√ mask on | lee haechan

28

"Taeyong is Haechan's step brother."

The moment you heard it from Jeno, flashbacks replaying in your mind when Haechan had told you about his family that night he broke down.

"I have a stepbrother, he kind of hates me for living with them and I think that's why my father bought this apartment for me. That guy would always blame me for everything he did wrong. He won't give up and he would be satisfied if I were the one to be punished."

"And I don't want to lose you."

"So, why did you come home bleeding?"

"I just had things to settle with him, and that's just it."

"What were those things that you needed to settle with blood?"

"It's about you"

Tossing around your bed, you found it hard to fall asleep with the thoughts running in your mind. You reached for your bag and searched for your phone but then you remembered Haechan never gave it back as you stormed out from the hideout earlier.

You sighed, you wanted to know why Haechan would lie about what he was aiming for. Surely now, you see Haechan is not even chasing after the money or power,

it has been about you all along.

You put your friends' life in danger and now that you know about it, you couldn't stop worrying.

You put on your coat, tied up your hair, and sneaked out of your house. It's 2 am and everyone's deep in sleep.

It had been so long since you ever walked on empty streets, delivering illegal drugs for your dad. Now it seemed so different. You found yourself in front of Haechan's apartment and you hoped he's there. You needed him to explain everything,

and you missed him a lot.

Pushing on the passcode, 2606, it opened. You relieved a sigh, he didn't change it.

"Haechan?" You entered the house, lights were all dim and it was so cold inside. The balcony's door was opened, allowing cold night air coming from the outside, blowing the curtains gently.

Averting your eyes to the kitchen, you gasped.

There, a body lying helplessly on the floor and you know it's Haechan from his hair.

You immediately jogged to his aid, lifting his head to rest on your lap. You tapped his cheeks, "Haechan, what's wrong?"

He was breathing heavily, chest heaved up and down and once you put your hand on his forehead you already figured he's having high fever. You were worried that he got fever due to the infection of his wound.

You saw him slightly opening his eyes, forcing himself to tug the corner of his lips into a small smile "Yoojin?"

You nodded at him, gulping as you were scared he's about to pass out soon. "I'll take you to your room, "

With the little energy you have, you helped Haechan walk his way to his room before tucked him in, turning on the heater and exited the room to the kitchen.

After obtaining warm water in a small basin, you rummaged through his laundry to find a small towel and walked back into Haechan's room. He was staring at the wall.

You sighed, pulling a chair and sat next to him. Quietly, you dipped the towel in the water and squeezed the water out.

"Do you need to go to the hospital? The wound might be infecting you."

He turned his head slightly to catch a glimpse of you, "No, I'm okay." He whispered, seemingly having no energy to even talk.

"You think this is okay?" You furrowed your eyebrows as you looked at Haechan. He chuckled lightly, shaking his head slowly. "You know I'm strong." He tried to joke but you weren't in your right mood.

Huffing you placed the damp towel on his forehead, giving it a light slap.

"You are lucky I walk in your house at 2 am," you said.

"Right, why are you here." Haechan flickered his eyes at you which you just rolled your eyes, "You didn't give me back my phone, and I'm here to pick it up,"

It was silent for a moment as you stared at Haechan, he had his eyes closed to rest. His head was throbbing and he couldn't focus on you as much as he wanted.

Noticing him squeezing his eyes, you automatically reached his temple and lightly putting pressure on it. You chewed on your lips, hesitating to talk. "You know, I didn't mean it when I said I wouldn't care about you anymore. Sorry, I was being too emotional,"

You waited for Haechan's response.

He lets out a deep sigh, slowly reaching his hand to yours, making your heart pondered. He tugged on your wrist, making you understand he wanted you to lie down next to him and you complied.

Haechan was on his back and you turned to your side, hugging him, both tugged neatly under the blanket. You played with his fingers which laid on his other side, a sudden emotion floods in you.

"I don't want you to stop loving me. You were fighting alone for us, but I want to fight too. So, you should have told me, what should I do except for being away from you. I have missed you so much, Haechan."

A shaky breath Haechan let out as his eyes brimmed with tears and he swallowed a big lump in his throat. You looked up to him, your hand that was playing with his fingers moved to wipe his tears away.

Leaning your head onto his shoulder, you whisper, something that you had never told him before.

"I love you, Haechan"

editing.