A/N: THOUGHTS ARE IN ITALICS. Font in bold italics are the flashback :)

Enjoy!

Author POV

Changmin woke up as the first rays hit Seoul. Memories of him carrying the little girl, her smile, those chubby little legs that always followed him around, her loud screaming whenever she sees him, just kept on invading his thoughts.

He remembered his 6 year self, making her promise him that he would be the only person she would call oppa. She was only a three year old girl, wearing a cute t-shirt and a pair of shorts, sitting in the hospital daycare since her mother was working her shift as a doctor. He would always visit her every day after school, making sure to get something for her to eat, finish his homework with her, which, shockingly she would attentively stand by him and overlook eagerly. The children were not allowed to step out of the day care for his little angel would stand by the gate of the day care while Changmin would sit by that and do his work. His mother would leave him to do her shopping and come late in the evening to pick him up. He loved the little girl like his own sister and wanted to protect her until the end. But now she was no more. He had paid his respects to his little peach angel instead of showering her with gifts.

If she were alive she would turn 20 today, he couldn’t help but smile sadly at the thought. She was killed in the fire on the eve of her birthday. Changmin was sure her mother would have been attempting to bake a peach cake for the cutie and something would have gone wrong for the wires to short circuit.

Heaving yet another sigh, Changmin opened the refrigerator and reached to the peach cake. Putting out a slice he fed himself a bite almost wincing at the chill of the cake but enjoying it nevertheless. The rest of the cake was put back in and Changmin walked to the living room of the dorm. He pulled out an old mini album, the one from which he took the photos for last night’s offerings, and began to browse through. Oddly the thought of Jaejoong crossed his mind. Changmin remembered Jaejoong comment on the photos. Oh, Jaejoong was almost at a trance staring at the photo of his little angel for a good minute, saying that the girl was very beautiful even for a child, teasing him that if she were here today he would date her and become her favourite oppa. It was very unlikely for Jaejoong to comment on a girl like that and it was obvious that he was teasing his darling maknae but it brought the protective oppa mode of Changmin which resulted in Jaejoong running for his life to avoid getting beaten up by Changmin.

“Changmin-ah, don’t be sad. She is in a better place now” Yunho sympathized

“Yeah..” The maknae sadly smiled. “But today is her birthday hyung. I can’t help it”

A gentle squeeze and a soft push on the back forced Changmin to let go of the sofa and have a wash. An hour later both were on the way to the sets of a new photo shoot in the vehicle.

“In case anyone asks of the other three-”

“We won’t say anything hyung. Don’t worry” Yunho assured with a smile. The manager nodded and looked at Changmin through the front mirror and he was just staring back at the manager without even blinking.

The manager cleared his throat and looked ahead aware that the youngest was on in his best moods today and decided to keep mum. He had expressed his unwillingness to be the face of the hotel but the agency did not listen to him. They knew what’s best for the band and the boys had to obey their orders.

They were dropped off the location, the four Seasons hotel in Jongno-gu where they were ushered to change clothes and makeup. Yunho was quite concerned about Changmin who was quieter than usual. The team was aware of this but kept mum. They were aware that the youngest was most affected by the breakup and assumed he was still hurt.

As they were walking back to the shooting spot Yunho decided to have a little prep talk with the maknae. So he waited, patiently, to spot the right moment and once he did, he took in a deep breath, but turned to look ahead sensing someone stand opposite to them.

It was the Chairman of the hotel.

“Dong Bang Shin Ki.” He smiled. “Oh how I wish my daughter were here now. She loves your music. Never missed a concert. Too bad she isn’t in the country.”

Yunho smiled politely while Changmin didn’t move a muscle. Oddly, his face turned stern and stoic which made Yunho rather uneasy.

The chairman look towards the boy noting his rather darkening aura. “Are you alright son?” He kindly asked

Changmin looked him in the eye. “Thought your wife and only daughter perished in a fire in New York sir.” He finally spoke, “I am not aware of who this new daughter of yours is”

The elder’s face reflected pure shock that the boy’s daring words while Yunho could only look back at Changmin, astounded at the amount of venom his tone had.

“Yah Shim Changmin” Yunho hissed, reaching to grab the maknae’s sleeve.

“Shim Chang Min?” The Chairman almost whispered, brows furrowed as he looked at the leader and later at the young man himself. “Your name is”

“Shim Changmin sir. Maknae of Dong Bang Shin Ki” Changmin bit back his growing smirk aware that he had spoken out in public. “If that is all sir, we would like to take our leave to head to the photo shoot.” His tone polite, a complete 360 degree switch from seconds ago. “Thank you for this opportunity. We will do our best in the shoot”

Bowing at the elder Changmin took his leave, leaving Yunho with the stunned gent. “Chairman I deeply apolo-” He stopped seeing the elder dismiss the idol by waving his hand.

“Please.. Kindly not delay the shoot any further” He ordered. Yunho could only bow once again and walk past him, understanding why Changmin behaved like that.

For that man they just met was his little angel’s father. Her father who brought in another woman along with her daughter from her previous marriage, into their house ONE week after the death of his wife and daughter.

“Changmin-ah”

“Don’t you dare tell anything hyung. One word and I’ll walk away.”

Yunho took in a breath. Any matter with regards to the little dead girl was sensitive to Changmin. Yunho too found her father’s actions truly unforgivable. It was simply wrong to forget about his wife and bring another woman in within one week of their demise.

“I understand Min. Let’s just finish this quick arraseo? I’ll buy you lunch.”

Changmin only nodded, content that Yunho was understanding while Yunho gave his little brother an assuring squeeze over his shoulder.

Both walked towards the shoot unaware that Changmin’s words had affected the Chaebol Chairman more than he intended to.

Jaejoong had lost his sleep. His mind was overworking with so many unanswered questions. Why did he try to do to Reya? How could he think of doing such a thing to Reya - The only girl who could keep him sane in this complicated situation he was put into!

But why does it look like when he gets in pain the wolf takes over? And once it does Jaejoong has no pain anymore!

Yet, letting the wolf disappear his pain made him do that to the girl he fancies! That was unforgivable!

Wait… Didn’t he get the pain each time a flashback comes in? So would the wolf stop him from remembering their past?

Then why didn’t the pain come when he had his first dreams? Was it because lately, he gets his flashbacks when he is awake?

Then what of Reya? Is she in pain too each time she sees their past?!

A frustrated groan slipped past his lips as he shifted his sleeping position to now rest on his left arm. Each time he shut his eyes, the images of her scared face flashed, forcing him to wake up again.

Worse, he felt that she was awake too and that made him feel worse.

But why did it feel like this had happened before?

A familiar pain began to trigger from his head as Jaejoong began to think through.

“What are you doing in my chambers?”

“Confirming something”

“Why are you – HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP LOOSENING YOUR ROBE! STOP-”

The pain increased to a point he found it difficult to open his eyes. Flashes of what looked like Reya with shorter hair, wearing a red robe hit him and hit made him groan in pain. Oh he felt the animal in him creep through the surface of his weak mental walls, making its way to reality – something he didn’t want to happen again.

“Oh you are not ruining things now!” He commanded in utter difficulty, managing to anchor his fists on the bed and push him off it. “I need to know.. Stop cutting things off!”

The more flashes began to hit him in all reactions the more the pain became. Jaejoong threw his head behind, his legs giving away as he fell on his knees. He was battling multiple things now – the pain and the beast in him. His past and his present. And by the looks of it he was in the losing end. 

“No please” Jaejoong pleaded, hot tears falling down his eyes, “No please. Don’t… No.. N-”

The door then swung open. Shockingly, it was Reya.

“Reya don’t! Go away!” Jaejoong screamed. “Just go away before he –URGH!” He cried holding the back of his head. “Reya just please… go.. go before he tries to take-”

His words were cut off when she hugged him tight. His face pushed over her chest, his ears pressed over her beating heart.

“Calm yourself down Kim. Can’t you see that you bring the animal out when you lose your cool?”

Jaejoong began to cry harder. He felt so hopeless now that he couldn’t help but cry. He didn’t want this. He never wanted to become this. If he had known he would turn into something this horrid he would have rather bled to death! He’d rather die than repeat what he tried to do to this beautiful woman.

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