Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 52

The returned laughter 

The quiet of Jeonghan's apartment was both a comfort and a torment. For hours, he let himself break, tears flowing freely as he curled up on his couch. His chest ached, not just from crying but from the suffocating weight of everything he felt. Betrayal, confusion, and an ache he couldn't name pressed down on him relentlessly. It wasn't the first time he cried that day, but it felt like the tears might never stop.

By the time evening fell, Jeonghan decided he couldn't bear the solitude any longer. The walls of his apartment felt too close, and the silence screamed at him louder than any argument ever could. He stood, wiping his face and taking a shaky breath before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he splashed water on his face, trying to wash away the evidence of his grief.

"You can do this," he whispered to himself, his voice trembling.

An hour later, Jeonghan stood outside the café that had been a haven for him and his friends for years. The laughter and chatter spilling from the windows brought a bittersweet smile to his lips. His breath hitched as he saw familiar faces through the glass: Seungkwan's animated gestures, Seokmin's bright smile, and Joshua's soft laugh. It was all so normal, so unchanged, yet Jeonghan felt like an outsider staring in.

For a moment, he hesitated, unsure if he could step back into their world as if nothing had happened. But the warmth of their voices drew him in, a siren song pulling him from the wreckage of his emotions.

Pushing open the door, Jeonghan barely had time to gather himself before Seungkwan spotted him. The younger man's eyes widened in disbelief, and within seconds, he was rushing toward Jeonghan.

"Hyung!" Seungkwan's voice cracked as he threw himself at Jeonghan, wrapping his arms tightly around him. The force of the hug nearly knocked Jeonghan off balance, and he let out a soft laugh despite the lump forming in his throat.

"Seungkwan," Jeonghan whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He hugged the younger man back, feeling the dampness of tears on his shoulder.

"Why?" Seungkwan sobbed, clutching Jeonghan like he might disappear again. "Why did you leave like that? Without saying anything?"

"I'm sorry," Jeonghan murmured, his hand gently patting Seungkwan's back.

Seokmin was next, his usually bright demeanor dimmed by concern. "Hyung," he said softly, his voice trembling as he joined the hug. "You had us so worried."

Mingyu and Taehyung weren't far behind, their expressions a mix of relief and frustration. Mingyu pulled Jeonghan into a firm hug, his large hands gripping Jeonghan's shoulders as if grounding him. "You better not pull something like that again," Mingyu muttered, his voice thick with unspoken emotion.

Taehyung followed suit, his hug brief but no less meaningful. "We missed you," he said simply, his voice quieter than usual.

Jeonghan smiled faintly, his heart clenching at their concern. But it wasn't until he turned to Minghao that his own emotions began to overflow again. Minghao stood stiffly, his arms crossed as he avoided direct eye contact. Yet, his eyes glistened, betraying the storm of feelings he tried to mask.

"Missed you, eisa-ya," Jeonghan said softly, stepping closer to him. He reached out, pulling Minghao into a hug despite the other's resistance.

Minghao's walls crumbled as he hugged Jeonghan back tightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I missed you too, hyung."

The weight of those words pressed heavily on Jeonghan's chest, and he closed his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat.

When Woozi approached, there was something different in his expression—something softer. Jeonghan blinked in surprise as Woozi offered a small, shy smile before stepping closer.