Crazy In Love | Seongjoong Soulmate AU

Chapter Twenty-One [FINALE]

The day of the festival had finally arrived. Hongjoong was a nervous wreck as he paced around backstage, his heart pounding in his chest. His fellow musicians and friends tried to reassure him, offering words of encouragement and support, but the fluttering in his stomach refused to subside. He felt a mix of excitement and trepidation, unsure of how the audience would react to the deeply personal song he was about to share.

As the minutes ticked by, the stage manager called out that it was Hongjoong's turn to perform. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come, and stepped onto the stage.

The spotlight illuminated him, and the murmurs in the crowd quieted. Hongjoong looked out at the sea of faces, his heart beating even faster. His eyes scanned the audience, searching for a familiar pair of chocolate-brown eyes, but Seonghwa was nowhere to be seen.

Pushing aside the disappointment, Hongjoong took a moment to center himself. He reminded himself that this performance wasn't just about Seonghwa; it was about his journey and his growth as an artist.

He sat down with his guitar, the instrument he had poured his soul into for years, and strummed the opening chords of the song. The melody filled the air, ethereal and haunting, drawing the audience into his world.

With a deep breath, he began to sing. His voice trembled slightly at first, but he soon found his rhythm, channeling his emotions into every word and every note. The lyrics flowed effortlessly, weaving a tapestry of memories and emotions.

As the song progressed, the emotions intensified, and Hongjoong's voice soared with raw vulnerability. The pain, the longing, and the hope were palpable in every verse, and the audience was captivated by the intensity of his performance.

Time seemed to slow as Hongjoong poured his heart into the song. The stage lights blurred, and all that mattered in that moment was the music and the emotions it evoked.

As he reached the climax of the song, a single tear escaped from the corner of Hongjoong's eye. It was a tear for all the pain and the love he had experienced, for the years of longing and the fear of never seeing Seonghwa again.

The final note hung in the air, and for a brief moment, there was silence. Then, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers and admiration filling the space. Hongjoong was overwhelmed by the response, not expecting such an outpouring of emotion from the audience.

As he stepped off the stage, his heart still racing, he was met with warm embraces from his friends and fellow musicians. They congratulated him on his powerful performance, praising the depth of his emotions and the beauty of his music.

In that moment, Hongjoong felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He realized that he had made the right decision to perform the song, to confront his past and embrace his vulnerability. It was a cathartic experience, and he felt a sense of closure he had longed for.

Hongjoong felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, a simple text from an unknown number. The message was short and simple, yet it sent shivers down his spine.

Meet me at our spot, sunset.

Hongjoong's heart skipped a beat as he read the message. The words were all too familiar, a phrase he hadn't heard in years. It was the way they used to communicate their secret rendezvous during their high school days. The spot they had chosen was their sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves, away from the prying eyes of the world.

His mind raced with thoughts and emotions, wondering who could be behind the mysterious text. Could it really be Seonghwa reaching out after all this time? The mere possibility filled him with both excitement and apprehension. He had spent so long trying to move on, trying to forget the ache in his heart, but now the past had come knocking at his door.

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the surroundings, Hongjoong arrived at the familiar spot. The sight of Seonghwa standing there, his back turned, was like a dream come true and a nightmare all at once.

"Seonghwa," Hongjoong called softly, unsure if his voice would betray the emotions he was feeling.

Seonghwa turned around, and their eyes met after years of separation. Time seemed to stand still, and the world around them faded away. In that moment, they were the only two people that mattered.

"Hey," Seonghwa said, his voice a mixture of nerves and familiarity, "I heard your song."

Hongjoong couldn't help but smile, his heart fluttering at the sound of Seonghwa's voice. "You did?" he replied, trying to sound casual despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him.

Seonghwa nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Yeah," he said, "I was in the audience, watching you perform."

Hongjoong's smile widened, his heart swelling with warmth. "I'm glad you were there," he said sincerely. "It meant a lot to me."

Seonghwa took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Hongjoong's. "You were incredible," he said. "Your music has only gotten more beautiful with time."

The compliment made Hongjoong's cheeks flush with a mix of happiness and bashfulness. "Thank you," he said, trying to hide his nerves. "I've been working hard on my music."

Seonghwa nodded, his gaze softening. "I can tell," he said. "Your passion for music has always been one of the things I admired about you."

Hongjoong's heart swelled with nostalgia, remembering all the times they had spent together, talking about their dreams and supporting each other's aspirations. "I've missed those conversations," he admitted, his voice tinged with wistfulness.

Seonghwa smiled sadly. "Me too," he said. "There's so much I've wanted to share with you, so much I've wanted to tell you. I never wanted to be away from you," Seonghwa said, his voice choked with emotion. "But I had to chase my dreams, just like you did."

Hongjoong felt a pang of regret, realizing just how much they had missed out on in each other's lives. "I wish we hadn't lost touch," he said softly, "I wish things had been different."

Seonghwa reached out and gently brushed his thumb against Hongjoong's cheek, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped. "Me too," he said, his voice equally soft. "But we can't change the past. All we can do is focus on the present and the future."

Hongjoong nodded, his heart aching with the truth of Seonghwa's words. They couldn't undo the years they had spent apart, but they could choose what to do with the time they had now.

Seonghwa took a deep breath, his eyes searching Hongjoong's for a sign. "I still love you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I never stopped."

The confession sent a jolt of surprise through Hongjoong, but also a wave of warmth that washed away his doubts. "I love you too," he replied, his voice steady. "I never stopped either."

In that moment, the walls that had kept them apart for so long crumbled, and they both knew that they had found their way back to each other. The pain of their past was still there, but it was outweighed by the love that had endured through time and distance.

Seonghwa leaned in, and Hongjoong met him halfway, their lips coming together in a tender kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of years of yearning and the hope of a future together.

As they pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, Hongjoong felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time. He knew that their journey was far from over, that they would still have challenges to face and obstacles to overcome. But for now, in that moment, they were together, and that was all that mattered.

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, watching the sun set on the horizon. It was a new beginning for them, a chance to create new memories and write a new chapter in their love story.

The future was uncertain, but they faced it with hope and courage, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could weather any storm.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, they turned to leave their spot, hand in hand, ready to face whatever life had in store for them, together.

THE END.