↤P A R A D I G M↦

二十八

Nabi bobetau

nooooo

school is starting again

life = over

RMBR TO SHEESH

(stay healthy, eat everything, stay hydrated)

-Scarlet/Rain<33

As they settled into the dimly lit hideout, Hongjoong's mind churned with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. Jessica paced nervously, her earlier façade of confidence shattered by the weight of their situation.

"You've been keeping secrets from me," Hongjoong began, his voice quieter now, tinged with hurt. "How long have you been working for Rain?"

Jessica sighed heavily, sinking onto a makeshift stool. "It's been almost two years, Hongjoong. Since before you turned sixteen. Rain Dayslock, he... he found out about your past, about who you were before I took you under my wing."

Hongjoong clenched his fists, his jaw tight with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "And you thought working for him was the solution? To betray me like this?"

"It wasn't betrayal, Hongjoong," Jessica pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I did it to protect you. Rain threatened to expose everything, to ruin any chance you had at a normal life. I couldn't let that happen."

Their hideout felt suffocatingly small as the weight of Jessica's confession hung between them. Hongjoong paced, trying to process the enormity of what she had done. She had sacrificed her principles, her integrity, for his sake. Yet, the sting of betrayal gnawed at him.

"I trusted you! I was never going to have a normal life," he finally said, his voice cracking with emotion. "You were like a mother to me."

"I still am," Jessica insisted, her voice trembling. 

Silence settled over them, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. As if the city understood the gravity of their situation, it fell silent. Not a caw of a bird, not the neigh of a horse, not the chatter of a human.

"What now?" he asked quietly, finally meeting her gaze.

Jessica's shoulders sagged with weariness. "I don't know. Rain has his hooks in deep, Hongjoong. I've been trying to gather information, to find a way out. But it's not that simple."

Hongjoong nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need a plan. Rain won't stop until he gets what he wants. And he wants me."

They spent the rest of the day holed up in their hideout, plotting their next move. Hongjoong wrestled with conflicting emotions—anger at Rain Dayslock's intrusion into his life, gratitude mixed with betrayal towards Jessica, and a deep-seated determination to protect what little semblance of family he had left.

By nightfall, they had a rough outline—a plan to gather leverage against Rain, to turn the tables on the man who held their fates in his hands. Hongjoong knew it wouldn't be easy. Rain was a formidable opponent, with resources and influence that stretched far beyond their reach. But Hongjoong had never backed down from a challenge, and this was no exception.

As they parted ways that evening, each retreating into the shadows of the city, Hongjoong felt a renewed sense of purpose. Rain Dayslock may have uncovered his past, but Hongjoong would be damned if he let the man dictate his future before he could kill him first.

┉┈◈♛◈┈┉

"I come bearing good news," Dr. Raymond smiled as she sat down beside a pensive Hongjoong, causing the group of people in the room to look up hopefully.

Dr. Raymond was the Royal Doctor that Seonghwa had brought with him to check up Britney, Jiwoon, and Stacy, due to their illness that had baffled the adults and intrigued the other kids in the Community Home.

"What's the prob doc?" Jessica piped up worriedly, Dr. Raymond chuckling and scanning down her clipboard before delivering her news.

"Actually," Dr. Raymond began with a reassuring smile, "I believe we've made a breakthrough." Her eyes scanned the expectant faces around her before she continued. "The tests we ran came back with some interesting results. It turns out that Britney, Jiwoon, and Stacy have all been exposed to the same rare string of flu virus."

A murmur of surprise and concern rippled through the group, causing Hongjoong to lean forward, his brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means we have a diagnosis," Dr. Raymond explained calmly. "This strain of flu has been particularly elusive because it presents differently in children compared to adults. The good news is, it's treatable with the right medication, and all three of them are responding well to the treatment we've started."

Relief washed over the room like a gentle tide. Seonghwa placed a hand on Hongjoong's shoulder, his expression softening. "Thank you, doctor. You've lifted a weight off our shoulders."

Dr. Raymond nodded, her gaze warm. "They'll need a bit more rest and care, but they should be back on their feet soon. I'll leave you with the medication details and instructions."

Jessica got given the details and instructions as Seonghwa pulled Hongjoong out of the room and up to the latter's bedroom to talk. 

"Thank you, so much," Hongjoong wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's shoulders in a warm hug, Seonghwa smiling and wrapping his own arms around Hongjoong's waist and leaning his chin on the smaller head. 

"Nah it's nothing, just a royal doing his service to his favourite people," Seonghwa brushed it off as they separated, though a prideful grin was plastered on his face as he took a step back and rubbed the nape of his neck sheepishly, Hongjoong smiling.

"I know a good boy when I see one, want to go on a walk? I have stuff I need to vent," Hongjoong cooed, Seonghwa rolling his eyes and retorting, "I am not a dog. But I wouldn't oppose to having you lay your troubles on me."

Hongjoong led him to the balcony, and promptly pushed him off of it.

yippee