[FIC] hello stranger o2

[pikasu]

(back to part 1.)

---

Jaejoong still feels guilty when they're back in the hotel. He really doesn't know how Max can be so nice and caring towards the silly, useless him. They sit by the bed and eat the bentos they've just bought. It's all a little awkward, mainly because Jaejoong's sorrows override his guilt, so he doesn't make much effort in conversations apart from a few 'mmms' and 'okays', before he starts to wallow in his sorrow again. He's still really grateful towards Max though, as he takes Jaejoong's shit all in his stride and gives Jaejoong some alone time while he showers.

Jaejoong uses the time rather wisely, or so he feels. He mulls over Max's words from before, about moving on, and then diverts his thoughts back to Jin. He whirls back into the past, where there is a Jin, and then thinks of the present, where there is a Max. Truthfully, he doesn't know why he's bringing Max into this; perhaps it’s his kindness, perhaps it’s of the fact that he's the only source of comfort he has in scary Japan.

When Max returns, Jaejoong heads into the bathroom.

“Towels are on the left,” Max calls out from the room, and Jaejoong barely manages a shaky 'Okay' in reply. Jaejoong showers without the care of whether he's properly soaped himself, and instead spends his time crying for his lost love and wondering if he actually believes in love at first sight.

---

Changmin prepares the sofa bed and is already lying comfortably on it when Hero emerges from the showers. He frowns, and then his eyes widen when he realizes that Changmin's not taking the main bed. Changmin presses a finger to his lips and stares at Hero, refusing to hear any protests, so Hero reluctantly clambers onto the bed and mouths a soft 'thank you' in return.

“Good night,” Changmin whispers softly as he reaches out to switch off the table lamp.

He hears a faint good night from Hero and a shuffling of blankets as he switches off the lights. Changmin takes a moment and lies there in silence, reflecting on the day's events. Certainly, Changmin thinks, it's been one hell of a day. He spots a drunk, sleeping stranger at the lift lobby; soon the stranger becomes the beautiful man he has a crush on and is now Hero, the Hero who is someone like an irreplaceable travel companion. Changmin wonders in amazement at their chemistry, and at how well they've been getting along. He tries not to think about how it’ll be his last day with Hero tomorrow, until he joins his tour group again.

In the midst of his thoughts, he is interrupted by Hero's voice. He stops to listen.

“He - We had dated for five years,” Hero's voice floats towards him, tinged in sadness, such that Changmin could almost feel the tears. Changmin chooses to remain silent, and waits for Hero to gather himself and continue… that is if he wants to.

“I loved him” he whispers. “I loved him so fucking much that it bleeds. But - but he didn't love me as much as I loved him. I - ”

“What happened?” Changmin breathes, and all he hears after is a sharp intake of breath, and then it is silence once again.

“He wanted to take it a step further. I wasn't ready,” Hero mumbles, and chokes a little on his sob. Changmin pauses, and gets up from his bed. He crosses over to Hero's and lies on the other side, before enveloping him into a hug. Hero doesn't expect Changmin's embrace, from the hitch of his breath. Now, he cries even harder, and buries himself in Changmin's chest once again. Changmin strokes his hair, as if it'll help in soothing his emotions. And they lay there once again in silence, with Hero's soft sobs filling the entire room.

Once he regains his composure, Hero still doesn't extract himself from Changmin's arms. Instead, he snuggles closer, and whispers a soft 'thank you' once again. Changmin presses a smile on his mop of chestnut brown hair in return, carrying a silent 'it's okay, it's fine' along with it.

“We were supposed to go - to go on this trip together,” Hero whispers after awhile. “We wanted to celebrate my birthday and Christmas in Japan together.”

“Your birthday?” Changmin asks.

“Yeah,” Changmin feels his nod as his head is still pressing onto his chest. “But I guess, it isn't going to happen now, huh?” he says bitterly.

And Changmin doesn't know what to say. So he hugs him a little tighter and doesn't let go, even when they eventually drift off to sleep.

---

Morning arrives with an unforgiving wail of a siren from the streets. Jaejoong stirs, and notices a still sleeping Max entangled in his arms. He blinks his eyes, once, before noticing that they hurt from the too many tears he had shed last night and then another time to take in his companion's sleeping features. His head throbs a little, as he wriggles out of their embrace while thinking how peaceful the other looks, and how, beautiful he is when he smiles. Jaejoong's heart unconsciously lets out a flutter - he doesn't know why, but it does. And Jaejoong can't help it.

He goes to wash up, and promises that he won't cry anymore; he won't think of Jin and he won't ruin Max's vacation by wallowing in his own sorrow and self-pity. And when he emerges again from the bathroom, he sees Max already up, though the other’s still a little bleary-eyed. They share a small smile, and Jaejoong tries very hard with his to show his thanks. He thinks it is lost on Max though, as he merely saunters into the bathroom to freshen up.

After he's ready and they're done with breakfast, Max drags Jaejoong to the heart of Shinjuku, and they go shopping. They split up for awhile after visiting some shops, because apparently Max needs to get some things that are more 'personal' to him. Jaejoong tries not to feel hurt - they're strangers, and they're certainly not best friends - and instead agrees, also because he doesn't want to ruin anymore of Max's vacation.

Jaejoong strolls idly past the shops, and heads into a souvenir shop to buy a few gifts for Junsu and his family. He randomly grabs a few snow globes and keychains, as well as magnets for his parents and noonas, and takes a longer time to pick out Junsu's gift. Junsu's his best friend after all. And somehow, Jaejoong feels that Junsu's been there more than his family has - they're too far away to care for Jaejoong every minute.

So Jaejoong picks out a huge stuffed dolphin he sees in a gift shop for Junsu. How he's going to bring it back - he'd worry about that later. He pays for the dolphin with a satisfied smirk on his face, and proceeds to find Max at their meeting point.

Max arrives a few minutes later with an assortment of bags and boxes. Jaejoong raises an eyebrow at the sheer mass of things he had bought, but doesn't question further.

“Wow,” Max says in amazement when he sees the huge dolphin. “It's such a huge dolphin.”

Jaejoong shrugs and smiles. “It's for my best friend.” He does not catch the glimpse of annoyance from Max when he mentions his best friend, and so he carries on. “His name's Junsu, and he's a DJ for Seoul.FM.” Jaejoong doesn't know why he bothers to go into such details about Junsu, but then he recalls Max doing the same for his best friend, Yoochun, and so he doesn't think of it any further.

“DJ?” Max asks, a little amazed. Jaejoong smiles, and nods at his reaction.

“Yup. He does a section every Friday night where people call in to talk to him about their love - their love problems,” Jaejoong stumbles at the last few words, but still manages to keep a straight face. I can do this, he thinks, and steadily hardens his heart. “I listen to it every time,” he continues, now with a fond smile on his face as he recalls Junsu's antics and funny jokes on air.

“How nice,” Max says sincerely. “You're a good best friend to have.”

“No, not really,” Jaejoong laughs in embarrassment at Max's remark. “I'm whiny and always depressed. I complain too much to my friends, cling onto them and I - ”

“You're fine,” Max interrupts with a tender smile. “You're already perfect enough.”

And they walk, simmering in a companionable silence. Even after they've reached the next destination, Jaejoong is still blushing from Max's remark.

---

They arrive at Tokyo's Imperial Palace a little after noon. From the breathtaking pictures Max has shown Jaejoong, he's actually pretty excited about it. However, it comes to a disappointment after they've passed the huge bushes that felt as if they were touching the sky and all Jaejoong sees are grey rocks scattering the entire ground and bare trees. Apparently, autumn didn't like them enough to shed its leaves late, and so everything's just really a dull brown and grey. Jaejoong turns his head, just in time to see Max's eyes drooping in disappointment. He feels a little sorry for him, as he feels that he himself is really the main reason why Max’s vacation is pretty much in ruins. So he's determined to at least make this visit a little more enjoyable for Max, and not let the scenery affect their mood.

Jaejoong drags Max to a stone bench when they are deeper inside the grounds, and orders him to stay put. It's time to do what he's good at, Jaejoong thinks, and he walks a distance away, using his feet to trace patterns against the tiny pebbles and soil on the ground. He notices Max's eyes grow in amazement at Jaejoong's actions, and soon they are of wonderment when Jaejoong draws a rather realistic (but nonetheless crude) picture of the both of them. When he is done, he stands a little stupidly at the side while Max stares rather admiringly at the picture. He heads back to the bench a moment later, when Max beckons him over with a grateful smile on his face. Somehow, Jaejoong is reminded of the gingerbread man again as his eyes become mismatched during the smile.

He is dragged to sit down beside Max when he is closer. They turn to face each other, and Max gives Jaejoong a brief hug before he speaks. It's funny, really, Jaejoong thinks, about how he feels so comfortable hugging someone he only met the day before. And somehow, his mind flits back to the thought of falling in love at first sight.

Max shuffles in his seat, a little anxious, and he averts his gaze from Jaejoong. “Um,” he starts. “Well I - I uh, because you mentioned that you were going to celebrate your birthday so I thought - I thought that it's rather close to today and so um,” he fishes out a box from one of the many paper bags he was carrying and hands it nervously to Jaejoong. “Happy birthday,” he says softly, and Jaejoong really doesn't know how he should feel except for surprise with a huge dash of elation.

“Thank you,” Jaejoong whispers, as he takes the gift and hugs it close to his chest, as if he's never going to let it go. He brings Max to a hug again, and this time, he edges a little closer such that their shoulders brush when they pull away and sit next to each other. And Jaejoong's mind returns back to the day where he was at the Rainbow Bridge and how it had been so dull but yet, the couple had requested for a picture to be taken. Now, when he is with Max and even though they are being surrounded by barren trees and a monotonous sea of pebbles, Jaejoong finally understands how they had felt.

Everything's a lot more colourful when you're with someone you truly enjoy being with.

---

They spend the rest of the day sitting on the stone bench (though they did wander to a small cafe to grab some lunch), and they simply talk. Changmin honestly hasn't found anyone (with the exception of Yoochun) that he is able to converse with so effortlessly. Usually, it's him fumbling for the words and trying to find appropriate conversations, especially with their business partners. Now, Changmin feels so free that he merely laughs and teases Hero with every chance he gets, and even tells him a few of his secrets.

Hero reciprocates too, of course, and soon he finds an entire treasure trove of secrets stored safely within his heart, only known to the both of them.

There, Hero tells him more about Jin, and this time he does not cry when he says it. Instead, he says his name with a little affection, as if he's already a thing of the past. Changmin learns about how Jin's ever so beautiful, ever so caring and how Hero would have done everything for him. He learns about how Jin had treated his heart with so much care and love that Hero had never felt a sprinkle of doubt during their relationship at all. It's all really romantic, and amazing, Changmin thinks, at how lovely they had seemed to be, but he guesses that love's never perfect and so that's why it had ended ultimately.

They chat until the sun sets and the trees start to rustle a little ominously. It is only then that they become aware of their surroundings and the biting cold and they decide to head back. Changmin is a little startled at their conversation, at how he had been so enraptured by it that he didn't even notice the changes in their environment. It's funny really, how he has never thought before that such things could happen, and how he once felt that such occurrences are only existing in story books and cheesy romance movies.

They're in neither, and their relationship right now is certainly far from romantic, though some of their actions clearly beg to differ. It is even more so when Hero raises his hand such that the shadow that is cast in front of them is that of a Hero and Changmin with intersecting hands.

“Look,” Hero says excitedly as he stretches his right hand out, and uses the free one to point towards their shadows. “It looks as if we're holding hands.”

Changmin chuckles at his statement, and slightly blushes too. It's true, he thinks. It's as if they're holding hands, like a couple. Like people in love. Like -
Changmin stops himself in the middle of his thoughts and blinks a few times to gather himself. He doesn't know why he had suddenly thought, and played with the idea that they're like a couple. Hero's only someone he's met the day before after all, and certainly, Changmin truly doesn't believe he's able to fall in love in a day. They're friends. Just two people who have met each other in a foreign country and happened to click. That's all.

“Yeah,” Changmin says, and smiles in both amusement and nervousness. He doesn't trust himself to say anything more than that, so they fall into silence once again.

And it is then when Hero huffs and seizes his hand. Now, they are really holding hands. He brings their hands down, and the shadow follows in suit, as if it's chasing after their love. Changmin tries not to yank his hand away as a reflex action - he doesn't want to make Hero feel uncomfortable after all, and Hero's hand against his feels like the warmest thing in this cold. He turns to stare at Hero though, eyes full of questions, because he doesn't know why Hero did that, and Changmin wants to know. He wants to know that this isn't just a game.

Hero is blushing.

Changmin is about to open his mouth to question him when Hero turns to meet his gaze. He shoots Changmin an uneasy smile, and bites his lips, as if he's asking him if it's okay for him to do that. Changmin blinks, and smiles back at him, and they look away to continue walking in silence, with Changmin's hands clasped securely with Hero's, as if they were always meant to be.

Changmin thinks that Hero's probably just in need of some love, and some physical contact, because maybe, Jin's too big a part of him for Hero to conquer alone. So Changmin, being the ever nice and caring Changmin who can't leave people alone, doesn't complain and holds onto his hand even tighter than before. He squeezes it once, and his heart is squeezed too, in a little pain from the fact that it isn't because of love, and also in a little longing.

---

Max brings Jaejoong to the Tokyo tower when the stars are out and Tokyo becomes a patchwork of blinding lights. They go right to the very top - past the main observatories and straight up to the special observatory. Though Jaejoong doesn't know why Max's willing to foot a little extra for this, it is made clear to him when the elevator doors open and he is faced with a panoramic view of Tokyo's skyline.

It's quite hard for him, actually, to continue holding on to Max's hand while lugging around Junsu's present and a few bags. He thinks it's quite hard for Max too, clutching onto him with one hand and holding onto the mass of paper bags with the other. But he thinks it's okay. It's okay for them, or maybe, just for him. Jaejoong doesn't know why, but he likes the way Max clutches onto his hand He likes the way they fit his just right and the way he's holding onto Max's hand as if he's never letting go. Because Jaejoong really doesn't want to let go. So he clings onto Junsu's dolphin a little tighter, heaves it a little higher and they walk out of the elevator together, just like that, without a hint of awkwardness in between the silence.

They head for a free spot, and slip in between two couples. They're a little like one too, Jaejoong notices, from the way their hands interlock and their shoulders brush together and the way he stares at Max like he's the only thing in the world he sees. Jaejoong doesn't know why he's like that, why he is acting as if he's already so much in love with Max, with someone he's only met since yesterday. But he doesn't question it further, as Tokyo at night catches his breath away and takes him past the towering skyscrapers and the constellation of street lamps shining in the distance.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” Max says to him after they share a moment revelling in the beauty of the night lights. Jaejoong turns to face him, and yet again, he is caught by the beauty of the other’s face illuminated by the reds and yellows of the shining lights and how they accentuate every single feature of his face. So it takes him awhile to gather himself and speak lest he spouts out something that he doesn't really want to say to Max, like how he's so beautiful and stunning and how Jaejoong's a little in love with him.

“Yeah,” Jaejoong finally manages, and curses at his own stupidity. Jin briefly flashes in his mind when they face the scenery once again, and Jaejoong trembles then. He doesn't know why Jin suddenly crops up. Perhaps it's the feeling of love that’s thrumming in his veins that awaken his memories, or perhaps he feels that this is a moment where they could've shared but can't now.

He manages to push him away this time though - he thinks it's partly due to Max that he's able to do this. So he doesn't cry, doesn't frown and even smiles, eyes curving happily as he sees the whole Tokyo and all the little buildings, feeling so high up that Jaejoong never wants to go down.

And most of all, he has Max with him. The dolphin and paper bags clamber in between their feet and their shoulders touch too much because of the crowd, but Jaejoong doesn't want this night to end. He tries not to think about how they'll be parting the next day, and how he really doesn't want to go back to the tour group - he doesn't belong there, but he must, because that's the way it unfortunately is.

Finally, when the intercom blares and announces that the tower's closing, they head back to the hotel. Jaejoong's footsteps are much heavier now, filled with unease and dread for tomorrow, but somehow his heart's a little lighter too. Maybe the memory of Jin isn't haunting him anymore. Maybe he's moved on.

Or maybe it's just because he's holding onto Max's hand, and transferring some of his burden across.

---

When they return to the hotel, Changmin drags the table such that it is nearer to the bed and places a cake he's bought on top. This is done when Hero's showering - it's meant to be a surprise after all. He lights up the candles, and is rather excited at the anticipation of Hero's reaction. Changmin is rather pleased when Hero emerges with a look of absolute surprise on his face, before breaking into an ear-splitting grin.

Hero sidles beside Changmin on the bed and literally glomps him, a humongous smile still splayed across his face.

“What's this?” he says teasingly, but from the way he keeps Changmin close to him tells Changmin that he's grateful, and genuinely happy.

Changmin does not reply immediately, and instead turns around to look briefly at the time. He faces Hero then, and smiles. Somehow, the atmosphere changes when the clock strikes 12, and inside, Changmin can see the mini fireworks sprouting from his mind. He extends both of his hands and touches Hero on his cheeks, before bringing him to a hug.

“Merry Christmas,” Changmin whispers to the crook of his ear, and lets the breath of his smile reach Hero before he pulls back.

Hero blinks once, and then he does it again, as if he is startled by their sudden proximity. Changmin blinks too, once, to take in Hero's surprise and features, and then when he blinks again, Hero's lips are on his.

The world flashes pass as Changmin rapidly blinks, his eyes like shutters trying to capture the moment where he is stunned and when he slowly melts into their kiss. Hero's lips feel so soft, Changmin thinks, and how they too fit perfectly with his. Changmin shuts his eyes then, and the world fades to black. And all he feels is their lips and all he hears are their breathing in both bliss and sync.

Somewhere in the middle though, Changmin is reminded about Jin. He is reminded about how Hero has (or is it had?) loved Jin and about how he has never really gotten over him. And then he catches himself in the midst of everything , pulling himself out of their warmth and wills his racing heart to slow down just so he can collect himself. Hero is a little shocked when Changmin pulls away a little too quickly, and Changmin sees from his eyes that Hero is also hurt.

“Why?” Changmin asks softly. Inside, he is trembling, and he tells himself it is not because of anxiety, or anticipation for Hero's answer.

“I - I don't know,” Hero says helplessly, and Changmin is overwhelmed by numbness. He hastily pulls himself further away, and bites his lips in disappointment. He doesn't know why he's disappointed, and doesn't know why his heart feels as if it's grown ten times heavier with the room feeling ten times more stifling and smaller than before.

“Oh,” Changmin finally replies. “Well um,” he continues, and swivels abruptly to the sofa bed. “It's getting late and - ”

“Yeah, it is,” Hero whispers shakily. Changmin refuses to turn around though, for fear of seeing Hero's expression, and also because Changmin doesn't trust himself around Hero anymore. He doesn't know why he feels like this, like it's the end of the world with everything falling apart, and how - how he feels like spending the rest of the night crying. He clambers onto the bed, and tucks himself in. “Good night,” he whispers, and switches the lamp off, as if the darkness would relinquish the awkwardness of the entire situation.

Changmin barely hears a 'good night' from Hero, before he is enveloped by the sounds of tiny sobs. He doesn't know if it's Hero, or himself who’s crying.

When Changmin wakes up the next morning, he is faced with the cake with the candles still on top, the flame now extinguished, and his map of Tokyo missing. Hero is also gone, but he leaves behind a broken heart.

Changmin's broken, disappointed heart.

---

Jaejoong still doesn't know what he's doing here.

He's still sitting at the very last seat carrying nothing but his backpack and his broken heart with him. This time though, he can feel the animousity that everyone's been directing to him, and their behind-glares, all accusing Jaejoong of ruining their vacation. Jaejoong sighs then, and touches his lips as he casts his gaze out to the window. The feeling of Max's lips on his still lingers, and Jaejoong cannot help it but sigh again.

Jaejoong genuinely doesn't know why he kissed Max. He still doesn't. It's probably because of impulse, but sometimes Jaejoong feels that it's more than just that. It's more than just something he felt like doing because Max was beautiful in his eyes and because he was in need of some love ever since Jin's left. But Jaejoong doesn't go any further in his pondering, and decides to just blame the kiss on that.

His eyes cloud a little when he catches the sight of another falling maple. He still isn't content, and he still isn't happy, even though he feels as if he's already moved on from Jin.

Because, Jaejoong thinks, if he's really happy, then why did he cry last night when Max had pulled away?

And then he catches himself then, and a stray thought startles him. He touches his lips again. Once, in reverence, and another, in wonder.

Perhaps, perhaps he's in love?

---

Changmin knows that he only has two days left until his holiday comes to an end, but he really can't be bothered to sightsee anymore. He did try though, attempting to explore a little more of Shinjuku and even took a train down to Ikebukuro just to visit the shopping centers, but somehow everything feels a lot emptier without Hero by his side. So instead, Changmin decides to idle about some of the more popular places that tourists would go. He tells himself that it's just for the sake of being a tourist in Japan, but deep inside, he knows that it's just a sad attempt by him to catch a glimpse of Hero.

He's a little angry with Hero, and disappointed too, as Changmin honestly can't find a reason to which Hero would kiss him. And Changmin honestly doesn't know if he's just being a replacement for Jin, or it's because Hero's just lonely. Changmin knows he's prone to care for people, and thinking about others before himself, but this time, it's a little different. Changmin refuses to become a substitute for Jin. He doesn't know why though, but the mere thought of it simply makes him a lot angrier than before.

Whenever a tour group passes by, Changmin would turn his head, as if he would perhaps spot a mop of chestnut brown hair within the circle and the same familiar pair of eyes. It never happens though, so Changmin always casts his eyes away in disappointment, and tells himself that no, he isn't looking for Hero and he doesn't care about the kiss anymore.

So it comes as a surprise to him when he really does spot Hero when he's at Odaiba, strolling along the streets and waiting for the fireworks that happen every Saturday. A part of him wants to ignore Hero, and carry on walking, but apparently, that part of him isn't large enough to muddle with his judgement, so Changmin starts to approach him.

Hero is stunned to see Changmin, and happy too, from the way his eyes light up. But Changmin can see that it's all a little awkward as well, from the stiffness in their postures when they greet each other, and the fact that there isn't any hug shared between them.

Hero shifts in his footsteps and smiles hesitantly, before he meets Changmin's eyes. He takes a deep breath, and squeezes his eyes shut, as if it would give him courage. Inside, Changmin is trying not to embrace him already, and in his mind, he is replaying their kiss. His heart clenches, and he bites his lips, in a futile attempt to stop his heart from clenching any further.

“I think I love you,” Hero says then, just before Changmin is about to open his mouth and tell him to forget about their kiss and forget about everything they've shared. He is stunned at first, but the feeling soon made way to that of anger and frustration at Hero's confession, even though his heart feels as if it's about to burst in joy.

“You don't,” Changmin says quietly, and ignores the sharp intake of breath Hero takes and the hurt that clouds his eyes. It's true, the practical side of Changmin feels, there's no such thing as falling in love after meeting someone for two days. “We're - we're strangers. We've only met two days ago and hell, we don't even know each other's names yet. How can you love someone like that? How - how do I know that what your feeling isn't temporary, or that I - I'm not a replacement for Jin.” Again, Changmin pointedly ignores the soft 'But-' Hero makes when he mentions Jin, and instead continues. “You - you don't love me, Hero. You can't.”

And it is only then when Changmin lets his tears fall, in resignation over the entire truth of his statement. No one can fall in love after two days. Love, as Changmin believes, is something that takes time to build; it's a little like building blocks, and one wrong placement would lead to the collapse of the entire structure. Hero is significantly surprised at his tears, but says nothing, merely nodding and lets his own fall as well. There, they part, when the fireworks have just begun to start lighting up the place, and to illuminate the tracks of their tears as well.

As soon as Changmin returns to the hotel, he begins to pack his stuff, and spends the next day wandering aimlessly around Tokyo, before boarding the flight back to Seoul and leaving his heart in Japan. He tries not to think about how Hero's probably on the same flight as him, and instead listens to some music to drown out his thoughts.

It doesn't work though, and only makes the memory of their kiss sear in his mind.

Changmin realizes that he still doesn't know Hero's name.

---

When Changmin returns to Seoul, he's back to drowning in his work, and works even harder than before. He stores the memory of Hero safely in his mind, and only tells Yoochun that Japan had been 'fun' when he passes the eager Yoochun his souvenirs. Then, he remembers the huge dolphin Hero had bought and remembers how Hero had told him about a best friend called Junsu who is a DJ at Seoul fm. Hence, from that day on, at exactly five in the afternoon on a Friday, Changmin will snatch the radio away from Yoochun's workdesk and switch the radio channel. He tells himself it's not because he wants a bit of Hero in his life, and that it isn't because it's the only thing of Hero he actually knows that he can cling on to.

The days blend together and they come and go. It is only a year later when Christmas is nearing that Changmin realizes how much time has flown since he has last seen Hero. Seoul's a big place, so Changmin's sure that he's never going to meet Hero ever again. But that doesn't keep him from longing for the other. Somewhere along the line, Changmin realizes how much Hero has never left his thoughts, and when he tries to recall anything about his trip to Japan, all he can remember is the picture that Hero had drawn for him, Hero's smile and tears and everything about Hero, but only Hero. And that's when Changmin realizes that perhaps the feeling's never going to fade.

Perhaps he's in love after all.

But Changmin realizes, and resigns himself to the fact that he's probably never ever going to meet him, or even find him ever. He doesn't know anything about Hero, except that he had an ex called Jin and a smile so breathtakingly beautiful that it made Changmin blush a deep red. Changmin really doesn't think that's enough information for him to locate Hero in Seoul, the place where everything feels too big and too suppressive for his liking.

So Changmin tells himself to move on, though he secretly knows that it isn't that easy. Love's a tricky thing after all, and it clings onto you too much for you to let it go.

---

It's Christmas Eve and Changmin is working overtime. He is frustrated, of course, as no one works overtime on Christmas Eve. Unless you're a busy and important person. And Changmin, unfortunately, is a very busy, and very important person. He keeps his frustration at bay, and because it is a Friday, he tunes in to Seoul FM at exactly five again, just to hear Junsu's voice.

Changmin's played with the fact that he could visit Junsu and ask for Hero, but he always catches himself in the middle of such thoughts, and decides against it. Junsu would find it creepy, as Changmin doesn't know much about Hero, and Changmin also most importantly, doesn't know his name.

“Good evening Seoul!” Junsu's voice fills the almost empty office, except for Changmin, Yoochun and a few others still at work.

“His voice is still funny no matter how many times I have listened to him,” Yoochun remarks idly. Changmin shoots him a glare, and nudges him hard, eliciting a painful protest from Yoochun. “It's true! I mean the voice’s so squeaky and - ”

“Um, this is really weird,” another voice floats from the speakers, and Changmin immediately assumes it to be one of the people calling in for love advice. “I don't know if it's going to work and I don't know if he's even listening but - ”

“Well, could you first tell us your name?” Junsu says politely, with a little tinge of amusement, as if it's already been planned beforehand.

“Hero,” the voice says. “My name is Hero.”

And that's all it takes for Changmin to drop everything he's doing and listen. He is momentarily stunned in disbelief, over the fact that it's him, it's Hero, it's the person he fell in love with and -

“Well, Hero,” Junsu replies steadily, as if he knows that Hero's definitely not the caller's real name. “What brings you to call today?”

Changmin hears a sharp intake of breath, though he doesn't know if he's the one doing it, or if it's Hero. Yoochun has now turned to face him, with an incredulous and extremely curious expression on his face, but he doesn't say anything when he catches the slight desperation and hope on Changmin's face.

“I went to Japan last year, around this time. It was supposed to be a trip together with my boyfriend, but we - he broke up with me before we could go on it together.”

“Oh,” Junsu says sympathetically, and falls into silence again, inviting Hero to continue.

“I was miserable, and depressed. I - I really did love him, and - but - but I met the most wonderful person there. We were only together for two days, but I felt as if I had known him forever. And I - I fell in love.”

“Oh my,” Junsu replies, a little shocked.

“He told me that - that true love can't be found in two days and we - we didn't even know each other’s names. But it's been a year already... So this feeling of mine, is it really not love? Or is it really love, that I'm still thinking about him even after a year? What is this feeling?” Hero says shakily, and trails off ever so helplessly at the end that Changmin wants to just drop everything and hunt him down just so he could give him a hug there and then.

“Well, there's nothing I can do to help...Hero-sshi. But it really does sound like you're in love and - would you like to at least leave a name, or head down to the radio station in case this person you're referring to is listening?”

“Oh uh, okay,” Hero says uneasily. “My name is...”

And before Hero can complete his sentence, Changmin is already out, dashing towards the radio station a few minutes away, leaving behind a very surprised Yoochun.

---

Jaejoong fumbles nervously as he stands at the entrance of the radio station. Inside, he silently thanks Junsu for offering to do this for him to at least free up the slightest chance of him ever finding Max again. He wonders if it'll work, and wonders if Max had been listening. He doubts it though, as he can't find a reason to why Max would have bothered anyway. But there's still a slim chance, the slightest chance. And so he hopes. Because Jaejoong needs an answer; he needs something that can let him move on.

Jaejoong needs closure.

When he sees Max dashing across the streets with such haste and a desperate look on his face though, the feeling's nothing he had ever imagined before. When Max reaches and spots Jaejoong, he stops, and they face each other like that in silence for a while. Except that it isn't really silence with the horns blaring, the engines rumbling and Jaejoong's heart beating above all.

“Hi,” Max finally says, and then he smiles nervously, as if he's a little wary of Jaejoong's response. But before Jaejoong manages a reply, he finds himself fiercely embraced by Max, as if he's never going to let go. Jaejoong decides then to throw out every form of reply he has, and buries himself in Max's chest, melting in uncertain bliss.

“I'm Jaejoong,” Jaejoong finally says after awhile. And he sees Max pulling away and look into his eyes.

“Jaejoong,” Max says, the name rolling off his tongue experimentally. “Jaejoong, Jaejoong, Jaejoong, Jae-”

And that's when Jaejoong decides to shut him up, by crushing his lips onto Max's, yet again. This time though, Max doesn't pull away.

And he ignores all the looks he's getting from passer-bys and instead revels in the fact that he's kissing back. Max's kissing back. Their lips meld onto each other and they hug with such ferocity that it's as if they've been wanting to do it for ages. Jaejoong tastes the longing on Max's lips and he tastes his own desperation.
And it is only when he runs out of breath that he pulls away.

“I think I love you,” Jaejoong says, and smiles so widely in happiness. He doesn't know how silly him is so lucky to get Max back into his life, but he isn't complaining. Max chuckles then, and pulls Jaejoong into another hug, whispering soft, soothing melodies into his ear.

Later, when they pull away once again, Max smiles beatifically at Jaejoong, and makes Jaejoong fall in love with him all over again by his beauty.

“I'm Changmin,” he says, and extends out a hand. “It's nice to meet you, stranger.”

Jaejoong laughs then. Changmin, he thinks, and he stretches his hand out too, before sealing them together with Changmin's and bringing them closer to him. They hold hands, and stay that way, as they walk down the streets. They don't know where they're going, but it's okay, Jaejoong thinks.

It's okay as long as they're together.

---

“And I think I love you too...”

---

A/N: ...I APPLAUD YOU IF YOU READ THE ENTIRE THING WITHOUT DYING. ahh jirurukyungmi i hope you like this lenghty piece of shit sobs ;_; merry christmas !!! and um, i hope it's fluffy enough for you and the birthday theme's okay and and and changmin's sort of wiser than jaejoong??? ;A; /dies

also, thank you to everyone i've complained to (lmao you can see that i don't want to list everyone out because people are going to think i am very whiny. which i am.) because really, without you guys i would have never managed to complete this ♥ thank you for listening to my ramblings and frustrations! i love you all so much ;_; /huggles

and thank you to noir_sakura20 for the wonderful awesome beta! :D heh sorry for nudging you quite a bit and sending it so late and killing your brain cells with the small font size xD i love you still, auntie~ /runs away

finally, thank you again to ayakabun and stickyblocks for the green tea bribe LOL. because honestly without the green tea bribe i don't think this would have been submitted on time. I LOVE GREEN TEA AND I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH ;_;

...dies at long AN.

Merry Christmas!