Resurrection - Part III
Title: Resurrection
Rating: PG
Pairing: Sehun/Kai
Summary: A piercing scream, a loud honk, a powerful crash... did he come back to life?
Kai lied awake for the rest of the night, staring at the ceiling, not talking.
He didn't think he could shed any more tears after letting it all out hours ago. He felt numb. Not anymore just physically, but even mentally and emotionally. Never did it occur to him that he'll lose Sehun this fast. Heck, he didn't even think he'll ever lose him.
Kai stared blankly up at nothing, his body lying lifelessly on the hospital bed, one would even think he's back in coma if his eyes weren't open. He couldn't feel his surroundings anymore, he couldn't see whatever is around him anymore. There's only one face in his head, only one person in his mind. For the first time after he woke up, he closed his eyes.
"Hey, where's my-"
"Let's break up."
Kai's heart constricted in his chest as he recalled his last conversation with Sehun.
"W-what?"
"I don't like to repeat what I said."
"Kai, don't play with me."
Without warning, his tears spilled like an overflowing river. Endless tears poured.
"I'm sorry."
"Sehun."
"Sehun I-"
"SEHUN!!!"
A scream woke him up. The loud honk of the bus echoed repeatedly in his head. Kai woke up, breaking out into a sweat with his tear-streaked face. He was panting and he didn't realize he was crying in his sleep.
It was already morning and Kai only figured that he had fallen asleep last night when Suho came in the door after a short knock.
Suho was dressed up nicely in a formal attire when he came in with a takeout.
"You're awake." He smiled. "I brought you food."
Kai only pushed his head lower on the pillow.
"Are you ok?" There was no need for an answer.
Kai wiped his tears away from his face and covered his eyes with the back of his hands. He felt Suho's hand grip him on the shoulder.
"I know it's hard, Kai. I honestly do." He paused. "But it's been 3 years. I'm sure he wants you to recover and move on too. Just as we gradually did."
The gesture was comforting. Indeed Kai felt like he needed to move on too. 3 years is a long time. And he'll never get better if he continues to sulk on his own while his friends continued to move forward. But it's all been just a shock to him. How was he supposed to accept the fact that the most important person for him is gone, had long been gone?
He recalled their conversation last night.
"H-how did it happen?" Kai didn't know he still had the energy to ask that.
"When you ran after Sehun, you caught up with him. But the light was green, then. It was already too late. Baekhyun tried to run after you two but Chanyeol stopped him just in time." Suho bowed his head as he observed Kai's pitiful expression.
"The bus hit the two of you." Suho winced at the memory despite the years that passed. "Your body flew. But Sehun just slammed directly on it. It was..."
He stopped. Kai could imagine what he meant. It was a horrible sight. Two bodies collided with a bus in a huge impact. It would be a miracle to be able to live again. But was Kai that lucky?
"Then..." Kai spoke, not wanting to hear what Suho's next words would be. "What happened to him?"
This time, Suho looked at Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun for help.
He couldn't avoid blaming himself for everything. If he didn't start with his stupid plan, Sehun wouldn't have to run away. He wouldn't be in this state and Sehun would have been there, having a bad mood with him early in the morning. It's all his fault. And he can't blame Sehun's mother for taking him away from him.
Baekhyun's voice rang in his head.
"He was sent to the hospital along with you." It was Baekhyun who spoke. The other three looked at him worriedly. He didn't seem like he was still mourning. As if he had moved on long ago. "But it was all too late. Before we know it, Auntie had already taken him. And we couldn't visit him."
"The funeral?" Every word Kai muttered gave him a fresh wound.
"We weren't able to attend a funeral." Baekhyun continued. "We don't even know where he lies."
Suho, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo bowed their heads at this.
Tears gushed down Kai's cheeks. The last time he saw Sehun, he was running away from him. He didn't know that that was going to be the very last time he'd be with him ever. Not even with his grave.
"Kai." Kyungsoo spoke softly. "For 3 years, we had always been here, waiting. We don't know when you'll come back. Or if you'll ever come back."
Kai continued crying.
"But we've waited so long for this to come. You'll have to keep going. You need to go on."
Chanyeol reached out to him.
"We know you can do this. We'll always be here. Be strong, Kai."
"You're right." Kai suddenly said when Suho turned to prepare the food he brought with him. Suho looked at him.
"I need to move on." His tone was emotionless. But Suho understood.
The older just smiled and arranged the food on the the desk near his bed.
"You have to keep eating to regain the energy you lost for the past 3 years." He signalled for Kai to eat.
After a few minutes of staring at his food, Kai finally looked up at Suho who was watching him patiently.
"You never told me what happened to you guys since... then."
Suho sat on the chair beside his bed.
"Well." He patted his chest. "I'm taking over the family business. I handle the publication office along with my dad. But he mostly leaves all the work to me as practice."
Kai, after all those years, let out a small smile. Suho belonged to a well-off family just like everyone else, including Kai, including Sehun. It's only about time they start working after they graduated more than 3 years ago.
"Chanyeol and Kyungsoo are both studying again." Suho let out a dreamy expression on his face before going on. "Chanyeol, photography. Kyungsoo, culinary. Kyungsoo's on his 3rd and last year while Chanyeol just started this year. He's a part-time model too, but don't tease him. He hates it when we do."
Suho chuckled and Kai felt like reminiscing the time they were discussing about their dreams. Kyungsoo's slowly reaching for it, he said he wants to own a 5-star restaurant some day and be the one to make the served food, special and extraordinary for the 5 of them.
Chanyeol wasn't specific about his dream, but he mentioned that he wants to pursue something he's interested in. From the sound of it, Chanyeol seemed to have an eye on the entertainment industry.
Suho was straightforward about his decision to take over his family's business, a humble publishing company at the center of the city. He had always been fit to such a job, he'd been a good leader to them anyway, no matter how much they acted so childish with each other.
While Baekhyun's parents are businessmen and he's expected to take over the company once he graduated.
"Baekhyun..." Suho continued. "He didn't take up his father's job. He refused the offer to take over the company."
Kai looked up at him. "Why?"
Suho shrugged. "He said he's not ready yet. You know how that guy is. He really thinks differently from others."
Kai stared out the window. How about him? What was his dream again? He sighed. He felt another jab of pain in his heart. He remembered that playful smile he wore that day they asked him what his dream was, and answered that he'll follow wherever Sehun will go with a hint of playfulness. But as he lied on his bed now, he realized that he wasn't joking. He'd rather just follow Sehun anywhere than not see even just a glimpse of him anymore.
He closed his eyes and he felt Suho's hand pat him gently. "Eat and take a rest."
He heard the movement of the chair and Suho's footsteps towards the door.
"You can start again with your life, Kai. We'll be cheering you on."
And with that, the door clicked shut and Kai sat up, taking in his surroundings.
He's right, he thought.
Three more days in the hospital and Kai was released. Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Baekhyun and Suho took turns in visiting and accompanying him in his room. They all let him catch up with their lives, showing him how much they have changed and accomplished for the past three years. Chanyeol had grown more handsome and groomed although he was still the playful and naughty Chanyeol he had known. Kyungsoo was getting a lot better and better in cooking that it was all his cooking that Kai ate for the rest of his stay. Suho came anytime he had an off and kept telling him stories about their friends that Kai had missed. Unlike them, Baekhyun didn't mention Sehun once nor talk about what happened the past years, instead he asked Kai about what his plans are when he leaves the hospital which is probably soon. And soon enough, like what Baekhyun had said, he's out of the hospital and was being dragged back to the apartment.
Kai learned that even though they were living their new lives they were still staying in the same apartment together. It was hard for him at first, to see Sehun's former room that's now vacant, but as more days passed, his friends helped him to gradually get used to the absence of one of them in the house and eventually forget about that same missing member.
But he didn't totally forget, that's what Kai told himself every night before he sleeps. He would never ever forget. He may seem to have been good at controlling his feelings, avoiding unwanted emotions, that his friends felt relieved at the way he's coping, but there is no way he will ever forget about Sehun. He'll just have to stop thinking about him, but not eliminate his memories of him.
However, it was easier said than done, especially when Chanyeol's class overlaps Kyungsoo's class while Suho is out at work during the day and he's left alone with Baekhyun who mostly spends his time in his room, listening to music. Baekhyun would always invite him in which Kai appreciates a lot because he knows Baekhyun isn't the talkative type yet he still manages to accompany Kai even without much words spoken between them. But unluckily, Baekhyun was out one day too and Kai could only drift into memories of him with Sehun even if he didn't want to. Or partially didn't want to because it was his fault in the first place that he stayed in Sehun's former room which would only cause him to think of him involuntarily.
♦
"This has got to be the best summer yet ever!" Chanyeol dropped his satchel on the two-bed room and immediately scanned the place with his overly large eyes that have widened out of excitement.
The group of friends went out on a 5-day vacation to the beach during the summer after their graduation, their first out of town get-away to celebrate their school-free lives.
"I am going to check the beach. Kyungsoo come with me." Suho 's head popped in Chanyeol and Baekhyun's room where the rest were too. "And you guys should unpack your things in your rooms."
After Kyungsoo had left, Kai and Sehun moved in to the next room, theirs in between Chanyeol and Baekhyun's and Suho and Kyungsoo's rooms.
"I want to see the beach too. Get changed." Kai told Sehun after they arranged their luggages at the side. Sehun just nodded.
"C'mon Sehun!!!" Chanyeol and Suho called for him but Sehun was just standing at the shore, his toes barely touching the water. He shook his head with a shy smile and settled to watching his friends play in the moving water.
"You're not afraid of the water, are you?" Kyungsoo piped in after he freed himself from Chanyeol's headlock.
Sehun shook his head. "I'm good here."
A hand ruffled his hair and Sehun whipped his head to see Baekhyun smiling at him.
"Face your fears, Sehun."
He patted him gently before walking to the water and soaking himself under the sun.
"I don't really know how to swim." Sehun admitted while he sat on the dry sand, clapping his hands to free them of dirt and hugging his legs. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and sat beside him. Kai was ready to get in, his shirt in his hand while he sat there topless, the high rays of the sun complementing his tan skin.
"You'll be safe in the water." Kai nudged him but Sehun refused.
"Go play with them. I can just enjoy the view from here."
Kai inclined his body to him and smiled playfully. "Like the view?"
That earned him a gentle slap and a beautiful grin from Sehun. "I'm only gonna be a helpless dog in the water if I get in, and you're gonna be a lonely pup here so just go there and I'll surely like the view."
"Oh. But you'll be a lonelier kitty here so come with me." Kai pouted, trying all his might to pull off the poor puppy look and Sehun snickered.
"I'm okay, besides I don't really like the sea it scares-- what are you doing?!?" A loud cheer came from the side and Kai effortlessly carried Sehun bridal style to the sea. Sehun struggled with all his might which caused Kai to drop him on the water later on, and Sehun could only glare daggers at him when he realized that he was already too soaked.
"I hate you." Sehun pushed Kai and turned to walk back to the safe land but Chanyeol and Baekhyun were already pushing him back to the deeper part of the sea.
"Hey!!!!!" He threw all his limbs away to pull himself free from all the hands clamped on his body resulting him to be pulled down by the current and he gulped a few water before springing back to the surface. He coughed a few times.
Kai was already beside him and patting his back that instant.
"Are you okay?" He pushed Sehun's hair out of his face and tilted his head up to face him.
"How dare you."
"Sorry." Kai pecked him on the forehead and hugged his cold body. The others were watching them but Chanyeol suddenly yelled "let's play tag" and they were left alone in that part of the water.
"I'm telling you, I'm afraid of the sea and the things down here and I can't swim." Sehun's tone was annoyed as he stayed still on his spot, trying to take his mind off of what could be swimming down with them.
"Climb my back." Kai offered as he stood in front of Sehun, crouching a little.
"And if you trip..."
"Then we'll drown together."
Sehun raised his eyebrow.
"Fine, I'll drown, you'll survive. You'll have another chance to live if I trip, don't worry." Kai mocked.
Sehun slapped his back hard which made Kai turn to face him again.
"Seriously. What assurance do you need? I only want to be in the water with you." The older of the two commented with a defeated expression.
Sehun held back a giggle and leaned forward to kiss those wet plump lips. "Don't drown."
"Alright. Alright. Now climb my back." Kai stomped his feet impatiently and hid a smile.
Sehun was slumped on Kai's back when they found the other four splashing water at each other. They joined them and Sehun was laughing with them while he clung tightly on Kai's neck.
"Oh I know! I know!" Chanyeol exclaimed excitedly while everyone else looked at him suspiciously.
"Let's play a game! Air-passing! The one who can stay the longest underwater wins!" All eyebrows raised at him.
"Right. The one nearest you will be your partner." Chanyeol grinned to himself.
Baekhyun threw him a disgusted look and grunted.
"Ah, Baekhyun!" Chanyeol pulled him by the arm enthusiastically.
"Ya! I'm not gonna kiss you!!!!!"
The others laughed and Sehun rested his head on Kai's shoulder.
"You think we should play this game?" Sehun whispered cheekily into his ear. Kai tilted his face to the side with a smile. Sehun reached for him and kissed him passionately.
Kai vaguely heard someone yell "Ya!!!! Do it underwater!!!!"
♦
Kai opened his eyes to find himself alone in Sehun's old room. He sighed. It's another of those days that his friends were out and he was pulled into a pool of his memories with Sehun. He bit his lip. It's as if he had two personalities. The one who's doing well and moving on, and the one who's stuck in the world of the past and suffering. The latter only showing itself when he's alone. How will he be able to let go?
It was that day when Kai finally decided he can't stay alone in a place that brings him the best memories he has of him. He needed some fresh air.
The town hadn't changed much after he went to sleep for a long time. His favorite shops are still there, their favorite hang out place is still full of people just like before. Kai dragged his feet around, the weather was good, not so hot not so cold. He missed being out like this, being surrounded by a crowd he barely knew the names yet the faces are familiar. It felt as if he had lived all his life here. It felt so much like home. For a moment, he had forgotten the missing piece in his heart. He finally felt alive, for once.
Kai followed wherever his steps took him until he faced a street to cross. He stopped as he glanced at the sign but the image began to give him a different feeling. The restaurant just across where he was gave him a rush of emotions. It was Crowne Diamond. He looked down on his feet. He's at the spot they weren't able to reach that day. That day of the accident. Kai's heart suddenly contracted in pain as the scenes played back in his head.
Sehun was running towards the very spot he's at while a bus coincidentally ran fast against him, hitting him... and him, Kai. A scream echoed in his ears. A sharp pain took over him and Kai realized it was all in his head. He was looking at the accident from the point of view of the passers by that time, possibly the woman who screamed. That was how it happened, how he passed away.
Kai blinked back the tears in his eyes before he realized that the walking sign was green. He stepped forward along with the people beside him, trying to ignore the tears threatening to come out of his eyes. He looked forward and saw the restaurant where he broke up with him.
The doors opened and out came… Sehun. Kai looked away and cursed himself for thinking too much of him. He reached the other side and glanced at the restaurant doors again, this time he was closer. The man outside was looking from left to right and as Kai caught his eyes, his heart leaped multiple times over. The boring eyes shifted its gaze and the man turned his back immediately, walking away quickly.
Kai froze in his spot. He wasn't imagining things.
He saw Sehun.
Rating: PG
Pairing: Sehun/Kai
Summary: A piercing scream, a loud honk, a powerful crash... did he come back to life?
Kai lied awake for the rest of the night, staring at the ceiling, not talking.
He didn't think he could shed any more tears after letting it all out hours ago. He felt numb. Not anymore just physically, but even mentally and emotionally. Never did it occur to him that he'll lose Sehun this fast. Heck, he didn't even think he'll ever lose him.
Kai stared blankly up at nothing, his body lying lifelessly on the hospital bed, one would even think he's back in coma if his eyes weren't open. He couldn't feel his surroundings anymore, he couldn't see whatever is around him anymore. There's only one face in his head, only one person in his mind. For the first time after he woke up, he closed his eyes.
"Hey, where's my-"
"Let's break up."
Kai's heart constricted in his chest as he recalled his last conversation with Sehun.
"W-what?"
"I don't like to repeat what I said."
"Kai, don't play with me."
Without warning, his tears spilled like an overflowing river. Endless tears poured.
"I'm sorry."
"Sehun."
"Sehun I-"
"SEHUN!!!"
A scream woke him up. The loud honk of the bus echoed repeatedly in his head. Kai woke up, breaking out into a sweat with his tear-streaked face. He was panting and he didn't realize he was crying in his sleep.
It was already morning and Kai only figured that he had fallen asleep last night when Suho came in the door after a short knock.
Suho was dressed up nicely in a formal attire when he came in with a takeout.
"You're awake." He smiled. "I brought you food."
Kai only pushed his head lower on the pillow.
"Are you ok?" There was no need for an answer.
Kai wiped his tears away from his face and covered his eyes with the back of his hands. He felt Suho's hand grip him on the shoulder.
"I know it's hard, Kai. I honestly do." He paused. "But it's been 3 years. I'm sure he wants you to recover and move on too. Just as we gradually did."
The gesture was comforting. Indeed Kai felt like he needed to move on too. 3 years is a long time. And he'll never get better if he continues to sulk on his own while his friends continued to move forward. But it's all been just a shock to him. How was he supposed to accept the fact that the most important person for him is gone, had long been gone?
He recalled their conversation last night.
"H-how did it happen?" Kai didn't know he still had the energy to ask that.
"When you ran after Sehun, you caught up with him. But the light was green, then. It was already too late. Baekhyun tried to run after you two but Chanyeol stopped him just in time." Suho bowed his head as he observed Kai's pitiful expression.
"The bus hit the two of you." Suho winced at the memory despite the years that passed. "Your body flew. But Sehun just slammed directly on it. It was..."
He stopped. Kai could imagine what he meant. It was a horrible sight. Two bodies collided with a bus in a huge impact. It would be a miracle to be able to live again. But was Kai that lucky?
"Then..." Kai spoke, not wanting to hear what Suho's next words would be. "What happened to him?"
This time, Suho looked at Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun for help.
He couldn't avoid blaming himself for everything. If he didn't start with his stupid plan, Sehun wouldn't have to run away. He wouldn't be in this state and Sehun would have been there, having a bad mood with him early in the morning. It's all his fault. And he can't blame Sehun's mother for taking him away from him.
Baekhyun's voice rang in his head.
"He was sent to the hospital along with you." It was Baekhyun who spoke. The other three looked at him worriedly. He didn't seem like he was still mourning. As if he had moved on long ago. "But it was all too late. Before we know it, Auntie had already taken him. And we couldn't visit him."
"The funeral?" Every word Kai muttered gave him a fresh wound.
"We weren't able to attend a funeral." Baekhyun continued. "We don't even know where he lies."
Suho, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo bowed their heads at this.
Tears gushed down Kai's cheeks. The last time he saw Sehun, he was running away from him. He didn't know that that was going to be the very last time he'd be with him ever. Not even with his grave.
"Kai." Kyungsoo spoke softly. "For 3 years, we had always been here, waiting. We don't know when you'll come back. Or if you'll ever come back."
Kai continued crying.
"But we've waited so long for this to come. You'll have to keep going. You need to go on."
Chanyeol reached out to him.
"We know you can do this. We'll always be here. Be strong, Kai."
"You're right." Kai suddenly said when Suho turned to prepare the food he brought with him. Suho looked at him.
"I need to move on." His tone was emotionless. But Suho understood.
The older just smiled and arranged the food on the the desk near his bed.
"You have to keep eating to regain the energy you lost for the past 3 years." He signalled for Kai to eat.
After a few minutes of staring at his food, Kai finally looked up at Suho who was watching him patiently.
"You never told me what happened to you guys since... then."
Suho sat on the chair beside his bed.
"Well." He patted his chest. "I'm taking over the family business. I handle the publication office along with my dad. But he mostly leaves all the work to me as practice."
Kai, after all those years, let out a small smile. Suho belonged to a well-off family just like everyone else, including Kai, including Sehun. It's only about time they start working after they graduated more than 3 years ago.
"Chanyeol and Kyungsoo are both studying again." Suho let out a dreamy expression on his face before going on. "Chanyeol, photography. Kyungsoo, culinary. Kyungsoo's on his 3rd and last year while Chanyeol just started this year. He's a part-time model too, but don't tease him. He hates it when we do."
Suho chuckled and Kai felt like reminiscing the time they were discussing about their dreams. Kyungsoo's slowly reaching for it, he said he wants to own a 5-star restaurant some day and be the one to make the served food, special and extraordinary for the 5 of them.
Chanyeol wasn't specific about his dream, but he mentioned that he wants to pursue something he's interested in. From the sound of it, Chanyeol seemed to have an eye on the entertainment industry.
Suho was straightforward about his decision to take over his family's business, a humble publishing company at the center of the city. He had always been fit to such a job, he'd been a good leader to them anyway, no matter how much they acted so childish with each other.
While Baekhyun's parents are businessmen and he's expected to take over the company once he graduated.
"Baekhyun..." Suho continued. "He didn't take up his father's job. He refused the offer to take over the company."
Kai looked up at him. "Why?"
Suho shrugged. "He said he's not ready yet. You know how that guy is. He really thinks differently from others."
Kai stared out the window. How about him? What was his dream again? He sighed. He felt another jab of pain in his heart. He remembered that playful smile he wore that day they asked him what his dream was, and answered that he'll follow wherever Sehun will go with a hint of playfulness. But as he lied on his bed now, he realized that he wasn't joking. He'd rather just follow Sehun anywhere than not see even just a glimpse of him anymore.
He closed his eyes and he felt Suho's hand pat him gently. "Eat and take a rest."
He heard the movement of the chair and Suho's footsteps towards the door.
"You can start again with your life, Kai. We'll be cheering you on."
And with that, the door clicked shut and Kai sat up, taking in his surroundings.
He's right, he thought.
Three more days in the hospital and Kai was released. Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Baekhyun and Suho took turns in visiting and accompanying him in his room. They all let him catch up with their lives, showing him how much they have changed and accomplished for the past three years. Chanyeol had grown more handsome and groomed although he was still the playful and naughty Chanyeol he had known. Kyungsoo was getting a lot better and better in cooking that it was all his cooking that Kai ate for the rest of his stay. Suho came anytime he had an off and kept telling him stories about their friends that Kai had missed. Unlike them, Baekhyun didn't mention Sehun once nor talk about what happened the past years, instead he asked Kai about what his plans are when he leaves the hospital which is probably soon. And soon enough, like what Baekhyun had said, he's out of the hospital and was being dragged back to the apartment.
Kai learned that even though they were living their new lives they were still staying in the same apartment together. It was hard for him at first, to see Sehun's former room that's now vacant, but as more days passed, his friends helped him to gradually get used to the absence of one of them in the house and eventually forget about that same missing member.
But he didn't totally forget, that's what Kai told himself every night before he sleeps. He would never ever forget. He may seem to have been good at controlling his feelings, avoiding unwanted emotions, that his friends felt relieved at the way he's coping, but there is no way he will ever forget about Sehun. He'll just have to stop thinking about him, but not eliminate his memories of him.
However, it was easier said than done, especially when Chanyeol's class overlaps Kyungsoo's class while Suho is out at work during the day and he's left alone with Baekhyun who mostly spends his time in his room, listening to music. Baekhyun would always invite him in which Kai appreciates a lot because he knows Baekhyun isn't the talkative type yet he still manages to accompany Kai even without much words spoken between them. But unluckily, Baekhyun was out one day too and Kai could only drift into memories of him with Sehun even if he didn't want to. Or partially didn't want to because it was his fault in the first place that he stayed in Sehun's former room which would only cause him to think of him involuntarily.
♦
"This has got to be the best summer yet ever!" Chanyeol dropped his satchel on the two-bed room and immediately scanned the place with his overly large eyes that have widened out of excitement.
The group of friends went out on a 5-day vacation to the beach during the summer after their graduation, their first out of town get-away to celebrate their school-free lives.
"I am going to check the beach. Kyungsoo come with me." Suho 's head popped in Chanyeol and Baekhyun's room where the rest were too. "And you guys should unpack your things in your rooms."
After Kyungsoo had left, Kai and Sehun moved in to the next room, theirs in between Chanyeol and Baekhyun's and Suho and Kyungsoo's rooms.
"I want to see the beach too. Get changed." Kai told Sehun after they arranged their luggages at the side. Sehun just nodded.
"C'mon Sehun!!!" Chanyeol and Suho called for him but Sehun was just standing at the shore, his toes barely touching the water. He shook his head with a shy smile and settled to watching his friends play in the moving water.
"You're not afraid of the water, are you?" Kyungsoo piped in after he freed himself from Chanyeol's headlock.
Sehun shook his head. "I'm good here."
A hand ruffled his hair and Sehun whipped his head to see Baekhyun smiling at him.
"Face your fears, Sehun."
He patted him gently before walking to the water and soaking himself under the sun.
"I don't really know how to swim." Sehun admitted while he sat on the dry sand, clapping his hands to free them of dirt and hugging his legs. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and sat beside him. Kai was ready to get in, his shirt in his hand while he sat there topless, the high rays of the sun complementing his tan skin.
"You'll be safe in the water." Kai nudged him but Sehun refused.
"Go play with them. I can just enjoy the view from here."
Kai inclined his body to him and smiled playfully. "Like the view?"
That earned him a gentle slap and a beautiful grin from Sehun. "I'm only gonna be a helpless dog in the water if I get in, and you're gonna be a lonely pup here so just go there and I'll surely like the view."
"Oh. But you'll be a lonelier kitty here so come with me." Kai pouted, trying all his might to pull off the poor puppy look and Sehun snickered.
"I'm okay, besides I don't really like the sea it scares-- what are you doing?!?" A loud cheer came from the side and Kai effortlessly carried Sehun bridal style to the sea. Sehun struggled with all his might which caused Kai to drop him on the water later on, and Sehun could only glare daggers at him when he realized that he was already too soaked.
"I hate you." Sehun pushed Kai and turned to walk back to the safe land but Chanyeol and Baekhyun were already pushing him back to the deeper part of the sea.
"Hey!!!!!" He threw all his limbs away to pull himself free from all the hands clamped on his body resulting him to be pulled down by the current and he gulped a few water before springing back to the surface. He coughed a few times.
Kai was already beside him and patting his back that instant.
"Are you okay?" He pushed Sehun's hair out of his face and tilted his head up to face him.
"How dare you."
"Sorry." Kai pecked him on the forehead and hugged his cold body. The others were watching them but Chanyeol suddenly yelled "let's play tag" and they were left alone in that part of the water.
"I'm telling you, I'm afraid of the sea and the things down here and I can't swim." Sehun's tone was annoyed as he stayed still on his spot, trying to take his mind off of what could be swimming down with them.
"Climb my back." Kai offered as he stood in front of Sehun, crouching a little.
"And if you trip..."
"Then we'll drown together."
Sehun raised his eyebrow.
"Fine, I'll drown, you'll survive. You'll have another chance to live if I trip, don't worry." Kai mocked.
Sehun slapped his back hard which made Kai turn to face him again.
"Seriously. What assurance do you need? I only want to be in the water with you." The older of the two commented with a defeated expression.
Sehun held back a giggle and leaned forward to kiss those wet plump lips. "Don't drown."
"Alright. Alright. Now climb my back." Kai stomped his feet impatiently and hid a smile.
Sehun was slumped on Kai's back when they found the other four splashing water at each other. They joined them and Sehun was laughing with them while he clung tightly on Kai's neck.
"Oh I know! I know!" Chanyeol exclaimed excitedly while everyone else looked at him suspiciously.
"Let's play a game! Air-passing! The one who can stay the longest underwater wins!" All eyebrows raised at him.
"Right. The one nearest you will be your partner." Chanyeol grinned to himself.
Baekhyun threw him a disgusted look and grunted.
"Ah, Baekhyun!" Chanyeol pulled him by the arm enthusiastically.
"Ya! I'm not gonna kiss you!!!!!"
The others laughed and Sehun rested his head on Kai's shoulder.
"You think we should play this game?" Sehun whispered cheekily into his ear. Kai tilted his face to the side with a smile. Sehun reached for him and kissed him passionately.
Kai vaguely heard someone yell "Ya!!!! Do it underwater!!!!"
♦
Kai opened his eyes to find himself alone in Sehun's old room. He sighed. It's another of those days that his friends were out and he was pulled into a pool of his memories with Sehun. He bit his lip. It's as if he had two personalities. The one who's doing well and moving on, and the one who's stuck in the world of the past and suffering. The latter only showing itself when he's alone. How will he be able to let go?
It was that day when Kai finally decided he can't stay alone in a place that brings him the best memories he has of him. He needed some fresh air.
The town hadn't changed much after he went to sleep for a long time. His favorite shops are still there, their favorite hang out place is still full of people just like before. Kai dragged his feet around, the weather was good, not so hot not so cold. He missed being out like this, being surrounded by a crowd he barely knew the names yet the faces are familiar. It felt as if he had lived all his life here. It felt so much like home. For a moment, he had forgotten the missing piece in his heart. He finally felt alive, for once.
Kai followed wherever his steps took him until he faced a street to cross. He stopped as he glanced at the sign but the image began to give him a different feeling. The restaurant just across where he was gave him a rush of emotions. It was Crowne Diamond. He looked down on his feet. He's at the spot they weren't able to reach that day. That day of the accident. Kai's heart suddenly contracted in pain as the scenes played back in his head.
Sehun was running towards the very spot he's at while a bus coincidentally ran fast against him, hitting him... and him, Kai. A scream echoed in his ears. A sharp pain took over him and Kai realized it was all in his head. He was looking at the accident from the point of view of the passers by that time, possibly the woman who screamed. That was how it happened, how he passed away.
Kai blinked back the tears in his eyes before he realized that the walking sign was green. He stepped forward along with the people beside him, trying to ignore the tears threatening to come out of his eyes. He looked forward and saw the restaurant where he broke up with him.
The doors opened and out came… Sehun. Kai looked away and cursed himself for thinking too much of him. He reached the other side and glanced at the restaurant doors again, this time he was closer. The man outside was looking from left to right and as Kai caught his eyes, his heart leaped multiple times over. The boring eyes shifted its gaze and the man turned his back immediately, walking away quickly.
Kai froze in his spot. He wasn't imagining things.
He saw Sehun.