Yunho stood behind Jae and wrapped his arms around the shorter man as they watched the rain outside their window. Leeteuk just left their apartment where they discussed the next move after they learned the news about Changmin. A case was already filed against Yunho for negligence which lead to Changmin’s hearing loss. Leeteuk filled them in on how the case was going to proceed and they agreed on a strategy by which to handle the case.

“Are you okay?” Yunho asked Jae. “Talk to me baby.” He said trying to ignore the tightening in his chest knowing how Jae couldn’t stop blaming himself.

"I miss them a lot." He whispered his breathe catching in his throat. Yunho sighed and turned Jae so he could fold him in a hug. “I’m really sorry Yunho.” Jae mumbled against Yunho’s chest tears wetting Yunho's shirt. Yunho shushed Jae and began to rock him gently back and forth.

“It wasn’t your fault, love. None of it is.” He said trying his best not to cry himself.

“Changmin is so young. How could I have made that mistake? He might never get his hearing back again.” Jae said pulling back as his lower lip trembled and a fresh wave of tears began to fall from his eyes.

Wiping the tears away from Jae’s cheeks, Yunho kissed Jae’s forehead and whispered, “We don't know that for sure. You have to have faith that things will turn out for the best in the way they need to baby. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that Changmin lost his hearing. We didn’t know any better. If we did, we wouldn’t have let it happen. But it did.”

“Still, I can’t help but...” Jae began but Yunho shook his head.

“No Jae. I won’t let you keep blaming yourself. If anyone’s at fault here, it would be me. In my selfishness I didn’t want my brothers to be apart from me. Even if I couldn’t do it, I kept them with me thinking that with enough hard work we’d never have to be apart. But I couldn’t do it. Not without harming them.” Yunho said while Jae shook his head vigorously denying Yunho’s words.


“Yunho, you weren’t even there, how can you blame yourself? I was the one taking care of Changmin.” Jae exclaimed.

“That’s exactly my point Jae. I wasn’t there. I wasn't there to take care of my brothers. You had to be the one to take care of them. If I were a better parent, I wouldn’t have had to leave them to another person’s care. But even if I did, even if I were the one who took care of Changmin, who’s to say that this same thing wouldn’t have happened? You know more about taking care of babies better than me. I shudder to think how far worse Changmin could have been if I were the one taking care of him. For all intents and purposes Jae, you saved Changmin. And it doesn’t matter what anyone else says, you were the one who noticed he was feeling bad, you were the one who said he needed to be brought to the hospital, you were the one who saved him from a worse fate.” Yunho said.

“I... I have never thought of it like that.” Jae said.

“And that’s how you should think of it starting now okay?” Yunho said as he folded the latter in a warm hug. “We’ll get through this Jae. I promise.” Yunho said praying to the heavens that he was right.

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Jaejoong breathed out slowly while trying to still the beating of his heart. He was trying his best not to show his nervousness even though his heart felt like it was jumping out of his chest. He also knew that Yunho could feel his palm sweating profusely as the latter had his right hand locked in Yunho’s left hand, their fingers interlaced. It would not help the situation any to show weakness now that he and Yunho were already in court for the first day of trial on Changmin and Yoochun’s custody. Leeteuk gave Jae’s shoulder a pat before he asked Yunho to join him in the Respondent’s Table.

Yunho gave his hand a squeeze before joining Leeteuk on the table out front, a small fence being the only barrier between them. The bailiff called the court to order and asked everyone to rise. Jae nervously smoothed his button down polo shirt as a middle aged woman entered the room in her flowing black robe and banged her gavel twice indicating for everyone to take their seats. Their case was called and the hearing was already underway. Yunho glanced back at him and gave him a tiny wink which made him smile. Trust Yunho to always know when he needed to feel better.

When the judge called the petitioners to come forward, the plaintiff’s lawyer presented himself as Choi Siwon, a good looking yet serious young man who seemed quite calm and collected despite his youth. He was representing Social Services who were petitioning that Yunho’s custody over his brothers be revoked because he was seen as an unfit parent. Leeteuk then presented himself as the lawyer for the respondent, namely Yunho.

Having already gone through the pretrial, Jae tried to relax knowing what to expect. Still, he knew that with all the evidences that the plaintiff had against him and Yunho, the case could be decided either way. Leeteuk was also quite honest enough to tell them that their relationship might be brought up later and might even be used against Yunho’s case. Still, Leeteuk tried to keep their spirits up saying that he was going to do his best to make sure that Yunho gets to keep his brothers.

Jae snapped back to the present when Choi Siwon called their first witness. It was Mrs. Yoon, Yoochun’s principal whom Jaejoong met during Yoochun’s birthday. After the bailiff swore her in she was asked to take a seat.

“Mrs. Yoon thank you for gracing us with your presence here today. We do apologize for taking you away from your school.” Siwon said with a gracious smile.

“Well, I am here for one of my students so this is perfectly fine.” She replied curtly.

With a nod, Siwon continued. “May I ask how you are acquainted with Yoochun, the respondent’s younger brother?”

“I have been his school principal for the better part of the school year.” She answered.

“And isn’t it right Mrs. Yoon that Yoochun has been having quite a lot of problems in school?” Siwon asked.

“Objection your honor. The question is leading.” Leeteuk piped up from behind his desk.

“Sustained.” The judge ruled. “Rephrase your question counsel.” The judge ordered.

Siwon had the decency to look a little flustered at such an early objection from the respondent’s lawyer. Changing tactics, Siwon continued. “Will you tell the court how Yoochun was at the beginning of the school year as a student?” Siwon asked.

“Well, at the beginning of the year, Yoochun was a very shy boy. He was quiet and mostly kept to himself. He was a transferee student and his parents have just died. It could not have been easy on anyone especially an 8-year old boy.” Mrs. Yoon answered smoothly.

“According to his school records, Yoochun seemed to be sent to the principal’s office quite often.” Siwon mused.

“Yes this is true. At the beginning of the year, Yoochun was bullied heavily in school. Some of the older boys would pick fights with him unfortunately always seemingly to target his forehead as he would always try to cover lumps on it.” The woman answered.

Jae watched the back of Yunho’s head when it dropped to his chest. Jae knew Yunho was blaming himself right at that moment. Siwon’s question only rubbed salt to the wound.

“Oh? And did Mr. Jung do anything about this at that time?” Siwon asked.

“No. I barely saw Mr. Jung at school.” Mrs. Yoon replied.

“According to Yoochun’s records, Mr. Jung was summoned to the principal’s office but he did not show up.” Siwon mentioned.

“Yes, well, he did send a representative. As far as I know, Mr. Jung’s work keeps him very busy.” Mrs. Yoon said knowing her answers were causing Yoochun’s brother more problems.

“Yes, too busy to know the kind of problems that his younger brother is encountering in school.” Siwon said.

“Yes, well...” Mrs. Yoon began but was suddenly cut off when all of a sudden Siwon cut her off by thanking her and telling Leeteuk that she was his witness.

Leeteuk stood and smiled warmly at Mrs. Yoon. “Good morning Mrs. Yoon.”

“Good morning.” She replied.

“You mentioned that early this year, Yoochun has been having problems in school, correct?” Leeteuk asked.

“Yes, that’s correct.” She answered.

“Will you please tell the court what happened in the middle of the school year?” Leeteuk asked.

“Well, Yoochun seemed to change during the school year. He started becoming more sure of himself. One day he went up to one of his bullies and had a chat with him. According to the kids the boy picked him up by the collar but Yoochun calmly spoke to him and the other boy eventually let him go. Apparently since then, the other kids left him alone.” Mrs. Yoon said.

Jae’s eyebrows went up in surprise. Yoochun never told him this. Glancing towards Yunho who turned around his seat with a questioning look on his face, Jae could only shrug his shoulders in response.

“Will you please tell the court at what point these changes occurred?” Leeteuk asked. “According to school records, it was around the time when Yunho became his primary guardian and he and his brothers moved in together in their new home.” She replied.

“And how do you know this Mrs. Yoon?” Leeteuk asked.

“Yoochun was being sent to the school psychologist once a week just to check up on him. Because of the bullying, his class adviser and I decided that it might be a good idea to have him seen by a professional just to keep tabs on his mental and emotional welfare.” Mrs. Yoon answered.

“In your opinion Mrs. Yoon, how is Yoochun doing currently in school?” Leeteuk asked.

“I think he is doing very well. Yoochun proved to be quite a special student. After much of the bullying stopped, he started flourishing academically but most especially in his music classes.” She said with a seemingly proud smile.

Jae couldn’t help but smile in return. He couldn’t help but feel extremely proud of his Chunnie.

“Ah of course. He plays piano does he not?” Leeteuk asked.

“Yes.” Mrs. Yoon answered, a mischievous glint in her eye.


“Will you tell us what good news was received by the school last week regarding Yoochun?” Leeteuk asked.

“Yoochun was asked to represent the school district to represent us during an Interstate Piano Competition. Yoochun is the best piano player for his age group in the district.” Mrs. Yoon answered her voice laced with pride.

Leeteuk smiled and nodded. “Sounds to me a lot has changed in Yoochun eversince Yunho became his primary guardian.”

“Objection your honor!” Siwon suddenly piped up.

“I shall rephrase. In your opinion Mrs. Yoon, has Mr. Jung been able to effect good changes in Yoochun ever since he became Yoochun’s primary guardian?” He asked.

“All evidences seem to point to yes.” Mrs. Yoon answered.

“In your opinion, has Mr. Jung been able to provide the basic requirements a guardian is required?” He asked.

“I believe so, yes.” Mrs. Yoon answered evenly.

“The respondent rests your honor. Your witness.” Leeteuk said suddenly then took his seat then turned to Jae and winked at him.

Jae couldn’t keep a big grin from spreading on his face. Leeteuk was certainly something.

“Mrs. Yoon,” Siwon said clearing his throat in the process, “In all of these changes, has Mr. Jung ever been in contact with any of the school officials or you for that matter?”

“Unfortunately no.” She said and looked at Yunho sadly who could only give her a sad smile in response.

“The plaintiff rests your honor.” Siwon said leaving it at that.

Mrs. Yoon was excused and the doctor who took care of Changmin at the hospital was called in as a witness. According to Leeteuk, it was the doctor who actually called Social Services on Yunho and thus the plaintiff’s petition was for the custody of Yoochun and Changmin must be returned to the government since Yunho has not been able to prove himself a fit parent to his younger brothers.

Jae’s hands clenched into fists upon seeing the man responsible for the predicament that Yunho was in although the truth was he knew that the doctor only reacted out of concern for Changmin’s welfare even though it was tinged with disgust out of his and Yunho’s relationship. Looking at the doctor take the stand Jae knew that the doctor’s testimony was going to be quite damaging to Yunho’s chances of keeping his brothers. Still, Jae prayed to the heavens that things would not turn out as bad as he feared.

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Oh my goodness I can't believe I'm back!!! Throws YunJae cookies at everyone who patiently waited... *bows in apology*

I have missed this story so much and it has been in my mind a lot. The next chapter is actually already written so expect it soon. I'll try to get this fic done before the 28th as I have to leave for three weeks and am not sure if I can write while I'm gone. Four or five more chapters to go? I think?

Anyway, comments please! Feel free to bash the doctor... I seriously hate him... ugh! Haha!