The Parks

Mannequin
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Leeteuk's known Donghae for years. He's seen him go through so much. He lost his parents. Struggled through school. Dropped out twice from college. He was too lonely. Depressed. Leeteuk's seen him grow. Seen him keep trying. Again and again. Determined. He's watched him become independent. Succeed. Donghae worked hard. Kept a positive outlook.

Leeteuk's always felt like taking care of him. He's known Donghae experienced sadness and pain. But he always stayed kind. Loving. Generous. Bright.

It is deeply saddening. To think behind his adorable laughs... smiles... childish jokes... this talented and skillful artist... was slowly going mad?

Leeteuk thinks he's failed as a friend...

 

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But it doesn't make sense. It's not right.

 

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Leeteuk spends more and more hours with Donghae all week. He takes breaks from work. Hopes that seeing him often... could help Donghae get some sanity back.

Hasn't the guy been stuck at home a lot? He's been saying he's working...

It is true. Yes. He does that often. Donghae takes a few days just being home. Getting work done.

But not for too long. Donghae's a person who gets lonely. Gets blue. Leeteuk's contacted their mutual friends. Heard they haven't been seeing Donghae as much either. It's been less and less...

All since... Leeteuk dropped off that mannequin...

 

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Little Shimkoong's curious. She's about to be fussy in her bag. They haven't even reached the door.

Leeteuk her white head. "Princess... I'll leave you with mom for a couple hours, okay?"

She wiggles. Tries to climb out of the bag.

"Koongie... it's just mom and dad... and grandma. You'll be good this time, right?"

He's taking her to his parents' house. Because he can't take her with him to see Donghae...

Leeteuk has taken Koongie to Donghae's. She knows Donghae. Is used to Donghae. The man likes her. So Leeteuk didn't think it would be a problem.

But it was a problem. Yesterday and the day before. Because of that... mannequin. Donghae calls it Hyukjae.

The same name his grandmother brought up. Then which Leeteuk stupidly mentioned to Donghae...

It's funny. He realizes. The last time he took Shimkoong to Donghae's... was a few days before Leeteuk brought him the mannequin...

Oh, Leeteuk has really had a big hand in causing this... hasn't he?

Donghae's been the same all week. He eats. Talks. Sleeps. Or... he says he does. And he keeps crying over that mannequin. 

Leeteuk's wanted to do something. Like, fix the mannequin maybe.

He was the one who'd moved the mannequin out of his grandmother's attic. Its... arms... legs... did not seem... like they could really be moved. But he did not try too hard. For fear of damaging it.

This time he will check. Just even moving the mannequin could bring some change to Donghae. He could make it stand. Outside the bedroom.

But... those wide eyes... full of fear...

Leeteuk's wondered many times... how Donghae did that...

"Ohhh...." he says to Shimkoong. "I feel so dumb..."

Donghae's an artist!

"He moved the mannequin. Painted its face. Simple!"

Then Leeteuk feels scared suddenly. Donghae painted that expression on it? That's very worrying...

He speeds up. Heads to his parents' house. He can't really think of a way to touch the mannequin. Even if he could paint. Or whatever Donghae did. Because Donghae always sits with Leeteuk. Or the mannequin. He doesn't leave either alone for long.

"Almost there, princess..."

 

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HelenDamnation #1
Chapter 24: I keep thinking Saeron must be a very good and kind person. She waited for 30 years for Hyukjae to come back, and she waited alone so that there would be no one to be frightened by him and frighten him back if he ever did come back. It must have been so scary wondering what happened to him after her house
was sold.

I like how you've written her as improving. That's what a military doctor told me about my father when his moods got really erratic -- that at his age, unresolved PTSD was running the show (in his case from what he'd been through in the military), and if there's some way to address that, a whole lot of mental functioning and mood issues suddenly get better. It doesn't magically cure underlying disease, but it makes a truly astonishing difference. And for Saeron, the treatment is knowing Hyukjae is okay and spending time with him.
PenguinLOvers772
#2
Chapter 42: After long time finally got time to read again. Im sorry coz i haven't able to read ur updates in time 😊 always remember you're a great author! Love the relationship between them. 💕
Sharo001
717 streak #3
Chapter 1: So glad I saw this story, I absolutely love the first chapter. You did a wonderful job with setting the tone and introducing the plot - which is so original btw. I can’t wait to read the rest of the chapters.😊
Inseomelody
#4
Chapter 47: Ini cerita yang sangat bagus, aku merasa hangat dengan interaksi Donghae dan Hyukjae. Terimakasih telah membuat cerita yg indah ini 💙
HyukkiBear
#5
Chapter 48: Finally finish reading this. I really love this story. Thank you for sharing. And there’s a sequel **criessss. Thank you so much <3
yanHae15
145 streak #6
Chapter 48: What a pleasant update! 🥰
_b2h86
#7
Chapter 48: OMG!!! Authornim, you are a blessing from the heavens. Thank you so much for this sequel ❤️
Kethryveris
#8
Chapter 48: Yesssssss ! of course when I saw this update I was so happy. This fic is a little gem, so I'll be sure to check out the link. Thanks
HelenDamnation #9
Chapter 48: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY THERE'S A SEQUEL
HelenDamnation #10
Chapter 47: This is my favorite story on this site.