Once the men were gone, Seungcheol focused his attention back on Haneul, who had remained sitting quietly in the corner. He slowly approached him again, making sure to keep his movements slow and non-threatening.

"Haneul," he said, his voice still gentle and soothing. "I'm going to take you somewhere safe now, okay? Can you stand up for me?"

Haneul looked up at Seungcheol with wide, frightened eyes for a moment, but then he nodded and shakily got to his feet. His legs were trembling, and he looked so small and vulnerable.

Seungcheol's heart ached as he watched Haneul struggle to stand, his small body clearly exhausted and in pain. He wanted to scoop him up in his arms and carry him away from all of this, but he knew he had to take things slowly and carefully.

"Can I pick you up?" Seungcheol asked gently. Haneul hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded slightly, his small arms reaching out towards Seungcheol. He looked unsure and scared, but he clearly trusted Seungcheol enough to let him pick him up.

Seungcheol felt a jolt of protectiveness as he gently scooped Haneul up into his arms. The child weighed practically nothing, and his small body fit perfectly against Seungcheol's chest.

As he held Haneul in his arms, Seungcheol could feel the child shivering slightly, the fear and adrenaline coursing through his body. Seungcheol gently cradled Haneul against him, trying to offer what little comfort and reassurance he could.

"You're safe now," he whispered, his voice gentle and soothing. "I've got you. I won't let anything happen to you."

Haneul buried his face against Seungcheol's chest, his small body quaking with fear and exhaustion. Seungcheol could feel the tears dampening his shirt, but he didn't say anything, just holding Haneul close and letting him cry.

"I want daddy..."

Seungcheol's heart clenched at the child's soft, tearful voice. It was clear that Haneul was desperately missing his father, his vulnerability and trauma breaking through his earlier silence.

Seungcheol's mind was filled with worry and guilt as he carried Haneul out of the warehouse and into the waiting car. He told him him he well take Haneul to his dad soon but knew he had to check on Jeonghan, but his priority was Haneul and getting him to safety and proper care first.

He gently placed Haneul in the back seat of the car, buckling him in carefully. The child looked so small and fragile, still trembling with fear and exhaustion.

As he closed the car door and climbed into the driver's seat, Seungcheol took a moment to collect himself, his mind racing with thoughts of Jeonghan and the condition he was in.

The car ride to the headquarters was quiet and tense, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and Haneul's occasional sniffles. The8 sat quietly by Haneul's side, offering him silent support and reassurance.

Seungcheol's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he drove, his mind still filled with thoughts of Jeonghan. He had no idea what condition Jeonghan was in, and the anticipation and worry were eating at him.

The headquarters came into view, and Seungcheol parked the car quickly, his heart racing. He got out of the car, opening the door for Haneul and carefully scooping him up into his arms again.

The headquarters was a large, industrial-looking building, and it was bustling with activity. Members of the gang were going about their business, but they all stopped when they saw Seungcheol carrying Haneul through the door.

Seungcheol ignored their curious stares, his focus solely on Haneul and getting him the help he needed. He carried the child into the medical wing of the headquarters, where a team of doctors and nurses were waiting.

The medical team quickly took Haneul from Seungcheol, gently laying him on a bed and immediately beginning to assess his injuries. Seungcheol watched anxiously, his heart aching as the doctors worked on the small, broken child.

The medical team worked quickly and efficiently, tending to Haneul's wound and checking him for any further injuries. Seungcheol hovered nearby, wanting to stay close to Haneul but also needing to check on Jeonghan.

He couldn't shake the image of Jeonghan's bruised and battered face from his mind, the guilt and regret eating away at him. He knew he had to see Jeonghan, but he also felt guilty for leaving Haneul's side.

"Haneul I am coming okay? Wait for a few seconds." Haneul looked up at Seungcheol with wide, scared eyes, his small body still trembling with fear. But he nodded, understanding that Seungcheol had to go somewhere for a moment.

The other members gathered around, sensing the seriousness in Seungcheol's expression. They waited patiently for him to speak, their eyes fixed on him.

"I need you to look after Haneul," Seungcheol said, his voice firm. "Make sure he's comfortable and feel safe. I have to go check on Jeonghan."

The members nodded in understanding, their expressions solemn. They knew the situation was serious and that they needed to take care of Haneul until Seungcheol returned.

"We'll take care of him," Mingyu said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You go and take care of Jeonghan."

Seungcheol made his way quickly to the other medical room, his heart thumping in his chest. He knew Jeonghan was in there, and he dreaded what condition he might be in.

The medical room was quiet and sterile, the only sound a steady beep from the heart monitor. Jeonghan lay on the bed, his body battered and bruised from head to toe.

Joshua was sitting by Jeonghan's bed, his expression somber. As Seungcheol entered the room, Joshua quickly filled him in on Jeonghan's condition.

"He's stable," Joshua said, his voice low. "But he's badly injured. He has a concussion, broken ribs, and multiple cuts and bruises all over his body."

"He's unconscious right now," Joshua continued, his eyes fixed on Jeonghan. "The doctors said he'll wake up soon, but it might take some time. His body needs to heal from all the damage."

Seungcheol approached Jeonghan's bedside, his heart aching at the sight of his beaten and battered friend. Jeonghan's face was covered in cuts and bruises, his eyes were swollen shut, and his breathing was shallow and labored.

Seungcheop took a seat beside Jeonghan's bed, his fingers itching to touch him but stopping himself. He knew that Jeonghan needed rest and time to heal, but he also couldn't bear to see him in this condition.

"Is the kid okay?" Joshua asked, turning towards him. "The kid is okay," Seungcheol said, his voice heavy. "But he's been through a lot. He's been hurt and neglected by those men. He was terrified when I found him."

"It looks like he's been hurt." he said, his voice tight with anger and sadness. "I don't even want to say anymore. Who would do something like that to a child?" Seungcheol growled, his hands clenching into fists. "How can anyone treat a child so cruelly and carelessly?"

"I don't know," Joshua said, his expression dark. "But whoever did this to him will pay. We won't rest until they're punished."

Seungcheol nodded in agreement, his anger and determination fueling his resolution. "We'll make them pay," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "For what they've done to Haneul and Jeonghan."

The room fell into silence for a few minutes, the only sound coming from the steady beep of the heart monitor. Seungcheol sat there, watching Jeonghan's unconscious form, his mind swimming with thoughts and plans of revenge.

"I didn't thought you will get a soft spot for your thief and his child." Joshua said raising his eyebrows.

Seungcheol shot a sharp glare at Joshua, his eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

"I mean, you never cared about anyone besides yourself and your gang," Joshua said, his tone teasing. "But now you're rescuing a child and worrying about Jeonghan? It's a bit unexpected."

Seungcheol let out a huff, his shoulders tensing. "And what if I do care?" he said, his voice defensive. "What if I actually care about the kid and Jeonghan?"

"It's just a surprise, that's all," Joshua said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You don't have to get so defensive. It's not a bad thing to care about others."

Seungcheol grumbled, but he didn't respond. He knew Joshua was right, but he hated admitting it. He had always put up a tough, cold exterior, never wanting to show weakness or vulnerability.

But something about Haneul and Jeonghan had gotten under his skin. He couldn't explain it, but he cared for them, more than he ever thought he would care for anyone.

As he sat next to Jeonghan's bedside, he couldn't shake the image of Haneul's scared, fragile little body from his mind. And he couldn't help the pang of guilt and worry he felt when he saw Jeonghan's battered and bruised face.

Seungcheol stood up from his chair, reluctant to leave Jeonghan's side but knowing he had to check on Haneul as well. "I'll be back," he said to Joshua, his voice low.

Joshua nodded in understanding, his eyes flickering over to Jeonghan's unconscious form before meeting Seungcheol's gaze. "I'll keep an eye on him," he said, his tone reassuring.

Seungcheol gave a grateful nod, his heart heavy as he walked out of the room. He wanted to stay by Jeonghan's side until he woke up, but he also needed to reassure himself that Haneul was fine.

As he made his way back to the medical wing, Seungcheol couldn't stop his mind from racing with thoughts of Jeonghan and Haneul. He had never felt this protective and worried about someone before, and it was a strange and unfamiliar feeling.

When he reached the medical wing, he found Haneul sitting up in bed, surrounded by the other gang members. The child's face was still pale and scared, but he was no longer shaking like he was earlier.

Seungcheol walked over to the bed, his heart clenching at the sight of Haneul still looking so small and vulnerable. He took a seat beside Haneul on the bed, his eyes scanning over the child's face.

Haneul looked up at him with large eyes, his small face pale and drawn. He still looked scared and anxious, but there was a small flicker of relief in his expression as he saw Seungcheol.

"Hey, kiddo," Seungcheol said, his voice softer than usual. "How are you feeling?"

Haneul's small frame trembled as he looked up at Seungcheol, his bottom lip quivering. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a small whimper.

Seungcheol's heart ached as he watched Haneul try to speak, his throat tightening with emotion. He knew the child had been through a traumatic experience, and it was going to take time for him to heal and feel safe again.

"It's okay," Seungcheol said quietly, his voice gentle. "You don't have to speak. Just take your time."

The doctor stepped forward, giving a polite nod to Seungcheol. "The bruise on his hip," he said, his voice clinical and detached. "It's caused by some kind of trauma, most likely from a hard impact. It doesn't appear to be too serious, but it probably stung quite a bit when it happened."

Seungcheol clenched his fists at the words, his anger and fury flaring up again. The thought of someone hurting Haneul like that made him want to hunt the men who did this to him down and make them pay.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his anger in check. The last thing Haneulneeded was to see him lose his temper and get scared again.

"How long will it take for the bruise to heal?" Seungcheol asked the doctor, his voice steady.

The doctor shrugged indifferently, as if the bruise was a minor detail. "A week or so," he said. "It'll probably go through different colours as it heals. It will be sore and tender for a couple of days, but it doesn't look like it'll cause any permanent damage."

Seungcheol nodded his thanks, his mind already racing with thoughts of how to make sure Haneul was comfortable and safe while the bruise healed.

He turned his attention back to Haneul, who was still watching him with wide, scared eyes. He wanted to reassure the child, but he wasn't sure how. He was never good with kids, and comfort and caring wasn't exactly his forte.

_____________________××××____________________________