strings & bullets┃hajeongwoo (under revision)

〚 ch: twenty-one 〛

one fine afternoon, where the wind howled and the sound of birds chirping mingled with the rustling of dead leaves beneath their feet. green hill cemetery, as the sign reads. the three of them walked past the gates where two stone angels was placed. haruto was holding jio on his arms while jeongwoo held a flower in his hand. they walked slowly up the concrete path of the cemetery, where flat black graves were visible on the vast field. the smell of freshly cut grass blended with the crisp air of the morning rain.

jeongwoo sighed as he came to a halt a few meters away from a familiar flat grave, gulping as he couldn't bring himself to move. the resurfacing of memories felt like an open wound splattered with alcohol, causing him to grit his teeth in pain. he can hear junghwan's voice, and he recalls teasing him and the younger sulking in front of him, his cheeks turning pink. to that dreadful moment when his ears were filled with junghwan's cries, groans, and heavy breathing. his chest tightened as he tried to hold back tears; it had been years since the younger's death, but it felt like yesterday.

he felt a hand on his waist drawing him closer, but he didn't resist because he is weak. his head rested on haruto's chest as his eyes slowly closed, haruto rubbed jeongwoo's back while whispering soothing words into his ear. jeongwoo inhaled haruto's scent, not expecting it to soothe his emotions. when he opened his eyes after a few minutes of calming down, the sight of jio smiling at him made him chuckle softly.

“i love you papa” the baby told him as his small hands wiped a tear from jeongwoo's cheek.

jeongwoo gripped the baby's hand lightly and kissed his palms, “i love you too baby”

“we're here for you jeongwoo” haruto softly said as he placed a chaste kiss on jeongwoo's side temples, his hand never leaving the officer's waist.

he smiled at haruto's words and nodded, this is all happening too fast but he doesn't care. he needs haruto, he needs the warmth he can give him.

"let time unfold.. and let me love you"

jeongwoo huffed a sigh and slowly removed himself from the man's arms, now making his way towards the familiar grave. he sat on the grass and wiped the dead leaves off the grave marker, the younger's name now visible. dead flowers crinkling in his hand as he removed it from the vase and replaced with the flowers he brought with him. he felt haruto sitting beside him as he traced the younger's name engraved on the marble stone.

“ya, so junghwan” he sniffed and threw back his head to stop the tears as he faintly laughed.

haruto followed his movement and rubbed his back again.

“i– ” he can't continue his words as small sobs came out from his mouth, “i miss you so much” he covered his mouth with his palm, tears started streaming down his face.

“how are you? i hope you're doing fine up there.” his voice hushed as he talked.

“guess what? i have a child now, you're supposed to be his uncle who would love to play with him. you like kids right?” he chuckled as he placed jio on his lap.

“baby, say hi to your uncle” he told jio, who frowned as he stared at the grave. he shook his head and burried his head in jeongwoo's chest.

“is jio scared of uncle? c'mon just say hi baby” haruto scooted closer as he tapped the baby's nose, trying to convince the baby to say hi. jio was stubborn and shook his head again, he looks afraid.

jeongwoo chuckled and decided to just let him be, “i bet you'll be happy to see jio” he said with a smile.

“if only you were alive, junghwan. our hyungs missed you so much, we are not complete with you.” his smile faded as his voice shook