Sixteen-year-old Namjoon stood near the place which has been serving as their secret meeting place for many years . It's been eight years since they became friends. And yet, every single time Namjoon saw the pretty boy run towards him, he couldn't fight the smile that spread on his face. Every single time Seokjin smiled at him, his heart skipped a beat. Every single time when he pulled him in for a hug or leant up to press a kiss on his cheek, he could not stop the pink hue spreading on them.
Frankly speaking Namjoon was never the one who showed emotions freely. He wasn't closed off like his father but not exactly open like his mother. Always had his guard up. But when him and Seokjin were alone he let his guard down. There was something about the boy that made warmth spread in his chest when he smiled and acted cute. Being around Seokjin just made him feel different. He did not understand what it was yet. But he felt different around him. That was for sure.
In his eyes Seokjin still remained as the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He looked so fragile, so gentle that Namjoon couldn't help but condemn anything that dared to hurt him and brought tears of pain in his eyes. Currently he was waiting for Seokjin at their hideout(as they liked to call it) for their usual meeting. It was taking longer than usual for Seokjin to show up which was making Namjoon jittery. He shouldn't be so nervous, yet he just couldn't help it. Everything about Seokjin brought him to an edge. A part of him nagged him to go ask Minji why he was late.
Not many people knew about Seokjin's and his secret friendship. Minji and her brother, Jimin knew about it because not only that they were their friends but also because their father was the medic who's shop had to be crossed in order to reach the route which led to their hideout. Only Jin's younger brother Jungkook who he had come to adore and treated him like his own little brother knew the way there actually. Jungkook even came to hang out with them once in a while.
He had refrained from telling all his friends about it as many of them were snobs from other wealthy families and unnecessarily tattled about other people's business. His closest friend, Hoseok and his cousin Taehyung knew about it. The moment they met, Taehyung and Jin seemed to click, thanks to Taehyung's humor and charming attitude.
"Joonie!", the familiar honey voice called out to him, making him sign in relief as he turned around to face him with a smile. "I'm sorry I'm late. Something....happened."
Seokjin smiled at him but Namjoon immediately noticed that something was wrong. It was a half-hearted smile. His eyes did not have the familiar crinkle and his cheeks did not go up like they usually did.
"Hey...you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright", he answered with a smile although Seokjin knew there was no use trying to hide his sadness as Namjoon would figure it out sooner or later.
"Seokjin tell me what's wrong."
"It's nothing Namjoon-ah don't bother thinking about it. Tell me, how was your day?"
That confirmed Namjoon's suspicion that something was definitely wrong and it was serious. It seemed to have affected Seokjin a lot which concerned Namjoon. "You know there is no point in diverting the topic as I'm not going to let is pass just like that. What happened?"
"I'm telling you there's nothing wrong Namjoon why don't you understand?! I'm okay and that's it", Seokjin burst out startling him. He caught hold of Seokjin's arms. "Tell me what's wrong Seokjin-ah", he pressed pulling Jin into an embrace.
Seokjin signed as he buried his head in Namjoon's neck, taking in his faint but calming scent. " I'm leaving for Busan Kingdom in a few days. My uncle lives there. All I know is that we won't be coming back anytime soon. Appa says we'll be back only after I, Seokjung hyung and Kookie present. I think I won't be able to return until hyung finishes with his studies. He plans to continue his studies there". Namjoon did not reply, just tightened his arms around him.
They stayed like that for a while, holding tightly on to each other. Seokjin reluctantly pulled away so that he could look at the taller. His face was cupped by two large hands as a pair of dark brown eyes looked into his. " Do you have to go?", Namjoon questioned although he already knew the answer. Seokjin could already sense the sadness in the his voice and eyes, much like his own.
Seokjin's expression turned sour at that. "I tried to convince Appa to let me stay, but you know how he is. He would not pay attention to me, much less giving a thought to my pleads. Jungkook is sad too. Honestly, Hyung is the only one who is happy about it. It was his request in the first place, and being Appa's favorite he got what he wished for, as always. Eomma did not want all of us to go, but even she was turned down."
"How long do I have to wait until you return Jinnie?".
Seokjin opened and closed his mouth trying to come up with an answer which would soften its blow. Before Seokjin could even answer him, Namjoon felt a sense of dread taking over his heart. Seokjin seemed to be struggling to come up with an answer which made it clear that he would be gone for a long time.
When he finally had the courage, Seokjin took a deep breath in and replied, "At least six to seven years Joonie". The silence which followed the revelation was deafening. He held Namjoon's hands tightly in his, rubbing over them soothingly, trying to calm him down, just the way Namjoon liked him to do when he was nervous or sad.
"S-Seven years!! I won't see you for seven years! Why do you have to be gone for so long Seokjin-ah?" He couldn't wrap his head around Seokjin's revelation. Seven years? How was he going to get through them without seeing him? Since the day they met for the first time, Namjoon had been meeting him at least thrice a week, if not more.
They had become comfortable in each others' presence to the point that it made it difficult for both of them to stay away from each other for a long time. They had become each others safe space. Someone who would listen to them without judging. Someone who understood them in a way others could not. They shared their secrets as kids, joked around, revealed their thoughts on different scenarios and situations in life, had deep and meaningful conversations on topics that were honestly, beyond their understanding at such a young age.
Sometimes they just sat in a comfortable silence by the pond near their hideout, basking in the sunlight, admiring the beauty of nature surrounding them and appreciating the presence of the person sitting beside them. When times got hard for either of them, the other was always there. To assure them that they were not alone. A gentle pat on the back and a warm hug may seem of little significance to other people but, only the one who is going through a hard time would understand that even these small things matter a lot. Especially when it came from a person who genuinely cares about you.
Of course they fought once in a while too but it had made their friendship stronger and their bond deeper. Unknown to them, a foreign feeling had blossomed in their hearts, which they were either ignorant of, or refused to acknowledge it. The jealousy of seeing the other having a good time or being too close with someone else, the subtle touches and the gentle but shy smiles that followed them, the carefree laughter and smiling in each others presence, the blushed cheeks had to mean something after all.
Their friends had noticed this too.
Often Hoseok and Taehyung when alone with Namjoon had teasingly asked him about Seokjin. They did not fail to notice the immediate smile that followed the latter's name nor the loving way in which Namjoon gazed at Seokjin. They did confront Namjoon about it but he had dismissed it merely as strong friendship bond and nothing more than that. When they tried to tease him about it, Namjoon countered mentioning Jimin and Yoongi's names. That shut them both up.
"Joon-ah", the honey voice called out to him again. He looked up to see tears brimming in Seokjin's eyes. Namjoon wasn't the only one who was upset. Seokjin was hurting too. Even he did not want to go but, he had no choice. They had no choice but to stay away and wait for the time when they would be reunited again.
"I will miss you too Namjoon-ah. So much. And believe me when I say this that I won't forget you. You've always had a special place in my heart and you always will so please, understand". Seokjin then gently kissed Namjoon's palms and met his troubled gaze. "Will you wait for me? I know it is a long time but will you?"
Seokjin had his cheeks puffed out, lips forming in a cute pout, teary eyes looking at Namjoon expectantly, waiting for an answer. Namjoon smiled at that and pulled him in for another hug. Holding him tightly Seokjin let himself enjoy it. Basking in the warmth that he would soon be leaving for a long time. He reluctantly let go of the hug hoping to finally receive his answer. Namjoon then gently cupped his face and pulled him close. "I will. I will wait for you Seokjin. No matter how long it takes for you to come. I will be right here waiting for you to come back. Even if it takes forever" he whispered, mustering a tight lipped smile.
Seokjin looked up at him with fond eyes. The sadness of leaving Namjoon was present but, the fog of worries that had lingered at the back of his mind had cleared completely. Namjoon would wait for him. Their friendship would not be broken. So he leant up and placed a peck on his cheek, giggling when Namjoon proceeded to bop their noses and kiss his forehead. As the time to leave came closer the fear grew in their hearts. Tomorrow was their last day together after which they wouldn't be meeting for a long time.
XXX
The next day passed by in a blur. Seokjin smiled to himself as he felt the crescent moon pendant that hung by the silver chain around his neck. Earlier that day Namjoon had gifted him the beautiful pendant while they had gone for a walk in the woods. He smiled as he remembered Namjoon calling him his moon while helping him put on the necklace and the kiss on his cheek that had followed which had left him blushing and giggling.
They spent the whole day together. Seokjin did not have to worry about his mother finding out as he had told her that he was going to be with Jimin whom he already met yesterday and plus, Jungkook was covering for him incase his mother got suspicious about his whereabouts.
Jungkook had paid them a visit after they came back from the woods. He had almost cried while parting ways from Namjoon. Namjoon had been Jungkook's role model for a long time. Jungkook admired him for his strength, his intelligence and his ability to stay calm at the moment of adversity. He adored him just the way he loved his Seokjinnie Hyung. Seokjin was dear to him in infinite ways. In his eyes, Namjoon hyung was the embodiment of intelligence and bravery and Seokjinnie hyung was comfort and warmth.
Their meeting had ended with a final long hug and a promise to meet on Chuseok by their lake after seven years. "I'm going to meet him again soon", Seokjin told himself with a small sad smile. Until then he must look after himself and Jungkook.
Sitting in the carriage that had just left town, he reminisced his tender moments with Namjoon. The falling rain somehow represented his mood. Falling to hit the ground only to rise up again with hope. "Farewell, Kim Namjoon. Until the day we meet again, remember me".
XXX
The moment Seokjin and Jungkook were out of his sight Namjoon had let his tears fall. His best friend, his comfort, his warmth, his Seokjin had left him for seven years. " Even though we may have parted now, I'm sure that we will meet in the future, Kim Seokjin", he thought as he stared at the path which Seokjin and Jungkook had taken to leave.
They had separated now. But fate... fate, is a beautiful thing. And it was their fate to meet once more because there still were some chapters left to go in their story.
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