Seo-hyeon remembered his Min-jun—the one he had lost, the one who had been his light among the ruins. They met on a scavenging run: Min-jun had covered him when zombies attacked from the shadows, his hand gripping Seo-hyeon's wrist, holding him, saving him. Later, in the bunker corridors, their fingers intertwined, and Min-jun kissed him for the first time—desperately, hungrily, but there was a meaning in it: a promise to protect and not let go.
Now, Min-jun leaned closer to Seo-hyeon, his breath touching his cheek, his fingers gently encircling the wrist where the ring shone. Seo-hyeon flinched but didn't pull away. Their eyes met—and there was a mix of pain, surprise, and cautious hope.
Min-jun slowly lowered his forehead to Seo-hyeon's, letting them feel each other's breath. Their lips met in a soft, long kiss. It wasn't a burst of passion, but a gentle acknowledgment: quiet, certain, and full of warmth. Seo-hyeon wrapped his arms around Min-jun's shoulders, feeling the tremor from his touch spread through his entire body.
The kiss stretched on for moments that felt like an eternity. Their lips, their breaths, their touches told everything that words couldn't express: the pain of loss, fear, hope, and cautious trust. Min-jun pulled back slightly but didn't let go of Seo-hyeon, whispering:
"I'm here. I'm alive. And I'm not leaving."
Seo-hyeon closed his eyes, allowing those words to sink into his heart. Slowly, he smiled through his tears, feeling warmth and certainty beside him for the first time in a long while.