#waning crescent hotel

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.4k / Ending B - 4.2k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

After Mun Hee runs away from me, I’m left to search for someone who can give me the answers that I want to know. In the lobby I search everywhere for Jiwoo, Yong, or Soon Bok but they’re not around. Deeply exhaling, I begin to search the halls for them seeing as I, stupidly, left my only communication device in the garden. The main floor yields no results, forcing me to search the 100 level.

As I near the 160 rooms, Soon Bok’s aggressive instructor voice reaches my ears. I pick up my walking pace and near the room that she’s in. 168.

“The left side of the corner goes UNDER the right side.” Soon Bok demonstrates with her hands. “No, no, under. UNDER.”

I lean against the door frame and, with amusement, watch her get fed up and take the sheet corner from the employee and fold it herself.

“Under.” She repeats the instruction and rises to full height. Picking up her clipboard again, Soon Bok turns on her heels and nearly jumps out of her shoes when she sees me standing in the doorway. “(y/n)!” The other employees in the room shoot into an upright position at the mention of my name.

I wave a hand at them, dismissing them back to the duties at hand. “I don’t need that. Don’t do that again.” I tell the employees, letting a tiny ounce of annoyance slip in to emphasize my distaste for the attention.

“Can I help you with something?” Soon Bok asks without malice and steps closer to me.

“Mmm,” I hum, “What room did you put Dokyeom in?” I ask, tapping her clipboard.

She glances down for a second, “218.”

“How long is here for?” I continue to ask for information.

“9 days.” Soon Bok states simply.

I nod, “Good to know.” Then I glance behind her at the trying-not-to-be-obvious obvious gazes from the employees, “And I think the manual says left over right, Soon Bok.” I say loud enough for the room to hear.

Soon Bok pushes me out of the room, “(y/n), stop it.”

I let out a short laugh and notice the employees in the room stop moving, shocked that their cold CEO can let out a laugh. Some of their eyes even grow large. Others don’t really know how to process the new information. I, on the other hand, enjoy their confusion immensely.

“Hey!” Soon Bok looks over her shoulders at her mannequin employees, “Get this room ready. And it’s UNDER.” She instructs with an underlying threat that they all understand.

With another small push, I’m standing in the hall and Soon Bok closes the door behind her.

“Will you stop messing with my employees, please?” She pleads, readjusting her clipboard against her body. “At least give them a few months before you pull stunts like that.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” I ask, playing innocent.

“You’re going to confuse them and send this hotel into a downward spiral.” Soon Bok explains, walking away from me.

I quickly catch up to her and match pace. “The Gods would never allow that.” I reason. “When I’m gone, they’ll keep this hotel running swimmingly. And instead of hearing my annoying voice, you’ll get to read instructions off of little notecards left ominously on your office desk.” I say with a cold chill.

Soon Bok just blinks blankly at me before nodding her head to the side, “But I won’t be able to joke with anyone.”

“Mun Hee and Yong will still be here.” I remind her.

“Mun Hee doesn’t understand half of my jokes and Yong is really busy with the rest of the hotel.” She says with a sigh.

“Oh.” I’m at a loss for words.

We reach the elevators and Soon Bok presses the ‘up’ button.

“I’m headed to the 800’s, do you want to come with me?” She inquires, watching the number in the little square above the elevator doors decrease.

I shake my head, “No. I have some champagne to finish in the garden.”

“Alright, enjoy your champagne.” Soon Bok smiles warmly at me as the elevator reaches us.

Now, I watch as the number above the elevator doors increases until it stops on 8. Just one less than the amount of days I have to wait for Dokyeom.

~The Ninth Day~

Thunder booms through my ears, lightening cracks across the dark sky, and rain hurtles at the windows of the conference room. I needed a change of scenery for today’s form signing and decided this was a good, quiet place. My fingers drums against the table as I rest my hands on either side of a stack of boring forms with another stack a little further away. I stare at the pen laying on top of the stack in front of me.

Sighing, I pucker my lips and give into my hotel duties. I pick up the pen and start scanning the top paper.

“And if the blah blah blah creates an un-blah blah blah with the blah…” I mutter under my breath. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

I finally reach the bottom of the page and a small 'x’ next to a blank line tells me that’s where I need to put my signature. Putting the pen to paper, my muscles pull my signature from memory. Two seconds later, I pull the pen away and reveal the signature that I consider retched but other seem to consider beautiful.

Thunder claps again, this time so close that the walls rumble. I sigh and place the signed paper on top on the other signed papers. Then I work on reading the next one, and it’s a stapled packet.

The door opens quietly but I think nothing of it as it’s probably Yong coming to check up on me. But it’s not Yong’s voice I hear.

I hear giggling. A child’s giggling. Children giggling. And pattering footsteps.

“Hi.” A young girl runs up to my right side with a smile.

“What are you doing?” A young boy asks from my left side.

“Yeah, what are you doing?” Another child asks and as I look around, more children crowd around me.

“Hey, give her some room.” Dokyeom’s voice says to the children from the doorway. “Be polite. Remember what we learned.” The children back away a few steps but stay relatively close by.

I raise my head up and meet his eyes. He smiles brightly with his eyes squinty.

“Sorry, they wanted to come and visit.” Dokyeom says sheepishly, “And I couldn’t say no to that.”

I hum with amusement and look down at the children who all smile up at me with bright smiles. “You can come visit me anyti-”

As I lift my head up to Dokyeom’s, a crack of lightening flashes through the room and I’m left alone. Like I’ve always been. They were never here. My brain just created them and my eyes thought…

I sigh and rub my hands over my eyes. I should’ve known it wasn’t real. I wasn’t allowed to interact with his students but that didn’t mean he couldn’t tell me countless stories about them.

Refocusing, I reread the first section of the stapled packet and trudge my way through the rest of it. On the last page, there’s a spot for me to put my signature.

My hand floats just above the paper when the echo of Dokyoem’s hand guiding mine takes over.

'You may have better cursive than most of my students.’ He chuckles, 'But you’ll never have better cursive than me. Let me show you how it’s done.’

I remember the smirk he had on his face when I glared at him. The ghost of his chest pressed against my back grows more prominent and I can feel his warmth as he guides my hands through the loops and straights of the cursive of my name.

'See?’ Dokyeom’s voice whispers, 'Doesn’t that look so much better?’

I look down at the paper and notice I’ve signed my name in the way that Dokyeom showed me. Something I haven’t done since I left him. Running my hands over the dried ink, a smile full of warm memories grows on my face.

I set the pen down on the table and hold the papers in my hands while resting my elbows on the table. Tilting my head side to side, my eyes trace over the ink and after all these years, I think I finally see the beauty in Dokyeom’s version of my signature. There’s a childish vibe tangling with a chic one. Much like his real personality. It’s why he was such a good teacher. Playful with the students and polite with the parents.

Flipping the packet to the first page, I place it on top of the signed pile with one hand while the other picks the pen back up.

As I near the bottom of the final form, somebody actually knocks against the conference room doors.

“Come in.” I say, while signing the form.

“You’re still signing those?” Jiwoo asks, stepping into the room and I set the pen down.

Looking up at him, I smirk, “Actually I just finished.”

Jiwoo nods, impressed, “I actually thought it would’ve taken you longer.”

“You underestimate the magic in these hands.” I raise my hand and wave my fingers at him.

He laughs out loud, “There’s no denying that you have magic.”

“Do you need anything?” I ask, thinking that not much time has passed since he gave me the forms at nightfall.

“Just your presence in the garden.” Jiwoo says calmly.

“It is not…” I trail off, looking around for a clock but of course, I never set one up in here.

Jiwoo pulls out his phone and shows me the time, “Oh, it is.” He smiles warmly and replaces his phone in his pocket.

I push back from the table and walk to the doors. “I guess the storm screwed up my timing.”

“Well, you can’t see the moon so it makes sense that you lost track of time.” Jiwoo comments.

“The moon doesn’t dictate that.” I argue as I reach him at the doors.

He raises his eyebrows like the answer is obvious, “For you, the moon dictates everything. Including your mood.”

I open my mouth to defend myself but Jiwoo speaks before I can even form a word.

“You know it’s true so don’t even argue. Crescent moons you’re in your best moods. Full moons require 2 bottles of champagne and Blue moons require a minimum of 4 bottles.” He lists off the reasons and I have to admit, it is true. The moon reminds me why I’m here and I retaliate by swinging my moods to the different phases.

I sigh and lower my head in defeat, “Alright, you win. Just be prepared for the next Blue moon, I will not be so kind.” I threaten him.

“If you’re still here.” He points out and then nods his head towards the hallway, “He’s waiting for you.”

My head rises and I happily smile, “I’ll be going then.”

Jiwoo waves goodbye and I make my way through the halls. My feet continue to walk me to my garden while my heartbeat beats harder. By the time I’m a few feet away, I can hear and feel my heartbeat in my ears.

“You are a tree. T. R. E. E.” Dokyeom’s voice trails out from the garden. “A really pretty tree.”

I walk in and find Dokeyom facing the tree with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I think that’s the first compliment it’s gotten in its entire life.” I say while holding back a giggle.

But Dokyeom is startled by my 'sudden’ presence and nearly jumps out of his skin.

“AH!” He screams, jumping to face me. With eyes wide and blinking like a deer in headlights, Dokyeom just stares at me.

I cover my mouth with my hands and try so very hard not to laugh.

“Why would you sneak up on me like that!?” He screeches when he’s collected himself.

“I’m sorry.” I stifle out, really trying not to laugh because I should be feeling kind of guilty but… it’s Dokyeom. “I forgot how easily you scare.”

“Has it really been that long?” Dokyeom pouts.

I lower my hands and smile sweetly, “I guess it has.”

Dokyeom instantly wraps me up in a tight hug and my arms instinctively wraps around his waist, resting snugly against his form.

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long.” He whispers into my ear, all traces of his earlier scare gone.

“I’m the one who should be sorry.” I tell him, glancing over at the bare tree.

“No way.” Dokyeom pulls back and holds me by the shoulders at arms length, “You don’t have to be sorry. I guess neither of us have to be sorry.” He realizes with scrunched eyebrows.

I hold his hands that are still at my shoulders reassuringly, “I guess I won’t be sorry if you won’t be sorry.”

He straightens up and nods, “Fine by me.” Dokyeom then walks behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Though, you did wait a long time.”

“Dokyeom.” I warn him and turn my head to glance at him.

“Just saying.” He mumbles through a pout, then he wonders, “Where did you go?”

“Back here.” I tell him and hang my hands from his arms.

“Just here?” Dokyeom wonders, looking around the garden.

“Just here.” I confirm. “Someone has to run this hotel.”

“Who’s going to run it when you leave?” He asks, giving me a small squeeze.

I shrug, “Whoever the Gods pick.”

“Ah, I see.” Dokyeom says softly.

I tap his arms to release me and begin to walk forward towards the bench. Dokyeom follows but keeps his arms wrapped around me.

“You know that Yong lady?” He asks as we settle onto the bench.

I chuckle, “Yes, I know her.”

“She reminds me of you.” Dokyeom says.

“How so?” I question.

“Well,” He clears his throat, “She’s got this like cool, unbothered aura around her but when you get her talking, I can sense she’s softer and more relaxed. Like you. And, and, I told her a joke once and she laughed but then a guest arrived and it was like someone flipped a switch. She changed her resolve so fast.” He explains.

“This is a hotel.” I remind him, “We have to be on our best behaviors for the guests.”

“We? I never saw you out on the floor though.” Dokyeom comments innocently.

I give him a questioning look.

He readjusts his posture so he’s angled towards me, “In the nine days I was here, I never really saw you out in the hotel helping guests.”

“I, I don’t really do that work.” I stutter. “I’m usually in my office… or here.” I nod towards the tree.

“So then 'they.’” Dokyeom giggles.

“What?” I ask.

“They have to be on their best behaviors for the guests.” He corrects my earlier statement. “Since you’re in your office or here.”

“No, I mean, yes, but I occasionally help guests too.” I defend myself, stumbling over my words a bit.

“Wish I could’ve seen it.” He puckers his lips.

I roll my eyes before saying, “You know what I wish I could’ve seen?”

Dokyeom looks over at me with curiosity, “What?”

“You teaching.” I nod at him with a small smile.

“Why?” He asks, his eyebrows scrunching together.

I shrug, “Why not? You always talked about how much you loved it and you were always going on and on about your students. So I’ve always wanted to see you in your element.”

“You remember all of those?” Dokyeom wonders, “Like all the stories I told you?”

“Maybe not all of them, but a good majority.” I tell him, “I never forgot them.”

“Even with 12 others you didn’t forget them?” He asks, looking at the bare tree.

I smile and link my arm with his, “You’re a little difficult to forget.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Dokyeom looks back with a playful smirk. I laugh at his ability to switch moods so quickly.

Pulling him closer, it’s now my turn to rest my chin on his shoulder. “Will you tell me more?” I ask, batting my eyes at him.

“More stories?” He asks and I nod. “There’s not really much to tell.”

“I still want to know.” I tell him and his shoulders relax while he inhales deeply.

“Alright, let’s see.” Dokyeom grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. “I will say that it was a bit difficult after you left.”

“A bit?” I question his wording.

“Okay, extremely.” He corrects himself, “But I couldn’t really show it in front of my young students. I kept teaching though, for a lot of years. When I retired, I think I was the teacher highest number of years at the school. My kids were nagging at me for years to retire because they could take care of me and their mother but I guess I was kind of stubborn.” He chuckles, “Eventually I left the teaching world though.”

“You married?” I ask with relief, “And had kids?”

Dokyeom nods happily, “I did. My relationship with my wife took some years but then the kids came quickly.”

“How many did you have?” I question, pressing his arm tighter into my chest.

“3 kiddos.” He says proudly, “My first son grew up to be a chef. My daughter went on to be a doctor. And my youngest son followed my middle child, he became a doctor.”

“You must’ve been proud. Having children who could support you once you retired.” I sigh happily that his children lived comfortable lives.

“I was. I am.” Dokyeom says and nods. “Though I never understood how my oldest became a chef. He was always so clumsy and then he went on to choose the career with some pretty big and sharp knives.”

“He didn’t every hurt himself, did he?” I ask, suddenly worried for a soul I had only ever seen from a distance.

Dokyeom shakes his head, “A few knicks here and there but no, he was never seriously injured from his job. His silliness did cost him a few bruises though.”

“Oh no.” I breath out but Dokyeom simply laughs.

“Like once, he was playing with my daughter’s daughter and somehow got his feet tangled in her toys and face planted onto the floor.” Dokyeom recalls, “My youngest son gave him shit about it for weeks. The poor kid couldn’t live it down until the next time he clutzed up.”

I let out a breathy chuckle and he continues with stories.

“My daughter was so aggressive towards my oldest sun but she was an absolute protective angel to my youngest son.” He say with a smile. “But my youngest would always try to combat it and protect her from any and all things dangerous. Including her future husband.” Dokyeom suddenly points a figure at me, “And no, I did not tell him to do it.”

I raise my free hand up in the air, “I wasn’t going to ask.” I say with a giggle.

He narrows his eyes at me, “But you were thinking it.”

My eyebrows lift slightly. “Maybe.”

Dokyeom barks out a small laugh and his eyes sparkle with delight. Just like they did back then when I could pull laughter from him like a magician pulls the scarf from his sleeve. With ease.

“Were there any more stories from your teaching?” I ask, “Those were always my favorite.”

“That I do remember.” Dokyeom says and squeezes my hand. “Mmm, let’s see.” He thinks for a couple seconds before telling the story of a school picnic that somehow ended in a large water fight.

I listen in awe and wonder as he retells the tales of his classroom where everything from stuttering presentations to wild test answers were seen. He tells me about how some single parents were super, super nice to him and I have to point out that I’m sure they had some other motive. Dokyeom, of course, doesn’t believe me until I point out that the super, super nice single parents were usually mothers. His face of realization is pure gold and I memorize it in a flash, not wanting to forget it.

From school stories, we move to stories of his household. The quiet years when it was just him and his wife to the chaos of raising three kids. He vividly remembers when his daughter went to her first school dance and how fast his heart was beating because his precious princess was growing up. Dokyeom swears he was not that protective but his sons were telling everyone about his 'over’-protectiveness.

Dokyeom says he did a lot after he retired and his stories certainly prove it. He has stories from his simple life, from his experience with grandchildren, and from the outings he had with his friends as they all aged together.

Throughout all the stories, Dokyeom’s warm smile never fades and I hold onto that warmth, even when the sun’s warmth begins to disappear below the horizon.

“I hope it’s going to be warm.” Dokyeom shivers and presses closer to me.

“It will be.” I say softly. “It’s simply perfect.”

“Do you think any of my students will be there?” He wonders, staring at the chrysanthemums sitting at the base of the bare tree.

I run a hand through his hair, “Maybe. Depends on how many lives the Gods gave them.”

“I hope none of them are there yet.” He wishes, “They all deserved to live many, many lives.”

“I’m sure they lived a great many.” I tell him, “After all, they crossed paths with you.”

“They did, didn’t they?” Dokyeom lets the thought lift his spirits a bit. “Will you walk with me?” He asks, gripping my hand tighter.

“Of course. I will go as far as I can go but I will go with you.” I reassure him.

He nods and we stand up together. With my hand wrapped securely with his, we walk out of the garden. One foot in front of the other and I feel like each step gets heavier and heavier the closer we get.

“You won’t forget, will you?” Dokyeom asks but doesn’t look at me. Instead he looks straight ahead with his head held high.

“Forget what?” I ask, watching his face closely.

“That I have a mole on my left cheek.” He lists off the items he doesn’t want me to forget, “That I’m afraid of lady bugs. That I’m a movie nerd. That you can’t be trusted with the directions because that one time you got us lost for 3 hours. That I still remember the night you tried to surprise me for my birthday but you tripped over your own feet and spoiled it. That I was one of the 13. And that I love you.”

We stop in front of the departures door as he finishes. I turn to him and lift the corners of my lips in a small smile.

“I won’t forget.” I tell him, “And that means you also can’t forget that I love you.”

Dokyeom gives a single curt nod, “I would never.” He grabs the door handle and swings the door open, “Wow, the sun sets fast.” He comments at the darkened sky.

“She’s got places to be.” I joke and step out, “And I like the moon better anyway.”

“Everyone always told me I was like the sun,” Dokyeom says, “But secretly, I always did like the moon better.”

“I do remember you telling me that.” I say as we get closer to Shin and the waiting car.

“February 18th.” Dokyeom blurts out suddenly.

“Your birthday…” I trail off in confusion.

He nods, “That’s the one thing you need to remember. You can forget the others if you can’t remember them but please remember my birthday.”

“I remember all 13 birthdays.” I grab both of his hands in comfort, “I never forget birthdays.”

Dokyeom presses his lips together, “Just, just make sure you eat an apple on my birthday.”

“An appl- why?” I’m taken aback at his request.

“You know,” He looks at me with wide eyes, “Apples are things you give to teachers and I was a teacher so you should eat an apple every year on my birthday. To remember your teacher.”

I glance over at Shin and he also has a look of confusion, though not as obvious as mine. “I-”

Dokyeom giggles, “I was joking.”

My confusion dissipates and a small smile reaches my face. I reach out and cup his cheek in my hand, “I’m going to miss you. You and your jokes.”

He grabs my hand and presses a kiss into my palm, “I’m going to miss you, too.” Dokyeom then pulls me into a tight hug and nuzzles his face into my neck.

I close my eyes and breath in his comforting scent. The one that could always settle whatever storm the Gods had brewed up. The one that would wrap around me on the coldest of days.

All too soon, Dokyeom pulls away and presses a kiss onto my lips. Then he pulls away completely.

“I love you, (y/n).” He says confidently, not caring who may or may not hear.

“I love you, Dokyeom.” I smile and wrap my arms around my waist.

Dokyeom smiles happily and walks to the car. Shin waits until every last bit of him is inside the car before he definitively shuts the door. The car begins to drive away and in the back seat, Dokyeom turns around and waves at me. I raise an arm and wave back, hoping he can’t see the tears filled with sadness that line my eyes.

Only when the car is completely swallowed by the forest fog do I lower my hand and replace it at my waist. It is then that a white chrysanthemum waves its final goodbye before withering away.

I wait at the forest’s edge for a few more minutes and let the tears fall. But the hotel’s glow grows bigger and I know the hotel is in full swing. Which means I have more work to do and more loves to wait for.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“What’s the first thing you’re going to do on the other side?” Dokyeom asks, looking towards the setting sun.

I shrug, “I honestly have no idea. What are you going to do?” I throw the question back at him.

“I’m going to try,” He emphasizes 'try,’ “To find you and win you over.”

I giggle, “You might just succeed.”

Dokyeom hops onto his feet, “Then let’s go test this theory.” I stand up next to him and he grabs my hand.

“Not just yet.” I tap the top of his hand with my free hand, “I have to say goodbye to my people first. They’re technically my family.”

“Of course. I always knew they were close to you but I never realized how close.” Dokyeom says thoughtfully.

“It’s hard to know when you didn’t have the whole story.” I tell him with a knowing smile.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Dokyeom grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Dokyeom and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Dokyeom softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Dokyeom securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if you this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.8k / Ending B - 4.7k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“And there’s a problem with one of the elevators.” Jiwoo says sheepishly and I close my eyes in frustration, a scowl growing on my face.

Stopping in the middle of the hall, I look up at the ceiling and pucker my lips together. “What’s next? The front doors break?” I say up to the Gods, not caring if they are actually listening or not.

Jiwoo raises his eyebrows at me, “You wanna be challenging them like that?”

I lower my gaze to him and narrow my eyes, “I will do as I please.”

Jiwoo holds up his hands in surrender.

Taking a deep breath, I compose myself again, “Add it to the maintenance list and I’ll wrestle with it tomorrow.” I instruct him.

“Will do.” Jiwoo nods and we continue on our way.

“Is he still with Soon Bok?” I ask him, getting tired of hearing only the sounds of our shoes hitting the flooring.

“Yes, she should be finishing the tour and should be heading to his room.” Jiwoo answers just before we hit a more open area and guests mill past us.

“What room?” I ask, ignoring most of the guests even though they offer polite smiles.

“Number 177.” Jiwoo informs me. “The one with the huge book shelf wall.”

I smile, already knowing the answer to my thought, “Well, let’s hope he enjoyed books in his …” I look at him to finish my sentence.

“Oh,” Jiwoo quickly realizes what information I’m searching for, “6 lives.”

I nod, “Pretty average. But let’s hope he enjoyed books in at least some of his 6 lives.”

Jiwoo shrugs, “If not, it’s a nice aesthetic wall.”

I pat him on the shoulder, “I’m glad you think it’s good for staring at. Because I definitely spent hours picking each book so that it could be just a good photo opportunity.” I finish sarcastically.

“Not everyone’s a reader.” Jiwoo rolls his eyes.

“They should be.” I retort.

“Anyway…” Jiwoo changes the subject as we reach the edge of the lobby, “Will you be joining the us for the celebration this weekend?”

I open my mouth to give my regular ‘no’ answer but two males cut me off. They barrel through the front office doors, a brunette following a few steps behind a blonde one. Both seem angry and on edge.

"I saw you with my girl!” The brunette shouts.

“I don’t what you saw, man, but I was never WITH your girl.” The blonde one responds and flicks a certain unpleasant finger behind him, “So leave me the fuck alone.”

The lobby slowly gets quiet and not a soul moves, not even me or Jiwoo. Jiwoo out of fear and me cause I kind of want to see where this leads.

The brunette jogs ahead of the blonde and forces him to stop, “Just tell me why you were with my girl and then I’ll leave you the fuck alone.” The brunette seethes.

“Dude.” The blonde holds out his hands, “We’re best friends. Why would you think I’d be with your girl? Do you really think that low of me?”

“You know, after the stunt you pulled with Henry, I wouldn’t put it past you.” The brunette spits.

The blonde gets right up in the brunette’s face and presses finger into his chest, “None of that was my fault. I was the one who got played and yet everyone seems to believe otherwise.”

“The evidence is pretty clear.” The brunette grits his teeth.

Jiwoo slowly leans over as if any faster and the men’s radar would latch onto him. “Shouldn’t you do something?” He whispers.

I shrug and look at him, “They’re only yelling right now. I don’t have to do anything until the-”

The sound of someone crashing against a column cuts me off. I look over and find the brunette pushing off of the pillar, anger steaming off of him. The blonde drops into a fighting stance.

Sighing, I uncross my arms, “Now I do something.” I mumble, quite annoyed that they would cause such a scene when they’re dead. It’s not like they could kill each other here.

I stalk closer to the brawling men who now have a fistful of each other’s shirts. When I’m a few steps away, I clear my throat loudly to get their attention.

They both glance at me for a second before returning to staring at each other.

“Leave us alone, sweetheart.” The blonde says lowly.

“This is none of your business.” The brunette adds.

I scoff, “Actually, this is entirely my business seeing as you are acting ridiculous in my hotel.”

The men land a few punches on each other but remain close.

“You want to kill each other?” I wonder but the men don’t answer, “You’re already dead so there’s no point in trying.”

Both men pause, look at me, then back at each other. And a new kind of fury is awoken in them.

“YOU GOT ME KILLED?” They both scream just as I was thinking they were going to back down.

They begin going at each other again but this time with more anger and all I can do is groan. After giving them a couple seconds, I walk towards them to pull them apart. I grab both of their arms and before I can 'magically’ send them flying away from each other, the men swing the arms I’m grabbing. With their combined force aimed at my stomach, I’m sent skidding backwards on my side across the floor.

When I finally stop sliding, I jump to my feet, ready to kick both of their asses. But when I look up, Mun Hee is restraining the blonde one while the brunette is being shoved backwards by a guest.

“Hey, cool down man. Cool down.” The guest says and my ears instantly recognize his voice: Wonwoo’s.

“(y/n), you okay?” Jiwoo jogs over to my side, worried.

I swat at my pants, “I’m fine.” I answer him without taking my eyes off of Wonwoo as he stands in front of the brunette male.

“You probably shouldn’t have told them they were dead.” Jiwoo states and I shoot him a glare. He frowns and nervously glances around the lobby.

“Let’s try this again, shall we?” I clasp my hands behind my back and look at the brunette then the blonde with cold eyes. They both instantly realize they may have screwed up and lower their defenses.

“If you would’ve actually stopped to look at where you were, you would’ve stopped at the front desk and understood what was going on.” I explain as they step closer, Wonwoo and Mun Hee not far behind. “And what is going on is that you both have died. Congrats.” I give them a sarcastic smile. “And unfortunately, your souls don’t have another life lined up so.” I gesture to the hotel, “You have come here to greet your past lives once more before heading to the place where your soul will rest peacefully…. Hopefully.” I say, mumbling the last word in disgust.

The men look at each other in a bit of shame and embarrassment.

“From my understanding,” I continue, “You both died because you were fighting over some bitch-”

“She’s not a bitch.” Both males cut me off with the same sentence before sharing a menacing look which has Mun Hee and Wonwoo on alert for another fight.

“And you walked right into the street, where, well you know.” I finish, ignoring their intrusion. My words sink in and they both soon realize that I’m being serious and am not joking, which turns them somewhat somber.

“So what do we do?” The blonde asks.

“You go get assigned a room, stay here for the duration of your lives, and then get the hell out of my hotel.” I snarl. “Oh, and stay out of my sight. I’m already annoyed with you two.”

“Oh, actually.” Mun Hee chuckles and raises a hand, “He’s supposed to go to Hotel Blue Moon.” He points to the blonde male who’s eyes widen.

“What is that?” The blonde asks, afraid it might be somewhere along the lines of hell. And man do I wish that is true.

I glower at the lobby wall, “It’s the place where souls go before living another life.” I say, ready to have a very strong word with the Gods.

“What about me?” The brunette wonders, glancing at me like he’s afraid to be left here in my hotel.

“Can I see your palm?” Mun Hee steps forward and examines the man’s palm. “Hmm… You too. You’re not supposed to be here.”

With my annoyance nearing my tolerance levels, I turn away from the small group but before I walk away, I tell them, “Get out of my hotel.”

Without waiting for them to respond, I walk away hoping for silence so I can mentally scream profanities at the Gods and Hotel Blue Moon. But instead of silence, I hear footsteps following me.

I run a hand through my hair and turn to face the idiot following me.

And by idiot, I mean the man who let me sit in his book store for hours and the man I loved.

“Hi, sorry.” Wonwoo nervously rubs the back of his neck, “Uh, I was just headed to the library.” He makes up an excuse.

I press my lips together then point back the way we had come, “The library is back that way.” I inform him.

He turns around and I use the chance to slip down an unknown hallway, hidden by a tapestry.

“Actually, I was…” I hear Wonwoo turn back around, “Going to ask if you were okay.” He finishes before sighing.

I turn my head to the side and look down at the floor, listening to his footsteps retreat back towards the lobby. Part of me feels kind of bad for ditching him like that but another part of me doesn’t want to get close to him until he’s the soul I knew.

Which is going to take 6 days.

~The Sixth Day~

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask Mun Hee who is laying on my couch, his eyes squeezed shut in pain.

“The Wonwoo guy asked me to bring him a bunch of supplies last night.” He groans and I walk to my desk to add some more files to my growing stack.

“What kind of supplies?” I question and lean back against my desk.

“Books, paper, glue, binding, and some book covers if we had them.” Mun Hee says and I chuckle because of course Wonwoo would want those supplies.

He was a bookseller when I knew him but he cared for books just as much and found a lot of joy in fixing old books.

“Ugh. My shoulders are killing me.” Mun Hee rolls his shoulders backwards.

“You’re already dead.” I remind him.

“Way to shoot a man while he’s down.” Mun Hee sasses.

I shrug. “Eh.”

“So much love.” Mun Hee mutters.

I chuckle and move to sit in my desk. But before I can, the door opens and Yong pops just her head in.

“Hey, Wonwoo’s in the garden.” She informs me and I nod with a smile, “And have you seen Mun Hee? He disappeared a while ago and I haven’t seen him anywhere.”

I point to the couch and Yong steps into my office to look, “Right there.”

“Mun Hee!” Yong raises her voice a touch, “Get back to work. Goodness, I am not your mother.”

Mun Hee rises to his feet, “Feels like it sometimes.” He grumbles and then follows Yong out of my office.

When I step into the hall, I hear their echos of laughter floating farther away. After securely closing my office doors, I turn down the hallway and head for the elevators. I rock back and forth in my heels anxiously while the elevator slowly approaches my floor. The elevator finally arrives and opens its doors. I quickly rush inside and furiously press the lobby floor button.

“Come on.” I encourage it to go faster but hey, like everything else about this hotel, it doesn’t listen to me.

Eons later, the elevator reaches the lobby and releases me from its squared hold. I rush out and nearly run into Jiwoo.

“Woah, hey, where’s the fire?” He wonders as I continue past him.

“Can’t keep my man waiting.” I throw a wave at him over my head and his only response is laughter.

About halfway down the hall, I pause to control my breathing and straighten out my dress. After I’m satisfied with the way I look, at least the way I think I look, I walk the last little bit to the garden.

Peeking in, the midnight moonlight illuminates the area with a crisp, clean look. The bare tree somehow looks less dead but only very slightly. The usually hidden bench is out in front of the tree and its subsequent chrysanthemums. And sitting on the bench, with his nose buried in a book as per usual, is Wonwoo. A simple broad striped sweater hugs his shoulders and his glasses sit prominently on his nose. With one leg bent over the other and the book in his hands, he looks like the perfect gentleman.

“Took you long enough.” Wonwoo comments and turns to the next page of his book, “I nearly finished three chapters while waiting for you.”

I roll my eyes and walk around the bench, “I had things to do, Mr. I-can-read-500-pages-in-5-hours.”

“That’s a bit exaggerated.” He closes one eye in thought but then breaks out into a smile. “Come here.” Wonwoo grabs my hand, pulls me down, and securely wraps me in a hug. He doesn’t care that his place in the book is lost as the front cover closes shut.

I chuckle and snuggle close into him.

“I missed you.” He breathes out after a bit of silence.

“I did too.” I mumble into his chest. “I’m sorry for leaving.”

Wonwoo shrugs and I readjust to be sitting properly. “It was what it was. I’m just glad to know that you weren’t dead.”

“Well, I can’t exactly die.” I give him a silly smile and nod towards the tree.

“I know that now.” Wonwoo says a smile on his own lips. The smile that knocked me off my feet every day.

“What were you reading?” I ask, glancing at the book now in his lap.

Wonwoo picks it up and holds it out in front of us. “The one I’ve read a million times.”

I squint my eyes in thought, “You’ve read a lot of books a million times, so which one is it?”

Wonwoo chuckles and knowing that I can still make him laugh with my mundaneness makes me very happy. “Sherlock Holmes.” He says, setting the book aside.

“Is it still fun to read after the first time?” I wonder.

“Of course it is.” Wonwoo answers as if I lost my marbles. “You get to go back and pick up on details that you missed during the first read.”

“Yeah, but you have to read it all again.” I give a small, shy smile.

“But you would rather spend all your time staring at me while I read.” Wonwoo stretches out his arms arrogantly.

I hit his chest playfully and he retracts his arms while laughing.

“I heard you’re the reason Mun Hee was in my office complaining about his back.” I say following a groove in the tree with my eyes.

“Am I? Oh, is it from all the stuff I asked him for?” Wonwoo wonders then clicks his tongue, “I told him I could help if it was a lot. But he said he was fine so I just sat in my room.”

“Sounds like something Mun Hee would do.” I nod my head, “How did you like your room by the way?”

Wonwoo smiles contently, “I loved it. The wall of books was beautiful. You had all my favorites in there.” He nudges my shoulder with his shoulder.

“Took me ages to find all of them. Some of them were quite old.” I say with a slightly apologetic look.

But Wonwoo shakes his head, “Don’t worry. I fixed them all.”

I look at him in wonder, “You fixed all of them?” I ask.

He nods, “Yeah, most of them just needed some binding repairs and the rest weren’t that hard to repair.”

“So that’s why you asked for the supplies and broke Mun Hee’s back.” I realize though I should’ve realized sooner.

Wonwoo laughs and my heart flutters happily at the sound. “That’s why I needed the supplies.”

“You didn’t read all of them in that time, did you?” I double check and give him a questioning look.

He boops my nose and scrunches his face at me, “No I didn’t. It took me a whole lifetime to read all those books.”

“A whole lifetime.” I repeat his words.

“How did you even find all those?” Wonwoo asks, playing with my hand, “I read most of those after you left.”

I smile bashfully, “I kind of guessed.”

'You guessed?“ Now Wonwoo gives me the questioning look.

"After I left, I just kind of kept an ear open in the book world and sometimes I would come across a book that just felt like you would really enjoy. So I brought it back and started a collection in that room.”

“But other guests use that room.” Wonwoo pouts, feeling kind of jealous that other people would’ve read those books before him.

“Nah, only the right touch can get certain books off the shelf.” I tell him with a knowing smile, “I made sure that no one but you or I would be able to read the special ones. To every other guest, it’s just a really aesthetic wall.”

“Well, look at my girl go.” Wonwoo says smugly.

“So.” I say, wanting to change the topic.

“So?” Wonwoo responds, turning his body slightly to face more towards me.

“I wanna know…” I pause.

“Mmhm?” He nods once, encouraging me to keep speaking.

“Did you end up married to your books or did some lucky girl come and steal your heart?” I ask with a genuine smile of curiosity.

Wonwoo chuckles but I notice the light behind his eyes dims ever so slightly. His chuckle dies down but he doesn’t say anything. Instead he just looks at the tree, contemplating.

“You know I’m not mad if you did move on.” I clarify, “I honestly wanted nothing more than for you to be happy and I wanted you to find it after I left. You deserved that happiness.”

I know Wonwoo hears me because he chews on the inside of his cheek but he still doesn’t say anything.

“What you didn’t deserve was falling into the pain of me and my punishment.” I say apologetically, “It happened to twelve others and I never for a moment thought any of you deserved that pain.”

Wonwoo wraps an arm around me and pulls me close again, “Oh, it’s not your fault. It’s that damn demon’s and trust me if I ever get the chance to meet it, I will get revenge for what it did to you.” He presses a kiss to my temple before whispering. “I did marry.”

I smile and ignore the slight pain slicing through my heart. Even though my words about wanting his happiness are true, it still stings.

“I met her like 5 or 6 years after you left.” Wonwoo recalls and the memories sparkle in his eyes, “She first started coming in and reading her own books. Then she’d come in and read the books I had on the shelves. Then she started to watch me while I repaired books.”

“That must’ve been awkward.” I giggle.

“It was at first.” Wonwoo agrees, “But then she did something and I knew she was supposed to be in my life.”

“What’d she do?” I ask, intrigued.

“Remember the first edition book you and I repaired together?” He wonders.

I nod, “How could I forget that? I was finding glue in random places for weeks.”

Wonwoo chuckles at the memory, “You’re the one knocked over the glue can.”

“You’re the one who put it on the edge of the table.” I banter back.

“Anyway.” Wonwoo squeezes my arm, “I kept it in a showcase box near the back of the store. Hardly anyone asked about it and those who did only wondered if it was for sale. But she, she inspected it and then asked if I had put it together.”

“And what did you tell her?” I probed.

“I told her that I had repaired with someone special. I think she could see or hear the bit of sadness in my voice cause she didn’t dig deeper.” Wonwoo explains, “So then I asked her what made her think that we’d done it by hand. And she,” He laughs, “She said cause the back cover was crooked and on the part that poked out, she could see some writing. Somehow made out my name.”

I chuckle and think back to the night we stayed up for hours trying to decide what to write there. Like it was our will that would go down in history as the most important document ever. The warm tea cup in my hands and the burning candles that painted the room in rustic comfort.

“And then that was that really. We dated for a while, got married. and then we raised three kids.” Wonwoo continues his story.

“Three kids?” I inquire.

Wonwoo nods proudly, “Three. Changkyun was my oldest then came the twins, Soyou and Lisa. Changkyun protected the girls well and the girls grew up tough all thanks to him.”

“Nah, I’m sure you had a large part in that too.” I reassure him. “You were always tougher than I. Even in future lives.” I reference the first day of his stay.

“Oh, I totally was going to ask you if you were okay that day, but you just disappeared.” Wonwoo remembers and pouts that he didn’t get the chance to ask then. “Part of the punishment I’m guessing.”

“Actually I don’t know. I never really tried so I don’t know if it’s against the rules or not.” I admit. “But I, uh, I didn’t want to find out.”

Wonwoo gives me an understanding look, “Totally understand. It couldn’t have been easy being stuck here for all those years.”

“For the first hundred years, it was awful.” I tell him, “But after that, I grew numb to the passing of time. It just kind of happened like that.”

“So while you were numb to time, I was terribly sensitive to the passing of time.” Wonwoo ponders the thought.

“Kids grow up too fast?” I guess.

Wonwoo looks at me with confusion cause how am I supposed to know what it’s like to have kids.

“I overhear guests chatting with each other and a big part of the conversations are kids and how they just grow up so fast.” I explain pointing a thumb behind us towards the hotel.

“Ah, I see.” Wonwoo murmurs, “But yeah. They just kept growing and then all of a sudden, my wife and I were empty nesters and then a second later, we had grey hairs on our heads and grand babies in our arms. Completely crazy.”

I giggle at his amazement, “So what did your kids end up doing?” I ask and he dives into the stories of his children and his life with them.

I sit and listen to his low voice tell the tales of the bookstore, how some years the store would be overrun with teens and then next year it would be filled with fresh out of college adults. He immerses himself in the ocean of stories from his life while I float along the with the waves and let his voice take me through the stories.

All too soon, though, the setting sun freezes the ocean and my tree’s crooked branches set me back in reality.

“The setting sun always represented an end with another beginning.” Wonwoo stares at the western windows where the last rays of sunlight are slowly being swallowed up by the night. “But this one is just an end.”

I stare at his face, hoping to memorize all the pieces I missed before. Like he does during a second or third read of a book.

“For your worldly soul, it’s an end.” I say, “But for your true soul, it’s the start of an eternity of peace.”

“What do you think happens on the other side?” He asks, looking back at me.

I give a small shrug, “I don’t know, but you’ll find out today and someday I’ll find out too.”

“Could it be like the books?” Wonwoo wonders.

“Depends on which book.” I tell him with a tender smile.

“Touché.” He tilts his head. “You know,” He leans closer to me, “I know I have to go, but I really don’t want to.” Wonwoo giggles.

I laugh before pressing a kiss to his cheek, “But we do.” I remind him, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice.

Wonwoo sighs, “We do.” He repeats and stands up before helping me up. “Were you always this fashionable?” He asks after looking me up and down.

I raise my eyebrows, “Uh, yes, and fashion has changed since we were together.”

Wonwoo grabs my hand and swings it between us as we walk, “Well, the change looks absolutely stunning on you.”

The lobby is quiet as the hotel’s opening hours are just around the corner. We quickly make it to the back door and like a gentleman, Wonwoo opens the door for me.

The cool night air rushes by us and we both stand on the landing just taking in the scene.

“Remember the night by the river?” Wonwoo wonders when he starts walking towards the forest, Shin, and the car that will take him.

“The night when you said you loved me?” I ask and he nods, “The air feels the same, doesn’t it?”

“Exactly the same. ” Wonwoo nods, gripping my hand tighter. “Do you think the Gods are doing this on purpose?”

I look up at the dark sky that’s littered with tiny little lights from thousands of miles away. “At this point, I’m certain everything that happens to me is because they,” I point upwards, “Want it to happen.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to thank them for letting me happen to you.” Wonwoo smiles and I feel his eyes on me.

Lowering my gaze, I meet his gaze, “But I caused you pain. Like freakishly awful pain.”

Wonwoo shrugs, “Still don’t regret meeting you.” He says as we reach the car.

Shin has the door open and is waiting patiently.

“This is the end of my worldly journey then.” Wonwoo comments, glancing at the forest and its fog.

“Now you can rest. Forever.” I place my hands on his cheeks and he rests one of his on top of mine.

“You know, hearing it now, it isn’t as scary as I initially thought.” He says a placid smile on his lips.

I kiss him through a smile, “Says the man who would be willing to jump from the highest heights just for the thrill.” I mumble against his lips.

“Answer me this, will you?” He asks and rests his forehead against mine. I nod and he asks, “If you were to have met me without a punishment, would you have stayed with me?”

I stare into his eyes and move to rest my arms on his shoulders, “Till the very end.” I say with honesty rallying behind me.

“That’s all I need to hear.” Wonwoo says then presses another kiss to my lips. When he pulls away, his eyes are glossy but I know he won’t cry. “I love you, (y/n).” He whispers.

“I love you too.” I tell him, feeling my own eyes fill with tears.

Wonwoo pulls away and lowers himself into the car. After Shin shuts the door behind him, the car drives into the fog.

The tires crunch over the gravel road and Shin stops next to me.

“That was the bookseller?” He asks.

I nod, a tear slipping down my cheek.

“He was a good man. He shall be very comfortable.” Shin reassures me and walks back into the hotel.

With Shin gone, I let the tears fall freely. Letting the tears fill with the sadness and pain of being left then let them fall and land wherever they please. My heart cracks into a million pieces and it takes everything within me to keep it from exploding into more pieces. It is then that a white chrysanthemum withers away in my garden.

After a while, the moon has risen high into the sky and my tears have dry though my heart hasn’t stopped aching. But even now, I have a hotel to run and others to wait for. So I run my hands through my hair, detangling it, and wipe away the left over tears. Just as Wonwoo always told me, I straighten out my shoulders, hold my head level, and walk back into the hotel with purpose.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“Did you ever think today would come?” Wonwoo wonders.

“I knew it would come but I just could never definitively say when it would come.” I tell him, “Like when an author has a story and a perfect plot in their mind but putting it on paper is harder than imagined and they’re not sure if the story will ever leave their mind.”

“Good analogy.” Wonwoo chuckles, “Come on. Your story has left the author’s mind.“ We stand up together and I instantly grab his hand. Like a child latching onto their favorite toy.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

"Hey, Mun Hee.” Wonwoo calls out, “I would’ve helped you with the supplies. You didn’t have to carry them by yourself and hurt your back.”

Mun Hee vigorously shakes his head, “No, no. I didn’t hurt myself, I’m just sore. I haven’t worked my body like that in ages.” He gives excuses.

“Well, you should start again. Who knows what other guests will request.” Wonwoo advises and Mun Hee gives him a thumbs up.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks and looks at me with tears appearing in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears and I hear Wonwoo chuckle behind me.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Wonwoo grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Wonwoo and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Wonwoo softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Wonwoo securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if you this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.9k / Ending B - 4.8k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“What do you mean you didn’t know it was him?” I rise up from the table and stalk towards Mun Hee who stands in the garden entrance, his terror evident.

“He, his hair was different. A-and he had like uh stuff all over his face and, and.” Mun Hee stutters out. “I didn’t realize it was him!” He tries to reason with me.

“And it took you 10 days to realize it?” I question him as I pass him on my way out of the garden and away from my champagne.

“I didn’t see him for ten days.” Mun Hee defends himself, “I’m pretty sure he was locked in his room that entire time.”

“You’re dead if he only has a couple days left.” I threaten him.

Mun Hee is taken aback, “Okay, A: I’m already dead. B: He has 12 days left.”

My feet stop on a dime. “How many?” I ask, turning towards him, not believing what I had heard.

“12 left.” Mun Hee says, “I remembered him cause when I read his palm, it said he had 22. Did you know that’s the most I’ve ever seen?”

Twenty-two. A whole twenty two lives. I knew his soul would live to be wise but I hadn’t guessed it would be 22 lives wise.

“So when I tell you I looked for him everyday cause I was curious and amazed, I really mean it.” Mun Hee says with a nod of childlike sincerity, “And since no one can hide from me, I just kind of assumed he had locked himself in his room.” He nods with a serious pout, “So I didn’t know it was your Seungcheol until he FINALLY stepped out to go to the library. And then it hit me.”

Soon Bok walks up to us, a bit surprised to see us here in the hallway.

“I thought you were in the garden?” She asks, looking between the two of us.

“I was.” I reply, “But then Mun Hee tells me that Seungcheol has been checked in for the past 10 days and I have been clueless about it.”

Soon Bok’s eyes widen and she looks at Mun Hee, “You never told her? I told you to tell her!” She slaps his shoulder.

Mun Hee flinches when her hand makes contact with him, “I got distracted by other guests.” He gives an excuse.

“Where did you end up placing him?” I ask, moving away from the whole Mun Hee not telling me topic.

Soon Bok doesn’t even have to check her folder, “Room 88 with the nice view of the water.”

I smile at her thoughtfulness, “Perfect.”

I don’t have the desire to return to the garden or the champagne so we continue to walk towards the hotel while Soon Bok updates me on a few hotel happenings. By the time she’s finished, we’ve reached the bottom of the main staircase in the lobby and Soon Bok takes her leave soon after.

As we climb the stairs, Mun Hee opens his mouth to ask a question but I cut him off, already knowing what he’s going to ask.

“No, you can not go bother him about his lives.” I say and Mun Hee’s body droops.

“But it’s twenty two lives.” He whines, “Twenty two!”

“And that’s a lot of lives to remember.” I explain to him, trying my best not to let my annoyance creep out.

“(y/n).” Mun Hee drags out my name in a plead.

Closing my eyes, I take a steadying breath, “Fine,” Mun Hee smiles brightly and his body straightens, “BUT! Only if he allows you to ask questions. You must ask him if it’s okay first, you got it?” I point a finger at him.

Mun Hee quickly nods. His smile is so wide that his eyes begin to shut.

I can’t help but laugh at his excitement. “Go back to your post now.” I tell him and wave him away. Mun Hee quickly retreats back down the stairs and happily skips to the front desk.

I make my way up the rest of the stairs and once I reach the top, I lean against the railing of the balcony. I watch as Mun Hee smiles and waves to all the guests in the lobby. For a moment, a loving smile appears on my face but it’s quickly wiped away as Mun Hee nearly runs into one of the very large and very breakable flower vases.

“Clutz.” I mutter to myself and turn away.

~The 22nd Day~

My wrists burn against the ropes that tightly bind them together behind my back. My knees press heavily against the wooden floor boards, trying to keep my balance as the waves rock our boat to and fro. The sharp tip of a blade rests between my shoulder blades.

Glancing to my right, Seungcheol sits in a similar position but his forehead is bleeding from where he was hit. The red blood drips down the side of his face and stains the shirt that I had bought him before we set sail.

“This ship is ours now.” Our captor says, cockily as he stands a few feet in front of us.

“Take it.” Seungcheol says, narrowing his eyes. “It’s yours, just leave us alone.”

‘He’s bargaining.’ I think to myself, 'Why would he bargain his beloved boat?’

“Bargaining, I see.” Our captor smiles, “I thought you’d put up more of fight for the boat you’ve had for almost your entire life.”

“You’ve done your research.” Seungcheol says, pretending to be impressed.

“Every good pirate needs to do his research, no?” Our capture banters back.

“I don’t need to put up a fight.” Seungcheol says through gritted teeth. “I don’t need the boat.”

Our captor tips his head up and taps his chin, “Now, what would a reputable boat captain need more than his boat? Any ideas, boys?” He looks to his men, who all laugh mischievously.

“A girl.” One shouts from behind us.

“A girl!” Our captor claps his hands and my heart stops. “That’s exactly right.”

In a panic, I look over at Seungcheol who has the same panic written on his face. Seungcheol begins to fight against his restraints.

“Take the boat! Take anything but her.” Seungcheol cries.

Our captor is unimpressed by Seungcheol’s efforts and simply nods to the men behind me.

With ease, they grab my arms and lift me to my feet. Now, I begin to fight against their hold, though I go nowhere. Seungcheol fights harder but he’s held back by the shoulders.

With a pounding heart, I continue to struggle but I’m carried towards the side of the boat.

“Please,” Seungcheol begs with tears falling, “I can give you whatever you want. I, I have money. You can have my boat. Anything but her.”

I feel my own cheeks become wet with tears but in the back of my mind, I know exactly why this is happening. And I hate myself for it.

“I want nothing.” Our captor simply shrugs, Seungcheol’s cries not affecting him at all, “Except for your pain.” He finishes and pointedly looks at me. When his steely eyes meet mine, he smiles crookedly and the coldest shiver runs down my spine.

I divert my eyes to Seungcheol who is screaming and fighting against the men who hold him back. I try to catch my breath but before I have a chance to say anything, the two men lift me over the railing and drop me into the rushing water.

The cold water tightly wraps its fist around me and I fight to swim upwards but the current overpowers my efforts and drags me further below the surface. The necklace around my neck floats upwards and I’m reminded of who is above the water’s surface. Not wanting to leave Seungcheol alone, I continue to fight against the current. Just when I think I’ve pulled myself out of the current’s grasp, a strong force quite literally punches me in the stomach, sending me backwards into blackness.

My eyes snap open and I sit up in a panic. The only sounds are my heavy breathing and the echo of my pounding heart in my ears. Feeling the soft fabric that surrounds me, I realize I’m just in my bed and run a hand through my hair. My cheeks are wet with tears and I quickly wipe them away. Looking around, I squint as my blinds do a terrible job of keeping the sunlight out. The clock on my bedside table reads 1:24pm.

I groan and throw myself back onto the mattress. Subconsciously, I rub my wrist as the burning still lingers while I try to settle my racing heart. With sleep abandoning me in the middle of my nighttime, I give up the efforts and clamber out of bed. I walk out of my bedroom while slipping a light robe on.

My office is alight with the bright sunlight and I can see the dust particles floating around in the air as I descend the stairs from my connected bedroom. Immediately, a bottle of champagne on my desks greets me with its green melancholy. I quickly pick it up and raise it to my lips but frown when not even a drop falls from the bottle’s mouth.

Slamming the bottle down, the collision echos into the still air.

'Don’t drink so much out here.’ Seungcheol’s voice rings in my mind. 'We don’t know if the next port will have any alcohol.’ He says, followed by his chuckle.

I cover my ears and shake my head to get rid of the memory.

'Next year, I’ll buy you the most expensive and best champagne that you will never be able to drink another kind.’ Another memory surfaces and this time the shadow of his arms wraps around my waist.

With a scream of frustration, I grab the champagne bottle and chuck it. It hits an empty space on the wall and shatters into hundreds of pieces. As the pieces fall and tinkle against the floors, the fragments of Seungcheol’s voice fade as well.

With a heavy heart, I let my feet wander wherever they please, too tired to fight my body’s desire. The hallways are quiet and the sunlight warms up my skin, ridding it of the cold water memory.

When my feet stop, I’m standing at the base of the main staircase in the lobby. The place I landed and woke up at after I passed out in the water. I wrap my arms around myself as the feeling of cold water returns.

My senses return to the memory and I’m submerged in the past.

The coughing that raked through my chest. Yong and Jiwoo rushing towards me with Mun Hee and Soon Bok not far behind with multiple towels in their hands.

All of them wrapping me in the towels and drying me off. My struggle against them to get back to the living world. To get back to Seungcheol. My employees holding me in place. Yong bringing out a notecard.

The words of the note card burying my heart under 100 tons of concrete.

“Do it again, and we will not be so kind.”

I had disobeyed the Gods’ conditions and I had paid for it. As I move my heel over the spot, another memory surfaces.

'Heels are no good on a boat, (y/n).’ Seungcheol had said, kneeling in front of me and placing my heel back on my foot, 'We need to buy you a pair of flatter shoes.’

'As long as I still look good and they don’t look like trash.’ I had said.

'I’ll find the best ones for you.’ Seungcheol promised with a wide smile.

Anger begins to bubble inside of me. I had it so good with Seungcheol. I was happy with him. So why did I disobey the Gods’ order and ruin everything?

Why did I toss the note card that said 'Time to leave.’ into the trash?

Why did I think I could run away from the Gods?

Why wasn’t I thinking?

“Stupid.” I exclaim, kicking the bottom stair. It causes a low throbbing in my foot but I ignore it, too frustrated to linger on it.

The doors to the front check in room creak open and a pair of dress shoes clicks against the tiles.

“Oh, (y/n).” Jiwoo’s pace quickens slightly to reach me faster, “What are you doing awake?”

I cross my arms, erasing all traces of my painful memories from my face, “I could ask the same of you. You should still be in your home, getting sleep for tonight.”

Jiwoo shrugs, unbothered by the fact that I answered his question with another question. “Well, I’ve been coming in early to make sure everything is in order for the next person who will take over for me once I leave.” He gives me a small nudge with his shoulder, “Not just any spirit can slide right into the human manager’s position.”

I look down at my feet and smile. Out of his family line, Jiwoo’s one of my favorites. Always thinking ahead and planning. Always willing to stand up to me when I’m moody. Plus he’s always willing to drive around the living world and take me to eat yummy foods. He’s a foodie.

“What will you do once I leave?” I wonder.

“Me?” Jiwoo scratches his neck, “You know, I haven’t thought about it much. I’ve been pretty busy with the hotel.”

“What do you want to do?” I reword my question, genuinely curious.

Jiwoo shrugs, “Travel maybe. I’ve heard so many stories from guests here about the beauties of the world and the history so it might be fun to experience them first hand.”

I nod, “That sounds like a solid plan.” I gather up my skirt and turn towards the elevators. “Call me when he’s ready.” I tell him before walking away without another word.

I spend the next many hours laying on the couch. Then sitting at my desk. Then cleaning the broken glass. Then sort of listening to Yong when she brings me the daily debrief. Then sitting on the stairs. Then staring out the window. Then dusting off my picture frames. Then back to the window.

The moon sits high in the sky and I have an unobstructed view of it as the cloudless sky passes by.

A small, timid knock barely makes it to my ears.

“Come in.” I call out to whoever’s on the other side.

The door opens and Soon Bok shuffles into my office. I smile at her, finding her change in demeanor amusing. Out in the hotel, she’s strict and not to be messed with. But in here, she’s nervous and unsure. “It’s been quite a while since you’ve visited me up here, Soon Bok.”

Soon Bok nervously nods, “I think the last time I was in here was the first time too.”

“What do you need?” I ask, hoping to end her nerve wracking visit.

“Jiwoo asked me to tell you that he’s taking Seungcheol to the garden.” She points her thumb behind her.

I nod, “Alright I’ll be there in a second. You can go.”

She bows and takes her leave quickly.

I walk over to my desk and press a hidden lever that opens a hidden compartment. From the compartment I pull out a jewelry box that I haven’t touched in ages. Opening it, I’m greeted with shine of the emerald necklace Seungcheol bought me. The one I was wearing when I was thrown overboard.

The one I had to beg the Gods to let me keep.

I close the lid and with the box in hand, I walk out of my office. The hotel buzzes with the midnight hustle and bustle but I ignore all of it and press on towards my destination.

When I enter the final hallway, I speed up a bit, the tears already filling my eyes. I enter the garden and my feet skid to a stop.

He’s not here.

But then he walks out from behind the tree, a hand running along its truck, his eyes inspecting the branches that spread out.

My heart lodges in my throat as he turns towards me. His eyes are still soft and full of emotion. His cheeks are still high and full. His lips are still set in the perfect shape. The only thing that causes me some pain are the shadows of scars that scatter his face and neck. The places where he’d been seriously injured in past lives.

I eye his forehead and there sits the shadow of the scar I caused.

“(y/n).” Seungcheol whispers my name but I hear it like he whispered it into my ear.

I set the jewelry box on the bench and cover my mouth with my hand, choking back a sob. In two seconds flat, he has me wrapped up in a tight embrace and my tears fall.

“You’re here.” He says, stroking my hair, “I’m here. I’m here.”

Seungcheol holds me as I sob, hundreds of years of guilt finally ripping out of my body. Even as my sobs subside, he still holds tightly onto me.

“So this is where we finally get to meet again.” Seungcheol mutters as I sniffle. “When my soul is at its end in the living world.”

I sniffle and focus on steadying my breath.

“I lived a lot of lives, did you know that?” He continues to talk.

I nod, still sniffling but not as frequently.

“A whole twenty two.” I can hear the smile on his lips, “I’d say that’s pretty good for a measly ship captain.”

I smile, his attempt to make me laugh a success.

“You weren’t measly.” I counter.

Seungcheol pulls away, “I couldn’t even buy you a home.”

I shake my head, “I didn’t need a home.”

He smiles and dries my cheeks. “I know but still.”

I release myself from him and sit on the bench, staring at the tree. Seungcheol follows suit without taking his eyes off of me.

“What happened that da-?” He wonders, scooting closer and his hand runs into the jewelry box. “What’s this?”

“Open it.” I instruct him and he does so.

Seungcheol’s eyes widen as the necklace comes into view, “I thought the sea took this.”

I shake my head, “Those pirates weren’t from this world.” I answer his original question of what happened that day on the sea, “I’m sure someone’s explained my punishment to you?” I check with him.

“Yong did this morning over breakfast.” Seungcheol nods. “It seemed fitting until I realized they controlled essentially when it ended.”

“We’re talking about thirteen souls. In my world, killing a single soul is like murdering at least 10 people in the living world.” I smile that he sort of took my side. “Anyway, a week before it all happened, the Gods had delivered a note saying it was time to leave you.” I continue on with the story, “But I had decided that I was going to stay with you because you made me that happy. So I threw the note away and thought I could run away so the Gods wouldn’t catch us.” I tuck my hands underneath my legs and lower my gaze to the floor. “I was reckless thinking that they wouldn’t find us. But they did. And they forced me to leave. When they dropped me in the sea, I tried to return to the surface, I swear I tried, but they used the currents to pull me back to the hotel.”

Seungcheol leans against the back of the bench in awe.

“Because I had disobeyed their conditions for my punishment, I was forced out and caused you all the more pain.” I say in a roundabout apology. “I never did it again.”

“How do you still have the necklace?” Seungcheol asks, glancing down at the open jewelry box in his lap.

“I begged.” I tell him, “I pleaded with the Gods to let me keep it even though I’d disobeyed them.”

Seungcheol lifts the necklace out of the box and my eyes follow it. “Thank goodness they did because I spent way too long searching for this for it to be tossed to the side because a girl was in love.” Without asking me to move, he places the necklace back on my neck and clasps it closed. “There. Back where it belongs.”

My hand instinctively goes to my neck to feel the metals and gems again.

“After you were,” Seungcheol clears his throat, unable to say the exact words, “I was immediately knocked unconscious. And when I woke up, I was laying on deck, my hands free of their binds. My men scattered around deck. The boat was docked in a port and had no evidence that any pirates had boarded. Now that you’re saying they weren’t from my world, it makes sense how they disappeared so quickly.”

He runs a hand through his hair, still fluffy and full. “We grieved after that. I grieved. Of course thinking you’d died. And you know, did the whole sha-bang and everything.”

I smile as love for this man swells in my chest. I had never once 'died’ in front of a love so Seungcheol’s the only one who held a funeral for me.

“What did you do after?” I asked, wanting to keep the conversations going, mainly so I could listen to him talk. Like how we used to spend days in the sun, him telling me stories of his previous travels while his small crew manned the ship.  

“I continued shipping goods from port to port with the crew.” Seungcheol recalls, “Nothing exciting.”

I rolled my eyes, his consistent I’m-not-really-that-interesting jab still present. “You never once met someone interesting?”

Seungcheol scrunches his nose in thought, “I mean, once met a young man named Samuel. Real spunky kid. He had run away from home and was looking for a job.”

Hoshi’s Samuel? I wonder. Did he keep the same name in a different life?

“We gave him one and he was the hardest working kid. Always helping out around the boat, always wanting to learn about every aspect of running a boat.” Seungcheol smiles at the memory, “He was also really athletic and flexible. Sometimes made me wonder if he was a dancer.”

My ears perk up immediately, “Maybe in one of his lives?” I suggest.

“That would make sense.” Seungcheol agreed, “Samuel was with us for about five years or so before some girl swept him off his feet. Literally.” He whispers into my ear with a giggle. “But he won’t tell you it that way.”

I laugh. “What about Yeon Woo?” I ask remembering some of his crews’ names.

“Yeon Woo?” Seungcheol says with some surprise that I remember his name. “Yeon Woo stayed with me for a while. He finally married the girl he had been with for ages. The one with glasses.” He adds for my benefit, “It sounds so silly now, but on the morning of his wedding, he went down to the water, poured two cups of alcohol, set one at the water’s edge, and just sat there.”

“For me?” I ask, eyes large, touched at Yeon Woo’s affection.

Seungcheol nods, “For you.” He confirms.

Yeon Woo had been Seungcheol’s right hand man and quickly became one of my closest friends. I’m sure he took my 'leave’ as hard as Seungcheol.

“He was always such a softie.” I lean on his shoulder and loop my arms around his.

“Who else?” Seungcheol wondered, “Oh, Ren!” He lists off the next member of his crew and proceeded to tell me stories he thought were memorable.

We went through all the members of his 5 man crew. Then we diverged into his life and what he went off to do.

He never married though he had a long list of attempts. He says it was cause all the potentials had wanted to move inland but he wanted to stay on the water. We chat about the different places he thought were remotely interesting and about the time he tried to eat a live octopus but chickened out when it stuck to the inside of his cheek. He had to pull it out with both hands.

I laugh when I hear the story. The image of Seungcheol struggling with a tiny octopus tentacle from his mouth being just too funny.

Seungcheol keeps me laughing, constantly telling me how much he loves the sound of my laughter. Even as the sun dips low in the western sky, we can’t seem to stop giggling.

As our laughter dies down, Seungcheol stares into the sun and sighs.

“So, now it’s my turn, huh.” He mutters thoughtfully.

I look at him confused for a second before the setting sun closes the lid on my bliss. “We could-”

“We are not disobeying the Gods again.” Seungcheol cuts me off before I could even finish, “You did it once and look how that turned out. I’m not letting you do it again.”

I pout and he nuzzles his nose into my hair.

“We’re going to do it right this time.” He mumbles.

“This way is sucky.” I pout and Seungcheol chuckles.

“Come on.” He whispers and places a kiss on my head before helping me up to my feet along with himself.

“Are you not sad that you’re leaving me?” I wonder as I search his eyes for even a hint of sadness.

Seungcheol smiles softly, “I am but then I see those.” He nods towards the chrysanthemums sitting at the base of the tree, “And they remind me that you have others to wait for. And they love you as much as I do.” He grabs my hand tightly, “So in reality, I’m quite happy that you were loved so much.”

I smile as his words slowly seep in. 13 loves is a lot. Not every soul spends all their lives loving a person so one could say I am pretty fortunate in that aspect. Though the way I encountered this love fortune was not fortunate.

Seungcheol turns and I let him lead me out of the garden. On our way we run into Mun Hee who just happened to be sweeping around the doorway for transfers.

“Just one more question.” Mun Hee quickly says before I can even open my clenched jaw.

Seungcheol chuckles, loving my employee. “Alright, one more.”

Mun Hee smiles brightly, “What was (y/n) like?” He asks, glancing at me.

I relax my shoulders and roll my eyes. Of course he would want to know what I was like. Was I the same? Was I somehow vastly different?

“Weren’t you around?” Seungcheol questions.

Mun Hee readjusts his posture, “She’s different when she’s not inside the hotel. In here, she’s… her.” He says as if he’s obscenely offended that I would change personalities.

I scrunch my face at him in annoyance as Seungcheol answers.

“She was… herself.” He finishes, looking over at me and squeezing my hand.

I smile and we walk around Mun Hee, continuing towards the awaiting car.

“I like him.” Seungcheol comments with a glance back, “You should keep him for a while.”

“I have to keep him. He’s assigned to work here.” I inform him and I step from the firm concrete to the soft dirt path.

“You’ll be okay here?” Seungcheol asks as we step closer to the car.

I nod, tears already lining my eyes. “I think so.”

“You won’t mourn for me for too long?” He asks and meets my gaze. His eyes sad but tearless, wanting to be strong for me who still has time left.

I shake my head, not trusting my voice to be stable.

“And you’ll tell the next fella that I say thank you?” He continues.

“For what?” I stutter out.

“For loving you just as much as I did.” Seungcheol says and a tear slips down my cheek. But before it ever reaches my chin, he wipes it away with his thumb.

I nod and wordlessly, Seungcheol lowers his lips down to meet mine. The warmth of the kiss wipes away all traces of the cold memories and my senses are filled with just him. When he pulls away, I have to fight the urge to pull him back. Partly because Shin is watching but also because Seungcheol’s holding my arms to my sides, as if he is already guessing I would try.

He presses a final kiss to my forehead and I close my eyes, trying to memorize every detail of the moment. How his lips are pressed firmly to my skin. How his hands tighten ever so slightly around my arms. How he’s close enough that I can hear the echo of his heart beat, beating strong and proud.

I keep my eyes close as he pulls away and releases my arms. I only open them when he steps away and towards the car.

Shin gives Seungcheol a curt nod, holding the door open for him. Seungcheol returns the nod and slides into the car without another glance back. But I’m grateful for it, because if he did turn around, I wouldn’t have stayed still.

With a hand gripping my necklace, I watch with fresh tears as the car drives forward and disappears into the fog.

I don’t bother to wipe away the tears the same way I don’t bother to acknowledge the fact that I’m one love closer to ending my punishment. Or the fact that back in my garden, one chrysanthemum sinks to the ground as its life leaves and follows Seungcheol.

I know I’ll mourn his leaving for days. But it’s something I need to do alone. So I turn back towards the hotel and walk inside to allow myself to grieve. Then wait for the others to arrive.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“So this time, I’m leaving with you?” Seungcheol asks the air while staring into the overly bright sunset.

I nod, “This time we do it together. And not against our will.”

Seungcheol chuckles, “Sometimes I think that we laugh too much.”

I stand up, hands on my hips, “I can erase all laughter if you want?” I raise an eyebrow as he also rises to his feet, shaking his head.

“Nope, laughing is good.” Seungcheol says and grabs my hand. “Are you ready to say goodbye to your staff?”

My heart suddenly feels heavier as I remember that I’m leaving for good. “No. But I have to.” I say and hold my head up.

“We’ll do it together.” He reminds me as we walk out of the garden.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Seungcheol grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Seungcheol and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Seungcheol softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Seungcheol securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 5k / Ending B - 4.8k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

Jiwoo stands next to me, a file open in his hands and a pen in mine. The bare tree watching silently as we go about our lives while it stays where it is, unmoving.

“Sign here.” Jiwoo points to a blank space on the piece of paper and I dutifully sign my name, “And here.” He adds, flipping to another page, and I sign there too.

“Why do we have so many forms?” I rhetorically ask him, capping the pen in hopes that I don’t have to sign anymore.

“There’s one more.” Jiwoo mentions and pulls a file from underneath the one that was just opened, “And I honestly have no idea. You should ask that to the other business people. Yeah, right there.” He answers my unspoken question as my hand hovers over an empty line.

“Are you giving them your autograph?” Mun Hee asks, peeking over my shoulder.

I cap the pen again, “I wish it were that. But no.”

Mun Hee straightens up and broadens his shoulders, “I still don’t understand why the human people need so many signing things.”

“Even the human people don’t understand it.” Jiwoo comments, closing both files.

“Then why do they do it so much?” Mun Hee asks incredulously as I stand from my chair in the garden.

Jiwoo physically turns Mun Hee’s shoulders so he’s facing the way out, “Stop asking me difficult questions, please. I think my brain might explode.” Jiwoo rubs his temple and we begin the walk to join the rest of the bustling hotel.

“But it’s just a question?” Mun Hee wonders with a child like innocence.

I place a hand on his shoulder cause Jiwoo looks like he’s about to blow his top. “A very complicated question for humans to answer.” I explain hoping that will deter his curiosity.

Mun Hee nods his head then an idea pops into his head. I can tell cause his eyes brighten, “Then you can answer it!” He says excitedly. “You’re technically not a human so you know the answer.”

My mouth drops open, unsure of how to answer him because his question threw me off so much. Mun Hee continues to gaze at me with anticipated excitement. I try to glance towards Jiwoo for saving but he’s a few steps ahead of us.

“You think I could answer the human world’s questions?” I throw a question back at him, “I’ve been stuck here and technically I’m sort of human.”

Mun Hee puckers his lips in disappointment. “I guess I’ll never know the answer.”

“It’s been unanswered in the human world for hundreds of years.” Jiwoo comments, throwing a look back at us.

We exit the hallway and enter the lobby that is packed with guests chatting happily with each other while tables and tables of food and drinks line the walls.

I stop in my tracks, surprised to see the festivities, “When did this get here?” I ask Jiwoo who looks just as shocked.

“No idea, it was empty when I was here.” Jiwoo answers and nods politely to a few guests as they pass by.

“Is it a party?” Mun Hee asks, “What are we celebrating?”

Yong and Soon Bok spot us and wave us over. The three of us make our way over, still taking in the happy atmosphere.

“What happened?” Mun Hee asks as I grab a small pastry from the table we’re standing by.

“It just kind of showed up.” Yong shrugs, “Then guests starting gathering and now we’re here.”

Seeing Soon Bok, I’m reminded of something, “Did you at least get Seungkwan settled into his room before?” I ask and my lips feel weird saying his name after all these years.

Soon Bok nods, “I was returning from his room when this all appeared.”

“Which room is he in?” I ask her, letting my ears soak in the noise of the gathered guests.

“161.” Soon Bok tells me, “And he’ll be here for 13 days.”

“13?” I repeat the number and she nods, “Gods must’ve liked him.” I comment with a sigh.

“It must be the Gods, right?” Jiwoo asks and turns to examine the table, carefully looking for ones his human body cannot eat.

“Must be.” Yong nods in agreement, “Otherwise how else could this have shown up so quickly.”

“I wonder what we’re celebrating.” Soon Bok giggles, “Must be something big for the Gods to send so much food.”

“Or it’s cause our hotel’s at full capacity.” Mun Hee suggests.

“How can our hotel be at full capacity?” Jiwoo lightly hits Mun Hee’s shoulder, “If we need more rooms, the Gods always add more so we can cater to every soul that walks through our door.”

“Maybe they know something that we don’t?” Soon Bok suggests.

“Oh, don’t say that.” Yong says and shakes her head slightly, “I don’t want to think about what kind of accident that would be.”

I cross my arms over my chest, “There’s not going to be an accident.” I say to settle their fears, “I would’ve seen the signs but I haven’t seen any.”

All four let out a sigh of relief and a chuckle.

“Let’s just enjoy the party then.” Jiwoo smiles and hands Mun Hee a drink.

I notice movement out of the corner of my eye and turn my head to see better. I’m ready to face the danger but it turns out to be a hotel employee approaching us with a tray in his hand. A flute of champagne stands tall and a folded card sits next to it.

“Ms. (y/l/n).” The employee stops in front of me and bows enough to show respect but not enough to knock the tray over. “I was instructed told this is for you.” They say when they raise back to full height.

With a smile, I grab the champagne flute with one hand and pick up the card with the other.

“Who’s it from?” Yong asks.

The employee shrugs, “It was sitting in the galley and I assumed it needed to go out.”

My name sits on the front of the card in complex calligraphy. Sparkles of silver mix and blend with the dark black ink. I flip open the card and the smile on my face vanishes from my face. Dropping the champagne flute, I grip the card with both hands and a sickening feeling grows in the pit of my stomach. With a wave of anger, I freeze the air around me and the champagne flute stops falling, the liquid suspended in the air.

“1547 years. Don’t forget.” The inside of the card reads in simple block letters.

I can feel Yong, Soon Bok, Mun Hee, and Jiwoo staring at me but I’m stuck in a whirlwind of bitter hurt and boiling anger. My grip on the card tightens and the paper wrinkles under my touch. When the card is completely crumpled up into my fist, I let time continue forward and the champagne flute shatters against the floor with a loud crash. But I know when I look down, there will be no evidence that the flute or the liquid inside it ever existed.

“Who is it from?” Mun Hee asks cautiously while Jiwoo looks at the spot where shattered glass and spilled champagne should’ve been.

I glare out across the lobby and the guests who are enjoying the food and drinks that were set out to mock me. “The Gods.” I say through clenched teeth.

“What did the card say?” Yong softly asks.

I take in a deep breath, “They threw the party to remind me how many years it’s been.”

Mun Hee slaps a hand over his mouth and Jiwoo’s jaw drops the literally the floor while Yong and Soon Bok press their lips in a tight line.

With the card still in my fist, I walk away from the lobby with my hands behind my back. I fight the urge to burn all the tables meant to celebrate my long punishment that my guests are full heartedly enjoying.

Standing in the elevator, I watch the guests smile and chat with each other as the doors close. With the elevator doors fully closed, sealing me away, I let the anger burn through my hands and scorch the card in my hand. I feel the card disintegrate against my skin and when I’m satisfied that I’ve burned it to ashes, I open my hands and let the black pieces float to the floor.

The Gods hadn’t thrown a celebration for this anniversary in hundreds of years but they decide to do it now.

“Assholes.” I growl and clench my hands into fists.

I make my way out of the elevator and towards my office. Pushing both doors open with both hands, I walk over to the window and stare out at the sky. I find the moon sitting high and proud in the sky.

I tsk at the bright moon, “How could I forget when I have you to remind me every single day?” I ask the moon but it just stares back at me in silence.

~The Thirteenth Day~

“You’re really not going to go to her funeral?” Yong asks me as I lay in bed with the covers pulled over my head.

“I’m really not.” I answer her in a bored tone.

“The family would be happy to see you.” Yong tries to reason with me.

“Yong… I said I wasn’t going.” I reiterate and stare her down.

“But she was you-”

“I know what she was.” I sit up and stare at her. “But if I go, I’m pretty sure he’ll be there and I can’t risk running into him.”

“Soon Bok and I can go with you.” Yong continues her attempts to get me to go.

I shake my head, “I cannot go. No matter how much I want to. I can’t risk running into him.”

Yong bows her head in defeat and walks out of my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The date is circled in my calendar on the wall and two words fill the square, “Chaewon’s Funeral.”

The memory plays in my head as my gaze hovers over the small calendar on my desk. Chaewon was the human manager here when I met Seungkwan. Actually, she was the reason I met Seungkwan in the first place. The two were friends in college and when Chaewon graduated, she came to work for me. One day, while she and I were out in the city, we happened to run into Seungkwan. And the story unfolded from there.

“What are you thinking about?” Yong asks, walking into my office.“

"Chaewon.” I tell her with a soft smile. Chaewon was one of the few females we got from Jiwoo’s family line. Only because Jiwoo’s family had a knack for having their eldest child be male and the deal was for the eldest child. So being one of the few females, Chaewon got along with Yong and Soon Bok very well. They all became very attached to each other. We all did.

Yong smiles for a second as her own memories play in her mind then changes into work mode. “We had a lot of elderly check in a few hours ago.” She sets down the list of new guests. “17 in total and I have Jiwoo helping Soon Bok.”

I look over the list and frown at one of the names, “Isn’t that the lady who owned the bakery on 5th street?” I wonder, pointing at a name.

Yong reads the name, “Oh, it is.”

“Maybe she’ll share her recipes with our chefs.” I wiggle my eyebrows and Yong chuckles.

“This is the monthly report on our services and the areas that we need to improve on.” Yong sets down another file as I set aside the first one.

“Anything major in the improvement area?” I ask, not opening the file.

“Only cleanliness.” Yong says and I scoff.

“The Gods want this place to be free of even the tiniest speck of dust.” I lean back in my chair, “That’s too much work for the staff.” I wave a hand telling her to dismiss the notion and she nods in understanding.

“The lunch for the esteemed guests went smoothly.” Yong continues on with her list of things to tell me, “They wanted me to give their thanks to you.”

I nod once, “Good, I’m glad it went well.” But on the inside, annoyance stirs. ‘Esteemed guests’ is what they decide to call themselves? What, because they were rich in the human world means they can be rich in my hotel?

I scoff and roll my eyes, “Do they want anything else?” I ask with a fake generosity.

Yong shakes her head, “Not that I know of right now.”

“Thank the lord.” I throw my hands up and let them fall back down, “That lunch was hard enough to figure out.”

Yong chuckles softly.

“You know,” Mun Hee says and enters my office without even a knock, causing me to sit up. “I think Seungkwan might have a new best friend.”

Yong and I stare at Mun Hee in silence. Yong because Mun Hee just walked into my office without knocking and me because he mentioned Seungkwan.

“I passed by Jiwoo and Seungkwan in the halls and they were talking up a storm.” Mun Hee explains like he did nothing out of the ordinary, “Like they were talking like they’d been friends for years.”

I let a small smile form on my lips, “Chaewon.” I mutter the reason why Seungkwan is able to talk to Jiwoo so easily.

“Oh, they were on their way to the garden.” Mun Hee adds on.

“He’ll be waiting for you.” Yong turns to me and bows before heading towards the doors. “Next time start with that!” Yong says lowly and hits his shoulder once, “And next time, knock for goodness sake.” She pushes him out the door while Mun Hee does his best to protect himself from the onslaught Yong is raining down on him.

I chuckle and pick myself up out of my desk chair. Without a second thought about the new files on my desk, I walk out of my office and straight to the garden where Seungkwan waits.

When I reach the garden, Jiwoo is gone and Seungkwan is examining the walls and windows of my enclosed garden.

He glances over at me when I enter and smiles warmly. I return the smile and move to stand next to him as he examines the ornate wall designs.

“They never teach this in any textbook.” Seungkwan says and his hand runs over the wall. He lets his fingertips fall into the crooks and curves.

“No one ever lives to put it in a textbook.” I respond.

“Jiwoo could.” Seungkwan points out. “Or any of his family.”

“They know not to do that.” I tell him, “And their memories of this place are erased after they are done working for me.”

“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?” Seungkwan looks at me with concern.

I chuckle, “All it takes is a good night’s sleep. We don’t put them into a machine or make then drink some awful potion.”

“But still, there’s this whole world and they don’t get to remember it?” Seungkwan gestures to the structure we’re under.

I follow his movements upwards and stare at the ceiling. “There are better things to remember than this hotel.”

“I would want to remember this.” Seungkwan says definitively.

“Some do but at the end of the day, forgetting this place is to protect them from the human world and its assumptions.” I say with a sigh, remembering the few humans who tried to remember but ultimately failed.

“Did Chaewon try to remember?” Seungkwan asks softly.

I shake my head and lower my gaze to the bare tree, “No, she understood why she had to forget. She was always like that. So understanding about everything that went on around here.”

“Sounds like her.” Seungkwan says, “She was like that in college too. Tried to understand and help everyone.”

I smile in agreement and sit on the bench expecting Seungkwan to follow but he stays standing.

“You never went to her funeral, did you?” He asks softly, like he’s afraid of the answer.

I press my lips together, having hoped that he wouldn’t ask that. “No, I didn’t go.” I answer him honestly. “I visited her grave after but I didn’t go to the funeral.”

“Why not?” Seungkwan questions and turns to face me, his hands secure in his pockets.

I take a deep breath in and contemplate how to answer him. “I couldn’t risk running into you.” I decide to give him the honest truth.

“Me?” Seungkwan steps closer, “You didn’t go because of me?”

“Well, not specifically you, but I couldn’t return or reenter a love’s life after I was told to leave.” I explain, “It’s one of the rules.”

“Now that’s harsh.” Seungkwan sits down next to me and grabs my hand in his. I stay silent as he intertwines his fingers with mine and pats the top of my hand with his other. “I almost didn’t go.”

I look at him in shock, “Almost?” I question his choice of words.

Seungkwan gives me  a soft smile, “Yeah, almost.” He takes in a big breath, “I was kind of afraid I was going to run into you after all those years. I didn’t know what I would I do if I saw you so I wondered if I should even go.”

“But you went.” I finish for him.

Seungkwan nods, “But I decided I needed to go because Chaewon was my life long friend. I had to go. Plus my wife threatened to kick me out of the house if I didn’t go.” He chuckles.

“Your wife?” I ask, feeling the stab of hurt but it’s quickly washed away by the relief that he found someone after I left.

Seungkwan pauses as if he’s said something he shouldn’t have. “Uh, yeah, my wife.” He repeats slowly.

I use a smile to cover up the stab of pain in my chest, “I’m glad.” I say then quickly correct myself, “That you got a wife. Not that she threatened to kick you out. What was she like?”

“You really want to know that?” Seungkwan asks, surprise evident on his face.

I nod, “I do.” I say then smirk, “What? Did you think I wouldn’t because you and I were in a relationship?” I question. He nods sheepishly which makes me laugh, “Seungkwan,” I rest a hand on his shoulder, “Yes, it hurt to leave you and I never wanted to. But I knew that you deserved someone who would stay by your side. So I’m happy you found someone. Genuinely happy.”

“You are?” Seungkwan inquires, not fully believing me.

I shove his shoulder and he chuckles, “Yes, I am. Seriously. I may be a cursed soul punished for committing the worst crime a reaper can but I still have a heart.”

Seungkwan holds up his hands in surrender. “Alright, I believe you.” He lowers his hands, “She was amazing. Kept me in line while also pushing my to expand my boundaries. We didn’t really travel much with me teaching through the school year and then some summer seminars and all. But we had fun, she and I. We made our own chaos.”

“Oh dear god,” I smile widely, “I hope that chaos didn’t include going to jail.” I joke.

“No, never, otherwise my tenure would have been shot to hell.” Seungkwan chuckles and I laugh along.

“What else did you do in your life?” I ask, curious about his life.

“Well,” Seungkwan settles back and rests an arm across my shoulders, “I went on to become to the most beloved professor at my university.”

I smack his joke, “I’m being serious.”

Seungkwan rubs the area I hit, “I am being serious.” He giggles, “I always had a waiting list of almost a hundred students every semester for my classes.”

“Which ones?” i ask, knowing that when we were together, he taught an array of different classes.

“Music Analysis 369.” Seungkwan informs me, “One semester, I was teaching 6 sections of the course. Luckily, I had a TA for each one.”

“Please tell me you didn’t teach any other courses that semester.” I wonder because 6 sections of any course is a lot to teach in a week.

“I didn’t teach any other courses that semester.” Seungkwan quickly answers. Though he answers a little too quickly.

I turn to look at him and he doesn’t meet my gaze. Raising an eyebrow, I continue to stare him down.

Seungkwan glances sideways at me a few times but keeps his mouth shut. Then his lips pucker and I know I caught him in a lie.

“How many?” I ask him, leaning closer.

“2 others.” He responds in a short sentence.

“Seungkwan….” I drag out his name.

Seungkwan turns his body to face me slightly as he defends himself, “Okay, listen. The Music Analysis 369 class was on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  The other two were on Tuesday and Thursday and then I had a lot of office hours on everyday.”

“So you worked yourself to the bone.” I conclude for him. “What courses were on Tuesday and Thursday?” I question.

Seungkwan lowers his head in shame, “Music Analysis 269…” He mutters softly.

“So you were teaching for…” I pause to do some mental math, “24 hours every week? Plus all the grading and extra work you had to do?”

Seungkwan shrugs, “It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. I had TA’s.” He reasons.

“When did you have time for other things in life? Like your wife?” I ask, poking an accusing finger into his cheek.

“This was before I met my wife.” He explains. Grabbing my finger in his hand, he lowers it and then begins playing with my fingers. “After you left, I kind of threw myself into my work and ignored everything else. And it gave me some of the best years and student experiences I ever had.”

A heavy rock sinks into the pit of my stomach. I had caused him much more than pain. I caused him to lose years of his life. The gut punch I receive from that thought nearly sends tears running down my cheeks.

Seungkwan takes on glance at my face and immediately wraps me up in a hug. “I don’t blame you for it. And it wasn’t your fault. I let myself teach all those courses even though I knew it would be tough.”

I weakly smile but the pain is still there. Even after all these years, the pain still feels as fresh as the day I left.

Seungkwan places a soft kiss to the top of my head in reassurance. “No one ever recovers that quickly from something that great.” He whispers.

That quiets my pain substantially but it still throbs.

“Did you and your wife ever have kids?” I ask, deterring the conversation away from us.

“No, we never had kids. But we did adopt a little girl.” Seungkwan informs me. “Her name was Samantha and she was a bundle of uncontainable energy.” He smiles at the memory and my heart warms with joy.

“I’m sure she took after some of your own energy.” I say with a smile.

“Me?” Seungkwan glances down at me in disbelief, “I have energy but it’s not uncontainable.” He argues.

I hum in disagreement, “You had some pretty uncontainable energy Seungkwan.”

“Psh, only around you, (y/n).” Seungkwan scrunches his face at me, “Around everyone else, I was as cool as a cucumber.”

I roll my eyes, “So, what did dear Samantha do with her uncontainable energy that she most certainly didn’t learn from her father?” I ask, wanting to hear more about the daughter he raised.

“You’ll never guess what she studied.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“I have a few guesses.” I answer his teasing, “But you should tell me what she studied so I can see if I was right.”

Seungkwan’s chuckle vibrates through his chest and echos through my body.

“She went on to become a doctor.” He says and then continues into her career and the accomplishments she achieved.

As the sun sat high in the sky, he began to tell me about her, and subsequently his, journey to find her birth parents. Through the stories of his career, his daughter’s career, and then the things he experienced in retirement, I sit and let his voice take me on adventures only a human soul could experience. Seungkwan does his best to keep the stories afloat with happy memories but the occasional somber story slips in but I let it continue because a life isn’t complete without the ups and the downs.

By the time the sun is setting in the western sky, Seungkwan has taken me into the valleys and over the mountains that were carved into his life.

“This kind of feels like retirement.” Seungkwan comments after a few moments of silence between us.

“In what way?” I ask, confused by his analogy.

Seungkwan sighs, “When I retired, I knew that I was leaving something I loved dearly but I also knew that I couldn’t stay longer. And while I knew that leaving was the thing that needed to be done, I was wondering what life after would be like.” He explains. “I know I need to leave you, who was someone I loved so dearly. And I’m terribly sad to be leaving you, I also wonder what’s waiting for me on the other side.”

“You’re not going to ask me what’s over there, are you?” I wonder, looking up at him with soft eyes.

He returns my gaze with similar eyes, “No, cause I know you don’t know the answer.”

I nod, confirming his statement. “I do know one thing though.”

“What’s that?” Seungkwan asks.

“You’ll be comfortable. You’ll be able to rest peacefully and not have to worry about anything.” I tell him before kissing his cheek. His skin warm against my lips.

“I’ll worry about you.” He says when I pull away.

I smile at his words but decide not to tell him that he won’t remember anything about his lives, even me. Rising to my feet, I pull Seungkwan up with me.

“Is it time?” He asks, gripping my hand slightly tighter.

I nod, “Yeah, Shin’ll be waiting by the car.”

“Is it a fancy car?” Seungkwan asks and we start walking out of the gardne.

“If by fancy you mean expensive, then no.” I tell him with an amused smile, “It’s just a simple town car. Simple car for the simple after world.”

“The after world can’t be that simple, can it?” Seungkwan wonders.

I shrug, “I mean, when I had to meet the Gods, the room was pretty simple.”

“You actually met them?” Seungkwan asks as we cross the lobby floor.

“How else were they going to punish me?” I answer his question with another question, “Send me a letter of reprimand and tell me my punishment with ink?”

Seungkwan tilts his head to the side and swings our interlocked hands back and forth, “Yeah, I guess a letter doesn’t carry the same weight.”

“Never in a million years would it.” I correct him and we push through a door leading towards the forest at the back of the hotel.

A good distance away, at the edge of the forest and standing patiently next to an awaiting car, is Shin. As expected.

“Black robes?” Seungkwan looks Shin up and down, “They couldn’t have spiced it up a bit and not be so depressing?”

“Again, simple.” I repeat my previous statement.

“I think I’ll put in a suggestion for that then.” Seungkwan says, determined.

“Please, wait until I get there to do so.” I plead, “I would love to see the look on the Gods faces when you give that suggestion.” I laugh at the thought and Shin’s face twists into slight confusion as we near.

“I think it would look so much better.” Seungkwan continues his argument, “Like, Shin, how would you like to wear a lilac robe instead of a black one?” He asks Shin who is slowly opening the door.

Shin looks down at his own robes before looking back up at Seungkwan, “I like the black robes very much. I don’t think i would change the color.”

I stifle a laugh behind my hand and Seungkwan stares dumbfounded at Shin. “It was worth a shot.” I comfort Seungkwan.

“I’ll still bring it up.” Seungkwan says, even more determined. Then his face softens and he turns to face me.

I mirror his actions and place a hand on his cheek. “I think you’re going to do just fine over there.” I tell him with a smile.

Seungkwan smiles back, “And I’ll wait for you to join me.”

instead of responding with words, my body acts and presses my lips hard against his lips. He responds immediately and wraps his arms tight around my waist.

When we pull away, Seungkwan’s eyes are lined with tears and he sniffles when rub my thumb over his cheek.

“I love you, Seungkwan.” I tell him and look him in the eyes, hoping he really understands me.

“I love you too, (y/n).” Seungkwan says with a small nod.

We look at each other in silence for a couple seconds longer and then Seungkwan lowers my hand from his cheek and steps towards the car.

I wrap my arms around my waist as Seungkwan steps into the car and Shin closes the door behind him.

The car soon rolls away and the crunch of the gravel against the tires fades away into the fog. Shin walks away quietly while I stay frozen in my spot, unable to move even though Seungkwan is long gone.

Sometime in my frozen state, a crack splits across my heart and I feel the pain deep in every bone.

And back in my garden, a white chrysanthemum withers away.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

Seungkwan blows out a breath, taps our intertwined hands in his lap, and rises to his feet. “Are you ready to get out of here?” He asks, turning back to face me.

I smile and rise to my own feet, “Oh yeah.”

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Seungkwan suddenly steps forward with his hand out towards Jiwoo, which he firmly takes. “It was a pleasure to meet a descendant of Chaewon. She would be proud of her family.” He says and shakes Jiwoo’s hand.

Jiwoo smiles with pride and nods. “It was also an honor getting to meet you, sir.”

They let go of each other’s hand and Seungkwan retreats behind me.

Finally I turn to Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Seungkwan grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Seungkwan and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Seungkwan softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Seungkwan securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.5k / Ending B - 4.4k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“How do you know that?” Yong smirks at me as we walk out of her office.

“Because I am an all knowing being.” I say smugly in return but Yong smacks my shoulder, “Ah, okay. I overheard Jiwoo and Mun Hee giggling about what to get you.”

Yong exhales, “Oh, they’re getting me a gift?”

I shrug, “I guess. You should probably tell them if you don’t want it.”

“Well, this will be the first time in 500 years that’s someone’s gotten me a gift for this anniversary. So I’ll take it.” Yong giggles happily.

“Am I expected to get you something?” I ask, mildly panicking about what to get her.

“A gift from you?” She smiles, “While it would be a miracle to see that happen, no, you don’t need to get me anything. Especially if Jiwoo and Mun Hee are going to get me something.”

“I’m sure they’ll make sure it’s grand.” I reassure her. “Where are you headed?” I ask when I realize I have no idea where we’re headed.

“Hm,” She chuckles, “Well the Gods thought it would be great to send us a few new employees. So I have a nice little orientation to go through with them.”

“How many did they send?” I ask, slightly weirded out that we would get new staff.

Yong blows airs through her lips, “Five.”

“Not too bad.” I shrug as we near the conference room, “Where are they being stationed?”

“3 are being attached to Soon Bok in rooms and 2 are going down to the kitchen.” She explains with a hand on the door handle.

I nod in understanding, “Alright.”

Yong nods in farewell and turns the door handle but I stop her with my next questions.

“Oh, just quickly, what room and how long?” I ask in a quick breath.

“Room 221 and 15 days.” Yong says softly with an even softer smile.

“Good luck.” I tell her and walk back to the lobby so I can make my up to my office.

With my hands clasped behind my back, I walk lightly and just listen to the sounds of the hotel. The dings of the elevators. The lively chatter of the guests walking to and fro. The muffled footsteps mixing with the sharp clicks of heels against the tile floors.

My body feels light and for a moment, I feel happy and calm.

But it all comes crashing down when I hear yelling from the lobby.

“Why is it always the lobby?” I groan to myself and redirect my route.

When I enter the lobby, I see a group surrounding one man who looks like he wants to take them all but also very panicked on the inside. The group around him is shouting angrily and some are even trying to throw punches at him.

As I approach the group, Mun Hee walks out from the reception room and Jiwoo falls in step with me.

“Do I want to know what happened here?” I ask, leaning towards Jiwoo.

“I don’t even know what happened.” Jiwoo whispers back as the group’s noise level grows louder.

I groan and throw my head back, eyes closed. “Why me? Why my hotel?” I wonder out loud.

Lowering my head, my gaze hardens and my expressions steels. “HEY!” I yell louder than the crowd and make all heads turn to me. “What is going on?”

A split second of silence and then all the guests start talking and yelling and point all at once. I hold up a hand and their voices quiet down immediately.

I inhale and prepare to rip into these people verbally but one of the guests yells out.

“He murdered us!” He yells angrily. “We’re dead, and it’s HIS fault.” He’s pointing at the man in the center. The one who’s eyes are split between cockiness and panic.

“Did you?” I ask the man, stepping closer.

“Did I?” The man repeats my question with an arrogant smirk, “Did I do what?”

I close my eyes and mentally roll my eyes so hard before opening them again. I meet his gaze while fighting back a scowl. “Did you murder these people?” I expand my pretty obvious question.

The man half smiles, “Maybe.”

Jiwoo tenses in fear behind me while I tense in annoyance.

“It’s a yes or no question.” I state and take a step closer. “You either did.” Another step closer. “Or you didn’t.” Another step. “Answer me now.” A step closer and I’m only a few feet away from him.

The man rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. He even puffs out his chest a little. “And if I did? What are you going to do? Kick me out?”

I scoff, “Kick you out? No. No, I wouldn’t do that.”

“Yeah, I killed them.” The man interrupts me before I get to the good part.

I glance behind the man and meet the gaze of Shin standing next to Mun Hee a feet away.

“Again, I wouldn’t.” I repeat myself for emphasis, “But Shin, here, will escort you to the place you actually belong.” I smirk and Shin approaches the man from behind.

“Wha-” The man stutters as Shin grabs his arms and starts dragging him backwards.

“Where, where are you taking me?” He struggles against Shin’s iron clad grip.

A smokey grey doorway appears on the wall and Shin heads straight into it with the man struggling behind him. Shin gives me a curt wave and I return the gesture with a small smile before the two of them disappear into the grey smoke. And in a blink of an eye, the doorway disappears.

I turn and walk back to Jiwoo who blinks a few times to reset himself.

“Ah, uhm, I do apologize for… that.” Jiwoo says once he has his voice back. “He will no longer be a problem so I do genuinely hope you enjoy your stay here. I will have refreshments sent up to your rooms.”

Mun Hee leads some guests away as they break away from the group while the others disperse by themselves. Jiwoo stays quiet at my side and I finally let my shoulders relax slightly. A female guest walks up to us and takes my hands in hers.

“Can I finally rest?” She asks with pleading eyes.

I nod once, “You can rest now.”

The guest smiles happily and a male wraps his arms around her shoulders. He pulls her away towards the elevators. Jiwoo and I turn and follow their movements.

“Sooo…” Jiwoo drags out the word when all the guests are out of earshot, “Where did Shin take that guy?”

I smile with mischief, “A place similar to what you humans call hell.”

Jiwoo’s eyes widen, “But what about the souls who had a past life of a murderer?”

“One or two murders is, unfortunately, passable for another life in the human world.” I explain, eyeing the other guests milling around the lobby, “However, kill three or more and the Gods end your lives right there and then. When they reach our front desk, Shin is usually waiting to take them to ‘hell.’ Though I don’t know what happened today.” I say, slightly confused.

“So hell really does exist?” Jiwoo wonders in awe, “Like there’s an actual place where terrible souls go?”

I chuckle and look over at him, “It exists and, no, you don’t want to know what it’s like.”

“Okay.” Jiwoo takes in my answer, “Then have you ever been there?”

“Once.” I breathe out, “When Shin was busy with a departure and there was a female who killed 8 people acting psychotic in here. I had to take her there and for the record,” I lean over and whisper, “Even I don’t ever want to do it again.” A shiver runs down my spine as the memory of the cold empty air resurfaces.

Jiwoo is stunned into silence and he just blinks at me. “That… That is scarier than all the stories my world has of it.”

“All you need to know about it, is that the souls who go there, certainly belong there.”  I tell him and then walk to the elevator. Reaching the elevator, I press the up button as Jiwoo calls out another question.

“(y/n)! What do you call it?” He asks and his curiosity evident when I turn around.

“There.” I tell him as the elevator dings and the doors open.

Leaving him no time to respond, I enter the elevator and press the floor where my office is located. And let the doors close shut.

~The Fifteenth Day~

The bright sun burns against my skin as I sit outside on a picnic blanket. Soft guitar plucks flow through the air. I turn towards the sound and find Woozi sitting next to me with a guitar in his lap.

He looks up and notices my gaze. A lazy smile grows on his face and he stops plucking at the strings.

“Like it?” Woozi asks, resting his arm on the top of the guitar.

“Not sure what it was.” I answer him, pulling my knees up to my chest.

Woozi laughs, “Me neither to be honest.”

“Well, for a moment, it sounded like you had a melody going.” I say leaning my head on top of my knees.

“Which part?” He inquires with eyes full of wonder.

I bite my bottom lip in thought, “The small bit with the repeated runs.”

“That’s like the entire thing.” Woozi chuckles and shakes his head. “I always forget you’re not versed in music terms.”

I roll my eyes, “You try running a full-scal-” I stop myself mid sentence realizing what I was about to say. In my time with Woozi, I’ve become extremely relaxed and almost let my secret slip.

“Running a what?” Woozi smiles softly, amusement showing on his face.

“A full scale family.” I clear my throat, covering up my mistake.

“I thought you didn’t have a family?” He questions, setting the guitar aside.

My eyes widen like a deer caught in headlights. I blink a few times as my mind races to think of another excuse. With each second that passes, my heart beat starts to beat faster. But Woozi grabs my hand, smiles, and makes my panic disappear in a second.

“Don’t worry, I won’t push.” He says softly, “I know you don’t like to talk about it.”

I turn up the corners of my mouth and he gives my hand a squeeze before picking up his guitar again. I rest my hand on the blanket and continue to watch Woozi as he resumes his random plucking.

My fingers fumble with the pen in my hand and it clatters onto the floor breaking me out of my daydream.

“Fuck.” I mumble and bend over to pick the pen up off the floor.

My hand wraps around the pen when someone quickly opens and shuts my door. I jump in surprise which results in me hitting my head on my desk.

“Fuck!” I groan in pain and slowly rise up, the pen still in my hand, somehow. With a hand rubbing the spot on my head, I look towards the door and find Yong leaning her back against it, breathing heavily. Her eyes are wild and in a slight panic.

“Are you okay?” I ask with slight concern that the hotel may be in extreme, extreme  chaos.

Yong nods while still catching her breath. “Uhm, I sort of blew up the gift that Mun Hee and Jiwoo got me. And… they found out.” She reaches the climax of her story.

“How did it happen?” I ask, trying to mask my laughter.

“Well,” Yong exhales, pushing away from the door, “I was trying to turn a knob on it and then a different piece sprang off. And then another. And then the whole thing came apart within seconds.” She finishes and glances back at the door to make sure it stays shut. “It was just my luck and then even more my luck that they passed by my OPEN office door.” She shakes her head, “I ran out while they were stuck frozen, just staring at the scattered pieces.”

I place the pen back in it’s holder, “You’ll be okay. They’ll forget about it.” I comfort her then wiggle my eyebrows, “Especially if you ask them to help you put it back together.”

“That is an excellent way to get pummeled by two employees.” Yong rolls her eyes and I laugh with glee.

“You’d survive.” I tell her, our smiles still lingering.

“Barely.” She mumbles, “Uhm, I was supposed to talk to you about a few things but,” Yong gestures to her empty arms, “I kind of don’t have the files.”

I wave my hands dismissively, “We can it without the folders. It’s not like I look at them anyway.”

“True.” She nods her head at me, “Well, Shin just helped with two departures and there are 3 more left today. There weren’t any check ins during the day but Mun Hee checked in 3 guests as the moon rose. Soon Bok’s new employees are picking up the work nicely and the guests have nothing but compliments for them.” Yong looks up at the ceiling in thought, making sure she’s not missing anything.

Yong’s phone dings with a notification and she quickly pulls it out. “And Soon Bok just dropped Woozi off in the garden.”

“She dropped him off?” I chuckle and raise to my feet.

Yong shrugs, “Hey, do you mind if I hide out here for a bit? I kind of want to avoid Jiwoo and Mun Hee.”

I nod, “Go ahead. Just don’t let Jiwoo or Mun Hee trash my office.”

Yong throws me a thumbs up as I walk past towards the door. I throw one back and exit my office, heading towards the bare tree sitting in the center of the lonely garden.

As I enter my garden, I’m welcomed with the soft patter of fingers drumming against a table. Smiling, I turn towards the source and see Woozi staring out the window, his fingers mindlessly drumming to a melody that only he can hear.

“Oh, I like that bit.” I say and Woozi’s head whips around, startled. I giggle and he chuckles at the fright he fell into.

“Well, now I forgot what that bit even sounded like.” He pouts and I sit in the empty chair next to him. “But if you give me another hour, I probably could find it again.”

I hum in amusement, “If you did that, I wouldn’t be able to talk to you.” Now I’m the one pouting.

“What do you want to talk about then?” Woozi asks, resting his chin on his fists.

“Anything.” I say with a smile, “Everything.”

Woozi chuckles, “Where would you like me to start?”

I pucker my lips in thought, “Mm, start like you always did. With the music.”

“With the music.” Woozi repeats my words and leans back in his chair, “Well, I wrote a lot after you left. Wrote and composed. So much, in fact, that I had nearly 100 titles under my belt within 10 years.” He smiles at the achievement, “Was considered a musical genius by everyone. Even the critics. Though they continued to enjoy ripping my pieces to critical shreds.”

“I thought the critics loved you.” I wonder.

“Oh, they loved me.” He agrees, “But they also hated me. My pieces were so beautiful but they were made up of the worst parts. The critics never understood how so many terrible passages could mesh together to make the most beautiful piece their ears had ever heard.”

“There was never another Jihoon. Ever.” I reference the pseudonym he used and lean my head on my hand.

“You kept an eye out?” Woozi asks with delight.

“Of course, I did.” I scoff, “I had to make sure no one would surpass your level of genius.”

“And what if someone came who was better than me? What would you have done?” He questions me, squinting his eyes.

I shrug, “Probably delayed or made it so their works were never as good as yours.”

“Seriously, how would you have done that?” Woozi smiles at my ridiculous statement.

“Twisted the Gods arm and forced them to.” I state definitively much like a child.

Woozi bursts into laughter, his body rocking forward and his hands clutching his stomach. His outburst makes me laugh as well because we both know that I would never be able to do such a thing.

“Did your kids like your music?” I ask when our laughter has died down.

“My kids?” Woozi asks.

“Did… you not have kids?” I hesitantly ask, wondering if I got that piece of information wrong. “I thought I heard news that you and your wife had 2 children together before she… passed away.” I avoid eye contact because I remember hearing about the slump he slipped into after she died.

“Yeah, I had two kids. Twins.” He sighs and grabs my hand, partly to tell me it’s okay to look at him and partly for his own reassurance. “Sunny and Yuna. And yeah, they did for a while… and then they were teenagers.”

I smile at the unfortunate growth of a human.

“But they came back to loving my music once I retired.” Woozi continues. “Sunny became a music professor and she used a lot of my works for her students analyze. And Yuna went into music therapy. She also used my works but for vastly different reasons.”

“They did what I expected of a musician’s kids.” I comment, “You raised them well. They carried on your legacy.”

“And how do you know that?” Woozi asks, “I thought you couldn’t get involved in my life after you left.”

I smirk, “I can’t get involved, but I can keep up. Your name didn’t just disappear into the noise like most peoples do. Yours stood out for many, many years. I got to see your daughters create a foundation in your name that helped kids get an arts education. I saw your grandchildren continue that foundation. I saw Jihoon’s pieces played throughout the decades.”

“You watched for that long?” He asks, sincerely touched by my words.

“What else was I supposed to do?” I answer his question with a question, “I wasn’t going to just sit around all day, twiddling my thumbs, and waiting for the next love. Besides, since you were no longer in that life, I could get involved… kind of.”

“What did you do? Donate money to the foundation every year?” Woozi guesses my exact actions on a whim.

I press my lips together and the information clicks in his head. I even see a tiny light bulb illuminate behind his eyes.

“You donated??” He says, grabbing the table and the back of his chair for support.

“Not a lot.” I keep his expectations low, “Just a few thousand every year at the beginning of November.”

“My birthday month.” He smugly smiles.

“My very own memoriam.” I tell him, leaning closer.

Woozi leans forward and presses his lips against mine just for a second, “It fits you beautifully.”

I smile happily, “I thought so too.” I lean back in my chair and cross my legs and my arms. “Mmm, did you ever tour?” I ask, remembering me urging him to do so but he always shot me down.

“Much to my dismay, I did.” He nods, “My management said it was 'good for business.’ And they somehow snuck a clause for at least one tour into my contract.”

“Where did you go?” I quickly ask, curious.

“Mainly major cities all over the world.” He answer me with an amused smile, “It took nearly 2 years to complete and my wife wasn’t all that happy about it. Even when I told her she could come along with me but she was determined to stay and work her job.” Woozi chuckles and I wrap myself with the comfort that he found someone who matched well with him. “She was so strong headed. Reminded me of another I loved.” He looks to me and raises an eyebrow in suspicion, “She looked an awful like you.”

I push his face away with a laugh, “Oh, stop it.”

Woozi lets out a very airy chuckle, “Are you going to make me?”

I pout angrily at him, “I won’t if you keep talking.”

“About what?” He sighs as he’s at a loss for stories that I want to hear.

“Anything.” I groan.

“Everything.” We simultaneously say, only he’s deadpanning and I’m curious.

Woozi inhales, “Would you like to hear about the time I almost ruined a performance in Paris?”

My eyes widen, partly because of worry and partly because of interest, and I nod my head a little too eagerly.

“Of course you would.” He shakes his head in believing disbelief. Then he tells the tale of how he had come down with terrible allergies in Paris and was sneezing terribly through the entire performance.

From Paris, the stories traveled to the cities he toured. Most good and funny memories but there were a few that weren’t as cheery. Like in Moscow how he was almost arrested because he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or in Australia when he woke up with 5 lizards in his bed. Though, while Woozi found it very traumatizing, I found it absolutely hilarious.

After his story stories were told, he dove deeper into his life as a father to Sunny and Yuna. The days when he’d be home early enough to surprise the girls before bedtime. The nights when they would wait up for him because he 'was the better story teller.’ The times when he would be stuck on a melody and his girls would intuitively somehow know that and come running into his home office. All the firsts in their lives that he got to experience. And all the lasts that he missed: high school graduation, college graduation, etc. But even through all that, he reminisced on how his girls never faulted him for any of it. Because they understood his talent.

And so did the world. He got so much recognition for his work and yet, it never seemed like enough to me. I always thought he deserved more recognition when he was living. But like all things, the recognition came after he died.

Just like the soft ending of an orchestral ballad, the sun softly nuzzles under the horizon and gently nudges us towards our end.

I lean my head on Woozi’s shoulder and sigh.

“Guess that means my time is up?” Woozi guesses and points to the last wisps of light peeking over the western horizon.

I nod but stay silent.

He smiles and grabs my hand in comfort. “I’m sure the time apart will fly by in a blink of an eye.”

“It didn’t last time.” I mumble, turning my hand over to properly hold his.

“This time it will. I can feel it.” He whispers and presses a soft kiss to the top of my head. “Come on now. The Great Jihoon can’t be late for his last appearance in this world.” He pats my hand against my thigh a couple times.

I lift my head off his shoulder and stand up with him.

“Which one bloomed for me?” He asks, nodding towards the white chrysanthemums.

Lifting my free hand, I point to the one on the far right. “That one.”

“And what will happen to it once I leave?” Woozi continues to ask but he starts to lead me out of the garden.

“Do you want to know?” I ask, worried that it won’t be up to his expectations.

He nods, “I want to know.”

I exhale and say, “It’ll wither and disappear.”

“Oh.” Woozi says softly.

“It’s nothing special.” I lower my gaze in embarrassment and release my hand from his. “The chrysanthemums are just there to remind me of the loves I have to wait for.” I raise my head and find we’ve almost reached the lobby. “But the withering of one means that another is to come and that I’m one love closer to being free.”

“I’ll hold onto that last part and not think about the rest.” Woozi says and our footsteps echo through the quiet and empty lobby.

Now it’s my turn to lead our directions and Woozi grabs my hand again for comfort. We stay silent as we approach the departures door and my heart thunders against my chest. Opening the door, Woozi lets me pass through first with a small gesture.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands stoic next to a running car, its red back lights like red eyes watching our every move.

“Do you think Sunny and Yuna are over there?” Woozi asks as we walk closer.

I look over at him and his eyes are filled with calm, genuine wonder. “Yuna will be there. I haven’t seen Sunny pass through my hotel yet.” I tell him honestly.

“And how many lives did Yuna have when she passed over?” He continues to question.

“She lived 8 lives.” I inform him.

He looks straight ahead and straightens his shoulders in preparation to leave this world. “And Sunny?” He asks.

“When she was born as your child, she was on her 4th life and she had 6 more to go.” I say and my hand remembers how lightly Sunny rested her hand in mine after she passed away in the human world.

Woozi nods and pats a hand over his heart. “Good.”

We stop a few steps away from the car and Shin opens the car door for Woozi.

“Hey,” Woozi pulls my hand so I’m turned towards him, “I remember that bit.” He says quietly.

He raises my hand, palm up, then uses the other hand to drum his fingers against my palm. My eyes watch his fingers as they move against my skin.

Da, da-dum, da-dum-dum, da, da, da-dum.

My eyes look up to his which are studying my face for a reaction.

I smile softly, “That was the one.” I remember the small rhythm from hours earlier.

“Don’t forget it.” Woozi instructs and points a finger at me.

I shake my head, “Never.”

He smiles before capturing my face in his hands and bringing my lips to meet his in a deep kiss. I lean further in, not wanting to let go. But the nightly breeze that wraps around us directs us apart.

“I love you, (y/n).” Woozi whispers.

“I love you, Woozi.” I say, just as quiet.

After one last kiss pressed against my forehead, Woozi pulls away and walks towards the car. He ducks into the car and Shin closes the door behind him. The car’s brake lights brighten for a second before dimming and the car moves forward into the forest fog.

“What did he press into your hand?” Shin asks, walking up to me.

My eyes don’t leave the fog but my hands reach for Shin’s hands. Without breaking my gaze, I drum the melody against Shin’s palm.

Da, da-dum, da-dum-dum, da, da, da-dum.

I let my hand hover over his palm for a second before letting go of his hands.

There is a heart beat of silence before Shin says, “Beautiful.”

And back in my garden, the chrysanthemum sitting farthest to the right side withers away.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

Woozi slides his hands down his thighs and exhales. “This is your last time doing this.”

“What? Going to the forest?” I look over at him in confusion.

“Sending people off.” He restates.

“But this time I get to leave too.” I say and stand up, “Which makes it a last and a first.”

Woozi stands up in front of me, “Then we should get this last-first show going.”

I giggle at him and nod.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Woozi grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Woozi and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Woozi softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Woozi securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.3k / Ending B - 4.3k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“And what would you like me to do about that?” Soon Bok asks loudly as I walk into the lobby. The guest standing in front of Soon Bok is standing with her arms crossed and a hip popped. I immediately know that the guest has been giving Soon Bok sass and Soon Bok doesn’t take sass from guests.

“That’s what I thought.” Soon Bok says when the guest doesn’t have anything to say, “Now, please, go and enjoy the hotel’s amenities while I help other guests.” Soon Bok bows politely as the biggest bitch slap she can give without actually laying a finger on the guest.

I snicker and take the long way to meet up with Soon Bok while avoiding the guest.

“Sassy?” I ask when I catch up with the rooms manager.

“You have no idea.” Soon Bok breathes out. “She wanted me to change her room. And you wanna know her reasoning?”

I stay silent and let Soon Bok continue venting.

“Because she didn’t like the rug. The freaking rug!” Soon Bok throws her hands up in the air in disbelief, “And then she has the nerve to ask me to move her room even though we are nearly fully booked with people checking in during the day and the night. Crazy bitch.” Soon Bok grumbles with disgust.

I laugh and place a hand on her shoulder, “How did you ever survive here for so long, Soon Bok?”

“With great skill.” Soon Bok jokes lightly. “Hey, have you seen Mun Hee? He was supposed to do something for me but he disappeared awhile ago.”

I look around the lobby in search of our young receptionist. “He disappeared from me too. I’ll go find him and tell him he’s needed.”

Soon Bok nods in thanks, “I’ll be doing rounds in the 600 level.”

“I’ll send him right up.” I say with a smile before breaking away to find Mun Hee.

I check around the lobby once more to make sure he isn’t hiding behind some couch. But I have no luck. So I walk through the front reception doors to check his regular working station and low and behold, Mun Hee is sat behind the counter, scrolling through his phone, and laughing like he doesn’t have a job that needs doing.

“Jang Mun Hee.” I cross my arms over my chest and just stare at him. The sound of my voice startles him so much that he sends his phone tumbling across the desk and he stumbles as he stands on his feet.

“I-I wasn’t scrolling through videos.” Mun Hee stutters out a bad excuse, “I-I was doing research for our hotel.”

I raise my eyebrows at him in suspicion and keep my mouth shut.

“I was watching videos.” Mun Hee lowers his head in shame.

“Well, Soon Bok is looking for you.” I tell him, uncrossing my arms.

Mun Hee’s mouth drops open in realization. “Oh shoot. She asked me to print some things for her.” His hands tap nervously against the desk, “Oh. Oh. Oh. (y/n) can you stay here for just a few minutes while I go do that? Please?” He asks.

I nod once, “She’s in the 600 level.”

Mun Hee clasps his hands together in thanks, “Oh, thank you, thank you.” He rushes past me, “I’ll be right back!” He says and yanks the door to the hotel open then is gone from my sight.

I shake my head and chuckle before making my way behind the desk. Standing behind the desk for the first time in hundreds of years, I run my hands over the polished wood. Behind me, a wall lists all the rooms available and each room number has a light next to it. The rooms who’s light is turned off have a guest situated there. Seeing as our hotel is quite nearly full, most of the lights are turned off but there are still a good number lit.

The bell above the front door dings, announcing a guest’s arrival.

“Welcome to the Waning-” I start the usual speech but stop when I see the guest’s face.

“Hi. Am I in the right place?” The guest with Sang Kyu’s face asks while looking around our pretty empty reception area.

“I, I can check that for you if you uh, would just show me your palm.” I stutter in the face of one of my former human managers.

The guest with Sang Kyu’s face willingly holds out his hand, palm up. I have to read over his palm a couple times to make sure I’m reading his lives correctly.

I breathe out in relief and the guest pulls his hand back.

“You actually will need to go find Hotel Blue Moon.” I tell him. “Just follow the moon and it’ll guide you there.”

“I thought that’s what I was doing.” The guest tilts his head to the side and Sang Kyu’s unique confused expression shows through loud and clear.

“You probably were following the moon’s shadow.” I explain, “The moon’s shadow leads you here while the moon leads you to Hotel Blue Moon.”

“Ah, I see. So follow the actual moon, yes?” The guest repeats my instructions.

I nod, “Yes, there you will rest before leaving to live another life.”

“There’s more after this life?” The guest’s eyes widen and I’m reminded of Sang Kyu’s first few days as a manager and how every single thing amazed him.

“There is.” I smile softly.

“Thank you.” The guest says and quickly makes his way out of the reception area.

I sigh as the door closes behind him, “The Gods have given you 8 lives. Live them well.” I sigh again and continue to stare at the closed doors.

“Who was given 8 lives?” Mun Hee asks from behind me.

Startled, I whip around to face him while he has his hands tucked into his pockets.

“Mun Hee, don’t sneak up on me like that.” I scold him.

“Okay but who was given 8 lives?” He repeats his question, ignoring my fright.

“Sang Kyu’s soul.” I tell him and lean my forearms on the desk.

“Sang Kyu showed up?” Mun Hee asks and brushes his arm against mine as he copies my body posture.

“A future life did.” I say, “But I had to send him to Hotel Blue Moon. His soul’s not done yet.”

“Damn, I missed him.” Mun Hee says disappointed and I turn to face the board of rooms.

“He’ll be back.” I say, “Which room did Soon Bok put Joshua in?” I ask, searching the rooms as if they’ll tell me.

Mun Hee turns around and points to a room with its light off, “312. And he’s staying for 14 days. I read his palm.” Mun Hee adds before I can say anything.

“Two weeks?” I rephrase the duration of Joshua’s stay, “That’s so long.”

“But it also means he lived a lot of lives, which is good, right?” Mun Hee questions.

“I’m impatient.” I give him a lazy smile and push away from the desk to head back into the hotel.

“Oh, are you not going to hang out with me?” Mun Hee asks, his eyes following my movements.

I pause with my hand on the doors and chuckle, “I wish I could, Mun Hee, but you have your job and I have my job. I’ll see you later.” I wave at him and open the door to the bustling lobby.

~The Fourteenth Day~

I sigh and set down my pen after signing the 19th form of the day and I’ve only been awake for an hour. With one hand, I close the final folder and the other brings the champagne flute to my mouth. I lean back in my chair and close my eyes after setting the flute back down on my desk. My ears listen to the soft orchestral music I put on for background noise and stretch out my wrist.

“It’s just around the corner.” Chung Ho argues from the driver’s seat. “And it’ll only take like six seconds. I just have to pick up my suit jacket.”

“Can’t you do it on your way home?” I groan and sink further into my seat.

Chung Ho shakes his head, keeping his eyes on the road, “I need it for the thing I have after I get off.”

“I’ll let you leave early.” I try to bargain cause I really just want to lie in my bed and ignore both worlds.

Chung Ho gestures to the road in front of him, “We’re basically here. Stop complaining,” He turns down a side street full of shops. “You can brood and sulk soon.”

I humph and turn my head towards my side window.

The shops we pass are brick-and-mortar stores but most seem to be busy as there are a good amount of people out and about.

Chung Ho parks the car outside of a tailor shop and turns the car off.

“I’ll be right back. Wait here.” He instructs me and I scoff that he’s giving me instructions.

He leaves the car and walks into the store. The store front is quieter than the other surrounding stores and there are some sharp suits set up on mannequins in the front windows.

“Doesn’t look too shabby.” I mutter and peel my eyes back to the inside of the car.

I turn my attention back to the inside of car where Chung Ho’s wallet sits. My hand wraps around the wallet sitting in the center console. Worried that he’ll need it, I exit the car and quickly make my way inside the shop.

Chung Ho stands at the counter, patiently waiting for someone, and I make my way over.

Holding out his wallet to him, I announce my presence, “You left this in the car.”

He looks down and then up at me, “You do have a heart.” He jabs at me like a little sibling.

I roll my eyes as someone approaches with a suit jacket in a clear plastic covering. He’s dressed in slacks and a freshly pressed button up shirt. And I have to say he looks quite good. I read his name off of his name tag: Joshua.

“Here you are.” Joshua lays out the jacket on the counter then points out where he fixed it but I can’t actually tell, “I fixed the stitching on the pocket and the buttons on the sleeves. And there was some loose stitching on the inner layer so I fixed that as well.”

“It looks amazing. Thank you.” Chung Ho runs his hands over the front of the jacket and pockets his wallet.

As Chung Ho picks up his jacket, Joshua turns to me.

“Have you been helped yet, miss?” He asks and I’m taken aback not expecting it.

“I, I’m with him.” I gesture to Chung Ho who is trying so hard to stifle a laugh.

“I see.” Joshua looks between us, “Well, if you need anything tailored or custom made, do stop in.”

“Thank you.” I smile, slightly off put by the normality of his tone.

“Oh, here, take my business card.” Joshua hands over a small piece of paper, “My name’s Joshua.” He smiles and my mind burns the sweet sight deep into my memory.

Quick and consistent knocking brings me out of the memory and I sit up, rubbing my eyes.

“Who is it?” I ask, my voice laced with sleep.

Jiwoo opens the door and stands halfway in the doorway, “It’s me.”

“Mm, come in.” I run my hands through my hair, pushing through the small knots that had formed during my nap.

“You signed all the forms?” Jiwoo asks, noticing the large stacks on my desk.

“Yupp.” I say and pop the ‘p.’

“Did you even read them?” He asks and raises a questioning eyebrow.

I shrug, “I skimmed.”

Jiwoo shakes his head and then scoops of the files, “Soon Bok brought Joshua down just now. You better get going. Don’t want to keep your man waiting.” He says and winks at me.

I chuckle and quickly make my way out of my office with a wave of goodbye. My heels notify the hotel walls that this boss lady is not to be disturbed on her way to her garden.

When I reach the garden, Joshua is standing, facing me with his head bowed and his hands clasped behind his back. He hears my footsteps and lifts his head up. A smile grows on his face and mine does the same.

“Hey, stranger.” Joshua says with a light chuckle.

I run into his arms and sigh happily. “Joshua.”

Joshua pulls back and his eyes gaze over my face while he tucks some of my hair behind my ear. “God, you haven’t changed a bit.” He whispers.

I shyly laugh and Joshua chuckles at my reaction.

“How have you been?” Joshua asks, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

“I’ve been… existing.” I answer him.

“Just existing?” Joshua raises his eyebrows.

“Well, I was living for a while but then I had to wait and at that point I was just existing.” I explain then turn the question onto him, “How was your stay?”

“Really nice.” Joshua says slightly surprised, “You run a really nice hotel.”

“What, did you think I was running an old moldy motel?” I question with a laugh.

Joshua quickly shakes his head, “No, no. I just never expected the after life to be this… extravagant.”

“We get our money from the Gods and they do not disappoint.” I say with a smug smile. “Plus this is only the beginning, there’s still the other side.”

Joshua wiggles his eyebrows playfully and twirls me in a circle. “Sounds exciting.”

I land back in his arms and he looks around the garden.

“So is this your private garden?” Joshua asks, keeping one arm wrapped around your shoulders while turning his body towards the tree.

“This is.” I say, “And that’s the tree that keeps me tied here like a chained dog.”

“Ah, don’t drag innocent dogs into this.” Joshua pouts, “Well, you keep it in good condition.”

“It keeps itself like that.” I tell him and lead him towards the tree. “The Gods use it as a twisted reminder of why I’m running this hotel.”

I pull his hand and rest it against the trunk of the tree. “Do you feel it?”

Joshua tilts his head to the side, “What am I supposed to feel?”

I smile softly at him, “Close your eyes and focus on the tree.” I tell him and let go of his hand as not to interfere.

“Okay.” Joshua whispers and closes his eyes. After a few seconds, he opens his eyes again. “There’s a faint heartbeat.”

“It’s mine.” I lean in close to tell him the secret.

“So you are alive.” Joshua teases and boops my nose.

“Just cause I have a heartbeat doesn’t mean I’m alive.” I argue and walk back to sit on the bench.

“Always the stubborn one, aren’t you?” Joshua asks, taking a seat next to me on the bench.

I scrunch my face up at him then move the conversation away from the topic of me. “I have a question.”

“Ask your question.” Joshua says dramatically.

“That first day we met, why did you assume I was just another customer?” I ask and Joshua’s face flushes with embarrassment.

“That was so embarrassing.” He covers his face with his hands. I giggle and pull his hands away. His cheeks are flushed pink and he smiles sheepishly.

“I thought it was kind of cute.” I tell him.

Joshua chuckles while he exhales, “Well, if I’m being completely honest, it was your clothes.”

“My clothes?” I question and look down at my outfit.

“Not the ones you’re wearing, silly.” Joshua nudges his shoulder against mine, “The day you walked in with your friend you were wearing at least what looked like high end stuff and your friend was wearing a lower level of fashion.”

“How could you tell it was high end?” I continue to probe into his explanation.

“Have you already forgotten what I did for a living?” Joshua asks, slightly offended but then continues his explanation, “The fabrics your dress was made out of and, not that I was looking,” He lays out his defense, “The stitching on your dress was flawless. Damn near perfect.”

“You got all that from the what, one minute we were standing in front of each other?” I wonder.

“Uh, yeah.” Joshua responds with sass, “I’m a tailor. It’s what I did for a living.”

“So you totally judged us.” I sum up.

“Oh, I totally judged you.” Joshua laughs and I join in with him. “Just don’t tell your friend that.”

“You really don’t remember his name?” I ask.

“I was kind of focused on you.” Joshua smirks.

I breathe out, “Well, lucky for you, I haven’t seen Chung Ho pass through this hotel yet. So he’s still out there living lives.” I lean in closer to Joshua and poke his tummy. “Speaking of lives, you, sir, lived a fair amount.”

“Fourteen is a fair amount?” Joshua wonders. “I thought I would’ve lived more.”

“More than fourteen lives?” I repeat incredulously, “Fourteen lives is a lot! Most souls only live like 5 to 9 lives. You had fourteen.”

Joshua laughs in defeat, “Alright, so I lived more than the average number of lives but I still thought I would’ve lived more.”

“The Gods decide all that and I’m pretty sure they spin a wheel to see how many lives each soul will live.” I explain and try to joke at the same time. “Which life was your favorite?”

“Hmm.” Joshua hums in thought, “My first. Cause you were in it.” He lazily smiles.

“That’s biased.” I roll my eyes.

“No but I am serious about my favorite being my first.” Joshua explains, “The clothes I made and the clothes I fixed, I don’t know, there was just sometime about the work that I didn’t find in any of my other lives.”

“So you like using your hands.” I conclude and start playing with his hand.

Joshua chuckles and grips my hand securely. “My hands are everything. I get to hold my most favorite thing in my hands.” He holds up your interlocked hands for emphasis.

“And what was your favorite part about making or fixing the clothes?” I ask, leaning in closer and listening to the echo of his heartbeat. Strong and steady.

Joshua shrugs underneath me, “The feeling of the cloth underneath my fingers and the motion of sewing the pieces together was just, soothing? Calming?” He searches for the right word.

“I get it.” I nod in understanding. “Plus, you always made the seams nearly invisible. You were so good.”

“Only for you.” Joshua whispered and planted a kiss to the top of my head.

“Nah, I couldn’t have been the only one.” I deny.

“You’re right. You weren’t the only one.” Joshua states simply and I still at his answer, “I did it for my kids, also.”

A smile grows on my face, “Kids? You had kids?”

Joshua mirrors the smile on my face and nods, “I had two. Two girls.” He explains.

“Tell me about them.” I ask, looking up at him and he settles more comfortably with me.

“What do you want to know?” Joshua asks, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer.

“Everything.” I exhale happily, ready to dive into the stories of Joshua’s first life.

Joshua chuckles but easily begins telling me all about his girls. Where they went to school, what they ended up doing after college, and even some of their embarrassing stories-many of which he took part in. I listen with admiration as he claims that because of me and my wardrobe full of dresses, he was well versed in the world of dress tailoring.

From his children, he moved onto the shop and how it faired over the years. How he couldn’t find a successor for it and it retired when he did. The things he did in retirement and the few grandchildren his daughters gave him. He even lived long enough to meet a couple of his great grandchild.

In between the stories, we’d sometimes get sidetracked and start talking about our own memories. From the happy ones when we had chaotic dates and amazing adventures to the less happy ones where we had our arguments or when I had to return to the hotel for long periods of times and I couldn’t tell him where I was going.

As the last of the stories are told, the sun also tells its last stories while it bids the day goodbye.

And it also signals the goodbye I have to say to Joshua.

Joshua sighs and kisses my head then rests his cheek on the top of my head. “My turn to go, huh?” He murmurs.

I slowly nod, “Your turn to go.”

“And if I don’t want to?” He questions, slumping onto me.

“We don’t really have a choice, Joshua.” I giggle as my body starts to bend underneath his dead weight.

Joshua pouts like a child and I shake my head.

“You, sir, are a child.” I tell him with a laugh.

“My soul is still so young.” Joshua says and dramatically places a hand over his heart. “And now it must go to an eternal rest. How unfair and cruel is this world.” Joshua flails his body out.

I stand up with an exhale, “Alright, my love. You have a soul that needs resting.” I grab his hands one at a time and try to pull him up but he does nothing to help me. He even closes his eyes.

“Joshua…” I drag out his name.

He peeks at me through half opened eyes before suppressing a smile and closing his eyes again.

I cross my arms and tilt my head to the side, “Joshua, come on. I don’t want this anymore than you do but come on. Please?”

Joshua sighs in defeat and holds out his hands while opening and closing his fists. Much like a child. “Help me up.” He says.

I roll my eyes playfully but give into his request and grab his hands. When he stands, he pulls me so we’re standing chest to chest and looks down at me with a look that I can’t quite place.

“What?” I ask and he smirks.

“Can’t I take in the beauty of the woman I love for a last time?” Joshua questions me.

I release one of his hands and lead him out of the garden, “Yes you can, but you are on a deadline.”

Joshua mumbles nonsense and wraps his arms around my waist from behind. “Do you think the weather will be nice over there?” He asks, nuzzling his face into my neck.

“I’m sure the weather will be beautiful over there.” I chuckle.

As we enter the lobby, Joshua lightly kisses my neck and a shiver runs down my spine.

“Joshua, behave.” I scold him, “The guests will be awake soon.”

“Sooo?” He drags out the word in a low voice.

“Joshua.” I elbow his stomach, telling him that he seriously needs to stop.

Joshua pulls back and falls in step next to me, “Okay, I’m sorry. I’m just really going to miss you.” He explains

“I know.” I smile at him as we near the departure door.

Joshua reaches out and opens the door. The night air wastes no time rushing into the hotel. We both stand shoulder to shoulder looking out towards the forest, neither of us aying a word.

That is until the wind blows the sound of an idling engine in our direction. Joshua hears it as well and starts walking forward with me in tow. We walk in silence but Joshua’s grip on my hand doesn’t lessen one bit. Our footsteps slow as we approach Shin standing next to the idling car.

I take in a deep breath and try to release my hand from Joshua’s grasp but he doesn’t let go.

“Promise me something?” He asks, reaching into his other pocket.

“Anything.”  I say, my voice not coming out as strong as I would’ve liked.

Joshua gives me a small smile and brings something out of his pocket. The colorful cloth floats in the wind and some gold sparkles under the growing moonlight.

“Keep this close.” He says and places the cloth in my hand, closing my fingers around it.

I open the fabric in my hands. The deep blue silk is soft against my fingers and I know exactly where i’ve met this fabric before. It was Joshua’s favorite handkerchief.

My hands close over the cloth, “I promise.” I promise and Joshua nods in satisfaction.

Joshua leans down and places a sweet kiss on my lips. For those two seconds, I spend the entire time memorizing how his lips feels against mine and how they mold with mine as easily as chocolate sets in a mold. And all too soon, Joshua pulls away and smiles sweetly at me.

Without another word, I watch him walk to the car and lower himself into it. I watch as the car door shuts at the sound solidifies Joshua’s exit from this world.

My grip on the handkerchief tightens as the car drives away. I pray that the Gods won’t take this last shred of Joshua away from me but of course, they don’t listen to me.

Minutes after the car disappears into the forest fog, the satin slowly disappears until all that’s left in my grasp is air.

When the cloth has fully disappeared, a white chrysanthemum withers and dies back in the garden. Then I turn back to the hotel and walk straight to my office and lock myself away to wait for the next to arrive.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“I wonder which one was right.” Joshua says, uncrossing his legs in preparation to stand up.

“Which one was right?” I repeat his question in confusion.

“Which religion was right.” Joshua explains, “I was always a Christian but I wonder which one actually had it right.”

I smile at his thoughts, “They all are.” I tell him, leaning towards him, “That’s why they’re called 'Gods’ and not 'God.’”

“And no one knows.” Joshua says in awe.

“Not until they come here.” I smile and rise to my feet, “So let’s go see it.”

Joshua jumps to his feet, “Let’s go.” He smiles widely and grabs my hand. He leads me out of the garden with a little spring in his step. But as we near the lobby, my footsteps begin getting heavier.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Joshua grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Joshua and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Joshua softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Joshua securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 5.3k / Ending B - 5.2k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“Wait for me!” Mun Hee yells after me, his footsteps echoing off of the walls.

“Walk faster.” I call out behind me continuing on my purposeful walk out of the garden.

“Did, did you want me to send up your unfinished champagne to your office?” Mun Hee asks when he catches up to me.

I wave a hand, giving nearly zero thought, “Whatever.”

“Is that a yes?” Mun Hee steps in front of me, stopping me from continuing forward.

I roll my eyes and remind myself to put a stopper on his growing confidence, “Send it up.”

Mun Hee nods, happy that he got an answer and steps aside. As we bust into the lobby, the regular day to day sounds of the Waning Crescent Hotel fill my ears: the faint piano music playing, the dings of the elevators, and the sounds of guests milling around. I spot Jiwoo standing across the lobby from me and make a bee line for him. But in my haste, I fail to notice another guest walking in a different direction until…

“Ooomf.” I grunt when I collide with another body. The guest wobbles and I reach out my hands to steady them. I don’t need a guest falling in my lobby.

“Oh, are you alright?” The guest, female, asks in a very familiar voice.

I look at the guest’s face and nearly choke on air.

“Ch-Chaewon?” I stutter, not believing what my eyes are seeing.

Chaewon smiles warmly at me, “(y/n).”

“Chaewon.” I repeat her name, a small degree of happiness creeping into my voice. Pulling her into a hug, she sighs over my shoulder and wraps her arms around my waist. With the moment of happiness passed, I pull away realizing that she’s in my hotel but I keep ahold of her hands. “Why are you here?”

Laughing, Chaewon waves her hand at me, palm where I can see. “My lives are up. Lived a solid 9 of them and been here a whole nine days.” My eyes widen in surprise and Chaewon smirks. “And you failed to notice me.”

I glare at Mun Hee and he slowly backs away. “I didn’t even know you had checked in.”

Chaewon nods, “It’s understandable. Your hotel has been pretty busy while I’ve been here.” She looks around the lobby with a love filled gaze, “It’s much busier than when I was around.”

“Not that much has changed, has it?” I wonder, looking around in the opposite direction.

“Actually a lot has changed.” Chaewon corrects me, “Especially you.”

“Me?” I scoff, letting go of her hands, “I haven’t changed.”

“Oh yes you have.” Chaewon points a finger at me.

“Name one thing that has changed.” I challenge her and rest my hands on my waist while popping a hip with sass.

“Well, for starters, your style has greatly improved.” She looks me up and down with a smirk. All I can do is roll my eyes. “And you didn’t let me fall over when you ran into me when you used to let guests just fall without a second thought. Thirdly, your face has the warm glow of a woman loved by 13 perfect men.”

I lick my lips, contemplating how I’m going to combat this one but Yong’s voice beats me to the punch.

“Chaewon. There you are.” Yong walks towards us from the doorway where all departures exit. “Are you- (y/n).”

I look between Yong and Chaewon then the hurt floods through my body. “You were going to leave without seeing me?” I ask.

“Of course not.” Chaewon shakes her hands towards me, “I was going to wait outside and have you come see me off. But this way, you can walk me out too.”

The hurt subsides almost immediately and I immediately link my arm with hers. “After the nine lives you lived, and the one when you were with me, I will be honored to walk with you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jiwoo standing with a guest but his gaze occasionally glances over.

I lean close to Chaewon’s ear and whisper, “You did introduce yourself to your family line, right?”

Chaewon smiles and nods, “I did. Actually Mun Hee was the one who made that meeting happen a couple days ago.”

Jiwoo respectfully bows to the guest then shuffles over to where we are still, somehow, standing.

“You’re leaving already?” Jiwoo asks.

Chaewon smiles warmly at him, “What’s with the ‘already’? I asked to be the last departure for the night. It’s more like 'finally.’”

Jiwoo chuckles lightly, “Well, if I say finally, then it might sound like I really want you to leave. But that’s just simply not true.”

Chaewon releases my arm and opens both of her arms for Jiwoo, “I know it’s not true.”

Jiwoo walks into her arms and they hug each other.

“Seeing how you carried out your duties at the hotel, I want you to know that you’re doing our whole family proud.” Chaewon says quietly, “I’m so proud of you.” She says and emphasizes the 'I’m.’

Seeing the two together, and hearing Jiwoo sniffle, my stupid heart realizes something.

Even though I was the one she worked closest with and even though I’m the one who actually knew her, I’m not the one who should walk her to the car.

Jiwoo pulls away and takes in a breath to steady himself to say good bye. But I place a hand on his shoulders, bringing the attention to me. I turn to Chaewon and straighten my shoulders.

“Chaewon, I know you wanted to have me escort you,” I say, looking at her and memorizing her face one last time, “But there’s someone who deserves it more.”

“(y/n)…” Jiwoo whispers my name and I turn to him.

“Walk her out. I want you too.” I tell him with a nod.

“But she… she knew you.” Jiwoo says in awe.

The side of my mouth twitches in a memory filled smile, “I know. But I still think you deserve to walk her out.” I shrug, “But I can make it an order if that’ll prove how serious I am.”

Jiwoo quickly shakes his head.

Chaewon wraps me up in a tight hug, “You really have changed.” She whispers in my ear, “Thank you, (y/n).”

I give her waist a small squeeze, “No, thank you, Chae.”

We pull away and Chaewon takes Jiwoo’s offered hand. Yong and I stand side by side as they walk away. Just before they reach the door, Chaewon turns around.

“Don’t feel bad about not coming to my funeral, (y/n).” She calls out, “I know why you didn’t and I’ll give the Gods a good earful for it.”

A smile grows on my face as I wave and then Chaewon turns back around. Jiwoo opens the door for her and she’s gone.

I stare the closed door for a few moments longer while the hotel continues about its day around me.

“Dino?” I remember the reason why i was in search of Jiwoo or Yong in the first place.

“Room 112.” Yong responds and we turn away from the door.

“How long?” I ask.

“Seven.” Mun Hee answers from my other side.

I breathe in and out, resetting my mentality for the day. “What’s on the agenda for the rest of the day?” I ask and Yong holds an open file in front of me.

“First, the chefs have asked you taste some new dishes they concocted.” Yong lists off the first item. Half of my stomach twists in fear of what they made while the other half wonders what delicious tastes they’ve melded together.

~The Seventh Day~  

I’m standing in front of Dino’s glass shop but the whole world seems to have a sepia filter over it. The door is closed but the open blinds and the sign on the door say the store is open for business. In the windows, glass vases and glass sculptures sit on shelves and glisten under the sun.

In the rear of the shop, and just barely in my view, someone shuffles around. I find myself walking towards the door and just before my hand touches the door handle, I hesitate.

What if it isn’t Dino? I wonder.

Before I can find the answer for myself, the door swings open and a young male, probably in high school, stands in front of me, holding the door open with a smile. He looks familiar but I can’t remember his name.

“(y/n).” He greets me with my name. “Dino said you would be coming around today. He’s in the back.” He gestures for me to follow him inside and my body does.

Walking in, I look around the shop and take in all the delicate glass works colored with streaks, spots, and tints of all the colors of the rainbow.

“So, this is your first time here?” The employee asks me.

“Yeah, it is.” I answer.

“Dino’s working on a project but let me go get him for you.” He says, “Feel free to look around, I’ll be right back.” He mentions before disappearing through a veiled doorway.

I walk through the isles, admiring every single piece and their curves and delicate parts. The shelves are filled with everything from simple vases to plump little animals to sturdy glasses made for wine and other drinks.

In the back corner of the shop, standing alone in a protected shelf, sits an intricate dragon. It’s snout is raised to the sky as its stream of fire is frozen in time. It’s tail wraps around a leafless tree acting as a protective barrier.

“Took me forever to get the tree right.” Dino says, creeping up next to me, “And I still don’t think it’s 100% correct. There’s not enough life in it.”

I smile, “I think it’s correct.” I glance over the tree again, “It never had any life anyway.”

“That tree wasn’t the one I was trying to emulate.” Dino counters before turning and walking towards the counter. “I wanna show you this.”

I turn away from the tree and follow Dino, “Show me what?”

Dino smiles and reaches under the counter then brings out a black box. “These.” He states and lifts the cover of the box.

He removes the tissues laid across the top to reveal two beautiful glass champagne flutes. I take in a sharp breath and gaze over the two glasses.

The base is perfectly flat. The stem encases a braid of three tinier braids. The bowl’s glass smooth with the tiny braids from the stem spreading out like the branches of a tree. The entire flute is tinted with streaks of dark blue and white. It reminds me of the nights at the hotel.

“What do you think?” Dino asks, never taking his eyes off of my reaction.

“They’re amazing.” I answer him, glancing up in time to see his smile.

“Good, cause I made them for you.” Dino says, “Since you enjoy champagne and all.” He explains.

“They’re for me?” I question, part of me not believing it to be true.

Dino nods quickly, “Of course.” He picks up one of the glasses, “Hold it, see how it feels in your hand.”

I hold out my hand and Dino sets the glass down.

But the second my hand meets the cool glass, the flute cracks and then explodes.

I startle awake and nearly roll off the couch but my hand reacts and catches me before I can fully register anything. Blinking a couple times, I look around my office.

The dark night has successfully chased away all traces of the sun. In front of me, an open champagne bottle sits next to an empty champagne flute. But it’s different from the one in my dream. This one is simple glass with simple straight lines and no character. It probably only cost a mere $10 in any store.

Running my hands over my face, I begin to wonder why the glass would’ve shattered in my dream. Maybe it represented Dino’s heart and how I completely and utterly shattered it when I left.

“I hate dreaming.” I groan when the thought crosses my mind.

Picking up the boring champagne flute, I turn it over in my hand and a frown grows on my face.

“I hate all of this!” I yell and throw the champagne glass to the side without looking. I close my eyes and listen to it crash against the wall. I listen as the pieces fall to the floor and shatter some more.

Pushing my hands against my thighs, I rise to my feet and stretch. I take in a deep breath and head to my upstairs room to change out of yesterday’s clothes.

2 hours later, I’m freshly showered, changed, and made up for the day. Opening my bedroom doors with flourish, I walk back down the stairs to find Jiwoo waiting for me with a couple files in his hands.

“Late morning?” He greets me when I reach the bottom step.

I shrug, “More like late night.” I correct him and make my way over to my desk.

“My roommate had the same thing, though I figure for different reasons.” Jiwoo says as I sit down in my chair, “These are the guests who checked in during the day.” He sets down the opened file in front of me. One of the many differences between Yong and him. Yong leaves the files closed until I open them. Jiwoo opens them for me whether I want to look at them or not.

“We had 6 check in?” I look over the list quickly.

“There was a…” Jiwoo pauses, “a terrible accident.” I look up and his eyes are clouded over with immense sadness.

I decide not to press the situation as I can tell from him that the whole human world must be hurting from it. And if the whole world is hurting from it, then it was a massive tragedy.

“How many departures do we have tonight?” I continue on our usual daily info session.

“Just 3.” Jiwoo says after some of the sadness is erased and places another open file on my desk.

I nod and glance over the short list.

“Ah, Shin’s outside the doors and he wanted to talk with you.” Jiwoo remembers and points a thumb towards the closed doors.

I sigh, “Alright, send him in.”

Jiwoo bows. “Then I’ll leave you be.”

I wave him off and he walks to the doors. Just after he steps out of my office, Shin steps in, dressed in his usual black robes.

“(y/n).” He greets me and stiffly walks to stand in front of my desk.

“Shin.” I greet him in the same manner, “What did you want to talk about?”

Shin shrugs, “I was kind of hoping you would tell me.”

I scrunch my face in confusion, “I don’t have anything to talk to you about?” I say as more of a question.

“I was guided to come see you this morning.” Shin explains.

“Guided?” I repeat his word, “Guided by who?”

Shin nods his head upwards towards the sky and I understand his answer.

I sigh. The Gods love messing with my head and my heart.

“My dream last night.” I start, giving into the Gods schemes.

“Was something odd?” Shin wonders.

“It started out as a memory, but then it quite literally exploded.” I explain while standing and walking to the cabinet where I keep the specific champagne flutes hidden. Rummaging around, I finally find and pull out the dusty black box.

“It exploded…” Shin repeats my words. His eyes watch me as I walk back to my desk with the box.

I open the box and peel back the tissue paper so Shin can see them. “The memory was of the day Dino gave these to me.” I continue, “It was also the first day I had ever visited his store front.” Shin gingerly picks one of the flutes up and examines it closely, “Dino handed me one and the moment it touched my skin, it cracked and exploded.”

“This is amazing work.” Shin comments, his eyes fixed on the stem. Probably wondering how Dino was able to intertwine and insert the braids so perfectly. I always have.

After a few moments, Shin returns the glass to it’s cushioned box. “So it shattered.”

I nod.

“And you’re worried because you don’t know what it means.” Shin continues spewing information I already know.

“Yes, I’m worried.” I stare at him, “Memories don’t just change like that. Especially not mine.”

“You were sleeping though.” Shin points out.

I let out a puff of air, “Even in my dreams, my memories don’t change.”

As Shin opens his mouth to answer, a knock sounds at the door.

“(y/n).” Mun Hee sing songs through the door.

“What Mun Hee?” I call back and Shin closes his mouth, placing his hands behind his back.

The door opens and Mun Hee pokes his head in, “Oh, hey Shin.” He greets the Grim Reaper with a smile before looking at me, “Yong is bringing Dino down now.”

I nod and wave him away. Mun Hee silently closes the door.

“We can continue this after?” Shin suggests carefully.

“No, I’m sure I’ll figure it out by the end of the day.” I shake my head and stand up.

“Mmm.” Shin hums in understanding and walks next to me as we exit my office.

Once the doors are closed behind us, Shin takes his leave.

“I will see you at the forest, later.” He bows and walks down the hall before turning the corner and disappearing from my sight.

I chew on the inside of my lip in thought and make my way to the elevators. The entire way to my garden, the image of the champagne flute exploding in my hand replays over and over. Like the one part of a song that always gets stuck in the mind.

When I do reach the garden, the memory vanishes and is replaced with Dino inspecting every inch of the bare tree.

He lowers his gaze from a branch and meets mine with a wide smile. I return the smile and immediately cover the distance to him. Dino’s arms instinctively wrap around me and he sighs contently.

“Hey.” He whispers in my ear.

“Hi.” I say, squeezing him tighter.

When we pull away and I pause to take in Dino’s appearance. His clothing is simple enough but comfortable and looks great on him. Though when has he ever looked bad in an outfit…

He has a warm smile on his face and his eyes are full of life, or at least the memory of lives lived to the fullest.

“What?” Dino asks when I’ve stared a few seconds too long, “Is there something on my face?”

I shake my head, “No, no. I just, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

“Ah, so you were in awe of my good looks.” Dino strikes an exaggerated model pose then raises an eyebrow at me.

Laughing, I shake my hands in a visceral answer of 'no.’ Dino laughs at my reaction and returns to a normal standing position. When our laughter dies down, his gaze is again captured by the tree that looms above us.

“So the metaphorical tree actually exists.” Dino guesses, following one of the branches to the trunk.

I clasp my hands behind my back, “It does.”

Dino reaches out to touch the trunk and a shiver runs down my spine when his fingers meet the rough, old bark. “I always thought it was just a metaphor for yourself. It’s why I was never satisfied with the way the glass tree looked. I always saw you with so much life but the glass trees I made always looked so lifeless…” He trails off and pulls his hand back to his side.

“The tree is as dead as I am.” I state, “For every day it doesn’t age, neither do I.”

“You, my dear, have much more life than this tree would ever have in a million years.” Dino compliments me and I half smile.

“I thought you created the glass tree just right.” I inform him. “With just the right amount of death and the perfect sliver of life.”

“You don’t see what I see.” Dino leans in and whispers before walking over to the bench. He lets out a breath as he lowers himself onto the bench, much like an old man.

“And what do you see?” I question and cross my arms over my chest.

Dino smirks and motions me closer with a single finger.

I take three steps closer then stop.

Dino just shakes his head and does the same 'come closer’ motion.

Four more steps and I’m standing right in front of him.

“Closer.” Dino says and I lower myself so my face is just in front of his.

“I see a woman, who pulls on the optimism of every situation, a woman who showed no fear even in the face of a burning furnace.” Dino stares into my eyes, “I see a woman who loved every part of me.” He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and collides his lips with mine, shocking me for only a second before my body responds from memory.

When we pull apart, Dino has a mischievous spark in his eyes and I just laugh as I sit next to him on the bench. Once I’m seated, I lean my head on his shoulder and he wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“Did you keep the shop?” I ask, suddenly hating the silence that surrounds us.

Dino nods, “I did. Tae Oh took over the shop when I retired but I still visited.” Dino’s apprentice’s face flashes in my mind.

“Your kids didn’t take over?” I wonder because he’d often talked about his dream to pass the shop down to his kids.

“I never had kids of my own.” Dino tells me, “I never even married.”

I sit up straight and look at him in disbelief. “You didn’t marry?”

He nods while avoiding my eyes.

“Why not?” I ask though i’m slightly afraid of the answer.

“I just never found anyone that matched with me.” Dino shrugs.

My shoulders slump as I hear the unsaid ending to the sentence bounce around my head.

'After you left.’

“After you left,” Dino says, “I wondered if people were really meant to only love one person in their lifetime. Maybe that’s why I never found anyone else. Maybe I was too engrossed in that thought that I couldn’t see the others in front of me.” Dino grabs my hand and looks over at me, “But I don’t regret it.”

“You don’t?” I ask, trying to understand.

“What do I have to regret?” Dino argues, “I lived a full life. Tae Oh essentially was my child and I somehow became a father to him. I got to watch him grow up and have a family of his own. I didn’t have anyone to come home to, but then again, I didn’t exactly want anyone to come home to.”

I frown knowing that he never found another love.

“But don’t you worry.” Dino says, booping my frown, “In my other lives, I had lots of loves. In fact, in my fifth life, I swore I was in love like 4 different times.” He tries to lighten the mood and for the most part, I let it, but a small part of me is still sad for his first life.

“Tae Oh was good to you, then?” I ask, diverting the conversation.

“The best son-not-son a man could ask for.” Dino says proudly, “He received awards for his glass work and was really famous. He always told me I could retire early and he’d support me but gosh, how could I?”

“You could’ve.” I put in my two cents.

“I could’ve, yes, but then what would I do?” Dino questions me, “He and his wife didn’t have any kids I could watch over so I’d be stuck at home watching TV like an old fart.”

I laugh out loud at his simile. “Fair point, fair point.”

“And besides, our works were selling like crazy and there was no way Tae Oh was going to be able to handle all of them by himself.” Dino continues, “So I had to stay on.”

“So caring as always.” I stroke his hair with sort of teasing smile.

Dino rolls his eyes, “Whatever.” He says and chuckles, “By the way, what did you do with those flutes I gave you? Did you use them?”

“I still have them.” I tell him, then lie, “I bring them out from time to time.”

Dino narrows his eyes at me in suspicion. “Liar.”

“I do.” I defend myself, “Though time to time usually means a few hundred years between uses.”

“(y/n).” Dino exclaims, “They’re meant to be used, not on display collecting dust.”

I smile in embarrassment and Dino gasps.

“You kept them stored away?” He realizes with wide eyes.

I press my lips together, unsure how to respond when I’m pretty sure my facial expression says the answer.

Dino places a hand over his heart and feigns pain. “Ah, my heart. All my hard work and you put it away in storage for hundreds of years at a time.”

I push his shoulder and he over dramatically falls over, “Stop it, they were too precious to use constantly.”

“But you did use them at least once?” He asks, still toppled over but looking at me with eager eyes.

I smile, “Yes, I think I’ve used them maybe 10 times?”

“Were any of them special occasions?” Dino wonders and sits up properly.

“Once.” I answer and then explain, “The day of your funeral, I sipped through 5 champagne bottles with them.”

“My funeral.” Dino repeats, “Not the special occasion I had in mind but oddly enough, I’m kind of happy that you at least had something to remind you of me on that day.” He scoffs at himself.

I blow out a breath, “Can I ask a strange question?”

Dino raises his eyebrows, “You ask that like none of your questions were ever strange.”

I giggle, “I’m serious, Dino.”

“Okay, okay.” Dino surrenders, “What’s your strange question?”

I readjust my posture like a child who is about to ask her friend for the juiciest gossip on the street. “What was the strangest thing a customer asked you to make?”

“The strangest thing?” Dino thinks out loud, “Mmmm, there’s a few that stand out.”

“What’s the first?” I push, leaning closer.

“Uh, I think it was the puffer fish.” Dino says in thought and explains the whole situation because of my nagging questions.

After the strange creations he was asked to create, we dive into Dino’s life with Tae Oh and his family. Then Dino filled the rest of the fleeting hours with stories that he kept in his memory for me. The places he visited, the people he met through his work, the fascination in people’s eyes when they saw his work- that was his favorite part.

The sun lowers itself into its western bed and I shiver as the cold night caresses my skin.

“You ever wondered where the sun leads?” Dino asks a pensive look on his face.

“What do you mean?” I ask, looking at him.

Dino leans back, sliding his hands along his thighs, “Like if you were to follow the sun, where it would lead and what you would find.”

“You would find water and then land and then more land.” I deadpan and he chuckles at my seriousness.

“I’m asking a serious metaphorical question here, (y/n).” Dino pouts and I smirk.

“Okay, okay.” I give in to his puppy eyes, “I have wondered but I never tried. The moon is my domain and that’s the one I’d follow.”

“Do you think I’ll be chasing the sun?” Dino asks glancing out the western windows.

“Depends.” I say, “Are you the night chasing the sun or are you the sun chasing the night?”

Dino looks at me in disbelief, “Now who’s the one talking in riddles.” He chuckles but then sighs in thought, “If you put it that way, I think I’d be the sun chasing the night but only if you were the moon in the night.”

I push him away and stand up. “Alright Mr. Cheesy.” I hold out both of my hands, “Your journey towards the sun is awaiting you.”

Dino holds a hand over his mouth and pretends to baby barf while standing up. I roll my eyes at his tactics but he just laughs.

“You started this.” I point a finger at him and begin to walk away.

“Awww. (y/n).” He drags out my name and wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind. “You’re no fun.”

“I am too.” I defend myself.

Dino smooshes a kiss against my cheek, “You are.”

We walk out of the garden with Dino hanging off of my shoulders and our steps teeter and totter from left to right. The hotel is silent with most guests still sleeping and/or adjusting to greeting their past lives and my staff are probably just waking up to begin their duties around the hotel.

“I like this quiet.” Dino whispers as we reach the departure door.

“It is nice, isn’t it?” I agree and open the door. “Less aggressive on your ears than the raging furnace.”

“Hey, don’t diss Bertha like that.” Dino says with serious eyes.

I burst out laughing and pull the door closed behind us. “I totally forgot you named your furnace.”

“How could you forget Bertha?” Dino gasps.

I giggle and grab his hand tightly, “Well, I won’t forget now.”

“You better not.” Dino says and swings our hands back and forth. “You’ll come there too, right? One day?” He asks, looking at the idling car Shin is standing next to.

“One day.” I nod, “I don’t know how soon but one day soon I’ll get there.”

“I’ll wait for you then.” Dino whispers.

“There will be others before I get there and you might have to share.” I inform him as we slow to a stop a few feet away from where Shin has the car door open.

“Then I’ll fight them all and win you over.” Dino says defiantly.

An airy chuckle bounces in my chest, “Don’t hurt yourself in the process.”

Dino sighs happily and there’s a twinkle in his eyes, “I love you, (y/n).” He says and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“I love you too.” I tell him and close my eyes to memorize the feeling of his lips against my skin.

Dino pulls away, squeezes my hand briefly, and then lets go of it. I watch silently as he greets Shin with a polite nod before sliding into the car without a look back. The sure slam of the car door closing pounds against my heart like a sledge hammer.

Every inch the car drives away, my heart tears apart further and further. When the car finally disappears into the forest fog, my knees give out and I fall to the ground with my clutching my chest. A few tears manage to escape. I watch as one drops into the dirt and disappears.

And back in the hotel, in my garden, a white chrysanthemum does the same.

It takes a little bit of time but eventually the ache in my chest subsides enough for me to rise back up. With a deep breath, I pull my hair behind my shoulders and turn away from the forest. I face the hotel and prepare to face the night.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“You call yourself the moon and yet you shiver in the cold.” Dino notices me shiver against the night air.

I chuckle, “I’m not immune to everything.”

“Let’s hope that the other side is a lot warmer than here.” Dino says and stands up with dramatic flourish.

I follow suit and stand nearly chest to chest. “Shall we see if that’s true or not?”

Dino grabs my hands and smiles widely, “Hell yes.”

As we walk out of the garden, Dino does a couple skips in happiness and while I do feel a great amount of happiness that I get to leave with him, there is a seed of sadness tucked away in the shadows.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Dino grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Dino and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Dino softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Dino securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if you this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 4.2k / Ending B - 3.9k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“The pool is going to be cleaned tonight. And Jiwoo said that some of the lights should be changed out.” Yong informs me as I watch Mingyu from above.

I silently nod and tilt my head as Mingyu dramatically adjust his long coat before sitting on one of the lobby couches.

Yong chuckles, “You’re staring.”

I blink and look at other places in the lobby, avoiding the fact that I got caught. “The others will never know about this.” I threaten even though I know she would never leak that kind of information unless I wanted it.

“They will stay in the dark. As always.” Yong gives a single nod.

“Don’t say that. That makes it sound like I never talk to my staff.” I whine, pouting.

Yong shrugs, “Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one you actually talk to.”

I lean against the railing, “That’s not true. I talk to others.”

“Mun Hee and Soon Bok and Jiwoo don’t count.” Yong corrects me, “They’re the heads of their departments. They have to talk to you.”

I purse my lips and search for other employees I talk to.  "Well, there’s was, no they didn’t talk to me.“

Yong pats my shoulder, "It’s okay. You technically don’t need to talk to everyone.”

I stand up straight and flick my hair behind my shoulders, “Exactly. And more people should come and talk to me. I’m the freaking CEO after all.”

“Yes, yes you are.” Yong comforts me with a small smile. But just a really small one.

“How many days?” I ask, running my hands through my hair.

“Four.” Yong answers.

“Room?” I wonder.

“64.” She says after scanning her lists.

“(y/n).” Mun Hee quietly calls my name from behind us.

“What?” I ask, bored, and turn around to face him.

“There’s, there’s a guest at the front desk who would like to talk to you.” Mun Hee says with his hand folded politely in front of him.

“Who?” I wonder because I never get guests. I’m me after all.

“They asked me not to say anything to you. Just to bring you.” He repeats his instructions.

“Who gave you those directions?” I question and walk down the stairs with Mun Hee following. Yong walks away to finish the rest of her duties. “Why are you taking orders from other people?”

“She was very persuading.” Mun Hee answers simply.

As we pass by Mingyu, our gazes meet briefly. He smiles politely and nods his head. I, awkwardly, nod back before turning my attention back to Mun Hee.

“Don’t do it again, alright?” I point a finger at him. “You only take orders from me.”

Mun Hee nods with large motions. “Only from you.”

I push open the doors and stand face to face with Jang Man Wol, the former CEO of Hotel Del Luna.

“(y/n).” She smiles but it never reaches her eyes. Typical.

“Man Wol.” I greet her similarly but without the smile, having to fight down the swell of jealousy in my gut. “Don’t tell me you’re checking into my hotel?” Mun Hee returns to his spot behind the front desk.

Man Wol shakes her head and holds out her hand, palm facing upwards so I can read it. “No, it seems I still have quite a few lives left.”

I scoff, “Of course the Gods would give you 8 more.” I roll my eyes.

“Trust me, I don’t want them.” Man Wol gives me a knowing look. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

“Here to rub your transfer into my face in person?” I guess at her real reason for arriving at my hotel’s doors.

“If I did that, Chansung would never take me out to eat again.” Man Wol pouts angrily before taking in a breath to reset. “The CEO of Hotel Blue Moon told me you’re leaving soon.”

“How does he know that?” I throw my hands up, “How does he KNOW that?” This time I turn to Mun Hee who just raises his hands and shrugs.

“Word travels fast, (y/n).” Man Wol says, “Everything in this world travels stupidly fast.”

I shake my head. “Alright, so you know I’ll be leaving my position soon. What about it?”

“Just wanted to give you some advice.” Man Wol smirks.

I sigh, “Tell me, I don’t have all night.” I start getting annoyed that she is dragging out the conversation that could’ve been done five minutes ago.

“You have enough time.” Man Wol pushes my shoulder, “You don’t have a finicky tree that blooms and withers whenever the hell it wants.”

“My tree is as dead as my soul.” I cross my arms over my chest, “And as dead as this conversation.”

Man Wol twists her lips in annoyance and she mirrors my posture. “I don’t have to give you the advice if you don’t want it?”

“As long as it’s not some silly cliche.” I banter back.

Mun Hee cautiously moves closer to us and we both give him an annoyed look.

“We’re not gonna.” We both say at the same time.

Mun Hee raises his hands in surrender. “Just making sure.”

Man Wol turns back to face me, “Just don’t waste any time and don’t piss off the Gods.” She says before swiftly turning towards the front doors.

“You’re advice is common sense knowledge?” I call out after her.

Man Wol doesn’t turn around but raises a single hand in a sort of wave. She exits out the front doors without another word and lets the doors slam behind her.

Next to me, Mun Hee flinches at the loud sound.

I let out a puff of air, “Don’t piss off the Gods. Psh. What do you think I’ve been trying to do for hundreds of years?!” I yell at the doors that sealed her exit.

“What are you doing here?” Jiwoo walks through the front doors at that exact moment. He looks surprised that I would be standing in the reception area.

“Jang Man Wol just visited.” Mun Hee answers for me since I’m still pouting.

“CEO Jang Man Wol?” Jiwoo questions, “Like Hotel Del Luna Jang Man Wol?”

“Yes. That one.” I tell Jiwoo with a straight face. “She came to give me ‘advice’ but basically told me common sense stuff and I just- I’m going to need six champagne bottles to forget that shit.”

I turn back towards the hotel and leave the two males to their business. Walking through the lobby, I avoid the guests as they mill around as I make my way towards the elevators.

“We should spend the day at the pool.” A woman says as she passes by me with another female.

“If we do, do you promise that we can order what I want for dinner?” The other female wonders.

The first female scoffs, “Fine.”

I continue to walk past but turn my head to follow them for a little. A little seed of desire for friendships sprouts and distracts me from the awful advice Man Wol gave me.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Mingyu’s voice apologizes as he bumps into me.

His steadying hands on my shoulders breaks me out of my thoughts and I look to the tall giant I used to call mine.

“No, no, my bad.” I stutter and step back, “I should’ve watched where I was going.”

“You probably have a lot on your mind.” Mingyu says with a sweet smile.

I scrunch my eyebrows at him, “Why would I have a lot on my mind?” I question him.

Mingyu scratches the back of his neck nervously, “You are the CEO, aren’t you?” He asks, “I assumed you were since everyone respects you and you dress differently than everyone. So I assumed you would have a lot to think about when running such a cool hotel.” He glances around the lobby in awe.

My mouth drops open realizing he hadn’t heard my reception encounter. “Uh, yes, I do have a lot to think about being the CEO and all.” I half smile.

“Well, you must be busy so I’ll leave you be.” Mingyu bows then walks away.

I sigh and repeat the duration of his stay. “Four days. Four days.”

~The Fourth Day~

I sign the last leave approval for the guests that are leaving tomorrow and lean back in my chair. Closing the folder, I stack it on top of the other 8. I reach for my coffee cup and carefully sip from it.

Looking around my quiet office, I suddenly get tired of the space and decide to deliver the forms to Yong or Jiwoo myself. I scoop up the folders and make my way out of the office.

But just as I reach the doors, Jiwoo opens them first.

“Oh, hey.” Jiwoo greets me then eyes the folders in my hands. “I was just coming to get those.”

“I was just about to deliver them to you.” I hand them over, a little sad that my distraction ended so quickly.

Jiwoo takes the folders into his hands but stops me from moving away by saying, “Oh, also, Mun Hee brought Mingyu down a few minutes ago. I was assigned to inform you.”

I sigh in relief that I won’t have to sit around bored out of my mind. “Let’s go.”

“You approved all of them, I assume?” Jiwoo glances down at the folders in his hands.

I chuckle, “What other option did I have?” I ask. “I can’t let them stay here. And I can’t exactly kick them out.”

Jiwoo also chuckles, “Just makin’ sure.”

“How many leave today?” I ask as we ride the elevator down.

“10.” Jiwoo answers, “3 guests have already left so we’ve got 7 more to go.”

“Will you be okay?” I wonder, a sudden burst of concern appearing.

“Yeah, we’ll be fine.” Jiwoo says, “Just go do your thing. And we’ll do ours.”

The burst of concern disappears as quickly as it appeared, “Alright cool.”

The elevator doors open and Jiwoo smirks, “We always do fine.” He mentions before walking out of the elevator and towards his office.

“Have you ever been to Italy?” I follow Mingyu’s excited voice to my garden, “They have the best and I mean the best pasta I have ever eaten. And the views? Ah, spectacular.”

When I reach the garden, Mingyu is animatedly talking to Mun Hee, who seems to be searching for a way out. I cover my mouth to hide the smile on my face.

“I wish I would’ve taken (y/n) there.” Mingyu continues and my amusement diminishes, “She said she couldn’t travel. Something about her family. But now I know that’s a lie.” Mingyu rocks back on his heels with his hands clasped behind his back, “But I still wish I could’ve taken her.”

“I don’t need to travel.” I say, announcing myself.

Mingyu whips around, eyes big with surprise. A wave of relief washes over Mun Hee’s face and he silently bids his goodbyes before leaving the two of us alone.

“You should.” Mingyu tilts his head to the side as if he’s giving me life advice.

I shrug. “Can’t.”

“Won’t.” Mingyu corrects me and I walk to the front of the bench.

I point to the bare tree in front of us, “Can’t.” I repeat then sit down.

“So it was this tree’s fault you always turned me down to travel?” Mingyu questions, sitting next to me with an arm draped over the back of the bench.

I nod, “That and my own fault.”

“Oh, yeah. That.” Mingyu looks down at his lap.

I grasp my hands together in my own lap and stick out my legs as my lips press together.

“The other day…” Mingyu says, “Sorry for bumping into you like that. Wasn’t the grand reunion I had planned.”

I look over at him and smile at his embarrassment. “I’m pretty sure the entire incident was my fault. But now I’m curious.” I raise my eyebrows, “What kind of grand reunion did you have planned?”

Mingyu chuckles, “Nothing special. And certainly nothing I expected to have in the afterlife.”

“You thought I would come back?” I wonder, catching onto his reference.

He nods, “For a few years I did. Then it became a hope that I buried but every now and then it would pop up.”

I lean into him and he instinctively wraps his arm around me.

“I was going to find you and make an elaborate and huge menu for you.” Mingyu continues, “I was going to cook all your favorite foods and some new ones that I’d learned over the years. Then I was going to send you an invitation to this private dinner and boom, we’d have dinner together and then I was going to convince you to stay with me.” He sighs, “But that day never came.”

“I’m sorry.” I apologize and my shoulders fall slightly.

Mingyu chuckles, “Don’t be.” He sighs and gazes at the bare tree, “I’ll just blame the tree for you not returning.”

“It’s not the trees fault that I screwed up.” I pull my hair over my shoulder. “But if that makes it better. Then by all means…” I don’t finish but gesture towards the tree.

“Does it have a name?” Mingyu asks, his eyes running from the top of the tree down to the bottom where the white chrysanthemums stand.

I bark out a laugh, “You think I would name it?”

Mingyu smiles slightly bewildered, “Is it that weird?”

“Who names the thing keeps them locked in a prison?” I question, sitting back and cross my arms.

Mingyu shrugs, “It still should get a name, shouldn’t it? I mean it’s been stuck with you for hundreds of years. What do you even call it when you see it?”

I set my lips in a straight line, “Hell, bastard, damned asshole.”

“Okay, I get it. I get it.” Mingyu raises his hands in surrender. He then sighs and lowers his arms. “I missed you.”

My lip pucker in sadness, “I did too.”

“Did you ever think about coming back?” He asks.

“A few times.” I answer, “But I was always stopped at the front door.”

“Should I go break down the door?” Mingyu jokes with a smile.

I giggle, “Well, there’s no reason for any of that now is there?”

“No, but I’ll still do it.” Mingyu shrugs.

“Well, thank you for the offer, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” I tell him with a pat on the shoulder, “Plus, I don’t think we should be destroying the decor here. I do want to leave this place.”

Mingyu nudges my shoulder with his, “Alright, I won’t, I won’t.”

I give him a pressed smile. Without a word, I lean over and rest my head on his shoulder. Mingyu doesn’t flinch but scoots closer and leans his head on top of mine.

“So you’ve only been here? In the hotel?” He wonders and grabs my hand tightly.

I nod, “Here in the hotel. Watching people come and go. Why?”

“Just wondering what you were doing while I was traveling the world.” Mingyu explains.

“Where did you go?” I ask, my interest piquing.

“Where didn’t I go.” Mingyu chuckles. “I traveled everywhere and learned so much about so many new things.”

I let out a puff of air, “Could you be any less vague?”

Mingyu squeeze my hand, “Sorry, sorry. Since I went so many places, I’ll just tell you about the most memorable ones.”

“Start with your favorite.” I request.

Mingyu thinks silently for a second, “My favorite?” He mumbles thoughtfully, “They’re all my favorite.”

I roll my eyes.

“But the most memorable would’ve been the time I tried to get into pastries. Specifically the macarons.” Mingyu recalls and my mouth drops open slightly, “Yeah, it was bad.”

“How bad?” I egg him on.

“Like everything always overflowed or was too runny or never cooked.” Mingyu explains and I laugh, “I swear I could never get it right. It was always too delicate for my … crazy hands.” He wiggles his fingers. “Like once I piped them out onto the sheet in their nice little circles but five minutes later, all the circles were touching. And then another time, I piped them and they didn’t run. But when we took them out of the oven, they had like exploded while they baked. None of them were usable.”

I try to imagine the incidents but all I can imagine is Mingyu’s face of utter disbelief which makes me laugh.

“The pastry chef and I pretty much both gave up after the fifth failed day.” Mingyu says with a chuckle, “She was cool though. Laughed with me when things went haywire.”

“What other pastries did you try?” I ask.

“None.” Mingyu laughs, “But I baked other things, breads and cakes, the more dense stuff.”

My senses fill with the warmth and nutty scents of freshly baked bread, “Those must’ve been fun.”

Mingyu nodds, “I liked how the bread dough felt under my hands. It was sturdy-ish like a knife but without the sharp edges and clean cuts. I could shape it and feel every part of it.”

I hum in understanding and turn his arm over in my hands. My hand runs over the shadow of the burn scar on the underside of his forearm, a commonality between chefs.

“You still enjoy champagne?” Mingyu wonders.

“Most definitely.” I answer.

Mingyu chuckles, “I thought so. You know, I went to a champagne tasting thing once.”

“That would’ve been the most beautiful thing in the world.” I say wishing I could’ve gone.

“You would’ve thought so.” Mingyu agrees, “I wasn’t the biggest champagne lover but during it, I kept thinking about the ones you would like. I even wrote the names down so I wouldn’t forget them. But I lost the list when my restaurant caught fire.” He finishes sadly.

My heart grows heavy as I remember sitting and seeing the news report of what had happened. It was over a year after I left him and the report had said it was faulty wiring that had heated up and caught fire. The amount of fear and sadness I felt was nothing compared to the relief that washed over me when they reported no injuries or deaths. But the location was the first one he’d ever opened and it was special to him.

“I heard about that.” I tell him.

“You heard?” He repeats, surprised.

“I did. Through the news.” I explain, “I wanted to fight the Gods myself until I read that no one had died.”

“You were going to fight the Gods if I had died?” Mingyu asks, his amusement laced in his tone.

“I was.” I confirm, “I fought with Yong about it for brief seconds.”

Mingyu wraps me up in a tight hug and rocks side to side, “That’s probably the most adorable thing anyone has ever said to me.”

When I hear the word 'adorable,’ my face drops, “I am not adorable.” I say and try to wiggle out but Mings his grip tightens, “I am a cursed soul who should be feared by all people from all the corners of the world.”

“Uh huh.” Mingyu responds, unconvinced.

I blow out a breath and give up fighting against his grip. “Still not adorable.”

Mingyu’s chest vibrates with a laugh, “Still very adorable.”

For the subsequent hours, we talk about his successful restaurants and the not so successful ones, his travels to different countries to learn different cuisines from the tops chefs there, the people I knew at his restaurants as well as the ones that came afterward. His face floods with love when he talks about his family and my heart swells with happiness knowing that he was well loved. We laugh through his children’s early years and I listen in awe when he tells me what they became.

I’m sure he has more questions for me but the sun seemingly races for the horizon, leaving us in the dust.

The cool night air meets my skin and I shiver ever so slightly. The only warmth comes from where my arm is tangled with Mingyu’s.

Mingyu looks out the window with a small smile, “And so the day comes to an end.”

“So it does.” I confirm and wait for him to make the first move cause I’m as sure as hell not going to.

“Random question.” Mingyu says, tilting his head to the side while looking at the bare tree in front of us.

“Shoot.” I nod my head.

“Do you think I could win a bet against the Gods?” Mingyu asks, completely serious.

I hold back a laugh, “I can’t even win a bet against them. And I’ve tried.” I manage to say in a steady tone.

Mingyu sighs, letting go of the thought completely, “Yeah, I didn’t think so.” He stands up with my arm still entangled in his. Instead of following his actions, I simply sit and look up at him with a small pout and puppy eyes.

He chuckles when he looks down at me, “I don’t like it either but I can’t exactly not go.”

I rise to my feet and Mingyu’s smile grows. “Are you my escort out?” He asks.

“Indeed,” I answer, “I will see you off to your final resting spot.”

Mingyu’s face scrunches in distaste, “Ooh, let’s not call it that.”

“Then what should I call it?” I ask as we walk out of the garden.

“I don’t know. Anything but that.” Mingyu shrugs.

“Uhm, how about 'The Great Beyond?’” I suggest, “'The After After Life’?”

Mingyu shakes his head, “Ah, I don’t know, I don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?” I giggle, “In reality, it is in fact your soul’s final resting spot.”

“Yeah but, it just sounds weird when you say it.” Mingyu nudges me.

“Why?” I question, “I say it literally multiple times a day to multiple souls.”

“Because it’s you.” Mingyu reasons, “You were always like a symbol of life to me.”

I scoff lightly and lean in closer to Mingyu as we exit the hotel and enter the night air. “I’m not life. I’m a full embodiment of finality.”

“Not to me.” Mingyu whispers in my ear as Shin and the awaiting car come into view. “Is that for me?”

I look at his face which is full of curiousity at the car that will take him away from me. “Yeah, it’s the car that will take you to the other side.”

“Aren’t you coming with? Don’t you have to escort me?” He questions and looks back at me.

With lowered eyes, I shake my head, “Unfortunately, I can only go as far as the car.”

Mingyu abruptly stops a few feet away from the car, “That sucks.”

I smile at his simple yet accurate wording, “It does. But at least I can see you off from here.” I hold out a hand for him as Shin opens the rear door.

While staring at my hand, Mingyu bits his lip in thought for a few seconds before grabbing my hand and letting me lead him to the car. Shin bows his head and Mingyu’s grip tightens.

“I didn’t know I would be going alone.” He mumbles, a touch of fear in his voice.

I face him and cup his cheek, his head leaning into my touch, “You won’t be. The Gods will watch your journey there to make sure you’re safe. And I’ll be right here thinking about you the entire time.”

Mingyu rubs his thumb against the back of my hand, “Will you be told when I make it?” He asks.

“No, they won’t tell me.” I watch his face fall slightly, “But I’ll know. Trust me, I’ll know when you get there.” I comfort him and his face lifts again but there’s still a weight on his shoulders.

“I love you, Kim Mingyu.” I remind him and look into his eyes.

Mingyu looks back at me with unwavering eyes, “I love you, too, (y/n). So much.” He says before pressing his lips hard against mine.

After a few seconds, he pulls away and wraps me in a tight hug. I wrap my arms around his torso and memorize, again, how his body molds into mine perfectly. With a big breath out, he releases me and places one last kiss to my lips before getting into the car.

Silently, I watch with arms folded as Shin closes the door. When Shin stands by my side, the car begins to drive away. But Mingyu rolls down the window and looks back with a wave.

“Love you!” He yells with a big smile on his face.

A tear slips out as I smile and wave back, “I love you, Mingyu.” I whisper as he pulls his head back into the car.

Shin wordlessly leaves me alone when the car has been swallowed by the forest fog and I let the tears fall. Tears of sadness. Tears of memories. Tears of relief that his soul is no longer trapped under my punishment and now is on its way to peace and rest.

I spend a few more minutes standing at the forest’s edge before wiping my cheeks and turning back to the hotel. Yong stands at the doorway, waiting with a comforting smile and more files for me. As I walk to her to continue my work and waiting, the moon rises above the horizon and a white chrysanthemum at the base of my tree withers away.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“Are you ready to go home?” Mingyu asks, standing up and pulling me up with him.

“Absolutely.” I smile and let him lead me out of the garden.

“Do you think they’ll have champagne there?” He wonders.

“I sincerely hope they do.” I answer, swinging our intertwined hands.

We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Mingyu grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Mingyu and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car with a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Mingyu softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Mingyu securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.

Please read this (W.C.Hotel) if this is the first post of this series that you see.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of death
Genre: Angst, Hotel Del Luna AU, Choose your own adventure, SVT x Fem! Reader
Staff: Yong (Spirit General Manager) / Jiwoo (Human General Manager) / Soon Bok (Room Manager) / Mun Hee (Front Desk Receptionist) / Shin (Grim Reaper assigned to Waning Crescent)
Word Count: Ending A - 5.1k / Ending B - 5k

W.C.Hotel | Seventeen Masterlist|Masterlists

“Hey Soon Bok.” I call out to her after spotting her walking the hallways.

She doesn’t respond but her groaning and mumbling echo off the walls.

I quickly catch up to her and get her attention. “Hey, what’s got you groaning?” I ask and she finally notices my presence.

“Oh, hey, (y/n). Uhm, the guest in room 385 left the room in a complete disarray so it’ll take a few days to get it back in shape.” Soon Bok says as we walk through the hall together.

“How badly did they screw it up?” I ask, trying to imagine what kind of damage would take a few days to fix, especially in this hotel.

“Well…” Soon Bok sighs, “Apparently their two of their past lives were complete opposites on the political spectrum and it got out of hand.” She waves her hands for emphasis, “I think they broke every single piece of furniture we had in that room.”

I run my hands through my hair in absolute annoyance, “How many days do you think it’ll take?” I ask.

Soon Bok tilts her head to the side in thought, “I really don’t know. 6, maybe 7 days.”

“Damn, and the Gods can’t do anything to help?” I probe, wondering if I’m going to have to send a message up myself.

Soon Bok shakes her head with disappointment. “No, I already asked.”

“Damn.” I exhale, “Did the guest leave?”

“I put them on the first departure out of here.” Soon Bok says smugly, “Deserved it when I saw their room yesterday.”

I nudge her shoulder with my own and smile satisfied, “Perfectly deserved.”

“And not to mention that they were so loud!” Soon Bok continues to vent, “So loud. I had guests complaining about them for days.”

I put a sort of comforting hand on her shoulder, “You handled them well.” I tell her.

“The Gods don’t pay me enough for this shit.” Soon Bok says with sarcasm as we walk out onto the second floor balcony.

“They don’t pay any of you enough.” I reassure her with a tiny smile as guests mill around us.

Soon Bok lets out a short laugh before going back into manager mode.

“(y/n)!” Jiwoo comes running into the lobby from the pool in a panic. “(y/n)!”

I share a look with Soon Bok for a split second before we start down the stairs.

“I’m right here.” I call out to Jiwoo who jogs up the stairs to meet me.

“There’s sort of an issue.” Jiwoo mutters lowly.

“What kind of issue?” I press further without lowering my voice.

He motions towards the indoor pool, “A couple guests are fighting at the pool. It’s getting out of hand.”

Soon Bok nervously chuckles, “How bad could it ge-”

A faint splash and a few screams interrupt Soon Book mid sentence. The sound freezes me in my tracks for a split second before I walk towards the indoor pool as annoyed anger grows with every step I take. Soon Bok and Jiwoo are right on my heels.

When we bust through the pool doors, a few guests are standing around the edges of the pool looking mortified at the two guests brawling in the water.

I stop a few feet into the room and cross my arms over my chest while staring at the two females fighting and splashing water everywhere.

“How did it start?” I ask, leaning towards Jiwoo so he can hear me.

Jiwoo shrugs, “I honestly don’t know how it started. All I know is that they were arguing over something and then they started shoving and pushing each other. And that’s when I came to get you.” Jiwoo explains, “I didn’t want to experience another incident.” He continues and I nod, remembering a few years ago when Jiwoo tried to get between two quarreling guests and took a substantial blow to the chest. From which he could’ve died had I not been ten steps away.

“Good idea.” Soon Bok comments her approval and I’m surprised that she could hear him through all the noise and the echoes.

I take a breath and send a loud whistle to cut through the noise. The noises settle down and all the attention turns to me.

“Why are you creating a racket in my hotel?” I direct the question at the two soaking wet women in the pool.

The two women stare blankly at me but neither says a word or moves a muscle.

I roll my eyes at the lack of response and heavily sigh. “Fine, if you don’t want to answer me, then I’ll give you a choice, either get out of the pool and forget whatever you were fighting about or stay in the pool and be on the very next departure out.” I give each of the women one last look before turning and walking out of the pool.

“Keep an eye on them,” I instruct Jiwoo, “If they don’t leave the pool in 15 minutes, call Shin and tell him to get them out of here.”

Jiwoo nods obediently and stays in the pool while Soon Bok continues to follow me.

With the situation resolved, I can finally return to the subject that I wanted to talk about.

“Did you get Jun situated in his room?” I ask her as we walk.

Soon Bok nods, “He’s in room 106 for 15 days.” She informs me.

I nod and change direction towards the elevators. The elevator doors open and we step inside. Just as the doors begin to close, Jiwoo comes running and Soon Bok, with her fast reflexes, holds open the elevator doors.

“They left.” He skids to a halt before the elevator.

“Good. Good.” I nod in approval.

“I will make sure they don’t do anything else during their stay.” Jiwoo informs me and Soon Bok steps back to let the elevator door shut.

“And if they do, call Shin.” I tell him.

Just as the elevator doors completely shut closed, a man walks behind Jiwoo and glances my way. For a split second our eyes meet and I see a smile grow on his face.

Jun’s face.

~The Fifteenth Day~

“You’ve gotten sloppy, Jun!” Michelle, Jun’s sparring partner, laughs and it pulls a laugh from Jun.

“Maybe you’re the one who’s gotten sloppy.” He counters with a smile.

I shift on the bleachers to try and find a more comfortable way to sit but the benches are unyielding. The training center for national athletes is pumping the A.C. and I wrap my sweater closer around my shoulders, eyes still trained on Jun and Michelle.

The clock on the wall displays the time and I only have a few more minutes until Jun is released from training and mine for the rest of the night.

Jun defeats Michelle with ease and pulls away happily cheering.

I smile at his energy and he spins around in victory. When he stops, he spots me in the stands and waves extremely wildly.

Waving back, a giggle erupts in my throat. Jun jumps a couple more times before saying bye to Michelle and jogging into the locker room.

Not five minutes later, a sweaty Jun jogs over to me after changing out of his training clothes.

“Hiya.” He smiles happily, readjusting his bag on his shoulder.

“Heya.” I reply, mirroring the smile.

“What did you think of my training?” Jun asks, offering a hand to help me up.

I take his hand. “You were getting a little sloppy towards the end.” I smirk and we start toward the exit.

“So you’re siding with Michelle now?” Jun questions, playing the offended card.

“Us girls can see things.” I wiggle my fingers at him just as Michelle passes us.

“Like you slacking.” She comments to Jun and gives me a high five.

Jun’s shoulders sag in defeat, “I go through hours of training only to be judged by my girl and my training buddy.”

“Enjoy your night!” Michelle calls out to us and jogs to the person waiting at the curb for her. Presumably the fling she’s currently into.

“You too, Michelle!” Jun waves her away, almost relieved that we’re finally alone together.

Jun grabs my hand as we walk away from the center and towards the town where Jun’s apartment is.

The scene meshes into another. This time we’re sitting in his apartment, on his couch, with dinner plates sitting empty in front of us on the coffee table. The TV plays some random show we’re binging and Jun’s arm is wrapped securely around my shoulder.

I start to feel his warmth around me and he starts humming along to the theme song when a sinking feeling suddenly sets in my chest. I know what I’m going to find on my desk when I return to the hotel tonight, but my heart is determined to hold off as long as I can.

Snuggling in closer to Jun, I feel him chuckle.

“Cuddly much?” He asks.

I slowly nod, “Just don’t want this night to end just yet.” I mumble, breathing in his scent.

“You can stay here all night if you want.” Jun says into my hair but I sigh.

“I’m needed at home tonight.” I tell him with a pout.

“I know, but the offer is still there.” Jun says with a soft smile.

“Jun,” I get his attention, “Can I ask you a hypothetical?”

“Okay?” Jun agrees only a little confused.

I rest my ear against his chest and listen to his heart beat, “If I died,”

Jun sucks in a breath, stopping me.

“Hypothetical, remember.” I remind him and rest a hand on his stomach to stop him, “If I died young, would you find someone else?”

“Do you want me to?” Jun questions.

“I mean, I wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life grieving for me.” I explain, “I would want you to move on but still remember me.”

“Then I would do just that.” Jun affirms with a nod, “I would probably grieve for a while… A long while.” He corrects himself, “But I think I would. I would think that you would want me to live my life to the fullest and enjoy every aspect, including love.”

I nod, satisfied with his answer, “That’s exactly what I would want you to do.”

“What would you do?” He asks in return.

“The same.” I answer, knowing my answer holds no weight to him, “I would grieve and then slowly start to live life again but I would remember you throughout my life.”

Jun smiles, satisfied and kind of smug. “I’ll be hard to forget.” He squeezes my shoulder, playfully.

I smile and rub my hand in a circle over his stomach.

But the fabric doesn’t feel the same. It feels more… soft… more like… bedding.

I blink open my eyes and find my hand resting on the pillow I have held up against my body.

Rolling onto my back, I sigh heavily and close my eyes but the memory of Jun’s warmth around me still remains.

“Can’t a memory just be a memory?” I ask the air around me, not expecting an answer. “Why do I have to feel every lingering sense?”

I pull up the covers and cocoon under them for comfort. And just as I’m getting comfortable and warm again, I hear the faint opening and closing of my office doors. I run my hands over my face before turning my head to read the time.

8:33 pm.

I shoot up in bed as Mun Hee calls out for me. My pajama shirt falling down my shoulder.

“(y/n)?” He calls out and I rub my eyes.

“In here!” I yell back, hoping he hears me, and fix my shirt.

I throw the covers off of me and swing my legs over the side of the bed. Then my bedroom door opens and Mun Hee walks in with his eyes squeezed shut,

I take one look at his face before asking, “Why are your eyes closed?”

“I don’t want to see anything I’m not supposed to when in your room.” Mun Hee states with a hand still on the door.

I chuckle at his consideration, “You’re all good. I’m clothed and nothing is laying out in the open.”

Mun Hee slowly opens one eye to check the area and when it passes his inspection, he fully opens both eyes.

“Uh, the hotel is in full swing.” Mun Hee comments while eyeing me still sitting on my bed.

I nod, “I know. I slept late.”

“Are you okay?” He asks with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m fine.” I tell him, “Just been dreaming.”

“Dreaming about?” Mun Hee presses and I stand from my bed.

“None of your business, dear.” I smirk at him and head for my closet.

Mun Hee shrugs, “Okay well, Yong told me to come up here and wake you up and tell you that she’s bringing Jun down in like an hour and a half.”

I flip through my hanging clothes and a small bubble of panic bursts in my chest. “Fuck, okay.” I quickly pick out navy slacks and a white blouse and hang them on the closet door.

“I’ll leave you be then, now that you’re awake.” Mun Hee says and backs out of my room, closing the door behind him.

With Mun Hee gone, I head to my bathroom to shower for the day.

Once I’m showered, dried, clothed, and put make up on, I stand in front of the mirror for a final outfit check. Smoothing out my pants, I mentally give myself the pass and walk out of my room and down into my office.

“What are you still doing here?” I am shocked to find Mun Hee sitting on the sofa playing on his phone.

Mun Hee shrugs, not looking up from his phone, “Had nothing else to do.”

“You’re supposed to be at the front desk.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I was…” Mun Hee trails off and taps his screen quickly, “But then Yong came and told me to come get you cause she was going to bring Jun down. I got here and you were still upstairs so I figured I’d wait for you.”

“How long ago was that?” I ask, walking up to him upset that he didn’t come get me sooner.

“Uh… 15 minutes ago?” Mun Hee says, looking up at the ceiling, calculating.

“Fif- Mun Hee!” I yell at him and head straight for the doors. I stop with my hands on the handles and turn back towards him. “And you,” I point a finger at him and he looks up at me, “Get your butt back down to the front desk before I send you out on the next departure.” I threaten before leaving my office and heading straight to my garden.

“So, you bloomed for the others and me?” Jun asks the chrysanthemum(s) as he crouches down.

I stop behind the bench and lean on my hands, just watching him. Jun tenses as he feels my presence in the room.

“You would’ve made a scary ninja with that silence.” Jun chuckles and turns on his heels to face me.

I smirk, “Think I would’ve looked good in the black clothing?” I ask and Jun tilts his head to the side. His eyes scan my body up and down.

“Maybe.” Jun shrugs and stands to his feet, walking towards me.

“Maybe?” I ask, holding my hands over my heart, feigning hurt.

“I’m kidding,” Jun giggles and leans in closer, “You would look fantastic in black. I would love to see you in that.”

“Keep dreaming.” I whisper and move to sit on the bench.

Jun dramatically plops down onto the couch then lays his body down with his head in my lap, looking up at me.

“My biggest dream just came true though.” He says with innocence.

“And what is that?” I ask.

Jun smiles, “To see you again.”

“Me.” I repeat his answer and look sadly at the tree. I feel Jun’s eyes study my face but I can’t bear to look at him.

“That hypothetical wasn’t a hypothetical.” Jun says with a sigh.

I open my mouth to explain but nothing comes out so I close it again.

“I mean I know you didn’t leave on your own. But did you have to leave right after you asked that?” Jun continues to question, “Did you know you were going to leave?” His stare burns into my face and I’m forced to look down at him. Only I kind of regret it.

The sadness that fills his eyes rips at my heart and the tiny sliver of hope that my answer will be the answer he wants to hear sits right in the middle of the sadness. But I have to be the one to destroy that hope he has.

I set my jaw firm and take a deep breath. “I had a feeling I was going to have to leave soon after that.”

“How did you know?” He asks. I can see he’s trying not to let his sadness take over.

“Something in my gut told me that the Gods were going to make me leave soon after that night.” I explain, “I just didn’t know I was going to receive that note that night.”

Jun sits up properly and puckers his lips, “Oh.” He says, “You could feel stuff like that?”

I shrug, “Sometimes. But that night I definitely felt something. And when I got back here, there was a note on my desk and I wished I could’ve spent more time with you.”

“Me too.” Jun agrees and wraps his arms around me, hugging me close. “Though, I can’t believe you kept this amazing place a secret.”

“I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t tell anyone.” I tell him, leaning in closer. Just like the night before I left.

“You can’t tell anyone?” Jun asks, emphasizing ‘any.’

I nod, “Absolutely no one.” I confirm, “The human world just isn’t ready to know of this world yet.”

“Hmm. That’s probably for the better.” Jun agrees. “I kept my promise, by the way.”

“Which one?” I tilt my head in confusion.

“How I would try to live my life after you 'died.’” He uses his fingers as air quotes when he says 'died.’

I smile with happiness, “What did you do then?” I wonder.

Jun inhales proudly, “I went on to win three national titles and then retired.”

“You,” I ask shocked, “You retired?”

“Hey, it took me 8 years to win those three titles.” Jun defends himself, “But yeah, I retired. Well, sort of retired. I started coaching with the team and that lasted a solid 30 years or so and then I went into real retirement.”

“I’m sure you were a big hit with the athletes.” I think about Jun coaching younger athletes and encouraging them to do their best.

He catches the faint smile on my face and chuckles. “I don’t know about that.” He reminisces, “I was pretty hard on them.”

I look at him with wonder, “I doubt you were that bad. You’re Jun. You did what you did so they could grow and be amazing athletes.”

“You think?” Jun asks.

“I know.” I smirk, “They appreciated every single thing you did for them.”

“How do you know what I did?” Jun giggles and I widen my eyes in innocence.

“I just do.” I stick my tongue out at him but he’s quick to wipe it away with a kiss. I hum happily, “So, did you ever have kids? A family?”

“A family?” Jun repeats my question, “Well, uh, yeah. I did have a family.”

My eyes light up but a dull pain throbs in my chest. “Tell me about them.” I smile in hopes the job in covering up the pain in my chest.

Jun exhales, “What do you want to know?” He asks.

I shrug, not really sure what exactly I want to know. “Anything. Everything… Well, maybe not everything.” I correct myself with a small cringe.

“Alright,” Jun tilts his head in thought, “For starters, I had a girl and boy. Jihyo and Scott. Jihyo was older than Scott by a few years. But damn, he protected her like he was older.” Jun chuckles and I echo it, “You know, there was this once - was? Is? Happened?” Jun mumbles in confusion at his own story.

“Spit it out.” I laugh and playfully hit his chest.

So,“ Jun says while laughing a bit, "I was well into my coaching career and Jihyo was a solid high schooler and I somehow happened to be the matchmaker for my daughter and my future son-in-law.” He runs a hand through his hair, “I had this athlete, bright, great kid, though a little loud at times.”

“Like someone I know.” I mumble but Jun hears me and smacks my arm.

“Anyway. We had a small end of year party at our house one year - which by the way, was not my idea.” Jun raised his eyebrows for emphasis, “And of course, my kids were there, milling around with the team. The usual. Well, the spunky kid runs into Jihyo, and I mean literally runs into her, and before I knew it, they were dating. Boy, did I give him a hard time when I found that out. But then I blinked and they were engaged! And then I literally breathed, and they were married with a kid.” He shakes his head in disbelief.

“So she grew up good?” I reiterate.

Jun nods, “Grew into such a beautiful woman. Reminded me a lot of you.”

“How so?” I wonder and look over to find his eyes soft like a plush pillow.

“She held her head up high, even if the world was pushing against her. Like you did.” Jun explains, “Jihyo was always very cool, calm, and collected with the outside world but whenever she was around the family or her husband, she melted like snow in the desert.”

“I did not melt like snow.” I defend myself.

“Oh, yes you did.” Jun squeezes me closer. “Like the first time you came to see me at the training center. You were so cold and shut out to literally all of my teammates.” Jun laughs, “And then as soon,” He drags out the word, “As I walked up, you smiled and literally gave my teammates whiplash.”

I laugh at his recount of the day.

“I swear the guys wouldn’t shut up about it for a whole week.” Jun says, then continues on, “And Jihyo, Jihyo came to really enjoy champagne.”

My mouth drops open in happiness though I’m not 100% sure as to why I’m so happy to hear that.

“Yeah, she came to visit one day and we had some wine with dinner. Which got us on the topic of alcohol and then poof! Out of nowhere, she says she really enjoys champagne.” He smiles wildly, “I nearly dropped my wine glass when she said that.”

“Did she end up loving it as much as I do?” I ask with high hopes.

Jun snorts loudly, “HA! I don’t think anyone loved or loves champagne as much as you do, my dear.”

I hum in satisfaction, “What about your son, Scott?” I ask, wanting to know more. “Was he an athlete like you?”

“Scott,” Jun whispers his name, “In high school, Scott swam and was pretty good. He was on varsity and went to university on a sports scholarship. Super smart kid too. He definitely didn’t need the scholarship to get into school but it did help with our finances.”

“I’m sure it did.” I comment. “What did he go to school for?”

“He got a degree in teaching.” Jun informs me, “He tried the high school age, ended up hating it then moved up to the college level. And that, that stuck.”

“Oh, what about Jihyo?” I wonder, remember I never asked, “What did she major in?”

“She went to medical school and became a nurse.” He says, “Made one hell of a nurse too. God, I’m proud of my kids.”

“You should be.” I encourage him, “It sounds like you raised them well.”

“Well, I sure hope I did!” Jun laughs, “They took all my hard earned money. And then when mine ran out, they took my wife’s.”

I giggle and bury my head in his chest. His laugh vibrates through against my skin and his heartbeat echos through my ears.

“I’m gonna rewind a tiny bit.” I tell him, “I wanna know more about you athlete days. What you did, where you went. All of it.”

Jun smiles while exhaling, “Alright, so we’re going back to my amazing bachelor days.” He dramatically states and I roll my eyes. Cause he definitely has a big head about his days as a national athlete.

As the sun rises, introducing a new day for the human world, Jun and I are deep in the world of his life and the adventures he took. The different places he traveled with the team. The things he learned while training and competing. The trouble he and some of his teammates caused during the competitions. Oh and all the girls that, supposedly, were all over him whenever he was in public.

Like always, Jun keeps the mood light and fun. Even through the sadder stories, he still manages to keep me out of the deepest parts. Always protecting me. Always keeping me afloat.

By the time the sun is setting, we’ve started talking about my life and my time at the hotel. A lot of the stories, I am telling for the first time. Mainly because I’ve never had someone to tell them too. Everyone I would tell the stories to had already experienced them first hand. And with each stories, I manage to make Jun bark out laughing a few times.

When our laughter has died down, the sun lays dangerously low in the sky. Barely a sliver still visible above the horizon. And it’s the signal that our time together is ending.

“Hey,” Jun says, noticing the disappearing sun, “Do you have one of those time machine thing? Something that can turn back time?” He asks with full curiosity.

“You know something like that doesn’t exist.” I tell him with sass.

Jun shrugs, “Just wishing.” Then he rises to his feet, his shoulders set in resolve. “Let’s do this.”

“You know I’m not coming with you, right?” I ask cautiously, standing up in front of him.

“I know.” Jun sighs, “But you still can walk me to where I need to be, right?”

“Of course I can do that.” I smile.

He holds out a hand for me to take, “Then let’s go.”

I chuckle and grab his hand. He happily grips my hand tightly and swing it between us as we walk out of the garden.

“Why don’t you decorate the place more?” Jun asks, looking around the lobby as we enter.

“Is it not decorated enough?” I question, taking in the elaborate designs that adorn the walls and the floors.

“It could use a few posters of me.” He says smugly and points to the elevators, “When I was still an athlete, I had posters of me plastered everywhere, including on elevator doors.”

“When you accomplish something incredible in this world, I will do that.” I say with a raised eyebrow as we pass the elevators, on our way to the departure door.

“I did accomplish something.” Jun banters back.

“And what was that?” I ask when we reach the door.

He leans in close and whispers, “I loved you.” Before opening the door and walking ahead.

His words stun me but only for a second. Once the second and the shock have passed, I quickly make my way after Jun and catch up with him after some strides.

“That was a feat 12 other men accomplished as well.” I remind him and loop my arm around his.

Jun chortles, “But I know that I was a special one.”

“You were indeed special, Jun.” I reassure him.

As we approach Shin and the car, Jun giggles and Shin has to fight back a smile. We stop a few feet away and Jun turns to face me.

He releases a large breath and holds my gaze. “Why am I more anxious about this moment than any other competition I’ve ever been in?” He asks quietly so only I can hear.

I wrap my arms tightly around him and stay silent.

“What?” Jun looks down at me, “No smart ass answer? No silly comeback?”

I sigh, “No because I don’t have an answer.” I tell him honestly.

“You don’t have to have the answer but an answer would be nice.” Jun says softly.

Pulling away, I force a smile as tears line my eyes, “You don’t have to be anxious.” I tell him in a weaker voice than I would’ve liked. “You’ll be at peace.”

“But you won’t be there.” Jun pouts.

“Someday soon I will be.” I say and a tear slips out. Jun is quick to catch it and wipe it away.

“Then I’ll wait. I’ll sit and wait until you do.” Jun says determined. “I will climb a tree and be on the look out for you every single day.”

I choke out a laugh and it brings a smile to his face. He leans down and presses a light kiss to my lips.

“I’ll see you over there.” Jun whispers before letting me go and walking to the awaiting car.

When he reaches the car, he turns around and dramatically waves his arms while saying, “I love you, (y/n)!” In the loudest voice ever. I’m pretty sure everyone in the hotel can hear him.

“I love you, Jun.” I call back through the tears slipping down my cheeks.

With one last triumphant smile, he ducks into the car. Shin closes the door behind him and the car rolls forward, taking Jun to peace. The car disappears into the fog and when the last glow of the taillights disappears, a white chrysanthemum at the base of the tree in the garden withers away.

I rest a hand over my heart and remember the echos of our laughter. I hold onto that laughter as I make my way back into the hotel. I hold onto it and wait for next love to arrive.

Return to the Navigation Page (Waning Crescent Hotel)to choose the next guest.

“I can’t wait to keep you laughing for all of eternity.” Jun says with a mischievous smile. He stands up and drags me up with him.

“Who says I’ll be laughing?” I quip.

“Me.” Jun says knowingly, “Cause I can always make you laugh.” His hands tickle my sides and I runaway, laughing.

Halfway out of the hallway, I stop.

“Hey, hey.” I get his attention and he stops, standing to full height so I’m slightly craning my neck, “I have to say good bye to my employees.”

“They still have to stay?” Jun wonders.

“Somebody’s gotta keep this hotel running.” I tell him with a light smile, “And I need to release Jiwoo so he can live his life.”

Jun nods and grips my hand firmly before continuing on our way. We walk hand in hand to the lobby where Yong, Mun Hee, Soon Bok, and Jiwoo stand solemnly.

“So this is it?” Mun Hee asks with tears in his eyes. “This is the day you leave us?”

I wrap him up in a hug, only a tiny bit annoyed that he’s being so sappy. “Maybe I’ll get punished again and be back here by the end of the year.” I try to joke but Mun Hee abruptly pushes back from me.

“Don’t you dare say that. You better not return here.” He says angrily through his tears.

I chuckle, “I won’t come back. I promise.”

Turning to Soon Bok, I thank her for her service and her amazing work. Something I never did and should’ve done more.

Next onto Jiwoo. I also thank him for his and his entire family’s service then I unclip the bracelet that has held him to this place.

“When you leave today, you won’t be able to find this place again.” I inform him, “I hope that you’ll be able to go and live your life happily.”

Jiwoo nods, “Thank you for letting me work with you. I won’t ever forget you.”

I smile sadly, “You will. But thank you.”

Finally I reach Yong who is sniffling and trying so very hard not cry.

“You’d think after all these years of waiting that I’d be prepared for this day.” She says through sniffles.

“Thank you, Yong.” I rests my hands on her shoulders, “For everything. Thank you.”

With lips pursed together, she leans forward and wraps me in an unexpected hug. But I soon wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tightly.

We pull apart after a couple seconds and I wipe the few tears that have escaped from her eyes.

“Keep this hotel running beautifully.” I tell her before Jun grabs my hand again.

With final waves of goodbye, Jun and I walk out to the foggy forest that will take us to our resting place.

At the edge of the forest, Shin stands next to an idling car, a somber look on his face.

“(y/n).” He says when we reach him, “It has been an honor working with you. I wish you both a peaceful rest.” Shin bows his head and I pat his arm.

“The honor was mine.” I tell him with a smile. Now the tears start to line my eyes as the realization fully sets in.

I’m free. I served my years of punishment and now I’m free to let my soul rest.

I turn back towards the hotel and look up to the top where the rooftop patio is outlined with bright string lights. Then to the mid floors where random room lights are turned on, some guests staying in while others opting to experience the hotel’s many services. Then to grand base where guests would be milling around, waiting their turns to leave this world.

“(y/n)?” Jun softly asks pulling my attention to where he sits just inside the car, “Are you ready?”

I take one last quick look at the hotel before turning away from it. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I lower myself into the car and Shin securely closes the door after I am completely inside. As the car begins to drive forward, Jun securely grabs my hand and I let his warmth guide me towards our final destination.

In the garden, the final chrysanthemum withers and dies so that no more stand at the base of the bare tree.