BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 40

Seokmin's fifth year in prison was another step forward, though the road was no easier.

One cold morning, as he sat alone in the visitation room, the guard announced visitors. Seokmin glanced up, expecting Jihoon or maybe Mingyu. Instead, he froze at the sight of Jeonghan and Seungcheol walking toward him.

Jeonghan's presence alone was enough to send Seokmin into a spiral of guilt. Jeonghan has always been fiercely protective, and Seokmin had done the unforgivable: he had hurt Jisoo in ways Jeonghan could never forget.

Seungcheol walked beside him, calm but watchful, as if ready to step in should the visit take a turn. The two were an odd pair-Jeonghan's sharp wit and Seungcheol's steady demeanor clashed constantly, yet they somehow fit perfectly together.

"Jeonghan," Seokmin finally croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't expect you to-"

"Don't," Jeonghan interrupted, his tone cold. "You don't get to say my name like that. Not after everything you've done."

Seokmin lowered his head, his hands trembling slightly. "I'm sorry. For everything. For Jisoo-"

"Stop." Jeonghan's voice was sharp, but there was something else in it, something softer beneath the surface.

Jeonghan sat down across from Seokmin, his piercing gaze unwavering. "I'm not here for you. I'm here because Jisoo deserves peace, and I've been trying to give it to him. But you..." He paused, his fingers tapping the table. "You've haunted him. And by extension, you've haunted me."

Seungcheol placed a hand on Jeonghan's shoulder, a silent reminder to breathe. "You said what you needed to say. Let him talk now."

Seokmin swallowed hard, his voice cracking as he spoke. "I don't expect you to forgive me. I don't even think I deserve to ask. But I'm trying to change. Every day, I think about what I did-how I destroyed Jisoo's life, how I hurt him and everyone around him."

Jeonghan's expression softened just slightly, though his posture remained rigid. "And? You think acknowledging it fixes anything?"

"No." Seokmin's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "It doesn't fix anything. But I'll keep trying to atone, even if it takes my entire life."

For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Then Jeonghan reached into his bag and pulled out an envelope. He slid it across the table toward Seokmin.

"What's this?" Seokmin asked hesitantly.

"A photo," Jeonghan said, his voice quieter now. "Of Jisoo. From our wedding."

Seokmin's hands shook as he opened the envelope. Inside was a picture of Jisoo, radiant and smiling in a pale suit, standing beside Jeonghan and Seungcheol. The image was a stark reminder of the life Jisoo had managed to rebuild despite everything Seokmin had done.

"Why are you giving me this?" Seokmin whispered, unable to tear his eyes away from the photo.

"Because forgiveness doesn't mean I forget," Jeonghan said firmly. "But it does mean I'm letting go of the anger. For Jisoo's sake. And for mine."

Seungcheol leaned forward, his voice gentle. "Jisoo's doing better now. He's happy. But that doesn't mean he's forgotten you, either. He still talks about what happened. He's still healing. Just like you are."

Jeonghan stood abruptly, signaling the end of their visit. "Don't make me regret this, Seokmin. And don't think this changes everything. You'll never be part of Jisoo's life again. But maybe... someday, he'll find it in himself to forgive you too."

Seokmin clutched the photo tightly, his heart heavy yet hopeful. "Thank you," he said softly, though the words felt inadequate.

As Jeonghan turned to leave, Seungcheol lingered for a moment. "Keep going," he said simply. "If not for Jisoo, then for yourself. You've still got a long way to go, but you're on the right path."

With that, they were gone, leaving Seokmin alone in the room.

He stared at the photo for a long time, tears streaming down his face. It wasn't forgiveness in its entirety, but it was a start. And for Seokmin, it was enough to keep moving forward.

Am I unnecessarily stretching the story????