The Gravity of Us
Read the storyPrompt: Reunion at the Mountain The last schedule they had together was the Lancôme event in Taipei. After that, ODE Entertainment became a revolving door. Donghae disappeared into airports, hotels, rehearsal rooms, fan meetings, interviews, and preparations for his solo activities. Hyukjae wasn’t any better. Variety appearances, dance projects, meetings as ODE’s co-CEO, photoshoots, recordings—every day seemed to start in one city and end in another. They texted. Of course they texted. They called sometimes too. But it wasn’t the same. Not when years of habit had trained them to reach across a sofa and annoy each other. Not when every meal tasted better if the other one was stealing from their plate. The separation wasn’t dramatic. No fights. No misunderstandings. Just distance. The kind that accumulated quietly. A week. Then two. Then almost a month. Fans were celebrating their individual successes. Donghae was thriving. Hyukjae was thriving. Yet both kept accidentally mentioning the other in interviews. As if muscle memory refused to adapt. ⸻ The World Cup match became an unexpected oasis. South Korea versus Mexico. For once, both schedules aligned. Neither of them had even suggested watching separately. It was simply understood. Like breathing. Like gravity. Like Eunhyuk and Donghae. ⸻ Donghae arrived first. Dressed in the Korea jersey he’d immediately forced Hyukjae to wear as well. When Hyukjae entered the viewing room and saw the matching shirt, he laughed. “You planned this.” Donghae looked offended. “I bought yours too.” “That’s literally planning it.” “That’s friendship.” “That’s obsession.” Donghae grinned. Hyukjae hated how much he’d missed that grin. ⸻ The match began. All at once. Shouting. Arguing with referees who couldn’t hear them. Praying. Celebrating. Groaning. The photos ODE staff later uploaded captured exactly that. Donghae with his hands clasped like he was personally negotiating with God. Hyukjae half-rising from the couch with his fist in the air. Then both frozen in identical disbelief. Then both yelling toward the television. ⸻ “You think they can hear you?” Hyukjae asked. “Maybe.” “It’s a stadium.” “They might.” “You’re ridiculous.” “You’re sitting here screaming too.” “…” “…” “…Okay.” ⸻