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“I love you,” Intouch cried, watching hopelessly at Korn’s body as he raised the gun to his head. In spite of the cries by his father, Intouch was hell bent on following his love into the grave, and so he pulled the trigger.
Yet, death never came to Intouch. He was blessed, as most people would consider it. The last bullet was lodged in Korn’s head, leaving Intouch firing an empty shot. He should be glad, glad that he was still alive. But all he could feel was dread.
How could he live a life without Korn? It might have just been a year since Korn entered his life but they’ve been through so much that Intouch couldn’t imagine a life without him anymore. They had dreamed of a future, a forever together after all.
Now that future was just Intouch’s.
He cried angry tears, unbelieving that Korn just threw him and their future away. How Korn left him behind and how Korn made him watch the person he loved most die before him and being able to do nothing but cry.
“I hate you,” he cried this time, arms hanging weakly beside him.
Then his vision went black.
-
“Hello P’Korn,” Intouch chirped.
Years have passed since Korn’s passing and Intouch has since regained his bright self. He was no longer depressed by the events that happened, no longer resentful of Korn’s actions or even their parents’ rejection of their sexuality. Intouch was happy now.
“I brought you food! I made them myself! I promise it tastes good, your nephew taught me how to make it. He’s an amazing chef, you’d be proud.” Intouch said as he laid out the containers of food he packed.
Lighting a joss stick, Intouch whispered a silent prayer before he got to cleaning up Korn’s grave. He went about his day as he wiped down the tombstone, taking extra care to polish the picture of Korn emblemed in the stone. His gaze was forlorn, distant even as he remembered the man’s face. Intouch caressed the picture, imagining he was caressing Korn’s instead.
“Fate is a funny thing, P’Korn. Who knew that your nephew would end up falling helplessly in love with my stone of a nephew. Dean is so much like you, cold and brooding but owns such a big heart. And Pharm is such a sweet, strong child. It’s cute, they remind me of us. I’m glad they got together, they’re good for each other.”
Intouch cradled his knees as he spoke, eyes never leaving Korn’s grave. Anyone seeing him might imagine this to be a sad scene but Intouch thought different. He was content in the moment. Content to be near Korn, trusting Korn to be with him.
“Watch over them, Korn. Let them have the happy ending we didn’t get to. And I’m sorry. This is years too late but I’m sorry, P’Korn. I never should have said I hated you.”
A tear escaped Intouch’s eyes, thinking about what he said to Korn then. He didn’t even turn up at his funeral, to heartbroken to even send the man off on his last journey.
It was only years later as Intouch walked out of the pain did he realise how much Korn was thinking of him in his last actions. Intouch recognised how Korn sacrificed himself to protect Intouch from his father, and from being abandoned by the family he loved. He knew he could never stop the stubborn Intouch to leave him so he did the only thing he could. It seemed selfish to Intouch initially, but he always knew Korn’s responsibility never considered further than protecting the ones he loved.
“You’re a stupid, stupid man, you know that? We could have fought together, you know I would have stood by you in anything. Hell I would have followed you to your grave if only the barrel wasn’t empty. But I guess I’m glad I lived now. I’m glad I could have been there to watch the birth of your nephews in your stead, love them and protect them the way you would have. I’m living for us both, P’Korn, so don’t you dare get bored whenever I come to visit and tell you about my day. You owe it to me.” Intouch huffed.
A gentle breeze caressed Intouch’s face in that moment, earning a chuckle from the man. It always happened whenever he visited Korn’s grave as he huffed indignantly. Almost like Korn was trying to appease Intouch like he used to. And so he allowed himself to relax in the calm breeze, soaking in the sun and the presence of the man he loved the most. Quiet, wasn’t something Korn could really associate with Intouch then but Intouch has since learned the art of expressing yourself through silence.
It was only when his phone rang did Intouch finally snap out of it. The sun was beginning to set and he knew it was time to leave.
“Uncle In, you ready to go? P’Dean and I are almost there!” Pharm asked.
“Almost, come and pay respects to Korn before we leave. I’ll wait for you both here.”
“Okay, see you!”
Intouch started packing up the food he brought as he hung up on the call. Giving the grave one last wipe down, Intouch leaned to place a soft kiss on Korn’s photo. It was a habit he formed over the years, and no matter how weird it may come across to anyone, Intouch never cared. He knew Korn could feel it, so he continued.
It was right about then where the couple arrived, hand clasped in the other. Intouch shook his head laughing, remembering the times they both danced around the other not daring to admit their feelings just then.
“Hi Uncle In, Uncle Korn,” they chorused.
“Oh stop being sweet and adorable and hurting my lonely soul.” Intouch teased, instantly bringing a blush onto Pharm’s face. Maybe they weren’t all that similar, Intouch thought, he wasn’t this shy and bashful.
Dean rolled his eyes at Intouch before reaching for the joss sticks, lighting them for both him and Pharm. It was a quick one as always, the pair saying a simple prayer and sticking the joss sticks into the grass. They only knew of Korn through Intouch’s stories after all.
“Help me carry the bags, Dean. Pharm, leave the bags alone, you’ve already been great help by teaching me how to cook.” Intouch warned when he noticed Pharm reaching to grab the bags.
“Yeah, or you’d have poisoned Uncle Korn in his death.” Dean quipped, earning a slap to the shoulder by Pharm and a sharp glare by his uncle.
“You’re really like Korn. Anyways, watch over them, alright? I love you, I’ll visit soon.” Intouch’s gaze softened turning to look at Korn’s grave. Dean and Pharm knew to give the elder some time in silence, letting him gather his thoughts before leading the way to the car.
“I love you too, In. I’ll do my damnedest best to ensure they don’t experience what we had together,” Korn whispered to the air, watching the love of his life leave with their nephews. A sad smile adorned his face, but he knew this was for the better. He would keep waiting until the day old age takes his lover back to his side to whisper all the apologies and ‘I love you’s he couldn’t hear in the decades that Korn left.
Until then, Korn would keep watching over them. Until they meet again.