◃◃ New Memory #11 ▹▹

Jung Jaehyun

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"I'm ready for our sleepover hyung~"

"Right on time Injun~. Come on in~"

I eagerly walked into his room, and laid on his bed with him.

We were both already wearing our pajamas, and were ready to sleep. Jaehyun had on polka dot silk pajamas, and I had on regular silver silk pajamas.

"I'm really glad that you're still with us Renjun"

"You're referring to when I died right...?"

"I am... We were all so worried about you, especially when Zuko and Yoonho started fading away, and when your parents suddenly teleported to us out of nowhere. Then your uncle came running to us with you in his arms. But by the time he reached us, it was already too late. You were already gone..."

He looked very sad upon remembering those events.

"I remember that... After I teleported us back to Ethora, I remember when I couldn't feel anything at all, and I remember when my power started fading. Then there was just darkness. Then, I was able to hear everyone calling out to me, and I felt the warmth of Suko's embrace. I followed everyone's voices and that warmth back to you all. It was mostly thanks to Hoseok-hyung for bringing me back. Without the Golden Fleece, I definitely would've been a goner"

"That's right... Jeno did mention when you told them about the fleece. It was a good thing he remembered, and a miracle that you knew that he had it. I just wish it didn't have to come to that though. I wish you hadn't died in the first place..."

"I'm sorry hyung... I just wanted to save everyone, especially my uncle... I couldn't just leave him there, alone without the love he yearned for all these years..."

"I know. And that's why I'm also proud of you. You made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of everyone. You put everyone before yourself, and saved us all. Even though it cost you your own life, I'm still so very proud of you, for everything you've done"

He rested his head on my shoulder, and cuddled close to me while I gently pet him.

"I'm really sorry for making you guys worry about me so much hyung. That was the only way to ensure that you all would have a better future. If we're ever in a situation like that again, I promise that I'll try my best to save everyone and stay alive"

I was expecting him to say something, but I got no response.

"Hyung?"

I still got no response.

I got a little worried and checked on him, and saw that he had fallen asleep and shapeshifted into a black cat again.

I laid him on the pillow next to me, and continued to pet him. His soft purrs were all that could be heard besides my own breathing.

I kept petting him until I eventually dozed off, with him by my side once more.

"Good night hyung...~"

-

🍑

'...'

'......'

'.........'

'Renjun-ah...'

'I was really sad that day...'

'All of us were...'

'I cried that night'

'Even tho I knew you were alive again'

'I just couldn't help but feel empty and heartbroken'

'It was almost the same as when I lost Taeyong all those years ago...'

'The war happened so fast...'

'And when I left to go find him after my parents died, he was gone and his shine was completely abandoned...'

'I was alone...'

'And heartbroken...'

'...'

'But, in hopes that he'd come back one day'

'I stayed put at the shine, never leaving that one spot for any reason...'

'...'

'......'

'And then, one day'

'He finally came back'

'However, I was practically a knock away from death's door by the time he came with you all'

'I was very weak and malnourished'

'I couldn't move'

'And my growth had stunted as well'

'I even had trouble staying awake'

'But, he saved me, and you all immediately took me in'

'And when I woke up, I was so happy'

'All of that time that I spent waiting for him was worth it'

'I missed him so much all those years...'

'And I'm so happy that we're still together, especially with all of you'

'...'

'That being said, I obviously can't handle losing any of you'

'Especially not you or Taeyong'

'I don't know what I'd do if that happens...

'You all just mean so much to me now...'

'So..., please...'

'Stay alive for us...'

'We all still have so many memories to make together'

'So...'

'Please stay with us for a long time...~'