Chapter 17: Luna

                                    

                                          

"What?"
Seonghwa felt the heat rising in his cheeks, a vivid flush painting his usually composed features with a rosy hue. His mouth twitched involuntarily, his tongue stumbling over nonsensical syllables as he desperately sought to form a coherent excuse. The words, ""I'll kiss every scar on your body to heal you," tumbled out in a jumble, a chaotic attempt to rationalize why he had blurted out such an audacious declaration in front of Hongjoong.
"Uh! I-I'll... um... I mean... I can...I can heal you...." he stammered, each word feeling heavier than the last as they hung in the air, pregnant with uncertainty and embarrassment.
As the silence stretched between them, Seonghwa's mind raced, frantically searching for an explanation for his impulsive outburst. He couldn't fathom why he had uttered such an intimate promise, nor could he understand the rapid thud of his heart that echoed loudly in his ears.
His gaze flickered nervously to Hongjoong, searching for any sign of comprehension or judgment in those piercing eyes. But all he found was a mixture of surprise and curiosity, mirrored perhaps by his own bewilderment at the unexpected turn of events.
Seonghwa soon realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that he had laid bare a vulnerability he hadn't even known existed, exposing the tangled mess of emotions swirling within him. And as he awaited Hongjoong's response, he couldn't help but wonder what had possessed him to speak so recklessly and what consequences his words might bring.
"I...I don't know why I said that," Seonghwa awkwardly chuckled, his cheeks redder than the blood about to be spilled. "I think it must be the wine talking." 
"Right," Hongjoong dragged out the word, ensuring to nod with each second he made the word longer. "But, I mean, I'd love to take ye up on that offer," he winked, lifting his now-healed hand toward Seonghwa's face with caution, not wanting to scare him. He then pushed some of Seonghwa's blood-matted hair to the side to get a better view of his face. 
"Please," Seonghwa smacked his hand away with an eye roll. "It was a slip of my tongue. The wine is taking control of my thoughts." 
"I am just messin' with ye," Hongjoong laughed, taking a step back. "But, um, seein' how ye are covered in blood. We should get ye back to the room so ye can change and rest." 
Seonghwa's gaze swept across the somber landscape, taking in the silent expanse of the graveyard that stretched out beneath the overcast sky. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of leaves, a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the lives that had once filled this space.
Beneath the canopy of a majestic willow tree, its graceful branches cascading like curtains of green, Seonghwa found himself enveloped in a solemn tranquility. Each drooping leaf seemed to carry whispers of memories long past, a silent tribute to the souls that rested beneath its shade.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Seonghwa's lips as he stood there, a gesture of quiet reverence for the solemn beauty that surrounded him. With a gentle tilt of his head, he gazed up at the towering willow, its branches swaying gently in the breeze, and closed his eyes, allowing himself to be embraced by the timeless serenity of the graveyard.
"Do you hear that?" 
"Hear what?" Hongjoong looked at them with confusion, placing his hand on his sword, but the elf placed his hands on Hongjoong's to reassure him.