» gardens

@✦ lee seokmin He knew then that Seokmin did not know he had died. Seonghwa was quick to materialize as the other reached out, his shoulder nice and solid for patting while his eyes practically flood with sadness. Lying to the male was not something he wished to do, but he seemed so bright and happy now— he was not looking forward to dimming that light, not when he knew how much Seokmin had to go through to earn it. What would be the best way to say, ‘Hey. I actually died.’ without derailing the entire mood?

Instead, the male plastered a smile onto his pretty features, white teeth shining as he prays the taller male hadn’t noticed his temperature too much. Seokmin had always been the observant type. “I have been.. alright. Dealing with life one day at a time, ya know?” He makes eye contact for a moment and then looks away with a nervous laugh. “I was a teacher, for pre-school children? They were my everything.”

It was true. Seonghwa adored his class more than anything else in the world, just like he had loved his job. So much so, he would die for one of them. Another sullen look flickers behind his eyes and he lifts his chin with a more confident expression, reaching out to pat Seokmin on the arm. “I’m glad you found a place to embrace your gifts, Seokmin. Do you enjoy working here?” He would ease it into the conversation and maybe then the news wouldn’t be so hard to hear.

@✧ park seonghwa²⁰²³ Seokmin couldn't hide his excitement. He's literally beaming and dripping with joy. Of course, his workplace isn't exactly the best place for a so-called reunion with his childhood friend slash savior. But hey, at least he could see him again, right? So it wasn't that bad, after all. Though Seokmin felt like something was off with the other. From the way he was fidgeting and looking restless, contrary to Seonghwa who once sparks with confidence, he wonder if he made the latter felt uncomfortable somehow. Or maybe it was just the age - Seonghwa seemed more matured than the last time Seokmin saw him. Besides, it was normal for people to go through changes over the years. Even he, himself had his personal episodes that made him the way he is right now.

Seokmin laughed brightly at the other's comment regarding his height, "I know, right? Who would've thought that scrawny little boy grew up this tall. I guess the daily banana milk paid off!" he joked, lightly patting the latter's arm out of habit. He remembered how Seonghwa would defend him before the bullies that torture his days throughout highschool. Honestly, Seokmin never fear those thugs - he had something even more terrifying lurking around him. But it felt nice to have someone that was brave enough to stand up for him by his side.

"Oh, you're not?" Seokmin tilted his head slightly, confused. Before he could probe for more, the other's question brought another laughter bubbling out of him. "No, no," Seokmin waved off, "I work here." He grinned. It wasn't an ideal place to work at nor something to be proud of by most people. But Seokmin had passed that phase of hiding behind other's perception. He's quite content with himself right now. Besides, he's sure Seonghwa isn't someone who would judge him for something so trivial. "How are you though? What are you up to these days? I haven't heard from you since what... first year highschool?" he ended up asking.

@✦ lee seokmin Somewhere in the back of his mind, a tiny voice was nagging at him to speak up- to say literally anything as the familiar male speaks so animatedly to him… but he was busy attempting to process this turn of events. So…he could see him? Seonghwa briefly glances down at his hands, confused. He wasn’t materialized, other humans didn’t turn or acknowledge his presence so why… ah- right, Seokmin was never like the others. Seonghwa stumbles as he is bumped into, catching his balance and blinking as he takes in the male’s older appearance. “… You ended up slightly taller than me.” Smooth, Hwa.

He coughs awkwardly, cheeks warm as he rips his eyes off the handsome face of his precious friend. The way in which the teacher held himself was dull, he no longer had the sense of happiness to him like he used to, nor did his eyes glimmer any longer when he speaks up. It was like a shell of a person remained in a previously joyful body. Glancing off to the side, he shakes his head. “No, I’m not here to visit anyone.” Could he not tell? Maybe it was harder to tell than he had thought. “Did you come to visit someone?” Clearly it wasn’t him that brought the other around, it having been over a decade since the two saw each other last.

Seokmin had always been a special person. The kids at school used to bully him for the things he said he could see, enough to where the claims eventually stopped coming— it always broke Seonghwa’s heart to see him struggling, the slightly younger male fully believing everything the other had to say. So it was true then. He could see spirits, the souls of the dead… when he was younger, Seokmin always had described it as if it were a curse, but Seonghwa at this moment couldn’t help but feel selfishly overjoyed about his gift.

@✧ park seonghwa²⁰²³ (( aaaa ignore my length too lmaoo kshskhsk.

Seokmin hummed softly under his breath, kicking the pebbles beneath his feet carelessly as he swayed his legs back and forth. It wasn't common for him to spend his break at the garden - considering he preferred to be in the pantry most of the time, just mingling around and getting to know the new residents. Yet somehow, something brought him to the garden today. Maybe it was the crave for summer breeze, or the therapeutic nature that blessed his eyes everytime he sit here. Nevertheless, he just found a sudden urge to enjoy some time alone in the garden today.

Although, it's hard to be alone when you're a Lee Seokmin. He almost choked on his banana milk at the sudden appearance of a man leaning over. "What-" he coughed out, almost stumbling back in his seat. It took him a few seconds to recover and finally digest the sight before his eyes. That's when recognition dawned. Seokmin gasped. "Seo-seonghwa?" he blinked in surprise, finding it hard to believe what he had just seen. "You-you're Seonghwa, right??" Out of nowhere, Seokmin broke into a huge grin. "Yah, Park Seonghwa! It's been a while!" He stood up, almost knocking over the other in excitement, "Are you doing well? Oh wait- did you come here looking for someone? Who are you visiting?"

@✦ lee seokmin // Sobbing ignore the length if it’s too long. I tried to condense it a bit but I am notorious for maxing starters oof

The truth about the afterlife as a ghost is that it’s eerily similar to life before death. Some days are bad, some great. Unfortunately for Seonghwa, today wasn’t the best. On days like these, the specter found himself wandering the gardens, seeking solace in the peaceful atmosphere that nature provided. What he hadn’t expected was the man sitting on one of the few benches scattered throughout the garden. It wasn’t exactly unusual to see a human around here, but this wasn’t just any human. He knew this man.

Edging closer to confirm his suspicions, Seonghwa squatted down slightly and stared at the man's face, eyes wide as he recognized the features, albeit aged since he last saw them. Shocked beyond belief, the teacher stood up and murmured to himself, not corporeal at the moment and fully believing his words to be safe. “Oh my god, it is Seokmin.”

The man seemed to startle, looking up and locking eyes with Seonghwa in a manner that was far too accurate, causing the ghost to flinch slightly. Could he see him? Seonghwa's eyes widened as recognition flickered in those familiar eyes, leaving him aghast as his childhood friend acknowledged his presence—despite his lack of one.