What You Don't Know
-continues from 'Goodbye (1b)'-
---
Life goes on.
After all, real love is not like in the movies. People do not always end up with the loves of their lives; do not stay happy forever; relationships break and shatter; people move on and fall apart. Words do not always change people's minds; actions do not always convince. Some people choose to face their problems, some choose to do so by running away. If life were simple, there would be no complications, no hardships, no pain.
But life does not work that way. There is pain, there is loss, there is love, there is happiness. After rain, there are rainbows. After darkness, there is light. It is just a matter of time. The question is, what do you do while waiting for everything to fall back into place?
---
Changmin stares at the envelope on his desk. He had opened it, played the disc once, and then hidden it away after. Too raw to deal with the emotions that came with the music. He understood, through it all, in spite of it all, he had understood the meaning behind Yunho's gesture. And that realisation had seared its way into the depths of Changmin's soul, leaving an imprint like a tattoo. Yunho had been the one to end things, the only way he knew how, despite how he had felt about him. Yunho had not wanted to hold him back, not wanted to try because of reasons only he knew. But Changmin could hazard a pretty good guess. The words that Yunho had said and not said, Changmin could infer. He had been angry, and then he had tried to hate him. But in the end, the complete and utter realisation once he saw what Yunho had given him had broken down his anger, leaving him with nothing. Emptiness. The only good thing, perhaps, was that he was no longer sad.
Things had ended up this way not because of him. This was all Yunho.
With that knowledge, he allows himself to let go. Let everything go.
---
Christmas is tomorrow and Yunho is spending it in Seoul this year. Due to work, he can only make it back to his hometown on Boxing Day. He makes another long phone call back home to apologise. The cheeriness of his family’s voices on the other line only drum it in further at how distant he has become from them. They have gotten used to being without me, he thinks. Ho Jun calls him soon after, insisting that he attends the party he is holding on Christmas Day, or else ‘I will physically drag you’. But that is tomorrow and he has the rest of the time before then to finish mastering the song he is working on.
My head is underwater but I'm breathing fine.
His mind wanders as it always does, to Changmin, whenever he has a spare moment. He wonders what the other is doing. He had not heard from the man ever since that night at the park. He sinks back in his chair, a small frown appearing on his forehead as he recalls the night.
But his mind is pretty much blank when he tries to think back on what he could have done better.
Nothing, he reasons to himself for the millionth time. This is for the best. His mind agrees with him, but an accompanying ache of the memory in his chest, reminds him that his heart does not.
Yunho sighs and gets up from his chair.
---
The Han River is quiet at the time of the night. Yunho gazes out at the ripples in the water, embracing the peace and privacy that the River always gives him.
A gravelly voice breaks his reverie.
‘Hey, do you have a smoke?’ Yunho looks up into the eyes of a middle-aged man. Scruff lines his face, years of living rough facing the elements have weathered themselves into the man’s features. But his eyes still shine, and the corners of his bearded mouth are lifted in a half-smile.
Yunho rummages around in his back pocket before producing a box of cigarettes and a lighter. He takes out one and lights it for the man, before lighting his own and exhaling. He turns back to face the river.
---
‘So, what’s your story?’ the man asks. Yunho shoots him a surprised glance; the man is staring out at the river, hands clasped around the cigarette.
‘Excuse me?’
‘A man like you, staring out at the river, at this time of the night on Christmas Eve. What’s your story?’
‘I.. I don’t..’ begins Yunho, shifting uncomfortably.
‘I’m just a man, a complete stranger. Whatever your story is, it can’t be as bad as mine. I’m the one who lives on that bench over there!’ chuckles the man, tilting his head towards the direction of a row of benches behind them.
‘And still, you seem remarkably happy for a man who does…’ murmurs Yunho, almost enviously. He means it as a compliment though, and the man takes it as one, nodding in agreement.
‘That’s because I’ve realised what’s important and what’s not. Let go of the things that weigh you down, and you’ll realise you can live anywhere.’ The man answers, flicking ash into the river.
Yunho stares at the man, curiosity piqued by his words. Let go of the things that weigh you down.
‘So, what’s your story?’ the man repeats.
Yunho stops. He looks at the man and then sighs. It’s Christmas Eve after all and he is alone. Except for this man who seems more perceptive than half of the people in his life, within the first ten minutes of meeting.
---
So he stutters, swallows and then he speaks. He tells the man a poignant story of why he is alone on Christmas Eve. Of loneliness, of forgetting himself. Of work and success; of love and loss. Yes, love and loss, which has led him to being alone on this day of all days, in his 28th year of life, in his 10th year of being in Seoul. He speaks tentatively about his early failed relationships, briefly touching upon them and how they floundered and faded as work demands increased, and then he talks mournfully about the way he dealt with their failure by choosing the path of non-commitment- one-night stands; short-term affairs. It was easier, you see, to walk away when there was no welcome to stay in the first place.
Then he stops, words stumbling at the edge of his tongue. The man waits patiently. There is one more piece of the puzzle that Yunho cannot bring himself to talk about.
‘I went to Italy, Rome to be exact, last November.’ Yunho starts slowly. He rubs a hand across his forehead as he tries to find a way to begin. ‘And I met someone.’
He pauses, as emotions catch up with him. Images of the Roman holiday flash across his mind.
Changmin. The first day. The conversation.
‘It was only a day, but damn it, I felt.. I felt at home. Does that make sense?’
The gondola ride, the hand-holding. The kiss.
‘It had been so long, when my heart beat like that, I felt alive.’
The pier. The chase. And the night.
‘You know how they say love is like a union of souls. It felt like that, only physically. God, I am so cheesy.’
The days laughing, going out, shopping.
‘We could have been doing nothing and I would still feel like that was the best time of my life.’
The eventual return, the farewell.
‘I wanted to stay, but I had to leave. I told myself.. I told myself..’ Yunho breaks off, unable to continue. The moonlight catches the emotion in his eyes as he stares hard at the water.
‘What did you tell yourself?’ the man asks.
‘I told myself, it was just a fling. That it.. I would forget it over time.’
And Yunho finally recognises the lie that he had tried to live, feels it crack as he says the words out loud.
---
Kyuhyun pounds on Changmin’s door, shouting for the other to hurry the fuck up before everyone else gets drunk without them.
Changmin slams open the door and storms out in a huff, glaring daggers at Kyuhyun as his fingers work furiously at the buttons of his shirt.
‘Okay, okay! I’m out, oh my god.’ He grabs his wallet and phone and shoves them into his jeans’ pockets and puts on his shoes.
Kyuhyun is already out the front door and walking down his driveway, trying to hail a cab that would take them to the club for the party. He had scored them invites to the exclusive party because their good friend Minho worked in the entertainment industry and he really wanted to go because his favourite girl group was supposed to attend.
Changmin yells a goodbye to his family and closes the door, jogging after his friend. He is actually looking forward to partying and having a good time with his friends. It had been two weeks since that night with Yunho at the park but Changmin was doing a lot better. After his, admittedly belated, realisation that he had nothing to do with the way things had ended, he had felt much better. He would be starting work at a magazine after the New Year and things were, well they were looking up. Finally, finally he would be happy and okay again.
He smiles at the thought and hops into the cab that Kyuhyun had gotten, elbowing the man playfully to move over.
---
Yunho shakes his head, declining yet another flute of champagne. He is pretty sure he is getting there. As in getting drunk and possibly doing something really stupid that would make headlines the next day. The girls sitting opposite him are giggling to themselves and peeking over their drinks trying to catch his eye. Yunho looks around, trying to find an escape route. Ho Jun is useless, the man has disappeared into the crowd, probably dancing on a bar top if the crowd hooting over at the far corner was any indication. He tries to make polite conversation with one of the girls, but after yet another stray hand makes its way to his black denim-clad thigh, Yunho smiles politely and gets up to excuse himself.
He walks over to another table where his good friend, Boa, is sitting.
‘None catch your fancy?’ Boa asks, smirking as she sips from her glass.
Yunho huffs and shakes his head. He looks at Boa as she glances at him sideways, catching his eye.
‘Maybe you were just looking in the wrong place.’ Boa whispers, flirtatiously. She lowers her eyes and gives him a look-over.
A white v-neck shirt that emphasises Yunho’s toned and sculpted body, half-tucked into a black pair of denim jeans and a long dog-tag necklace. For some reason, Yunho always looked really good even if he was wearing really casual clothes.They had hooked up a long time ago before Boa struck it big in Japan. She now spends almost half of her time there. Anyway, they had decided that staying friends was best.
Or so she thinks, feeling hindsight reproach her young and naïve self. Well, with the way he looks, no wonder almost everyone here was trying to get his attention.
Boa licks her lips and leans in closer. Yunho quirks an eyebrow in question, and leans in as well.
‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Boa asks.
The expression that flickers briefly over Yunho’s face is enough to answer her. She hesitates, maybe she shouldn’t. Or maybe she should
‘I return to Japan in a few days. How about keeping me company for the rest of this party.. And maybe the rest of the night?’
Yunho’s mouth opens in surprise. Then he stares at Boa, trying to figure out if she is joking. It had been a long time since. Well, since anyone. He cares for Boa and they are similar. Similarly alone and similarly married to their work. He swallows, a glimpse of Changmin pushes its way into his head before he shoves it back.
His heart pounds in objection as he opens his mouth to grin back.
‘Sure.’
Boa closes the gap between their lips with a wink.
---
Changmin gasps in shock.
---
After arriving at the club, Minho had met them and brought them to his table in the VIP area. He then made a show of gesturing and pointedly whispering that ‘the celebrities were JUST OVER THERE’, making Changmin roll his eyes and Kyuhyun squeak with delight at the prospect of having his favourite girl group JUST OVER THERE.
Changmin had been left alone to nurse his beer while Kyuhyun and Minho went off to try and spy on the girl group. Bored and wanting to avoid having to make conversation with some people who were trying to hit on him, Changmin had wandered off to look for Kyuhyun and Minho over where the celebrities were, his VIP entry stamp allowing him entry.
Then he had seen Boa, having recognised her from his time in Japan. Curious, he moved closer, trying to get a better look. And then an ominous feeling crept over him as he gazed at the back of the man facing her.
The broadness of his shoulders, his arms. The way he sat, the back of his head. Changmin found himself backing slowly away, as recognition started sinking in like a shockwave.
And then they kissed and Changmin had felt his throat go dry. He clutches at the pillar next to him desperately, trying to steady himself and walk away. He has to leave, he has to.
---
‘I think we are attracting attention,’ Boa murmurs, breaking for air.
‘What?’ Yunho replies, licking his lips. Boa had pressed her lips against his but he had not really responded, not wanting to. Yet. Perhaps with a bit more alcohol..
His chain of thoughts break off as Boa nods towards the outer area, ‘there.’
Yunho whips around and freezes, eyes catching sight of Changmin, head bent, leaning against a pillar. He had not realised Yunho had seen him yet.
‘Changmin.’ Yunho mutters, getting up quickly. Boa grabs at his arm, ‘You know him?’
‘Changmin!’ Yunho calls, louder this time, shrugging off Boa’s grasp.
Changmin looks up, a shattered expression on his face. He locks eyes with Yunho, shakes his head once, twice. And turns around to run out of the club.
‘Damn it!’ Yunho curses as he takes off after the man. Leaving a confused Boa staring after him.
---
‘Changmin, Changmin! Damn it, CHANGMIN!’ Yunho yells, grabbing at the other man’s arm as he is stalled by the crowd coming down the stairs, the only way in and out of the club. Changmin turns around, frustration rousing through his veins.
‘Let go of me.’ He mutters, furious.
‘No. Listen, can we talk?’
‘What’s there to talk about? Everything’s good. Let me go.’ Changmin is seething from where he is standing. The crowd around them recognises U-Know Yunho. They look at the two, at the way Yunho is holding onto Changmin, the desperation in his face, the blank look on Changmin’s. The whispering and staring start up. Changmin notices and it pisses him off.
‘Let me go.’ He repeats. Enunciating every word. A steel undertone emphasising the effort he is putting in to keep his emotions under control in this public place, this very public place. Even now, he is still thinking of Yunho, still concerned about attracting negative attention. Please Yunho, his eyes flicker warningly.
Yunho starts. And then he stops. He notices the people watching. He can imagine this will be the talk of the town tomorrow morning.
His hesitation does not go unnoticed. Changmin growls and shakes Yunho’s hand off his arm. He turns to run up the steps.
‘No!’ Something about the tone in the voice halts his movement. Makes him turn his head.
Yunho covers the remaining steps between them until he is just a step underneath Changmin.
He repeats himself, clear enough so that Changmin hears every single word.
‘I said no. I can’t. I can’t, Changdola. I can’t let you go.’
---
-continues to ' Back At One'-
---
Life goes on.
After all, real love is not like in the movies. People do not always end up with the loves of their lives; do not stay happy forever; relationships break and shatter; people move on and fall apart. Words do not always change people's minds; actions do not always convince. Some people choose to face their problems, some choose to do so by running away. If life were simple, there would be no complications, no hardships, no pain.
But life does not work that way. There is pain, there is loss, there is love, there is happiness. After rain, there are rainbows. After darkness, there is light. It is just a matter of time. The question is, what do you do while waiting for everything to fall back into place?
---
Changmin stares at the envelope on his desk. He had opened it, played the disc once, and then hidden it away after. Too raw to deal with the emotions that came with the music. He understood, through it all, in spite of it all, he had understood the meaning behind Yunho's gesture. And that realisation had seared its way into the depths of Changmin's soul, leaving an imprint like a tattoo. Yunho had been the one to end things, the only way he knew how, despite how he had felt about him. Yunho had not wanted to hold him back, not wanted to try because of reasons only he knew. But Changmin could hazard a pretty good guess. The words that Yunho had said and not said, Changmin could infer. He had been angry, and then he had tried to hate him. But in the end, the complete and utter realisation once he saw what Yunho had given him had broken down his anger, leaving him with nothing. Emptiness. The only good thing, perhaps, was that he was no longer sad.
Things had ended up this way not because of him. This was all Yunho.
With that knowledge, he allows himself to let go. Let everything go.
---
Christmas is tomorrow and Yunho is spending it in Seoul this year. Due to work, he can only make it back to his hometown on Boxing Day. He makes another long phone call back home to apologise. The cheeriness of his family’s voices on the other line only drum it in further at how distant he has become from them. They have gotten used to being without me, he thinks. Ho Jun calls him soon after, insisting that he attends the party he is holding on Christmas Day, or else ‘I will physically drag you’. But that is tomorrow and he has the rest of the time before then to finish mastering the song he is working on.
My head is underwater but I'm breathing fine.
His mind wanders as it always does, to Changmin, whenever he has a spare moment. He wonders what the other is doing. He had not heard from the man ever since that night at the park. He sinks back in his chair, a small frown appearing on his forehead as he recalls the night.
But his mind is pretty much blank when he tries to think back on what he could have done better.
Nothing, he reasons to himself for the millionth time. This is for the best. His mind agrees with him, but an accompanying ache of the memory in his chest, reminds him that his heart does not.
Yunho sighs and gets up from his chair.
---
The Han River is quiet at the time of the night. Yunho gazes out at the ripples in the water, embracing the peace and privacy that the River always gives him.
A gravelly voice breaks his reverie.
‘Hey, do you have a smoke?’ Yunho looks up into the eyes of a middle-aged man. Scruff lines his face, years of living rough facing the elements have weathered themselves into the man’s features. But his eyes still shine, and the corners of his bearded mouth are lifted in a half-smile.
Yunho rummages around in his back pocket before producing a box of cigarettes and a lighter. He takes out one and lights it for the man, before lighting his own and exhaling. He turns back to face the river.
---
‘So, what’s your story?’ the man asks. Yunho shoots him a surprised glance; the man is staring out at the river, hands clasped around the cigarette.
‘Excuse me?’
‘A man like you, staring out at the river, at this time of the night on Christmas Eve. What’s your story?’
‘I.. I don’t..’ begins Yunho, shifting uncomfortably.
‘I’m just a man, a complete stranger. Whatever your story is, it can’t be as bad as mine. I’m the one who lives on that bench over there!’ chuckles the man, tilting his head towards the direction of a row of benches behind them.
‘And still, you seem remarkably happy for a man who does…’ murmurs Yunho, almost enviously. He means it as a compliment though, and the man takes it as one, nodding in agreement.
‘That’s because I’ve realised what’s important and what’s not. Let go of the things that weigh you down, and you’ll realise you can live anywhere.’ The man answers, flicking ash into the river.
Yunho stares at the man, curiosity piqued by his words. Let go of the things that weigh you down.
‘So, what’s your story?’ the man repeats.
Yunho stops. He looks at the man and then sighs. It’s Christmas Eve after all and he is alone. Except for this man who seems more perceptive than half of the people in his life, within the first ten minutes of meeting.
---
So he stutters, swallows and then he speaks. He tells the man a poignant story of why he is alone on Christmas Eve. Of loneliness, of forgetting himself. Of work and success; of love and loss. Yes, love and loss, which has led him to being alone on this day of all days, in his 28th year of life, in his 10th year of being in Seoul. He speaks tentatively about his early failed relationships, briefly touching upon them and how they floundered and faded as work demands increased, and then he talks mournfully about the way he dealt with their failure by choosing the path of non-commitment- one-night stands; short-term affairs. It was easier, you see, to walk away when there was no welcome to stay in the first place.
Then he stops, words stumbling at the edge of his tongue. The man waits patiently. There is one more piece of the puzzle that Yunho cannot bring himself to talk about.
‘I went to Italy, Rome to be exact, last November.’ Yunho starts slowly. He rubs a hand across his forehead as he tries to find a way to begin. ‘And I met someone.’
He pauses, as emotions catch up with him. Images of the Roman holiday flash across his mind.
Changmin. The first day. The conversation.
‘It was only a day, but damn it, I felt.. I felt at home. Does that make sense?’
The gondola ride, the hand-holding. The kiss.
‘It had been so long, when my heart beat like that, I felt alive.’
The pier. The chase. And the night.
‘You know how they say love is like a union of souls. It felt like that, only physically. God, I am so cheesy.’
The days laughing, going out, shopping.
‘We could have been doing nothing and I would still feel like that was the best time of my life.’
The eventual return, the farewell.
‘I wanted to stay, but I had to leave. I told myself.. I told myself..’ Yunho breaks off, unable to continue. The moonlight catches the emotion in his eyes as he stares hard at the water.
‘What did you tell yourself?’ the man asks.
‘I told myself, it was just a fling. That it.. I would forget it over time.’
And Yunho finally recognises the lie that he had tried to live, feels it crack as he says the words out loud.
---
Kyuhyun pounds on Changmin’s door, shouting for the other to hurry the fuck up before everyone else gets drunk without them.
Changmin slams open the door and storms out in a huff, glaring daggers at Kyuhyun as his fingers work furiously at the buttons of his shirt.
‘Okay, okay! I’m out, oh my god.’ He grabs his wallet and phone and shoves them into his jeans’ pockets and puts on his shoes.
Kyuhyun is already out the front door and walking down his driveway, trying to hail a cab that would take them to the club for the party. He had scored them invites to the exclusive party because their good friend Minho worked in the entertainment industry and he really wanted to go because his favourite girl group was supposed to attend.
Changmin yells a goodbye to his family and closes the door, jogging after his friend. He is actually looking forward to partying and having a good time with his friends. It had been two weeks since that night with Yunho at the park but Changmin was doing a lot better. After his, admittedly belated, realisation that he had nothing to do with the way things had ended, he had felt much better. He would be starting work at a magazine after the New Year and things were, well they were looking up. Finally, finally he would be happy and okay again.
He smiles at the thought and hops into the cab that Kyuhyun had gotten, elbowing the man playfully to move over.
---
Yunho shakes his head, declining yet another flute of champagne. He is pretty sure he is getting there. As in getting drunk and possibly doing something really stupid that would make headlines the next day. The girls sitting opposite him are giggling to themselves and peeking over their drinks trying to catch his eye. Yunho looks around, trying to find an escape route. Ho Jun is useless, the man has disappeared into the crowd, probably dancing on a bar top if the crowd hooting over at the far corner was any indication. He tries to make polite conversation with one of the girls, but after yet another stray hand makes its way to his black denim-clad thigh, Yunho smiles politely and gets up to excuse himself.
He walks over to another table where his good friend, Boa, is sitting.
‘None catch your fancy?’ Boa asks, smirking as she sips from her glass.
Yunho huffs and shakes his head. He looks at Boa as she glances at him sideways, catching his eye.
‘Maybe you were just looking in the wrong place.’ Boa whispers, flirtatiously. She lowers her eyes and gives him a look-over.
A white v-neck shirt that emphasises Yunho’s toned and sculpted body, half-tucked into a black pair of denim jeans and a long dog-tag necklace. For some reason, Yunho always looked really good even if he was wearing really casual clothes.They had hooked up a long time ago before Boa struck it big in Japan. She now spends almost half of her time there. Anyway, they had decided that staying friends was best.
Or so she thinks, feeling hindsight reproach her young and naïve self. Well, with the way he looks, no wonder almost everyone here was trying to get his attention.
Boa licks her lips and leans in closer. Yunho quirks an eyebrow in question, and leans in as well.
‘Are you seeing anyone?’ Boa asks.
The expression that flickers briefly over Yunho’s face is enough to answer her. She hesitates, maybe she shouldn’t. Or maybe she should
‘I return to Japan in a few days. How about keeping me company for the rest of this party.. And maybe the rest of the night?’
Yunho’s mouth opens in surprise. Then he stares at Boa, trying to figure out if she is joking. It had been a long time since. Well, since anyone. He cares for Boa and they are similar. Similarly alone and similarly married to their work. He swallows, a glimpse of Changmin pushes its way into his head before he shoves it back.
His heart pounds in objection as he opens his mouth to grin back.
‘Sure.’
Boa closes the gap between their lips with a wink.
---
Changmin gasps in shock.
---
After arriving at the club, Minho had met them and brought them to his table in the VIP area. He then made a show of gesturing and pointedly whispering that ‘the celebrities were JUST OVER THERE’, making Changmin roll his eyes and Kyuhyun squeak with delight at the prospect of having his favourite girl group JUST OVER THERE.
Changmin had been left alone to nurse his beer while Kyuhyun and Minho went off to try and spy on the girl group. Bored and wanting to avoid having to make conversation with some people who were trying to hit on him, Changmin had wandered off to look for Kyuhyun and Minho over where the celebrities were, his VIP entry stamp allowing him entry.
Then he had seen Boa, having recognised her from his time in Japan. Curious, he moved closer, trying to get a better look. And then an ominous feeling crept over him as he gazed at the back of the man facing her.
The broadness of his shoulders, his arms. The way he sat, the back of his head. Changmin found himself backing slowly away, as recognition started sinking in like a shockwave.
And then they kissed and Changmin had felt his throat go dry. He clutches at the pillar next to him desperately, trying to steady himself and walk away. He has to leave, he has to.
---
‘I think we are attracting attention,’ Boa murmurs, breaking for air.
‘What?’ Yunho replies, licking his lips. Boa had pressed her lips against his but he had not really responded, not wanting to. Yet. Perhaps with a bit more alcohol..
His chain of thoughts break off as Boa nods towards the outer area, ‘there.’
Yunho whips around and freezes, eyes catching sight of Changmin, head bent, leaning against a pillar. He had not realised Yunho had seen him yet.
‘Changmin.’ Yunho mutters, getting up quickly. Boa grabs at his arm, ‘You know him?’
‘Changmin!’ Yunho calls, louder this time, shrugging off Boa’s grasp.
Changmin looks up, a shattered expression on his face. He locks eyes with Yunho, shakes his head once, twice. And turns around to run out of the club.
‘Damn it!’ Yunho curses as he takes off after the man. Leaving a confused Boa staring after him.
---
‘Changmin, Changmin! Damn it, CHANGMIN!’ Yunho yells, grabbing at the other man’s arm as he is stalled by the crowd coming down the stairs, the only way in and out of the club. Changmin turns around, frustration rousing through his veins.
‘Let go of me.’ He mutters, furious.
‘No. Listen, can we talk?’
‘What’s there to talk about? Everything’s good. Let me go.’ Changmin is seething from where he is standing. The crowd around them recognises U-Know Yunho. They look at the two, at the way Yunho is holding onto Changmin, the desperation in his face, the blank look on Changmin’s. The whispering and staring start up. Changmin notices and it pisses him off.
‘Let me go.’ He repeats. Enunciating every word. A steel undertone emphasising the effort he is putting in to keep his emotions under control in this public place, this very public place. Even now, he is still thinking of Yunho, still concerned about attracting negative attention. Please Yunho, his eyes flicker warningly.
Yunho starts. And then he stops. He notices the people watching. He can imagine this will be the talk of the town tomorrow morning.
His hesitation does not go unnoticed. Changmin growls and shakes Yunho’s hand off his arm. He turns to run up the steps.
‘No!’ Something about the tone in the voice halts his movement. Makes him turn his head.
Yunho covers the remaining steps between them until he is just a step underneath Changmin.
He repeats himself, clear enough so that Changmin hears every single word.
‘I said no. I can’t. I can’t, Changdola. I can’t let you go.’
---
-continues to ' Back At One'-