Hard to Love - (chanbaek)

24

"Daehyun hit harder!" The guards commanded as the teenage boy hit the punching bag with more strength. His knuckles were beginning to scrape with all of the harsh hits. His hands were turning bloody, and the tears rushing down his face didn't help. His eyes were becoming puffier and red with each painful wail.

"That's enough, boys."

Daesung came in with his hands open as he crouched down. The little boy ran into his awaiting arms, wanting to feel the fatherly touch he would no longer have. He sobbed into his uncle's chest, hoping the pain would disappear. "Now now... it's ok, let it all out." Daesung calmly comforted the little boy, who only cried louder. His sobs filled the entire workout room, hopping against each wall creating a never-ending echo. Everyone turned to look at the boy with pity and worry. They couldn't even imagine the pain he was going through as he continued to long for his father. His mind was filled with only images of his father and plans covered in revenge.

"I-I m-miss h-him! I-I n-need t-to k-kill h-his k-killer!" He could barely speak with all the trembling. He still tried to yell out in frustration to seem strong, but there were still tears streaming down his red orbs.

"You don't have to. He's dead now. He's not out there living his life. He's in hell, where he belongs." His eyes went cold for a second, but they quickly softened as he felt the small boy snuggle closer. Daehyun gripped onto the suited shirt; the pain in his chest only worsened with each sob he let out.

"He will always be proud of you, kid. This shouldn't weigh you down. This should only encourage you to become stronger." The boy looked up with a sniffling nose, but he remained quiet. He only listened to Daesung speak, calming down with the sound of his deep voice. "Become stronger for your family. They wouldn't want to see you so down." He pointed at his chest and smiled. "You are allowed to cry; nothing is wrong with showing emotion. But don't you ever let those emotions get you off track. Take as much time as you need but stay in the same spot as before. Don't ever fall behind because your dad will always be right here." He traced a small circle above his heart. Daehyuns eyes brightened with relief as he held his chest, not wanting to ever let go.

"I need to become stronger! To protect Mama and Baekkie!" Daesung ruffed his hair, repeating the same words as the smaller. "To protect Mama and Baekkie. I'm sure you will be the strongest man in the whole world." He poked at his arms with a chuckle while the younger only shook his head.

"Baekkie will be the strongest!"

"And why is that?"

"Because papa said he would be the next big leader! He'll be the greatest and the strongest- I'll still be the second strongest man, though!" He sniffled and wiped his tears away. He had to be strong. To protect his family, he had to be one of the strongest. Daesung smiled at his determined expression and held his hand softly.

"Ata boy! That's the spirit. Now come on, let's go get you a juice box with some chicken nuggets. How does that sound?" Daesung watched the boy turn to him with a stern nod. Tears were still falling, and his lips were still quivering from sadness, but... at least he was trying.

"G-Great!"

---------------------

November 22nd. 7:04 PM

"Shut up."

The group of guys seemed shocked. For once, Baekhyun was saying it out of pure seriousness. The smaller wasn't joking around. It wasn't surprising that this would happen. The minute he entered the house, he started fighting with Luhan. It wasn't weird because they argue all the time, but the only difference was that Baekhyun was still heated from the argument with his mom, and Luhan was pissed off because of his own parents.