Seven Days Later

"You see, he knew his world outside the bunker would never be the same as when he first was hidden away from the world. He knew that his parents could only truly protect him to an extent, so with supplies running low, Bang Chan decided to venture outside his bubble of safety. Once he did, he was met with people that would become his new family."

I.N came to a pause as he looked at Bang Chan's pale and still form on the bed. Sighing, I.N shut the notebook on his lap and put it aside.

"We hope the executives like the idea when we present it to them tomorrow. Bonita and I thought that would be a good direction for your one episode special," said I.N. "After all, all good stories have to come to an end."

Saying 'end' caused tears to lodge in his throat. Turning aside from Bang Chan, he looked out the window beside him at the bright sunny day outside. His mind transported him back to the night of the shooting when Bang Chan had selflessly dove between him and Jongsu.

'He's bleeding! Why is he bleeding?' I.N had cried as Changbin and Han suddenly seemed to appear out of nowhere like angels, throwing themselves on their knees to attend to him.

I.N blinked his eyes again, bringing a hand up to wipe away the tears that trickled free. I.N had thought Bang Chan was invincible, but instead he had gotten himself wounded. Not able to take him to a hospital, Changbin and Han had operated on him the best they could from Chris' bedroom, but Bang Chan had yet to wake up. He wasn't dead yet, but I.N couldn't help but worry that any day he might slip away. It'd be like losing his best friend and stepbrother all over again.

Ever since the night of the shooting, they had all split up shifts sitting beside him incase he woke with Changbin and Han popping in between their shifts to check his recovery progress. Bonita had suggested that maybe writing a happy ending to his show might end up causing him to at least go home, which was better than seeing him die. I.N knew that Bang Chan had been fading anyway and he would rather him be home happy than cease to exist all together.

"It's sunny today, you know," said I.N. "It's the perfect weather for waking up."

When he didn't get a response as was expected, I.N leaned back in the chair to look around the room.

"Chris, I'm not sure if you're here too somewhere, but if you are, I hope you're doing okay."

According to Minho and Hyunjin, neither of them had seen Chris since the day of the shooting. I.N sincerely hoped it was because he had managed to finally pass on. Even though he missed Chris desperately, he didn't want him to be forever stuck in some sort of limbo. After everything he had done for him, he deserved to have peace.

A knock came at the doorway followed shortly by Bonita holding a plate of homemade food. I.N knew that the food was from his mother. Since she had constant foot traffic through the house lately, she had been making a surplus of food to make sure they all stayed fed.

"This must mean it's your turn to sit with him," said I.N as he reluctantly stood up from the chair with his notebook. "The time seems to crawl and yet speed by at the same time when it's your turn."

"I know," said Bonita as she entered the room, putting the plate aside on the dresser. "At any rate, you should go get something to eat. It just came out."

I.N nodded, looking towards the empty doorway in confusion.

"Where's Lee Know?" asked I.N, "or should I say your shadow?"

Smirking, Bonita moved to settle down in the chair I.N had just vacated.

"He's downstairs turning into a chipmunk," Bonita responded. "He is in love with your mother's cooking."

"Well it's hard not to be. I tell her she has some sort of magic powers when it comes to cooking. No wonder she used to have such a successful catering business."

"We should tell her to whip us up some food to bring with us to the presentation tomorrow," said Bonita. "Are you ready for it?"

"I am," said I.N, hefting up the notebook by his side so she could see it. "I was just telling Bang Chan about our overall storyboard idea for the special."

"I think he'd be happy with it," said Bonita. "He won't be alone anymore. He will have versions of us."

"You knew him so well," said I.N.

"You wrote a really relatable character, what can I say?" said Bonita.

Moving to leave the room, I.N nearly ran headlong into Minho who had just appeared on the landing. One look at Minho had I.N chuckling.

"She was right."

Quirking a brow since his mouth was full, I.N proceeded to tell Minho what Bonita had just said. A small scowl appeared on his face as his overly puffy cheeks returned to normal.

"I can't believe she called me a chipmunk again," tsked Minho as he moved past I.N to stand in the doorway. "You're a turd, you know that?"

I.N chuckled as he walked downstairs to let the two of them bicker in peace. Bonita looked at Minho as he stood in the doorway, sticking her tongue out at him. He put his plate beside hers on the dresser as he strode closer to her.

"Don't make me do it."

"What do you mean?" she asked, pretending to be clueless.

He paused a foot or two in front of her before bending down to level his face with hers.

"You know what I mean, Bonita," Minho said. "I know your weak spot."

Before Bonita could respond, he reached out his fingers to tickle her on her right side, causing a short laugh to fall from her lips. Bonita's saving grace from Minho's attack was the sound of his phone going off.

"Is it work?" asked Bonita as Minho stood back up straight and dug out his phone.

She knew that things had been crazy at his work lately after Ilsung had turned not only his brother in, but himself as well for his part in helping to cover things up. The company was scrambling to try and cover the scandal up so they didn't lose projects or investors. Minho had been working overtime to try and help the company stay afloat. It was because of him that her and I.N were getting a seat at the table tomorrow to bring forward their idea for the Bubble special.

"Not this time surprisingly," said Minho, sighing as he put the phone away. "It's my parents. This is like the fifth time they've texted today."

"That's good, right?" she asked as he shrugged, moving to take a seat on the arm of the chair she was seated in.

"I guess. They just keep telling me they'll be at my place by six thirty sharp tonight," said Minho.

"Well, whatever happens tonight, you won't be alone," she said. "I'll be there with you so they better not try anything."

"Or what?" asked Minho with a smirk. "What will you do if they do?"

"Cutely show them the door," she said, causing a scoff of laughter to leave his lips.

"I don't think it's possible for you to do it any other way," said Minho as he moved to kiss the top of her head. "Only one of us is the grumpy cat here."

"Did I mention that I really love this side of you?" asked Bonita as she grabbed one of his hands.

"Um hmm," he said with a satisfied hum, "but you can keep saying it because I won't ever get tired of it."

Minho looked towards the bed where Bang Chan still remained unconscious before adding, "Yah! Lee Haechung! I know you're probably lying there listening to all this, so just wake up already, yeah? Give us some privacy."

Minho's words had no effect on Bang Chan, but it was at least worth a try. Sighing, Minho got up and grabbed his plate he had discarded by the door along with Bonita's. He tried to convince her to eat something as they sat by Bang Chan's bed waiting for the tell-tale sign of life.