Monster (ONEUS Seoho x Ravn/Seojo)

Week 4, Day 2

I gave myself a pep talk in the morning that I will not procrastinate and that I will seriously read over the cards rather than overthink and skim through them. When I picked up the stack, I had already given up but I could practically feel Father smack me upside the head. So while I ate my breakfast, I forced myself to clear my mind and read through each card.

I found myself unconsciously reading even as I finished my meal and set my tray outside. By afternoon, I had memorized the shortest and easiest of cards yet still ran through them in my head even when I took my lunch tray from Hwan Woong, not acknowledging the poor bell hopper in my quest to set my mind to these cards.

I couldn't remember what I ate for lunch or if I ate at all for I was engrossed in trying to recall one card that my brain refused to process and store away. By dinner time, I was read and memorized out. The words on the cards started to blur or jumble into one another, and I didn't know what I was reading anymore.

After eating, I decided to take a short walk before washing up for bed because it was as if my bottom had detached itself from my body was how numb it felt from sitting all day long. It was quite refreshing for a gentle breeze danced swiftly through the air, grazing the flowers and kissing my face.

Midwalk, I heard Hwan Woong call out my name. I swiveled to where I heard his voice and saw him waving from the entrance of the gardens. It was quite strange to see him out of uniform as he wore more casual clothes.

"Getting off work?" I asked the obvious as we both made our ways to each other. He nodded, shifting his folded bell hopper shirt to his other arm.

"Would you like to join me? For just a minute?" I inquired, gesturing to the path I just walked down.

"After you," he agreed and we soon fell into step with one another. It was silent at first yet I wasn't sure what type of silence. It was neither awkward nor comforting. I was worried that the past few days had changed his perception of me which caused my stomach to churn. I was grateful I hadn't lost Dong Ju, but I didn't want it to be at the expense of leaving Hwan Woong behind.

"Listen, about what's happened recently..." I started, feeling foolish as I bowed my head, too cowardly to look him in the eyes.

"It's not your fault, Seo Ho," his statement took me by surprise.

He gave a somewhat careless shrug. "Dong Ju was gutted when Dong Myeong wouldn't let him take a jab at the curse because although there is no blood relation between them and Young Jo, it always seemed like there was because Young Jo never made it feel like the twins were an addition to their family. It was like they were there from the beginning," he began but I had to cut him off.

"Is it just me or does everyone know and I'm just oblivious?"

He chuckled half-heartedly. "The twins, Si Woon, and I know. That's all."

"Miss Nari?"

"We don't tell Miss Nari about the curse, not even a word about it," he informed me.

"Why's that? Maybe she could. . ." I began to think.

Hwan Woong shook his head as if I wasn't getting it, like there was something between the silver lining I was missing. A lock of his luminous blonde hair flitted in the wind. "You know Young Jo was Miss Nari's first child," to this I nodded in acknowledgment, "But she could've almost lost him, and during that time where she thought she was about to lose her late first child, it was practically a miracle when he came out healthy."

I felt myself breath a sigh of relief. Imagining a world genuinely without Young Jo in it was absolutely terrible, and I hoped I would never do such a vile thing ever again.

"It really hit home when Young Jo supposedly passed away, and although she seems fine on the outside, Miss has changed since then," he ended.

"But you don't think she'd be somewhat relieved to know that her son isn't entirely dead?" I questioned, looking over at him.

Hwan Woong sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. "We've all decided it'd be best to not rattle her anymore than she's already been. If you are successful with your attempt to break the curse, then yes, after she sees her son perfectly alive, we can explain the curse to her. But for now, we just let her be."

I decided to let it go this time despite still not understanding. I figured there must be a side of Miss Nari they saw after Young Jo's "death" and still see that I haven't.

"I should get going," Hwan Woong piped up, turning to me. I faced him as well, folding my hands in front of me.

"Have a good night Seo Ho, and good luck," he winked mischievously at me before taking his leave. I shook my head in his wake but appreciated his wish nonetheless. I would be lying if I said everyone's hope in my attempt didn't put a fraction of pressure on my shoulders but I had to remind myself that I wasn't just doing this for me or for them - I was doing it for him too. So he could get his life back, right any wrongs but most importantly - so he could feel love again.

With this, I concluded my walk and returned to the hotel.

I had washed up, changed and even fell asleep before I felt what it seemed like a finger poke my cheek gingerly. I stirred awake, sitting up groggily as I rubbed my sleep crusted eyes.

I blinked several times to adjust to the darkness before making out Young Jo's face not too far away from mine. I reached back to turn on the light but he caught my arm and pulled me back down on the bed with him.

"What's the matter?" I asked him as I cupped his cheek.

"I was thinking, and I remembered that night we first met and how you sang to me," he started. In the darkness, it was as if his eyes glittered with a thousand stars.

"And I thought of how sweet your voice was and although this isn't the most appropriate of times, I was wondering if you could sing to me again," he requested and when he was bundled up under the blanket, his warm hand engulfing mine as his eyes sparkled, there was no possible way I could refuse.

"What would you like me to sing?"

He shrugged, a lazy smile playing his lips. "Whatever, as long as I get to hear your voice."

I swallowed down my scoff and refrained extremely hard from rolling my eyes. I then cleared my throat as I flipped through various songs in my head.

"Okay, I got one," I announced and I could see his ears perk up.

This night, the fireflies of that day are yours
I'll send you close to the window

I love you
I remember our first kiss

Then close your eyes anytime
Go to the farthest place
I was the wave

Like the writing on the sand
I think you'll disappear far away

I miss you always, I miss you
All the words here in my mind

I can't take it all out
I love you

When I finished, he was fast asleep. With his lips slightly parted and cheek squished against the pillow. I chuckled quietly as I pulled the blanket up to cover him fully and properly.

I then pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose before joining him in his slumber.

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A/N:
The song that Seo Ho sings is the English translation of IU's "Through the Night" :D