DASH

Jihong sat on a bench by the pool and looked at the wide water surface. During training during the day, on weekdays, access was closed to ordinary visitors, and there was an almost eerie silence. Now seven of the eight paths were empty. Only one of them was a ten-year-old child swimming continuously. Every time he cut through the water, he was enveloped in snow-white foam, which immediately dissipated like a mist in the midday sun.

The bright glare on the water unmistakably indicated to Jihon that this was the dream. For some reason, my soul immediately felt sad. Ten years had passed, and he still hadn't let go of the past and had come back here again. He felt sorry for himself, for his helplessness, and he wanted to cry. Jihon had devoted ten years to the place, and had not been here for exactly the same amount of time. But I still haven't forgotten.

How much more time is needed? Ten more years? Will he ever be able to leave everything for good? Will his heart stop aching? Will he stop having this dream? But if such a day comes, he will probably be sad too. After all, Jihong loved this place so sincerely. He loved him for ten whole years. It has become an integral part of his life, which cannot simply be crossed out. I guess Jihong will never be able to forget. Even in ten years, and in another ten.

It was both comforting and hopeless. Comforting, because he no longer has to fight the past. And hopeless, because he is doomed to eternal loneliness in this huge, empty pool.

The moment Jihong finally accepted it, someone's voice rang out: "Hyung.

A ray of sunlight filtering through the curtains made Jihon involuntarily frown. He wanted to turn on his side, but at that moment a shadow fell on him.

"Are you awake?"

Immediately waking up, Jihong looked at Jaekyung. The latter covered his face from the sun with his hand. Only now did Jihong realize that he was lying in bed in his pajamas. He did not remember at all how he washed, changed his clothes and ended up here.

"Have you come to your senses?" Jaekyung asked again.

He must have done all this, Jihon thought, slowly opening and closing his eyes.

"Yes... No...

"So did you wake up or not?"

"I don't know...

"That's right," Jaekyung smiled.

Jihon looked at his smile as if spellbound. The lover's face was the same as in the dream. In the bright morning light, the brown eyes seemed even softer.

"Come here," Jihon muttered, turning on his side.

Jaekyung obediently moved closer, and Jihong, hugging him, kissed him gently.

"An injection... Didn't work?

"Yes," Jaekyung replied with an unusually frown, pulling away. "There are no side effects, no effect itself.

"Money down the drain," Jihong grinned, and as he continued to stroke Jaekyung's cheek, he muttered, "What do I do now..."

"We'll think about it later," Jaekyung hugged him tightly. "Now let's sleep some more." Don't worry.

Jihon wanted to say that it was impossible not to worry, but before he had time, his eyes closed again. Jaekyung's hug was so warm and cozy that he immediately relaxed and felt safe. Through his slumber, he heard Jaekyung's voice, "We'll think of something.

"Yes, we will come up with something. There must be an exit somewhere that is suitable for both of us," with this thought, Jihong fell into a deep sleep.

As if he had driven through a tunnel, Jihon found himself again at the brightly lit pool. Standing next to him was little Jaekyung.

"What are you doing here?"

Jihon was surprised that he spoke first.

"I was looking at you," he said.

Jaekyung blinked, as if asking, "On me?" And then he muttered quietly, "What nonsense," and lowered his eyes in embarrassment. Looking at him, Jihong couldn't help but smile.@@novelbin@@

Why hadn't Jihong noticed this before?

After all, Jaekyung himself was looking only at him. But he was so clumsy that he could never express his feelings. It was so sweet and a little sad at the same time that Jihon's heart ached.

"Aren't you bored alone?" He asked with a slight tremor in his voice.

"Why should I be bored when I'm swimming?" Jaekyung tilted his head to the side, as if he didn't understand the question. Then he rubbed his eyes again, "Do you get bored when you swim, hyung?"

"No, I'm not bored either," Jihong smiled, but after looking at the empty pool with its shimmering glare, he added quietly, "But sometimes it can be lonely.

"Why do you feel lonely if you're with me?"

At these unexpected words, Jihon looked at the child. But in front of him was an adult Jaekyung.

"You're not alone now, hyung," he said with a beaming smile and held out his hand to him.

Their hands intertwined, and Jaekyung dragged Jihon with him, into the cool azure. Jihon, who feared that the water would be cold, relaxed at the familiar temperature and sank deeper. It was calm and cozy. At the same moment, indescribable happiness overtook him. Jihon knew these tender, almost comforting embraces well. The warmth enveloping and accepting him as he was, belonged to Jaekyung.