ˢᵉᶜʳᵉᵗˢ | ʲᵉᵒⁿᵍᶜʰᵃⁿ

035

Chan's P.O.V

Felix and Hyunjin called all of the guys and asked them to come over. They all agreed without hesitation and said that they would pick up some food on their way. Jeongin and Seungmin were setting up the big table on the outside patio. Jeongin was still shaken up over Raein being so close but he was trying to hide it. He doesn't like to show weakness in front of others, which I understand, but I just wish that he wouldn't shove his feelings deep down. He's only hurting himself and I don't like to see him hurt.

"Baby Boy," I began as I approached him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "Why don't you change into something more comfortable? Maybe get Oliver. Try to relax." He turned around in my arms and smiled softly at me, a glimmer in his eyes. "Can I wear whatever I want?" "You sure can." He thought for a second before nodding and running off into the house. Seungmin chuckled, "You know he's going to go put on his skirt and tail, right?" My cheeks flushed pink at the mention of his tail but I shook it off. "He's probably just wanting to not wear pants." The younger turned towards me, leaning on the table. "Teasing you makes him the happiest. He's definitely going to put in his tail." He's got a point.

Felix and Hyunjin came out onto the patio, Hyunjin turning on the patio lights as well as the string lights he has set up everywhere. "Wow. Fancy." Seungmin commented sarcastically, making Hyunjin pout. Hyunjin is going to do whatever it takes to make Seungmin notice him and fall in love with him and I gotta say, it's going to be interesting to watch.

"What's up guys?" Minho questioned as him and Jisung walked out onto the patio. Woojin must be inside preparing the food. We decided on a cookout because why not. "Where's Jeongin? Is he okay?" Jisung looked worried as he fiddled with the collar around his neck. "He's just changing into more comfortable clothes. I want him to be as relaxed as possible." The younger nodded, turning towards his boyfriend. "I'm gonna go say hi to him." "Go for it." As Jisung ran inside, I nudge Minho in the side, "I see you've warmed up to the collar." "Shut it."

Woojin came outside, a huge plate full of food ready to be put on the grill in his hands. "Who wants what?" As we all made our orders, Jeongin and Jisung came running outside, hand in hand. "Daddy Daddy." "Yes, Baby Boy?" As I turned around and looked at Jeongin, I realized that Seungmin was right. Jeongin decided to put on a little white skirt paired with a pastel yellow cropped sweater and one of his collars that has a shiny little bell on it. His dark tail swayed behind him as he approached me, a huge smile on his face. "Can Jisungie-Hyung and I play games before dinner?" "Sure, Baby."

"Hey, what about me?" Felix pouted, seeming hurt that his best friend found a new best friend. "You can play too, Lixie." The three of them ran off and I couldn't help but smile at how cute Jeongin is when he slips into his little head space.

We all made small talk while Woojin was cooking. "Will somebody go get the kids?" Woojin joked as he set the food onto the table. Hyunjin went inside and came back out a few moments later with the younger three. We all sat down around the table and began passing food around. We talked about how a few of the guys were going to college in a few weeks, Felix and Jeongin being two of them. Woojin and I are really the only two not going to college this year.

"Hyung, what are you going to do?" Jisung questioned me as he shoved some more chips into his mouth. "I think I'm going to just work on my music." "Music? What music?" Jeongin questioned, looking at me confused but intrigued. "Hyung's gonna be a big producer some day." "I don't know about that but-" "I wanna hear." Jeongin had a little sparkle in his eyes of excitement and wonder. I smiled softly to myself, "Okay. I'll show you later."

Dinner went on as more jokes and laughter were heard circling the table. It wasn't until we heard the doorbell ring that we went silent. "Who do you think that could be?" Hyunjin questioned softly, getting up from the table. "I'll go with you." Seungmin stated, catching everyone's attention. "You know...Just in case." Jeongin and Felix giggled to themselves and I couldn't help but smile. A few moments of silence passed before we heard Hyunjin open the door, but nothing happened. More silence. I began to feel uneasy about the situation so I got up from the table and headed towards the door. Hyunjin and Seungmin were just staring outside, looking down. "Guys, what is...it..."

Sitting right in front of the door was a small box wrapped nicely in gold wrapping paper with a huge tag on it reading 'kitten.' I could feel my jaw tighten out of anger as I picked up the box and walked back out to the patio. "Baby Boy, it's for you." He looked between the box and I before shaking his head, backing away. "I don't want it." "Give it." Felix said, taking the box from me and ripping into it. Inside was a necklace with a little heart shaped pendant. Felix picked up the necklace, his jaw clenching and his eyes growing darker out of anger. "That son of a bitch."

"What...What is it, Lixie?" Jeongin questioned, his voice shaking out of fear as he peaked around Felix, gazing at the necklace. His eyes immediately began to water as he backed away, silent tears falling down his cheeks. I took the necklace from Felix and looked at the pendant. Etched into the little heart was the name 'kitten.' He's trying to fuck with Jeongin now. He's trying to bring back those memories and hurt him. And it seems to be working...

"He found me...He found us..." Jeongin began mumbling, shaking out of fear. "Jeongin, hey, it's okay." Jisung tried to comfort the younger but he just jerked away, fear written on his face as he looked at me. "You said we'd be safe...You...You lied to me..." "Baby-" "No!" He shouted, tears falling down his face. "Jeongin, please, you need to calm down." Felix slowly approached him, engulfing him in a hug. Upon impact, Jeongin began to violently sob his eyes out as he clung onto his best friend. It hurts so much to see him like this. It hurts me that I lied to him. Not intentionally, but I still did. I hurt him.

They both slowly fell to the ground, Felix combing his fingers through Jeongin's hair to try and help him relax. The rest of us remained frozen, not sure what to do. "Lixie...I'm so scared..." Jeongin's voice was barely audible. "I know, but you're gonna be alright. We're all here for you and we will not let that bastard near you. He's just playing games. You'll be alright, I promise." The guys slowly began to head inside to leave them be for the moment but I couldn't move. How can I? My boyfriend is in pain. I can't just leave him.

"Jeongin, can you please talk to Hyung? He's really worried about you." Jeongin mumbled something to which Felix just shook his head. "He didn't. I promise." Jeongin slowly got up, sniffling back some tears. It took him a few seconds, but he finally looked up to meet my gaze. My heart ached upon seeing his eyes. They look so defeated. So broken. He slowly walked closer to me, and as he was standing just inches from me, he wrapped his arms around my torso and buried his head into my chest. "Daddy...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just...I'm so scared." "I know, Baby. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you're going through this and that I let you down. But I promise, you will not go through this alone and I vow to protect you from this monster at all costs."

He only nodded in response, his grip tightening around me slightly. "Come on, Baby. Let's go inside, yeah? We can watch movies with the guys." I nudged him slightly, motioning for him to jump. He did so, wrapping his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck.

Felix followed us inside as we met up with the guys in the living room. Hyunjin immediately put on a movie, choosing 'The Road To Eldorado' to start the marathon. I sat down at the end of the couch, asking Jeongin if he wanted to turn around to watch the movie. He turned around, his back against my chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist, rubbing slow circles onto his thigh to try and help him relax. He sighed softly as he seemed to relax a bit, melting into my embrace. It wasn't long until he was feeling sleepy. Jeongin turned slightly on my lap, sitting sideways, as he rested his head against my chest. The younger let out another sigh of content before drifting off to sleep.

"Hyung?" Jisung spoke softly, not wanting to disturb Jeongin. I hummed, signaling him to go on. "Is Jeongin gonna be alright?" I looked down at the sleeping boy in my lap before turning my attention back to my friend. "I think so. He just needs some time."