Giving Up (Hongjoong x Reader)

chapter five: wooyoung

don't worry

Seonghwa came back the next day. He brought Hongjoong a small box.

"Open it."

Hongjoong's hands shakily took the box from Seonghwa and opened it. It was a watch.

"It was Wooyoung's. You bought it for him."

Seonghwa sat down and took the watch from Hongjoong. He turned it over and showed Hongjoong an engraving on it.

Don't worry

"You always told Wooyoung not to worry. He never looked good when he worried anyways."

...

"Hongjoong."

Wooyoung had been crying. His voice was hoarse.

"Hey, hey are you okay?"

"I failed a test again."

Hongjoong frowned and pat the area next to him on the bench. Wooyoung sat down and put his head on Hongjoong's shoulder.

"Don't worry about that. Test scores don't define who you are."

Hongjoong wrapped an arm around Wooyoung and smiled.

"Besides, tests are stupid. Whoever said tests were a good idea is stupid."

Wooyoung chuckled and hugged Hongjoong tightly.

...

Seonghwa helped Hongjoong put the watch away and made him dinner.

"How old was Wooyoung?"

"Young."

Seonghwa sighed lightly and smiled.

"He had a whole life ahead of him."

...

"Hongjoong-hyung!! Let's play video games!"

Wooyoung jumped onto Honjoong's back. He had a huge smile on his face.

"Let's play!! Come on!"

"Wooyoung I have wor-"

"Don't worry about work! Let's just play a little bit. You can't just worry all your life!! Come on!"

...

He should have played with him. He remembered the sadness in Wooyoung's eyes when he said no.

He should have played with him.

Maybe if he did, he'd have something to remember him by. But all he remembered was disappointment.

He should have made time for him. But he spent too much time worrying. Overthinking. Stressing out over small trivial things. He should have spent time with Wooyoung instead.

And now he couldn't even remember what Wooyoung looked like. He couldn't remember his smile. The way he smiled so brightly. He couldn't remember the way his eyes shined with glee when he got what he wanted.

He was just a kid.

He was so young.

He had so much to live for.

He had a carefree and adventurous life ahead of him. He had so much love to give. He had more love in his single finger than Hongjoong had in his entire life. He was so kind.

He loved so hard.

He lived without a care in the world.

He just wanted to play.

Hongjoong...

Hongjoong you should have played with him.

You should have...

Now you never will.