Don't Blame Me || Jeongcheol

Chapter 14

Once the men were gone, Seungcheol focused his attention back on Haneul, who had remained sitting quietly in the corner. He slowly approached him again, making sure to keep his movements slow and non-threatening.

"Haneul," he said, his voice still gentle and soothing. "I'm going to take you somewhere safe now, okay? Can you stand up for me?"

Haneul looked up at Seungcheol with wide, frightened eyes for a moment, but then he nodded and shakily got to his feet. His legs were trembling, and he looked so small and vulnerable.

Seungcheol's heart ached as he watched Haneul struggle to stand, his small body clearly exhausted and in pain. He wanted to scoop him up in his arms and carry him away from all of this, but he knew he had to take things slowly and carefully.

"Can I pick you up?" Seungcheol asked gently. Haneul hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded slightly, his small arms reaching out towards Seungcheol. He looked unsure and scared, but he clearly trusted Seungcheol enough to let him pick him up.

Seungcheol felt a jolt of protectiveness as he gently scooped Haneul up into his arms. The child weighed practically nothing, and his small body fit perfectly against Seungcheol's chest.

As he held Haneul in his arms, Seungcheol could feel the child shivering slightly, the fear and adrenaline coursing through his body. Seungcheol gently cradled Haneul against him, trying to offer what little comfort and reassurance he could.

"You're safe now," he whispered, his voice gentle and soothing. "I've got you. I won't let anything happen to you."

Haneul buried his face against Seungcheol's chest, his small body quaking with fear and exhaustion. Seungcheol could feel the tears dampening his shirt, but he didn't say anything, just holding Haneul close and letting him cry.

"I want daddy..."

Seungcheol's heart clenched at the child's soft, tearful voice. It was clear that Haneul was desperately missing his father, his vulnerability and trauma breaking through his earlier silence.

Seungcheol's mind was filled with worry and guilt as he carried Haneul out of the warehouse and into the waiting car. He told him him he well take Haneul to his dad soon but knew he had to check on Jeonghan, but his priority was Haneul and getting him to safety and proper care first.

He gently placed Haneul in the back seat of the car, buckling him in carefully. The child looked so small and fragile, still trembling with fear and exhaustion.

As he closed the car door and climbed into the driver's seat, Seungcheol took a moment to collect himself, his mind racing with thoughts of Jeonghan and the condition he was in.

The car ride to the headquarters was quiet and tense, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and Haneul's occasional sniffles. The8 sat quietly by Haneul's side, offering him silent support and reassurance.

Seungcheol's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he drove, his mind still filled with thoughts of Jeonghan. He had no idea what condition Jeonghan was in, and the anticipation and worry were eating at him.

The headquarters came into view, and Seungcheol parked the car quickly, his heart racing. He got out of the car, opening the door for Haneul and carefully scooping him up into his arms again.

The headquarters was a large, industrial-looking building, and it was bustling with activity. Members of the gang were going about their business, but they all stopped when they saw Seungcheol carrying Haneul through the door.

Seungcheol ignored their curious stares, his focus solely on Haneul and getting him the help he needed. He carried the child into the medical wing of the headquarters, where a team of doctors and nurses were waiting.