Title: The Hanging Tree
Author: 93rdfragment
Pairing: KaiSoo
Rating: M
Warning: character deaths
Summary: Are you, are you coming to the tree?
***
There’s a legend about the big old tree in the middle of the park. From elementary to university students, the rumor passes unceasingly. The rumor that when the tree had been young, a man charged with three murders within the village had been hung on it. His lover, who had been captured and tortured as well, followed after him. She hung herself beside his 3 day old corpse. The branch could not hold their weight and soon broke. That’s how they explained the low branch collar that never grew.
Jongin stares up at the lonesome looking tree from his place beside one of its jutting roots. It looks arguably creepy at night. But he finds solace in this place. Away. Away from his tormentors. Away from the demons in the shape of humans. Away from misleading kindness. And closer to his love. Closer to the one who bears it all with him. Closer to Kyungsoo. To Kyungsoo who is limping towards him, face contorted in pain.
Only a blind man would not see how badly hurt Kyungsoo is. His face is bruised and bloody, his back hunching forward instead of its usual confident posture. An arm is cradling another which seems to be broken. One foot is dragged while the other struggles to hold his weight in shaky steps. Jongin’s chest hurts in indescribable pain as he watches Kyungsoo come nearer and nearer to him, choking when Kyungsoo’s busted lips move to form a small and strained smile.
“I’m here.” Kyungsoo gingerly sits down next to Jongin, face scrunching up and a sob coming out once seated. Jongin thinks there’s surely extensive internal damage. Wide eyes look back sadly at him and he feels even more mournful. “Tonight’s sky looks beautiful.”
Jongin struggles to find his voice which is raspy at best. “Nothing compares to your beauty.”
Kyungsoo’s sad smile is haunting, conveying desperate wishes and torn up dreams. Jongin’s eyes well up with tears. Kyungsoo’s voice is soft but filled with emotion. “You’re such a ball of cheese.”
“You know I mean it.” A cough racks through Jongin’s body and Kyungsoo’s brows knit in worry. But Jongin just leans back onto the trunk further, eyes unwaveringly trained at Kyungsoo. “I love you. I love you, Do Kyungsoo.”
“I love you, Kim Jongin.”
Tears freely fall from both pairs of eyes. Kyungsoo leans closer despite the pain and presses his lips on Jongin’s. It’s not the messiest or bloodiest kiss they’ve ever shared but definitely the most sorrowful. They stay like that for a while, unmoving, simply feeling each other’s lips. As if painted upon them are numerous declarations of love. But there were no longer promises of hope that had been there before. Only that deep love accompanied by resignation.
Kyungsoo moves away to look at Jongin, his good hand covering one of Jongin’s own. The sorrow in those eyes that Jongin loves dearly has him pulling up a stilted smile meant for a reassurance that is impossible to be given or felt. His gaze flickers to the gold rope necklace worn by Kyungsoo. It looks to be in a better condition than his own.
“Will you sing for me, Soo? Until we both fall asleep this time.” Jongin wants so badly to at least hold on to Kyungsoo’s hand tightly. But he couldn’t, his hand just twitching. Kyungsoo understands though and their hands are laced together tightly as the beginning of a song flows out of bloody lips. Jongin relaxes at the sound, continuing to watch Kyungsoo.
As time passes, Kyungsoo’s voice becomes ragged but the song continues, again and again. Until it finally stops. Along with Kyungsoo’s breathing. Jongin wills himself one last look before closing his eyes as well, a whisper of “I love you” falling softly.
In the morning, a jogger finds two dead bodies underneath the big old tree in the park. The larger’s death is caused by brain hemorrhage while the other’s death is caused by internal bleeding. Both sporting numerous injuries. The two identified as Kim Jongin and Do Kyungsoo are well-known in the area. Well-known for the fact that they were gay and in a relationship. Well-known for the fact that they had been ostracized and bullied for those reasons. Even by their families.
Beaten to death. A morose air falls upon the city. There’s a heaviness weighing down upon people. Kim Jongin and Do Kyungsoo are buried together underneath a sansuyu tree in the cemetery. A belated respect paid to them who had endured a lot until the end. Flowers fall daily upon their grave from the tree as if it too were paying them respect and showering them with a beauty they had been kept from experiencing.
There’s a story about the big old tree in the middle of the park. From children to adults, the tale is recounted unceasingly. It had been a meeting place for two lovers scorned by everyone else. Underneath the night sky, they would find each other there, nursing wounds and clutching at shattered hopes. They basked in the short-timed happiness they could steal away. They knew no other love but the one they had for each other and held onto it despite everything. And they died holding onto that ill-fated love. That’s how there is always a multitude of flowers underneath the big old tree on a certain day of the year.
***
Author’s Notes: The result of watching Mockingjay and having The Hanging Tree stuck in my head. (I seriously think Katniss = Kyungsoo and Peeta = Jongin. Someone write this.) This is just a mess so I apologize for butchering the song which you all have to listen to. It’s hauntingly beautiful. Tidbit: Sansuyu trees are a species of dogwoods whose flower may hold the meaning of “enduring love” among others. And that’s about it. Have a good day everyone!