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The crying was muffled. Barely audible.
Yet the sound carried all the way to his room from across the hall. He heard the breathy sobs.
Mingyu had been lying under his bed cover listening. His chest heavy and his fists balled. Unsure what to do. It was in the dead of night. A time where Mingyu should have been asleep, blissfully unaware of the muffled sobs in the room across his own.
His hyung obviously didn't want anyone to know.
But Mingyu heard it. Had been sneakily staying awake despite it being a school night, reading a book under the bed cover while using the little reading light his hyung had gifted him on his birthday.
And now he knew his precious hyung was crying. Every sound reaching Mingyu's ears made his heart twinge in pain, cracks appearing.
Mingyu couldn't ignore it. Couldn't turn a blind eye. Remembered all the times his hyung had been there to comfort him; whenever Mingyu scraped his knees as a kid, or the time he had been rejected by his crush, or last week when Mingyu had not done as well on a test as he thought he had.
His hyung was always there to wipe his tears
Mingyu's entire life was full of memories of his hyung being there for him. They were only six years apart, yet his hyung had been more of a parental figure than his parents had ever been.
Fuelled by memories and love, he stepped out of bed and out of his room. Only hesitated for a moment before opening the door. The sobbing stopped.
"Hyung," Mingyu whispered. Stepped inside without waiting for permission. Closed the door gently behind him. "Hyung, what's wrong?"
"Mingyu," the usually gentle and soothing voice was hoarse. Fragile.
It propelled Mingyu a few steps forward, only stopping when his knees hit the bed. Meeting his hyung's swollen eyes. "Jeonghannie hyung."
Jeonghan smiled and opened his arms wide, inviting Mingyu into a hug.
It was warm. Soft. Arms wrapping around Mingyu's form.
"What's wrong?" Mingyu repeated while falling into the loving hug. Felt like he was five years old again, sneaking into his hyung's room to sleep there after a bad nightmare. Feeling small and protected in Jeonghan's arms.
But Mingyu was taller now. Almost Jeonghan's height. Was growing fast. In a few years he'd be the one cradling his hyung and protecting him.
"Your hyung has made a dumb mistake, Minggoo," Jeonghan breathed out. His hand was on the back of Mingyu's head.
"Something that can't be fixed?"
Silence. Mingyu felt the sudden stiffness in Jeonghan's body. Heart the quickening of his heart.
"It can, but if anyone finds out my life will be ruined," Jeonghan answered quietly.
Mingyu wasn't stupid. He was already thirteen years. Once upon a time, Mingyu had believed his precious Jeonghan hyung was invincible.
But being older, Mingyu knew better.
He knew how the world viewed omegas.
Especially omegas in aristocratic families.
"Hyung..." Mingyu pulled out of the hug and glanced towards Jeonghan's mid section. "Who?" He wished he was older. Wished he had already presented. Then he could protect his hyung. Could beat up whomever was responsible while also keep Jeonghan safe from their useless parents and judging peers.
To them, this meant Jeonghan no longer had any value.
"It doesn't matter," Jeonghan laughed without humour. "I'm- I'm not keeping it. I just- It won't stay a secret forever."
Of course it woudn't. It never did. Whether it was tomorrow or in ten years, someone was bound to dig it up and spread it around.
Why wasn't Mingyu older? Why had he not presented yet? If he was recognised as an alpha, he could shield Jeonghan. Keep him safe.
Not forever, but at least for a little while.
"Hyung, I'll go with you."
There was a light laugh. A sweet sound. "You're too young, Gyu."
Mingyu balled his fists. "I want to be there as support."
Silence. Eyes twinkling from the street light pouring through the window. "Okay," Jeonghan eventually said. He patted Mingyu's cheeks. "Thank you."
"Anytime". Mingyu moved to hug Jeonghan again. Wrapping his long, thin arms around Jeonghan's frail form. "I'll always support you, Jeonghan hyung."
"And I will always support you, Mingyu."