You Belong With Me | Jeongcheol Fanfic

Chapter 37

As they sat side by side, the comforting silence began to settle around them, punctuated only by the soft clinking of spoons against bowls. Seungcheol took a moment to savor his ice cream before glancing at Jeonghan, who was staring at his bowl with a distant expression.

"Hey," Seungcheol said gently, breaking the silence. "If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."

Jeonghan looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he was about to share. "I... I didn't think it would hit me this hard," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "My mom was my rock. She always knew how to make me smile, even on my worst days."

Seungcheol nodded, encouraging him to continue, his heart aching for his boyfriend.

"She was always so supportive of everything I did," Jeonghan continued, his voice growing steadier. "I remember when I was too shy to sing in front of anyone. She used to pull me into the living room and make me perform for her, telling me how talented I was, even when I didn't believe it myself."

A small smile flickered across Jeonghan's lips at the memory, but it quickly faded. "When I got the call about her passing, I... I just froze. I couldn't believe it. I was supposed to see her one last time, but I couldn't. I wasn't there for her when she needed me."

Seungcheol felt a lump form in his throat. "Jeonghan, you didn't know. You couldn't have known," he said softly, reaching out to take Jeonghan's hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I just keep thinking about all the things I didn't say to her," Jeonghan said, his voice breaking. "I never told her how much I loved her, how grateful I was for everything she did for me. Now it feels too late."

Tears streamed down Jeonghan's cheeks, and Seungcheol's heart shattered at the sight. He shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Jeonghan's shoulders, pulling him in for a comforting embrace. "It's never too late to love someone, Jeonghan. She knew how much you cared. Those memories you shared will always be a part of you."

Jeonghan leaned into Seungcheol's warmth, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I just wish I had more time with her. To tell her everything I've kept inside."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Jeonghan's words hanging heavily in the air. Seungcheol's heart ached for his boyfriend, wishing he could take away the pain of loss that was etched into Jeonghan's very being.

"Just remember, you're not alone in this," Seungcheol said softly. "You have me, and I'm here for you, every step of the way. We can talk about your mom whenever you feel ready. You can share your memories with me; I want to know her through your eyes."

Jeonghan nodded, his head resting against Seungcheol's shoulder, feeling the comfort of his presence envelop him. "Thank you, Seungcheol. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Just take it one day at a time," Seungcheol said, his voice reassuring. "We'll get through this together."

As they finished their ice cream, Jeonghan felt a flicker of hope amid the sorrow. He knew that healing wouldn't happen overnight, but having Seungcheol by his side made the weight of grief a little easier to bear. With each passing moment, he felt more ready to embrace the memories of his mother and to honor the love she had given him in life.

~

As they sat together on the couch, the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the window, Seungcheol felt it was important to lift Jeonghan's spirits, even if just a little. He gently ran his fingers through Jeonghan's hair, tucking a few stray strands behind his ear.