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After weeks of not being able to go anywhere near the garden, Wonwoo finally left his library and slowly walked there. He stopped at the door and looked inside through the glass.
When Junhui came to live with Wonwoo, his only wish was to have a garden. The Underworld wasn't a good place for a garden that Jun truly deserved, but Wonwoo made it possible.
The best space he found to place the garden was in an area inside his castle, close to his private library. It was kind of a terrace, so it was outdoors, but even so, he made a glass dome to make sure the plants stayed safe. In his mind it made perfect sense.
Jun thanked him and started planting on the same day. He spent almost his entire days there and only joined Wonwoo during meals. And so it was for a while.
Until one day, Jun entered his library and asked Wonwoo to accompany him to the garden. He wanted to show something.
''Even the darkest place can blossom.''
That's what Jun said as soon as they entered the garden.
Wonwoo, speechless, looked at the man, who was distracted looking at the flowers, and thought that what he was seeing was really beautiful. Prettier than any flowers in that garden, or the world.
''It's beautiful, Junhui. Thank you for letting me see this.'' The Dark Lord said, not taking his eyes off the man in front of him, who was still staring at his flowers.
Since this day, Wonwoo would sit in the garden and while reading one of his books, he would listen to Junhui talking about each plant that was blooming there. The Garden Fairy, as Wonwoo liked to call Jun in his mind, even told stories about the meaning of some of the flowers.
‘’Oh, this one is Hyacinth. Woozi, the god of the sun and music, once had a love called Hyacinth, but she died. Then, Woozi was so sad and devastated that he created this flower out of her blood.’’ Junhui said, showing the flower to Wonwoo, who listened without taking his eyes off the man.
Wonwoo held the last straw of the flower, it was dying like almost all the flowers in the garden. Since Jun was gone, Wonwoo wasn't able to take care of the garden, even knowing the basics about gardening, because Jun taught him. He wasn't strong enough to be in there alone. But some specific flowers were still alive. Wonwoo thought that somehow Jun's magic was still present there.
He continued to walk through the flowers and saw the first one Jun planted. Lily of the valley. He remembered Jun saying that this flower could mean sadness and isolation.
‘’Of my existence
Because half turned into you
I understand that sadness’’
‘’Your isolation and sadness got me the moment I stepped here. I could feel your pain somehow.’’ Jun said, holding the flower carefully. ‘’It was the first one I growed.’’
Wonwoo felt his heart hurt.
‘’And now I understand your sadness.’’ Jun said, holding Wonwoo’s hand. ‘’I’m here to share it with you.’’
He dropped the flower and walked to the next. Alstroemeria. Jun explained to him that this flower represented them at that moment. Friends. Partners. Wonwoo liked it. It was his first time having someone close enough to consider him his friend, since a long time ago and since he got his cat and his infernal dogs.
"I like being your friend. You are kind to me. You could be the worst, like some stories, but you are sweet, respectful and patient with me."
Wonwoo wished he could say that he was only like that because Junhui taught him. But he couldn't find the correct words. He was afraid to scare Jun. He just thanked the man and smiled.
Wonwoo looked at the flower again. It was dead.
The yellow lilies were one of those left alive. They were beautiful. And were side by side with the lavender. Junhui liked to let them close.
"You are not the Dark Lord they talk about up there, you are different and I can see it. And I am grateful that you allow me to see that side. Your true side.’’
Wonwoo was speechless. No one ever passed through his walls. He didn't even know how this happened. Actually, he knew. Every day that passed, he was more enchanted by Jun; by the way he was; the energy he brought to his place. Jun gave light to Wonwoo's dark castle; to his life. The affection and care he had with his flowers was beautiful. And also the care he had with Wonwoo; the care of trying to get to know him and understand him before judging him. Wonwoo was grateful too.
‘’And I’m grateful for your existence, Junhui. I will always be.’’
The violet was on the other side. The day Jun talked about this flower was a bad day. Wonwoo had to deal with some rebel souls trying to start a revolution and some demigods trying to invade the place. Cerberus got hurt and Wonwoo saw red. And Jun's mother tried to contact him asking him to escape, she said she could help him. Jun said it was okay, that he was fine there. But his mom didn't want to accept.
Seungcheol, Wonwoo's brother and the god of the gods, tried to contact Wonwoo, saying that the Dark Lord should be harder and severe with Jun's punishment. Wonwoo just blocked the communication, saying that in his castle he did the rules. He didn't know how his brother knew about his good relationship with Jun. No one outside the Underworld has access to what happens there.
‘’I will not leave you, Wonwoo. I will stay. I’m fine here and I like your company. I do not care about what my mother thinks about you. I know the real you and I trust you. I want to be here with you.''
Wonwoo hugged Jun for the first time. He touched the man for the first time. Jun hugged him back, but harder. Jun smelled like flowers and comfort. He was warm. He felt like home.
Wonwoo snapped out of his memories and let go of the flower. This tour was hurting him, but he wanted to remember. He needed to remember. He stopped by the yellow tulips and smiled. This one was him.
After Jun promised that he wouldn't leave Wonwoo, the Dark Lord started looking in his library for a book that could explain to him the meaning that flowers have. That's how he discovered this beautiful flower that represents happiness. He walked to Jun's garden and found it there. Standing alone. Beautifully. Wonwoo carefully pulled the flower out and took it to Jun, who was in the castle's dining room, drinking tea and looking out the window.
''Junnie.'' Wonwoo said, making the man look at him. ''I bought this for you. I was reading about and found it, and the moment I saw, I knew I should give it to you.''
Jun got the flower in Wonwoo's hands and smelled it.
''Just like this flower, you are the sunshine. Your smile, your presence is able to outshine even my brother. You brought life and light to this place, Junnie. I feel better because of you.''
Jun hugged Wonwoo for the second time. But this time, he kissed his cheeks and smiled.
Wonwoo continued to walk through the flowers. Each one with its own meaning, own memories with Jun. But the Aster caught his attention. The classic flower of the gods altars. He never had one. But he saw his brothers having various of that flower.
''I planted this for you, Won. I want to give it directly, if you allow me.''
Wonwoo placed the flower next to his bed. It was still there. Alive.
The last flower he saw was the white rose. Standing alone, beautiful. The day Jun planted the white rose was the day Wonwoo told himself that he was completely in love with Junhui.
‘’This one is pure. It can represent eternal love. I prefer this meaning. I like to think that this flower represents a love so pure and deep that is eternal.’’ Jun said, taking his eyes off the flower to look at Wonwoo. ‘’The red carnations I gave you means unconditional love, but I prefer this one, this little white rose, to represent what I feel for you, Wonwoo.’’
''If there's an eternal love then you're that person, Junhui.'' Wonwoo said, holding his hands and pulling him close.
Smiling, Wonwoo looked at the white rose, hoping that one day he could die and be reincarnated in a world where he could be with Junhui.
‘’Your hands are springing and warm
There will be a beautiful flower
That flower language loves us’’
Wonwoo got some seeds out of his pockets and, side by side with the white rose, he planted the forget-me-not.