Pushing the force of gusting wind of a winter night, Minho drove past the city in his favourite bike. He had light layers on him, not enough to protect him from the harshness of the night.
But Minho didn't mind. He was someone who loved feeling cold, the sensation of goosebumps spreading throughout his body due to cold.
He turned the engine off as he parked his bike in front a familiar house. Loud music could be heard even from outside.
Minho's best friend, Chan, knew exactly how to make a party enjoyable and even from outside, Minho could feel the positive vibe coming from inside.
It all made his heart swell in nostalgia as a small smile adorned his features.
Without wasting more time away from his friends, Minho made his way inside the house.
The inside was decorated with dim purple lights, a bar area and a spare place for the dancing people. Heavy music filled the air.
As Minho roamed around the house, he noticed quite a few faces here and there, like the juniors he once guided throughout the campus, or the Yeonbin couple he once met at a party.
He didn't reach them nor did any of them notice his presence.
After going about alone for a while, he finally noticed a purple haired guy talking to two other guys, a glass of liquor in his hands.
"Hey," Minho poked at the older guy's shoulder to get his attention which he got right away as the slightly shorter guy moved around.
"He-" Chan couldn't finish his greeting, a loud gasp escaping his mouth as his eyes took in the view of his childhood best friend, that he hadn't seen in the last 2 years.
"Minho!!"
Chan cried out before crashing the younger male in front of him in a bone-crashing hug.
"Chill Chan, you're killing me." Minho let the words slip in between his giggles and fake gags.
Chan released him before firmly gripping both of Minho's hands from the side, silently staring at him as if he was still processing the fact that Lee Minho was actually there in front of him.
"I can't believe my eyes! Changbin, did I drink too much already?" He looked behind to see Changbin's just as astonished face.
"I don't think so, hyung." The shorter let out.
Chan looked forward to stare at Minho's grinning face. So it wasn't a drill. His childhood best friend, Minho, was really there in front of him. He hugged the younger again, this time burying his face in the other's shoulder.
Minho wrapped his arm around the older too.
"Minho! Is that really you?" Chan's voice cracked. "Omg why didn't you tell me you're gonna come back? When did you come back?"
"Today. Calm down, Chan and yeah it is your dorky best friend." Minho chuckled again as he loosened his grip on the older to face him again. "Omg Chan what the hell you crying for!?"
Chan wailed, grabbing onto Minho's arms tighter. "I thought I wouldn't see you ever! You disappeared for so long, not even contacting your best friend anymore!!"
A sigh came from behind as Minho glanced to catch Changbin mumble, "I told this stupid hyung not to drink so much."
Both of them chuckled before dragging Chan to sit on one of the empty couches.
I guess I'll have to catch up with you later.
"Hyung, I'm glad you're back. We've all missed you very much." He smiled at Changbin who was struggling to keep Chan straight.
"I've missed yall too."
"You can look around. I'll take care of him." Changbin pointed towards the now calm Chan.
"Thanks," Minho shot a finger heart towards the younger before heading further into the house.
As he was greeting old classmates and acquaintances, Minho ended up outside where the pool party was being held.
By that time he had found out how everyone was doing well on their own paths, achieving their dreams and all, some in happy relationships and some also married.
It all swelled Minho's heart. He was happy, yet whenever he would look up to capture the winter night, he felt lonely. As if there hadn't been anyone to share happiness with him.
Chan was out, so to actually give his aching heart a bit of peace, he proceeded to take a break from all the people and noise. He walked towards the back of the house, a relatively quieter place.
As he reached the back porch, Minho noticed a figure already sitting on one of the garden benches.
I guess no alone time then.
He was about to leave whoever the guy was as it seemed like they came here to have some peace too, before he heard the light sniffling.
The noise was very meek, but the empty air around them made it very clear to Minho.
Minho frowned, contemplating whether to approach the guy or not. The guy could be drunk and need help. Leaving him there wouldn't be so nice.
Minho slowly approached the male in a dark hoodie from behind. He could hear the guy mumbling something and as he got closer the words he heard last were,
"Is there really nobody to love me for me?"
It sounded like a pleading, a heart- clenching cry for help and the tender voice made Minho's heart ache too.
"Hey.." he reached out and gently placed a hand on the guy's shoulder.
The sudden touch must've gotten him off guard as the latter flinched at the contact, quickly wiping his cheeks before turning his head around.
Minho stared at him for a good few seconds.
A pair of wide eyes stared back at him, the messy soft locks falling on his forehead and lips parted slightly in shock. It was a familiar face that stared back at him.
"M-Minho hyung..?"
Of course the voice pulled in his heartstrings earlier as it had sounded way too familiar. Of course right now, Minho's face was as shocked as the other male's.
"Is that really you, hyung?
"Yes, it's me."
And there it was, a bright shiny smile spreaded across the younger's face, the surging pain in his heart forgotten for the time being.
"Hyung!" He launched himself onto the older, Minho catching the younger just in time to have his arms wrapped around the male's torso securely. His hand went up and down, rubbing on the soft material of the hoodie.
"Seungmin," he whispered near the younger's ears, a stinging pain now being replaced by the fast-beating heart. "Hyung's here."
They sat there in silence, held by each other as though to reminisce the moment of actually having each other so near.
Seungmin slowly pulled away to look into Minho's eyes. He was smiling, no sign of sadness present in those tired eyes.
But the sparkle in his eyes couldn't hide the obvious tear stains marking his cheeks, or the prominent eye bags under his big eyes.
Seungmin looked tired, no, exhausted.
Minho could see through, just like the past times.
After collecting themselves, both of them settled on the concrete bench beside each other.
"Hyung, I had no idea you'd be here," Seungmin started with an exciting tone. "When did you come to Korea? If you had told me, I would have gone to fetch you from the airport."
The big smile portrayed on the younger's face must've been contagious as it brought a beautiful smile on Minho's face as well.
No matter how beautiful that smile might be, I know you're faking it at the moment, Seungmin.
"It's okay, I just came back this morning and wanted to surprise everyone." He replied in a calm tone.
"I see." Looking to the front again, Seungmin voice trailed off. "I'm glad to see you again, hyung."
And Minho knew it was true, just by the way the words slipped through the younger's mouth. But the underlying exhaustion in his tone didn't go unnoticed by him either.
I don't remember leaving you in this shape.
"Seungmin," he paused for the other to look at him before continuing. "What's bothering you?"
The sudden question must've caught him off guard as Minho saw the other breaking eye contact instantly and start fiddling with the loose strings on his clothes.
"What do you mean? Nothing's bothering me haha"
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. But know that I'm here to listen."
Seungmin turned to see Minho's soft gaze on him. "No, it's not that. I-" he let out a deep sigh.
"I don't know where to start.."
"If it makes you feel better, then we actually have all night."
Seungmin chuckled.
"I just," he started again. The tone in his voice losing all the brightness it held a few minutes ago. "I think I'm going to break up with Hyunjin."
And Minho certainly did not expect that.
A/N
2min is here hoes