5-year-old Donghae was playing in the sandbox right at the end of the playground. It’s not that he was anti-social or anything like that; on the contrary, he truly wanted to hang out with the other kids. However, being born mute made it hard for him to communicate with other people.

Kids being kids; don’t have that much patience to stand there and try to figure out what little Donghae is trying to tell them – in their defence though, they didn’t learn sign language. Donghae used to carry around a small notebook to write out his thoughts, but after a certain incident – an older kid laughed at him for his numerous spelling mistakes – he’d rather not.

So there he was, trying his best to build a sand-castle – and failing – without his shovel and bucket because he forgot to bring it along. His mom was further away, sitting on the bench while chatting with some of the other moms. She would often check on Donghae, slightly scared that he’d have problems but not be able to call out for help.

Donghae looked up from his castle – lump of sand – to watch the other kids run around, screaming and playing. It looks like they’re having so much fun. Why wan’t I born normal? Then I can play with them too. Donghae thought to himself. However, he quickly looked down because he was afraid his mom would figure out his thoughts and feel guilty again.

His mom had often wondered if it was her fault her son was born this way. Maybe it was something she did that made her deserve this. Or was it genetic maybe? Her husband would console her, telling her that God only gives special kids to special moms. That Donghae was special and that she was the perfect person to raise this child.

Donghae, even at the young age of five, knew that none of this was his mom’s fault. So when she’d blame herself, he’d walk up to her and give her a tight hug. He’d once even gone to the extent where he apologized for being like this; for causing his mom to be unhappy. But that only made his mom cry more, shaking her head and telling him that there was no way someone as sweet as her Donghae had done any wrong. Ever since that incident, Donghae tried to act more normal and happy so that his mom could be at ease. It seemed to have worked so far, seeing as how she wouldn’t blame herself anymore.

“Hi!”

Donghae was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts when someone shouted right next to him. He looked up and saw a kid who looked around his age smiling brightly at him.

“I’m Hyukjae and I just moved here today. What’s your name?” This Hyukjae was still smiling and had now changed from standing to squatting right next to Donghae.

However, Donghae just sat there and blinked while staring at Hyukjae like he was insane; making Hyukjae’s smile falter a little. Seeing that, Donghae thought to himself, he’s going to get up and leave any time now. They always do after they get bored of trying to talk to me.

But Hyukjae was stubborn and tried again anyway. “So, I’m five. How old are you?” he tried to smile again while saying it, hoping the other adorable kid would answer this time.

Donghae looked at his mom, hoping she’d be able to help. Unfortunately, she wasn’t looking his way. So he looked back at Hyukjae, wondering whether or not to respond.

Maybe I should try? I hope he doesn’t turn out like all the others.

So little Donghae raised his palm, showing five fingers. I’m five.

Hyukjae beamed seeing the boy respond. He’d spotted him the moment he reached the playground and instantly wanted to be friends with the adorable boy.

“You’re five too?”

Donghae nodded.

“What’s your name?”

Donghae looked at him, wondering how to tell him. Should I just tell him that I can’t speak now? At least he won’t keep asking me questions. So Donghae hesitantly brought his hand up to point at his throat, and then shook his head.

Hyukjae frowned. “You can’t speak? Why? Do you have a sore throat?”

Donghae face-palmed – he saw it on TV and always wanted to try using it and now seemed perfect.

“Oh? You don’t have a sore throat?”

Donghae shook his head.

Hyukjae scratched his head. “Hmm… So, what else could--” *Gasp* “You can’t speak at all?” Hyukjae’s eyes widened when he asked that.

Donghae nodded slowly, afraid that Hyukjae would instantly reject him.

“Oh… Well, maybe you can write out your name on the sand?”

Donghae blinked. He doesn’t mind? Then he slowly wrote his name out in the sand. Being careful not to write his name wrong – he’s only five.

“Dong… Hae? Your name is Donghae?”

Donghae nodded.

“That’s a nice name.” Hyukjae smiled his gummy smile, making Donghae unconsciously smile as well.

Unfortunately, their sweet moment was interrupted when a ball landed right on Donghae’s castle, and then bounced and hit Donghae on his nose, making Donghae cover it because of the pain.

“Are you okay? Let me see.” Hyukjae carefully pulled Donghae’s small hand away to check if there was any blood. When he saw that it was reddening, but not bleeding, he sighed in relief. But the relief didn’t last long as he saw Donghae’s eyes turn watery.

“It hurts?” (Well, no kidding.) Hyukjae asked in concern.

Donghae nodded while trying to find his mom. He spotted her talking on the phone with her back facing him. How am I going to ask her to help me?

He was about to get up when he heard Kangin’s – the playground’s bully – voice. “Don’t you know how to at least pass the ball back? I knew you were mute, didn’t know you were retarded as well.”

This made Donghae flinch as more tears built up in his eyes. He hated it when the other kids made fun of his disability; it wasn’t like he asked for it. Why did they have to be so mean?

Having heard that type of judgemental sentence and seeing as his new-friend-to-be close to crying, Hyukjae couldn’t keep calm. He stood up against the bully, not even caring that Kangin was much taller than him and probably years older.

“What’s your problem? Donghae didn’t even do anything to you. It’s your own fault for not knowing how to kick the ball properly.”

Kangin was shocked hearing someone stand up to him. Shocked, not amused. He got annoyed since he thought of himself as a big shot and always got what he wanted.

“Who are you to talk to me like this? Don’t you know who I am?”

“I know you’re a bully and a big meanie for talking like that to Donghae!”

“You little-! I’m 10-years-old, you little kid! Show some respect!”

“I don’t care if you’re 50-years-old, don’t talk to Donghae like that!”

Donghae was shocked. No one had ever stood up for him like this before. He was grateful as well as scared for Hyukjae’s safety at this point. He stood behind Hyukjae and tugged at his sleeve, trying to get Hyukjae to back down.

Hyukjae turned to face Donghae, “It is okay, Hae. I won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.” (He didn’t actually know if Donghae was hurt before, he just remembered this line from a movie as well and he thought Donghae was worth his protection.)

Donghae shook his head. I don’t want you to get hurt either.

Kangin saw the chance to take revenge on Hyukjae for being rude to him and raised his fist, ready to strike Hyukjae.

“Hold it, Kangin!”

All three turned to look at the owner of the new voice.

Kangin and Donghae’s eyes went wide while Hyukjae seemed indifferent since he was new and didn’t know who the new person was.

“He-Heechul!”

“Are you done picking on Donghae?”

“No… I mean y-yes… Yes.” Hyukjae watched in amazement how the new guy could make Kangin stutter.

“Good. Because we wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened the last time you pissed me off, would we?”

“N-no, of course not. I got grounded by my mom for a month and scolded by my dad for hours because of the mess you caused!”

“I cause?”

“I mean, I d-deserved it. I d-did it. I was the one that poured paint all over my dad’s car and then dumped red hair dye in my neighbour’s pool.”

“So you do remember what I can do to you, right?”

“Yes, I w-won’t forget.”

Donghae – being the sweetheart he is, – couldn’t stand seeing Kangin so scared. Even if he did cause Donghae to get hurt and made him almost cry, he didn’t like seeing people in distress. So he picked up Kangin’s ball and walked pass Hyukjae and Heechul and stood before Kangin.

He stretched his arms out and held the ball in front of Kangin. Here. Please take it and leave before you get into more trouble.

Kangin was shocked at Donghae’s behaviour. He hesitantly took the ball from Donghae. After he had, Donghae instantly ran back and hid behind Hyukjae, lightly grasping the back of his shirt.

“Why?” Kangin just couldn’t understand why Donghae would help him.

Heechul, however, understood perfectly well. “Because he’s a sweetheart like that. You people just never took the time to understand him.”

Hyukjae turned slightly to face Donghae, then gently pried off his hand from his shirt and held it in his own. His actions made Donghae smile slightly. It feels nice.

Heechul saw the small action and smiled too. And then turned to face Kangin with a straight face, “Run along now Kangin, before I change my mind.”

Kangin didn’t need to be told twice. However, after running a few steps, he turned and ran back.

“I just need to get this out. Donghae, I’m sorry for acting like a jerk. And thank you for helping me.” He said quickly, and then ran off before waiting for a reply – he was the playground’s bully, he didn’t want people thinking he’d grown soft.

Heechul suddenly squealed, “Gosh! You are so~ cute!”

Hyukjae got a shock and instinctively pulled Donghae behind him.

“Outta my way, you monkey! You don’t have to protect Donghae from me. I’m on his side.”

“Sorry, noona. It was a reflex.”

“NOONA?! I’m a boy, you stupid monkey!”

“A boy?! But… but you look like a--.”

“I dare you to finish that sentence!”

“…” Hyukjae really didn’t know what to say at this point.

Donghae felt sorry, seeing Hyukjae struggle, so he decided to help a little. He bent down and wrote something in the sand. Both Heechul and Hyukjae looked curiously.

You look really pretty. He didn’t dare write more than that, still scared of being made fun of. He only knew how to write this sentence properly because he used it to cheer his mom up sometimes.

“Aww~! Thank you, Donghae! You’re lucky he saved your , monkey.”

“Can you stop calling me monkey?”

“No.”

“…”

“I’m trying to be nice since you seem to be helpful to Donghae. Calling you monkey is a good thing. At least I’m not threatening you. You saw what I can do.”

“True.”

“And Donghae.” Donghae looked at Heechul. “I always wanted to talk to you. You seem so cute! I was afraid that you’d be scared of me though. So I never approached you.”

Donghae tilted his head slightly.

“Do you think we can hang out sometimes? I know I’m older than you by five years, but I promise to take care of you.”

Donghae had no idea why Heechul – A.K.A. King of the playground – was being so nice to him. But hey, why refuse? So Donghae nodded his head while giving a slight smile. Making Heechul squeal yet again.

Hyukjae, although finding this weird, couldn’t help but find it kind of cute as well. A big scary gi- I mean, boy trying to befriend a small, fragile little kid.

Speaking of friends, Hyukjae turned Donghae to face him, “Hey Donghae, can I ask you something?”

Donghae nodded.

“Will you be my friend?”

Donghae was stunned for a while. Two friends in one day? Wow… that was a great improvement for him. He smiled, showing his slightly crooked teeth and nodded. Hyukjae was beyond ecstatic.

“Donghae! Sweetie, time to go home.” Donghae’s mom called. She had seen the part where Donghae had handed the ball back to Kangin and couldn’t help but feel proud of her son. Maybe he’ll be alright after all.

Donghae nodded to his mom and turned back to face Hyukjae and Heechul. He waved goodbye to them. Heechul couldn’t stand the cuteness and hugged Donghae tightly. Hyukjae wanted to do the same but was too shy, since he had just met Donghae. So he settled for patting his head slightly and asking, “Are you going to come back tomorrow?”

Donghae nodded. He would make sure he did, just to see Hyukjae again.

“Okay then, we’ll see each other again tomorrow.” Hyukjae smiled.

“I’m coming too. Don’t want you trying anything funny,”

“I wouldn’t do that!”

“I don’t believe you!”

Donghae smiled at the scene, glad he had finally made friends. He waved once more and ran off to his mother. His mom carried his and he watched the two continue to bicker even as he left.

“Had a good time, sweetie?” Donghae’s mother asked.

Donghae nodded. It was the best day ever.

A/N

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter~ :) Again, feedback would be great and thank you so much for reading. I'll try to update by next week, at least. Sorry for the wait but hope you guys will be patient with me. Hehe... :D