♫ 23 ♫

"Joong, are you ready?", asked Seonghwa as he put on his mask and cap. Hongjoong stood up after putting on his shoes and nodded. He grabbed his bag and put on a mask and glasses.

"Yeah, lets go.", he said and walked out the door. Seonghwa checked everything and closed the door of their room.

"Guys! Hongjoong and I will be leaving now. Yunho, you're in charge ok?", said Seonghwa as he looked at them. Yunho put a thumbs up.

"Have fun with your date!", said Mingi, not even giving them a glance because he was playing games. Seonghwa and Hongjoong giggled.

"Yeah yeah, whatever.", said Hongjoong, shaking his head. They both walked out of the dorm and went to the parking lot. They both got into Seonghwa's car going to the cemetery.

- after a while -

"Wanna go on a date while were outside?", asked Seonghwa while driving. Hongjoong's eyes widened and look at Seonghwa.

"H-huh? But we just planned to go to my grandma.", said Hongjoong, a slight blush across his cheeks. Seonghwa smiled and glanced at Hongjoong.

"We can eat out for dinner and walk around the park for awhile.", he replied. Hongjoong looked down and smiled. 'A date? Just the two of us? I guess my heart can handle that.'

"Sure, but what about the people who notice us?", asked Hongjoong. Seonghwa reached Hongjoong's hands and interwined fingers.

"They won't think about it too much. They'll just think we're friends hanging out.", said Seonghwa with a reassuring smile. Hongjoong nodded and they continued to go to their destination.

- xxxxx cemetery -

"Hey grandma...", said Hongjoong in a soft tone as he stood in front of her grave. Yes, Hongjoong's family did not want the bodies of their loved ones to turn into ashes, so it was in a casket, buried in the ground.

Hongjoong sniffed and soon all his tears flood out, he squatted down and covered his face. He was really devastated that he was busy the whole time while they were having the funeral. He didn't get to look at her face for the last time, that was the thing he hated the most.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.", he tried to spill out the words between sobs. Seonghwa just stood there feeling sorry for the other. Tears were also flowing out of his eyes, it was hard for him to see Hongjoong in a fragile state.

"I never got to see you these past few days and now I won't see you forever. Why didn't you wait for me to come home?", he cried out. No one knows the pain he really felt, he just wanted to hug her one last time. He just wanted to see her one last time. He just wanted to hear her one last time.

"It hurts so much and I hate myself. I didn't even get to call you before the busy week started. I regret everything, please just come back. Let me sacrifice everything just to see you again.", Hongjoong was having a hard time to breathe. Seonghwa crouched down and back-hugged Hongjoong. He caressed and pat his back, soothing the other.

"Joong, don't say that. Don't hate yourself, please. Just remember all the good times you spent with her. Don't say those things.", said Seonghwa in the most calming tone. Hongjoong was trying to catch his breathe, breathing in and out.

"She's in a happy place now, she found peace. You have to be happy for yourself and for her.", said Seonghwa. They both stood up and Seonghwa turned Hongjoong around to face him.

"I just want to see her and hug her one last time. I can't live without her. She means everything to me.", said Hongjoong, having small hiccups in between. Seonghwa pulled him close, wrapping his arms around the younger's shoulder. Hongjoong wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's waist.

"She never left you, Kim Hongjoong. She's just around us and she will guide you to live your life. She doesn't want to see you like this. So, you have to calm down and just remember the happy moments, it will always live with you. Like her, she will always be with you.", Seonghwa rested his head on Hongjoong's shoulders. Hongjoong nodded and calmed down. He let go of Seonghwa.

"Can I have a minute with her? I just want to tell her something.", Hongjoong said and smiled. Seonghwa nodded and walked towards the car park. Once Hongjoong saw no sight of Seonghwa, he smiled and said something.

     After a while, Hongjoong came back to the car park. Seonghwa has leaning on his car and stood up once he saw the other. Hongjoong gave him a smile and he gave one back. They got into the car.

"Where do you want to eat? It's almost 6:30 pm.", said Seonghwa, glancing at Hongjoong while starting the car. Hongjoong shrugged.

"I'm in the mood for galbitang. You?", he replied. Seonghwa nodded.

"Me too. I know a place near the park we can hangout for awhile.", said Seonghwa and drove off to the place.

- after eating -

     Seonghwa and Hongjoong bumped into some fans at the area and they had some short chats with Atinys. Good thing no one suspected that they were out for a date.

     They were walking around the park, observing the area and soon they found a spot that only a couple of people walk around. They sat on the bench. It was silent, not the awkward one, but it was calm and peaceful.

"How are you feeling now?", asked Seonghwa as he glanced at Hongjoong. Hongjoong nodded and sighed.

"I feel like I could breathe now. I won't cry now when I remember her since I got to tell her everything.", Hongjoong replied, he slowly held Seonghwa's hands and played with it.

"Can I ask...what did you tell her?", asked Seonghwa. Hongjoong looked at him and giggled.

"I'll tell you when the time is right.", he said. Seonghwa nodded and scooted closer to Hongjoong.

- earlier -

     Once Hongjoong saw no sight of Seonghwa, he smiled. He looked at his grandma's grave and sighed.

"Grandma, do you remember the time when you told me that you will support me whoever I love?", Hongjoong asked and took a deep breath looking at the sky.

"He came with me today, and he accepted my feelings and he likes me too. If you met him, you would really like him. He's a good guy.", he continued. Hongjoong clasped his hands and smiled.

"I really like him, or I might love him already. And I can feel that you are happy wherever I'm happy. Grandma, you gave me the best memories, and I hope that he will too. I love you so much.", said Hongjoong and said his last prayers.

     As he was about to walk away, a gush of wind passed by him. He looked back at the sky and smiled. 'Thank you for accepting him grandma.', he thought and continued to walk towards the car park.

- present -

"Yah, Kim Hongjoong.", said Seonghwa as he patted the other. Hongjoong blinked several times and looked at Seonghwa.

"Y-yeah?", asked Hongjoong. Seonghwa giggled.

"You've been smiling to yourself the whole time. Were you thinking of something?", he asked. Hongjoong smiled and sighed.

"Yeah, I just remembered what happened earlier.", he replied and scratched his nape.

"Do you want to go home now? It's 9 pm.", asked Seonghwa. Hongjoong nodded and Seonghwa was about to get up but was stopped by Hongjoong.

"Hwa...", Hongjoong said in a soft tone. Seonghwa looked at him.

"Thank you for everything, for the things that happened the past few years, and for caring for me.", continued Hongjoong, staring at Seonghwa's eyes that was sparkling under the moonlight.

"Why are you thanking me? Did something happen?", Seonghwa asked, a little confused. Hongjoong shook his head and giggled.

"I just want to.", said Hongjoong. His face slowly went closer to Seonghwa's. Their faces were inches apart and their lips were about to connect.

"Hello? Yeah! I'm going there, just wait.", a voice cut their moment off. They instantly backed off and a guy walked past them.

"U-um, well that was awkward.", said Hongjoong, fiddling with his fingers. Seonghwa got up laughing, he gave out his hand for Hongjoong to hold.

     Just when Hongjoong held hands with Seonghwa, Hwa pulled him and wrapped his arms around the younger and pecked his lips. It was short, but it made Hongjoong flustered. Seonghwa let go of Hongjoong, smiling, and held his hand intertwining their fingers.

'What a great night it was.', they both thought.