Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 18 : Pain

Hyunsuk's fingers keep fidgeting as he looks at the clock again. He'd been looking at the clock on the lobby wall at least once every five minutes. It’s already been twenty minutes since Jihoon left. Just twenty minutes but feels like an eternity to him. The times feel like moving slowly to him.  It makes him antsy.

I should've followed Jihoon. Hyunsuk's monologue. He chewed on his bottom lips as he's feels anxious. Cold sweat formed on his forehead and his hands are shaking. He feels like an idiot for listening to Jihoon about staying here and waiting for them while he doesn't have any idea if Hyuna is safe or not. Every nerve ending in Hyunsuk's body is tingling with nervousness and anxiety.

He flinched at each footstep he heard, hoping it was Jihoon's and Hyuna's but as he turned his head at the sounds, he let out a heavy sigh. He stood up from the chair and walked towards the hotel entrance door, looking around in case both of them are getting close but his sight caught nothing. He bit his lower lips and kept walking in circles, trying to calm himself down. Sometimes, he nibbles on his thumb. His eyes didn't seem focused.

His head keeps replaying everything that happened between him and Hyuna. "That was dumb of me. Hyuna wouldn't run away if I didn't slap her," he mumbles to himself. Every negative thought keeps running inside his mind, making him sick to his stomach. What if something happened? Why doesn't Jihoon come back? Did he fail to find Hyuna? Or is something that might happen to her that Jihoon can't bring her back in time? The mere thought of something might happen to his sister makes his heart ache so much.

"Please Hyuna, be safe," he whispered as he crouched down beside the entrance door, rubbing both his palms over his face. His whole body started to tremble, fear engulfing his body. He was scared what if it was Hyuna's turn to leave him? The idea scared him even more. The thought of it alone makes him feel nauseous. As those scary thoughts haunted him, he suddenly hear a loud ringing voice inside his head. It is so loud, he could feel his brain throb painfully.  He could feel the headache growing stronger as he tries to shake it off but it still keep on going. He tried to ask for help but it seems like something is blocking his mouth. He tries to scream but no sound comes from his mouth. Everything around him feels slow; it felt like he was underwater. Everything became blurry, everything was about to turn black when he feel like his body was shaking. He snapped out of his trance only to realize that someone was shaking his shoulders.

He opened his eyes, staring at the person in front of him who is now holding him. "Hyung, are you alright? Sorry for taking so long," a familiar voice said. It's familiar but sounds a bit off. Hyunsuk blinked a few times to focus his vision. It takes a while before it finally clears up. Jihoon's face was just a few centimeters away from his face. A worried expression plastered on his features. At some point, he looks about to cry, his arms still wrapped around his entire body. Jihoon looked scared.

"Jihoon?" Hyunsuk is finally able to say a word.
"Yes hyung, I am here now with Miss Hyuna," Jihoon smiled.

Hearing him, Hyunsuk snapped back to real life. He pushes himself away from Jihoon's embrace. He looked around for a while until he saw someone standing not too far from them. Without hesitation, he approaches that person, throwing his body into her, and hugging her tightly.

"Oppa?" Hyuna was hesitant to hug him back, thinking he was still mad at her. She slowly wraps her arms around his back and buries her face in the crook of his neck as she feels Hyunsuk's warmth engulf her. Her tears fall one by one. Hyuna finally broke down in her older brother's hold. Her cries echo in the silent lobby all one by one. Hyuna finally broke down in her older brother's hold. Her cries echo on the silent entrance door.

"Oppa, I am sorryyyy," she sobbed, clinging tighter onto Hyunsuk.

Hyunsuk tightens his hold on Hyuna, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "It's okay, you come back safe and sound are most important," said Hyunsuk.

Hyuna nodded slowly as she let go of her older brother. Looking at him carefully, she noticed his slightly pale face and dry lips. Hyuna also could catch Hyunsuk's inner lips bleeding obviously, from biting it too hard. Hyuna then lowered her head, feeling guilty enough for her childish action. As she felt tears about to fall once again, Hyunsuk reaches her hand.  Slowly, Hyuna lifted her head and look straight into her older brother's eyes. She wipes away her tears and smiles gently at him. "Let's go inside,"  Hyunsuk said, offering his hand to Hyuna.

All along their way to their rooms, none of them say a word. Jihoon just follows silently behind Hyunsuk and Hyuna, knowing they both need some space to themselves and to think about what they should do next. As they finally reach Hyuna's room, Hyunsuk told Jihoon that he still needs to talk to Hyuna and asks Jihoon to head to their room first. Jihoon nodded and left the two alone. He knew Hyuna had things she needs to say and he believes that sometimes talking and crying can help clear her head. 

With that, Hyunsuk enter the room first while Hyuna followed after him. As they finally entered the room, Hyunsuk told Hyuna to take a quick shower. Hyuna just obediently nodded to him. She grabbed her towel and went straight to the bathroom. Right after the door lock clicked, Hyunsuk fell to his knees. His stiff body just now started to shiver again. He brings his trembling hand to his face,  trying to control it somehow but no luck. His breathing becomes erratic again as if his lungs almost burst out anytime soon. He took deep breaths trying to calm himself down but failing. He feels like wants to cry but no tears came out of his eyes.

He tries to reach a bottle of water on the shelf above, and with his shaking hand, he tries to open the cap. He failed at first, but as he feel desperate enough, he turn the cap with all of his strength. As he opened it, he quickly gulp down the water hoping the lump on his throat gets swallowed down. He was unable to control his trembling hand that some drops of water spilled on his shirt. He then coughs violently when the water he drinks gets stuck in his throat. He hit his chest several times in an attempt to relieve his soreness. After a few moments, his cough started to subside.

"Thank God. Nothing happened to her. I couldn't cope with any loss,"