collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•forty-three•

~~~~~Haerin

I can't fight the silly smile on my face thinking about Jeongguk. Naeun Unnie told me to let him prove himself to me, and I really want to. I'm just nervous that once he really knows all the ways I've become ruined, he'll run away. Why would he want to be with me after that?

Not realizing that my smile has been replaced by some tears, I jump when Mi-Hi puts her tiny hands on my face.

"mama..."

I love her heart so much. I hug her to me after giving her a sweet kiss, telling her that I'm fine. Ye-Jun has re-started Iron Man, and he's cutely acting out the scenes. It feels long since Jeongguk has been gone, and I begin to worry that he changed his mind. He had time to think, and decided not to return... No... He wouldn't do that.... Right?!?

A knock at the door has Mi-Hi jumping off of my lap. She runs to the door with me close behind, in case it's not who we are expecting. Relief runs through me, when Jeongguk walks in, holding many bags, and drinks.

"Sorry... I know I took a long time... I wanted beer to have with the fried chicken, and I didn't know what drinks they'd like. I got sprite so there isn't caffeine to keep them up... But it took me a while to decide..."

He keeps rambling, and showing his nerves, while Mi-Hi is clinging to his thigh. His attention moves to me, and he frowns . Moving quickly, he sets everything down and takes Mi-Hi in his arms to come in front of me.

"What's wrong? Hae?"

I can't look away from his wide, concerned eyes, but don't know what to tell him. I open my mouth, but close it again because the lump in my throat won't let sound escape. His hand cups my cheek, and he waits. Leaning into his large palm, I let a few tears escape, but close my eyes to hide my pain. The small hand on my other cheek, makes me smile. Mi-Hi is copying her Papa, and trying to comfort me.

"Mama cwy..."

My eyes open to see Mi-Hi who just tried to say cry... Tears flowing faster, I take her from Jeongguk and nuzzle my face in her neck. My baby is trying so hard, and I feel like I fail her every day.

"Mama mama mama..."

"Haerin... It's alright... Don't cry baby..."

I feel his strong arms circle around me, holding me, and Mi-Hi in his embrace. I try to calm down, and fight hard to stop my crying. I can't even explain it right now. I just feel so overwhelmed and vulnerable in this moment and it scares me. Mi-Hi's kisses on my cheek begin to tickle, and I sigh feeling better.

Pulling back, I force a smile to not continue being pathetic, and make sure my kids get to eat.

"I'm ok... Sorry..."

"It's alright Haerin... Are you hungry? Let's eat the chicken before it gets cold. Yeah?"

I nod and head into the kitchen to grab plates and utensils. I set Mi-Hi on her seat, and go to the sink to splash some cool water on my face. I'm sure I look like a puffy mess right now. Arms snake around me from behind, and I feel his face next to mine. Soft lips caress my temple, and I lean back into him.

"Will you tell me why you cried? Hmmm?"

His voice is full of concern, and I don't want to begin crying, so I just turn to hug him, hiding my face in his robust chest. He's so much bigger than he used to be, and I blush thinking about how sexy he is now.

"later... let's eat..."

I force my voice to whisper past the lump, and move away, calling Ye-Jun to the table.