In The Shadow of Asora

13. Mourning Day

"We're going somewhere today."

Curious, Jongho's father lifted his eyes from his journal. He had immersed himself in it ever since the early morning and read about popular mechanics' labour and life further in the mainland. Some rich travellers had spread the paper to try and hire a few workers for their projects the day prior. Neither of the two men would go, but Jongho's father enjoyed to immerse himself in anything that spelt news once in a while.

"Together? Where? I don't think I'll be able to join you, even if I feel fine today."

Jongho lifted his duffel onto his back. Earlier that morning he had garnered some objects that reminded him of Yunho in their humble home. He had packed his music bunny, a gauntlet that Yunho had liked to wear before they forbid him to in the army, and their shared pillow. All of them served as his last reminders of his brother, whose face had become a distant memory by now. They would help his father remember, too.

"It's Yunho's day, dad. I'll take you this year." Jongho's voice sounded breathy and quiet in his throat. For a second, the silence stretched in the room when his father didn't answer yet.

"Or do you... Not want to go?" Jongho poised the question with careful consideration. His father had every right to refuse, and if he did, Jongho had no way to force him. Still, he hoped for him to agree.

His father sighed the sigh of an old man who had lived for too long. As his eyes travelled over Jongho's face and read everything right off it, Jongho felt uncomfortably exposed. He fumbled the cord of his bag with his fingers.

"I asked my friend to come over and help, so you don't have to worry. He can help us get you there and back."

The tension thickened when Jongho's father let his paper sink. Jongho prepared for rejection as he already chided himself for even considering to ask. His father was sick. He should concentrate on regaining his strength rather than accompanying Jongho on a trip that he could go on alone very well.

"Fine, let's go together."

At the sudden approval, Jongho gasped softly. Glee filled his chest as he sprung over to his father's bed. The man smiled indulgently as Jongho rambled about Mingi and how he would help while he collected some clothes for his father to wear. They hung slack around his thin shoulders, but as long as they would keep him warm, that played no role.

Jongho was about finished with dressing up his dad when Mingi shyly knocked on the door. He introduced himself with his best smile that had Jongho's father copy the gesture to the best of his ability.

Then, the two young men exchanged restless gazes.

"Should we support him one arm each?" Mingi suggested with wrinkles that dug into his forehead. Jongho nodded carefully.

"Maybe sling his arm over your shoulder and hold him around the waist? We'll try to balance the difference in heights."

Mingi handled Jongho's father with great care as he aided him to stand. A mumbled inquiry if he was comfortable passed his lips, and Jongho's father hurried to reassure him. At seeing the two of them quickly be casual with each other, Jongho disentangled his worried mind. Mingi was there, too, and he had managed to convince his father to join them.

Yunho had to wait just a bit longer for them to arrive.

They took the less popular alleys through Zey. Jongho knew them like the back of his hand, and only a few people passed them to send curious glances their way. Mingi quietly conversed with Jongho's father and made sure that he could breathe through his mask and didn't faint on them.

When they stepped out of the city and towards the mighty cliffs, Jongho reached over to feel his dad's temperature. His forehead had ignited with the usual feverish warmth it held, but it didn't seem worse than usual. Relieved, Jongho helped him over the stones while his father was still blinded by the brilliance of the skies and the ocean. Both were clear blue today even if Jongho suspected that it might snow later. Some ice had covered the streets in the morning.