His Guardian(s)

Chapter 10 - Breaking Point: Hollow Redemption

Shinyu's eyes flutter opened to the sound of the rain drizzling outside the window.

"Hey, you've woken up," Youngjae whispered, causing Shinyu to lift his head and meet his tender gaze.

They were still in the same position Shinyu remembered before falling asleep. Youngjae had both of his arms still wrapped around Shinyu protectively, giving a warmth that Shinyu rarely felt.

"What time...is it?" Shinyu muttered out, his swollen eyes struggling to keep awake due to the lull of peaceful rain pulling him back to the comfortable slumber earlier.

"Probably still in the early evening. Around six or seven, I'd say," the younger answered, bringing one of his hands to brush the hairs away from Shinyu's forehead. "Wanna get up? You're getting skinnier. You shouldn't skip dinner," he continued.

Nodding, Youngjae let go of him from his embrace and they both got up together, taking in the quiet serenity inside the bedroom for a while before walking out together.

Shinyu's head was still hanging low, probably still tired as he brought his fist to rub his weary eyes. The other hand was occupied by Youngjae's, leading them to the kitchen and hopefully meet everyone.

Their figure slowly appeared from the stairs and everyone was eating the dinner together, lively as usual. Youngjae, noticing the festive, quickly turned back to ask Shinyu whether he'd be okay with the crowd, while taking his fist off his eyes. Shinyu assured with a murmur of 'it's okay' and Youngjae made their presence known to the family.

"Eh? Shinyu-hyung is still here?!" Kyungmin spoke up first, his face lighting up in excitement after a short surprised pikachu expression.

The two walked closer as Youngjae urged Shinyu to sit with everyone. Halmeoni stood up to fill a portion for Shinyu and Youngjae while the kids started buzzing in excitement.

"Shwinyu-hyung, fweed me!!" one of the younger brought their bowl of rice and spoon to Shinyu. It made him chuckle, and he took it and started feeding the kid.

"Me too, me too!" other started to join in, crowding beside Shinyu with their foods handed out.

"Kids, don't disturb Shinyu! Let him eat," Halmeoni scolded but none of the kids listened, and Shinyu could only smile and started feeding them one by one.

"How about I feed you instead?" Kyungmin asked one of the boys waiting in line to be spoon-fed by Shinyu.

The boy immediately threw his face away, whining, "no way! I want only Shinyu-hyung to feed me!" 

Kyungmin pouted and huffed, as if he wasn't the person who offered in the first place.

Some of the quieter kids who were too shy to approach the seemingly popular boy were approached by Hanjin who offered to feed them, which they ended up agreeing with.

"Let me feed you," Youngjae insisted after, taking Shinyu's bowl of rice in his hand and started feeding him too. Shinyu obeyed, his main focus on balancing the meat and rice on each spoon for the kids.

In the furthest corner of the table, however, was Dohoon. He quietly watched the scene take place, minding only his own meal without noticing his own tightening grip on the chopsticks.

Why did Shinyu came without giving him a notice? Was he still upset with that day? Or did something happen between him and Youngjae?

Dohoon tried to get the train of thoughts out of his head, but they kept coming in annoyingly.

Shinyu was in the same room with Youngjae for who knows how many hours.

He hated the fact that his mind kept wandering off to whatever they could've possibly done there. He hated how Youngjae had stolen Shinyu from him. He hated how Shinyu gave his attention to someone that wasn't him.