Half a Memory [oneshot]
Title: Half a Memory
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: G
Pairing: Minkhun (Minho/Nickhun)
Genre: Fluff
Disclaimer: Do not own.
Summary: Somewhere along the way, he lost the other half to his memory. And somewhere along the way, someone else found it.
AN;; A request. I do love me some Minkhun. I am aware that’s not the real differences in their ages. But... It’s my story, I can do what I want. :P
Warning. It’s massive. I don’t know why. LOL
--
Half a Memory
--
They met when Nickhun was six, and Minho was four. Nickhun stopped his bike next to the moving vans and glanced curiously at the movers, unconsciously making a bubble face as he watched. “Nickhun! Honey, get out of the road! Hurry and come wash up before we go meet the new neighbors!” His mother called from the front door.
“Coming, Mom!” He turned to look another time before peddling over into his front yard and dropping his bike unceremoniously next to the front door.
--
“Mom! Stop it!” Nickhun’s mom kept trying to wipe away invisible dirt on his face as she pulled him up straighter, holding a pie in her hands. “I just want us to make a good impression. Hello!” She called out as soon as she saw the family come outside.
Nickhun gave them a bright smile, waving cheerily. “Welcome to the neighborhood! I baked you a pie.” The other woman took the pie in her hands gratefully with a smile on her face. “Thank you so much. Is this your son?”
“Yes, this is Nickhun. He’s six this year.”
“Our son is four. He’s a little bit shy though. Minho, don’t you want to meet the new neighbors?” The other woman smiled as she tried to pry her son out from behind her. The boy shook his head and buried his face into his mother’s jeans.
He peeked out for a moment to see Nickhun waving and smiling at him before burying his face again. “Aww. He’s adorable. We can set up play dates for them! There are plenty of other kids in this neighborhood too.”
“We’ll definitely try. Minho, wave to the nice people. They’re going to be our neighbors across the street.” Minho peeked out from behind his mom and gave a shy wave, looking only at Nickhun. Nickhun returned the wave energetically. “We’re gonna be best friends okay?!” Minho smiled slightly behind his mother.
--
Minho was playing cars quietly by himself in the front yard when he heard the front gate rattling. He looks up alarmed and saw an arm trying to find the latch to the gate. He was frozen to his spot, too scared to say anything. The arm found the latch, and the gate swung open, revealing Nickhun with a cap and backpack on.
“Hi Minho! Did... did I scare you?” His expression turned from bright to worried when he saw the look on the other boy’s face. Minho held his car to his chest and shook his head. “Oh! Are you playing cars? Can I play too?” Nickhun didn’t wait for an answer before he slipped his backpack off and dived for a car.
Minho watched him play for a second before placing his car down and starting to make engine noises. “Oh, Nickhun! School’s out already?” Minho’s mother came out with a bowl of snacks and squatted down next to the two boys.
“Yeah. We’re playing cars!”
“Nickhun! How many times have I told you not to let yourself into other people’s yards!” His mother came stomping across the street, sweeping his backpack off the ground as she came across it. “What would happen if Minho wandered out and got hurt?” She scolded.
Nickhun looked down and glanced from side to side. He didn’t think about that. He just wanted to play with his new friend. “I’m so sorry, he’s really not this careless most of the time-”
“It’s okay. I was watching from the living room the whole time, just in case.” The two mothers stood on the porch and watched their sons play. “Minho doesn’t talk much. He loves to play though, he loves sports.”
“Do you know how to ride a bike, Minho?” Minho looked up and shook his head.
“I’ll teach you how!”
“Nicky, he’s a little bit too young to be riding bikes with you. You’ll be too fast for him because you can ride without training wheels.”
“Well I’ll ride slower! We can let him use the bike I got too big for right? The one with the training wheels?” His mother looked over to Minho’s mother apprehensively, but Minho’s mother was still smiling because Minho turned around to look at her with a pleading expression on his face.
“Sure. But only when one of us is watching!”
Nickhun stood up excitedly and grabbed Minho’s arm, dragging him across the street. “Look both ways Nicky!”
“Wait till you see it! I know you’ll like it! You won’t be able to get your training wheels off until you’re bigger though...” His voice trailed off in the distance.
--
Nickhun came by after school every day for the next month after he finished his school work to teach Minho how to ride a bike. He would spend a few minutes convincing Minho to let go of his arm and hold onto the handle bars. He’d help Minho keep the bars steady as he pushed him along slowly, then let go of the handle bars and just push him along while Minho kept his legs on the pedals.
Soon, the two of them were riding bikes with each other down the street, back and forth. That was the first time he heard Minho say anything to him. “Thank you...” Nickhun beamed with pride. “Of course! You’re my friend!” Minho smiled and pedaled away with a smile on his face.
--
They went riding together with Nickhun’s friends one day. Minho was scared of them because they looked so big. “Who’s the baby, Nickhun?” Nickhun sighed and shook his head. “His name is Minho. And he’s not a baby.”
“He still has training wheels.”
“He just learned how to ride.”
“Then why is he coming with us? He can’t keep up with us.”
“We can bike a little bit slower.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“If you’re not going to let him come along, then go on without me.” Nickhun looked angry as he turned away on his bike, telling Minho to follow him.
--
Another day, disaster struck. Disaster in Minho’s eyes anyway. He biked over a rock accidentally and fell off his bike, skinning his knee. His eyes teared up as he held his knee. The pain had already faded, but he was still shocked and scared.
Nickhun was by his side in an instant, wrapping his arms around the other boy. “It’s okay! Don’t cry, it was just a scratch, see! Move your hands so I can see it.” Minho sniffed and reluctantly moved his hands.
He tore his jeans, and his knee was bleeding slightly, but he was otherwise unharmed. “This calls for mommy magic. MOMMY! MINHO FELL AND SKINNED HIS KNEE!” He yelled from the street. Nickhun’s mother appeared in the doorway with a sympathetic look on her face as she hurried over to Minho to take a look.
“Aww, poor baby. Come on. I’ll fix that right up for you.” She helped him inside as Nickhun picked up his bike and pulled it into the their front yard. She picked Minho up and put him on the counter, gently cleaning off his knee.
Nickhun stood at the counter, standing on his tippy toes so he could see. She put a bandage over it and smiled at him. “There. All better. See? That wasn’t so bad.”
“Wait Mom! You forgot something!” Nickhun leaned over and kissed his knee. “A kiss to make it feel better!”
--
As the two grew up, their friendship grew stronger. Nickhun was there for Minho’s first day of school, comforting him as he was crying, telling him about all the fun things there were to do all day. By the end of the day, Minho had forgotten about his tears.
Minho was there for Nickhun’s elementary school graduation. He was sad that they weren’t going to be going to the same school together anymore, but Nickhun promised that it didn’t mean they would be any less best friends.
Nickhun came back for Minho’s elementary school graduation. He cheered loudly when his name was called. Minho flashed the biggest smile that he could muster in his direction.
Then disaster stuck in a different form. Minho was moving.
“You’re moving? What?! Why??” Nickhun looked absolutely crestfallen. Minho didn’t look much happier either. “My dad’s company moved him somewhere else, so we have to move again. I wish I could stay but...”
The both of them were silent, the only sounds heard were the creaking from the swings. “You should stay with me then! My mom loves you, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” Minho smiled and chuckled a little. “But then my parents would be sad.”
Nickhun let out another sigh. He was about to go into high school. And he was so excited to be able to learn the ropes and teach Minho about things when he got there. But now...
“We’ll still be best friends right?” Minho grinned as Nickhun held out his hand, extending his pinky.
“Best friends. Promise.” Minho grabbed his pinky with his own, and joined their thumbs together at the top to seal it.
--
Nickhun couldn’t stand the irony. It was raining the day everything was packed into the moving truck, and they were getting ready to leave. When did it ever rain in the summer? Nickhun stood under an umbrella with his mom as they watched the other family hurry down the steps towards the van. They conversed with each other for a moment, exchanging good byes. Nickhun gave Minho a hug in the rain and sighed.
“Here. Take this.” Nickhun took of his favorite bracelet and gave it to Minho, who took it with a grin. “Then you take this.” Minho moved his sharktooth necklace he got at camp one summer around and unclasped it, handing it over to Nickhun.
“Don’t lose it,” they both said at the same time.
“Don’t forget me either.”
“I promise I won’t.”
--
It took Nickhun a long time to get adjusted to the empty house in front of his again. Every time he walked by, he expected to see Minho in the yard doing something, waving at him and yelling his name to come join him in whatever he was doing.
Nickhun didn’t have to wake up early anymore to knock on Minho’s door to tell him to get up for school. He didn’t have anyone to walk and talk with on his way up to school anymore. He didn’t have someone to ride bikes with anymore. Everything just seemed so empty without him.
But as Nickhun entered high school, he made new friends. He did well in school, and he was definitely a favorite among the teachers and the students for his bright smile and happy personality. He got so many presents and confessions from girls, all the other guys were jealous of him. He never felt the same way about the girls though, rejecting them gently.
One of them didn’t take no for an answer though. “Why not oppa? Why don’t you like me? I’m pretty right?”
“Yes, but-”
“And I’m nice right?”
“Well, yeah, but-”
“Then what’s the problem! Everyone says we should date anyway!” She pouted as Nickhun sighed, rolling his eyes. “I’m sorry. But I’m just not interested in you that way.”
“Then at least give me a present for white day! I gave you a gift remember?”
“You did. You and the rest of the female population in the school,” he said with a laugh.
“What about that necklace? Can I have it?” Nickhun’s hand flew up to it as his face went dark. “No. You can’t have this.”
“Why? It’s just a neckl-”
“It’s not just a necklace. Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.” Nickhun left abruptly, leaving her behind in confusion. Nickhun didn’t ever get snippy like that. She pursed her lips. Why was that necklace so important to him?
--
Halfway through the school year, Minho was talking to his parents about visiting Nickhun for the summer. They were a bit apprehensive about him going so far away for so long, but they said they would think about it.
Nickhun’s personality seemed to rub off on him a bit as he started school there. He made a few friends here and there, and rose to popularity through all the sports he did. At the end of his third year of middle school though, he had a sudden growth spurt, and soon towered over everyone. He let his hair grow out and tied it back in a short ponytail.
He had a few confessions here and there, and awkwardly handled them, saying he was going to concentrate on school and sports. The best parts of his days were the days he got emails and pictures from Nickhun. It was easier for them to communicate that way, since both of them were too awkward to talk over the phone for too long.
It was a cold winter day when it happened. Minho was early for school for once, because he was going to ask a few questions about some thing on the homework he didn’t understand from last night. He was stopped at the crosswalk, waiting for the okay light to cross.
When he saw it, he looked back and forth just to make sure, just like he used to do with Nickhun when they were kids crossing the street with their bikes. He didn’t see anyone, so he crossed, pushing his bike across.
He didn’t even make it halfway across the crosswalk when he got hit. One second he was fine, then there was a split second of pain, then black. He came to when the paramedics got to him, asking him questions about himself. But Minho couldn’t answer. He couldn’t find the words. He turned his head slightly to see Nickhun’s bracelet a short distance away from his arm. He strained slightly as he reached for it, breathing out a small sigh of relief when he felt his fingers wrap around it and promptly passing out.
--
After Minho moved, they sent emails back and forth to each other. Minho would complain about how drab and boring the city was, and Nickhun would complain about how he couldn’t find anyone to challenge him in sports.
They sent pictures every now and then. Nickhun sent a picture to Minho after he dyed his hair blonde. Minho sent back a picture of his long hair tied back in a pony tail. “My dad keeps telling me to cut it, because he says I look like a hippie, but whatever. I like my hair,” Nickhun read out loud at the computer. He laughed as he shook his head.
Today, he sent an email telling him about his second year of high school. About how he was tired of all the girls confessing to him all the time, and all the drama he had to deal with on a daily basis. Minho answered with a picture of him making a sad face with two tear streams taped to his face. “Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it. Why don’t you just date one and get it over with?” Nickhun sighed again as he read it out loud.
He didn’t really like anyone that way. He sent one more email, detailing why he didn’t date and thanked him for being a big help with nothing as usual. He sent a picture of him winking and pointing along with it. He was about to send it but decided to add a post script.
Are you ever going to visit?
A question that he never got an answer to.
--
A month had passed since Minho’s last email. Nickhun was worried. Minho never left emails unreplied for that long. He was distracted during classes now, thinking about what could’ve possible happened to his best friend. His grades fell a little bit, enough to make his teachers notice, but not enough to affect his standings in class.
They tried to talk to him about what was bothering him, but he just flashed them a smile and shook his head. “It’s not anything for you to worry about. Thanks for your concern though.” He gave that speech more times than he could remember as the end of his second year of high school came to a close.
Four months without a reply from Minho. He was going to go insane. What happened to Minho?
He came home from biking in the summer air one day. His mother had just gotten off the phone and called Nickhun into the kitchen. “Nickhun, it’s about Minho.” His eyes widened at his mother. “What? What happened? He didn’t reply to my last email, and I was so worried. What happened?”
His mom looked sad as she looked at her son. “He got involved in a hit and run car accident. He was riding his bike to school, and started to cross the street when a car ran a red light and hit him. He was in the hospital in a coma for two months. He woke up, and finished his physical therapy.” Nickhun sank down in a chair and ran his hand through his hair.
“His parents are thinking about moving back here.” Nickhun looked up in surprise and couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. “Really? He’s coming back?” But something was wrong. His mother looked absolutely heartbroken as she saw the look on her son’s face.
“Probably but... he doesn’t remember anything Nickhun.” He froze.
“What do you mean he doesn’t remember anything? About the accident?”
“He doesn’t remember anything about anyone. He barely recognized his parents when he woke up. But he doesn’t remember anyone else.” Nickhun sat back in his seat in shock. “No... there’s no way. He promised. He promised.”
“Honey, I know it’s a lot to take in but-”
“I’m going to my room. I’m kinda tired. Sorry Mom.” His mom stopped talking and nodded sadly as Nickhun hurried off to his room. He fell onto his bed and brought a hand up to his necklace. “There’s no way... Minho.”
--
Nickhun was elected class president his senior year. He accepted with a light smile and a heavy heart. A month or two in, he was called to the office to show a new student around the school and make him feel welcome. This was about the third or so time this year, and they were usually girls who fawned over him, so he was glad that it was a guy this time.
He pushed open the office doors and smiled at the office lady who was handing the new student his papers. “Nickhun, you’re here. This is the new student.” The new student turned around and Nickhun’s heart stopped.
“Hello. Pleasure to meet you. My name is Choi Minho.” Nickhun couldn’t help but stare with a confused expression, his jaw moving up and down wordlessly. Minho raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you okay?” Nickhun closed his mouth and nodded.
“You still haven’t introduced yourself,” Minho said with a laugh. I shouldn’t have to, Nickhun thought sadly.
“Hello. I’m Nickhun. Class president. It’s... it’s nice... to meet you.” Again.
--
The words that flowed from Nickhun’s mouth were robotic as he showed Minho around the school. Minho grew up well. He was as tall as Nickhun, but slender. His muscles were probably more well defined before the accident. But he was very handsome now, Nickhun had to admit.
“And that’s pretty much the entire school.” Nickhun turned to Minho and gave him another searching glance.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I just moved in. My parents said we used to live here before. But I don’t really remember it too well...” Nickhun shuffled uncomfortably for a moment before speaking.
“I know. You live across the street from me.” Nickhun described the house, leaving Minho looking shocked. “How did you know?”
“We grew up together Minho. We were best friends until you moved away.” He glanced at the bracelet on his arm. “That bracelet is mine. You can still see my name written on the strap right there. And this... This is yours.” He pulled out Minho’s shark tooth necklace.
Minho stared at it for a moment until his expression turned to confusion. “I’m sorry but... I just don’t remember.”
--
They had the same lunch period together, which Nickhun took full advantage of, sitting next to him with a bright smile on his face. “Hey Minho!”
“Hey Nickhun. We have the same lunch huh?” Nickhun smiled at him and took a bite out of his food. “Yeah. Go figure. Wanna hang out after school today?” Minho was taken aback by his sudden offer.
“Uh...”
“Well, since we live close to each other and all... I mean... you don’t have to. I just thought I’d show you around and stuff... you know...” Nickhun trailed off, looking hopeful. To be honest, Minho didn’t have the heart to say no. Something was tugging at his heart strings, the way Nickhun looked at him so desperately, like he was waiting for something to happen.
“Sure. Why not?”
--
It was painful for Nickhun to build up his friendship with Minho again. He spent as much time as he could with him, helping him with his homework, hanging out with him after school, staying behind and watching his sports practice.
Over a short period of time, the two became close, but it just wasn’t the same. Something was still missing.
Nickhun tapped at his homework before taking a glance over at Minho. He was leaned over his paper, hand on his forehead, holding the hair out of his eyes as he did his homework. He felt Nickhun’s eyes on him again and looked up to see Nickhun smile at him.
“Why hello there. I know I’m much more pleasant to look at than your homework, but you should probably get it done.” Nickhun laughed before turning his head to his window. “It’s a nice day outside. Let’s take a break and go ride bikes.” Minho raised an eyebrow before putting his pencil down.
“I don’t know how to ride a bike. Well, at least now I don’t. I know I used to before because my parents told me the bike at home was mine.”
“Then you know how. You never really forget how to ride a bike once you learn how.”
--
But forget he did. Nickhun laughed hysterically as Minho tried to remember how to ride his bike. “Shut up! I’m sorry if I don’t remember something so simple according to you!” Nickhun was wiping away the tears from his eyes before he walked up to Minho, holding the bike up for him to get balanced.
“Put your feet on the pedals.” Minho did as he was told. He got a vague sense of dejavu as Nickhun pushed him forward slowly. “Hands on the handle bars, keep the bike going straight.” Nickhun let go of the handle bars and let Minho steer them.
After a few minutes, he pushed a little bit faster, finally letting go and watching Minho pedal off. He slowed to a stop eventually and turned around with a huge grin on his face. “So I did know how to ride a bike.”
Nickhun smiled. “Of course. How could you forget? I taught you how to ride a bike the first time too.”
--
After that, they spent their breaks after school and lazy afternoons riding their bikes. They rode to various places, Nickhun pointing out certain spots that he remembered sharing with Minho when they were kids.
They went through photo albums of their childhood, Nickhun explaining every single picture in hopes that Minho would remember, but to no avail. Minho still didn’t remember, but Nickhun was satisfied with their friendship. Or... maybe he wasn’t.
He started to see Minho in a different light now. He was an attractive man, with an equally attractive deep voice. He just had this sort of charisma that pulled him in, especially when he smiled. Nickhun wanted to melt into his smile forever.
He got unreasonably jealous when Minho told him about girls that confessed to him. He always tried to hide his jealousy, but Minho picked up on it anyway, teasing him about it.
One day when he was teasing though, Nickhun couldn’t stand it anymore. He threw his pencil down and reached over to put Minho into a headlock. “Whatever! I told you I don’t care anymore! Would you shut up about it already?!” They two of them laughed as Minho tried to struggle out of his grip. He flipped over, bringing their faces unbearably close to each other’s.
“Uh... I...” Nickhun let go and sat back, crossing his legs. Minho was still on all fours, giving him a look that Nickhun didn’t recognize.
“Umm... Minho. Are you okay? I didn’t... mean... to...” Nickhun lost his words as Minho crawled closer, bringing their faces close enough so that he could feel his breath.
“I don’t know why you get so jealous, Nickhun.” Nickhun gulped. “What do you mean?” Minho closed his eyes and leaned forward, capturing his lips in a soft and gently kiss. Nickhun’s eyes went wide for a moment, his heart beating out of his chest.
Minho pulled away and smiled. “I only have eyes for you.”
--
That was how their relationship began. Nothing seemed to change between them. They smiled more, there was hand holding, and they exchanged glances more often. But it still made Nickhun a little bit sad that Minho couldn’t keep his promise to him when he left.
They were riding bikes that faithful day. Nickhun pulled ahead for a moment to feel the breeze around him before he heard a crashing noise and a swear following it. He stopped and turned around, seeing Minho on the ground, holding his knee. He dropped his bike and ran back to him.
“Minho! What happened?” Minho mumbled something about a rock and didn’t look up. “Move your hands, let me see.” Nickhun squatted down and took a look at his knee. His pants were ripped, and he was bleeding, but it was no more than a deep skinning of his knee.
“Come on.” He grabbed his hand and pulled him inside of his house. Minho grunted in surprise when Nickhun wrapped his arms around his waist and put him on the counter.
“Jeeze. What am I? A kid?” Something was tugging at his memory though. He narrowed his eyes and tried to remember, wincing as Nickhun cleaned up his wound. After he was finished, he put a band aid over it gently with a soft smile.
Then all at once, everything came rushing back to Minho. His childhood, his friendship with Nickhun, his promises. Nickhun looked at Minho with concerned eyes as he started off into space, eyebrows furrowed, mouth slightly open.
“I...” Minho snapped out of his daze and turned to look at Nickhun right in the eyes. “You forgot something.” Nickhun raised an eyebrow.
“A kiss to make it feel better.” Nickhun’s eyes went wide. “What... what did you say?”
Minho pulled Nickhun closed and pressed their foreheads together, feeling Nickhun wrap his arms around his waist. “I remember. The very first time this happened. I cried. And when your mom put the bandage on it, you told her she forgot something. A kiss to make it feel better. I remember it all now.” Nickhun could feel tears starting to form in his eyes.
“I also remember... making a promise not to forget you when I moved away. And I know it probably hurt when I came back and I didn’t... I’m sorry Nickhun. I’m sorry I broke my promise.” Minho reached up and wiped away Nickhun’s tears with his thumbs before tilting his face up and kissing him, putting as much emotion and love as he could into it. They pulled away after a moment, panting slightly.
“A kiss to make your heart feel better. I love you, Nickhun.” Nickhun buried his face in Minho’s chest and took in a deep breath. “I love you too, Minho. I love you too.”
Author: ixjaydee
Rating: G
Pairing: Minkhun (Minho/Nickhun)
Genre: Fluff
Disclaimer: Do not own.
Summary: Somewhere along the way, he lost the other half to his memory. And somewhere along the way, someone else found it.
AN;; A request. I do love me some Minkhun. I am aware that’s not the real differences in their ages. But... It’s my story, I can do what I want. :P
Warning. It’s massive. I don’t know why. LOL
--
Half a Memory
--
They met when Nickhun was six, and Minho was four. Nickhun stopped his bike next to the moving vans and glanced curiously at the movers, unconsciously making a bubble face as he watched. “Nickhun! Honey, get out of the road! Hurry and come wash up before we go meet the new neighbors!” His mother called from the front door.
“Coming, Mom!” He turned to look another time before peddling over into his front yard and dropping his bike unceremoniously next to the front door.
--
“Mom! Stop it!” Nickhun’s mom kept trying to wipe away invisible dirt on his face as she pulled him up straighter, holding a pie in her hands. “I just want us to make a good impression. Hello!” She called out as soon as she saw the family come outside.
Nickhun gave them a bright smile, waving cheerily. “Welcome to the neighborhood! I baked you a pie.” The other woman took the pie in her hands gratefully with a smile on her face. “Thank you so much. Is this your son?”
“Yes, this is Nickhun. He’s six this year.”
“Our son is four. He’s a little bit shy though. Minho, don’t you want to meet the new neighbors?” The other woman smiled as she tried to pry her son out from behind her. The boy shook his head and buried his face into his mother’s jeans.
He peeked out for a moment to see Nickhun waving and smiling at him before burying his face again. “Aww. He’s adorable. We can set up play dates for them! There are plenty of other kids in this neighborhood too.”
“We’ll definitely try. Minho, wave to the nice people. They’re going to be our neighbors across the street.” Minho peeked out from behind his mom and gave a shy wave, looking only at Nickhun. Nickhun returned the wave energetically. “We’re gonna be best friends okay?!” Minho smiled slightly behind his mother.
--
Minho was playing cars quietly by himself in the front yard when he heard the front gate rattling. He looks up alarmed and saw an arm trying to find the latch to the gate. He was frozen to his spot, too scared to say anything. The arm found the latch, and the gate swung open, revealing Nickhun with a cap and backpack on.
“Hi Minho! Did... did I scare you?” His expression turned from bright to worried when he saw the look on the other boy’s face. Minho held his car to his chest and shook his head. “Oh! Are you playing cars? Can I play too?” Nickhun didn’t wait for an answer before he slipped his backpack off and dived for a car.
Minho watched him play for a second before placing his car down and starting to make engine noises. “Oh, Nickhun! School’s out already?” Minho’s mother came out with a bowl of snacks and squatted down next to the two boys.
“Yeah. We’re playing cars!”
“Nickhun! How many times have I told you not to let yourself into other people’s yards!” His mother came stomping across the street, sweeping his backpack off the ground as she came across it. “What would happen if Minho wandered out and got hurt?” She scolded.
Nickhun looked down and glanced from side to side. He didn’t think about that. He just wanted to play with his new friend. “I’m so sorry, he’s really not this careless most of the time-”
“It’s okay. I was watching from the living room the whole time, just in case.” The two mothers stood on the porch and watched their sons play. “Minho doesn’t talk much. He loves to play though, he loves sports.”
“Do you know how to ride a bike, Minho?” Minho looked up and shook his head.
“I’ll teach you how!”
“Nicky, he’s a little bit too young to be riding bikes with you. You’ll be too fast for him because you can ride without training wheels.”
“Well I’ll ride slower! We can let him use the bike I got too big for right? The one with the training wheels?” His mother looked over to Minho’s mother apprehensively, but Minho’s mother was still smiling because Minho turned around to look at her with a pleading expression on his face.
“Sure. But only when one of us is watching!”
Nickhun stood up excitedly and grabbed Minho’s arm, dragging him across the street. “Look both ways Nicky!”
“Wait till you see it! I know you’ll like it! You won’t be able to get your training wheels off until you’re bigger though...” His voice trailed off in the distance.
--
Nickhun came by after school every day for the next month after he finished his school work to teach Minho how to ride a bike. He would spend a few minutes convincing Minho to let go of his arm and hold onto the handle bars. He’d help Minho keep the bars steady as he pushed him along slowly, then let go of the handle bars and just push him along while Minho kept his legs on the pedals.
Soon, the two of them were riding bikes with each other down the street, back and forth. That was the first time he heard Minho say anything to him. “Thank you...” Nickhun beamed with pride. “Of course! You’re my friend!” Minho smiled and pedaled away with a smile on his face.
--
They went riding together with Nickhun’s friends one day. Minho was scared of them because they looked so big. “Who’s the baby, Nickhun?” Nickhun sighed and shook his head. “His name is Minho. And he’s not a baby.”
“He still has training wheels.”
“He just learned how to ride.”
“Then why is he coming with us? He can’t keep up with us.”
“We can bike a little bit slower.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“If you’re not going to let him come along, then go on without me.” Nickhun looked angry as he turned away on his bike, telling Minho to follow him.
--
Another day, disaster struck. Disaster in Minho’s eyes anyway. He biked over a rock accidentally and fell off his bike, skinning his knee. His eyes teared up as he held his knee. The pain had already faded, but he was still shocked and scared.
Nickhun was by his side in an instant, wrapping his arms around the other boy. “It’s okay! Don’t cry, it was just a scratch, see! Move your hands so I can see it.” Minho sniffed and reluctantly moved his hands.
He tore his jeans, and his knee was bleeding slightly, but he was otherwise unharmed. “This calls for mommy magic. MOMMY! MINHO FELL AND SKINNED HIS KNEE!” He yelled from the street. Nickhun’s mother appeared in the doorway with a sympathetic look on her face as she hurried over to Minho to take a look.
“Aww, poor baby. Come on. I’ll fix that right up for you.” She helped him inside as Nickhun picked up his bike and pulled it into the their front yard. She picked Minho up and put him on the counter, gently cleaning off his knee.
Nickhun stood at the counter, standing on his tippy toes so he could see. She put a bandage over it and smiled at him. “There. All better. See? That wasn’t so bad.”
“Wait Mom! You forgot something!” Nickhun leaned over and kissed his knee. “A kiss to make it feel better!”
--
As the two grew up, their friendship grew stronger. Nickhun was there for Minho’s first day of school, comforting him as he was crying, telling him about all the fun things there were to do all day. By the end of the day, Minho had forgotten about his tears.
Minho was there for Nickhun’s elementary school graduation. He was sad that they weren’t going to be going to the same school together anymore, but Nickhun promised that it didn’t mean they would be any less best friends.
Nickhun came back for Minho’s elementary school graduation. He cheered loudly when his name was called. Minho flashed the biggest smile that he could muster in his direction.
Then disaster stuck in a different form. Minho was moving.
“You’re moving? What?! Why??” Nickhun looked absolutely crestfallen. Minho didn’t look much happier either. “My dad’s company moved him somewhere else, so we have to move again. I wish I could stay but...”
The both of them were silent, the only sounds heard were the creaking from the swings. “You should stay with me then! My mom loves you, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” Minho smiled and chuckled a little. “But then my parents would be sad.”
Nickhun let out another sigh. He was about to go into high school. And he was so excited to be able to learn the ropes and teach Minho about things when he got there. But now...
“We’ll still be best friends right?” Minho grinned as Nickhun held out his hand, extending his pinky.
“Best friends. Promise.” Minho grabbed his pinky with his own, and joined their thumbs together at the top to seal it.
--
Nickhun couldn’t stand the irony. It was raining the day everything was packed into the moving truck, and they were getting ready to leave. When did it ever rain in the summer? Nickhun stood under an umbrella with his mom as they watched the other family hurry down the steps towards the van. They conversed with each other for a moment, exchanging good byes. Nickhun gave Minho a hug in the rain and sighed.
“Here. Take this.” Nickhun took of his favorite bracelet and gave it to Minho, who took it with a grin. “Then you take this.” Minho moved his sharktooth necklace he got at camp one summer around and unclasped it, handing it over to Nickhun.
“Don’t lose it,” they both said at the same time.
“Don’t forget me either.”
“I promise I won’t.”
--
It took Nickhun a long time to get adjusted to the empty house in front of his again. Every time he walked by, he expected to see Minho in the yard doing something, waving at him and yelling his name to come join him in whatever he was doing.
Nickhun didn’t have to wake up early anymore to knock on Minho’s door to tell him to get up for school. He didn’t have anyone to walk and talk with on his way up to school anymore. He didn’t have someone to ride bikes with anymore. Everything just seemed so empty without him.
But as Nickhun entered high school, he made new friends. He did well in school, and he was definitely a favorite among the teachers and the students for his bright smile and happy personality. He got so many presents and confessions from girls, all the other guys were jealous of him. He never felt the same way about the girls though, rejecting them gently.
One of them didn’t take no for an answer though. “Why not oppa? Why don’t you like me? I’m pretty right?”
“Yes, but-”
“And I’m nice right?”
“Well, yeah, but-”
“Then what’s the problem! Everyone says we should date anyway!” She pouted as Nickhun sighed, rolling his eyes. “I’m sorry. But I’m just not interested in you that way.”
“Then at least give me a present for white day! I gave you a gift remember?”
“You did. You and the rest of the female population in the school,” he said with a laugh.
“What about that necklace? Can I have it?” Nickhun’s hand flew up to it as his face went dark. “No. You can’t have this.”
“Why? It’s just a neckl-”
“It’s not just a necklace. Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.” Nickhun left abruptly, leaving her behind in confusion. Nickhun didn’t ever get snippy like that. She pursed her lips. Why was that necklace so important to him?
--
Halfway through the school year, Minho was talking to his parents about visiting Nickhun for the summer. They were a bit apprehensive about him going so far away for so long, but they said they would think about it.
Nickhun’s personality seemed to rub off on him a bit as he started school there. He made a few friends here and there, and rose to popularity through all the sports he did. At the end of his third year of middle school though, he had a sudden growth spurt, and soon towered over everyone. He let his hair grow out and tied it back in a short ponytail.
He had a few confessions here and there, and awkwardly handled them, saying he was going to concentrate on school and sports. The best parts of his days were the days he got emails and pictures from Nickhun. It was easier for them to communicate that way, since both of them were too awkward to talk over the phone for too long.
It was a cold winter day when it happened. Minho was early for school for once, because he was going to ask a few questions about some thing on the homework he didn’t understand from last night. He was stopped at the crosswalk, waiting for the okay light to cross.
When he saw it, he looked back and forth just to make sure, just like he used to do with Nickhun when they were kids crossing the street with their bikes. He didn’t see anyone, so he crossed, pushing his bike across.
He didn’t even make it halfway across the crosswalk when he got hit. One second he was fine, then there was a split second of pain, then black. He came to when the paramedics got to him, asking him questions about himself. But Minho couldn’t answer. He couldn’t find the words. He turned his head slightly to see Nickhun’s bracelet a short distance away from his arm. He strained slightly as he reached for it, breathing out a small sigh of relief when he felt his fingers wrap around it and promptly passing out.
--
After Minho moved, they sent emails back and forth to each other. Minho would complain about how drab and boring the city was, and Nickhun would complain about how he couldn’t find anyone to challenge him in sports.
They sent pictures every now and then. Nickhun sent a picture to Minho after he dyed his hair blonde. Minho sent back a picture of his long hair tied back in a pony tail. “My dad keeps telling me to cut it, because he says I look like a hippie, but whatever. I like my hair,” Nickhun read out loud at the computer. He laughed as he shook his head.
Today, he sent an email telling him about his second year of high school. About how he was tired of all the girls confessing to him all the time, and all the drama he had to deal with on a daily basis. Minho answered with a picture of him making a sad face with two tear streams taped to his face. “Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it. Why don’t you just date one and get it over with?” Nickhun sighed again as he read it out loud.
He didn’t really like anyone that way. He sent one more email, detailing why he didn’t date and thanked him for being a big help with nothing as usual. He sent a picture of him winking and pointing along with it. He was about to send it but decided to add a post script.
Are you ever going to visit?
A question that he never got an answer to.
--
A month had passed since Minho’s last email. Nickhun was worried. Minho never left emails unreplied for that long. He was distracted during classes now, thinking about what could’ve possible happened to his best friend. His grades fell a little bit, enough to make his teachers notice, but not enough to affect his standings in class.
They tried to talk to him about what was bothering him, but he just flashed them a smile and shook his head. “It’s not anything for you to worry about. Thanks for your concern though.” He gave that speech more times than he could remember as the end of his second year of high school came to a close.
Four months without a reply from Minho. He was going to go insane. What happened to Minho?
He came home from biking in the summer air one day. His mother had just gotten off the phone and called Nickhun into the kitchen. “Nickhun, it’s about Minho.” His eyes widened at his mother. “What? What happened? He didn’t reply to my last email, and I was so worried. What happened?”
His mom looked sad as she looked at her son. “He got involved in a hit and run car accident. He was riding his bike to school, and started to cross the street when a car ran a red light and hit him. He was in the hospital in a coma for two months. He woke up, and finished his physical therapy.” Nickhun sank down in a chair and ran his hand through his hair.
“His parents are thinking about moving back here.” Nickhun looked up in surprise and couldn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. “Really? He’s coming back?” But something was wrong. His mother looked absolutely heartbroken as she saw the look on her son’s face.
“Probably but... he doesn’t remember anything Nickhun.” He froze.
“What do you mean he doesn’t remember anything? About the accident?”
“He doesn’t remember anything about anyone. He barely recognized his parents when he woke up. But he doesn’t remember anyone else.” Nickhun sat back in his seat in shock. “No... there’s no way. He promised. He promised.”
“Honey, I know it’s a lot to take in but-”
“I’m going to my room. I’m kinda tired. Sorry Mom.” His mom stopped talking and nodded sadly as Nickhun hurried off to his room. He fell onto his bed and brought a hand up to his necklace. “There’s no way... Minho.”
--
Nickhun was elected class president his senior year. He accepted with a light smile and a heavy heart. A month or two in, he was called to the office to show a new student around the school and make him feel welcome. This was about the third or so time this year, and they were usually girls who fawned over him, so he was glad that it was a guy this time.
He pushed open the office doors and smiled at the office lady who was handing the new student his papers. “Nickhun, you’re here. This is the new student.” The new student turned around and Nickhun’s heart stopped.
“Hello. Pleasure to meet you. My name is Choi Minho.” Nickhun couldn’t help but stare with a confused expression, his jaw moving up and down wordlessly. Minho raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you okay?” Nickhun closed his mouth and nodded.
“You still haven’t introduced yourself,” Minho said with a laugh. I shouldn’t have to, Nickhun thought sadly.
“Hello. I’m Nickhun. Class president. It’s... it’s nice... to meet you.” Again.
--
The words that flowed from Nickhun’s mouth were robotic as he showed Minho around the school. Minho grew up well. He was as tall as Nickhun, but slender. His muscles were probably more well defined before the accident. But he was very handsome now, Nickhun had to admit.
“And that’s pretty much the entire school.” Nickhun turned to Minho and gave him another searching glance.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I just moved in. My parents said we used to live here before. But I don’t really remember it too well...” Nickhun shuffled uncomfortably for a moment before speaking.
“I know. You live across the street from me.” Nickhun described the house, leaving Minho looking shocked. “How did you know?”
“We grew up together Minho. We were best friends until you moved away.” He glanced at the bracelet on his arm. “That bracelet is mine. You can still see my name written on the strap right there. And this... This is yours.” He pulled out Minho’s shark tooth necklace.
Minho stared at it for a moment until his expression turned to confusion. “I’m sorry but... I just don’t remember.”
--
They had the same lunch period together, which Nickhun took full advantage of, sitting next to him with a bright smile on his face. “Hey Minho!”
“Hey Nickhun. We have the same lunch huh?” Nickhun smiled at him and took a bite out of his food. “Yeah. Go figure. Wanna hang out after school today?” Minho was taken aback by his sudden offer.
“Uh...”
“Well, since we live close to each other and all... I mean... you don’t have to. I just thought I’d show you around and stuff... you know...” Nickhun trailed off, looking hopeful. To be honest, Minho didn’t have the heart to say no. Something was tugging at his heart strings, the way Nickhun looked at him so desperately, like he was waiting for something to happen.
“Sure. Why not?”
--
It was painful for Nickhun to build up his friendship with Minho again. He spent as much time as he could with him, helping him with his homework, hanging out with him after school, staying behind and watching his sports practice.
Over a short period of time, the two became close, but it just wasn’t the same. Something was still missing.
Nickhun tapped at his homework before taking a glance over at Minho. He was leaned over his paper, hand on his forehead, holding the hair out of his eyes as he did his homework. He felt Nickhun’s eyes on him again and looked up to see Nickhun smile at him.
“Why hello there. I know I’m much more pleasant to look at than your homework, but you should probably get it done.” Nickhun laughed before turning his head to his window. “It’s a nice day outside. Let’s take a break and go ride bikes.” Minho raised an eyebrow before putting his pencil down.
“I don’t know how to ride a bike. Well, at least now I don’t. I know I used to before because my parents told me the bike at home was mine.”
“Then you know how. You never really forget how to ride a bike once you learn how.”
--
But forget he did. Nickhun laughed hysterically as Minho tried to remember how to ride his bike. “Shut up! I’m sorry if I don’t remember something so simple according to you!” Nickhun was wiping away the tears from his eyes before he walked up to Minho, holding the bike up for him to get balanced.
“Put your feet on the pedals.” Minho did as he was told. He got a vague sense of dejavu as Nickhun pushed him forward slowly. “Hands on the handle bars, keep the bike going straight.” Nickhun let go of the handle bars and let Minho steer them.
After a few minutes, he pushed a little bit faster, finally letting go and watching Minho pedal off. He slowed to a stop eventually and turned around with a huge grin on his face. “So I did know how to ride a bike.”
Nickhun smiled. “Of course. How could you forget? I taught you how to ride a bike the first time too.”
--
After that, they spent their breaks after school and lazy afternoons riding their bikes. They rode to various places, Nickhun pointing out certain spots that he remembered sharing with Minho when they were kids.
They went through photo albums of their childhood, Nickhun explaining every single picture in hopes that Minho would remember, but to no avail. Minho still didn’t remember, but Nickhun was satisfied with their friendship. Or... maybe he wasn’t.
He started to see Minho in a different light now. He was an attractive man, with an equally attractive deep voice. He just had this sort of charisma that pulled him in, especially when he smiled. Nickhun wanted to melt into his smile forever.
He got unreasonably jealous when Minho told him about girls that confessed to him. He always tried to hide his jealousy, but Minho picked up on it anyway, teasing him about it.
One day when he was teasing though, Nickhun couldn’t stand it anymore. He threw his pencil down and reached over to put Minho into a headlock. “Whatever! I told you I don’t care anymore! Would you shut up about it already?!” They two of them laughed as Minho tried to struggle out of his grip. He flipped over, bringing their faces unbearably close to each other’s.
“Uh... I...” Nickhun let go and sat back, crossing his legs. Minho was still on all fours, giving him a look that Nickhun didn’t recognize.
“Umm... Minho. Are you okay? I didn’t... mean... to...” Nickhun lost his words as Minho crawled closer, bringing their faces close enough so that he could feel his breath.
“I don’t know why you get so jealous, Nickhun.” Nickhun gulped. “What do you mean?” Minho closed his eyes and leaned forward, capturing his lips in a soft and gently kiss. Nickhun’s eyes went wide for a moment, his heart beating out of his chest.
Minho pulled away and smiled. “I only have eyes for you.”
--
That was how their relationship began. Nothing seemed to change between them. They smiled more, there was hand holding, and they exchanged glances more often. But it still made Nickhun a little bit sad that Minho couldn’t keep his promise to him when he left.
They were riding bikes that faithful day. Nickhun pulled ahead for a moment to feel the breeze around him before he heard a crashing noise and a swear following it. He stopped and turned around, seeing Minho on the ground, holding his knee. He dropped his bike and ran back to him.
“Minho! What happened?” Minho mumbled something about a rock and didn’t look up. “Move your hands, let me see.” Nickhun squatted down and took a look at his knee. His pants were ripped, and he was bleeding, but it was no more than a deep skinning of his knee.
“Come on.” He grabbed his hand and pulled him inside of his house. Minho grunted in surprise when Nickhun wrapped his arms around his waist and put him on the counter.
“Jeeze. What am I? A kid?” Something was tugging at his memory though. He narrowed his eyes and tried to remember, wincing as Nickhun cleaned up his wound. After he was finished, he put a band aid over it gently with a soft smile.
Then all at once, everything came rushing back to Minho. His childhood, his friendship with Nickhun, his promises. Nickhun looked at Minho with concerned eyes as he started off into space, eyebrows furrowed, mouth slightly open.
“I...” Minho snapped out of his daze and turned to look at Nickhun right in the eyes. “You forgot something.” Nickhun raised an eyebrow.
“A kiss to make it feel better.” Nickhun’s eyes went wide. “What... what did you say?”
Minho pulled Nickhun closed and pressed their foreheads together, feeling Nickhun wrap his arms around his waist. “I remember. The very first time this happened. I cried. And when your mom put the bandage on it, you told her she forgot something. A kiss to make it feel better. I remember it all now.” Nickhun could feel tears starting to form in his eyes.
“I also remember... making a promise not to forget you when I moved away. And I know it probably hurt when I came back and I didn’t... I’m sorry Nickhun. I’m sorry I broke my promise.” Minho reached up and wiped away Nickhun’s tears with his thumbs before tilting his face up and kissing him, putting as much emotion and love as he could into it. They pulled away after a moment, panting slightly.
“A kiss to make your heart feel better. I love you, Nickhun.” Nickhun buried his face in Minho’s chest and took in a deep breath. “I love you too, Minho. I love you too.”