Chapter 117 (1/2)

Thursday afternoon came by in a flash.  Woozi looked at Yeosang who was working on a pair of pants. He rolled up the tape measure he was using on a customer a few minutes ago.  He walked up behind the boy and put his hand on Yeosang's shoulder. "You want to go camping this weekend?"  Woozi asked.  "I can understand if you rather stay home and help your mother.."  He said, rubbing light circles on the boy's shoulder. Yeosang put his needle down and looked back at Woozi.  "I don't really fit in, do I?"  He asked. "What do you mean?" Woozi asked, taking a seat on the table in front of Yeosang. "I hate to state the obvious, but I don't think your family really likes me.  Especially the extended family."  He started, looking at Woozi and putting the pants down.  "I don't think your grandparents would exactly like me coming over for so long."  He continued. Woozi purses his lips.  "I don't really care,"  He said, "you know, the first time I went camping was on Minghao's first birthday."  He looked down at the male. Yeosang smiled.  "I get to hear this story now,"  He gave his whole attention to the boy, "I left when you were telling it to Hyungwon."  He moved to be between Woozi's legs. Woozi smiled and nodded.  "I know, but this is the part I never told him.."  He said.  "Although it was just outside grandpa's house, I was relatively scared.  I think it's because he kept telling scary stories though."  Woozi admitted, watching the crow's eyes. "The whole night I was there, I couldn't sleep."  Woozi said.  "Cheol and Jeonghan were inside having their anniversary time and DK was with Minghao.  I was all alone."  He sort of pouted. Yeosang furrowed his eyebrows.  "You were alone?  Why weren't any of the others with you?"  He asked. "They were all flocking to Minghao, but there wasn't too much room for me, despite how small I am."  Woozi smirked a little. Yeosang pouted his lips and held Woozi's hands.  "I'm sorry.."  He said sadly. "The whole night, I was wishing you were there holding me."  Woozi said.  "Please come with us this time..?"  He ask-begged.

Yeosang nodded and leaned forward, kissing him softly.  "I'll be there for you."  He smiled.  Woozi got off of the table and hugged him. He closed his eyes, feeling the man's arms wrap around him protectively and lovingly.  He felt at peace with just the smile that's pushed in his hair.  "Thank you.."  Woozi rubbed the other's back up and down. "Can you look at my back?"  Yeosang asked, pulling out of the hug.  "Can you tell me how much is there?"  He requested. "Sit down,"  Woozi tasked and the younger obeyed.  Woozi lifted the man's shirt and breathed shakily.  There he saw the bird's open beak and body.  The wings are the last part of the crow that needs to be drawn, and even those are halfway done.  "It's a beautiful bird, Yeosang."  He said, his eyes lowering to the tail that needs to be finished too. "I don't have long left, do I?"  Yeosang sighed.  "I was supposed to have another year, but.."  His tears started. Woozi put the shirt down, hiding the loud bird from view.  "Hey, look at me."  Woozi directed, holding the younger's cheeks. "You're not leaving, okay?  If you die, I'm coming with you."  He said seriously, making Yeosang's eyes shake. "B-but-" Woozi held the boy's mouth.  "I'm in love with you, okay?"  Woozi admitted without hesitation.  “I’m literally nothing without you.”  He said, sitting on Yeosang’s knee.

Yeosang looked down and felt the boy’s hand stroking his hair.  “It’s just not fair, I want to spend so much more time with you.”  He muttered, putting his forehead on Woozi’s shoulder.

Woozi smelled like fabric softener and metal pins.  But that didn’t stop Yeosang breathing in everything he could of Woozi.  He kissed Woozi’s exposed neck softly.

“We’ll spend a lot of time together, I promise.”  Woozi said.  “If stork logic brought us together, then I think it’s only fair that it pulls us apart.  But you’re never leaving me.

“You’ll be my one and only in every life, Yeosang.”  He said as he closed his eyes.  “Death won’t come between us.”  He promised.

Yeosang pulled back and Woozi wiped his tears.  “And until the crow takes you back, I want us to live every day loving each other and creating new memories together.”  Woozi smiled sadly.

The younger nodded and let Woozi kiss his forehead.  “I love you, Woozi..”  He said.

Woozi heard the bell at the door ring.  “There’s another customer, I’ll take care of it.”  He said.  “But please don’t forget about me, okay?  My love for you goes way beyond words.”  He patted Yeosang’s shoulders before exiting the room.

Yeosang looked at the closed door sadly.

***

Friday came by and Seungcheol found himself blindfolded in the van.  “Okay, where are you guys taking me?”  He asked in a laugh as he heard all of the kids in the van.

“Somewhere fun.”  Seokmin said in a light tone, his voice shined the smile he was making.

“Seungkwan-ah!  Where are we going?”  Seungcheol asked with a smirk.

Seungkwan smirked.  “Nope, not telling.”  He said as he looked out the window.

Jeonghan smirked as he looked through the rearview mirror.  “We’ll be there soon, so hold your horses.”  He said, putting his turn signal on.

Once they arrived, they were greeted by the elderly couple already waiting outside for them.  Jeonghan nodded to the others and Jun got out of the passenger’s seat.  The van door was opened and he helped Seungcheol out.

“Alright, surprise in three, two, one~”  Jeonghan was saying before Hoshi pulled the blindfold.

Seungcheol looked around and automatically saw his parents.  He then noticed the house and grass.  “Mom?  Dad?”  He had a big, playful smile.

“That’s us, Boy.”  Mrs. Choi said, waving her hand at Seungcheol.

“It’s been so long!”  Seungcheol ran up to them and hugged them.

Jeonghan had a happy smile as he watched Seungcheol act like a big dog to the small parents: hugs and kisses were shared among the three.  “We’re here for a three-day Cheol-party.”  Jeonghan announced, getting everyone’s attention.

“Cheol-party?”  Seungcheol laughed.

“Because today is Seungcheol’s birthday, we shall camp outside and play games as per his choice.”  Jeonghan continued.

Seungcheol looked at the kids before his parents.  “You guys.. Planned..?”  He asked in excitement.

“And little Dino will be helping me make the sweets to go along.”  Mrs. Choi said.  “Go with your father and set up the tents.  Your brother will be here in the evening.”  She informed.

Seungcheol looked at Jeonghan.  “Even my brother will be here?”  He asked with a big smile.  “Wow..”  He had a dreamy smile that sent Jeonghan into blushes.

“You heard mom, let’s go set up the backyard!”  Jeonghan said excitedly, throwing his arms in the direction of the backyard.

Jeonghan followed Joshua to where he was putting his and Jaemin's tent at. He helped the boy with holding things for him. "You know, for the first few months you were with us, Seungcheol and I were living in his bedroom." He started his story. "Oh really? I was here too?" Joshua asked.

Jeonghan nodded with a small smile. "When you came to us, I didn't have a proper crib or any of that," He continued as he anchored down the tent. "I used a toy box as your crib until we moved into our house." He remembered.

Joshua chuckled. "A toy box?" He asked. "How big was it?"