SKY Castle || X1 / PDX101 Ver.

Chapter 13: SKY CASTLE

Several months ago...

Minkyu decided that this will be the day he will end everything. He cannot bear the guilt and suffering anymore, every day is like a hell of pain and whenever he'll try to close his eyes to sleep, he'll dream of his wailing mother asking him to come back home.

But before he leaves this world, he wants to talk to his father one last time. He wants to apologize and tell him that all of these are his fault and that he didn't have to blame himself. He wants his father to start anew and eventually be happy again. So, for the first time in a very long while, he opens his phone again and the first thing he saw is his father's message.

My son, you know the mountain cabin we used to go together often when you were little right?

I'll wait for you there.

It's a simple message with simple words, however for whatever reason Minkyu feels that he was comforted, that a heavy feeling was lifted in his chest.

His father is waiting for him.

His father doesn't blame him.

His father forgives him.

These are the things he thought and somehow, he felt relieved. The idea of ending his life vanished and he was eager to go and be with his father again.

It will take hours to travel to where that mountain cabin his father is referring to, so Minkyu does not waste any time and pack whatever little he has before going.

***********

The snow is pouring hard that is why instead of cutting woods outside like he usually does, Jinhyuk chooses to stay inside and drink a hot coffee to warm his freezing body.

It's been a month since he sent the message to his son and until today there is still no response he doesn't really expect that this day will be the day Minkyu will come to the mountain seeing the weather condition. That is why he almost spill the coffee he is drinking when he saw someone approaching the cabin. When he was sure that, that person is his only son, he immediately rushes outside not even bothering to put on his boots, because what matters the most at that time is to hug and confirm that his son came back to him and that it is not only a dream.

When he finally reached the other, he hugs him so tight because he was afraid that he will vanish, but when he felt that Minkyu hugged him back, Jinhyuk can't help but cry out loud.

Finally.

Despite the harsh pour of snow, it doesn't bother the father and son as this moment is just so precious to them. Jinhyuk realizes how warm it is to hug his son, especially it's been so long since he genuinely does this and not only because he wants to show off to others.

They ended that night full of apologies, tears, hugs, and forgiveness.

**********

Back to the present...

"Wooseok-imo? Seungyoun-samchon?"

Wooseok gasps when he saw the person that called them. "Minkyu! Thank goodness you already came back to your father."

"Yes." Minkyu shyly responded. "I'm so glad to see you both again."

"Me too." Wooseok gave a sincere smile to the lad. It's been a while since he saw him but he can say that there's been a big change with Minkyu, and it is a change for the better.

After their greetings, they settled in a small café to have their talk. There, Wooseok retold the events that happened and how they suspected Dongwook to have something to do with how Hyeongjun is acting up right now.