puzzle piece | jeong jaehyun

32

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were going through this—I'm sorry I made you feel like you were on your own, but you're not, okay?" Jaehyun said, his hand reaching to rub her back to soothe her cries

"I'll always be here for you...I just care so much about Minhyuk and...I got worried and scared for him. I'm sorry" Jaehyun said, taking in a sharp breath at his own words, closing his eyes shut tightly at the unforeseen situation

"I'm here now, you don't have to go through this alone" he said, his words attempting to confort her as much as he could even though their trust was still broken. Her breathing was erratic against his chest, her hands fisting the material of his dressing gown as her tears stained the front of his pyjama shirt.

They had never been so close to each other before, holding onto each other like one would break into pieces if another was to let go. His hand kept rubbing against her back comfortingly, soothing every cry that escaped her lips as their hearts thumped against each other's chests.

They both stood there in silence in the hallway of her apartment, the only light between them coming from the nightlight. He kept her in his arms, too afraid to let go in case her cold walls would come between them again. He was finally starting to understand her, finally starting to see what the real situation was.

"For the last few years I've been scared of every little scrape or bruise, Jaehyun. I can't let them take him away from me—"

"They won't...they're not going to do that" Jaehyun said, quashing her worries as her heart started to prepare for the worst

"You don't know that" she mumbled, her voice strained and exhausted

"I know you won't let them do that...you've fought so hard for him. You won't stop now" Jaehyun said, squeezing her body

"I'm tired of fighting" she whispered, and he felt the weight of her body shift onto him. He had to be strong for her at this moment, be the rock that wouldn't budge in the midst of chaos. And for once she was just letting herself depend on someone else, leaning into them than pulling away and shutting them out.

Their moment of peace was suddenly pierced by a loud shriek coming from Hyuk's room, causing the two of them to jump and pull away, staring at each other with wide eyes before they sprung to their feet, rushing down the hallway. Yunhui spared no second to barge into his room, her body freezing as she saw the boy shaking uncontrollably in his bed with bloodcurdling cries escaping his mouth.

"Minhyuk..." she whispered, gathering whatever energy she had left inside of her to rush towards him. His hands thrashed erratically, almost hitting her every time and she let out a cry, feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what to do.

"No, no, don't—please, I didn't do anything wrong!"His voice wavered, each word thick with panic as he gasped out

Yunhui froze by his side as she realised what he was being haunted by, the weight of each terrified cry pressing down on her. Tears filled her eyes as Minhyuk continued to plead, his voice rising to a frantic scream,

"Stop! Don't hurt Mommy!" The boy cried desperately. Jaehyun's heart clenched as he watched the boy struggle, his small body curling up defensively, his hands coming up to shield his face.

"Minhyuk, wake up" Yunhui helpless said from his side, knowing her words would go unheard inbetween his cries. Jaehyun couldn't take it anymore. He quickly crossed the room, sitting down beside Minhyuk, and placed a firm but gentle hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Please... I'll be good, I'll be good...don't hit her" Minhyuk's words broke off into choked sobs, his breaths ragged and shallow, each one rattling with fear.

"Hyuk, hey... it's okay. I'm here" he said softly, his voice steady with his hands firmly holding the boy's arms down so he wouldn't hurt himself.

"No one's going to hurt you. I'm right here. You're safe. I need you to wake up buddy" Jaehyun said, his voice piercing through the cries that were slowly starting to subside as the boy gasped for air

"Minhyuk please, you have to wake up, okay?" Jaehyun said, his hands rubbing his arms gently to let him know he was okay and that it was just a dream

Slowly, Minhyuk's thrashing subsided, though his small body continued to tremble. His eyes snapped open, wide and wild, his chest heaving as he tried to process where he was. The moment his gaze locked onto Jaehyun, he scrambled into his arms, clutching him with all his strength, almost sending Jaehyun back from the force. His small hands dug into Jaehyun's shirt as he sobbed

"He was going to hurt me!" Minhyuk cried, his body shaking out of fear as Jaehyun tried to keep himself calm, soothing his cries as best as he could

"He won't, Hyuk. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you. I promise. I've got you. You're safe." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he gently rocked the boy. The words settled over Minhyuk like a balm, and slowly, his sobs softened, the frantic beat of his heart slowing as he nestled into Jaehyun's embrace, his face digging into his neck to shield him from the vivid dream that felt all too real

Jaehyun turned his gaze to Yunhui, who was watching them, her eyes wide and glassy with pain. Her knees had given up on her and she had fell to the floor, trying to contain her cries as she realised just how badly traumatised her son was. And just how badly she was doing at shielding him from it all.

"You never told me he hit you too." Jaehyun said as he felt the pieces fall into place, and the realisation hit him hard. He could barely get the words out, his voice raw with anger and sorrow.. Yunhui's shoulders sagged as she looked away, her silence speaking volumes.

"He's burning up, Yunhui. We need to get him to the hospital."Jaehyun said,  felt the heat radiating off Minhyuk's small body, and he reached up to feel the boy's forehead. Concern flickered across his face as he turned back to Yunhui, his voice tense.

Nodding, Yunhui finally got up and stepped forward, her hand reaching out instinctively to rest on Minhyuk's back, her fingers brushing against Jaehyun's in a fleeting moment of shared desperation. Both of them stood united, sharing the single need to protect him at all costs.

"Can you get Jinah? The door's open" Jaehyun said and she nodded slowly

"You don't have to...I can take him myself—"

"I told you...you don't need to go through this alone" Jaehyun said firmly, cutting her off before she could attempt to build her walls back up again.

Because no matter how hard she could try push him away now, it was clear that he was now a part of Hyuk's life with the way his hands fisted his Tshirt. 

Without another word, Jaehyun bundled Minhyuk up with his blanket and Yunhui rushed to get the small girl who was still deep asleep. They carried them both with gentle urgency, meeting each other in the hallway before rushing towards the elevator.

As they hurried out into the night, Yunhui's eyes stayed fixed on her son, the weight of past and present fears mixing in her gaze—but with Jaehyun by her side, she felt the smallest spark of hope that maybe, this time, she really wouldn't have to face it alone.