Merry Xmas, everyone. I hope you will like this little present.

--->> 9 months after Taemin's death <<---

Jonghyun tightened his grip on Kibum's hand, pulling the other up the road. Both exhausted, hungry, and thirsty, but Kibum was especially mad. For some unknown reason, Jonghyun had insisted on climbing to the top of this dammed mountain. Now they both have been lost for half of the day and the sun is setting. They have drunken their last drop of water hours ago, and no single soul was in sight.

The thought of spending the night in the wood scared Kibum, and his legs shook even more. Just then, they saw an abandoned church. Right next to it was a gravestone that looked as old and as abandoned as the church. A cold chill ran through Kibum's neck. Who would build a church in the middle of nowhere? And who would bury a person here? Kibum hesitated to follow Jonghyun who was nothing but glad to find a place to stay over the night. Kibum grabbed on Jonghyun's sleeves, holding back the older.

"Are you sure about going in there? This place is so odd."

"It's old, but it's better than sleeping outside." Jonghyun misheard odd for old.

"To be honest, I'd rather sleep outside. This place looks like it is..."

"...haunted," Kibum whispered the last part.

"Kibum, don't be silly."

Whined and against his own will, Kibum followed Jonghyun inside.

The air smelled like old wood and dust. The sun was setting low. The last sunlight shined through the broken glass window, making the last fractals left on the window appear as colourful patterns on the ground. It was magical how all the fear disappeared. Instead, Kibum felt peace.

Looked at Jonghyun, Kibum realised the other was already staring at him. Their eyes immediately locked, and their breathes synchronized. This moment was so perfect, and nothing could make it more beautiful... except for Jonghyun who took Kibum's hand and went down on one knee.

"This was not how I planned it to be," the older said and Kibum could feel his heart racing, "I wanted to do it in the sunset and on the top of the mountain. I wanted to tell you how much I love you and how thankful I am to you. I wanted this moment to be perfect because I know you deserved nothing less. I've checked the weather, the wind direction, the exact time of sunset. I thought I could or I should control all that, but maybe I was wrong. You come to my life was unplanned. Us falling in love was unplanned. And yet, that was the best thing that could happen to me... So..." Jonghyun took a deep breath.

"Kim Kibum, would you stay by my side until the day we die? Would you marry me?"

"Are you kidding me?" Kibum stuttered, trying to hold his tears.

"I'm not a believer, but even I wouldn't lie in a church." Jonghyun was dead serious.

"You cheesy stupid nerd, we're already married."

"That doesn't count. That time you didn't even say your real name."

"Kim Jonghyun, I don't know what to do." Kibum wiped away his tears.

"You can give me an answer because my knee starts hurting here." Jonghyun joked and a smile brightened up Kibum's face.

"Yes," Kibum exclaimed, pulling up the older.

"Yes, I will marry you." He repeated before their lips locked.

______________________

--->> Three years later... Somewhere in Italy <<---

He knew it was coming. Still, Kibum jumped as the cork shot into the air with a loud bang. Jonghyun let out a quiet chuckle, only to earn a hard punch on his upper arm.

"Don't laugh at me," Kibum pouted, and Jonghyun apologized, still having a smile on his face.

Jonghyun poured the champagne into a glass and handed it to Kibum, before pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

"Congratulations on your graduation and on the job offers. Those companies recognize a genius designer when they see one." Jonghyun said, raising the glass for a cheer.

"Thank you," replied Kibum, and they both took a sip of their drinks.

"I'm so glad you're no longer a student," Jonghyun told his lover, "now I can openly hold your hand and openly kiss you on the campus."

"What are you talking about?" Kibum tilted his head.

"You were never my professor. We weren't even in the same faculty," he added.

"Yeah, but I didn't want the other students to think badly of you for being in a relationship with a professor." Jonghyun patted the back of his head shyly.

"First of all, Professor Doctor Kim Jonghyun," Kibum teased the older, knowing Jonghyun hated it when people called him by his full title, "we are not 'in a relationship'. We've been married for almost two years already. Actually, we even got married twice. Get that in your head, you dummy."

Jonghyun laughed at his husband's faked anger. The memories of their wedding overwhelmed his mind with joy. Their "real" wedding took place at the beach in the Maldives where they had their first date. It was a private and small ceremony with no one else but their closest friends and family members. Kibum had tears in his eyes as the pastor called him by his real name and announced them to be married. Jonghyun still remembered how his hands were shaking as he kissed Kibum at sunset. He was so afraid it could be just a dream for he still couldn't believe how lucky he was to have that person by his side forever, as long as they both shall live.

"Second, are you telling me you're having naughty professor-student fantasies about us?" Kibum smirked.

"You've got me there," winked Jonghyun.

"Well, officially I'm still a student until midnight. We still got a few hours," Kibum said, slowly approached Jonghyun. The smirk remained on his lips. "Shall we fulfill your fantasy?"

"Professor~," Jonghyun's burned up as Kibum leaned over, whispering in his ear with the most seductive voice. Closed his eyes, Jonghyun breathed in until his lungs were filled with nothing else but Kibum's sweet scent.

Just as they were about to lock their lips, both phones wouldn't stop vibrating. Growled, they grabbed their phones, and at the same moment, they both gasped. Whatever was on the screens, it got their attention for minutes until their eyes left the displays. Staring at each other, they searched for confirmation by the other.

"Jonghyun," Kibum stuttered, "did you get the same Google alert?"

"I...," even Jonghyun was speechless for a moment. Synchronized, they rushed to the living room, turning on the television. As they switched to the Korean TV, the reporter was already talking about the breaking news.

"...Prepared by the biggest and longest undercover operation in the history of the police departments, a racier this huge has never happened. On the same day and almost at the same time, the police took down two of the biggest criminal syndicates in several cities.

Kim Sooman, the new Black Lotus' leader was injured during the fire exchange, but he was arrested alive. Three years ago, Sooman ordered the murder of the former leader who also was his brother, and took over the syndicate. He was also suspected of murdering his nephew, Kim Kibum, who was found dead in the Han River.

The coordination of the operation was taken by Minister Kim himself despite his presidential candidacy. After this success, there is no doubt, he is going to be the most promised candidate for this election.

According to the police department, the police worked with several informants from both syndicates. Especially, one of them was a high ranked member of the gang. It is unclear when the trial will take place, but there is no doubt this is going to be the biggest trial of the year."

The reporter announced, and both men held their breaths.

"Is it really over?" Jonghyun asked.

"Is it?" Kibum repeated, only to answer the question the next second.

"It is over, Jonghyun," he exclaimed, "it's over."

"I can't believe it's over," Jonghyun said with joy.

After a second of silence, Kibum replied, heading back to the kitchen, as Jonghyun followed him.

"I need another drink," Kibum said.

"Me too. Can I have one?" Jonghyun asked, and Kibum widened his eyes.

"Champagne?" He asked in disbelief. As Jonghyun nodded, he frowned even more.

"But you don't drink," Kibum stated, "I mean... I'm confused."

Shyly, Jonghyun chuckled. "I do now," he responded.

"What's going on?" Kibum narrowed his eyes. "When we first met, you did drink. Then suddenly you stopped and now out of nowhere you drink again?"

"Why?" Kibum asked, placing his fingers on his chin like he was a detective.

"Do you remember our first date?" Jonghyun asked. Immediately, a smirk appeared on Kibum's face.

"Of course, I do. I remember our first night too," winked Kibum.

"Well, I don't," Jonghyun admitted.

"Yeah, I remember that too," Kibum's voice changed as the memories came to his mind. The younger crossed his arms, looking like he was about to scold Jonghyun again.

"Yeah," Jonghyun faked a smile, "and that's the reason."

"I don't get it," Kibum shook his head.

"Well, we had - as you said - a "wonderful first night", but I couldn't remember because I was drunk."

"Jonghyun, you're not telling me you haven't drunk the whole time because you're afraid of another hangover?" Kibum's smile faded right away as he noticed Jonghyun's seriousness.

"Really?" Kibum asked in disbelief.

"I knew you could disappear anytime" Jonghyun confessed. A wave of old guilt hit Kibum once again. Every time he thought about Jonghyun knowing his true identity the whole time, he couldn't help but feel bad.

"I'm sorry," Kibum sighed. No matter how often Jonghyun had told him not to apologize, his mind hadn't learned yet.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant... I knew our time could be limited, so I wasn't missing a second of it by being drunk... You know, just in case."

"Just in case I'd leave you?" Kibum questioned. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Kibum, you're not going to cry, are you?" Jonghyun asked, only to earn a punch in his belly.

"Do you expect me not to cry after saying something cheesy like that?" The younger yelled, wiping away his tears while Jonghyun pulled him in for a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry," Jonghyun whispered, leaning his head against Kibum's.

"But it's all over now. We're free. And you're staying by my side, right? Forever, right?" He added.

"Drink your champagne," replied Kibum as he lifted his head, looking at the man in front of him.

"Is that a yes? I'll take that as a yes," Jonghyun smiled. This was the ending he had prayed for.

______________________

Korea. Three years ago. Two days before Taemin's death.

"Are you crazy? No one survives a fall from that height," Kris disagreed.

"Wouldn't the water reduce the impact? They do that a lot in movies," Xiumin asked, putting down his energy drink.

"Those movies are wrong. Kris is right, the water would be hard like concrete when you fall from that height." Jonghyun replied.

"How about a parachute?" Lay suggested.

"No, the fall would take too much time. It's impossible to hold Minho back for so long." Onew objected. The older sighed. They have been discussing an escape plan for almost two hours and he was losing his patience.

"We can use a small explosive charge," Kris said casually like it were a daily suggestion. As everyone looked at him puzzled, he started explaining.

"Just a small explosion to move the water. It'll feel like pudding when he falls into it. We just need to time the explosion very well. If it's too early, it won't work. If it's too late,..."

"...he'll be pudding." Kris finished the sentence after a short pause as if he wanted to be dramatic, not knowing the real drama was still to come.

"What's going on?" The door flung open and Kibum entered Jonghyun's laboratory.

"Are you guys talking about Taemin?" Kibum narrowed his eyes. His hands clenched.

"Why did you leave me out? And is that your plan to save him?" Kibum yelled the word "save" with sarcasm.

"We wanted to tell you once we figured out a plan. Sorry?" Onew tried to calm Kibum down, unsuccessfully.

"Is that what you called a plan? Blow a bomb under his feet?"

"I know it sounds dangerous, but..."

"It sounds dangerous because it is," Kibum screamed the last part so loud, even Jonghyun startled for a second. He had never seen Kibum being so mad before.

"As I said, it's safe if we got the right timing. It's basically just a math problem." Kris argued.

"Yeah, just a math problem that's gonna get my brother killed if we get the wrong answer. Do you want to do it? Do you want to do the calculation?"

Kris silenced, so did the others until the silence became unbearable.

"I'll do it," Jonghyun suggested.

"Jonghyun... you're not."

"Key, there is no other way."

"I don't care," Kibum shook his head and took a step back, "We'll figure out something else. You're all elite assassins or whatever. Think of a better solution."

Sighed, Jonghyun grabbed Kibum's trembling hands, holding them so tight Kibum couldn't back away.

"You trust me, don't you?" He asked, locking their eyes.

"Of course, I do but this ... I can't risk that... I won't be able to handle it if my brother is dead and you're the one to blame." Kibum explained and in a split second he realised what he just said. Was he being selfish? What if this was Taemin's only chance and he ruined it only because he didn't want to risk the comfortable life he was living in?

"Key, I won't let that happen. Trust me. Let us help Taemin." Jonghyun tried one more. Kibum could sense the tension. Jonghyun really meant it. Taking a deep breath, Kibum nodded. The smartest person he knew was helping his brother, he shouldn't feel this anxiety.

"I don't want to ruin the moment, but..." Lay raised his hand, "how do we hide the noise? It's likely impossible not to hear an explosion."

"I've thought of that already. We can distract Minho with a car crash. Again, it's all about the timing." Kris said, looked at Onew, knowing it would be Onew to be in that car.

"That could work." Xiumin nodded.

"Unbelievable, we have a plan," Lay stated half-jokingly, earning a dangerous glance of the others.

"I would call it a plan if he jumps, but he is surely not insane enough to jump from a cliff." D.O. objected.

"We need to tell him the plan," Jonghyun murmured before turning to Kibum, "didn't he call you?"

"Yes, but he called from a burned phone that has been deactivated since then. He said he'll send someone though." Kibum answered.

"He'll send someone?" Jonghyun repeated and by that everyone looked at Onew, expecting an explanation.

"It's not me," the older exclaimed, shaking his head.

...

"That boy, what did he mean when he said he'd send someone. Who's that someone?" Onew wondered. What other "someone" did Taemin had on his side?

That night Jinki couldn't sleep either, as if he knew someone was about to knock on his door.

"Taemin sent me," the man in front of him stated casually.

"I can't believe it," said Onew under his breath although he wanted to scream out loud.

"Namjoon," he added.

"Am I hallucinating? You're on his side? Don't you hate him?" Onew questioned after offering the unexpected guest a seat.

"I do but that motherfucker can be very convincing..."

"..by being right," Namjoon added, rolling his eyes as if he couldn't believe he said it himself.

"About what?" Onew asked, still standing, not letting his guard down.

"About Minho's weakness. As long as he's around, Minho is vulnerable. He needs to disappear... for good."

Namjoon's voice gave Onew a chill running down his back.

"And why didn't you make him disappear? For good?" Onew emphasised the last part. He knew very well, if Namjoon chose to get rid of Taemin, it wouldn't be his first kill. The older wondered what made this cold-blooded loner cooperate with strangers to help someone he hated. Namjoon only answered with a shrug. Yet, after a sip of his coffee, Onew figured it out.

"Oh, you're afraid of Choi Minho," Onew stated, and Namjoon rolled his eyes.

"Do you know what Choi Minho will do when he realises his lover died?" The guard asked and it took Onew a moment to answer.

"I don't know, he might run amok, but who knows for sure what's going to happen?"

"Exactly, who knows?" Namjoon replied. A smirk appeared on Onew's face. The older leaned back in his seat.

"I see. You wanted a backup plan just in case things go off course."

"It's much easier to raise the dead when... you know the dead are not really dead."

Onew nodded in agreement. Minho wasn't a person you wanted to mess with.

After a while, Onew decided he could trust Namjoon, at least as long as they both wanted the same thing. The detective informed the other man about the message they had for Taemin. He even made Namjoon repeated it two times, just to make sure the guard wouldn't forget anything.

"You do know Minho won't accept his death until he sees a body, right?" Namjoon said after listening to the plan.

"I know. I took care of that already."

"How?" Namjoon had to admit he was amused by the older. Maybe he had underestimated Onew the whole time.

"I have a body that would pass as him," Onew explained.

"When did you...?"

"Just know that I did," the detective interrupted the other. No, he hadn't killed anyone, but stealing a corpse wasn't that legal either. Then again, he was trying to save his friend's life. Moreover, the dead one was once a gang member, a rapist. Onew didn't feel sorry much for that man.

"Was it his idea? You wouldn't have been so far-seeing."

"Well, that boy does know Choi Minho very well and he tends to overthink everything he does."

"Damnit, I hate that jerk." Namjoon blurted out his thoughts.

"And still... you're here."

"And still... I'm here." Namjoon admitted.

______________________

Back in the present-day, while Jinki was watching the same news as Jonghyun and Kibum, a young woman in a police uniform knocked on his door.

"Chief, the welcome ceremony for the new recruits is about to start," she said, holding the door open like she wasn't about to leave without him.

"I'm coming," Onew replied, but a simple gesture with his hand told her to leave. Bowed, the young woman stepped back and closed the door. Jinki could hear the crowd outside getting louder and louder. Nevertheless, he grabbed his phone, typing in a short text message.

"Ok," he then exclaimed and took a deep breath, "the academy chief shouldn't be late."

With that energy, Jinki walked through the door and welcomed all those young people to their new stage of life.

...

At the same time but miles away, at the other end of the world, a phone vibrated. Looked at the display the man breathed out in relief. Despite being in the mountains, for the first time, he felt like he was able to breathe freely.

"They're all behind bars. Thank you for your cooperation. You're free now."

"Free," he repeated the word he couldn't believe to be true. He was free now. Free. Only if he could have Taemin by his side, the world would be perfect.

But the world wasn't perfect.

.

.

.

"Dr. Min's office? It's down the road, next to the garden with the scary dog," the little boy's voice repeated in his mind as Minho rushed to the only doctor's office in town. But his legs seemed to become heavier with every step.

Oh, what would he do to see Taemin's face again? Yet, a part of him doubted that he was ready.

Minho noticed immediately he had arrived at the praxis as he passed by a garden and a golden retriever barked at him.

"I don't have time to play with you," he told the dog whose tail was wagging. As if the golden retriever understood Minho, it whined immediately. Sighed, Minho stopped at the fence.

"You are not the best watchdog, are you?" Minho teased, petting the dog under the chin. Again, the dog barked at him, and Minho laughed.

"Ok, my bad. You're a good boy," he apologized.

"I would like to play with you, but I need to find that Doctor Min, do you hear me?" Minho was ready to leave as the dog began to growl and bark at him. Confused, Minho turned around and found an old woman approaching him.

"If you're looking for Doctor Min, he has left," she said.

"I take it back. You're a good watchdog," Minho told the golden retriever before walking to the woman.

"Do you know Doctor Min?" He asked.

"Yes, I do. Everyone knows Doctor Min. He is the only doctor in this small town. Are you a friend of him? His dog seems to like you."

"That's his dog?" Minho pointed at the retriever in surprise.

"It is. Usually, it doesn't like strangers. It must remember you." The woman told Minho.

"That's impossible. I have never met him," Minho stated.

"The dog?" She asked.

"Yes, the dog," Minho clarified.

"So, are you a friend?"

Minho hesitated for he wasn't sure how to answer her question. He didn't even know if that Doctor Min was his Taemin.

"Do you know where he is?" Minho asked back.

"There is a full moon today, so he will surely be at the bridge."

"The bridge? The Devil's Bridge?" Minho asked confusingly.

"Yes, but in this town, we call it the lovers' bridge," the woman said, "the legend says once a year when the last full moon of autumn shines, whoever crosses the bridge will be able to see their loved one from the other side. Once a year, the dead and the living are allowed to meet again, as long as the moon shines on the bridge."

"I've heard about that legend. But it's said there is another tale about a pact with the Devil who agrees to build the bridge, but in return he wants the first soul to cross it. After the bridge was built overnight, the village headman outwitted the Devil by letting an animal cross the bridge first."

"That's right, but they are not different tales. They both belong to the same legend. At some time, people stopped telling the story to its end. I guess it's hard to believe that the Devil isn't all bad."

"What did they skip? Tell me the whole story," Minho pleaded, "please."

"Well, men are fools. They tend to overrate themselves when they are in charge. That's why they often ruin other's lives." The old woman said, and Minho looked down. It was like she was talking about him as if she knew his past.

"The village headman thought he could outwit the Devil with a cheap trick, but the Devil was a powerful creature. Don't forget, Lucifer once was an archangel by God's side."

"So, what happened?"

"The Devil was outraged about the broken deal. He made an immense flood to wipe out the entire town. In the middle of the chaos, no one knew what to do. The people begged for mercy, but the water still rose. As they were about to lose their hope, the headman's daughter crossed the bridge, offering the Devil her soul. The water disappeared and the people in town were saved. The deal was done, the Devil took the headman's daughter and left a bridge that remains until today."

"But why is it called the lovers' bridge?" Minho wondered.

"Patience," said the woman, raising her hand. Then, she continued.

"The headman's daughter was engaged. The fiancé begged the Devil to return her. He said wouldn't leave the bridge until she's back. He waited and waited without eating or drinking until he was about to die. That's when the Devil appeared. It allowed him to see her once a year."

"During the last full moon of autumn," Minho realised.

"Yes," replied the woman.

"And did he?"

"What?"

"Did he come to the bridge every year? Until his last day?" Minho asked and the woman chuckled.

"Young man, it's just a legend," she said before walking away.

"Wait," Minho called after her, "the headman's daughter, was she dead?"

By that the woman stopped, turning her head to Minho.

"What do you mean?" She asked back.

"You said the Devil took her, but does that mean she was dead?" Minho wondered, "On the bridge, does he meet his real fiancée or just her soul?"

The old woman raised her eyebrows. She seemed to be amused by Minho's questions.

"Gute Frage," she murmured before waving at him, taking her leave.

"Wait! What did you say?" Minho shouted after her, but this time, she didn't turn back.

"If you want to meet the Doctor, you should hit the trail," she replied loudly. Just then Minho realised, the sun had been set.

...

His lips parted as Minho unknowingly whispered a "wow". The full moon was so bright that the stone bridge clearly reflected in the water. The bridge and its reflection formed a flawless circle, something so close to perfection in the middle of nature. The sounds of the river flowing, the smell of wood and wet mud in the air, the wind that brought a touch of coldness... something about this scene was beautiful, but also dark and mystical. Just now, Minho understood what the old woman told him. This place is too beautiful to be called the devil's bridge.

Minho followed the people to the bridge. Some of them looked like tourists for all they did was taking pictures. Yet, Minho recognized the locals. They are well dressed. Some are even holding flowers. Some stared into the night as if they were searching for someone, while some had a smile on their faces as if they had already found it.

Minho checked on every person on the bridge. None of them had a slight semblance of Taemin. His eyes lightened up every time someone stepped on the bridge, just to be darkened by disappointment in the next second. But that was ok, the night was still young, and he was willing to wait.

The former leader didn't go mad. He wasn't really believing the legend the old woman told him. He wasn't expecting to see Taemin. Still, a part of him wished for a miracle. He couldn't explain why he was really on the bridge, waiting. Still, there was something more than meeting that Doctor Min. Minho knew very well, even if that Doctor weren't supposed to be here, he would still be at this place tonight... on this bridge of lovers... under the last full moon of autumn.

"Tell daddy goodbye," Minho heard the woman next to him said to her son.

"Goodbye, daddy. See you next year," the familiar voice of a little boy caught his attention. Minho turned to his left and found Johnny, carefully laying a bouquet of flowers on the ground.

"Hey there, little one," he greeted.

"I'm not 'little one'. I'm Johnny." The boy replied, making Minho apologize with a shy smile.

"Mister," Johnny beamed, "are you here to meet your dad too?"

"No, I'm here to meet my husband," Minho answered with hesitation.

"I'm sorry for your loss," said the woman next to Johnny, apparently his mother.

"And I'm sorry for yours," replied Minho. The woman nodded before bowing down to her son.

"It's getting late, Johnny. We should go home."

"Ok," answered the young boy, waving at Minho, and then at the other side of the bridge.

"Goodbye, Mister. Goodbye, daddy."

Minho watched Johnny and his mom disappearing in the night. He hadn't noticed the smile on his face as he waved back at that little boy. For a truly short moment, he was distracted, until he felt a tap on his shoulder, and someone called his name.

Immediately, he turned around. His face lightened up.

"Taemin," he called. Yet, to his disappointment, the person in front of him wasn't the one he wanted to see.

"What the hell?" He said. His eyes widened.

"Hello, boss," the man greeted with a bow.

"Namjoon," Minho stated. The legend might just become true, but what a joke. This wasn't the dead Minho wanted to meet.

.

.

.

At the same second as Taemin stepped on the bridge, Minho had already spotted him. It was dark and Taemin was still far away. His hair was a bit shorter and he seemed to lose some weight, but Minho would always recognize the younger's silhouette.

As his body moved on his own, reaching for Taemin, parts of the conversation with Namjoon flashed back in his mind.

"Boss, he is smart... very smart. Maybe the smartest of all the people I have met. Did you think he didn't have an escape plan? Every little detail... Do you really think it's a coincidence that you're here? At this time of the year?"

...

"You have changed a lot."

"What about you, boss? Have you changed? If you're here to claim him yours, I can't..."

"Namjoon," Minho's voice firmed, "I owe you one for protecting him all this time."

"He was still your weakest point. I did it to protect you."

"And for that, I am more than thankful."

"But," Minho made it clear, "keep yourself out of this. It's between Taemin and me."

"Boss, don't you understand? He left because he must figure out his feeling for you. He said if he ever comes back to you, it'll be his own will."

"And here he is, at a place he knew I would find. And he didn't remove his scar. Do you think I don't know what it means? Do you think I don't understand his feelings? I know him better than you do. Don't let it go to your head!"

"Of course, you do. But do you understand yours? Have you figured out what you want? Because he deserves more than someone who thinks of him as something you could own." Minho clenched his teeth. Taking a deep breath, he replied.

"As I said this is between Taemin and me. I don't owe you any explanation. There is only one thing I want you to know. I'm not here to win him back."

"You're not?" Namjoon doubted.

Minho would have lied if he said he didn't want Taemin back, but he had to admit that wasn't a decision for him to make. This time it was Taemin's choice. Taemin being alive was all he had been prayed for, and this was a miracle that was about to get real.

"There is just... something I need to tell him."

"That's all?"

"You wouldn't understand. When he left, he apologized for so many things, but I never got the same chance."

"A chance? To tell him you forgive him?"

"No, a chance to apologize."

.

.

.

Holding his breath, Minho tried to slow down his heartbeats. There it was. His chance. How often had he even imagine their reunion? But this topped it all. They both, under the moonlight, on a stone bridge, embraced by nature, listening to the river under them and the wind around them... it was so beautiful, like in a fairy tale. Thus, Minho feared Taemin would disappear at sunrise.

Minho noticed the exact moment as their eyes locked, the moment Taemin saw him. The expression on the younger's face changed immediately. His eyes widened and his lips trembled. Then, Taemin bit on his lower lip. Minho remembered how the younger always did that when he was nervous. Taemin's eyes welled up with tears, even though he was smiling. The younger rushed to Minho and in that moment, everything was like in slow motion. Minho had waited for three years, but these three seconds were unbearable.

As they reached each other, standing so close they could feel the other's warmth, and Taemin raised his head to look at Minho, the older knew this wasn't an illusion. Still, Minho hesitated to touch the person in front of him for he feared he might be wrong.

"Taemin," he said, and a tear fell down the younger's face. At that moment, Minho hadn't realised it was the first time Taemin heard him saying his real name.

"I'm so s..." Minho hadn't finished the sentence as Taemin locked their lips. Minho froze for a split second before he closed his eyes and kissed back. He was about to ask the younger for forgiveness, but now, he had already got his answer. It was nicely strange how in the middle of a forest, in a faraway country, on a bridge he had never seen before, Minho was aware of something, something he had never been so sure about.

Finally, he was home.

After 7 years, I finally finished this story. Thank you so much for reading and supporting me. Thank you for being soooo patient with me. I know I was a slow~ writer. Therefore, I really appreciate you guys.

Before I say goodbye, I want to dedicate this story to Jonghyun who all miss so dearly. (And yes, some of you were right. You guys found the "code". It was in the title of the chapters.

OK, now I guess it's time to say goodbye. I will miss you so much. Please, take care.