~~~ Lay - When it's Christmas ~~~

Jun's POV

"The doctor will see you now, mister Kim," the nurse came out of the consulting room, making his head snap up, because he was lost in his own thoughts. He stood up, nodding his head and following woman dressed up in greenish hospital gown, he walked past her, as she stopped by the threshold of the surgery room. He thanked her and got inside, closing the door behind him.

"Please sit down, mister Kim," the doctor sitting behind the desk, urged him, looking at Jun from under his round specs. Jun shifted uncomfortably as soon as he seated himself in front of the desk.

He didn't come as a patient, but he could only guess, this is what it must have felt like, being in that position.

He stayed quiet, trying to remember, the list of question he formed in his head, but under the inspecting look of the doctor, he could hardly focus, or to even being able to meet his gaze.

"I understood that you are not here, regarding your own condition," the doctor thankfully realised, he needs to start the conversation, because Jun was not able to communicate at this right moment.

"No, it's someone I know," Junmyeon agreed. He already felt bad enough, but desperation drove him here.

"Alright, then give me the outline of their problem then?" doctor suggested, leaning backwards into the chair and waiting for Jun to organise his thoughts.

The image of Jihye's face flashed in his mind. She was the reason he came all the way here, why he made this appointment, knowing he overstepped some lines and not caring, because it was right thing to do. He remembered waking up in the morning, on the sofa and then checking his room, finding empty. Jihye left early in the morning, taking the first train back home.

He didn't sleep much, he kept on checking up on her as she slept. He left the door to the bedroom opened to make sure she is alright. She went to bed almost straightaway when they got back. He could only thank heavens for that. He felt constant urge to reach out for her, touch her, hug her and kiss her. He was battling himself so much, he almost lost his mind. If he doesn't see her its not too bad, although his mind can't stop thinking about her, but the moment she appears in front of him, he is like possessed. He was tied to her, there was nothing worse then being bound to someone, who doesn't want to have anything to do with you.

He was walking in circles and there was no way out.

But even if he was a prisoner in his own body, he wanted to help.

"She has night terrors, but not ordinary ones," Jun said simply, looking at the doctor, seeking his reaction.

"How old is she?" he only asked.

"She is eighteen,"

"There is nothing ordinary about an adult who has night terrors, I agree with that," Doctor mumbled," You see, it is very common with children, but as they grow, they disappear... sometimes. Sometimes it develops in something more serious, which is called parasomnia. But I can only speculate, because I don't know the wholesome diagnosis of the patient," Doc explained.

"Is Parasomnia something like...," Jun started but almost choked, when he remembered the events of that one night.

"Sleepwalking? Yes," Doc confirmed in a calm manner, while Jun's worst nightmares were becoming a reality. He ended up resting his elbows on his thighs, diving his face into palms. So, it is true.

"Does she also not remember anything, if the sleepwalking occurs?" Doctor asked him. Jun gave him a look, he didn't have to say a word, his expression explaining everything. "Is she being treated?" Doc added, his calm expression breaking with slight frown.

Jun stopped and thought for a second. He had no idea about that.

"I'm sure she has had visited a doctor regarding her condition, but I'm not sure when and how long has it been since, because I think she is getting worse... if that's possible," he was reminded of the conversation her had with Sehun, he could press on her brother, because Sehun would figure something is not right, if he was too obvious trying to find out more information about Jihye. Now, he didn't care anymore.

"Do you know how she suffers with night terrors? Does she sleep at all?" Doctor questioned him, he noticed a glint of interest in the man's eyes.

"She has them since I can remember and don't think she sleeps a lot. She is struggling everyday, for at least few hours of sleep," June replied truthfully. He didn't know exactly how she was doing while he was ignoring her existence, but he could recall her dark circles and overall weariness in her face, whenever he saw her. Was there a moment in her life, where she was completely alright? He was scared to even try and figure that out. He knew what he would found out.

"From the little you told me about this girl, she neglected... well ignored all the symptoms leading her to where she is now. I don't know if she is taking any medications, but I presume she has some prescribed, although if she is in this state, I guess she is not taking them regularly. But I'm only guessing that... hmmm well she definitely needs help. If she keeps on stubbornly going like this, she will end up stepping over the line... perhaps hurting herself or someone around her,"

Jun was listening to wise man's words, thinking... she had already stepped over the line.

He has to do something.

He was clutching the steering wheel of his car as he sped down the motorway, leading him back to his hometown. He didn't decide what to do yet, but he knew he might have to take extra cautious steps, or very drastic ones. Which way he will go, only depends on one and only person.

When he got home, he didn't go to Sehun's place straight away, but stopped at his house, to talk to his parents about his trop to Seoul. Mom started to be overly emotional about his boy growing up and leaving for University, she cried almost everything she looked at him, she always squashed his cheeks, tying hard to not hug him to death. His dad was more composed, although he was sure he saw his eyes glow with weird light, few times when he looked at his son. There was still more than three months to go, but the fact their life is going to change a lot, was already visible.

He spent some time talking to his parents, when he got a message from Sehun, wanting to meet up with him. He e was about to head out, when to his surprise he met Sehun outside the front porch.

"I was just on my way to yours," Jun informed him, fixing his jacket.

"I thought it will be better if I meet you at yours... my house it's a little bit off limit at the moment. Jihye doesn't speak to me, actually she doesn't speak to parents as well. It's like a silent household at the moment, its too uncomfortable to stay there," Sehun looked uncomfortable, which was new. Sehun usually didn't sense these things easily. Jun lifted his eyebrows. He resumed the mood in Oh's house will be tense, but not to this point.

"I guess Jihye is in trouble?" Jun asked carefully.

"And I... for whatever reason. I kind of told parents about Jihye's disappearance... I mean what else was I supposed to do, when she didn't turn up at school and didn't let anyone know the whole day, until you texted me about her whereabout. Then I go scolded by my parents, so in the end this whole situation is my fault. Its annoying. So Jihye is mad at me too... do you have something you want to be mad at me about? I don't even care anymore," Sehun rewarded Jun with flat look, when he didn't get any response whatsoever. Jun was trying to process what he just found about the current situation in the Oh's household. It would be funny, if he didn't know the whole history of it, or at least the important part of it.

"Did you tell your parents about, what I told you?" Jun asked, because Sehun already knew about, what happened that day with Jihye and the pool. Sehun looked guilty for a split of second, then then he frowned in determination.

"Yes, I did. That is why this whole thing blew up. My parents going out of their minds, they don't know what to do with her. She won't take her med, but I understand, they make her feel like shit...," Sehun was blabbering about, don't even mind to spill the beans about his sister, which he kind of kept in secret all those years. They never talked about her in depth... but then Junmyeon never asked before, so that was maybe why.

He was reminded with what the doctor said before. She should be taking her medications, but Sehun says they don't make her feel good. He was confused, was that the reason she was becoming increasingly uncontrollable?

"Has she been seeing a doctor about that problem? In Seoul?" Junmyeon asked away. Sehun paused and gave Jun another looks but didn't say anything regarding his growing curiosity.

"She used to, when she was smaller... yes in Seoul, but not anymore. She doesn't want to deal with it. And again, I understood her, until what you told me about the pool accident. Do you think, I shouldn't have said anything to parents?" Sehun hesitated. Jun shook his head, only the fact he confided it with Sehun talks itself. This matter needs to be taken care of.

"No, it was dangerous to keep it secret," Jun breathed out. At this point he didn't care about how Jihye will deal with this, she needed to accept the fact, she needs help. And he hoped she will understand it soon, otherwise he will have to confront her about it, if she keeps on acting up like a tough girl.

"Do you know why she went to Seoul?" Sehun asked obvious question. Jun frowned, because even if he had his theory, they didn't talk about it with Jihye. He didn't ask her, because he sensed she was not ready for it.

"I have no idea, it was lucky I coincidently ran into her on the street," Jun lied, because again he was sure Jihye wold not appreciate him opening his big mouth now and about the actual place, he found her at.

"Thank you for taking care of her there," Sehun mumbled, definitely looking like he was more than grateful. It was great to see, how much he cares for the girl. Sehun was telling him about the time he almost didn't remembered, mainly because he was very young back then. But he did remember the time Jihye came to their house for the first time, when he was six years old and they moved to this town. He told Jun about it just now, because it was family stuff and Sehun never thought the fact Jihye was not his blood related sister as important.

After this, everything went into same old tracks. Weeks went by and the end of a school year was coming up fast. Him and Jihye established some sort of agreement of being in each other's presence, without the weird awkward vibe, after she turned him down. He didn't admit himself how bad it felt after he got stuck into his heart. He decided to put a pause on his feelings, even if Jihye didn't say it herself and didn't return his feelings, she felt something. He was sure even without her saying a word. The way she looked at him, the way she melted in his embrace, whenever he touched her, also the way she pushed him away from him. Although it sounded like it makes no sense, even in that he saw a bit of her affection.

They were trying to pull Jihye inside of the circle and distract her from the reality. She didn't like the fact that everyone now knew about her problem, but when no one brought it up, it was easy on her. Jihye had no other option, but to follow their original group wherever they went. It was that to stay with her parents, who stayed around more than they did before.

It was almost after three other weeks, when they finally left the house to do their work and left Jihye in Sehun's hands and others, who came in for movie night.

"Are you still sulking?" Baekhyun teased Sehun, when he made himself comfy on the sofa, staring at Sehun who was not looking Jihye's way as well as Jihye was doing all she could to not look ar her brother too.

"I am not sulking," he opposed, his lips pouting. His relationship with Jihye didn't improve. They both having their own reasons for being mad at one another.

"I think he did the right thing," Bora voiced her opinion, as she sat on the one armchair, foding her legs under her body. It looked like she said it on impoulse, not realising she said it out loud in the first second. Jun was sure she had told Jihye off as well, after her little adventure to Seoul. He didn't think she would openly side with what Sehun did. Whether it was right or not.

Sehun buldged his eyes at her and could literally see his ears turning bright shade of red. It was interesting sight. Jihye only snorted out, but didn't respond to that, making Jun think that he was right with his assumptions, Bora did already tell her piece of her mind.

"Let't not talk about it again," Jun suggested. Probbaly no one of the two wanted to be discussed at this right second. They finaly sat down as a group after a while and apparently it took some time to persuade Jihye to come along. It was easy when she found out, she will be rid of her parents for a night.

"Agreed, let's just watch before Jihye runs away and Sehun professes his love to Bora again," Beekhyun was unstoppadble when it came to teasing. He received a cushion in his face from Bora, to shut him up and they could finaly proceed with watching the film.

He didn't watch it, he was preoccupied with looking at Jihye. He could see her a lot at school, in the hallways, but that was about it. She never was around when he came to their house to see Sehun. Although they acknowledged each other now and could look each other's direction, thy still didn't communicate. He could survive like this for a while, but it was slowly killing him. He could not stand not talking to her. He wanted to be mad at her, and he was for a little while, until he cooled down and realised nothing good will come out of it. That was why, when he saw her in the hospital he acted instinctively. He was there for her, he didn't want to think about, what she did to him, to let him go. He was not planning to be pety. Not when he felt like he didn't want to waste anymore time.

He was staring at her petite face, not caring to get caught. After a minute he was doing that, he got a message on her phone.

Stop staring at me.

The text simply stated. He smiled, she didn't look at him, yet she sensed that he was.

No. I will do as I wish, you should stop noticing me then.

He decided to be frank, watching her frown as she her eyebrows twitched reading his reply. She didn't respond to her, she only pressed her lips into thin line, avoiding looking at him.

"I'm going to the toilet," she mumbled second after, rushing upstairs. He didn't wait, once again he let his body move on its own, his mind only following few steps after. With his perifer view he saw Baekhyun giggling about, when he noticed Jun running after Ji.

She went into her room, place he knew so well. He didn't come inside that bedroom for very long time, or it felt like it. He stopped to knock on the door, but she would not let him in, if she knew he went after her. He decided to come in without asking.

"Junmyeon," she was sitting on her bed, she looked up when she realised someone stepped inside. Her big eyes widened, that making his heart beat sped up. Obviously, she didn't expect him to be here. He didn't plan this either, but here he is, gawking at her because of that, partially because he was under her spell. She was constantly making him want to drop on his knees and beg for her attention. It didn't even sound that pathetic in his head. "What do you think you are doing here?" she stood up, her cheeks growing pinkish.

"It's been a long time since I was here the last time," he casually walked in, looking around. Nothing had changed, yet he felt excited almost like the first time he's been here. "I miss it. I liked spending time here. Especially here," he walked towards here, stoppig beside here and by bed. He linked eyes with here on purpose. She opened her mouth in disbelief as to where is Jun capable to go.

"Junmyeon," she let out flustered. He's never tried concealing the fact he likes to see her this way.

"Whetever you like it or not, we should talk. At last," he almost couldn't breath at this point. He was really doing it, he was facing her.

"All I do these days is talking, I'm in no mood to be doing this now and with you, Jun," she retorted sounding tense. She was determined to not start this conversation. He held himself, for so long, every second he was with her, he restricted his actions and thoughts. He did so even in Seoul, he had no idea how he survived that day and night without going completely crazy. He couldn't stop now.

"Then let's not talk," he breathed out and launged for her. He slid his hands into her hair, pulling her towars him. he heard her inhale rapidly, before he bent down and merged his lips with hers. She stayed in shock for only few long seconds, not breathing or moving, while he was enjoying the warmth radiating from her body.

The moment she shakily exhaled and melted towards his body, he moaned in satisfaction.

She was his, even if she was not.

~

Better late than never 😅🙌

Actually it's still Christmas Day so I'm not late with my present 🎄🎉

I was actually finishing this chapter today😅😳 and I managed 🙌🙌

I hope you all are having great holidays and Merry Christmas! Loads of great presents and sweet time spent with your closest ones!💖

Love ya