Black Cat //Ateez

°22°

Hongjoong was outside the house, helping Seonghwa pick some herbs from his garden. The sun was slowly setting, so it wasn't extremely hot outside, but it gave them enough light to see around.

San and Jongho were sitting close to them, on a bench under a big tree. Byeol was sitting between them, receiving the pets from the two of them.

Hongjoong was watching them with a smile on his face, forgetting from time to time that he had to help Seonghwa.

"Is everything alright sweetheart?" The witch asked, seeing the dreamy and lost expression on Hongjoongs face.

"Do you ever have a feeling that, things are starting to get into place? Like, everything seems to have turned against you, but somehow something happens and solves everything?" He asked instead of answering the question, looking straight at Seonghwa. He was smiling widely, seeing slowly the same smile appear on the witch's face too.

"Yeah, I'm familiar with it. Is this what's happening right now?"

"Exactly. It seems like everything is falling into place. And the only person I have to thank right now for that is you Seonghwa"

The witch stopped for a moment, and looked at Hongjoong. His eyes were sparkling, the sun illuminating his face perfectly. Seonghwa was kneeling on the ground, picking some leaves from the plants, and he had a good view of Hongjoong.

"Hongjoong I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the one you have to thank is yourself not me. I didn't do anything" He chuckled, and placing the herbs inside his basket, he stood up, towering over the man.

"I can't believe that Seongie, you were the one that took us in and let us leave with you" Hongjoong started walking followed by Seonghwa, entering the house, to prepare something to drink.

"Yeah, but if a certain brave and determined boy hadn't come to my doorstep asking for a wish, I wouldn't have gotten to know you" The witch moved, wrapping his hands around the humans waist. His head was on top of Hongjoong, placing a gentle kiss on it.

"If you put it like that. But you could have easily ignored me. Let me lose and do what you wanted"

"Ahh, sweetie, that was really difficult. You were so different, I couldn't just pass a person like you. And besides, we've talked about this, you would've have won either way, I didn't let you"

"Why I still don't believe that?" Hongjoong wriggled in Seonghwas embrace. He turned around, lifting his head a little to have a better view of the witch.

"You worry yourself too much" The witch bent and placed a kiss right on his lips.
"You're here with me, your wish will be granted and Jongho will be healed. You don't have to overwork yourself like that. We will get through this together"

Hongjoong hearing that, something inside of him broke. Maybe it was the soft and gentle tone Seonghwa was using. Maybe it was the words he said that went straight to his heart. Maybe it was the loving gaze that Seonghwa was looking at him. Whatever it was, it made him tear up. His eyes started getting watery, and the first droplets fell right away.

"Hey, hey I didn't say that for you to cry" Seonghwa panicked a little seeing the sudden change in his behaviour. He started wiping his tears, not liking the fact that his sweetheart was crying.

"I'm sorry it's just.. It's been so long since I've last heard such words. I have been alone for so much time, I thought I couldn't make it. For me and them. I didn't want to disappoint them, I didn't want for them to feel like they weren't loved just because our parents left us. I tried to be there for them, but noone was there for me"

Hongjoong felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. All those emotions, all those fears and insecurities that he tried so much to conceal for the sake of his brothers were slowly starting to resurface. And the fact that he had someone by his side to help him and care about him, was making it so much better.

Seonghwas heart broke seeing Hongjoong talk like that. He didn't know that he had so much pain and fear behind his smiley face. Seonghwa swore to make him feel protected, both him and his brothers. They weren't alone anymore, he was gonna stand by their side for as long as he had to.

His big arms were wrapped around Hongjoong small frame, bringing him close to his body. Hongjoong cried and cried, getting muffled from his face being on Seonghwas chest.

"Let it out sweetheart. Let it out I'm here" He said soothingly, his hand going up and down on his back.

Hongjoong didn't stop. If anything hearing Seonghwas words made him cry even harder.

They spent some time like this, Seonghwa trying to calm Hongjoong, while he tried to subsize his crying. Seonghwa helped him relax, occasional sniffles were heard from him.

He detached himself from Seonghwa, seeing the loving and caring expression still on his face. Seonghwa made an attempt to wipe his tears, his eyes now red and puffy, the droplets staining his cheeks.

"Are you alright? Did it help you?" The witch asked cautiously, tilting his head a little.

Hongjoong nodded, and stood on his tip toes to kiss the witch. He was so grateful for him, Seonghwa had no idea. In Hongjoongs mind, Seonghwa had came and rescued them, protecting them from anything and everything. Hongjoong, even though he was never gonna admit it, loved to be taken care of. He wanted for someone to care and be there for him, just like he was to his brothers. Maybe that someone was gonna be Seonghwa.

Seonghwa smiled hearing that, and started peppering kisses all over Hongjoongs face, hoping to get his mood up. And it was working. The human laughed lightly at that, loving the attention Seonghwa was giving.

"I love you so much sweetheart, you have no idea" Seonghwa said in between kisses, and started down at Hongjoong amazing brown orbs, that seemed to twinkle hearing that.

"I love you more Seongie, don't ever forget that"