FATE REWRITTEN.....

11. In the Darkness, I Found You

         "Eom... Eomma..." Yeonjun whispered, his voice laced with pain. "It's really dark... I–I ca-can't see anything..."

Soobin's eyes flew open, heart pounding as he registered the tear-streaked face nestled against his chest. Yeonjun's soft murmurs had dissolved into quiet sobs, and Soobin felt an ache deep within him.

"Yeonjun ah," he whispered, voice barely steady. He tightened his hold, pulling Yeonjun into a gentle embrace and brushing a hand through his hair. "Jun ah... wake up. It's just a nightmare. I'm right here."

Yeonjun's breathing grew ragged as he slowly stirred, his eyes opening wide with a hollow, fearful gaze. Before Soobin could say anything more, Yeonjun buried his face deeper into Soobin's chest, trembling as tears spilled freely.

"I ca-can't take t-this anymore..." Yeonjun's voice broke as he clung to Soobin, letting his raw pain pour out.

Soobin held him tighter, his hand still soothing Yeonjun's hair as he murmured, "I'm here, Yeonjun-ah. Everything's fine... ."

For a while, they stayed just like that, the room silent except for Yeonjun's quiet, fading sobs. 

Finally, Soobin pulled back a little, gently cupping Yeonjun's face in his hands. Seeing Yeonjun's gaze still fixed downward, Soobin spoke softly. "Look at me."

Yeonjun's red-rimmed eyes lifted to meet his, filled with vulnerability. Soobin's thumbs traced gentle paths across his cheeks, wiping away the last traces of tears as he said, "If something's troubling you... you can tell me. I'm here to listen, whenever you're ready. You don't have to hold it in alone."

Yeonjun nodded, taking a shaky breath. "I... I will. I want to..."

Seeing the determination mixed with lingering sadness in Yeonjun's eyes, Soobin offered a soft smile and then reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. "Here, drink this."

Yeonjun accepted the glass with a small nod, taking slow sips while Soobin stayed close, his hand resting reassuringly on Yeonjun's shoulder. When he finished, Soobin took the glass and placed it back on the table.

Yeonjun took a deep, shaky breath, his fingers still clinging to Soobin's shirt as he prepared himself to speak. His voice was low, fragile, and every word seemed to weigh heavily in the quiet room.

"After my mom died... you remember, right? You stayed with me for that year, and it was the only time I didn't feel alone. But then... when you left, everything changed. My dad, he—he was never around, even before she died. But after... it got worse. He'd leave the house before I even woke up and come back long after I'd fallen asleep. The maids would take care of me, but it wasn't the same. No one loved me."

Soobin listened in silence, his hand warm and steady against Yeonjun's back, offering silent encouragement for him to continue.

"When I turned eight, my dad remarried. She already had a son, Beomgyu. At first, I thought she'd be... different. She was kind in the beginning, and I thought maybe I'd finally have someone to care about me. But it didn't last long. After a month, she... she changed." His voice wavered, and he swallowed hard.

"She stopped letting me eat when I wanted, and she'd slap me if I played with Beomgyu. She didn't want me near my own dad... as if I didn't even belong in my own home." Yeonjun's hands trembled as he spoke, and Soobin reached down to hold them, grounding him, steadying him.

"My dad... he never asked. Not once. It was like... like I didn't exist to him." He paused, his eyes misting over as he glanced toward the floor. "I tried to be strong, to pretend like it didn't bother me, but it did. It really did."

He looked back up at Soobin, his gaze filled with raw pain. "Beomgyu didn't know any of it. He was just a kid, and he'd sneak me food or play with me when his mom wasn't around. But... I couldn't tell him. I couldn't tell anyone."

Yeonjun's shoulders slumped, his voice turning softer. "Then, Huening Kai's family moved in next door. I... I don't think I would've made it through those years if it hadn't been for them. Kai's mom, she took care of me, like I was her own son. I'd spend entire days at their house, eating there, sometimes even sleeping there."

Soobin's hand tightened on Yeonjun's, his expression pained as he absorbed each word, as if he could feel Yeonjun's pain himself.

"But every time I'd go back to my own house, she'd—she'd lock me in a room. All because I'd done something she didn't like. Like touching her things, spilling something, or even just eating food that wasn't meant for me." His voice broke, and he paused to steady himself, blinking back tears.

"One time, I got sick from being locked up in that dark room for so long. I tried calling the maids for help, but none of them would come. Once, a maid tried to help me, and my stepmother fired her. I... I didn't want anyone else to get hurt, so I stopped asking for help. I'd just wait until it was over."

Yeonjun paused, his voice trembling. "After that... I couldn't sleep well anymore. The darkness felt suffocating. I'd wake up in a panic, even after I was finally let out. Every month, the nightmares would come back, like the room was still trapping me."

He looked down, a sadness clouding his gaze. "For the past three years, it's been every night. It feels like I'm still there, trapped in that darkness... like it never really left me."

Yeonjun's face crumpled as he relived the memories, but Soobin's soft gaze and warm touch grounded him, giving him the courage to continue.

"Even Beomgyu... I never told him. If he'd known, he would've done something, but I couldn't bear to see him hurt because of me. So, I pretended. Every day, I'd put on a smile and act like everything was fine. I didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me or... to pity me. I hate feeling like a burden, Soobin."

Soobin shook his head, his eyes fierce yet full of empathy. "Yeonjun, you're not a burden. You never have been. Not to me, not to anyone who cares about you. You're... incredible, for enduring so much and still being here."

Yeonjun's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "My dad... he never even celebrated my birthday. Kai's mom would always bake me a cake, cook all my favorite foods, and... she made me feel like I mattered. It was the only time I felt like... like I had a family."

Soobin didn't hesitate. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Yeonjun in a warm, protective embrace. "You have a family now, Yeonjun," he murmured against Yeonjun's hair. "And I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere, okay? Yeonjun-ah. I'll protect you. Everything's going to be fine... I promise"

Yeonjun nodded, burying his face against Soobin's shoulder, a mixture of relief and sadness washing over him as he held onto Soobin. For the first time, he didn't feel like he had to bear his pain alone. Soobin was here—truly here—and Yeonjun could finally breathe again.

Soobin gently guided Yeonjun back down onto the bed, keeping him close as he wrapped a comforting arm around him. Yeonjun's eyes were heavy, his body finally relaxing as the warmth of Soobin's embrace eased the weight he'd carried for so long.

"Rest now, Yeonjun," Soobin murmured, his voice soft. "You're safe here."

Yeonjun closed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he nestled against Soobin's chest, the steady rhythm of Soobin's heartbeat lulling him into peace. For the first time in a long time, sleep came easily wrapped in warmth, anchored by someone who cared.

End of Chapter 11

04/11/2024

to be continued...