PROMISE | yungi

chapter 11.

yunho's pov

my heart dropped.

i wasn't even sure of what yeosang had to say yet; though the seriousness in his tone allowed me to conclude that it wasn't anything light and surface level. it was probably unreasonable for me to be so nervous before the other even spoke, but my mind couldn't help but wonder— is yeosang hurt? what if there's something wrong? and if that is the case, why is he only telling me, someone who reconciled with him not even 24 hours ago?

i reminded myself to breathe a little before speaking up. "oh? well, what's it about? it seems like it's really bothering you," i frowned, looking into his eyes as my head still rested in the comfort of my pillow.

"well... it is, it has been for a while now," yeosang paused, quickly clearing his throat before elaborating on his words, "do you remember when we used to walk home from school together? since our houses were the closest to each other than anyone else's among our friend group..."

i gave him a soft nod, signaling for him to continue.

"well, on the last day before our winter break, we walked home together. i didn't bring a coat that day since i was late and rushing. you gave me yours, saying you weren't even cold— which we both knew was a lie; you were shivering like crazy," yeosang giggled softly as he pictured the moment— it caused me to grin. i remembered that day pretty clearly.

"anyways, we made it to your house, said goodbye like we always did, and i kept walking once i knew you were inside. i think— i walked for a good 200 feet before i noticed i still had your coat on; so i ran all the way back, taking it off so i could knock and hand it to you. well..."

my eyes furrowed in confusion.

i don't recall getting it back that day, so how...

i felt my heart stop for a moment.

as soon as i had made it inside that day, my mother's boyfriend was in a fit of rage. i couldn't remember why— but i certainly recalled ascending the stairs with many new injuries and a tear-stained face.

"before i could knock, i heard... a lot of things, yelling, thudding, shattering; so i just left, because i panicked. i felt like i had discovered something i wasn't meant to, and—"

yeosang breathed shakily as tears dropped down his cheeks. i now understood why he had seemed so tense and hesitant.

tears began to fall from my eyes as well. * that was so long ago, why didn't he say anything? does this mean the others know as well? that explains why they wanted to be friends again, it was only out of pity for me—

"yunho? yunnie, you're shaking so bad, what's wrong? please, just breathe, focus on your breathing yunho," yeosang spoke softly, yet hurriedly, guiding my inhales and exhales until they were steady again. it took about 5 minutes to fully calm down and speak up.

"do the others know? did you tell them about this?"

"no, actually. i tried to bring it up after what happened with you and seonghwa, but as soon as i mentioned your name, they just brushed it off and refused to listen. but now that i'm here with you now, i'm glad i never got the chance to bring it up to them because i don't even know what i witnessed yun, what's going on at home? okay— wait— you don't have to answer that if you don't want to, that was super inconsiderate of me, i'm-"

"yeo... it's okay. i should've told you a long time ago anyway; i should've told all of you. maybe then, things wouldn't have happened the way they did."

i took a moment to think before continuing my talk with the younger. i didn't even know where to start— i had anticipated having this conversation, but i certainly didn't prepare for it.