Sunshine's Secrets {NCT Donghyuck/Haechan}

Chapter 12: Better or Worse?

The road to recovery is filled with bumps and twists, the dorm now has a set of new rules for its occupants to follow. For (at least) the next 3 months, Donghyuck is not allowed to be alone, at any given time or place. If possible, a member should be with him at all times, if not a staff member or their manager whom he's comfortable with.

He's not allowed to be even in a meter distance with sharp objects of any sort, and there'll be cut checks and weight in every week. It was hell, Donghyuck is so sure he's going insane with the new rules and is throughout convinced that Taeyong is way too paranoid.

It was hard, he's not used to be watched all the time, it used to be cameras but now the very eyes of his own hyungs. Every movement is watched and it's starting to get very suffocating. "Jisung I can't.....this....this is nuts!!"

Jisung sighs, this isn't exactly what he had in mind, the poor vocalist is getting worse if anything. Donghyuck trusted Jisung the most, even more than Mark. He always prefers Jisung over everyone else, clinging to the maknae.

With Jisung it was different, Jisung didn't treat him differently like others. Jisung just be himself around Donghyuck, he doesn't ask Donghyuck 'Anything I can help you with?' every five minutes like Jaemin or he does not freak out when the boy is seen reaching out utensils that were placed near the knife storage like Dooyoung.

Jisung didn't try prying him to talk like Mark, and he lets Hyuck uses the bathroom without needing the door to be left open like the rest of them. Jisung only gives him a casual, "just tell me when you need me hyung, I'll listen" and proceeds to do whatever he had to do while staying near the elder.

Haechan could never be more thankful that he had such caring hyungs, but they're being way overprotective. It makes him feel bad that they're stressing and worrying their head about him, not knowing it was making him very uncomfortable, but how does he tell that to the people who are trying hard to help him despite all he said and done?

Jisung is a quiet kid around cameras, but he tends to be a little talkative behind screens. He always makes do what he can to be the one accompanying Haechan, but it's hard when he landed a few solo schedules for himself. Donghyuck hyung isn't going to say a thing to them, that's a definite but what hyung can't do, he can.

"Please bear with it for a little longer hyung"

"Taeyong hyung, this isn't helping" he voiced out his thoughts, even though it's been weeks, some are still trying to grasp the fact that just happened and they only just found him getting scars treated. Jisung rather not know what aftermath would come if it had been catching Donghyuck doing self-harm instead.

And Jisung understands, with what happened to Jonghyun from Shinee, it's only logical everyone is scared that they'll be the one to suffer a leave next. Afraid that once they close their eyes, Donghyuck will leave them, they had to witness their senior carry their fellow brother in a coffin. Nobody is ready to face the same scenario with a much younger and familiar face in the coffin.

"Oh god, Jisung I know!! I know that!!" He hadn't expected to be snapped at, it scared him seeing Taeyong stress-angry, but he stood firm. "It needs to be tone down, you're making him feel like a burden" but the leader just looks away gripping his head.

"Hyung he doesn't need all this, he just needs us. What he needs is reassurance and space and people he could cry onto. He needs to learn to see that he's beautiful, that he's an amazing dancer, a wonderful singer. We've got to help him to see and accept that hyung, show him that he can and is strong, not treating as if he's weak and capable-less"

The leader stare at the maknae, Taeyong didn't know how to describe this feeling. He hugged Jisung tightly as he could. "Thank you so much Jisung"