Escape - Chapter 26: Wish

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Seunghyun noticed that Se7en was seated at a corner table alone, so he snatched the bottle of red wine along with two glasses and went to join him. Pulling out a chair, he sat down facing the lonely man and poured him a handsome amount of the red liquor. "Have some. It'll make you look like you're enjoying the party."

"Thanks." Se7en raised the glass and took a sip.

"Why isn't the birthday boy eating?" Seunghyun asked seeing that Se7en's dinner plate was still untouched.

"I don't have much of an appetite."

"Why? Is Jiyong's cooking not to your liking?"

"It's not that. I'm just..."

"Waiting for Changmin." Seunghyun finished Se7en's sentence. "Don't worry. Jiyong called the original place of the party and told them to inform guests who didn't know of the changed location to come here. Changmin should be arriving shortly."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

Meanwhile, Changmin attempted to push his way in through the entrance of the burning building but was blocked by the firefighters that were battling the flames.

"You can't go in sir," one of them said to him. "Please stay out here."

"My friend...I mean, someone I know is in there," Changmin stated worriedly.

"We'll do our best to get everyone out so please stay here and wait, okay?"

All Changmin could do was nod as he stood there in fear. His heart pounded anxiously whenever the person being brought out was not Se7en.

"The building is not stable!" the firefighter shouted as he hurried out while bystanders were herded further from the spot.

Moments later, another large explosion caused a side of the establishment to collapse into a dark cloud of dust. Changmin felt his heart tightened at the sight and tears trailed down his face beyond his control. The thought of losing Se7en was too overwhelming for him to wrap his mind around. He knew that he couldn't deny the feelings he had acquired for the other anymore, but it was already too late. It would be a miracle for anyone to survive that blast if he or she was inside; not even a demon. Only dead bodies would be carried out by this point and Changmin couldn't bear to see Se7en's. Not like this. Not when he was finally willing to open his heart and give the man a chance.

Suddenly, there was a rumble in the sky and rain began to pour. It seemed as though heaven wanted to lend a helping hand to the firefighters to put out this blaze. The downpour united with the droplets flowing out of Changmin's eyes and glided down as one. Slowly heading back to his car, he got into the driver seat and sat there not knowing what to do. He shut the door and wiped his tears before starting the engine.

Although the traffic was still bumper to bumper, a path was cleared out earlier for the fire trucks and ambulances to use. Quickly pulling into that lane with a few other vehicles, Changmin managed to drive out of that area. He pressed a palm on his chest to relieve his aching heart whilst the other hand held onto the steering wheel. His head felt heavy and his mind was blank. Without a specific destination, he drove and somehow ended up in front of Se7en's house. Turning off the engine, Changmin got out and closed the car door. Once he reached the porch, the young demon rang the doorbell and sobbed when no one answered the door. 'He really is gone...'

***

Breaking news of the fire and explosion caught half of the partygoers' attention. They lowered the volume of the music and raised the volume on the television in order to listen to the broadcast. Discovering where it was happening, Se7en shot up from his seat and immediately headed out the door. Seunghyun went after him and told Jiyong to stay at the restaurant. Reluctantly agreeing to his lover's request, Jiyong demanded that Seunghyun call him later with updates. The rain was coming down hard, drenching the two in an instant.

"Let's take my car," Seunghyun suggested.

Knowing that he wasn't in his right mind to drive, Se7en concurred and got into the passenger seat of the SUV. The two arrived at the scene in fifteen minutes. The crowd that was here earlier have dispersed and the ambulances have departed to rush the injured to the closest hospital. Only the police and the firefighters were left behind to finish up. They had to make sure that no one was trapped under the rubble and left unsaved. Also, they needed to be certain that the fire was completely and permanently out. The rain made it easier for this to be accomplished.

"Try calling him," Seunghyun advised.

Se7en reached into his pocket and realized that he had forgotten his phone and car keys at Jiyong's restaurant.

"I'll call Ji and tell him to grab your cell and drive your car to your place." Seunghyun gave Se7en a pat on the shoulder. "Come on. I'll take you home."

"Alright."

Seunghyun parked his car in front of Se7en's house and switched off the engine. "Go in first. I'll be right in. I need to call Ji."

Se7en gave him a nod and got out of the SUV. The rain had lightened to a drizzle as he walked toward the porch. His eyes caught sight of someone sitting on the ground next to his front door. The frail figure was hugging his bended knees to his chest resting his head on his kneecaps. "Changmin?"

Hearing his name, the sobbing lad lifted his head to look up at Se7en. His lips wavered but no words came out.

"Changmin," Se7en repeated as he crouched down to the other's level. "Thank goodness you're okay." Wanting to wipe Changmin's tears, he reached out but was interrupted by the younger demon's unexpected embrace.

Changmin tightened his arms around Se7en to make sure that he wasn't hallucinating. He was afraid to let go fearing that Se7en might disappear if he did. Choking on his breaths, he couldn't stop crying yet didn't know why he was doing so.

"It's okay. I'm here." Se7en was extremely surprised by Changmin's reaction, since it was the first time the lad had ever shown any interest in him. 'Is this really...?' Gradually hugging him in return, Se7en felt Changmin's slender body shivering from the cold. "Your clothes are all wet," he said softly. "Let's go inside and get you dried off." Assisting the other up as he stood up, Se7en wiped the salty remnants of sadness from his love's face.

Seunghyun smirked as he sat in his car witnessing the whole thing whilst talking to Jiyong on his cell. "I guess I'll wait out here for Ji and let them have some alone time."

Closing the door, Se7en left it unlocked for Seunghyun. "You're shaking from the cold. Go take a warm shower. I'll get you some clothes to change into."

Changmin nodded and removed his jacket leaving it on the couch prior to entering the bathroom. He stripped himself of his wet attires and stepped into the tub. The steamy water felt good on his skin as it washed away the tenseness from his tired body. 'He's alive. Se7en's really alive.'

Se7en went to get Changmin something to wear and placed them on the counter. He picked up the wet clothing from the floor and took them with him to the laundry room.

Changmin dried off with a fresh towel when he was done and put on the clothes that were provided. 'The pants are my size,' he thought in surprise. Walking out into the living room, he was greeted by Se7en with a bright smile.

"The pants fit you perfectly," Se7en commented. "I knew the yellow and brown plaids would suit you."

"You bought them for me?"

"Yes. I thought it would be nice for you to have at least a couple of pajamas here after what happened last time. There's a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, a long sleeved shirt and a jacket in the closet as well."

"You didn't have to."

"It's not a matter of having to but wanting to."

"Why?"

"Why not?" Se7en questioned.

"I've been so awful to you. Why do you still care about me?"

"Because..." Se7en cupped Changmin's reddened cheeks and smiled, "I love you."

"You..." Changmin was rendered speechless by Se7en's confession.

"I've loved you for a long time."

"H-How long?"

"Since I first saw you at the university riding your bicycle across campus. You never noticed me staring at you, but I was."

"Why didn't you introduce yourself back then?"

Se7en released Changmin's face and admitted. "I was a bit shy."

"You were actually shy?"

"Well, I've outgrown that throughout the years." Se7en chuckled. "The day I brought up the courage to tell you, you were already with someone else. I could only watch you from afar after that." Se7en sadly explained.

"Se7en..."

"Why is your hair still dripping wet?" He went to grab a towel from the cabinet and helped Changmin dry his long strands.

"I...could dry it myself." Changmin reached up to grasp the towel and accidentally touched Se7en's hands. "Your hands are cold. You should go take a shower to warm up."

"What? You don't like me wet and stinky?" Se7en teased.

"Wet...maybe; but not stinky."

"Are you flirting with me?"

Changmin smiled but didn't reply.

"I'll be right back. I made you some hot cocoa. It's on the dining table. Help yourself."

"Okay."

"Don't miss me too much." Se7en threw him a wink and vanished into the bathroom.

'As long as you're always by my side, I won't miss you.' Changmin sat down at the dining table and sipped the hot cocoa cautiously. 'I haven't eaten dinner yet. I'm starving.' He put the cup down on the table and rubbed his empty stomach.

The front door swung ajar and in came Jiyong and Seunghyun carrying three plastic bags and a pastry box. Changmin stared at them with widened eyes and stood up.

"S-Se7en is in the shower," Changmin stuttered awkwardly. "H-He'll b-be out soon."

"Look what you did to the poor kid," Seunghyun uttered. "You scared him so badly, he can't even talk normally."

"Whatever," Jiyong blurted grouchily. "I'm just here to bring Dongwook food. He skipped dinner because of this kid." He carefully placed the box on the table and gestured Seunghyun to do the same with the bags.

"I'm sorry." Changmin frowned.

"Cut the birthday cake with Dongwook. It's the least you could do."

"Birthday cake?" Changmin was confused. "Is today Se7en's birthday?"

"Yeah. That was the point of the party. You know, the one you didn't show up to."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Ji, don't," Seunghyun intervened. "His eyes are red and swollen from crying. Don't distress him any further. Do it for Dongwook."

"Fine." Jiyong glared at Changmin and warned. "If you hurt Dongwook, I'll kill you. Understand?"

"Aish! Leave the kid alone." Seunghyun dragged his lover with him and yelled out to Changmin. "Enjoy the food. Good night."

Changmin went to lock the door only for Jiyong to knock on it.

"Here!" Jiyong handed him Se7en's phone and car keys when he opened the wooden barrier. "These are Dongwook's. Give them to him. Bye." With that, the much shorter male trailed after Seunghyun and left in their SUV.

Locking the door once again, Changmin heard Se7en's voice.

"Was that Ji and Seunghyun?"

"Yes. They came over to drop off dinner and your birthday cake," Changmin notified.

"Did Ji give you a hard time?"

Changmin shook his head. "No."

Se7en knew that he was lying but didn't want to burst his bubble. "Hungry?"

"Very."

"Let's eat!" Noticing what the younger man was holding, Se7en told him to leave them on the coffee table.

"Se7en."

"What is it?"

"I..."

"Yeah?"

"It's nothing."

"By the look of things, it's not nothing. Tell me what's bothering you." Se7en insisted.

"Is it okay if I stay here tonight? My eyes...I don't want hyung to worry."

"You may stay here whenever you want to and for as long as you like. Just remember to call your brother when you do. I don't want him to come after me for kidnapping his precious dongsaeng."

"Hyung's very understanding."

"Not when it comes to you," Se7en retorted.

"He has Junsu to distract him."

"Trust me. No distraction is more important than you."

"I beg to differ."

"Go call him now or else I'm driving you home."

"Alright." Changmin pouted. "It's your birthday, so I'll do as you wish."

"How many wishes do I get?"

"I'll tell you when we cut the cake." Changmin beamed and went to call Yoochun.

"What did he say?"

"Have fun."

"What did you tell him?"

"That I was staying at a friend's to..."

"To do what?" Se7en interrupted.

"Eat." Changmin's response brought laughter to the both of them.

Se7en went to the kitchen to get plates and utensils while Changmin took the containers out of the bags. They sat down next to each other and ate a grand meal. Leftovers were placed in the refrigerator and soiled dishes were washed and left to dry. It was time to cut the cake.

"You get three wishes every birthday," Changmin enlightened. "Since you used one up, you have two left."

"I see."

"Ready?"

"Yup."

Changmin sang and waited for Se7en to blow out the candles.

"What did you wish for?"

"The same thing I have been wishing for all these years." Se7en supplied.

"What's that?"

"You."

A blush bloomed on Changmin's face and he leaned over to kiss Se7en's lips. "I'm yours."