Faithfully Yours~
 

 

“Valentine’s Day .”

 

Hyukjae slammed the door of his locker shut, leaning against it, staring defiantly at his friends who gave him looks that varied from amusement to pity.

 

The corridors of the university was bustling with students, enjoying their time between lectures. Hyukjae’s eyes drifted through the mess of people hoping to spot a familiar brunette, but focused back on his friends when he couldn’t find him.

 

Maybe it was best if Hyukjae didn’t know where he was on Valentine’s Day.

 

“You’re just sulking because you have no plans for today.” Kangin smirked, casually adjusting his varsity jacket. “Do you regret rejecting that girl who asked you out? Jessica was it?”

 

“No, I just don’t get why everyone’s so hyped up about it.” Hyukjae argued, his arms flailing widely in exaggerated gestures. “It’s the result of capitalism! People are practically monetizing feelings! If you love someone, you love them equally all 365 days of the year, not just one day where you shower them with flowers, chocolates and other materialistic things!”

 

Kangin rolled his eyes, muttering something about getting enough lectures from their professors, while pulling out his phone and starting to tap at the screen intently.

 

“It’s just a stupid day.” The dancer announced, running a hand through his blue locks.

 

“I bet you’d be tripping over your own feet to plan something if you were dating Donghae.” Sungmin said with a knowing look on his face.

 

Hyukjae ignored the painful clenching of his heart as he glared at his so called friend.

 

“Shut up.” He all but growled.

 

“I’m serious Hyuk. It’s been almost two months since Donghae started dating Jun.” Sungmin continued, oblivious of the warning looks that his other friends were giving. “I watched your heart get trampled over and over again, and it pisses me off to see that you’re not doing anything about it.”

 

“What do you want me to do?” Hyukjae asked his voice cracking slightly, desperation sweeping through. “Remove myself from Hae’s life?! Then what?! Move to a different country, change my name and start a band?!”

 

Sungmin gave Hyukjae a hard look, while Yesung rubbed the dancer’s arms soothingly. 

 

He looked down at his feet feelings slightly ashamed of his little outburst. Hyukjae didn’t mean to take out his anger and frustration on his friends but when it came to Donghae, he tended to lose all his rationality.

 

“I’m not saying you should distance yourself from Donghae.” Sungmin said, sounding rather offended that the dancer would even suggest that. “He’s a total sweetheart with an arrogant prick as a boyfriend.  If I were you, I would’ve judo chopped Jun’s limbs off by now! And punched him till his face was unrecognizable!”

 

The bunny-like man’s orbs blazed with fury as his fists clenched.

 

“Hyuk, Jun was our friend.” Yesung said gently in an attempt not to startle the already agitated dancer. “He knew about your feelings for Donghae. Hell anyone with eyes can see you love him, except for Donghae himself! Yet he made a move on your man. There’s a reason he’s not our friend anymore. He acts like a jerk to everyone around him and I’m pretty sure he’s even worse of a boyfriend!”

 

Hyukjae tried to resist the urge to lash out at his friends for painfully reminding him yet again that the love of his life wasn’t actually his.

 

As much as he hated Jun for stealing Donghae from him, to Hyukjae the brunette’s happiness came before his own. If he was happy being in a relationship with Jun, then Hyukjae wouldn’t interfere no matter how much it hurt to see the man of his dreams in another’s arms.

 

“I can’t make Donghae choose between the two of us.” Hyukjae sighed, his fingers playing with the hem of his jacket. “All I want is for Hae to be happy and putting myself in his relationship isn’t going to do that. If it means I can be close to him, I’m fine with just being his best friend.”

 

The same lost and forlorn feeling that had been following Hyukjae ever since Donghae started dating Jun became more intense as he looked away, hoping to mask the tears that were stinging his eyes.

 

“How are you so sure that Jun isn’t just using your Donghae? That he won’t break your best friend to a point that he’s unrepairable?” Sungmin asked darkly, a frown gracing his features. “Because Hyuk, you’re not thinking clearly when it comes to this mess at all. Jun’s always been after what’s yours! Your dance captain position, your friends, your grades... He’s a jealous and he managed to somehow get to Donghae. Do you really think that Jun genuinely likes Hae?”

 

Hyukjae’s throat constricted as he ran those words through his head over and over again, each time ending up with the same hopeless feeling of despair.

 

As much as he would like to waltz in and become Donghae’s knight in shining armor, he knew that it would only end up with him being a villain, and with the brunette possibly hating him for the rest of eternity. He couldn’t risk his friendship like that.

 

“You don’t understand, Min.” His voice sounded small and unsure, even to himself. “He looked so happy. And beautiful. And so in l-love when he told me he was d-dating Jun.”

 

His friend looked rather annoyed but didn’t comment further. Hyukjae looked away, not wanting to see the patronizing look in the bunny-like man’s face.

 

Hyukjae’s gaze fell on a lone brunette that was making his way down the corridors of the university, holding a couple of books in his hands. The dancer smiled, waving the boy over to their little group before sending a subtle warning glance towards Sungmin.

 

It never ceased to amaze him how even the brunette’s mere presence always managed to brighten up his mood. 

 

“Hi Hyukkie!” Donghae smiled so adorably that it took Hyukjae’s breath away.

 

Oh what wouldn’t he do to make sure that this beautiful smile would be etched on Donghae’s face forever.

 

“Hey.” Hyukjae grinned warmly, gently ruffling the brunette’s hair loving how soft the dark locks were against his fingers.

 

Their little moment was broken by the amused voice of a certain eccentric turtle-loving man.

 

“So we’re invisible now?” Yesung teased, as the Donghae’s cheeks flushed in slight embarrassment.

 

“Hi hyungs!” He said brightly, waving at them shyly causing the dancer’s friends to chuckle.

 

“Why don’t you call Hyukjae hyung, kid? He’s also older than you.” Kangin asked curiously, finally looking away from his phone. “He may look like a skinny freshman but he’s still in the senior year.”

 

Hyukjae didn’t really give a chance for the brunette to speak, casually slinging an arm over the younger’s shoulder bringing him closer to the dancer, inwardly smiling when Donghae leaned towards him.

 

“He can call me whatever he wants.” Hyukjae scoffed. “Not calling me hyung isn’t as bad as the insults you guys decided to come up with.”

 

“It’s not our fault you you startlingly similar to an anchovy.” The bulky man retorted, putting his phone away. 

 

The blue haired dancer rolled his eyes, sticking his tongue out at Kangin albeit childishly.

 

Hyukjae couldn’t help but think how comfortable the situation was, him bantering with his friends with Donghae in his arms. He wondered what it would feel like to press the younger brunette against the lockers and smother his beautiful face with kisses.

 

His gut tightened as he forced himself out of his track of thoughts, looking over his best friend hoping to distract himself when his gaze caught on something.

 

“Hae, what happened to your finger?” Hyukjae asked, concern sweeping through his voice as he unwrapped his arm in favour of holding the brunette’s hand up close to examine the finger that was wrapped up in a band aid.

 

“Nothing. It’s just a paper cut Hyuk.” Donghae mumbled, freeing his hand from the older’s hold. “I was just being stupid as usual.”

 

“You’re not stupid Donghae. You’re just a bit clumsy.” The dancer said, lifting the other’s hand back up, running his thumb soothingly over the other’s wrist. “You need to be more careful, Hae. Why didn’t you call me?”

 

Hyukjae looked at the younger questioningly. Donghae always called him when he was hurt, complaining about even the smallest little things like headaches from lectures or stubbing his toe against the door.

 

The older’s heart clenched slightly as he wondered whether the reason for the reduced number of adorably whiny calls from his best best friend had anything to do with the fact that he had a boyfriend now.

 

Hyukjae couldn’t help but feel hurt, when he thought about Donghae doing all the little cute things he used to do with the dancer with Jun instead.

 

“I didn’t want to be a nuisance. You’re busy. It’s your senior year of college after all.” Donghae mumbled looking down at his feet.

 

“You won’t be bothering be Hae.” The older reassured him gently. “You can call me any time you want. You know I like fussing over you.” 

 

This managed to get a small smile out of the brunette, who looked up bashfully through his lashes.

 

The bell rang, signaling that that first lectures for the day was about to start.

 

“Come on, Hae. I’ll walk you to your class.” Hyukjae said grabbing Donghae’s wrist, steering him towards the direction of his lecture hall.

 

“But yours is in the other side of the campus.” The younger protested weakly. “You’re going to be late if you come with me now!”

 

“I’m always late to class.” Hyukjae chuckled softly before turning to his friends who had unreadable looks on their faces. “You guys go ahead. I’ll just waltz in late as usual.” 

 

Sungmin nodded gathering up his books from the adjacent locker, before prodding Kangin who had become attached to his phone again. 

 

Yesung grinned at them rather cheerfully before giving the pair an exaggerated wave.

 

“Catch you later young sophomore!” He exclaimed eccentrically causing Donghae to burst into a fit of giggles.

 

Hyukjae walked along the corridor with the brunette, their shoulders almost touching as neither of them spoke a word.

 

It just felt so right, walking the younger to his class. 

 

“So how did you manage to get the paper cut?” Hyukjae asked almost teasingly.

 

Donghae’s face flushed slightly as he suddenly became interested with the tiles on the floor.

 

“I was making a Valentine’s Day card for Jun.” The brunette replied so softly that Hyukjae almost missed it.

 

His gut twisted painfully as he felt nauseous and lightheaded as he thought about the intimate gesture the younger was planning to share with his boyfriend.

 

It hurt even more to know that Hyukjae had no right to protest against it.

 

“So the two of you have plans for today?” 

 

Hyukjae’s voice was small and slightly quivering as he tried his best to keep the jealousy, the anger and the pain out of his voice.

 

“We were thinking of going to watch a movie in the evening.” Donghae mumbled back, just as quietly.

 

Hyukjae envisioned himself with Donghae wrapped up in soft blankets, cuddling as a joyful movie played in the background. Then he vanished, replaced by Jun with his hands wrapped around Donghae.

 

Jun smiling fondly at Donghae’s adorable antics throughout the entire movie.

 

Jun snuggling against the younger, when Donghae became sleepy like he always does towards the end of the movie.

 

Jun placing a sweet kiss on Donghae’s beautifully thin lips-

 

“That sounds nice.” Hyukjae managed to choke out his fists clenching.

 

“Yeah.” The younger replied softly as he ran a hand through his dark locks almost self consciously.

 

The pair was plunged into a sudden silence which they kept until they arrived at Donghae’s lecture hall. Hyukjae looked through the rows of students till he spotted Donghae’s little group of friends. 

 

“Your friends are already inside.” Hyukjae murmured, smiling at the younger brunette fondly.

 

“Yeah they are.” Donghae repeated looking into the room, then back at the dancer with big puppy-like eyes.

 

Hyukjae had to resist the urge to smash his lips against his best friend’s right then and there in front of the lecture hall.

 

“Do you want me to stay a bit longer till the professor comes?” The older asked, settling to pat Donghae’s head instead.

 

The brunette shook his head.

 

“It’s fine Hyuk. You can go to your lecture.” Donghae answered, his voice suddenly thick with emotions. “You always stay with me when my friends haven’t arrived. I take you for granted too much.”

 

Hyukjae smiled softly as the younger shared his more sentimental and softer side with him. The blue haired dancer wanted the wrap Donghae up in a blanket and protect him from the cruel world outside.

 

“I just care about you Hae.” The older replied honestly, his eyes wandering over the beautiful form of his best friend. “I know you don’t like being alone. And I don’t mind keeping you in company till your friends come.”

 

The brunette muttered a shy thanks before hugging Hyukjae happily before walking trough the class towards his small group of friends who were already waiting for him.

 

Hyukjae’s eyes followed his best friend as he stood outside the lecture hall door, only leaving when Donghae was safely seating down with them.

 

•••

 

The blue haired dancer let his head fall in the table with a thud as soon as sat down at his own desk in his class, after he came in late, the professor’s voice droning on from the front of the lecture hall.

 

He felt a sympathetic pat on his back as he turned his head on the table to pitifully stare up at Yesung, who was looking at him with a grim expression.

 

“Are you sure about this Hyuk?” Yesung asked softly. “Keeping your feelings for Hae hidden like this, I mean. Don’t you think both of you  will end up hurt in the end?”

 

Hyukjae sighed, loudly exhaling through his nose as he answered the silver haired man with a forlorn voice.

 

“I just can’t risk my friendship, Sungie.” The dancer replied, taking his head off the table. “I don’t know what I’d do if Donghae started to hate me because of this.”

 

His love for Donghae was as clear as day, but a path for him to confess his feelings without risking his entire friendship, was like walking through a labyrinth blindfolded. 

 

There was too many heartbreaking outcomes.

 

“Well if it makes you feel any better, Ryeowook was ranting about how much he hated Jun.” The eccentric an said, a fond smile gracing his face as he recalled the words of his lover. “All of Donghae’s friends loath his boyfriend, Wookie included. If you ever wanted to come clean about it, at least you’ll have Donghae’s friend’s approval.”

 

Hyukjae smiled, perking up a bit at his friend’s attempt to cheer him up.

 

Just then, the door to the lecture hall opened, a tall man with jet black hair walking in with a bored expression, his eyes glinting with malice as soon as they landed on Hyukjae before taking a seat at the furthest end of the hall.

 

Hyukjae glared back, his expression becoming hostile as his fists clenched as he practically growled at the man who stole the love of his life.

 

While he may be willing to let Jun date Donghae, if the other ever dared to hurt the brunette he would make sure that Jun wouldn’t live to see the light of day.

 

Because no one hurts his Donghae.

 

•••

 

The microwave beeped as Hyukjae took out the instant rice, closing its door shut.

 

He poured the heated rice into a bowl before adding kimchi and gulping the entire contents down with a few mouthfuls. The blue haired man sighed as he placed the empty, dishes in the sink, washing them up trying to ignore the pain in his heart.

 

Hyukjae’s roommate Shindong had gone out on a date with his girlfriend, Nari, telling the dancer that he won’t be back till morning. 

 

That left him all alone in an empty apartment on Valentine’s Day.

 

While the boy he wanted to spend this day with so badly was out enjoying a date with his boyfriend.

 

Hyukjae had tried to keep the bitter feelings at bay, almost obsessively cleaning up the entire apartment, hoping that his anger will disappear if he scrubbed the floor hard enough.

 

It was quite late at night now, and Hyukjae couldn’t help but hope that Donghae had returned home. Maybe he could call and ask, being the concerned friend he was.

 

Maybe no one will notice the jealousy in his voice or the breaking of his heart.

 

But no, he shouldn’t interfere with Donghae’s love life like that. He had no right.

 

The sudden ringing of his doorbell snapped Hyukjae out of his silent contemplations.

 

“Donghae?” He asked bewildered as the younger brunette stood outside his door, looking slightly disheveled, glancing at the dancer with a vulnerable expression on his face.

 

“Sorry. Were you busy? I can come back another time.” Donghae muttered softly as the older stared at him astonished.

 

“No no come in Hae.” Hyukjae said moving away from the door letting the brunette in before closing it shut. “I was just surprised to see you here.”

 

Donghae wordlessly entered the living room, looking around tentatively as if he expected someone else to be there. 

 

“Shindong’s out on a date with Nari.” Hyukjae supplied walking past the younger into the kitchen. “Do you want anything to drink?”

 

“Just water please.” The brunette replied quietly.

 

Hyukjae frowned at the lost tone of his best friend. Donghae wasn’t like this.

 

Lee Donghae was a childish, immature, and energetic bundle of joy. Never in all the years Hyukjae had known him, had he been this quiet and down.

 

“Are you alright Hae?” He asked as he handed a mug full of water to the younger as his best friend nodded wordlessly.

 

The blue haired dancer’s frown deepened. Where was the playful Donghae that liked to hog his entire strawberry milk supply, who would pout when he didn’t win a game and who would bawl his eyes out when his favorite movie character died?

 

Who was this broken shell of a boy before him?

 

“I’ll make you something to eat.” Hyukjae said looking at his best friend in concern as he shut the door of the cupboard loudly with a packet of ramen in his hand.

 

What he didn’t expect was for Donghae to flinch so violently at the sound, dropping the mug on the kitchen counter, water spilling out onto the marble counter top.

 

“Sorry Hyuk... sorry.” The younger exclaimed tearfully, hastily picking up the mug looking panicked as the dancer rushed over to him.

 

Hyukjae grabbed Donghae by the arm, pulling him away from the counter, leaving the mess behind him as he gathered the brunette into his arms, his heart beating painfully for the brunette who started to cling on to him pitifully.

 

“Hae? Speak to me. Please.” Hyukjae murmured cupping his hands around Donghae’s cheeks, rubbing them soothingly with his thumbs. 

 

The frightened look in the younger’s orbs and the way Donghae was clinging on to him brought back a memory from years ago.

 

Hyukjae’s eyes widened with realization.

 

“Donghae, what sort of movie did you watch?” 

 

•••

 

Donghae whimpered fearfully as yet another character died a gruesome death so graphically in the screen in front of him.

 

His eyes wandered around the cinema full of horror movie enthusiasts before dropping his gaze to the empty seat next to him.

 

Jun didn’t come.

 

His boyfriend had texted him the details of the movie he wanted to watch, asking Donghae buy two tickets for them before making the brunette wait outside the theater for almost an hour. 

 

Donghae knew that the other wasn’t going to show up, but he forced himself to enter the cinema, his hands trembling has he clutched the Valentine’s Day card he so painstakingly made close to his chest.

 

The brunette hated horror movies.

 

That was no secret among any of his friends who constantly for his inability to not get nightmares after watching them. But none of them had been cruel enough to make Donghae watch one alone.

 

So for the first time in his life, the brunette was in a cinema all by himself watching as horrific monsters ripped out limbs of humans with their bare teeth, clutching his precious rosary bracelet in pure terror.

 

He should’ve known that Jun wouldn’t show up. After all his boyfriend had been upset with him for the past few days.

 

Maybe this was his way of punishing Donghae. It was the younger’s fault after all. Jun had wanted to take their relationship for the next level for quite some time now and Donghae had done his best to comply. But that didn’t stop him from completely freezing up when Jun got too physical with him.

 

All Donghae wanted to do was be the best boyfriend he could possibly be, but the thought of offering his body so intimately to someone made him terrified to his core.

 

He didn’t know what was wrong with him. Donghae tried his best to keep his boyfriend satisfied but he knew that it just wasn’t enough.

 

Donghae had been foolish to think that a handmade Valentine’s Day card would magically make things better between them. 

 

He deserved this, he told himself as he forced himself to keep his eyes open as a monster devoured a human alive. He watched the entire movie, not missing a single gruesome detail while the seat next to his remained empty.

 

He almost stumbled in his steps as he made his way out of the cinema, terrified to his core of the scenes he witnessed but even more fearful of going home to his empty apartment, knowing that his roommate Ryeowook would be on a date with Yesung.

 

That’s how he ended up in front of Hyukjae’s door, his trembling hand faltering against the bell.

 

His friends had told him that a senior from their college, Jessica, had supposedly asked Hyukjae out.

 

He didn’t want to accidentally interrupted their date. He’ll never forgive himself if he had done something that would harm Hyukjae. Donghae stood outside his best friend’s apartment indecisively for almost half an hour before desperately ringing the doorbell when he heard sounds coming from vents on the corridor.

 

Donghae almost sobbed with relief when the man he trusted with his life opened the door with a rather bewildered expression.

 

•••

 

“A horror movie.” Donghae whimpered quietly, buring his head in the crook of Hyukjae’s neck.

 

Hyukjae’s grip tightened around the younger, his hands grazing the other’s lower back protectively.

 

“You can’t watch horror movies Hae!” The dancer exclaimed gritting his teeth, holding the terrified boy closer to him. “Didn’t you tell him you couldn’t watch them?”

 

“I didn’t want to sound childish.” A muffled voice answered him.

 

“That’s not being childish Donghae. It’s fine if you get scared. You shouldn’t force yourself to do something you hate, just to impress someone.” Hyukjae murmured, trying to reign his anger and suppress the urge to go punch Jun in the face.

 

Who in the right mind would take his adorably sensitive creature to watch such a gruesome movie?!

 

“Were you scared?” Hyukjae asked softly, rubbing soothing circles on the brunette’s back.

 

A small nod.

 

“Did he hold your hand?” His voice was more forceful and borderline angry.

 

A timid shake of his head.

 

Hyukjae calmed down his emotions.

 

“Do you want to stay over tonight?” Hyukjae murmured gently pressing his lips against the younger hair, as Donghae nodded.

 

The blue haired dancer dancer guided Donghae over to his couch, draping a blanket over him before slipping in a CD and turning on the tv.

 

“Finding Nemo? We’re watching Finding Nemo?” Donghae asked his eyes lighting up in childish wonder as Hyukjae chuckled softly nodding his head.

 

There was the cute and childish best friend that Hyukjae absolutely adored.

 

“Of course we are. It’s your favorite movie.” His gummy smile showed as he fondly ruffled the younger’s dark locks. “Will you be alright watching alone for a bit? I’ll go make you some ramen.”

 

The younger nodded distracted, his eyes attached to the screen as a certain clumsy fish swam about happily with his friends.

 

When Hyukjae sat back down on the couch with a bowl of steaming noodles and a pair of chopsticks in his hand, the younger brunette was giggling gleefully as he stared at the screen happily.

 

“Donghae say ahhh” Hyukjae said softly, holding his chopsticks up at the others mouth,  smiling as Donghae gulped down the food, his eyes never leaving the tv.

 

The blue haired dancer spent the entire duration of the movie feeding Donghae ramen, resisting the urge to coo as the younger’s adorable self shined through watching the adventures of his beloved Nemo. 

 

If anyone asked Hyukjae would just reply that he didn’t want the younger to make a mess on his couch when in reality the dancer just enjoyed babying the younger.

 

His gummy smile appeared twice as brightly when he returned to the living room after washing the dishes to find a sleeping brunette on his couch.

 

“Let’s get you to bed sleepyhead.” Hyukjae said, placing an arm on his back and under his thighs, lifting him up taking him over to the bathroom.

 

The brunette whined drowsily as Hyukjae brushed his teeth and made him change into a comfortable pair of sweats, already asleep even before his head hit the pillow. 

 

“Good night Hae.”

 

Hyukjae tucked him into bed, wrapping him up in the soft blankets, placing a fond kiss on the brunette’s forehead before returning to the living room to turn off the tv which was rolling the ending credits of the movie.

 

He was about to go wash up when his eyes caught sight of a piece of paper that was sticking out of Donghae’s jacket, which the brunette had left on the couch.Hyukjae tugged on the piece of paper, sliding out a crumpled Valentine’s Day card that had colourful hearts drawn all over it. 

 

The blue haired dancer was brought back to the miserable reality, the handmade card proving as better approach than pouring a bucket of cold water over his head.

 

Because no matter how intimate he dared to become with the brunette, Donghae will only see him as a bestfriend. Maybe a protecter. But never as a lover. 

 

He felt as if though a thousand pins were stabbing at his heart, when he opened the card staring at the two stick figures that Donghae had adorably drawn with a massive red heart above them. The brunette had written a cheesy romantic quote from his favorite marvel movie, that Hyukjae had heard him repeat over and over again while the younger was gushing over his Tony Stark hyung.

 

Hyukjae wasn’t sure why Donghae still had the beautiful Valentines Day card, when he already met his boyfriend.

 

And he was even less sure of what possessed him to act so childishly but he took the card, his fingers curling over the price of paper possessively as he carefully placed it in his drawer after gazing at it fondly one last time.

 

It wasn’t addressed to anyone anyway.

 

And Hyukjae was content saying as the brunette’s best friend, if it allowed him to stay by the younger’s side for the rest of eternity.

 

But just let him keep this token of love from the boy of his dreams.

 

So the blue haired dancer returned to his bed, pulling the younger closer to him, smiling as Donghae immediately clung onto him, nuzzling his nose against Hyukjae’s neck.

 

“Don’t leave me, Hyukkie.” Donghae muttered sleepily.

 

“I’ll never leave you Hae. I’ll stay by your side for as long as you’d let me.” Hyukjae murmured lovingly as the younger let out a contented sigh, snuggling against the dancer’s chest before drifting of to dreamland.

 

Of course the brunette woke up terrified in cold sweat, his puppy-like eyes filled with tears numerous times that night, but Hyukjae was always there to pull the scared boy closer to himself and reminded him that he wasn’t alone.

 

•••

 

Donghae felt a turmoil of emotion churn within him as he stood alone in the university’s locker rooms, his hair damp from the early morning swimming practices.

 

The events of last night almost felt like a dream and if Hyukjae had been so warm and caring yesterday he had been even sweeter in the morning, waking up early to make Donghae’s favorite avocado smoothie for breakfast and sending him off to his swimming practices.

 

The brunette wondered if he had imagined it all when he felt the love behind the gaze of his best friend.

 

He wondered if the torture he went through for the past couple of months, the thoughts that haunted his mind day and night was the result of his own naiveness.

 

Looking down at his empty wrist, he clutched the flesh were a small rosary bead bracelet used to be. It was a gift from his late father.

 

And Donghae had lost it.

 

Maybe this was the universe’s way of telling him that even his father, who he had hoped was watching over him from above, had given up on him. Maybe he was a hopeless case after all.

 

Donghae the wasn’t sure how he had gone from being a childish boy with enough love in his heart to spare for everyone to a man chained down by his own depressing thoughts. But once he had plunged down and gotten lost in its dark depths, he had found no way out of it.

 

He had no one to go to for help.

 

He was in this mess alone.

 

Donghae flinched when the door to the locker room slammed open, his boyfriend entering it with a nonchalant expression.

 

“Your friends are searching for some bracelet?” Jun scoffed like he couldn’t care less.

 

“It’s nothing.” Donghae mumbled looking down at the floor, his heart beating painfully against his chest as he clutched his wrist that used to hold his most precious possession.

 

“Look at me when I speak to you.” Jun said darkly, before forcefully yanking the brunette’s chin up meeting the frightened orbs with merciless ebony eyes.

 

“Sorry.” Donghae whimpered, backing away towards the wall slightly as his boyfriend smirked down at him.

 

“Did you watch the movie I recommended yesterday?” He asked, running his fingers through the other’s brown locks tugging the strands albeit roughly.

 

The younger brunette nodded wordlessly.

 

“Do you know what I was doing while you were watching it?” Jun questioned darkly, leaning closer to whisper into Donghae’s ear when younger shook his head.

 

“I was enjoying my time with a beautiful girl who was more than willing to show me what real pleasure was like.” He whispered patronizingly almost as he was savoring the way that the brunette trembled in fear like he was cornered prey. “I’ve been very patient with you Donghae, but I have my own needs and you need to give me my pleasure sooner or later. How many times have I gone to other people because you were a coward? You’re a terrible boyfriend. I’m sure Hyukjae would agree with me in that.”

 

Jun’s voice dropped provokingly low as he whispered the last sentence.

 

Donghae became completely rigid as a fresh track of tears began to pour down his cheeks. His hands trembled by his sides as he scrunched his eyes shut, Jun’s words echoing in his mind.

 

He felt the gaze of his boyfriend wander over the form of Donghae’s body, his eyes lingering on the white shirt that stuck to the brunette’s damp chest. He braced himself for the impact just as Jun roughly slammed him against the wall, kissing him hardly forcefully shoving his tongue into the younger’s mouth. He whimpered in pain as his boyfriend bit down on his lower lip, yanking his hips closer.

 

Donghae almost sobbed in relief when the locker room door slammed open.

 

“What the hell are you doing?!” A furious voice snarled.

 

The brunette looked up in surprise to see Hyukjae and Sungmin enter the locker room behind Ryeowook and Kibum who had gone out to search for his bracelet. 

 

Sungmin’s hand on Hyukjae’s shoulder seemed to be the only thing holding the blue haired man back from pouncing on Jun and possibly beating him up. Donghae’s own chest tightened when he realized how much he yearned to run into his best friend’s protective embrace, to finally feel safe again when he was harshly brought back into reality as Jun wrapped an arm round his waist, pulling Donghae towards him so roughly that he was sure that he bruised his hip.

 

“I’m just comforting my boyfriend.” Jun answered the seething dancer smugly. 

 

Hyukjae’s fists were clenched, his knuckles turning white as his eyes blazed with unmasked fury.

 

“We found your bracelet Hae.” Kibum quipped in before a fight broke out in the locker room. “It’s in the deep end of the pool. You must’ve dropped it during your swimming practices.” 

 

Donghae’s lips quivered with relief.

 

“I’ll go get it.” Hyukjae said shortly, before storming out of the room.

 

Jun released his hard grip on the younger brunette, following the dancer out of the locker room as Donghae sank down onto the floor, his legs finally giving up as he buried his head in his arms.

 

His best friend usually concealed his emotions so well, but seeing Hyukjae display his jealousy and anger so openly made Donghae reel back with shock. The brunette had misjudged his closest friend completely.

 

“It’s alright Hae. Hyuk went to get your bracelet.” Sungmin said comfortingly, as his friends pulled him into a warm embrace.

 

Donghae’s eyes suddenly snapped open in pure panic.

 

•••

 

Hyukjae was alarmed at his own fury as he stormed towards the pool, his jaw clenching as he heard footsteps follow him. 

 

His felt as though he lost his last shreds of sanity when he saw that bastard shoving his tongue down his Donghae’s throat. Seeing his Donghae with swollen lips and mussed up hair, made the blue haired dancer snap completely, freeing the emotions that he had kept to himself for a long time.

 

He ignored the feeling of dread that escalated the closer he got to the pool, fixing his eyes on the rosary bracelet glimmering under the depths of the water. 

 

Hyukjae had a fear of deep water. It’s been there since he was young and he usually stayed far away from large bodies of water as he possibly could. That was the reason that Donghae had joined the swimming team in the first place. The younger had adorably vowed to protect the dancer if he ever fell into water.

 

But in that moment of time Hyukjae just didn’t care.

 

He didn’t care that he wasn’t a good swimmer.

 

He didn’t care about the warning bells going off in his head, yelling at him to get away from the pool.

 

All he cared about was the fact that Jun was smirking at him smugly, walking in the other edge of the pool towards the bracelet.

 

And he’d be damned if he let that bastard get to it first.

 

Hyukjae took off his shoes letting them fling to a side, looking at Jun threateningly before both of them dived into the water without a word. 

 

The blue haired dancer kicked his legs against the water furiously as he went in deeper and deeper beneath the surface, his lungs feeling as though they were being flattened. Fear took over his body but he didn’t care about any of it as he got closer and closer to the rosary.

 

Hyukjae only started to panic when he went oxygen become increasingly low, water starting to fill his lungs. He gasped as he writhed about struggling to go even deeper when dizziness overtook him and he became rather lightheaded.

 

Just as he was on the brink of losing his consciousness, he felt two strong arms wrap around his torso, pulling him upwards.

 

Hyukjae gasped as his face was raised above the surface of the water, his lungs burning, coughing violently as his body was dragged towards the edge of the pool. 

 

He felt numb.

 

It was the sound of heartbreaking sobs that broke him out of his stupor as he saw an angel lean over him, his brunette locks completely drenched as he sobbed his eyes out.

 

Hyukjae felt bad.

 

He didn’t mean to make the beautiful angel cry. 

 

The blue haired dancer wanted to comfort the younger, to ask whether his beautiful Hae was alright, but he was too weak to utter a word. Hyukjae managed to make a small smile grace his features, his brows furrowing as the brunette sobbed even louder.

 

Hyukjae felt the world spin around him but his eyes were only focused on the sorrowful angel before him.

 

But then more figures came towards him, taking his angel away from him, as they made him cough out the remaining water in his lungs. Hyukjae wanted to scream at them, not to make the brunette leave.

 

Hyukjae swore his heart almost stopped beating when he saw a figure walk over to Donghae and hand him a small rosary bracelet to his sobbing angel.

 

He felt a lone tear run down his face as Donghae accepted the bracelet, taking hold of that bastard’s wrist guiding him away from the scene. 

 

Away from Hyukjae.

 

And Hyukjae wanted to scream. He wanted to scream at Donghae not to leave him.

 

To beg his angel to stay with him.

 

But he was just too weak to form the words as the two figures became distant blurs in his field of vision.

 

He ignore the voices of his friends that were calling out for him, asking whether he was alright. 

 

Pain was the only thing he felt as his heart shattered into a million pieces.

 

He closed his eyes, laying on the cold hard concrete at the edge of the swimming pool.

 

 

•••

 

[A/N: Final part coming soon! Looking forward to the comments <3 

 

Thank you for reading!]