⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇ ⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇

The funeral comes faster than Seonghwa anticipated. The skies were gray in color, the blue hues of the naturally borne sky hidden beneath a mass of clouds, preventing the sun from peaking through.

Seonghwa had gone through with everything that was suggested to him, not quite yet accepting the weight of everything that had happened until the day of the funeral came. He was calm, somewhat composed, dressing himself in the mirror as Hongjoong came up behind him, smoothing out his suit with delicate hands and a soft smile.

In the days that Hongjoong had come down to his childhood home, Seonghwa watched as the man he was entangled with took care of him in a way that was taboo to him. He was cooking, making the bed, keeping the space tidy enough while also being a shoulder to lean on when the weight of the world was too much to bear. Seonghwa felt undeserving in every sense, but he didn't bother to argue, as he was too tired and too spent to even mutter the words.

Over time, he learned to cope with his grief in a way that was suited to him, crying when he felt that he needed to, otherwise occupying himself with the tedious task of sorting through clothing and belongings that his mother once owned. Hongjoong was there the entire time, supporting every decision, hugging him when he wanted the affection, sleeping next to him as if it had been the most natural thing that he had known. Seonghwa knew he was growing to be overly attached to Hongjoong, watching as he performed actions without a single unwavering decision, just doing things that needed to be done, all because he didn't want Seonghwa to stress about it.

Today was just like that, going about the routine, maneuvering through the motions almost robotically, trying to focus on holding a beautiful ceremony that he knew his mother more than deserved. Hongjoong was with him, every step of the way, just as he had been yesterday, and the day before that, and many times previous.

The ceremony itself was beautiful, welcoming people that had loved his mother in the same magnitude as he had, reconnecting with members of his family that he never really thought he'd see again after all this time, but had made the effort to come and show their condolences. Seonghwa gave a light-hearted speech, wanting to keep the words he shared about his mother in a colorful hue, warmed by the nature of her heart and grace, not dulled by the illness that plagued her. Hongjoong sat near the front, his eyes holding Seonghwa's, almost in a silent plea of togetherness, letting him know that he was right there, just a few paces away if the male needed him.

Now, with the ceremony itself over, Seonghwa sat back, watching as everyone left and made their final peace with the gravesite, leaving Seonghwa alone, looking down at the words engraved within the stone.

"Hey," Hongjoong murmurs, leaning closer as he approaches quietly, wrapping an arm around Seonghwa's waist. "Feeling okay?"

Seonghwa nodded, a faint smile curled on his lips. He takes a breath, allowing the relief to guide his words, almost as if he couldn't truly bear the weight that had been pressing down on him wholly. "I'm better than I thought I'd be."

Seonghwa turns, his hand reaching down and finding Hongjoong's with his own, entrapping their grasps together. "The world doesn't feel so cruel now. Yeah, it hurts, but in a way, I've learned to accept it. I might just need a bit more time to adjust, but. . . somehow, I'm okay."

Hongjoong offers an empathetic smile, one that gradually softens with time as Seonghwa speaks, his eyes ever attentive and searching, almost as if he was listening with every ounce of his heart.

"I think I'm just finally okay with the idea of her being at peace," Seonghwa continues, turning his head slightly to look at the gravestone. "I was glued into the headspace of being terrified to let her go, but in reality, she isn't completely gone. She's still here. . . maybe not in a physical sense but she's still with me."

"You're right," Hongjoong agrees quietly. "She's still with you–" his hand reaches up slowly, laying gently against Seonghwa's chest, right above his heart, "–right here. She always will be."

"Thank you," Seonghwa replies, leaning a fraction closer. "You've been a saint through this entire thing. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"There's nothing to thank me for, Hwa." Hongjoong softly smiles as he looks at Seonghwa, eyes searching his expression as if he was pulling for something, but Seonghwa hadn't known for what. "I'll always be your partner in this. You can trust me. I promise."

"I do trust you," Seonghwa begins, feeling a subtle lift of weight drift off of his chest, disappearing elsewhere, mingling in the space that had surrounded them. "And so did she, you know? She. . . she was always careful and hesitant about people that I've sought to try and date, especially after my ex, but you're the first one she liked right off the bat."

Hongjoong raises a brow, his smile softening, though growing all at once. "Really?"

"Even if you hadn't met her physically, I talked about you all the time. So she knew you, in some sense, and she liked everything she heard," Seonghwa explains, smiling slightly as he talks. "She found it sweet that you cared about your brother so deeply, that you wrote music and that you loved creating melodies."

"I do really wish I could've met her," Hongjoong expresses quietly, almost too quietly, as if he had been afraid of hurting Seonghwa's feelings by mentioning it. "Everything you've said, even just now, warms my heart. She was a wonderful soul, Hwa. So wonderful."

"She really was," Seonghwa says, turning over his shoulder, glancing at the gravestone once more. "I'm just glad the universe gave me you, because I. . . I'm not sure if I'd ever make it through any of this without you."

"You won't have to worry about that. I'll always be right here," Hongjoong replies, leaning closer, pressing a delicate kiss to Seonghwa's forehead. "Now, you can tell me if you don't want me to, but can I say something to your mother?"

Seonghwa's breath catches, his eyes slightly widening as he stands before Hongjoong, soaking in his words for everything they were. "No, no– go ahead. Do you want me to step away, or–?"

"You can stay," Hongjoong says softly. "I'd like for you to hear it."

Seonghwa nods, stepping aside as Hongjoong moves over, gently lowering himself down as he crouches before the gravestone, his eyes reading over the name and dates engraved within, taking a moment to breathe. Then, he began speaking. Low, quiet, but nonetheless warm and kind.

"Ms. Park–" he begins, glancing down, contemplating his words hesitantly. "I want to thank you for raising such a son like Seonghwa. He's kind in a way that feels too gentle for words, like a warm breeze carrying a delicate butterfly. His creativity is like a swirl of colors that rises with the morning sun, warm and effortlessly beautiful, abundant with life and levity as he creates something new each and every day. And his smile, something that I've grown to adore over the time I've been with him, has become my muse. The way he carries himself, the way he cares for others, and the way he devotes himself to his class; everything he does inspires me even further to write better music, and to be a better partner to him."

Hongjoong pauses, his eyes carrying upwards as he looks at the grave once more, his voice continuing to carry through their quiet moment.

"I promise to you, that not only will I look out for him, but I'll support everything he does. I won't constrict him, demean him, or force him to step away from the things that make him shine so brightly. I'll give him everything, and I'll seek to make him the happiest person that I can, because he deserves nothing less," Hongjoong confesses quietly, only pausing when he feels Seonghwa's hand mold around his shoulder, squeezing slightly, causing him to look up, meeting Seonghwa's teary gaze with a soft smile. "I'll take care of him and protect him. So, don't worry, Ms. Park. He's safe, forever safe, with me."

There's a flicker of silence that carries itself through the space between them. A warm breeze, unprecedented and calming, wove its way through, wrapping around their bodies and shoulders, caressing the back of their necks and the palms of their hands, until it suddenly left. Seonghwa tilted his head down, smiling, somehow knowing that that was his mother's way of accepting everything that Hongjoong had said, and had promised. It was comforting in a way he couldn't describe, but it gave him the peace to know that his mother, though unspokenly, had somehow given her blessing, even from what felt to be so far away.

Hongjoong raises his hand, curling his fingers around Seonghwa's hand that had still been placed on his shoulder, lifting it and pulling it carefully towards his lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. He brushes his thumb against his skin, warm and tender in his gesture before he looks up again, meeting Seonghwa's gaze with a smile so fond that it nearly melted Seonghwa's heart.

"Thank you," Seonghwa mutters shakily. "You didn't have to do that–"

"I wanted her to know," Hongjoong replies, slowly standing up, pulling Seonghwa closer by his hand. "I wanted her to feel at peace knowing that you're not alone here. You have me, and you'll always have me."

Seonghwa smiles, though the few streaks of tears that had curled down his cheeks did nothing to stop the surging, warming feeling building within his chest. He didn't know what it was, but in being within this moment with Hongjoong, in knowing that he was truly safe with him, he began to wonder if he had finally found his person.

⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇ ⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇

The next morning, Seonghwa woke to the sound of pots and pans being stirred around in the kitchen. He sat upright in bed, smoothing out his hair, gently pushing the duvet back before rising to his feet. Careful steps lead him towards the bedroom door, which had been left ajar, actively leading him towards the scent of what seemed to be freshly cooked breakfast.

Plates of toast, eggs, bacon, along with a few mugs of brewed coffee sat at the table, steam quietly swirling and rising from each plate and each mug, almost as if they had been just set down.

"Joong–?" Seonghwa asked, brushing a strand of hair behind his ear. "What's all this?"

Hongjoong turned around from his place near the sink, a soft smile curling on his lips the moment he spots Seonghwa.

"Good morning," he hums, lowering the dirty pan he must've been cleaning down into the sink. He dries his hands on a towel, gesturing towards the table with his head. "Go on, go sit. I'll be there in a second."

"You really didn't–"

"Yes I did," he interjects almost immediately, his eyes lingering on Seonghwa with a warm smile. Seonghwa rolled his eyes playfully, but he relented, moving towards the table with slow, careful steps.

Sitting down after sliding the chair out, Seonghwa listens as Hongjoong's steps close in on the table, pausing as he leans down to press a kiss into Seonghwa's hair before he himself sat down across the way, directly in front of his partner. Seonghwa smiled at him, observing the quaint, yet enticing array of food before him, even if it were just as simple as bacon and eggs.

"Thank you," Seonghwa mutters, reaching for his plate. "I could've helped you, though."
"Ah, well–" Hongjoong smiles. "I wanted you to rest. We've got a big day ahead of us, after all."

"Oh?"

Hongjoong nods, taking a piece of toast from the plate near the middle of the table. "I've invited everyone around for a trip to the zoo. We don't have to go, of course, if you're not feeling up to it. But I thought getting out of the house, enjoying something with the chaos of our friends, might be nice?"

Seonghwa smiles, leaning back into his chair with a slight nod, looking at Hongjoong with a fondness that felt hard to describe in words. "I'd love that. Truly."

"Then, it's settled!" He says with a hint of glee. "I'll message the group in a bit, so we can head there after we've eaten."

"I'm looking forward to it," Seonghwa admits, reaching for his own slice of toast now. "Seeing everyone, especially after I've been away for so long, will be nice. I don't think I've been to the zoo that's nearby, either?"

"Prepare to be amazed, then." Hongjoong takes a bite of his toast, swallowing before speaking again. "You're in for the best day ever."

Seonghwa rolled his eyes playfully once more, digging into his meal with a content smile plastered across his lips.

The two ate in affectionate silence, sharing glances and teasing words before heading off to get themselves properly dressed. Seonghwa layered a cardigan over his shirt, matched with jeans and a pair of boots that would hold up well enough for a walk through the zoo. Hongjoong walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a warm sweater with distressed jeans, accented with a few rings and his glasses, causing Seonghwa's heart to skip a few beats.

Hongjoong was always effortlessly handsome, but this outfit and the way he carried himself today, just radiated differently. Something had changed, but not in a bad way by any means, but in a way that was almost transient. He was emanating something, almost ecstatic in a way that Seonghwa hadn't seen before. Whatever it was, the sight of it alone looked good on him, too good, almost.

Settling themselves into the car, Hongjoong drove, playing light melodies of music that they both enjoyed. The scenery that had passed seemed to flood by in a blur, laden with greenery and mounds of traffic as they neared the location of the zoo. Seonghwa hadn't been here before, but the moment he saw the gates, the parking lot, and all of the signs leading up to it, he immediately began to feel excitement swell into his core.

The parking lot was busy, alive with other families and couples exploring the depths of such a facility, laden with animals from their country or farther out. The view in itself was breathtaking as it was, covered in a cast of trees with the backdrop of a brightening blue sky, barely hidden beneath the rush of white clouds that whisped and curled themselves against the sky itself. It was a beautiful day, and though it was slightly colder due to typical fall weather, it did nothing to dampen the excitement of the adventure looming ahead.

The moment the car was parked, Hongjoong stepped out, waiting for Seonghwa as he rounded the front before locking the vehicle, slotting their hands together as they began their trek towards the front entrance. Before they could even see them, they could hear them. The sound of Wooyoung's overly-exuberant voice cast out across the front of the parking lot, speaking in loud tones of joy and excitement, talking back and forth with Yunho about something that seemed particularly over-exaggerated. Seonghwa smiles, shaking his head as he and Hongjoong approach, now finally hearing the details of whatever the two had been arguing about.

"I'm just saying–" Wooyoung begins, raising a hand in the air. "I could whoop your ass in League, any day of the week! You just don't have it in you to admit it."

"You're out of your mind," Yunho mused, rolling his eyes. "Mingi and I are a duo, and I don't think either of you are capable of beating us."

"Whoa, whoa, woah–" Hongjoong interjects, stepping up onto the sidewalk. "Pump the brakes, you two. You can dish it out in League later."

"Glad to see you've made it," San greets, gesturing idly between Wooyoung and Yunho. "These two have had beef for the last few days over League, and I cannot get them to stop."

"You poor thing," Seonghwa muses. "Seriously, though. We're here, so let's leave the gaming world behind us and enjoy the real thing, yeah?"

"Fine, fine–" Wooyoung dismisses, albeit playfully. "But–! I am in search of the first animal I see to represent all of you. Specifically penguins, for Hongjoong's sake."

"How the hell am I a penguin?" Hongjoong retorts, earning a quiet chuckle from Wooyoung as he grabs San's hand, entwining their fingers and beginning to waltz away.

"You'll see, Joong'ah!"

Seonghwa followed the pull on his own hand as their entire group walked towards the entrance, Jongho and Yeosang following quietly behind Seonghwa, murmuring to themselves about whatever they found amusing.

After securing their tickets, Seonghwa allows Hongjoong to guide them towards the first exhibit, an open space filled with familiar ducks and geese, followed by the brightening hues of the Greater Flamingo wading and standing within the pool of water that lay in the center of the entire habitat. The birds all made an array of noises, flapping their wings, diving into the water, picking at seeds or other items of food in the grass they stood upon, mindlessly carrying on, not bothered by Wooyoung's incessant coos towards the ducks themselves.

"Mingi'ah!" Wooyoung chimed, pointing towards a brightly colored duck. "That's you!"

Mingi raised a brow, but he smiled, shaking his head in amusement. "I suppose I can't argue with that."

Seonghwa leans closer to Hongjoong, pointing towards one of the flamingos. "I think that one is the prettiest. Just seems brighter than the others."

"Not prettier than you," Hongjoong muses back, earning a rush of flush to coat Seonghwa's cheeks.

"Dear God–" Wooyoung groans. "Not in front of the ducks, Joong! PDA is not allowed!"

"Says the man who quite literally straddles his boyfriend in his own classroom–"

Seonghwa slaps a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter as Wooyoung gasps.

"I do no such thing!" He defends, though San, who had been relatively quiet, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Love–"

"No! San, don't you dare say a word!"

"Ridiculous," Hongjoong mutters. "You're absolutely ridiculous."

Moving on, the group moves their way towards a larger exhibit, met with some mesh netting and large rock formations. The Amur Leopard, a lovely feline that is critically endangered, dappled in an array of ebony spots while the coat itself was of golden hue. Their eyes, from what Seonghwa had read, always remained blue or emerald in color, a striking difference between them and other breeds of Leopard.

Seonghwa sat behind the glass beneath the covered viewing area, holding Hongjoong's hand still, eyes moving down the educational board as he read more and more about the animal he was expecting to see. To his surprise, the Leopard was hiding from view, likely within the quiet of it's living chambers, or even just hidden amongst the long grass. They had given the animal an array of climbing structures and ropes, along with a tire and scratching post, but even still, it was completely gone from view.

"Sannie–" Wooyoung chimes, pointing at the picture of the Leopard. "That's you. Fierce, striking, and a bit quiet."

"I'm quiet?" San asks.

"Overly," Yunho comments. "But we like you that way. You balance out Wooyoung's chaos."

"Exactly!" Wooyoung chimes. "Onto the next! I must find something to resemble Yunho!"

The group moved through the zoo, coming across a variety of exhibits laden with a few different animals: Red Pandas, Golden Eagles, Swamp Wallabies and Red Kangaroos, along with the rare Maned Wolf.

At that, Wooyoung pointed at the wolf, yelling at Yunho that he was just like the animal, fit with longer legs and soft-looking hair. Yunho didn't seem to disagree, though even Seonghwa was sure that no one really could. Wooyoung's antics were as vibrant as the sky itself, and no one would ever dare dampen his personality.

The longer they continued, Wooyoung began to make more comments about who matched what. Jongho was paired with a Sloth Bear, a large animal with tufts of fur hanging from their ears with brilliant white markings on their face, and even though they were big in comparison, the term sloth was true to their nature. Lazy, loveable, and apparently, intelligent, just like Jongho (in Wooyoung's eyes, anyway).

Yeosang had been paired with an Arctic Fox, a small, delicate creature with adorable features that Wooyoung compared to Yeosang's own. He accented his words with a kiss on Yeosang's cheek, to which the male shoved and pushed his friend away, only earning laughter from the group as a whole. Then, they found the penguins. Rockhoppers, Emperor, and even African penguins, all settled and swimming in the same space as the other. They shared the pool of water without the blink of an eye, diving and floating around with an energy that rivaled that of Hongjoong's. Wooyoung was certain that Hongjoong had matched these creatures, just based upon their lovable appearance. Hongjoong was anything but convinced. Seonghwa just laughed, but leaned over and whispered, "you're more of a fox to me."

As they neared the end of their tour, Wooyoung compared himself to that of the incredibly small Sand Cat, a creature that was nocturnal in nature, though so small and cute that Wooyoung couldn't help but place himself as exactly that. San didn't disagree, smothering his partner's face with an array of kisses that nearly sent the whole group groaning.

Then they came to another pond. Wooyoung walked up to Seonghwa, nudging him lightly with his elbow, "you're that swan. Right there, in the middle? That's you."

Seonghwa raised a brow, glancing at the male. "Really? The swan?"

"Yeah," Wooyoung smiles, his once-exuberant energy now slightly dulled, suddenly warmer. "Beautiful and elegant, resilient to the weather and still somehow appearing as if the world hadn't tried to ravage it."

Seonghwa smiles, nudging Wooyoung back with his shoulder. "Okay, you sap. Flatter me more, why don't you?"

"I mean it," Wooyoung says with a quiet giggle. "You're strong, Hwa. You might appear delicate, just like the swan, but you're so resilient that it's admirable."

Seonghwa's entire expression softens, smiling at Wooyoung before he nods, taking one more glance at the swan in question. It was majestic in nature, swimming idly along the water with a subtle curve to its neck, the black markings on its face a striking comparison to the snow-colored feathers against its body. How he could be compared to such an animal, let alone a gorgeous one at that, made his heart seize with warmth.

"Thank you for saying that," Seonghwa mutters. "That's. . . sweet of you."

"Only stating the truth," Wooyoung replies with a wink before he turns, muttering something to San, who stood off to his right.

"He's right, you know," Hongjoong says quietly, leaning closer to Seonghwa. "You are beautiful, inside and out, and you're one of the strongest people I know."

"You're too sweet to me," Seonghwa replies, though his smile betrays how much he appreciated hearing that.

"I don't think so," Hongjoong says, wrapping an arm around Seonghwa's waist. "I don't think I'm sweet enough. I need to double down, do more–"

"My God, Joong'ah–" Seonghwa laughs quietly, turning slightly to face him more appropriately. "You better behave, or I'll have to smother you when we get home."

"Oh?" Hongjoong says with a growing smile. "Is that a promise?"

Seonghwa rolls his eyes, but he leans closer, lowering his voice. "Maybe."

Hongjoong hums, capturing Seonghwa's lips in a tender kiss, all for the sound of a groan to emit from their right.

"Oh Lord, get a room!" Wooyoung groaned, but Seonghwa laughed as he pulled away, turning to look at Wooyoung before he spoke.

"Don't make me bring up what I heard you say to San earlier, Youngie. We're very PG-13, but you, my friend, are not."

Wooyoung's mouth falls open, a smile of betrayal stuck against his lips as everyone else falls into laughter.

"You better shut your mouth!" Wooyoung threatens through his laughter made of pure disbelief. "I said nothing! You're slandering me!"

"Sure," Seonghwa nods, glancing at San before giving him a knowing smile. "Sounds like you two have interesting plans for later, though."

"Oh my God, you're not a swan! Forget it! You're the fucking Tazmanian Devil we saw earlier!"

"Nope!" Seonghwa quips, shaking his head. "I'm a swan, just like you've said. Angelic and graceful."

Wooyoung groans something incomprehensible, earning a quiet chuckle from everyone else.

"It's nice to see you smile," Hongjoong nearly whispers to Seonghwa. "Just knowing you're this happy still, makes me even happier."

Seonghwa turns, smiling again, pressing one more kiss to Hongjoong's lips. "I'm happiest because of you, Joong."

Hongjoong smiles, his eyes softening. "Me too, Hwa. I'm happiest because of you, too."

⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇ ⋇⊶⊰𝄞⊱⊷⋇