24- Ending it

Kyeom pov.

We woke up pretty early because of the activities prepared by our very own Cheol and Jeonghannie. Some of us went to the pool to exercise and some went for a jog.

"Wanna go run with me?" Seunkwan asked as he prepared to run by stretching his legs and body.

"Sure thing but don't you guys have a hot air balloon to ride with?" I asked.

"Actually... we gave that to Mingyu and Wonu since Gyu was really excited to go do that. Very very... " He said nonchalantly.

"What? So you guys will go to the wine thing?" I asked. And he nodded.

"Alright then it's been a long time since we hang out" I said as I started to get ready too.

"Clingy?" He joked and I rolled my eyes. We started running after a few minutes of warming up. We went down the following the road and I was surprised about the view. We stopped after a little while to take pictures of just the two of us. I even forgot about Joshua who is probably sleeping still.

"Oh we're already in town." Kwannie noticed and we slowed our run.

"I know right. It's surprisingly not that far." I said as we both ran to the streets.

"Oh Vernon mentioned about a great burger place here." Suengkwan said as we approached the cart.

"Oh, I surely would like one" I commented.

"Do you have money?" Kwannie asked.

"What? I thought you brought your wallet. I didn't bring mine." I said and we both stopped to think.

"Let's just call Vernon then." He suggested as we both sat down to wait for the cart to open. It will open in about 30 minutes so we will just rest while waiting for our money.

"Hey babe, come eat burgers with us bring your money. I'll send you the location. Just use the car." He said on the phone and I smiled at how they talk to each other.

"You really like pet names." I said.

"Yup it just comes out naturally. Doesn't Joshua call you babe sometimes?" Kwannie said.

"He does but it feels embarrassing so I keep on making him stop." I said honestly.

"Why be embarrassed? People are just bitter if they judge you." He said nonchalantly and I thought about it. He was right. Why am I looking for people's approval right? I thought to myself.

"Maybe you're right...." I said and he looked at me.

"Dude, I'm always right. Also that boyfriend of yours is a catch. If you keep on saying no to him... who knows maybe he'll find someone who says yes." He told me without blinking and I looked at him with a little fear in my eyes.

"You're scary you know that right?" I asked him.

"But I'm not wrong. Being public is just the tip of the iceberg. When Vernon and I came out it was hard too. We received a lot of backlash but it was worth it. Now even the girls are jealous of me." He said proudly and I laughed.

"Your just bragging about your relationship." I said.

"Well that's 100% true but I'm just telling you. It's worth it. Plus just say yes to your boyfriend so that he stops bothering Vernon. My bonon-time is being taken away." He said and I just chucked.

"What? They like each other because they understand each other." I said defending Joshi.

"I guess we have very similar taste." He winked and I smiled.

"Looks like Vernon's here with the cashhhhhh." I said excitedly as I saw the car we rented for the trip.

"Alright let's go in line. We shoult be the first but since we have no money we are now at the back that's so annoying." He complains and I just chuckled.

"Here you go babe." Vernon said to Kwannie.

"Thanks babe." Kwannie said as he took money from his boyfriend and they sat down together waiting for us to finish buying.

"Oh and just so you know I hear them talking one time." He said to me as the vendor gave us the burgers.

"About what?" I asked curiously as we walked towards the both of them.

"Something about him second guessing his decisions... I actually have no idea what I am talking but I just heard it and maybe you ought to know" he said dropping the bomb just like that as we finally reached them both. Alright so how do I react with something like that?!? Joshua smiled as I handed him the burger and I just looked at him. He's having 2nd thoughts about us? About me?

"Kyeom? What's happening to your face?" He asked as he took a bite and patted the bench for me to sit beside him.

"Oh nothing.. i just have something in mind." I said as I saw Vernon and Kwannie enjoying their food.

"Well whatever it is you can talk to me." He said as he kissed my forehead. I still don't know what to do and I just ate my food in silence as Vernon and Joshua talked about stuff they are planning to do later.

Damn it I'm overwhelmed and definitely overthinking this. Seungkwan is such a freaking wake up call i don't even think I needed. He needs to explain further damn it.

We all used the car to get back to the hotel and I was still thinking about what Seungkwan said. I'm definitely not okey.

"Ready for our Florence trip?" Jeonghan suddenly said as we arrived.

"Oh it's time?" I asked and he nodded as he got ready too. Joshua borrowed Vernon's shirt since he liked it. I just wore a simple blue shirt to match Joshua's blue collared shirt. Why am I trying so hard?!?! Joshua just smiled at me .... And I feel guilty. Guilty?!?! I don't know.

"Okey Daddu's already at the car waiting." Jeonghan said with his cute red shirt. It was an oversized shirt and it's cute.

"Wanna go by Wonu's and Mingyu's room? Let's ask how the hot air balloon was." Jeonghan suggested.

"Sure. Joshua's still fixing his hair anyway." I said and we both entered their room.

"Aweeee look at them sleeping. I didn't know they made up already. They look so comfy". Jeonghan said and then he suddenly kissed Gyu's cheek. This made gyu wake up suddenly and Wonu as well in the process.

"Did you kiss my cheek?" Gyu asked Wonu.

"Dude I just woke up. Ask the other guy that's in our room." Wonu said as he got back to sleep.

"Jeonghan?kyeom?" He asked sleepily.

"What? He looked pretty." Hannie said to me and I just chuckled.

"You're weird." I said as we both got out the room and let the lovebirds sleep instead of disturbing them. Then we both went to the car where our boyfriends are waiting for us.

"You guys ready?" Cheol asked.

"Hannie kissed Gyu." I said and then Cheol looked at his boyfriend. Joshua just chuckled as he waited for me to sit next to him which I did. He automatically adjusted the seat to my liking and as well as the air conditioning. I just smiled at him and so did he.

"Can you please stop kissing other guys?!?" Cheol said with annoyance and Joshua just chuckled.

"I told you guys he's pretty." Hannie said in defense again.

"Meanwhile I didn't even get a kiss today." Cheol said sulking and we just laughed at him.

"You had your fill last night stop being so overdramatic." He said nonchalantly and I just sat there awkwardly. He's so open.

"Dude Tmi." Joshua said trying to sway the awkwardness away. We all laughed and Cheol finally drives us to Florence. ———————————————————————————-

We arrived a little before lunch so we decided to go to their marketplace. It was crowded too and we looked for something we liked.

"Pizza?" Cheol asked.

"Sure. I could go for pizza." Joshua said and I just nodded.

We got pizza and Joshua ordered for us. He surprisingly knows some italian words and it was hot. All I know was Salute. I thought to myself.

"I like their drinks. What do you call these again?" Jeonghan asked.

"It's aperol spritz I think." I said and Joshua looked at me.

"Woahh you actually listened. So proud of you kyeomieee." He said as he hugged me like a little kid. I just pushed him and they just laughed at me.

"So where do we go next?" I asked.

"How about the pasta cooking place that Cheol mentioned? I think it would be fun for us." Hannie added.

"Alright then..." i said before getting interrupted.

"Are you both a couple?" One girl asked and she was bringing a camera.

"Uhmmm yes." Hannie said with confusion.

"Oh that's nice can we take a photo of you guys? If that's alright with you?" She asked.

"For?" Asked Cheol.

"It's actually for our video. We make vlogs and we would really like it if you guys participate. Plus we will give the photos to you guys after for free." She explained.

"Alright then." Hannie said.

"Yeah let's do it." I said enthusiastically because I saw Joshi hesitant.

"Really? Aren't you afraid of people seeing?" Joshi suddenly said and I looked at him. He's so sweet. Kwannie's right he's always thinking about how I feel. I should worry about how he feels too.

"Nah.. it's fine. It's just a silly vlog. We are in a relationship anyway." I said and I saw his face lit up.

"Cringeee you guys are so cringe." Jeonghan teased.

"No it's cute... can we take pictures by the park?" She asked and we nodded as we followed her. She seemed nice and very approachable so we have no worry whatsoever.

We took pictures holding hands laughing and everything. She was very very accommodating and she even showed us her earlier projects. I don't know why she picked us but it was a great experience.

As we were taking pictures I noticed one familiar silhouette. I didn't mind it at first because maybe I was just being paranoid.

"How about we take pictures of you guys? Then Jeonghan and Kyeom can have a rest for a while." She suggested and we took it since Jeonghan was getting tired already.

Then we decided to sit on one if the park benches to relax under the shade.

"What are you doing here?!?!" Jeonghan suddenly said in a very shocked voice as we were checking out the photos she transferred to us.

"What? I wanted to see my boyfriend." The monster homophobic weirdo girl appeared again. Probably trying to ruin our double date. Cheol and Joshi was out  and far away from us.

"Alright but my boyfriend is allergic to fake girls. So you probably should just go." Jeonghan said in defense right away. Oh right he hates her too.

"And stop feeding your own delusion and leave MY BOYFRIEND alone." I said emphasis on the my part. Jeonghan just looked at me almost about to smile when all of a sudden the weirdo girl chuckled. It was like a witch. She's such a cringe person.

"Oh this is sick. Two obsessed twink fighting for their man. To worried they can't resist my charm that they need you both for protection? Oh you guys are sweet" She said and Our jaw dropped. She did not just say that. Is she crazy for real?!??!?

"Twinks?!? Oh you wanna go there?" Jeonghan suddenly shouted in the crowd which attracted a lot of viewers. Jeonghan was about to throw hands literally. And unfortunately our boyfriend's not around.

"Oh you're gonna hit me?" She pretended and I was literally about to hit her myself but I was stopping Jeonghan. He's more offended than I am.

"She's not worth it." I told Jeonghan and he fixed himself and walked out.

"Deal with her. I'll go get Cheol." Jeonghan said and I nodded. I'm more calm in a sense so it's better that he goes first. But I thought wrong.

"I'll handle this." I said confidently.

"Why are you being possessive of Joshua?" She asked and I looked at her in confusion. I just explained why earlier is she crazy to have a comprehension skill of a toddler?!?

"Didn't we already discuss this?!? I'm his boyfriend. He's not into you. He's obviously into me. What else do you need to hear?" I snapped at her and she laughed.

" oh dear.. but he's just a copy of the original." She suddenly said and I was caught off guard.

"W-What?" I asked with a stutter which gave her more confidence. Is she saying what I think she's saying right now?

"Oh? You didn't know? Your so called boyfriend Joshua is really not Joshua. He's his twin." She reveals to me which I obviously know already but the question is how she got that information?!?

"So what?" I panicked and said without thinking.

"Oh it's true?!? And by the looks of it you already know?" She said and I looked at her weirdly. Damn it I blew it. She smiled and then chuckled a little. I

"What do you mean?" I asked trying to stop her then she smirked.

"Oh nothing really.. just the fact that I had my suspicions. And you just confirmed it. I wonder how I can use this information." She said and I almost cursed myself.

"You bitch." I said.

"Oh a bitch that's smart that is. The question is... Why is he pretending to be Joshua?!? And what will happen if I reveal this all in public? Or even just to your friends with you here?!? Oh how fun." She said while clapping like a child and I looked at her with fear. She's crazier that Joshua told us. And I fed her antics when I admitted that I knew it. Damn damn damn. This is messy.

"You wouldn't dare." I said with hesitation.

"Oh but I would. If I can't have Joshua maybe I can have your copy instead, same thing right?." She laughed and I just glared at her. What the hell is her problem.

"Why are you doing this?!?" I asked her.

"Oh that... simple. Joshua broke my heart. And because of that. I'll make all of the people around him miserable." She said without blinking. I was speechless.

"I have no idea why you guys are keeping this a secret. But you seem adamant to keep it that way. So i'll just use this to my advantage... and we'll see." She said.

"You're a monster. This is a matter of Joshua' s safety yet you make it sound like everything is about you. The world doesn't circle around you bitch." I said without thinking because I was upset.

"Oh so brave. I wonder how long that will continue. I'm gonna be here for a while. Nice meeting you." She said and looked at me like a crazy person.

"Kyeom! Are you alright?" I heard Joshi said as they arrived. I couldn't take my eyes off her and so did she. She wanted something to blackmail me with and I just served it to her in a silver platter.

"I'm fine. We need to go." I said and Dragged my friends away from her. I looked back to see her smirking. Fuck. What have I done.

"Did she say something to you?" My thoughts were interrupted by my boyfriend.

"No it's fine." I said with hesitation. Maybe I should just tell him I blew his cover. But I don't wanna disappoint him.

"Kyeom... you look so worried." He said honestly.

"I'm sorry.. maybe I was just tired. Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you guys don't have to deal with her anyway." I said trying to hide my fear away.

——————— back in the hotel ————————-

Mingyu's pov.

"Hey Wonu... wake up. Wanna go grab some breakfast?" I said as I woke him up. I literally don't wanna wake him up but it was already almost lunch time and we slept through breakfast because of the hot air balloon trip.

"Go eat by yourself." He said and I looked surprised. What's his problem now? I didn't even try anything during the hot air balloon because even I was distracted by the view.

"Uhmmm... are you okey?" I asked still trying to wake him up.

"Yah yah shut up and let me sleep." He said as he pushed me away.

Then all of a sudden, Seungkwan entered the room as I was already pouting because Wonu seemed to be a little distant.

"Guys we got burgers for everyone." He said and that was all he got out suddenly.

"I could do some burgers." Wonu suddenly stood up. Not even sleepy this time. Oh food wakes him up, noted. Then he just left me and even closed the door on me. Alright I know burgers are important but I have feelings too. I thought to myself.

I went out to eat burgers with them all. I saw Dino and out teachers hanging out together in the pool area. Wonu was sitting alone in the living room eating his burger so I decided to join him.

"The burgers good huh?" I said trying to break the ice but I heard no response whatsoever.

"Wonu.. what's up?" I asked and still no answer. Then Vernon sat in front of us placing two coke cans in the table.

"Oh Mingyu? Sorry I didn't get you one." He said shocked that I was here.

"Thank you." Wonu said to Vernon and continued to eat their burgers.

"Hey how was the hot air balloon ride? Was it fun?" Vernon asked.

"Yeah it was great. You should have come! Mingyu should have stayed." Wonu said and I got confused. As far as I can remember the trip was great. We both had fun and we even took pictures together. I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual when we were enjoying the ride.

"Well, boo wanted to join the wine tour so I joined him there too. Too bad. Mingyu was such a buzzkill was he?" Vernon joked and I just looked at him. Great now even Vernon was on Wonu's side.

"Yeah and such a flirt too." Wonu mumbled but I pretty sure heard it. What's he on about now? He told me he was stubborn and hard to understand but it's different experiencing it first hand. Damn.

"Hey honey? Wanna go make pasta with Dino and Sir Hao? Auntie will teach us.. plus Dino's making the moves at Auntie's daughter we gotta see this." Seungkwan suddenly said.

"Sure thing. Be right there." Vernon said as he waved to us goodbye. How can it be so easy with both of them?!?!

"Wons?" I suddenly said since it was just the two of us.

"Do we have a problem?" I asked still worried about the answer.

"No! I'm not talking to you right now." He suddenly said and I got confused again.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" I asked directly.

"You keep flirting with the air balloon people." He suddenly said and crossed his arms putting away his burger.

"What? That never happened? I was literally talking to you the whole ride. Even taking pictures of you." I said defending myself.

"I know that. And that's not what I'm talking about." He said as he glared at me.

"What?" I asked.

"It was in the dream alright? You were flirting in front of me so now I'm upset." He said and I was shocked to my core. Do I really have a choice here?

"But you know it was just a dream right?" I told him and he pouted. Alright that was cute but what do I do here?

"Yeah but it might happen." He said.

"I will never flirt with anyone when we're together." I said without thinking.

"Oh so when we're not together you will?? Alright nice to know cheater." He said and walked out. I stood there in shock I didn't know what the hell just happened.

"Dude you should probably work on your wordings. I taught you better than that." Sir Jun said as he just witnessed everything that happened to me and Wonu.

"Don't you have a pasta making thing to do?" I asked and he just laughed and walked to the kitchen. It's nice to know my life is used for comedic purposes. Now I should really talk to Wonu. Where did that psycho go?!?

—————-/::::—————-/////////////////—-Kyeom pov.

"See you back at the hotel" cheol and Jeonghan waved us goodbye as Joshua thought if staying for a while for us to have a little date.

"Thank you!" Joshua shouted as they drove away.

"Okey enough with the secrecy. Where are we going?" I asked as I held his hand. He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

"I found a really romantic restaurant near the hotel. Its a little place surrounded by flowers. And since you remind me of beautiful things, I wanted to take you here." He said totally saving the pick up line.

"Didn't I said yes to you already what's up with the pick up lines?" I laughed it up and so did he.

"I was expecting a little more reaction but I'll take it. Since you're cute." He said and I just smiled. I know I'm cute.

"Here we are!" He suddenly said and I looked at the old wooden gate and the place with no people inside. Just a mat and it's pretty dark too to be honest.

"What flowers? This is your idea of romantic? An abandoned——" before I could comment any further he clapped both his hands and then the lights went on. My jaw dropped and I felt like this place came out of a book. I didn't see the flowers and the fruits at all earlier but now they bloom In front of me inviting me in.

Then we finally went inside..

"What's this?" I asked with a smile on my face.

"It's for you. I had a hard time finding sunflowers for you but my guys made it work. Do you like it?" He asked as if I'd say no to all of this? He's really stepped up his game tonight.

"It's so sweet I could literally kiss you right now." I said and then he smiled and suddenly leaned in for a kiss. I was shocked and just looked at him.

"What? You said you wanted a kiss." He said as he grabbed my hand and walked me towards the picnic mat place. Alright I'm feeling like a princess right now and definitely liking it.

Then he grabbed a bottle of wine behind him in one of the wooden craters.

"I don't know if you'll like this but I picked this one for you." He said as he poured me a glass. Honestly I have no idea what's good or bad.

"This is already too much." I said and then he took out the basket he prepared I guess. It was full of cheese and crackers. With a full course meal too? Is he mary poppins? Food just keeps on going and going.

"I wanted to make you happy." He said and then I looked at him.

"You sound like you're going away. Stop being so dramatic" i said and he just smiled softly as I continued to eat the food he brought.

He made me try a lot of wine and honestly I'm starting to appreciate wines. He fed me fruits and I let him. He was so psyched about this even I was with the same energy. We talked and talked. I started to feel cold because I was just wearing a simple blue shirt. He picked up on this right away and gave me his jacket.

"It's fine." I said but he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me beside him.

"Snuggle close so you won't get cold." He said and I blushed. Good thing the place was already a little dark for him to see my expression.

"Thank you. You're the best at rizzing me up I swear" i said honestly.

"All jokes aside, But do you like it? I prepared for this since day 1" he said and I smiled.

"I love it. I could never think of something like this. Sorry if I can't do this things to you too..." I said honestly. Little guilty.

"It's alright. I love surprising you. I don't need to be treated the same way. I'm just happy that you're letting me do what I want and just going with it. I'm so thankful for you and your existence" He said.

"You do so much for me already relax." I said to him.

"Surely not enough for you to forgive for what I am about to say..." he trailed off and suddenly his face changed. Then I felt something weird.

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"We don't need to make our relationship public anymore.." he added and I stopped him.

"No. I already decided to make it public if that's what you're worried about. Seungkwan made me realize—-" I said panicked but he cut me off.

"No Kyeom... listen to me carefully. I'm going home first. And you're gonna act the same way as the time we first saw each other." He suddenly said and I got even more confused. What the hell is he talking about?

"Going home? What are you talking about?!" I asked him. Then I noticed the tears welling up in his eyes.

"I wanted to tell you since we arrived in rome but I was scared. But you need to know. For your safety." He said and I looked at him.

"Josh you're scaring me." I said as I started to cry.

"Sorry Kyeom. I started to received letters/death threats. I ignored them because all they did was scare me. But then.. they included your name." He said softly.

"From who?!? And why?!?" I asked.

"My brother has no idea. And I plan to keep it that way. It's from our step-mother's fiancé. She was cheating on our real father and he's back to take revenge." He suddenly said and I was shocked. What is happening right now and why now?!? I was speechless.

"Apparently she might never wake up. And he thought I was the one that started the fire. He sent me pictures of Joshua standing outside the house while the building was caught on fire. He now thinks I killed her. Joshua will be devastated if I told him all this. That's why I'm telling you... I wanna save my brother this time. I really hope you understand... he sent me this.." he said and I was already drowning in tears as I read the letter.

"An eye for an eye right? You killed her now you offer yourself to me or your beloved boyfriend dies" the letter says.

"Josh—-" my hand flew over to my mouth. He's gonna die.. no I can't let him go..

"Kyeom.. i never thought I could be as happy as I am when I am with you And I love you too much to involve you in this...." He said.

"No.. we'll fight him together... we'll ask help.. just anything.. please don't do this." I said as I held on to his hands afraid of letting him go.

"Kyeom... I need you to tell my brother that you broke up with me... that's the only reason he could believe if I disappear." He said and I was already a mess. My tears were not stop. I don't know what to do. Or what else I could do.

"Josh— I can't do this. I don't want you to die. Please don't go. Don't do this to me. I can't—- my heart will not take it" I said as I hugged him so tight and he did too. I was crying my eyes out at this point.

"I'm not gonna die... I swear to you. If he's smart enough, he knows too well not to kill me." He said confidently but I know he was just acting strong. I hugged him harder desperately trying to hold on to him as tight as I could.

"Kyeom.. listen to me please." He said as he cupped my cheeks to make me face him.

"I don't want to. If you're just gonna leave me what more can I do?!?" I shouted at him. I was scared, angry and hurt but mostly sad and devastated.

"Kyeom... I love you so much... please let me go without any hard feelings.... Don't I deserve that as your boyfriend?" He said trying to ease the situation but it will never work. He expects me to behave the same way after all he said?! Then he's nuts.

"Josh please." I said as I pulled him closer for a kiss. I need him. He's the only one for me and now that he's leaving, it's all coming back to me like wildfire. He responds to my kiss and pulls me closer. I could feel the tears running down his cheeks and then he stopped the kiss.

"I love you kyeom." He repeats.

"I love you too so so much." I said as I placed another kiss on his lips.

"Damn it! I don't wanna break up with you." He said as the tears continued to fall on his cheeks. I was also crying nonstop.

"Josh..." I said sadly. My heart is hurting.

"I'm sorry Kyeom." He said and then he stood up.

"I already texted Vernon and Seungkwan to pick you up.. you can make me the bad guy... tell them my father needed me home and I broke up with you. But please Tell them I had a great time... that they were the best group of people I ever met." He said as he tried to stop himself from crying.

"Josh.. please return back to me. I'm gonna wait for you." I said and then he smiled.

"I'm glad to hear you say that. But please don't do that to yourself, I can't let you do that. Please live your life without me... do it for me... " he said with a sad smile. That was it for me. I was already breaking down.

"I don't wanna see you go." I said.

"Then how about this... give me your hand." He said as he grabbed me up and then placed both my hands on his shoulder as if we were about to have our first dance.

"Close your eyes." He said and I did. The tears were still falling down as we danced without music. I was sobbing and so did he.

"I love you.." i said.

"I love you more." He whispered and kissed me on the forehead. Then he let me sit on the chair and kissed my hands.

"Now I want you to count to 10..." he said between his sobs.

"I don't want to.." i said as I wiped my tears that are falling non stop.

"Kyeom.. please.." he pleaded as he placed one last kiss on my lips. I sobbed and started counting...

"10... 9... 8... (i couldn't feel him anymore)... 7 .... 6... (I wanna open my eyes so bad) 5... 4...3... (he's gone...) 2... 1..." I stopped counting and slowly opened my eyes. Praying to all the gods that this was just a bad nightmare..

But it was not....

He's really gone...

He's not here...

I sobbed and sobbed... I didn't know this would hurt this much..

I could feel anything.. I couldn't hear a thing..

I could see Vernon and Seungkwan coming to my direction. The worry in Seungkwan's eyes and concern in Vernon. They were saying something but I was broken.

"He's gone.." was the only thing that comes out of my mouth...

—————————————————————Author's pov.

Gone for almost 2 weekss right?!?!? I am the worsttttt just kidding I was just overwhelmed by this chapter and not sure when or if I should post it but I decided to stop procrastinating and just post it..

Did you guys cry?! Because I did. Please understand the grammar issues. I can't re-read this again.

See you next chapter. I promise to update more. 😭😭😭