The concert tour was in full swing, with the members of Slay Kids performing night after night, their energy fueled by the love and support of their fans. YoungBok had thrown himself into the performances, pouring his heart into every song, but the distance between him and Hyunjin weighed heavily on him.
In the quiet moments between shows, when the adrenaline of the performance had worn off and the exhaustion of travel set in, YoungBok found himself missing Hyunjin more than he expected. He'd gotten used to being apart from his partner, but there was always something about those late nights when the hotel room was too quiet and the bed too big for one person.
He walked into his hotel room, his heart still racing from the high of the show. The rest of the group was in the common area, lounging and chatting, but YoungBok wanted some time alone. He sat down on the edge of his bed, reaching for his phone.
There was a message waiting for him. It was from Sherri.
Sherri: "I know you're busy, but just wanted to remind you we're here, watching every moment of you. I miss you so much, YoungBok. Hyunjin misses you, too. Keep going. We're cheering for you."
YoungBok smiled softly at the message, feeling the warmth of her words. He typed back quickly:
YoungBok: "I miss you both so much. Every show, every performance, I'm thinking of you. I can't wait for the day when we're all together again. Tell Hyunjin I love him."
As soon as he sent the message, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a video call notification. Hyunjin's name flashed on the screen.
YoungBok's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't remember the last time they had a proper conversation—there was always a time difference, and Hyunjin's commitments with the military made it hard to stay in touch. But this was a gift. His heart soared as he answered the call.
"YoungBok," Hyunjin's voice echoed through the speaker, warm and comforting. He looked tired, but his eyes lit up when he saw YoungBok on the screen. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," YoungBok said, his voice thick with emotion. He sat up straighter, wanting to soak in every second of seeing Hyunjin, even if it was through a screen. "How's everything going?"
Hyunjin smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Same as always. It's tough being away from you, but seeing you perform, hearing you sing... it makes it all worth it. I'm so proud of you."
YoungBok's heart swelled at the words. "I couldn't do this without you," he confessed softly. "I'm here because of you. You've always been my rock."
Hyunjin's face softened. "You're my rock, too. I know it's hard, but we'll get through this. I promise. Just keep doing what you love. And remember, I'm always with you. In your heart, in everything you do."
YoungBok closed his eyes for a moment, trying to hold back the emotions that threatened to spill over. His chest ached with love for Hyunjin, for everything they had built together. "I wish you were here, with me," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I know, baby," Hyunjin murmured, his eyes full of longing. "But we're strong. We're family. And this distance will just make us closer. Soon, we'll be together again, and it'll be worth it."
YoungBok nodded, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped his eye. "I love you, Hyunjin. I always will."
"I love you too, more than anything," Hyunjin replied, his voice thick with emotion. "And Sherri loves you, too. You're everything to us."
YoungBok smiled through his tears. "I can't wait to see you again."
"I'm counting down the days until I'm home," Hyunjin said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Until then, take care of yourself. And know that I'm always thinking of you."
YoungBok nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. The longing was still there, the ache of missing his partner, but hearing his voice—seeing his face—made everything feel a little more bearable.
As the call ended and Hyunjin's face disappeared from the screen, YoungBok sat quietly for a moment, letting the love he felt for both Hyunjin and Sherri fill his heart. He wasn't alone. Even though the distance between them was vast, they were connected by something deeper, something unbreakable.
He placed his phone down and stood up, walking to the window. The lights of the city below flickered like stars, a reminder of how far he had come, how far they had all come. And no matter how far apart they were, YoungBok knew that their love would always be a guiding light.
Back at home, Sherri sat in their living room, the kids sleeping peacefully in the next room. She was looking at pictures of YoungBok and Hyunjin on her phone when she received a text from YoungBok.
YoungBok: "Just spoke with Hyunjin. He misses you so much. We'll get through this. I love you both."
She smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "We're in this together," she whispered to herself.
It wasn't easy, this life they had chosen. The distance, the pressure from fans, the constant juggling of personal and professional life—it was all overwhelming at times. But Sherri knew that no matter what, they would always have each other. The bond between them was unshakeable.
She glanced at the picture of their family again—Hyunjin, YoungBok, HyunBok, and YoungJin. They were strong. They were together, even if they weren't physically side by side. Love like theirs didn't need proximity to thrive.
YoungBok lay in his hotel bed that night, the weight of the tour finally catching up to him. But as he closed his eyes, he felt a sense of peace, knowing that Hyunjin was out there, that Sherri was waiting for him. They would make it through this, together. He didn't need anything else to feel complete.