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6 years and 359 days thanos had left nam-gyu. that was how long it had been since he had seen his best friend, since he had seen his nam-gyu. he didnt follow up with his promise, he never texted nam-gyu. he couldn't, it would hurt too much. thanos' heart sank each and every time he saw one of the messages pop up. but he just couldnt bring himself to read it. still, he kept up with nam-gyu's Instagram, checking everyday to see if he had posted. nam-gyu opened up a small coffee shop about a year ago. in the photo he posted celebrating the opening, he stood side by side with min-su, both of their smiles reaching their eyes. honestly, thanos was jealous for a bit when he had seen that photo, thinking that they were dating. it wasnt until he had stalked min-su's account was when he realised min-su was straight, and engaged to someone from their high school. thanos didnt recognise the girl, he guessed she was from a different class than them.
in one of nam-gyu's more recent posts, part of his hair was dyed purple. in the background of the photo, was the hair dye box, and it was then when thanos realised it was the same hair dye he had begged nam-gyu to help him dye his hair with. thanos smiled at the memory, them staining nam-gyu's sink, his parents pretending to be mad before laughing and helping them clean up.
thanos looked up from his phone, closing instagram and putting his phone back into his hoodie pocket. he was currently sat in the park, the same park he walked past all those years ago. opposite the street was the coffee shop that nam-gyu had opened. thanos could slightly make out what was inside. it looked like it was fairly empty, with two people sitting by the window and someone further down in the shop. thanos squinted, looking at the barista, trying to make out if it was nam-gyu, min-su or another employee.
sighing, he gave up, deciding it would just be better to walk in there to see for himself. he got off the bench, walking to the exit of the park. it was familiar, the way the buildings appeared from behind the trees, and the way you could make out more of the sky. thanos looked both left and right, before crossing the road. frankly, he wasnt in the mood to die anymore. he left that behind when he left town. instead, he got tattoos, covering all of his scars with his new life.
before he knew it, he was in front of the shop, pushing the door open. a bell rang above him, making thanos smile. he looked around at the decor, noticing how, worn in, everything was. paintings nam-gyu had made were placed on the walls, bringing light into the already bright shop. one of the paintings caught his eyes. it was a painting of them , well, their shadows. thanos smiled at that, before walking back up to the counter. the barista was crouching, trying to reach something from one of the bottom cupboards.
another barista had come out from the back, holding a box filled with paper cups and what ever else. thanos had recognised him as min-su, and he guessed he recognised him back, considering the way his eyes widened.
"nam-gyu, hey, look" min-su had nudged his leg against nam-gyu's shoulder, before pointing to thanos.
nam-gyu looked up at min-su confused, before following his finger. nam-gyu felt his heart beat faster, locking eyes with the man standing in front of the counter. nam-gyu practically jumped up from his spot, before rushing over bringing thanos into a tight hug. thanos thought nam-gyu was going to break his bones with the force he was hugging him with. nam-gyu pulled away, before placing both of his hands on thanos' face. thanos watched as his eyes moved around, trying to see if it really was thanos who was standing infront of him.
nam-gyu felt tears form in his eyes, looking back at min-su, "min-su, im leaving early, se-mi will be here in a bit for her shift"
thanos watched as min-su nodded, before turning his attention to the man in his arms. nam-gyu had barely changed, his hair was still as smooth as ever and his smile still as bright as ever. nam-gyu tugged at thanos' sleeve, pulling him to the staff room where his stuff was laying on the couch.
thanos wasnt sure when, but he ended up in nam-gyu's house. time had stopped the second he saw nam-gyu, and frankly he wasnt aware of anything anymore. all he knew was that nam-gyu was in his arms, and he was safe with nam-gyu.
"su-bong.. why didnt you message me" thanos paused, not expecting to be called out so quickly.
"i couldnt. it hurt too much to message you, im sorry nam-gyu"
"it hurt me as well, the fact that you weren't keeping your promise"
"im sorry, im so sorry nam-gyu"
nam-gyu had pulled thanos towards his room, pushing him onto the bed. thanos watched as nam-gyu went over to the closet, and pulled out a familiar hoodie. it was the hoodie he gave to nam-gyu the last time he saw him. he turned away, giving nam-gyu some privacy to change. taking advantage of this, he looked around the room, spotting nam-gyu's desk.
he walked over to it, before looking to the cork board that was hung up above it. thanos smiled to himself, noticing how alot of the photos were of them two. looking around the rest of the room, he noticed how many photos of him nam-gyu had stuck up around his room. frankly, he didnt even know that nam-gyu had so many photos of him.
thanos paused his thoughts, noticing what was hanging from the cork board. it was his cross necklace. the one he left on nam-gyu's table. thanos froze as he felt arms wrap around his waist, before relaxing once he realised it was nam-gyu.
he turned around, placing his left hand on nam-gyu's cheek, smiling when he saw nam-gyu lean into the hold, and his other hand wrapped around nam-gyu's waist.
"im sorry, nam-gyu, but im here now"
nam-gyu hid his face in thanos' chest, gripping tightly onto his shirt.
"dont leave me again, su-bong. stay, please. i love you"
"i love you, i promise you, il stay"
---
thanos woke up to pure warmth, the sun shining through the window and lighting up the room. nam-gyu was laying on his chest, mouth open and drooling on thanos' top. thanos smiled, finally, he was back where he needed to be, and he wouldnt leave nam-gyu ever again. no matter what.