\\ DUSK\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 18 \\

My head hung heavily in respect and mourning as I gazed at the stone before me. White roses sprouted beside the cool grey marble where the name Jeong Yunho was inscribed in it. I'd come to his grave many times before.

I'd come in a dress of dark color and veil over my head. My silver wings would be tucked tightly behind my back from the small flight to the cliff edge where his grave was put, looking over the beauty of the glowing swamps in eternal night. It was always quiet, the only disturbance of sound peing the slight breeze of wind bristling the flowers. Sometimes I would disturb the peace to talk as I sat there, my sorrow in knowing it was an empty grave not conveyed through tears.

Today, I spared no such time.

I wore a dress, as always, but the colors were a vibrant aqua with green and lavender streaks stitching into the fabric paving the way for the small golden flakes and stars that scattered about the short, breezy skirt. The aqua and gold shoes I adorned were also different, appearing as sandal like accommodations which showed my lavender painted toe nails— this matched my finger nails. My eye shadow was a mix of that green found accentuating my dress and it was accompanied by a faint orange which appeared a few shades lighter than my tan skin. All this styling which appeared all too vibrant for the grave I was visiting— for all of Night Court, it was too vibrant. No, this vibrance only matched for the place I was going to after I visited Yunho's grave— it was meant for the visit to Eastern Court. That was also the reason my hair had been left out to catch those ocean breezes when we would arrive there— just as they were catching the slight night air breeze now.

Today was a quick little farewell.

A quick goodbye as I looked down to the grave of a companion I still dearly missed. A companion who'd been by my side through deception, love, and hate. A companion that I wished stood more of a chance against the cruel reality of a Taking, but I'd seen him die right before my eyes.

I took a sharp intake of breath to dismiss the memories of how this grave was placed here and, instead, looked down to my hand where a bouquet of silver, white, and golden flowers had been woven together. They appeared duller here on the cliffside without the glimmering shine of the life-giving stars above. I gazed at them for a moment longer before bending down before his grave and gently laying the bouquet in front of his name.

You will be missed. You will always and forever be dearly missed.

I stood once more, letting myself have another long intake of breath before I turned around, and let my silver wings sprout from my back to take off— to meet up with Hongjoong and Yeosang at the portal before we left for Eastern Court. However, that's when I also hesitated and decided to give myself one last look at the grave covered in roses, where the bouquet I placed now accompanied them. The petals of those flowers in that bouquet seemed to glimmer with a flicker of life as I gazed at them once more. Then, I turned around and took off.

I'd been afraid of replacing Jeong Yunho. I was afraid his memory would wash away— of all the good he had done and everything I ever took for granted. But it wouldn't. No, his memory would live on. If not known by everyone then at least known by me. And as his memory lived on, a new one would also begin for the place he left open. Left open and to be accommodated to whom I headed towards now.