Station 553 | Taegyu & Heehoon

TW: references death

Heeseung spotted Soobin by a bench in the courtyard in front of the hospital. He kept his distance, waiting for the right moment to introduce himself. They'd been chatting through text for weeks but hadn't seen each other in person until now. He was sorry to say it was Yeonjun's death that finally pushed them to meet.

A small child ran from Soobin's arms, dashing towards a doctor standing by a pair of glass double doors. A minute later, Soobin stood up, walking towards Heeseung. The child and the doctor watched him for a moment before disappearing into the hospital, hand-in-hand.

Before Soobin even made it to Heeseung, tears were brimming in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but only a tiny squeak came out. He lowered his head, ashamed.

Heeseung pursed his lips, reaching out to comfort the crying boy. "Hey..."

Soobin buried himself in Heeseung's arms, tears flowing freely down his cheeks now.

"He's gone. He's gone, Heeseung, I-" Soobin's voice cracked as he sniffled into Heeseung's shoulder. "Yeonjun's gone."

"I know," Heeseung murmured, holding the older boy tight. "I know."

Soobin took a few gulping deep breaths before pulling away, covering his face as he cried into his hands. "Fuck. Fuck. I'm sorry. We didn't even introduce ourselves."

"It's okay," Heeseung quietly laughed, rubbing Soobin's arm.

When the older boy spoke again, he paused frequently, inhaling as if every breath physically pained him. "Can we... Can we please go do your thing now?"

Heeseung anxiously played with his sleeve. "I changed my mind. Sunghoon probably wants to be left alone."

"Please, Heeseung. I can't end today on a goodbye."

The younger boy glanced up before slowly nodding. They walked to the park together, neither having the energy to talk. Heeseung spotted Sunghoon almost immediately. The boy was sitting on a bench overlooking a duck pond, his back to the two newcomers.

Heeseung took a moment to gather his courage before calling out, "Sunghoon?"

The younger boy turned around, sighing before standing up. "Yeah. Why'd you text?"

Heeseung left Soobin, cautiously approaching the bench. Sunghoon had changed a lot in the months they'd been apart. He'd dyed his hair blonde and had gained muscle in his biceps and his legs. One thing stayed the same, though. Hugging him felt like coming home. Heeseung almost broke down into sobs when Sunghoon wrapped his arms around him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, fighting to keep his voice steady. "I'm so sorry, Hoon."

"I know," Sunghoon sighed, cradling Heeseung's head. "I know you are."

He kissed the side of Heeseung's head, eyes fluttering shut as he breathed, "Fuck. I missed you."

Their embrace lasted in silence, heartbeats synching as they held what had been lost close to their chest. Heeseung hadn't expected Sunghoon to cry, but the quiet sniffling in his ear proved him wrong.

"I love you," Heeseung mumbled as they finally pulled apart. "I love you so much and I didn't treat you right and I'm so sorry. If you'd give me one more chance-"

"You had so many chances, Heeseung." Hurt flashed in Sunghoon's eyes. "You threw me aside in all of them."

"I know."

"I deserved better."

"I know."

"I still need some time to forgive you."

"Okay."

Sunghoon pursed his lips. "Is that all you're going to say?"

Heeseung quickly shook his head. "No, I-"

He reached into his pocket, handing Sunghoon a set of neatly folded papers. "I've never been good at speaking my feelings. I'm really sorry for that."

Sunghoon took the papers with delicate hands. Recognition flickered in his gaze and he looked up, shocked. "Heeseung...?"

The older boy bowed his head. "I'm a disaster without you, Park Sunghoon. But it's unfair of me to ask any more of you. So if... if you still want a divorce, I'll set you free. You can give that to your lawyer and make it official."

He took a deep breath. "But I really don't want you to. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to kiss you, I want to hug you, I want to be yours and only yours. If you'll have me, Sunghoon, I want to keep being your husband. Please."

Sunghoon gently cupped the back of Heeseung's head, guiding him closer. He said nothing. Heeseung rested his forehead on Sunghoon's shoulder.

"Please," he whispered again. "I love you. I need you. I want you."

"921 Hollow Creek."

"What?"

"921 Hollow Creek Road, it's just off main street. Be there tomorrow at six. I have a lot of stuff."

Heeseung's face lit up. "Six in the morning or six in the evening?"

Sunghoon lightly smiled as he tore up the divorce papers. "You decide."

"Can I just stay with you tonight?"

"Nope. I have a few roommates and we have a strict visitor policy to reduce drama." He playfully tapped Heeseung's shoulder. "No sleepovers with exes."

Heeseung giggled. "Then you stay at my place."

Sunghoon wrinkled his nose. "It's a pigsty, I'd imagine without me."

"Possibly," Heeseung mumbled in defeat. "I'll see you tomorrow at six then. Six in the morning."

"I didn't say I wouldn't come with you." Sunghoon took the older boy's hand. "I love you too, Heeseung."

"Yay," a quiet voice cheered in the distance.

Sunghoon spun around, alarmed. "Who was that?"

"Me." Soobin plopped down into the grass, miserably hiding his face in his arms.

Sunghoon stared at him, bewildered. "Um...? Do you know that person?"

Heeseung gently smiled, taking Sunghoon's arm. "Yeah. Come on. I want to introduce you to someone."