Don't Blame Me || Jeongcheol

Chapter 56

For days, their decision had settled into reality, solidifying in the quiet moments between packing boxes and whispered conversations. No one said it outright, but the weight of their departure clung to the air like a thick fog. Even now, as they stood by the car, bags loaded and ready to go, the gang’s headquarters felt smaller somehow, like it had already begun to let them go.

Jeonghan’s fingers tightened slightly around Haneul’s sleeping form, the warmth of his small body grounding him in the moment. He had spent months in this place, carved out a life between bloodstained floors and hushed meetings in the dead of night. It wasn’t perfect not even close but it had been home. And now, they were leaving it behind.

Seungcheol stood a few steps away, arms crossed as he surveyed the group that had gathered to see them off. He had expected some resistance when word got out that they were leaving. Maybe a few half-hearted grumbles, some last-minute guilt-tripping.

He had not expected… this.

"Hyung, you can't leave us!"

Dino wailed, grabbing onto Jeonghan’s sleeve as if he could physically keep him from getting into the car. His usually bright, mischievous face was twisted in despair, lower lip trembling like a child abandoned at a playground.

Another member, Mingyu, wiped aggressively at his already red-rimmed eyes. “Who’s going to tell me when I’m being an idiot? Who’s going to threaten to kill me if I don’t clean up my messes?”

"You mean actually try to kill you," Seungkwan corrected with a sniff, subtly dabbing at his own eyes.

"Yeah, exactly! I need that in my life!" DK wailed, snorting into a handkerchief.

"Me too!"

Seungcheol’s eye twitched. The gang's members supposedly hardened men were crowded around Jeonghan and Haneul like heartbroken puppies, crying dramatically as if they were sending them off to war.

Jeonghan, for his part, looked entirely unbothered. If anything, he looked amused. He gently pried Dino’s fingers from his sleeve, only for another member to latch onto his other arm.

"This is getting ridiculous." Seungcheol muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.

Jeonghwa stood to the side, arms crossed, watching the entire scene unfold with barely concealed amusement. She hadn’t expected such an over-the-top farewell, but she wasn’t exactly surprised either. These men had always had a dramatic streak.

Haneul, still half-asleep in Jeonghan’s arms, blinked at the tearful scene before him. He yawned before tilting his head up to his father. "Daddy, why are they crying?"

Jeonghan hummed, patting Haneul’s back soothingly. "Because they love me."

"They love me too!" Haneul added proudly, clutching his stuffed tiger closer.

"Obviously." Jeonghan smiled at him.

Seungcheol let out a long, suffering sigh. "You do realize I’m still here, right?" he finally snapped, voice louder this time.

The gang members turned to him, as if noticing him for the first time.

“…Oh.” Joshua blinked.

Seungcheol narrowed his eyes. "Oh?"

Wonwoo coughed awkwardly. “Uh, yeah, Boss. We know.”

"Then why the hell are none of you crying about me leaving?"

Silence.

Mingyu scratched the back of his head, looking particularly guilty. "Well, I mean… we always see you, Boss."