present day

"Can I help?"

Hyeri asked, walking into the kitchen to find Jeonghan and Mingyu cooking dinner.

"No, Hyeri, you need to rest. Just take it easy," Jeonghan replied, flipping the jeon effortlessly on the pan. Mingyu glanced up at her, his hand idly grilling the meat on the stove.

Hyeri sighs. "I'm not fully incapable of doing anything, you know? It's just a small head wound, I'm fine."

Jeonghan looked like he was about to say something, but thought better of it. "You've come here after such a long time," he opted to say, instead, "let us cook for you. Consider it a treat from us."

"You've all been cooking for me for the past three days, guys. I feel bad, being so useless around here—"

"Hyeri, you're anything but useless around here. The house seems so much brighter now that you've graced us with your presence," Mingyu spoke up, grinning. Hyeri couldn't help but smile along.

"Yeah, Hyeri, you can just sit there and look pretty. Give us emotional support while we cook," Jeonghan said, placing the steaming kimchi pancake on a plate.

Hyeri relented and sat on the kitchen counter and posed sweetly. "Like this?"

Mingyu whistled playfully. "Gorgeous as always."

"Mingyu, you're burning the beef!" Hyeri burst into laughter at Jeonghan scolding Mingyu, who frantically tried to save the meat.

"Okay, since I seem to be distracting you guys, I'll just sit in the hall," Hyeri said, jumping off the counter and stumbling on her feet slightly. Jeonghan was instantly by her side, supporting her.

"Careful," he muttered.

"Thanks." She steadied herself before walking out of the kitchen, and taking a seat on the sofa, quietly looking around the house.

It was decorated in a way that just screamed BooSeokSoon; chaotic, yet homely. They had a bunch of framed photographs hanging on the walls. To Hyeri's surprise, she found herself in a few of those pictures too. She stood up and walked closer to examine them.

There was a picture of all thirteen of the boys, with Hyeri in the middle, grinning widely at the lopsided camera. She recognised that as the picture they took in a hurry at Hyeri's old house.

Another picture, of Hyeri and Seungcheol's wedding party, organised by them. Upon closer inspection, she realised that Soonyoung was missing in that picture.

Before she could contemplate any more, Hyeri felt a presence beside her. Glancing to her right, she found her best friend standing next to her, staring at the same picture with a look of melancholy.

"I took the picture," Soonyoung spoke up conversationally, "that's why it looks so bland; it's missing my handsome presence."

Hyeri cracked a smile. "Yeah," she agreed, "I was wondering what was missing."

"That day was. . . something."

Hyeri could discern a hint of distaste in Soonyoung's words. She furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Hm? Oh, that day was a mess. Everyone was rushing and panicking to make everything perfect. You know, the food, the decorations," Soonyoung explained vaguely.

"That day was fun," Hyeri mumbled, a smile tugging on her lips at the memory of the fake wedding her friends had insisted on hosting for her and Seungcheol.

"How are you feeling?" Soonyoung changed the topic, turning to face his best friend.

"I feel fine. Honestly, I really don't get why everyone around here is treating me like I'm fragile glass, or something. It was just a small fall," she said, sighing.

"A head injury is a serious issue, Ri. Plus, everyone here really missed you. They just wanna help make you feel welcome and comfortable. Just entertain them, yeah?" Soonyoung followed Hyeri and sat on the couch beside her.

"I know, but all the coddling and walking on eggshells around me is making me feel uncomfortable," she admitted.

Soonyoung nodded in understanding. "Alright, then I'll tell them all to tone down on the worrying, okay?"

Hyeri nodded in thanks, and then a silence settled over them that wasn't awkward in the slightest. Having known each other for over five years, they were comfortable enough to be around each other without feeling the need to talk all the time.

She gazed at her best friend, thinking back to the pivotal moment when she realised that he was a friend for life.

xx

filler chapter
I hate hate hate this 🫠

[ May, 2023 ]