Donghae just sat still on the chair when he heard the news, unable to process the words. His eyes were staring into the distance, his whole body trembling. Sungmin put his arm around Hae, sensing that the boy didn't want to talk at all.

Even though Hae didn't move or speak, Sungmin knew that he was grateful for the company, grateful not to be alone.

"A-Appa.."

"I know Hae, I'm so sorry.."

The boy didn't seem to hear him, and he rocked slightly on his chair, more and more until it was a violent swinging. He kept chanting the same word over and over, sobbing it loudly and choking. "Appa.." 

 

Zhoumi held his shoulders firmly, being careful not to hurt the boy.

"Donghae, I'm really sorry about your appa. But please be careful, you'll hurt yourself."

Hae looked up at him with puppy eyes, and he kept struggling against Mi's hold. Whimpering gently, he put his arms up and looked at Mi pleadingly.

Zhoumi gave him a warm hug, feeling the boy's tears on his shirt as he his back.

"I love him Mi.."

"He loves you too Hae."

"He's not dead, is he? It's just pretend?" He pulled away and looked Zhoumi in the eye, begging silently to the boy for him to say 'yes'. But Mi's sad eyes said it all.

 

Pulling away, Donghae stumbled to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet. Many members were crying in sympathy, and a tearful Ryeowook was led from the room by Yesung.

Kangin went to the bathroom and put a hand on Donghae's back, softly rubbing the quivering muscles and trying to provide even a little comfort for the younger boy. He gently wiped Hae's mouth and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

"We're all here for you Hae."

The younger boy clung to Kangin, hugging into his shirt and feeling the warm arms around him. When Kangin tried to stand, he felt the arms clench tighter.

"Where are you going?! Please don't leave..."

"Sshh Hae, it's all okay. You come with me, and we'll go have a sit down on the sofa."

Donghae didn't let go of Kangin's hand at all, and he settled into the boy's lap as soon as he could. Nuzzling into Kangin's chest, he sobbed violently.

 

Leeteuk led everyone to bed, and tried to comfort them all. Hae's father was a kind gentle man, who they all loved dearly, and the bad news had hit them all. But mostly, they were worried about Hae. The boy was delicate and fragile, and he needed affection and care.

"Will Donghae b-be okay, hyung?" Ryeowook asked between sobs. Yesung was holding him tightly, and brushing away his tears.

"He's safe with Kangin now, he's in shock."

 

After checking on all of the members, Leeteuk headed to the living room to see Kangin and Donghae sitting together on the sofa. Kangin's arms were wrapped around the smaller boy, and they were watching a Super Junior show together. Donghae had stopped crying, and was even smiling a little at the show.

"Look at your hair, it looks really funny.."

Kangin ruffled his hair gently, and kissed the soft strands. "Are you making fun of me?" he teased warmly, and watched as the smaller boy blushed.

"Yes!"

They play-wrestled together, but Leeteuk noticed that Donghae never took his hands from Kangin's body. He was reluctant to be away from the boy, and the leader coughed gently to get their attention.

 

Hugging Hae warmly, Kangin walked the younger boy to his bedroom, before looking at his face.

"Do you want me to sleep with you Hae?" 

The boy nodded, still holding tight to Kangin's hand. 

"Okay then. I'll just get a shower." Pulling his hand from Hae's, he watched as the boy panicked slightly and teared up. "Do you want to shower with me, Hae?"

The boy reached for Kangin's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I-If you don't mind.."

"I don't mind at all. Come on, we'll have a nice hot shower."

 

But when they were standing in the room, Donghae suddenly blushed and put a hand over Kangin's eyes. "Don't look."

The older boy gave a small laugh, and turned away from the boy. Quickly stripping, he felt Hae's hand touch his back.

"Kangin, th-thank you for doing this for me..."

"You're welcome Hae, if you need anything at all then don't hesitate to ask. If you want to spend every moment with me then I'm more than happy. I'll always be there to hug and comfort you Donghae, we all will."

Turning around, he embraced the boy tightly, and felt the boy's cheeks grow warm from being and so close to the other boy.

 

"Come on, we'll have a nice shower." With both of them in the shower, it was a bit of a squeeze, but Kangin didn't want Hae to be alone and hurting. Hugging the boy close, he began to wash him gently, and felt Hae hesitantly do the same.

When they were both clean, Kangin reached for a towel and carefully dried the younger boy, before quickly drying himself.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a worried tone, looking at the boy's shy face.

"I-I've never had a shower with someone else before..."

"Did I make you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, it just felt a little strange." Hae looked at Kangin warmly, before hugging him close again. "Do you love me Kangin?"

"We all love you Hae, everyone wants you to be safe and happy."

"D-does appa love me?"

Kangin pulled the boy close, and his soft hair, still wet from the shower.

"Of course he does Hae, he loves you so much. He always has, and he always will." Feeling the small shudders of sobs begin again, he quickly led the boy to the bedroom and sat him down on the bed in his pajamas.

 

"I love him Kangin, I wanted him to be alive..." He looked up at the older boy with tearfilled eyes. "How can he be dead? It's not possible, appas don't die. They stay alive for ever.."

"I'm sorry Hae, I wish I could do something..."

The boy let out a scream, a long anguished cry of pain that broke Kangin's heart. Suddenly the door opened to reveal Leeteuk, who had come running when he heard the cry. Going to the bed, he lay down on the bed and helped Hae to cuddle into him.

"Don't cry Hae, it's okay."

The boy just screamed again, burying his face in Leeteuk's chest and feeling Kangin's warm arms wrap around him.

Turning around so that he was facing the ceiling, Hae began to sob soundlessly, just wet hiccups that echoed in the room. Leeteuk was distraught, holding the boy close and kissing his cheek, trying to soothe him. Kangin just Hae's hair, waiting for the sobs to slow.

 

When the hiccuping sobs had ended, Kangin gently cuddled Hae close.

"We're always here for Hae, we'll look after you..."

Leeteuk nodded, kissing the boy's cheek as he his hair, making sure that the boy was warm and safe. Sandwiched between his hyungs, Donghae cried himself to sleep.

At least he didn't feel alone anymore.