<Serenity Mansion>

"Oh- uh- sorry." Mingyu apologised as he bumped into Seokmin in the hall. It was late at night and the mansion was serene.

Seokmin's bracelet got struck with Mingyu's wrist watch to which the bracelet broke and all the beads were scattered on the floor behind the sofa.

"Oh shit." Both of them sweared at the same time as they stared at the beads.

It was when Joshua appeared out of the hallway and was walking upstairs. His gaze fell on Mingyu and Seokmin, talking about something but soon his attention shifted on Seokmin's wrist.

The bracelet was missing. The bracelet which Joshua had gifted him. It was gone.

Joshua felt his heart sink as he quickly rushed upstairs, to his room.

Meanwhile Seokmin sighed while looking at the beads, "Now what?"

"Was this made by Joshua hyung?" Mingyu asked.

"Yes!" Seokmin stated, "Do you know how to fix it?"

"Not very well." Mingyu nodded, "You can take these beads to Joshua hyung, he'll remake it, don't worry."

"Makes sense." Seokmin scoffed, "Now, help me gather it all."

Both of them got indulged in collecting the scattered beads and kept them on a tray they got nearby.

"I think we retained them all." Mingyu stated.

"No, one is missing." Seokmin mumbled, "A blue coloured one with green designs on it."

Mingyu gasped, "Why do you remember it so vividly?"

"Shut up and find it!" Seokmin whined.

"Hmm sure." Mingyu nodded as both of them began searching for the bead once again.

After a while, Seokmin found the bead from beneath a chair, "FOUND IT!!"

"Stop screaming!" Mingyu intervened.

Seokmin chuckled, "Thank you so much for helping me."

"It's fine, now take these to Joshua hyung."

"Of course." Seokmin nodded as he ascended upstairs and reached Joshua's room. He had this habit of stepping into his room without knocking so he did. But he saw that the older was already asleep.

Seokmin didn't want to wake him up. He just kept the tray of the beads on the table and left the room after admiring him for a while.

As soon as he left, Joshua woke up. His eyes immediately fell on the beads as his heart shrank.

"You gifted me this." Seokmin showed him the bead bracelet, "I'm still wearing this, right? That means I'm still true to our friendship, okay? Don't worry much, we're fine. Promise?"

"You need time? Take as much as you want to. I promise I won't bring this up until you yourself ask me to."

"He said our friendship won't suffer." Joshua looked at the beads. He recalled how he had made it with so much dedication. Every combination, every bead had a special meaning to it.

"Of course. I've hurt him, why would he remain friends with me?"

"No! I can't let this happen." He took the tray of beads and made his way to Seokmin's room. He knocked at the door vigorously as it opened in a while.

"Hyung?" Seokmin was confused.

Joshua got into the room and kept the tray on the table while the younger closed the door.

"What is this?" Joshua asked.

"Huh?" Seokmin frowned.

"Why are you ending our friendship?" Joshua gulped the lump in his throat.

"What?"

"I know I've hurt you Seokmin. But please give me some time." Joshua looked down, "You didn't have to break the bracelet like this."

Seokmin looked at him for a while after which he started laughing.

Joshua looked up, "What?"

Seokmin stepped towards him and embraced him, "You're so adorable."

Joshua gently shrugged him, "What are you saying?"

"Come here, sit down first." Seokmin guided him towards the couch as both of them took the seat.

"I bumped into Mingyu and my bracelet got struck with his watch. It broke and all the beads were scattered everywhere." Seokmin explained, "Mingyu said I can take the beads to you and you'll remake it. I brought the beads to your room but you were sleeping so I didn't want to disturb you."

Joshua remained silent as his eyes widened.

"After all, I didn't know that you were just pretending to sleep." Seokmin teased.

Joshua looked at him with guilty eyes, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Seokmin nodded, "Now, you'll remake it for me, right?"

"Of course." Joshua chuckled, "I'll make it."

Seokmin took Joshua's hand in his palms, "Don't worry, okay?"

"Thank you." Joshua smiled lightly as he stared at the younger.

Seokmin retorted the smile after which Joshua leaned on his shoulder.

"What happened?" Seokmin asked.

"Nothing." Joshua scoffed, "I think I'm too exhausted today."

"You need to rest." Seokmin asked.

"Right." Joshua nodded but didn't stand up to leave either.

"Do you have something more to say?" Seokmin gently questioned.

"No." Joshua signed, "I just want to spend some time with you. My mind is too messed up. Only you can calm me."

"I'm glad to hear that." Seokmin chuckled.

Hoshi stepped into Woozi's room and closed it shut.

"What are you doing here?" Woozi stood up from the bed.

"I want to talk." Hoshi walked towards him.

"But I don't want to." Woozi looked away.

"Hear me out-"

"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO." Woozi yelled as he felt his throat being dry, "Just go away Hoshi, I beg you, please go away, it's a request."

"I beg you too." Hoshi muttered, "Listen to me."

"You-"

"I love you Woozi." Hoshi confessed while gulping the lump in his throat.

"What?" Woozi frowned.

"Yes." Hoshi held his shoulder, "I love you Woozi, only you. I want-"

Hoshi was cut off by the slap that landed across his face. He looked up after a while and saw the stream of tears rolling down the younger's cheeks.

The slap didn't hurt, Woozi's tears did.

"Stop-!" Woozi's lips quivered as if he was being shattered down, "Stop breaking me Hoshi, stop it. I can't-" He inhaled a deep breath, "First strangers now love? What kind of love is this? How many days passed since we last talked Hoshi?"

Hoshi looked down. How many days went by? Two? Five? How many?

"Did you ever bother to check if I was fine? This is your love?" Woozi wiped his tears, "What kind of love is that? All of my nights had been sleepless, hoping for you to come to me and at least ask if I was alive. But you didn't come.

You proved that you actually wanted to go back to being strangers. And now you suddenly love me? Where was your love when you ended everything between us? Please Hoshi, don't give me false hopes. I don't want to ruin myself again. Leave me on my own."

Hoshi stared at him for a moment after which he made the younger sit on the bed and himself knelt down in front of him. He hung his head low, "I won't leave you. Never."

He wiped his tears to look up, "I want to kneel down in front of my world for the rest of my life. I want my place in your feet Woozi and I want you to stay in my heart in return.

Sure I've hurt you a lot. Sure my love has a lot of imperfections, help me make it perfect? You can slap me and push me away but I'll always come back to my home. You can reject me ninety nine times but I'll patiently wait for the hundredth time when you'll accept my embrace.

We both realised our feelings and had two paths to choose. You chose the right one while I stumbled. I'm sorry but please bring this stumbled Hoshi back on track. I was being a coward for running away from my feelings. Yes, I'm a coward, be my strength, please?

Kwon Soonyoung has never lost to anyone but in front of you, I did. What have you done to me Woozi? After capturing my heart, how can you ask me to leave you? My heart, my soul, my breath, the core of my existence, everything is just you. And I'm not losing it for nothing."

I've spent all of the love I've saved
We were always a losing game
Small town boy in a big arcade
I got addicted to a losing game

Woozi looked away as he couldn't control his tears.

"Don't cry Woozi." Hoshi managed to chuckle, "Your tears are piercing my heart. My nights had been sleepless too because I was too restless. I didn't come to see you because I didn't want to show you my pathetic face. But do you really think that after knowing that you love me, I'll let you go?"

"I don't love you." Woozi muttered, "And get up-"

"There's no way that I'll take that lie of yours." Hoshi intervened, "My happiness begins from you and ends with you. You smile and my day is made. You cry and my heart is shattered into a million pieces." He clutched his chest, "Please don't snatch my soul from me. Isn't it too cruel?

You can take the life out of me but I won't allow you to take yourself out of my heart."

Hoshi stood up and cupped Woozi's cheeks to plant a kiss on his forehead. A kiss of assurance. A kiss of love, "I'm leaving myself here. I hope you'll take care of my heart."

He wiped Woozi's tears, "Don't hurt my love, okay? Take good care of him. I promise I'll never leave you, no matter how much you push me away."

A broken heart is all that's left
I'm still fixing all the cracks
Lost a couple of pieces when
I carried it, carried it, carried it home

Hoshi retracted himself as he began to leave. He held the door while looking back one last time, "Thanks for your silence. It gave me a hope that you'll not deny my love."

He left after gently closing the door.

<Serenity Mansion>

Morning had arrived. It was weekend and after a long time everyone was going to have breakfast together.

They were all gathered around the table, sitting together, joking and laughing along.

Jun cleared his throat, "Okay, everyone!"

"Jun hyung is saying something!" Dino stated.

"I've a breaking news." Jun chuckled, "Me and Minghao are dating."

Everyone gasped as Dino stood up, "OH MY GOD, FINALLY!"

"Why is he more excited than both of you?" Seungkwan pointed out.

"He played a major role." Minghao grinned as he briefly explained everything.

All of them congratulated the couple and went on to praise Dino.

"Hyung, when is the party?" Seokmin asked.

"When do you want the party?" Jun smiled.

"Let's empty his bank balance on this party." Seungcheol joked.

They began to tease Jun and Minghao, having fun.

Meanwhile, Joshua looked at Seokmin being all happy for his friends. Even Wonwoo's eyes were on Mingyu who was indulged with the group. Both of them were simply reflecting on their own feelings and actions.

Hoshi looked at Woozi who was mostly looking down, trying to force a smile on his face. Of course, he was happy for his friends but he was too messed up to smile genuinely.

"Okay! So this evening will be a party night!" Dino cheered up.

"Evening or night?" Vernon frowned.

"We'll start from evening and keep partying for the entire night." Dino explained.

"And what about work?" Minghao asked.

"Wrap up tomorrow's load today, simple." Jeorghan nodded, "But today's evening will be for Jun and Minghao."

"YES!!!"

After breakfast, all of them were spread out in the hall with their laptops, tablets, etc., focusing on their respective works.

Joshua, Mingyu, Jun and Minghao were seated at the dining table. Seungkwan and Vernon had occupied the bean bags. Seokmin, Wonwoo and Woozi were at the window's platform while Hoshi and Dino chose a random spot on the floor.

Seungchool was sitting on the sofa as his laptop stayed on the table. Jeonghon was partially laying on the sofa with his head resting against Seungcheol's shoulders. He was focusing on his screen as well.

"If I keep resting on your shoulder, I think I'll fall asleep." Jeonghan muttered.

"Then I'll carry you to your room." Seungcheol chuckled.

"Why not yours?" Jeonghan whispered.

"Give me a kiss, then I'll tell." Seungcheol winked.

"You're crazy." Jeonghan laughed as he stood up, "Who's up for coffee?"

"Me!"

"I'm in!"

Everyone agreed one by one.

Jeonghan began to leave as Seungcheol stood up, "I'll help you."

"No one ain't getting any coffee." Mingyu muttered.

"What?" Seungcheol raised a brow.

"Nothing, go, we won't disturb you." Jun chuckled, "In making coffee."

The duo just laughed as they walked out of the main hall and reached the kitchen.

"Jeonghan!" Seungcheol held his hand as he was gathering the ingredients and utensils.

"What?" Jeonghan looked at him.

"Nothing." Seungcheol recalled the past days. The only difference was that now, their family was even bigger, "These days it's so hard to get some time with you."

Jeonghan chuckled, "That's not true Mr. Choi, you just need an excuse."

"Excuse for what?" Seungcheol slowly walked forward to pin the younger against the counter.

Jeonghan just smiled while staring at the older.

"To keep listening to your heartbeat." Seungcheol chuckled, "And hear my name with every beat."

"Really?"

Seungcheol nodded as he held the younger's waist, "I just want every moment of my life to be spent with you. Living without you is impossible for me."

"Well, that's the case with me as well." Jeonghan wrapped his arms around his shoulder.

Seungched attached their foreheads together, "I-"

'I love you. I want to tell you how much you love me too. This time I won't let you go anywhere. Thankyou for being here to hold my hand once again.'

Jeonghan held his cheeks, "Why are you crying?"

It was when Seungcheol realised that his eyes were tearing up.

Jeonghan got worried as he cupped his cheeks, "What happened?"

Seungcheol embraced the younger tightly, "Nothing happened."

"Then why are you getting so emotional?" Jeonghan asked obliviously.

"Sometimes, I'm too scared to lose you." Seungcheol mumbled.

"Why so? How will I leave you?" Jeonghan caressed his back, "Have I ever left you?"

Seungcheol tightened his grip as loads of sour memories began to flood his brain.

I'm afraid of all I am
My mind feels like a foreign land
Silence ringing inside my head
Please carry me, carry me, carry me home

"Seungcheol, look at me." Jeonghan broke the hug and wiped his faint tears, "You don't need to be worried."

"I'm not worrying, I'm not thinking about anything intentionally." Seungcheol managed to smile, "My heart is a bit stupid. Deal with it."

"Your heart isn't stupid, Seungcheol, it's beautiful." Jeonghan caressed his hair, "What makes you think that I'll leave you? Don't you trust me? Or you don't trust our fate?"

"I trust you more than I trust myself." Seungcheol stated, "Don't worry, I'm fine. And how can I not be fine when I'm with you?"

"Exactly." Jeonghan pressed a kiss on his lips, "You look the best when you smile and your gorgeous dimples show up!"

Heard this somewhere, right?

Seungcheol smiled widely but his heart was beating fast as he recalled the last birthday note Jeonghan was able to give him. He had said this same thing in that letter too.

"Yes, like this." Jeonghan pinched his cheeks, "Now let me make coffee."

"Yeah, of course." Seungcheol left him as both of them got indulged in their task. As the coffee was done, they carried it to the main hall and served it to everyone.

After that, they took their seats as well.

"I think I forgot to bring my laptop's charger from my room." Seungcheol looked around.

"Don't worry, I'll bring it." Jeonghan stood up.

"It's okay, I'll go, Jeonghan." Seungcheol stated.

"No you're in middle of the work, do it, I'll bring the charger." Jeonghan patted his shoulder and left.

Time passed as Seungcheol looked here and there once again, "Why is he not back yet?" He muttered to himself.

"Hyung!" Wonwoo called him, "Don't you think it's taking too long for him to come back?"

"You're right. I'll check." Seungcheol stood up and went towards the stairs.

He ascended upstairs and walked through the hallway, expecting to meet the younger on the way.

Seungcheol stepped into his room to look for Jeonghan. It was when his gaze fell on the younger who was crying with his palm pressed against his mouth while sitting on the floor.

Jeonghan looked up as his glossy eyes met with the older's horrified ones.

A/n : ..........................

Take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo