13 Dances (A Seventeen Fanfiction)

-15-

"It isn't half bad", I heard someone even before realizing I was back in the dark room, "A black cloak, maybe a mask and she can run around telling everyone she's their father." I would have laughed if I could. Oh Vernon. My boyfriend chuckled on my behalf. It was good hearing it.

"But for real, she looks like she already is half dead. It's so hard for me sometimes", he then said.

Hey! I mean, I bet I don't look stunning, but I feel pretty alive still!

"I didn't come all the way just for you criticising my sister's looks", Vernon gave back jokingly offended.

Thanks, bro.

"Sorry", my boyfriend said and I could hear the slight smile in his voice. How I missed seeing it.

"Remember when you saw her the first time? You thought she was a monster", Vernon laughed.

"I mean, she was covered in dirt because she had to help her friend whose car got stuck. She shocked me!", the other one joined in on the laughter.

"Well, she changed to the dark side now. From a Wookie to Darth Vader. She's still a Star Wars character though", my brother went on.

There was a short silence and then Vernon added: "She's still the same, no matter what she looks on the outside. And the woman I know is strong and stubborn. She'd come back as a ghost if she needs to."

I mean... He wasn't wrong.

"Do you think she can hear us?", my boyfriend suddenly changed topic.

I for once am pretty sure of that.

"Why not? Hey there, sis."

Hi Vernon.

"It's just...", my boyfriend went on, "It's easier to imagine she can. And somehow, I hope she hears all the nonsense I am babbling. But if she doesn't, I am just a crazy idiot talking to himself. And if she does, I want my words to be something special, something that makes her realize how much I miss her and that comforts her. That helps both of us having patience."

You are doing great, sweetheart. We're all weird sometimes, talk all you want even during the times I can't hear you. And whenever I hear you, that is enough for me. It's not that I need continuous love confessions. All I need is your voice, reassuring me that you still are there, okay?

"Hey, don't worry too much about it", my brother answered gently, "If she can't hear us then so be it. But I wouldn't stop talking to her – just in case she actually does hear us. And if it also helps you, then why not? Do it for her and do it for you. Also, I am pretty sure just hearing your voice will be enough for her. She always had a talent for reading the air. She will be able to tell how much she means to you simply by your words and the fact that you haven't left her side for 37 days now. If you were gone it was only a few hours and I think that speaks for itself, don't you?"

He was here every day? Oh love. Do you even take care of yourself enough?

"She'd probably drag you out herself if she could", Vernon added.

Absolutely.

My boyfriend chuckled. "She so would. She always emphasized how important it is to take a break when it gets too hard."

See? Go treat yourself to something nice.

"But I feel guilty if I do. Like I left her alone to die."

Excuse me? Not planning on doing so.

"But we are with her", Vernon opposed, "Jun, Soonyoung, my sis and her husband, your brother and that other one... I forgot the name, but he is your best friend as far as I know."

I am really touched by how many people visit me here. I'll get back at you all, promised.

"Anyways, we are with her and you best believe we'd inform you if anything happens. You need to take care of yourself too. It's no use if she wakes up and you'll be the next to need treatment because you didn't care about yourself", Vernon ended.

"Maybe you're right", my boyfriend sighed.

He is. Listen to him.

"I am", my brother said firmly, "Yoda saying good advice you to."

My boyfriend chuckled loudly for me again.

"She is such a Star Wars nerd sometimes, she'd like your references", he said softly.

"That's why I make them", my brother gave back.

And I do appreciate them, I really do.

"I remember when she forced me to watch the movies. She kept talking about it and even called me by my last name whenever I teased her about it-" I felt fading away. No, not now. It was such a nice memory! "She always said: 'We're gonna watch it, you better be ready for it, Mister...'" I couldn't hear the rest anymore. But I knew it and as I fell asleep, I was happy for once.