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[1:47pm] Baby Bear: Hey precious, we’ll be done recording a little later than we were expecting. How does a late lunch sound?
[2:24pm] Baby Bear: Baby, is everything okay? It’s not like you to not answer.
[2:58pm] Baby Bear: Y/N? Precious, I need you to answer me.
[3:31pm] Baby Bear: I’m starting to get worried. If you don’t answer me soon, I’m gonna have Joong drive me over.
[4:19pm] Baby Bear: We’ll be there in twenty minutes.
The knock on your door makes you groan despite your dog alerting you with a few barks. When you don’t get up, the dog hops down and starts towards the door. You hear the key turn and then your boyfriend’s voice is echoing down the hall.
“Hey there, Persephone, you pretty girl. Where’s your mama, huh?” Jongho greets, and you can tell he’s picked the dog up as he starts towards your room. “Y/N?” As he gets to the door, you pull your comforter closer around you.
“Not now, Jongho.”
“Not now? Y/N, light of my life, what’s bothering you?”
“I don’t want you to see me like this, Jong.” you counter, pulling the blanket back over your head. You don’t hear him moving, but you’re powerless to keep the blanket in your grasp as he tugs it back. “Noooooo,” you whine pathetically, trying to roll away. Jongho merely walks around the bed and crawls in, letting the dog crawl out of his arms so he can pull you into his arms.
“I’m not going anywhere, Y/N.” Jongho stated simply, locking you in his embrace as he spooned behind you. “Something is wrong, and I am not going to let you go through it alone.”
“You shouldn’t have to take care of me.” You pout, still refusing to look at him. You’re aware of the way he adjusts so he can rest his head on yours gently and kiss your temple. “I’m a grown adult.”
“It's a bad depression day, isn't it?”
You don't answer him, instead hiding your face in your pillow in an attempt to hide the tears blurring your vision. He doesn't force you to look at him, only pulling you more firmly against him and pressing a kiss to your temple.
“Talk to me, so I can make it better.” His voice is gentle, calm and right above your ear as he holds you.
“I don't want to burden you, you've got enough going on.”
“Y/N.” His voice is firmer as he says your name, reaching to take your hand and lace his fingers through yours. He doesn’t fight you when you pull it up to hold his hand at your chest. “You are not, and never will be, a burden. Not to me.”
“I can't even make myself get out of bed, that's a problem.”
“It's not the first time you've struggled, not will it be the last. But I can promise you that you are not a burden and that I am here. I may not be able to be at your side for every hour you fight through this round, Y/N, but I can do all I can. Bring you food and affection, walk Persephone, remind you how important you are to me, and to the members.” His thumb brushes the back of your hand as he speaks. “Hongjoong-hyung is really worried, honestly.”
“You told Joong?”
“He's the one who drove me, I had to tell him at least. We agreed not to tell the others until we knew you were safe.” Jongho defended his choice. “If we had told any of the others, you know you'd be squished under Wooyoung, San and Mingi right now. I didn't want to overwhelm you until I knew what was wrong.”
You're quiet, hand squeezing his as you try not to cry all over again. “None of you should worry about me.”
“No, stop that.” Jongho’s tone is more firm, tucking his chin at your shoulder. “You are a part of our family, Y/N. Of course they're going to worry about you. I have the right to worry about the woman I love.” His phone chimes in his pocket and he kisses your temple. “That's probably Hongjoong-hyung. Is it okay if I have my hand so I can answer him?” You reluctantly release him, and he reaches to pull his phone out and unlock it. “Have you had any food today?”
You stiffen a little as you try to remember. “I don't think so?” you murmur as Jongho types his reply.
“Hyung will be back in a little bit.”
“What do you mean by back?” You ask, face contorted in confusion. “Was he outside?”
“He was in the car, don’t worry. He just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“Why didn't he come in, it's much warmer.”
“We didn't know if you'd be open to having company. Me showing up and just coming in is one thing. I have a key and I spend half my free time here with you anyway. Hongjoong-hyung is another subject altogether.” You pout at his response, but he adds on before you can speak. “He had the car running, so he wasn't out in the cold, I promise.”
“Wait…” You adjust to sit up, looking around before your eyes turn to your boyfriend. “Weren't you guys supposed to be in the studio all day?”
“Y/N, it's after five.” Jongho said calmly, already knowing what was coming.
“No.” You turn to pick your phone up, looking through it, finally seeing Jongho's messages. When you flop back on the mattress, Jongho moves to pull you into his lap.
“It's just a rough day, baby. Everything is fine, I promise.” He soothes as you start to sob again. “I'm right here, it's okay.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Never be sorry, Y/N. You have literally nothing to be sorry for.” He rests his hand on your side gently, speaking softly as he watches you. “Do you want me to run you a bath?”
You shake your head, adjusting so your head rests on his lap and you can take his other hand. “Just stay with me.” He stays where he is, leaning back against the headboard, the hand on your side moving to your hair. The two of you are quiet except for the low volume of your TV, and after a few commercial breaks from it, you speak up again. “Hey Jong?”
“Yes, my sweet?”
“You don't like skinship, but you do it with me.”
“You're an exception to the rule.” Jongho replied. “Your touch is special, I tolerate most of the torment from the others.”
“Don't let Wooyoung hear you say that.”
“Is that a smile I hear in your voice?”
“...maybe.”
“You're not going to let Wooyoung-hyung live, will you?”
“Mm, he can for now. But I know I have this ace up my sleeve the next time he gets unbearable.”
“That's Wooyoung-hyung literally everyday.” Jongho countered. “You'll be revealing your ace pretty soon.”
You smirk a little, looking up at him. “Just put on Mario Kart, he'll be distracted trying to beat you.” Jongho laughed, and the sound eased the weight on your chest, your own lips curving up as your free hand reached up to touch his cheek. “What would I do without you, Jongho?”
“You don't have to find out, you're stuck with me.” Jongho countered, kissing your palm. The moment is shattered when there's a few knocks and the door opens.
“Where is my sister-in-law?” Wooyoung's voice carries down the hall.
“Wooyoung-ah, be quiet. I only agreed to let you come so you'd stop whining.” Hongjoong scolded, the sound of bags being set down being heard from down the hall.
“I'll go deal with them.” Jongho assured, carefully slipping from the bed and leaning over to kiss you. “I'll bring you your food.”
“No, just give me a few minutes?” You offer, looking up at him. “I'll come join you, I promise.”
“Five minutes or I bring your food in here.” Jongho stated firmly, making you giggle.
“Deal.” You catch his hand as he turns from you, tugging him to steal another kiss. “I love you, Choi Jongho.”
“I love you, too, Y/N. Never doubt that.” He pressed a third kiss to your forehead before gently easing his hand from your hand, slipping out the bedroom door and closing it to give you more privacy. With a slow, deep breath, you went about the process of actually getting out of bed, taking your phone off of silent before making your way out into the living room. Jongho was right, this wasn't your first low day, and it wouldn't be your last, but you had him there with you to weather the storm whenever it came howling.