Sunday morning, 6 hours before Felix leaves

"You have everything packed?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Yes Auntie, I have-"

"Actually, Minho please go check his room in case he forgot something."

"Sure thing mom." Minho says, walking back into the house.

"Auntie really, I have everything. I was very thorough with my packing ok?"

"I just want to make sure sweety. You know how I worry for you both. Good I see Minho coming back down. You get back in the car, ok?"

"Ok." Felix says, climbing into the back seat with his carry-on bag and pillow. A few days ago, on Wednesday, he sent most of his stuff to Australia, so today he just has himself, a couple suitcases, and his carry-on bag. Minho and his aunt join him in the car.

Conversation is small as the three drive to the airport, talk is usually about the weather or traffic. Minho's phone suddenly rings.

"Hello? ...Ah ok cool ...And is Nayeon..? ...He is? Ok cool. Yeah. Yeah. Ok see you all soon. Bye." Minho hangs up and turns to Felix, smiling sadly. "That was Jisung, him and the others are at the airport already, waiting for us in the food area by your gate number. Nayeon was able to make it out there as well." Felix only nods and turns to look out the window.

He looks to the front when he feels a hand on his leg. Him and Minho make eye contact.

"How are you feeling back there?"

Felix sighs. "I don't know. It's all so overwhelming that I'm not sure what to feel."

"I get that. But no matter what you feel, remember that it's ok to feel that way. Whether it be happy or sad, scared or angry. It's all ok."

"Yeah...Thanks hyung." Felix turns back to the window, the airport slowly coming into view.

•••

"Alright boys, we're here!" Minho's mom says as she parks the car and pops open the trunk. The two boys step out of the vehicle. Felic walks to the back of the car while he slings his carry-on over his shoulders. Him and Minho each take a suitcase and the three walk towards the elevator.

They make it to the correct gate after checking the suitcases and going through security with only minor issues. (Felix wasn't allowed to have his shampoo in his carry-on). Felix and Minho stop to look around for their 7 other friends. Minho smiles when he sees Jeongin waving at them.

"Come on Felix, they're over here. Mom! They're over here!" Minho and Felix quickly make their way to their friends, Minho's mother close behind. The 7 others jump up from their seats and run towards the two boys as well.

"Sungie!"

"Baby!" Minho jumps into his boyfriend's arms, smiling happily.

"Gosh, it's like you haven't seen each other in years." Seungmin says, rolling his eyes. He turns to greet Felix. "Hey there special boy! How are ya?"

"Tired." Felix says, rubbing his eyes and putting his carry-on down. "Me, Auntie, and Minho have been up since 3 am making sure everything was going to go ahead with ease."

"Well I did it so the trip wouldn't be so hard on you Felix." His aunt says behind.

"Yes yes, thank you." He turns and smiles at her.

"Hey, aren't you gonna greet the rest of us?" Felix looks back and smiles at Jeongin.

"Of course Innie. Come give brother Felix a hug." He says, opening his arms. Jeongin rolls his eyes but hugs Felix either way.

"Me too. Come on." Hyunjin beckons Felix. Said boy laughs and waddles over to his friend and gives him a hug.

"Ooh ooh! Me next hyung!" Felix then turns back around, groaning playfully and hugs Seungmin.

"God you guys, remember that I leave in like 3 hours. Save your hugging energy for then."

"Haha you wish." Woojin says as she pulls the freckled boy away from Seungmin and to her own chest. Felix spins in Nayeon's arms so he can hug the older correctly. Felix slowly escapes from Nayeon's grasp and turns to the two other boys who look at him. Felix takes a big breath and quickly runs into Changbin's arms. The short boy stumbles back but hugs Felix nonetheless.

"Haven't done that in a while."

"Nah, never got around to it." Felix says with a soft smile, letting go.

"Now I would hug Jisung, but he seems to have a parasite on him so maybe I won't-"

"Lee Felix I am not a parasite!" Minho says, stepping away from his boyfriend. "Now go and hug him." Felix laughs and walks over to Jisung, giving him a big ass hug.

"Now," He says, stepping away from the squirrel faced boy. "Was that everyone?"

"Oh my god please don't make me suffer any longer!" Chan pleads with the younger. Felix only laughs. "Lixie! Don't leave your boyfriend hanging like this." Felix finally walks over to the older and holds him tightly, lingering in his arms.

"Wait you guys are dating!? How? When? Why?" Felix turns back to Seungmin and glares at him.

"What do you mean 'why'? You gross panini head."

"I- Jeongin!! Felix called me a panini head!!"

"I mean," Jeongin says, taking his boyfriend into his arms. "Your head is kinda shaped like a panini."

*gasp* "you brat!" The boys erupt into laughter and the two's bickering. "But seriously, you guys are dating? I never even saw it coming."

"Me neither, I was almost ready to quit dance class when I was paired with this dumbass for our project."

"I- dude really?"

"I'm sorry did you just dude-zone me? You hetero."

"We're literally dating princess."

"Hah gay."

"Only for you." Chan says, winking.

"Wait so is he gay or hetero, because you jus called him both." Hyunjin says, extremely confused.

Felix looks to him and smiles. "Yes."

"That's not a an-"

"Oh let the boy be." Mrs. Lee speaks up, "He's leaving soon so don't pester him so much. Now, since we still have a few hours, let's all go find something to eat. How does that sound?"

"Oh yes please dear aunt. My intestines crave supplements and my pallet is dry."

. . .

"That's it, we're breaking up." Chan says, letting go of Felix. The young boy only laughs and begins walking towards the closest food court. The rest quickly follow.

•••

"You boys certainly like your chicken, don't you?"

"They do. Sometimes I wonder if I should add a whole chicken menu to my cafe." Nayeon says, sighing.

"Please do noona!" Jisung says, mouth full and crumbs on his face. Nayeon rolls her eyes.

"I won't if you keep talking with your mouth full. Jesus, come here and let me wipe it off."

"Thanks eomma!" Jisung smiles as Nayeon uses a napkin around his mouth. Felix's aunt laughs at the small transaction.

"You really are the mother of the group, aren't you?"

"Ah yeah. I mean, I'm the oldest so it kinda works. But before these boys even became one big friend group, I knew both of their little cliques. I've known Chan since when he first moved here. And I've known Minho all his life, as you know, obviously. And then the rest just came along with those two." Nayeon says, recalling the past. "But now, they're just one big mess that I have to take care of."

"It was even worse when she was a senior. She had to get both Chan and me out of trouble." Felix speaks up. "And that was when we like, hated each other, right?"

"Oh yeah no totally, because I was mad at you for breaking up with Binnie-"

"Aaha oh yeah. And I hated you because you kept bullying Seungmin."

"Oh yeah, I forgot how much of a bitch he was to me!" Seungmin says, joining the conversation.

"Well I mean, it wasn't that bad."

"No, you know what was bad?" Minho says, resting his elbows on the table so he can get a better angle. He points to Felix. "When you made all of us call you Yongbokk. Now that was just cringey and bad."

"Oh please not this again." Felix groans and lays his head on the table.

Chan smiles widely. "He wanted to be called Yongbokk?"

"Oh yeah no, it was like a whole thing for like the first 6 months of sophomore year." Minho says.

"Oh my god! Wait Changbin did you know this?" Chan turns to his friend.

"Mhm, but I never used it since I always called him-"

"Nope we are not bringing up that pet name Changbin!"

"...as I was saying, I always called him Baby Bear."

. . .

"You WhAt???"

"Hhhhhhh. Changbin why..." Felix slumps even farther in his seat. "That was like 2 years ago."

"You used to love it."

"Well now I don't. I have a new favorite pet name now."

"Yongbokk?" Minho smirks.

"Aussie bro?" Jisung says, quoting their friend Jackson.

"Freckle face?" Jeongin smiles innocently.

"MemeLord?" Changbin says with a straight face.

"Bokkie Boy?" Nayeon chuckles to herself.

"Carrot top?" Hyunjin says, trying not to laugh.

"Lixie?" Seungmin says, making his the most normal.

"IT'S NONE OF THOSE! THE FUCK?" His friends just laugh.

"Guys guys," Chan says, speaking up, "It's obviously my name for him...Princess!" Chan smiles brightly and side hugs his boyfriend who sinks into the older's hold.

"Of course it is." Hyunjin says, sighing.

"Nah, I like Bokkie Boy better."

"Kim Seungmin you are a dead man."

"Well boys, as much fun as this is, it's almost time for Felix's flight. So you all know what that means..." Mrs. Lee says, standing up and grabbing her things. They follow her instructions and all head back to Felix's gate.

•••

"CALLING GATE D16 FOR BOARDING." Felix quickly stands at the mention of his gate number. He sighs. The time has come...unfortunately. His aunt comes up to him first.

"My dear nephew. I wish you luck in the coming weeks because they will be the hardest. I know you hate these circumstances that your father is putting you in, but remember that I am always here to cheer you on. I love you, my Little Lixie." She engulfs him into a tight hug.

"Dang auntie, don't make me cry so hard, will ya?" Felix says, chuckling as tears form in his eyes. Minho comes up next.

"You little brat." Minho says, hugging his cousin. "You- you're just g-gonna leave me l-like this?" He begins to cry. "Couldn't even make it to graduation with me h-huh?"

"Sorry hyung." Felix hugs the older even tighter. "I'm really gonna miss you." Minho pulls away.

"Promise me you won't do what you did like last time. Don't disappear on me."

"I won't. I promise." Minho smiles, and steps aside for Jisung.

"How dare you make my boyfriend cry like that. You little punk."

"Aha love you too Jisung."

"That's hyung to you."

"Oh shut up and just hug me you grandpa." Jisung laughs and gives the younger a quick hug before joining his boyfriend on the side.

"I'm really gonna miss you hyung."

"I'm gonna miss you too Seungmin. Treat Jeongin well, alright?"

"Always."

"Step aside, eomma is coming through." Felix laughs at Nayeon's statement and hugs her tightly.

"I really am going to miss you and your coffee noona. To be honest, you really were the best eomma I've ever had. Fuck the other one."

"Felix!" The boy just laughs as Jeongin comes up to him, giving Felix the biggest hug yet.

"Don't forget us hyung. Please?"

"I could never." Jeongin smiles and moves aside.

"Lixie.."

"Come here Hyunjin." Felix opens his arms for the older. Hyunjin smiles and hugs him, quickly moving aside.

"Changbin...I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm gonna miss you as much as the others." Changbin smiles at this and gives Felix a quick hug.

"I don't regret dating you Felix." Changbin says so quietly, barely even Felix can hear.

The last person is Chan.

"Channie...I think I won't miss you the most." Felix smiles innocently as he hugs his boyfriend.

"Oh my GOD! You're such a brat, you know that?" Felix can only nod his head, as tears stream down his face. "I love you for it though. Remember, no matter what happens, you can always come find me yeah? I'm not gonna leave you behind. Not ever."

"I- I love you Channie. I love you so much it hurts."

"I love you too Princess." Chan kisses the top of Felix's head and lets him go. The young Australian grabs his bag, turning to his everyone one last time.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. This isn't goodbye, it's 'see you later'. I'm going to miss you all so much. I love you." And with that, Felix turns towards the doors leading to the tunnel. He walks through, not looking back.

As Felix settles into his seat and the engine starts, time seems to slow down. He looks out the window, and sees everyone waving. Tears stream down his face. He was leaving. It was happening. He couldn't stop it. He was leaving his home, the place he loved, the people he loved. All of it was slipping through his fingers like sand. He cried and smiled, waving to his family, his true family, through the airplane window, until he can't see them anymore.

This was it. 3... 2... 1... Lift off.

[A/N. Butterfly by Loona started playing as I was editing this oh my god]

Old a/n: As some of you may or may not know, Sulli -an f(x) member- has recently been confirmed dead. Cause of death: suicide. Now, I did not stan f(x), and I don't know them all that well, but I do know one thing: it is that no one, NO ONE, deserves the hate Sulli got. She was asking for help, yet no one was there when she needed it most. Idols are humans and they have feelings. This is a big problem, ok? Words can affect people in crazy ways. You can't just assume "Oh they're an idol, they can take it!" No, they can't. Sure they can sing and dance and are amazing people BUT THEY ARE HUMAN! They are like you and me. Words can hurt them, and this is a huge example of it! I hope those haters feel guilty, because this is the result of their "harmless" bullying. "Oh it's just a few words." Yeah, a few fucking painful and hurtful words. Don't hate on someone because they are being themselves, you don't know what they're going through! If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all, because stuff like this happens as a result.

Sulli, you are no longer with us. Your beautiful smile is no longer shining over us. Your big heart is no longer loving us. But we still love you. And we grieve with your family, friends, and fans. May you rest in eternal peace. Forever loved, and forever missed.