FOR THE FUTURE ⋮ nohyuck/markhyuck/markhyuckno

Chapter Ten

Mark left, and Donghyuck could spend a little time with Jeno before he could go out too. They had a peaceful breakfast together, and Jeno even walked Donghyuck to the bathroom. Everything was great, despite Noram's desire to join whatever they were doing. As they were back in the room, the kid stared at Papa a lot and even dared to approach him as he noticed Donghyuck's mood getting better.

But the brunette felt like an irritated cat approached by someone else's kitten. He glared at Noram! Just by this, he made the kid retreat which was easily noticed by Jeno.

"Why are you so harsh to him?"

"Isn't that what you usually do when you get betrayed?" Donghyuck said in a wittily incisive manner.

"He's your kid one way or another."

"He also may be your kid," Donghyuck glared.

"So, you're admitting it," Jeno tilted his head.

"There's nothing to hide anymore," the boy mumbled, looking away.

"So, Noram is really from the future?"

"Yes."

Donghyuck darted his eyes on his hands as he felt the need to talk more, "What you saw in those letters... It had to happen. I think it was unavoidable."

"One of those letters... One was written by the... older you?"

"That's right. He made me a plan."

"Why?"

"I think you know this because of the person you call Chatterbox," Donghyuck chuckled, still avoiding Jeno's eyes. "But the whole thing of this was to change the miserable future and create a better environment for the kid. Future me... He lives above a convenience store near my dorm. He couldn't even go somewhere else. He's taking care of the kid alone, lives in poverty, and sells his body to get more money."

Donghyuck was curious about Jeno's expression but was too ashamed to look up.

"He told me that the goal was to find who was the kid's father, so I had to do everything life offered. I surely had doubts about this. Why would I follow the same path if I know that the future is not a happy one? But now I realized that the kid was sent not to prove to me that life will be hard if I do otherwise or make me mad and try to figure things out, but to win my heart and make me do as the future I wish. So that Noram could still come to this world even though he... obviously ruins our lives and dreams. Future Donghyuck succeeded. I grew fond of the kid."

The boy sighed as he lacked a little bit of air, then went on. "According to the plan, everything was done, I had to confront the father and force him into responsibility. So both of us could take care of Noram, and I wouldn't have to be alone," Donghyuck's voice got quieter. "So... I can't get rid of the baby. The price doesn't let me, but neither does this plan. I don't want to ruin your and Mark's friendship, but I still have to find out the truth."

The boy finished his speech and suddenly felt weak. Hearing no response from Jeno, Donghyuck laid down and closed his eyes.

"This is so hard," he muttered. "I'm not the type to take care of kids. I freaking hate kids."

"Don't listen to him, Noram," the boy heard Jeno say. "He's just really upset right now."

"What about you?" Donghyuck asked Jeno. "Don't you find this whole thing upsetting?"

The brunette felt Jeno drawing near and the next second the boy's hand was taken into a warm one.

"It is upsetting, Donghyuck. I never knew that you were dealing with this. Well, I could see that something was bothering you, but... I don't know how to read you sometimes," Jeno said softly. "I'm bothered by the night you were with Mark and the things I read in your letter. But now I know that you didn't mean it. You just did what you had to do."