Our Paths

Prologue

Jeon Wonwoo, a final-year university student, is currently shifting on his car seat. He's nervous because he's aware that the answer that he'll get in his destiny later is most likely not the answer that he and his boyfriend, Kim Mingyu, seek.

Mingyu, who senses the uneasiness that his lover feels, places his hand on Wonwoo's left hand which holds the steering wheel.

"Hey, it's okay, love. We're in this together, right?"

Wonwoo smiles. "Right. It's just that..., welp, maybe I just lack sleep."

"Should we turn on the radio? You cannot get sleepy, geez. Drive safely, Mr. Driver."

Mingyu smiles, then proceeds to turn on the radio.

... the stars glow above?

Don't they know it's the end of the world?

It ended when I lost your love

"Uh..., Gyu? Switch the channel, please. Sure we love to sing this song, but the timing is a bit...."

"I know." Mingyu looks for another channel. "But you know that I'm gonna stay here no matter what, right?"

"Even... if my parents disown me?"

"Well, I really hope that they won't, but even if they do, that's the more reason for me to hold you tighter. I'm so not gonna leave your side, love. Us, against the world, remember?"

"Us against the world, yeah...."

***

In Jeon's Family Household

An old lady stands up from her seat. "If that's all that you want to say, then you can go for now. Try again some other time."

Wonwoo stands up and goes to the lady's direction, reaching out for her hand. "But why, mom?"

The woman lets go of Wonwoo's hand, then proceeds to cross both arms in front of her chest, scanning Mingyu from head to toe.

Mingyu unconsciously holds his breath.

"He doesn't look like he's taking you seriously. He gives off some unloyal vibe."

"Mom! You haven't even known him. You can't just judge him based on his looks. He's not like that."

"Did you hear yourself just now? That's what I'm saying. I don't know him enough to trust him with you. And I said try again later, didn't I? Let's see first just how serious he is with you, Wonwoo."

Wonwoo's father, who hasn't opened up his mouth since earlier, finally speaks up. "Wonwoo, it's not like we said no, okay? We just want to take our time in getting to know him better, talking with his family—"

"He doesn't have any family."

"See, honey? This is exactly what we meant. We haven't known him much, so how could you expect us to give our blessings to a stranger?" Wonwoo's father sighs. "If you're here to introduce him to us, then okay. But to suddenly announce that you're getting married? No, honey. Let's wait at least until you graduate."

"For God's sake! I'm an adult already. Why can't you trust my choice?"

"You both are still so young. And you said he's younger than you. Wonwoo, we just want you guys to enjoy more of your youth so that you won't have any regrets later on," Wonwoo's father tries to make Wonwoo understand his point.

Mingyu goes to Wonwoo's side and whispers, "Won, maybe we do need to take our time after all? Let's just apologize for now, and return some other time?"

Wonwoo brushes off Mingyu's hand.

"No. I want their answer now. Enough that up till now, they always question my choices, doubting every move that I make. I'm not a ten-year-old boy anymore, so they need to trust my decision."

"If...," Wonwoo's mother starts, her voice is so much more stern compared to before, "you also don't respect your parents' words, then go. If you want to be free, then let's say I've never had any sons."

Mingyu starts to feel guilty. "Wait! I'm— I'm so sorry for causing so much ruckus. We just came here to ask for blessings, I didn't expect that—"

"Stop, Mingyu. Let's get out of here."

Wonwoo drags Mingyu to the door.

"Wonwoo!" Wonwoo's father tries to stop his son from leaving, but Wonwoo won't listen, and so he shouts, "If you have calmed down, let's talk again."

Wonwoo's mother goes to the door, and shouts too, "You're not going back here even if you beg for it."

Wonwoo stops for a second. He takes a deep breath, but he doesn't turn back, instead, he walks faster, still dragging Mingyu, to their car which is parked quite far from Wonwoo's house.

When Mingyu and Wonwoo have sat in the car, Mingyu starts, "Won..., what on earth just happened?"

Wonwoo just shrugs. He seems like he doesn't care although his eyes give out the messiness in his head right now.

"It felt so ridiculous and unreal. I hope that you'd consider—"

"Mingyu, you do love me, right?"

"Well, yes, of course, love. I feel like I could risk everything just to be with you, but not your family's bond."

"No, I'm okay. I just don't want to experience some stupid shit like having to lose the love of my life because of my family's rejection." Wonwoo sighs. "And that's the end of this matter's discussion. We're going home."

"Should I drive instead?"

"No, baby. Your job is just to entertain me. Singing, maybe?" Wonwoo raises his eyebrows. "Or... do you want to give me some fellatio along the ride?" He smirks, then laughs when Mingyu's face shows as if the younger just heard some ridiculous shit, which he actually did.

Wonwoo cups Mingyu's head, then steals a quick kiss from the younger.

After that, Wonwoo starts the engine, and drives them past some lonely streets.

The path that they take now is just the beginning of their journey.