It Ends With a Text (Sequal to It Began With a Text)

By Chance

 So the new SKZ release, "Goodbye", is ruining my life, how are you guys doing :)

     An idea was forming in Minho's head.

     Well, it wasn't really an idea, he wasn't one for plans. It was more accurate to call it a wish, a fantasy, an impossibility. Still, it stuck to his brain and refused to let go.

     So he went for a walk.

     That was his life these days. Mundane moments. Walks, coffee, friends (acquaintances? classmates?), the thoughts that were mosquitos in his head.

     Fixing people. I can fix this.

     His walk was extra long today. It took him to a street he knew really well, but didn't really go anymore.

     Bubble tea. A cat cafe. An arcade. A wide open field where kids played, vendors made their due, and best friends reunited.

     Minho wondered if this was where he would find him again.

     A passerby bumped into him so hard, he almost stumbled onto the open road.

     "Oh, sorry!" The person turned to look back at him.

     Shock almost pushed him back again, but all Minho could do was smile.

     "Changbin, long time no see."

     Changbin was robbed of words. His eyes blinked several times, body frozen, like he had seen a ghost. It was pretty accurate.

     "You going anywhere?" Minho didn't wait for an answer. "Why don't we get coffee?"

     Fix. Fix. Fix.

     Black coffee. Not a particular bitterness Minho wanted for a chance meeting, but Changbin ordered it without hesitation.

     "I'm sorry," he said, after taking a sip.

     "Hmm?" Minho had taken to the habit of adding sugar to his coffee and was mid-pour.

     "Well, I know you're just going to ask me how I've been doing, and we're going to make awkward small talk before one of us eventually confronts the elephant in the room, if we ever do, so I'll just go ahead and say it. I'm really sorry. I never reached out to you after Han... went missing. I disappeared, just like everyone else. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for you. And yet, I did what I swore I would never do again. Knowing someone is in trouble, and choosing to run away."

     "... why did you?" Minho hadn't planned to bring it up. Changed Minho held no grudges from the past. But maybe... there were still some things his past self was owed.

     When Minho had gotten that Amber Alert... he finally understood what it had been like for Han when he had seen his name in that newspaper. And when the world was spinning out of control, Minho remained in contact with the only person who had reached out and stilled it, just for enough time.

     "I... needed you guys, back then. Not just Seungmin. I needed to know Han wasn't the only one who had left. That's the truth."

     Changbin looked at him curiously, before, strangely, smiling. "Thank you for telling me that, Minho. I really appreciate it." He looked down at his untouched coffee. "I... wish I could tell you. I was going through a lot, but that probably just sounds like an excuse to you. But please believe that I would have only ever had a good reason for never being able to look at that group chat again."

     "You didn't need to go to the group chat. You could have come to me." Minho knew his voice was sounding whiny. But with these words, he was being set free. "Forget the group chat, we're friends. At least... I would like to be again."

     At that, Changbin smiled. "Minho, you've changed."

     "I know I have," Minho said, trying his best to sound casual, choking down the saliva in his throat. "And I want us to change too. Is there any chance you can leave the past behind? If I can find the others, maybe they will too."

     I want to fix this.

     Changbin finally took a sip of his coffee. He stayed silent, not thinking, if his blank look into the cup said anything. Then, he sighed.

     "I can't."

     "Why not?" Minho was calm. Minho knew this wasn't the end.

     Changbin got to his feet. "I have to get back. I have a job interview and exams coming up. But... I'd like to catch up sometime. I'll give you a text. And to make up for the shitty friend I've been, I will tell you why, at least a little bit."

     "It's because I don't think I can speak to Jeongin again."

     Minho had no words, no matter how much he tried. He watched Changbin head towards the exit. He turned back just to say, "How about this Friday? My treat, so I can slowly start making it up to you."

     Then, he was gone.

     And Minho couldn't blame him. Changbin wasn't the only one with secrets that were stuck in time, no matter how many years passed.

     This wasn't going to be easy.

     Changbin had definitely heard way too many horror stories from Minho about his near run-in with death in an alleyway, because he recognized this too well.

     His steps were sluggish, the world rippling in front his eyes. Too tired to even power through, he slumped against the wall and fought for an explanation.

     The coffee. A single sip was churning in his stomach and ravaging his senses.

     Something in the coffee. But how!?

     Changbin already knew the answer, but before he could truly process it, a shadow descended upon him. The drug, however little of it, at least numbed the pain, wherever it was coming from.

     Passing out felt like falling asleep.

     He woke up with a pounding head, skin tender to the touch, and a new text message.

Unknown:

Did you see how close I was?