Taking the Blame

For: kaiura

Couple: Yadong

Prompt: taking the blame

2031 words

Love, sometimes, because of this, we tend to forget the reality of things. We tend to ignore the truth that is right in front of our eyes, we tend to overlook the consequences of our actions. But love makes us see the goodness in others. It helps us value every minute of our lives. It gives us the courage we need to sacrifice for others. But how much are we willing to sacrifice? Time? Effort?

DongWoo stood there, confused and scared. He knew he was to blame for this, he knew it was his fault and yet his tongue seemed to stop forming words. Hoya glanced at his friend with wide eyes, his whole body shaking and unable to comprehend what was happening. He couldn’t believe it, his own best friend, the person he treated like a brother, just stood there and watch him being punished for all the crimes he committed.

“You will be sentenced to death by hanging on the 22^nd of May 1923.”

Tears started streaming down DongWoo’s face. He was a coward. He was a traitor. He wasn’t fit enough to be his best friend. He did nothing to owe his wrongdoings; instead he just let his best friend, the one person who stood by him his entire life, the one person who never gave up on him, take the blame for him. He was willing to sacrifice his own life for him.

Hoya never again mentioned what happened, in fact, he never spoke to DongWoo anymore. Not because he didn’t want to, or he couldn’t do so, it was because he never got the chance to. On that very same day, DongWoo immediately went into hiding leaving Hoya alone as the day of his execution drew nearer. Guilt began to eat up DongWoo. He dreamt every night of Hoya’s tear-stained face but soon formed a smile when he saw DongWoo. DongWoo began crying in his sleep every night, being woken up by the sounds of his own sobbing. He didn’t know what to do anymore. He didn’t have Hoya to help him out, he didn’t have Hoya to lean on. He was alone.

Hoya stayed in his cell while waiting for is upcoming death. Somehow he was glad that it was not DongWoo in this position, but him. He was scared, not knowing what would happen next but we still could not remove that feeling of relief that DongWoo would live, even if it means that he would have to die in his place. This was not the kind of ending he’d imagine. He’d always imagined them sitting in a bench together, watching their grandchildren playing, their wives, making their lunch, sadly these will now remain as a figment of his imagination. He needed to content himself in living in his own fantasy.

Days continued to pass and Hoya’s execution drew nearer and nearer. Fear now began to creep up to Hoya. He was terrified of what happens, worried the people he’d be leaving behind but most importantly worried about the life of his best friend. Once he leaves, who will take care of DongWoo? Once he’s gone, who will be the one that will get him out of trouble? Without thinking, he decided to write a letter for him.

DongWoo,

                I don’t know if I’ll still be alive if ever you get the chance to read this but in case you do there’s one final request I would like to ask you. Please, I want to see you one last time before I die. I know that I’ll be putting you in greater risk of getting caught but please, this is my final request. To tell you the truth, when I saw how scared you were during the trial, it made it easier for me to take all the blame. You have done so much for me DongWoo, and you don’t even know it. You have helped me in more ways that you realize. You have loved me more than I could ever love you.

 As my time slowly dwindles down, the only thing I could think of is you. I’m worried for you. I always want to be by your side DongWoo and I know you know that. I always want to be the person you’ll cry on or lean on whenever you have problems. I want to be that person whom you can share everything for you, your joys, your problems, your sorrow, I want to share it all, even the blame. I had never thought I’d do this for anyone in my entire life but now as I face death, I am glad that I did it for you. If it were another person, I probably wouldn’t have done so much as bat my eyelash but with you, I’m willing to take all the blame.

 I’ve always thought that you and I will always be together. I had always dreamed about you and I growing old together but sadly, that dream will never become a reality. Please, live that dream for me DongWoo. You have to live.

Hoya

As DongWoo read the letter, he couldn’t help but cry. The guilt that he’d been fighting ever since had finally took over him. Regret filled his heart and a new kind of determination suddenly swept over him. He made his way back to the city, intending to make it up for his friend’s final request.

“DongWoo!” Hoya said as he ran towards his best friend, two guards watching over him as he went to meet his friend.

“I thought I’d never get the chance to see you again.” DongWoo nearly cried as hugged his best friend tightly, tears began streaming down his face.

“Don’t cry DongWoo, this is not the end for you. Promise me you’ll stay strong.” Hoya said as he wiped the other’s face with his hands, a smile forming in his face.

“I’m sorry Hoya, I couldn’t protect you. I wasn’t able to save you.” DongWoo said as he hugged his brother once again.

“DongWoo don’t blame yourself, it wasn’t your fault. I did this of my own free will.” Hoya said, patting the other’s back.

“You didn’t have to do this. Why didn’t you just let them take me instead?”

“I couldn’t live with myself if I find out that someone hurts you. I want to do this for you brother.”

“Why Hoya? Why did you have to do this?” DongWoo continued to sob into Hoya’s shoulder not wanting to let the other one go.

“DongWoo, remember what I told you in the letter. You’ve done so much for me, so this time I want to make it up to you. I have given you a second life, my brother, please I want you to not waste this opportunity anymore. Live your life to the fullest.” He said as he held DongWoo at arm’s length.

The guards then lead Hoya back to the room where he would be hanged. The moment he let go DongWoo burst into loud cries, trying to pry the guard’s hands off Hoya and two guards had to restrain him. It wasn’t long before he started to attack the guards and when one of them hit him in the face Hoya lost it and began punching the guards to leave DongWoo alone. Hoya was then carried to the room for him to wait while they calmed the situation down. While inside however someone then approached Hoya and handed him a letter. It was from DongWoo.

Hoya,

                I’m not worthy to have you as my brother. I am not fit to be called your brother, nor your friend. I’m a coward and a liar. I have done nothing to deserve you and your love. Do you remember that time when we were kids? You were always the brave one, the strong one and I had always pulled you down. Instead of helping you, I would always get you into trouble. You were always the one whom I cried to. You were always the one who’d taken all the blame. You were always the one who had to sacrifice for me but this time not anymore. I won’t let you take the fall for me this time around.

One of the things I learned from you is how to man up to my responsibility. I learned how to take courage when faced with trials. You taught me how to owe every consequence of my actions. And now it’s time for me to show you what I have learned. I know you would disapprove of my choice but this time it’s my turn to decide. One of the things you kept reminding me of is that you should take your own course in life. You should learn how to live your life according to your beliefs and this time, I will show you how much I have learned from you.

I went here today not because I want to see you, but because I want to take the course of my life in my own hands. This time I am taking the blame for my own actions. I’m sorry for not telling you this but it’s the only way I can think of to make it up for you. I’m sorry.

DongWoo

Hoya threw the letter away and towards the room where the execution will take place. He was just in time to watch as the guards place a noose around DongWoo head and right before tightening it, DongWoo looked up, met Hoya’s eyes and flashed a soft sad smile.

“No!” Hoya called out as they tighten the rope around DongWoo’s neck, strangling him to death.

Hoya began attacking the guards one by one punching them in where ever he can, wanting to avenge his friend. Hoya then brought down his body and carried DongWoo’s head on his lap, his smile still visible on his face. Tears streamed down Hoya’s face teardrops falling onto DongWoo’s lifeless face.

“DongWoo, why did you have to leave me? You promised me we would live together and die together. We promised each other that we’d always stay by each other’s side remember. You didn’t have to do this. You would have done me a favor for living a longer life.”

Suddenly, a group of guards came barging in, intending to arrest Hoya but true to his word. He would not be going down without a fight. He started with the first group of guards, about two of them and both were unarmed. It wasn’t hard for Hoya to take them down no problem but more and more guards continued to arrive. Guards armed with guns and knives soon arrived, and their motive was no longer to arrest him. They wanted to kill him now. He had caused too much damage to be kept alive. Hoya kept fighting with DongWoo’s words only in his mind.

‘You were always going to be my brother DongWoo. No matter what happens, you will always be a part of me. No matter what you say, no matter what you do, no matter what you turn out to be, I will always love you. You don’t need to make up for it because your presence itself is enough. You say that I’m the strong one, that I’m the brave one this time you have become the stronger one. You have done what nobody on this earth would have done. This time, you have sacrificed something much greater than anyone else would have imagined. You say you want to take course of your own life, and so you decided on this by yourself, now it’s my turn. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to keep our promise of us growing old together but at least I’ll be able to keep my promise of us dying together. I’ll see you soon my brother. Wait for me. We’ll be together soon…’

BANG! A loud gunshot echoed throughout the entire room and Hoya stopped, placing a hand over his chest, trying to stem the blood flow of his bleeding wound and doubled over. Two more gunshots sounded and Hoya’s body soon feel to the ground, eyes opened and waiting to see his brother again. 

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AN: I'm not sure if this is how you wanted it to be but hope you enjoy it. :)

StarlightSpirit: Why dod I cry so hard at this yet I can sit through sad movies and not cry. Yadong feels, where do you come from and why have you hit me so hard? This is a work of art, author! <3

Comment from prompter

Omo... I am so happy with this I can't even say :)

My eyes were watering by the end and fanfics never get me to tear up. It seems so much liek Hoya to be the first one to take the fall, but Dongwoo stepping up doesn't surprise me either. 
You did such a great job :) Thank you so much! Though now i feel sad omo :(