SHADOWLESS |seongjoong|

The end

Seonghwa:

I stood in my room, collecting the last of my belongings. It was time to leave this temple and return home. I couldn't believe two years had passed since I first came here to receive my training. Since that day, many things have changed. I was a different person. And this place was feeling like a second home now. I felt bittersweet at the thought of leaving Japan, but it was for good. In the past two years, I couldn't contact my family back home and every day away from them hurt my heart. I wanted to return and reunite with my brothers. But the person I wanted to meet the most was Hongjoong.

"You ready?" Yuta asked me. My teacher stood by the door, leaning on the frame. His sharp eyes observed me.

"Yeah, I am ready," I responded, closing my suitcase.

With one last look around my room, I took my suitcase and followed Yuta. He was going to drive me to the airport and send me away. I would miss this place.

"I wonder how everyone is back home," I said to myself.

...

I arrived in Korea in the early afternoon. As I took my baggage from the terminal, I couldn't help but think about Hongjoong. No one knew I had returned, and I planned to use it to my advantage. I wanted to surprise everyone, starting with Hongjoong. I stood at the taxi stand, checking my phone one last time. I was right on schedule. I had to find a taxi and go to Hongjoong's place. He was probably at home. Joong preferred night work.

I found a taxi and hopped in. As the taxi drove away, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. I was nervous, excited, and a little scared. Two years had passed, and I didn't leave on the best terms with Hongjoong. But I was certain of one thing: I was ready to face whatever was coming my way.

I closed my eyes to catch some rest on the way there. A deep sigh slipped out of my lips. I was finally going home to the person I loved the most.

I stood in front of the familiar black door, feeling excited and nervous. This was the moment of truth. Behind that door was my love. I could feel my heart skipping a beat when I opened the door. However, the place was dark and cold. This place, once a warm home for the two of us, was now unfriendly and even felt abandoned. Inside, felt as if no one had been here for the past two years. Did Hongjoong change his address? That was impossible, right?

I walked to the living room, and a wave of nostalgia washed over me as I remembered the last time I was here with Hongjoong. It was two years ago when Hongjoong confessed to me. But now, this place was dark and a bit run down. A sharp contrast to my memories. I shook my head. There had to be reason for all of this. Maybe Hongjoong was too busy with work and had no time for cleaning. Yeah, that was probably it.

I took a deep breath before rolling my sleeves. I decided to clean up and cook for my boyfriend. If he was too busy, this could help him. I got myself to work, dusting the furniture, vacuuming the floor, and preparing a meal. As I cooked, I couldn't help but think about my sweet lover. Would he be happy to see me? Should I have called him?

Hongjoong:

I finished my work around midnight and could finally return to my place for some sleep. I walked inside my apartment, expecting the usual cold, silent emptiness. Instead, I was greeted by warmth and the familiar smell of home-cooked food. I followed the scent, a surge of hope rising into my chest. Seonghwa was here. Only he could do this. Only he could be behind it all.

I walked into the kitchen, my eyes scanning the room. And there he was, sitting by the table, glass of wine in his hand. Seonghwa looked at me, a wide smile on his face. But I couldn't respond to it. My whole body got frozen in place. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Welcome home, Love," Hwa smiled at me.

I tried to speak, yet my voice wasn't coming out. I had so much to tell him, yet I couldn't. Only the sound of my racing heart indicated I wasn't dreaming. I had to try harder. There was so much I wanted to do. I tried to walk closer, barely moving from where I was. I felt the hot tears running down my face.

Before I could do anything more, Seonghwa stood up and came to me. His arms were tightly wrapped around me. I've been longing for this embrace for too long. Yet, I was longing for our soft kisses even more. With the last remaining power in my body, I took his face in my hands and gently kissed him. My Seonghwa came back to me.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'm sorry for how I treated you," I whispered.

"It's okay, Joongie," Seonghwa smiled at me before we kissed again.

As we held each other, a sense of peace washed over me. We've been apart for two long years, but our love has grown stronger. At this moment, I made a promise to myself. I was never going to leave Seonghwa's side, no matter what. I also made a difficult choice while Seonghwa was in Japan. I had decided to give up my immortality if my lover returned to me. I couldn't stay by his side the way I was now. I wanted to enjoy every single moment together like a human.

...

"Joongie, you don't need to hold me so tight," Seonghwa said as we cuddled in bed.

"I want to hold you close. Two years were enough," I responded.

Seonghwa blushed at my words and buried his face in my chest. I could feel his warm breath against my skin. His heartbeat was going crazy, or was it my own? We, were tightly cuddled together, and only the two of us mattered.

"Seonghwa, I have to tell you something," I began. "I decided to give up my immortality."

"What? Are you sure? It's a big decision," Seonghwa said, looking me in the eyes.

"Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life besides you," I told him, placing a soft kiss on his forehead.

Seonghwa:

I couldn't believe what Hongjoong told me. But this was his choice. If he truly wanted to give up his immortality for me, then I could do nothing about it. I was excited about it. Hongjoong was ready to go this far for me. 

A/N: This is the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed it to the fullest. 

-Love, Sirius