warnings; domestic violence, also haruto says some stuff which may not be for the weak-hearted, so yeah, buckle up your hearts, guys!
Saturday, January 30
Watanabe Haruto stood at the side, watching Hanbyul as she gripped her dress tightly, holding in her tears. They left the party, and the male drove them to a nearby park, knowing Hanbyul wanted to get away from the place.
He leant against his car, breathing out and looking down when the brunette fisted her hands over her eyes as an attempt to stop her tears. "Hani ..." He couldn't help but feel worried, seeing his girlfriend struggle to breathe.
She got so scared when Hyunsuk spoke to her. But why? Had Hyunsuk approached her before? Did she feel unsafe? Many thoughts rushed through his mind, but he paused when he heard Hanbyul's quiet sobbing.
Haruto let out a breath, placing his arms around Hanbyul's shaking body, enveloping her in a comforting hug. He patted her back softly, rocking back and forth as he thought of something to say.
"I'm s-sorry. I'm sorry, Haruto. I didn't m-mean to f-flip out. I just got s-scared. I'm so sorry, Haruto. I r-really am," she apologised, her words triggering a bad memory with the older.
The raven-haired male's grip around Hanbyul loosened as she continued apologizing and crying, her actions and words reminding him of a memory he had pushed far back in his mind.
***
Sounds of items crashing and banging echoed throughout the house. A 12-year-old Haruto sighed as he buried his head in his pillow, hoping it would drown the noise.
He sat up, listening to — yet another — argument between his parents. He didn't know why, but it was more common the past few days, and he stayed in his room — like he always did.
Haruto reminded himself to clean up the mess his parents would make, not wanting his mother to get another cut from the broken glass. He looked over at the clock in his room, knowing the fight would end soon.
It always ended in ten minutes.
"No, p-please let me g-go!" He heard his mother beg, making him jump off his bed, rushing over to the door. They told him to never come out whenever they fought, but this seemed different.
"Just shut up!" His father's voice boomed, followed by the sound of a slap. Haruto's eyes widened, immediately opening the door and running towards his parents.
His father would never hit his mother. It was always verbal arguments. Never physical.
"Mama!" He called out, deeply worrying for his mother. His mother was already too sweet to bear with her husband's curses, she couldn't possibly handle him hitting her.
Haruto made his way to the living room, not caring about the glass shards littered around the room. He needed to see his mother. "Ma–" He trailed off, his whole body stiffening when he heard a whack, followed by pure silence.
He saw his mother on the ground near the kitchen, shaking as she cried while his father towered over her, a black leather belt in his hand. Haruto felt his universe stop as his father repeated the actions, not stopping — even when his mother begged.
"I'm s-sorry. I'm sorry, Hiraku. I didn't m-mean to. I didn't realise. I'm so sorry, Hiraku. Please, stop," his mother apologised, clasping her hands together as she cowered away from her husband.
"Don't. Go. Through. My. Stuff." Haruto felt his legs give away, seeing the red, bloody streaks all over his mother. He opened his mouth to scream for help, but nothing would come out.
Everything happened in a flash. Hikaru suddenly had a gun in his hands, shooting his wife repeatedly under the influence of alcohol with his anger fueling him more. Before Haruto could even consider his actions, he stomped over to his father, punching him to the ground, seeing only red at this point.
The gun that fell to the ground was now in his hands. And he shot the remaining three bullets into Hikaru. Haruto kneeled in the pool of his parents' blood, cradling his beloved mother in his arms as she took her last breath.
***
Watanabe Haruto shook off the memory, pulling himself back to reality. "You are not wrong. Don't be sorry. I am sorry. I shouldn't have taken you there. I should've walked out the second he came. I'm sorry you had to talk to him." He wrapped his arms around Hanbyul as he spoke, tightening his embrace.
I couldn't protect my mother, but I will do everything in my power to protect her. I won't let anyone hurt her. She doesn't deserve it. Nothing is more important than Hanbyul.
"I am sorry for being a jerk. I am sorry for being so heartless. I'm sorry for not being more caring. I won't let anyone hurt you, Hanbyul. I'll protect you." Haruto placed his hands on her face, tilting it upwards to meet his eyes. "I'll protect you from the monsters. And if needed, I'll fight them too. Because it's you. I'll do everything I can, for you."
Hanbyul smiled lightly as Haruto wiped away her tears with his thumb. "Thank you. It means a lot," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around Haruto's waist, leaning her head against his chest.
"I mean it, Hani. Whenever you feel like things are getting hard, just call me and I'll be there. I'll stand whenever you want me to, and I will wait for you. You just need to call my name and I'll be by your side."
"Who are you, and what have you done to my Ruto?" Hanbyul looked up, her shoulders bouncing as she giggled. Haruto couldn't help but smile, hearing her laugh.
"I want you to forget that Haruto," he answered, pulling away from the hug and holding his girlfriend's hands. "I want to be someone better. Someone better enough for you. I want to be a Haruto that you will truly, madly and deeply love. I want to be a Haruto who makes your heart flutter like crazy at his gestures, but also makes you feel completely safe when you are in his arms. Love always creates love, that's what I learned with you. When you are in love, you need to change to a different you. And I will change myself for you, Hanbyul."
The girl looked down, avoiding his gaze as she bit back a smile. You are already all that, Haruto. I am truly, madly and deeply in love with you. Your gestures make my heart flutter like crazy, and I have never felt safer than when I am in your arms. But I guess you don't know what you do to me. She thought to herself, looking up when she felt Haruto kiss her forehead.
"If I can always be with you, I want nothing else. You are the only one I can think of endlessly." Haruto confessed, causing Hanbyul's eyes to widen at his words. "I can't treat you recklessly like a fool anymore."
The raven-haired male chuckled, wiping away the tears that fell down Hanbyul's face. "Why?" She softly asked in between her crying, sniffing uncontrollably as she tried to control her emotions.
"Because I love you recklessly, like a fool."
I don't need complete reign over Seoul now. Truly calling Hanbyul mine and loving her is enough.
***
the end.
just pulling your leg. i'm not done. we need more drama. plus, i'm not cut you off on your daystar time.
you must wonder what daystar is. the ship name for our couple is harubyul. haru means day, and byul means star, so together, they make 'daystar'.
cute, right? i know, i know.
buckle up for the next chapter! and in advance, sorry (not sorry) for the feelings you may go through :)
please make sure to vote and comment!