he hit me and it felt like a kiss.

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"We used to play this game as kids. When you cross, do you remember what we used to call it?"

Sang-woo didn't seem to care for Gi-huns reminiscence , these games stripped Sang-woo of all his sympathy, his last bit of hope for the word. Leaving him greedy and unstable.

A blast of sand rushed into his eyes, leaving a horrible sting. Along with a reminder, there was no guarantee he would make it out of this hell hole alive.

"Inspector royal." Gi-hun added, answering a ghosts question.

A wave of bitter nostalgia passed through the men. Its so strange how time can change people, to think they were once children, playing and enjoying their life together as if there was nothing ahead. Now, they have to destroy each other. There is only a future for one of them here.

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The knife impaled Gi-huns hand, Gi-hun used his last bit of strength to stop this knife from puncturing his face, blood leaking down. Sang-woo has become completely distorted. Not even half the man he used to be. The taste of metallic blood staining his mouth is like a painful reminder of all the dirty insults he had called Gi-hun in this horrifying battle.

'who is this man sitting on top of me? Its not my Sang-woo. No, he's too far gone now.' Gi-hun thought,

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Every punch Gi-hun threw was revenge.

Every hit Sang-woo endured was karma.

Now, the roles have switched. Gi-hun was winning.

He lay on Sang-woo, sitting up he looks at the knife Sang-woo pierced through his hand.

Breathing harsh, He rips the knife out and lunges at his childhood friend.

Sang-woo holds his breath, knowing what's to come.

...The knife digs into the mud...

The two men stare into each others eyes, breathing harsh, heartbeats fast. You'd think they had just shared an intimate moment, but truly, they were fighting to the death.

"I....I cant." Gi-hun stammered. His body softening, almost giving up.

Sang-woo just stares into his eyes, unsure what to do. Suddenly, his eyes start to flicker with something- true emotion. Then- he hysterically, painfully, laughs. A laugh of relief mixed with deep sadness. He chokes on blood catching up in his throat. His eyes start to overflow.

Gi-hun is beyond confused. "Whats so funny?"

"Hyung, I just thought.... When we were kids, we would play just like this, and our moms would call us in for dinner. But no one calls us anymore"

Gi-huns face softens, the sides of his mouth raising into a weak smile. His eyes never leaving the younger mans gaze. He pulls Sang-woo in for a weak hug while he lays down,

"I love you." Sang-woo whispers, silent tears streaming down his face.

"I....I love you too." Gi-hun quietly answers back, A statement so simple, yet so powerful.

They only slightly pull away from the hug, Not wanting the moment to end.

Sang-woo caresses Gi-huns cheek, in a loving, kind manner. For this moment, they forget the fighting, they forget the games, they forget the betrayal, and go back to when they were small children, running around together. They go back to when they were teenagers, causing a ruckus and trying new things, they go back to the good times. The times without worry.

Hesitantly, Sang-woo pulls Gi-hun in for a light kiss. Savoring every second of it.

A flower blooms in their hearts together, A flower they thought had dried out long ago.

Gi-hun was Sang-woos missing piece. They were truly meant for each other. But its simply forbidden. Neither men ever had a problem with homosexuals, but their culture said otherwise. Two men being together- It was legal, but extremely frowned upon in Korea. They both were too scared to ever make a move, but now, on the edge of death- who cares?

Slowly, their lips part. Leaving them in silence. just staring.

"...what now?..." Gi-hun whispers, voice trembling.

Sang-woo swallows,

'this man is the only thing in my life that makes me feel like I'm living. My whole life has just been a sad, dull nightmare. He's the light that would guide me in my worst times. I truly regret these past few years, they have been the saddest of my life- because Gi-hun wasn't there. Now, I know what I have to do. Oh, I love you Gi-hun, with all my heart I love you. But you break me. You destroy me.'

"...Maybe in another life, we could have been together."

Sang-woo reaches for the knife and sinks it into his neck.

The flower quickly dries out once again, but this time- it completely perishes. No amount of tears will bring this lonely flower back.