scaredy cat|stray kids

-fifteen-

"I'm sorry." A puppy faced boy mumbles as he stares down at his feet.

MinHo doesn't say a word. He just continues to run his fingers through my hair. He doesn't even lift his head to acknowledge his presence. The only reaction he has to the boy is a hard swallow.

JiSung places his hand on MinHo's shoulder and squeezes. MinHo closes his eyes tightly and takes a shaky breath. I don't blame him for not wanting to look at the boy. I don't blame him for not wanting to talk to him, but I know he will. All he needs is a minute to collect himself then he'll look up and forgive the boy as if nothing happened. Of course—he'll keep dying inside every time he sees him, until he's grown used to his face again.

"It's fine." MinHo's words are cold and shallow, but they make the boy lift his head a bit. He glances at MinHo before looking away quickly.

"I really didn't know they were going to use it against him. I was just mad—he used to treat me like his baby until you came along. I felt like an old chew toy that had no purpose. I was so scared that he was going to throw me away that I threw myself out. I wanted to be the one deciding what happened to me. They told me that what I told them would be used to keep him safe. I trusted them. I had no reason to believe they wanted to hurt their best guard. It was my way of trying to make up for the problems I caused—not make more." The boy takes a shaky breath before forcing confidence into himself and looking directly at MinHo.

Chan looks over at JeongIn sitting on the floor with Felix. The two are cuddled up as if they've always been best friends. I know what's running through his mind. He's scared JeongIn is going to feel the way the boy did. He's afraid JeongIn will feel useless and have to sit and watch him coddle Felix. He's afraid JeongIn will hate him.

"I said it's fine." MinHo tries to get the boy to stop talking as his eyes fill with tears.

"No—it's not. I was the one who told them you were pregnant. I thought they'd keep him off the front lines if they knew. I didn't know they'd intentionally throw him out to the wolves then come after you. I didn't know they hated him." The boy sniffles as he recalls everything he did to MinHo—yet here's MinHo telling him everything was fine. He knows it isn't. He knows MinHo still hates his guts, but MinHo's mature and responsible. He'll accept what has to be accepted without question—as long as his Alpha says so.

"Kim SeungMin—shut the fuck up! I said it's fine!" MinHo snaps harshly as lifts his head to glare at the boy. Tears stream down his face as he takes a few deep breaths to try and control himself.

"Let's step out for a bit—let Binnie have his spot back." JiSung encourages as he gently tugs on MinHo's arm. MinHo nods weakly and slips out from under me. ChangBin is quick to take his place.

"I'm sorry—I didn't mean to upset him. I just—I wanted to properly apologize. All these years—I've regretted everything I did. He was my Alpha, too. I loved him with every ounce of my being. I didn't want to see him hurt. I thought I was helping." SeungMin frowns as he taps his fingers against his thighs.

"Don't worry about it. He just needs some time. He'll be alright. Here—let me introduce you to the rest of the soon-to-be pack. The two in the corner over there—Felix and JeongIn. JeongIn is my Beta. Felix is my—well—ChangBin's Omega, but he's gonna be mine soon." Chan explains as the younger two look up at him. They both offer a smile before going back to their whispering.

"You know ChangBin. That's HyunJin—the one everyone is after. He's had a rough few days, so he might not say much." Chan mumbles as his eyes shift toward me.

"He lost a pup didn't he?" SeungMin asks quietly as he watches my reaction closely.

I close my eyes tightly before attempting to sit up. ChangBin is quick to pull me into his lap. He guides my head to his shoulder, but I swallow hard and turn toward SeungMin.