Farewell
It's been a long time coming, so I suspect this isn't surprising for many. Between my absence to my now busy life, I will be officially departing from this blog.
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@justimajin
Farewell
It's been a long time coming, so I suspect this isn't surprising for many. Between my absence to my now busy life, I will be officially departing from this blog.
First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude. When I first started this blog back, I was at an immensely low point in my life. I won't go into details, but I was suffering from severe health issues that made quite a lot of different aspects of my life much more difficult. It was around that time I listened to kpop and discovered fanfiction, only to come up with my own ideas and wanting to contribute to the community.
I was ecstatic to see the positive response to my writing and I loved being able to interact with so many of you on this platform. My stories will continue to stay, for as long as I choose for them to remain on this platform.
Regarding my life now, things have turned up tremendously for me. I've never been one to share a lot, but I'm in a much better place in my life right now. Sure, there are bad days but that's life now, isn't it? Overall, I have grown so much as a person and I hope I will continue to do so in the future :)
Now on the flip side. I do listen to a range of kpop groups and have ideas sparking for them. I'm not too sure if I'll ever get the time to write in my current state, but rest assured you might see me popping up in a new way. If any of you interested in other works I might post, I recommend checking out my a03 where they will be uploaded. I haven't explored the idea of creating a new tumblr, but that's something I will update with time should the opportunity come.
Lastly, I will continue loving the boys and cheering them on. I'm so grateful to have stumbled onto their music one day and get so, so enraptured with their chaotic personalities (because ofc, it's bangtan). These boys have helped uplift me on some pretty rough days and I have loved watching them grow in their own journey as well. I can't wait for their reunion and will be eagerly anticipating it!
Finally, thank you for giving my writing a chance. Here's to future opportunities and new beginnings! \^.^/
-Justimajin
(2018-2025)

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Nothing much, just a lil note. You were wonderful! It's a reverse basket was my first story of yours, it's still so memorable to me and I consistently reread it when I'm feeling down or just want a bit of nostalgia from that time in my life. I remember having my notifs ON and racing to your posts to read it on drop day. I'm also in a better place in my life than when I was reading the fanfics to make it to the next day. You, Jimlings,Dovechim,Jincherie, etc. Had my ass sin a CHOKEHOLD. You will always be such a big part of the community and I love and appreciate the work you've put your heart into! Thanks so much for giving younger me something to look forward to day after day and I hope life continues to blossom for you. Even if you don't write for us anymore, I hope you still continue to write for yourself. Because such beautiful prose deserves to be appreciated. ššš„° Be great, do good things and remember that there's always some stranger on the internet rooting for you! Haha
The way this message had me tearing up :'')
It's a Reverse Basket was your first story from me! š«¶ I recall posting it during the pandemic and knowing that time period was especially hard for everyone, so it makes me incredibly happy that it was memorable for you <3 Ashjkjh also linking me with such great writers 𤧠Beginning this blog, I was truthfully not a writer at all haha. But being part of the community and learning the skill was really rewarding and I hope one day I might find myself back at my roots, in whichever shape or form that takes! āŗļø
I am so, so grateful to have been included into such a wider community and have been part of reader's lives. I truly hope that life blossoms for you as well, and thank you for staying for so long. I will also be rooting for you and hope that all things good come your way <3 <3
Could we please have continues series of āThe language of flowersā?š„ŗš„ŗš„ŗš
Hello! Unfortunately, The Language of Flowers is just meant to be a oneshot :') However, I did post some notes on what the story would be like if continued.
winterās solace.
ā¹ liveyun reads, cumulative (: !! bts ver. (around 50 fics)
ā ā¹ joon and seokjinās library
ā ā¹ yoongiās library
ā ā¹ taehyungās library
another barely managed to collect fic library ;_; i rlly need to keep a track because i can't find many fics i remember being hooked upon. Hali if you see this you should know i spent an hour typing the keywords for don't read dead languages but got to know it was your fic out of the blue while navigating through your mlist ò_ó
getting to know that authors have deactivated or have abandoned this site makes me hope that whatever they're doing now, i just want them to be happy.
as always, if possible, your feedbacks to the authors are always appreciated and welcome. but once again, only if it's possible.
most of these fics are rated M, and abiding by the author's wishes, you have to be 18+ in order to read them. however, iām not responsible for the content you consume online.
[ āŖ ] : series | [ ā ] : favorites | [ a ] : angst | [ f ] : fluff [ s ] : smut | [ c ] : comedy / humor | [ D ] : dark content
ā¹ can't afford love by @dollfaceksj ā¤ļøš©¹
yoongi x female reader ; a, s, f, c
āyour childhood dream of having 2 children in a big house with a blooming marriage by this point in time has been eliminated the moment divorce came knocking at your door. With only one child and finding yourself back at square one, you ask your ex-husbandāMin Yoongiāif heād be down to fulfill 1 of these 3 things on your childhoodās bucket-list. And no, itās not giving you a big house.ā
ā¹ a fine line by @moni-logues ā¤ļøš„
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āIt's time to rebuild your life. You've got a new job, a new apartment, and a future that might be bright. The only problem? Your new roommate.ā
ā¹ under the spell of a demonās touch by @jeonggukingdom š
jimin x female reader, a, s, f
āYou had believed, for your entire life, that creatures of the underworld were only a myth but you were proven wrong by the existence of Jimin. He is, according to his definition, a smaller type of Fae called Incubus. A creature of sex. Someone that can only live and strive as long as his sexual appetite is satiated every day. And Incubi are known in all of their myths to be insatiable and ravenous creatures.ā
ā¹ royal calling by @bts-0t-7 šŗ
jungkook x female reader ; a, f
āin the midst of surviving, you find yourself in a sticky situation. Your connection with the King, Jeon Jungkook, had you afraid for your life. Certainly, he wouldnāt kill you⦠Right? But slowly, you figured out your place in the depths of the castle and you yearned to live.Ā
ā¹ 20 years late by @back2bluesidex ā¤ļøš©¹
seokjin x female reader ; a, f
āSeokjin could count on his fingers the things that haven't changed within these 20 years of his life, and one of those is you..ā
ā¹ curiosity by @hobidreams š
jungkook x female reader ; s
āwhen innocent jungkook comes to you with a not-so-innocent question... you decide itās easier to just demonstrate.ā
ā¹ unconditionally by @rmsrkive š¶
hoseok x female reader ; a, s, f
āfor the past three, almost four years, it has only been you and your twins after having been abandoned by your ex-boyfriend. you expected it to remain that way for the rest of your lives until one day you accidentally run into one of his bandmates at the park.ā
ā¹ cupidās on holiday by @persphonesorchid š
seokjin x female reader ; a , s , f
āYou don't get it, you're a damn catch. Anyone would be lucky to have you. You're smart, you're tidy, hell you'd give up your own kidney to a homeless guy if he needed it that bad. So what the issue? Failed relationships, blind date after blind date, and now your friend's competitive archery teammate is telling you he's Cupid here to help you find your one true love. You're not that desperate. He could take those golden arrows and shove 'em.ā
ā¹ sciamachy by @flurrys-creativity šµļøāāļø
hoseok x female reader ; a, s, f
Sciamachy (n.) - a battle against imaginary enemies; fighting your shadow.
ā¹ BTS as displaysā of affection by @eoieopda š
ot7 x reader ; f
PDA bangtannies ^^
ā¹ lacuna by @eoieopda ā¤ļøš©¹
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āin his twenty-eight years, kim namjoon had made countless mistakes. most of them were insignificant and could be shoved easily enough into the back corner of his mind. the worst of them were all tied for first place, keeping him up at night. loving you, losing you, and now: picking up the phone.ā
ā¹ word from our sponsors by @ugh-yoongi šļø
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āyouāve co-hosted a podcast with namjoon for three years; have known him even longer. the two of you have always been the picture of platonic, but that hasnāt stopped the internet from doing what the internet does. the shipping? a little weird at first, but you can understand it: two attractive twenty-somethings always in close proximity to one another, obvious (platonic!) chemistryāpeople have created ships for less. the fanfiction, though? also pretty funny⦠until you canāt stop thinking about it.ā
ā¹ wanna watch a sex tape by @gimmethatagustd šļø
taehyung x reader x jimin ; s
āWhen Taehyung invited you over to watch a movie, you didnāt think the movie he had in mind would be your sex tape⦠And you definitely didnāt think his roommate would want to watch, too.ā
ā¹ clockwork heart by @vyduan ā¤ļøš©¹
yoongi x reader, a, s,f
āForced to marry chaebol and cold-hearted Min Yoongi in order to save your own company, Yoongi leaves you to your own devices as long as you are discreet. Everything changes when he catches you with your best friend, Hoseok.ā
ā¹ B.D.E. by @ki-yomii š¦
seokjin x reader, s
ādon't you know he'll never fit if he doesn't prep you first?ā
ā¹ unexpected miracles by @jiminzfilter ā„ļø
jimin x reader, f
an old crush comes waltzing into your life when you need a date for a Winter Gala.
ā¹ the lucky one by @babystrcandy šø
jungkook x reader, a, s,f
āGrowing up you only had one goal: beat Jeon Jungkook. Sometimes you'd win, other times you'd lose. Sometimes he'd lose, other times he'd win. But you'd both walk away from the match thinking the other was the lucky one.ā
ā¹ blue hour by @haeggi š„
taehyung x reader, a , s, f
āwhen you realize how truly alone you were, you find yourself in the blue hour bar where fellow lonely souls came to temporarily forget.ā
ā¹ fawn by @silv3rswirls š·ļø
yoongi x reader, s, d
āYou were a fawn in headlights when he first saw you in that clearing.ā
ā¹ holi-blaze by @darklingjeon š
jungkook x reader, f,s
āit's your first time spending the holidays together, and jungkook isn't in the mood. but... you think you can change his mind.ā
ā¹ rise of the nationsās king by @justimajin š
yoongi x reader, a, s,f
āBeing born with nothing and yet wanting everything, Min Yoongi understands that the world will only favor those born with sliver spoons in their mouths. However, when an unseen incident breaks out at the royal palace one day, heās forced between choosing all that he treasures for something much more. But Yoongi doesnāt know if losing you will ever keep him sane.ā
ā¹ all i want for christmas is joon by @leahsfavefics ā¤ļøš©¹
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āYou have had a rough year following the mutual break up with your grad school sweetheart. On a whim, you book a spontaneous trip to Europe for the holidays to help get you out of the funk youāre in and assert your independence. It would be great, if it werenāt for the fact that you keep bumping into your ex boyfriend.ā
ā¹ beneath the boughs by @gimmesumsuga šø
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āFor almost as long as you can remember, the tree stood opposite your apartment has been a part of your life. Countless memories have been made under the shade of its supple branches, but when its existence comes under threat, you soon discover that your favourite tree is more special to you than you ever couldāve known. ā
ā¹ endymion by @marginalmadness ā°ļø
taehyung x reader, a , s , f
āA thing of beauty is a joy for everā¦ā
ā¹ smitten by @jungshookz š„“
jungkook x reader, f
āy/n finally decides to tell jungkook about her feelings for him and she doesnāt know if sheās ever been this nervous about anything before.ā
ā¹ warm hands (ice cold heart) by @hobidreams āØ
jimin x reader, a, s , f
āfor those of you who belong to the upper echelons of society, the holidays are synonymous with parties. lavish and (in your opinion) excessive gatherings ā opportunities to show off what youāve accomplished and acquired over the year. unfortunately for you, tonightās particular celebration features two special guests: the man you thought you would be with for the rest of your life, and the man you married.ā
ā¹ it's sweet by @here2bbtstrash ā¤ļøš©¹
taehyung x reader, f
āyou forgot to call out sick from your dick appointment, but he stays anyway.ā
ā¹ miracle of the summer by @cybersan š¼
āCast out of Heaven after a painful betrayal, you find yourself having to navigate the intricacies of human life without any guidance from the Creator or the family you have always known. Things only get worse as the holiday season reaches its peak, with reminders of the life you left behind everywhere you look. When a familiar face pops up, you arenāt sure whether to consider it a blessing or a curse.ā
ā¹ caught in waves by @aseaofyoongi š„
yoongi x reader , f, s
āafter graduating culinary school you are fired from your very first job as a sous chef ā so you move to a small town for the summer only to meet the very cute nephew of the restaurant and airbnb owner.ā
ā¹ daffodil dreams by @sombreboy š¼š„
taehyung x reader, a, s, d
āāTaehyung, you didn't lose control. You chose to control me instead..." And he damn well took sick pleasure from the crazed look in his eyes.
āIām not bad.ā He convinced himself of this. He wasnāt a bad person. He wasnāt the person in the case files. That was somebody else inside of him. ā
ā¹ my soul to reap by @readyplayerhobi š»
hoseok x reader, a, s , f
āA reaper is neither alive nor dead, in this world or the next. Their purpose is to remove the souls of humans and help them pass to the next world. They are not meant to interact with the living for their touch is the ice of the grave and their kiss is to greet death. They are not meant to love.ā
ā¹ ten days of ex-mas by @kpopfanfictrash ā¤ļøš©¹
jimin x reader ; a, s , f
āThree months following the worst break-up of your life, you finally feel ready to start moving on. The world, it seems, has other ideas when you pick up the phone and find your ex-boyfriend calling. ā
ā¹ #saveourcommunitycentre by @taleasnewastime šļø
namjoon x reader ; a, f
āThe place you love most in the world is going to be destroyed, knocked down in favour of an expensive housing complex. Youāre trying everything you can to stop the project, but it doesnāt seem enough. While youāre trying to juggle that, the company have assigned a community liaison to the project and though he keeps coming along to the site, helping out, giving advice, being friendly, you canāt help but not trust him.ā
ā¹ don't read dead languages by @sailoryooons šļø
namjoon x reader ; a, s, f
āNamjoon is determined to visit the Living City of the Dead. Amtenemhat is the Egyptian ruins that the locals fear. Archaeologists have gone missing and strange things lurk in the night. But Namjoonās work as a historian isnāt perfect if he doesnāt go to the source of the legend, and hiring a weaponized tomb raider seems his best bet at surviving.ā
ā¹ king of tides by @sailoryooons āµ
seokjin x reader ; f
āSeokjin meets a ghost of his past when he and his crew stop to celebrate for the evening.Ā ā
ā¹ eat me by @chaoticpuff17 š
taehyung x reader ; d
āEveryone in wonderland knew the story of the little girl who had come through the rabbit hole and caused so much trouble. Everyone knew how the foundations of their land had been turned on its head after her visit. The little girl escaped back to her own world, but sheād left wonderland in ruins however unintentionally.Ā ā
ā¹ gang shit by @gimmethatagustd š¶
namjoon x reader ; f, c
āYour daughter's classmate has a really hot dad. Apparently, you're his arch-nemesis.ā
ā¹ ho-ho-home by @jjungkookislife šāØ
jimin x reader ; a, s , f
āGolden neighbor extraordinaire, Park Jimin, is (unintentionally) stealing your spotlight this holiday season. Despite your one sided rivalry with him, all Jimin wants is for you to remember him, to remember your past and hopefully create a future with you.ā
ā¹ the crimson shell by @angelicyoongie š§āāļø
jungkook x reader ; a, s, d
āyou had always found comfort in being at the beach, often spending hours just watching the waves lap against the shore. but unbeknowst to you ā something had been watching you back.ā
ā¹ the wood by @sailoryooons š
hoseok x reader ; a,s,f
āFrom the moment you step foot in Kill Devil, you know something about the town is off. Determined to find out exactly how your sister went missing in such a small town, you receive unlikely help from the man staying in the motel room next to yours. But there is so much more than what meets the eye with Hoseok and the citizens of Kill Devil.ā
ā¹ devine feminine by @gimmethatagustd š
jungkook x reader, s,f
āNo one can make you feel like a goddess better than Jeon Jungkook.ā
ā¹ sunday by @here2bbtstrash š
seokjin x reader, s,f
āyou got your boyfriend exactly what he wanted for his birthday.ā
ā¹ pink bean fever by @jeonqkooks š
seokjin x reader, f
"For the record, I think you're cute too."
ā¹ the reaper by @deepdarkdelights šøļø
jungkook x reader, a, s, d
āWith your skirts drawn up over your thighs, the skin raised with goosebumps from the cool spring air, his hand retreated only to return with what looked like a stamp but where the rubber should have been, there were instead tiny needles all coated with bright red ink. Before you could begin to squirm again he quickly pressed it against the side of your thigh pulling a pained cry from your throat.ā
ā¹ strawberry picking by @glosskirt š
yoongi x reader, f
yoongi takes you on a surprise date to a strawberry farm. how wrong could this go?
ā¹ my love is here by @solemnreads ā¤ļøš©¹
jungkook x reader, a, s , f
"You didnāt mean for it to happen. Itās not like you purposely woke up one day and thought āHey Iām going to fall in love with my best friend!ā No, that is not at all what happened."
lastly if youād want to here's the collection of my own works HAHA (promo? š«£)
BTS come back soon pls <\3
untill next time, see you.
happy 28th birthday kim taehyung (ź¹ķķ) !

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Update!
As per my future plans post, I will continue my schedule with Jimin's angst oneshot. However, I have some plans that came up as a result of the holidays, so I will be pushing back the schedule a bit. This means Jimin's story will be posted into the new year on Tuesday, January 9th.
And with that being said....
Happy Holidays to everyone!
(there's so much going on in this gif omg)
Update!
As per my future plans post, I will continue my schedule with Jimin's angst oneshot. However, I have some plans that came up as a result of the holidays, so I will be pushing back the schedule a bit. This means Jimin's story will be posted into the new year on Tuesday, January 9th.
And with that being said....
Happy Holidays to everyone!
(there's so much going on in this gif omg)
Update!
As per my future plans post, I will continue my schedule with Jimin's angst oneshot. However, I have some plans that came up as a result of the holidays, so I will be pushing back the schedule a bit. This means Jimin's story will be posted into the new year on Tuesday, January 9th.
And with that being said....
Happy Holidays to everyone!
(there's so much going on in this gif omg)
Hey,
Can I tell you how much I loved The Solace window?
It's the perfect look into senior love, loss, grief and creating new bonds.
And I'm extremely angry at Naree. What an opportunist, tossing her aged, grieving mother in an old age home and removing every trace of Namjoon just because they want the house, and then yelling at OC for betraying his memory?
A lot of elderly people want nothing more than to be around family. And she and seojun deprived her of it.
I hope Karma gets her.
I'm so glad you loved it! :") I typically write about Younger OC's, but I really wanted to try writing about an Older OC's experience with love.
Naree and the OC have a really rocky relationship. Although there's instances where Naree does care (very small ones), her issues with the OC coupled with their increasing tension resulted in her ultimately choosing herself at the end. In a way, I wanted their specific relationship to represent how elderly people are often treated, even within their own families.
It's ironic that at the end of the day, OC was still just looking for a home. But she couldn't find it within her own immediate family and instead built a new one with Hoseok.
The Solace Window
Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (ft. Namjoon)
Genre: Angst
ā³ 15.8k / Older Couple AU
Summary: Kim Namjoon is no more, and you are left behind as a 75 year old widow. Stuck in between experiencing grief and mourning your late husband, your search for solace seems more and more far-fetched. That is until you stumble upon widowed Jung Hoseok.
*Warnings: Depictions surrounding death, grief, depression, spousal loss, miscarriage, fertility issues, illness, growing older, familial issues, mistreatment of the elderly, old age homes. This story will deal with heavy topics and reader discretion is highly advised.
A/N: After much contemplation, I have decided to write this fic. It is very personal to me, and one that I really wanted to share.
Heās gone.Ā
Kim Namjoon is laid to rest in the casket in an eternal sleep. His gray hair has been carefully combed back against his wrinkled skin, and heās dressed in an elegant black suit, arms folded and resting on top of his chest. He wears a content expression, brows smoothed out and lips tightly shut.
Heās gone, forever.Ā
A handful of individuals surround him; namely a couple in their late thirties clad entirely in black. The wife clutches onto her husbandās shirt, thick tears streaming down her face and tremors shuddering through her shoulders.Ā
āD-Dadā¦ā She chokes out, burying herself further into her husbandās embrace as he wraps his arms around her.Ā
There are two small children with wide eyes, glancing between their mother and father in curiosity. Their gazes then flicker over to the rest of the people who have gathered, before looking back at the older lady sitting on the side, who holds a somber expression and far too much anguish in her eyes.Ā
You can only watch as the service is completed and you have to say your farewells. You can only watch as you keep the deep ache in your chest at bay, attempting to keep yourself from crumbling. You can only watch as your loved ones are a mess, sobs echoing from the room.Ā
You can only watch as your husband departs from this world, leaving you behind.Ā
You are silent the entire ride home.Ā
When the multiple cars arrive at the large complex, you already begin to carefully shift out of the vehicle, not waiting for anyone to help you out. Your cane hits against the pavement and you place pressure on it, moving slowly with a hunched back.Ā
You trail along the sidewalk until meeting the front steps, cautiously raise your feet and walk on them one by one. Weakly pushing against the door, you tread towards the staircase, having no desire to eat and wanting to head straight to your room.Ā
A gentle hand on your shoulder halts you.Ā
Turning around, the woman stares back at you with a swollen but intentful gaze. Sheās inherited your eyes and Namjoonās smile, her expression scanning your features.Ā
āMomā¦ā She calls out, but you donāt have the strength to hear her words.Ā
āIām tired, Naree.ā You quietly whisper, and she moves her mouth as if to speak again, but her own words fizzle out. She simply nods, swivelling away as her eyes brim with water.Ā
You gradually ascend onto the steps, pushing your cane against the wood before hauling your shaking feet upward. After a couple of moments, you manage to reach the top, shuffling your feet into your bedroom.Ā
The bedroom you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
Thereās a double-sized bed in the middle with two dressers, one of which has Namjoonās medications carefully stacked to the side, a small lamp and a book with a bookmark that he was in the midst of completing. Thereās two picture frames off to the side, a much younger you with a huge smile hugging a shyer and much younger Namjoon, the snapshot taken seconds before he had accidentally stumbled and taken you down with him.Ā
You move closer to the other dresser, the one that contains all of your belongings. Setting your cane securely against it, you slip into the covers, bringing them up to your chest until youāre completely nestled.Ā
As you stare at the ceiling, silence greets you. Thereās the faint tick of the clock on the opposite side of the bed, the very one Namjoon had installed so it was easier for him to figure out the time without squinting and straining his eyes. Itās accompanied with a side that is now empty, his scent still lingering on the pillow that sits right next to yours.Ā
The silence continues to greet you the longer you stare at the ceiling, and itās absolutely deafening.Ā
The tears rise before you can stop them, rolling down the crinkle of your eyes. The longer you wait, the longer you stare, the more it becomes inevitable with every passing minute.Ā
Heās not coming back. Thereās no him arising from the door, slowly parting it as he sheepishly admits he had accidentally fallen asleep on the couch downstairs, mind growing absent these days. Thereās no dim light radiating out from your side, a pair of glasses on the rim of his nose as he carefully turns the pages of his book. Thereās no familiar dimpled smile wishing you goodnight, no soft kisses against your forehead before he slips into the covers with you, pulling you into his warm and comfortable embrace.Ā
Thereās nothing anymore and itās something that slams into you, being wide awake despite living in a walking nightmare.Ā
A harsh sob rips from your throat, echoing against the silent walls.Ā
You are numb.
You slowly peel open your eyes in the morning, the faint sunlight seeping through the same floral curtains. The side beside you still stays empty, as you continue to sleep on your own side. The belongings on the opposite dresser are untouched, small specks of dust long beginning to settle.Ā
A year has passed since the tragedy, and you are still numb.Ā
You rise onto your feet, your wrinkled hand reaching out for your cane. Weakly pushing yourself off the bed, your feet stagger as you pad through the room and head into the bathroom.Ā
Setting your cane aside again, you turn the tap on and the water flows. Pooling it in your hands, you splash it over your skin, the water feeling tender against it. Glancing in the mirror, a low sigh leaves your lips.Ā
The lines on your features have deepened and increased, small indents showcasing near the corners of your eyes and your mouth. Your cheeks have become hollow, bone beginning to surface and protrude out. The bottom of your eyes have darkened, skin sagging down.
There's a saying youāve roughly heard in passing ā one that Namjoonās mother had echoed to you when his father had passed away and you were inquiring how she was.Ā
She had said that for many couples, after your spouse passes away, the grief only seems to accelerate the aging process tenfold and that it wouldnāt be too long till her own day would come.Ā
At the moment, the thought itself was devastating to hear. But you never thought a day would come when her words would be so utterly true, your face having aged more within one year compared to the last five years you had spent with Namjoon.Ā
After washing up solemnly in silence, you pad back through into the desolate bedroom, before exiting and slowly descending down the stairs.Ā
Nareeās voice echoes through the room.
ā...ānot eating on time and barely talks, I just donāt know what to do anymore.ā
āIt comes with age.ā Her husband, Seojun, echoes, āYou should know that sheās growing old.āĀ
āI know,ā She huffs, āBut she wonāt even go through my fatherās belongings, instead she insists on keeping everything the same and itās been so longāāĀ
You quietly clear your throat, leaning against the staircase beside the kitchen. Naree spins around with wide eyes and both of them freeze, as if they had been caught.Ā
āMomāāĀ
āIām feeling tired.ā You simply say.Ā
āLet me make you some tea.ā She brings up immediately and you nod, turning around with another word. Naree and her husband glance at each other silently, before she moves towards the kettle.Ā
You walk over to sit down on the large couch at the side in the living room, the one that has enough cushions for your hunched back. Sitting down with a large heave, your gaze falls onto the window.Ā
A small girl stumbles into the room.Ā
Her wide eyes are bright, a familiar dimpled smile on her lips and a photo in her hands.
Thereās a soft upturn to your lips and she beams, rushing over in an instant.Ā
āGrandma!ā she squeals, body falling near your legs and head landing in your lap. Another younger girl pads in quietly behind, following her older sister with curious eyes.
āNayoung.ā You reach out and tenderly stroke the eldest girlās hair, who is around eight years old, before moving your eyes to the four year old behind her, āDambi.āĀ
The youngest smiles and you widen your arm, to which she pads closer and rests within your embrace.
You hug your grandchildren with all the love you have left to offer.Ā
āGrandma!ā Nayoung excitedly rambles, placing a frame into your withered hands, āIs the baby in this Mom?āĀ
You take it and flip it around, eyes widening to find the picture of you, a small child in your arms and Namjoonās hand resting on your shoulder. Youāre smiling but your eyes are brimming with tears, as so are his as the baby stays rested within your comfortable embrace.Ā
Your eyes gloss over for a split second, but you sniffle, bringing your attention back to your granddaughter.Ā
āNo, it isnāt.ā You explain, āItās my sonā¦. your Uncle Haneul.āĀ
Nayoung stares at you with surprise, glancing at the photo frame again. āUncle Haneul?āĀ
You slowly nod and she continues to stare with fascination, even glancing back at Dambi and pointing towards it like she had uncovered a hidden secret.Ā
āWhereās Uncle Haneul?ā Dambi ponders, and your eyes soften.
āFollowing in his fatherās footsteps.ā You whisper, āHe became a professor, and heās been exploring the world for his research.āĀ
Ever since Namjoon passed away. ā you want to add.Ā
You take the frame from Nayoungās hands, āThis picture is when he was first born, before your mother was.ā
Haneul and Naree. After years of love and even more years of building a life together ā a relationship, a marriage, a home, you and Namjoon had decided that you wanted to have kids. Through the ups and downs, the panics of pregnancy to the bliss of becoming parents, you both were blessed with two children that you love dearly.Ā
In return, Haneul had ultimately decided that becoming a parent wasnāt something he had desired, something both you and Namjoon had understood from afar and confirmed when he had brought it up to you. Instead, he wanted to travel and was inclined to be hungry for knowledge, much like Namjoon himself. You had to convince him to leave after Namjoonās passing, insisting that life was too short and he should be living his, instead of fretting over the family.Ā
On the flip side, Naree married her husband a couple of years back, and you had met your precious granddaughters, Nayoung and Dambi, within that time frame.Ā
Within forty-seven years of marriage, you had seen it all, but it still comes racing back to you in a heartbeat, the memories still so vivid as you stare back at the single snapshot that captured it all.Ā
Nayoung watches you with a smile, and Dambi mumbles something that has light coming back to your eyes.Ā
āYou used to be so pretty, Grandma.ā The four year old states it so nonchalantly, resulting in her older sister gasping and whipping her head around.Ā
āHey! Grandma is still pretty.ā Nayoung persists.Ā
You deeply sigh, āIāve gotten old, havenāt I?āĀ
āNo, no!ā Nayoung furiously shakes her head, āYouāre notā ā¦well, you are old, Grandma, but still so pretty!āĀ
A smile cracks onto your lips, long having forgotten what it felt like. Nayoung shifts, eyes growing uneasy.Ā
āGrandmaā¦a-are you crying?āĀ
You sniffle, hurriedly wiping away your tears, The two children stare at you with rounded eyes and you softly chuckle, widening your arms.Ā
āHow about you help Grandma feel a bit better?āĀ
Nayoung reacts immediately, launching herself into your arms as you bring her into your lap and rest your head against hers. Dambi crawls up the sofa and you pull her in as well, embracing the two with quivering arms.
Even in this bleak and lonely world, you are relieved to have them by your side.Ā
***
Naree stands by the living room entrance, a cup of tea in her hands.Ā
āGirls, itās time to wash up and get ready for lunch.ā She announces, and the two children glance up, before immediately rising to their feet.Ā
They both give you a quick wave before theyāre scurrying away upstairs.Ā
Naree brings the cup and sets it down on the table in front of you.
āMom.ā She calls out and you turn to look at her. āCan we talk?āĀ
A deep sigh leaves you and you sink back into the chair, knowing it was all impossible to avoid.Ā
āI suppose.ā You comply and she sits down on the couch opposite you, facing you directly.Ā
āI was talkingā¦to Seojunā¦ā At the topic of her husband, you shift and she continues cautiously, āI know how you feel about Dad, and he does too.āĀ
Your eyes downcast, āBut we should really move his things into the storage room, Mom.āĀ
āAnd what about me?ā You chuckle underneath your breath, āAre you eventually going to move me too?āĀ
āMom.ā She chides, letting out a long sigh. She looks tired, just like you. āItās been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
And a year since everyone had forgotten about him.Ā
You want to add, but keep silent, āI just think itās really time to move forwardā¦āĀ
Thereās a deep ache within your chest, that only grows with her words. You knew this conversation was inevitable, but how were you to explain?Ā
How were you to explain that ever since Namjoon passed away, youāve been consumed with an exorbitant amount of feelings that you could barely grasp?
Immense guilt that somehow through all this, you were still here while his death was so sudden. That you were still breathing and intact, all while he had struggled to do the same?Ā
Utter anger that he had left you here all by yourself after spending nearly half a century together, how he didnāt just take you with him, instead of you waking up everyday, longing to see him again.Ā
And of course ā the grief. Perhaps the most painful of them all.Ā
You canāt go through his things without breaking down, reopening the jarring wound his demise has left over and over again when you see his clothes, his shoes, his belongings. The last remains of his existence and the last things you can desperately clutch on, mimicking a supposed fabrication of him still being with you.Ā
You wrap your arms around yourself, shaking your head with shut eyes.Ā
āMy answer is firm, Naree.āĀ
āMom.ā She exasperatedly says, frustrated with your stubbornness that mimics her own. After all, sheās inherited your personality, except youāve lived longer with all your experiences exceeding all of hers.Ā
āIām exhausted.ā You simply state, willing your shaking legs to get up. Once they do, you grab onto your cane, trudging towards the staircase.
Naree is silent as she watches you struggling to get up, unable to explain how much grief has been brought to her. Everyday sheās forced to watch her mother fall into a slump, surrounding herself with past memories and unable to break out of her shell. Sheās granted only the fleeting moment of your former self when you interact with her daughters, but a part of her always wonders if a part of you had died alongside her father that day, that she ended up losing both her parents in some twisted way.Ā
She rubs her temples, feeling absolutely drained and tired beyond belief.Ā
A week passes by.Ā
Thereās barely any change in your routine. You remain within your bedroom majority of the time, sleeping and occasionally being reminded to eat. You donāt speak much, carrying a solemn gaze and a deep frown on your lips.Ā
You donāt see much of Naree or Seojun, both of them occupied with their jobs and not making any effort to speak to you for the duration.Ā
However, one night you find them by the kitchen table, sitting opposite from each other.Ā
It was late into the hours and you had suddenly woken, on your way down for a glass of water.Ā
Naree stills. āMomāāĀ
āWhat were you talking about?ā You question, and Naree knows.Ā
She knows that you heard pieces of their conversation. The conversation about how drained she felt lately, work taking its everlasting toll on her, right before Seojun suggested taking a vacation and going out on a trip with the family. To the conversation shifting, Naree spilling out her worries and concerns about you, your old age and how much she could see your health deteriorating, to how much she canāt get through to you anymore, how much sheās just given up.Ā
However, whatās caught most of your attention is the sudden mention of a certain kind of home, one that notoriously knows how to take care of the elderly properly.Ā
āWe should talk.ā Seojun states, pulling out a chair for you. You reluctantly take it, slowly sitting down as your gaze oscillates between them.
Naree sucks in a deep breath, looking at her husband uneasily. āWe were thinkingā¦āĀ
āThat it might be time for us to try something different.ā Seojun finishes, glancing at you intently.Ā
You cut to the chase. āWhat are you trying to get at?āĀ
Thereās a pause and Naree fidgets, eyes focusing onto her hands.Ā
Her next words have you freezing.Ā
āMomā¦how would you feel about moving into an old age home?ā Naree mutters.
A rigid chuckle leaves you, āSo this is what itās coming to, huh?āĀ
āMom, please.ā Naree insists in defense and if you werenāt so entrapped within your own thoughts, perhaps you would have noticed the fatigue running deep in her eyes or the stiffness in her shoulders, āItās not an easy decisionā¦but weāve really thought about this.āĀ
Correction ā Seojun has thought about this. You vaguely remember him bringing it up once, much to Nareeās protests and he let it slip by then.Ā
But now, you have grown older and gone through grief, which doesnāt make it implausible to bring up again.Ā
Except this time, youāre alone, not having Namjoon with you anymore to see eye to eye with Seojun as he always did and convincing him that you were better off together.Ā
You miss him so much.Ā
āYour health hasnāt been the same, Mom.ā Naree explains, āAnd both Seojun and I go to work, the girls go off to school andāā
She deeply sighs, eyes becoming glossy. āI know, Momā¦I know youāre lonely.āĀ
You squeeze your eyes shut.Ā
āEver since Dad passed away, I think our relationship has changed,ā She simply states, her next words driving a wedge through your heart āā¦and I donāt think we have the same capability to take care of you anymore.ā
You sigh, glancing up to look straight into Nareeās eyes for the first time since Namjoonās passing.Ā
āItās the trip too, isnāt it? The girls want to go, but youāve resisted for a while.ā You mention, āYou kept saying that I needed you, and that youāll eventually go, but you had to stay behind because of me.āĀ
Naree winces at how direct you are, not missing a heartbeat of the reality youāve been noticing since the past year.Ā
Sucking in a breath, you ignore the deep ache residing within your chest, pushing it back into the farthest corner.Ā
āFine.ā You solemnly state, barely having energy anymore. āIāll go, if thatās what you want.āĀ
Relief breaks out onto Nareeās features and Seojun softly smiles. You suppose it was bound to happen eventually, better sooner than later, and perhaps it would do some good for you, to continue on somehow.Ā
That is, knowing this will be your last days within the home you had once built with Namjoon.Ā
The move happens within a couple of days.Ā
Your bags are packed, with clothes and smaller belongings tossed in. Peering around, you stare at Namjoonās side of the bed, ready to leave it as it is.Ā
But you step forward, glancing down at the book he was in the middle of reading. It was another dystopian sci-fi book he was curious about, having heard good reviews about it.Ā
You place it into your arms, giving the room one longing look before ultimately shutting the door.Ā
Naree and you sit in the car in silence, as you gaze out the window and reminisce over the passing neighborhood.Ā
You and Namjoon were incredibly young when you had first moved here, hunting down homes and furiously checking the pricing of the housing market. It had been only a couple of weeks since your marriage, both of you fresh out of college and in entry jobs when he had stumbled upon the location, coming up to you with bright eyes one day.Ā
The nostalgia brims in your eyes, but soon Naree is tapping against your shoulder.Ā
āWeāre here.ā She announces and you nod, before she proceeds to come over and take out your bags.
You glance around with a frown.Ā
It's a small residential area, appearing more like a stretched out home with many windows, accompanied with a garden area at the front that spreads to the back.Ā
Stepping inside, it doesnāt seem to get better.Ā
The walls are a dull white, and sunlight pours in from the windows, nearly blinding you. Thereās a reception area that Naree steps closer to talk to, but you stand with a frown still on your lips, peering into the room at the corner, where you can hear laughs and chuckles.Ā
There's a bunch of chairs, with people around your age seated and conversing. Theyāre smiling alongside each other, while some others are knitting as well as playing cards. It takes you off guard for a moment, not accustomed to seeing so many closer to your age range after being around your own family members for so long.Ā
The place seems to smit a sense of peace with a hint of melancholy, and youāre truthfully not sure about how you feel about it.Ā
āTheyāre all set-up, Mom.ā Naree walks closer to you and you turn, seeing her glance at her watch. āI need to get to work soon.āĀ
You hum and Naree still stands in spot, as if deeply contemplating.Ā
āMomā¦IāāĀ
āHave fun with the kids.ā You mutter, āTake them to nice places, places they want to see.āĀ
She nods, not lingering for a moment longer as she reluctantly turns around ā leaving you all by yourself once again.
It's⦠unsettling.Ā
Everything follows a schedule and each day repeats, constantly. Youāre told when to eat, when to sleep, when to do something fun ā as they would like to call it ā and the worst part of it all, youāre surrounded by strangers who know each other all too well.Ā
You, in the meanwhile, have been already quoted as being too quiet and solemn, something that makes you want to wrap up into yourself even more. You were never good at connecting with new people, regardless of where you were.Ā
Namjoon was always the sociable one, effortlessly commanding a room with his charm and charisma. You would sheepishly stand next to him, but he would always manage to include you somehow, making you feel less cut off from others.Ā
You let out a sigh ā perhaps the only time you actually feel comfort is through the night, tucked underneath the streets with a book wrapped around your cold arms, sniffling as youāre surrounded with unfamiliar things in an unfamiliar room and attempting to lull yourself to sleep.Ā
Because moments like those are where you finally get to welcome his presence wholeheartedly.
You blink,squinting your eyes and raising your hand to block the sun.Ā
Except itās not the same hand youāre used to ā rather itās no longer wrinkled, with your veins popping out and hands no longer tremoring.Ā
They feel strong, and you open and close your palm a few times astonished.
A pair of small legs tumble into your own and you gasp, glancing down at the boy who has the same features as your husband.Ā
He grins widely, āMommy!ā
āHaneul?!ā You harshly whisper, raising the boy before lifting him into your arms. He looks no more than four years old.Ā
Haneul is four, which means can only meanāĀ
You are thirty-four.Ā
Glancing around, your eyes are snapping around frantically ā taking in the expansive backyard which you barely would step in anymore, now littered with Nayoung and Dambiās toys. The house that you left behind, just recently newly renovated upon your insistence. And your son, who looks up at you with wide eyes, as if youāre his entire world.Ā
You attempt to hold him close, biting back the sobs that threaten to take over you.Ā
A loud yelp resonates through the air.Ā
Your breath hitches, knowing that voice from anywhere. Whipping your head around, your legs are stronger, and you take long strides without needing a cane, carrying your son in your arms.
For thereās a small shed in the corner of your backyard and if youāre right, if your memory doesnāt fail you.Ā
The shed needs to be fixed and Namjoon took upon the task himself.Ā
The door goes flying open and his back is the first thing you see.Ā
āNot againā¦ā He sighs, a hand planting against his forehead. Thereās a bucket of paint thatās fallen to the ground, along with patches of the white colour sprayed against his ankles.Ā
You slowly set your smiling son down, who giggles and runs to his father. Namjoon instantly looks down, his hand reaching out that Haneul eagerly takes.Ā
Your voice comes out in a choked whisper.Ā
āN-Namjoon?āĀ
He turns with a huge smile and youāve forgotten. Forgotten how crystal clear your memory once was, knowing his dark hair, crinkled eyes and dimpled smile anywhere. How much that smile hasnāt changed at all, fine lines maring around the corners instead, next to his grey strands of hair and weakened eyes.Ā
How despite the years ā heāll always be the same man you fell in love with.
āY/N.ā He deeply enunciates, concern etching onto his features.
āYouāre crying, whatā ā¦ā He takes long strides towards you, whispering as his hand makes contact with your cheek, āWhatās wrong?āĀ
You sniffle, the tears pouring down as youāre no longer able to hold them back.Ā
Namjoon nearly stumbles back when you grasp onto him, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He hugs you back, comfortingly resting his head against your forehead.Ā
āI-I missed you.ā You sob out, not wanting to let him go.Ā
āMissed me?ā Namjoon softly chuckles, threading his hand through your hair. āIāve always been here, Y/N.āĀ
He separates you from him, holding onto your shoulders as he tenderly looks into your eyes.Ā
āIām always here, Y/N.āĀ
Youāre suddenly pulled away, away from his comforting embrace and eyes as a white light flashes over your eyes.Ā
You jolt awake, hearing only the faint sound of the heater echoing through the unfamiliar room. Reality crashes down onto you, painfully reminding you of your current location.Ā
The other side of the bed remains cold and empty.
The days churn by, and you are as miserable as ever.Ā
You sit quietly by the side and stare out the window, hearing a few others engage in conversation in small groups. There was something about doing a painting activity, but you had paid it no mind, too focused on the garden outside and grasping onto the book that sits on your lap.Ā
āBefore I came here, my husband passed away three years ago.ā A voice from afar begins. It comes from a woman, who appears much older than you. āIt happened so quickly, I-I didnāt know how to deal with it.āĀ
There's a man sitting next to her, spotting a collared shirt and dark black hair. He looks younger than both of you, and he somberly listens to her.Ā
āHow long were you together?ā He wonders.Ā
āFifty-five years.ā The woman sadly chuckles, āWe spent every day, every moment togetherā¦and then one day he was just gone.āĀ
Your heart clenches, no longer staring out the window. You donāt mean to eavesdrop, but youāve learned it's difficult when youāre surrounded by so many others, stories from so many different phases of life pouring out effortlessly in a single room.Ā
āIāve heard it all,ā She continues. āThat he was in a better place, that I would heal with time, even that his time was bound to come soonā¦.I-It hurt, a lot.āĀ
You watch as tears fill her eyes and her sadness fills the small space youāre in, a lump in your throat starting to form. You attempt to pucker your lips, threaten to silence yourself as much as possible, but the words spill out with far too much ease.Ā
āMy husbandā¦ā You suck in a breath when her gaze falls onto you in surprise. āHeā¦he passed away, about a year ago.āĀ
Her features twist, understanding deep within her eyes.Ā
āIām so sorry for your loss.āĀ
You give her a half-smile and she presses forward, āHow many years?āĀ
āForty-seven.ā You state, adding with a sad note āWe never got to fiftyā¦ā
She solemnly nods and something in her gaze is just too much, alleviating the tension that has been festering and brewing within you.Ā
āHe was kind, a little clumsy and forgetful, but still very kind.ā You remorsefully chuckle. āSometimes, itās scary, like heās never existedā¦and other days, I want to see him again, almost likeāā
You silence yourself, eyes clamping shut as a deep ache within your chest just spreads and amplifies.Ā
A voice tugs you out of your thoughts.Ā
āLike what?ā Itās the man next to the older woman, his gaze still on you.Ā
Your voice comes out in an anguished whisper, āLike how he visits me in my dreams.āĀ
It sounds strange and bizarre, you know this. But youāre startled when you glance up, only to find that woman giving you a kind look and the man softly smiling, as if he finds the notion to be pleasant.Ā
āItās nice, isnāt it?ā He piques, āSeeing them again, as if they never left to begin withā¦āĀ
You stare at him in bewilderment, attempting to muster words up.Ā
But he beats you to it.Ā
āFive years.ā He informs, like he knew what you wanted to ask. āSince my wifeās been gone.āĀ
You shake your head, not fully realizing his circumstance.Ā
āIām sorry, I didnāt mean to assumeāāĀ
āItās okay.ā He lets out a low chuckle, āI look much younger than I actually am.āĀ
You hum, acknowledging it right away. Alongside appearing younger, you notice his disposition appears to be the same as well, being much laid-back compared to anyone else youāve seen here.
āWhatās your name?ā He asks, āIāve seen you a couple times, but I think this is our first time talking.āĀ
āI-Iām not one for talking muchā¦ā You note, but he quirks his head to the side, like he didnāt believe that. āAnd itās Y/N, Kim Y/N.āĀ
āIām Jung Hoseok.ā He introduces, gesturing to the woman next to him. āThis is Lee Haewon.āĀ
She directs a friendly smile towards you and you attempt to return it back.Ā
āHow old are both of you?ā You wonder.Ā
āIām eighty-five.ā Haewon answers, squinting her eyes at the man, āLast I remember, Hoseok is sixty-seven.āĀ
āSeventy, Haewon.ā He politely corrects, but with no malice. Almost as if he was expecting for her to get it wrong.Ā
She deeply exhales, shaking her head in exasperation.Ā
āMy own name is going to be next.āĀ
āDonāt worry about that.ā His eyes flicker to you, āWhen the time comes, weāll be here to remind you again.āĀ
You nod in assurance and she warmly smiles, placing her cold hand on top of yours. You slowly grasp onto it and Haewon doesnāt move at all, instead ushering for you to sit closer to them.Ā
For once, the weight on your chest feels a bit lighter.Ā
The next day, youāre placed in groups again.Ā
However, this time the head of the home brings out various board games onto the tables, to which everyone requests for different ones and are soon creating circles.Ā
Despite the head asking for you to join this time, you sit in the same spot you had previously sat at, right beside the window as your eyes take in the others playing.Ā
The loud sound of a chair screeching against the floor startles you.Ā
Hoseok looks up with an apologetic smile, a packet of cards in his hands.
You watch with bafflement at how he sets up the deck before you, leaning over to hand you a couple of them.Ā
You take them reluctantly, wondering why he was here when he could just play with someone else, observing him lean back in his chair and cross his legs with a furrow in his brows.Ā
Now knowing his age, it was easier to spot his older features. How, despite having better functioning legs compared to you, his back is slightly hunched, shoulders beginning to cave in. How, despite having a majority of darker strands, there were noticeable specks of grey in his hair. How his eyes have to so occasionally squint to look at the cards, a hearing aid poking out from his right ear as he tilts his head.Ā
You also donāt fail to notice how as his brows furrow in concentration, two small dimples poke out from the corners of his cheeks.Ā
āYour turn.ā He calls out, having placed a card down.Ā
You quickly look down at the cards, reluctantly placing one down. He continues to stare at his own intently.Ā
āYou know, it was nice of you to talk to Haewon.ā He mentions.Ā
You shake your head, āIt wasnāt much, I was just talking about my husband anyways.āĀ
āIt meant more to her than you think.ā He exhales, placing a card down. āMost folks here either ignore her, or tell her to just move on.āĀ
A knowing smile crosses him, āI think we both know it isnāt as simple as that.āĀ
āIt never is.ā You quietly mumble, placing a card down yourself.
Hoseok hums at that, putting another card down. You glance around warily, wondering why you hadnāt seen Haewon yet.Ā
āBy the way, where is she?āĀ
āAsleep, I overheard that she felt tired.ā Hoseok does a half-smile, before itās replaced with his usual nonchalant expression.Ā
You nod, curious about their proximity, āHave you known her for long?āĀ
Hoseok shrugs, āA bit, I just got to know her in the past couple of months. You know, the good olā chit chatting with one other while being in the same room.āĀ
His straight-forwardness catches you off guard, shocked by how settled he was.
āYou seem pretty comfortable being here.ā You note, observing him as he glances up.Ā
āI have to be.ā He states with a lop-sided smile, āItās the same for everyone here. After all, nobody came because they wanted to.āĀ
You freeze, forehead creasing as you stare at him blankly. Hoseokās gaze lands on you, confusion running through it.
āY/N?ā He ponders, wondering why you werenāt playing your turn. You snap out of your daze, placing your cards down.Ā
āI-I just remembered something I needed to doāā You quietly say, slowly rising to your feet and locating your cane. āMaybe you should play with someone elseā¦ā
For a split-second, Hoseok tosses his cards and rises to his feet, as if to halt your steps. But youāre already walking away and he falters, slumping back down into his seat
His eyes are tinged with an indescribable emotion.Ā
You donāt know if you can be here any longer.Ā
But thereās nothing you can do about it. The days pass by and no one comes for you, no one tries to see how you are, how youāre feeling and it dawns one simple resolution to you.Ā
Youāve been abandoned here. Forever.Ā
The next day arrives and you clench your jaw, stepping out of the suffocating room that has been starting to feel more like a decorated prison than anything else. You wonder if you should come up with some excuse of staying back, preoccupying yourself with anything else rather than the activity of the day.Ā
But thatās until youāre informed youāll be taken to the garden.Ā
Taking a step outside, itās absolutely serene. Thereās handfuls of well-maintained roses, peonies and tulips flourishing, all lush and blooming around the home. Itās both tranquil and inviting, the head informing you that there were watering cans, shovels and new seeds to be planted for everyone.Ā
You secure a can right away, propelling yourself forward with your cane towards the peonies.Ā
A small smile lines your lips.Ā
āY/N!āĀ
You spin around, in the midst of cooing and feeding your one year daughter as she babbles on her high chair.Ā
Namjoon stands at the door, huffing with a wide smile on his lips.Ā
He raises his hand, a single purple peony sticking out.Ā
You gasp in astonishment, āYou finally grew one!āĀ
āI did!ā He exclaims. It had been months since he had been trying, your home littered with his bonsai collection until he wanted to try his hand at outdoor planting.Ā
He dashes over and scoops you in her arms, making you chuckle from his victory. Grabbing onto your hand, he edges you to follow.Ā
āCome on, you need to help me water them!āĀ
Laughing, you grasp onto Naree, letting him guide you.Ā
The water pours out from the small canister, sprinkling delicately onto the small petals. You watch with so much fondness, for so much love for the flower, as your hands continue to tremble.Ā
It slips from your hands and smacks against the pavement.Ā
You watch as the water spills everywhere and with a huff, quickly attempting to grasp it. But your knees violently shake, and your hands tremor far too much. You attempt again and again to bend down, but your attempts are all futile, more and more of the contents emptying and spreading out.Ā
Tears unknowingly prick at your eyes and your breathing is heavy, limbs aching from the sudden physical exertion.Ā
The smooth metal gently glides across your fingertips.Ā
You blink, confused eyes glancing up to meet Hoseokās softened ones. Youāre left frozen as he carefully tips it, his hand grasping the canister against yours and letting the water rain over the peonies.
You let him guide you, the water running through the remaining ones before it empties.Ā
āWait here for a moment.ā He directs you to a bench, holding your hands as you carefully descend down onto it.Ā
You observe as he saunters over to the hose, filling it with water again before letting out a satisfied hum. He then manages to grasp onto a handful of seeds and grabs onto a small shovel.Ā
He returns to you, āYou should plant some too.āĀ
You quietly nod and he reaches his arm out, as if gesturing for you to hold on. You grasp onto him and he slows his pace, walking at yours.Ā
Everytime, you point at a certain spot, he leans down, making a hole into the dirt before dropping the seed in and sealing it with fresh water. He does it along the edge of the garden, right where the window to your room should be.Ā
He lets out a loud huff with the last one, chest rising and falling alarmingly.Ā
Your eyes widen, having completely forgotten his condition of age.Ā
āI-Iāll go get you some water.āĀ
Hoseok opens his mouth to protest that heās okay, but youāre already propelling yourself forward, cane frantically hitting against the pavement.
He wheezes, letting out a couple of coughs before youāre standing near him, a water bottle in your hands that he gratefully accepts.Ā
āAre you okay?ā You ask right away and he nods, turning to the flowers.Ā
āTheyāre beautiful.ā He states and you hum, the wind weaving through the air.Ā
āI love peonies.ā You quietly admit, and Hoseok grins, handing you the water bottle.Ā
He takes a couple steps forward, drawing closer to the older batch. Among all the colors, he snatches onto a bright orange peony, handing it to you with a soft smile.Ā
You bring it closer to you, the corners of your mouth upturning.Ā
It reminds you of the warm hues of the sun.Ā
Your hands tremor and shake, bone sticking out from your softened skin. It doesnāt help that the joints within your bones are incredibly stiff and deeply ache with each movement.Ā
A frustrated sigh escapes your lips, and the needles looped in yarn falling down to your lap.Ā
Hoseok chuckles, reaching out and grasping onto where youāve left off, attempting his hardest to cross them, pushing one needle into one end and looping it around.Ā
āYouāve missed a stitch.ā You point out and he frowns, noticing the small hole heās created instead.Ā
āNow how did that happen?ā He deeply ponders, and a small smile tugs on your lips as he carefully inspects the placement, staring at it up and down.Ā
āYou have to loop it carefully,ā You softly explain, reaching over to place your trembling hand on his, āIt should go through this stitch and then you let go of it to create the knot.āĀ
He follows your instructions, observing as you slowly tug his hand away from the loop, letting it unravel into a perfect stitch.Ā
Hoseok beams, throwing a grin in your direction and you look at him amused.Ā
āI think we make a lovely team.āĀ
You smile lop-sidely, āI donāt know, itās more of me telling you what to do.āĀ
āA very important role.ā He notes, raising the yarn up in his hands, āAfter all, this is now our group project.ā
You chuckle at that and he gazes at you fondly, eyes crinkling.
āKim Y/N?ā The sound of your name has both you and Hoseok glancing up, āThereās someone here at the front foyer asking for you.āĀ
Your brows furrow, but then you catch the sight of a familiar silhouette.Ā
You scramble up from your seat, vision fixated on the backside of the person. Hoseok notices, immediately rising to his feet and handing you your cane, observing as you attempt to hurriedly stride over to the desk.Ā
āNaree.ā You whisper, watching your daughter turn around wide-eyed.Ā
āMom.ā She steps forward, and you donāt hesitate to reach out, enveloping your trembling hands tightly around her shoulders.Ā
āYouāre here, youāre actually here.ā Your eyes are glossy. āI-I thought you left me by myself, I kept thinking aboutāāĀ
You freeze, surveying the way Nareeās eyes downturn, face void of expression.Ā
It doesnāt take long for you to connect the dots.Ā
Your voice cracks, āYouāre not here for me, are youā¦?ā
Naree sighs, āI was just on my way to work, and thought Iād stop by to see you.āĀ
āThatās all?ā You mutter, but Naree latches onto your arm.Ā
āMom.ā She chides, but you donāt even want to look at her, āIsnāt this all better for you? Youāre not lonely anymore.āĀ
āYouāre wrong.ā You feel more abandoned than ever. āAnd this all isnāt better for me, itās better for you.āĀ
Your words are venomous and the corner of Nareeās mouth twitches.Ā
āHow can you say that?ā Naree sharply rebuttals. The two of you donāt notice all the lingering eyes watching your interaction, including Hoseokās. āI want you to come back, but I discussed it with Seojun and we agreed youād be happier here.āĀ
āAnd where was I in this decision?ā You snap. āOr are Seojunās words now more important than mine?āĀ
Nareeās nostrils flare and she looks like sheās had enough.Ā
She shakes her head, mumbling to coax herself. āHere I thought that dropping by was a good idea.ā Her gaze is directly on you, hurt swirling in her eyes. āBut now Iāve realized I made a big mistake.ā
Naree turns on her heels, her fists clenched and rage enveloping every fiber of her being. You donāt make a move to stop her, simply staring at her backside and the growing gap each of her steps creates.Ā
Thereās a deep ache within the center of your chest, one that expands and spreads, consuming you completely as your daughter abandons you once again.Ā
***
Everything feels like itās crashing down.Ā
Youāre seated within your room, having dismissed yourself and leaving your knitting session with Hoseok behind. You desperately needed to be alone, mind plaguing over and over with the image of Naree leaving, disappointment and rage embedded into her being.Ā
You wonder if you should have reached out, should have begged, for her to take you alongside with her. To take you back to the home you once shared with Namjoon and your family, wanting to feel the familiarity and the warmth that home contains.Ā
A sci-fi book rests within your lap, fingertips clenching onto it. You wonder if he can see everything, hear everything about the family youāve created leaving you behind, casting you away like a mere thought that shoulders over them.Ā
Thick tears drop down, staining the paper of the book in your hands. Anguished cries leave you, shoulders shuddering as everything crumbles.Ā
You want to see him again, want to wrap your arms around him as he holds you comfortingly, want to have him shield you away from all these terrifying thoughts, ones that are absent of him. You hate how fast he was taken away, and wonder why he couldnāt have just taken you along with him.
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
You peer up, cheeks stained with tears and breaths coming out choked. You quickly set the book down, raising your sleeve to wipe away any existence of them.Ā
Padding slowly through the room, you wrap your hand around the knob and carefully open it.Ā
Hoseok stands in front of you, gaze downcasted and shoulders hunched in. It takes you by surprise, never having seen such a lack of optimism in his form.Ā
He looks up, eyes welling with tears.Ā
āY/N.ā He chokes, orbs widening at your appearance. āI-I can come again.āĀ
Before he can turn, you reach out, barely managing to graze his shirt.Ā
The expression he holds draws fear out from you. āI-Is everything okay?Ā
He pursues his lips, like he was attempting to prevent himself from tearing up, before he breathes out the words.Ā
āN-No, not reallyā¦ā He sniffles, a lone tear escaping him. āH-Haewonā¦Haewonās gone.āĀ
Your breath hitches, features twisting. āS-She just passed an hour agoā¦in her sleep.āĀ
His shoulders slump, eyes squeezing shut.Ā
āI-I couldnāt say g-goodbyeā¦.ā
You step forward, arms wrapping around him in an instant. Hoseok shrinks within them, harsh sobs shuddering through his body. Tears unleash from your eyes, fisting the material of his shirt.Ā
You donāt know how long you stay like that, wrapped around in your collective grief.Ā
You are dazed.Ā
You find out that aside from being widowed, Haewon only had one son who was in a different country. He doesnāt come to the funeral, and itās simply attended by a few individuals she had the opportunity to connect with at the old age home.Ā
Which includes you and Hoseok, standing next to each other in black clothing as you watch her casket be buried alongside her husband. Hoseok is silent the entire time, eyes empty.
You knew you werenāt as close to her as Hoseok was, but Haewon was a woman that had given you compassion when you had been desperately searching for it, not even hesitating to listen to your story. She shared the experience of having lost her husband and you recall Hoseok mentioning that she wanted to see him again, even if it meant being in the next life.Ā
You didnāt speak much to Lee Haewon, but she was such a crystal clear reflection of you ā a woman dwindling with so much grief that she could barely hold.Ā
Her casket is completely buried and you reach out as Hoseok shudders, a tsunami of emotions hitting him all at once. Your wrinkled hand slides in with his, clutching onto it. He squeezes back tightly, as if you were the only thing anchoring him to reality.Ā
You quietly part together, bidding her your final farewell.Ā
Something is never the same in you after Haewonās passing.Ā
Itās difficult to explain, the tightening sensation that coils around in your chest with no means of stopping. Your mind flashes back to instances with her, the kind and friendly smile she would always adorn. Or the way her hand was cold but still so warm, ushering you to come closer to her.Ā
Itās crushing, unable to bear with how fast life moves, clutching onto those whose time is no longer needed on earth.Ā
And itās coupled with another feeling, one that is more erratic and rapid, making you nearly hyperventilate the more you sit in your room, the more you stare at the unfamiliar walls encasing around you at all four corners.Ā
It feels like itās all youāll be left with, bidding your own time goodbye within them.Ā
Which is why you leave, heading out your room door and into the garden. You donāt want to follow a schedule, or do activities, simply asking for permission to escape for a brief moment so you feel like you can breathe once again.
And it seems like youāre not the only one with the same idea.Ā
Hoseok sits on a bench a bit farther from the garden and house, his backside facing you and against the sun that begins to rise, peeking through the grass and illuminating its rays through the orange sky.Ā
It draws you in, and you walk forward in a daze.
You slowly sit down, back resting against the wood and setting your crane to the side. Hoseokās attention flickers over to you.Ā
You quirk up a soft smile, āCouldnāt sleep?āĀ
He blinks after a moment, shaking his head with a sigh.Ā
āNoā¦.no, not really.āĀ
You hum, knowingly. āThe sunrise is beautiful.āĀ
He nods silently.Ā
You sit in silence, enjoying the breeze wafting through the area and the way the clouds move rotationally, drifting through the clouds. The orange hues morph into the briefest of purple, light spreading over your skin and remaining within your irises.Ā
You suck in a sharp inhale.Ā
āKim Namjoon.ā You state as Hoseok turns to look at you, āMy husband, who left me a year ago. He was followed by Kim Naree, my daughter, who left me a month ago.āĀ
His eyes find your own. āAnd then followed by Lee Haewon, who left us a week ago.āĀ
Your voice breaks. āI-I donāt know if I can handle anyone else leaving me...āĀ
Hoseokās hand reaches out, placing it on top of yours.Ā
The corner of his mouth remorsefully curls up. āDonāt count me out so easily.āĀ
You smile, for the first time in weeks, and the sunrise takes over the sky.Ā
Taking up the opportunity, you vocalize all your innermost thoughts, āIām not sure if I exactly belong hereā¦I know I feel less lonely at least, but I donāt know if I can stay anymore.āĀ
āYou want to leave.ā Hoseok states, like he understands.Ā
Your words hold an infinite amount of weight, āI-Iām justā¦terrified. Terrified that Iāll be spending my last days here.āĀ
āWhere do you want to go?ā He genuinely questions.Ā
āHome.ā You let out a low chuckle, āIf thatās even possible anymore.āĀ
āIt can be.ā Hoseok softly smiles, two dimples showcasing on his face.
You reach out, clasping onto his head. āCome with meā¦please.āĀ
You know itās a completely selfish request, especially when he seems to be much more comfortable here.Ā
But you forget that Hoseok has lost as well, defeat encasing the man more and more as the days draw out. It seems like youāre still his anchor, drawing him back before heās completely gone.Ā
His hand tightens his hold on you.Ā
āLetās go home,Y/N.āĀ
You stand in front of your home.Ā
It wasn't easy coming here. You had to be granted permission to leave the vicinity and it wasnāt the simplest task for Hoseok either, needing to prove the two of you would be functional to do so. You suppose you could have laced it over with a visit, but you couldnāt stay any longer, not there anymore.Ā
A shaky exhale leaves you and Hoseok reaches out, lacing his fingers with yours and having a comforting smile.Ā
You knock against the door.Ā
The door comes swinging wide open and youāre confronted with the sight of your son-in-law.Ā
Seojun stares at you blankly, as if you were a mere ghost, glancing between you and Hoseok in disbelief.Ā
āNice to see you again.ā You state, stepping into the household. It looks the same ā the same couch, the same curtains and the same memories. Itās almost like you never left to begin with.Ā
āYouāre back.ā A voice acknowledges from the staircase, and you look up.Ā
Your eyes lock onto Nareeās, who stands in the long hallway, arms crossed and holding a hardened gaze.Ā
āYou look like youāve been well.ā You reply with a smile, but her gaze is concentrated on the man standing with you.Ā
āWho is this?ā She questions, and your eyes widen.Ā
Hoseok immediately steps up with a friendly smile, āMy name is Jung Hoseok. Itās nice to meet you.āĀ
Naree stares at Hoseokās outstretched hand, not moving to shake it or say anything back. After years of raising her, you know exactly what her response means.Ā
Sheās inspecting him, wondering why you showed up out of the blue with a man near the same age as her father.Ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply turning her back and walking into the kitchen. It makes you want to almost laugh, how it doesnāt take her much effort to easily disregard you at this point, so much that it doesnāt even hurt and you simply just expect it.Ā
Seojun glances between the two of you, clearly taken aback with the situation and unsure of how to react.Ā
You walk past him, heading up the staircase with Hoseok.Ā
āIāll be in my room.ā You declare, the door shutting behind you.Ā
***
All of it has been moved.Ā
Despite the house not changing, the people have changed, and so have the contents of the room you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
All of his belongings are gone, stowed away in airtight boxes.Ā
Like he never even existed to begin with.Ā
Your shaking hands reach out. āNoā¦no, noāā
You stumble, collapsing onto the ground.Ā
āY/N!ā Hoseok reaches forward in an instant, steadying you.Ā
āEverythingās gone, Hoseok. They moved everythingāā
Tears are streaming down your eyes and Hoseok is clutching onto you as you sob.Ā
āShh, itās not gone.ā He coaxes, reaching out for one of the boxes. His hands are tremoring but he still claws at the tape, unraveling the plastic back and tossing it aside. The box unfolds and he shifts it over to you, wanting you to see your husbandās things first hand.Ā
You catch sight of one of his jacketās.
Reaching out, you gasp onto the material, staring at it in awe. It was one Namjoon used to love to wear, tossing it on when you would ask him to go out on walks with you, or consequently the one that was placed on your shoulders when he noticed you shivering in the wake of fall.Ā
You wrap it around your arms, the amount of comfort from the action easing your heart a bit.Ā
Hoseok softly smiles, shifting over another box. He opens it to reveal a stack of books, distinctly looking similar to the one you always carried in your lap.Ā
āDid he like to read a lot?ā He ponders, and you nod, curiously looking over his shoulder.Ā
It all snaps ā and the excitement washes over more quickly than you can stop it.Ā
āHe did.ā You lean over, grasping onto a title, āThis was one of his favorites, he used to read it all the time. And this one,ā You pick up another title, āHe used it for his final thesis back in college, and asked me to read it with him.āĀ
You chuckle, tears still streaming down your eyes. āHe was always so smart, but asked me to check over everything he did.ā You turn to Hoseok, who has softened eyes, āHe was just an overthinker, you know? And I knew I always had to calm his mind somehow, so I would make him tea often when he was working.āĀ
Hoseok simply watches. Watches at how much love you pour out for your late husband, how much adoration is in your voice and the tenderness in your eyes. Itās something heās only had the pleasure of experiencing once in life, and itās not something heās found easily in others.Ā
Namjoon is truly your soulmate.
āH-He would ask what magic I would p-put in itā¦.all the time.ā Your voice cracks at the end and Hoseokās eyes shoot up into alarm.Ā
āY/N?ā He shifts closer to you.Ā
āI-Iā¦.ā You squeeze your eyes shut, the realization donning faster than you can stop it. āI-I just canāt.ā
āYou canāt what?āĀ
āI canāt.ā You gasp out. āNamjoon, heāsā¦.heās everywhere.āĀ
You can see him everywhere ā in the things you hold, in the memories youāre left with, in the hopes and dreams you once had together. Your entire life had been constructed around him, and itās something you didnāt notice until you were sitting in that very same room you shared, surrounded by his entire essence.Ā
It's like youāre experiencing the grief all over again, except this time itās worse because youāve realized what youāve truly lost.Ā
Hoseok feels his own heart shattering into pieces. He canāt explain how much he knows exactly what youāre going through, how much letting go was an impossible task when youāve had years and years, an entire timeline spent with someone after an eternal promise of forever.Ā
A tear streams down his own eye and he moves closer, wrapping his arms around you and leaning his head against yours.Ā
āH-Hoseok, I-I canātā¦.ā You whisper, āI canāt live the rest of my life here. In only the memory of Namjoon and with a family that just doesnāt want me anymoreā¦.I-I just canāt do it.āĀ
Hoseok shudders, letting out a small hum as you spill all your fears out to him.Ā
āI-Itās okay, Y/N.ā He manages to get out, āItās okay to feel this way. I-I canāt even explain to you how normal it is to.ā
ā or how familiar. ā he wants to say.Ā
You sob and he parts from you, gazing into your eyes as he cups your face.Ā
āWhat do you want, Y/N?ā He earnestly questions. āWhat is your heart telling you?āĀ
āI just want to leaveā¦.and go somewhere far, far away.ā Far from here.Ā
It almost sounds like a ridiculous fantasy, but Hoseok nods.Ā
āHow far?ā He seriously ponders, āLike can we get there by bus? Do we need to take a train?āĀ
The corner of your mouth curls up.Ā
āMaybe by train. Buses are horrible to sit on for long hours.ā You note with a sniffle.Ā
Hoseok frowns, āYou make it sound like weāre so old.āĀ
āWe are old, Hoseok.ā You chuckle and he grins at the sound of it.
āReally? Say that again for me, I didnāt hear you the first time.ā He turns his head, showcasing his hearing aid. You lightly hit his chest, before resting your head against him.Ā
āIāll take you wherever you want to go, Y/N.ā He whispers in reassurance.Ā
Reaching his hand, he lifts you up, ensuring your balance is okay. You keep your hand in his, tightening your hold on him.Ā
***
You regain yourself, and Hoseok carefully holds onto you, taking you slowly down the stairs. He matches his steps with you, watching as your foot slowly descends down one step before planting his own down, your cane granting you the momentum.Ā
Naree stands by the door, arms crossed and appearing to be waiting for someone.Ā
Hoseok glimpses at you tenderly and you nod, alerting her attention to the sound of your cane against the ground.Ā
She deeply sighs, āI have time to drop you back once youāreāāĀ
āIām not going back.āĀ
Her brows furrow āWhat do you mean?āĀ
āIām leaving, Naree.ā You declare, and thatās when her eyes snap onto yours and Hoseokās interlaced hands.Ā
Thereās disbelief in her eyes, āYouāre leaving with him?āĀ
You nod and Naree shakes her head, as if her entire existence is being questioned.Ā
āMom, how could you?ā She spits, āItās only been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
āNareeāāĀ
āI know you were feeling lonely, but out of all things this?ā
The door suddenly widens and Seojun emerges, two little girls by his side.Ā
Nayoung's eyes light up, āGrandma!ā
āWhatās going on?ā Seojun interjects and Naree squeezes her eyes, shaking her head.Ā
āOh nothing, just my mother betraying my father.ā She snaps, and his eyes widen.
He pushes Nayoung and Dambi away, āGirls, go upstairs.āĀ
Nayoung begins to protest āBut GrandmaāāĀ
āGo.ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply downcasting her gaze. Dambi follows, but you can feel their gazes linger on you, and thereās nothing more you want to do in the moment then to bring the two girls into your arms.Ā
āNaree, donāt do this.ā You whisper, but her clenched fists are enough of an answer.Ā
āDonāt do what? Be upset that my mother found someone else that isnāt my father?ā She huffs, āHow could you do this, Mom?āĀ
She turns to Seojun who comforts her and you shift uncomfortably, wanting to disappear.Ā
āWith all due respectāā A previously silent voice pitches in, āI think youāre being incredibly unfair.āĀ
You stare at Hoseok, who still holds a warm look in his eyes. āIām not replacing your father, if thatās what youāre concerned about. Y/N still loves him very much, just like I do my wife.āĀ
āBut it wouldnāt hurt to consider that your mother has been by herself for quite a while and that hurts.ā Hoseok sadly smiles, āMuch deeper than you could possibly imagine.āĀ
Naree looks at him startled and Seojun is baffled. Thereās a silence that lingers and Hoseok tightens his hold on you, slowly heading towards the door.Ā
āIt was nice meeting all of you.ā He simply responds, before leaving altogether.Ā
Thereās a multitude of words ready to tumble from you.Ā
āHoseok, IāāĀ
āYou donāt need to explain.ā He insists, but then he shakes his head, as if suspended in disbelief. āI just canāt believe how they were treating you...āĀ
You wince, finding yourself agreeing with his words. It seemed like all your doubts, all your fears, were cemented right in front of you and now you know.Ā
You donāt belong there anymore.
Youāre about to turn and tell Hoseok that you should collectively leave now, the desperation of going far away reaching a complete high, but thatās when your eyes catch onto movement.
āHold on.ā you quietly say, and Hoseok sends you a confused look. You carefully trudge your cane forward, slowly walking to the side of the house.Ā
You freeze.Ā
There's a silhouette of a tall man with dark hair standing by the garden, right next to the peonies and with a giant bag slung over his shoulder. His backside gives you so much whiplash at how distinctly familiar it looks and as if in a trance, you continue to move forward with furrowed brows.
You pause, the disbelief sinking in. He snaps his head around at the sound of your cane, narrowed eyes widening.Ā
You whisper out his name, breath coming out shaky.Ā
āH-Haneul?āĀ
You had almost forgotten just how strikingly similar he looks to Namjoon, just how much he could easily be mistaken for a younger version of the man.Ā
He widely smiles, expression brightening at the sight of you.
āHi, Mom.ā He takes long strides towards you, embracing you immediately. You wrap your arms around him tightly, a joyful smile on your lips.
You separate from him, attempting to get a good look at your son. āI-I canāt believe youāre hereā¦āĀ
He warmly grins, eyes flickering over to Hoseok. You immediately turn, a bit flustered.Ā
āT-This isāāĀ
āJung Hoseok.ā Hoseok outstretches his hand with a smile.Ā
āKim Haneul.ā He states, shaking his hand with a similar smile. He gestures to you. āIām her oldest.āĀ
Hoseok nods understandably, āItās nice to meet you, Hoseok.āĀ
He grins and youāre a bit taken aback at Hanuel's gesture, naturally giving back the same courtesy that was given back to him.Ā
He hasnāt changed one bit.Ā
āCould we talk?ā He mentions, gesturing between you. You nod immediately and Hoseok politely smiles, stepping towards the front to give you some privacy.Ā
Haneul holds your hand as you slowly walk, guiding you onto the bench in the backyard. He waits as you sit down, taking a spot by you.Ā
As glad as you are to see him, youāre curious.
āHow are you here, Haneul?āĀ
āI came by to visit.ā He explains, āI managed to get a couple of days off.āĀ
You nod, āNaree⦠she told me you were in an old age home.āĀ
āI seeā¦.ā You fall into silence and Haneul quietly watches you from the corner of his eyes.
āWas it your choice?ā
āAt first, it was.ā You exhale, āBut then Naree never came for me, and when she did, she wanted me to stayāā Your words grow smaller, āAnd now, I just canāt go back anymoreā¦.ā
Haneul lifts his hand, placing it on top of your wrinkled one as you heave, eyes getting glossy.
āHis name is Hoseok.ā You sputter out, wanting to rid him of any worries, āWe met at the care home and got closer. I feel better with him around, and he understands me, but Iām not trying to replace your father in the leastāā
āHey, hey.ā He softly says, āWho said anything about replacing Dad?āĀ
āNaree did⦠and I donāt blame her.āĀ
Her words have you thinking twice, wondering if everything you were doing was just wrong.Ā
Haneul frowns, āMom, Nareeās husband isnāt dead.āĀ
āDonāt say such things, Haneul.ā You chide.Ā
āMom, listen to me.ā He fully turns to you, taking your worn out hands in his stronger ones. āDadās gone, and youāre all by yourself now. You donāt owe anyone anything, especially not at this age.āĀ
He knowingly grins, āWhat was the advice you had given to me before I left?āĀ
The memory is still crystal clear to you. āThat life was too shortā¦and that you should be living your own, without fretting over the family.āĀ
āAnd you told me this after Dadās passing.ā He persists, āWhy canāt you give yourself the same consideration?āĀ
You slowly nod, taking in his words. āYouāre rightā¦ā
But then an amused chuckle leaves you and his eyes widen.Ā
āYou know, you sound so much like your father that itās actually terrifyingā¦.āĀ
He looks amused, āWell, he was one heck of a wise man.āĀ
He laughs and so do you, feeling your chest grow a bit lighter.
Haneul exhales, something in his gaze abruptly changing.Ā
āMom, youāve gotten older. The last time I saw you, you werenāt this weak.ā He admits, āI just really want you to leave while youāre still able to.āĀ
You look up at him, water welling up in your eyes. Thereās an unsaid message sent between both of your eyes, one that you unfortunately understand very well.Ā
This very well may be the last time you see him.Ā
You advance forward, wrapping your shaking hands around his shoulders. He leans down, holding onto you in a loving embrace.Ā
It makes you wonder where time went, where the boy that was running around the house with giggles and helping his dad with fixing the shed went, becoming a fully fledged adult who you could express your deepest concerns to, and lean on as you grew brittle.Ā
***
Haneul walks you back to the front, exchanging a smile with Hoseok who had been patiently waiting for you. He reaches his arm out and you hold onto it.Ā
Haneul enters the house again, insisting to bring the bags you had packed. You discuss with Hoseok about your plans moving forward, but the door comes bursting open.Ā
Two young girls come forth, tears in their eyes.
āGrandma!āĀ
Nayoung launches herself at you, embracing you immediately. Dambi is behind her, eyes flickering all over your form.Ā
A small chuckle leaves you and Hoseok smiles at the interaction, watching at how you comfortingly rub their backs as they sob into your floral dress.Ā
āU-Uncle Haneul says youāre leavingā¦ā Dambi mumbles out.Ā
A sigh slips out from you and Haneul emerges with remorse on his face, appearing like he attempted to keep it a secret but couldnāt to no avail.Ā
āI am leaving.ā Youāre completely honest with them. āI know itās hard, and Iāll miss the two of you greatly, but Iā¦.I need to go.āĀ
Nayoung and Dambi look at you thoughtfully, nodding their heads, āAnd I wonāt be alone either.āĀ
You turn to Hoseok who smiles, causing both of the girls to be captivated with his appearance.Ā
āWill you be looking after Grandma?ā Nayoung wonders and he softly nods, a certain fondness in his eyes you havenāt seen before.Ā
āI will be.ā He says, āSomeone has to remind her not to be so stubborn.āĀ
You exasperatedly shake your head with a chuckle as Hoseok grins, but Nayoung moves closer to you, a dimpled smile on her lips.Ā
āIāll miss you, Grandma.ā She whispers, hugging you. āPlease be happy.āĀ
Youāre astonished at her words, wondering just how obvious you had been. You know the saying that children have a tendency to see everything and thereās something that shines in Nayoungās eyes that makes you sniffle, hugging the girl tightly in your arms.Ā
Hoseok helps you with your cane and you clutch onto him, afraid that a part of you will never want to leave if you didnāt. You watch as the two girls wave their hands at you, huge smiles on their lips. Haneul stands by the door, leaning against it with a grin.Ā
You wave back at them, even noticing Naree by the window, sticking her eyes out despite her crossed arms. You want to chuckle, amused how obvious your daughter could be at times.Ā
Taking one look back, you see all that youāve built with Namjoon. Your house, your children, your grand-children, the years and years of your lifetime all showcased within your field of vision. You smile, wondering if the man was still alive, how he probably would have been standing alongside them, ushering you to be on your way already.Ā
Turning around, Hoseok holds onto your bags, a smile on his lips.Ā
You take his hand with your own.
The next couple of days are a bit of a blur for you. You find out Hoseok had booked a train for you into the nearby city, one that wasnāt luckily drawn out for too many hours. He calls a cab to pick you up and youāre soon in front of train tracks as he holds you, slowly helping you on.Ā
You spend the rest of the duration looking out, watching at how buildings, greenery and the life you once knew whizzes by. It makes you wonder when the last time was when youāve done something like this, recalling the last trip you ever took was with Namjoon and years before the two of you had started finding it difficult to do.Ā
You arrive after a couple of hours, your joints aching a bit which prompts Hoseok to seat you down onto a bench, attempting to find a water bottle for you to drink. It amuses you a bit to see others glancing at you, seeing a much older couple traveling together rather than a youthful one. Instead of energy and fresh eyes, they see peacefulness and serene ones, and it all the more makes you want to smile once more, no longer feeling like you were being trapped or held back somewhere.Ā
You arrive at a small residence that Hoseok took care of.
He turns to put the bags away and you clasp onto his wrist. āHoseok.āĀ
He glances at you and you sincerely look at him. āThank you.āĀ
āDonāt mention it.āHe warmly smiles.Ā
āWhat should we do now?ā You ponder, āEverything I said was completely on a whim, but I still donāt knowāāĀ
āHey.ā He softly calls out, slipping next to you and placing a hand on your own. āDonāt stress too much about it. Iāve booked us this place here to stay for the week, and you can take your time before officially deciding where to go.āĀ
You stare at him in surprise, feeling so grateful that he is here with you.Ā
āOkay.ā You quietly say and he gets up with a grin, moving to unpack a bag.Ā
That night, you lay awake on a bed adjacent to Hoseok. He doesnāt sleep next to you, but still remains in the room, the sound of his soft breathing echoing off the walls.Ā
Your mind is brimming with endless possibilities, and for the first time ever, you fall asleep with a smile on your lips.Ā
You desire a home.Ā
A home. A place of comfort ā a place that welcomes you with open arms and loosens the tightness in your chest, a place that allows you to breathe easier and fills you with warmth, a place full of solace, one which soothes your aching heart.Ā
Itās not much, a small house out by the fields and close to a meadow, far out from the city and next to an expansive lake. The wind ever so breezes over the numerous flowers collecting in the open fields and the sun is always shining over, reflecting over the pools of water. You have your occasional neighbors, mainly families that harbor residences nearby to spend their idle time. Itās always interesting when they run into you, assuming an entire family to be inside only to find an elderly lady smiling back at them.Ā
It was something you didnāt get instantaneously, searching around for the exact spot you wanted. In a way, you still thank your late husband for always advising you to keep money on the side, indicating that you would need it one day for when he was gone and you would always chide him not to bring the bad thoughts into mention. It led you to a place you would have never in a million years thought you would have ended up at, and never with the amount of pure joy itās brought.Ā
You desire a home, and somehow, just somehow, you find one in Jung Hoseok.
He takes you everywhere you desire, whether it is walking down the borders of the lake, to watching the skyline of the far city. Heās always two steps ahead of you, picking up your cane when it stumbles and interlacing his hands with you, letting you lean your weight against him. He assists you with your gardening and sets up two rocking chairs outside of the cabin, sitting down for hours with you as you read.Ā
Heāll joke that his legs are getting too shaky when he walks with you, or that the tremors in his hands are always at a constant beat. Heāll smile with fine lines marring his forehead and the creases of his eyes when you chide him, just as he insists that he has no reason for his constant remarks around you. Heāll look at you tenderly, watching as every word spills out of you, even after you recall an eternity of memories with someone else.Ā
There comes a point where your small thank youās disappear altogether, and you clasp onto his hand instead.Ā
āItās so beautiful.ā You whisper, watching the rays of the sun descend, catching a warm hue of orange all over the meadow. It transcends over the horizon, illuminating the delicate lines on your face and specks of your irises.Ā
Hoseok hums next to you on the bench, your arm around his. He watches as the sun slowly dips into the horizon, the orange submerging before a cool blue takes over.Ā
āIt is.ā He murmurs, āKinda makes you think how small you really are.āĀ
You let out a soft laugh and he grins in your direction.Ā
āYou always have such a way with words.ā You remarks.Ā
āWell, I think itās one of my best qualities.ā He retorts, āAside from knitting, of course.āĀ
You shake your head as he chuckles. The sun completely disappears and he glances at you.Ā
āSay, how about we head in and I brew us some hot tea?ā He suggests, slipping his warm hands within your cold ones.Ā
You stare at him for a second, expression impassible. Hoseok frowns, a deep crease forming between his brows.
āY/N?ā He ponders at your silence.Ā
āIām so lucky to have met you.āĀ
Hoseok blinks, but the words tumble out much faster than you can stop.Ā
āI was so, so alone, and absolutely terrified that the rest of my life would be like that.ā Water surfaces in your eyes, āBut then I met you and I never realized how much I missed this feeling ofā¦being alive.ā
A bright smile stretches on your cheeks, āIām so happy, Hoseok.āĀ
You donāt have a chance to swipe away your tears, his arms coming to encase around you in an instant. A gasp leaves you, but Hoseok tightens his hold and you lean against him, arms slipping around his back.Ā
āY-You donāt understandā¦ā He whispers, voice cracking that makes you stiff with alarm. āYou donāt understand how much I feel the same way.āĀ
He separates from you, irises glossed over. Itās a look youāve noticed before in his eyes, a look that speaks volumes compared to his usual warm and cheerful disposition, a look that even terrifies you to a certain extent, encased within anguish and longing.Ā
You wonder if itās the same look he had been seeing in you the first day he met you.Ā
***
Youāre seated on Hoseokās bed, watching him filter through his cabinet.Ā
Youāve been here a handful of times, mostly nights where you werenāt able to sleep and he sat by your side until you did. Or moments where you would ponder about him, coming by to say good morning or wondering if he had eaten already.Ā
However, youāve never been here in the wake of the night, watching him open up his belongings with an unwavering gaze in his orbs.
He halts after a couple of seconds, treading slowly towards you before planting himself beside you on the bed.Ā
Sharply inhaling, he hands you the photograph in his hands.Ā
A young woman immediately flashes before your eyes, a kind upturn to her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. She appears to be within her late twenties, curly locks falling to her shoulders and dressed in a bright orange dress.Ā
Even through the lack of light, you donāt fail to miss the ring that sits on the third finger of her left hand.Ā
āJung Euna.ā Hoseok somberly confirms, āMy deceased wife.āĀ
Your eyes widen instantly.Ā
Aside from the first time you were alerted of her presence, Hoseok has never spoken about her. You had never questioned him either, knowing better than anybody else the sheer grief that came with losing your sprouse.Ā
And in a way, a part of you always knew, being painfully aware of it since the moment youāve met the man.Ā
His warm smile has always seemed to carry the weight of the world.Ā
āShe was really pretty.ā You add with a smile, peering up to see tenderness in Hoseokās expression.Ā
āShe was.ā He hums, āI had actually liked her since high school, but I was always too nervous around her to confess my feelings.āĀ
You nod, and he continues. āBut then one day, I was working at a department store and she walked in. Recognized me within seconds.āĀ
āāI knew I couldnāt let the chance slip away from me again, so I asked her out. To my surprise, she agreed right away, as if she had been waiting for me to ask.āĀ
He beams, āShe was stubborn, but very loving. Not a day goes by without me thinking about her.āĀ
Your brows lift, wondering if this is how you sounded when you talked about Namjoon. If you held so much love in your eyes, so much nostalgia in every word you spoke, so much sparks of joy in your expression.Ā
āWeā¦we never had kids.ā He brings up, as if he knew what you were wondering. āRatherā¦we couldnāt have kids.āĀ
Shock crosses your features and Hoseok grimly smiles, āEunaā¦she had a miscarriage. And then we found out she couldnāt have kids anymore, and it was devastating.ā He sighs, recalling the memory like it was yesterday, āWe fought, a lot. She kept telling me to divorce her, or to find someone else, because she knew how much I wanted to be a dad and have kids of my own.āĀ
āBut you see, Iām just as stubborn as my wife. I told her I wasnāt going anywhere and that it didnāt matter at the end of the day. That I didnāt vow to be with her in sickness and health at the altar for no reason, and that my desire to be with her was stronger than she thought.āĀ
āEuna cried a lot. She would always cry in moments like this, not realizing how clear it was that she was suffering. So, I stayed with her and we were together for years, until her death.āĀ
You let out the breath you hadnāt known you had been holding, āC-Can I askā¦.āĀ
A small smile curls on his lips. āOf course you can.āĀ
You dart your gaze at the photo, knowing this isnāt easy to talk about. āEunaā¦how did sheā¦?āĀ
Hoseok harshly swallows, all his wounds reopening before him. āShe got diagnosed with stomach cancer. We luckily caught it right away, but Eunaā¦she got sick, very quickly. It soon turned into going back and forth into the hospital, getting treatments and scheduling surgeries, and she got better. She looked so healthy, even started smiling again andāāĀ
Hoseok shudders, raising a hand against his eyes. You shift closer, wrapping an arm around him as his body trembles, sobs escaping him.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper and he glances up, agony pouring out from him.Ā
āS-She was better, Y/N.ā He chokes out. āI thought it was all real. I thought I could take her out of there, bring her back home and everything would snap back into place again, but then it s-spreadā¦āĀ
You hug him tighter, squeezing your eyes shut.Ā
āShe was gone...ā You complete, āā¦in the blink of an eye, like she never existed to begin with.āĀ
Hoseok doesnāt respond, still within your arms and he knows he doesnāt need to. Not when you understand his pain so well, not when his feelings mimic yours, not when the gap in his heart that his wife left is so similar to your own, feelings of loneliness dispersing everywhere.Ā
That night, you lie down next to Hoseok.Ā
Your head rests against his chest as his breaths even out, his hand clasped onto yours. The tears have long dried but the anguish is still there, a deep furrow to his brows as he sleeps.Ā
Peering upward, a soft smile lingers on your lips at the photograph he holds close to his heart.Ā
You lean down, handing Hoseok a warm cup of tea.Ā
His hands reach out in an instant, a kind smile on his features.Ā
āThank you.ā You return it, before sitting yourself down on a chair opposite to him with your own cup.Ā
It had been roughly a week since that night, and Hoseok looks brighter, almost more optimistic, if it were even possible. You werenāt sure after the second night passed, his eyes remaining swollen and a somber aura surrounding the man. You hadnāt left him alone for a split second, even as he continuously insisted he was alright, accompanying him on morning walks and holding onto his cold hand.Ā
Hoseok had chuckled when you pushed him over, sliding into the opposite end of the bed and draping an arm around him. He smiles gently when you rest your head against his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat. His eyes turn tender when you dreamingly question about Euna, curious about her likes and dislikes, the way she spoke or the way she laughed, using him as your source to an individual youāve never met, but feel like you know everything about.Ā
And he does the same for you, asking for you to show him a picture of Namjoon one day. You pluck onto an album you had kept safely stored away, one Hoseok already knew was yours from how tidy it was kept and it was always situated next to your books, the very ones Namjoon would read.Ā
Hoseok sees everything. Pictures of you and Namjoon smiling, much younger and with so much excitement dwelling in your eyes. Photographs of a new ring settled on your finger, bursting with so much happiness. Photographs of you crying, holding your nearly born son in your arms.Ā
Hoseok sees your entire lifetime before his eyes, peeking at a question that has your eyes sparkling.
āDo you think we could have met?ā He glances at the photograph of you in dark robes, a wide grin on your lips as you hold your college degree. āLike bumped shoulders at one point?āĀ
āI donāt know.ā You truthfully confess. You had lived such different lives, never once bumping into the man. It makes you wonder if you would have ever met him, having not gone to the old age home.Ā
āWeāre what? Five years apart?ā He marvels, deep in thought, āWhat if you were revisiting college? And you just happened to stumble into me, freshly into college?āĀ
You fondly smile at the sentiment. You can imagine it so clearly ā a younger Hoseok, appearing curious with his surroundings as he glanced around, attempting to locate his classes. You, a couple years older, coming back to meet with one of your professors.Ā
āYou would be lost.ā You state, playing into his fantasy. āI bet you would try to ask everyone around you for directionsā¦āĀ
āāuntil I encountered you, your confidence taking me away.āĀ
You laugh, smile stretching. āI would wonder why you would be asking someone like meāāĀ
āSomeone who would be too stubborn to say no.ā He grins and the image flashes before you can help it.Ā
āE-Excuse me?ā The man mumbles, appearing to be in his early twenties. āIām supposed to go to the Art building, but Iām not sure which way that is.āĀ
You turn in surprise, not having expected to be approached. In fact, your gaze was concentrated forward, attached to the office before you.Ā
āO-Oh.ā Youāre caught off guard. His eyes are flickering everywhere and you muse he could really use the help. āOf course, itās the black building just down on the right.āĀ
āThanks.ā He kindly smiles, and turns in the direction of your instructions.Ā
You widely grin, āIt wouldnāt have been anything big. Just a couple of words exchanged.āĀ
Hoseok halts, swiveling with wide eyes.Ā
āSorry, did you say something?ā He ponders, and you softly shake your head.Ā
āDonāt worry about it.ā You mutter, āI do hope you find your class, Hoseok.āĀ
He nods, peering at you in confusion. You watch as he departs, whispering underneath your breath.Ā
āSee you in a couple of years.āĀ
Hoseok is leaning back in his chair, a soft smile on his lips.Ā
āA tad unrealistic?ā You were amused that he let you stray so far off, not halting the train of thoughts coming to you.Ā
āA bit,ā He chuckles, ābut I didnāt want you to stop.ā
You share a knowing look, holding onto your tea cups.Ā
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
Hoseok gets up first, gesturing for you to continue drinking your tea. You watch as he slowly pads over to the door, revealing a woman standing with a young girl before your eyes.Ā
You recognize them immediately as a family that lived nearby, noticing them frequenting one of the homes during the summer.Ā
The young girl looks to be roughly seven to eight years old, eyes flickering around and hands fidgeting. At the sight of her mother eyeing her, she speaks up.Ā
Ā āUmā¦m-my ball. It went into your garden.āĀ
Hoseok softly smiles, leaning down to gently pat her head.Ā
āLetās go retrieve it, shall we?ā He implores, and the little girl follows behind, slowing her pace to keep up with his steps.Ā
You walk outside to the garden, standing next to her mother. Fondness spreads through you as Hoseok looks around with the girl, a tenderness to his eyes that has you smiling as he gives the ball back to you.Ā
Her mother draws your attention. āIām so sorry about this, I didnāt think it would end up here.āĀ
āItās quite alright.ā You reassure, āHoseok doesnāt mind either.āĀ
āIāve seen you around a couple of times.ā She inquires, āDid you come here recently?āĀ
You nod, āI wanted to move away from the city.ā
She hums understandably, āThatās nice. Both you and your husband seem very loving.āĀ
Your eyes flicker. It had been so long since you had heard such a statement, long having buried it with Namjoon when he passed.Ā
āHeās not my husbandā¦ā You correct, and the womanās eyes widen, like she hasnāt been expecting that response from you.Ā
You pursue your lips. You truthfully, never had an answer. Not when Naree had accused you of replacing Namjoon, not when you would encounter the other neighbors and they would inquire about you, not when there was no envy on either one of your parts when Namjoon or Euna were mentioned, just understanding of the deep love you both still hold onto to.Ā
Namjoon is your husband. He will always be, keeping a special place in your heart that no one else can ever fully take or replace.Ā
Hoseok is your radiant sun.Ā
His smile is comforting. His arms are warm. His presence feels so reassuring and makes you feel less lonely in this world that only has you left behind.Ā
He's your solace ā the embodiment of your pain and understanding at the same time.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper, āHeāsā¦heās my partner.ā
Through the thick and thin, through the laughs and the tears, through the comforting embraces and the anguished recollections. You are glad to have met him, to have experienced these new memories with him, and to have created a new path, one in which you will spend the rest of your life in together.Ā
Hoseok glances up with a grin, the little girl holding her ball and giggling at something he said. His eyes lock on yours and itās almost like he knows, he knows what is dwelling inside them.Ā
Heāll always be your partner for eternity.Ā
Time is the most valuable thing to exist in the world.Ā
It can be a matter of a mere seconds, spinning away like loose strands without any control. It could be a matter of a few years, spanning across months at a subdued pace.Ā
Time is so very valuable, and youāre grateful to have spent it with Jung Hoseok.Ā
āHoseokā¦.āĀ
Itās your voice, weakly calling out to him. Heās by your side within a matter of seconds.Ā
āY/N.ā He whispers, a smile spanning on his lips with many lines creasing.Ā
Heās gotten much older, the dark strands of hair turning completely gray, a deep hunch caving in his back more. He wears hearing aids on both ears, enough to still hear your low murmurs from your bed. His eyes have gotten weaker, a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his long nose.Ā
He still looks like the man youāve spent so many years with.Ā
And what years they were. You had basked in each otherās presence, being so utterly peaceful with him staying by your side. You werenāt lonely, you werenāt numb, you werenāt terrified anymore, you were simply content.Ā
Even when your legs had started losing their ability. Even when your memory began to fade, panic settling in on not being able to recall anymore. Even when your skin paled with time and you had become bed ridden.Ā
Hoseok held onto you. Hoseok reminded you, pulling out albums for you to see. Hoseok lied down with you, letting you rest your head against his chest. He coaxes and consoles you, keeping you in one piece even though the years were threatening to crumble you.Ā
Even as he watches your chest slowly heave, voice growing weaker by the minute.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You croak. Heās leaning in right away, despite having machinery that allows him to hear. āT-Thank youā¦Hoseokā¦.āĀ
He chuckles, eyes glossed over. So many years had passed and you still had the need to express your gratitudeĀ
āI should be thanking you.ā He brings up, āThank you, Kim Y/N. For all these beautiful years.ā He whispers, as if singing you a comforting lullaby āFor letting me into your life and staying by your side.āĀ
His voice cracks, but he still smiles.
āF-For letting this old man be your partner, for the rest of the time you had left.āĀ
You slowly smile, and he squeezes your hand, like he knows you feel the same way.Ā
āHoseokā¦.ā You heave out, āI-Iāmā¦Iām a little scaredā¦āĀ
āIām here, Y/N. Iām here.ā He whispers, leaning his forehead against yours and shaking in your grasp.
āI-I wanted to goā¦.ā You croak, āFor so longā¦.I-I wanted to see himā¦.āĀ
A low chuckle escapes you, āBut not anymore.... strange, isnāt itā¦.?āĀ
Hoseok is sobbing, shudders escaping through his body. His hand is clasped around yours, eyes filled with waterĀ
But he keeps them open, wanting to encapsulate your last image into them.Ā
āYouāll be okay.ā He chokes out.Ā
A warm smile graces your lips. Itās the most content heās ever seen you, and it makes the center of his chest ache infinitely.Ā
A moment of silence passes as Hoseok recollects himself, leaning back to gaze at you.Ā
He calls out for you.Ā
āY/N?āĀ
Your lips barely move, the shallow breaths leaving you all too soon. But you keep your gaze concentrated on him, letting him know you are still listening.Ā
A tear manages to slip from Hoseokās eyes, but he still smiles, like he always does.Ā
āSay hi to your husband for me.ā He whispers.Ā
Itās the last thing you hear before a brightness filling your eyes, his hold on you being the strongest itās ever been. It rushes in, pulling you away like a tide.Ā
Your hand slips through his hold, and your eyes shut forever.

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The Solace Window
Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (ft. Namjoon)
Genre: Angst
ā³ 15.8k / Older Couple AU
Summary: Kim Namjoon is no more, and you are left behind as a 75 year old widow. Stuck in between experiencing grief and mourning your late husband, your search for solace seems more and more far-fetched. That is until you stumble upon widowed Jung Hoseok.
*Warnings: Depictions surrounding death, grief, depression, spousal loss, miscarriage, fertility issues, illness, growing older, familial issues, mistreatment of the elderly, old age homes. This story will deal with heavy topics and reader discretion is highly advised.
A/N: After much contemplation, I have decided to write this fic. It is very personal to me, and one that I really wanted to share.
Heās gone.Ā
Kim Namjoon is laid to rest in the casket in an eternal sleep. His gray hair has been carefully combed back against his wrinkled skin, and heās dressed in an elegant black suit, arms folded and resting on top of his chest. He wears a content expression, brows smoothed out and lips tightly shut.
Heās gone, forever.Ā
A handful of individuals surround him; namely a couple in their late thirties clad entirely in black. The wife clutches onto her husbandās shirt, thick tears streaming down her face and tremors shuddering through her shoulders.Ā
āD-Dadā¦ā She chokes out, burying herself further into her husbandās embrace as he wraps his arms around her.Ā
There are two small children with wide eyes, glancing between their mother and father in curiosity. Their gazes then flicker over to the rest of the people who have gathered, before looking back at the older lady sitting on the side, who holds a somber expression and far too much anguish in her eyes.Ā
You can only watch as the service is completed and you have to say your farewells. You can only watch as you keep the deep ache in your chest at bay, attempting to keep yourself from crumbling. You can only watch as your loved ones are a mess, sobs echoing from the room.Ā
You can only watch as your husband departs from this world, leaving you behind.Ā
You are silent the entire ride home.Ā
When the multiple cars arrive at the large complex, you already begin to carefully shift out of the vehicle, not waiting for anyone to help you out. Your cane hits against the pavement and you place pressure on it, moving slowly with a hunched back.Ā
You trail along the sidewalk until meeting the front steps, cautiously raise your feet and walk on them one by one. Weakly pushing against the door, you tread towards the staircase, having no desire to eat and wanting to head straight to your room.Ā
A gentle hand on your shoulder halts you.Ā
Turning around, the woman stares back at you with a swollen but intentful gaze. Sheās inherited your eyes and Namjoonās smile, her expression scanning your features.Ā
āMomā¦ā She calls out, but you donāt have the strength to hear her words.Ā
āIām tired, Naree.ā You quietly whisper, and she moves her mouth as if to speak again, but her own words fizzle out. She simply nods, swivelling away as her eyes brim with water.Ā
You gradually ascend onto the steps, pushing your cane against the wood before hauling your shaking feet upward. After a couple of moments, you manage to reach the top, shuffling your feet into your bedroom.Ā
The bedroom you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
Thereās a double-sized bed in the middle with two dressers, one of which has Namjoonās medications carefully stacked to the side, a small lamp and a book with a bookmark that he was in the midst of completing. Thereās two picture frames off to the side, a much younger you with a huge smile hugging a shyer and much younger Namjoon, the snapshot taken seconds before he had accidentally stumbled and taken you down with him.Ā
You move closer to the other dresser, the one that contains all of your belongings. Setting your cane securely against it, you slip into the covers, bringing them up to your chest until youāre completely nestled.Ā
As you stare at the ceiling, silence greets you. Thereās the faint tick of the clock on the opposite side of the bed, the very one Namjoon had installed so it was easier for him to figure out the time without squinting and straining his eyes. Itās accompanied with a side that is now empty, his scent still lingering on the pillow that sits right next to yours.Ā
The silence continues to greet you the longer you stare at the ceiling, and itās absolutely deafening.Ā
The tears rise before you can stop them, rolling down the crinkle of your eyes. The longer you wait, the longer you stare, the more it becomes inevitable with every passing minute.Ā
Heās not coming back. Thereās no him arising from the door, slowly parting it as he sheepishly admits he had accidentally fallen asleep on the couch downstairs, mind growing absent these days. Thereās no dim light radiating out from your side, a pair of glasses on the rim of his nose as he carefully turns the pages of his book. Thereās no familiar dimpled smile wishing you goodnight, no soft kisses against your forehead before he slips into the covers with you, pulling you into his warm and comfortable embrace.Ā
Thereās nothing anymore and itās something that slams into you, being wide awake despite living in a walking nightmare.Ā
A harsh sob rips from your throat, echoing against the silent walls.Ā
You are numb.
You slowly peel open your eyes in the morning, the faint sunlight seeping through the same floral curtains. The side beside you still stays empty, as you continue to sleep on your own side. The belongings on the opposite dresser are untouched, small specks of dust long beginning to settle.Ā
A year has passed since the tragedy, and you are still numb.Ā
You rise onto your feet, your wrinkled hand reaching out for your cane. Weakly pushing yourself off the bed, your feet stagger as you pad through the room and head into the bathroom.Ā
Setting your cane aside again, you turn the tap on and the water flows. Pooling it in your hands, you splash it over your skin, the water feeling tender against it. Glancing in the mirror, a low sigh leaves your lips.Ā
The lines on your features have deepened and increased, small indents showcasing near the corners of your eyes and your mouth. Your cheeks have become hollow, bone beginning to surface and protrude out. The bottom of your eyes have darkened, skin sagging down.
There's a saying youāve roughly heard in passing ā one that Namjoonās mother had echoed to you when his father had passed away and you were inquiring how she was.Ā
She had said that for many couples, after your spouse passes away, the grief only seems to accelerate the aging process tenfold and that it wouldnāt be too long till her own day would come.Ā
At the moment, the thought itself was devastating to hear. But you never thought a day would come when her words would be so utterly true, your face having aged more within one year compared to the last five years you had spent with Namjoon.Ā
After washing up solemnly in silence, you pad back through into the desolate bedroom, before exiting and slowly descending down the stairs.Ā
Nareeās voice echoes through the room.
ā...ānot eating on time and barely talks, I just donāt know what to do anymore.ā
āIt comes with age.ā Her husband, Seojun, echoes, āYou should know that sheās growing old.āĀ
āI know,ā She huffs, āBut she wonāt even go through my fatherās belongings, instead she insists on keeping everything the same and itās been so longāāĀ
You quietly clear your throat, leaning against the staircase beside the kitchen. Naree spins around with wide eyes and both of them freeze, as if they had been caught.Ā
āMomāāĀ
āIām feeling tired.ā You simply say.Ā
āLet me make you some tea.ā She brings up immediately and you nod, turning around with another word. Naree and her husband glance at each other silently, before she moves towards the kettle.Ā
You walk over to sit down on the large couch at the side in the living room, the one that has enough cushions for your hunched back. Sitting down with a large heave, your gaze falls onto the window.Ā
A small girl stumbles into the room.Ā
Her wide eyes are bright, a familiar dimpled smile on her lips and a photo in her hands.
Thereās a soft upturn to your lips and she beams, rushing over in an instant.Ā
āGrandma!ā she squeals, body falling near your legs and head landing in your lap. Another younger girl pads in quietly behind, following her older sister with curious eyes.
āNayoung.ā You reach out and tenderly stroke the eldest girlās hair, who is around eight years old, before moving your eyes to the four year old behind her, āDambi.āĀ
The youngest smiles and you widen your arm, to which she pads closer and rests within your embrace.
You hug your grandchildren with all the love you have left to offer.Ā
āGrandma!ā Nayoung excitedly rambles, placing a frame into your withered hands, āIs the baby in this Mom?āĀ
You take it and flip it around, eyes widening to find the picture of you, a small child in your arms and Namjoonās hand resting on your shoulder. Youāre smiling but your eyes are brimming with tears, as so are his as the baby stays rested within your comfortable embrace.Ā
Your eyes gloss over for a split second, but you sniffle, bringing your attention back to your granddaughter.Ā
āNo, it isnāt.ā You explain, āItās my sonā¦. your Uncle Haneul.āĀ
Nayoung stares at you with surprise, glancing at the photo frame again. āUncle Haneul?āĀ
You slowly nod and she continues to stare with fascination, even glancing back at Dambi and pointing towards it like she had uncovered a hidden secret.Ā
āWhereās Uncle Haneul?ā Dambi ponders, and your eyes soften.
āFollowing in his fatherās footsteps.ā You whisper, āHe became a professor, and heās been exploring the world for his research.āĀ
Ever since Namjoon passed away. ā you want to add.Ā
You take the frame from Nayoungās hands, āThis picture is when he was first born, before your mother was.ā
Haneul and Naree. After years of love and even more years of building a life together ā a relationship, a marriage, a home, you and Namjoon had decided that you wanted to have kids. Through the ups and downs, the panics of pregnancy to the bliss of becoming parents, you both were blessed with two children that you love dearly.Ā
In return, Haneul had ultimately decided that becoming a parent wasnāt something he had desired, something both you and Namjoon had understood from afar and confirmed when he had brought it up to you. Instead, he wanted to travel and was inclined to be hungry for knowledge, much like Namjoon himself. You had to convince him to leave after Namjoonās passing, insisting that life was too short and he should be living his, instead of fretting over the family.Ā
On the flip side, Naree married her husband a couple of years back, and you had met your precious granddaughters, Nayoung and Dambi, within that time frame.Ā
Within forty-seven years of marriage, you had seen it all, but it still comes racing back to you in a heartbeat, the memories still so vivid as you stare back at the single snapshot that captured it all.Ā
Nayoung watches you with a smile, and Dambi mumbles something that has light coming back to your eyes.Ā
āYou used to be so pretty, Grandma.ā The four year old states it so nonchalantly, resulting in her older sister gasping and whipping her head around.Ā
āHey! Grandma is still pretty.ā Nayoung persists.Ā
You deeply sigh, āIāve gotten old, havenāt I?āĀ
āNo, no!ā Nayoung furiously shakes her head, āYouāre notā ā¦well, you are old, Grandma, but still so pretty!āĀ
A smile cracks onto your lips, long having forgotten what it felt like. Nayoung shifts, eyes growing uneasy.Ā
āGrandmaā¦a-are you crying?āĀ
You sniffle, hurriedly wiping away your tears, The two children stare at you with rounded eyes and you softly chuckle, widening your arms.Ā
āHow about you help Grandma feel a bit better?āĀ
Nayoung reacts immediately, launching herself into your arms as you bring her into your lap and rest your head against hers. Dambi crawls up the sofa and you pull her in as well, embracing the two with quivering arms.
Even in this bleak and lonely world, you are relieved to have them by your side.Ā
***
Naree stands by the living room entrance, a cup of tea in her hands.Ā
āGirls, itās time to wash up and get ready for lunch.ā She announces, and the two children glance up, before immediately rising to their feet.Ā
They both give you a quick wave before theyāre scurrying away upstairs.Ā
Naree brings the cup and sets it down on the table in front of you.
āMom.ā She calls out and you turn to look at her. āCan we talk?āĀ
A deep sigh leaves you and you sink back into the chair, knowing it was all impossible to avoid.Ā
āI suppose.ā You comply and she sits down on the couch opposite you, facing you directly.Ā
āI was talkingā¦to Seojunā¦ā At the topic of her husband, you shift and she continues cautiously, āI know how you feel about Dad, and he does too.āĀ
Your eyes downcast, āBut we should really move his things into the storage room, Mom.āĀ
āAnd what about me?ā You chuckle underneath your breath, āAre you eventually going to move me too?āĀ
āMom.ā She chides, letting out a long sigh. She looks tired, just like you. āItās been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
And a year since everyone had forgotten about him.Ā
You want to add, but keep silent, āI just think itās really time to move forwardā¦āĀ
Thereās a deep ache within your chest, that only grows with her words. You knew this conversation was inevitable, but how were you to explain?Ā
How were you to explain that ever since Namjoon passed away, youāve been consumed with an exorbitant amount of feelings that you could barely grasp?
Immense guilt that somehow through all this, you were still here while his death was so sudden. That you were still breathing and intact, all while he had struggled to do the same?Ā
Utter anger that he had left you here all by yourself after spending nearly half a century together, how he didnāt just take you with him, instead of you waking up everyday, longing to see him again.Ā
And of course ā the grief. Perhaps the most painful of them all.Ā
You canāt go through his things without breaking down, reopening the jarring wound his demise has left over and over again when you see his clothes, his shoes, his belongings. The last remains of his existence and the last things you can desperately clutch on, mimicking a supposed fabrication of him still being with you.Ā
You wrap your arms around yourself, shaking your head with shut eyes.Ā
āMy answer is firm, Naree.āĀ
āMom.ā She exasperatedly says, frustrated with your stubbornness that mimics her own. After all, sheās inherited your personality, except youāve lived longer with all your experiences exceeding all of hers.Ā
āIām exhausted.ā You simply state, willing your shaking legs to get up. Once they do, you grab onto your cane, trudging towards the staircase.
Naree is silent as she watches you struggling to get up, unable to explain how much grief has been brought to her. Everyday sheās forced to watch her mother fall into a slump, surrounding herself with past memories and unable to break out of her shell. Sheās granted only the fleeting moment of your former self when you interact with her daughters, but a part of her always wonders if a part of you had died alongside her father that day, that she ended up losing both her parents in some twisted way.Ā
She rubs her temples, feeling absolutely drained and tired beyond belief.Ā
A week passes by.Ā
Thereās barely any change in your routine. You remain within your bedroom majority of the time, sleeping and occasionally being reminded to eat. You donāt speak much, carrying a solemn gaze and a deep frown on your lips.Ā
You donāt see much of Naree or Seojun, both of them occupied with their jobs and not making any effort to speak to you for the duration.Ā
However, one night you find them by the kitchen table, sitting opposite from each other.Ā
It was late into the hours and you had suddenly woken, on your way down for a glass of water.Ā
Naree stills. āMomāāĀ
āWhat were you talking about?ā You question, and Naree knows.Ā
She knows that you heard pieces of their conversation. The conversation about how drained she felt lately, work taking its everlasting toll on her, right before Seojun suggested taking a vacation and going out on a trip with the family. To the conversation shifting, Naree spilling out her worries and concerns about you, your old age and how much she could see your health deteriorating, to how much she canāt get through to you anymore, how much sheās just given up.Ā
However, whatās caught most of your attention is the sudden mention of a certain kind of home, one that notoriously knows how to take care of the elderly properly.Ā
āWe should talk.ā Seojun states, pulling out a chair for you. You reluctantly take it, slowly sitting down as your gaze oscillates between them.
Naree sucks in a deep breath, looking at her husband uneasily. āWe were thinkingā¦āĀ
āThat it might be time for us to try something different.ā Seojun finishes, glancing at you intently.Ā
You cut to the chase. āWhat are you trying to get at?āĀ
Thereās a pause and Naree fidgets, eyes focusing onto her hands.Ā
Her next words have you freezing.Ā
āMomā¦how would you feel about moving into an old age home?ā Naree mutters.
A rigid chuckle leaves you, āSo this is what itās coming to, huh?āĀ
āMom, please.ā Naree insists in defense and if you werenāt so entrapped within your own thoughts, perhaps you would have noticed the fatigue running deep in her eyes or the stiffness in her shoulders, āItās not an easy decisionā¦but weāve really thought about this.āĀ
Correction ā Seojun has thought about this. You vaguely remember him bringing it up once, much to Nareeās protests and he let it slip by then.Ā
But now, you have grown older and gone through grief, which doesnāt make it implausible to bring up again.Ā
Except this time, youāre alone, not having Namjoon with you anymore to see eye to eye with Seojun as he always did and convincing him that you were better off together.Ā
You miss him so much.Ā
āYour health hasnāt been the same, Mom.ā Naree explains, āAnd both Seojun and I go to work, the girls go off to school andāā
She deeply sighs, eyes becoming glossy. āI know, Momā¦I know youāre lonely.āĀ
You squeeze your eyes shut.Ā
āEver since Dad passed away, I think our relationship has changed,ā She simply states, her next words driving a wedge through your heart āā¦and I donāt think we have the same capability to take care of you anymore.ā
You sigh, glancing up to look straight into Nareeās eyes for the first time since Namjoonās passing.Ā
āItās the trip too, isnāt it? The girls want to go, but youāve resisted for a while.ā You mention, āYou kept saying that I needed you, and that youāll eventually go, but you had to stay behind because of me.āĀ
Naree winces at how direct you are, not missing a heartbeat of the reality youāve been noticing since the past year.Ā
Sucking in a breath, you ignore the deep ache residing within your chest, pushing it back into the farthest corner.Ā
āFine.ā You solemnly state, barely having energy anymore. āIāll go, if thatās what you want.āĀ
Relief breaks out onto Nareeās features and Seojun softly smiles. You suppose it was bound to happen eventually, better sooner than later, and perhaps it would do some good for you, to continue on somehow.Ā
That is, knowing this will be your last days within the home you had once built with Namjoon.Ā
The move happens within a couple of days.Ā
Your bags are packed, with clothes and smaller belongings tossed in. Peering around, you stare at Namjoonās side of the bed, ready to leave it as it is.Ā
But you step forward, glancing down at the book he was in the middle of reading. It was another dystopian sci-fi book he was curious about, having heard good reviews about it.Ā
You place it into your arms, giving the room one longing look before ultimately shutting the door.Ā
Naree and you sit in the car in silence, as you gaze out the window and reminisce over the passing neighborhood.Ā
You and Namjoon were incredibly young when you had first moved here, hunting down homes and furiously checking the pricing of the housing market. It had been only a couple of weeks since your marriage, both of you fresh out of college and in entry jobs when he had stumbled upon the location, coming up to you with bright eyes one day.Ā
The nostalgia brims in your eyes, but soon Naree is tapping against your shoulder.Ā
āWeāre here.ā She announces and you nod, before she proceeds to come over and take out your bags.
You glance around with a frown.Ā
It's a small residential area, appearing more like a stretched out home with many windows, accompanied with a garden area at the front that spreads to the back.Ā
Stepping inside, it doesnāt seem to get better.Ā
The walls are a dull white, and sunlight pours in from the windows, nearly blinding you. Thereās a reception area that Naree steps closer to talk to, but you stand with a frown still on your lips, peering into the room at the corner, where you can hear laughs and chuckles.Ā
There's a bunch of chairs, with people around your age seated and conversing. Theyāre smiling alongside each other, while some others are knitting as well as playing cards. It takes you off guard for a moment, not accustomed to seeing so many closer to your age range after being around your own family members for so long.Ā
The place seems to smit a sense of peace with a hint of melancholy, and youāre truthfully not sure about how you feel about it.Ā
āTheyāre all set-up, Mom.ā Naree walks closer to you and you turn, seeing her glance at her watch. āI need to get to work soon.āĀ
You hum and Naree still stands in spot, as if deeply contemplating.Ā
āMomā¦IāāĀ
āHave fun with the kids.ā You mutter, āTake them to nice places, places they want to see.āĀ
She nods, not lingering for a moment longer as she reluctantly turns around ā leaving you all by yourself once again.
It's⦠unsettling.Ā
Everything follows a schedule and each day repeats, constantly. Youāre told when to eat, when to sleep, when to do something fun ā as they would like to call it ā and the worst part of it all, youāre surrounded by strangers who know each other all too well.Ā
You, in the meanwhile, have been already quoted as being too quiet and solemn, something that makes you want to wrap up into yourself even more. You were never good at connecting with new people, regardless of where you were.Ā
Namjoon was always the sociable one, effortlessly commanding a room with his charm and charisma. You would sheepishly stand next to him, but he would always manage to include you somehow, making you feel less cut off from others.Ā
You let out a sigh ā perhaps the only time you actually feel comfort is through the night, tucked underneath the streets with a book wrapped around your cold arms, sniffling as youāre surrounded with unfamiliar things in an unfamiliar room and attempting to lull yourself to sleep.Ā
Because moments like those are where you finally get to welcome his presence wholeheartedly.
You blink,squinting your eyes and raising your hand to block the sun.Ā
Except itās not the same hand youāre used to ā rather itās no longer wrinkled, with your veins popping out and hands no longer tremoring.Ā
They feel strong, and you open and close your palm a few times astonished.
A pair of small legs tumble into your own and you gasp, glancing down at the boy who has the same features as your husband.Ā
He grins widely, āMommy!ā
āHaneul?!ā You harshly whisper, raising the boy before lifting him into your arms. He looks no more than four years old.Ā
Haneul is four, which means can only meanāĀ
You are thirty-four.Ā
Glancing around, your eyes are snapping around frantically ā taking in the expansive backyard which you barely would step in anymore, now littered with Nayoung and Dambiās toys. The house that you left behind, just recently newly renovated upon your insistence. And your son, who looks up at you with wide eyes, as if youāre his entire world.Ā
You attempt to hold him close, biting back the sobs that threaten to take over you.Ā
A loud yelp resonates through the air.Ā
Your breath hitches, knowing that voice from anywhere. Whipping your head around, your legs are stronger, and you take long strides without needing a cane, carrying your son in your arms.
For thereās a small shed in the corner of your backyard and if youāre right, if your memory doesnāt fail you.Ā
The shed needs to be fixed and Namjoon took upon the task himself.Ā
The door goes flying open and his back is the first thing you see.Ā
āNot againā¦ā He sighs, a hand planting against his forehead. Thereās a bucket of paint thatās fallen to the ground, along with patches of the white colour sprayed against his ankles.Ā
You slowly set your smiling son down, who giggles and runs to his father. Namjoon instantly looks down, his hand reaching out that Haneul eagerly takes.Ā
Your voice comes out in a choked whisper.Ā
āN-Namjoon?āĀ
He turns with a huge smile and youāve forgotten. Forgotten how crystal clear your memory once was, knowing his dark hair, crinkled eyes and dimpled smile anywhere. How much that smile hasnāt changed at all, fine lines maring around the corners instead, next to his grey strands of hair and weakened eyes.Ā
How despite the years ā heāll always be the same man you fell in love with.
āY/N.ā He deeply enunciates, concern etching onto his features.
āYouāre crying, whatā ā¦ā He takes long strides towards you, whispering as his hand makes contact with your cheek, āWhatās wrong?āĀ
You sniffle, the tears pouring down as youāre no longer able to hold them back.Ā
Namjoon nearly stumbles back when you grasp onto him, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He hugs you back, comfortingly resting his head against your forehead.Ā
āI-I missed you.ā You sob out, not wanting to let him go.Ā
āMissed me?ā Namjoon softly chuckles, threading his hand through your hair. āIāve always been here, Y/N.āĀ
He separates you from him, holding onto your shoulders as he tenderly looks into your eyes.Ā
āIām always here, Y/N.āĀ
Youāre suddenly pulled away, away from his comforting embrace and eyes as a white light flashes over your eyes.Ā
You jolt awake, hearing only the faint sound of the heater echoing through the unfamiliar room. Reality crashes down onto you, painfully reminding you of your current location.Ā
The other side of the bed remains cold and empty.
The days churn by, and you are as miserable as ever.Ā
You sit quietly by the side and stare out the window, hearing a few others engage in conversation in small groups. There was something about doing a painting activity, but you had paid it no mind, too focused on the garden outside and grasping onto the book that sits on your lap.Ā
āBefore I came here, my husband passed away three years ago.ā A voice from afar begins. It comes from a woman, who appears much older than you. āIt happened so quickly, I-I didnāt know how to deal with it.āĀ
There's a man sitting next to her, spotting a collared shirt and dark black hair. He looks younger than both of you, and he somberly listens to her.Ā
āHow long were you together?ā He wonders.Ā
āFifty-five years.ā The woman sadly chuckles, āWe spent every day, every moment togetherā¦and then one day he was just gone.āĀ
Your heart clenches, no longer staring out the window. You donāt mean to eavesdrop, but youāve learned it's difficult when youāre surrounded by so many others, stories from so many different phases of life pouring out effortlessly in a single room.Ā
āIāve heard it all,ā She continues. āThat he was in a better place, that I would heal with time, even that his time was bound to come soonā¦.I-It hurt, a lot.āĀ
You watch as tears fill her eyes and her sadness fills the small space youāre in, a lump in your throat starting to form. You attempt to pucker your lips, threaten to silence yourself as much as possible, but the words spill out with far too much ease.Ā
āMy husbandā¦ā You suck in a breath when her gaze falls onto you in surprise. āHeā¦he passed away, about a year ago.āĀ
Her features twist, understanding deep within her eyes.Ā
āIām so sorry for your loss.āĀ
You give her a half-smile and she presses forward, āHow many years?āĀ
āForty-seven.ā You state, adding with a sad note āWe never got to fiftyā¦ā
She solemnly nods and something in her gaze is just too much, alleviating the tension that has been festering and brewing within you.Ā
āHe was kind, a little clumsy and forgetful, but still very kind.ā You remorsefully chuckle. āSometimes, itās scary, like heās never existedā¦and other days, I want to see him again, almost likeāā
You silence yourself, eyes clamping shut as a deep ache within your chest just spreads and amplifies.Ā
A voice tugs you out of your thoughts.Ā
āLike what?ā Itās the man next to the older woman, his gaze still on you.Ā
Your voice comes out in an anguished whisper, āLike how he visits me in my dreams.āĀ
It sounds strange and bizarre, you know this. But youāre startled when you glance up, only to find that woman giving you a kind look and the man softly smiling, as if he finds the notion to be pleasant.Ā
āItās nice, isnāt it?ā He piques, āSeeing them again, as if they never left to begin withā¦āĀ
You stare at him in bewilderment, attempting to muster words up.Ā
But he beats you to it.Ā
āFive years.ā He informs, like he knew what you wanted to ask. āSince my wifeās been gone.āĀ
You shake your head, not fully realizing his circumstance.Ā
āIām sorry, I didnāt mean to assumeāāĀ
āItās okay.ā He lets out a low chuckle, āI look much younger than I actually am.āĀ
You hum, acknowledging it right away. Alongside appearing younger, you notice his disposition appears to be the same as well, being much laid-back compared to anyone else youāve seen here.
āWhatās your name?ā He asks, āIāve seen you a couple times, but I think this is our first time talking.āĀ
āI-Iām not one for talking muchā¦ā You note, but he quirks his head to the side, like he didnāt believe that. āAnd itās Y/N, Kim Y/N.āĀ
āIām Jung Hoseok.ā He introduces, gesturing to the woman next to him. āThis is Lee Haewon.āĀ
She directs a friendly smile towards you and you attempt to return it back.Ā
āHow old are both of you?ā You wonder.Ā
āIām eighty-five.ā Haewon answers, squinting her eyes at the man, āLast I remember, Hoseok is sixty-seven.āĀ
āSeventy, Haewon.ā He politely corrects, but with no malice. Almost as if he was expecting for her to get it wrong.Ā
She deeply exhales, shaking her head in exasperation.Ā
āMy own name is going to be next.āĀ
āDonāt worry about that.ā His eyes flicker to you, āWhen the time comes, weāll be here to remind you again.āĀ
You nod in assurance and she warmly smiles, placing her cold hand on top of yours. You slowly grasp onto it and Haewon doesnāt move at all, instead ushering for you to sit closer to them.Ā
For once, the weight on your chest feels a bit lighter.Ā
The next day, youāre placed in groups again.Ā
However, this time the head of the home brings out various board games onto the tables, to which everyone requests for different ones and are soon creating circles.Ā
Despite the head asking for you to join this time, you sit in the same spot you had previously sat at, right beside the window as your eyes take in the others playing.Ā
The loud sound of a chair screeching against the floor startles you.Ā
Hoseok looks up with an apologetic smile, a packet of cards in his hands.
You watch with bafflement at how he sets up the deck before you, leaning over to hand you a couple of them.Ā
You take them reluctantly, wondering why he was here when he could just play with someone else, observing him lean back in his chair and cross his legs with a furrow in his brows.Ā
Now knowing his age, it was easier to spot his older features. How, despite having better functioning legs compared to you, his back is slightly hunched, shoulders beginning to cave in. How, despite having a majority of darker strands, there were noticeable specks of grey in his hair. How his eyes have to so occasionally squint to look at the cards, a hearing aid poking out from his right ear as he tilts his head.Ā
You also donāt fail to notice how as his brows furrow in concentration, two small dimples poke out from the corners of his cheeks.Ā
āYour turn.ā He calls out, having placed a card down.Ā
You quickly look down at the cards, reluctantly placing one down. He continues to stare at his own intently.Ā
āYou know, it was nice of you to talk to Haewon.ā He mentions.Ā
You shake your head, āIt wasnāt much, I was just talking about my husband anyways.āĀ
āIt meant more to her than you think.ā He exhales, placing a card down. āMost folks here either ignore her, or tell her to just move on.āĀ
A knowing smile crosses him, āI think we both know it isnāt as simple as that.āĀ
āIt never is.ā You quietly mumble, placing a card down yourself.
Hoseok hums at that, putting another card down. You glance around warily, wondering why you hadnāt seen Haewon yet.Ā
āBy the way, where is she?āĀ
āAsleep, I overheard that she felt tired.ā Hoseok does a half-smile, before itās replaced with his usual nonchalant expression.Ā
You nod, curious about their proximity, āHave you known her for long?āĀ
Hoseok shrugs, āA bit, I just got to know her in the past couple of months. You know, the good olā chit chatting with one other while being in the same room.āĀ
His straight-forwardness catches you off guard, shocked by how settled he was.
āYou seem pretty comfortable being here.ā You note, observing him as he glances up.Ā
āI have to be.ā He states with a lop-sided smile, āItās the same for everyone here. After all, nobody came because they wanted to.āĀ
You freeze, forehead creasing as you stare at him blankly. Hoseokās gaze lands on you, confusion running through it.
āY/N?ā He ponders, wondering why you werenāt playing your turn. You snap out of your daze, placing your cards down.Ā
āI-I just remembered something I needed to doāā You quietly say, slowly rising to your feet and locating your cane. āMaybe you should play with someone elseā¦ā
For a split-second, Hoseok tosses his cards and rises to his feet, as if to halt your steps. But youāre already walking away and he falters, slumping back down into his seat
His eyes are tinged with an indescribable emotion.Ā
You donāt know if you can be here any longer.Ā
But thereās nothing you can do about it. The days pass by and no one comes for you, no one tries to see how you are, how youāre feeling and it dawns one simple resolution to you.Ā
Youāve been abandoned here. Forever.Ā
The next day arrives and you clench your jaw, stepping out of the suffocating room that has been starting to feel more like a decorated prison than anything else. You wonder if you should come up with some excuse of staying back, preoccupying yourself with anything else rather than the activity of the day.Ā
But thatās until youāre informed youāll be taken to the garden.Ā
Taking a step outside, itās absolutely serene. Thereās handfuls of well-maintained roses, peonies and tulips flourishing, all lush and blooming around the home. Itās both tranquil and inviting, the head informing you that there were watering cans, shovels and new seeds to be planted for everyone.Ā
You secure a can right away, propelling yourself forward with your cane towards the peonies.Ā
A small smile lines your lips.Ā
āY/N!āĀ
You spin around, in the midst of cooing and feeding your one year daughter as she babbles on her high chair.Ā
Namjoon stands at the door, huffing with a wide smile on his lips.Ā
He raises his hand, a single purple peony sticking out.Ā
You gasp in astonishment, āYou finally grew one!āĀ
āI did!ā He exclaims. It had been months since he had been trying, your home littered with his bonsai collection until he wanted to try his hand at outdoor planting.Ā
He dashes over and scoops you in her arms, making you chuckle from his victory. Grabbing onto your hand, he edges you to follow.Ā
āCome on, you need to help me water them!āĀ
Laughing, you grasp onto Naree, letting him guide you.Ā
The water pours out from the small canister, sprinkling delicately onto the small petals. You watch with so much fondness, for so much love for the flower, as your hands continue to tremble.Ā
It slips from your hands and smacks against the pavement.Ā
You watch as the water spills everywhere and with a huff, quickly attempting to grasp it. But your knees violently shake, and your hands tremor far too much. You attempt again and again to bend down, but your attempts are all futile, more and more of the contents emptying and spreading out.Ā
Tears unknowingly prick at your eyes and your breathing is heavy, limbs aching from the sudden physical exertion.Ā
The smooth metal gently glides across your fingertips.Ā
You blink, confused eyes glancing up to meet Hoseokās softened ones. Youāre left frozen as he carefully tips it, his hand grasping the canister against yours and letting the water rain over the peonies.
You let him guide you, the water running through the remaining ones before it empties.Ā
āWait here for a moment.ā He directs you to a bench, holding your hands as you carefully descend down onto it.Ā
You observe as he saunters over to the hose, filling it with water again before letting out a satisfied hum. He then manages to grasp onto a handful of seeds and grabs onto a small shovel.Ā
He returns to you, āYou should plant some too.āĀ
You quietly nod and he reaches his arm out, as if gesturing for you to hold on. You grasp onto him and he slows his pace, walking at yours.Ā
Everytime, you point at a certain spot, he leans down, making a hole into the dirt before dropping the seed in and sealing it with fresh water. He does it along the edge of the garden, right where the window to your room should be.Ā
He lets out a loud huff with the last one, chest rising and falling alarmingly.Ā
Your eyes widen, having completely forgotten his condition of age.Ā
āI-Iāll go get you some water.āĀ
Hoseok opens his mouth to protest that heās okay, but youāre already propelling yourself forward, cane frantically hitting against the pavement.
He wheezes, letting out a couple of coughs before youāre standing near him, a water bottle in your hands that he gratefully accepts.Ā
āAre you okay?ā You ask right away and he nods, turning to the flowers.Ā
āTheyāre beautiful.ā He states and you hum, the wind weaving through the air.Ā
āI love peonies.ā You quietly admit, and Hoseok grins, handing you the water bottle.Ā
He takes a couple steps forward, drawing closer to the older batch. Among all the colors, he snatches onto a bright orange peony, handing it to you with a soft smile.Ā
You bring it closer to you, the corners of your mouth upturning.Ā
It reminds you of the warm hues of the sun.Ā
Your hands tremor and shake, bone sticking out from your softened skin. It doesnāt help that the joints within your bones are incredibly stiff and deeply ache with each movement.Ā
A frustrated sigh escapes your lips, and the needles looped in yarn falling down to your lap.Ā
Hoseok chuckles, reaching out and grasping onto where youāve left off, attempting his hardest to cross them, pushing one needle into one end and looping it around.Ā
āYouāve missed a stitch.ā You point out and he frowns, noticing the small hole heās created instead.Ā
āNow how did that happen?ā He deeply ponders, and a small smile tugs on your lips as he carefully inspects the placement, staring at it up and down.Ā
āYou have to loop it carefully,ā You softly explain, reaching over to place your trembling hand on his, āIt should go through this stitch and then you let go of it to create the knot.āĀ
He follows your instructions, observing as you slowly tug his hand away from the loop, letting it unravel into a perfect stitch.Ā
Hoseok beams, throwing a grin in your direction and you look at him amused.Ā
āI think we make a lovely team.āĀ
You smile lop-sidely, āI donāt know, itās more of me telling you what to do.āĀ
āA very important role.ā He notes, raising the yarn up in his hands, āAfter all, this is now our group project.ā
You chuckle at that and he gazes at you fondly, eyes crinkling.
āKim Y/N?ā The sound of your name has both you and Hoseok glancing up, āThereās someone here at the front foyer asking for you.āĀ
Your brows furrow, but then you catch the sight of a familiar silhouette.Ā
You scramble up from your seat, vision fixated on the backside of the person. Hoseok notices, immediately rising to his feet and handing you your cane, observing as you attempt to hurriedly stride over to the desk.Ā
āNaree.ā You whisper, watching your daughter turn around wide-eyed.Ā
āMom.ā She steps forward, and you donāt hesitate to reach out, enveloping your trembling hands tightly around her shoulders.Ā
āYouāre here, youāre actually here.ā Your eyes are glossy. āI-I thought you left me by myself, I kept thinking aboutāāĀ
You freeze, surveying the way Nareeās eyes downturn, face void of expression.Ā
It doesnāt take long for you to connect the dots.Ā
Your voice cracks, āYouāre not here for me, are youā¦?ā
Naree sighs, āI was just on my way to work, and thought Iād stop by to see you.āĀ
āThatās all?ā You mutter, but Naree latches onto your arm.Ā
āMom.ā She chides, but you donāt even want to look at her, āIsnāt this all better for you? Youāre not lonely anymore.āĀ
āYouāre wrong.ā You feel more abandoned than ever. āAnd this all isnāt better for me, itās better for you.āĀ
Your words are venomous and the corner of Nareeās mouth twitches.Ā
āHow can you say that?ā Naree sharply rebuttals. The two of you donāt notice all the lingering eyes watching your interaction, including Hoseokās. āI want you to come back, but I discussed it with Seojun and we agreed youād be happier here.āĀ
āAnd where was I in this decision?ā You snap. āOr are Seojunās words now more important than mine?āĀ
Nareeās nostrils flare and she looks like sheās had enough.Ā
She shakes her head, mumbling to coax herself. āHere I thought that dropping by was a good idea.ā Her gaze is directly on you, hurt swirling in her eyes. āBut now Iāve realized I made a big mistake.ā
Naree turns on her heels, her fists clenched and rage enveloping every fiber of her being. You donāt make a move to stop her, simply staring at her backside and the growing gap each of her steps creates.Ā
Thereās a deep ache within the center of your chest, one that expands and spreads, consuming you completely as your daughter abandons you once again.Ā
***
Everything feels like itās crashing down.Ā
Youāre seated within your room, having dismissed yourself and leaving your knitting session with Hoseok behind. You desperately needed to be alone, mind plaguing over and over with the image of Naree leaving, disappointment and rage embedded into her being.Ā
You wonder if you should have reached out, should have begged, for her to take you alongside with her. To take you back to the home you once shared with Namjoon and your family, wanting to feel the familiarity and the warmth that home contains.Ā
A sci-fi book rests within your lap, fingertips clenching onto it. You wonder if he can see everything, hear everything about the family youāve created leaving you behind, casting you away like a mere thought that shoulders over them.Ā
Thick tears drop down, staining the paper of the book in your hands. Anguished cries leave you, shoulders shuddering as everything crumbles.Ā
You want to see him again, want to wrap your arms around him as he holds you comfortingly, want to have him shield you away from all these terrifying thoughts, ones that are absent of him. You hate how fast he was taken away, and wonder why he couldnāt have just taken you along with him.
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
You peer up, cheeks stained with tears and breaths coming out choked. You quickly set the book down, raising your sleeve to wipe away any existence of them.Ā
Padding slowly through the room, you wrap your hand around the knob and carefully open it.Ā
Hoseok stands in front of you, gaze downcasted and shoulders hunched in. It takes you by surprise, never having seen such a lack of optimism in his form.Ā
He looks up, eyes welling with tears.Ā
āY/N.ā He chokes, orbs widening at your appearance. āI-I can come again.āĀ
Before he can turn, you reach out, barely managing to graze his shirt.Ā
The expression he holds draws fear out from you. āI-Is everything okay?Ā
He pursues his lips, like he was attempting to prevent himself from tearing up, before he breathes out the words.Ā
āN-No, not reallyā¦ā He sniffles, a lone tear escaping him. āH-Haewonā¦Haewonās gone.āĀ
Your breath hitches, features twisting. āS-She just passed an hour agoā¦in her sleep.āĀ
His shoulders slump, eyes squeezing shut.Ā
āI-I couldnāt say g-goodbyeā¦.ā
You step forward, arms wrapping around him in an instant. Hoseok shrinks within them, harsh sobs shuddering through his body. Tears unleash from your eyes, fisting the material of his shirt.Ā
You donāt know how long you stay like that, wrapped around in your collective grief.Ā
You are dazed.Ā
You find out that aside from being widowed, Haewon only had one son who was in a different country. He doesnāt come to the funeral, and itās simply attended by a few individuals she had the opportunity to connect with at the old age home.Ā
Which includes you and Hoseok, standing next to each other in black clothing as you watch her casket be buried alongside her husband. Hoseok is silent the entire time, eyes empty.
You knew you werenāt as close to her as Hoseok was, but Haewon was a woman that had given you compassion when you had been desperately searching for it, not even hesitating to listen to your story. She shared the experience of having lost her husband and you recall Hoseok mentioning that she wanted to see him again, even if it meant being in the next life.Ā
You didnāt speak much to Lee Haewon, but she was such a crystal clear reflection of you ā a woman dwindling with so much grief that she could barely hold.Ā
Her casket is completely buried and you reach out as Hoseok shudders, a tsunami of emotions hitting him all at once. Your wrinkled hand slides in with his, clutching onto it. He squeezes back tightly, as if you were the only thing anchoring him to reality.Ā
You quietly part together, bidding her your final farewell.Ā
Something is never the same in you after Haewonās passing.Ā
Itās difficult to explain, the tightening sensation that coils around in your chest with no means of stopping. Your mind flashes back to instances with her, the kind and friendly smile she would always adorn. Or the way her hand was cold but still so warm, ushering you to come closer to her.Ā
Itās crushing, unable to bear with how fast life moves, clutching onto those whose time is no longer needed on earth.Ā
And itās coupled with another feeling, one that is more erratic and rapid, making you nearly hyperventilate the more you sit in your room, the more you stare at the unfamiliar walls encasing around you at all four corners.Ā
It feels like itās all youāll be left with, bidding your own time goodbye within them.Ā
Which is why you leave, heading out your room door and into the garden. You donāt want to follow a schedule, or do activities, simply asking for permission to escape for a brief moment so you feel like you can breathe once again.
And it seems like youāre not the only one with the same idea.Ā
Hoseok sits on a bench a bit farther from the garden and house, his backside facing you and against the sun that begins to rise, peeking through the grass and illuminating its rays through the orange sky.Ā
It draws you in, and you walk forward in a daze.
You slowly sit down, back resting against the wood and setting your crane to the side. Hoseokās attention flickers over to you.Ā
You quirk up a soft smile, āCouldnāt sleep?āĀ
He blinks after a moment, shaking his head with a sigh.Ā
āNoā¦.no, not really.āĀ
You hum, knowingly. āThe sunrise is beautiful.āĀ
He nods silently.Ā
You sit in silence, enjoying the breeze wafting through the area and the way the clouds move rotationally, drifting through the clouds. The orange hues morph into the briefest of purple, light spreading over your skin and remaining within your irises.Ā
You suck in a sharp inhale.Ā
āKim Namjoon.ā You state as Hoseok turns to look at you, āMy husband, who left me a year ago. He was followed by Kim Naree, my daughter, who left me a month ago.āĀ
His eyes find your own. āAnd then followed by Lee Haewon, who left us a week ago.āĀ
Your voice breaks. āI-I donāt know if I can handle anyone else leaving me...āĀ
Hoseokās hand reaches out, placing it on top of yours.Ā
The corner of his mouth remorsefully curls up. āDonāt count me out so easily.āĀ
You smile, for the first time in weeks, and the sunrise takes over the sky.Ā
Taking up the opportunity, you vocalize all your innermost thoughts, āIām not sure if I exactly belong hereā¦I know I feel less lonely at least, but I donāt know if I can stay anymore.āĀ
āYou want to leave.ā Hoseok states, like he understands.Ā
Your words hold an infinite amount of weight, āI-Iām justā¦terrified. Terrified that Iāll be spending my last days here.āĀ
āWhere do you want to go?ā He genuinely questions.Ā
āHome.ā You let out a low chuckle, āIf thatās even possible anymore.āĀ
āIt can be.ā Hoseok softly smiles, two dimples showcasing on his face.
You reach out, clasping onto his head. āCome with meā¦please.āĀ
You know itās a completely selfish request, especially when he seems to be much more comfortable here.Ā
But you forget that Hoseok has lost as well, defeat encasing the man more and more as the days draw out. It seems like youāre still his anchor, drawing him back before heās completely gone.Ā
His hand tightens his hold on you.Ā
āLetās go home,Y/N.āĀ
You stand in front of your home.Ā
It wasn't easy coming here. You had to be granted permission to leave the vicinity and it wasnāt the simplest task for Hoseok either, needing to prove the two of you would be functional to do so. You suppose you could have laced it over with a visit, but you couldnāt stay any longer, not there anymore.Ā
A shaky exhale leaves you and Hoseok reaches out, lacing his fingers with yours and having a comforting smile.Ā
You knock against the door.Ā
The door comes swinging wide open and youāre confronted with the sight of your son-in-law.Ā
Seojun stares at you blankly, as if you were a mere ghost, glancing between you and Hoseok in disbelief.Ā
āNice to see you again.ā You state, stepping into the household. It looks the same ā the same couch, the same curtains and the same memories. Itās almost like you never left to begin with.Ā
āYouāre back.ā A voice acknowledges from the staircase, and you look up.Ā
Your eyes lock onto Nareeās, who stands in the long hallway, arms crossed and holding a hardened gaze.Ā
āYou look like youāve been well.ā You reply with a smile, but her gaze is concentrated on the man standing with you.Ā
āWho is this?ā She questions, and your eyes widen.Ā
Hoseok immediately steps up with a friendly smile, āMy name is Jung Hoseok. Itās nice to meet you.āĀ
Naree stares at Hoseokās outstretched hand, not moving to shake it or say anything back. After years of raising her, you know exactly what her response means.Ā
Sheās inspecting him, wondering why you showed up out of the blue with a man near the same age as her father.Ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply turning her back and walking into the kitchen. It makes you want to almost laugh, how it doesnāt take her much effort to easily disregard you at this point, so much that it doesnāt even hurt and you simply just expect it.Ā
Seojun glances between the two of you, clearly taken aback with the situation and unsure of how to react.Ā
You walk past him, heading up the staircase with Hoseok.Ā
āIāll be in my room.ā You declare, the door shutting behind you.Ā
***
All of it has been moved.Ā
Despite the house not changing, the people have changed, and so have the contents of the room you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
All of his belongings are gone, stowed away in airtight boxes.Ā
Like he never even existed to begin with.Ā
Your shaking hands reach out. āNoā¦no, noāā
You stumble, collapsing onto the ground.Ā
āY/N!ā Hoseok reaches forward in an instant, steadying you.Ā
āEverythingās gone, Hoseok. They moved everythingāā
Tears are streaming down your eyes and Hoseok is clutching onto you as you sob.Ā
āShh, itās not gone.ā He coaxes, reaching out for one of the boxes. His hands are tremoring but he still claws at the tape, unraveling the plastic back and tossing it aside. The box unfolds and he shifts it over to you, wanting you to see your husbandās things first hand.Ā
You catch sight of one of his jacketās.
Reaching out, you gasp onto the material, staring at it in awe. It was one Namjoon used to love to wear, tossing it on when you would ask him to go out on walks with you, or consequently the one that was placed on your shoulders when he noticed you shivering in the wake of fall.Ā
You wrap it around your arms, the amount of comfort from the action easing your heart a bit.Ā
Hoseok softly smiles, shifting over another box. He opens it to reveal a stack of books, distinctly looking similar to the one you always carried in your lap.Ā
āDid he like to read a lot?ā He ponders, and you nod, curiously looking over his shoulder.Ā
It all snaps ā and the excitement washes over more quickly than you can stop it.Ā
āHe did.ā You lean over, grasping onto a title, āThis was one of his favorites, he used to read it all the time. And this one,ā You pick up another title, āHe used it for his final thesis back in college, and asked me to read it with him.āĀ
You chuckle, tears still streaming down your eyes. āHe was always so smart, but asked me to check over everything he did.ā You turn to Hoseok, who has softened eyes, āHe was just an overthinker, you know? And I knew I always had to calm his mind somehow, so I would make him tea often when he was working.āĀ
Hoseok simply watches. Watches at how much love you pour out for your late husband, how much adoration is in your voice and the tenderness in your eyes. Itās something heās only had the pleasure of experiencing once in life, and itās not something heās found easily in others.Ā
Namjoon is truly your soulmate.
āH-He would ask what magic I would p-put in itā¦.all the time.ā Your voice cracks at the end and Hoseokās eyes shoot up into alarm.Ā
āY/N?ā He shifts closer to you.Ā
āI-Iā¦.ā You squeeze your eyes shut, the realization donning faster than you can stop it. āI-I just canāt.ā
āYou canāt what?āĀ
āI canāt.ā You gasp out. āNamjoon, heāsā¦.heās everywhere.āĀ
You can see him everywhere ā in the things you hold, in the memories youāre left with, in the hopes and dreams you once had together. Your entire life had been constructed around him, and itās something you didnāt notice until you were sitting in that very same room you shared, surrounded by his entire essence.Ā
It's like youāre experiencing the grief all over again, except this time itās worse because youāve realized what youāve truly lost.Ā
Hoseok feels his own heart shattering into pieces. He canāt explain how much he knows exactly what youāre going through, how much letting go was an impossible task when youāve had years and years, an entire timeline spent with someone after an eternal promise of forever.Ā
A tear streams down his own eye and he moves closer, wrapping his arms around you and leaning his head against yours.Ā
āH-Hoseok, I-I canātā¦.ā You whisper, āI canāt live the rest of my life here. In only the memory of Namjoon and with a family that just doesnāt want me anymoreā¦.I-I just canāt do it.āĀ
Hoseok shudders, letting out a small hum as you spill all your fears out to him.Ā
āI-Itās okay, Y/N.ā He manages to get out, āItās okay to feel this way. I-I canāt even explain to you how normal it is to.ā
ā or how familiar. ā he wants to say.Ā
You sob and he parts from you, gazing into your eyes as he cups your face.Ā
āWhat do you want, Y/N?ā He earnestly questions. āWhat is your heart telling you?āĀ
āI just want to leaveā¦.and go somewhere far, far away.ā Far from here.Ā
It almost sounds like a ridiculous fantasy, but Hoseok nods.Ā
āHow far?ā He seriously ponders, āLike can we get there by bus? Do we need to take a train?āĀ
The corner of your mouth curls up.Ā
āMaybe by train. Buses are horrible to sit on for long hours.ā You note with a sniffle.Ā
Hoseok frowns, āYou make it sound like weāre so old.āĀ
āWe are old, Hoseok.ā You chuckle and he grins at the sound of it.
āReally? Say that again for me, I didnāt hear you the first time.ā He turns his head, showcasing his hearing aid. You lightly hit his chest, before resting your head against him.Ā
āIāll take you wherever you want to go, Y/N.ā He whispers in reassurance.Ā
Reaching his hand, he lifts you up, ensuring your balance is okay. You keep your hand in his, tightening your hold on him.Ā
***
You regain yourself, and Hoseok carefully holds onto you, taking you slowly down the stairs. He matches his steps with you, watching as your foot slowly descends down one step before planting his own down, your cane granting you the momentum.Ā
Naree stands by the door, arms crossed and appearing to be waiting for someone.Ā
Hoseok glimpses at you tenderly and you nod, alerting her attention to the sound of your cane against the ground.Ā
She deeply sighs, āI have time to drop you back once youāreāāĀ
āIām not going back.āĀ
Her brows furrow āWhat do you mean?āĀ
āIām leaving, Naree.ā You declare, and thatās when her eyes snap onto yours and Hoseokās interlaced hands.Ā
Thereās disbelief in her eyes, āYouāre leaving with him?āĀ
You nod and Naree shakes her head, as if her entire existence is being questioned.Ā
āMom, how could you?ā She spits, āItās only been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
āNareeāāĀ
āI know you were feeling lonely, but out of all things this?ā
The door suddenly widens and Seojun emerges, two little girls by his side.Ā
Nayoung's eyes light up, āGrandma!ā
āWhatās going on?ā Seojun interjects and Naree squeezes her eyes, shaking her head.Ā
āOh nothing, just my mother betraying my father.ā She snaps, and his eyes widen.
He pushes Nayoung and Dambi away, āGirls, go upstairs.āĀ
Nayoung begins to protest āBut GrandmaāāĀ
āGo.ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply downcasting her gaze. Dambi follows, but you can feel their gazes linger on you, and thereās nothing more you want to do in the moment then to bring the two girls into your arms.Ā
āNaree, donāt do this.ā You whisper, but her clenched fists are enough of an answer.Ā
āDonāt do what? Be upset that my mother found someone else that isnāt my father?ā She huffs, āHow could you do this, Mom?āĀ
She turns to Seojun who comforts her and you shift uncomfortably, wanting to disappear.Ā
āWith all due respectāā A previously silent voice pitches in, āI think youāre being incredibly unfair.āĀ
You stare at Hoseok, who still holds a warm look in his eyes. āIām not replacing your father, if thatās what youāre concerned about. Y/N still loves him very much, just like I do my wife.āĀ
āBut it wouldnāt hurt to consider that your mother has been by herself for quite a while and that hurts.ā Hoseok sadly smiles, āMuch deeper than you could possibly imagine.āĀ
Naree looks at him startled and Seojun is baffled. Thereās a silence that lingers and Hoseok tightens his hold on you, slowly heading towards the door.Ā
āIt was nice meeting all of you.ā He simply responds, before leaving altogether.Ā
Thereās a multitude of words ready to tumble from you.Ā
āHoseok, IāāĀ
āYou donāt need to explain.ā He insists, but then he shakes his head, as if suspended in disbelief. āI just canāt believe how they were treating you...āĀ
You wince, finding yourself agreeing with his words. It seemed like all your doubts, all your fears, were cemented right in front of you and now you know.Ā
You donāt belong there anymore.
Youāre about to turn and tell Hoseok that you should collectively leave now, the desperation of going far away reaching a complete high, but thatās when your eyes catch onto movement.
āHold on.ā you quietly say, and Hoseok sends you a confused look. You carefully trudge your cane forward, slowly walking to the side of the house.Ā
You freeze.Ā
There's a silhouette of a tall man with dark hair standing by the garden, right next to the peonies and with a giant bag slung over his shoulder. His backside gives you so much whiplash at how distinctly familiar it looks and as if in a trance, you continue to move forward with furrowed brows.
You pause, the disbelief sinking in. He snaps his head around at the sound of your cane, narrowed eyes widening.Ā
You whisper out his name, breath coming out shaky.Ā
āH-Haneul?āĀ
You had almost forgotten just how strikingly similar he looks to Namjoon, just how much he could easily be mistaken for a younger version of the man.Ā
He widely smiles, expression brightening at the sight of you.
āHi, Mom.ā He takes long strides towards you, embracing you immediately. You wrap your arms around him tightly, a joyful smile on your lips.
You separate from him, attempting to get a good look at your son. āI-I canāt believe youāre hereā¦āĀ
He warmly grins, eyes flickering over to Hoseok. You immediately turn, a bit flustered.Ā
āT-This isāāĀ
āJung Hoseok.ā Hoseok outstretches his hand with a smile.Ā
āKim Haneul.ā He states, shaking his hand with a similar smile. He gestures to you. āIām her oldest.āĀ
Hoseok nods understandably, āItās nice to meet you, Hoseok.āĀ
He grins and youāre a bit taken aback at Hanuel's gesture, naturally giving back the same courtesy that was given back to him.Ā
He hasnāt changed one bit.Ā
āCould we talk?ā He mentions, gesturing between you. You nod immediately and Hoseok politely smiles, stepping towards the front to give you some privacy.Ā
Haneul holds your hand as you slowly walk, guiding you onto the bench in the backyard. He waits as you sit down, taking a spot by you.Ā
As glad as you are to see him, youāre curious.
āHow are you here, Haneul?āĀ
āI came by to visit.ā He explains, āI managed to get a couple of days off.āĀ
You nod, āNaree⦠she told me you were in an old age home.āĀ
āI seeā¦.ā You fall into silence and Haneul quietly watches you from the corner of his eyes.
āWas it your choice?ā
āAt first, it was.ā You exhale, āBut then Naree never came for me, and when she did, she wanted me to stayāā Your words grow smaller, āAnd now, I just canāt go back anymoreā¦.ā
Haneul lifts his hand, placing it on top of your wrinkled one as you heave, eyes getting glossy.
āHis name is Hoseok.ā You sputter out, wanting to rid him of any worries, āWe met at the care home and got closer. I feel better with him around, and he understands me, but Iām not trying to replace your father in the leastāā
āHey, hey.ā He softly says, āWho said anything about replacing Dad?āĀ
āNaree did⦠and I donāt blame her.āĀ
Her words have you thinking twice, wondering if everything you were doing was just wrong.Ā
Haneul frowns, āMom, Nareeās husband isnāt dead.āĀ
āDonāt say such things, Haneul.ā You chide.Ā
āMom, listen to me.ā He fully turns to you, taking your worn out hands in his stronger ones. āDadās gone, and youāre all by yourself now. You donāt owe anyone anything, especially not at this age.āĀ
He knowingly grins, āWhat was the advice you had given to me before I left?āĀ
The memory is still crystal clear to you. āThat life was too shortā¦and that you should be living your own, without fretting over the family.āĀ
āAnd you told me this after Dadās passing.ā He persists, āWhy canāt you give yourself the same consideration?āĀ
You slowly nod, taking in his words. āYouāre rightā¦ā
But then an amused chuckle leaves you and his eyes widen.Ā
āYou know, you sound so much like your father that itās actually terrifyingā¦.āĀ
He looks amused, āWell, he was one heck of a wise man.āĀ
He laughs and so do you, feeling your chest grow a bit lighter.
Haneul exhales, something in his gaze abruptly changing.Ā
āMom, youāve gotten older. The last time I saw you, you werenāt this weak.ā He admits, āI just really want you to leave while youāre still able to.āĀ
You look up at him, water welling up in your eyes. Thereās an unsaid message sent between both of your eyes, one that you unfortunately understand very well.Ā
This very well may be the last time you see him.Ā
You advance forward, wrapping your shaking hands around his shoulders. He leans down, holding onto you in a loving embrace.Ā
It makes you wonder where time went, where the boy that was running around the house with giggles and helping his dad with fixing the shed went, becoming a fully fledged adult who you could express your deepest concerns to, and lean on as you grew brittle.Ā
***
Haneul walks you back to the front, exchanging a smile with Hoseok who had been patiently waiting for you. He reaches his arm out and you hold onto it.Ā
Haneul enters the house again, insisting to bring the bags you had packed. You discuss with Hoseok about your plans moving forward, but the door comes bursting open.Ā
Two young girls come forth, tears in their eyes.
āGrandma!āĀ
Nayoung launches herself at you, embracing you immediately. Dambi is behind her, eyes flickering all over your form.Ā
A small chuckle leaves you and Hoseok smiles at the interaction, watching at how you comfortingly rub their backs as they sob into your floral dress.Ā
āU-Uncle Haneul says youāre leavingā¦ā Dambi mumbles out.Ā
A sigh slips out from you and Haneul emerges with remorse on his face, appearing like he attempted to keep it a secret but couldnāt to no avail.Ā
āI am leaving.ā Youāre completely honest with them. āI know itās hard, and Iāll miss the two of you greatly, but Iā¦.I need to go.āĀ
Nayoung and Dambi look at you thoughtfully, nodding their heads, āAnd I wonāt be alone either.āĀ
You turn to Hoseok who smiles, causing both of the girls to be captivated with his appearance.Ā
āWill you be looking after Grandma?ā Nayoung wonders and he softly nods, a certain fondness in his eyes you havenāt seen before.Ā
āI will be.ā He says, āSomeone has to remind her not to be so stubborn.āĀ
You exasperatedly shake your head with a chuckle as Hoseok grins, but Nayoung moves closer to you, a dimpled smile on her lips.Ā
āIāll miss you, Grandma.ā She whispers, hugging you. āPlease be happy.āĀ
Youāre astonished at her words, wondering just how obvious you had been. You know the saying that children have a tendency to see everything and thereās something that shines in Nayoungās eyes that makes you sniffle, hugging the girl tightly in your arms.Ā
Hoseok helps you with your cane and you clutch onto him, afraid that a part of you will never want to leave if you didnāt. You watch as the two girls wave their hands at you, huge smiles on their lips. Haneul stands by the door, leaning against it with a grin.Ā
You wave back at them, even noticing Naree by the window, sticking her eyes out despite her crossed arms. You want to chuckle, amused how obvious your daughter could be at times.Ā
Taking one look back, you see all that youāve built with Namjoon. Your house, your children, your grand-children, the years and years of your lifetime all showcased within your field of vision. You smile, wondering if the man was still alive, how he probably would have been standing alongside them, ushering you to be on your way already.Ā
Turning around, Hoseok holds onto your bags, a smile on his lips.Ā
You take his hand with your own.
The next couple of days are a bit of a blur for you. You find out Hoseok had booked a train for you into the nearby city, one that wasnāt luckily drawn out for too many hours. He calls a cab to pick you up and youāre soon in front of train tracks as he holds you, slowly helping you on.Ā
You spend the rest of the duration looking out, watching at how buildings, greenery and the life you once knew whizzes by. It makes you wonder when the last time was when youāve done something like this, recalling the last trip you ever took was with Namjoon and years before the two of you had started finding it difficult to do.Ā
You arrive after a couple of hours, your joints aching a bit which prompts Hoseok to seat you down onto a bench, attempting to find a water bottle for you to drink. It amuses you a bit to see others glancing at you, seeing a much older couple traveling together rather than a youthful one. Instead of energy and fresh eyes, they see peacefulness and serene ones, and it all the more makes you want to smile once more, no longer feeling like you were being trapped or held back somewhere.Ā
You arrive at a small residence that Hoseok took care of.
He turns to put the bags away and you clasp onto his wrist. āHoseok.āĀ
He glances at you and you sincerely look at him. āThank you.āĀ
āDonāt mention it.āHe warmly smiles.Ā
āWhat should we do now?ā You ponder, āEverything I said was completely on a whim, but I still donāt knowāāĀ
āHey.ā He softly calls out, slipping next to you and placing a hand on your own. āDonāt stress too much about it. Iāve booked us this place here to stay for the week, and you can take your time before officially deciding where to go.āĀ
You stare at him in surprise, feeling so grateful that he is here with you.Ā
āOkay.ā You quietly say and he gets up with a grin, moving to unpack a bag.Ā
That night, you lay awake on a bed adjacent to Hoseok. He doesnāt sleep next to you, but still remains in the room, the sound of his soft breathing echoing off the walls.Ā
Your mind is brimming with endless possibilities, and for the first time ever, you fall asleep with a smile on your lips.Ā
You desire a home.Ā
A home. A place of comfort ā a place that welcomes you with open arms and loosens the tightness in your chest, a place that allows you to breathe easier and fills you with warmth, a place full of solace, one which soothes your aching heart.Ā
Itās not much, a small house out by the fields and close to a meadow, far out from the city and next to an expansive lake. The wind ever so breezes over the numerous flowers collecting in the open fields and the sun is always shining over, reflecting over the pools of water. You have your occasional neighbors, mainly families that harbor residences nearby to spend their idle time. Itās always interesting when they run into you, assuming an entire family to be inside only to find an elderly lady smiling back at them.Ā
It was something you didnāt get instantaneously, searching around for the exact spot you wanted. In a way, you still thank your late husband for always advising you to keep money on the side, indicating that you would need it one day for when he was gone and you would always chide him not to bring the bad thoughts into mention. It led you to a place you would have never in a million years thought you would have ended up at, and never with the amount of pure joy itās brought.Ā
You desire a home, and somehow, just somehow, you find one in Jung Hoseok.
He takes you everywhere you desire, whether it is walking down the borders of the lake, to watching the skyline of the far city. Heās always two steps ahead of you, picking up your cane when it stumbles and interlacing his hands with you, letting you lean your weight against him. He assists you with your gardening and sets up two rocking chairs outside of the cabin, sitting down for hours with you as you read.Ā
Heāll joke that his legs are getting too shaky when he walks with you, or that the tremors in his hands are always at a constant beat. Heāll smile with fine lines marring his forehead and the creases of his eyes when you chide him, just as he insists that he has no reason for his constant remarks around you. Heāll look at you tenderly, watching as every word spills out of you, even after you recall an eternity of memories with someone else.Ā
There comes a point where your small thank youās disappear altogether, and you clasp onto his hand instead.Ā
āItās so beautiful.ā You whisper, watching the rays of the sun descend, catching a warm hue of orange all over the meadow. It transcends over the horizon, illuminating the delicate lines on your face and specks of your irises.Ā
Hoseok hums next to you on the bench, your arm around his. He watches as the sun slowly dips into the horizon, the orange submerging before a cool blue takes over.Ā
āIt is.ā He murmurs, āKinda makes you think how small you really are.āĀ
You let out a soft laugh and he grins in your direction.Ā
āYou always have such a way with words.ā You remarks.Ā
āWell, I think itās one of my best qualities.ā He retorts, āAside from knitting, of course.āĀ
You shake your head as he chuckles. The sun completely disappears and he glances at you.Ā
āSay, how about we head in and I brew us some hot tea?ā He suggests, slipping his warm hands within your cold ones.Ā
You stare at him for a second, expression impassible. Hoseok frowns, a deep crease forming between his brows.
āY/N?ā He ponders at your silence.Ā
āIām so lucky to have met you.āĀ
Hoseok blinks, but the words tumble out much faster than you can stop.Ā
āI was so, so alone, and absolutely terrified that the rest of my life would be like that.ā Water surfaces in your eyes, āBut then I met you and I never realized how much I missed this feeling ofā¦being alive.ā
A bright smile stretches on your cheeks, āIām so happy, Hoseok.āĀ
You donāt have a chance to swipe away your tears, his arms coming to encase around you in an instant. A gasp leaves you, but Hoseok tightens his hold and you lean against him, arms slipping around his back.Ā
āY-You donāt understandā¦ā He whispers, voice cracking that makes you stiff with alarm. āYou donāt understand how much I feel the same way.āĀ
He separates from you, irises glossed over. Itās a look youāve noticed before in his eyes, a look that speaks volumes compared to his usual warm and cheerful disposition, a look that even terrifies you to a certain extent, encased within anguish and longing.Ā
You wonder if itās the same look he had been seeing in you the first day he met you.Ā
***
Youāre seated on Hoseokās bed, watching him filter through his cabinet.Ā
Youāve been here a handful of times, mostly nights where you werenāt able to sleep and he sat by your side until you did. Or moments where you would ponder about him, coming by to say good morning or wondering if he had eaten already.Ā
However, youāve never been here in the wake of the night, watching him open up his belongings with an unwavering gaze in his orbs.
He halts after a couple of seconds, treading slowly towards you before planting himself beside you on the bed.Ā
Sharply inhaling, he hands you the photograph in his hands.Ā
A young woman immediately flashes before your eyes, a kind upturn to her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. She appears to be within her late twenties, curly locks falling to her shoulders and dressed in a bright orange dress.Ā
Even through the lack of light, you donāt fail to miss the ring that sits on the third finger of her left hand.Ā
āJung Euna.ā Hoseok somberly confirms, āMy deceased wife.āĀ
Your eyes widen instantly.Ā
Aside from the first time you were alerted of her presence, Hoseok has never spoken about her. You had never questioned him either, knowing better than anybody else the sheer grief that came with losing your sprouse.Ā
And in a way, a part of you always knew, being painfully aware of it since the moment youāve met the man.Ā
His warm smile has always seemed to carry the weight of the world.Ā
āShe was really pretty.ā You add with a smile, peering up to see tenderness in Hoseokās expression.Ā
āShe was.ā He hums, āI had actually liked her since high school, but I was always too nervous around her to confess my feelings.āĀ
You nod, and he continues. āBut then one day, I was working at a department store and she walked in. Recognized me within seconds.āĀ
āāI knew I couldnāt let the chance slip away from me again, so I asked her out. To my surprise, she agreed right away, as if she had been waiting for me to ask.āĀ
He beams, āShe was stubborn, but very loving. Not a day goes by without me thinking about her.āĀ
Your brows lift, wondering if this is how you sounded when you talked about Namjoon. If you held so much love in your eyes, so much nostalgia in every word you spoke, so much sparks of joy in your expression.Ā
āWeā¦we never had kids.ā He brings up, as if he knew what you were wondering. āRatherā¦we couldnāt have kids.āĀ
Shock crosses your features and Hoseok grimly smiles, āEunaā¦she had a miscarriage. And then we found out she couldnāt have kids anymore, and it was devastating.ā He sighs, recalling the memory like it was yesterday, āWe fought, a lot. She kept telling me to divorce her, or to find someone else, because she knew how much I wanted to be a dad and have kids of my own.āĀ
āBut you see, Iām just as stubborn as my wife. I told her I wasnāt going anywhere and that it didnāt matter at the end of the day. That I didnāt vow to be with her in sickness and health at the altar for no reason, and that my desire to be with her was stronger than she thought.āĀ
āEuna cried a lot. She would always cry in moments like this, not realizing how clear it was that she was suffering. So, I stayed with her and we were together for years, until her death.āĀ
You let out the breath you hadnāt known you had been holding, āC-Can I askā¦.āĀ
A small smile curls on his lips. āOf course you can.āĀ
You dart your gaze at the photo, knowing this isnāt easy to talk about. āEunaā¦how did sheā¦?āĀ
Hoseok harshly swallows, all his wounds reopening before him. āShe got diagnosed with stomach cancer. We luckily caught it right away, but Eunaā¦she got sick, very quickly. It soon turned into going back and forth into the hospital, getting treatments and scheduling surgeries, and she got better. She looked so healthy, even started smiling again andāāĀ
Hoseok shudders, raising a hand against his eyes. You shift closer, wrapping an arm around him as his body trembles, sobs escaping him.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper and he glances up, agony pouring out from him.Ā
āS-She was better, Y/N.ā He chokes out. āI thought it was all real. I thought I could take her out of there, bring her back home and everything would snap back into place again, but then it s-spreadā¦āĀ
You hug him tighter, squeezing your eyes shut.Ā
āShe was gone...ā You complete, āā¦in the blink of an eye, like she never existed to begin with.āĀ
Hoseok doesnāt respond, still within your arms and he knows he doesnāt need to. Not when you understand his pain so well, not when his feelings mimic yours, not when the gap in his heart that his wife left is so similar to your own, feelings of loneliness dispersing everywhere.Ā
That night, you lie down next to Hoseok.Ā
Your head rests against his chest as his breaths even out, his hand clasped onto yours. The tears have long dried but the anguish is still there, a deep furrow to his brows as he sleeps.Ā
Peering upward, a soft smile lingers on your lips at the photograph he holds close to his heart.Ā
You lean down, handing Hoseok a warm cup of tea.Ā
His hands reach out in an instant, a kind smile on his features.Ā
āThank you.ā You return it, before sitting yourself down on a chair opposite to him with your own cup.Ā
It had been roughly a week since that night, and Hoseok looks brighter, almost more optimistic, if it were even possible. You werenāt sure after the second night passed, his eyes remaining swollen and a somber aura surrounding the man. You hadnāt left him alone for a split second, even as he continuously insisted he was alright, accompanying him on morning walks and holding onto his cold hand.Ā
Hoseok had chuckled when you pushed him over, sliding into the opposite end of the bed and draping an arm around him. He smiles gently when you rest your head against his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat. His eyes turn tender when you dreamingly question about Euna, curious about her likes and dislikes, the way she spoke or the way she laughed, using him as your source to an individual youāve never met, but feel like you know everything about.Ā
And he does the same for you, asking for you to show him a picture of Namjoon one day. You pluck onto an album you had kept safely stored away, one Hoseok already knew was yours from how tidy it was kept and it was always situated next to your books, the very ones Namjoon would read.Ā
Hoseok sees everything. Pictures of you and Namjoon smiling, much younger and with so much excitement dwelling in your eyes. Photographs of a new ring settled on your finger, bursting with so much happiness. Photographs of you crying, holding your nearly born son in your arms.Ā
Hoseok sees your entire lifetime before his eyes, peeking at a question that has your eyes sparkling.
āDo you think we could have met?ā He glances at the photograph of you in dark robes, a wide grin on your lips as you hold your college degree. āLike bumped shoulders at one point?āĀ
āI donāt know.ā You truthfully confess. You had lived such different lives, never once bumping into the man. It makes you wonder if you would have ever met him, having not gone to the old age home.Ā
āWeāre what? Five years apart?ā He marvels, deep in thought, āWhat if you were revisiting college? And you just happened to stumble into me, freshly into college?āĀ
You fondly smile at the sentiment. You can imagine it so clearly ā a younger Hoseok, appearing curious with his surroundings as he glanced around, attempting to locate his classes. You, a couple years older, coming back to meet with one of your professors.Ā
āYou would be lost.ā You state, playing into his fantasy. āI bet you would try to ask everyone around you for directionsā¦āĀ
āāuntil I encountered you, your confidence taking me away.āĀ
You laugh, smile stretching. āI would wonder why you would be asking someone like meāāĀ
āSomeone who would be too stubborn to say no.ā He grins and the image flashes before you can help it.Ā
āE-Excuse me?ā The man mumbles, appearing to be in his early twenties. āIām supposed to go to the Art building, but Iām not sure which way that is.āĀ
You turn in surprise, not having expected to be approached. In fact, your gaze was concentrated forward, attached to the office before you.Ā
āO-Oh.ā Youāre caught off guard. His eyes are flickering everywhere and you muse he could really use the help. āOf course, itās the black building just down on the right.āĀ
āThanks.ā He kindly smiles, and turns in the direction of your instructions.Ā
You widely grin, āIt wouldnāt have been anything big. Just a couple of words exchanged.āĀ
Hoseok halts, swiveling with wide eyes.Ā
āSorry, did you say something?ā He ponders, and you softly shake your head.Ā
āDonāt worry about it.ā You mutter, āI do hope you find your class, Hoseok.āĀ
He nods, peering at you in confusion. You watch as he departs, whispering underneath your breath.Ā
āSee you in a couple of years.āĀ
Hoseok is leaning back in his chair, a soft smile on his lips.Ā
āA tad unrealistic?ā You were amused that he let you stray so far off, not halting the train of thoughts coming to you.Ā
āA bit,ā He chuckles, ābut I didnāt want you to stop.ā
You share a knowing look, holding onto your tea cups.Ā
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
Hoseok gets up first, gesturing for you to continue drinking your tea. You watch as he slowly pads over to the door, revealing a woman standing with a young girl before your eyes.Ā
You recognize them immediately as a family that lived nearby, noticing them frequenting one of the homes during the summer.Ā
The young girl looks to be roughly seven to eight years old, eyes flickering around and hands fidgeting. At the sight of her mother eyeing her, she speaks up.Ā
Ā āUmā¦m-my ball. It went into your garden.āĀ
Hoseok softly smiles, leaning down to gently pat her head.Ā
āLetās go retrieve it, shall we?ā He implores, and the little girl follows behind, slowing her pace to keep up with his steps.Ā
You walk outside to the garden, standing next to her mother. Fondness spreads through you as Hoseok looks around with the girl, a tenderness to his eyes that has you smiling as he gives the ball back to you.Ā
Her mother draws your attention. āIām so sorry about this, I didnāt think it would end up here.āĀ
āItās quite alright.ā You reassure, āHoseok doesnāt mind either.āĀ
āIāve seen you around a couple of times.ā She inquires, āDid you come here recently?āĀ
You nod, āI wanted to move away from the city.ā
She hums understandably, āThatās nice. Both you and your husband seem very loving.āĀ
Your eyes flicker. It had been so long since you had heard such a statement, long having buried it with Namjoon when he passed.Ā
āHeās not my husbandā¦ā You correct, and the womanās eyes widen, like she hasnāt been expecting that response from you.Ā
You pursue your lips. You truthfully, never had an answer. Not when Naree had accused you of replacing Namjoon, not when you would encounter the other neighbors and they would inquire about you, not when there was no envy on either one of your parts when Namjoon or Euna were mentioned, just understanding of the deep love you both still hold onto to.Ā
Namjoon is your husband. He will always be, keeping a special place in your heart that no one else can ever fully take or replace.Ā
Hoseok is your radiant sun.Ā
His smile is comforting. His arms are warm. His presence feels so reassuring and makes you feel less lonely in this world that only has you left behind.Ā
He's your solace ā the embodiment of your pain and understanding at the same time.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper, āHeāsā¦heās my partner.ā
Through the thick and thin, through the laughs and the tears, through the comforting embraces and the anguished recollections. You are glad to have met him, to have experienced these new memories with him, and to have created a new path, one in which you will spend the rest of your life in together.Ā
Hoseok glances up with a grin, the little girl holding her ball and giggling at something he said. His eyes lock on yours and itās almost like he knows, he knows what is dwelling inside them.Ā
Heāll always be your partner for eternity.Ā
Time is the most valuable thing to exist in the world.Ā
It can be a matter of a mere seconds, spinning away like loose strands without any control. It could be a matter of a few years, spanning across months at a subdued pace.Ā
Time is so very valuable, and youāre grateful to have spent it with Jung Hoseok.Ā
āHoseokā¦.āĀ
Itās your voice, weakly calling out to him. Heās by your side within a matter of seconds.Ā
āY/N.ā He whispers, a smile spanning on his lips with many lines creasing.Ā
Heās gotten much older, the dark strands of hair turning completely gray, a deep hunch caving in his back more. He wears hearing aids on both ears, enough to still hear your low murmurs from your bed. His eyes have gotten weaker, a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his long nose.Ā
He still looks like the man youāve spent so many years with.Ā
And what years they were. You had basked in each otherās presence, being so utterly peaceful with him staying by your side. You werenāt lonely, you werenāt numb, you werenāt terrified anymore, you were simply content.Ā
Even when your legs had started losing their ability. Even when your memory began to fade, panic settling in on not being able to recall anymore. Even when your skin paled with time and you had become bed ridden.Ā
Hoseok held onto you. Hoseok reminded you, pulling out albums for you to see. Hoseok lied down with you, letting you rest your head against his chest. He coaxes and consoles you, keeping you in one piece even though the years were threatening to crumble you.Ā
Even as he watches your chest slowly heave, voice growing weaker by the minute.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You croak. Heās leaning in right away, despite having machinery that allows him to hear. āT-Thank youā¦Hoseokā¦.āĀ
He chuckles, eyes glossed over. So many years had passed and you still had the need to express your gratitudeĀ
āI should be thanking you.ā He brings up, āThank you, Kim Y/N. For all these beautiful years.ā He whispers, as if singing you a comforting lullaby āFor letting me into your life and staying by your side.āĀ
His voice cracks, but he still smiles.
āF-For letting this old man be your partner, for the rest of the time you had left.āĀ
You slowly smile, and he squeezes your hand, like he knows you feel the same way.Ā
āHoseokā¦.ā You heave out, āI-Iāmā¦Iām a little scaredā¦āĀ
āIām here, Y/N. Iām here.ā He whispers, leaning his forehead against yours and shaking in your grasp.
āI-I wanted to goā¦.ā You croak, āFor so longā¦.I-I wanted to see himā¦.āĀ
A low chuckle escapes you, āBut not anymore.... strange, isnāt itā¦.?āĀ
Hoseok is sobbing, shudders escaping through his body. His hand is clasped around yours, eyes filled with waterĀ
But he keeps them open, wanting to encapsulate your last image into them.Ā
āYouāll be okay.ā He chokes out.Ā
A warm smile graces your lips. Itās the most content heās ever seen you, and it makes the center of his chest ache infinitely.Ā
A moment of silence passes as Hoseok recollects himself, leaning back to gaze at you.Ā
He calls out for you.Ā
āY/N?āĀ
Your lips barely move, the shallow breaths leaving you all too soon. But you keep your gaze concentrated on him, letting him know you are still listening.Ā
A tear manages to slip from Hoseokās eyes, but he still smiles, like he always does.Ā
āSay hi to your husband for me.ā He whispers.Ā
Itās the last thing you hear before a brightness filling your eyes, his hold on you being the strongest itās ever been. It rushes in, pulling you away like a tide.Ā
Your hand slips through his hold, and your eyes shut forever.
The Solace Window
Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (ft. Namjoon)
Genre: Angst
ā³ 15.8k / Older Couple AU
Summary: Kim Namjoon is no more, and you are left behind as a 75 year old widow. Stuck in between experiencing grief and mourning your late husband, your search for solace seems more and more far-fetched. That is until you stumble upon widowed Jung Hoseok.
*Warnings: Depictions surrounding death, grief, depression, spousal loss, miscarriage, fertility issues, illness, growing older, familial issues, mistreatment of the elderly, old age homes. This story will deal with heavy topics and reader discretion is highly advised.
A/N: After much contemplation, I have decided to write this fic. It is very personal to me, and one that I really wanted to share.
Heās gone.Ā
Kim Namjoon is laid to rest in the casket in an eternal sleep. His gray hair has been carefully combed back against his wrinkled skin, and heās dressed in an elegant black suit, arms folded and resting on top of his chest. He wears a content expression, brows smoothed out and lips tightly shut.
Heās gone, forever.Ā
A handful of individuals surround him; namely a couple in their late thirties clad entirely in black. The wife clutches onto her husbandās shirt, thick tears streaming down her face and tremors shuddering through her shoulders.Ā
āD-Dadā¦ā She chokes out, burying herself further into her husbandās embrace as he wraps his arms around her.Ā
There are two small children with wide eyes, glancing between their mother and father in curiosity. Their gazes then flicker over to the rest of the people who have gathered, before looking back at the older lady sitting on the side, who holds a somber expression and far too much anguish in her eyes.Ā
You can only watch as the service is completed and you have to say your farewells. You can only watch as you keep the deep ache in your chest at bay, attempting to keep yourself from crumbling. You can only watch as your loved ones are a mess, sobs echoing from the room.Ā
You can only watch as your husband departs from this world, leaving you behind.Ā
You are silent the entire ride home.Ā
When the multiple cars arrive at the large complex, you already begin to carefully shift out of the vehicle, not waiting for anyone to help you out. Your cane hits against the pavement and you place pressure on it, moving slowly with a hunched back.Ā
You trail along the sidewalk until meeting the front steps, cautiously raise your feet and walk on them one by one. Weakly pushing against the door, you tread towards the staircase, having no desire to eat and wanting to head straight to your room.Ā
A gentle hand on your shoulder halts you.Ā
Turning around, the woman stares back at you with a swollen but intentful gaze. Sheās inherited your eyes and Namjoonās smile, her expression scanning your features.Ā
āMomā¦ā She calls out, but you donāt have the strength to hear her words.Ā
āIām tired, Naree.ā You quietly whisper, and she moves her mouth as if to speak again, but her own words fizzle out. She simply nods, swivelling away as her eyes brim with water.Ā
You gradually ascend onto the steps, pushing your cane against the wood before hauling your shaking feet upward. After a couple of moments, you manage to reach the top, shuffling your feet into your bedroom.Ā
The bedroom you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
Thereās a double-sized bed in the middle with two dressers, one of which has Namjoonās medications carefully stacked to the side, a small lamp and a book with a bookmark that he was in the midst of completing. Thereās two picture frames off to the side, a much younger you with a huge smile hugging a shyer and much younger Namjoon, the snapshot taken seconds before he had accidentally stumbled and taken you down with him.Ā
You move closer to the other dresser, the one that contains all of your belongings. Setting your cane securely against it, you slip into the covers, bringing them up to your chest until youāre completely nestled.Ā
As you stare at the ceiling, silence greets you. Thereās the faint tick of the clock on the opposite side of the bed, the very one Namjoon had installed so it was easier for him to figure out the time without squinting and straining his eyes. Itās accompanied with a side that is now empty, his scent still lingering on the pillow that sits right next to yours.Ā
The silence continues to greet you the longer you stare at the ceiling, and itās absolutely deafening.Ā
The tears rise before you can stop them, rolling down the crinkle of your eyes. The longer you wait, the longer you stare, the more it becomes inevitable with every passing minute.Ā
Heās not coming back. Thereās no him arising from the door, slowly parting it as he sheepishly admits he had accidentally fallen asleep on the couch downstairs, mind growing absent these days. Thereās no dim light radiating out from your side, a pair of glasses on the rim of his nose as he carefully turns the pages of his book. Thereās no familiar dimpled smile wishing you goodnight, no soft kisses against your forehead before he slips into the covers with you, pulling you into his warm and comfortable embrace.Ā
Thereās nothing anymore and itās something that slams into you, being wide awake despite living in a walking nightmare.Ā
A harsh sob rips from your throat, echoing against the silent walls.Ā
You are numb.
You slowly peel open your eyes in the morning, the faint sunlight seeping through the same floral curtains. The side beside you still stays empty, as you continue to sleep on your own side. The belongings on the opposite dresser are untouched, small specks of dust long beginning to settle.Ā
A year has passed since the tragedy, and you are still numb.Ā
You rise onto your feet, your wrinkled hand reaching out for your cane. Weakly pushing yourself off the bed, your feet stagger as you pad through the room and head into the bathroom.Ā
Setting your cane aside again, you turn the tap on and the water flows. Pooling it in your hands, you splash it over your skin, the water feeling tender against it. Glancing in the mirror, a low sigh leaves your lips.Ā
The lines on your features have deepened and increased, small indents showcasing near the corners of your eyes and your mouth. Your cheeks have become hollow, bone beginning to surface and protrude out. The bottom of your eyes have darkened, skin sagging down.
There's a saying youāve roughly heard in passing ā one that Namjoonās mother had echoed to you when his father had passed away and you were inquiring how she was.Ā
She had said that for many couples, after your spouse passes away, the grief only seems to accelerate the aging process tenfold and that it wouldnāt be too long till her own day would come.Ā
At the moment, the thought itself was devastating to hear. But you never thought a day would come when her words would be so utterly true, your face having aged more within one year compared to the last five years you had spent with Namjoon.Ā
After washing up solemnly in silence, you pad back through into the desolate bedroom, before exiting and slowly descending down the stairs.Ā
Nareeās voice echoes through the room.
ā...ānot eating on time and barely talks, I just donāt know what to do anymore.ā
āIt comes with age.ā Her husband, Seojun, echoes, āYou should know that sheās growing old.āĀ
āI know,ā She huffs, āBut she wonāt even go through my fatherās belongings, instead she insists on keeping everything the same and itās been so longāāĀ
You quietly clear your throat, leaning against the staircase beside the kitchen. Naree spins around with wide eyes and both of them freeze, as if they had been caught.Ā
āMomāāĀ
āIām feeling tired.ā You simply say.Ā
āLet me make you some tea.ā She brings up immediately and you nod, turning around with another word. Naree and her husband glance at each other silently, before she moves towards the kettle.Ā
You walk over to sit down on the large couch at the side in the living room, the one that has enough cushions for your hunched back. Sitting down with a large heave, your gaze falls onto the window.Ā
A small girl stumbles into the room.Ā
Her wide eyes are bright, a familiar dimpled smile on her lips and a photo in her hands.
Thereās a soft upturn to your lips and she beams, rushing over in an instant.Ā
āGrandma!ā she squeals, body falling near your legs and head landing in your lap. Another younger girl pads in quietly behind, following her older sister with curious eyes.
āNayoung.ā You reach out and tenderly stroke the eldest girlās hair, who is around eight years old, before moving your eyes to the four year old behind her, āDambi.āĀ
The youngest smiles and you widen your arm, to which she pads closer and rests within your embrace.
You hug your grandchildren with all the love you have left to offer.Ā
āGrandma!ā Nayoung excitedly rambles, placing a frame into your withered hands, āIs the baby in this Mom?āĀ
You take it and flip it around, eyes widening to find the picture of you, a small child in your arms and Namjoonās hand resting on your shoulder. Youāre smiling but your eyes are brimming with tears, as so are his as the baby stays rested within your comfortable embrace.Ā
Your eyes gloss over for a split second, but you sniffle, bringing your attention back to your granddaughter.Ā
āNo, it isnāt.ā You explain, āItās my sonā¦. your Uncle Haneul.āĀ
Nayoung stares at you with surprise, glancing at the photo frame again. āUncle Haneul?āĀ
You slowly nod and she continues to stare with fascination, even glancing back at Dambi and pointing towards it like she had uncovered a hidden secret.Ā
āWhereās Uncle Haneul?ā Dambi ponders, and your eyes soften.
āFollowing in his fatherās footsteps.ā You whisper, āHe became a professor, and heās been exploring the world for his research.āĀ
Ever since Namjoon passed away. ā you want to add.Ā
You take the frame from Nayoungās hands, āThis picture is when he was first born, before your mother was.ā
Haneul and Naree. After years of love and even more years of building a life together ā a relationship, a marriage, a home, you and Namjoon had decided that you wanted to have kids. Through the ups and downs, the panics of pregnancy to the bliss of becoming parents, you both were blessed with two children that you love dearly.Ā
In return, Haneul had ultimately decided that becoming a parent wasnāt something he had desired, something both you and Namjoon had understood from afar and confirmed when he had brought it up to you. Instead, he wanted to travel and was inclined to be hungry for knowledge, much like Namjoon himself. You had to convince him to leave after Namjoonās passing, insisting that life was too short and he should be living his, instead of fretting over the family.Ā
On the flip side, Naree married her husband a couple of years back, and you had met your precious granddaughters, Nayoung and Dambi, within that time frame.Ā
Within forty-seven years of marriage, you had seen it all, but it still comes racing back to you in a heartbeat, the memories still so vivid as you stare back at the single snapshot that captured it all.Ā
Nayoung watches you with a smile, and Dambi mumbles something that has light coming back to your eyes.Ā
āYou used to be so pretty, Grandma.ā The four year old states it so nonchalantly, resulting in her older sister gasping and whipping her head around.Ā
āHey! Grandma is still pretty.ā Nayoung persists.Ā
You deeply sigh, āIāve gotten old, havenāt I?āĀ
āNo, no!ā Nayoung furiously shakes her head, āYouāre notā ā¦well, you are old, Grandma, but still so pretty!āĀ
A smile cracks onto your lips, long having forgotten what it felt like. Nayoung shifts, eyes growing uneasy.Ā
āGrandmaā¦a-are you crying?āĀ
You sniffle, hurriedly wiping away your tears, The two children stare at you with rounded eyes and you softly chuckle, widening your arms.Ā
āHow about you help Grandma feel a bit better?āĀ
Nayoung reacts immediately, launching herself into your arms as you bring her into your lap and rest your head against hers. Dambi crawls up the sofa and you pull her in as well, embracing the two with quivering arms.
Even in this bleak and lonely world, you are relieved to have them by your side.Ā
***
Naree stands by the living room entrance, a cup of tea in her hands.Ā
āGirls, itās time to wash up and get ready for lunch.ā She announces, and the two children glance up, before immediately rising to their feet.Ā
They both give you a quick wave before theyāre scurrying away upstairs.Ā
Naree brings the cup and sets it down on the table in front of you.
āMom.ā She calls out and you turn to look at her. āCan we talk?āĀ
A deep sigh leaves you and you sink back into the chair, knowing it was all impossible to avoid.Ā
āI suppose.ā You comply and she sits down on the couch opposite you, facing you directly.Ā
āI was talkingā¦to Seojunā¦ā At the topic of her husband, you shift and she continues cautiously, āI know how you feel about Dad, and he does too.āĀ
Your eyes downcast, āBut we should really move his things into the storage room, Mom.āĀ
āAnd what about me?ā You chuckle underneath your breath, āAre you eventually going to move me too?āĀ
āMom.ā She chides, letting out a long sigh. She looks tired, just like you. āItās been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
And a year since everyone had forgotten about him.Ā
You want to add, but keep silent, āI just think itās really time to move forwardā¦āĀ
Thereās a deep ache within your chest, that only grows with her words. You knew this conversation was inevitable, but how were you to explain?Ā
How were you to explain that ever since Namjoon passed away, youāve been consumed with an exorbitant amount of feelings that you could barely grasp?
Immense guilt that somehow through all this, you were still here while his death was so sudden. That you were still breathing and intact, all while he had struggled to do the same?Ā
Utter anger that he had left you here all by yourself after spending nearly half a century together, how he didnāt just take you with him, instead of you waking up everyday, longing to see him again.Ā
And of course ā the grief. Perhaps the most painful of them all.Ā
You canāt go through his things without breaking down, reopening the jarring wound his demise has left over and over again when you see his clothes, his shoes, his belongings. The last remains of his existence and the last things you can desperately clutch on, mimicking a supposed fabrication of him still being with you.Ā
You wrap your arms around yourself, shaking your head with shut eyes.Ā
āMy answer is firm, Naree.āĀ
āMom.ā She exasperatedly says, frustrated with your stubbornness that mimics her own. After all, sheās inherited your personality, except youāve lived longer with all your experiences exceeding all of hers.Ā
āIām exhausted.ā You simply state, willing your shaking legs to get up. Once they do, you grab onto your cane, trudging towards the staircase.
Naree is silent as she watches you struggling to get up, unable to explain how much grief has been brought to her. Everyday sheās forced to watch her mother fall into a slump, surrounding herself with past memories and unable to break out of her shell. Sheās granted only the fleeting moment of your former self when you interact with her daughters, but a part of her always wonders if a part of you had died alongside her father that day, that she ended up losing both her parents in some twisted way.Ā
She rubs her temples, feeling absolutely drained and tired beyond belief.Ā
A week passes by.Ā
Thereās barely any change in your routine. You remain within your bedroom majority of the time, sleeping and occasionally being reminded to eat. You donāt speak much, carrying a solemn gaze and a deep frown on your lips.Ā
You donāt see much of Naree or Seojun, both of them occupied with their jobs and not making any effort to speak to you for the duration.Ā
However, one night you find them by the kitchen table, sitting opposite from each other.Ā
It was late into the hours and you had suddenly woken, on your way down for a glass of water.Ā
Naree stills. āMomāāĀ
āWhat were you talking about?ā You question, and Naree knows.Ā
She knows that you heard pieces of their conversation. The conversation about how drained she felt lately, work taking its everlasting toll on her, right before Seojun suggested taking a vacation and going out on a trip with the family. To the conversation shifting, Naree spilling out her worries and concerns about you, your old age and how much she could see your health deteriorating, to how much she canāt get through to you anymore, how much sheās just given up.Ā
However, whatās caught most of your attention is the sudden mention of a certain kind of home, one that notoriously knows how to take care of the elderly properly.Ā
āWe should talk.ā Seojun states, pulling out a chair for you. You reluctantly take it, slowly sitting down as your gaze oscillates between them.
Naree sucks in a deep breath, looking at her husband uneasily. āWe were thinkingā¦āĀ
āThat it might be time for us to try something different.ā Seojun finishes, glancing at you intently.Ā
You cut to the chase. āWhat are you trying to get at?āĀ
Thereās a pause and Naree fidgets, eyes focusing onto her hands.Ā
Her next words have you freezing.Ā
āMomā¦how would you feel about moving into an old age home?ā Naree mutters.
A rigid chuckle leaves you, āSo this is what itās coming to, huh?āĀ
āMom, please.ā Naree insists in defense and if you werenāt so entrapped within your own thoughts, perhaps you would have noticed the fatigue running deep in her eyes or the stiffness in her shoulders, āItās not an easy decisionā¦but weāve really thought about this.āĀ
Correction ā Seojun has thought about this. You vaguely remember him bringing it up once, much to Nareeās protests and he let it slip by then.Ā
But now, you have grown older and gone through grief, which doesnāt make it implausible to bring up again.Ā
Except this time, youāre alone, not having Namjoon with you anymore to see eye to eye with Seojun as he always did and convincing him that you were better off together.Ā
You miss him so much.Ā
āYour health hasnāt been the same, Mom.ā Naree explains, āAnd both Seojun and I go to work, the girls go off to school andāā
She deeply sighs, eyes becoming glossy. āI know, Momā¦I know youāre lonely.āĀ
You squeeze your eyes shut.Ā
āEver since Dad passed away, I think our relationship has changed,ā She simply states, her next words driving a wedge through your heart āā¦and I donāt think we have the same capability to take care of you anymore.ā
You sigh, glancing up to look straight into Nareeās eyes for the first time since Namjoonās passing.Ā
āItās the trip too, isnāt it? The girls want to go, but youāve resisted for a while.ā You mention, āYou kept saying that I needed you, and that youāll eventually go, but you had to stay behind because of me.āĀ
Naree winces at how direct you are, not missing a heartbeat of the reality youāve been noticing since the past year.Ā
Sucking in a breath, you ignore the deep ache residing within your chest, pushing it back into the farthest corner.Ā
āFine.ā You solemnly state, barely having energy anymore. āIāll go, if thatās what you want.āĀ
Relief breaks out onto Nareeās features and Seojun softly smiles. You suppose it was bound to happen eventually, better sooner than later, and perhaps it would do some good for you, to continue on somehow.Ā
That is, knowing this will be your last days within the home you had once built with Namjoon.Ā
The move happens within a couple of days.Ā
Your bags are packed, with clothes and smaller belongings tossed in. Peering around, you stare at Namjoonās side of the bed, ready to leave it as it is.Ā
But you step forward, glancing down at the book he was in the middle of reading. It was another dystopian sci-fi book he was curious about, having heard good reviews about it.Ā
You place it into your arms, giving the room one longing look before ultimately shutting the door.Ā
Naree and you sit in the car in silence, as you gaze out the window and reminisce over the passing neighborhood.Ā
You and Namjoon were incredibly young when you had first moved here, hunting down homes and furiously checking the pricing of the housing market. It had been only a couple of weeks since your marriage, both of you fresh out of college and in entry jobs when he had stumbled upon the location, coming up to you with bright eyes one day.Ā
The nostalgia brims in your eyes, but soon Naree is tapping against your shoulder.Ā
āWeāre here.ā She announces and you nod, before she proceeds to come over and take out your bags.
You glance around with a frown.Ā
It's a small residential area, appearing more like a stretched out home with many windows, accompanied with a garden area at the front that spreads to the back.Ā
Stepping inside, it doesnāt seem to get better.Ā
The walls are a dull white, and sunlight pours in from the windows, nearly blinding you. Thereās a reception area that Naree steps closer to talk to, but you stand with a frown still on your lips, peering into the room at the corner, where you can hear laughs and chuckles.Ā
There's a bunch of chairs, with people around your age seated and conversing. Theyāre smiling alongside each other, while some others are knitting as well as playing cards. It takes you off guard for a moment, not accustomed to seeing so many closer to your age range after being around your own family members for so long.Ā
The place seems to smit a sense of peace with a hint of melancholy, and youāre truthfully not sure about how you feel about it.Ā
āTheyāre all set-up, Mom.ā Naree walks closer to you and you turn, seeing her glance at her watch. āI need to get to work soon.āĀ
You hum and Naree still stands in spot, as if deeply contemplating.Ā
āMomā¦IāāĀ
āHave fun with the kids.ā You mutter, āTake them to nice places, places they want to see.āĀ
She nods, not lingering for a moment longer as she reluctantly turns around ā leaving you all by yourself once again.
It's⦠unsettling.Ā
Everything follows a schedule and each day repeats, constantly. Youāre told when to eat, when to sleep, when to do something fun ā as they would like to call it ā and the worst part of it all, youāre surrounded by strangers who know each other all too well.Ā
You, in the meanwhile, have been already quoted as being too quiet and solemn, something that makes you want to wrap up into yourself even more. You were never good at connecting with new people, regardless of where you were.Ā
Namjoon was always the sociable one, effortlessly commanding a room with his charm and charisma. You would sheepishly stand next to him, but he would always manage to include you somehow, making you feel less cut off from others.Ā
You let out a sigh ā perhaps the only time you actually feel comfort is through the night, tucked underneath the streets with a book wrapped around your cold arms, sniffling as youāre surrounded with unfamiliar things in an unfamiliar room and attempting to lull yourself to sleep.Ā
Because moments like those are where you finally get to welcome his presence wholeheartedly.
You blink,squinting your eyes and raising your hand to block the sun.Ā
Except itās not the same hand youāre used to ā rather itās no longer wrinkled, with your veins popping out and hands no longer tremoring.Ā
They feel strong, and you open and close your palm a few times astonished.
A pair of small legs tumble into your own and you gasp, glancing down at the boy who has the same features as your husband.Ā
He grins widely, āMommy!ā
āHaneul?!ā You harshly whisper, raising the boy before lifting him into your arms. He looks no more than four years old.Ā
Haneul is four, which means can only meanāĀ
You are thirty-four.Ā
Glancing around, your eyes are snapping around frantically ā taking in the expansive backyard which you barely would step in anymore, now littered with Nayoung and Dambiās toys. The house that you left behind, just recently newly renovated upon your insistence. And your son, who looks up at you with wide eyes, as if youāre his entire world.Ā
You attempt to hold him close, biting back the sobs that threaten to take over you.Ā
A loud yelp resonates through the air.Ā
Your breath hitches, knowing that voice from anywhere. Whipping your head around, your legs are stronger, and you take long strides without needing a cane, carrying your son in your arms.
For thereās a small shed in the corner of your backyard and if youāre right, if your memory doesnāt fail you.Ā
The shed needs to be fixed and Namjoon took upon the task himself.Ā
The door goes flying open and his back is the first thing you see.Ā
āNot againā¦ā He sighs, a hand planting against his forehead. Thereās a bucket of paint thatās fallen to the ground, along with patches of the white colour sprayed against his ankles.Ā
You slowly set your smiling son down, who giggles and runs to his father. Namjoon instantly looks down, his hand reaching out that Haneul eagerly takes.Ā
Your voice comes out in a choked whisper.Ā
āN-Namjoon?āĀ
He turns with a huge smile and youāve forgotten. Forgotten how crystal clear your memory once was, knowing his dark hair, crinkled eyes and dimpled smile anywhere. How much that smile hasnāt changed at all, fine lines maring around the corners instead, next to his grey strands of hair and weakened eyes.Ā
How despite the years ā heāll always be the same man you fell in love with.
āY/N.ā He deeply enunciates, concern etching onto his features.
āYouāre crying, whatā ā¦ā He takes long strides towards you, whispering as his hand makes contact with your cheek, āWhatās wrong?āĀ
You sniffle, the tears pouring down as youāre no longer able to hold them back.Ā
Namjoon nearly stumbles back when you grasp onto him, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He hugs you back, comfortingly resting his head against your forehead.Ā
āI-I missed you.ā You sob out, not wanting to let him go.Ā
āMissed me?ā Namjoon softly chuckles, threading his hand through your hair. āIāve always been here, Y/N.āĀ
He separates you from him, holding onto your shoulders as he tenderly looks into your eyes.Ā
āIām always here, Y/N.āĀ
Youāre suddenly pulled away, away from his comforting embrace and eyes as a white light flashes over your eyes.Ā
You jolt awake, hearing only the faint sound of the heater echoing through the unfamiliar room. Reality crashes down onto you, painfully reminding you of your current location.Ā
The other side of the bed remains cold and empty.
The days churn by, and you are as miserable as ever.Ā
You sit quietly by the side and stare out the window, hearing a few others engage in conversation in small groups. There was something about doing a painting activity, but you had paid it no mind, too focused on the garden outside and grasping onto the book that sits on your lap.Ā
āBefore I came here, my husband passed away three years ago.ā A voice from afar begins. It comes from a woman, who appears much older than you. āIt happened so quickly, I-I didnāt know how to deal with it.āĀ
There's a man sitting next to her, spotting a collared shirt and dark black hair. He looks younger than both of you, and he somberly listens to her.Ā
āHow long were you together?ā He wonders.Ā
āFifty-five years.ā The woman sadly chuckles, āWe spent every day, every moment togetherā¦and then one day he was just gone.āĀ
Your heart clenches, no longer staring out the window. You donāt mean to eavesdrop, but youāve learned it's difficult when youāre surrounded by so many others, stories from so many different phases of life pouring out effortlessly in a single room.Ā
āIāve heard it all,ā She continues. āThat he was in a better place, that I would heal with time, even that his time was bound to come soonā¦.I-It hurt, a lot.āĀ
You watch as tears fill her eyes and her sadness fills the small space youāre in, a lump in your throat starting to form. You attempt to pucker your lips, threaten to silence yourself as much as possible, but the words spill out with far too much ease.Ā
āMy husbandā¦ā You suck in a breath when her gaze falls onto you in surprise. āHeā¦he passed away, about a year ago.āĀ
Her features twist, understanding deep within her eyes.Ā
āIām so sorry for your loss.āĀ
You give her a half-smile and she presses forward, āHow many years?āĀ
āForty-seven.ā You state, adding with a sad note āWe never got to fiftyā¦ā
She solemnly nods and something in her gaze is just too much, alleviating the tension that has been festering and brewing within you.Ā
āHe was kind, a little clumsy and forgetful, but still very kind.ā You remorsefully chuckle. āSometimes, itās scary, like heās never existedā¦and other days, I want to see him again, almost likeāā
You silence yourself, eyes clamping shut as a deep ache within your chest just spreads and amplifies.Ā
A voice tugs you out of your thoughts.Ā
āLike what?ā Itās the man next to the older woman, his gaze still on you.Ā
Your voice comes out in an anguished whisper, āLike how he visits me in my dreams.āĀ
It sounds strange and bizarre, you know this. But youāre startled when you glance up, only to find that woman giving you a kind look and the man softly smiling, as if he finds the notion to be pleasant.Ā
āItās nice, isnāt it?ā He piques, āSeeing them again, as if they never left to begin withā¦āĀ
You stare at him in bewilderment, attempting to muster words up.Ā
But he beats you to it.Ā
āFive years.ā He informs, like he knew what you wanted to ask. āSince my wifeās been gone.āĀ
You shake your head, not fully realizing his circumstance.Ā
āIām sorry, I didnāt mean to assumeāāĀ
āItās okay.ā He lets out a low chuckle, āI look much younger than I actually am.āĀ
You hum, acknowledging it right away. Alongside appearing younger, you notice his disposition appears to be the same as well, being much laid-back compared to anyone else youāve seen here.
āWhatās your name?ā He asks, āIāve seen you a couple times, but I think this is our first time talking.āĀ
āI-Iām not one for talking muchā¦ā You note, but he quirks his head to the side, like he didnāt believe that. āAnd itās Y/N, Kim Y/N.āĀ
āIām Jung Hoseok.ā He introduces, gesturing to the woman next to him. āThis is Lee Haewon.āĀ
She directs a friendly smile towards you and you attempt to return it back.Ā
āHow old are both of you?ā You wonder.Ā
āIām eighty-five.ā Haewon answers, squinting her eyes at the man, āLast I remember, Hoseok is sixty-seven.āĀ
āSeventy, Haewon.ā He politely corrects, but with no malice. Almost as if he was expecting for her to get it wrong.Ā
She deeply exhales, shaking her head in exasperation.Ā
āMy own name is going to be next.āĀ
āDonāt worry about that.ā His eyes flicker to you, āWhen the time comes, weāll be here to remind you again.āĀ
You nod in assurance and she warmly smiles, placing her cold hand on top of yours. You slowly grasp onto it and Haewon doesnāt move at all, instead ushering for you to sit closer to them.Ā
For once, the weight on your chest feels a bit lighter.Ā
The next day, youāre placed in groups again.Ā
However, this time the head of the home brings out various board games onto the tables, to which everyone requests for different ones and are soon creating circles.Ā
Despite the head asking for you to join this time, you sit in the same spot you had previously sat at, right beside the window as your eyes take in the others playing.Ā
The loud sound of a chair screeching against the floor startles you.Ā
Hoseok looks up with an apologetic smile, a packet of cards in his hands.
You watch with bafflement at how he sets up the deck before you, leaning over to hand you a couple of them.Ā
You take them reluctantly, wondering why he was here when he could just play with someone else, observing him lean back in his chair and cross his legs with a furrow in his brows.Ā
Now knowing his age, it was easier to spot his older features. How, despite having better functioning legs compared to you, his back is slightly hunched, shoulders beginning to cave in. How, despite having a majority of darker strands, there were noticeable specks of grey in his hair. How his eyes have to so occasionally squint to look at the cards, a hearing aid poking out from his right ear as he tilts his head.Ā
You also donāt fail to notice how as his brows furrow in concentration, two small dimples poke out from the corners of his cheeks.Ā
āYour turn.ā He calls out, having placed a card down.Ā
You quickly look down at the cards, reluctantly placing one down. He continues to stare at his own intently.Ā
āYou know, it was nice of you to talk to Haewon.ā He mentions.Ā
You shake your head, āIt wasnāt much, I was just talking about my husband anyways.āĀ
āIt meant more to her than you think.ā He exhales, placing a card down. āMost folks here either ignore her, or tell her to just move on.āĀ
A knowing smile crosses him, āI think we both know it isnāt as simple as that.āĀ
āIt never is.ā You quietly mumble, placing a card down yourself.
Hoseok hums at that, putting another card down. You glance around warily, wondering why you hadnāt seen Haewon yet.Ā
āBy the way, where is she?āĀ
āAsleep, I overheard that she felt tired.ā Hoseok does a half-smile, before itās replaced with his usual nonchalant expression.Ā
You nod, curious about their proximity, āHave you known her for long?āĀ
Hoseok shrugs, āA bit, I just got to know her in the past couple of months. You know, the good olā chit chatting with one other while being in the same room.āĀ
His straight-forwardness catches you off guard, shocked by how settled he was.
āYou seem pretty comfortable being here.ā You note, observing him as he glances up.Ā
āI have to be.ā He states with a lop-sided smile, āItās the same for everyone here. After all, nobody came because they wanted to.āĀ
You freeze, forehead creasing as you stare at him blankly. Hoseokās gaze lands on you, confusion running through it.
āY/N?ā He ponders, wondering why you werenāt playing your turn. You snap out of your daze, placing your cards down.Ā
āI-I just remembered something I needed to doāā You quietly say, slowly rising to your feet and locating your cane. āMaybe you should play with someone elseā¦ā
For a split-second, Hoseok tosses his cards and rises to his feet, as if to halt your steps. But youāre already walking away and he falters, slumping back down into his seat
His eyes are tinged with an indescribable emotion.Ā
You donāt know if you can be here any longer.Ā
But thereās nothing you can do about it. The days pass by and no one comes for you, no one tries to see how you are, how youāre feeling and it dawns one simple resolution to you.Ā
Youāve been abandoned here. Forever.Ā
The next day arrives and you clench your jaw, stepping out of the suffocating room that has been starting to feel more like a decorated prison than anything else. You wonder if you should come up with some excuse of staying back, preoccupying yourself with anything else rather than the activity of the day.Ā
But thatās until youāre informed youāll be taken to the garden.Ā
Taking a step outside, itās absolutely serene. Thereās handfuls of well-maintained roses, peonies and tulips flourishing, all lush and blooming around the home. Itās both tranquil and inviting, the head informing you that there were watering cans, shovels and new seeds to be planted for everyone.Ā
You secure a can right away, propelling yourself forward with your cane towards the peonies.Ā
A small smile lines your lips.Ā
āY/N!āĀ
You spin around, in the midst of cooing and feeding your one year daughter as she babbles on her high chair.Ā
Namjoon stands at the door, huffing with a wide smile on his lips.Ā
He raises his hand, a single purple peony sticking out.Ā
You gasp in astonishment, āYou finally grew one!āĀ
āI did!ā He exclaims. It had been months since he had been trying, your home littered with his bonsai collection until he wanted to try his hand at outdoor planting.Ā
He dashes over and scoops you in her arms, making you chuckle from his victory. Grabbing onto your hand, he edges you to follow.Ā
āCome on, you need to help me water them!āĀ
Laughing, you grasp onto Naree, letting him guide you.Ā
The water pours out from the small canister, sprinkling delicately onto the small petals. You watch with so much fondness, for so much love for the flower, as your hands continue to tremble.Ā
It slips from your hands and smacks against the pavement.Ā
You watch as the water spills everywhere and with a huff, quickly attempting to grasp it. But your knees violently shake, and your hands tremor far too much. You attempt again and again to bend down, but your attempts are all futile, more and more of the contents emptying and spreading out.Ā
Tears unknowingly prick at your eyes and your breathing is heavy, limbs aching from the sudden physical exertion.Ā
The smooth metal gently glides across your fingertips.Ā
You blink, confused eyes glancing up to meet Hoseokās softened ones. Youāre left frozen as he carefully tips it, his hand grasping the canister against yours and letting the water rain over the peonies.
You let him guide you, the water running through the remaining ones before it empties.Ā
āWait here for a moment.ā He directs you to a bench, holding your hands as you carefully descend down onto it.Ā
You observe as he saunters over to the hose, filling it with water again before letting out a satisfied hum. He then manages to grasp onto a handful of seeds and grabs onto a small shovel.Ā
He returns to you, āYou should plant some too.āĀ
You quietly nod and he reaches his arm out, as if gesturing for you to hold on. You grasp onto him and he slows his pace, walking at yours.Ā
Everytime, you point at a certain spot, he leans down, making a hole into the dirt before dropping the seed in and sealing it with fresh water. He does it along the edge of the garden, right where the window to your room should be.Ā
He lets out a loud huff with the last one, chest rising and falling alarmingly.Ā
Your eyes widen, having completely forgotten his condition of age.Ā
āI-Iāll go get you some water.āĀ
Hoseok opens his mouth to protest that heās okay, but youāre already propelling yourself forward, cane frantically hitting against the pavement.
He wheezes, letting out a couple of coughs before youāre standing near him, a water bottle in your hands that he gratefully accepts.Ā
āAre you okay?ā You ask right away and he nods, turning to the flowers.Ā
āTheyāre beautiful.ā He states and you hum, the wind weaving through the air.Ā
āI love peonies.ā You quietly admit, and Hoseok grins, handing you the water bottle.Ā
He takes a couple steps forward, drawing closer to the older batch. Among all the colors, he snatches onto a bright orange peony, handing it to you with a soft smile.Ā
You bring it closer to you, the corners of your mouth upturning.Ā
It reminds you of the warm hues of the sun.Ā
Your hands tremor and shake, bone sticking out from your softened skin. It doesnāt help that the joints within your bones are incredibly stiff and deeply ache with each movement.Ā
A frustrated sigh escapes your lips, and the needles looped in yarn falling down to your lap.Ā
Hoseok chuckles, reaching out and grasping onto where youāve left off, attempting his hardest to cross them, pushing one needle into one end and looping it around.Ā
āYouāve missed a stitch.ā You point out and he frowns, noticing the small hole heās created instead.Ā
āNow how did that happen?ā He deeply ponders, and a small smile tugs on your lips as he carefully inspects the placement, staring at it up and down.Ā
āYou have to loop it carefully,ā You softly explain, reaching over to place your trembling hand on his, āIt should go through this stitch and then you let go of it to create the knot.āĀ
He follows your instructions, observing as you slowly tug his hand away from the loop, letting it unravel into a perfect stitch.Ā
Hoseok beams, throwing a grin in your direction and you look at him amused.Ā
āI think we make a lovely team.āĀ
You smile lop-sidely, āI donāt know, itās more of me telling you what to do.āĀ
āA very important role.ā He notes, raising the yarn up in his hands, āAfter all, this is now our group project.ā
You chuckle at that and he gazes at you fondly, eyes crinkling.
āKim Y/N?ā The sound of your name has both you and Hoseok glancing up, āThereās someone here at the front foyer asking for you.āĀ
Your brows furrow, but then you catch the sight of a familiar silhouette.Ā
You scramble up from your seat, vision fixated on the backside of the person. Hoseok notices, immediately rising to his feet and handing you your cane, observing as you attempt to hurriedly stride over to the desk.Ā
āNaree.ā You whisper, watching your daughter turn around wide-eyed.Ā
āMom.ā She steps forward, and you donāt hesitate to reach out, enveloping your trembling hands tightly around her shoulders.Ā
āYouāre here, youāre actually here.ā Your eyes are glossy. āI-I thought you left me by myself, I kept thinking aboutāāĀ
You freeze, surveying the way Nareeās eyes downturn, face void of expression.Ā
It doesnāt take long for you to connect the dots.Ā
Your voice cracks, āYouāre not here for me, are youā¦?ā
Naree sighs, āI was just on my way to work, and thought Iād stop by to see you.āĀ
āThatās all?ā You mutter, but Naree latches onto your arm.Ā
āMom.ā She chides, but you donāt even want to look at her, āIsnāt this all better for you? Youāre not lonely anymore.āĀ
āYouāre wrong.ā You feel more abandoned than ever. āAnd this all isnāt better for me, itās better for you.āĀ
Your words are venomous and the corner of Nareeās mouth twitches.Ā
āHow can you say that?ā Naree sharply rebuttals. The two of you donāt notice all the lingering eyes watching your interaction, including Hoseokās. āI want you to come back, but I discussed it with Seojun and we agreed youād be happier here.āĀ
āAnd where was I in this decision?ā You snap. āOr are Seojunās words now more important than mine?āĀ
Nareeās nostrils flare and she looks like sheās had enough.Ā
She shakes her head, mumbling to coax herself. āHere I thought that dropping by was a good idea.ā Her gaze is directly on you, hurt swirling in her eyes. āBut now Iāve realized I made a big mistake.ā
Naree turns on her heels, her fists clenched and rage enveloping every fiber of her being. You donāt make a move to stop her, simply staring at her backside and the growing gap each of her steps creates.Ā
Thereās a deep ache within the center of your chest, one that expands and spreads, consuming you completely as your daughter abandons you once again.Ā
***
Everything feels like itās crashing down.Ā
Youāre seated within your room, having dismissed yourself and leaving your knitting session with Hoseok behind. You desperately needed to be alone, mind plaguing over and over with the image of Naree leaving, disappointment and rage embedded into her being.Ā
You wonder if you should have reached out, should have begged, for her to take you alongside with her. To take you back to the home you once shared with Namjoon and your family, wanting to feel the familiarity and the warmth that home contains.Ā
A sci-fi book rests within your lap, fingertips clenching onto it. You wonder if he can see everything, hear everything about the family youāve created leaving you behind, casting you away like a mere thought that shoulders over them.Ā
Thick tears drop down, staining the paper of the book in your hands. Anguished cries leave you, shoulders shuddering as everything crumbles.Ā
You want to see him again, want to wrap your arms around him as he holds you comfortingly, want to have him shield you away from all these terrifying thoughts, ones that are absent of him. You hate how fast he was taken away, and wonder why he couldnāt have just taken you along with him.
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
You peer up, cheeks stained with tears and breaths coming out choked. You quickly set the book down, raising your sleeve to wipe away any existence of them.Ā
Padding slowly through the room, you wrap your hand around the knob and carefully open it.Ā
Hoseok stands in front of you, gaze downcasted and shoulders hunched in. It takes you by surprise, never having seen such a lack of optimism in his form.Ā
He looks up, eyes welling with tears.Ā
āY/N.ā He chokes, orbs widening at your appearance. āI-I can come again.āĀ
Before he can turn, you reach out, barely managing to graze his shirt.Ā
The expression he holds draws fear out from you. āI-Is everything okay?Ā
He pursues his lips, like he was attempting to prevent himself from tearing up, before he breathes out the words.Ā
āN-No, not reallyā¦ā He sniffles, a lone tear escaping him. āH-Haewonā¦Haewonās gone.āĀ
Your breath hitches, features twisting. āS-She just passed an hour agoā¦in her sleep.āĀ
His shoulders slump, eyes squeezing shut.Ā
āI-I couldnāt say g-goodbyeā¦.ā
You step forward, arms wrapping around him in an instant. Hoseok shrinks within them, harsh sobs shuddering through his body. Tears unleash from your eyes, fisting the material of his shirt.Ā
You donāt know how long you stay like that, wrapped around in your collective grief.Ā
You are dazed.Ā
You find out that aside from being widowed, Haewon only had one son who was in a different country. He doesnāt come to the funeral, and itās simply attended by a few individuals she had the opportunity to connect with at the old age home.Ā
Which includes you and Hoseok, standing next to each other in black clothing as you watch her casket be buried alongside her husband. Hoseok is silent the entire time, eyes empty.
You knew you werenāt as close to her as Hoseok was, but Haewon was a woman that had given you compassion when you had been desperately searching for it, not even hesitating to listen to your story. She shared the experience of having lost her husband and you recall Hoseok mentioning that she wanted to see him again, even if it meant being in the next life.Ā
You didnāt speak much to Lee Haewon, but she was such a crystal clear reflection of you ā a woman dwindling with so much grief that she could barely hold.Ā
Her casket is completely buried and you reach out as Hoseok shudders, a tsunami of emotions hitting him all at once. Your wrinkled hand slides in with his, clutching onto it. He squeezes back tightly, as if you were the only thing anchoring him to reality.Ā
You quietly part together, bidding her your final farewell.Ā
Something is never the same in you after Haewonās passing.Ā
Itās difficult to explain, the tightening sensation that coils around in your chest with no means of stopping. Your mind flashes back to instances with her, the kind and friendly smile she would always adorn. Or the way her hand was cold but still so warm, ushering you to come closer to her.Ā
Itās crushing, unable to bear with how fast life moves, clutching onto those whose time is no longer needed on earth.Ā
And itās coupled with another feeling, one that is more erratic and rapid, making you nearly hyperventilate the more you sit in your room, the more you stare at the unfamiliar walls encasing around you at all four corners.Ā
It feels like itās all youāll be left with, bidding your own time goodbye within them.Ā
Which is why you leave, heading out your room door and into the garden. You donāt want to follow a schedule, or do activities, simply asking for permission to escape for a brief moment so you feel like you can breathe once again.
And it seems like youāre not the only one with the same idea.Ā
Hoseok sits on a bench a bit farther from the garden and house, his backside facing you and against the sun that begins to rise, peeking through the grass and illuminating its rays through the orange sky.Ā
It draws you in, and you walk forward in a daze.
You slowly sit down, back resting against the wood and setting your crane to the side. Hoseokās attention flickers over to you.Ā
You quirk up a soft smile, āCouldnāt sleep?āĀ
He blinks after a moment, shaking his head with a sigh.Ā
āNoā¦.no, not really.āĀ
You hum, knowingly. āThe sunrise is beautiful.āĀ
He nods silently.Ā
You sit in silence, enjoying the breeze wafting through the area and the way the clouds move rotationally, drifting through the clouds. The orange hues morph into the briefest of purple, light spreading over your skin and remaining within your irises.Ā
You suck in a sharp inhale.Ā
āKim Namjoon.ā You state as Hoseok turns to look at you, āMy husband, who left me a year ago. He was followed by Kim Naree, my daughter, who left me a month ago.āĀ
His eyes find your own. āAnd then followed by Lee Haewon, who left us a week ago.āĀ
Your voice breaks. āI-I donāt know if I can handle anyone else leaving me...āĀ
Hoseokās hand reaches out, placing it on top of yours.Ā
The corner of his mouth remorsefully curls up. āDonāt count me out so easily.āĀ
You smile, for the first time in weeks, and the sunrise takes over the sky.Ā
Taking up the opportunity, you vocalize all your innermost thoughts, āIām not sure if I exactly belong hereā¦I know I feel less lonely at least, but I donāt know if I can stay anymore.āĀ
āYou want to leave.ā Hoseok states, like he understands.Ā
Your words hold an infinite amount of weight, āI-Iām justā¦terrified. Terrified that Iāll be spending my last days here.āĀ
āWhere do you want to go?ā He genuinely questions.Ā
āHome.ā You let out a low chuckle, āIf thatās even possible anymore.āĀ
āIt can be.ā Hoseok softly smiles, two dimples showcasing on his face.
You reach out, clasping onto his head. āCome with meā¦please.āĀ
You know itās a completely selfish request, especially when he seems to be much more comfortable here.Ā
But you forget that Hoseok has lost as well, defeat encasing the man more and more as the days draw out. It seems like youāre still his anchor, drawing him back before heās completely gone.Ā
His hand tightens his hold on you.Ā
āLetās go home,Y/N.āĀ
You stand in front of your home.Ā
It wasn't easy coming here. You had to be granted permission to leave the vicinity and it wasnāt the simplest task for Hoseok either, needing to prove the two of you would be functional to do so. You suppose you could have laced it over with a visit, but you couldnāt stay any longer, not there anymore.Ā
A shaky exhale leaves you and Hoseok reaches out, lacing his fingers with yours and having a comforting smile.Ā
You knock against the door.Ā
The door comes swinging wide open and youāre confronted with the sight of your son-in-law.Ā
Seojun stares at you blankly, as if you were a mere ghost, glancing between you and Hoseok in disbelief.Ā
āNice to see you again.ā You state, stepping into the household. It looks the same ā the same couch, the same curtains and the same memories. Itās almost like you never left to begin with.Ā
āYouāre back.ā A voice acknowledges from the staircase, and you look up.Ā
Your eyes lock onto Nareeās, who stands in the long hallway, arms crossed and holding a hardened gaze.Ā
āYou look like youāve been well.ā You reply with a smile, but her gaze is concentrated on the man standing with you.Ā
āWho is this?ā She questions, and your eyes widen.Ā
Hoseok immediately steps up with a friendly smile, āMy name is Jung Hoseok. Itās nice to meet you.āĀ
Naree stares at Hoseokās outstretched hand, not moving to shake it or say anything back. After years of raising her, you know exactly what her response means.Ā
Sheās inspecting him, wondering why you showed up out of the blue with a man near the same age as her father.Ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply turning her back and walking into the kitchen. It makes you want to almost laugh, how it doesnāt take her much effort to easily disregard you at this point, so much that it doesnāt even hurt and you simply just expect it.Ā
Seojun glances between the two of you, clearly taken aback with the situation and unsure of how to react.Ā
You walk past him, heading up the staircase with Hoseok.Ā
āIāll be in my room.ā You declare, the door shutting behind you.Ā
***
All of it has been moved.Ā
Despite the house not changing, the people have changed, and so have the contents of the room you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
All of his belongings are gone, stowed away in airtight boxes.Ā
Like he never even existed to begin with.Ā
Your shaking hands reach out. āNoā¦no, noāā
You stumble, collapsing onto the ground.Ā
āY/N!ā Hoseok reaches forward in an instant, steadying you.Ā
āEverythingās gone, Hoseok. They moved everythingāā
Tears are streaming down your eyes and Hoseok is clutching onto you as you sob.Ā
āShh, itās not gone.ā He coaxes, reaching out for one of the boxes. His hands are tremoring but he still claws at the tape, unraveling the plastic back and tossing it aside. The box unfolds and he shifts it over to you, wanting you to see your husbandās things first hand.Ā
You catch sight of one of his jacketās.
Reaching out, you gasp onto the material, staring at it in awe. It was one Namjoon used to love to wear, tossing it on when you would ask him to go out on walks with you, or consequently the one that was placed on your shoulders when he noticed you shivering in the wake of fall.Ā
You wrap it around your arms, the amount of comfort from the action easing your heart a bit.Ā
Hoseok softly smiles, shifting over another box. He opens it to reveal a stack of books, distinctly looking similar to the one you always carried in your lap.Ā
āDid he like to read a lot?ā He ponders, and you nod, curiously looking over his shoulder.Ā
It all snaps ā and the excitement washes over more quickly than you can stop it.Ā
āHe did.ā You lean over, grasping onto a title, āThis was one of his favorites, he used to read it all the time. And this one,ā You pick up another title, āHe used it for his final thesis back in college, and asked me to read it with him.āĀ
You chuckle, tears still streaming down your eyes. āHe was always so smart, but asked me to check over everything he did.ā You turn to Hoseok, who has softened eyes, āHe was just an overthinker, you know? And I knew I always had to calm his mind somehow, so I would make him tea often when he was working.āĀ
Hoseok simply watches. Watches at how much love you pour out for your late husband, how much adoration is in your voice and the tenderness in your eyes. Itās something heās only had the pleasure of experiencing once in life, and itās not something heās found easily in others.Ā
Namjoon is truly your soulmate.
āH-He would ask what magic I would p-put in itā¦.all the time.ā Your voice cracks at the end and Hoseokās eyes shoot up into alarm.Ā
āY/N?ā He shifts closer to you.Ā
āI-Iā¦.ā You squeeze your eyes shut, the realization donning faster than you can stop it. āI-I just canāt.ā
āYou canāt what?āĀ
āI canāt.ā You gasp out. āNamjoon, heāsā¦.heās everywhere.āĀ
You can see him everywhere ā in the things you hold, in the memories youāre left with, in the hopes and dreams you once had together. Your entire life had been constructed around him, and itās something you didnāt notice until you were sitting in that very same room you shared, surrounded by his entire essence.Ā
It's like youāre experiencing the grief all over again, except this time itās worse because youāve realized what youāve truly lost.Ā
Hoseok feels his own heart shattering into pieces. He canāt explain how much he knows exactly what youāre going through, how much letting go was an impossible task when youāve had years and years, an entire timeline spent with someone after an eternal promise of forever.Ā
A tear streams down his own eye and he moves closer, wrapping his arms around you and leaning his head against yours.Ā
āH-Hoseok, I-I canātā¦.ā You whisper, āI canāt live the rest of my life here. In only the memory of Namjoon and with a family that just doesnāt want me anymoreā¦.I-I just canāt do it.āĀ
Hoseok shudders, letting out a small hum as you spill all your fears out to him.Ā
āI-Itās okay, Y/N.ā He manages to get out, āItās okay to feel this way. I-I canāt even explain to you how normal it is to.ā
ā or how familiar. ā he wants to say.Ā
You sob and he parts from you, gazing into your eyes as he cups your face.Ā
āWhat do you want, Y/N?ā He earnestly questions. āWhat is your heart telling you?āĀ
āI just want to leaveā¦.and go somewhere far, far away.ā Far from here.Ā
It almost sounds like a ridiculous fantasy, but Hoseok nods.Ā
āHow far?ā He seriously ponders, āLike can we get there by bus? Do we need to take a train?āĀ
The corner of your mouth curls up.Ā
āMaybe by train. Buses are horrible to sit on for long hours.ā You note with a sniffle.Ā
Hoseok frowns, āYou make it sound like weāre so old.āĀ
āWe are old, Hoseok.ā You chuckle and he grins at the sound of it.
āReally? Say that again for me, I didnāt hear you the first time.ā He turns his head, showcasing his hearing aid. You lightly hit his chest, before resting your head against him.Ā
āIāll take you wherever you want to go, Y/N.ā He whispers in reassurance.Ā
Reaching his hand, he lifts you up, ensuring your balance is okay. You keep your hand in his, tightening your hold on him.Ā
***
You regain yourself, and Hoseok carefully holds onto you, taking you slowly down the stairs. He matches his steps with you, watching as your foot slowly descends down one step before planting his own down, your cane granting you the momentum.Ā
Naree stands by the door, arms crossed and appearing to be waiting for someone.Ā
Hoseok glimpses at you tenderly and you nod, alerting her attention to the sound of your cane against the ground.Ā
She deeply sighs, āI have time to drop you back once youāreāāĀ
āIām not going back.āĀ
Her brows furrow āWhat do you mean?āĀ
āIām leaving, Naree.ā You declare, and thatās when her eyes snap onto yours and Hoseokās interlaced hands.Ā
Thereās disbelief in her eyes, āYouāre leaving with him?āĀ
You nod and Naree shakes her head, as if her entire existence is being questioned.Ā
āMom, how could you?ā She spits, āItās only been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
āNareeāāĀ
āI know you were feeling lonely, but out of all things this?ā
The door suddenly widens and Seojun emerges, two little girls by his side.Ā
Nayoung's eyes light up, āGrandma!ā
āWhatās going on?ā Seojun interjects and Naree squeezes her eyes, shaking her head.Ā
āOh nothing, just my mother betraying my father.ā She snaps, and his eyes widen.
He pushes Nayoung and Dambi away, āGirls, go upstairs.āĀ
Nayoung begins to protest āBut GrandmaāāĀ
āGo.ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply downcasting her gaze. Dambi follows, but you can feel their gazes linger on you, and thereās nothing more you want to do in the moment then to bring the two girls into your arms.Ā
āNaree, donāt do this.ā You whisper, but her clenched fists are enough of an answer.Ā
āDonāt do what? Be upset that my mother found someone else that isnāt my father?ā She huffs, āHow could you do this, Mom?āĀ
She turns to Seojun who comforts her and you shift uncomfortably, wanting to disappear.Ā
āWith all due respectāā A previously silent voice pitches in, āI think youāre being incredibly unfair.āĀ
You stare at Hoseok, who still holds a warm look in his eyes. āIām not replacing your father, if thatās what youāre concerned about. Y/N still loves him very much, just like I do my wife.āĀ
āBut it wouldnāt hurt to consider that your mother has been by herself for quite a while and that hurts.ā Hoseok sadly smiles, āMuch deeper than you could possibly imagine.āĀ
Naree looks at him startled and Seojun is baffled. Thereās a silence that lingers and Hoseok tightens his hold on you, slowly heading towards the door.Ā
āIt was nice meeting all of you.ā He simply responds, before leaving altogether.Ā
Thereās a multitude of words ready to tumble from you.Ā
āHoseok, IāāĀ
āYou donāt need to explain.ā He insists, but then he shakes his head, as if suspended in disbelief. āI just canāt believe how they were treating you...āĀ
You wince, finding yourself agreeing with his words. It seemed like all your doubts, all your fears, were cemented right in front of you and now you know.Ā
You donāt belong there anymore.
Youāre about to turn and tell Hoseok that you should collectively leave now, the desperation of going far away reaching a complete high, but thatās when your eyes catch onto movement.
āHold on.ā you quietly say, and Hoseok sends you a confused look. You carefully trudge your cane forward, slowly walking to the side of the house.Ā
You freeze.Ā
There's a silhouette of a tall man with dark hair standing by the garden, right next to the peonies and with a giant bag slung over his shoulder. His backside gives you so much whiplash at how distinctly familiar it looks and as if in a trance, you continue to move forward with furrowed brows.
You pause, the disbelief sinking in. He snaps his head around at the sound of your cane, narrowed eyes widening.Ā
You whisper out his name, breath coming out shaky.Ā
āH-Haneul?āĀ
You had almost forgotten just how strikingly similar he looks to Namjoon, just how much he could easily be mistaken for a younger version of the man.Ā
He widely smiles, expression brightening at the sight of you.
āHi, Mom.ā He takes long strides towards you, embracing you immediately. You wrap your arms around him tightly, a joyful smile on your lips.
You separate from him, attempting to get a good look at your son. āI-I canāt believe youāre hereā¦āĀ
He warmly grins, eyes flickering over to Hoseok. You immediately turn, a bit flustered.Ā
āT-This isāāĀ
āJung Hoseok.ā Hoseok outstretches his hand with a smile.Ā
āKim Haneul.ā He states, shaking his hand with a similar smile. He gestures to you. āIām her oldest.āĀ
Hoseok nods understandably, āItās nice to meet you, Hoseok.āĀ
He grins and youāre a bit taken aback at Hanuel's gesture, naturally giving back the same courtesy that was given back to him.Ā
He hasnāt changed one bit.Ā
āCould we talk?ā He mentions, gesturing between you. You nod immediately and Hoseok politely smiles, stepping towards the front to give you some privacy.Ā
Haneul holds your hand as you slowly walk, guiding you onto the bench in the backyard. He waits as you sit down, taking a spot by you.Ā
As glad as you are to see him, youāre curious.
āHow are you here, Haneul?āĀ
āI came by to visit.ā He explains, āI managed to get a couple of days off.āĀ
You nod, āNaree⦠she told me you were in an old age home.āĀ
āI seeā¦.ā You fall into silence and Haneul quietly watches you from the corner of his eyes.
āWas it your choice?ā
āAt first, it was.ā You exhale, āBut then Naree never came for me, and when she did, she wanted me to stayāā Your words grow smaller, āAnd now, I just canāt go back anymoreā¦.ā
Haneul lifts his hand, placing it on top of your wrinkled one as you heave, eyes getting glossy.
āHis name is Hoseok.ā You sputter out, wanting to rid him of any worries, āWe met at the care home and got closer. I feel better with him around, and he understands me, but Iām not trying to replace your father in the leastāā
āHey, hey.ā He softly says, āWho said anything about replacing Dad?āĀ
āNaree did⦠and I donāt blame her.āĀ
Her words have you thinking twice, wondering if everything you were doing was just wrong.Ā
Haneul frowns, āMom, Nareeās husband isnāt dead.āĀ
āDonāt say such things, Haneul.ā You chide.Ā
āMom, listen to me.ā He fully turns to you, taking your worn out hands in his stronger ones. āDadās gone, and youāre all by yourself now. You donāt owe anyone anything, especially not at this age.āĀ
He knowingly grins, āWhat was the advice you had given to me before I left?āĀ
The memory is still crystal clear to you. āThat life was too shortā¦and that you should be living your own, without fretting over the family.āĀ
āAnd you told me this after Dadās passing.ā He persists, āWhy canāt you give yourself the same consideration?āĀ
You slowly nod, taking in his words. āYouāre rightā¦ā
But then an amused chuckle leaves you and his eyes widen.Ā
āYou know, you sound so much like your father that itās actually terrifyingā¦.āĀ
He looks amused, āWell, he was one heck of a wise man.āĀ
He laughs and so do you, feeling your chest grow a bit lighter.
Haneul exhales, something in his gaze abruptly changing.Ā
āMom, youāve gotten older. The last time I saw you, you werenāt this weak.ā He admits, āI just really want you to leave while youāre still able to.āĀ
You look up at him, water welling up in your eyes. Thereās an unsaid message sent between both of your eyes, one that you unfortunately understand very well.Ā
This very well may be the last time you see him.Ā
You advance forward, wrapping your shaking hands around his shoulders. He leans down, holding onto you in a loving embrace.Ā
It makes you wonder where time went, where the boy that was running around the house with giggles and helping his dad with fixing the shed went, becoming a fully fledged adult who you could express your deepest concerns to, and lean on as you grew brittle.Ā
***
Haneul walks you back to the front, exchanging a smile with Hoseok who had been patiently waiting for you. He reaches his arm out and you hold onto it.Ā
Haneul enters the house again, insisting to bring the bags you had packed. You discuss with Hoseok about your plans moving forward, but the door comes bursting open.Ā
Two young girls come forth, tears in their eyes.
āGrandma!āĀ
Nayoung launches herself at you, embracing you immediately. Dambi is behind her, eyes flickering all over your form.Ā
A small chuckle leaves you and Hoseok smiles at the interaction, watching at how you comfortingly rub their backs as they sob into your floral dress.Ā
āU-Uncle Haneul says youāre leavingā¦ā Dambi mumbles out.Ā
A sigh slips out from you and Haneul emerges with remorse on his face, appearing like he attempted to keep it a secret but couldnāt to no avail.Ā
āI am leaving.ā Youāre completely honest with them. āI know itās hard, and Iāll miss the two of you greatly, but Iā¦.I need to go.āĀ
Nayoung and Dambi look at you thoughtfully, nodding their heads, āAnd I wonāt be alone either.āĀ
You turn to Hoseok who smiles, causing both of the girls to be captivated with his appearance.Ā
āWill you be looking after Grandma?ā Nayoung wonders and he softly nods, a certain fondness in his eyes you havenāt seen before.Ā
āI will be.ā He says, āSomeone has to remind her not to be so stubborn.āĀ
You exasperatedly shake your head with a chuckle as Hoseok grins, but Nayoung moves closer to you, a dimpled smile on her lips.Ā
āIāll miss you, Grandma.ā She whispers, hugging you. āPlease be happy.āĀ
Youāre astonished at her words, wondering just how obvious you had been. You know the saying that children have a tendency to see everything and thereās something that shines in Nayoungās eyes that makes you sniffle, hugging the girl tightly in your arms.Ā
Hoseok helps you with your cane and you clutch onto him, afraid that a part of you will never want to leave if you didnāt. You watch as the two girls wave their hands at you, huge smiles on their lips. Haneul stands by the door, leaning against it with a grin.Ā
You wave back at them, even noticing Naree by the window, sticking her eyes out despite her crossed arms. You want to chuckle, amused how obvious your daughter could be at times.Ā
Taking one look back, you see all that youāve built with Namjoon. Your house, your children, your grand-children, the years and years of your lifetime all showcased within your field of vision. You smile, wondering if the man was still alive, how he probably would have been standing alongside them, ushering you to be on your way already.Ā
Turning around, Hoseok holds onto your bags, a smile on his lips.Ā
You take his hand with your own.
The next couple of days are a bit of a blur for you. You find out Hoseok had booked a train for you into the nearby city, one that wasnāt luckily drawn out for too many hours. He calls a cab to pick you up and youāre soon in front of train tracks as he holds you, slowly helping you on.Ā
You spend the rest of the duration looking out, watching at how buildings, greenery and the life you once knew whizzes by. It makes you wonder when the last time was when youāve done something like this, recalling the last trip you ever took was with Namjoon and years before the two of you had started finding it difficult to do.Ā
You arrive after a couple of hours, your joints aching a bit which prompts Hoseok to seat you down onto a bench, attempting to find a water bottle for you to drink. It amuses you a bit to see others glancing at you, seeing a much older couple traveling together rather than a youthful one. Instead of energy and fresh eyes, they see peacefulness and serene ones, and it all the more makes you want to smile once more, no longer feeling like you were being trapped or held back somewhere.Ā
You arrive at a small residence that Hoseok took care of.
He turns to put the bags away and you clasp onto his wrist. āHoseok.āĀ
He glances at you and you sincerely look at him. āThank you.āĀ
āDonāt mention it.āHe warmly smiles.Ā
āWhat should we do now?ā You ponder, āEverything I said was completely on a whim, but I still donāt knowāāĀ
āHey.ā He softly calls out, slipping next to you and placing a hand on your own. āDonāt stress too much about it. Iāve booked us this place here to stay for the week, and you can take your time before officially deciding where to go.āĀ
You stare at him in surprise, feeling so grateful that he is here with you.Ā
āOkay.ā You quietly say and he gets up with a grin, moving to unpack a bag.Ā
That night, you lay awake on a bed adjacent to Hoseok. He doesnāt sleep next to you, but still remains in the room, the sound of his soft breathing echoing off the walls.Ā
Your mind is brimming with endless possibilities, and for the first time ever, you fall asleep with a smile on your lips.Ā
You desire a home.Ā
A home. A place of comfort ā a place that welcomes you with open arms and loosens the tightness in your chest, a place that allows you to breathe easier and fills you with warmth, a place full of solace, one which soothes your aching heart.Ā
Itās not much, a small house out by the fields and close to a meadow, far out from the city and next to an expansive lake. The wind ever so breezes over the numerous flowers collecting in the open fields and the sun is always shining over, reflecting over the pools of water. You have your occasional neighbors, mainly families that harbor residences nearby to spend their idle time. Itās always interesting when they run into you, assuming an entire family to be inside only to find an elderly lady smiling back at them.Ā
It was something you didnāt get instantaneously, searching around for the exact spot you wanted. In a way, you still thank your late husband for always advising you to keep money on the side, indicating that you would need it one day for when he was gone and you would always chide him not to bring the bad thoughts into mention. It led you to a place you would have never in a million years thought you would have ended up at, and never with the amount of pure joy itās brought.Ā
You desire a home, and somehow, just somehow, you find one in Jung Hoseok.
He takes you everywhere you desire, whether it is walking down the borders of the lake, to watching the skyline of the far city. Heās always two steps ahead of you, picking up your cane when it stumbles and interlacing his hands with you, letting you lean your weight against him. He assists you with your gardening and sets up two rocking chairs outside of the cabin, sitting down for hours with you as you read.Ā
Heāll joke that his legs are getting too shaky when he walks with you, or that the tremors in his hands are always at a constant beat. Heāll smile with fine lines marring his forehead and the creases of his eyes when you chide him, just as he insists that he has no reason for his constant remarks around you. Heāll look at you tenderly, watching as every word spills out of you, even after you recall an eternity of memories with someone else.Ā
There comes a point where your small thank youās disappear altogether, and you clasp onto his hand instead.Ā
āItās so beautiful.ā You whisper, watching the rays of the sun descend, catching a warm hue of orange all over the meadow. It transcends over the horizon, illuminating the delicate lines on your face and specks of your irises.Ā
Hoseok hums next to you on the bench, your arm around his. He watches as the sun slowly dips into the horizon, the orange submerging before a cool blue takes over.Ā
āIt is.ā He murmurs, āKinda makes you think how small you really are.āĀ
You let out a soft laugh and he grins in your direction.Ā
āYou always have such a way with words.ā You remarks.Ā
āWell, I think itās one of my best qualities.ā He retorts, āAside from knitting, of course.āĀ
You shake your head as he chuckles. The sun completely disappears and he glances at you.Ā
āSay, how about we head in and I brew us some hot tea?ā He suggests, slipping his warm hands within your cold ones.Ā
You stare at him for a second, expression impassible. Hoseok frowns, a deep crease forming between his brows.
āY/N?ā He ponders at your silence.Ā
āIām so lucky to have met you.āĀ
Hoseok blinks, but the words tumble out much faster than you can stop.Ā
āI was so, so alone, and absolutely terrified that the rest of my life would be like that.ā Water surfaces in your eyes, āBut then I met you and I never realized how much I missed this feeling ofā¦being alive.ā
A bright smile stretches on your cheeks, āIām so happy, Hoseok.āĀ
You donāt have a chance to swipe away your tears, his arms coming to encase around you in an instant. A gasp leaves you, but Hoseok tightens his hold and you lean against him, arms slipping around his back.Ā
āY-You donāt understandā¦ā He whispers, voice cracking that makes you stiff with alarm. āYou donāt understand how much I feel the same way.āĀ
He separates from you, irises glossed over. Itās a look youāve noticed before in his eyes, a look that speaks volumes compared to his usual warm and cheerful disposition, a look that even terrifies you to a certain extent, encased within anguish and longing.Ā
You wonder if itās the same look he had been seeing in you the first day he met you.Ā
***
Youāre seated on Hoseokās bed, watching him filter through his cabinet.Ā
Youāve been here a handful of times, mostly nights where you werenāt able to sleep and he sat by your side until you did. Or moments where you would ponder about him, coming by to say good morning or wondering if he had eaten already.Ā
However, youāve never been here in the wake of the night, watching him open up his belongings with an unwavering gaze in his orbs.
He halts after a couple of seconds, treading slowly towards you before planting himself beside you on the bed.Ā
Sharply inhaling, he hands you the photograph in his hands.Ā
A young woman immediately flashes before your eyes, a kind upturn to her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. She appears to be within her late twenties, curly locks falling to her shoulders and dressed in a bright orange dress.Ā
Even through the lack of light, you donāt fail to miss the ring that sits on the third finger of her left hand.Ā
āJung Euna.ā Hoseok somberly confirms, āMy deceased wife.āĀ
Your eyes widen instantly.Ā
Aside from the first time you were alerted of her presence, Hoseok has never spoken about her. You had never questioned him either, knowing better than anybody else the sheer grief that came with losing your sprouse.Ā
And in a way, a part of you always knew, being painfully aware of it since the moment youāve met the man.Ā
His warm smile has always seemed to carry the weight of the world.Ā
āShe was really pretty.ā You add with a smile, peering up to see tenderness in Hoseokās expression.Ā
āShe was.ā He hums, āI had actually liked her since high school, but I was always too nervous around her to confess my feelings.āĀ
You nod, and he continues. āBut then one day, I was working at a department store and she walked in. Recognized me within seconds.āĀ
āāI knew I couldnāt let the chance slip away from me again, so I asked her out. To my surprise, she agreed right away, as if she had been waiting for me to ask.āĀ
He beams, āShe was stubborn, but very loving. Not a day goes by without me thinking about her.āĀ
Your brows lift, wondering if this is how you sounded when you talked about Namjoon. If you held so much love in your eyes, so much nostalgia in every word you spoke, so much sparks of joy in your expression.Ā
āWeā¦we never had kids.ā He brings up, as if he knew what you were wondering. āRatherā¦we couldnāt have kids.āĀ
Shock crosses your features and Hoseok grimly smiles, āEunaā¦she had a miscarriage. And then we found out she couldnāt have kids anymore, and it was devastating.ā He sighs, recalling the memory like it was yesterday, āWe fought, a lot. She kept telling me to divorce her, or to find someone else, because she knew how much I wanted to be a dad and have kids of my own.āĀ
āBut you see, Iām just as stubborn as my wife. I told her I wasnāt going anywhere and that it didnāt matter at the end of the day. That I didnāt vow to be with her in sickness and health at the altar for no reason, and that my desire to be with her was stronger than she thought.āĀ
āEuna cried a lot. She would always cry in moments like this, not realizing how clear it was that she was suffering. So, I stayed with her and we were together for years, until her death.āĀ
You let out the breath you hadnāt known you had been holding, āC-Can I askā¦.āĀ
A small smile curls on his lips. āOf course you can.āĀ
You dart your gaze at the photo, knowing this isnāt easy to talk about. āEunaā¦how did sheā¦?āĀ
Hoseok harshly swallows, all his wounds reopening before him. āShe got diagnosed with stomach cancer. We luckily caught it right away, but Eunaā¦she got sick, very quickly. It soon turned into going back and forth into the hospital, getting treatments and scheduling surgeries, and she got better. She looked so healthy, even started smiling again andāāĀ
Hoseok shudders, raising a hand against his eyes. You shift closer, wrapping an arm around him as his body trembles, sobs escaping him.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper and he glances up, agony pouring out from him.Ā
āS-She was better, Y/N.ā He chokes out. āI thought it was all real. I thought I could take her out of there, bring her back home and everything would snap back into place again, but then it s-spreadā¦āĀ
You hug him tighter, squeezing your eyes shut.Ā
āShe was gone...ā You complete, āā¦in the blink of an eye, like she never existed to begin with.āĀ
Hoseok doesnāt respond, still within your arms and he knows he doesnāt need to. Not when you understand his pain so well, not when his feelings mimic yours, not when the gap in his heart that his wife left is so similar to your own, feelings of loneliness dispersing everywhere.Ā
That night, you lie down next to Hoseok.Ā
Your head rests against his chest as his breaths even out, his hand clasped onto yours. The tears have long dried but the anguish is still there, a deep furrow to his brows as he sleeps.Ā
Peering upward, a soft smile lingers on your lips at the photograph he holds close to his heart.Ā
You lean down, handing Hoseok a warm cup of tea.Ā
His hands reach out in an instant, a kind smile on his features.Ā
āThank you.ā You return it, before sitting yourself down on a chair opposite to him with your own cup.Ā
It had been roughly a week since that night, and Hoseok looks brighter, almost more optimistic, if it were even possible. You werenāt sure after the second night passed, his eyes remaining swollen and a somber aura surrounding the man. You hadnāt left him alone for a split second, even as he continuously insisted he was alright, accompanying him on morning walks and holding onto his cold hand.Ā
Hoseok had chuckled when you pushed him over, sliding into the opposite end of the bed and draping an arm around him. He smiles gently when you rest your head against his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat. His eyes turn tender when you dreamingly question about Euna, curious about her likes and dislikes, the way she spoke or the way she laughed, using him as your source to an individual youāve never met, but feel like you know everything about.Ā
And he does the same for you, asking for you to show him a picture of Namjoon one day. You pluck onto an album you had kept safely stored away, one Hoseok already knew was yours from how tidy it was kept and it was always situated next to your books, the very ones Namjoon would read.Ā
Hoseok sees everything. Pictures of you and Namjoon smiling, much younger and with so much excitement dwelling in your eyes. Photographs of a new ring settled on your finger, bursting with so much happiness. Photographs of you crying, holding your nearly born son in your arms.Ā
Hoseok sees your entire lifetime before his eyes, peeking at a question that has your eyes sparkling.
āDo you think we could have met?ā He glances at the photograph of you in dark robes, a wide grin on your lips as you hold your college degree. āLike bumped shoulders at one point?āĀ
āI donāt know.ā You truthfully confess. You had lived such different lives, never once bumping into the man. It makes you wonder if you would have ever met him, having not gone to the old age home.Ā
āWeāre what? Five years apart?ā He marvels, deep in thought, āWhat if you were revisiting college? And you just happened to stumble into me, freshly into college?āĀ
You fondly smile at the sentiment. You can imagine it so clearly ā a younger Hoseok, appearing curious with his surroundings as he glanced around, attempting to locate his classes. You, a couple years older, coming back to meet with one of your professors.Ā
āYou would be lost.ā You state, playing into his fantasy. āI bet you would try to ask everyone around you for directionsā¦āĀ
āāuntil I encountered you, your confidence taking me away.āĀ
You laugh, smile stretching. āI would wonder why you would be asking someone like meāāĀ
āSomeone who would be too stubborn to say no.ā He grins and the image flashes before you can help it.Ā
āE-Excuse me?ā The man mumbles, appearing to be in his early twenties. āIām supposed to go to the Art building, but Iām not sure which way that is.āĀ
You turn in surprise, not having expected to be approached. In fact, your gaze was concentrated forward, attached to the office before you.Ā
āO-Oh.ā Youāre caught off guard. His eyes are flickering everywhere and you muse he could really use the help. āOf course, itās the black building just down on the right.āĀ
āThanks.ā He kindly smiles, and turns in the direction of your instructions.Ā
You widely grin, āIt wouldnāt have been anything big. Just a couple of words exchanged.āĀ
Hoseok halts, swiveling with wide eyes.Ā
āSorry, did you say something?ā He ponders, and you softly shake your head.Ā
āDonāt worry about it.ā You mutter, āI do hope you find your class, Hoseok.āĀ
He nods, peering at you in confusion. You watch as he departs, whispering underneath your breath.Ā
āSee you in a couple of years.āĀ
Hoseok is leaning back in his chair, a soft smile on his lips.Ā
āA tad unrealistic?ā You were amused that he let you stray so far off, not halting the train of thoughts coming to you.Ā
āA bit,ā He chuckles, ābut I didnāt want you to stop.ā
You share a knowing look, holding onto your tea cups.Ā
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
Hoseok gets up first, gesturing for you to continue drinking your tea. You watch as he slowly pads over to the door, revealing a woman standing with a young girl before your eyes.Ā
You recognize them immediately as a family that lived nearby, noticing them frequenting one of the homes during the summer.Ā
The young girl looks to be roughly seven to eight years old, eyes flickering around and hands fidgeting. At the sight of her mother eyeing her, she speaks up.Ā
Ā āUmā¦m-my ball. It went into your garden.āĀ
Hoseok softly smiles, leaning down to gently pat her head.Ā
āLetās go retrieve it, shall we?ā He implores, and the little girl follows behind, slowing her pace to keep up with his steps.Ā
You walk outside to the garden, standing next to her mother. Fondness spreads through you as Hoseok looks around with the girl, a tenderness to his eyes that has you smiling as he gives the ball back to you.Ā
Her mother draws your attention. āIām so sorry about this, I didnāt think it would end up here.āĀ
āItās quite alright.ā You reassure, āHoseok doesnāt mind either.āĀ
āIāve seen you around a couple of times.ā She inquires, āDid you come here recently?āĀ
You nod, āI wanted to move away from the city.ā
She hums understandably, āThatās nice. Both you and your husband seem very loving.āĀ
Your eyes flicker. It had been so long since you had heard such a statement, long having buried it with Namjoon when he passed.Ā
āHeās not my husbandā¦ā You correct, and the womanās eyes widen, like she hasnāt been expecting that response from you.Ā
You pursue your lips. You truthfully, never had an answer. Not when Naree had accused you of replacing Namjoon, not when you would encounter the other neighbors and they would inquire about you, not when there was no envy on either one of your parts when Namjoon or Euna were mentioned, just understanding of the deep love you both still hold onto to.Ā
Namjoon is your husband. He will always be, keeping a special place in your heart that no one else can ever fully take or replace.Ā
Hoseok is your radiant sun.Ā
His smile is comforting. His arms are warm. His presence feels so reassuring and makes you feel less lonely in this world that only has you left behind.Ā
He's your solace ā the embodiment of your pain and understanding at the same time.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper, āHeāsā¦heās my partner.ā
Through the thick and thin, through the laughs and the tears, through the comforting embraces and the anguished recollections. You are glad to have met him, to have experienced these new memories with him, and to have created a new path, one in which you will spend the rest of your life in together.Ā
Hoseok glances up with a grin, the little girl holding her ball and giggling at something he said. His eyes lock on yours and itās almost like he knows, he knows what is dwelling inside them.Ā
Heāll always be your partner for eternity.Ā
Time is the most valuable thing to exist in the world.Ā
It can be a matter of a mere seconds, spinning away like loose strands without any control. It could be a matter of a few years, spanning across months at a subdued pace.Ā
Time is so very valuable, and youāre grateful to have spent it with Jung Hoseok.Ā
āHoseokā¦.āĀ
Itās your voice, weakly calling out to him. Heās by your side within a matter of seconds.Ā
āY/N.ā He whispers, a smile spanning on his lips with many lines creasing.Ā
Heās gotten much older, the dark strands of hair turning completely gray, a deep hunch caving in his back more. He wears hearing aids on both ears, enough to still hear your low murmurs from your bed. His eyes have gotten weaker, a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his long nose.Ā
He still looks like the man youāve spent so many years with.Ā
And what years they were. You had basked in each otherās presence, being so utterly peaceful with him staying by your side. You werenāt lonely, you werenāt numb, you werenāt terrified anymore, you were simply content.Ā
Even when your legs had started losing their ability. Even when your memory began to fade, panic settling in on not being able to recall anymore. Even when your skin paled with time and you had become bed ridden.Ā
Hoseok held onto you. Hoseok reminded you, pulling out albums for you to see. Hoseok lied down with you, letting you rest your head against his chest. He coaxes and consoles you, keeping you in one piece even though the years were threatening to crumble you.Ā
Even as he watches your chest slowly heave, voice growing weaker by the minute.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You croak. Heās leaning in right away, despite having machinery that allows him to hear. āT-Thank youā¦Hoseokā¦.āĀ
He chuckles, eyes glossed over. So many years had passed and you still had the need to express your gratitudeĀ
āI should be thanking you.ā He brings up, āThank you, Kim Y/N. For all these beautiful years.ā He whispers, as if singing you a comforting lullaby āFor letting me into your life and staying by your side.āĀ
His voice cracks, but he still smiles.
āF-For letting this old man be your partner, for the rest of the time you had left.āĀ
You slowly smile, and he squeezes your hand, like he knows you feel the same way.Ā
āHoseokā¦.ā You heave out, āI-Iāmā¦Iām a little scaredā¦āĀ
āIām here, Y/N. Iām here.ā He whispers, leaning his forehead against yours and shaking in your grasp.
āI-I wanted to goā¦.ā You croak, āFor so longā¦.I-I wanted to see himā¦.āĀ
A low chuckle escapes you, āBut not anymore.... strange, isnāt itā¦.?āĀ
Hoseok is sobbing, shudders escaping through his body. His hand is clasped around yours, eyes filled with waterĀ
But he keeps them open, wanting to encapsulate your last image into them.Ā
āYouāll be okay.ā He chokes out.Ā
A warm smile graces your lips. Itās the most content heās ever seen you, and it makes the center of his chest ache infinitely.Ā
A moment of silence passes as Hoseok recollects himself, leaning back to gaze at you.Ā
He calls out for you.Ā
āY/N?āĀ
Your lips barely move, the shallow breaths leaving you all too soon. But you keep your gaze concentrated on him, letting him know you are still listening.Ā
A tear manages to slip from Hoseokās eyes, but he still smiles, like he always does.Ā
āSay hi to your husband for me.ā He whispers.Ā
Itās the last thing you hear before a brightness filling your eyes, his hold on you being the strongest itās ever been. It rushes in, pulling you away like a tide.Ā
Your hand slips through his hold, and your eyes shut forever.
The Solace Window
Pairing: Hoseok x Reader (ft. Namjoon)
Genre: Angst
ā³ 15.8k / Older Couple AU
Summary: Kim Namjoon is no more, and you are left behind as a 75 year old widow. Stuck in between experiencing grief and mourning your late husband, your search for solace seems more and more far-fetched. That is until you stumble upon widowed Jung Hoseok.
*Warnings: Depictions surrounding death, grief, depression, spousal loss, miscarriage, fertility issues, illness, growing older, familial issues, mistreatment of the elderly, old age homes. This story will deal with heavy topics and reader discretion is highly advised.
A/N: After much contemplation, I have decided to write this fic. It is very personal to me, and one that I really wanted to share.
Heās gone.Ā
Kim Namjoon is laid to rest in the casket in an eternal sleep. His gray hair has been carefully combed back against his wrinkled skin, and heās dressed in an elegant black suit, arms folded and resting on top of his chest. He wears a content expression, brows smoothed out and lips tightly shut.
Heās gone, forever.Ā
A handful of individuals surround him; namely a couple in their late thirties clad entirely in black. The wife clutches onto her husbandās shirt, thick tears streaming down her face and tremors shuddering through her shoulders.Ā
āD-Dadā¦ā She chokes out, burying herself further into her husbandās embrace as he wraps his arms around her.Ā
There are two small children with wide eyes, glancing between their mother and father in curiosity. Their gazes then flicker over to the rest of the people who have gathered, before looking back at the older lady sitting on the side, who holds a somber expression and far too much anguish in her eyes.Ā
You can only watch as the service is completed and you have to say your farewells. You can only watch as you keep the deep ache in your chest at bay, attempting to keep yourself from crumbling. You can only watch as your loved ones are a mess, sobs echoing from the room.Ā
You can only watch as your husband departs from this world, leaving you behind.Ā
You are silent the entire ride home.Ā
When the multiple cars arrive at the large complex, you already begin to carefully shift out of the vehicle, not waiting for anyone to help you out. Your cane hits against the pavement and you place pressure on it, moving slowly with a hunched back.Ā
You trail along the sidewalk until meeting the front steps, cautiously raise your feet and walk on them one by one. Weakly pushing against the door, you tread towards the staircase, having no desire to eat and wanting to head straight to your room.Ā
A gentle hand on your shoulder halts you.Ā
Turning around, the woman stares back at you with a swollen but intentful gaze. Sheās inherited your eyes and Namjoonās smile, her expression scanning your features.Ā
āMomā¦ā She calls out, but you donāt have the strength to hear her words.Ā
āIām tired, Naree.ā You quietly whisper, and she moves her mouth as if to speak again, but her own words fizzle out. She simply nods, swivelling away as her eyes brim with water.Ā
You gradually ascend onto the steps, pushing your cane against the wood before hauling your shaking feet upward. After a couple of moments, you manage to reach the top, shuffling your feet into your bedroom.Ā
The bedroom you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
Thereās a double-sized bed in the middle with two dressers, one of which has Namjoonās medications carefully stacked to the side, a small lamp and a book with a bookmark that he was in the midst of completing. Thereās two picture frames off to the side, a much younger you with a huge smile hugging a shyer and much younger Namjoon, the snapshot taken seconds before he had accidentally stumbled and taken you down with him.Ā
You move closer to the other dresser, the one that contains all of your belongings. Setting your cane securely against it, you slip into the covers, bringing them up to your chest until youāre completely nestled.Ā
As you stare at the ceiling, silence greets you. Thereās the faint tick of the clock on the opposite side of the bed, the very one Namjoon had installed so it was easier for him to figure out the time without squinting and straining his eyes. Itās accompanied with a side that is now empty, his scent still lingering on the pillow that sits right next to yours.Ā
The silence continues to greet you the longer you stare at the ceiling, and itās absolutely deafening.Ā
The tears rise before you can stop them, rolling down the crinkle of your eyes. The longer you wait, the longer you stare, the more it becomes inevitable with every passing minute.Ā
Heās not coming back. Thereās no him arising from the door, slowly parting it as he sheepishly admits he had accidentally fallen asleep on the couch downstairs, mind growing absent these days. Thereās no dim light radiating out from your side, a pair of glasses on the rim of his nose as he carefully turns the pages of his book. Thereās no familiar dimpled smile wishing you goodnight, no soft kisses against your forehead before he slips into the covers with you, pulling you into his warm and comfortable embrace.Ā
Thereās nothing anymore and itās something that slams into you, being wide awake despite living in a walking nightmare.Ā
A harsh sob rips from your throat, echoing against the silent walls.Ā
You are numb.
You slowly peel open your eyes in the morning, the faint sunlight seeping through the same floral curtains. The side beside you still stays empty, as you continue to sleep on your own side. The belongings on the opposite dresser are untouched, small specks of dust long beginning to settle.Ā
A year has passed since the tragedy, and you are still numb.Ā
You rise onto your feet, your wrinkled hand reaching out for your cane. Weakly pushing yourself off the bed, your feet stagger as you pad through the room and head into the bathroom.Ā
Setting your cane aside again, you turn the tap on and the water flows. Pooling it in your hands, you splash it over your skin, the water feeling tender against it. Glancing in the mirror, a low sigh leaves your lips.Ā
The lines on your features have deepened and increased, small indents showcasing near the corners of your eyes and your mouth. Your cheeks have become hollow, bone beginning to surface and protrude out. The bottom of your eyes have darkened, skin sagging down.
There's a saying youāve roughly heard in passing ā one that Namjoonās mother had echoed to you when his father had passed away and you were inquiring how she was.Ā
She had said that for many couples, after your spouse passes away, the grief only seems to accelerate the aging process tenfold and that it wouldnāt be too long till her own day would come.Ā
At the moment, the thought itself was devastating to hear. But you never thought a day would come when her words would be so utterly true, your face having aged more within one year compared to the last five years you had spent with Namjoon.Ā
After washing up solemnly in silence, you pad back through into the desolate bedroom, before exiting and slowly descending down the stairs.Ā
Nareeās voice echoes through the room.
ā...ānot eating on time and barely talks, I just donāt know what to do anymore.ā
āIt comes with age.ā Her husband, Seojun, echoes, āYou should know that sheās growing old.āĀ
āI know,ā She huffs, āBut she wonāt even go through my fatherās belongings, instead she insists on keeping everything the same and itās been so longāāĀ
You quietly clear your throat, leaning against the staircase beside the kitchen. Naree spins around with wide eyes and both of them freeze, as if they had been caught.Ā
āMomāāĀ
āIām feeling tired.ā You simply say.Ā
āLet me make you some tea.ā She brings up immediately and you nod, turning around with another word. Naree and her husband glance at each other silently, before she moves towards the kettle.Ā
You walk over to sit down on the large couch at the side in the living room, the one that has enough cushions for your hunched back. Sitting down with a large heave, your gaze falls onto the window.Ā
A small girl stumbles into the room.Ā
Her wide eyes are bright, a familiar dimpled smile on her lips and a photo in her hands.
Thereās a soft upturn to your lips and she beams, rushing over in an instant.Ā
āGrandma!ā she squeals, body falling near your legs and head landing in your lap. Another younger girl pads in quietly behind, following her older sister with curious eyes.
āNayoung.ā You reach out and tenderly stroke the eldest girlās hair, who is around eight years old, before moving your eyes to the four year old behind her, āDambi.āĀ
The youngest smiles and you widen your arm, to which she pads closer and rests within your embrace.
You hug your grandchildren with all the love you have left to offer.Ā
āGrandma!ā Nayoung excitedly rambles, placing a frame into your withered hands, āIs the baby in this Mom?āĀ
You take it and flip it around, eyes widening to find the picture of you, a small child in your arms and Namjoonās hand resting on your shoulder. Youāre smiling but your eyes are brimming with tears, as so are his as the baby stays rested within your comfortable embrace.Ā
Your eyes gloss over for a split second, but you sniffle, bringing your attention back to your granddaughter.Ā
āNo, it isnāt.ā You explain, āItās my sonā¦. your Uncle Haneul.āĀ
Nayoung stares at you with surprise, glancing at the photo frame again. āUncle Haneul?āĀ
You slowly nod and she continues to stare with fascination, even glancing back at Dambi and pointing towards it like she had uncovered a hidden secret.Ā
āWhereās Uncle Haneul?ā Dambi ponders, and your eyes soften.
āFollowing in his fatherās footsteps.ā You whisper, āHe became a professor, and heās been exploring the world for his research.āĀ
Ever since Namjoon passed away. ā you want to add.Ā
You take the frame from Nayoungās hands, āThis picture is when he was first born, before your mother was.ā
Haneul and Naree. After years of love and even more years of building a life together ā a relationship, a marriage, a home, you and Namjoon had decided that you wanted to have kids. Through the ups and downs, the panics of pregnancy to the bliss of becoming parents, you both were blessed with two children that you love dearly.Ā
In return, Haneul had ultimately decided that becoming a parent wasnāt something he had desired, something both you and Namjoon had understood from afar and confirmed when he had brought it up to you. Instead, he wanted to travel and was inclined to be hungry for knowledge, much like Namjoon himself. You had to convince him to leave after Namjoonās passing, insisting that life was too short and he should be living his, instead of fretting over the family.Ā
On the flip side, Naree married her husband a couple of years back, and you had met your precious granddaughters, Nayoung and Dambi, within that time frame.Ā
Within forty-seven years of marriage, you had seen it all, but it still comes racing back to you in a heartbeat, the memories still so vivid as you stare back at the single snapshot that captured it all.Ā
Nayoung watches you with a smile, and Dambi mumbles something that has light coming back to your eyes.Ā
āYou used to be so pretty, Grandma.ā The four year old states it so nonchalantly, resulting in her older sister gasping and whipping her head around.Ā
āHey! Grandma is still pretty.ā Nayoung persists.Ā
You deeply sigh, āIāve gotten old, havenāt I?āĀ
āNo, no!ā Nayoung furiously shakes her head, āYouāre notā ā¦well, you are old, Grandma, but still so pretty!āĀ
A smile cracks onto your lips, long having forgotten what it felt like. Nayoung shifts, eyes growing uneasy.Ā
āGrandmaā¦a-are you crying?āĀ
You sniffle, hurriedly wiping away your tears, The two children stare at you with rounded eyes and you softly chuckle, widening your arms.Ā
āHow about you help Grandma feel a bit better?āĀ
Nayoung reacts immediately, launching herself into your arms as you bring her into your lap and rest your head against hers. Dambi crawls up the sofa and you pull her in as well, embracing the two with quivering arms.
Even in this bleak and lonely world, you are relieved to have them by your side.Ā
***
Naree stands by the living room entrance, a cup of tea in her hands.Ā
āGirls, itās time to wash up and get ready for lunch.ā She announces, and the two children glance up, before immediately rising to their feet.Ā
They both give you a quick wave before theyāre scurrying away upstairs.Ā
Naree brings the cup and sets it down on the table in front of you.
āMom.ā She calls out and you turn to look at her. āCan we talk?āĀ
A deep sigh leaves you and you sink back into the chair, knowing it was all impossible to avoid.Ā
āI suppose.ā You comply and she sits down on the couch opposite you, facing you directly.Ā
āI was talkingā¦to Seojunā¦ā At the topic of her husband, you shift and she continues cautiously, āI know how you feel about Dad, and he does too.āĀ
Your eyes downcast, āBut we should really move his things into the storage room, Mom.āĀ
āAnd what about me?ā You chuckle underneath your breath, āAre you eventually going to move me too?āĀ
āMom.ā She chides, letting out a long sigh. She looks tired, just like you. āItās been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
And a year since everyone had forgotten about him.Ā
You want to add, but keep silent, āI just think itās really time to move forwardā¦āĀ
Thereās a deep ache within your chest, that only grows with her words. You knew this conversation was inevitable, but how were you to explain?Ā
How were you to explain that ever since Namjoon passed away, youāve been consumed with an exorbitant amount of feelings that you could barely grasp?
Immense guilt that somehow through all this, you were still here while his death was so sudden. That you were still breathing and intact, all while he had struggled to do the same?Ā
Utter anger that he had left you here all by yourself after spending nearly half a century together, how he didnāt just take you with him, instead of you waking up everyday, longing to see him again.Ā
And of course ā the grief. Perhaps the most painful of them all.Ā
You canāt go through his things without breaking down, reopening the jarring wound his demise has left over and over again when you see his clothes, his shoes, his belongings. The last remains of his existence and the last things you can desperately clutch on, mimicking a supposed fabrication of him still being with you.Ā
You wrap your arms around yourself, shaking your head with shut eyes.Ā
āMy answer is firm, Naree.āĀ
āMom.ā She exasperatedly says, frustrated with your stubbornness that mimics her own. After all, sheās inherited your personality, except youāve lived longer with all your experiences exceeding all of hers.Ā
āIām exhausted.ā You simply state, willing your shaking legs to get up. Once they do, you grab onto your cane, trudging towards the staircase.
Naree is silent as she watches you struggling to get up, unable to explain how much grief has been brought to her. Everyday sheās forced to watch her mother fall into a slump, surrounding herself with past memories and unable to break out of her shell. Sheās granted only the fleeting moment of your former self when you interact with her daughters, but a part of her always wonders if a part of you had died alongside her father that day, that she ended up losing both her parents in some twisted way.Ā
She rubs her temples, feeling absolutely drained and tired beyond belief.Ā
A week passes by.Ā
Thereās barely any change in your routine. You remain within your bedroom majority of the time, sleeping and occasionally being reminded to eat. You donāt speak much, carrying a solemn gaze and a deep frown on your lips.Ā
You donāt see much of Naree or Seojun, both of them occupied with their jobs and not making any effort to speak to you for the duration.Ā
However, one night you find them by the kitchen table, sitting opposite from each other.Ā
It was late into the hours and you had suddenly woken, on your way down for a glass of water.Ā
Naree stills. āMomāāĀ
āWhat were you talking about?ā You question, and Naree knows.Ā
She knows that you heard pieces of their conversation. The conversation about how drained she felt lately, work taking its everlasting toll on her, right before Seojun suggested taking a vacation and going out on a trip with the family. To the conversation shifting, Naree spilling out her worries and concerns about you, your old age and how much she could see your health deteriorating, to how much she canāt get through to you anymore, how much sheās just given up.Ā
However, whatās caught most of your attention is the sudden mention of a certain kind of home, one that notoriously knows how to take care of the elderly properly.Ā
āWe should talk.ā Seojun states, pulling out a chair for you. You reluctantly take it, slowly sitting down as your gaze oscillates between them.
Naree sucks in a deep breath, looking at her husband uneasily. āWe were thinkingā¦āĀ
āThat it might be time for us to try something different.ā Seojun finishes, glancing at you intently.Ā
You cut to the chase. āWhat are you trying to get at?āĀ
Thereās a pause and Naree fidgets, eyes focusing onto her hands.Ā
Her next words have you freezing.Ā
āMomā¦how would you feel about moving into an old age home?ā Naree mutters.
A rigid chuckle leaves you, āSo this is what itās coming to, huh?āĀ
āMom, please.ā Naree insists in defense and if you werenāt so entrapped within your own thoughts, perhaps you would have noticed the fatigue running deep in her eyes or the stiffness in her shoulders, āItās not an easy decisionā¦but weāve really thought about this.āĀ
Correction ā Seojun has thought about this. You vaguely remember him bringing it up once, much to Nareeās protests and he let it slip by then.Ā
But now, you have grown older and gone through grief, which doesnāt make it implausible to bring up again.Ā
Except this time, youāre alone, not having Namjoon with you anymore to see eye to eye with Seojun as he always did and convincing him that you were better off together.Ā
You miss him so much.Ā
āYour health hasnāt been the same, Mom.ā Naree explains, āAnd both Seojun and I go to work, the girls go off to school andāā
She deeply sighs, eyes becoming glossy. āI know, Momā¦I know youāre lonely.āĀ
You squeeze your eyes shut.Ā
āEver since Dad passed away, I think our relationship has changed,ā She simply states, her next words driving a wedge through your heart āā¦and I donāt think we have the same capability to take care of you anymore.ā
You sigh, glancing up to look straight into Nareeās eyes for the first time since Namjoonās passing.Ā
āItās the trip too, isnāt it? The girls want to go, but youāve resisted for a while.ā You mention, āYou kept saying that I needed you, and that youāll eventually go, but you had to stay behind because of me.āĀ
Naree winces at how direct you are, not missing a heartbeat of the reality youāve been noticing since the past year.Ā
Sucking in a breath, you ignore the deep ache residing within your chest, pushing it back into the farthest corner.Ā
āFine.ā You solemnly state, barely having energy anymore. āIāll go, if thatās what you want.āĀ
Relief breaks out onto Nareeās features and Seojun softly smiles. You suppose it was bound to happen eventually, better sooner than later, and perhaps it would do some good for you, to continue on somehow.Ā
That is, knowing this will be your last days within the home you had once built with Namjoon.Ā
The move happens within a couple of days.Ā
Your bags are packed, with clothes and smaller belongings tossed in. Peering around, you stare at Namjoonās side of the bed, ready to leave it as it is.Ā
But you step forward, glancing down at the book he was in the middle of reading. It was another dystopian sci-fi book he was curious about, having heard good reviews about it.Ā
You place it into your arms, giving the room one longing look before ultimately shutting the door.Ā
Naree and you sit in the car in silence, as you gaze out the window and reminisce over the passing neighborhood.Ā
You and Namjoon were incredibly young when you had first moved here, hunting down homes and furiously checking the pricing of the housing market. It had been only a couple of weeks since your marriage, both of you fresh out of college and in entry jobs when he had stumbled upon the location, coming up to you with bright eyes one day.Ā
The nostalgia brims in your eyes, but soon Naree is tapping against your shoulder.Ā
āWeāre here.ā She announces and you nod, before she proceeds to come over and take out your bags.
You glance around with a frown.Ā
It's a small residential area, appearing more like a stretched out home with many windows, accompanied with a garden area at the front that spreads to the back.Ā
Stepping inside, it doesnāt seem to get better.Ā
The walls are a dull white, and sunlight pours in from the windows, nearly blinding you. Thereās a reception area that Naree steps closer to talk to, but you stand with a frown still on your lips, peering into the room at the corner, where you can hear laughs and chuckles.Ā
There's a bunch of chairs, with people around your age seated and conversing. Theyāre smiling alongside each other, while some others are knitting as well as playing cards. It takes you off guard for a moment, not accustomed to seeing so many closer to your age range after being around your own family members for so long.Ā
The place seems to smit a sense of peace with a hint of melancholy, and youāre truthfully not sure about how you feel about it.Ā
āTheyāre all set-up, Mom.ā Naree walks closer to you and you turn, seeing her glance at her watch. āI need to get to work soon.āĀ
You hum and Naree still stands in spot, as if deeply contemplating.Ā
āMomā¦IāāĀ
āHave fun with the kids.ā You mutter, āTake them to nice places, places they want to see.āĀ
She nods, not lingering for a moment longer as she reluctantly turns around ā leaving you all by yourself once again.
It's⦠unsettling.Ā
Everything follows a schedule and each day repeats, constantly. Youāre told when to eat, when to sleep, when to do something fun ā as they would like to call it ā and the worst part of it all, youāre surrounded by strangers who know each other all too well.Ā
You, in the meanwhile, have been already quoted as being too quiet and solemn, something that makes you want to wrap up into yourself even more. You were never good at connecting with new people, regardless of where you were.Ā
Namjoon was always the sociable one, effortlessly commanding a room with his charm and charisma. You would sheepishly stand next to him, but he would always manage to include you somehow, making you feel less cut off from others.Ā
You let out a sigh ā perhaps the only time you actually feel comfort is through the night, tucked underneath the streets with a book wrapped around your cold arms, sniffling as youāre surrounded with unfamiliar things in an unfamiliar room and attempting to lull yourself to sleep.Ā
Because moments like those are where you finally get to welcome his presence wholeheartedly.
You blink,squinting your eyes and raising your hand to block the sun.Ā
Except itās not the same hand youāre used to ā rather itās no longer wrinkled, with your veins popping out and hands no longer tremoring.Ā
They feel strong, and you open and close your palm a few times astonished.
A pair of small legs tumble into your own and you gasp, glancing down at the boy who has the same features as your husband.Ā
He grins widely, āMommy!ā
āHaneul?!ā You harshly whisper, raising the boy before lifting him into your arms. He looks no more than four years old.Ā
Haneul is four, which means can only meanāĀ
You are thirty-four.Ā
Glancing around, your eyes are snapping around frantically ā taking in the expansive backyard which you barely would step in anymore, now littered with Nayoung and Dambiās toys. The house that you left behind, just recently newly renovated upon your insistence. And your son, who looks up at you with wide eyes, as if youāre his entire world.Ā
You attempt to hold him close, biting back the sobs that threaten to take over you.Ā
A loud yelp resonates through the air.Ā
Your breath hitches, knowing that voice from anywhere. Whipping your head around, your legs are stronger, and you take long strides without needing a cane, carrying your son in your arms.
For thereās a small shed in the corner of your backyard and if youāre right, if your memory doesnāt fail you.Ā
The shed needs to be fixed and Namjoon took upon the task himself.Ā
The door goes flying open and his back is the first thing you see.Ā
āNot againā¦ā He sighs, a hand planting against his forehead. Thereās a bucket of paint thatās fallen to the ground, along with patches of the white colour sprayed against his ankles.Ā
You slowly set your smiling son down, who giggles and runs to his father. Namjoon instantly looks down, his hand reaching out that Haneul eagerly takes.Ā
Your voice comes out in a choked whisper.Ā
āN-Namjoon?āĀ
He turns with a huge smile and youāve forgotten. Forgotten how crystal clear your memory once was, knowing his dark hair, crinkled eyes and dimpled smile anywhere. How much that smile hasnāt changed at all, fine lines maring around the corners instead, next to his grey strands of hair and weakened eyes.Ā
How despite the years ā heāll always be the same man you fell in love with.
āY/N.ā He deeply enunciates, concern etching onto his features.
āYouāre crying, whatā ā¦ā He takes long strides towards you, whispering as his hand makes contact with your cheek, āWhatās wrong?āĀ
You sniffle, the tears pouring down as youāre no longer able to hold them back.Ā
Namjoon nearly stumbles back when you grasp onto him, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He hugs you back, comfortingly resting his head against your forehead.Ā
āI-I missed you.ā You sob out, not wanting to let him go.Ā
āMissed me?ā Namjoon softly chuckles, threading his hand through your hair. āIāve always been here, Y/N.āĀ
He separates you from him, holding onto your shoulders as he tenderly looks into your eyes.Ā
āIām always here, Y/N.āĀ
Youāre suddenly pulled away, away from his comforting embrace and eyes as a white light flashes over your eyes.Ā
You jolt awake, hearing only the faint sound of the heater echoing through the unfamiliar room. Reality crashes down onto you, painfully reminding you of your current location.Ā
The other side of the bed remains cold and empty.
The days churn by, and you are as miserable as ever.Ā
You sit quietly by the side and stare out the window, hearing a few others engage in conversation in small groups. There was something about doing a painting activity, but you had paid it no mind, too focused on the garden outside and grasping onto the book that sits on your lap.Ā
āBefore I came here, my husband passed away three years ago.ā A voice from afar begins. It comes from a woman, who appears much older than you. āIt happened so quickly, I-I didnāt know how to deal with it.āĀ
There's a man sitting next to her, spotting a collared shirt and dark black hair. He looks younger than both of you, and he somberly listens to her.Ā
āHow long were you together?ā He wonders.Ā
āFifty-five years.ā The woman sadly chuckles, āWe spent every day, every moment togetherā¦and then one day he was just gone.āĀ
Your heart clenches, no longer staring out the window. You donāt mean to eavesdrop, but youāve learned it's difficult when youāre surrounded by so many others, stories from so many different phases of life pouring out effortlessly in a single room.Ā
āIāve heard it all,ā She continues. āThat he was in a better place, that I would heal with time, even that his time was bound to come soonā¦.I-It hurt, a lot.āĀ
You watch as tears fill her eyes and her sadness fills the small space youāre in, a lump in your throat starting to form. You attempt to pucker your lips, threaten to silence yourself as much as possible, but the words spill out with far too much ease.Ā
āMy husbandā¦ā You suck in a breath when her gaze falls onto you in surprise. āHeā¦he passed away, about a year ago.āĀ
Her features twist, understanding deep within her eyes.Ā
āIām so sorry for your loss.āĀ
You give her a half-smile and she presses forward, āHow many years?āĀ
āForty-seven.ā You state, adding with a sad note āWe never got to fiftyā¦ā
She solemnly nods and something in her gaze is just too much, alleviating the tension that has been festering and brewing within you.Ā
āHe was kind, a little clumsy and forgetful, but still very kind.ā You remorsefully chuckle. āSometimes, itās scary, like heās never existedā¦and other days, I want to see him again, almost likeāā
You silence yourself, eyes clamping shut as a deep ache within your chest just spreads and amplifies.Ā
A voice tugs you out of your thoughts.Ā
āLike what?ā Itās the man next to the older woman, his gaze still on you.Ā
Your voice comes out in an anguished whisper, āLike how he visits me in my dreams.āĀ
It sounds strange and bizarre, you know this. But youāre startled when you glance up, only to find that woman giving you a kind look and the man softly smiling, as if he finds the notion to be pleasant.Ā
āItās nice, isnāt it?ā He piques, āSeeing them again, as if they never left to begin withā¦āĀ
You stare at him in bewilderment, attempting to muster words up.Ā
But he beats you to it.Ā
āFive years.ā He informs, like he knew what you wanted to ask. āSince my wifeās been gone.āĀ
You shake your head, not fully realizing his circumstance.Ā
āIām sorry, I didnāt mean to assumeāāĀ
āItās okay.ā He lets out a low chuckle, āI look much younger than I actually am.āĀ
You hum, acknowledging it right away. Alongside appearing younger, you notice his disposition appears to be the same as well, being much laid-back compared to anyone else youāve seen here.
āWhatās your name?ā He asks, āIāve seen you a couple times, but I think this is our first time talking.āĀ
āI-Iām not one for talking muchā¦ā You note, but he quirks his head to the side, like he didnāt believe that. āAnd itās Y/N, Kim Y/N.āĀ
āIām Jung Hoseok.ā He introduces, gesturing to the woman next to him. āThis is Lee Haewon.āĀ
She directs a friendly smile towards you and you attempt to return it back.Ā
āHow old are both of you?ā You wonder.Ā
āIām eighty-five.ā Haewon answers, squinting her eyes at the man, āLast I remember, Hoseok is sixty-seven.āĀ
āSeventy, Haewon.ā He politely corrects, but with no malice. Almost as if he was expecting for her to get it wrong.Ā
She deeply exhales, shaking her head in exasperation.Ā
āMy own name is going to be next.āĀ
āDonāt worry about that.ā His eyes flicker to you, āWhen the time comes, weāll be here to remind you again.āĀ
You nod in assurance and she warmly smiles, placing her cold hand on top of yours. You slowly grasp onto it and Haewon doesnāt move at all, instead ushering for you to sit closer to them.Ā
For once, the weight on your chest feels a bit lighter.Ā
The next day, youāre placed in groups again.Ā
However, this time the head of the home brings out various board games onto the tables, to which everyone requests for different ones and are soon creating circles.Ā
Despite the head asking for you to join this time, you sit in the same spot you had previously sat at, right beside the window as your eyes take in the others playing.Ā
The loud sound of a chair screeching against the floor startles you.Ā
Hoseok looks up with an apologetic smile, a packet of cards in his hands.
You watch with bafflement at how he sets up the deck before you, leaning over to hand you a couple of them.Ā
You take them reluctantly, wondering why he was here when he could just play with someone else, observing him lean back in his chair and cross his legs with a furrow in his brows.Ā
Now knowing his age, it was easier to spot his older features. How, despite having better functioning legs compared to you, his back is slightly hunched, shoulders beginning to cave in. How, despite having a majority of darker strands, there were noticeable specks of grey in his hair. How his eyes have to so occasionally squint to look at the cards, a hearing aid poking out from his right ear as he tilts his head.Ā
You also donāt fail to notice how as his brows furrow in concentration, two small dimples poke out from the corners of his cheeks.Ā
āYour turn.ā He calls out, having placed a card down.Ā
You quickly look down at the cards, reluctantly placing one down. He continues to stare at his own intently.Ā
āYou know, it was nice of you to talk to Haewon.ā He mentions.Ā
You shake your head, āIt wasnāt much, I was just talking about my husband anyways.āĀ
āIt meant more to her than you think.ā He exhales, placing a card down. āMost folks here either ignore her, or tell her to just move on.āĀ
A knowing smile crosses him, āI think we both know it isnāt as simple as that.āĀ
āIt never is.ā You quietly mumble, placing a card down yourself.
Hoseok hums at that, putting another card down. You glance around warily, wondering why you hadnāt seen Haewon yet.Ā
āBy the way, where is she?āĀ
āAsleep, I overheard that she felt tired.ā Hoseok does a half-smile, before itās replaced with his usual nonchalant expression.Ā
You nod, curious about their proximity, āHave you known her for long?āĀ
Hoseok shrugs, āA bit, I just got to know her in the past couple of months. You know, the good olā chit chatting with one other while being in the same room.āĀ
His straight-forwardness catches you off guard, shocked by how settled he was.
āYou seem pretty comfortable being here.ā You note, observing him as he glances up.Ā
āI have to be.ā He states with a lop-sided smile, āItās the same for everyone here. After all, nobody came because they wanted to.āĀ
You freeze, forehead creasing as you stare at him blankly. Hoseokās gaze lands on you, confusion running through it.
āY/N?ā He ponders, wondering why you werenāt playing your turn. You snap out of your daze, placing your cards down.Ā
āI-I just remembered something I needed to doāā You quietly say, slowly rising to your feet and locating your cane. āMaybe you should play with someone elseā¦ā
For a split-second, Hoseok tosses his cards and rises to his feet, as if to halt your steps. But youāre already walking away and he falters, slumping back down into his seat
His eyes are tinged with an indescribable emotion.Ā
You donāt know if you can be here any longer.Ā
But thereās nothing you can do about it. The days pass by and no one comes for you, no one tries to see how you are, how youāre feeling and it dawns one simple resolution to you.Ā
Youāve been abandoned here. Forever.Ā
The next day arrives and you clench your jaw, stepping out of the suffocating room that has been starting to feel more like a decorated prison than anything else. You wonder if you should come up with some excuse of staying back, preoccupying yourself with anything else rather than the activity of the day.Ā
But thatās until youāre informed youāll be taken to the garden.Ā
Taking a step outside, itās absolutely serene. Thereās handfuls of well-maintained roses, peonies and tulips flourishing, all lush and blooming around the home. Itās both tranquil and inviting, the head informing you that there were watering cans, shovels and new seeds to be planted for everyone.Ā
You secure a can right away, propelling yourself forward with your cane towards the peonies.Ā
A small smile lines your lips.Ā
āY/N!āĀ
You spin around, in the midst of cooing and feeding your one year daughter as she babbles on her high chair.Ā
Namjoon stands at the door, huffing with a wide smile on his lips.Ā
He raises his hand, a single purple peony sticking out.Ā
You gasp in astonishment, āYou finally grew one!āĀ
āI did!ā He exclaims. It had been months since he had been trying, your home littered with his bonsai collection until he wanted to try his hand at outdoor planting.Ā
He dashes over and scoops you in her arms, making you chuckle from his victory. Grabbing onto your hand, he edges you to follow.Ā
āCome on, you need to help me water them!āĀ
Laughing, you grasp onto Naree, letting him guide you.Ā
The water pours out from the small canister, sprinkling delicately onto the small petals. You watch with so much fondness, for so much love for the flower, as your hands continue to tremble.Ā
It slips from your hands and smacks against the pavement.Ā
You watch as the water spills everywhere and with a huff, quickly attempting to grasp it. But your knees violently shake, and your hands tremor far too much. You attempt again and again to bend down, but your attempts are all futile, more and more of the contents emptying and spreading out.Ā
Tears unknowingly prick at your eyes and your breathing is heavy, limbs aching from the sudden physical exertion.Ā
The smooth metal gently glides across your fingertips.Ā
You blink, confused eyes glancing up to meet Hoseokās softened ones. Youāre left frozen as he carefully tips it, his hand grasping the canister against yours and letting the water rain over the peonies.
You let him guide you, the water running through the remaining ones before it empties.Ā
āWait here for a moment.ā He directs you to a bench, holding your hands as you carefully descend down onto it.Ā
You observe as he saunters over to the hose, filling it with water again before letting out a satisfied hum. He then manages to grasp onto a handful of seeds and grabs onto a small shovel.Ā
He returns to you, āYou should plant some too.āĀ
You quietly nod and he reaches his arm out, as if gesturing for you to hold on. You grasp onto him and he slows his pace, walking at yours.Ā
Everytime, you point at a certain spot, he leans down, making a hole into the dirt before dropping the seed in and sealing it with fresh water. He does it along the edge of the garden, right where the window to your room should be.Ā
He lets out a loud huff with the last one, chest rising and falling alarmingly.Ā
Your eyes widen, having completely forgotten his condition of age.Ā
āI-Iāll go get you some water.āĀ
Hoseok opens his mouth to protest that heās okay, but youāre already propelling yourself forward, cane frantically hitting against the pavement.
He wheezes, letting out a couple of coughs before youāre standing near him, a water bottle in your hands that he gratefully accepts.Ā
āAre you okay?ā You ask right away and he nods, turning to the flowers.Ā
āTheyāre beautiful.ā He states and you hum, the wind weaving through the air.Ā
āI love peonies.ā You quietly admit, and Hoseok grins, handing you the water bottle.Ā
He takes a couple steps forward, drawing closer to the older batch. Among all the colors, he snatches onto a bright orange peony, handing it to you with a soft smile.Ā
You bring it closer to you, the corners of your mouth upturning.Ā
It reminds you of the warm hues of the sun.Ā
Your hands tremor and shake, bone sticking out from your softened skin. It doesnāt help that the joints within your bones are incredibly stiff and deeply ache with each movement.Ā
A frustrated sigh escapes your lips, and the needles looped in yarn falling down to your lap.Ā
Hoseok chuckles, reaching out and grasping onto where youāve left off, attempting his hardest to cross them, pushing one needle into one end and looping it around.Ā
āYouāve missed a stitch.ā You point out and he frowns, noticing the small hole heās created instead.Ā
āNow how did that happen?ā He deeply ponders, and a small smile tugs on your lips as he carefully inspects the placement, staring at it up and down.Ā
āYou have to loop it carefully,ā You softly explain, reaching over to place your trembling hand on his, āIt should go through this stitch and then you let go of it to create the knot.āĀ
He follows your instructions, observing as you slowly tug his hand away from the loop, letting it unravel into a perfect stitch.Ā
Hoseok beams, throwing a grin in your direction and you look at him amused.Ā
āI think we make a lovely team.āĀ
You smile lop-sidely, āI donāt know, itās more of me telling you what to do.āĀ
āA very important role.ā He notes, raising the yarn up in his hands, āAfter all, this is now our group project.ā
You chuckle at that and he gazes at you fondly, eyes crinkling.
āKim Y/N?ā The sound of your name has both you and Hoseok glancing up, āThereās someone here at the front foyer asking for you.āĀ
Your brows furrow, but then you catch the sight of a familiar silhouette.Ā
You scramble up from your seat, vision fixated on the backside of the person. Hoseok notices, immediately rising to his feet and handing you your cane, observing as you attempt to hurriedly stride over to the desk.Ā
āNaree.ā You whisper, watching your daughter turn around wide-eyed.Ā
āMom.ā She steps forward, and you donāt hesitate to reach out, enveloping your trembling hands tightly around her shoulders.Ā
āYouāre here, youāre actually here.ā Your eyes are glossy. āI-I thought you left me by myself, I kept thinking aboutāāĀ
You freeze, surveying the way Nareeās eyes downturn, face void of expression.Ā
It doesnāt take long for you to connect the dots.Ā
Your voice cracks, āYouāre not here for me, are youā¦?ā
Naree sighs, āI was just on my way to work, and thought Iād stop by to see you.āĀ
āThatās all?ā You mutter, but Naree latches onto your arm.Ā
āMom.ā She chides, but you donāt even want to look at her, āIsnāt this all better for you? Youāre not lonely anymore.āĀ
āYouāre wrong.ā You feel more abandoned than ever. āAnd this all isnāt better for me, itās better for you.āĀ
Your words are venomous and the corner of Nareeās mouth twitches.Ā
āHow can you say that?ā Naree sharply rebuttals. The two of you donāt notice all the lingering eyes watching your interaction, including Hoseokās. āI want you to come back, but I discussed it with Seojun and we agreed youād be happier here.āĀ
āAnd where was I in this decision?ā You snap. āOr are Seojunās words now more important than mine?āĀ
Nareeās nostrils flare and she looks like sheās had enough.Ā
She shakes her head, mumbling to coax herself. āHere I thought that dropping by was a good idea.ā Her gaze is directly on you, hurt swirling in her eyes. āBut now Iāve realized I made a big mistake.ā
Naree turns on her heels, her fists clenched and rage enveloping every fiber of her being. You donāt make a move to stop her, simply staring at her backside and the growing gap each of her steps creates.Ā
Thereās a deep ache within the center of your chest, one that expands and spreads, consuming you completely as your daughter abandons you once again.Ā
***
Everything feels like itās crashing down.Ā
Youāre seated within your room, having dismissed yourself and leaving your knitting session with Hoseok behind. You desperately needed to be alone, mind plaguing over and over with the image of Naree leaving, disappointment and rage embedded into her being.Ā
You wonder if you should have reached out, should have begged, for her to take you alongside with her. To take you back to the home you once shared with Namjoon and your family, wanting to feel the familiarity and the warmth that home contains.Ā
A sci-fi book rests within your lap, fingertips clenching onto it. You wonder if he can see everything, hear everything about the family youāve created leaving you behind, casting you away like a mere thought that shoulders over them.Ā
Thick tears drop down, staining the paper of the book in your hands. Anguished cries leave you, shoulders shuddering as everything crumbles.Ā
You want to see him again, want to wrap your arms around him as he holds you comfortingly, want to have him shield you away from all these terrifying thoughts, ones that are absent of him. You hate how fast he was taken away, and wonder why he couldnāt have just taken you along with him.
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
You peer up, cheeks stained with tears and breaths coming out choked. You quickly set the book down, raising your sleeve to wipe away any existence of them.Ā
Padding slowly through the room, you wrap your hand around the knob and carefully open it.Ā
Hoseok stands in front of you, gaze downcasted and shoulders hunched in. It takes you by surprise, never having seen such a lack of optimism in his form.Ā
He looks up, eyes welling with tears.Ā
āY/N.ā He chokes, orbs widening at your appearance. āI-I can come again.āĀ
Before he can turn, you reach out, barely managing to graze his shirt.Ā
The expression he holds draws fear out from you. āI-Is everything okay?Ā
He pursues his lips, like he was attempting to prevent himself from tearing up, before he breathes out the words.Ā
āN-No, not reallyā¦ā He sniffles, a lone tear escaping him. āH-Haewonā¦Haewonās gone.āĀ
Your breath hitches, features twisting. āS-She just passed an hour agoā¦in her sleep.āĀ
His shoulders slump, eyes squeezing shut.Ā
āI-I couldnāt say g-goodbyeā¦.ā
You step forward, arms wrapping around him in an instant. Hoseok shrinks within them, harsh sobs shuddering through his body. Tears unleash from your eyes, fisting the material of his shirt.Ā
You donāt know how long you stay like that, wrapped around in your collective grief.Ā
You are dazed.Ā
You find out that aside from being widowed, Haewon only had one son who was in a different country. He doesnāt come to the funeral, and itās simply attended by a few individuals she had the opportunity to connect with at the old age home.Ā
Which includes you and Hoseok, standing next to each other in black clothing as you watch her casket be buried alongside her husband. Hoseok is silent the entire time, eyes empty.
You knew you werenāt as close to her as Hoseok was, but Haewon was a woman that had given you compassion when you had been desperately searching for it, not even hesitating to listen to your story. She shared the experience of having lost her husband and you recall Hoseok mentioning that she wanted to see him again, even if it meant being in the next life.Ā
You didnāt speak much to Lee Haewon, but she was such a crystal clear reflection of you ā a woman dwindling with so much grief that she could barely hold.Ā
Her casket is completely buried and you reach out as Hoseok shudders, a tsunami of emotions hitting him all at once. Your wrinkled hand slides in with his, clutching onto it. He squeezes back tightly, as if you were the only thing anchoring him to reality.Ā
You quietly part together, bidding her your final farewell.Ā
Something is never the same in you after Haewonās passing.Ā
Itās difficult to explain, the tightening sensation that coils around in your chest with no means of stopping. Your mind flashes back to instances with her, the kind and friendly smile she would always adorn. Or the way her hand was cold but still so warm, ushering you to come closer to her.Ā
Itās crushing, unable to bear with how fast life moves, clutching onto those whose time is no longer needed on earth.Ā
And itās coupled with another feeling, one that is more erratic and rapid, making you nearly hyperventilate the more you sit in your room, the more you stare at the unfamiliar walls encasing around you at all four corners.Ā
It feels like itās all youāll be left with, bidding your own time goodbye within them.Ā
Which is why you leave, heading out your room door and into the garden. You donāt want to follow a schedule, or do activities, simply asking for permission to escape for a brief moment so you feel like you can breathe once again.
And it seems like youāre not the only one with the same idea.Ā
Hoseok sits on a bench a bit farther from the garden and house, his backside facing you and against the sun that begins to rise, peeking through the grass and illuminating its rays through the orange sky.Ā
It draws you in, and you walk forward in a daze.
You slowly sit down, back resting against the wood and setting your crane to the side. Hoseokās attention flickers over to you.Ā
You quirk up a soft smile, āCouldnāt sleep?āĀ
He blinks after a moment, shaking his head with a sigh.Ā
āNoā¦.no, not really.āĀ
You hum, knowingly. āThe sunrise is beautiful.āĀ
He nods silently.Ā
You sit in silence, enjoying the breeze wafting through the area and the way the clouds move rotationally, drifting through the clouds. The orange hues morph into the briefest of purple, light spreading over your skin and remaining within your irises.Ā
You suck in a sharp inhale.Ā
āKim Namjoon.ā You state as Hoseok turns to look at you, āMy husband, who left me a year ago. He was followed by Kim Naree, my daughter, who left me a month ago.āĀ
His eyes find your own. āAnd then followed by Lee Haewon, who left us a week ago.āĀ
Your voice breaks. āI-I donāt know if I can handle anyone else leaving me...āĀ
Hoseokās hand reaches out, placing it on top of yours.Ā
The corner of his mouth remorsefully curls up. āDonāt count me out so easily.āĀ
You smile, for the first time in weeks, and the sunrise takes over the sky.Ā
Taking up the opportunity, you vocalize all your innermost thoughts, āIām not sure if I exactly belong hereā¦I know I feel less lonely at least, but I donāt know if I can stay anymore.āĀ
āYou want to leave.ā Hoseok states, like he understands.Ā
Your words hold an infinite amount of weight, āI-Iām justā¦terrified. Terrified that Iāll be spending my last days here.āĀ
āWhere do you want to go?ā He genuinely questions.Ā
āHome.ā You let out a low chuckle, āIf thatās even possible anymore.āĀ
āIt can be.ā Hoseok softly smiles, two dimples showcasing on his face.
You reach out, clasping onto his head. āCome with meā¦please.āĀ
You know itās a completely selfish request, especially when he seems to be much more comfortable here.Ā
But you forget that Hoseok has lost as well, defeat encasing the man more and more as the days draw out. It seems like youāre still his anchor, drawing him back before heās completely gone.Ā
His hand tightens his hold on you.Ā
āLetās go home,Y/N.āĀ
You stand in front of your home.Ā
It wasn't easy coming here. You had to be granted permission to leave the vicinity and it wasnāt the simplest task for Hoseok either, needing to prove the two of you would be functional to do so. You suppose you could have laced it over with a visit, but you couldnāt stay any longer, not there anymore.Ā
A shaky exhale leaves you and Hoseok reaches out, lacing his fingers with yours and having a comforting smile.Ā
You knock against the door.Ā
The door comes swinging wide open and youāre confronted with the sight of your son-in-law.Ā
Seojun stares at you blankly, as if you were a mere ghost, glancing between you and Hoseok in disbelief.Ā
āNice to see you again.ā You state, stepping into the household. It looks the same ā the same couch, the same curtains and the same memories. Itās almost like you never left to begin with.Ā
āYouāre back.ā A voice acknowledges from the staircase, and you look up.Ā
Your eyes lock onto Nareeās, who stands in the long hallway, arms crossed and holding a hardened gaze.Ā
āYou look like youāve been well.ā You reply with a smile, but her gaze is concentrated on the man standing with you.Ā
āWho is this?ā She questions, and your eyes widen.Ā
Hoseok immediately steps up with a friendly smile, āMy name is Jung Hoseok. Itās nice to meet you.āĀ
Naree stares at Hoseokās outstretched hand, not moving to shake it or say anything back. After years of raising her, you know exactly what her response means.Ā
Sheās inspecting him, wondering why you showed up out of the blue with a man near the same age as her father.Ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply turning her back and walking into the kitchen. It makes you want to almost laugh, how it doesnāt take her much effort to easily disregard you at this point, so much that it doesnāt even hurt and you simply just expect it.Ā
Seojun glances between the two of you, clearly taken aback with the situation and unsure of how to react.Ā
You walk past him, heading up the staircase with Hoseok.Ā
āIāll be in my room.ā You declare, the door shutting behind you.Ā
***
All of it has been moved.Ā
Despite the house not changing, the people have changed, and so have the contents of the room you once shared with Namjoon.Ā
All of his belongings are gone, stowed away in airtight boxes.Ā
Like he never even existed to begin with.Ā
Your shaking hands reach out. āNoā¦no, noāā
You stumble, collapsing onto the ground.Ā
āY/N!ā Hoseok reaches forward in an instant, steadying you.Ā
āEverythingās gone, Hoseok. They moved everythingāā
Tears are streaming down your eyes and Hoseok is clutching onto you as you sob.Ā
āShh, itās not gone.ā He coaxes, reaching out for one of the boxes. His hands are tremoring but he still claws at the tape, unraveling the plastic back and tossing it aside. The box unfolds and he shifts it over to you, wanting you to see your husbandās things first hand.Ā
You catch sight of one of his jacketās.
Reaching out, you gasp onto the material, staring at it in awe. It was one Namjoon used to love to wear, tossing it on when you would ask him to go out on walks with you, or consequently the one that was placed on your shoulders when he noticed you shivering in the wake of fall.Ā
You wrap it around your arms, the amount of comfort from the action easing your heart a bit.Ā
Hoseok softly smiles, shifting over another box. He opens it to reveal a stack of books, distinctly looking similar to the one you always carried in your lap.Ā
āDid he like to read a lot?ā He ponders, and you nod, curiously looking over his shoulder.Ā
It all snaps ā and the excitement washes over more quickly than you can stop it.Ā
āHe did.ā You lean over, grasping onto a title, āThis was one of his favorites, he used to read it all the time. And this one,ā You pick up another title, āHe used it for his final thesis back in college, and asked me to read it with him.āĀ
You chuckle, tears still streaming down your eyes. āHe was always so smart, but asked me to check over everything he did.ā You turn to Hoseok, who has softened eyes, āHe was just an overthinker, you know? And I knew I always had to calm his mind somehow, so I would make him tea often when he was working.āĀ
Hoseok simply watches. Watches at how much love you pour out for your late husband, how much adoration is in your voice and the tenderness in your eyes. Itās something heās only had the pleasure of experiencing once in life, and itās not something heās found easily in others.Ā
Namjoon is truly your soulmate.
āH-He would ask what magic I would p-put in itā¦.all the time.ā Your voice cracks at the end and Hoseokās eyes shoot up into alarm.Ā
āY/N?ā He shifts closer to you.Ā
āI-Iā¦.ā You squeeze your eyes shut, the realization donning faster than you can stop it. āI-I just canāt.ā
āYou canāt what?āĀ
āI canāt.ā You gasp out. āNamjoon, heāsā¦.heās everywhere.āĀ
You can see him everywhere ā in the things you hold, in the memories youāre left with, in the hopes and dreams you once had together. Your entire life had been constructed around him, and itās something you didnāt notice until you were sitting in that very same room you shared, surrounded by his entire essence.Ā
It's like youāre experiencing the grief all over again, except this time itās worse because youāve realized what youāve truly lost.Ā
Hoseok feels his own heart shattering into pieces. He canāt explain how much he knows exactly what youāre going through, how much letting go was an impossible task when youāve had years and years, an entire timeline spent with someone after an eternal promise of forever.Ā
A tear streams down his own eye and he moves closer, wrapping his arms around you and leaning his head against yours.Ā
āH-Hoseok, I-I canātā¦.ā You whisper, āI canāt live the rest of my life here. In only the memory of Namjoon and with a family that just doesnāt want me anymoreā¦.I-I just canāt do it.āĀ
Hoseok shudders, letting out a small hum as you spill all your fears out to him.Ā
āI-Itās okay, Y/N.ā He manages to get out, āItās okay to feel this way. I-I canāt even explain to you how normal it is to.ā
ā or how familiar. ā he wants to say.Ā
You sob and he parts from you, gazing into your eyes as he cups your face.Ā
āWhat do you want, Y/N?ā He earnestly questions. āWhat is your heart telling you?āĀ
āI just want to leaveā¦.and go somewhere far, far away.ā Far from here.Ā
It almost sounds like a ridiculous fantasy, but Hoseok nods.Ā
āHow far?ā He seriously ponders, āLike can we get there by bus? Do we need to take a train?āĀ
The corner of your mouth curls up.Ā
āMaybe by train. Buses are horrible to sit on for long hours.ā You note with a sniffle.Ā
Hoseok frowns, āYou make it sound like weāre so old.āĀ
āWe are old, Hoseok.ā You chuckle and he grins at the sound of it.
āReally? Say that again for me, I didnāt hear you the first time.ā He turns his head, showcasing his hearing aid. You lightly hit his chest, before resting your head against him.Ā
āIāll take you wherever you want to go, Y/N.ā He whispers in reassurance.Ā
Reaching his hand, he lifts you up, ensuring your balance is okay. You keep your hand in his, tightening your hold on him.Ā
***
You regain yourself, and Hoseok carefully holds onto you, taking you slowly down the stairs. He matches his steps with you, watching as your foot slowly descends down one step before planting his own down, your cane granting you the momentum.Ā
Naree stands by the door, arms crossed and appearing to be waiting for someone.Ā
Hoseok glimpses at you tenderly and you nod, alerting her attention to the sound of your cane against the ground.Ā
She deeply sighs, āI have time to drop you back once youāreāāĀ
āIām not going back.āĀ
Her brows furrow āWhat do you mean?āĀ
āIām leaving, Naree.ā You declare, and thatās when her eyes snap onto yours and Hoseokās interlaced hands.Ā
Thereās disbelief in her eyes, āYouāre leaving with him?āĀ
You nod and Naree shakes her head, as if her entire existence is being questioned.Ā
āMom, how could you?ā She spits, āItās only been a year since Dad passed away.āĀ
āNareeāāĀ
āI know you were feeling lonely, but out of all things this?ā
The door suddenly widens and Seojun emerges, two little girls by his side.Ā
Nayoung's eyes light up, āGrandma!ā
āWhatās going on?ā Seojun interjects and Naree squeezes her eyes, shaking her head.Ā
āOh nothing, just my mother betraying my father.ā She snaps, and his eyes widen.
He pushes Nayoung and Dambi away, āGirls, go upstairs.āĀ
Nayoung begins to protest āBut GrandmaāāĀ
āGo.ā
She doesnāt say another word, simply downcasting her gaze. Dambi follows, but you can feel their gazes linger on you, and thereās nothing more you want to do in the moment then to bring the two girls into your arms.Ā
āNaree, donāt do this.ā You whisper, but her clenched fists are enough of an answer.Ā
āDonāt do what? Be upset that my mother found someone else that isnāt my father?ā She huffs, āHow could you do this, Mom?āĀ
She turns to Seojun who comforts her and you shift uncomfortably, wanting to disappear.Ā
āWith all due respectāā A previously silent voice pitches in, āI think youāre being incredibly unfair.āĀ
You stare at Hoseok, who still holds a warm look in his eyes. āIām not replacing your father, if thatās what youāre concerned about. Y/N still loves him very much, just like I do my wife.āĀ
āBut it wouldnāt hurt to consider that your mother has been by herself for quite a while and that hurts.ā Hoseok sadly smiles, āMuch deeper than you could possibly imagine.āĀ
Naree looks at him startled and Seojun is baffled. Thereās a silence that lingers and Hoseok tightens his hold on you, slowly heading towards the door.Ā
āIt was nice meeting all of you.ā He simply responds, before leaving altogether.Ā
Thereās a multitude of words ready to tumble from you.Ā
āHoseok, IāāĀ
āYou donāt need to explain.ā He insists, but then he shakes his head, as if suspended in disbelief. āI just canāt believe how they were treating you...āĀ
You wince, finding yourself agreeing with his words. It seemed like all your doubts, all your fears, were cemented right in front of you and now you know.Ā
You donāt belong there anymore.
Youāre about to turn and tell Hoseok that you should collectively leave now, the desperation of going far away reaching a complete high, but thatās when your eyes catch onto movement.
āHold on.ā you quietly say, and Hoseok sends you a confused look. You carefully trudge your cane forward, slowly walking to the side of the house.Ā
You freeze.Ā
There's a silhouette of a tall man with dark hair standing by the garden, right next to the peonies and with a giant bag slung over his shoulder. His backside gives you so much whiplash at how distinctly familiar it looks and as if in a trance, you continue to move forward with furrowed brows.
You pause, the disbelief sinking in. He snaps his head around at the sound of your cane, narrowed eyes widening.Ā
You whisper out his name, breath coming out shaky.Ā
āH-Haneul?āĀ
You had almost forgotten just how strikingly similar he looks to Namjoon, just how much he could easily be mistaken for a younger version of the man.Ā
He widely smiles, expression brightening at the sight of you.
āHi, Mom.ā He takes long strides towards you, embracing you immediately. You wrap your arms around him tightly, a joyful smile on your lips.
You separate from him, attempting to get a good look at your son. āI-I canāt believe youāre hereā¦āĀ
He warmly grins, eyes flickering over to Hoseok. You immediately turn, a bit flustered.Ā
āT-This isāāĀ
āJung Hoseok.ā Hoseok outstretches his hand with a smile.Ā
āKim Haneul.ā He states, shaking his hand with a similar smile. He gestures to you. āIām her oldest.āĀ
Hoseok nods understandably, āItās nice to meet you, Hoseok.āĀ
He grins and youāre a bit taken aback at Hanuel's gesture, naturally giving back the same courtesy that was given back to him.Ā
He hasnāt changed one bit.Ā
āCould we talk?ā He mentions, gesturing between you. You nod immediately and Hoseok politely smiles, stepping towards the front to give you some privacy.Ā
Haneul holds your hand as you slowly walk, guiding you onto the bench in the backyard. He waits as you sit down, taking a spot by you.Ā
As glad as you are to see him, youāre curious.
āHow are you here, Haneul?āĀ
āI came by to visit.ā He explains, āI managed to get a couple of days off.āĀ
You nod, āNaree⦠she told me you were in an old age home.āĀ
āI seeā¦.ā You fall into silence and Haneul quietly watches you from the corner of his eyes.
āWas it your choice?ā
āAt first, it was.ā You exhale, āBut then Naree never came for me, and when she did, she wanted me to stayāā Your words grow smaller, āAnd now, I just canāt go back anymoreā¦.ā
Haneul lifts his hand, placing it on top of your wrinkled one as you heave, eyes getting glossy.
āHis name is Hoseok.ā You sputter out, wanting to rid him of any worries, āWe met at the care home and got closer. I feel better with him around, and he understands me, but Iām not trying to replace your father in the leastāā
āHey, hey.ā He softly says, āWho said anything about replacing Dad?āĀ
āNaree did⦠and I donāt blame her.āĀ
Her words have you thinking twice, wondering if everything you were doing was just wrong.Ā
Haneul frowns, āMom, Nareeās husband isnāt dead.āĀ
āDonāt say such things, Haneul.ā You chide.Ā
āMom, listen to me.ā He fully turns to you, taking your worn out hands in his stronger ones. āDadās gone, and youāre all by yourself now. You donāt owe anyone anything, especially not at this age.āĀ
He knowingly grins, āWhat was the advice you had given to me before I left?āĀ
The memory is still crystal clear to you. āThat life was too shortā¦and that you should be living your own, without fretting over the family.āĀ
āAnd you told me this after Dadās passing.ā He persists, āWhy canāt you give yourself the same consideration?āĀ
You slowly nod, taking in his words. āYouāre rightā¦ā
But then an amused chuckle leaves you and his eyes widen.Ā
āYou know, you sound so much like your father that itās actually terrifyingā¦.āĀ
He looks amused, āWell, he was one heck of a wise man.āĀ
He laughs and so do you, feeling your chest grow a bit lighter.
Haneul exhales, something in his gaze abruptly changing.Ā
āMom, youāve gotten older. The last time I saw you, you werenāt this weak.ā He admits, āI just really want you to leave while youāre still able to.āĀ
You look up at him, water welling up in your eyes. Thereās an unsaid message sent between both of your eyes, one that you unfortunately understand very well.Ā
This very well may be the last time you see him.Ā
You advance forward, wrapping your shaking hands around his shoulders. He leans down, holding onto you in a loving embrace.Ā
It makes you wonder where time went, where the boy that was running around the house with giggles and helping his dad with fixing the shed went, becoming a fully fledged adult who you could express your deepest concerns to, and lean on as you grew brittle.Ā
***
Haneul walks you back to the front, exchanging a smile with Hoseok who had been patiently waiting for you. He reaches his arm out and you hold onto it.Ā
Haneul enters the house again, insisting to bring the bags you had packed. You discuss with Hoseok about your plans moving forward, but the door comes bursting open.Ā
Two young girls come forth, tears in their eyes.
āGrandma!āĀ
Nayoung launches herself at you, embracing you immediately. Dambi is behind her, eyes flickering all over your form.Ā
A small chuckle leaves you and Hoseok smiles at the interaction, watching at how you comfortingly rub their backs as they sob into your floral dress.Ā
āU-Uncle Haneul says youāre leavingā¦ā Dambi mumbles out.Ā
A sigh slips out from you and Haneul emerges with remorse on his face, appearing like he attempted to keep it a secret but couldnāt to no avail.Ā
āI am leaving.ā Youāre completely honest with them. āI know itās hard, and Iāll miss the two of you greatly, but Iā¦.I need to go.āĀ
Nayoung and Dambi look at you thoughtfully, nodding their heads, āAnd I wonāt be alone either.āĀ
You turn to Hoseok who smiles, causing both of the girls to be captivated with his appearance.Ā
āWill you be looking after Grandma?ā Nayoung wonders and he softly nods, a certain fondness in his eyes you havenāt seen before.Ā
āI will be.ā He says, āSomeone has to remind her not to be so stubborn.āĀ
You exasperatedly shake your head with a chuckle as Hoseok grins, but Nayoung moves closer to you, a dimpled smile on her lips.Ā
āIāll miss you, Grandma.ā She whispers, hugging you. āPlease be happy.āĀ
Youāre astonished at her words, wondering just how obvious you had been. You know the saying that children have a tendency to see everything and thereās something that shines in Nayoungās eyes that makes you sniffle, hugging the girl tightly in your arms.Ā
Hoseok helps you with your cane and you clutch onto him, afraid that a part of you will never want to leave if you didnāt. You watch as the two girls wave their hands at you, huge smiles on their lips. Haneul stands by the door, leaning against it with a grin.Ā
You wave back at them, even noticing Naree by the window, sticking her eyes out despite her crossed arms. You want to chuckle, amused how obvious your daughter could be at times.Ā
Taking one look back, you see all that youāve built with Namjoon. Your house, your children, your grand-children, the years and years of your lifetime all showcased within your field of vision. You smile, wondering if the man was still alive, how he probably would have been standing alongside them, ushering you to be on your way already.Ā
Turning around, Hoseok holds onto your bags, a smile on his lips.Ā
You take his hand with your own.
The next couple of days are a bit of a blur for you. You find out Hoseok had booked a train for you into the nearby city, one that wasnāt luckily drawn out for too many hours. He calls a cab to pick you up and youāre soon in front of train tracks as he holds you, slowly helping you on.Ā
You spend the rest of the duration looking out, watching at how buildings, greenery and the life you once knew whizzes by. It makes you wonder when the last time was when youāve done something like this, recalling the last trip you ever took was with Namjoon and years before the two of you had started finding it difficult to do.Ā
You arrive after a couple of hours, your joints aching a bit which prompts Hoseok to seat you down onto a bench, attempting to find a water bottle for you to drink. It amuses you a bit to see others glancing at you, seeing a much older couple traveling together rather than a youthful one. Instead of energy and fresh eyes, they see peacefulness and serene ones, and it all the more makes you want to smile once more, no longer feeling like you were being trapped or held back somewhere.Ā
You arrive at a small residence that Hoseok took care of.
He turns to put the bags away and you clasp onto his wrist. āHoseok.āĀ
He glances at you and you sincerely look at him. āThank you.āĀ
āDonāt mention it.āHe warmly smiles.Ā
āWhat should we do now?ā You ponder, āEverything I said was completely on a whim, but I still donāt knowāāĀ
āHey.ā He softly calls out, slipping next to you and placing a hand on your own. āDonāt stress too much about it. Iāve booked us this place here to stay for the week, and you can take your time before officially deciding where to go.āĀ
You stare at him in surprise, feeling so grateful that he is here with you.Ā
āOkay.ā You quietly say and he gets up with a grin, moving to unpack a bag.Ā
That night, you lay awake on a bed adjacent to Hoseok. He doesnāt sleep next to you, but still remains in the room, the sound of his soft breathing echoing off the walls.Ā
Your mind is brimming with endless possibilities, and for the first time ever, you fall asleep with a smile on your lips.Ā
You desire a home.Ā
A home. A place of comfort ā a place that welcomes you with open arms and loosens the tightness in your chest, a place that allows you to breathe easier and fills you with warmth, a place full of solace, one which soothes your aching heart.Ā
Itās not much, a small house out by the fields and close to a meadow, far out from the city and next to an expansive lake. The wind ever so breezes over the numerous flowers collecting in the open fields and the sun is always shining over, reflecting over the pools of water. You have your occasional neighbors, mainly families that harbor residences nearby to spend their idle time. Itās always interesting when they run into you, assuming an entire family to be inside only to find an elderly lady smiling back at them.Ā
It was something you didnāt get instantaneously, searching around for the exact spot you wanted. In a way, you still thank your late husband for always advising you to keep money on the side, indicating that you would need it one day for when he was gone and you would always chide him not to bring the bad thoughts into mention. It led you to a place you would have never in a million years thought you would have ended up at, and never with the amount of pure joy itās brought.Ā
You desire a home, and somehow, just somehow, you find one in Jung Hoseok.
He takes you everywhere you desire, whether it is walking down the borders of the lake, to watching the skyline of the far city. Heās always two steps ahead of you, picking up your cane when it stumbles and interlacing his hands with you, letting you lean your weight against him. He assists you with your gardening and sets up two rocking chairs outside of the cabin, sitting down for hours with you as you read.Ā
Heāll joke that his legs are getting too shaky when he walks with you, or that the tremors in his hands are always at a constant beat. Heāll smile with fine lines marring his forehead and the creases of his eyes when you chide him, just as he insists that he has no reason for his constant remarks around you. Heāll look at you tenderly, watching as every word spills out of you, even after you recall an eternity of memories with someone else.Ā
There comes a point where your small thank youās disappear altogether, and you clasp onto his hand instead.Ā
āItās so beautiful.ā You whisper, watching the rays of the sun descend, catching a warm hue of orange all over the meadow. It transcends over the horizon, illuminating the delicate lines on your face and specks of your irises.Ā
Hoseok hums next to you on the bench, your arm around his. He watches as the sun slowly dips into the horizon, the orange submerging before a cool blue takes over.Ā
āIt is.ā He murmurs, āKinda makes you think how small you really are.āĀ
You let out a soft laugh and he grins in your direction.Ā
āYou always have such a way with words.ā You remarks.Ā
āWell, I think itās one of my best qualities.ā He retorts, āAside from knitting, of course.āĀ
You shake your head as he chuckles. The sun completely disappears and he glances at you.Ā
āSay, how about we head in and I brew us some hot tea?ā He suggests, slipping his warm hands within your cold ones.Ā
You stare at him for a second, expression impassible. Hoseok frowns, a deep crease forming between his brows.
āY/N?ā He ponders at your silence.Ā
āIām so lucky to have met you.āĀ
Hoseok blinks, but the words tumble out much faster than you can stop.Ā
āI was so, so alone, and absolutely terrified that the rest of my life would be like that.ā Water surfaces in your eyes, āBut then I met you and I never realized how much I missed this feeling ofā¦being alive.ā
A bright smile stretches on your cheeks, āIām so happy, Hoseok.āĀ
You donāt have a chance to swipe away your tears, his arms coming to encase around you in an instant. A gasp leaves you, but Hoseok tightens his hold and you lean against him, arms slipping around his back.Ā
āY-You donāt understandā¦ā He whispers, voice cracking that makes you stiff with alarm. āYou donāt understand how much I feel the same way.āĀ
He separates from you, irises glossed over. Itās a look youāve noticed before in his eyes, a look that speaks volumes compared to his usual warm and cheerful disposition, a look that even terrifies you to a certain extent, encased within anguish and longing.Ā
You wonder if itās the same look he had been seeing in you the first day he met you.Ā
***
Youāre seated on Hoseokās bed, watching him filter through his cabinet.Ā
Youāve been here a handful of times, mostly nights where you werenāt able to sleep and he sat by your side until you did. Or moments where you would ponder about him, coming by to say good morning or wondering if he had eaten already.Ā
However, youāve never been here in the wake of the night, watching him open up his belongings with an unwavering gaze in his orbs.
He halts after a couple of seconds, treading slowly towards you before planting himself beside you on the bed.Ā
Sharply inhaling, he hands you the photograph in his hands.Ā
A young woman immediately flashes before your eyes, a kind upturn to her eyes and a warm smile on her lips. She appears to be within her late twenties, curly locks falling to her shoulders and dressed in a bright orange dress.Ā
Even through the lack of light, you donāt fail to miss the ring that sits on the third finger of her left hand.Ā
āJung Euna.ā Hoseok somberly confirms, āMy deceased wife.āĀ
Your eyes widen instantly.Ā
Aside from the first time you were alerted of her presence, Hoseok has never spoken about her. You had never questioned him either, knowing better than anybody else the sheer grief that came with losing your sprouse.Ā
And in a way, a part of you always knew, being painfully aware of it since the moment youāve met the man.Ā
His warm smile has always seemed to carry the weight of the world.Ā
āShe was really pretty.ā You add with a smile, peering up to see tenderness in Hoseokās expression.Ā
āShe was.ā He hums, āI had actually liked her since high school, but I was always too nervous around her to confess my feelings.āĀ
You nod, and he continues. āBut then one day, I was working at a department store and she walked in. Recognized me within seconds.āĀ
āāI knew I couldnāt let the chance slip away from me again, so I asked her out. To my surprise, she agreed right away, as if she had been waiting for me to ask.āĀ
He beams, āShe was stubborn, but very loving. Not a day goes by without me thinking about her.āĀ
Your brows lift, wondering if this is how you sounded when you talked about Namjoon. If you held so much love in your eyes, so much nostalgia in every word you spoke, so much sparks of joy in your expression.Ā
āWeā¦we never had kids.ā He brings up, as if he knew what you were wondering. āRatherā¦we couldnāt have kids.āĀ
Shock crosses your features and Hoseok grimly smiles, āEunaā¦she had a miscarriage. And then we found out she couldnāt have kids anymore, and it was devastating.ā He sighs, recalling the memory like it was yesterday, āWe fought, a lot. She kept telling me to divorce her, or to find someone else, because she knew how much I wanted to be a dad and have kids of my own.āĀ
āBut you see, Iām just as stubborn as my wife. I told her I wasnāt going anywhere and that it didnāt matter at the end of the day. That I didnāt vow to be with her in sickness and health at the altar for no reason, and that my desire to be with her was stronger than she thought.āĀ
āEuna cried a lot. She would always cry in moments like this, not realizing how clear it was that she was suffering. So, I stayed with her and we were together for years, until her death.āĀ
You let out the breath you hadnāt known you had been holding, āC-Can I askā¦.āĀ
A small smile curls on his lips. āOf course you can.āĀ
You dart your gaze at the photo, knowing this isnāt easy to talk about. āEunaā¦how did sheā¦?āĀ
Hoseok harshly swallows, all his wounds reopening before him. āShe got diagnosed with stomach cancer. We luckily caught it right away, but Eunaā¦she got sick, very quickly. It soon turned into going back and forth into the hospital, getting treatments and scheduling surgeries, and she got better. She looked so healthy, even started smiling again andāāĀ
Hoseok shudders, raising a hand against his eyes. You shift closer, wrapping an arm around him as his body trembles, sobs escaping him.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper and he glances up, agony pouring out from him.Ā
āS-She was better, Y/N.ā He chokes out. āI thought it was all real. I thought I could take her out of there, bring her back home and everything would snap back into place again, but then it s-spreadā¦āĀ
You hug him tighter, squeezing your eyes shut.Ā
āShe was gone...ā You complete, āā¦in the blink of an eye, like she never existed to begin with.āĀ
Hoseok doesnāt respond, still within your arms and he knows he doesnāt need to. Not when you understand his pain so well, not when his feelings mimic yours, not when the gap in his heart that his wife left is so similar to your own, feelings of loneliness dispersing everywhere.Ā
That night, you lie down next to Hoseok.Ā
Your head rests against his chest as his breaths even out, his hand clasped onto yours. The tears have long dried but the anguish is still there, a deep furrow to his brows as he sleeps.Ā
Peering upward, a soft smile lingers on your lips at the photograph he holds close to his heart.Ā
You lean down, handing Hoseok a warm cup of tea.Ā
His hands reach out in an instant, a kind smile on his features.Ā
āThank you.ā You return it, before sitting yourself down on a chair opposite to him with your own cup.Ā
It had been roughly a week since that night, and Hoseok looks brighter, almost more optimistic, if it were even possible. You werenāt sure after the second night passed, his eyes remaining swollen and a somber aura surrounding the man. You hadnāt left him alone for a split second, even as he continuously insisted he was alright, accompanying him on morning walks and holding onto his cold hand.Ā
Hoseok had chuckled when you pushed him over, sliding into the opposite end of the bed and draping an arm around him. He smiles gently when you rest your head against his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat. His eyes turn tender when you dreamingly question about Euna, curious about her likes and dislikes, the way she spoke or the way she laughed, using him as your source to an individual youāve never met, but feel like you know everything about.Ā
And he does the same for you, asking for you to show him a picture of Namjoon one day. You pluck onto an album you had kept safely stored away, one Hoseok already knew was yours from how tidy it was kept and it was always situated next to your books, the very ones Namjoon would read.Ā
Hoseok sees everything. Pictures of you and Namjoon smiling, much younger and with so much excitement dwelling in your eyes. Photographs of a new ring settled on your finger, bursting with so much happiness. Photographs of you crying, holding your nearly born son in your arms.Ā
Hoseok sees your entire lifetime before his eyes, peeking at a question that has your eyes sparkling.
āDo you think we could have met?ā He glances at the photograph of you in dark robes, a wide grin on your lips as you hold your college degree. āLike bumped shoulders at one point?āĀ
āI donāt know.ā You truthfully confess. You had lived such different lives, never once bumping into the man. It makes you wonder if you would have ever met him, having not gone to the old age home.Ā
āWeāre what? Five years apart?ā He marvels, deep in thought, āWhat if you were revisiting college? And you just happened to stumble into me, freshly into college?āĀ
You fondly smile at the sentiment. You can imagine it so clearly ā a younger Hoseok, appearing curious with his surroundings as he glanced around, attempting to locate his classes. You, a couple years older, coming back to meet with one of your professors.Ā
āYou would be lost.ā You state, playing into his fantasy. āI bet you would try to ask everyone around you for directionsā¦āĀ
āāuntil I encountered you, your confidence taking me away.āĀ
You laugh, smile stretching. āI would wonder why you would be asking someone like meāāĀ
āSomeone who would be too stubborn to say no.ā He grins and the image flashes before you can help it.Ā
āE-Excuse me?ā The man mumbles, appearing to be in his early twenties. āIām supposed to go to the Art building, but Iām not sure which way that is.āĀ
You turn in surprise, not having expected to be approached. In fact, your gaze was concentrated forward, attached to the office before you.Ā
āO-Oh.ā Youāre caught off guard. His eyes are flickering everywhere and you muse he could really use the help. āOf course, itās the black building just down on the right.āĀ
āThanks.ā He kindly smiles, and turns in the direction of your instructions.Ā
You widely grin, āIt wouldnāt have been anything big. Just a couple of words exchanged.āĀ
Hoseok halts, swiveling with wide eyes.Ā
āSorry, did you say something?ā He ponders, and you softly shake your head.Ā
āDonāt worry about it.ā You mutter, āI do hope you find your class, Hoseok.āĀ
He nods, peering at you in confusion. You watch as he departs, whispering underneath your breath.Ā
āSee you in a couple of years.āĀ
Hoseok is leaning back in his chair, a soft smile on his lips.Ā
āA tad unrealistic?ā You were amused that he let you stray so far off, not halting the train of thoughts coming to you.Ā
āA bit,ā He chuckles, ābut I didnāt want you to stop.ā
You share a knowing look, holding onto your tea cups.Ā
A soft knock resonates against the door.Ā
Hoseok gets up first, gesturing for you to continue drinking your tea. You watch as he slowly pads over to the door, revealing a woman standing with a young girl before your eyes.Ā
You recognize them immediately as a family that lived nearby, noticing them frequenting one of the homes during the summer.Ā
The young girl looks to be roughly seven to eight years old, eyes flickering around and hands fidgeting. At the sight of her mother eyeing her, she speaks up.Ā
Ā āUmā¦m-my ball. It went into your garden.āĀ
Hoseok softly smiles, leaning down to gently pat her head.Ā
āLetās go retrieve it, shall we?ā He implores, and the little girl follows behind, slowing her pace to keep up with his steps.Ā
You walk outside to the garden, standing next to her mother. Fondness spreads through you as Hoseok looks around with the girl, a tenderness to his eyes that has you smiling as he gives the ball back to you.Ā
Her mother draws your attention. āIām so sorry about this, I didnāt think it would end up here.āĀ
āItās quite alright.ā You reassure, āHoseok doesnāt mind either.āĀ
āIāve seen you around a couple of times.ā She inquires, āDid you come here recently?āĀ
You nod, āI wanted to move away from the city.ā
She hums understandably, āThatās nice. Both you and your husband seem very loving.āĀ
Your eyes flicker. It had been so long since you had heard such a statement, long having buried it with Namjoon when he passed.Ā
āHeās not my husbandā¦ā You correct, and the womanās eyes widen, like she hasnāt been expecting that response from you.Ā
You pursue your lips. You truthfully, never had an answer. Not when Naree had accused you of replacing Namjoon, not when you would encounter the other neighbors and they would inquire about you, not when there was no envy on either one of your parts when Namjoon or Euna were mentioned, just understanding of the deep love you both still hold onto to.Ā
Namjoon is your husband. He will always be, keeping a special place in your heart that no one else can ever fully take or replace.Ā
Hoseok is your radiant sun.Ā
His smile is comforting. His arms are warm. His presence feels so reassuring and makes you feel less lonely in this world that only has you left behind.Ā
He's your solace ā the embodiment of your pain and understanding at the same time.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You whisper, āHeāsā¦heās my partner.ā
Through the thick and thin, through the laughs and the tears, through the comforting embraces and the anguished recollections. You are glad to have met him, to have experienced these new memories with him, and to have created a new path, one in which you will spend the rest of your life in together.Ā
Hoseok glances up with a grin, the little girl holding her ball and giggling at something he said. His eyes lock on yours and itās almost like he knows, he knows what is dwelling inside them.Ā
Heāll always be your partner for eternity.Ā
Time is the most valuable thing to exist in the world.Ā
It can be a matter of a mere seconds, spinning away like loose strands without any control. It could be a matter of a few years, spanning across months at a subdued pace.Ā
Time is so very valuable, and youāre grateful to have spent it with Jung Hoseok.Ā
āHoseokā¦.āĀ
Itās your voice, weakly calling out to him. Heās by your side within a matter of seconds.Ā
āY/N.ā He whispers, a smile spanning on his lips with many lines creasing.Ā
Heās gotten much older, the dark strands of hair turning completely gray, a deep hunch caving in his back more. He wears hearing aids on both ears, enough to still hear your low murmurs from your bed. His eyes have gotten weaker, a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his long nose.Ā
He still looks like the man youāve spent so many years with.Ā
And what years they were. You had basked in each otherās presence, being so utterly peaceful with him staying by your side. You werenāt lonely, you werenāt numb, you werenāt terrified anymore, you were simply content.Ā
Even when your legs had started losing their ability. Even when your memory began to fade, panic settling in on not being able to recall anymore. Even when your skin paled with time and you had become bed ridden.Ā
Hoseok held onto you. Hoseok reminded you, pulling out albums for you to see. Hoseok lied down with you, letting you rest your head against his chest. He coaxes and consoles you, keeping you in one piece even though the years were threatening to crumble you.Ā
Even as he watches your chest slowly heave, voice growing weaker by the minute.Ā
āHoseokā¦ā You croak. Heās leaning in right away, despite having machinery that allows him to hear. āT-Thank youā¦Hoseokā¦.āĀ
He chuckles, eyes glossed over. So many years had passed and you still had the need to express your gratitudeĀ
āI should be thanking you.ā He brings up, āThank you, Kim Y/N. For all these beautiful years.ā He whispers, as if singing you a comforting lullaby āFor letting me into your life and staying by your side.āĀ
His voice cracks, but he still smiles.
āF-For letting this old man be your partner, for the rest of the time you had left.āĀ
You slowly smile, and he squeezes your hand, like he knows you feel the same way.Ā
āHoseokā¦.ā You heave out, āI-Iāmā¦Iām a little scaredā¦āĀ
āIām here, Y/N. Iām here.ā He whispers, leaning his forehead against yours and shaking in your grasp.
āI-I wanted to goā¦.ā You croak, āFor so longā¦.I-I wanted to see himā¦.āĀ
A low chuckle escapes you, āBut not anymore.... strange, isnāt itā¦.?āĀ
Hoseok is sobbing, shudders escaping through his body. His hand is clasped around yours, eyes filled with waterĀ
But he keeps them open, wanting to encapsulate your last image into them.Ā
āYouāll be okay.ā He chokes out.Ā
A warm smile graces your lips. Itās the most content heās ever seen you, and it makes the center of his chest ache infinitely.Ā
A moment of silence passes as Hoseok recollects himself, leaning back to gaze at you.Ā
He calls out for you.Ā
āY/N?āĀ
Your lips barely move, the shallow breaths leaving you all too soon. But you keep your gaze concentrated on him, letting him know you are still listening.Ā
A tear manages to slip from Hoseokās eyes, but he still smiles, like he always does.Ā
āSay hi to your husband for me.ā He whispers.Ā
Itās the last thing you hear before a brightness filling your eyes, his hold on you being the strongest itās ever been. It rushes in, pulling you away like a tide.Ā
Your hand slips through his hold, and your eyes shut forever.
Me editing this Hoseok angst fic for Tuesday:
uh oh

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Requested Drabbles
A list of drabbles that were requested for The Profit & Love Statement. They'll be posted in order of this schedule!
Requested Drabble #1 - Tuesday, December 12
Requested Drabble #2 - Thursday, December 14
Bonus Drabble - Friday, December 15

