Ni-ki smiled, the warmth of Sunghoon's words melting away the last traces of doubt in his heart. "I want that too, Hoon-hyung," he replied, his voice steady with conviction. 

As they stood in the embrace of their love, surrounded by the quiet comfort of Sunghoon's home, they knew that their journey together was just beginning, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Ni-ki's heart fluttered as Sunghoon held his waist, their lips meeting once more in a tender kiss that reignited the flames of their passion. The salty taste of their tears lingered on both their lips, a bittersweet reminder of the emotions they had shared.

"You still taste the same," Sunghoon whispered against Ni-ki's lips, his words filled with a mixture of longing and affection as he pressed his body closer to Ni-ki's.

Ni-ki melted into the kiss, his hands instinctively tangling in Sunghoon's hair as he surrendered to the intensity of their connection. As Sunghoon pushed him down onto the bed, Ni-ki's heart raced with anticipation, his body tingling with desire as they kissed again, their lips moving in perfect harmony.

In the days that followed, Ni-ki and Sunghoon found solace in each other's company.

As they talked, Sunghoon couldn't help but notice the changes in Ni-ki. Gone was the boy he had once known, replaced by a man who had weathered life's storms and emerged stronger for it. Ni-ki's blond hair was now a thing of the past, replaced by his original black locks that framed his face in a striking contrast.

Sunghoon's own hair had undergone a transformation as well, the soft black strands now tinged with streaks of soft silver, a testament to the passage of time and the trials they had endured.

Despite the challenges they had faced, both Ni-ki and Sunghoon had found success in their respective careers. Ni-ki had pursued his passion for photography and design, carving out a niche for himself in the creative industry. Meanwhile, Sunghoon had risen through the ranks to a higher position, using his skills as a graphic developer to make a name for himself in the competitive world of technology.

But they knew one thing, They needed to talk to their friends. 

Ni-ki and Sunghoon sat across from their friends, the weight of their shared revelation hanging heavy in the air. Ni-ki took a shaky breath before speaking, his voice tinged with a mixture of vulnerability and resolve. "I'm pretty sure you know... but me and Sunghoon are divorced," he confessed, his words met with stunned silence from their friends.

The friend group exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to process the unexpected news. They had never imagined that the constant bickering between Ni-ki and Sunghoon could be rooted in something as serious as a failed marriage.

Sunoo was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with disbelief. "But... Ni-ki's 25? And you're 27, Sunghoon. How long were you guys married?" he asked, his confusion evident.

Ni-ki sighed heavily, steeling himself for the inevitable questions. "I met Sunghoon when I was 15, and he was 18," he explained. "It was an arranged marriage. We got married when I was 18 and Sunghoon was 21."

The revelation left their friends speechless, their minds struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Heeseung spoke up next, his voice laced with concern. "So you guys have been married for 7 years?" he asked, seeking clarification.

Sunghoon shook his head, his expression pained. "No. We divorced last year. We've been married for 6 years," he clarified, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Jay couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity, his mind racing with questions. "I know this is invasive, but why did you divorce?" he inquired gently, his gaze shifting between Ni-ki and Sunghoon.

Before either of them could respond, Sunghoon spoke up, his voice tinged with bitterness. "My father forced me," he admitted, his words heavy with regret. "I don't know why... he just told me to sign the divorce papers."

The confession sent shockwaves through the group, their expressions filled with sympathy and concern for their friends. Heeseung was the first to speak, his voice filled with compassion. "I'm so sorry for you," he said, his words sincere.

But Ni-ki shook his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of resignation and determination. "No... don't feel pity for us," he insisted, his voice firm. "We had our problems..."

"Why do you keep fighting with eachother though?" Jake inquired, Ni-ki and Sunghoon to delve deeper into the complexities of their relationship. Ni-ki's words carried the weight of years of pent-up emotion as he struggled to articulate the root of their conflicts. "Our fights... they were a result of years of unresolved issues," he began, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "I guess we didn't expect to see each other in the same friend group."

Sunghoon's bitter chuckle cut through the tension, his words laced with a bitter irony. "I guess it made sense why my father asked for the divorce," he admitted, his tone heavy with resignation.

Their friends listened intently, their expressions reflecting a mix of empathy and understanding. Jake pressed for more details, his curiosity driving him to uncover the truth behind their tumultuous relationship.

Ni-ki took a deep breath, summoning the courage to confront the painful memories that lingered beneath the surface. "For me, it was a combination of insecurities and unresolved trauma," he confessed, his voice steady despite the raw emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. "I had a lot of trust issues... from stuff," he trailed off, unable to articulate the full extent of his struggles.

Sunghoon nodded in agreement, his own admission tinged with regret. "And for me, it was my own pride and stubbornness," he admitted, his voice tinged with self-reproach. "I refused to open up to Ni-ki, to let him see the vulnerable side of me."

The group of friends exchanged knowing glances, recognizing the depth of the wounds that had driven a wedge between Ni-ki and Sunghoon. Jay, ever the voice of reason, spoke up with gentle encouragement. "You guys need to talk," he said, rising from his seat and offering Ni-ki a reassuring pat on the head before leaving Sunghoon's house.

The weight of their shared history hung heavy in the air as Ni-ki and Sunghoon sat in the living room, their hearts heavy with the weight of unresolved emotions.

Ni-ki broke the tense silence, his voice barely above a whisper as he voiced the thoughts that had been weighing heavily on his mind. "I-I think we should talk about our past," he mumbled, his gaze fixed on the floor as he struggled to find the right words.

Sunghoon nodded in agreement, his own heart aching with the need to confront the ghosts of their past. Without a word, he shifted his body closer to Ni-ki, their shoulders brushing against each other as they sat side by side on the couch.

Ni-ki hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before finally speaking. "Do you remember the day we first met?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Sunghoon's gaze softened as he nodded, a faint smile ghosting his lips. "Of course I do," he replied, his tone warm with affection. "You were so young and full of energy... I couldn't help but be drawn to you."

Ni-ki chuckled softly, the sound carrying a bittersweet undertone. "I remember thinking you were so serious and intimidating," he admitted, a hint of fondness in his voice. "But then you smiled, and it was like the whole world lit up."

Sunghoon reached out, his hand finding Ni-ki's and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Those early days were some of the happiest of my life," he confessed, his gaze locked with Ni-ki's. "I never imagined that we'd end up here, so far from where we started."

Ni-ki's voice wavered as he poured out his heart, his vulnerability laid bare for Sunghoon to see. "I'm sorry for not trusting you... I was scared that you would lie to me... and I was scared that you would hurt me. Like..." His voice trailed off, unable to articulate the depth of his pain.

Sunghoon reached out, his hand finding Ni-ki's and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Riki-ah," he murmured softly, his gaze filled with understanding and compassion.

Ni-ki bit his lip, his eyes squeezing shut as he fought to contain his emotions. "I'm just as sorry, Ki... I never spoke up to you, that could've been the reason," Sunghoon confessed, his own voice thick with regret.

But Ni-ki shook his head, his heart heavy with the weight of his own guilt. "Stop blaming yourself, Hoon-hyung," he insisted, his hand moving to rest on Sunghoon's shoulder. "I never told you... about my past. How were you going to know?"

Cupping Sunghoon's cheeks in his hands, Ni-ki's eyes softened with affection. "I've always been told that I was a cold person," Sunghoon confessed, his embarrassment evident. "I was told before we got married that it's no use to even try being nice or happy." He sighed, his gaze meeting Ni-ki's with vulnerability. "So I just never opened up. Even for 6 years."

Ni-ki's heart ached at Sunghoon's admission, his love for the older man swelling within him. "If we want to rebuild, we have to talk," he agreed, a soft smile gracing his lips.

As they sat face to face, their hands intertwined, Sunghoon couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for Ni-ki's understanding and forgiveness. "Thank you, Riki," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. "For giving me another chance."

Ni-ki smiled softly, his eyes shimmering with warmth. "We both deserve a chance to make things right," he replied, his tone gentle yet resolute.

Sunghoon nodded in agreement, a sense of determination coursing through him. "I promise to do better, to be more open and honest with you," he vowed, his gaze unwavering as he met Ni-ki's eyes.

Ni-ki's heart swelled with love for the man sitting before him, his trust in Sunghoon reaffirmed with each word. "And I promise to trust you, to let go of my insecurities and fears," he pledged, his voice steady with conviction.

Together, they knew that rebuilding their relationship wouldn't be easy. But with honesty, trust, and a shared commitment to each other, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And as they leaned in for another tender kiss, they knew that their love would guide them through it all.

Sunghoon's heart swelled with affection as he felt Ni-ki's warmth against his chest. "You're so pretty, I know I never said it in the past, but you're absolutely gorgeous," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Ni-ki's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, his heart fluttering at Sunghoon's words. He lifted his head slightly, meeting Sunghoon's gaze with a shy smile. "Thanks, hyungie," he mumbled softly, his fingers tracing small patterns on Sunghoon's biceps.

In that intimate moment, as they lay intertwined, the weight of their past grievances melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of closeness and affection. Ni-ki gasped in surprise as Sunghoon suddenly pushed him onto his lap, his heart fluttering at the sudden closeness between them. He looked up into Sunghoon's eyes, a mixture of confusion and anticipation swirling in his gaze.

Sunghoon's words washed over him like a warm wave, melting away any lingering doubts or insecurities. "Gosh, why did I ever hate you?" he murmured, his voice tinged with regret and longing. And before Ni-ki could even form a response, Sunghoon's lips descended upon his own, capturing them in a tender and passionate kiss.

Ni-ki melted into the kiss, his body responding instinctively to the familiar touch of Sunghoon's lips against his own. He sighed contentedly, savoring the sweetness of their reunion and the overwhelming rush of emotions that threatened to consume him.

Sunghoon's hands moved to cup Ni-ki's cheeks, his touch gentle yet possessive as he deepened the kiss. Ni-ki could feel the intensity of Sunghoon's passion, his lips moving hungrily against his own as if he couldn't get enough.

It was then that Ni-ki realized, with a mixture of amusement and affection, that Sunghoon was completely obsessed with his lips. Something he had never forgotten, even after their divorce.

And as they broke apart, breathless and flushed with desire, Ni-ki couldn't help but smile up at Sunghoon, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude. Despite the challenges they had faced, their love had endured, stronger than ever before.

And as Sunghoon leaned in to kiss him again, Ni-ki knew that no matter what the future held, their love would always be a force to be reckoned with.

As Ni-ki drifted off to sleep next to Sunghoon, his mind wandered back to the day they first met.

"Nice to meet you!" A bubbly 15-year-old Ni-ki walked up to Sunghoon at a random gathering. Sunghoon looked up from his book, his expression guarded. "Who are you?" he asked coldly, but Ni-ki remained unfazed, his curiosity piqued by the older boy.

"I'm Nishimura Riki! You can call me Ni-ki! What about you, mister?" Ni-ki said cheerfully, extending his hand towards Sunghoon. Sunghoon hesitated for a moment before taking Ni-ki's hand. "Park Sunghoon. Call me... Sunghoon. You look young," he remarked, studying the younger boy with interest.

Ni-ki giggled at Sunghoon's observation. "I'm 15!" he declared proudly, his smile infectious. Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, impressed by Ni-ki's confidence. "I'm 18," he replied, his gaze lingering on the younger boy.

But as Ni-ki slept peacefully beside him, Sunghoon's thoughts turned darker, recalling the day he received the shocking news from his father.

"You're marrying Riki," his father had stated bluntly, causing Sunghoon to drop his cup in disbelief. "What?" he spluttered, unable to comprehend the sudden declaration. "You're getting married. You're already 21. No argument," his father had spat, before walking away, leaving Sunghoon to grapple with the weight of his father's expectations and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

As Ni-ki slept beside Sunghoon, he dreamt of their past.

Sunghoon had been everything to Riki.

His first love, first kiss, first relationship, first marriage.

But Sunghoon was also the one who took Riki's innocence.

Despite their love, they struggled to communicate.

Yet, as Ni-ki slept beside Sunghoon, he felt hopeful for their future together.

【🌿】 

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