Soft Hearted (Park Chaeyoung)

Shocks (6)

A labored gasp escaped from the blonde-haired girl who was curled up against herself, woken up with a startle due to another nightmare. Looking around carefully her eyes fell on the older girl sleeping soundly next to her, chest rising slowly compared to the uneven breathes coming from the very blonde. She bites back a sob, the nightmare flashing in her mind, like a fresh wound. It was so cold, she needed warmth. Jisoo was right there but she couldn't bring herself to wrap her arms around her.

Why does it hurt so much here?

The Australian thought desperately clutching the fabric covering her heart. Why does it feel so heavy? Why is it so hard to breathe again? The thoughts flooding, as silent sobs racked her body.

I don't want to feel anymore, stop it please, it hurts so bad.

Her eyes were shut tight trying to stop her mind from remembering the nightmare.

"We hate you Chaeyoung. We're better off without you. That fall should've ended you."

She felt her heart sink and gripped the fabric of her shirt tighter, her whole body lightly shaking, soft whimpers filling the silent room.

Why won't it stop, just make it stop......." please it hurts so much."

The last part comes out as a whisper, and eventually, warm arms engulfed the shaking girl.

Jisoo had unexpectedly woken up, well at least her conscious was awake, she wasn't going to open her eyes in hopes of falling asleep again, but she heard soft cries coming from beside her. She immediately sprung open her eyes and as Jisoo adjusted to the darkness she sees the source of the cries.

"......Chaeyoung?" she questions quietly, her eyes softening at the sight. Her precious angel looked so vulnerable her beautiful face scrunched up in pain. ".....please it hurts so much". The plea was so quiet, so delicate, and so sorrowful that Jisoo couldn't take it anymore and gently placed her arms around the sobbing girl. It brought the older girl back to their trainee days when Chaeyoung used to wake up in the middle of sleeping crying.
"....unnie?..." the younger says barely audible when she opens her tear-filled eyes to look at Jisoo. In response, she carefully wipes away some of the tears and musters the best smile she could give. "Chaeyoung-ah I've got you, I'll keep you from hurting," Jisoo says warmly, placing her hand on Chaeyoung's clenched fist still gripped to her t-shirt fabric. Almost instantly the younger let's go allowing Jisoo to intertwine their hands together. "I've got you and I won't let you go."
Her sweet genuine words caused Chaeyoung to bury her face deeper into Jisoo, still silently sobbing. "You don't have to say anything Chaeyoung-ah, you can cry." Jisoo placed her chin on top of Chaeyoung's and lovingly strokes her hair. After a while, the sobbing died down and Chaeyoung finally spoke up. "...unnie...you're really warm..." she says her voice small. Jisoo softly giggles and cradles the girl a little closer. "After all that crying you say that?" "Unnie...I can explain..." "No you don't have to, it's 2 in the morning and we should get back to sleeping okay?" Feeling a nod Jisoo fondly smiles to herself before saying, "You're safe in my arms, don't worry." "Okay."

Chaeyoung's POV

I crack my eyes open when I feel myself waking up from deep slumber only to find that I was still cuddled up against Jisoo. My head is pounding and I can feel that my eyes are swollen but I nuzzle myself even closer to her. I suck in a breath trying to relax, wanting to believe that I was okay, that I was safe, that I'm not hurting.

Tough luck there I thought bitterly not even having the energy to tear up. I feel Jisoo's arms tighten around me when I try moving away. I smile a little, knowing she did it unconsciously so I give in to her and relax my sore muscles.