Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hues of purple filled up the sky as he walked through the bridge of the Rance River in Dinan, Brittany which was in Northwestern France. His eyes wandered at the town before him, lights turning on one by one as the sky, aside from emitting beauty from purple hues, has also started to emit darkness. He put his hands inside the pockets of his dark brown trench coat and his shoes stepped over the puddles that were formed from the rain that occurred earlier. He was lucky enough that it stopped pouring when out of his friend’s house where he recently crashed into.

He smiled at the thought of his friend Taehyung, an artist he met  more than a year ago while he was paying a visit in Peillon, a commune in Southeastern France. The man was also visiting because of the artist block he was having at the time. He actually got painted by Taehyung once and was told that he held the kind of beauty that the man had never seen before— until Taehyung met his muse and life partner, Jeongguk. The two were kind enough to stay with the both of them when it has only been a few months since they lived together after they hit a year in their relationship. Others deemed their relationship as something that’s unusual and he made sure to remind the two how much he supported them and that there wasn’t anything unusual about loving who you want to love.

It was his first day staying with the two. He moved in earlier with two medium sized duffle bags in hand and his art materials for he was an artist himself. Taehyung had told him about an art museum he could visit so he would have something to busy himself with instead of just staying inside their place and doing nothing. He considered what Tae had told him so there he was, making his way to the art museum after he ate dinner at an old diner he found not so far from his friends’ place.

He wasn’t actually there because he got kicked out from his previous place at Honfleur, a city in the department of Calvados, in northern France’s Normandy region but rather because he was waiting for a letter of confirmation from the Musee du Louvre, one of the largest museums in the world which was located in Paris, France where he recently applied to as a curator. He had already talked to Taehyung about it before so he was able to put their address instead for when the letter arrives.

His feet came to a halt when he reached the museum that was just near the Clock Tower also known as Tour de L'Horloge which was famous for its stunning views of Dinan. He stood there in awe because of how beautiful it looked. He read a plaque outside and found out that it has been there since the 1950s and it was 1998, the museum stood so strong just like the other buildings that he passed by on the way.

He made his way to the entrance and was met by a man. “Good evening, sir. Is it possible to take a look inside the museum?” He asked and the man instantly smiled. “Of course. You’re very welcome to take a look inside although it’s very rare for people to take interest in the museum,” he was surprised upon hearing what the man had said. Why wouldn’t the people want to visit?

It was as if the man saw confusion in his eyes and answered his question as he stepped inside the museum. “Rumor has it that one of the paintings is cursed. People come out stating that they heard muffled screams but we couldn’t really find anything about it,” chills went down his spine but he continued to walk anyway. He knew how to run so if anything were to happen, he'd most likely just run as fast as he could and he had no problem with that.

His eyes automatically scanned the museum and it was as if he was inside a palace that was filled with nothing but art. There were sculptures and paintings that looked very old and the place was lit up by lamps on the walls. He stared and adored the pieces one by one until he was met by a staircase that was spiral and wide. He took a step and tried to peek at what’s on the second floor but there were no lamps lit up in there so he sighed, contemplating whether to go up or not.

After a minute of thinking by the staircase, his eyes landed at a lamp and box of matches at the side of the stairs. Should I? He questioned himself once again for he felt unsure but he reasoned to himself that the man from the entrance earlier didn’t tell him if anything was off limits and it sort of made him feel better about wanting to go upstairs. With one last sigh, he took the lamp and lit it up to help him see in the dark and wander through the second floor.

It wasn’t tiring to go up while using the staircase and he was thankful for that because even if he was ready to run for his life if ever something creepy comes up, he just wasn’t built for tiring things like that and climbing the stairs usually made him tired and he would often catch for his breath before being able to continue walking.

The upper part of the museum was filled with paintings and there were no statues like downstairs. He slowly walked to observe and appreciate each piece one by one until he reached the start of the hall where the end looked so dark. He tried to see what awaits him at the end of the hall but his light couldn’t reach further. He continued looking at the paintings until he was near the end. He didn’t even notice that he was almost at the end because there was a painting that caught his eye the most.

His eyes stared at the painting before him, adoring how beautiful it was. The art depicted waves under the moonlight and it looked so- “Ethereal, isn’t it?” He heard a man speaking from behind but he didn’t bother looking, his eyes were still on the painting. “Indeed, it is. I feel like staring at a rage of emotions but are soon met with something so calming and it’s so amazing how they were able to portray that,” he answered, feeling an intense connection with the painting. “It’s rare,” the man said.

“The painting?” He asked in response, not really knowing what the man was pertaining to. “No. You, admiring art in here that has been abandoned by people and not running away. And the fact that you hear me speaking,” His eyebrows furrowed and he turned to look at the unknown man. “Why wouldn’t I-“ but he was met with nothing but paintings. He didn’t even realize that it’s impossible for someone to suddenly be there with him because if there was, he would’ve heard it immediately. “…hear you speaking. Where- where did you go?”

“I didn’t go anywhere. I’m right here,” the man said, confusing him even more because there was no one else in there but him. “The biggest painting to your left,” and he turned his head to the said direction, met by a painting that was as tall as him and his lips formed into an O. There was a man wearing all black with pushed back hair, sitted on a couch with his legs crossed and a cane on his lap in the painting and it looked so majestic, as if they were royalty. “It’s me,” he wanted to scream, he wanted to run away but he froze at the spot as he watched how the man in the painting spoke and even stood up from his seat. “I-i… what… what are you?”

“I’m… cursed. And I suppose that you are too,” he abruptly shook his head and protested. “I’m not- I’m not cursed! You got it all wrong,” the man furrowed his eyebrows and looked like he didn’t believe him at all. “Impossible!”

“I’m not! Why would it be impossible?” He took a step back and readied himself to escape. “Because only a cursed person will be able to hear me and only those who are cursed have the ability to set each other free,” he was about to turn around when he froze and slowly looked back at the man. “But I’m not cursed! How come I can hear you? Wait- are the muffled screams that people run away from yours?”

“I don’t know, you’re the first one to be able to hear after 5 years of being locked up in this painting and yes, i tried to call for help but when they turn out to run away, that’s when I realized that shouting is of no use,” he was shocked from finding out that the man has been in the painting for five years and wondered how it must have felt. “F-five years? Have you ever moved museums? Or have you been here for the whole five years?” He asked, getting invested with the whole cursed thing that’s going on even though it felt so surreal for something like this to happen to him. 

“I’ve… been here ever since. Nobody ever comes here so I wasn’t seen by a lot of people and when some finally paid a visit, I scared them off at some point even if they didn’t know that it was me. To be very honest, I told myself that if ever someone visits and they don’t hear me, I’ll just accept my fate that I really am bound to be here for life but you heard me.”

“Oh…” he didn’t know what to say to the man. He felt bad for his situation but he had no idea how to help him or if he even wanted to get himself involved.

“By the way, my name is Kim Namjoon. I’m 26 now, I guess. I got cursed when I was 21,” the man finally introduced himself and even flashed him a light smile. “Nice to meet you, Namjoon. My name is Kim Seokjin but you can call me Jin and I’m 28,” he extended his hand in front of the painting which made Namjoon look at him weirdly before extending his hand as well. They chuckled before shaking their hands in front of each other and Seokjin would probably get called crazy if somebody was to see him.

“Hey… I’m sorry to hear about your situation. I don’t even know if I’m going to believe anything tomorrow when I wake up but right now, I’m here for you. I don’t know you and I still don’t know if I really want to get involved but I’ll try,” he gave Namjoon a comforting smile, one that the other man has longed to see for quite some time now. One that gave a bit of hope to the other one’s heart.

“Thank you, Jin. I’m not- I’m not going to force you into anything, okay? I was just really enthusiastic earlier because that has never happened to me before. Can I request something for tonight?”

“I’ll see what I can do. What is it?”

“Can you please stay? Not stay the night but perhaps until you really have to go?”

He couldn’t answer right away because he thought about it first but he lifted the lamp more to see Namjoon’s face cleared and answered, “Okay, I’ll stay.”

The two smiled at each other and the younger man was the one who broke the silence that surrounded them for a bit. “Do you want to find a chair first? I don’t want you to just stand there, that’ll be uncomfortable.”

“Oh! Alright, I will be right back. I remember seeing a chair after I climbed the stairs so I’m going to check and get it,” he waved at Namjoon and turned away to go near the stairs. He was right and came back with a wooden chair. He placed it in front of Namjoon and they both sat down comfortably.

At first, they didn’t know what to talk about or how to act towards each other. They were careful and made sure that they were both comfortable until they were already in their own world, talking about their experiences in life and the things that Namjoon has missed. They shared smiles and laughter, both feeling new to the sensation of joy because of how long it has been to the younger and of how it wasn’t oftern for the older.

They stayed like that for hours, learning about each other. Namjoon was a poet while Seokjin was a painter. The one thing they shared the most was their love for art and all of its forms. Their eyes shined the brightest when talking about how much they loved art and they even made a deal that if Seokjin would bring Namjoon a piece of his, the younger would read to him a poem of his and they couldn’t wait for that to come.

Their laughter subdued and they were left looking at each other. “Hey, Joon?” Seokjin called, having the permission earlier to call the younger by a nickname. “Hm?”

“I don’t know if you’re comfortable with this so please don’t feel pressured to answer me, okay? I will understand,” Seokjin paused and took a deep breath. “Why were you… cursed?” He immediately looked away and waited for Namjoon to say something.

“It’s okay, I’ll tell you. When I-“

“Hello there! Please come out now, it’s already midnight and you can’t be here!” Namjoon was interrupted by the guard earlier, calling for Seokjin to leave the museum. He cursed under his breath because Namjoon got cut off and now he doesn’t know why the younger one is cursed.

He looked at Namjoon and saw that the younger one never took his eyes away from him. “I guess… I have to go now? I’m sorry I can’t stay any longer, Joon. I’ll try to come back tomorrow,” he stood up and placed the chair on the side. 

“It’s alright, Jin. I understand. I hope you get back to your place safely. Thank you for giving me your time. I’m very grateful. So grateful,” Namjoon stood up and waved at him, which he did the same. He walked away and muttered a small thank you to the guard before he left to go back to Jeongguk and Taehyung’s place.

He still wasn’t sure if he wanted to be involved or not but there’s something inside of him that didn’t want to leave Namjoon at the museum.

༒

The next morning, Seokjin woke up and stared at the wall for 10 minutes while he sat on his bed. Everything that happened the night before felt so surreal to him. He was talking to a man cursed to be in a painting and only those who are cursed are able to talk to those who are cursed as well. In his case, he wasn’t cursed nor was he a witch of some sort.

He yawned and got up after drowning in his thoughts. He didn’t know what he was going to do today and thought of going back to the museum. He wanted to make sure that everything was real, that he wasn’t dreaming.

“Good morning! Come on, let’s eat,” Taehyung greeted him, who was just about to sit down next to his lover who smiled at Jin as a greeting. “Good morning Tae, Gguk,” he greeted the two, then he went to the kitchen and made coffee for himself. 

“Any mail?” He asked as he poured hot water into his mug. “There’s no mail until later in the afternoon. I heard some people talking when I was out to the bakery,” Taehyung answered, knowing what he meant with the mail.

“Alright, thank you, Tae. Are you both working today?” It was Saturday and he didn’t know if they worked during weekends even though Jeongguk worked as a cook at Le Saint Louis, one of the famous restaurants in Dinan while Taehyung sold his crafts in the main market. 

“We both do but only in the morning so we get afternoons off. We plan on visiting some places. Do you want to come with us?” He lightly shook his head in response to Taehyung. “You two have some alone time. I’ll figure out what I want to do later on,” he placed his coffee on the table and sat down with the two. They ate breakfast and talked about some locals news then he got left thinking about his work application while the couple got ready for work.

Once his head was clearer, he washed the dishes he used and readied himself to go outside. Unlike yesterday, it was sunny outside but not too much that it made him squint but sunny enough that it made him happy and refreshed. It was only 9 in the morning and some of the stores he passed by were only starting to arrange and were not yet opened. He wasn’t sure if he would be let in the museum at this time  and if he wasn’t allowed, he planned to just visit Taehyung at the market or stroll by himself.

Passing by the clock tower, a child ran to him and gave him a dandelion but before he could even say anything, the child was running far away from him already. He stared at the dandelion on his palm and smiled. He planned on showing it to Namjoon and maybe even give it to the younger one.

When he stopped in front of the museum, he saw the man guarding there already. “Good morning, sir!” He greeted and smiled at the man when he looked at his way. “You’re here again?”

He rubbed his nape and felt a little shy. “Yes. The artworks here are very interesting. Is it alright for me to come back?”

“Yes, of course. I’m just surprised you’re coming back because usually people swear to never step foot inside the museum,” the man explained and he nodded along so he’d know that he was paying attention. “Nothing strange happened to me inside aside from being fascinated by all the artworks there.”

“Well then, go inside. I suggest you make the most out of it while you still can,” he didn’t quite understand the context of the man’s words so he decided to ask. “What do you mean by making the most out of it?”

“Well, you know since the artworks are deemed as haunted, one of the higher ups decided to try and find a buyer which they were able to do. They sold everything to a person in Northern America who was into haunted things. Everything’s set to be shipped next week, Friday,” when he heard what was going to happen to the paintings, someone immediately came to his mind. Namjoon. “Thank you for telling me, sir. If you would excuse me, I’ll be going inside now,” he said and bowed his head to the man and walked inside the museum.

When he walked in, he once again got amazed by it’s beauty because of the natural lighting coming from the sun. There were details that he wasn’t able to see last night and he was glad that he decided to come again. He got distracted for a bit but when he caught a glimpse of the dandelion he was holding, he got reminded of his main purpose. His phase became faster but he slowed down once again when he climbed the stairs, mesmerized by its details. Everything was so much more beautiful than before.

When he was near where Namjoon was placed, he felt nervous. He thought of the possibilities that maybe whatever happened last night were all because of his imagination. That wasn’t really any Namjoon and just him. To his relief, Namjoon immediately sat up from his chair when he was near the younger one.

He froze in front of the man and his lips formed an O. Namjoon, he- he was ethereal. He was mesmerizing. It was hard to take a look at the younger one the night before because of how dark it was and the lamp wasn’t enough for him to see everything clearly but now in broad daylight, every detail was clear to him. Namjoon looked so real. As if he was trapped inside a painting— which he was.

“H-hey…” was the only thing that came out of his lips after he stared at the younger one for a minute or so which Namjoon didn’t really mind. “Hey, Jin. I’m surprised to see you here again. You can still here me right?” Not fully recovered from the sight in front of him, he just nodded slowly as answer. Namjoon then gave him a smile so sweet that made his dimples show.

Realizing that he might probably look so weird, he shook his head and regained his focus on reality. “I-i’m sorry, I just got so awed by how beautiful you’re painted,” he smiled shyly to the younger then he remembered the dandelion in his hand. “Oh, by the way, this dandelion is for you,” he said and presented the dandelion in front of Namjoon by extending his right arm.

“For me?” Namjoon asked with a surprised look on his face. He nodded his head repeatedly and smiled brightly at the younger as an answer to his question. “Thank you…” Namjoon smiled widely as he stared at the flower in front of him. “-it’s very beautiful.”

“Do you mind if you- never mind, it’s nothing,” Seokjin immediately furrowed his eyebrows when Namjoon stopped mid sentence and brushed off what he was supposed to ask him. “Hey, what is it? I’ll tell you if I’m uncomfortable so don’t worry.”

“Sorry, thank you. Before I continue what I was about to ask, please take a seat first,” he grabbed the chair that he put away the night before and sat in front of Namjoon. “That’s better, I don’t want you to get tired from standing for too long. Okay, well. I was just wondering if it was okay if you were to put the flower behind your ear?”

“I’m fine with that, Joon,” he assured the younger one and proceeded to do his request. He tucked the flower and some strands of his hair behind his ear. His hair were a bit long so they stayed behind his ear along the dandelion. “Wow…” Namjoon said after he was done. “You look so beautiful. They- they suit you,” he looked away and felt heat come up to his cheeks. “I- thank you…” it wasn’t a weird feeling but it was new to him. Hearing Namjoon call him beautiful made his stomach twist in some kind of way and it felt a little addictive.

They stayed that way, talking and exchanging shy looks, face getting heated from time to time but none of those moments felt uncomfortable. Instead, they were very comfortable and felt at ease with each other’s presence.  None of them even brought up anything about the curse. It was as if there wasn’t anything unusual going on.

He didn’t want to go any sooner. He wanted to stay and talk some more with Namjoon but he felt so hungry as it was already 30 minutes past 1:00 in the afternoon. “Hey, Joon?” The younger one replied with a hum after he called for him. “I’m sorry, I have to go for now. I didn’t realize but it’s already lunch time and I’m hungry now.”

He asked Namjoon earlier if there was more space behind the painting and he found out that  the younger could actually be out of frame and was able to go around the house that was in the painting. Originally, there was an old man in the painting but he replaced him instead. After finding out about it, he also asked if Namjoon was able to feel hunger or if he ever slept. He was very amazed when the younger one told him that he never got hungry nor tired while he was there. He was always awake and alone with his thoughts that he had filled a lot of journals with poems and proses of different kinds. He has also finished reading a lot of books and lucky enough, there was a huge library in the house he was at.

“Don’t be sorry, Jin. I understand. Thank you for your time, I really had fun talking to you and learning things about you,” the younger one gave him a soft smile which he returned. “Thank you, Joon. I also had fun with your company. I’ll try and come back as soon as I can.”

The two waved at each other before he made his way out of the museum to go and eat lunch. After he finished eating, he decided to go back to his friends’ place first to rest for a bit. 

“Jin!” He was near their place when Taehyung called for him while Jeongguk just got outside. “Hey, lovebirds. About to stroll now?” The two smiled widely and nodded. “By the way, mail came in for you. I placed it on the dining table,” Jeongguk informed him before they bid farewell to him. Once the couple were out of sight, he went inside and made his way straight to the dining table. He was hoping so bad that it was the letter that contained the results of his job application.

He held the envelope in his hand and he was right that it was from the museum. He felt so nervous that he took deep breaths when he opened the envelope. He closed his eyes tightly as he held the letter in his hand. He wasn’t ready— not yet. When he calmed down a bit, he opened his eyes and stared at the letter.

“Please accept me. Please accept me. Please accept me,” he muttered repeatedly as he slowly unfolded the letter. He closed one eye and made it feel like he was just peeking at the result. 

We are happy to inform you that your application as a curator in the Musee du Louvre has been accepted.

We expect you to be here by September 3rd, 1998. All your living commodities will be covered by us. Congratulations!

“Oh my God! Did I read all of this right? Am I really accepted?” He felt so shocked and at the same time very happy. He didn’t know how to act or what to say. When things slowly sinked in, he covered his mouth with his hand and felt like he was on the brink of tears. It was such a dream come true. 

I can’t wait to tell this to Joon! He froze in his spot at the thought of the younger one. Namjoon… Oh my God I forgot to tell him. He’s going to be shipped to another country by next week, Friday and that’s on September 4th! He panicked because of his thoughts and suddenly felt mixed emotions. He felt shocked, happy, sad and nervous at the same time. Not knowing what to do with his feelings, he decided to just nap them all away.

He woke up from his nap 45 minutes later, feeling refreshed. He took a deep sigh when he thought about breaking the news to Namjoon. He wasn’t sure if he was going to break both of them at the same time or break the other one tomorrow. The second time he got out, the weather was still the same and the sun felt the same. The only thing that differed was how he felt. Yes, he did feel refreshed but the mixed emotions he napped away came back and he didn’t even understand why he was feeling that way.

“Joon!” He called for the younger’s attention as soon as he was almost near him. Namjoon waved at him and smiled while he did the same. “How was lunch, Jinnie?” His eyes widened from the nickname. “J-jinnie?” He asked, repeating what the younger one just called him. “Yeah… I’m sorry I didn’t ask if it was okay for me to call you that.”

“It’s fine with me as long as I can call you Joonie,” Namjoon looked away after he felt his cheeks heat up. “O-of course you can, Jinnie,” the two giggled over the nicknames but Seokjin was the first one to stop and put on a serious facade after he remembered why he was eager to go there once again.

“Hey, Joon?” he called for the younger one but did not wait for him to respond. “If you were to hear some news that isn't that good, would you want to hear one at a day or two in one sitting?” He felt nervous that he couldn’t look at the younger man.

“I’d want to hear it all in one sitting. I don’t want to wait another day to hear if I just could right at the moment,” he took deep breaths while the younger answered and readied himself to bear the news. “Okay, well… I have news to bear. One that’s kind of happy but sad and one that’s a little bit bad.”

“Go on, Jinnie. Whenever you’re ready,” Namjoon said, assuring him that it’s okay. He took another deep breath before he decided to tell the one about him first. “Do you remember about the museum in Paris that I applied to?” He started and the other nodded immediately. “I got in, Joonie,” he said in a quiet voice, almost as if he didn’t want the younger one to know even if he was supposed to be happy.

“That’s great news, Jin! I’m so happy for you!” Namjoon smiled so wide and applauded him. He pressed his lips together before muttering a small “thank you” to the younger man. “The thing is, I have to leave after a week so I can start work and live there.”

“That’s still great news! But maybe come and visit me when you’re free?” Namjoon said jokingly and even chuckled to himself but he only softened at the sight, not knowing if he could continue telling him the other news. Before he could even back out, Namjoon asked about it. “Are those the two news already or those are counted as one?” 

He fiddled with his fingers as he answered the younger one. “There’s still one news left to bare, Joonie,” he said and Namjoon nodded eagerly, waiting for his news. “I heard from the man downstairs that guards the museum that… one of the higher-ups decided to try and sell all the artworks here because of how you’re all deemed to be haunted. The thing is, someone bought all of you and you’ll be shipped to Northern America by next week, Friday. The same day that I’ll be leaving,” he exhaled loudly and felt like something was removed from his chest that refrained him from breathing freely before.

“ Oh… ” he looked at Namjoon to see his head hung low. “Joon…” silence filled the air and he let it be. He let Namjoon register everything. He let them feel whatever it is that he felt from the news he bore. He let him know that he was there for him, by staying there and waiting patiently for the younger one.

“Thank you. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you because even after only knowing each other for a short period of time, it’s like you genuinely care for me. Like you care about how I would feel even if right now, I’m not but just a painting,” he saw how Namjoon faked a smile, as if he wanted to push away the bad feeling but obviously failed at doing so. 

“Joon, why do you sound like you are bidding farewell? We still have time. We can figure things out. Do you have any idea how the curse can be broken?” He wished he could hug the younger one at that moment but then if he could, they wouldn’t be having a problem in the first place.

“I don’t know… the witch never said anything about breaking the curse. I guess I’m just… stuck here,” Seokjin frowned because they haven’t really gotten to the curse talk because it also felt like Namjoon wasn’t ready to tell him any details yet and of course he respected that.

“We’ll try, okay? We’re not going to give up. You’re not going to give up. At least now you have me. I can hear you, I can understand you,” Namjoon looked into his eyes and smiled softly. “Thank you, Jin. So much.”

They stayed like that for a while, comforting one another with soft smiles on their faces. Once they were better, they talked more— but not about the curse. They figured that there was just too much to take in at the moment and that maybe it was better for now to just… let things be.

༒

Seokjin always had the opportunity to see the famous spots of towns that he visited but with Namjoon’s situation, it made him appreciate all that he was able to see. It made him look at every detail more thoroughly and be invested in every information there was.

He told Namjoon that he would go and visit the tourist spots in Dinan. After knowing that the younger man doesn’t remember much of the town, he made it his goal to write every single detail of his trip in his journal so he could read it to Namjoon when he comes back to the museum. He felt very excited as he wrote down his sightings for the younger one.

While he wrote in his journal, he remembered something that Namjoon had told him last night, minutes before he left. “There are a lot of times where I get sad because I’m already stuck in painting, why does my world here have to be this small? I found the answer myself one time when I was staring at the ceiling. We don’t realize it most of the time but when we work with small things, the details just become bigger”. He smiled as he remembered the younger one’s words. For the short time of knowing each other, Namjoon sure amazes him with his use of words and how he thinks. He paused from writing and hoped that they would find a way out for him.

He hid his journal and pen inside the pockets of his trench coat and he headed to the restaurant that Jeongguk works at. The two planned a lunch out celebration for him after he told them about his new job. They said that after that, they could go and check the sale going on in the main market. Of course he agreed, excited to spend time with his friends.

The two were already there when he arrived but he wasn’t late. They ordered food right away and talked while they waited for their order. He was contemplating wether to tell them about Namjoon or not. The two were his best friends and he didn’t want to keep secrets from them so he took a deep breath and decided to tell them everything.

He didn’t expect them to be understanding. He thought they would call him crazy and ended their friendship with him but they didn’t. Instead, they asked if they could see Namjoon and maybe try if they could hear him. His heart felt so full for having them in his life and being so understanding. He couldn’t ask for more.

They still went to the market but none of them found anything interesting although the items were so cheap. The two wanted to go home already, so they made their way to the museum. When they arrived, the man at the entrance wasn’t the same as the first two days he was there. 

“Excuse me, sir? Where’s the man that guards here?” Seokjin asked, while the couple stayed behind him. The unknown man sat up from his seat and gave him a smile so bright that he couldn’t help but return it immediately. “Oh! Hey! It’s you!” His face became confused as he looked at the man in front of him.

“The man you’re talking about is Min Yoongi and I’m Jung Hoseok, his lover! Oh wait, no. We’re good people, please don’t say bad things in front of my face!” His lips formed an O, soon understanding the situation. “Hey- no. We’re not going to say anything bad. It’s okay-“

“Oh, thank you! Well then, we have another boyfriend, his name is Park Jimin. We’re in a poly relationship and we love each person equally! Oh no, I’m oversharing again, aren’t I?” Hoseok facepalmed which made the three chuckle. 

“We don’t mind, kind sir. Although we’re here because we wanted to take a look inside, if that’s alright?” Taehyung stepped in, having felt that Seokjin wouldn’t be able to turn down the talk that was being built up by the man. 

“My bad! Of course, it’s more than alright. Yoongi has told me about you visiting even if he had told you that the artworks are haunted,” he didn’t know how to respond to Hoseok so they smiled and waved at him before going in.

“Wow, it’s beautiful here. I haven’t been able to visit  because of work but I’m glad I did now. No lie, I recommend the best places!” Taehyung exclaimed while he and Jeongguk wandered around, complementing the interior of the museum as well as the artworks that were displayed.

“Where is the cursed man you were talking about, Jin?” Taehyung asked while they walked towards the staircase. “His name is Namjoon. He’s upstairs, by the end of the hallway.”

They climbed the stairs and he told them that he’s going to Namjoon first to inform the man about them knowing his situation while the couple took their time admiring the paintings.

“Jinnie! You’re back!” Namjoon exclaimed happily and stood up at the sight of the older man. “Yes. I went out this morning to take a stroll and brought my journal to write about the sights that I saw and read them to you.”

“That’s so thoughtful of you, Jinnie. Come sit down!” He nodded to the younger one and grabbed the chair to sit in front of him. “Oh, Joonie. I can’t read to you right now, by the way,” Namjoon looked at him with confusion in his face and informed him right away. “I told my friends about you and they’re here right now, just checking out the paintings. They wanted to see you and maybe hear your muffled voice. I’m sorry, I didn’t ask you if you were even okay with this. Don’t worry, I could make them go home!” He started to panic when he realized that what he did was wrong and he should’ve asked for consent.

“Hey, hey, breathe. It’s okay, Jinnie. I’m glad that your friends believed you somehow and wanted to see for themselves. Just calm down and wait here with me, okay?” He breathed slowly and nodded in response to the younger one who gave him a soft, comforting smile. “T-thank you, Joonie.”

The two waited in silence and it wasn’t too long until Taehyung and Jeongguk were already on the paintings near Namjoon. “Hey, Jin. Is that him?” Jeongguk asked, eyes on Namjoon’s painting. He smiled and answered, “Yeah, this Namjoon. Joonie, that’s Taehyung and that’s Jeongguk. They’re my friends that I told you about,” Seokjin introduced them and the couple waved at the painting in front of them even if it didn’t do anything and was just there. “He’s beautiful! And really big,” Taehyung said, awed as his eyes laid upon Namjoon’s painting.

“Please tell them that it’s nice meeting them and thank you for the compliment,” Seokjin nodded at the younger one’s request and told the two what he said to him. The couple smiled and said that it’s nice to meet him as well. “How are we going to hear him, Jin?” Taehyung asked, remembering what he told them earlier regarding people hearing Namjoon’s muffled screams. He glanced at the younger one regarding what Taehyung had asked and he nodded in response.

“Taehyung!!! Jeongguk!!! It’s so nice to meet you both!!! Thank you for believing Jinnie when he told the two of you about me!!! I’m very grateful for your understanding!!!” As Namjoon screamed as loud as he could, Seokjin watched how the couple froze in their spot, heads slowly turned to look at each other, lips formed into an O and eyes widened.

“Do you think they heard me?” Namjoon asked him, which made him chuckle. “I think they heard your muffled screams so clearly, Joonie,” his answer made the younger chuckle as well then they diverted their attention to the couple in front of them.

He put his hand in front of the couple and waved at their faces, attempting to unfreeze the two. “Hello? I told you about it already… why are the two of you acting like that,” he put a hand on his waist as he stared at the two, waiting for them to come back to reality.

Jeongguk was the first one to blink, then he shook Taehyung’s shoulder to bring the other back to his senses as well. “Sorry it was really… strange? I don’t know how to explain it. But in all honesty, if you didn’t tell me beforehand then I would’ve also ran! It gave me chills,” Taehyung explained while his eyes were on Namjoon. Seokjin looked at him as well and saw him smiling. I think he’s happy… that’s good. I’m happy as well. He then smiled to himself as he watched Namjoon listen to the couple’s rambling about their previous not so paranormal activity experience.

It hasn’t been 30 minutes since they had proved that Namjoon was real when the two decided that they had to go and to also give him and Namjoon more time together. They bid their goodbyes and they watched the couple disappear from their sight. He turned to look at Namjoon and smiled, the younger one smiled wider in return for he was already smiling.

“You’re happy,” it wasn’t a question, but more of a confirmation. It was clear that the younger man was happy but he still wanted to hear it from him. “Happier. I was already happy with you but meeting them… it made me happier,” his smile softened after hearing Namjoon’s words.

Seokjin started to read to him his journal that was filled with details about his stroll in the town. Namjoon listened intently and tried to imprint every detail in his brain as possible so he wouldn’t forget anything.

They stayed like that, happy with each other’s company. They laughed and talked and smiled until it was time again for Seokjin to leave. Their smiles never left their faces and no one had the guts to mention September 4th. If ever, they tried their best to avoid ever bringing it up as both felt scared. They felt like they weren’t ready to talk about it once again.

༒

With a smile on his face and art materials in hand, Seokjin made his way to the museum.

He woke up a bit earlier than usual and made breakfast for the three of them. After they ate, he read a few pages from the book he bought before going to Dinan, The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Once he was tired from reading, he went out to walk for a bit then came back to their place to get ready for going visiting Namjoon.

Before he left last night, they planned to do something together rather than just sitting and talking. They agreed to do for each other and that would be Seokjin painting and Namjoon writing.

“Good morning, Yoongi,” he greeted Yoongi, who was the one that guards the museum, and the latter greeted him back and just let him in the museum. It felt nice to have Yoongi as an acquaintance and that the man didn’t question why he spends almost the whole day inside the museum. He just lets him be.

“Joonie!” He shouted as soon as he was off the stairs and ran his way to the younger one. “Jinnie, you’re here!” He heard Namjoon shout from afar and his smile instantly widened. It didn’t take long for him to reach where the other one was.

“Hey,” the younger one greeted him with a soft tone that made his stomach turn. The voice he got used to hearing suddenly felt more comforting than before. He felt safe and small.

“Hi… I’m looking forward to spending time with you today while we create art,” he said in a quiet and soft voice as they looked at each other with smiles on their faces. In almost a whisper, Namjoon responded. “I am too.”

“Is it okay if you write while only your side is facing me? For reference purposes,” he asked the younger one which he complied as he turned his chair and sat down, giving Seokjin the view he’s asked for.

“What do you plan on painting?” Namjoon asked and took out his journal that had his fountain pen inside. He answered the younger man while he arranged his art materials. “I’m thinking of you,” he wasn’t looking so he didn’t see how Namjoon's cheeks turned the same shade as a pink rose. He only heard the younger man hum in return to his response and he wasn’t bothered about it.

“What about you? Any type of poem in mind? A subject?” He asked and turned his head to look at Namjoon, then caught him staring. The latter’s eyes widened and he quickly looked away which made him chuckle at the sight. He didn’t say anything nor tried to tease and instead, he waited for his answer while he was the one who stared.

“I- I plan on writing a free verse poem and… I’m undecided about the subject,” the man still didn’t look at him but he just let him be and smiled to himself. Nobody spoke another word and started to do their craft. Sometimes, he would catch Namjoon staring or him or glancing but most of the time it’s him, for he’s painting using him as a reference— or maybe that’s just what he said and not actually what he meant.

Time went by as the two continued doing their thing. They haven’t talked about the curse and because they didn’t want to bring it up but they both knew deep inside that they’ll have to because their deadline is near. The two looked up from their crafts and smiled at each other when they noticed that they were in sync. “Are you done?” Seokjin asked the younger one as he stretched his arms and yawned.

“I am, what about you?” Namjoon’s dimples became visible when he flashed him a smile and it made him smile as well. “Almost. I just have to do some finishing touches,” he answered and Namjoon didn’t say anything back, he only nodded and watched as he went back to finishing his painting.

It hasn’t been 5 minutes since he looked at his painting and smiled as he felt satisfied with his finished painting. “I suppose you’re done now?” He looked at Namjoon and nodded happily as a response. “Who’s going first?” He asked because they haven’t talked about who was going to show their work first.

“Is it alright if you do?” Namjoon asked shyly and avoided eye contact. “Alright… I’ll go first but please go lightly on the comments okay? I haven’t painted since I went here,” he explained and slowly lifted his canvas up while it was still facing Namjoon backwards.

Once he turned the painting to Namjoon, the younger one looked so awed and his lips formed into an O. “I-it’s-“ his voice cracked and tears unexpectedly flowed. “…beautiful. So beautiful. I-“ he couldn’t speak anymore as he continued to cry and Seokjin started to be on the verge of tears. “Joonie…”

It was a painting of Namjoon, a sideview of him while he was sitting on a bench with a bike beside him. There were trees surrounding him and it seemed like he was in a park. It was a scenery that he told Seokjin about before. Something he loved to do when he was still free. To ride his bike and stop to write as he became one with nature. The days where he was able to do that were the calmest and most peaceful days of his life. Seeing it again even if it wasn’t happening for real, made him tear up and remember beautiful memories.

Namjoon calmed down and looked at him with a soft smile on his face. “Jinnie… Thank you. Thank you so much,” he wanted to hold the younger one as gently as he could but all he could do was to look at him with a soft smile. He answered with a gentle voice, “You deserve it, Joon. You deserve freedom and I hope I could give that to you. I really do.”

“Everything you do for me is already a lot. I’ve never felt more free than the past few days that you’ve been with me. I’ll forever be thankful that you heard me and I can’t imagine being heard by someone else other than you,” they looked each other in the eyes and there they saw the longing that they felt for each other. They wanted to hold each other even just for once but of course it was deemed as impossible. How can’t it be.

“It’s my turn now. I would like to read to you a short poem that I wrote, for you,” Namjoon smiled at him before turning his eyes to his journal. 

“Years of darkness and loneliness, you took away in just one snap. 

By the way you talk and the way you move, I slowly crave for your touch.

I wonder how things could’ve been if I wasn't here, framed. 

Maybe we’d still meet each other and I'd still be by your side, tamed.

But perhaps now is not the time? 

Because longing for you feels like a crime. 

For there’s no way to touch nor feel you,

Even if I surrender every dime.”

“Joonie… your words are so beautiful. Thank you. I want to hear more of your pieces,” He wanted to hug him and be there beside him when Namjoon writes and while he paints but there are just some things in life that we can’t have, no matter how much we wanted them.

“Soon, I’ll read more and write more for you. I  have a lot, yes but I want more that are yours and I want you to be the only one to hear them.”

They spent more time together, not running out of stories to tell. It was enough for them or that’s how they fooled themselves because deep inside, they wanted nothing more but to hold each other and make themselves familiar with the other’s touch.

༒

He couldn’t stop thinking about everything that Namjoon had told him earlier. The more he thought about it, the more he kept on remembering things from the past. Things that he didn’t want anything to do with. 

It was just an hour before, when he asked Namjoon about relationships.

“Hey, joon? Have you ever been in a relationship?” He asked the younger one after curiosity suddenly arose in him. “I… haven’t. What about you?” He pressed his lips and shook his head in response to the younger one.

“That’s kind of a part of my curse,” Namjoon sighed after saying those words. “I haven’t really told you anything about it, have I?” He shook his head while the younger one took a pause. “Thank you for waiting until I was ready. I think I’m ready now.”

“As you know, I’m a poet. Many people loved my poems and the way I wrote which resulted to some girls admiring me. It was alright, nothing serious every happened and they didn’t push me at all.”

“Until this woman came. She was a little older than me and she was very vocal about her feelings towards my writing and… me. I didn’t give her any attention, but of course I thanked her for supporting me and liking my works.”

“One night, she came up to me while I was here. Yes, here. Staring at the largest painting, the painting I am in. She told me how much she loved me but no matter how bad I wanted to reciprocate her feelings, I couldn't.”

“I don’t like women. I’m gay. Always have been,” Namjoon took a deep breath before he continued. “I told her that. I apologized for not having the ability to return her feelings. I told her how much I appreciated her efforts but it just wasn’t possible for me to see her that way.”

Namjoon started to tear up and Seokjin’s serious face turned into a worried one. “Joonie… don’t force yourself. It’s okay if you don’t want to continue,” Namjoon only shook his head then took a deep breath once again. “I’m going to finish the story.”

“She got mad. Fuming, even. She told me that I was an asshole for throwing away her efforts and feelings. I tried comforting her but she started chanting, until I realized that she was cursing me.”

“She told me that no one will ever love me. That love, for a gay man like, was impossible to find. That I’ll be living the rest of my life here, framed,” Namjoon wasn’t crying, but he was. He didn’t even realize the tears that started to flow. His heart ached so bad upon hearing Namjoon’s story.

“J-joonie… I wish I could hug you right now. God. You don’t… you don’t deserve that. Nobody does. You shouldn’t be suffering just because of who you chose to love. You shouldn’t be feeling sorry for being who you are. I’m so sorry this happened to you,” he started sobbing and tears came out of Namjoon’s eyes as well but much subtler than his.

“T-thank you for still being here, Jin. I can’t imagine how it must’ve been if you’re not able to hear me,” he flashed a soft smile and he returned it to the younger one. “Me too, Joonie.”

Silence filled the room for a while and he was the first one to speak again. “She never mentioned a way to get you out?”

“The only thing was that only those who are cursed will be able to see me and possibly save me. She left me after that,” Seokjin frowned, he felt helpless. He wanted to do everything to undo the curse but he didn’t know anything.

“I’ll try harder, Joonie. I’ll do my best to get you out. I’m sorry that I haven’t been doing much,” Namjoon frowned this time, not agreeing with what he just said. “You being here for me has been so much help, I promise.”

They both softened at each other’s gaze and didn’t utter a word for some time. They spent their remaining hours reassuring each other and making sure that they were both okay, knowing for sure that if they didn’t, there might be someone stuck in their own thoughts. They didn’t want that.

Here he was now, on his way back as he avoided puddles. It rained an hour before and even the sky was as gloomy as him. He smiled bitterly at his reflection on a big puddle he stepped over.

Wait for me, Joonie.

༒

It was the 27th of August, 1998 when Namjoon heard someone on the stairs. He didn’t think much of it because it was usually the man — who he doesn’t know the name of — that takes care of the museum. The only man that he wasn't scared of because instead of shouting like he usually does, he tried to talk to the man instead but failed.

To his surprise, it was a very unfamiliar man that walked into the hallway he was in. The unknown man was so immersed in the painting that he knew he hadn't seen him yet.

“Ethereal, isn’t it?” He didn’t even think of what he would say for he knew the man wouldn’t be able to hear him. To his surprise, the unknown man heard him very well and even answered. He felt so shocked and amazed and hopeful. He wanted to say so many things, he wanted to beg the man to help him but instead, he couldn’t help but act calm. There was something with the man that made him feel comforted and calmed, even by his mere presence.

He wasn’t expecting for the man to come back the next day yet he did. He looked so beautiful with a flower tucked behind his ear. He wanted to be the one to do that but he couldn’t so he settled by being able to watch the older man. 

What he didn’t expect was the news he received that day. He never expected it to happen. He never expected his time with Seokjin to be cut so short. He felt like the world fell on him and he began to lose hope once again. But Seokjin he… he was different. So different. He was so eager to help him and not give up, that it made his hope stay in his heart.

When Seokjin came back the third day and told him that his friends knew about him, he got nervous. He couldn’t help but overthink about how they would react or how they would eventually think of Seokjin if it turns out that they can’t hear even his screams. To his luck, they could and they were so happy about it.

Once the older one’s friends had left, they spent their time with Seokjin reading his journal to him which he filled with notes and details while he explored the town of Dinan. He felt so alive whenever Seokjin was there but the efforts the older one kept making were the reasons why he wanted freedom more than ever.

Writing poems has always been about nature, society, and his thoughts. After so long, he finally had someone to write about. Truth be told, it wasn’t the first poem that he wrote about and for Seokjin. It was one of the many poems about the older one because whenever he was left alone with his thoughts, they were often filled with him. So he did what he does best and wrote with Seokjin in his mind.

He felt like there was something lifted off from his chest after he told Seokjin everything. He had expected the older one to leave or worse, call him names but he didn’t. He didn’t do anything like he thought he would but instead, cried with him and comforted him. He didn't leave until he was sure that he was okay.

That’s why when Seokjin didn’t come the next day, he drowned in his thoughts until the very deep end of his mind.

Where are you? Please be safe.

༒

“Hey, we’re going out now,” the couple bid goodbye while he stayed in the living room with books scattered both on the coffee table and on the sofa. He nodded and gave them a smile, then he watched them leave the house.

He’s barely had any sleep when he got out of bed and started reading again. The night Namjoon told him everything, he went to the library instead of going back to his friends’ place and looked for witchcraft books. He borrowed all the books he could find and started reading as soon as he got back to their place. The couple didn’t question anything after he explained quickly and just let him be.

He read and read the whole day, hoping to find a way to get Namjoon’s curse lifted but until now, he doesn’t have anything. He looked at the empty cup of coffee and sighed. He knew he shouldn’t stay like that and that he had to visit Namjoon. It crossed his mind that it might have seemed bad that he didn’t go to the museum right after what the younger one had told him and he felt guilty.

Aside from all the reading, he also did some rethinking and there might be a question that he has an answer to. Why was he able to hear Namjoon?

He glanced at the gloomy sky as he walked his way to the museum. His heart started to beat faster and his palms started sweating. He told himself earlier that he’s ready but now, he’s not sure anymore.

“Good day, Yoongi.” He smiled and lowered his head. “Good day to you too, Seokjin. I’m surprised you weren’t here yesterday.” He stopped on his tracks and looked at the man, a faint smile on his face. “I had things to do yesterday, that’s why. I’m glad that I am still welcome.”

“Of course, you are. Feel free to spend as much time as you want since the paintings will be delivered tomorrow.” He didn’t say anything anymore other than a nod and a sigh as he entered the museum. 

He walked as quietly as possible because he didn’t want Namjoon to find out that he was there. He was scared and unsure and he wanted a way for him to be able to escape if ever he decided at the last minute.

“Jin…” in the end, he couldn’t just turn his back despite how scared he was. He gave the younger one a faint smile and waved his hand a little. “Hi.”

“You- you’re here…” the younger one looked so surprised, as if he did not expect him at all. “I’m sorry. For not coming back yesterday. You must’ve thought that because of everything you’ve said to me, I no longer want to associate myself with you but that’s not what it is, okay? I accept you for who you are and I’m not going to leave just for that.” Namjoon only nodded to his words and didn’t say anything.

“Yesterday I was- I was reading. I borrowed all the books about witchcraft that I could from the library but… I haven’t found anything.” 

“But there was this one thing that has also been on my mind. I think… I think I know why I can talk to you. It’s because I, too, am cursed. And I might have been the one who put the curse on myself.” Namjoon’s eyes widened. He took a deep breath before starting his story.

“It was six years ago, when I still lived with my parents and my brother. They accepted me for my passion and what I loved doing. They were supportive in everything but we can’t really get everything we want, can we?”

“It was that night, when I felt like I wanted to tell them a part of myself that I’ve always been trying to hide. I’m- I’m gay. I told that to my family and I didn’t get the reaction that I wanted. They were all silent and my mother was the one who spoke first and told me that being gay is a sin and that they will never accept me for that.”

“I couldn’t take her words because I wasn’t ready so I ran outside. It was dark and it started to rain so I decided to come back when the rain had stopped but when I got home… My mother and my older brother were running outside our house. They said my father got into an accident because he was looking for me.”

“I cried so hard and blamed myself that night. He didn’t die, yes but what if he did? He would’ve died because of me. Because I’m gay.” He tried to stop the tears but he couldn’t. He was sobbing and he couldn’t continue speaking. His breathing fastened and his chest felt heavy. “Jin, it’s okay. Please breathe for me. It’s okay. We’re okay. I’m here.” Namjoon guided him and comforted him until his breathing was back to normal and he was calm again.

“It was a curse. Being gay was a curse and I told myself to never act upon it because it brought me nothing but to almost lose my father. So what if I loved a man and in the end a lose them as well? I will never be able to forgive myself.”

“Jin… you’re being too hard on yourself. It shouldn’t be a curse for being who you really are. You told me that but you don’t even apply it to yourself,” he wiped away his tears and gave the younger one a smile. “Because I don’t deserve to, Joon. I don’t.”

“Please listen to me. You do. We all do.” He looked at the ground and sighed. He knows but he couldn’t help and deny it. It was easier that way than to acknowledge what he felt.

“I-“ he took a step back and looked at Namjoon. “I have to go. I still have to find a way to get you out of there.” He didn’t wait for the other man to say anything and made his way out of the museum.

༒

He sat beside Taehyung and Jeongguk who went with him to the port. They were sitting on a bench, having to wait because they arrived 30 minutes earlier. “Are you really not going to visit him for the last time?” He shook his head in response. He didn’t know how to say goodbye. Even just by the thought of it, his heart already ached. He smiled bitterly at the thought and closed his eyes.

All he could see at the back of his mind was Namjoon. Their memories flashed in his head and a tear escaped from his eye. Namjoon… he sighed as he kept thinking about the younger man. He wanted to say goodbye but wouldn’t it hurt more?

“Won’t he be hoping that you’d come with something or even a farewell, only to have no trace of you at all? Just… nothing.” He turned his head to Taehyung and saw that he was already looking at him, along with Jeongguk.

“Would it really be better? I don’t want to see the disappointment in his eyes… I-“ Jeongguk held his hand with a soft smile on his face and said, “I don’t think he’ll ever look at you in that way, Jinnie. I may not see how he looks at you but the way you told us about him, I doubt he’ll ever do that.”

He couldn’t speak as tears started to flow. He needed to see Namjoon. He stood up and looked at the two who gave him reassuring smiles. On his feet, he ran as fast as he could to reach the museum. He didn’t even greet Yoongi. He ran straight inside and up the stairs, not wanting to waste any more time.

Once he was in front of Namjoon, he broke down on his knees and cried so hard. The younger one’s eyes became filled with worry, not knowing what was suddenly happening in front of him. “Jin…”

He looked up to the younger man while tears ran down through his cheeks. “Joon… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He covered his face with his hands as he continued to cry. “I tried so hard. I searched for even the tiniest clue but there was nothing. I’ve read so many books but I was always left with nothing.”

“I can’t even face you right now… I feel so guilty that I have thought of leaving without saying a word. That was so wrong of me, Joon. I was so afraid that I neglected what you might have felt.” His tears slowed down while his breathing became heavy. 

“Hey… please look at me. I want to see you even for one last time,” he slowly looked up to Namjoon and saw him smiling, dimples showing. “There you are. Beautiful as always.”

“Don’t- don’t blame yourself, okay? It’s not your responsibility and it’s not something you should carry. You, being there for me for the past week is something I wouldn’t want to change. Ever. You stayed with me, Jin. You accepted me wholeheartedly. You trusted me. I’m thankful for all of that.”

“Maybe we were meant for only a week and that’s okay. There’s really nothing we can do. I’ll be keeping all my memories with you in my journal and in me. Thank you, Jin.” They both smiled at each other, both with tears falling from their eyes. For the last time, they wished for the one thing they’ve always wanted but knew that it will never happen. To hold each other.

“N-namjoon… before I go, there is something I have to tell you.” His smile turned into a bitter one as he looke him in the eye. Namjoon responded with a hum, not taking his eyes off of him.

“I love you, Kim Namjoon.”

He wiped away his tears but they kept on flowing.

“Kim Seokjin… I love you.”

His hand covered his mouth as he cried harder and sobbed. Their hearts were aching so bad. They wanted to stay at the museum and be together like how they usually are but they had to part ways.

He couldn’t take to say goodbye and instead turned around. Every step felt heavier and it was so hard to walk away. He was zoning out as he walked that he didn’t even notice Yoongi. He looked back at the museum with a bittersweet smile. Goodbye. He turned to the direction where the port was and started to walk with his head hung low. He felt a drop on his face and noticed that it started to rain slightly. Even the skies are sympathizing with me.

“Kim Seokjin!” He stopped on his tracks as he heard somebody call his name from afar. “Kim Seokjin!” He heard footsteps and turned around to see who was calling his name. His lips parted and tears immediately rolled down his cheeks. 

“Kim Namjoon!” They both ran to close the distance and finally, their wish was granted. They were finally holding each other. They could finally feel the warmth of one another. 

They pulled away from each other with the sweetest smiles on their faces. “H-how…?” He asked, then his hand went to caress Namjoon’s cheek. “I-i’m not sure but… minutes after you left, I felt a sudden pull from outside the frame. I- I think I blacked out for a few seconds then I opened my eyes only to see myself at the ground.” Namjoon pressed his forehead against his and closed his eyes to which he did the same. 

“I love you, Joonie.” Namjoon used both of his thumbs to wipe away his tears. “I love you, Jinnie.” He pulled away and pressed his lips against his forehead, while his eyes remained closed.

He took Namjoon’s hands that held his cheeks and kissed their backs. “Please come with me to Paris.”

“I will, my love.”

They started walking with hands intertwined. When he took one last glance, he saw Yoongi smiling at them which he returned. He looked at the man beside him and his smile widened. Namjoon noticed and smiled back, showing his dimples.

The two were clueless of how they became free. Maybe because they were meant to be with each other. Maybe because of how many times they wished to be able to hold one another or maybe, it was because love was waiting for them all along but they couldn’t be bothered to think much deeply about the reason. 

For all that mattered at that moment was the fact that they were finally free. 

One from a curse, and one from himself.

the end.