What If?

Part Three

"I didn't even want him in the first place!" Areum yelled back in the heat of the moment. A small gasp was heard by both the parents before Jooheon could even react to the confession. Their heads turned to see a shocked and upset Cameron half peeking into the room from the hallway.

"You don't want me?" Cameron's voice was barely audible, fresh tears running down his face. Without waiting for an answer, Cameron bolted for the front door and ran out of the house. Jooheon didn't even glance back at Areum as he ran after his little boy. He started frantically searching for any sign of Cameron as soon as he made it out of the house. Unfortunately, all he found was an empty street.

"Cameron!" Jooheon felt Areum finally join him outside.

"Joo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Jooheon ignored her as he ran towards the one house he knew his son would be safe at: Changkyun's house. He prayed as hard as he could that Cameron had ran there. He had no memories in this reality of meeting Changkyun or Cameron meeting Changkyun, but he hoped he was the same as in his dream. He knocked loudly on the door, slightly giving in to the panic rising in his chest.

"Hello. Can I help you?" Minhyuk had answered the door much to Jooheon's disappointment.

"Yes, my son, Cameron, he's run off and-"

"Shownu! I'm off to help find a kid. I'll update you in texts. Love you!" Minhyuk stepped into shoes before stepping outside. "Did you see which way he went?"

"Thank you. No, he got a bit of a head start though." Jooheon answered with a small smile on his face. He felt so grateful that Minhyuk was exactly the same as in his 'dream'.

"There is a park close by. Have you checked there? Does he like parks? My name's Minhyuk by the way. I have two kids of my own so I understand." Minhyuk didn't even take a breath until he finished speaking.

"Jooheon. The park. Yeah. Yes. He loves that park. He could be there." Jooheon followed as Minhyuk quickly started walking in the direction of the park. Darkness surrounded them as soon as they started to walk away from the street lamps of their townhome development.

"Jooheon!" Areum tried again to get her husband's attention. Jooheon didnt even spare her a glance, so she trailed behind him for a few seconds.

"Go home, Areum." Jooheon said calmly, not even looking at her.

"No. I wanna-" She started to say.

"Go. Home." Jooheon slipped a bit of the anger he was feeling into his words, cutting her off. He didn't want to even look at her right now, much less take her with him and upset Cameron even further. Thankfully, Areum listened this time and he could hear her retreating footsteps. Minhyuk glanced back at Jooheon with a sympathetic look on his face, but, smartly, not saying a word. The park came into view and Jooheon picked up his pace.

"Shhhh. I know. Life is hard. It tricks you into pulling your heart out willingly before snatching it and ripping it to pieces before throwing it on the ground and stomping on it." Changkyun's voice sounded just as beautifully husky as he remembered. Cameron's soft, slowly quieting sobs accompanied Changkyun's voice.

"Kyun!" Minhyuk whisper shouted as he and Jooheon found the two swinging slowly on one of the swings. "Stop traumatizing that poor child." Jooheon felt a warmth spread through his chest, seeing the man of his dreams holding Cameron to his chest. Cameron's face buried in Changkyun's neck, while Changkyun softly rubbed Cameron's back.

"I'm not traumatizing him. We are two tortured souls sharing in our pain." Changkyun held Cameron a little closer.

"How's he doing?" Jooheon asked softly, kneeling in front of the duo. He caught Changkyun's eyes in his. Cameron sniffled, wiping his tears on his arm to look down at his father.