Sorry everyone. I was off, uh, getting a new ult lol. Lim Sejun of Victon. He is such a brat but I love him to death. Though that's not why you're all here lol. Better not keep you waiting any longer.

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Wooyoung's POV

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"It's healing nicely," I commented lightly, resting my chin on my palm, leaning onto the table to study Yeosang a bit more closely. His lip finally looked somewhat normal. No longer big and bloody and splotchy. He glanced up to me, absentmindedly reaching up to brush his fingers along the faded bruise. When no conversation seemed forthcoming, I resumed my task of pouring over typos. Tomorrow the second chapter of Severe the Ties would be uploaded, and I wanted to make sure absolutely everything was perfect before I posted it.

This story was fast tracking its way to my most popular story, hands down. Three thousand reads on the first chapter alone, with over 100 comments and a few personal messages. It felt overwhelming yet so, so good. I took two months off to get back into the swing of things, and it seemed I wasn't the only one waiting for something new. I was welcomed back with open arms and the usual banter of they would end the world if I didn't update soon. Glad to know I was loved so much.

"Working on that story again?" Yunho asked, sliding in beside me. Mingi, who lagged at the end of the table, finally occupied the spot next to Yeosang. It still felt strange to be here, all four of us, without trying to be at each other's throats. Mingi seemed the most tense, while I was definitely the most relaxed out of us all, having already interacted with all of them on my own. "What's it called again?" Yunho asked, pulling a book from his bag and laying it open in front of himself.

"Severe the Ties," I answered softly, frowning thoughtfully at the screen. "I've stared at these words so much I'm worried I'm not catching everything," I suddenly explained to them. Mingi and Yeosang, who had been talking quietly, turned their full focus to me. "I hate seeing typos in my stories but I stare at these chapters so long that I'm afraid I've gotten used to it all." Yunho frowned, setting his book aside and scooting his chair a little closer to me. He peeked over my shoulder at the screen.

"Here, here, and here," he said, pointing as he said each word. "These are all spelled wrong." I'll be darned. I went through and fixed everything as Yunho skimmed, mentioning anything I hadn't already caught yet. "It's still so good," he praised when we finished the first half of the chapter. "You really do have a way with words huh?" I blushed and mumbled something, glancing away.

"You would know if you didn't torment him with it," Yeosang deadpanned. And suddenly the room felt about 20 degrees cooler. Yunho and Mingi both froze, wearing matching anguished looks. But Yeosang forged on, clearly not done with the pair of them. "We tell San off all the time for how he acted but you know what? Nothing has ever come about for you guys. You deserve it just as much as he does. It's not like you were any better or ever discouraged him. Hell half the time you encouraged him instead. So why does he get to suffer while you both get off largely scott free."

"I..." Mingi began, but stopped, seeming at a loss. And...you know what? He was right. Yeosang was right. We all made San out to be this big, bad villain but Yunho and Mingi were just as much to blame in the long run. But the effort and energy put in to actively hate any of them was just too exhausting anymore. And besides. These guys were some of my best friends once upon a time. I wasn't sure if I could actually hate them.

"Let it go Yeosang," I said tiredly. He sighed but complied in the end. "Thank you Yeo. You're the best friend I could ever ask for." And that finally elicited a smile from him. Mingi and Yunho stayed quiet after that, however. Not that I blamed them. I wasn't sure I would have known how to handle that either.

The first bell finally rang and we bid our goodbyes, going to our separate morning classes. I navigated the halls much like I did any other day, not necessarily because I was ashamed of who I was but because I didn't like the attention on me anyway. Head down, gaze to the tiles, only glancing up to make sure I didn't plow into my classmates. I took my seat near the back, tucking my bag between my legs on the floor and quietly observing everything around me. My rambunctious classmates causing chaos at the before the final bell could ring. Mr. Kim behind his desk ignoring them until he couldn't any longer. I placed my laptop on my desk and opened up the current story part, skimming it one final time before hitting publish.

I didn't have much time to think about it much the rest of the day in my whirlwind of classes and projects and assignments. I didn't even have a lot of time to think about it at the shop, as I was immediately thrust into dishes duty when I got there (not that I was complaining it beat bring bored). So when I finally stumbled hoke for the night, exhausted from my day, I crashed into bed to finally get a peek.

"Hell," I swore softly when I opened wattpad and was absolutely flooded with notifications. Everything from comments to people adding the story to their reading lists. I felt my heart swell with just a little pride seeing eight thousand reads already. The most two chapters of any of my stories had ever gotten. "People are loving it," I mused, going through comments, chuckling at a few and fawning over some others.

I finally set the laptop aside and pulled my homework out of my bag, beginning the laborious process of trucking through it. By the time I was done it was after midnight, and I was far too tired to comprehend much else. So I passed out, dreaming briefly of a universe painted in brilliant colors.

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San's POV

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"One night," Jungkook said, waggling a finger in Taehyung's face, much to his annoyance. "You owe me at least one night of good fun if tomorrow I'm not even gonna see the sunrise." Taehyung considered it, studying the eager face in front of him. Jungkook bounced on the balls of his feet, exactly matching the description Taehyung was given.

"Fine," Taehyung sighed at last. Jungkook pumped his fists in the air, letting out a whoop. Taehyung simply rolled his eyes, allowing the hyperactive boy to pull him along, talking a kilometer a minute. This wasn't how he expected this to turn out. His father would have his head of he ever heard of this.

Which is why Taehyung had to make sure he never heard of it.

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"No, no, come on!" I cried when an ad popped up, signaling I'd reached the end of the chapter. "Fuck come on Wooyoung I know you're a creature of habit but come on upload another chapter soon." I huffed, closing out of wattpad and cutting the ad short (not that okay was sorry about it in the slightest. The ads were so annoying sometimes). I waited until just before I settled down for bed tonread his new chapter for little reason other than I wanted to wait. I wanted it to feel special. And when I was still in school this was sometimes the time I would read them, curled up under the covers with the light from the phone being the only source, pouring over content like my life depended on it.

"San?" I risked a glance up. Mom. She seemed leery. Cautious. Like I might explode if she treaded wrong. I tried for a smile that felt way too forced to be real as she shoved the door open a little farther, allowing herself enough room to squeeze in. "The school called today. You can go back next week so long as they can monitor you."

"Really?" I asked hopefully. I admitted to missing school more than I ever thought I would. I missed the sense of normalcy it brought. I missed seeing Yunho and Mingi all the time. Hell I even missed Wooyoung, Yeosang, and Jongho, even of they never wanted to see me again.

"Yes," she answered. I resisted the urge to rise from my bed and do a dance. "It's only a few weeks off from semester finals mind you so you'll be going back in time to study for them." And in that moment I didn't even care. I was just so happy to be going back. I giggled to myself. Mom gave me a funny look, but I let it bounce right off my skin without penetrating a bit. She couldn't touch this happiness. But almost as soon as I had it in my grasp it fizzled.

"Wait, where's dad?" I questioned. She glanced to the ceiling, worrying his lower lip between her teeth. I didn't want to push her yet at the same time... I did. I was getting sick of whatever was going on. They held it together for the holidays and then it was like nothing had changed.

"I'm sure he'll be back," she muttered, subconsciously glancing to my open doorway, out into the dark hallway, the house eerily quiet. I almost wish he WAS here. Because then they would be talking. Or at least someone would be doing something around the house. The quietness was almost as suffocating as the noise. "Alright Sannie." I winced at my long given nickname, given to me before I could even comprehend it. A nickname my parents coined me with that my friends picked up on growing up. "I should let you sleep." She studied me for a moment before coming to me and pecking my forehead. "Have a good night. Love you."

"Love you to mom," I replied, wrapping my arms around her neck for a hug. It lasted a fraction of a second before I pet her go. She moved off wordlessly, clearly troubled. But in the same way she was cautious of me I was tentative around her. She seemed to be mad of glass anymore, and one wrong move could shatter her completely. I sighed, opening wattpad again at last. I went through Wooyoung's story and added a few comments, but after it was all said and done I still felt empty. What could even fill this void tonight?

Despite the late hour, and fully knowing mom would he settling down herself, I hooked my phone to my speaker, cranking the volume low so I could still hear it. I fired up Fake Love, a song I could dance to dead if I had to. I hadn't danced it since year nine though. The final year we really all connected as one unit. When it got to the chorus I had to admit to tearing up doing a part meant for two people alone.

"God." I flopped to the floor, chest heaving, room spinning. The final notes of the song faded into the background, and even if I had no right to, tears flowed down my cheeks and soaked into my rug. I curled on my side, my knees to my chest. Moments like these reminded me of everything I had lost as the years progressed, and how much I wished I hadn't. All the times I was missing out on, not knowing it would be some of my last. Images flashed through my mind of eight boys crowded into one bedroom, spilling over the bed and occupying chairs drug up from the dining room. Captive audiences aplenty as a couple of us took "center stage" at a time to showcase all we practiced over the weeks.

I didn't have a right to miss it. I knew that. These images were solely for my own punishment. But fuck I would give just about anything right now to rewind time and make sure I treasured these fleeting moments. To make sure I soaked in every single second of my time with those boys. I also kind of wanted to hit my past self for ever letting my reputation get the better of me. For ever believing that I couldn't enjoy some of these things when in reality I could. I would spend every waking moment telling Wooyoung over and over that he was actually one of the coolest people I'd ever met and I strived to be myself the same way he was. I wanted it back. So fucking bad.

"Eight makes one team!"

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I know this sounds like an ending but it isn't. There's still much to uncover. Hope everyone has enjoyed the new chapter!