Wonwoo looked at Soonyoung, for a moment too long. Soonyoung couldn’t figure out what
that lingering gaze might mean.
“But Soonyoung,” Wonwoo said, finally, with a mix of emotions weighing his voice, “I don’t
belong here.”
Soonyoung knew it. Wonwoo wouldn’t want to accompany him. No one wants to be stuck in
an uncertain immortality. He would be alone again. Soonyoung knew it would happen
eventually. He knew he would be alone again, but the thought of not having Wonwoo by his
side hurt him the most. Yes, spirits like Soonyoung could feel things too. They could feel hurt,
pain, love.
And loneliness.
“Soonyoung, I like being with you.” Wonwoo said, carefully, gently. There was not even the
slightest hint of anger in his eyes and tone. “It even felt unreal when you held my hands. I’ve
never felt so complete before. I’m not mad at you for bringing me to your dimension, it feels
like a sanctuary to me.” A small, sad smile curved his lips, softened his gaze. “I want to stay
here with you, Soonyoung. I really do. But I don’t belong here, and I can’t stay here. My time
hasn’t come, and I don’t want to ruin that. If we’re really meant to be, time won’t be much of
an obstacle, right?”
Wonwoo caressed the petite boy’s cheek gently, and hugged him close. Listening to Soon-
young’s heartfelt explanation had dissipated his anger. He had come to realize how lonely it
must be to be stuck in immortality for hundreds of years, alone. It pained him to imagine how
Soonyoung might have craved for the warmth for so long. But he didn’t want to add Soon-
young’s sins by making him stay with him here. Wonwoo read about the spirit rules that said
if one rebels, God would give them the most torturous punishment, one that is so terrifying
that no one ever dare talking or inquiring about it. He would not let such horrible fate befall
Soonyoung. He had suffered enough.
They didn’t say any good bye, because Soonyoung immediately brought Wonwoo back to his
dimension as soon as he let go of him. Back to where he was supposed to be.
***
He woke up on the side of the road where the accident happened. All Wonwoo could see was
the wrecked car with Mingyu and Jihoon in it. They were unconscious and injured, but still
breathing. Wonwoo wasted no time to call 911, telling them about the accident. As he waited
for the ambulance and cops to come, Wonwoo felt different.
He felt… empty.
He couldn’t exactly give a name to the feeling. Was it the feeling of being incomplete? Was it
the feeling of being lost?