Zero

Jisung played with the ring on his finger, a dumb smile haunting his tired expression. He'd lived in a state of fear for days and a part of him wanted it all to end, but the thought of being alone once again was tormenting him.

-You look beautiful, Felix spoke as he stepped in the room in his freshly ironed suit.

-Are you sure about this? Jisung asked worried.

-I told him it's a mere rehearsal. I've had it planned for weeks, so I'm not giving up on it, the younger replied as he helped Jisung button his sleeve, covering his low number.

-Two days... Does that mean-

-Tomorrow it's gonna be over, Jisung confirmed Felix's fears. I recorded all the songs yesterday, left one last message for Minho and bid goodbye to the others more or less directly.

-I'm going to miss you so much! Felix cried as he dug his face into Jisung's chest. You made us so happy. It's not fair...

-I love you too, Lix! Jisung kissed the top of his head. You'll be alright. You'll be Minho's rock and help him find love again. Alright?

-We can never replace you, Jisung... Felix whispered before wiping his tears.

-It's not replacement. It's... moving on. Now let's go! They're waiting for us! Jisung wrapped his arm around Felix and walked towards the salon.

Jisung met with Minho at the altar and gave him a quick smile before taking his hands and rubbing circles on his knuckles.

Felix walked to Jeongin's side and clung to him, trying to keep it together.

Chan and Seungmin were seated in the front row, exchanging sad guilty looks. They knew they had to tell Minho about it, but neither of them had the guts to break his heart like that.

Hyunjin and Changbin stood oblivious besides them, enjoying the facade.

Jisung couldn't involve more people into his mess. Even though he hated lying to his new found family.

-Oh, wait! Jeongin ran outside breathless before returning a few seconds later with a dog in his arms.

-Bbama! Jisung took his little friend and gave him a hug. How did you even-

-I used Changbin hyung's private jet, Jeongin shrugged.

-YOU WHAT?

-I am your manager, I can at least have jet privilege! Jeongin yelled back before going back to his place.

-Now everyone's here, Minho chuckled. It looks so real... he admitted nervously. It feels real.

-It is real for me, Jisung took his hand and smiled. Ever since we met everything became real. I used to pretend I was okay. That I was better than everyone else because I didn't care about love and friendship. I was lonely. I hated myself. I used to think no one could look at a disgusting human being like me and stick around. But when I met the Lee Minho who stuck to me like those yellow notes, I started believing in love. It may be just a rehearsal, but in my memory... this will be the first images of our wedding. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Felix listened to Jisung's confession and held his tears, hiding behind Jeongin. That was going to he the last memory of those two together. Their wedding. The next one would be a funeral and it was crushing him.

-I feel the same, Minho agreed. I used to think I was alright. I pretended that I had everything figured out. But when you appeared in my life, I realised I was completely lost. You taught me how to feel truly happy. And how to face the hardships of the world with a little bit of sarcasm and a bit more courage. I admire you, Han Jisung. You're the strongest person I know and I'm honoured to be your partner.

Jisung squeezed his fiancé's hand before bringing it to his lips to place a short kiss.

-I will cherish every single moment we have left together, Jisung. I will make you the happiest man ever.

"This might be the last moment we have together..."

One single poisonous thought brought Jisung on the verge of tears. He wasn't courageous. He wasn't strong. He was the weakest man alive in front of the cruel reality ahead of him. And it hurt him to leave Minho alone.

Death wasn't scary. Abandoning Minho and that beautiful family he had was...

The night had come and Jisung went to bed with Minho one last time.

He watched him sleep and placed kisses all over him, trying to stop the time for a moment and just feel the love.

But the burning feeling in his arm kept reminding him of what he had to do afterwards.

-Mom... Dad... Areum... I wish to meet you again, but not now. I want to watch over Minho for as long as I can. So please wait a little bit longer for me and let me become one with the rain falling on his doleful face.

He prayed silently before grabbing his jacket and placing it on the bed besides his lover.

-I love you... he took a last look at Minho before searching for his reaper.

Jeongin was also awake, staring at the moon from the balcony. He heard the faint knock at the door and sighed. He knew what was about to happen.

They walked towards the Waterloo bridge and looked down at the whirling river beneath their feet.

-Are you sure? Jeongin placed his hand on Jisung's shoulder.

-If I don't do this now, I'll die tomorrow and pass the curse to Minho. I can't let that happen. It's alright. I lived many years. It's time to rest, he forced a smile.

-But you only had one year with him. You deserved more time.

-I wish I hadn't wasted so much time fighting him. I wish I had let him in sooner. I wish I had more time to show him how much I love him. God, what will he do when he wakes up and finds the bed empty? Jisung gasped as he broke down in tears. He'll never forgive me. I failed him... I only bring pain to the ones around me, he covered his eyes and clenched his jaw in frustration.

He couldn't do anything about it. He was a bad omen. He had no place there. He could only leave destruction behind.

Jeongin couldn't stand seeing him like that. His eyes became glassy as he struggled to maintain his composure.

He swallowed his tears and decided to break the rules just once.

So he backhugged Jisung and waited for him to calm down.

-You helped that family more than you could ever know, Jisung. It's not your fault. Do you hear me? he shook Jisung to make him understand. IT'S NOT YOUR FUCKING FAULT! he yelled from the top of his lungs. You may not be here tomorrow morning, but your legacy, your good deeds and lessons will. You... Your presence... made them better. Healed them.

-Who's gonna heal them this time? Jisung's voice cracked.

-Jisung... Jeongin squeezed him harder.

-I feel cold... Jisung admitted between heavy breaths. I need to go now. I need to hit the water before the number drops go zero.

He stepped away from his reaper and climbed the edge of the bridge.

-Show Minho the video tomorrow night.

-Why tomorrow night? Jeongin grabbed the railing.

-It'll rain, Jisung smiled before letting his body fall backwards, plunging to his death under Jeongin's horrified eyes.

Jeongin's dropped to the ground and hugged his knees, chocking on his gasps.

His hand crawled to the back of his neck where he felt the ice cold skin burning his fingertips. He got a grip on his hair and let out a painful scream, making of couple of cars to stop in shock.

___________________________________The next chapter will be the last one.

Thank you for reading!