LACUNA.
a missing part

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

"JISUNG-AH! OPEN UP!", Donghyuck whined, constantly punching the door with his clenched fists, repeatedly throwing them at the hard wood and hissing every time he came in contact with the sturdy panel, although he already anticipated all the pain beforehand.

And Mark is no where near happy to Donghyuck's pained expressions, gritting his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut, biting his lips despite the grunts that still managed to slip out of his mouth. The older doesn't hesitate to take the latter's aching hand and intertwine them with his, using his other hand to softly caress the bruised areas.

The boy stopped knocking as he felt his hand being engulfed in the softness and the warmth of Mark's hand, a smile forming on his lips even if he could still feel a tad bit of pain. The older's presence and care was already enough for him to forget all his troubles, all the pain.

"Jisung," Mark said softly, trying not to startle the younger but made sure to be stern in his words, signifying that he was serious about the situation.

The older grew hope as he heard shuffling from inside the room, specifically the sound of the sheets ruffling with one another and the sound of footsteps rustling against the hard wood floor.

        Mark and Donghyuck could sense the younger getting nearer, the footsteps getting louder,

        until it suddenly stopped.

        "Hyung," Jisung croaked out, his voice raspy and hoarse, which even cracked along the way.

        Their hearts shattered. They may not be able to see Jisung right now,

        hell, they can't even hear him properly.

        But they could feel his pain.

        And they don't even know why Jisung was acting that way.

        "H-Hyung," the younger's breath hitched, letting out a sniffle and a soft whimper, a faint thud echoing within the confines of the area, as the boy slumped his back against the wooden door and let his body slowly slide down, falling miserably on the floor as he folded his legs up and burrying his head on his knees, his arms wrapped around his calves.

"Jisung? What's wrong?", Donghyuck said out of worry, while it was Mark's instincts to start knocking softly on the door to get the younger's attention.

"P-Please..."

Jisung was already bawling, with more tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Give m-me some s-space..." was all Jisung managed to mutter, coming out as almost a whisper but the two boys outside the room were still able to understand him.

The younger let it all out—disarrayed sobs, inhumane wimpers. He didn't even try to hide it.

        Worried looks drew upon the two boys, who were outside at the narrow corridor, crouched down by the bedroom door while their ears were pressed against it.

"P-Please..."

Jisung's plea came out as a whisper, his voice airy as if it was difficult for him to speak. He brought up his index finger under his puffy eyes and wiped away his tears, which were quickly replaced by new ones gushing out of the rim of his reddened eyes.

Mark panned his head to Donghyuck, seeing his sad eyes, and lips curved into a frown. He turned his head back to the door, hearing Jisung's sobs which hurt him even more.

"Jisung, are you sure?", Mark said firmly, staring at the door intently as if it was Jisung.

The younger hummed out, signifying a "yes", as Mark heaved a sigh of defeat. He wanted to help out the younger, have a heartfelt talk to him, protect him at all costs.

But maybe, the younger just needed some space, to be alone, think things out, be in comfortable silence.

Mark respects that, and so does Donghyuck, who had similar intentions, but he knows his limits and boundaries enough to let Jisung be.

The younger let out a cough, burrying his face on his palms and letting out all the pain, all his emotions, all of the grief he bottled up for a long time.

"Call us if you need anything," Mark said, helping Donghyuck stand up as they left the corridor to prepare for breakfast.

╚═ °• ♔ •° ═╗

"Where's Jisung?", Jeno asked, grabbing a spoonful of oi naengguk and taking a delicate sip.

        "Yeah," Renjun said, noticing the younger's absence ever since they came down for a meal.

        Mark and Donghyuck glance at each other, having a silent conversation about what they were going to tell the others. Their eyes were speaking more than words. A big gulp ran through Donghyuck's throat as a shiver threatened chills down Mark's spine.

        "Sleeping." Hyuck bluntly replied, taking a mount of rice and stuffing it in his mouth.

        But Jaemin could only furrow his brows. "Then why didn't you wake him up?", he spoke, gathering a bundle of kimchi with his silver chopsticks.

        The younger averted his gaze to Mark, who widened his eyes at Donghyuck's sudden move, which was silently telling him to relay the conversation.

        "He wouldn't budge," Mark muttered, retreating back to his meal.

        "That doesn't make sense," Jeno pointed out.

        Actually, yeah.

       Jisung not waking up doesn't make any sense.

        "But doesn't Jisung sleep with Chenle?"

         Everyone averted their gaze to Chenle.

        The boy kept silent all throughout, from waking up and going down for breakfast, and up to now.

        Chenle looked up from his plate, meeting everyone's gaze on him.

        Chenle's eyes showed no emotion, nor did he say anything to them.

        His eyes were puffy and red. His hair was awfully disheveled, and his lips were dry and chapped.

        Chenle cocked a brow and went back into eating.

        "Chenle?", Jeno said softly, placing a hand down his shoulder. The younger flinched and shook off Jeno's arm off and retreated back to his oi naengguk.

        Jeno bit his lip as he retracted his arm.

        "Chenle, are you okay?"

        And Chenle could only let out a vague hum.

        "Chenle." Renjun spoke sternly, looking at Chenle with furrowed brows.

        The younger only let out a sigh and placed his chopsticks down.

        He glanced up to meet Renjun's gaze.

        His lips curve into a smile.

        "I'm okay," Chenle whispered, his voice airy and barely audible.

        "I just had a bad dream."

He turned back down and continued eating breakfast.

        Oh, how he wishes it was all just a dream.

.❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。

❀ | a/n !
— we boom take my money
— sorry for the late update tho
— HYUCKHAN !