single father | minchan

18

"i'm really sorry, min. i shouldn't have gotten angry with you. i was just so exhausted."

minho smiled, setting down his coffee cup to turn around. "i know, chan. it's okay, you were stressed and i get it. ask me for help if you need it, okay? it's what i'm here for."

——

the living room is a haven of laughter and toys strewn about, as minho keeps a watchful eye on hyunjin and jeongin. minho smiles as he witnesses their playful antics, their giggles filling the air.

suddenly, minho's phone buzzes on the coffee table. he picks it up, and his expression shifts from calm to tense as he reads the caller ID – his uncle's name glaring at him. memories of a traumatic past flood his mind, a darkness he's fought hard to keep at bay.

he answers the call with a trembling hand, his voice masking the turmoil beneath. "hello?"

"my minho, you can't escape your history. don't think those kids are safe with you. i'll do a repeat of what i did with you when i get my hands on them."

minho's heart races, and his grip tightens on the phone. the fear and anger from the past threaten to overwhelm him, and his breathing becomes shallow.

hyunjin notices the change in minho's demeanor and tugs at his sleeve, worry evident in his eyes. "mama, is everything okay?"

minho forces a smile and kneels down to their level, ruffling hyunjin's hair. "yes, everything's fine, darling. just a call i didn't want to get."

jeongin looks up from his toys, sensing something amiss. "you look 'pset, mama."

mimho swallows hard, his emotions churning within him. he ruffles jeongin's hair too and tries to reassure him. "it's nothing, innie. don't worry."

as he stands, his legs give a slight tremor, and he grips the edge of the coffee table for support. outside, the world blurs, and the past claws at the edges of his mind.

with concern etched on their faces, hyunjin and jeongin exchange glances. they know something's wrong. hyunjin grabs minho's phone from the table and dials chan's number without hesitation.

the phone rings on the other end, and chan's voice comes through, a welcomed lifeline.

"min? how's everything at home?"

hyunjin's voice wavers as he replies, "d-daddy, mama seems scared. someone called him, and mama's not okay."

chan's expression changes from cheerfulness to grave concern. "put minnie on the phone, hyun."

hyunjin rushes over to minho, who is now visibly trembling. he hands the phone over, and minho takes it, his voice quivering as he speaks.

"min, what's going on? are you okay?"

minho's grip tightens on the phone as panic rises within him. he tries to control his breathing, struggling to find the words. "i-i can't explain right now, chan. just... stay on the line, please."

chan's voice is soothing yet firm. "minho, you don't have to face this alone. you can tell me."

tears well up in minho's eyes, his emotions spiraling out of control. he gazes at the kids he's protecting, at the life he's built, and finally speaks, his voice breaking. "not now, chan. just... please, i need you to stay on the line."

chan's presence on the other end is a lifeline, a thread connecting minho to the present amidst the shadows of his past. jeongin and hyunjin watch, wide-eyed, as minho battles his demons, a silent testament to the strength it takes to guard the ones he loves from the ghosts that haunt him.

—-

chan gently tucked his kids into their beds, ensuring they were snug and comfortable. he whispered soothing words as they settled in for the night, their eyelids growing heavy with dreams. after a soft smile and a final goodnight kiss, he left their room, heading back to his own where minho sat with a heavy expression on the edge of the bed.

sitting down next to minho, chan's concern was evident in his eyes. "min, that phone call really shook you. can you talk to me about it? ehsy's going on?"

minho's eyes met chan's, a mixture of fear and reluctance in his gaze. he took a deep breath, his voice barely audible. "chan, i can't find the right words to explain. all i can say is that the kids are in danger."

chqn placed a supportive hand on minho's shoulder, offering a comforting touch. "min, we're a team. you can trust me with anything. we need to know more to keep them safe. can you tell me who made the call?"

minho's voice quivered as he replied, "it was my uncle. but you don't understand, chan. he's not just a regular family member. he's a horrible man, capable of terrible things."

chan's expression turned serious, his grip on minho's shoulder tightening. "if he's a threat, we can't ignore this. we'll do whatever it takes to protect our kids. we need to act."

minho's gaze dropped to the floor, his hands trembling. "you have to know, chan. my childhood was a nightmare because of him. he was abusive, both physically and emotionally. he assaulted me after my parents died, all the time, and i've carried that pain with me."

chan's eyes filled with compassion, his heart aching for minho. he wrapped his arm around minho's shoulders, pulling him close. "i'm so sorry you had to go through that, minho. you're not alone anymore. we're here together, and we'll make sure your uncle never harms us or our kids."

tears welled up in minho's eyes as he looked at chan. "you- you don't get it, chan. he said that he was going to do the same of what he did to me, to the kids. and- and that means-"

chan pressed a gentle kiss to Minho's forehead. "we'll take the necessary steps to protect the kids. tomorrow, we'll take action against any threat your uncle poses."

minho nodded, finding comfort in chan's presence. as they laid down together, the weight of minho's past laid bare, he felt a renewed sense of strength knowing he wasn't alone in this fight.