Tret led him away from the bustling bar, navigating through the crowd once more. Heo stumbled, his senses clouded by the excessive indulgence of the night. His unsteady steps and glassy eyes were clear indicators of his heavily intoxicated state. It was evident that he had gone beyond his limits. He suddenly doubled over and emptied the contents of his stomach onto Tret's shirt. Tret's expression morphed from surprise to disgust as he realized what had just happened.
Tret could only shake his head. He struggled to help Heo out of the bar. He could carry Heo, but he kept moving around. He was afraid that if he lifted him, they might both fall. He knew that excessive drinking often masked deeper issues; issues that needed addressing. His concern grew as he realized that Heo's condition went beyond a mere drunken night out. He knew Heo didn't drink like that without carrying some kind of problem. Heo's whispered words from earlier echoed in his mind.
Tret gently guided Heo to a quiet corner of the bar, ensuring he didn't stumble. Little did Tret expect what would happen next. Heo pulled Tret closer, and in a moment of vulnerable confusion, their lips met in a bittersweet and unexpectedly romantic kiss. Tret didn't expect that.
As their lips slowly separated, the weight of Heo's words hung heavy in the air, suffocating the once tender moment. "I miss you," he slurred, his voice trembling with raw emotion. Tret's heart shattered as he realized that Heo's confession was not meant for him, but for someone else who had left a void in his heart. In that fleeting kiss, Tret found himself caught in the crossfire of Heo's longing for someone who could never be replaced.
Tret's heart shattered into countless shards, each one carrying the weight of unrequited love and the haunting realization that he was merely a substitute for someone else. As tears cascaded down his cheeks, the overwhelming sadness engulfed him, suffocating any trace of hope or happiness. The fragile threads of their once treasured friendship unraveled, leaving an agonizing void that resonated deep within their souls, reminding them of what could never be.
In a voice filled with emotion, Tret gathered his courage and spoke, his words trembling like shards of broken glass. "Heo... It's me, Tret," he managed to say, his voice quivering. "I want you to know that I'm not your lover or ex or whoever damn you missed. I'm your best friend, who loves you."
The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, the unspoken words weighing down their souls. Tret's tears streamed freely down his face, reflecting the shattered hopes and dreams that now lay scattered before him. The pain of unrequited love and the agony of mistaken identity had pierced Tret's soul, leaving an indelible mark etched upon his heart.
The once inseparable bond between Tret and Heo seemed fragile, at the mercy of shattered illusions and unfulfilled desires. And as the tears stained their cheeks, Tret wept, mourning the loss of what could never be, while Heo, amidst his own confusion, gazed upon Tret, slowly awakening to the irreversible damage caused by his intoxicated mistake. The room carried the heavy burden of sadness, as they both grappled with the harsh reality that their friendship, once so pure, had been scarred by a heart-wrenching moment of misdirected love.
Tret wiped his wet cheeks. He couldn't deny the intense tightness in his chest. Yes, for the first time, Heo himself kissed him. He had longed to kiss Heo's lips for so long. But what happened earlier was something he never expected. Heo kissed him because he thought he was his ex. He looked into Heo's eyes, but Heo avoided his gaze. Perhaps Heo was angry at himself. Or maybe he was disgusted because he had kissed him.
He lowered his gaze and let out a sigh. "Let's go home, Heo." His arm trembled as he wrapped it around Heo's body and supported him as they left. Outside, the cool night air embraced them, providing a gentle respite from the noise and chaos within. But Heo slowly distanced himself from Tret, which didn't surprise him. Heo walked away slowly.
Tret's heart pounded as he watched Heo walk away. Once again, tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't do anything but follow Heo. But Tret considered it a chance. He took a deep breath, biting his lower lip, and called out Heo's name. Heo stopped and turned towards Tret, who cautiously approached with overwhelming nerves. Swallowing hard, he cleared his throat before speaking. "Heo... there's something important I need to share with you," he started, his voice trembling but resolute. "This truth has been weighing heavily on my soul."
Heo turned to Tret. He seemed out of it. He was waiting for Tret to speak again. He saw that Tret's lips were trembling. He approached where Tret was standing. "I'm drunk and I am so sorry."
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Tret took a step closer, his heart pounding in his chest. "Heo, I... I love you," he confessed, his voice filled with an intensity that mirrored his feelings.
Tret had desperately hoped for a different reaction, but Heo erupted into laughter. His inebriated state rendered him incapable of understanding the gravity of those three significant words. But it seemed like he wasn't that drunk anymore, so he wanted to take back what he said.
"You... love me? Seriously?" Heo managed to gasp between fits of laughter, his tone laced with amusement. "You'd I didn't know that, huh."
Tret was stunned. Did he hear correctly? So, for three years, his best friend knew he loved him? Heo had been aware of his feelings, and he never said a single word about it?
Heo gently tousled Tret's hair. "I've always known you as my best friend, and I appreciate the love and support you've given me. You've taken care of me in ways my siblings never could. The thought of losing you is unbearable." Heo locked eyes with Tret, despite the spinning world around him and his blurry vision, he could still see the tears welling up in Tret's eyes. "Why are you crying?" Heo tenderly wiped away those tears.
Tret's heart sank as his vulnerability seemed to go unheard, overwhelmed by the effects of alcohol on Heo. Despite feeling dismissed, Tret mustered a weak smile, determined to maintain his composure. "Yes, Heo, I do care about you deeply. The influence of alcohol can distort perceptions and feelings, so I understand if you don't share the same sentiments. It's okay."
Heo's laughter subsided, his expression growing more serious as he tried to grasp the weight behind Tret's words. He reached out and gently squeezed Tret's arm. "Hey, Tret, I may not understand it all right now, but I promise, I'll listen when I'm sober. Your feelings matter, and so do you."
Tret felt a bittersweet mixture of hope and uncertainty wash over him. Heo's response wasn't what he had hoped for, but it held a glimmer of possibility for their future. He closed his eyes to control the endless stream of tears. But after a while, he felt Heo pull him into a tight hug.
"Thank you always, my best friend," Heo whispered.