Mi Appartieni

Chapter One

The follow story contains dark themes such as murder, torture, kidnapping, abuse and explicit sexual activity. Reader discretion is advised.

**

      "Please, Joshua. Let me go with you." Jeonghan pleads from the bed as he watches his best friend pack his bag. The worry was horribly evident on his face.

"It's not that I don't want you to go with me, Hannie." Joshua replies as he continues to pack with shaking hands, "I would love for you to come and be by my side but..." Joshua pauses as he takes a shaky breath, "I have to do this alone. Just me and my mom. Just the two of us. It's what she would have wanted."

"She would have wanted you to be safe." Jeonghan pleads again, "Going to a country you've never been to before and by yourself isn't a good idea. Especially with how naive you are."

Joshua can't help but chuckle slightly. "'Naive'?" "You know what I mean. You're too nice, too innocent, Shua. You'll get yourself into some sort of mess or trouble. Just let me come with you to make sure you're safe."

Joshua sighs as he goes over to the bed and sits next to his best friend. He grabs Jeonghan's hand, "Hannie, how long have we been friends?" "Twenty years? Since we were nine?" "Exactly. You've been by my side practically my entire life. But this time... you can't be by my side. You know me better than anyone. So you should know that I have to do this alone."

Jeonghan sighs deeply. "I know. I know you have to go alone. I just worry about you. I want you to come home safe." "And I will. I'll only be there for a week. I'll be back before you know it. Just in time for our Monday movie night."

Jeonghan chuckles, "We haven't missed Monday movie night in ten years. You better be back for that." Joshua smiles, "I wouldn't miss it." Jeonghan sighs again and pulls Joshua's head down to rest on his shoulder. The two stay like that for a few minutes, just holding onto each other.

"I have to ask, Shua. Your mom spent her whole life in Boston. So why Italy? Why now?" Joshua sighs and lifts his head. He stands up and slowly goes over to his bedside table. He puts his hand on the box resting on the table, right next to where he sleeps.

"You already know that I never met my dad. My mom raised me alone." Jeonghan nods sadly. "My mom was on vacation in Sicily when I was born. She brought me to Boston when I was only two weeks old. She would always say to me, 'My life began when you were born'."

The tears brim in Joshua's eyes and quickly fall down his cheeks. Jeonghan's eyes also glisten. "When she got sick, she told me she wanted her ashes spread in the place where her life began."

Joshua looks down at the box, his mother's name engraved beautifully on the top. "So that's why Italy. That's why now. And I'm sorry, but that's why I have to do it alone." Jeonghan stands up and pulls Joshua into a tight hug. Joshua holds onto him, his sobs filling the quietness of the room.

**

Boston Logan International Airport

Joshua is making his way through the airport, duffel bag in one hand, his mom's ashes in the other. Jeonghan is close behind him. Next to Jeonghan is a scary looking man, holding onto Jeonghan's hand tightly, scanning the area for anything suspicious. In their shadow is three tall, beefy looking men with sunglasses. They're also scanning the area, intensely on guard.

Joshua reaches the security checkpoint. He looks up at the sign, Rome, Italy. Joshua sighs and turns to Jeonghan and his boyfriend. "Seungcheol," Joshua says, "Thank you for coming with Hannie to see me off. I know you're very busy.'

Seungcheol smiles, "I'm never too busy for the things that are important to Jeonghan." Joshua smiles. "And besides," Jeonghan adds, "Being the owner and CEO of the biggest tech company on the east coast isn't all that time consuming."