Location: Earth

Hongjoong

"He said "Does he not realise that they're soulmates?", and I know there's the possibility that he's lying, but Sangie also said that the second guard asked the first who he was talking about, only to have him say "Who else but the banished one. He's the only one who can." It's not gonna be easy for me to ask this of you, but I still hope you'll agree. Joong, will you let me go back up there and figure this whole thing out? I'll come back, I promise."

Instantly, I feel my entire heart deflate, and some bodily instinct or muscle memory told me to say "No."

"Why not, Joongie?"

"If you go, I'm very sure you will not return. These were the exact group of people that attempted killing you in the first place, Hwa! Why would even think of going back there?! I don't wanna lose you too..."

"I was afraid of this.. I don't want to lose you too, Hongjoong. I love you way too much to ever want to leave you alone. But you still have Jongie, you still have the 99z, and even if I'm not physically here, I'm always in your heart, aren't I? Ohmygod that sounds so cringey..."

And despite the situation and all, I have to giggle at his scrunched up expression and hands that are twitching like a dying insect's legs. Then, I sigh in defeat. "I understand. It's still your decision anyway, I can't stop you even if I tried."

"Okay, that's settled. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

"Wait what?! Don't give me such short notice like that..."

.

.

.

That night, I lay in bed and stare up at the exposed rafters in the ceiling, counting the visible wood spots. My mind just won't shut down. For all I know, I just might lose another loved one tomorrow, and the thought itself is too much to take a grasp on. I feel the other side of the bed creak and the covers being pulled up and down, an immediate tell that another isn't able to sleep either.

"Hwa? You alright?"

"...No..."

"Then don't go please?"

Audibly, I hear shuffling and feel the sudden warmth of an arm wrapping around my torso.

"I have to, Joong, you know I have to. It's the only way we'll get any confirmation of anything. Maybe its all just a rumour..."

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If you've read the first book, you'll finally know a certain significance :)

For -shuyve