cocoaLuv your request is done!

I wasn't sure the best way to end this story given its overall concept is a little darker than I usually write so I really hope you like the one I went with.

General warning: I wasn't sure if this needed to be rated or not, but I will warn is does have have a theme that involves abuse so please read at your own discretion!

“Ugh not again…” lifting his head from his book, Kai sighed as he was met by a familiar sight. Standing ten paces away from him was Park Hyerin surrounded by all the younger students who for some reason hung on her every word. Trying to ignore her, Kai returned focus to his book but upon hearing his name couldn’t help but listen.

“…I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Kai broke the window. He was walking between classes and for some reason decided to smash it… poor thing must be in so much trouble.”

Tightening his grip in the book, Kai couldn’t believe she would tell such a lie… there isn’t even a broken window in the school. Spending the rest of the class muttering under his breath as he worked, the end of class brought some relief as it brought the end of the day. Packing all his things away Kai was about to head out when the teacher stopped him. “Jongin, have you forgotten… it’s your turn to tidy the classroom.”

Begrudgingly dropping his bag onto the nearest desk, Kai began cleaning the board as the teacher packed up and left for the evening. Going round to clear the desks, Kai rattled drawers in and out of desks hoping to get through this quickly. As he pulled out the drawer in Hyerin’s desk, a crumpled ball of paper in the back of the drawer caught his attention. Thinking back, Hyerin was always scribbling things then immediately crumpling them up and shoving the remnants into the drawer during class. Assuming it was just failed equations, he picked it up and was about to drop it in the bin when temptation got the better of him. Sitting down, Kai unravelled the paper and couldn’t believe what he read…

“I had to throw Kai under the bus today, Jimin asked about the bruise on my ribs again. I know she’s concerned but I can’t tell her what’s wrong, if I told anyone things would only get worse. I know he’s family and I should love him but he scares me so much and he’s been hitting me more and more… I think I’m more bruise than anything else now. Some days I wonder why I even bother to get out of bed, it’s not like anyone would notice if I didn’t show up to school… they’d all probably be better off if I never came in. They’d definitely be better off if they never had to meet me at all, they’d be happier and know better people. I know things will never get any better but I should maybe try and find a way to apologise to Kai… it wasn’t fair to knock his reputation, he seems like a nice enough person.”

Suddenly feeling awful for every mean thing he’s ever thought about her, Kai realised that he was never meant to have read this recalling Hyerin always empties her drawer of every scrap of crumpled paper. Quietly wondering if all the pages she crumpled were like this, he finished tidying the class and headed home.

As he entered the class the next day, Kai immediately forgot what he read as he heard her latest bit “Oh please, if Kai was seriously concerned about his reputation he wouldn’t have broken the window in the first place. Personally I think it’s a cry for attention, he just wants his ego petted.” Sliding into his chair, he wondering how the person trying to cripple his reputation could be the same person who thought it was unfair.

Muttering away to himself the entire way through class, Kai was about to pack away his things when he heard his teacher announce “Because Kibum is off we will carry on the rotation until he returns, so today Hyerin will be tidying the class today.” Watching as everyone quickly filed out before Hyerin could think of an excuse to get out of it, including the teacher, Kai whispered “If you need to leave now, I’ll tidy the class.”

“…What did you say?” she muttered, still slightly shell shocked. Unsure if he wanted to maintain the offer, a look of fear in her eyes made him remember what he’d read the day before “Just… you looked like you were in a rush and needed to leave quickly, if you do I’ll clean up.” Watching her blink back at him confusion still etched onto her face, he began to wonder if it would have been better for him just to have left. As several seconds past he sat in silence waiting for her to reply “I don’t know what you’re playing at but I don’t need any help from the likes of you so just get out!” Doing as he was told Kai quickly left the room but could have sworn he heard sobbing as he walked along the corridor.

Thinking no more of it until the following day, Kai was happily walking through the lunch hall when he caught sight of a rather delicate looking Hyerin sitting by herself. After contemplating what to do for several seconds, Kai decided to go over and sit with her. Sitting across the table from her, he began regretting his decision as the look he got was like daggers stabbing him. Quickly noticing the way she was sitting, Kai subconsciously leaned back as she spat “What are you doing?”

“I thought you might like someone to talk to… and I wanted to ask if you were okay, you look like you’re in a lot of pain.” Kai mumbled, trying not to make eye contact. For a brief moment Hyerin’s expression softened, but quickly returned to a scowl as things started to piece together in her head “Something’s off… before yesterday you’d never spoken a word to me now you’re all concerned. Well whatever your angle is it’s not going to work, please just leave me alone!”

Considering walking away, Kai caught the look of pain still in her eyes and stood his ground “I know you act all tough Hyerin but your eyes give you away, I only want to help you.” Watching her silently stand up with a look of anger quickly settling on her features, it was all he could do not to jump when she flipped her tray at him shouting “I don’t need your help, stay away from me you freak!”

Quickly shaking the pasta from his hair, Kai followed her out of the hall and along to the music classroom that hadn’t been used in over six months. As he pushed the door open, a sobbing Hyerin clutching her ribs in the back corner made him feel like he was invading her privacy. Quietly closing the door, Kai crouched down beside her and whispered “Hyerin if you tell me what’s happening he won’t find out, I promise… I just want to help.”

“Listen… you seem like a nice guy but you don’t want to get mixed up in this.” She sobbed unable to look up from the floor. Taking off his blazer and putting it round her shoulders Kai replied “You can’t keep up this charade forever, people are going to start noticing you’re injured.”

With a look that screamed she’d absolutely had enough, Hyerin spat “What is it with you bleeding hearts that you only want to help those who seem weak and vulnerable, you never want to help those who are tough.” Surprised by her sudden change, Kai said rather bluntly “Do you think you are tough? Do you think that pretending it doesn’t hurt when he beats you makes you tough? Because it doesn’t, and I’ll tell you why we want to help the vulnerable, because those who are tough either don’t need help or are too proud to admit they do.”

Looking like she was going to faint with the pain, Hyerin tried to push him away but only manage to fall into his arms “I don’t need any help.” Inadvertently rolling his eyes Kai said without thinking “Oh yeah? Well, if you don’t need any help then sit up by yourself without supporting yourself on anything.”

Watching her struggle for five minutes and only manage to fall back into his arms, he began to feel bad for the way he made his point. After the third time she fell against him he held her close so she wouldn’t try again “Jongin… help me.”

As her plea sank in, Kai nodded “Of course I will, do you think you can make it through the rest of your classes today?” feeling a slight nod coming from Hyerin he continued “Okay, after school meet me here. I have a spare room, you can stay with me as long as you like… I won’t let him hurt you, I promise.” Smiling as he caught a blush spreading across her cheeks, he almost turned the same colour as she whispered “Thank you Jongin… I’m sorry I spread those lies about you, you didn’t deserve that. I’m lucky to know someone as kind as you.”

Determined to regain a normal colour before she noticed, Kai caught sight of his watch and quickly paled “We need to go, class is about to start.”

Spending the next two classes wondering if Hyerin was alright, when the final bell rang Kai was never as glad not to have to tidy the class. Walking as fast as his legs would take him, Kai quickly made his way back to the music room. As he walked up to a rather shy looking Hyerin, Kai smiled “Are you ready to go?”

“I am, though I still don’t understand why you’re helping me.” Hyerin mumbled staring at the floor.  Taking her bag and swinging it onto his shoulder, Kai shrugged “Because however mean you act, I know you’re a nice person and you don’t deserve to be treated like a punching bag.”

Glad to see her smile, Kai began to walk towards the exit when Hyerin grabbed his arm. Stopping stunned he turned back in silence “It’s not that I don’t appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m really not worth it… I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I won’t get hurt, and neither will you. I promise you he won’t hurt you anymore Hyerin.” Taking Hyerin’s hand and interlocking their fingers, Kai headed out the school and back to his apartment.  Opening the door and letting Hyerin enter first, he was slightly surprised by her reaction “Jongin, your apartment is beautiful… I’d forgotten what a home felt like.”

Taking fresh bedding out of the airing cupboard, Kai chuckled as he showed her to the guest room “Why do you keep using my real name?” smiling shyly as she began to dress the bed she shrugged “I don’t know, I guess after what I said I didn’t feel I could call you Kai.” Helping her to get the fitted sheet to stay on the mattress, Kai smiled “You can call me whatever you like, I really don’t mind.”

Setting the pillows down Hyerin smiled as she placed a kiss on his cheek “Thank you oppa.” Feeling a pink hue tingle across his cheeks, Kai mumbled “O-oh… okay, didn’t see that coming.” Trying to hide the blush from Hyerin he heard her whisper “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You can call me oppa if you like, I just wasn’t expecting it.” He chuckled. Suddenly remembering why Hyerin was there in the first place, Kai asked as delicately as he could “How are your wounds?” watching as she raised a hand to the newest one, he wanted to give her a hug but didn’t knowing how much it would hurt her “They’re… tender… why?” a look of concern now settling on his face he replied “I think you need medical attention, and the police need informed too.” Catching the look of fear in her eyes he quickly explained “If you don’t say anything he could hurt someone else, plus if he’s in prison or you get a restraining order he can’t touch you again with or without me here.”

Nodding slightly to show she understood it was clear the fear was still there. After making sure that it was what she wanted to do, Kai took her up to the hospital where they found out Hyerin actually had three fractured ribs. Once the hospital had finished running their tests the police came in to ask her questions, get some pictures and find out about her injury history from both her and the hospital. After clarifying Hyerin’s living arrangements while the investigation was going on, the police left and the nurses came in to go over her half healed injuries and healed ones they were concerned about. Taking note of the breathing exercises she should do and a few ways to ease the pain like holding a pillow against the chest if needing to cough, Kai helped her stand up before taking her home.

Three months later when her wounds had fully healed and they had word that Hyerin’s stepdad was getting five years jail time as well as finding out she was being granted a restraining order so even when he got out she’d be safe, it was time for her to leave.

“So Hyerin… you’re really going” Kai mumbled. Playing with a pair of pyjama bottoms, Hyerin nodded slightly not seeming convinced by the decision. Not sure what the hollow hurt in his chest was, Kai found himself walking towards her as if he’d lost control of his body. Only able to watch as his hands placed themselves on her waist and neck, Kai couldn’t believe what was happening as their lips met. “Please stay…”