<Chapter 3
Title: Autumn's Rose Chapter 4 [The Remake]
Pairing: HyukHae, supporting!KyuMin
Side Pairings: HanChul, KangTeuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Friendship, Romance, Angst
Summary: Donghae was a hopeless case in the eyes of any adult -rude, violent and full of hatred. Transferring into a new school, hopeless Donghae meets new people; people who wants to save him. Among them is the quiet Lee Hyukjae who has never talked to anyone but his friends. What made Donghae special enough to get the voice out of Hyukjae would be the question of many. This story serves as the only answer to that one simple, unanswered question.
Narrator's POV
A dark shadow loomed over him and he whimpered. Before he could control it, his lips parted and in a begging tone, he whispered, “Please don’t.”
Through the darkness, he felt his way, palms pressing hard against the ground as he scrambled backwards. He gasped when his back met cold, hard concrete wall. “W-What-” he began to say only to stifle another gasp as the shadow on the ground grew bigger. He shut his eyes then, holding it closed so tight that it hurts. His little fingers fisted into a small frightened ball.
It has happened so many times but he still could not get use to it. It has happened ever since he entered the creepy manor. His excited heart, his overwhelmed feeling of happiness has died after the first week only to be replaced by fear and the hope to escape from the hell.
As the shadows loomed closer this time, he felt his heart raced faster –if that was even possible. Today was different, something in him said so. However, as the shadow became clearer –as a face could be seen- he started crying. Nothing was different.
Those hands touched him again and he bit his lips. The more sounds he made would only cause him more pain. His brown bangs plastered against his forehead, hands trembling by his side. It was then that it happened. His shoulders shagged so suddenly that he gasped. The predator took its opportunity to shove a tongue in but this time, the pain felt distant. You’re going to be fine, someone said. His eyes fluttered open. Who said that?
There was silence before a soft me sounded. With a small tremble, he realized that the voice came from him. The hands on him still wandered around but he could barely feel them. Who are you? he asked again.
I don’t know, the voice answered. I’m you. I’m going to protect you.
P-Protect?
I’m your guardian.
He didn’t understand what a guardian meant. Back then, being so young and clueless, such big words were a form of alienation for his mind. How, the voice –who was indeed himself- could know such words were beyond him.
He then looked up. The predator was looking at him with those hateful eyes of him. “What are you looking at?” the predator asked. He merely stared back. Momentarily lost in the predator’s frightening eyes, he forgot about the voice and could suddenly feel the pain in his lower abdomen that wasn’t present a moment ago.
Aiden! his heart suddenly screamed.
I’m back! that voice shouted. You have to think of me. I’ll be here. Think of me and I’ll always be here to protect you.
He shook his head violently, his small body trashing around before suddenly, the pain subsided. It was still there, poking and lingering but it was distant – like it was transferred to somebody else.
The scene suddenly shifted. It was morning and he was in the back garden, hands raised in the air as a punishment. It was a year later. His eyes were still filled with life and a shed of hope. He didn’t realize that it would be gone just a few weeks later.
That voice in his head, he knew who it was. Aiden the voice’s- boy’s- name was. He gave the boy the name. If he tries hard to remember, it was the name of the last cartoon character he has seen before he left for the manor. But right then, of course he couldn’t remember. He has been squatting for more than half a day with his hands raised up.
He had tried putting it down an hour before and he didn’t want to anymore. He hasn’t mastered the art of having Aiden with him and has yet to be able to call him whenever he wants. “Pssh,” a voice called out to him. It wasn’t Aiden. He knew Aiden’s voice by heart.
Carefully, he moved his head slightly. There was a hole in the wooden fence accompanying him and a brown eye was looking through it curiously. “Pshhh,” the voice grew louder. Out of instinct, he quickly said in an equally whispered voice, “Shhh!”
The eye grew confused. He suddenly found himself inching slowly closer to the eye. When he was close enough, the eye talked – well, it was the mouth of the person the eye belonged who talked. “What are you doing?” it said.
The voice was too loud and once again, he said, “Shhh.”
The eye moved up and down, as if nodding. “What are you doing?” it repeated; only that it was in a small voice then.
“U-Up?” he answered. It was the first human contact –other than the witch (his new predator) that he had after close to eight months and so, he was awkward.
“Up?’ the eye laughed quietly. “What up?”
“Hands…up?” he tried to say, gesturing with his eyes to his raised hand. His voice was groggy, having not drunk for the whole day.
“You’re being punished?” the eye asked. It was then that he noted the slight squeak in the eye’s voice when he said the huge word (punished) indicating that the eye was just as young as he was.
He nodded; eyes back to the front as he checked whether the witch had noticed his slight change of position. “You..” the eye said, trying his best to form a sentence. “-how…old?”
“Six,” he answered quickly. His eyes widened slightly because his voice was a little loud.
“I’m six too!” the eye exclaimed. The witch came out then and his eyes widened.
“What are you doing?” the witch demanded.
He shook his head vigorously. Nothing, I did nothing! However, he knew that it was a lost case when he saw a bat in the witch’s hands. He screamed.
“Donghae! Donghae!”
He stirred.
“Donghae, wake up! It’s alright now, Donghae!”
Slowly, his body stopped trashing around as a soft hand was placed on his clothed chest – just right over his heart. His eyes fluttered open, still filled with the genuine fear in them.
“You’re alright now, Donghae,” the voice repeated. Donghae’s eyes gazed around the room for a while before focusing rather slowly on the face that was looking at him worriedly.
“Y-Yuki?” he croaked. Yuki nodded.
And suddenly, Donghae burst into tears. Yuki stared wide eyed before gathering herself quickly and scooped Donghae into her arms. “I-I’m scared,” Donghae whispered against her shoulder. “I’m so scared…”
Yuki shook her head. “It’s going to be fine, Donghae,” she said. “Everything’s going to be fine from now on.”
Nothing she said could stop Donghae’s tears and eventually with whisper of save me, he went limped in her arms. “Donghae?” she called out. He did not stir.
:::
It was six-thirty in the morning when Kyuhyun stirred awake. The sunlight was peeking through the pink curtains that hung moodily on the window panes as the bird chirped their utmost loudest. Kyuhyun sighed happily as he turned to his side, hands reaching out only to freeze.
“Min?” he called out. The other did not answer. Panic brew deep in him as he jumped out of bed, shouting another, “Min!”
Again, only the chirping birds answered him. Kyuhyun tore open the bathroom door, eyes watering as only emptiness greeted him. He bolted out of their bedroom and into the living room – nothing. He ran to the kitchen –still nothing. “M-Min?” he croaked in fear. “W-Where are you?”
Clutching onto the dining table, Kyuhyun fell onto the floor, trembling.
Suddenly, the main door opened, creaking loudly. Kyuhyun's eyes widened, scrambling onto his feet as he ran to the door. Sungmin looked up as he kicked his shoes away. “Kyuhyun?” he muttered. “You’re up?”
“Where did you go?!” Kyuhyun shouted.
“Kyu?” Sungmin frowned. “Why are you crying?”
Kyuhyun didn’t answer and merely stood there, still sobbing painfully. “Aww darling,” Sungmin whispered, putting down the paper bag he was carrying as he pulled Kyuhyun into his arms. “What happened?”
“I-I thought you left me…” Kyuhyun cried.
Sungmin sighed deeply, tucking himself under Kyuhyun's chin as he embraced the male tighter. “I was out buying breakfast,” he muttered into Kyuhyun's neck. “I didn’t leave. I would never leave.”
Kyuhyun ignored him and continued crying, hands limp on his sides as Sungmin hugged him. “Shhh,” Sungmin soothed, rubbing Kyuhyun's back gently. “Shhh, darling. I’m back. I’m back. I won’t leave without telling you again. I’m back, Kyuhyun. Stop crying, okay?”
“I-I hate you,” Kyuhyun hiccupped. “I h-hate you!”
Sungmin smiled softly, pressing his lips firmly onto the crook of Kyuhyun's neck again and again before whispering, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“I-I…”
Sungmin pouted, pulling away from Kyuhyun as he stared into the younger’s eyes. “Do you really hate me?” he said in a sulky voice. “Can I hate you too then?”
Kyuhyun shook his head vigorously. “You cannot hate me!” he shouted.
“But you said-”
“I love you,” Kyuhyun said instantly. “I don’t hate you! You cannot hate me!”
Sungmin smiled amusedly at his lover as he burst into tears again. The elder tiptoed, hands weaving around Kyuhyun's neck as he embraced Kyuhyun, swaying slightly. “I love you,” he whispered, pressing his lips onto the base of his ears. “Even if anyone tries to say otherwise, I’ll always love you. Do you understand me?”
Kyuhyun hiccupped, nodding slowly. “You love me, right?” Sungmin whispered. Kyuhyun nodded quickly, afraid that the elder male might change his mind.
“So for me, will you stop crying?” Sungmin tried. Kyuhyun nodded again, whimpering as Sungmin pulled away from the hug.
“Let’s spend time together today,” Sungmin suggested, bending down to meet Kyuhyun's eyes as the male looked down. “I’ll call Jungsu hyung to tell him we’re ditching. How does that sound?”
Kyuhyun looked up, eyes red as he muttered in a soft voice, “I-I can have you today?”
Sungmin laughed. “I am yours to begin with, darling,” he teased. “But yes, I’m all yours today.”
Kyuhyun tilted his head, contemplating. He then peeked through his bangs to smile crookedly at Sungmin. “Okay.”
Sungmin laughed again as Kyuhyun pulled his arms to kiss him desperately. It’s been a while since you broke down. What happened, Kyuhyun?
:::
“I understand, Ming,” Jungsu nodded as he spoke into his phone. “He’s alright now, right?”
Did I miss something, hyung? Did something happen? I’m afraid that I’m too weak to notice –
“You did nothing of any sort,” Jungsu cut in firmly.
Hyung, he always knows that I’ll go back to him. He never doubted me anymore –not for the past year. Maybe I overlooked something. Maybe something’s bothering him and I just can’t-
“Take two days off,” Jungsu said. “I’ll do something about school. Take two days off and make sure Kyuhyun's alright. I’m sure you did nothing but if it really bothers you, ask Kyuhyun. I told you, didn’t I? Honesty is the best medicine for both of you. He won’t hide anything if you ask. You know him, Ming.”
Sungmin sighed. Thank you, hyung. I’ll go now. He’s looking for me again.
“Take care,” Jungsu sighed. “Call me if anything happens. I’ll be there in a flash.”
I know, hyung. I know.
Youngwoon sat there expectantly as Jungsu ended his call. His poker face turned into a frown at Jungsu’s sigh. “Something happened?” he asked worriedly.
“Sungmin's worried about Kyuhyun,” Jungsu answered.
“What’s wrong with Kyuhyun? Is he sick?”
“He’s acting weird,” Jungsu said. “He broke down in the morning when he couldn’t find Sungmin in the apartment.”
“Where did Sungmin go?”
“He went to buy them both breakfast,” Jungsu mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose as worry filled his heart. “He has always been buying them breakfast. He just didn’t know why Kyuhyun was different today.”
Youngwoon frowned, shoulders shagging as he stared at his lover. “It must be because Sungmin's barely spending any time with him,” he said in a tone that sounded more as if he’s trying to convince himself.
“Maybe,” Jungsu shrugged. “We have all been busy these few months what with Donghae joining and everything that has happened between Sungmin and Heechul. It must have sent Kyuhyun to the edge. You know how much Sungmin means to him.”
“Too much,” Youngwoon replied. “I’m afraid for them. If Sungmin's not there, I don’t know what to do.”
“Kyuhyun seems like he trust Donghae too,” Jungsu said. “Remember? He went to Donghae when he couldn’t trust any of us. Even Hyukjae was ignored.”
Youngwoon nodded but said no more on the matter. He pushed Jungsu out of bed, signaling to him to take a bathe. “We have to go to school,” he said. “We have to tell the rest. No secrets, remember?”
“No secrets,” Jungsu agreed, taking his towels from the rack before shutting the bathroom door close. As soon as the lock clicked, Youngwoon spun around, taking his phone from the side table and texted a SOS: Kyuhyun to both Hangeng and Hyukjae before plopping back onto the bed. He didn’t look as his phone rang. He already knew it was their replies: Roger that.
:::
They were all gathered in the common room, with Jungsu’s worried face ready to talk when someone knocked. It was the clerk. “What do you want?” Jungsu asked, putting a little too much flame in his voice. The clerk stopped short, staring at him curiously.
“Do you need anything, Molly?” Heechul snapped. “We’re kind of busy.”
“Why isn’t Hyukjae in class?” the clerk said. “It’s half past eight.”
“He would go when he’s ready,” Heechul hissed. “We need to talk to him. Now if you –”
“There’s someone who’s here to see you,” she cut him off, rather rudely.
“Me?” Heechul said, too confused that he forgot the sharpness in his tone.
“Not only you,” the clerk answered grudgingly. “All of you.”
“Well, alright then,” Jungsu said impatiently. “Bring him in! We have things to do!”
“Her,” the clerk corrected. “And if I may ask, what is it that got you busy in the –”
“Quickly, quickly now,” it was Youngwoon who ushered her out. “Bring her here then!”
The clerk glowered at him but then opened the door wider, muttering a barely audible come in. A woman with a wooden, shiny stick came in. She couldn’t be more than seventy – around sixty-five, if you were to guess. “Oh,” Jungsu exclaimed, not expecting such an elderly visitor. He stood them, and so did the other four.
The elderly woman merely smiled at him and waited, quite obviously for the clerk to leave the room. When she did, quite disrespectfully, the elderly woman chirped a highly tired, but enthusiastic, “Hello!” She then forcefully made them sit back down. Jungsu looked unsure as he broke the silence.
“What brings you here, Mrs…”
“Yuki,” the elderly woman said, finishing Jungsu’s questioning sentence. “Just call me Yuki will do. No Mrs, nothing, my dears!”
“Yuki?” Heechul voiced out before anyone else could. “Are you by any chance Donghae’s grandmother?”
“Talked about me, did he?”
“It was on the registration papers,” Jungsu answered warily, regretting it at once as the smile melted slightly off Yuki’s face.
“Well, serves me right. I hoped for too much,” she sighed.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t quite get you,” Jungsu said.
“I am indeed Donghae’s grandmother,” Yuki replied. “Or so I would like to convince myself.”
“Sorry =”
“I,” Yuki cut in. “-am the mother to Donghae’s previous adopted father.”
Jungsu, and along with the others, froze. “P-Previous?” Hangeng asked.
“His adopted father, my son, passed away not too long ago,” Yuki informed. “-wasn’t such a big loss, if you asked me. Even though he doesn’t say it, I know Donghae was rather glad to have him go, mind you.”
“Donghae…what?”
Yuki waved her hands dismissively. “That story would be saved for another time,” she said firmly. Nobody contradicted – or dare to. Somehow, even at her age, she radiated a poise of a frightening woman.
“There must be something important you have to tell us that you are here right now,” Jungsu tried. “We heard that Donghae’s out sick today.”
“Sick?” Yuki laughed. “Told you that, didn’t they? Jinhun ’s always trying his best to act normal.”
“Jinhun?” Heechul repeated, sounding scandalized. “You mean Lee Jinhun? The school’s director?”
“That man himself, yes,” Yuki nodded. “Told him that Donghae won’t be attending today and he’s off telling you that the boy’s sick. Typical.”
“You know Jinhun?” Jungsu questioned. “And you talked to him? About Donghae? Casually? Just like that?”
“Something wrong, my boy?” Yuki asked in a concerned voice.
“Even Sungmin, his son-” Jungsu shook his head.
“It’s rather hard to see him around,” Heechul answered in place of the shocked Jungsu. “It’s even harder to talk to him. Especially about petty things.”
“Donghae is not petty,” Yuki said sharply.
“Of course not!” Jungsu exclaimed. “We’re merely saying that Jinhun probably wouldn’t care abo-”
“Oh, if he doesn’t care, I will make him care, alright,” Yuki scoffed, her frail body shaking slightly.
“W-What relationship do you have with Jinhun?” Youngwoon questioned, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Nobody could practically get in touch with him. Everything goes through his secretary but even then…”
“We are nothing but old friends!” Yuki shook her head. The five boys raised their eyebrows. Friends?
“How I know that bloody idiot of a man should be the least of your worries right now,” Yuki said. The boys looked horrified as she cursed Jinhun freely. “I came here to tell you that Donghae is not only sick, but he needs serious help.”
They staggered back slightly at the quick changed of topic and her directness. “Sorry?” if they had been shocked at the direct change of topic, they were even more astonished as Hyukjae’s voice sounded, worry practically oozing from his tone. “What has happened to Donghae?”
“Seeing how quick you boys are,” Yuki said. “I am sure you would have caught on that Donghae is a little different, wouldn’t you?”
They nodded.
“How he became that way, isn’t a story that I could tell,” Yuki reasoned. “That is something you should hear from him once you have gained his trust. However, because I have seen how you have cared for my Donghae, I would be telling you one thing.”
She ignored Jungsu’s question of you have seen us? and continued in a calm voice, “Donghae may not be your average teenager, but he is, like any other boy, full of emotion. Because of certain situations, he became that way. I have tried, for over two years to get back his smile but I have failed.”
Jungsu nodded. “What is it that you want us to do?” he asked. “You’re here to ask for help, haven’t you?”
Yuki's face hardened just a tad bit before she nodded. “Yes, help, they usually call it.”
They raised their eyebrows again at her unique way of speech but otherwise let her continue without interruption. “However broken Donghae is, I trust that he could still tell the difference between genuine love and layered kindness. I am here to merely ask you to take care of him. These friends, they call it – he didn’t have one before; not one that he remembered anyway.”
“We’ll take care of him,” it was Hyukjae again that voiced out. “I’ll take care of him. Even if the hyungs-”
“What are you saying?!” Jungsu exclaimed. “Of course we’ll take care of him!”
“Kyuhyun,” Yuki said, shocking them even more. “There’s a boy – your friend- by the name of Kyuhyun, no? Where is he? I was hoping to see him and oh, Sungmin of course.”
“Y-You know them? Kyuhyun and Sungmin, I mean,” Jungsu said.
“Not personally, no,” Yuki said. “And I have come to think that Sungmin might not like to be acquainted with this old lady.”
“Sungmin…what?”
Yuki waved her hands dismissively again. “Kyuhyun has been through something similar –almost but not quite- with what Donghae has gone through. I am awed at how you managed to get him to smile again. With this reason alone, I would trust that you would be capable to take care of my grandson.”
“Donghae is currently in the hospital right now,” Yuki said, ignoring how Hyukjae had stood up hastily. “He will be fine by tomorrow. You are going to act as though I didn’t tell you this and welcome him back as per normal tomorrow. I ask of you to please treat him like how you treat each other. Don’t treat him differently. He would appreciate that–even if he doesn’t show it.”
With that, Yuki left the room. Her strong voice rang in their ears even five minutes after she left. It was Hyukjae who broke the silence. “I want to see Donghae,” he said.
“She made it clear, even without really saying it that she doesn’t want us to see him today,” Jungsu answered.
“I don’t fancy her.”
“Neither do I.”
:::
“He’s here,” Heechul said, nudging Hyukjae’s ribs. Hyukjae glowered at his hyung before turning towards the gates. Sure enough, Donghae was walking through it, his bag slung on his right shoulder.
“Here!” Jungsu practically screamed, waving his hands in the air. Heechul groaned, having been nearest to Jungsu as he screamed.
“You have to quit that habit of yours,” Hyukjae said. “You really didn’t have to shout.”
“Don’t be silly,” Jungsu said. “He wouldn’t have heard us then!”
Hyukjae scoffed, eyes back to staring at Donghae as he dragged himself towards them, eyes searching for someone, a certain demanding little man with that whiny lover of his but his shoulders slumped when he didn’t see him.
Annoyed, as soon as he was close enough, he snapped, “Do you really have to shout?! My eardrums do not appreciate it.”
Hyukjae chuckled.
“What are you laughing at?” Donghae snarled.
“Nothing,” Hyukjae shrugged, ignoring how startled Donghae looked as he answered casually.
“You’re actually talking now, huh,” Donghae rolled his eyes after a few moments of silence. “Figures. You always seemed like the mental kind.”
This time, it was Heechul who laughed. Donghae ignored him. “Where’s Sungmin?” he asked.
“Kyuhyun's sick,” Youngwoon lied. “Sungmin's taking care of him.”
Donghae didn’t answer. “Come on, we’re here,” Jungsu tried. “You’re always sticking with Sungmin only.”
“That’s because he’s strong,” Donghae said immediately. If he had seen the knowing looks on their faces, he must have ignored it.
However, it might also be because Hyukjae had pushed past the other four, even bumping against Heechul to walk towards him. Donghae raised his eyebrows as the male stopped right in front of him, their feets almost touching, and again ignoring Heechul’s angry outburst of how dare you push me!
“What do you want?” he asked. Hyukjae smiled softly at him. Donghae was honestly frightened then. Somewhere in him, something banged against his ribcage. Aiden.
No.
“What do you want?” he repeated, only that this time his voice was smaller and warier. Hyukjae’s smile melted off his face.
“I’m your buddy,” he answered softly. “Since Sungmin hyung is gone, I’ll attend his schedules for him.”
“You’re in a different class than me,” Donghae reasoned, trying his best to get away from Hyukjae. I have met people like you. I have met them and I don’t want t– not you too, please.
“We will be going then,” Jungsu voiced out, clearly getting Hyukjae’s indication that he wanted them to leave.
“Wait!” Donghae almost shouted. “You’re going to leave me?”
Jungsu smiled at him. “You’ll be fine with Hyukjae, won’t you?”
“B-But-”
Just as Jungsu begin to leave again, Donghae panicked. Ignoring Hyukjae’s fallen face, he ran towards Jungsu, grabbing the back of his shirt desperately. “D-Donghae?”
“Y-You can’t follow me?” Donghae’s voice was soft and frightened, so much that Jungsu froze.
Jungsu reached out slowly, taking Donghae’s hand into his. “You told him to trust you,” Heechul whispered in his ears. “You have to be responsible for your words, hyung.”
“Hyukjae,” Jungsu called out. “He’ll be with me then.”
“You can’t enter the class, hyung,” Hyukjae reasoned quickly. “You can follow us around but you can’t go in.”
Jungsu frowned. “That’s true…”
“Let me just accompany you, Hae,” Hyukjae said. Five pairs of eyes turned to him as the nickname slipped off his tongue.
“Do you have a phone, Donghae?” Jungsu asked, shaking his head to clear his mind as he tore his gaze away from Hyukjae. Donghae nodded.
Jungsu took his phone out quickly and asked Donghae for his number. “I don’t know my number…” Donghae whispered.
Jungsu frowned.
“Did Yuk- you just get it?” Heechul asked, almost slipping Yuki's name. Donghae didn’t answer him.
“Did you just get it?” Jungsu repeated the younger’s question. Only then did Donghae nod. “Well, that’s fine. Give it to me; I’ll save my number in there.”
Slowly, Donghae reached into his pocket. The cellphone looked awkward on his hands, as though it was his first time holding it. It was brand new and branded, yes, but he seemed clueless about it. “Do you know how to use it?” Jungsu asked in a small voice. Hyukjae’s heart ached when he shook his head.
“Nobody taught you?” Jungsu said. Yuki?
“I didn’t want…” Donghae trailed off. He didn’t finish his sentence but the others got the gist of it all the same.
“Alright, I inputted all our numbers in,” Jungsu said, as if he didn’t hear Donghae’s words. “I put them all on speed dial. If you want to call me, press one and then press this green button here. I’m number one, Sungmin's two, Kyuhyun is three, Youngwoon’s four, Heechul’s five, Hangeng’s six and Hyukjae is seven. Just press the number and this button and you’ll be able to reach us immediately.”
Donghae’s eyebrows furrowed. “I get it,” he said through gritted teeth. “Y-You’re one, right?”
Jungsu nodded. “I’ll let you go with Hyukjae today, alright?” he said, much to Donghae’s horror. “Don’t worry! Keep your phone in your hands at all times. I’ll make sure you’re allowed to hold it, don’t worry. If anything happens, kick Hyukjae in the shin and call me.”
Hyukjae looked scandalized. “Hyung!” he exclaimed.
“I get to kick him?” Donghae asked, almost innocently.
“You do,” Jungsu said despite Hyukjae’s feeble attempt at protesting. “He’s not very strong, you see. Just kick him and call me.”
Donghae’s reassured face offended Hyukjae slightly. However, when the others left, he spared no time to take Donghae’s hands and lead him towards the classroom. Hyukjae sighed quietly in relief when Donghae didn’t let go of his hands despite his grumbling face.
Just as they were about to enter the class, Hyukjae tried his luck and whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Shut up.”
“Sorry.”
Totally whipped, he was.
A/N: If you noticed, this chapter is extremely short. I actually cut off three thousand words because when I read it together, the pace was simply horrible. This chapter was meant to actually explain Kyuhyun's sensitivity about/with Sungmin and his protectiveness over Donghae but I figured I need to steer the fic back to Donghae's point of view since I've kept it pretty general for Chapter 1 to 3. I have kept some part of Kyuhyun/Sungmin in though, just to give you guys a sneak preview.
And if you also paid attention, you get to see a small part of Donghae's past and Hyukjae's role in it as well. All in all, Happy Eid, guys! <33
Pairing: HyukHae, supporting!KyuMin
Side Pairings: HanChul, KangTeuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Friendship, Romance, Angst
Summary: Donghae was a hopeless case in the eyes of any adult -rude, violent and full of hatred. Transferring into a new school, hopeless Donghae meets new people; people who wants to save him. Among them is the quiet Lee Hyukjae who has never talked to anyone but his friends. What made Donghae special enough to get the voice out of Hyukjae would be the question of many. This story serves as the only answer to that one simple, unanswered question.
Narrator's POV
A dark shadow loomed over him and he whimpered. Before he could control it, his lips parted and in a begging tone, he whispered, “Please don’t.”
Through the darkness, he felt his way, palms pressing hard against the ground as he scrambled backwards. He gasped when his back met cold, hard concrete wall. “W-What-” he began to say only to stifle another gasp as the shadow on the ground grew bigger. He shut his eyes then, holding it closed so tight that it hurts. His little fingers fisted into a small frightened ball.
It has happened so many times but he still could not get use to it. It has happened ever since he entered the creepy manor. His excited heart, his overwhelmed feeling of happiness has died after the first week only to be replaced by fear and the hope to escape from the hell.
As the shadows loomed closer this time, he felt his heart raced faster –if that was even possible. Today was different, something in him said so. However, as the shadow became clearer –as a face could be seen- he started crying. Nothing was different.
Those hands touched him again and he bit his lips. The more sounds he made would only cause him more pain. His brown bangs plastered against his forehead, hands trembling by his side. It was then that it happened. His shoulders shagged so suddenly that he gasped. The predator took its opportunity to shove a tongue in but this time, the pain felt distant. You’re going to be fine, someone said. His eyes fluttered open. Who said that?
There was silence before a soft me sounded. With a small tremble, he realized that the voice came from him. The hands on him still wandered around but he could barely feel them. Who are you? he asked again.
I don’t know, the voice answered. I’m you. I’m going to protect you.
P-Protect?
I’m your guardian.
He didn’t understand what a guardian meant. Back then, being so young and clueless, such big words were a form of alienation for his mind. How, the voice –who was indeed himself- could know such words were beyond him.
He then looked up. The predator was looking at him with those hateful eyes of him. “What are you looking at?” the predator asked. He merely stared back. Momentarily lost in the predator’s frightening eyes, he forgot about the voice and could suddenly feel the pain in his lower abdomen that wasn’t present a moment ago.
Aiden! his heart suddenly screamed.
I’m back! that voice shouted. You have to think of me. I’ll be here. Think of me and I’ll always be here to protect you.
He shook his head violently, his small body trashing around before suddenly, the pain subsided. It was still there, poking and lingering but it was distant – like it was transferred to somebody else.
The scene suddenly shifted. It was morning and he was in the back garden, hands raised in the air as a punishment. It was a year later. His eyes were still filled with life and a shed of hope. He didn’t realize that it would be gone just a few weeks later.
That voice in his head, he knew who it was. Aiden the voice’s- boy’s- name was. He gave the boy the name. If he tries hard to remember, it was the name of the last cartoon character he has seen before he left for the manor. But right then, of course he couldn’t remember. He has been squatting for more than half a day with his hands raised up.
He had tried putting it down an hour before and he didn’t want to anymore. He hasn’t mastered the art of having Aiden with him and has yet to be able to call him whenever he wants. “Pssh,” a voice called out to him. It wasn’t Aiden. He knew Aiden’s voice by heart.
Carefully, he moved his head slightly. There was a hole in the wooden fence accompanying him and a brown eye was looking through it curiously. “Pshhh,” the voice grew louder. Out of instinct, he quickly said in an equally whispered voice, “Shhh!”
The eye grew confused. He suddenly found himself inching slowly closer to the eye. When he was close enough, the eye talked – well, it was the mouth of the person the eye belonged who talked. “What are you doing?” it said.
The voice was too loud and once again, he said, “Shhh.”
The eye moved up and down, as if nodding. “What are you doing?” it repeated; only that it was in a small voice then.
“U-Up?” he answered. It was the first human contact –other than the witch (his new predator) that he had after close to eight months and so, he was awkward.
“Up?’ the eye laughed quietly. “What up?”
“Hands…up?” he tried to say, gesturing with his eyes to his raised hand. His voice was groggy, having not drunk for the whole day.
“You’re being punished?” the eye asked. It was then that he noted the slight squeak in the eye’s voice when he said the huge word (punished) indicating that the eye was just as young as he was.
He nodded; eyes back to the front as he checked whether the witch had noticed his slight change of position. “You..” the eye said, trying his best to form a sentence. “-how…old?”
“Six,” he answered quickly. His eyes widened slightly because his voice was a little loud.
“I’m six too!” the eye exclaimed. The witch came out then and his eyes widened.
“What are you doing?” the witch demanded.
He shook his head vigorously. Nothing, I did nothing! However, he knew that it was a lost case when he saw a bat in the witch’s hands. He screamed.
“Donghae! Donghae!”
He stirred.
“Donghae, wake up! It’s alright now, Donghae!”
Slowly, his body stopped trashing around as a soft hand was placed on his clothed chest – just right over his heart. His eyes fluttered open, still filled with the genuine fear in them.
“You’re alright now, Donghae,” the voice repeated. Donghae’s eyes gazed around the room for a while before focusing rather slowly on the face that was looking at him worriedly.
“Y-Yuki?” he croaked. Yuki nodded.
And suddenly, Donghae burst into tears. Yuki stared wide eyed before gathering herself quickly and scooped Donghae into her arms. “I-I’m scared,” Donghae whispered against her shoulder. “I’m so scared…”
Yuki shook her head. “It’s going to be fine, Donghae,” she said. “Everything’s going to be fine from now on.”
Nothing she said could stop Donghae’s tears and eventually with whisper of save me, he went limped in her arms. “Donghae?” she called out. He did not stir.
:::
It was six-thirty in the morning when Kyuhyun stirred awake. The sunlight was peeking through the pink curtains that hung moodily on the window panes as the bird chirped their utmost loudest. Kyuhyun sighed happily as he turned to his side, hands reaching out only to freeze.
“Min?” he called out. The other did not answer. Panic brew deep in him as he jumped out of bed, shouting another, “Min!”
Again, only the chirping birds answered him. Kyuhyun tore open the bathroom door, eyes watering as only emptiness greeted him. He bolted out of their bedroom and into the living room – nothing. He ran to the kitchen –still nothing. “M-Min?” he croaked in fear. “W-Where are you?”
Clutching onto the dining table, Kyuhyun fell onto the floor, trembling.
Suddenly, the main door opened, creaking loudly. Kyuhyun's eyes widened, scrambling onto his feet as he ran to the door. Sungmin looked up as he kicked his shoes away. “Kyuhyun?” he muttered. “You’re up?”
“Where did you go?!” Kyuhyun shouted.
“Kyu?” Sungmin frowned. “Why are you crying?”
Kyuhyun didn’t answer and merely stood there, still sobbing painfully. “Aww darling,” Sungmin whispered, putting down the paper bag he was carrying as he pulled Kyuhyun into his arms. “What happened?”
“I-I thought you left me…” Kyuhyun cried.
Sungmin sighed deeply, tucking himself under Kyuhyun's chin as he embraced the male tighter. “I was out buying breakfast,” he muttered into Kyuhyun's neck. “I didn’t leave. I would never leave.”
Kyuhyun ignored him and continued crying, hands limp on his sides as Sungmin hugged him. “Shhh,” Sungmin soothed, rubbing Kyuhyun's back gently. “Shhh, darling. I’m back. I’m back. I won’t leave without telling you again. I’m back, Kyuhyun. Stop crying, okay?”
“I-I hate you,” Kyuhyun hiccupped. “I h-hate you!”
Sungmin smiled softly, pressing his lips firmly onto the crook of Kyuhyun's neck again and again before whispering, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“I-I…”
Sungmin pouted, pulling away from Kyuhyun as he stared into the younger’s eyes. “Do you really hate me?” he said in a sulky voice. “Can I hate you too then?”
Kyuhyun shook his head vigorously. “You cannot hate me!” he shouted.
“But you said-”
“I love you,” Kyuhyun said instantly. “I don’t hate you! You cannot hate me!”
Sungmin smiled amusedly at his lover as he burst into tears again. The elder tiptoed, hands weaving around Kyuhyun's neck as he embraced Kyuhyun, swaying slightly. “I love you,” he whispered, pressing his lips onto the base of his ears. “Even if anyone tries to say otherwise, I’ll always love you. Do you understand me?”
Kyuhyun hiccupped, nodding slowly. “You love me, right?” Sungmin whispered. Kyuhyun nodded quickly, afraid that the elder male might change his mind.
“So for me, will you stop crying?” Sungmin tried. Kyuhyun nodded again, whimpering as Sungmin pulled away from the hug.
“Let’s spend time together today,” Sungmin suggested, bending down to meet Kyuhyun's eyes as the male looked down. “I’ll call Jungsu hyung to tell him we’re ditching. How does that sound?”
Kyuhyun looked up, eyes red as he muttered in a soft voice, “I-I can have you today?”
Sungmin laughed. “I am yours to begin with, darling,” he teased. “But yes, I’m all yours today.”
Kyuhyun tilted his head, contemplating. He then peeked through his bangs to smile crookedly at Sungmin. “Okay.”
Sungmin laughed again as Kyuhyun pulled his arms to kiss him desperately. It’s been a while since you broke down. What happened, Kyuhyun?
:::
“I understand, Ming,” Jungsu nodded as he spoke into his phone. “He’s alright now, right?”
Did I miss something, hyung? Did something happen? I’m afraid that I’m too weak to notice –
“You did nothing of any sort,” Jungsu cut in firmly.
Hyung, he always knows that I’ll go back to him. He never doubted me anymore –not for the past year. Maybe I overlooked something. Maybe something’s bothering him and I just can’t-
“Take two days off,” Jungsu said. “I’ll do something about school. Take two days off and make sure Kyuhyun's alright. I’m sure you did nothing but if it really bothers you, ask Kyuhyun. I told you, didn’t I? Honesty is the best medicine for both of you. He won’t hide anything if you ask. You know him, Ming.”
Sungmin sighed. Thank you, hyung. I’ll go now. He’s looking for me again.
“Take care,” Jungsu sighed. “Call me if anything happens. I’ll be there in a flash.”
I know, hyung. I know.
Youngwoon sat there expectantly as Jungsu ended his call. His poker face turned into a frown at Jungsu’s sigh. “Something happened?” he asked worriedly.
“Sungmin's worried about Kyuhyun,” Jungsu answered.
“What’s wrong with Kyuhyun? Is he sick?”
“He’s acting weird,” Jungsu said. “He broke down in the morning when he couldn’t find Sungmin in the apartment.”
“Where did Sungmin go?”
“He went to buy them both breakfast,” Jungsu mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose as worry filled his heart. “He has always been buying them breakfast. He just didn’t know why Kyuhyun was different today.”
Youngwoon frowned, shoulders shagging as he stared at his lover. “It must be because Sungmin's barely spending any time with him,” he said in a tone that sounded more as if he’s trying to convince himself.
“Maybe,” Jungsu shrugged. “We have all been busy these few months what with Donghae joining and everything that has happened between Sungmin and Heechul. It must have sent Kyuhyun to the edge. You know how much Sungmin means to him.”
“Too much,” Youngwoon replied. “I’m afraid for them. If Sungmin's not there, I don’t know what to do.”
“Kyuhyun seems like he trust Donghae too,” Jungsu said. “Remember? He went to Donghae when he couldn’t trust any of us. Even Hyukjae was ignored.”
Youngwoon nodded but said no more on the matter. He pushed Jungsu out of bed, signaling to him to take a bathe. “We have to go to school,” he said. “We have to tell the rest. No secrets, remember?”
“No secrets,” Jungsu agreed, taking his towels from the rack before shutting the bathroom door close. As soon as the lock clicked, Youngwoon spun around, taking his phone from the side table and texted a SOS: Kyuhyun to both Hangeng and Hyukjae before plopping back onto the bed. He didn’t look as his phone rang. He already knew it was their replies: Roger that.
:::
They were all gathered in the common room, with Jungsu’s worried face ready to talk when someone knocked. It was the clerk. “What do you want?” Jungsu asked, putting a little too much flame in his voice. The clerk stopped short, staring at him curiously.
“Do you need anything, Molly?” Heechul snapped. “We’re kind of busy.”
“Why isn’t Hyukjae in class?” the clerk said. “It’s half past eight.”
“He would go when he’s ready,” Heechul hissed. “We need to talk to him. Now if you –”
“There’s someone who’s here to see you,” she cut him off, rather rudely.
“Me?” Heechul said, too confused that he forgot the sharpness in his tone.
“Not only you,” the clerk answered grudgingly. “All of you.”
“Well, alright then,” Jungsu said impatiently. “Bring him in! We have things to do!”
“Her,” the clerk corrected. “And if I may ask, what is it that got you busy in the –”
“Quickly, quickly now,” it was Youngwoon who ushered her out. “Bring her here then!”
The clerk glowered at him but then opened the door wider, muttering a barely audible come in. A woman with a wooden, shiny stick came in. She couldn’t be more than seventy – around sixty-five, if you were to guess. “Oh,” Jungsu exclaimed, not expecting such an elderly visitor. He stood them, and so did the other four.
The elderly woman merely smiled at him and waited, quite obviously for the clerk to leave the room. When she did, quite disrespectfully, the elderly woman chirped a highly tired, but enthusiastic, “Hello!” She then forcefully made them sit back down. Jungsu looked unsure as he broke the silence.
“What brings you here, Mrs…”
“Yuki,” the elderly woman said, finishing Jungsu’s questioning sentence. “Just call me Yuki will do. No Mrs, nothing, my dears!”
“Yuki?” Heechul voiced out before anyone else could. “Are you by any chance Donghae’s grandmother?”
“Talked about me, did he?”
“It was on the registration papers,” Jungsu answered warily, regretting it at once as the smile melted slightly off Yuki’s face.
“Well, serves me right. I hoped for too much,” she sighed.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t quite get you,” Jungsu said.
“I am indeed Donghae’s grandmother,” Yuki replied. “Or so I would like to convince myself.”
“Sorry =”
“I,” Yuki cut in. “-am the mother to Donghae’s previous adopted father.”
Jungsu, and along with the others, froze. “P-Previous?” Hangeng asked.
“His adopted father, my son, passed away not too long ago,” Yuki informed. “-wasn’t such a big loss, if you asked me. Even though he doesn’t say it, I know Donghae was rather glad to have him go, mind you.”
“Donghae…what?”
Yuki waved her hands dismissively. “That story would be saved for another time,” she said firmly. Nobody contradicted – or dare to. Somehow, even at her age, she radiated a poise of a frightening woman.
“There must be something important you have to tell us that you are here right now,” Jungsu tried. “We heard that Donghae’s out sick today.”
“Sick?” Yuki laughed. “Told you that, didn’t they? Jinhun ’s always trying his best to act normal.”
“Jinhun?” Heechul repeated, sounding scandalized. “You mean Lee Jinhun? The school’s director?”
“That man himself, yes,” Yuki nodded. “Told him that Donghae won’t be attending today and he’s off telling you that the boy’s sick. Typical.”
“You know Jinhun?” Jungsu questioned. “And you talked to him? About Donghae? Casually? Just like that?”
“Something wrong, my boy?” Yuki asked in a concerned voice.
“Even Sungmin, his son-” Jungsu shook his head.
“It’s rather hard to see him around,” Heechul answered in place of the shocked Jungsu. “It’s even harder to talk to him. Especially about petty things.”
“Donghae is not petty,” Yuki said sharply.
“Of course not!” Jungsu exclaimed. “We’re merely saying that Jinhun probably wouldn’t care abo-”
“Oh, if he doesn’t care, I will make him care, alright,” Yuki scoffed, her frail body shaking slightly.
“W-What relationship do you have with Jinhun?” Youngwoon questioned, eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Nobody could practically get in touch with him. Everything goes through his secretary but even then…”
“We are nothing but old friends!” Yuki shook her head. The five boys raised their eyebrows. Friends?
“How I know that bloody idiot of a man should be the least of your worries right now,” Yuki said. The boys looked horrified as she cursed Jinhun freely. “I came here to tell you that Donghae is not only sick, but he needs serious help.”
They staggered back slightly at the quick changed of topic and her directness. “Sorry?” if they had been shocked at the direct change of topic, they were even more astonished as Hyukjae’s voice sounded, worry practically oozing from his tone. “What has happened to Donghae?”
“Seeing how quick you boys are,” Yuki said. “I am sure you would have caught on that Donghae is a little different, wouldn’t you?”
They nodded.
“How he became that way, isn’t a story that I could tell,” Yuki reasoned. “That is something you should hear from him once you have gained his trust. However, because I have seen how you have cared for my Donghae, I would be telling you one thing.”
She ignored Jungsu’s question of you have seen us? and continued in a calm voice, “Donghae may not be your average teenager, but he is, like any other boy, full of emotion. Because of certain situations, he became that way. I have tried, for over two years to get back his smile but I have failed.”
Jungsu nodded. “What is it that you want us to do?” he asked. “You’re here to ask for help, haven’t you?”
Yuki's face hardened just a tad bit before she nodded. “Yes, help, they usually call it.”
They raised their eyebrows again at her unique way of speech but otherwise let her continue without interruption. “However broken Donghae is, I trust that he could still tell the difference between genuine love and layered kindness. I am here to merely ask you to take care of him. These friends, they call it – he didn’t have one before; not one that he remembered anyway.”
“We’ll take care of him,” it was Hyukjae again that voiced out. “I’ll take care of him. Even if the hyungs-”
“What are you saying?!” Jungsu exclaimed. “Of course we’ll take care of him!”
“Kyuhyun,” Yuki said, shocking them even more. “There’s a boy – your friend- by the name of Kyuhyun, no? Where is he? I was hoping to see him and oh, Sungmin of course.”
“Y-You know them? Kyuhyun and Sungmin, I mean,” Jungsu said.
“Not personally, no,” Yuki said. “And I have come to think that Sungmin might not like to be acquainted with this old lady.”
“Sungmin…what?”
Yuki waved her hands dismissively again. “Kyuhyun has been through something similar –almost but not quite- with what Donghae has gone through. I am awed at how you managed to get him to smile again. With this reason alone, I would trust that you would be capable to take care of my grandson.”
“Donghae is currently in the hospital right now,” Yuki said, ignoring how Hyukjae had stood up hastily. “He will be fine by tomorrow. You are going to act as though I didn’t tell you this and welcome him back as per normal tomorrow. I ask of you to please treat him like how you treat each other. Don’t treat him differently. He would appreciate that–even if he doesn’t show it.”
With that, Yuki left the room. Her strong voice rang in their ears even five minutes after she left. It was Hyukjae who broke the silence. “I want to see Donghae,” he said.
“She made it clear, even without really saying it that she doesn’t want us to see him today,” Jungsu answered.
“I don’t fancy her.”
“Neither do I.”
:::
“He’s here,” Heechul said, nudging Hyukjae’s ribs. Hyukjae glowered at his hyung before turning towards the gates. Sure enough, Donghae was walking through it, his bag slung on his right shoulder.
“Here!” Jungsu practically screamed, waving his hands in the air. Heechul groaned, having been nearest to Jungsu as he screamed.
“You have to quit that habit of yours,” Hyukjae said. “You really didn’t have to shout.”
“Don’t be silly,” Jungsu said. “He wouldn’t have heard us then!”
Hyukjae scoffed, eyes back to staring at Donghae as he dragged himself towards them, eyes searching for someone, a certain demanding little man with that whiny lover of his but his shoulders slumped when he didn’t see him.
Annoyed, as soon as he was close enough, he snapped, “Do you really have to shout?! My eardrums do not appreciate it.”
Hyukjae chuckled.
“What are you laughing at?” Donghae snarled.
“Nothing,” Hyukjae shrugged, ignoring how startled Donghae looked as he answered casually.
“You’re actually talking now, huh,” Donghae rolled his eyes after a few moments of silence. “Figures. You always seemed like the mental kind.”
This time, it was Heechul who laughed. Donghae ignored him. “Where’s Sungmin?” he asked.
“Kyuhyun's sick,” Youngwoon lied. “Sungmin's taking care of him.”
Donghae didn’t answer. “Come on, we’re here,” Jungsu tried. “You’re always sticking with Sungmin only.”
“That’s because he’s strong,” Donghae said immediately. If he had seen the knowing looks on their faces, he must have ignored it.
However, it might also be because Hyukjae had pushed past the other four, even bumping against Heechul to walk towards him. Donghae raised his eyebrows as the male stopped right in front of him, their feets almost touching, and again ignoring Heechul’s angry outburst of how dare you push me!
“What do you want?” he asked. Hyukjae smiled softly at him. Donghae was honestly frightened then. Somewhere in him, something banged against his ribcage. Aiden.
No.
“What do you want?” he repeated, only that this time his voice was smaller and warier. Hyukjae’s smile melted off his face.
“I’m your buddy,” he answered softly. “Since Sungmin hyung is gone, I’ll attend his schedules for him.”
“You’re in a different class than me,” Donghae reasoned, trying his best to get away from Hyukjae. I have met people like you. I have met them and I don’t want t– not you too, please.
“We will be going then,” Jungsu voiced out, clearly getting Hyukjae’s indication that he wanted them to leave.
“Wait!” Donghae almost shouted. “You’re going to leave me?”
Jungsu smiled at him. “You’ll be fine with Hyukjae, won’t you?”
“B-But-”
Just as Jungsu begin to leave again, Donghae panicked. Ignoring Hyukjae’s fallen face, he ran towards Jungsu, grabbing the back of his shirt desperately. “D-Donghae?”
“Y-You can’t follow me?” Donghae’s voice was soft and frightened, so much that Jungsu froze.
Jungsu reached out slowly, taking Donghae’s hand into his. “You told him to trust you,” Heechul whispered in his ears. “You have to be responsible for your words, hyung.”
“Hyukjae,” Jungsu called out. “He’ll be with me then.”
“You can’t enter the class, hyung,” Hyukjae reasoned quickly. “You can follow us around but you can’t go in.”
Jungsu frowned. “That’s true…”
“Let me just accompany you, Hae,” Hyukjae said. Five pairs of eyes turned to him as the nickname slipped off his tongue.
“Do you have a phone, Donghae?” Jungsu asked, shaking his head to clear his mind as he tore his gaze away from Hyukjae. Donghae nodded.
Jungsu took his phone out quickly and asked Donghae for his number. “I don’t know my number…” Donghae whispered.
Jungsu frowned.
“Did Yuk- you just get it?” Heechul asked, almost slipping Yuki's name. Donghae didn’t answer him.
“Did you just get it?” Jungsu repeated the younger’s question. Only then did Donghae nod. “Well, that’s fine. Give it to me; I’ll save my number in there.”
Slowly, Donghae reached into his pocket. The cellphone looked awkward on his hands, as though it was his first time holding it. It was brand new and branded, yes, but he seemed clueless about it. “Do you know how to use it?” Jungsu asked in a small voice. Hyukjae’s heart ached when he shook his head.
“Nobody taught you?” Jungsu said. Yuki?
“I didn’t want…” Donghae trailed off. He didn’t finish his sentence but the others got the gist of it all the same.
“Alright, I inputted all our numbers in,” Jungsu said, as if he didn’t hear Donghae’s words. “I put them all on speed dial. If you want to call me, press one and then press this green button here. I’m number one, Sungmin's two, Kyuhyun is three, Youngwoon’s four, Heechul’s five, Hangeng’s six and Hyukjae is seven. Just press the number and this button and you’ll be able to reach us immediately.”
Donghae’s eyebrows furrowed. “I get it,” he said through gritted teeth. “Y-You’re one, right?”
Jungsu nodded. “I’ll let you go with Hyukjae today, alright?” he said, much to Donghae’s horror. “Don’t worry! Keep your phone in your hands at all times. I’ll make sure you’re allowed to hold it, don’t worry. If anything happens, kick Hyukjae in the shin and call me.”
Hyukjae looked scandalized. “Hyung!” he exclaimed.
“I get to kick him?” Donghae asked, almost innocently.
“You do,” Jungsu said despite Hyukjae’s feeble attempt at protesting. “He’s not very strong, you see. Just kick him and call me.”
Donghae’s reassured face offended Hyukjae slightly. However, when the others left, he spared no time to take Donghae’s hands and lead him towards the classroom. Hyukjae sighed quietly in relief when Donghae didn’t let go of his hands despite his grumbling face.
Just as they were about to enter the class, Hyukjae tried his luck and whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Shut up.”
“Sorry.”
Totally whipped, he was.
A/N: If you noticed, this chapter is extremely short. I actually cut off three thousand words because when I read it together, the pace was simply horrible. This chapter was meant to actually explain Kyuhyun's sensitivity about/with Sungmin and his protectiveness over Donghae but I figured I need to steer the fic back to Donghae's point of view since I've kept it pretty general for Chapter 1 to 3. I have kept some part of Kyuhyun/Sungmin in though, just to give you guys a sneak preview.
And if you also paid attention, you get to see a small part of Donghae's past and Hyukjae's role in it as well. All in all, Happy Eid, guys! <33
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