Black Cat //Ateez

°15°

The sun had just started rising just above the tree line, waking up Hongjoong. It wasn't difficult to wake up, he wasn't able to get any sleep.

The events of the previous day, Seonghwas words, the kiss they shared were enough to leave him wide awake.

He stood up from his bed, dreading this day. Because it was the last of the deal. Simple as that. Either he failed, or won. And at this point, he didn't know which one.

Standing up from his bed, he saw San who was sleeping soundly at his bed, and went to place the blanket over his body. It had started falling off the bed.

Next, he went to Jongho, who was still sleeping. It was way too early, so of course both of his brothers were asleep.

He went and checked his temperature, seeing that it was normal. Not too hot and not too cold either.

He tidied the room a little, before exiting, seeing that it was a mess. He didn't know why, but it just was.

Breakfast was made with difficulty that day. His mind didn't seem to control his body. He wasn't functioning. He stopped what he was doing, because he was ready to cut himself.

He went and splashed some water on his face, hoping to help him somehow. He rested his hands on the basin, letting the water droplets fall from his face. He really needed to get himself together.

~~~~

His brothers woke up, maybe a couple of hours later.

Hongjoong greeted them with a smile, and stood up from the chair he was currently sitting.

"Good morning" The two brothers said, and Hongjoong greeted them.

"Good morning. Come and sit. I'll serve the food" He said, and ushered them to sit. Of course after giving them a kiss on their foreheads.

The cat hadn't been seen at all this morning, and that was making Hongjoong even more anxious. It should be coming. Maybe.

The food was placed in front of the boys, and they started eating. But not Hongjoong. He had lost his appetite.

"Aren't you gonna eat?" Jongho asked, seeing the empty spot in front of the older.

His brother smiled reassuringly at him.

"I already ate. Dont worry" He lied. He hated when he was lying to his brothers, but he just couldn't bring himself to do anything else. He wasn't gonna worry them.

Jongho let it pass, since he knew that it was no use to pressure it. He knew very well that Hongjoong neglected his self most of the times, but he just refused to show them.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, waiting for a response.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Finish eating so I can clean" He said, dropping the the question, since he understood that Jongho knew something.

He took the plate that was in front of San, and fed him the food, since he was way to interested in their conversation to actually eat.

~~~~~

The day seemed to pass slower than usual. Even the weather matched Hongjoongs mood, gloomy and dark.

Dark clouds were forming in the sky, meaning that it would probably rain. Hongjoong didn't like that one bit.

He went out the house, seeing that the wind was blowing with quite some force, so he went and moved everything from outside inside. Mostly their drying clothes and some chairs.

He saw San and Jongho sitting just in front of the fireplace, Jongho trying to set the fire to keep them warm.

Hongjoong moved and closed all of the windows from all the rooms. He even draw the curtains, seeing that San was afraid of the lighting.

Taking some more pillows and blankets, he moved to the living room, setting them down, so that they would be more comfortable sitting.

San was more than happy to help Hongjoong prepare the place. He really loved all this soft and plushy pillows, it helped him relax.

"Joongie, is it going to rain?" San asked, hugging the olders leg.

Hongjoong picked him up, and hugged him close to his body.

"I think so sweetheart. But don't worry, Joongie and Jongie are here"

"I'm not afraid. I'm a big boy" He said, which earned a small laugh from Jongho.

"I'm sure you are little one" Hongjoong stroked the boy's cheek with his nose, earning a few giggles from the younger.

The two walked inside the kitchen, and Hongjoong prepared something for them to eat and drink.

San was also helping him, bringing in the ingredients his brother needed. He picked a small bowl that Hongjoong gave him, full of fruit and honey, and San walked very slowly to Jongho.

The older seeing him took the bowl and placed it down. He grabbed San by his hand, and made him sit between his legs. The younger smiled happily, snuggling against his brothers chest.

Jongho took his dog and gave it to him, earning small laughs from San.

Hongjoong came in just minutes later, holding mugs in his hand. He placed them down and went to sit beside his brothers.

A thunder was heard from a distance, meaning that the storm was coming. San wasn't particularly happy about that. He moved closer to Jongho, wanting for this to stop already.

"It's alright sweetheart. It will pass" The older said, drawing circles in the small of his back.

Rain started pouring so suddenly, it hit the windows with force. The wind from outside was so strong, everyone inside could hear it.

But Hongjoong could hear something else, something like scratching. He moved closer and open one of the curtains, seeing the black cat outside.

What was he supposed to do? Before he was able to open the window, the cat ran towards the forest. Did it wanted for Hongjoong to follow it?

He didn't know what to do. Was he supposed to follow it? Was he supposed to stay inside with his brothers?

He turned to look at them, and they were already gazing at him.

"Who was it?"

"Noone Jongho. Maybe the wind lifted small pebles" The older said, which calmed them.

Another thunder was heard, and San let out a small whimper.

Hongjoong looked him, immediately at his side, singing small tunes close to his ear.

He wasn't gonna leave them. He wasn't gonna leave his sick brother and terrified sibling alone to search and catch the cat. There was no way.

Did that meant that he failed? Did that meant that he wasn't gonna see them ever again? What was going to happen now?

What Hongjoong wasn't able to see, was the cat transforming into a human, and then making his way again close to the house.

Hongjoong sat beside his brothers, holding them both close to his body. He didn't want to think anything at the moment. Especially not the consequences of his own actions.

He was unaware of a presence next to them. His eyes started closing, but he didn't understand why, he wasn't even sleepy.

The last thing his heard, though he couldn't understand anything, was a sweet and deep voice.

"I got you Hongjoong. Dont worry"