"Hyung.." Taehyun turned to Soobin, his hand softly carding through Kai's black locks, the younger was sleepy after his crying fit, leaning into Taehyun's chest. "can we stay here another night?"

Soobin sighed, looking as his dongsaeng with an apologetic expression.

"I know you all must be tired..." Soobin looked around, meeting the boys' eyes.

They all looked at him in expectation, he could see a bit of hope in their eyes. Feeling sorry he has to crush it.

"However.."

Their faces fell, they expected that but it was nice to dream of another comfortable night.

"Sorry guys" Soobin whispered.

"It's fine binnie.." Yeonjun smiled in acceptance "we know you're just doing what's best for us"

"Let's sleep what has left from tonight. we're leaving as early as we can tomorrow" Soobin said, not able to shake the sour feeling in his mind. Staying here would be a risk, no matter how much he craved seeing his friends comfortable in their beds.

he knew they had to keep moving. Or else he wouldn't have any friends to look after.

Yeonjun was the first to get up, stretching his arms. Going across the room to fetch something.

He came back with the penguin plushie he got for Kai a few days ago.

"Aegi*-ya...." he crouched next to the bed, meeting Kai's half asleep eyes. "We appreciate you opening up, I know it must've been hard" he smiled warmly while Kai's lips formed a small pout.

*(Aegi- baby)

He nested the plushie in the younger's arms, giving his a gentle peck on his forehead. One that finally made him close his eyes completely.

The glow long gone and his breath steady for the first time in a long time.

"Thank you.. hyung" he hugged the plushie close to his chest.

leaning into Taehyun's touch, his body folded in half like a festus. His head nuzzling in Taehyun's warm chest.

Soobin looked at Kai's face, never having seen him so calm, peaceful even

Even in the rare times where he'd sleep, his face scrunched up, as if in constant state of distress.

Now, his body never felt safer. Allowing his muscles to relax into the older, who had him engulfed securely in his arms.

"Good night Kai" Beomgyu said brightly, happiness spreading in his heart when he feels the click, the moment, the shift in the air.

They had Kai's trust now.

"I should probably go too.." Taehyun said, attempting to shift under Kai to let the boy have the bed to himself.

Stopped by a small whine and a slander hand tugging on his shirt.

"Stay..." the younger whispered, so quietly that Taehyun could've convinced himself that he was dreaming, but the cold hand on his was enough evidence that Kai needed him.

He leaned back on the pillow again, hugging the younger's closer to his body. Cuddling him so that his chin would rest into Kai's soft hair, while the younger's face pressed into Taehyun's neck.

He heard Beomgyu giggle from across the room, the older was halfway into the door.

"Have fun you two!" He chirped. Hopping into the neighboring room.

"Shut up.." Taehyun blushed, feeling dizzy when Kai's hot breath landed on his neck.

He felt Kai smile against his body.

"Don't listen to Beomgyu. he hit his head when he was a kid.." he whispered to the younger, who responded with a light, quiet giggle.

The older could've sworn he had never heard such a pretty melody.

"Okay.."

...............

"Junnie... Jun hyung" Soobin shoke the older's shoulders to wake him up.

The older groaned, turning in his bed.

It was no surprise Yeonjun wasn't waking up, as they only got 3 hours of sleep.

Waking up slowly, Soobin checked the time. 8:37

He packed their stuff, diligently loading most of the things into their trunk. Taking the chance to look around him, if not due to the circumstances, the scenery was beautiful to look at.

The small motel was surrounded by greenery, a small village under the hill they were on.

Soobin disregarded it yesterday since they were in a rush and neither of them had time to actually think about it. The cabin building was hidden well, almost too well for a random motel.

Soobin was tempted, they might be able to stay for another couple of days.

He rubbed his fingers against the temple of his forehead.

We deserve a few days of peace...

.......

"Junnie Hyung.." Soobin whined "can you wake up for me?"

The older let a small groan.

"Don't wanna... Hyung is sleepy.." he said, his voice deep from just waking up, slurring his words.

Soobin smiled, adoring Yeonjun's pouty face.

"Jun-ah" he whispered sweetly, dropping the honorifics.

Yeonjun opened one eye, looking at Soobin with a playful smile.

"You like that?" Soobin said, giggling.

The older hummed.

"Say that again" he said, pulling Soobin by his arm, making the younger stumble forward.

"Ah! Hyung!" Soobin lost his balance. Face palming onto Yeonjun's body.

The older in response immediately locked him in his arms, legs wrapped around Soobin's waist.

"Much better!" He exclaimed. "Let's stay here for a few minutes"

"Hyung..." Soobin whispered, his face a shade of bright red.

They heard a grumble beside them, followed by the sound of a blanket pushed to the floor.

"Damn, keep it in your pants. It's 9 in the morning" Beomgyu said, dragging his feet to the bathroom.

"That's not-" Soobin attempted.

"I'll try my best" Yeonjun yelled back to Beomgyu, a teasing grin on his face.

Soobin sighed, realizing he doesn't have a say in the situation. He relaxed into Yeonjun's arms.

"I hate you both" he mumbled.

"Sure you do......"

....

"So I've been thinking.." Soobin said, his eyes closed against Yeonjun's chest. "We might be able to stay.."

"Stay where?" Yeonjun asked, confused and half asleep.

Soobin turned to meet Yeonjun's half closed eyes, his fingers trailing the older's arm softly.

"Here"

Yeonjun's eyes widened, looking at Soobin in clear surprise.

"Are you sure binnie?"

"I mean, I haven't seen a place this secluded before" he chuckled "I'm actually not sure how we got here in the first place, I drove until I saw lights.. but I didn't know I drove so far into the woods. It's pretty weird how there's a motel here, Don't you think?"

Yeonjun squinted his eyes, his eyebrows furrowed in skeptism.

"Why?" He smiled "do you have some sort of a crazy theory? Like that one time Tae got sick?"

"Tell me it wasn't a bit weird that we found a small hospital in the end of nowhere at the middle of the night..."

"Coincidence?..." Yeonjun suggested, amused by Soobin imagination when he told him the hospital was no longer there when they drove past the area.

"It's just... weird" Soobin said after a few seconds, deep in his thoughts.

He hasn't forgotten the hospital staff, who seemed too kind for their own good. Taking in their sick brother at 4 in the morning, they never got the bill after.

"And the pink lady?" Soobin said.

"What about her?" Yeonjun sighed, playing with Soobin's hair strands. "You need a haircut by the way.."

"Hyung.. focus"

"Okay okay..." Yeonjun giggled "continue"

The younger sighed.

"Nevermind" Soobin said, he was probably overthinking it, like always.

He pulled himself from his Hyung.

"Come on, we got to make breakfast"

..........

Author:

I'm back and loaded with awesome ideas.

This is gonna be fun.