𝗙𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 【 𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗷𝗮𝘆 】

chapter three

The moment Heeseung saw Jongseong on the street, his head was full of confusion, but also hope. Even though he knew it couldn't be happening, and Jongseong was probably dead for many years, he wanted to believe it was him. And he stood there in front of him, looking like he used to before.

Heeseung’s heart raced as he stood before Jongseong, his chest tight with anticipation. The bustling street they had been on just moments ago seemed to fade into the background, the noise of the city dulling as if the world itself was holding its breath. Heeseung’s thoughts swirled with confusion and a desperate hope that somehow, this was all a mistake.

“Jongseong,” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “It’s me, Heeseung. Don’t you remember?”

Jongseong stood with his arms crossed, his expression cold and unrecognizing. His eyes, once so full of warmth and familiarity, were now sharp, distant, and unyielding. Heeseung searched those eyes, looking for any sign of recognition, any hint of the bond they had shared centuries ago. But there was nothing.

“I’m sorry,” Jongseong said, his tone flat and devoid of emotion. “I don’t know who you are.”

The words struck Heeseung like a physical blow, knocking the breath out of him. He took a step closer, reaching out as if to bridge the distance between them, as if a touch could reignite the connection they once had. But Jongseong took a step back, his expression hardening further.

“Please,” Heeseung whispered, his hand falling to his side. “We’ve been through so much together. I don’t understand why you’re saying this. We were friends… more than friends. I remember everything.”

Jongseong’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “You’re mistaken,” he said, his voice firm. “I don’t know you. Now, leave me alone.”

Heeseung’s heart sank, the hope that had driven him to chase after Jongseong crumbling into despair. This wasn’t the Jongseong he remembered, the one who had shared his dreams and fears beneath the full moon, the one he had vowed to protect at all costs. But despite the coldness in Jongseong’s voice, Heeseung couldn’t shake the feeling that somewhere, deep down, the prince he knew was still there, buried beneath layers of time and whatever forces had changed him.

“Jongseong, please,” Heeseung pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice. “If you would just listen, if you’d just give me a chance to-”

“Enough!” Jongseong snapped, his voice cutting through Heeseung’s words like a blade. “I don’t know you, and I don’t care about whatever delusions you’re clinging to. Go away.”

Heeseung flinched as if struck, the harshness in Jongseong’s tone sending a wave of pain through him. His mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. He could feel the eyes of passersby on them, the quiet judgment of strangers who didn’t understand the weight of this moment.

For a long, agonizing moment, Heeseung just stood there, staring at the man who had once meant everything to him, the man who now looked at him as if he were a stranger - a nuisance.

Finally, Heeseung forced himself to take a step back, then another, the distance between them growing with each hesitant movement. His heart screamed at him to stay, to fight for the connection they once had, but his mind was clouded with uncertainty and fear. What if Jongseong truly didn’t remember? What if he really was gone?

“I’m sorry,” Heeseung said softly, his voice barely audible over the din of the street. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Jongseong’s expression remained impassive, his eyes cold as he watched Heeseung retreat.

With one last, lingering glance at Jongseong, Heeseung turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy, his heart weighed down with a grief he hadn’t known he was capable of feeling. Each step felt like a battle, each breath a struggle to keep himself from falling apart. He couldn’t understand how it had come to this—how the person who had once been his closest companion, his confidant, could look at him with such indifference.