Reputation

Chapter 15 - Childhood trauma

Ara stirred awake, the sound of thunder rumbling loudly outside. Her heart raced in her chest as she sat up in bed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Thunderstorms had always been her greatest fear since childhood, a fear rooted deeply in her memories.

She pulled the blanket tightly around her, hoping to shut out the loud booms echoing through the night. At home, she was accustomed to seeking comfort from Scoups during storms, his presence reassuring her that everything would be okay. But here, in this unfamiliar place, she resolved to face her fear alone.

As Ara lay trembling under the covers, her thoughts raced back to those nights when she was a child, when thunder and lightning would send her running to her brother's room. She could almost hear his voice soothing her, telling her stories until she drifted back to sleep.

Suddenly, there was a particularly loud clap of thunder, causing Ara to flinch and bury her head deeper into the pillow. She closed her eyes tightly, willing the storm to pass quickly.

Footsteps approached quietly, and Ara peeked out from under the blanket to see Jeonghan standing in the doorway. His expression softened as he noticed her trembling form.

"Ara? Are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice a soothing balm amidst the storm's fury.

Ara hesitated, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. She nodded, trying to steady her breathing. "Yeah, just... thunder," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jeonghan walked over to her bedside, his presence calm and reassuring. He sat down beside her, not saying anything at first, simply offering his silent support. His hand reached out tentatively and gently rubbed her back in soothing circles.

"You know, when I was little, I used to be scared of thunderstorms too," Jeonghan finally spoke, his voice low and comforting. "I'd hide under my blanket and count the seconds between the lightning and thunder to distract myself."

Ara glanced at him, surprised by his revelation. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yeah," Jeonghan nodded with a small smile. "It's okay to be scared. Thunderstorms can be pretty scary sometimes."

Ara let out a shaky breath, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Jeonghan," she murmured softly, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through her despite the storm raging outside.

Jeonghan nodded, his eyes gentle as he continued to comfort her. "Do you want me to stay with you until it passes?" he offered quietly.

Ara hesitated for a moment, then nodded gratefully. "Yeah, that would be nice," she admitted, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.

Jeonghan settled in beside her, his presence a steady anchor in the midst of her fear. They sat together in silence, the storm raging outside gradually losing its intensity. As the thunder faded into distant rumblings and the rain softened to a gentle patter, Ara found herself feeling safe and protected in Jeonghan's presence.

As the morning light trickled into Ara's room, Scoups approached quietly, intending to ask about breakfast. Slowly turning the doorknob, he froze in surprise at the sight before him.

There, nestled against Jeonghan, was Ara, her face serene in sleep. Jeonghan himself looked peaceful, eyes closed, unaware of the scene they made together. Scoups couldn't help but grin mischievously at the unexpected tableau.

He motioned for Joshua, who appeared at his side, stifling a laugh as he peeked into the room. His eyes widened with amusement, and he quickly pulled out his phone, snapping a few photos discreetly to capture the moment.

After a moment of quiet observation, they closed the door softly, not wanting to disturb Ara or Jeonghan's rest. They regrouped in the living room, where awhile later Jeonghan emerged, looking refreshed and relaxed.

Joshua couldn't resist teasing. "Sleep well, Jeonghan?" he asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively, a playful grin dancing on his lips.

Jeonghan chuckled, catching on to their teasing tone. "Yeah, just checking on Ara during the storm," he replied casually, though a faint blush betrayed his composure.

Scoups smirked knowingly, adding fuel to the fire. "You two looked cozy in there," he teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Jeonghan rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, guys," he protested, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Just being a good friend."

Joshua grinned, nudging Jeonghan playfully. "Sure, buddy," he teased, his tone light-hearted. "Next time, remember to keep it PG."

Jeonghan chuckled, knowing he was caught in their playful banter. "Noted," he replied with mock seriousness.

Before Ara woke up, Jeonghan found himself contemplating why Ara was so afraid of thunderstorms. Curiosity getting the better of him, he approached Scoups quietly, wanting to understand more about her childhood fears.

Scoups glanced at Jeonghan with a thoughtful expression before quietly explaining, "It goes back to when we were kids. Dad could be really strict, especially about grades. There was this one time Ara didn't score as high as expected, and Dad was really tough on her that day. It happened to be during a thunderstorm, and she was alone in her room. I think she felt like a failure, and that fear just stuck with her ever since."

Jeonghan, sitting with Scoups in the living room, leaned forward with genuine curiosity. "What about your mom? Does she know about this?"

Scoups sighed softly, his gaze thoughtful. "No, we've always kept it from her. It's been just me and Ara dealing with Dad's expectations and her fears." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "Mom, she... she has her own worries. Dad's always been different around her, softer. She wouldn't understand why Ara gets so worked up about grades."

Jeonghan nodded understandingly, absorbing the weight of what Scoups was sharing. "It must have been tough for both of you," he said quietly. "But Ara, she's incredibly strong."

Scoups smiled faintly, a mixture of pride and concern in his eyes. "Yeah, she is. Always has been." He glanced towards Ara's room, his expression softening with affection. "She tries to handle everything herself, but sometimes I worry."

Jeonghan nodded in agreement, feeling a surge of protectiveness towards Ara. "She's lucky to have you looking out for her," he remarked sincerely.

Scoups chuckled softly, a hint of warmth in his voice. "Thanks, man. We've got each other's backs."