trapped. part four

her arms remained wrapped around his figure for a while longer, leaving his presence being the last thing the girl wished.

"Mireia," he called out in his native language, "look at me, please,"

she hesitantly looked into her father's eyes, seeing herself when she finally did.

she looked... dead.

"do you see that?" he asked, the girl's eyebrows furrowing in confusion, "i.."

"listen to what they're saying, baby,"

she closed her mouth, now watching HeeSeung and YeonJun sitting on either side of her laying figure.

she heard their words, two of the voices she'd been dying to hear for the last fourty eight, torturous hours. she watched as tears rolled down their cheeks — stray tears falling from her own eyes.

his hand reached up, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"go back to them, baby,"

she looked at his face once more, his eyes now back to normal — staring at the man she'd missed oh so dearly. the man she'd longed to see since he'd left.

the person she'd longed to say a final goodbye to.

however, now that she stood with him, in this place, she didn't want to anymore.

she wanted to stay with him.

"ah, ah, ah," he said, bringing NaRi back to consciousness, "you can't stay here with me, baby. you have to go back to them,"
"but i want to-"
"it's not your time."
she only looked at him now, mouth repeatedly opening and closing as she searched for the right words to say.

"you have seven wonderful boys waiting for you to return home. besides your millions of supporters waiting to hear of your wellbeing, you have hundreds of friends waiting to hear of it too. they all care for you so much, baby. don't let go of them just because of me,"
"but-"
"no.. no buts. you've been sad over me for the past few years, but.. i haven't left you. i've been by your side, watching over you, seeing how the boys treat you and love you.. i've stood beside you in your highest moments and have sat across from you in your lowest. i haven't left, Mireia.."

her eyes blurred with tears once more.

he brought her into his embrace, the girl's arms clinging around his heavenly figure.

"someone has to take care of Samuel and your mother, Mireia. i'm sorry for leaving so abruptly, without being able to see you one last time.. i tried to stay for you three, baby.. i did. i promise you.. but it was my time."

a loud, choked sob escaped the girl.
"it's not your time, baby. don't come with me. stay on earth. stay with everyone. continue being the comfort people need, continue being the person people go to for their happiness.. i'm so, so proud of you, my love. you're doing so amazing, you make me so happy. other angels around me gawk at how great you turned out, they feel happiness for me as well. i don't want you to meet them, though.. i want to continue bragging of your greatness and your success. okay? promise me?"

she cried a bit longer, not wishing to let go of her father for a second time.

he placed a lingering kiss on the crown of her head, a few stray tears falling from his cheeks as well.

the two stood there for a while, her sobs eventually seizing.

"will you stay with me?" she asked, the male chuckling.
"when did i ever leave?"

she finally gained enough strength to let go of his figure, wiping her cheeks with her hands.

her eyes trailed to his face once more, being met with that caring, loving grin she'd been dying to see in person for years.

i guess seeing it in dreams will do for now, she thought.

she nodded, the male smiling once again before grabbing the side of her face, kissing her forehead once again.

"there's a thin line seperating us right now.. make it bigger, my love. i'll be here. i love you."

he gently closed her eyelids with his hands,

the girl's vision now switched from an ethereal white, to darkness.

nothing but a void.

she internally sighed, finding a way to move in some way, even if it was a little.

squeeze

YeonJun's head snapped up, HeeSeung's following suit.

the boys' eyes found the other's, reading confusion.

"did you feel that?" the elder mouthed, HeeSeung nodding.

the two looked at the girl once again, soon feeling the slightest squeeze once again.

their eyes shot wide open, YeonJun pressing the 'call nurse' button as HeeSeung typed a message to Samuel.

hyung, please come

a knock was heard at the door, YeonJun pressing a kiss on her wrist before letting go, walking towards the door.

"you buzzed?" the young nurse asked.
"we felt her squeeze our hands,"
"both of yours?"
"yes,"
her eyes now widened in surprise, running down the hall to retrieve her tablet from it's stand. she returned in front of the Choi boy, "could you two step out for a second?"
he nodded, looking back at the younger boy who'd just kissed the back of her hand, letting go as well.

the nurse stepped into the room, closing the door before quickly approaching the desk beside the girl's bed.

a mere few seconds passed by before she heard a light noise come from the girl, her eyes just barely opening afterwards.

"hi, NaRi.." she whispered, caressing the girl's head, as she'd been told to do so when she woke up. "don't try to force yourself to do anything, okay?"

NaRi tried nodding, but it hurt too much.

the nurse checked a few more things on her tablet, soon checking the girl's vitals. "you want something warm to drink?" she asked, still in a hushed voice. she looked down at the girl's hands, her thumb just barely sticking up.

she smiled, "okay, i'll go," she said, stopping her steps as she heard more noises come from the girl. she turned around, "were you saying something?"
she waited as NaRi swallowed, gaining the strength to speak. "hyungs," she whispered, the nurse nodding. "you want your hyungs?" NaRi's thumb stuck up again. "okay, i'll go get them,"

the nurse stepped out of the room, immediately coming in contact with the two males. "she's awake! she's trying to fully wake up, and she's somehow found ways to communicate already.. if you're gonna speak to her, talk in a very low voice, her senses are incredibly sensitive right now,"

the two nodded, walking into the room in hushed steps after the nurse had left.

they closed the door behind them, both standing together — scared to make another move. they watched her, noticing when she focused her eyes on their figures.

they swore her mouth turned up in the corners.

"hi, Na," HeeSeung started, NaRi gaining enough strength to just barely wave her hand in return. the boys smiled at her greeting, beginning to walk closer towards her.

they sat in their previous seats, soon after hearing a knock on the door. the nurse from earlier opened the door, sticking her head in. "we can't have more than two in the rooms, so can i trust you two to help her with this?" she whispered, YeonJun standing as he nodded, headed towards the door.

"there's a small panel of buttons on the side of the bed, raise her to be seated and help her slowly drink this.. it's not her favourite, i know, but it'll help hydrate and nourish her. once she's better, you can call me again and i can bring her food, okay?"

YeonJun smiled in gratefulness at the nurse, "yes, thank you," he said, shutting the door once she'd walked away.

slowly, the two helped the girl drink her tea— which she quite literally hated every second of.

upon finishing the cup, she cleared her throat slowly, the aching pain still excruciatingly present. she leaned her head back against the bed, only a few seconds of silence passing by before a knock was heard at the door.

the Lee boy looked at the girl, slightly smiling, "baby,"

she looked towards him, finally able to semi-fully open her eyes.

"i texted hyung. that should be him and mom," he whispered, tears threatening to well in her orbs.
she took a deep breath in, exhaling before slightly nodding, the boy smiling as he stood from his chair.

HeeSeung opened the door, coming face to face with a stressed looking Arredondo-Kim pair. he smiled at the two familiar, missed faces, the two bringing him into a hug, HeeSeung stepped outside for a second while YeonJun stayed with NaRi inside.

"it's very good to see you two again,"
her mom smiled, "as always, HeeSeung.. just didn't think this is how we'd be meeting again,"
the boy sadly smiled.

"how's Mire?" Samuel asked, somewhat impatient to see his baby sister.
"she's.. better now. she woke up whenever i texted you, we just helped her drink some tea to hopefully get her body functioning again,"
the pair nodded in understanding, the woman suddenly bringing HeeSeung into a hug.
"thank you, son.. i slept better knowing you were here with her,"
HeeSeung smiled, hugging the older tighter as he planted a loving kiss on the top of her head. "of course.. YeonJun hyung has of course been here with me, too.."
"yes, of course, i have to thank him as well,"

soon the door opened, revealing a lightly smiling YeonJun. he greeted Samuel, then going on to their mom. "hi,"
"hi, son.. how've you been?"
"oh.. you know," he paused, an airy chuckle leaving his mouth, "hanging on. being here for NaRi,"
"i thank you a million times for being here with HeeSeung,"
"oh, it's no problem at all,"

"i think NaRi should be ready to see you two," HeeSeung said as the pair let go of their hug.

the Arredondo-Kim pair smiled once again, lightly knocking on the door before opening it, lightly stepping inside.

Samuel clutched the bouquet of flowers he held, gaining enough courage to lift his gaze, eyes fogging with tears once he saw NaRi for the first time.

it hurt him.

he imagined their father — or, how he would've seen him.

the boys had told him of her sensitive senses, being careful as he stepped closer towards her, standing in front of the girl.

she opened her eyes, lifting her gaze to her older brother. she sadly smiled, the simple move now hurting less.

"hi, hyung," she greeted, the first tear falling from his orbs.

their mother soon walked to the other side, the older woman sadly smiling as she looked down at her baby girl, something she honestly didn't think she'd be able to do again. "hi, baby,"

"hi, mom,"

the pair grabbed either of her hands, a stray, invisible tear falling from both of the girl's eyes.

"how are you, baby?"
"i'm.. fine,"
the pair sadly smiled at her response, knowing she was telling the truth.

she deeply sighed as she contemplated telling them the piece of information that'd been eating her up since she regained consciousness.

what do i have to lose?

"i.. saw dad. talked to him," she whispered, the two not believing what she'd said.
"uh.. what?"
she gave a defeated smile, "i saw dad. talked to him, almost went with him.. but he told me to stay.. that i couldn't go with him," she said, already weakened voice cracking every few syllables.

the two looked at eachother with eager eyes, their hearts cracking upon hearing her third sentence.

she continued, eyes now closed, "he's good.. mentioned he has friends.. he told me he was sorry for leaving so soon, leaving without saying goodbye.."

her mom smiled at her, "it's the closure you've been praying for, love,"

NaRi opened her eyes, nodding as she gave a closed-mouth smile. "yeah, it was.. it was, nice. to be able to talk with him again.. he promised he wouldn't leave me, and said he hasn't.."

lost tears were now slowly streaming down her cheeks, though she didn't mind.

another day of NaRi recovering passed by, the girl finally eating with the help of HeeSeung and YeonJun. they'd brought her soup and soft foods in an attempt to fill her with the slightest bit of fuel, the girl's malnourished body hesitantly accepting it.

a knock was heard at the door, HeeSeung looking at the older boy in confusion as he dipped the spoon back into the bowl of soup he was feeding NaRi.
"hyung? did you call someone?"
"hm? no..? i don't think i did?" he responded, standing before heading towards the door.

NaRi slowly sat further up in an attempt to see who it'd been.

"oh- hello," YeonJun said, surprised, as he bowed towards Bang.
"hi, YeonJun, is she awake?" the older male asked, holding a small bouquet of the girl's favourite flowers.
YeonJun nodded, stepping out of the room as to make way for their boss.

"hi, Mireia," Bang said upon setting his eyes on the girl's sitting figure.
HeeSeung helped wipe her mouth before she spoke, putting down the bowl as he also stepped out of the room. he bowed towards the older as he walked outside as well.

"hi, PD," she replied, trying her best to formally greet the male, though, essentially, coming short of doing so.
he chuckled, "don't worry about that, NaRi.." he paused, his humour seizing. "how are you?"

she sadly smiled. "i'm fine,"
he nodded, "i understand,"

she waited for a couple of seconds, the man sitting in the chair beside her. "i'm sorry," she whispered, the man looking up at the girl with furrowed eyebrows.
"what could you possibly feel sorry about?"

she sighed, "i.. said i'd try to take care of myself, and i didn't.. i promised having my secret account would only bring good things.. but obviously not.. i made you all spend time here instead of-"
"ah, ah, ah.. that's where i'm gonna cut you short. you're not allowed to apologize for being here,"
"but-"
"NaRi, no. please?"
she let her head fall, Bang patting her head in a fatherly way.

"i saw the tweet, NaRi.. i don't blame your body for reacting how it did,"
NaRi glanced up, Bang able to see the confusion in her orbs.
he sighed, "you never let yourself heal.. you were on the tour when it happened, you flew home to send him off, and then you decided to return to work even though you had the option to stay a while longer. you never wanted to allow yourself to accept it, and your body just.. gave up,"

NaRi's gaze was focused on the ground once again, "so i don't blame you for being here, nor am i upset in any way.."

...we filed the lawsuits against the girl, NaRi,"
though he'd hesitated, internally debating with himself on whether or not to tell NaRi what he'd done, he did.

he saw her eyes widen in shock, "and you're not allowed to try and take it back somehow.. we've got her current and any future accounts eliminated, and the lawsuits are already in process,"
NaRi let her head fall once again. "i know, you never wanted to act against the girl... but it wasn't healthy to continue allowing her access to you in such a close and personal manner,"

she sighed, soon after realizing he had a point.
"and..."
she looked up again, seeing the man's second internal debate take place.
"hm?"
he gave her no answer, eyes darting as he continued hesitating.
she chuckled, "it's like you're telling me i'm either getting kicked out of the group or i'm going on hiatus,"

he finally locked eyes with the girl, NaRi's mouth dropping as she saw the emotions filling his eyes.

"YOU'RE KICKING ME OUT?!"
"no! NaRi! of course i'd never do that!" he answered immediately after, the girl's face reading an expression of both shock and slight terror.

her mouth fell agape once again, "i'm going on.."
"yes, NaRi,"

she closed her mouth, slightly frowning.
he leaned closer towards the girl, "it's for the best,"
she silently let out a sigh, "for how long?"
"that's up to you,"

she looked at him, confused, "you're gonna post an official statement of your return once you feel ready to come back in the public again, okay?"
she slowly nodded, "does this mean i'm getting a phone cleanse, too?"
Bang nodded, "you can have it back, only to text your friends and family. no social media, and it's only for a little time every day, okay? you have to focus on recovering fully before you can go back to 'normal',"

she nodded, understanding his directions.

"oh.. and, do you know the company's psychologist?"
"mm.. Mrs. Hwang?"
Bang nodded, "you have four mandatory meetings with her, any more are up to you,"

Bang gave her that fatherly smile which always seemed to comfort her, her earlier experience coming to mind.

the older saw her expression change, "hey, what's wrong?"
she breathed out, "i talked with my dad,"
Bang's eyes now widened in concern.
she chuckled, "don't worry, i haven't gone clinically insane.. i was this~ close to leaving with him... but he convinced me to stay and continue doing what i have been,"
Bang gave the girl a small smile, "i'm glad you listened to him, Mireia,"
she nodded once again, "you know how i've always wondered if he's watching over me?"
he nodded, urging her to continue.
"he said he has always been.. he says he sees how the boys treat me and how i am with my friends.."
he smiled at her words, "i'm sure he's almost as proud as i am of you,"
she lightly chuckled, soon after receiving a caring peck on the top of her head. "i better get going now," he said as he stood from his seat.

NaRi nodded, slightly bowing her head, "be safe,"
"thank you, NaRi, you too,"

the older walked out of the room, coming in contact with the boys immediately after.
he smiled at the two, "i'm going now," he said, reaching into his pants pocket, pulling out NaRi's beloved phone.

"i charged it last night.. she can only be in contact with her friends, no social media. also, take it from her for a majority of the day, please? we need her to recover fully before she's on it again,"
the boys nodded, "her eyes-"
Bang reached in his small crossbody bag, pulling out her glasses. "remembered them the second i was leaving the company,"
the boys smiled at their boss, giving their final goodbyes before Bang returned to the company, the older idol getting an idea.

HeeSeung was about to walk into the room before YeonJun held out his arm, stopping him, "wait, wait,"
"hm?"
YeonJun gave a smug look, unlocking the girl's phone.
"hyung! what are you-"
"DAMN she has this many notifications?!"

curiousity overtook HeeSeung's reason. he looked at the device, eyes too widening as he saw the large number of kakaotalk notifications the girl had.
"are you gonna-"
"scroll through the texts?"
HeeSeung nodded.
"no.. thought about it, but don't want to feel jealous since we're still in the hospital," YeonJun gave a closed-mouth grin, HeeSeung chuckling while nodding in agreement.

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