Shattered Butterflies

The room felt heavy, weighed down by the unspoken words, the grief, and the suffocating tension. Seungkwan sat in his chair, his eyes darting to every corner, taking in the fragmented pieces of his broken world. He glanced at Seungcheol, who sat beside Jeonghan's bed, his trembling hands gently brushing back stray strands of hair from Jeonghan's pale face. Dino was clinging to Seungcheol's arm like a lifeline, his small body shaking with muffled sobs.

In the corner, Vernon stood, his face unreadable but his posture stiff, as if he were preparing for something inevitable. Hoshi and Wonwoo had disappeared on their so-called mission, Jun was out checking the hospital's security, and Joshua was folded into Seokmin's arms, tears streaking his face as Seokmin whispered soft reassurances. Minghao and Mingyu sat silently on the couch, their gazes fixed on the floor, lost in their own turmoil.

It was too much. The anger, the sorrow, the betrayal—it all boiled over inside Seungkwan until he couldn't take it anymore. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and strode toward Vernon with determined steps. Without a word, he grabbed Vernon's wrist, yanking him toward the door. Vernon didn't resist. He followed silently, his head bowed, his feet moving as if on autopilot.

They reached the terrace, the cool midnight air biting against their skin. Seungkwan let go of Vernon's wrist as if the contact burned him and turned away, gripping the railing tightly. He tilted his head back, staring at the endless expanse of the night sky, and fought to control the tears that threatened to spill. But it was no use. The dam broke, and the tears came in a relentless wave.

Vernon stood a few steps behind him, his heart pounding as he watched Seungkwan's shoulders shake. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words refused to come. His chest ached, the weight of guilt crushing him.

After what felt like an eternity, Seungkwan turned around, his tear-streaked face illuminated by the dim glow of the terrace light. His voice was trembling, but his tone was sharp, laced with bitterness.

"So," Seungkwan began, his words cutting through the silence like a blade, "I told you, didn't I? Every single day, I told you how much I missed Jeonghan-hyung. How much it hurt not knowing where he was. And you... you knew. You knew all along."

Vernon swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. He couldn't deny it. He didn't even try.

Seungkwan let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You knew everything, Hansol. And you said nothing. You let me cry, let me grieve, let me look like a fool while you stood there pretending to care."

"I did care," Vernon said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Did you?" Seungkwan snapped, his voice rising. "Because it sure doesn't feel like it! You even came to the café, didn't you? To spy on us. To spy on me. That was your real reason for being there, wasn't it?" His voice cracked, the pain behind his words cutting through the night.

Vernon hesitated for a moment before lifting his gaze to meet Seungkwan's. "Yes," he admitted, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his chest.

Seungkwan's breath hitched, and he took a step back as if Vernon's admission had physically struck him. A bitter smile played on his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And here I thought you came for me." His voice broke, and he wiped at his tears angrily. "What a fool I was."

"You're not a fool," Vernon said quickly, his voice laced with desperation.

"Then what am I?" Seungkwan demanded, his voice trembling with rage and heartbreak. "Someone you used? Someone you manipulated? Did you even care about me at all, Hansol?"

"I did care!" Vernon said, his voice rising for the first time. "I do care, Seungkwan!"

"Then why?" Seungkwan shouted, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Why did you take Jeonghan-hyung from me? Why did you lie to me? Why did you give me false hope?"

Vernon opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He stood there, frozen, his hands trembling at his sides.

"And you know what?" Seungkwan said, his voice quieter now but no less devastating. "I regret it. I regret ever falling for you."

Vernon's eyes widened in shock, his breath catching in his throat. "What?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Oh, you heard me," Seungkwan said bitterly, his tears streaming freely now. "I fell for you, Hansol. I loved you. I loved you. But not anymore." He wiped at his tears again, his hand shaking. "Not after this. Not after what you've done."

Vernon took a hesitant step forward, his hand reaching out as if to stop him. "Seungkwan, please—"

"No." Seungkwan cut him off, his voice firm. He took another step back, putting more distance between them. "You're not in my life anymore, Hansol. And let me warn you—don't you ever show your face to me again."

With that, Seungkwan turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing against the concrete. The sound of the door slamming shut behind him reverberated through the terrace, leaving Vernon alone in the silence.

For a moment, Vernon just stood there, staring at the closed door. His chest felt tight, his breath shallow. His hands shook as he clenched them into fists, his nails digging into his palms. The light in his life, the one person who had made him feel alive, was gone. And it was his fault.

"You came into my life, Kwan-ah," Vernon murmured, his voice trembling. "But there's no exit. There's no leaving now..."

His thoughts spiraled, wild and uncontrollable. The guilt, the pain, the fear—it all consumed him, overwhelming his senses. His breath quickened, becoming ragged and uneven. His chest heaved, and he clutched at it as if trying to steady himself.

"No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No, no, no." His voice grew louder with each repetition, his desperation spilling over.

Finally, he shouted into the empty terrace, his voice raw and filled with anguish. "There's no escape!"

The words echoed into the night, haunting and broken. Vernon's knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, his hands clutching his head as he let out a guttural cry. The darkness he had tried so hard to keep at bay was closing in, threatening to swallow him whole.

Now, the only people to knock some sense in him were seungcheol and wonwoo

And the only person who could pull him back into the light was Seungkwan.

The room was steeped in an uneasy silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic hum of the machines and the faint whispers of breath from the ones who had succumbed to exhaustion. Seungkwan was asleep, cradled securely in Mingyu's arms, his tear-streaked face buried in the fabric of Mingyu's shirt. Minghao lay curled up nearby, his usual sharp gaze replaced by an expression of vulnerability even in slumber. On the bedside sofa, Seokmin rested, his head tilting back against the cushions, and beside him, Dino clung to him even in his sleep, his fingers still gripping Seungcheol's jacket for a sense of comfort.

Joshua sat close by, his arms loosely crossed as he observed the scene, his heart weighed down by the events that had unfolded. His gaze drifted to Seungcheol, who had been a motionless figure by Jeonghan's bedside for hours. His hands were locked together in a silent prayer or perhaps in a struggle to keep himself grounded.

Then, abruptly, Seungcheol moved. He stood with a quiet but palpable resolve, his expression unreadable yet layered with turmoil. The sudden motion startled Joshua, who instinctively sat up straighter, concern flashing across his features. Gently, Joshua eased Dino's head from his shoulder to Seokmin's lap, ensuring the boy was still nestled securely before standing to meet Seungcheol's gaze.

Seungcheol turned toward him, his tall frame radiating a tension that was hard to miss. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of a thousand unsaid words.

"You don't know me," Seungcheol began, his tone even but frayed at the edges, as though barely keeping emotions at bay. "But I know you. I know how much you love Jeonghan, how much you care about him. And I know you have every reason to hate me." He took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as if the words were a battle in themselves. "You're right to be angry. I've made mistakes—mistakes that put Jeonghan in harm's way."

Joshua stood silent, watching as the cracks in Seungcheol's stoic facade began to show.

"But," Seungcheol continued, his voice firming despite the faint quiver, "there's one thing I need you to understand. I love him. I've loved him from the moment I saw him. More than my own life. More than anything I've ever known. He's my everything, Joshua. My world, my reason." His voice faltered, and he looked away briefly, as though collecting himself. "And if I don't come back—" His voice broke for just a fraction of a second before he steeled himself again. "If I don't make it back, I need you to tell him that. Tell him he was my light in every dark corner I've ever faced."

Joshua blinked, momentarily stunned by the raw vulnerability in Seungcheol's words. This was not the man he had expected to see—a ruthless mafia boss reduced to a man utterly undone by love. After a moment, he nodded, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand. But if you love him that much, then don't make me deliver that message. Come back and tell him yourself. He deserves to hear it from you, not me. And if you care for him like you say, you'll fight to make sure you return to him."

Seungcheol's lips quirked into a faint, almost imperceptible smile—a fleeting glimpse of gratitude amid the storm within him. "Thank you," he said simply, his voice thick with emotion.

Turning back to Jeonghan, Seungcheol's movements softened, his rough exterior melting as he approached the bed. He knelt beside Jeonghan, his hands trembling as they reached for him. Gently, he brushed his fingers through Jeonghan's hair, his touch lingering as though it could convey everything he couldn't put into words. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to Jeonghan's forehead in a kiss that was both desperate and tender.

"I'll be back, Jeonghan," he murmured, his voice barely audible but laced with determination. "I promise you, I'll come back. I love you. More than anything in this world." His voice cracked as he whispered the last words, his lips hovering near Jeonghan's temple for a lingering moment before he stood.

Joshua watched him carefully, noting the way Seungcheol's entire demeanor shifted as he turned toward the door. The tender vulnerability vanished, replaced by the icy resolve of a man with a mission. The transformation sent a chill down Joshua's spine—it was a reminder of who Seungcheol truly was.

When the door clicked shut behind Seungcheol, Joshua let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The room felt emptier without Seungcheol's presence, as though the weight of his love and pain had filled every corner.

Joshua turned back to Jeonghan, his own heart aching at the sight of his friend lying so still. Leaning closer, he rested his elbows on the edge of the bed, clasping Jeonghan's hand gently. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he said, "You've got yourself a dangerous one, Jeonghan. Wake up soon, or he might just burn this entire hospital to the ground for you."

A faint, bittersweet smile crossed Joshua's lips as he rested his head against Jeonghan's hand. "So hurry back to us," he whispered. "We're all waiting for you."

The room settled into silence once more, the soft beeping of the heart monitor a steady reminder of Jeonghan's fragile but persistent fight to hold on. And in the quiet, surrounded by the scattered remains of love, fear, and desperation, a small glimmer of hope flickered, refusing to be extinguished.

-----------------------------------------------------------

do vote and comment your thoughts and fellings mah fellas ....

yours lovingly 

<3 Author <3