Shattered Fragility

Seungcheol's POV 

The room was eerily silent when I stepped inside, the heavy darkness pressing down like a suffocating weight. The faint glow from the moon barely illuminated the figure curled up on the large bed. Jeonghan, small and fragile against the vastness of the space, clutched a blanket tightly to his chest, his trembling form barely visible under the layers of fabric. He wasn't crying—he couldn't anymore. His body had exhausted itself of tears, leaving him in a state of hollow, shaking stillness.

I had entered with my usual cold, imposing aura, my footsteps deliberate. But the moment my eyes fell on Jeonghan, something in me shattered. This wasn't the gentle, smiling florist I had been captivated by—the one who spoke to flowers like they could hear him. This was someone broken, drowning in fear, his light extinguished. And I knew I was the one who had caused it.

For a man who had built his life on control, the sight rendered me powerless.

Without a word, I approached the bed and knelt down, my movements slow and deliberate, as though afraid any sudden motion would scare him further. The cold edge I always carried melted into something softer, something unfamiliar.

"Jeonghan," I said, my voice low, deep, and unexpectedly gentle. "It's me."

He flinched at first, his grip tightening on the blanket, his knuckles white. His breaths were shallow, uneven, his body trembling from the anxiety that had consumed him the entire day. He didn't look at me, his gaze fixed somewhere distant, his mind trapped in a haze of fear and confusion.

"I'm not here to hurt you," I murmured, my tone steady and soothing. "You're safe. I promise."

It took a moment, but his eyes finally flicked toward me, wide and glossy with unshed tears. They were the eyes of someone haunted—by memories, by fear, by everything he had tried to leave behind. His lips moved, but the words didn't come out at first. Finally, in a voice so faint it was barely audible, he whispered, "Why... why am I here?"

My chest tightened painfully. I wanted to give an answer, one that would make sense of the chaos, but all I could do was reach out slowly, resting my hand on the blanket covering his hand. The gesture was hesitant, uncertain, but it grounded him enough for him to take a shaky breath.

"You're here because I need to protect you," I said. My voice was still low, carrying a weight of conviction. "Because Viktor... the man who sent that bouquet to your shop... he's dangerous. And I couldn't let him get to you."

His fingers curled tighter into the fabric. "I... I didn't ask for this," he murmured, his voice breaking. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"I know," I said, my tone softening further, a rare vulnerability bleeding through. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I couldn't risk losing you. Not to him."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, slowly, he whispered, "I'm scared."

It was the first time I had ever heard him admit it, and it broke something deep inside me. Without thinking, I moved closer, my hand brushing against his as I said, "You don't have to be. Not here. Not with me."

He looked at me then, his wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. For a moment, he seemed like a child—lost, vulnerable, and searching for something to hold on to. His lips trembled as he said, "I don't want to be hurt again."

I exhaled, my voice steady as I replied, "No one's going to hurt you, Jeonghan. Not while I'm here."

I let the words settle before adding, "You can move around the house if you want. You're not a prisoner here. But I need you to promise me something."

He blinked at me, his tear-filled eyes searching. "What?"

"Promise me you won't try to run. If you leave, Viktor will find you. And I... I can't let that happen." My voice faltered for just a moment before I steadied it again. "Trust me on this."

He hesitated, his lips parting as if to argue, but then he closed his eyes and nodded, the motion small and uncertain. "Okay," he whispered.

The tension in my chest eased slightly. "Good. Now, you need to eat something." When he didn't move, I added, "Just a little, for me. Please."

Something in the quiet plea seemed to reach him. Slowly, he let go of the blanket and allowed me to guide him out of bed. After ensuring he ate enough to stave off his exhaustion, I led him back to the bed and tucked him in, pulling the covers up gently.

Sitting on the floor beside the bed, I leaned my back against the frame and spoke, my voice quieter now. "Dino... he's the youngest in the house. The maknae. You'll meet him tomorrow. He used to be this tiny, wide-eyed kid who'd follow us around everywhere, asking a million questions."

He listened, his head resting against the pillow as his breathing steadied. There seems to be something comforting about my voice, the deep rumble of it like a lullaby.

"He's grown now," I continued, my tone tinged with nostalgia. "But sometimes I still see that little kid in him. And he'll give you a tour of the house tomorrow. You'll like him."

I turned slightly, glancing at him. "I need you to promise me one more thing," I said, my voice gentle. "Don't try to leave. Stay safe. Stay here. Trust me, Jeonghan."

His eyes met mine, tears slipping down his cheeks. He nodded, his voice trembling. "I'll try."

My hand reached out hesitantly, brushing through his hair in slow, soothing strokes. "Good," I murmured, my chest aching with guilt and something deeper—something I didn't dare name.

As his breathing evened out and he drifted into a restless sleep, I stayed where I was, my hand still in his hair. The weight in my heart was unbearable, a heavy guilt that I knew I'd carry for a long time. Jeonghan had been innocent, untouched by the darkness of my world, and now he was trapped in it.

"I'll fix this," I whispered to myself. "I don't know how, but I will. I'll bring you back... back to the way you were."

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The mansion was dim and quiet, the soft hum of the chandelier the only sound as S.Coups stepped into the living room. The boys were scattered, each lost in their thoughts, their emotions palpable in the air.

Dino sat cross-legged on the floor, his pen tapping anxiously against the table, but his face lit up the moment S.Coups entered. Hoshi leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and gaze sharp, silently scrutinizing. Jun reclined lazily on the couch, the picture of indifference as his fingers scrolled absentmindedly on his phone. Hansol sat near the window, shoulders slumped, staring at the floor, guilt etched into his features. Wonwoo stood near the fireplace, his tense posture betraying the concern in his otherwise calm demeanor.

S.Coups let his gaze sweep over them before speaking, his voice firm but steady. "Dino."

The youngest immediately perked up. "Yes, hyung?"

"Tomorrow, give Jeonghan a tour of the house. Make him feel comfortable."

Dino's face broke into a wide grin. "Really? I'll make sure he loves it!" His excitement was contagious, a rare light in the heavy atmosphere.

S.Coups allowed a faint smile. "Good. Now, all of you, get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Dino practically skipped out of the room, already chattering about his plans for the tour. The others moved more slowly. Hoshi's sharp gaze lingered on S.Coups, challenging and unyielding. Jun barely acknowledged the order, his indifference glaring. Hansol hesitated, guilt evident in his movements, while Wonwoo nodded slightly, though concern lingered in his eyes.

As the last footsteps faded, S.Coups stood alone, his gaze trailing where Dino had disappeared. For a moment, his shoulders softened, but the lingering tension from the others' reactions settled heavily on him.

He exhaled deeply, glancing toward the staircase. There was no room for doubt. Not now. Not with Jeonghan upstairs, the center of this unraveling storm.

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