Black Cat //Ateez

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San walked outside the house, his dog doll in his hands. His eyes started glistening with tears and he couldn't stop them.

Even if he was young, he was old enough to understand what was going on with his brother. Even if Hongjoong told him that he was sick, San knew that it must be really bad.

He could see that Jongho wasn't good, so tried to not bring much trouble to his brothers. He could see that Hongjoong was spending more time with Jongho, because he had to make sure he was OK.

He loved Jongho and tried to respect his wishes if he wanted to be alone, or to not just bother him at all.

But at times, he couldn't help but feel sad. He knew that his brothers loved him, there was no denying. But he felt like that. And he didn't like it.

Once outside, he started looking for the black cat. Maybe it could keep him some company.

And soon he found the cat sitting under a tree. He moved quickly towards it, sitting close beside it.

The cat didn't move, only lifted his head to see who it was. Seeing that San was close, he went a little closer, his small head touching the boy's hand.

San laughed a little and lifted his hand to stroke the cat. The creature didn't hesitate and leaned into the boy's soft touch.

The quiet moment interrupted a loud scream, more pained than the previous one.

San stopped moving for a second, before he moved his hands to his ears, trying to block the noise. Tears ran from his eyes, it was like he could feel the pain his brother felt.

People started coming to the house, the door was open, trying their best to help.

San didn't know what to do. The cat sencing the boy's distress, tried to calm him down. He rubbed his head on his leg, purring softly to make him relax.

But San couldn't understand that. He was so focused in blocking the screams, he wanted to get out of there.

And that's what he did.

He stood up from his position, and with wobbly legs, he started running into the forest. He didn't know where he would go, he just wanted to be out of there.

With his doll in his hands, he wandered deeper and deeper into the forest. He wasn't paying attention to anything, his eyes blurry from the crying.

He turned a few times around, wanting to see if the cat was following him. But it didn't. He was alone. And that made him cry even more.

But he didn't stop walking. At some point he lifted his head to look at his surroundings, and he couldn't recognise where he was. Sniffling slightly, he kept his way, until in front of him stood a house.

There was black smoke coming out of the chimney, meaning that someone was inside.

San's small legs moved forwards, passing the fence surrounding the house, now standing in front of the huge door.

He knocked softly the door, waiting for someone to open. He didn't know why he did that though.

Just a few moments later, the door opened, revealing a tall man.

~~~~~~

Seonghwa stood on the door, looking down at the boy, who gazed at him like a lost puppy.

"Hello little one. Is something wrong? Are you lost?" He said with a gentle voice and a soft smile.

He tried to say something, trying to calm him. He could see the red and puffy eyes of the boy.

He crouched a little to be in the same height, now seeing the boy eye to eye.