'Don't stop your lovin', it's all I have. Cause I can't function, no I won't last. I swear I'll love you just like the past. Cause I know what's pain, this is not the same.'

~

Jongup woke up early the next morning, stretching and yawning. His neck and back ached a little, but he didn’t mind it. He looked over to the bed at Youngjae, who was also up, staring at the journal in his hands. “Good Morning.” Jongup smiled at him.

Youngjae continued to stare at the journal.

Jongup stood up and folded his blankets, tucking them in the corner of his room. “We have a lot to do today.” He spoke again, searching through his chests for the day’s outfits. “We?” Youngjae finally looked at him. “yeah. You’re going to help me train the kids today.” Jongup smiled at him. “That’s the best way to start the mending between our packs. If you get the kids to love you, their parents will follow. Plus, the kids don’t know much about the feud, so it’ll be easy to win their hearts.” the younger explained.

Youngjae nodded in understanding. He was not excited by the idea. He had no idea how to act around children. He didn’t know what they liked. What made them happy. Or how they even behaved. All he knew was what they were afraid of. He didn’t have any friends as a child. He hardly interacted with other children as a kid, and the times he did, he always scared them away. He

He covered his eye subconsciously. He just had to last throughout the day. He’d have to leave at sunset. But how? And to where?

“These are the smallest clothes I could find.” Jongup said, rubbing the back of his neck as he handed the elder a white T-shirt and jeans.

The two took 20 minutes to change and eat breakfast before leaving the cabin. Jongup explained to Youngjae what the lesson plans were for the day as they walked to the usual training area. Jongup was actually surprised that the omega understood everything he said. He didn’t expect the omega to much about fighting. “My father trained my brother and I how to fight, in case of emergencies.” Youngjae said, noticing the younger’s surprise. “Ah~. That makes sense.” Jongup caught on, “Everyone should learn how to fight, including Omegas. It’s not fair to them.” Jongup pouted a little. Youngjae only nodded.

“Jongup hyung!” “Jongup Oppa! “Uppie!” The children came running to their teacher 10 minutes after Jongup and Youngjae arrived at their spot.

Youngjae felt his body stiffen at the number of children that surrounded them. “Good Morning you guys. Did you all eat your breakfast?” Jongup asked. “Yeh~!” All the children nodded. “Jongup hyung! Did you eat breakfast?” One of the boys asked. “Yes, I did.” Jongup winked. “Today, we have a new teacher joining us. His name is Youngjae.” Jongup introduced the omega next to him.

Youngjae froze at all the little eyes that turned to him. Youngjae cleared his throat. “H-Hi.” He gave an awkward wave. He was surprised when he received large grins in response.

The group of small betas and alphas ran to him. “My parents were telling me about you last night.” “You’re the new member of our pack!” “Welcome to our pack!” “My parents said that you were the brace omega that joined our pack!” “I heard both of your parents died.” “You must be so sad!” They bombarded him with all kinds of questions and innocent remarks.

Youngjae had no idea what to say or how to react.

“Okay you guys. Don’t all talk at him at once. And be mindful of what you say, okay?” Jongup saved him. “Yeh~.” “Now let’s get started, shall we? And then you can ask Youngjae questions if he let’s you.” Jongup smiled. The young children nodded, parting away from their new instructor.

Jackson’s sister was the only one who stayed behind. She tugged the taller member’s pants.

Youngjae looked down at her. “I’m sorry you lost your parents. I know you’re really said.” She began. “I lost my brother earlier this year too. I was really, really sad. But it’ll be okay.” She suddenly smiled. “My parents and my friends made me feel better. I still miss my brother, but I’m not sad anymore.” She hugged the omega’s leg. Youngjae’s body tightened even more. “I know you probably miss your pack and family too. But we’ll help you make you feel better here. So, you won’t be sad anymore.” She flashed one final smile before joining the group.

Youngjae finally relaxed when she was gone. For a quick second he was almost assured by her words. But only for a short moment. She doesn’t know me. She doesn’t know what’s in me. She doesn’t know what I’ve done.

For the rest of that morning, Youngjae helped Jongup train the young betas and alphas. He mostly assisted the alpha with his demonstrations and watched them train for most of it. He avoided interaction with the kids, but they insisted on talking to him. Every chance they got, they spoke to him and asked him a million and one questions about random things. Youngjae felt himself grow flustered as soon as one of the kids approached him. Jongup found the entire scene amusing, but he helped the elder out whenever he froze up.

The omega was relieved when the training was finally over. He was mentally exhausted from being forced to interact with a group of children. “You did good today.” Jongup complimented, wanting to give the elder a word of encouragement. “It can be nerve-wracking in the beginning, but you’ll grow more comfortable after a while.”

Youngjae looked at him, “You mean, I’m doing this again?”

“Of course, it’s gonna take more than one day to completely win everyone over and make things right.” Jongup told him. Youngjae only sighed. He didn’t bother to argue or complain. There was nothing he could do about it anyway. Plus, he was going to be gone the next morning.

“How was it?” Himchan walked up to them. “It went great. The kids are all interested in Youngjae.” Jongup smiled. “That’s good.” Himchan nodded. “How’s…Daehyun?” Jongup asked quietly, but Youngjae heard anyway.

Himchan’s shoulders dropped. “He hasn’t come out yet. Neither has Uncle Jaejoong. I’m worried about them both.” He frowned. It wasn’t like his cousin to lock himself up for this long, or in general. And he hasn’t seen his uncle like this in a long time. “Do you guys have a map of the city?” Youngjae asked, changing the subject.

The two looked at him in confusion. “Um, no.” Himchan answered. “I think Minhyuk used to have a couple. He always kept maps of places he’s been to. Daehyun might have kept them.” Jongup said in actual thought.

Youngjae only hummed in response. Great. He thought to himself. He didn’t have his phone, so he couldn’t look up any nearby places, nor could he ask to use anyone’s phone or else they’d know what he was searching. A map was his best bet. He’d have to go back to Daehyun’s cabin and look for it. “Why?” Himchan asked him suspiciously.

“If you think I’m trying to escape, then you’re wrong.” Youngjae lied. “I don’t know anything about this place, so I want to know where things are at least.” He muttered. “I have no place to go anyway. I would like to know where I’m at.”

“It’s okay. We’ll show you around the city one day. Don’t worry.” Jongup smiled. “Starting with the doctor’s office.” Himchan folded his arms, suspicious as to if that was the place the omega was trying to sneak off to.

Youngjae glared at him. “I told you. I don’t need to. I’m fine.”

“You need to-,”

“I don’t.” Youngjae cut him off. “The only thing I need to do is protect my pack. And that’s what I’ doing.” With that the omega walked away.

Himchan sighed in defeat. He still wasn’t buying Youngjae’s words. But he couldn’t force him, nor could he afford to upset him. Not when tensions are still high and they’re ton the path to peace.

For the rest of the day, Youngjae followed Jongup and Himchan around, joining them in their chores. He waited for the right opportunity to sneak into Daehyun’s cabin just before sunset.

Daehyun was still on the couch, the sheets over his head. It was as if the alpha hadn’t left his spot once.

Youngjae quickly went into the bedroom. He searched through all the elder’s belongings, rummaging through his drawers and closet, until he found two maps. One map of the entire eastern province, and a map of the subway station. He studied both maps. He bit his bottom lip. He’d need to catch the next train, but he didn’t have any money on him.

He sighed. He didn’t recall seeing Daehyun’s wallet anywhere or any cash at that.

Youngjae left the room, deciding to search the rest of the cabin. He moved quickly, but quietly. He didn’t trust that the alpha was completely asleep. The place was still a mess, making it more difficult for him to move around without making a sound every now and then.

After for what felt like an hour, Youngjae finally found the elder’s wallet. It was sitting on a small table, right next to the couch Daehyun laid on, where his head was laid.

Youngjae crawled to the table, moving as silently as possible. He reached for the leather wallet. But as soon as he picked it up, Daehyun caught his wrist.

Youngjae froze.

Daehyun lifted his head. He narrowed his irritated eyes at the omega. He looked at the wallet in his hand and then at the maps in his other hand. His eyes softened as his shoulders dropped. “You’re leaving?” His voice was weak. “After everything that happened?”

Youngjae hated seeing the heartbreak in the elder’s eyes. “You wouldn’t understand.” Youngjae tried to pull out of his grip. Daehyun tightened his hold. “Stop.” Daehyun sat up and sat on the floor in front of him. He searched helplessly into the omega’s brown eyes. “Stop pushing me away. Stop hurting me. You’ve won already. Okay? You’ve won. So please. Stop.” Daehyun’s eyes burned.

“It-,” Youngjae paused as he saw the sun begin to set through the window on the other side of the room. “No.” He gasped in panic.

“What?”