Chapter XI: Beginning of (1/1)

Hi everyone! I know you all have been waiting for my update, I'm really sorry about being this late, but I had so much work to do and my master's subject is getting even more pressuring... Plus, I got a writer's block!! But now, I'm good!! I have material to write about so I should be fine~I hope this chapter don't get you all depressed! It's a bit sad and blueish! I wanted a last "villain" in order to finish my fic. Yes, this fanfic is going to end. I expect to write until chapter 15 or 16 plus an Epilogue~Hope you like it! Your comments are my food, girls! Thank you so much for your support!!Love, Pateuk~  Chapter XI: Beginning of troublesEric was in his office reviewing the schedule of everyone in order to assign rehearsal and recording dates for their upcoming album and comeback, which was pretty close! He closed his eyes for a couple of minutes trying to get rid of the tiredness; he couldn’t sleep really well since last night, when he and his boyfriend had some quality time.The memories came back, suddenly. The moans and groans; the way Hyesung touched his skin, caressing slightly, giving him goose bumps just thinking about it. Oh, heaven! Eric chuckled stupidly. He had everything he wanted: friends, love, and family.“Eric!!” Minwoo stormed in his office with some papers in hand. His face was flushed and he seemed really worried; their lawyer, Kang Taeyang, entered behind his co-CEO.“Yah, I’m working, you know!”“This is more important! Look!” Minwoo stamped the papers into Eric’s face. “We’ve been sued!”“What?!”Eric snatched the papers and began its reading. With each word, his face filled up with concern, this would break Hyesung’s heart. The demand stipulated that ShinCom was involved in the disappearance of Lee Jungsoo –apparently, Sungkyo’s real name. The paper was signed as “Lee Cheolryul” and they were claiming to be Sungkyo’s real parents, so they wanted him back.This can’t be happening, thought Eric. He looked up to his lawyer and Minwoo.“What are the odds?”“It’s not in our favor, Eric-ssi” his lawyer sighed. “Even when the baby is under Hyesung-ssi’s name, if they plead for a DNA test and turns out to be positive. You’ll have to return him to his parents” Mr. Kang explained.“He was abandoned! How come they are asking him back now?” Eric raised his voice.“I’m using all my power to block the demand while we investigate this so called Lee Cheolryul.”“Do what you need to do, Mr. Kang” Eric gave the papers back with a resolute look. “Minwoo, call everyone; we need to talk.” Two hours later, the six members were seated around a table inside a meeting room at ShinCom. The men were looking at each other in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening!!“What are we going to do, hyung?” Andy asked and Eric smiled because he had said we.“Lawyer Kang is blocking the demand while the firm does some research about the issue and the Lee Family” Eric explained.“Doesn’t it sound familiar, Hyesungie?” Dongwan voiced out to Hyesung who was absent minded.“You too?” Minwoo asked, giving Hyesung space and time to think. “Since earlier I was wondering why it is sounded so familiar to me.”“So…, what will happen if this family asks for a DNA test?” Junjin asked cautiously.Baby Bird was sitting next to Mommy Bird and seemed kind of off, as if his life was sucked out. Hyesung looked up at Eric, waiting for the answer. The leader sighed.“If the test is positive then… We’ll have to return Jamie back to his parents.”Parents, Hyesung repeated in his head; his baby had real parents and maybe they were suffering without his baby. Why didn’t he think about it before? He couldn’t imagine how could it be to lose a baby, but he had an idea since his chest felt like being pressed tightly. He felt like crying, but not there in front of everyone; secretly he longed for Eric’s arms and some comfort.Junjin held Hyesung’s left hand while Dongwan held his right. Both members smiled to their Little Prince, reassuring him everything will be alright; but Hyesung knew that it wouldn’t be that way. His heart was telling him soundly that nothing will be fine after this. Eric and Hyesung returned to the latter’s apartment. Lucky that Sungkyo was at Hayoung’s place because right now Hyesung was behaving like a zombie. Sungie had been silent and lethargic all day long as Taehak told Eric via text message, because of course every member went to their own schedules after their meeting. Eric saw his Prince sitting in the love seat and how he buried his face in a cushion; just then he understood how hurt Hyesung was. He went to the kitchen and prepared some tea which he offered later.“Here, have some tea” Hyesung lifted his head and looked at Eric with puffy eyes.“Eric-ah…” He voiced, cracking, “Hug me.”Eric left the cup of tea over the table and opened his arms; Hyesung didn’t hesitate at all and hid from the entire world in Eric’s embrace. It was his own guilty pleasure because being there was warm and cozy, even when he felt like crap.“I feel like I’m going to break, Eric” Hyesung took a deep breath, upset.“You won’t, baby, I’m here. I’ll hold you” Eric kissed Hyesung’s hair and let him rest all his weight over him. Now, they were almost lying down on the couch.“W-what if we have to return him, Eric? What if we can’t see Jamie never again? And what if he’s unhappy?” Hyesung kept going until Eric tighten his grip.“I’ll find a way, Sungie.”Hyesung closed his eyes and held onto Eric; he needed to be strong just as his lover, for him and for Sungkyo. He swallowed the tears and composed himself. Eric moved a little more to rest his back on the couch and have Hyesung over him in his arms; the leader rubbed his back, giving Hyesung a soft caress.“I’ll go for Jamie, why don’t you take a shower while I’m out?”Hyesung moaned, nodding but didn’t move an inch from Eric, who, obviously, grinned mischievously. He approached his Prince silently and thundered a kiss on his ear.“Argh!! Eric!!” Hyesung covered his ear with a ringing sound and lifted his head looking at the culprit, annoyed. “What the… hmp…”Hyesung couldn’t continue because Eric had his lips over him; and of course he didn’t refuse at all when Eric’s tongue asked permission to explore his mouth. Finally, Eric released his mouth and looked at Hyesung who was blushed.“My shy Little Prince!” Eric said in a cute tone and hugged him again. “Now, go to the shower or I’ll take you right here!”“I’m going, I’m going!” Hyesung stood up like a spring from his place. “Now, you go, go!”Eric laughed and went out. Then, Hyesung went to his bathroom and took a well-deserved hot bath. He tried to avoid his thoughts about the current situation of ShinCom and his family. He left the bathroom and realized that he needed to tell his parents about this. Just then, Eric came back with a baby boy wrapped in a sky blue blanket, moving his hands all over Eric when he saw his mommy.“Hello, champ! Are you hungry?”Hyesung turned all his attention to his baby; he spoiled him, played with him and he kept the baby with him all the time. He even asked Eric to let the baby sleep with them that night.“Can he sleep with us tonight, please~?” Hyesung’s expression was corny and Eric narrowed his eyes.Eric gave up. “Do you want to sleep with mommy and daddy, champ?” Sungkyo yawned in response. “I’ll take that as a yes” Eric nuzzled his nose into the baby’s cheek lovingly.Daddy-Ric put his son in the middle of their bed while Hyesung slept on one side and he laid on the other. Sungkyo, feeling protected and tired fell asleep almost instantly; but his daddy-Syung kept staring at him intensely. Eric caressed Hyesung’s cheek really slowly and then intertwined their fingers, trying to comfort him. The Little Prince couldn’t avoid the tears anymore; they were freely flowing and even when he tried desperately to hide from Eric, it was no use.Eric stood up, put a pillow on his side to avoid Sungkyo to roll and went straight to the other side of the bed. He laid down behind Hyesung and hugged him, bringing his Sungie to his chest. The vocalist turned around in the embrace to hide his teary face into Eric.The leader knew that Hyesung barely cried, he was strong and kind of cold towards the people in general, so he knew how hurt he was. Hyesung preferred to hide in his apartment and do nothing than let the members saw his misery; but just this time, he wanted to remain there and cry his eyes out. The next day was the worst for everyone. Although Hayoung was informed about the situation she didn’t expect to see what she saw that day.She got out of school and went straight to Hyesung-ssi’s place to babysit Sungkyo; his older brother, Imyoung, found her in the middle of her walking and decided to accompany her.“I’m home!” Hayoung said and the baby squealed happily. “Hello, gorgeous!” She gave him a kiss and then greeted Hyesung. “Hope you don’t mind that my brother came, Hyesung-ssi.”“Of course not! Welcome, Imyoung-ah” Hyesung smiled to the boy.“Hello, hyung” The boy smiled at him too and Hyesung realized how much the siblings resembled each other.Imyoung was almost 20 years old, he was at college and he was very protective with his little sister. Though, they had just met a couple of times Hyesung knew that both, Sungkyo and Hayoung would be well protected if he was around.“There’s my laptop if you need to do your homework, ok?”Hyesung went to the kitchen and continued working on some lyrics. He was trying to work on something else to stop his rambling thoughts about Sungkyo and the demand. The doorbell rang.“Imyoung-ah, can you take it?” He asked the boy.Hyesung returned to his lyrics, when suddenly, after 5 or 10 minutes, Hayoung entered the kitchen with Sungkyo in her arms, pale as a ghost.“What’s wrong? Hayoung-ah?”“There are some weird people at the door...” She pointed out and sat down with the baby.Just then, Hyesung reacted and went to the living room, where two men dressed in suits with briefcase in his hands and a woman, who seemed nice were standing at the door. Imyoung was with his arms stopping the door until Hyesung approached him and whispered he’ll take that.“Yes…?”“Mr. Jung Pilkyo, we are the lawyers for Mr. Lee Cheolryul. My name is Kim Taeji and this is Chun Yonghwa” the taller man handed his presentation card. “We are here to pick up the baby Lee Jungsoo… We expect your cooperation.”“Where is the order?” Imyoung interrupted looking a bit defiant behind Hyesung; he almost forgot that the boy was studying laws.“Clever, young man. This is it” the other man showed the paper where claimed to take baby Lee Jungsoo with Social Services.Social Services?! Hyesung’s breathing became faster but he bit his tongue to avoid any word-war. “I’m sorry, but I won’t handle Sungkyo unless my lawyer is here” Hyesung said with a serious tone.“We have no time for this, Mr. Jung. Just handle the baby and that’s it” the younger lawyer was too cocky for his own good.The older placed his hand over the shoulder of the other lawyer and pulled him. “Don’t be disrespectful, Yonghwa. I apologize for his behavior, Mr. Jung” Hyesung inclined his head.Just then the old lady at the back approached Hyesung and smiled, conciliatory. “I know this is difficult, Pilkyo-ssi. But, until this whole mess is solved, the best for Jungsoo-ah…”“Sungkyo” he interrupted. “His name is Sungkyo.”“Ah! Yeh, mianhae” she apologized. “As I was saying, the best for the baby is to be in neutral zone” Hyesung disliked when she never repeated the name his friends had chosen for baby Kyo.On the other hand, Hyesung knew what the lady was saying was true. The one suffering the most would be Sungkyo if he went back and forth from random places. He sighed; he didn’t want to hand his baby boy over. What if he got angry with him later?“Hyesung-hyung” Imyoung was reading the papers before. “The order is legit” the boy seemed kind of sorry to him.“Thank you, Imyoung-ah. Could you ask your sister to pack a bag for him?”Hyesung asked the people to come inside while the two siblings were at Sungkyo’s room packing. The vocal offered them a drink even when he was barely holding his anger and frustration. Just then Eric arrived with lawyer Kang behind him.“What’s going on here?” Eric asked rashly and Hyesung stood up waling to his side. “You were supposed to contact my lawyer, Mr. Kim, not coming here and harass my family!” Hyesung tugged Eric’s shirt trying to calm him down.“Calm down, Mr. Mun, we were just trying to accelerate the process” the older lawyer said, calmly.“Disgusting…” The younger lawyer whispered but Hyesung listened to him and look his way.“Excuse me?”“I said stop worrying, Mr. Jung. The baby will be in good hands” he changed the topic, Hyesung knew for sure.“Eric-ssi, why don’t you go with Hyesung-ssi to Sungkyo’s room? I would like to have a word with Mr. Kim” Their lawyer, Mr. Kang asked.Hyesung pulled Eric with him and went to the baby’s room. Even when he was upset too both needed to do the right thing, and it was, letting Sungkyo go for now. When they went inside the room Hayoung was packing with puffy eyes.“I’m so sorry you had to see this, Hayoung-ah” Hyesung took a deep breath and patted the girl’s head.“Are they going to take Kyo-ah away?” She asked and Hyesung nodded.“Did you pack the necessary?” Hyesung looked at the bag while the girl took the baby in her arms and nodded. “Thank you Hayoung-ah”“Damn!” Eric cursed, angrily.After hugging the baby and saying their goodbyes the siblings left the apartment, leaving Hyesung and Eric alone with Sungkyo. The younger one pulled himself together and pressed the baby against his chest, trying to keep his warmth in his arms, holding the pain.“You have to be strong, ara?” He said to the baby, looking in his eyes. “Daddy and I will fight for you, so please, Sungkyo-ah, don’t be mad at us… please” Hyesung whispered painfully. The baby babbled and touched Hyesung’s face and daddy-Syung kissed the palm of his tiny hand. “Now, say bye-bye to daddy, ok?” Hyesung handed Sungkyo over to Eric.“Hey, champ…” Sungkyo smiled, oblivious to the pain of his parents. “I promise it will be just a couple of days, Jamie… Just… bear with it…” Eric tightened his grip around the baby.Hyesung squeezed the bag he was holding feeling really hopeless; this wasn’t going to be just “a couple of days”. Eric tapped his shoulder and tried to smile, bit it was really just a smirk. Both left the room and went to the living room where the lawyers and the Social Services’ woman were waiting. When the baby came in range of vision, the lady approached Eric and picked up Sungkyo from his daddy’s arms.The next couple of minutes weren’t really pleasant. Sungkyo began to whine, moving his hands trying to reach for Eric or Hyesung. Where were they taking him? He wanted to be in his daddy’s arms, he wanted to be safe with mommy; not this woman. He didn’t like this woman. He cried, painfully.“Sh, sh… Jungsoo-ah, you’ll be fine…” The women called his real name but he ignored it. He kept moving his hands to Hyesung who suddenly gave a step forward.They were taking away his baby! The pain in his heart was real, so damn real. And when Sungkyo started to call “ma!” it was just devastating for him. He tried to take another step but Eric cut in and stopped him; Hyesung almost growled at his lover but then he realized. Eric was just the same as him painfully holding his feelings. So, with all his strength, Hyesung took a deep breath and smiled to the baby, “Please, be strong”, he thought.“I’ll go with Mr. Kim to make sure Sungkyo-ah is safe” Mr. Kang bowed to Eric and left the place.When his main door closed Hyesung took off his mask and exhaled deeply. His legs felt weaker and he crouched, hiding his face in his arms. Eric kneeled next to him and wrapped his arms around him. Hyesung struggled with him, he wasn’t going to cry on Eric’s arms; he needed his strength to bear the pain. Sungkyo was his responsibility.“I’m sorry, Sungie” Eric whispered. Hyesung lifted his head and almost hit Eric.“Mwae?” He asked, confused, with his eyes reddened.“I couldn’t do anything” Eric caressed his cheek.“You have done plenty Eric” both then stood up and Hyesung draped his arms around Eric’s torso. “I’m fine. We’ll take him back… Sungkyo will be back. I trust you.”Eric smiled bitterly and hugged Hyesung. Where did he get so much strength?“Let’s go practice, Eric” Hyesung asked with grief. “I don’t want to stay here.”Eric nodded. “Hey, yo’!” Minwoo smiled, but he erased his smiled at their friend’s faces. “What’s wrong?”“Sorry we’re late, Minbongie. We had to…”“We had something to do” Hyesung interrupted. “Can we start now?”The next couple of hours the six men focused their spirits, minds and souls to learn the steps Junjin and Minwoo had come to for the new track. Hyesung seemed fine but not in Junjin’s eyes, who knew him so well and was observing his Mommy Bird since earlier. During the rehearsal, Hyesung was hard working and although he wasn’t the best dancer the steps were going smoothly. On the other hand, the one who was committing many mistakes was Eric; but the rest of the members were overlooking it.Even if Hyesung was concentrated paying attention to Minwoo’s directions; half of his mind was still drifting to baby Kyo. Even when his heart wanted to crumble, he needed to pull himself together in order to not disturb his Shinhwa brothers. He barely listened when Minwoo told him about not doing something, but Hyesung went back to the movements, swaying from place to place, memorizing the steps of the first two verses when he made a bad turn and his knee burned.“ARGH!” Hyesung fell on the floor holding his knee.“Sungie!” Eric yelled.“Hyung!!” Junjin stopped the track and immediately everyone kneeled around him.Hyesung’s knee was throbbing and he was over his side trying to calm himself. The pain was really bad; he filled his lungs with air trying to block the sting.“Andy! Go get some ice!” Minwoo asked their maknae, while Eric tried to straighten Hyesung leg, but he whined.“On it!”“Hyung, do you have some pain killers?” Junjin asked Dongwan, who nodded and went to get his bag.Just then Andy came back with ice and Dongwan lent a pill to Junjin who was placing Hyesung’s head on his lap; Eric pressed the ice into his knee and Hyesung hopped on his place. After a couple of minutes, Hyesung was breathing calmly again, taking big amounts of air and letting it go slowly. Everyone was worried about him because for the next minutes he didn’t say a thing, he was just laying down breathing heavily.Hyesung moved and sat blinking, trying to focus on the others. Eric passed his towel over Hyesung’s forehead to get rid of the slight layer of sweat. That was when Minwoo noticed something; the pain Hyesung had in his eyes clearly wasn’t because of his knee and the care which Eric was putting in Hyesung wasn’t about his leg either. Something was wrong, and Minwoo had a suspicious.“Eric-ah… Why were you two late?” Hyesung nodded at Eric and rest his shoulder on his chest; there was something inside trying to break him in two, so he braced himself.“Hyung!!” Junjin was alarmed with the expression Hyesung did.“They took James away…” with the mention of the baby Hyesung’s heart ached.“W-what?” Andy looked at Eric who was now hugging Hyesung.“Their lawyers found a way to take him to Social Services, arguing that it was safe and neutral” Everyone let out a big sigh and looked at Hyesung who was holding his torso, between Eric’s arms.“And our lawyer?” Dongwan asked.“He did what he could” Eric said flatly. “He’ll text me later.”Hyesung moved from Eric’s embrace; Junjin and Dongwan helped him to stand up while Andy and Minwoo did the same with Eric. Once on his feet Junjin hugged him.“Sungie…” Minwoo looked in his eyes, “you should have told us; we could have delayed the practice.”“Aniah” Hyesung denied, “I’m fine… I’ll be fine” Junjin tighten his arms around Hyesung. “Jin-ah… can’t… breathe!” Hyesung chuckled a bit when Junjin released him.“Why don’t we call it a day?” Dongwan suggested. “Let’s go and grab a bite.” Hours later, Hyesung and Eric went back to Hyesung’s place. Both stood in front of the door unable to open it. Finally, he entered the code and went inside, but every inch of his apartment reminded him of his baby. Once again, he took a deep breath, swallowed his pain and started to pick up some toys and Sungkyo’s stuff.Meanwhile, Eric was silent, looking at Hyesung who was limping because of his knee but keeping himself occupied. The man sat down at the love seat and sighed; how much more pain could they endure? He was the eldest and the leader, so he was supposed to be the strongest physically and emotionally. But right now, he was feeling like the weakest person in the whole world while looking at his most precious person held his feelings.Suddenly, Eric felt a soft stroke on his cheek waking him up from his random thoughts. “What are you thinking?” Hyesung smirked.“Just… how strong you are…” Eric kissed the palm of his hand and rested his cheek on it, “and how miserable I am.”“Yah~” Hyesung sat down, next to him and looked in Eric’s eyes “you’re not miserable” the vocalist took his face in his hands. “I’m fine Eric, I’ll be. Just…, stay beside me; my strength will be yours and yours will be mine. So, please, stay with me. Aren’t we supposed to be a couple?”“Yes, we are” Eric felt so touched with his words; he could feel the love in them. The leader approached Hyesung and kissed his lips, sweetly. “I love you, Pilkyo~” Hyesung smiled and kissed him again.“It’s late, so…, why don’t we take a shower and go straight to bed?” The vocalist asked.Eric didn’t give a second thought. He nodded and let Hyesung lead their way inside the shower. They did nothing that night. Both just spend their time together, kissing each other and giving comfort between their arms.