Final Chapter- Seoyoung
Seven's P.O.V
Three Months Later
I hobbled through the corridor, my crutches under my arms as I walked past the kitchen and entered the living room. It was just as I had remembered it, as if I had walked into a distant memory or an old picture. Beautiful photographs hung around the walls, some of vibrant forests, others of apricot sunsets, and then a few of monochrome buildings and apartments. A half open, glass sliding door covered the right wall, which lead to a small balcony. Sunlight streamed into the room and fell across the beige floorboards. Two white couches were in the middle of the room, like I had remembered, except now there was a coffee table between them. My brother sat on one of the couches, and his head was turned towards the glass door. He blinked and then looked at me. I stared at him, waiting. Was he going to yell at me? Look disgusted? Saeran's mint green eyes observed me, with neither warmth or coldness, before he gave me a nod. I blinked.
"Luciel." He greeted. There was no malice in his voice. I swallowed, searching for something to say before V appeared beside me, carrying a tea tray.
"Ah, you're here."
"Sorry I was late." I said finally.
"Don't worry about it." V set down the tray and poured two cups of tea. Saeran accepted it with a soft 'thank you.'
"Saeran…" I began. He looked at me calmly. I stiffened and then looked away. "Um... congrats on getting released." I finished softly. Did I have the right to say that?
"Ah...thanks." My eyes flicked back towards him. He was much quieter than I remembered. His hair was it's natural color now, red—like mine—and he looked much healthier. The bags under his eyes were gone and the crazed look in his eyes had been replaced with a peacefulness that I remembered seeing in him as a kid—when we were both kids. I felt a stab of pain and nostalgia. I never thought that I could see him like this again. I thought that this part of him had been lost forever, like our bond as siblings after I had left. The sunlight that streamed in through the sliding door embraced the room in a gentle warmth.
"You look a lot better." I said quietly. "I'm glad."
"The treatment helped a lot." Saeran said softly. His pale fingers circled the rim of the cup.
"Luciel, do sit down." V said with a laugh. "You're just standing there. It's making me uncomfortable."
"Ah…sorry." I hobbled over to couch opposite my brother and sat down, placing my crutches against the table. V handed me a cup.
"Thanks…" I muttered. I glanced at Saeran who was observing me silently.
"I'm going to leave you both to it." Said V. "I'll be in the next room if you need anything." I swallowed as he left the living room. Silence fell between Saeran and I. A breeze whisked in through the sliding door, lightly making the white tablecloth on the coffee table flutter.
"It's really a miracle, what happened." I said finally. "I'm...I'm really glad you're okay."
"Thanks." Saeran replied softly.
After Saeran had been arrested by the police, he had undergone a series of trials to determine his sentence. The judge had eventually deemed him mentally unstable, and that he hadn't been in his right mind during the crimes he had committed. He was released—with repercussions of course—but released nonetheless. He was now staying at V's house, and a mental therapist had been assigned to him to help him recover. Since then, this had been the first time I had been allowed to visit.
"Sorry I wasn't able to come sooner." I said finally.
"You couldn't help it. I know they wouldn't yet you visit." He replied quietly. More silence. Saeran took a sip of tea.
"...Luciel," He began, "I wanted to…to apologize." I blinked.
"Apologize?"
"Yes...for everything." His grip around his cup tightened before he took a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed. "These last couple of years I've done so many awful things, to so many people."
"Saeran, you don't have to-"
"I do." He interrupted. "I do have to apologize." He bent his head over his cup and sighed. "Over the years...in my mind, I made you an enemy. Deep down, I knew that you didn't leave me just for just yourself, that you really were thinking of me too. And how could I blame you for wanting to prove yourself…? You had always been so skilled...you deserved recognition. And I was only holding you back."
"No-"
"Let me finish." He glanced at me briefly before looking down once more. "After I joined Mint Eye...I watched you, I couldn't help it, you were my brother. I saw how...how distraught you were after I had gone. But after a while I convinced myself to ignore it...because then I-I would feel awful too. I was a coward. I still am a coward. I'm not fully healed yet, everything isn't perfect for me, and it will never be. But-" He paused to take another sip of tea. "But this is a new slate for me. I can look back on the past now, without malice and hatred and guilt." Saeran looked at me. "Luciel...I'm so sorry. I know that isn't enough, and it'll never be enough. I did so many...awful things. I used people, and I...enjoyed it. It felt good to take advantage of others, so that I could try ignore that feeling of being used. I was really going to hurt you—kill you." His lower lip trembled and his face became wretched. "I'm-I'm-" He was cut off as I got up, hobbled around the coffee table, and hugged him. His shoulders stiffened.
"I forgive you." I whispered.
"You shouldn't." Saeran replied softly. He was trembling. "I...thought you'd-"
"I will always forgive you." I said again. "You're my little brother." After I released him, I blinked when I saw his eyes water. He bit his lip.
"Luciel…" He whispered, voice breaking. He began to sob. "I'm...sorry." He wrapped his arms around my neck and began to sob uncontrollably. I smiled and patted his head. It was just like when we were kids. When he would run, crying, to me.
"I'm here." I whispered. "You'll be okay." I glanced at V, who was leaning against the doorway, a warm smile on his face. I knew he could see it too. Those two brothers, those close siblings, who would always run to one another, who would always rely on each other, that he had seen so many years ago. I smiled back at him and then closed my eyes. My brother was back. For the first time in years, he was really back. And then, I too, began to cry with happiness.
"So when are you getting your cast off?" Saeran asked. After the sob fest, everything had settled down, and now he was excitedly asking me question after question—just like he had when we were little.
"Tomorrow." I replied with a grin. His eyes widened.
"Really?!"
"Yup, I've had it for almost three months now." I sighed, putting my hands behind my head. "I don't even really need it now, but they refused to take it off until the set date."
"Wow, I'm...happy for you."
"Thanks." I responded.
"And how are things with Kao?" Saeran asked with a smile. I blinked, instantly flushing at the sound of her name.
"Err…What do you mean?"
"Well, you clearly both like each other. So what's going on? Are you two dating? Gonna get married? Have children-"
"Okay, okay, just cause you're all better doesn't mean you have to be that blunt." I lectured.
"Well?"
I itched my face. "Well what…?"
"Answer the question." I sighed.
"Well...lately we've both been busy. Me with the hospital stuff and quitting the agency, and her recovering from all the days she's had off from her work. Not to mention all the aftermath of the fundraiser-" Saeran's expression dimmed slightly at the mention of it. "We've been chatting almost every day. I just...haven't had the chance to talk to her alone, face to face."
"You two should get together." Saeran said finally. "She's a good person—Kao."
"Yeah…" I replied with a warm smile. "She is."
"If you don't treat her right, I'll take her for myself." He warned. I frowned.
"Don't even joke about that." Saeran smiled slightly.
"I did like her though." He admitted, leaning back. "You probably know that now." I looked away. "And at the beginning, I thought—hoped—that maybe she noticed me, maybe even liked me a little. But as the time passed it became clear that she only cared about you." Saeran let out a long sigh. "Horribly ironic that we both fell for the same person."
"I'm…"
"That's okay though." Saeran interrupted. "If it's you, Luciel…" A breeze drifted in from the sliding door once more, stirring his crimson hair as he took a sip of his tea. "If it's you...then I'm okay with it—you and her." I observed him, silent.
"Thanks…" I whispered, not knowing what else to say. "Saeran, you're...like a completely different person." I added finally. I was still a little stunned. "I mean...the last time you saw me you-"
"Said that I wished you had killed yourself?" He asked, a grim look on his face. "Yeah, I remember. And I'm...I'm so sorry for saying that too." I stared at him.
"It's okay." I reassured finally, looking away. "But how? How did you become like this?"
"Time." Saeran said finally, after a brief pause. "Time alone, away from Mint Eye. Where I could properly think, without being corrupted by them. And my therapist, she's amazing. At first I hated her, I didn't want to talk to her but-" He let out a slow breath, "Well...she got through to me. After what happened with Kao, something that I had built up over the years just kind of broke...a barrier...something like that. I felt so vulnerable. And after that, for the first time in my life, other people were there for me. They didn't pity me, they didn't have any ulterior motives, they just wanted to help." He looked at me. "Luciel, tell Kao that I'm sorry. I did awful things to her too, and I never got the chance to properly apologize."
"You're not going anywhere, you can tell her that yourself, once you get the chance." He blinked and then smiled. "There's a small party tomorrow," I continued, "So you can come then."
"I can't see groups of people yet." He said slowly. "But once I can, I will." There was a brief pause. "Can you do something for me?"
"Anything." I replied.
"I want you to tell her how you feel." Saeran said. He stared at me, determined. "I want you to be honest with her. I want you two to be happy." I observed him and then flushed slightly, looking away.
"I'm...not good with that kind of stuff."
"You have to tell her." Saeran said. "Even if you both know it, you have to tell her outright. She's never heard those words before, from anyone. If someone says them to her, it should be you." His fingers tightened around his cup slightly before he let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes. I swallowed. "Okay?" He asked.
"Okay." I replied softly. "You've grown, you know."
"I would hope so," He muttered with a wry laugh, "I'm not going to be the same, helpless kid you remember."
"I know." I said with a grin, ruffling his hair. "But you'll always be my little bro."
"Sorry to interrupt." V walked in the room with an elegant looking woman at his side. "Your therapist is here." Saeran blinked.
"Oh...is it that time already?" I glanced at him. "Sorry," He muttered, "I forgot I had an appointment today."
"That's okay," I said, getting up and grabbing my crutches, "I'll come back before the party tomorrow."
"Ah...don't trouble yourself." Saeran began.
"I'm going to come back every day," I added with a grin, "And I'm going to tell you everything that's happened in the last couple of years, so you better prepare yourself." Saeran stared at me. "If...you'd like that." I added quickly. Then he smiled warmly.
"I would." I nodded and then hobbled out of the room. "See you tomorrow?" I asked, glancing at V. "You're going to be at the party, right?"
"Unfortunately, I have plans, so I won't be able to make it, but I'll be in the chatroom." After seeing my disappointed face, he chuckled. "Don't worry, Luciel."
"Well...alright." I added finally.
"Have fun." Saeran called out, waving from the couch. I glanced at him and grinned.
"Cya!" He nodded.
"I'll escort you out." V said, walking in front of me as we progressed down the hallway to the front door.
Saeran's P.O.V
Laura looked at me, waiting. Finally, when I hadn't said anything, she sat down across from me, setting her things on the coffee table.
"How'd it go?" She asked softly. I rested my chin on the palm of my hand and stared out of the glass doors. A breeze stirred the papers on her clipboard. It was beautiful out today. The sky was bright and blue and there wasn't a cloud to be seen.
"Good." I replied finally. "I missed him."
"Did you tell him everything you had in mind?" She inquired respectfully. Over the weeks, Laura had become less of a therapist and more of a friend. I hesitated.
"Yeah." No, I hadn't. I had left out one thing.
"That's good, you should be able to go out soon, your treatment is going well…" She continued to talk, her pen running below the lines of her papers. She adjusted her glasses. I let out a soft sigh, leaning back into the couch. My mind wandered aimlessly.
'I did like her.' That's what I had told him, and it was true, but I still did like Kao, and I would for a long time. A part of me would always love the girl who was broken like me, left behind, unaware of the world and the plans that had been laid out before her. I closed my eyes and let out a soft breath, my lips curling up in a slight smile. Not that I would ever tell my brother that.
A Day Later
Kao's P.O.V
I made my way through the crowd, dodged an outstretched arm that flew near my face, and squirmed past dancing couples with glasses of champagne and beer in their hands. The loud music vibrated through the dark room, buzzing in my ears. Finally, I spotted Jaehee across the room, who was leaning against the wall, peering at the drunk dancers in mild disgust. I made my way over to her. She glanced at me.
"Oh Kao, there you are. Jumin was looking for you." Jaehee said, relieved as I came up to her. I could barely hear her over the booming music.
"I know, I'm avoiding him. He wants me to make a speech again." I replied.
"He'll find you eventually."
"Nah." I replied. Jaehee and I shared a smile.
We had all decided to hold a party at Jumin's apartment to commemorate the fact that Jaehee, Zen, and I were all finally moving out. (Yoosung wasn't included, as he had been kicked out a few weeks after the fundraiser and had returned to his college.) After the aftermath of the fundraiser, the last few months had been jam packed, but recently, everything had settled down, and Jumin had decided that it was time for us to leave. I had spent the last couple days packing up all of my things, including all the objects my parents had left me. And tomorrow, I would return to my apartment.
Originally, the party was just supposed to be comprised of close friends, but when word got out, a bunch of Zen's fans invited themselves in, and now I was convinced that the dance floor was comprised of half of the damn people in Seoul. Jumin's apartment was large but it was packed to the brim, making it hard to move.
"I suppose this is cheers to us being alive." I said with a sigh, picking up two champagne glasses from the bar and bringing them over to her.
"I can't believe we've all been living here for almost three months." Jaehee said, bewildered.
"I'm sure Jumin will be lonely when we're all gone." Jaehee smiled a little.
"Somehow I doubt that. Lately he's gotten quite irritated, saying that he misses his peace and quiet. Honestly, I don't know how we were all able to stay here for so long." I chuckled and leaned against the wall. The fundraiser felt so far off and yet so recent at the same time, like it had all been a dream. "So much has happened this year." Jaehee observed softly. "It'll be so strange to go back to our normal lives."
"Yeah...do you remember before we even knew about Mint Eye? That feels like it was such a long time ago." Jaehee chuckled.
"Indeed it does. I remember when we were all fretting over the fundraiser, and when you were worrying if Luciel liked you or not." I flushed slightly.
"Hey, don't just go talking about things like that so nonchalantly." I hissed. Jaehee flashed me a smile. With all the chaos, it had been difficult to talk to Seven. Although we knew we liked each other, it hadn't gone further than that.
"Anyways, It feels a little wrong." Jaehee admitted. We stood against the wall, observing the raving crowd. "Being so laid back like this I mean. It feels like I'm supposed to...to be doing something. I don't know how to explain it exactly."
"I know what you mean." I replied. "Like after all of what happened with the fundraiser it just doesn't feel right to live so frivolously."
"Yes." Jaehee added. "But at least some of us are enjoying ourselves." She glanced at Zen who was in the center of the crowd. I could see his messy white hair and wild grin even from where I was standing. His sleeves were rolled up and his tie was undone, flying about as he danced. Only a few feet away from him was Yoosung who was dramatically telling a crowd of sympathetic girls about the fundraiser attack. I could hear a collection of "oohs" and "you poor thing" every so often. Jaehee took a sip of her champagne and let out a quiet 'hmm'.
"I think...as important as it is to be thankful and to reflect on what happened, we should also just enjoy ourselves." Jaehee said, contemplative. "If anything, that attack showed us just how much we have to live for." Her eyes slid over to Zen. "I wish I could be so carefree. But everytime I close my eyes, I just can't help but picture those men in black, those guns—how terrified I was. I can never really forget it. Even now." I released a sigh, glad that someone else shared my views.
"It will take time." I agreed, clasping her hand. "Something like that doesn't just go away. But I think because everyone went through the same thing, it'll be easier."
"You're right." Jaehee said with a warm smile. "I'm glad...I'm glad you're all here. I don't think I could go through all of this alone." I grinned. "Even when we do move out, we'll talk to one another, right?" Jaehee asked.
"Of course!" I replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"That's right," She admitted, "This is the beginning-"
"Of a new slate." I finished. We lightly clinked glasses and drained their contents. I let out a loud sigh. "And now for a more important matter." She gave me an inquisitive look. "You wanna dance?" I set my glass on the table and placed my hands on my hips with a grin. Jaehee blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Let's dance!" I said loudly with a loud 'whoop.' "I am so freaking tired of all this death, stress, and sadness stuff. Let's dance and get craaaaazy!" Jaehee observed me and then held back a laugh.
"You're drunk already?"
"Just a teeny tiny little bit. Come on girl!" She shook her head and placed her glass on a table. "I'm fine watching, but thanks."
"Well alright, I'll just dance by myself like a loner." I joked.
"Have fun!"
"I'll try!" I yelled back as I joined the dancing crowd.
The music suddenly got louder, so loud that I could clearly feel the vibrations under my feet. I prayed that the floor wouldn't collapse, but then caught myself and stopped thinking. I stopped thinking about what had happened, about Mint Eye, about everything. And I just started dancing. My hips unconsciously moved to the music and radiant beams flew across the ceiling as I danced in the darkness. It felt so good to just ignore the problems, to just tilt my head back and laugh. I lost myself and closed my eyes, dancing to the beat. The beat got louder and louder and then dropped, throwing the room into vibrations.
"Kao!" I turned and saw Zen and Yoosung who waved at me."Hey!"
"Zen!" I returned loudly.
"Jumin was looking for you!" Yoosung added.
"Yeahhhhh, I've kinda been avoiding him." I said with an uneasy laugh.
"Well duh." Zen replied. "I don't blame you. Also, just so you know, Seven was looking for you as well, he said he had something to talk to you about." Upon seeing my expression he raised an eyebrow. "You two really aren't subtle at all."
"Shut up…" I muttered.
"What's taking you two so long to officially get together anyways?" Yoosung asked loudly. "Everyone knows you two like each other." I grabbed his ear and yanked it lightly.
"You shush."
"Ow!"
"Just give 'em time." Zen said with an exaggerated sigh.
"Yeah but...they're both so dense…" Yoosung added.
"I'm right here!" I was about to continue before I felt warm arms wrap around my waist. I looked over my shoulder, surprised when I saw Seven behind me who was grinning.
"Well speak of the devil." Zen smirked.
"Seven!" Yoosung cheered.
I stared at him. "You're...standing! Without crutches!"
"Yup! I got my cast off." He said with a grin. "I can officially walk like a normal human being!"
"Congratulations!" Yoosung sang happily.
"Congrats, man, why didn't you tell anyone though?" Zen asked. I could hear Seven chuckle. His arms were still around my waist.
"To keep it a surprise!"
"How is it?" I inquired, looking back at him. He glanced at me. Our faces were only a few inches apart.
"It's great." He said softly. "I never thought I'd miss walking so much."
"I'm glad you're okay." I whispered. I leaned into him slightly and his lips curled upwards. Zen stared at us and then grinned.
"Come on you. Let's give them some privacy." Zen grabbed Yoosung's arm and began dragged him away.
"Awww okay." Yoosung said, before he gave me the supportive thumbs up.
"Cya!" Zen yelled out. The two disappeared in the crowd.
"How'd the visit go?" I asked, looking back at Seven. His golden eyes glowed in the darkness and my heart thudded violently.
"It went great." He released me and then spun me around so I was facing him. "Kao, it's like he's a completely different person. He's just like I remembered him, back when we were brothers." I let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad to hear it, I was worried it wouldn't go well."
"Me too."
"Sorry I couldn't come."
"Don't apologize." He whispered. Our eyes met and he smiled softly. "We'll go back there together, we can both talk to him."
"Sounds like a plan." Seven lifted my arm above me and spun me around, making my purple dress flutter around me.
"You look beautiful." He added.
"And you look handsome." I giggled.
"You really think so?" He pulled at his red bangs and then grinned sheepishly. I placed my hands on my hips.
"But I wonder...can you dance?"
"Oh but of course~"
"Yeah? Show me." I demanded with a smirk. Seven spun me once more, lifting me into the air and grinning as I made a little 'eep!'.
"Little too much?" He asked with a grin as he set me down. I blinked as the room shifted around me.
"...Dizzy."
"Weaaaak~" He teased. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"It's not fair. What aren't you good at?"
"Well I don't have perfect vision but other than that not much."
"Hah. I've got you beat there." I teased.
"That you do." His lips curved upwards.
And then we danced together, bodies in perfect sync, moving in harmony. Dancing aside, just watching his carefree grin and hearing his laugh made me so impossibly happy. Our eyes met and we both burst out laughing. Gradually, the rest of the room disappeared. It was just me, and the darkness, and Seven, serenading in perfect harmony, dancing in flawless rhythm. I was completely interwoven in my empty thoughts. It felt as if the more I danced, the more my worries disappeared into the air. As if the music carved them from my heavy chest and lifted them out of my body, as if the locked vault that had been weighing me down had been opened, and my secrets, released. I glanced at Seven who moved so freely, so gracefully, with his small smile on his face. I couldn't help but smile too. He caught my gaze and grinned back warmly.
And then, I realized that I loved him. Yes...I loved him a lot. I think that I had been madly in love with him for a while, but this was the first time the realization had really hit me—that I had thought those words. I loved this quirky, weird, adorable person. The feeling embraced me and evoked me in warmth, and without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head against his chest. The pulsing music filled the air around us. No other dancers paid us any notice. He hugged me back, his hair tickling my neck. I love you. The words escaped my lips, soft and timid. They were almost completely covered by the music. Seven glanced at me.
"What did you say?" He asked. I couldn't help but smile, remembering the paragliding during the Busan trip, when I had yelled that I liked him—when he hadn't heard me. This time I would make sure that he did hear it. I leaned close to him, enjoying the fact that I could see him turn red and whispered into it his ear.
"I said, I love you." Seven stared at me. There was silence as he rested his forehead against mine, and smiled warmly. I could see the raw emotion in his eyes, the happiness he felt as his fingers gently slid around my waist, pulling me towards him.
"And I love you." I smiled as he whispered those short, simple words. Those were words that I had been longing to hear from someone—anyone—for my entire life. He leaned closer to me. I laced my fingers around the back of his neck. His eyes lowered slightly as I closed my eyes, waiting, before-
"Get a room!" Someone yelled beside us. We both flushed and moved away from each other. The moment was gone. Seven rubbed the back of his neck, slightly red, before looking away.
"I uh…" He murmured.
"Umm." I added. We both flushed further, silent, as the music pulsed louder. I opened my mouth to say something, before we heard a loud voice and froze.
"Kao! Come here this instant!"
"Aw crap, it's Jumin." I muttered.
"Better run." He grabbed my hand and we ran in the opposite direction, squeezing past dancing couples.
"Get back here!" We both glanced over our shoulders, surprised when we saw Jumin strolling through the crowd with a frown.
"Jummiinnn." I whined, after he had stopped us.
"Kao," He snapped, "I've been asking you for the past hour. It's just a five minute speech."
"No one wants to hear a speech!" I replied adamantly. Jumin crossed his arms.
"This party is a celebration for everyone moving out. I think it's fitting for at least one of you to give a farewell speech, is it not?"
"Yes, but it's not a celebration, it's a rave now~" Seven replied frivolously. Jumin frowned.
"Don't call this a rave. It's all Zen's fault that so many people are here, you-" Then he glanced at our hands and then blinked. "Ah...my apologies, was I interrupting something?" Seven and I exchanged glances and then smirked, the way we always would before we would perform a 'skit'.
"Yes...you interrupted my confession of love." Seven said with an exasperated sigh, looking back at him.
"Such cruelty!" I exclaimed, placing my hand over my chest. Jumin's eye twitched and he rubbed his forehead with a sigh as we continued.
"I'm afraid if I restrain myself from confessing my love, I shan't be able to live any longer." Seven sang.
"My dear," I sniffled, "Please, do not cry, seeing such an agonized expression on your beautiful face makes me feel as if I should perish." Seven looked at me.
"For you...I will hold back these tears of raw emotion." He clasped both of my hands.
"For god's sake, shut up, the both of you." Jumin said with a groan.
"My love," I continued, enamored, "This man wants me to make a speech...but I shan't! If I do...I'll surely die of boredom…"
"No!" Seven cried. "If you disappear from this world, I won't be able to-"
"Enough!" Jumin said loudly. "Fine. Good lord, just stop it." Seven and I glanced at him and grinned.
"Really?!" I asked. "No speech?" Jumin sighed irritably.
"No speech." He reaffirmed.
"Yay!" I grinned.
"And now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to say one instead."
"How about no speech Jumin?" I inquired. "Just let the people dance. That's what they're here for." Jumin was silent as he considered this. Then he sighed.
"I suppose...that's for the best." He shoved his hands in his pockets and promptly turned around. "Very well then, you two have a nice night."
"Jumin!" I called out. He glanced at me. "Thanks." I added with a grin. His lips curled up in a slight smile before he shook his head and disappeared into the crowd.
After escaping the chaos of the dance floor, Seven led me onto a large balcony that overlooked Seoul. The sun had set a few hours ago and now the stars were out, twinkling brightly in the dark sky. I looked around. My eyes scanned the skyscrapers in the distance, as I watched the flickering lights that topped each building. There was a serene breeze in the air that picked up my hair a little. I tucked it behind my ear. Seven leaned over the railing.
"Jumin is as easy to annoy as ever." He said with a smirk.
"I'll say." There was silence between us for a little.
"Kao." He said finally.
"Yeah?"
"There was uh…" He paused. "Something I wanted to talk to you about." I glanced at him.
"Go on."
"I know this is sudden, but I've been thinking about it for a while, and I've decided that I...I want you to call me Saeyoung from now on." He paused briefly to glance at me and then continued. "Seven was my alias, the name that I went by when I worked for the agency. But I don't work for them anymore, and I don't want to involve anyone I care about in anything dangerous. People calling me Seven will just remind me of when I used to be like that. That's...that's why." He flushed and gave me a forced smile. "Don't get me wrong! Seven is an awesome alias, but-" He cut off and sighed. "I don't know where I'm going with this." He looked at me. "Is...that alright with you?"
"Of course!" I said with a laugh. '"I'm happy calling you anything." He smiled. "But...I thought your real name was Luciel?"
"Saeyoung is my birth name. Luciel is my baptismal name. I've...only ever told people that my name is Luciel, since I used to be ashamed of who I used to be. Changing my name was a way to get rid of that. You're the first I've ever told." I nodded slowly. "Do you...like it?" He crossed his arms, leaned on the railing, and looked at me. His cheeks were slightly pink and his lips were curled in a crooked smile. "My name, I mean." I paused to think about it. Saeyoung. It was a nice name.
"I do, Seven is an awesome alias, but that's an even awesomer name."
"Awesomer isn't a word dummy." He gently bonked me on the head. I grinned.
"Well it is now." He smiled.
"Thanks."
"For calling you awesomer?"
"Well that too. But for just being awesome in general."
"Nah, I'm not awesome." I poked him. "You are." Saeyoung laughed warmly and then surprised me with a hug. He pressed his lips against my cheek.
"Kao?" He murmured.
"Yeah?"
"Can I be selfish?" He whispered.
"Always." I replied. We pulled away and he looked at me, a little reluctant but determined.
"I know...this is a really selfish request, and that it goes against everything this party is even for...but," He looked away and then continued, "This is really sudden and probably way too early, but I've been thinking about it a lot. You don't have to accept this offer, it's just a suggestion, and I would completely understand if you didn't-" I booped him on the nose and smirked.
"Come on!"
Saeyoung blinked and then his lips twitched. "Alright...Kao, would you want to move in with me?" There was silence as he observed my shocked face.
"Yefgew" I said blatantly. He blinked.
"What?" I flushed.
"S-Sorry." I stammered before clearing my throat. He burst out laughing. "I wasn't thinking and those were the words that came out of my mouth!" I yelled, flustered.
"Well I don't know what yefgew means, so if you'll explain-"
"I meant yes!" I clarified smoothing down my dress. "If...you're really okay with it that is." His golden eyes widened.
"Really? I figured...well I thought you'd probably miss your apartment considering it's been so long since you've visited." He rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to grin. "I mean...are you sure? You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I want to." I insisted. "Going back to my apartment would be lonely to be honest, after living with Jaehee, Jumin, and Zen. And...being with you all the time would be…" I paused. "Awesome."
"Awesomer, you mean?"
"Ahh yes." I replied. "That's a word now." We both shared a grin and he let out a loud 'whooo!'
"I was so scared you'd say no. I had a that's okay speech prepared and everything."
"That's adorable." I giggled.
"Hey!"
"Can I hearrrr?" I asked with a grin. He flushed a little and bonked me on the forehead once more.
"No."
"Preeety please?"
"Nope."
"I'll give you more Honey Buddha Cereal~"
"Well that's just not fair."
"Don't you want someee?" He suddenly grabbed me, lifting me up into the air. I yelled loudly in surprise.
"You didn't say no, you said yes, so no that's okay speech for you."
"I'm almost tempted to take back my answer."
"You're so mean Kao." He set me on the ground and looked down at me, the tips of his crimson hair falling into his eyes.
"You're the one who won't give me your speech." I whispered, not looking away from him.
"Only because it's pathetic." His golden eyes glowed in the darkness.
"I'm sure it's not pathetic." My fingers reached for his hair, brushing it gently aside.
"Nah, it is."
"You're not pathetic at all." I replied softly. "You're the bravest, funnest, most awkward, most talented, awesomer person I've ever known." Saeyoung smiled a little.
"God that word kills the mood." I grinned. My fingers trailed down his cheek and he gently grabbed my wrist and kissed it. "You're amazing, you know. I don't think you realize that."
"You're amazinger."
"Kao, admit it—you're amazing." I was silent.
"I'm not though." I said finally. "I get selfish and paranoid, and I'm stubborn and headstrong, I overthink things all the time, I'm competitive-"
"All things I love." I felt heat surge into my cheeks and continued.
"You're not listening to me-"
"I am."
"I'm...I'm also not confident."
"Nope."
"So…"
"So?" He asked. His golden eyes hadn't left my face at all. I partly wished that he would look away because his gaze was so intense. "Kao, I'll refuse to kiss you ever again unless you admit it." He said. My eyes darted to his.
"Would you?" I asked softly.
"I dunno," He whispered, "I might." I was silent.
"I'm kind of amazing." I said finally. He sighed loudly.
"Guess I won't get the full version?"
"Nope. But if you play your cards right…" I gently kissed him on the cheek. "Perhaps." He blinked and then a large grin spread across his face.
"That's a good start."
"Mmhmm. So are we officially dating?"
"Considering I asked you to move in with me a few minutes ago, yes, I would say that." I grinned.
"How exciting!"
"Just so you know...I've never had a girlfriend before...so I'm not going to be great at this." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"And I've never had a boyfriend before. God, we're sad aren't we."
"But that's what makes us perfect for each other." He replied. I grinned. "Things...are going to be really different from now on."
"Oh?" I grinned. "Different how?"
"Well," He began, "For one thing, you'll give me your box of Honey Buddha Cereal…"
"Will I?"
"You weren't thinking of keeping that from me were you?" Saeyoung challenged, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm…" I curled a strand of brown hair around my finger. "I don't know…"
"So cruel." He whispered. I giggled as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"If you kiss me once every day...maybe." I whispered, cheeks red. Saeyoung blinked and burst out laughing.
"Kao," He began with a chuckle, "You really are too adorable sometimes."
"You're cuter than I am," I teased, "With that curly hair of yours."
"Hey! Don't make fun of this curly hair!" He replied adamantly. "This is the manliest hairstyle there is, okay?"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!" I giggled and then looked back at him.
"Alright...what else?"
"I'll cook for you," He began, watching me fondly, "I'm not the best cook, but we can learn together. Not to brag or anything, but I can make a mean omurice." He gave me a grin. "And maybe we can travel together, just the two of us, maybe I could show you where I was born. I always wanted to travel across the world but I never had the time to do it." I couldn't stop the smile that was spreading on my face. "And I'll take you to my favorite place in the entire world." He finished with a whisper.
"Where's that?" I asked softly.
"The observatory."
"You're such a nerd." I teased.
"Yup." He replied with a slight smile. "I'll take you there, and we can watch the stars together. They have a big telescope there and everything, and I studied astronomy for a bit when I was younger, so I can point them all out to you."
"I would love that." I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Know what I'll do?"
"Hmm?"
"Every day from now on, I'm going to say something I love about you." He blinked.
"For the rest of your life?"
"Yup."
"That's quite a commitment."
"And every day it'll be something different."
"You'll run out of things quickly." He warned.
"Nope. They'll just keep coming...and coming. And I'll keep telling you them forever."
"Forever? So when I die, you're going to haunt me?" I nodded.
"You better prepare yourself."
"So scary." His eyes flashed.
"And I'll also introduce you to my adopted sister and my adopted mother. I'm not as close to them as I used to be, but they would like you. I think...I think you'd remind them a little of dad."
"Your adopted father?" I nodded.
"And I would love to travel with you—across the world."
"We will." He said softly. "To Beijing, Moscow, Madrid, New York, Sydney-"
"London?" I asked.
"London" He repeated with a nod, "Paris, everywhere." I smiled warmly. Part of me couldn't completely believe all this was happening, that I was really moving in with Saeyoung, that our feelings were mutual. I felt as if I was floating in the air, light from happiness. So much had happened in the past year, I had joined RFA, I had met Seven and the others, and I had become such good friends with them. I had learned about Mint Eye and who my true parents were. And...I had fallen in love. After everything, I couldn't really just go back. This really was a new slate—for all of us. The breeze picked up slightly, ruffling Saeyoung's crimson hair. It lightly brushed his cheeks as he observed me.
"Kao, can you do one more thing for me?" He asked softly. I beamed at him.
"Anything."
He hesitated briefly. "Can you...say my name?" I blinked. His request surprised me, but I obliged.
"Saeyoung." I whispered. Saeyoung smiled a little before he rested his forehead against mine. He leaned closer. I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath. Gently, as if I were something fragile, his lips closed on mine and I was lost in bliss. My fingers slid up his chest, as his fingers curled in my hair. It felt different from when we had kissed before—when he had ran. It wasn't desperate, panicked, or riddled with regret. It was loving and gentle. We broke apart, breathless before he kissed my neck and pulled me even closer. Our fingers interlocked together and our eyes met.
"Again." Saeyoung murmured.
"Saeyoung." I replied softly. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before his fingers gently slid down my cheek.
"One more time."
I smiled, touching the tips of our noses together.
"Saeyoung."
Epilogue-
The years passed quickly. Jumin eventually gave Jaehee a promotion and she became the manager of a large portion in their company. She became a prominent female figure in the business world and a role model for many. Of course, we never stopped being friends and became even closer as the years passed.
As for Jumin, not much changed, but a weight seemed to be lifted off his chest. He ended up smiling and talking to us more often. He expanded his company—C&R—to the far stretches of the world. He got another cat, called Louis the 4th, which ended up having five kittens with Elizabeth the 3rd, one of which was given to each member of RFA (except of course, Zen, because of his cat allergies.)
Zen only got more famous after the fundraiser and the attack ended up boosting his popularity. He appeared on more shows and in more productions than ever before, making it more difficult to see him, but we still talked to him in the chat. His popularity expanded past Korea, and he became a global star, attracting more and more people to the fundraisers that we held annually.
Yoosung continued to frequently play LOLOL, but he eventually settled into the college life and a healthy lifestyle. After graduating, he got a job as a game designer and joined the same company who created LOLOL. After a few years, he published an award winning game and became a renowned figure in the video game industry. He fell in love with a girl in the same department, who became his first girlfriend, and later on, wife.
V focused on his career as a photographer, no longer tasked with protecting me. A weight seemed to be lifted off of his chest as well, and he seemed to be almost a new person from the way he openly laughed around us. I was able to properly get to know him and never stopped apologizing for suspecting him.
Saeran continued to live with V, gradually getting better and better to the point where he would hang out with us regularly. His bond with Saeyoung only continued to grow and eventually the two were closer than ever. Eventually, he admitted his feelings for his therapist and she quit her job before they got together.
And as for Saeyoung and I…
"Wait up!" I said with a giggle, as Saeyoung dragged me forward. His grip tightened on my hand as I heard him laugh. "I can't see! I'll trip over something!"
"You're so slow~" He teased.
"Was the blindfold reeeeally necessary?" I asked.
"Absolutely!" His voice was brimming with excitement, which, as always, made me excited as well. We had just returned to Korea after our trip to Italy, and as soon as we had landed, Saeyoung had told me he wanted to take me somewhere. After insisting that it was a secret, he had put a blindfold over my eyes, and now, I didn't know where I was. I cried out as I tripped over a step, expecting the ground to smack me in the face, but Saeyoung's arms gently caught me.
"Gotcha." I felt him hoist me up and carry me up the steps, bridal style.
"I can walk!" I insisted.
"I don't want you to get hurt." He insisted. "We're almost there."
A few minutes later, I felt him gently set me on the ground. I looked around aimlessly and heard him chuckle.
"Here, I'll take it off." The blindfold was tugged briefly before he slipped it off. My eyes widened and I gasped.
It seemed entirely impossible, but it looked like we were floating in space. Stars were scattered all around me, sparkling and twinkling in individual colors, like sequins on a black velvet dress. Blue, purple, and white nebulae burst like fireworks across the darkness. It was as if the world had exploded into color, and fragments of it had been placed up in the pitless space beyond. I felt the ground beneath me, but everything else looked so incredibly vast. I let out an incredulous laugh as I spread out my arms.
"Where...are we?" Saeyoung walked beside me and grinned.
"We're in an observatory." My eyes widened. It didn't feel like an observatory. It felt like we were floating in space, where millions of stars were twinkling above us, all radiating with luminescence. Or like we were inside a snowglobe, and instead of falling snow, there were falling stars, all scattered across the glass dome we were trapped in. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
"Is this the one you said you'd take me to?" I whispered.
"...You remembered…?"
"Of course." I replied, looking back at him. His hand gently brushed mine and I tightly grasped it. Our fingers interlocked. "It's breathtaking." His lips curled upwards.
"I thought you'd like it."
"It just...looks so real."
"It does." He admitted, looking up. "Back when I first became an agent, I would come here whenever I was feeling lost or lonely, to clearly watch the stars. When I looked up there, I knew that the problems I was facing, my difficulties, were all insignificant. Because compared to everything that's out there, we are insignificant. I don't know why, but I was always fascinated by that." His golden eyes were large and innocent as he looked at the stars above us. I smiled. I always loved him when he was like this. He pointed with his free hand, at a constellation above us. "That's Aquarius, and there," He moved his finger, "That's Orion."
"They're beautiful…" I whispered.
"Yeah…" He let his hand fall to his side.
"Why didn't we come here earlier?" I asked. His lips twitched as his eyes slid to me.
"I only wanted to come here for something special." I blinked. Something special…?
Without hesitating, Saeyoung let go of my hand and took a few steps back. I watched him, speechless, as he knelt on one knee. My eyes widened. He reached into his jacket pocket and drew out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a white ring inside. I stared at it and then at him, lips parted. He gave me a knowing smile, as if he had been planning it since we had first met—since he had first laid his eyes on me. Since we had first touched. First held hands. First kissed. The vast sky of stars shifted around me as I held my breath, heart pounding, world seemingly frozen, with the only other person who existed, Saeyoung.
"Kao, will you marry me…?" He asked, his voice almost a whisper. His hand was trembling slightly. I covered my mouth as my vision was blurred with tears. Of course I will, you fool, I thought. There is no one else, no one else in this world that I would be with, except you. You are the light of my life.
"Yes!" I replied, voice breaking. Saeyoung grinned. "Yes! Yes!" I sobbed as I tackled him, pinning him to the ground before I kissed him. The stars twinkled above us, as luminescent and beautiful as snow on a winter eve, and as innocent as love at first sight.
The End
Wow! It's certainly been a journey! Thank you everyone for reading and getting this far! I hope you all enjoyed the Secret Life of a Messenger! :D
Final Story Stats-
Total Pages on Doc: 242
Total Words: 118,607
Total Time: 12/10/2016 - 4/24/2018
Please read below if you are curious about future releases and series.
Yes, I am planning to post more stories on here. Will they all be about Mystic Messenger? Not necessarily, but I do already have a plan for my next one, and it is Mystic Messenger based. However, there is no guarantee that I will continue with it, and that I'll post it. I am planning to post things from different series on here at some point. If you like what you see and want to read future stories, please follow me if you have not already :D
I'm definitely get a proper posting schedule for my next fanfiction so I don't have to keep people waiting, sorry about that again. It may or may not be a while before I put out the next series, but stay tuned!
Overall, for being my first fanfiction, I think it's a success. I still have a lot to learn, but I have improved a lot since I first started and it was fun to write. Thanks again for everyone who got here. I know this was an incredibly long fanfiction and I appreciate everyone who's gone on this journey with me.