Jiyong walked along the beach surf, the waves rushing up and up and up to cover his toes in sand with every step. He was alone, for the most part, the beach was still empty since it was fairly early in the morning. The dog days of summer were over, the early morning chill blowing along the coast, messing up his hair and causing him to stuff his hands into his shorts pockets.
He walked slowly, with no particular destination or determination, nodding politely at the few runners who went by him and watching the birds hover over the water. It was a semi-cloudy day but everything looked blue to him, even the sand and all the buildings. He didn't feel sad but the nostalgia was everywhere and he hated nostalgia. This was he and his sister's favorite place to paly, before she'd been abducted. This was where he'd gotten married.
He hadn't been back here in over a year. Sometimes when he thought about how much had happened since he'd left, it felt more like years and years, and by now surely he must be an old man. He could still remember it all though, how heartbreaking it had been here, but how exciting it all was too. Mostly terrifying though, which was why he'd left, and why he hadn't tried to come back. He didn't miss it here, instead more worried that he'd fall back into this place like an addiction he never wanted. It was like being a recovering alcoholic; no matter how many years go by, you still worry about coming into contact with drinks.
There had been good things here though, which is why he had a hard time completely despising it. He'd met a lot of really great people and really awful people, but most importantly he'd met his husband here. He could still remember how turbulent that relationship had been at the beginning, how strange it all was, holding on to something he'd thought for sure he would lose in a matter of months. He couldn't even recall how many times he'd genuinely thought Angel was going to leave him. Like the others.
He still worried about that sometimes, but they'd been married over a year now, with a son in tow, and a million memories stacked as high as the moon, and he was happy. He hoped angel was still happy too, but they spent everyday together, and everyday they still laughed and teased and cuddled each other to sleep. It wasn't always easy, but nothing ever was.
Which reminded him... Did Seungri know where he was? He should probably call him to let him know, but Jiyong was in no hurry right now, the beach was lulling him into an inner peace. Knowing Seungri, he was probably waking up their son, Shiitake, and making him eat breakfast; he wouldn't be too worried yet. Jiyong kept strolling with his hands in his pockets, content that no matter what had happened before, to anyone seeing him by now, he was nothing more than a passing stranger.
