⊂★⊃ 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃

𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀

༊*·˚

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𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪 -- -͙- Yeonjun jolted awake, the memories of his dream slipping away like sand through his fingers. His breath was ragged, his heart pounding in his chest as if he had just run a marathon. He blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, but the feeling of unease lingered, tightening around his throat like a noose.

A soft knock echoed through the room, pulling him fully back into the present. For a moment, Yeonjun sat frozen, staring at the door, dread coiling in his gut. He expected it to be the doctor, coming to deliver more news that he wasn't ready to hear. The thought made him feel sick, but he couldn't ignore the knocking forever. With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to stand, his legs trembling slightly as he moved to answer the door.

When he opened it, the sight that greeted him wasn't the doctor. It was his sons, DJ and Myles, their faces pale with worry, and little Mallory, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Percy's mother stood behind them, her expression lined with concern and exhaustion. She must have brought the kids as soon as she could after hearing the news.

"Daddy!" Myles cried out, rushing forward and wrapping his arms around Yeonjun's waist. DJ wasn't far behind, his face tight with fear, though he was trying to stay strong for his siblings. Mallory clung to DJ's hand, her small frame shaking with silent sobs.

"Hey, hey," Yeonjun murmured, kneeling down to gather his boys into his arms, trying to offer them the comfort they so desperately needed. "It's okay, I'm here."

Myles looked up at him with wide, anxious eyes. "Is Mommy gonna be okay?" he asked, his voice trembling. The question hung in the air, heavy and unbearable, and Yeonjun could see the desperation in Myles's gaze—the need for reassurance, for a promise that everything would be alright.

DJ didn't say anything, but he was watching Yeonjun intently, his eyes filled with the Yeonjun fear. He was clutching Mallory to his side, holding her close as if he could shield her from the reality they were all facing.

Yeonjun swallowed hard, his throat dry. He wanted to tell them the truth, but how could he when he didn't even know what the truth was? How could he explain the uncertainty, the possibility that Percy might never wake up? He couldn't bear to see the hope die in his children's eyes, not when he was barely holding onto hope himself.

He shared a glance with Percy's mother, who stood silently in the doorway, her face etched with worry but also with a quiet gratitude for Yeonjun's presence. She gave him a small, encouraging nod, as if to say, *It's okay. You're doing your best.*

"Mommy's resting right now," Yeonjun finally said, his voice gentle but firm. "She's just really tired, and the doctors are taking care of her. She'll be back soon, okay? You don't have to worry."

Myles stared at him for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "But why can't we see her?" he asked, his voice small and scared. "I want to see Mommy."

Yeonjun's heart ached as he held his son a little tighter. "I know, buddy, I know. But she needs to rest right now, and we need to be patient. I promise we'll see her as soon as we can."

DJ led Mallory to a chair and sat down, pulling her onto his lap. The little girl nestled against her older brother, still crying softly, her tiny body trembling with every sob. DJ stroked her hair, murmuring soothing words, trying to comfort her in the only way he knew how. Yeonjun felt a surge of pride for his son's quiet strength, even as it broke his heart to see DJ having to be so strong at such a young age.