingly adorable smile he went and hugged the one waiting for it. “I’m here. I’m here now. Sorry I made you wait”, said the younger. “Nuh-uh, I almost thought you wanted an early ticket. Now you’ll have to pay for making me wait and sad”, As the younger kisses Seungmin with soft whines, He hugs him tightly in his embrace while the others watched this with tears in their eyes, relieved that they were safe.
After a few weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, both Jeongin and Seungmin were discharged. Seungmin taking a week longer than Jeongin because of the deep concussion. They were finally back home. Both their families offered to stay with them for the time being but they refused saying they need more time together alone.
Slowly getting back on track, off the medicines they made plans for each remaining day till their college break is over. Jeongin would try his best to let Seungmin rest more as the doctor said he’d need more of it but Seungmin being the stubborn one, made his way out of this flirting & kisses to which Jeongin was very-very weak.
Jeongin doesn’t know what happened but Seungmin started saying less and less. He was worried, thinking it is because of the concussion since every time he checked, it looked like it was barely healing. Though Seungmin was all smiling at Jeongin like it wasn’t bothering him. So Jeongin let it slide, still being careful taking precautions with the care.
“Hyung why don’t you talk to me? Am I bothering you? Ever since we came back from the hospital, you’re acting strange”, said the younger all enraged since he was done and wanted to have a talk. “Minnie Hyung”, he said holding Seungmin’s hand, “Does it still hurt? Why won’t you tell me anything. You even have the same expression on your face every time I asked…. It’s- It’s making me worried” “Did I do something?” No answer.
“Fine do whatever you want if you can’t even tell how worried I am for you. Or better leave, I don’t want to see your face right now”, with that he went to his room, technically their room. Seungmin kept standing there, looking as the door shut in front of him.
Inside the room Jeongin grumbled to himself and slipped to sleep all tired from the same routine.
Hours passed, Jeongin opened his eyes. There was no sound. It was eerily quiet. He felt strange like there was a heavy stone on his chest. “Hyung”, called the younger in the empty apartment. Silence.
He stepped out of the room, “Hyung. I'm really very sorry. I-I didn’t mean all that I said earlier in the fit of the rage…. really.” Again, no answer.
He rushed out towards the living room, no one. The other room, no one. Even the bathroom, kitchen and the balcony were empty.
“No…”, “He- he won’t leave me, right?”, thought the younger to himself. “He can’t, he never did. He knows I never meant anything in my anger”, he started panicking at the thought of What if he really left? He speed dialed his lover ‘The number you’re trying to call is out of service’. Again ‘The number you’re trying to call is out of service’.
Panic starts to take nest as he rushes out of their apartment trying all the locations where Seungmin might be. The cold winter didn't help the situation either; it only added to the heat in the body rising with panic and concern.
“SEUNGMIN HYUNG!! HYUNG!!! SEUNGMIN!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!!”, He can’t find him anywhere, his throat hurts from all the desperate shouts. His body losing strength slowly, all cold and hot from the wet clothes & cold air. He went back home hoping Seungmin might be back. No. He wished He was back, otherwise what will he do.
Back in the apartment it was still the same as he left it…. The only difference was, it was a lot messy and dirty. Used dishes in the sink, unemptied trash bin, takeout boxes everywhere. It wasn’t like the home he remembered. It was no less than a garbage dump. The sweet vanilla scent from when they lived together was gone…. Not even a trace left. Vases broken, curtains ripped. “Whaa- what happened here?”, Jeongin thought to himself. “Is Seungmin back?” “Hyung are you back?”, again no answer.
He as losing it… losing it completely. What suddenly happened? Just in the morning he was laying with Seungmin, whose smile seemed like the most precious thing in the world as he told Jeongin “Innie, I love you so sooo much. Just remember that” “I’m sorry”
“Wha- Ow”, “W-wait who said that- “, rubbing his temples as his head throbbed.
Unable to keep it in, he cries—cries as if he hasn’t in years. Why was he feeling like that? He felt so empty inside. Like-like he lost a part of himself. Trying to hold himself, he takes out his phone.
The line rings. “Hello?”, “Chan-Channie Hyung…. Minnie... he- hic- he hasn’t come back”, Silence. “I- We had a fight and I-I- told him something horrible…. I don’t know where he went but, he- did he really leave me right?”, Silence yet again and then, “Innie calm down. I know it is very hard for you but please, get some help”,
What was he saying? he thought to himself. “I told you therapy would help you get your mind at ease. But you refuse every time. I care about you Innie, everyone does but we all have our own lives. Do you even know how many times you called me today saying the same thing?” WHAT? “Hyung what are you saying?”
“Innie… Seungmin is dead.”
“….”
....“We held his funeral 3 months ago”
Thunder struck him, “Hyung please stop saying nonsense”, the younger said tone filled with anger, panic and a slight laugh as if he was being pranked. “You should probably stop calling me Innie. I tried to help you but you refuse every time I do. Please get some help, I’m saying this for your own good. Go & live with your parents, It might help. Goodbye Innie”, The line cuts—
“Hyung please shut up-SHUT UP—JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP ALL OF YOU!!!”
“My Hyung, m-my Minnie, he- he can’t be dead please”, Jeongin crouches in the fetal position as he cries, crying louder with each heavy breath, “Minnie Hyung…. please come back” “I’m sorry”
It was early in the morning, sun rays entering through the gaps in the blinds giving the whole room a warm atmosphere. On the bed were two bodies entangled into a wholesome mess. Seungmin’s head all close to Jeongin’s chest as they lay cuddled.
“Morning love”. “Good morning, Innie”, Seungmin said as he nuzzled in his chest. To which in his oh-so enchanting voice Jeongin whispered in Seungmin’s ears “You know right? Today is a special day.” “Mhmm…yeah. I can’t wait to meet your parents, finally. Are you making the breakfast today?” “No. I like it when it has your love in it”. Before heading out of the bed, Jeongin closed the remaining distance between them and landed a soft yet sweet kiss. They kissed like their souls wanted to merge with each other, with every breath & every touch melting into each other.
“Breakfast’s ready come here Innie”. They sat, had their breakfast then headed out to their car. Seungmin was driving.
On their way, “Wow look at the weather. It’s snowing!” “Right, it looks so beautiful, I hope we don’t get traffic ahead”, said Seungmin to Jeongin.
“Innie give me your hand”, “Hyung it’s dangerous, you should focus on the road” “Wow how can you turn your lover down. Lol it was your last offer now I won’t ask you again ha-ha”, to which Jeongin pouted. “Just you wait hyung, I’ll do more than just holding hands when we’re back home”, Seungmin’s ears turn red to the teasing statement.
Just then— “Oh Shit SHIT—JEONGIN!!” “Hyung!!! The steering THE STEERING!! TURN IT TUR-
Before the impact, Seungmin managed to turn the steering towards Jeongin, meaning the car slid sideways with Seungmin closer to the contact point of the impact. His actions clearly meant saving the other. Saving his lover, saving his Jeongin.
Upon opening his eyes, Jeongin saw blood. A whole pool of blood. He was sure they died. Well at least they were barely alive in the condition. Then— He saw him. Seungmin. Blood was dripping off him like it was water. His head was hurt badly. Probabably a concussion... A deep one at that. “Innie…” “Hyung!! How- D-don’t move. I’ll get us out of here I—" “Listen to me you dummy….” He was smiling…. A fragile, knowing smile lingered on his lips, gentle and sorrowful, as life ebbed away. A smile, he'd ever give him so full of love which could last a lifetime.
“Innie, I love you so-soooo much. Just remember that”......“I’m sorry”.
With that he closes his eyes, taking the last breath and a last look at the one he loved the most…
Jeongin unable to say anything as if it was all a nightmare and soon be over, loses his consciousness while he holds Seungmin’s hand one last time. One last time before death did them apart…
Then, he was gone. Though the Ghost of him never left. Forever embedded in Jeongin’s memory, his last words, his last smile……
~The End~