I'll find you in the afterlife (SKZ AU fanfic)

The funeral

-There you go, Seungmin flashed a reassuring smile at the maknae while fixing his tie. You look handsome, he said holding on hid tears.

He was worried sick for Jeongin. He didn't eat since Chan passed away.

And today was the funeral.

The maknae stared at himself in the mirror and saw the dark circles under his eyes. He looked like a walking corpse.

Seungmin rested his head on Jeongin's shoulder and rubbed his back to comfort him.

-You don't have to come if you don't feel ready.

-Actually I do. Especially me, Jeongin finally spoke.

-What do you mean?

They got interrupted by Changbin's voice yelling on the phone with someone.

-What's wrong, hyung? Seungmin asked.

-The press is gonna be there, Changbin threw the phone on the bed.

-What? Why?

-Because Chan hyung died as a hero and this helps the popularity of the group. We are everywhere on the news. They just want to suck every tear of sadness from us and use it as an ink to fill pages of articles that brings them money, he clenched his jaw. Not to say one of us needs to hold a speech.

-A speech?

-Yeah... A farewell to our leader, Changbin sighed, trying to contain his anger.

-Who is gonna do it?

-I thought about Minho hyung since he is the second oldest or Jisung, being the first Stray Kid chosen by Chan hyung.

-Can I do it? Jeongin's soar voice echoed in their ears.

-Really? Seungmin asked surprised. Are you sure? Jeongin nodded without hesitation.

-I owe him this. Please!

-Alright, Changbin ruffled his hair. You are holding the speech. Look at us while you're doing it. Don't glance at the cameras. They don't deserve our attention.

They arrived at the cemetery in two black cars.

Seungmin never left Jeongin's side, holding his head all the time.

Felix and Jeongin were the most shaken up, weakened by the lack of sleep and food.

Hyunjin closed his eyes, not daring to look at the coffin. He looked around and saw cameras everywhere, waiting for one of them to break down.

Jisung was trembling because of the shock, because of the flashing cameras, because of everything. He was completely overwhelmed. Minho was behind him, holding him in case he would lose balance or collapse.

In the end, the hyung line, or what was left from it, brought chairs for the maknae line to sit down. They could feel the youngers so fragile, ready to fall on the ground at any moment.

-And now the youngest of our group...Changbin began speaking at the microphone. No, not our group, but our family. The youngest of us will hold a speech in memory of our older brother, Bang Christopher Chan.

They all applauded the maknae when he took Changbin's place and looked around, feeling helpless and lost. He fixed his gaze on his friends and took a deep breath.

-I was told to focus on my group while talking. But I don't think I can face them after what I'm about to say. I know you are expecting me to say how wonderful of a man our leader was and how he died as a hero. But I am here to tell you about him from my perspective. A very close one. Because this is my way of saying goodbye to him. And to a part of me who died along with him, Jeongin stopped to swallow his tears.

He moved his gaze to the hole where was the coffin and started addressing to Chan.

-I wasn't ready to let go of you so soon. I sure considered it, but never imagined it will be this way. You made me so happy. You made happiness a routine until the point every moment without you was pure misery. I remember when Felix hyung almost caught us and I pushed you off the bed, he chuckled recalling the memories. Or when I waited patiently for him to answer the phone on your birthday, so we can be alone. When you told Jisung hyung to go home earlier, so you can stay in the records room with me. And when you tried to bring up the subject to the members. I started crying and you told me it doesn't matter who knows, cause it wouldn't change how you feel.

Stray Kids looked at each other confused. They had no clue what Jeongin was talking about.

-I'm sorry! Jeongin said falling on his knees. This is not what you wanna hear, but I can't help but say it. Why did you have to leave so soon, Channie? Why? You made a promise! You were supposed to keep it! You were supposed to tell them the truth! Why did you leave me alone? he yelled from the top of his lungs.

Hyunjin and Changbin kneeled down and hugged the younger while the others gathered around him to block the cameras.

-You were supposed to stay with me until the end, Jeongin cried his heart out. Why didn't you keep your promise? he shouted, his voice cracking at the end.

-What promise, Innie? Hyunjin asked concerned.

-He was supposed to tell you...

-Tell us what? Felix asked, his chest tightening from seeing Jeongin like that.

-About us.

-What? Changbin asked still confused.

-Me and Chan were in a relationship. He promised me to tell you the day before he died. He didn't get to.

They all stared at him in shock while all the cameras flashed to their faces.

-I loved him so much! And now he is gone...Jeongin bent hid down, watching his tears fall into the grass.

Status:
Alive: 7
Dead: 1
Minsung: married
Changlix: relationship acknowledged by the members
Seungjin: relationship acknowledged by the members
Jeongchan: ---
Chan: angel
Jeongin: widow