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Old, carefree, cheerful, Gi-hun...
Old Gi-hun, buried under the trauma of the games. Under the deaths of his mother, Sang-woo, Seo-baek, and everyone else who perished in this hell, three years ago and now. He hadn't smiled in a long time. But now he was laughing. Maybe not as loudly as before, but he was laughing. Smiling.
Because of Jung-bae.
***
"The cheapskate from Sammu-dong. It's making me feel nostalgic."
Gi-hun let out a sigh of relief. Jung-bae's silly giggles and his own laughter made him realize how much he missed his former self. And Jung-bae. Those late-night conversations at the factory, his presence beside him. He glanced at his best friend. Their quiet laughter had already died down, and now they sat in comfortable silence. He blurted out:
"It's so nice to be with you, you know... after all that hell."
Jung-bae glanced at him, still smiling faintly.
"Oh, come on. You weren't yourself them. It's nice to see you like this, too. Good old Song Gi-hin, huh?"
Gi-hun gaze lingered on him. He hadn't felt human warmth or touch in a long time, not since he'd returned home after the games. He hadn't hugged anyone in 3 years... and looking at Jung-bae now, looking at their shoulders, very close, he moved closer, their shoulders touching completely. He craved warmth, affection, after so long of their absence. He wanted to feel Jung-bae again. So hard it was almost painful. He's like a lost puppy looking for affection.
And not from just anyone, but Jung-bae. He hadn't contacted him in three years, and he missed him so much.
***
From Jung-bae's perspective, when he saw Gi-hun at the games, he was overcome with both excitement and a little hurt.
He hadn't seen him in so long. He restrained himself from telling him how he'd waited for hours at the store. How he'd walked past places they'd been before, where they'd met sometimes. How he'd hopefully awaited some kind of message. He'd tried to find him for about six months, but hadn't been able to. Then his problems started, the divorce, and so on, and he'd put his search for Ki-hoon on hold.
Now, looking at his "puppy eyes", full of trust and vulnerability, yet also trauma, he couldn't help but feel the same slight flutter in his heart as when he'd been looking for him, when he'd seen him here...
***
"Can I hug you?"
Gi-hun's voice was quiet, muffled. He's tired of being strong, for now. Jung-bae nodded, inviting him closer. Gi-hin snuggled into his arms, resting his head trustingly on his shoulder.
"When did you become so warm?"-he said, muttering, burying his nose in Jung-bae shoulder and exhaling
Jung-bae giggled at the comment, but held Gi-hun peacefully as he embraced him tenderly. The warm night light only made it all the more comfortable. Other practically melted in his arms.
"Well, well... I missed you so much. I was about to propose myself."
Gi-hun's head turned to the side, still resting on the other's shoulder. Something about Jung-bae caught his attention. He couldn't even say what it was until his head almost moved closer to his neck, looking at it. His lips parted.
"Gi-hun?"
Jung-bae felt his gaze on his skin. Then his warm breath, tickling the side of his neck and ear. His fingers, near Gi-hun's collar, slid slightly under it.
"Gi-hun.." - he said again. He felt warmth on his neck, the touch of his lips. But he didn't stop him...