After days of treatment and observation, the doctors finally deemed Joshua well enough to go home. His fever had subsided, but emotionally, he was still fragile. Joshua hadn't spoken much since he had woken up in the hospital. His once-bright eyes seemed dulled by exhaustion and hurt, and his silence weighed heavily on the entire family.
His brothers had all gathered to welcome him back, their expressions filled with regret and a deep desire to make amends.
After Joshua is brought home from the hospital, his siblings are overwhelmed with guilt and regret. Seeing how close they came to losing Joshua emotionally, they realize how deeply their neglect and favoritism have hurt him over the years. One by one, they approach him, expressing their sincere apologies, hoping to mend their fractured relationship.
Joshua, however, is still emotionally raw and fragile. While he hears their apologies, he isn't ready to fully accept them yet. The years of being ignored, overshadowed and feeling like an outsider in his own family have left deep scars. Even though he knows his brothers are trying to make amends, the pain doesn't disappear overnight.
Joshua tells his hyungs that he needs some time to process everything. He explains that he appreciates their apologies, but he can't simply forget the years of hurt just because they're sorry now. Joshua is still healing, and he needs space to come to terms with his emotions and rebuild trust at his own pace.
His hyungs respect his need for time, understanding that they can't rush his healing process. They promise to be there for him whenever he's ready to talk or start rebuilding their relationship, knowing that regaining his trust will take patience and effort.
For the first few days, his hyungs didn't leave him alone for a second. Whether it was Scoups gently offering him food, or Seokmin and Hoshi trying to lift his spirits with their usual antics, they all worked together, trying to give Joshua the comfort they had neglected their baby brother for so long. They hovered around him, bringing him blankets, asking if he needed anything, offering him books, snacks, or just their company.
But Joshua rarely responded. He didn't push them away, but he didn't engage with them either. It was like he was there physically, but emotionally, he was miles away. The distance between them was heart-wrenching for all his brothers, especially for Jeonghan. He spent hours sitting by Joshua's bed, watching him sleep, guilt weighing heavily in his chest. Jeonghan would whisper apologies, though he wasn't sure Joshua heard them.
At night, the quiet was even more unbearable. Joshua had always been a light sleeper, but now, he barely slept at all. He would toss and turn, trapped in nightmares that seemed to reflect the turmoil inside him. On the third night after Joshua returned home, Wonwoo couldn't take it anymore. He had been pacing outside Joshua's room, listening to the sound of his son struggling to find peace. His quiet whimpers reached his ears, and it broke his heart.
Wonwoo knocked softly on the door but didn't wait for a response before entering. Joshua was lying on his side, curled up tightly, his body tense as he fought against the nightmares plaguing his sleep. Wonwoo's heart ached at the sight of his youngest son, so small and vulnerable. He carefully approached the bed, sitting down on the edge.
"Joshua," he whispered, his voice soft and filled with love. "Sweetheart, it's okay. I'm here."
Joshua stirred but didn't wake up. His brow was furrowed, his hands gripping the sheets as if he were holding on for dear life. Wonwoo sighed softly, his hand gently smoothing his hair, trying to calm him down.
"I'm here, baby," he whispered again. "I'm not going anywhere."
Unable to bear leaving him alone, Wonwoo slowly lay down beside Joshua, wrapping an arm around him protectively. He held him close, as if trying to shield him from the nightmares, from the pain he had carried for so long.
