~Time skip: 4 months~

It has been months since that therapy office that Haknyeon stayed at was shut down after an investigation was conducted there. They were deemed to have been unfit and committed a few illegal activities. Haknyeon was one of the few lucky patients who weren't completely scarred for life.

Haknyeon scrubbed the plate in his hand as the water ran. He was glad to be back with his second family. They seemed to be happier than he was. "Haknyeon! Do you need help?" "No, I don't, Chanhee. Thank you." Chanhee sighed then leaned against the counter. "We don't mean to make you seem like you're fragile and incapable of doing things. But after everything you've been through, we just want you to know we're always here to help." "Is that so? Would you all come and help me at the drop of a hat?" Chanhee bit his bottom lip then looked at Haknyeon's back. "I would. You're like my best friend. The others are just close friends. So, if you cry, I cry." Haknyeon turned off the faucet then faced Chanhee. "You all cared so much about me. So much that you practically shipped me away to an insane asylum!" He stormed out of the kitchen then out the front door. He found himself doing this more often, so it wasn't strange that the others stopped going out to fetch him.

"Haknyeon, you're storming out again? Why don't we just go somewhere this time?" "Where?" "The beach." Haknyeon scoffed then glared at Sunwoo. "And how are we going to get there? Our kind managers are off today and we don't have any money on us right now." Sunwoo whipped out quite a few notes and change. "You look like you had this prepared from the beginning." "What if I did?" "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go."

ㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓ

They arrived at the beach and Haknyeon took off his socks and shoes before stepping into the sand. Sunwoo followed suit then placed his shoes next to Haknyeon's. "It's beautiful and relaxing isn't it?" Haknyeon didn't respond to Sunwoo's question and simply stared at the horizon. "Sunwoo, you're like the sun, brightening up my dark and cloudy world, even though you were the cause of it. It's so weird." He took steps towards the ocean then stopped as the water had come up to his calves. He felt someone wrap their arms around his waist and knew exactly who it was. "I fell for my bully."

Haknyeon wasn't sure how long they were standing like that, but his legs started to hurt. "Sunwoo, do you mind? I want to sit." He felt himself be dragged down as Sunwoo sat down. "Can you warn a person before you do things like that?" "Haknyeon..." "What?" Haknyeon took notice of Sunwoo's slow response. "You're different. Even to me, you're slightly harsh." "You think I've changed? What if you're the one who's changed?" Sunwoo remained silent as he pried himself off Haknyeon. "Haknyeon, let's go back. It's losing its luster." "We can, but-" Haknyeon started to say, but Sunwoo was already far ahead.

"You're back. And sandy." Younghoon said as he looked over the two. "Try your best not to leave sand everywhere, you know how Eric gets." They nodded then went to their rooms without a word.

ㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓ

"He's not the same to you? Now it really has to be true if you of all people is saying it." Younghoon said as he gently stroked the sleeping Changmin's hair. "He doesn't have the same liveliness. His eyes used to glitter but now they look cloudy. I bet it's cause of that sham clinic." "Well, that might not be a bad theory. Chanhee is our last hope, since Haknyeon is closest to him at the moment." Sunwoo sat up then glared at Younghoon. "I mean, if we're going to be honest. I'm sure you're still his number 1."

ㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓㅏㅓ

"Well, he isn't wrong. You are different. Not just with how you look but mentally too...It's slightly concerning to me." Haknyeon popped another blueberry into his mouth and shrugged. "I don't understand. I'm still me, I haven't felt a change." Chanhee bit his bottom lip then decided to speak his mind. "Haknyeon, you've become a jerk. You treat us like trash. And Sunwoo, I'm sure he's noticed that you aren't your adorable, loving self. Correction, we've all noticed. Now I'm here, as a friend, as a family member, and I want to know what in the world is going on with you." Haknyeon sighed then looked away from Chanhee. He couldn't deny that he found something about himself amiss but not big enough for him to care about. "I don't know myself, Chanhee. I just feel bitter and upset. And Sunwoo...I really do care for him, but I was wrapped up in me that I couldn't see him." "Why do you feel upset and bitter?" "I'm upset that you all sent me to such a place without doing a through background search! How could I just forgive something like that? And Sunwoo...he was the only one to notice something was weird with the place...the rest of you just..." Haknyeon had started crying and Chanhee immediately rushed to embrace the younger.

"We know saying sorry won't erase what you had to go through, but that doesn't mean you should change your whole demeanor. Now, why do you feel bitter?" Chanhee continued to rub circles on his back as he calmed down enough to speak. "I'm falling for Sunwoo. I don't like it. It's weird, it's strange. Yet, I can't stay away from him and I always end up running into his arms." "So, you don't want to be with him?" Haknyeon shook his head then spoke to Chanhee softly. "I just don't want to repeat the past. I don't want to go all in but the other person only goes half way." Chanhee had stopped rubbing his back and pulled away from the younger. "I'm sure this time will be different. Just go for it." Haknyeon looked at Chanhee with his blurry vision and hoped, really hoped that things would be okay from now on.

a/n: don't forget to vote, share and comment! yeah, so this got dark. things will get better, i swear.