Archive of Our Own

"And that's a wrap! Thank you everyone for your hard work!" The director for Studio Choom announced happily after the long and eventful day of filming. A round of cheers and applauds rung out as there artist of the month went into a fit of bows as he too thanked everyone for their hard work. Now that filming truly was done, Hyunjin had realized just how tired he was. It didn't help that the choreo for Motley Crew was so upbeat and exhausting. Or as Hyunjin liked to compare, 'Was like Dancing to Thunderous five times.' So it left him pretty beat.

But he was happy, after looking over each of the shots, he was happy to say that he liked each shot came out and hoped Stay would too. And as much as all of the practice, and his own negative thoughts, seemed to be tiring, he was thankful for it in the end. It’s was pushed him to do better for stay.

After thanking everyone, his makeup artists rushed him into the dressing room to help remove his makeup and allow him to change into comfortable clothes. Which, Knowing he'd be exhausted and wanted to be comfy, was a simple pair of black Cargo pants and a dark grey shirt.

"You really were amazing Hyunjin!" One of the makeup artist exclaimed as she wiped off his eye makeup. She was a bit on the younger side, still older than him though, and having just started working for Studio Choom not too long ago, this was her first experience working with an idol, much less one she looked up to. 

Hyunjin blushed, for as amazing as people claimed him to be, he still sucked at taking compliments. "Ah—Thank you Noona." She smiled in return, as she continued to wipe off his makeup. Just then, his driver walked in, claiming the car was ready and even starting to warm the seats up in case Hyunjin was cold. This was one of his normal drivers, and quite often when it came time to leave did the man come and inform him that it was almost time to go and that the cars settings were to his liking. He was a nice man, though oddly enough Hyunjin didn't think he could tell you his name. 

The makeup artist finished taking off all his makeup, bidding him goodbye as she started to clean up her station. "Thank you again Noona's." Hyunjin quickly exclaimed to all the ladies that had helped him get ready. Then he grabbed his backpack and any other belongings he'd strewn across the room. Walking back into the film room he said thank you to everyone in there, then finally found his driver and followed him to the car that would be taking him home. 

The two hopped in the car and as per any ride, it was silent except for the sound or the air conditioning. It would be awkward if Hyunjin wasn't used to it already, but he figured that the man figured Hyunjin wanted silence, or at least silence till he went live for Stay. Thus, after giving himself 10 minutes to himself, eating a couple snacks and texting the others he was on his way home, he started up the vlive app.

Once he was live, he gave it a couple minutes for the viewers to start filing in. "Hello~" 

Hyunjin smiled as soon as he could see all the chipper comments. Most saying hello, some saying they loved him, some asking where he was going, some even just spamming the heart emoji he found himself using all the time. It made him giggle. "Hello Stay~ How are we?"

This time he watched the comments change to a multitude of responses. Some made him want to console the commenter, but he didn't want to bring possible unwanted attention to that Stay. Nor did he want to accidentally say the wrong thing. So in his heart he prayed for any stay that gave a bad response.

"Where are you going? Ah i'm going home! Though I can't say where I was, it'll be a surprise soon!" He smiled so much it reached his eyes, making it hard to see the screen. Being with stay was something out of this world, it really matched no words. It was like a cure for any sickness. He knew it was a cure for one sickness he'd had not too long ago, and all it took was him to reach out to the stars.

20 Minutes later, he found himself catching the driver looking at him through the rear view mirror. The driver would watch him for a couple seconds, only to turn away and mumble to himself. It was a bit odd considering Hyunjin had never seen him do this before, but he'd hoped maybe the older had gained a habit of saying the directions to himself while driving. Or maybe traffic was weird today and it caused the man to head to look back and it looked like he was looking at Hyunjin when he wasn't.

He'd shaken it off until he realized their normal path wasn't being taken. That's when the situation immediately felt off. Totally disregarding the fact that he was on a live stream, "Uh sir you missed our tur-"

"Shut up. Don't make this harder than it has to be." The driver bit back immediately, glaring him down through the mirror. As soon as those words were spoken, the car seemed to speed up drastically. And now, Hyunjin was terrified. He was in a car that was speeding down the streets of the outer parts of Seoul. His seat belt suddenly felt like it wouldn't do enough, he felt like his life was going to end on such short notice. He wouldn't get to say goodbye to anyone but the shitty driver and his the-

And the thousands of people of vlive.

He watched the comments stream in, all fully of panic and worry. But he couldn't, he couldn't let them be scarred by what was to come. He looked directly into the camera with pleading eyes and whispered; "I love you Stay and I love Stray Kids. Always remember that." And then the live was turned off and Hyunjin felt a small sense of relief. No one would see his demise.

Not long after he'd ended it, and the view around him seemed to speed by, he'd seen a red sign fly past his view. Suddenly it was like a live action slow mo and Hyunjin couldn't fathom what was actually happening. Everything became a blur. The screams that escape his mouth as he watched the driver unbuckle and jump out. The hitting the car at incredible speeds, the conclusion having the car suddenly taking air. The air time, and the landing. 

The only thing that interrupted the blur was the excruciating pain when everything came to a sudden thud. The noises came back, things moved at normal speeds. The breaking of windows could be heard, the bending and scratching of metal. The breaking of his own bone for sure when the seat in front of him was pushed backwards at such force. He could feel the bouncing and throwing of his head, the glass shards ripping though skin and clothes. 

When everything finally stopped moving, pain ripped through like a title wave. His leg was for sure broken, he was sure he'd banged his head against every hard surface in the possible radius his seatbelt allowed, which even the seatbelt looked ready to snap. The cuts felt deeper than the slow movement he'd seen beforehand as the glass cut skin. His mind felt numb and fuzzy, and he was positive he'd gotten one if not all the head injuries imaginable.

The came the sudden truth, this actually just happened. His driver just tried to kill him—actually, how is he alive? Why is he alive? More so, why the fuck is he conscious. That thought didn't seem to last long, because once his mind started working to the best of its ability, everything set in. Hyunjin was in the utmost of pain, his head was spinning, he was hyperventilating and didn't know what to do.

It had all become too much. His realization of his state, the sight of his own blood on not only himself but the cars interior, the smell of his blood and smoke from the car. To top it off, the silence that remained outside of the car meant no one was coming. His breathing continued to pick up, his head spinning as he looked everywhere to see it anyone was coming. He didn't get far, not all at, when his vision started fading, and seconds later he was falling limply into the hold of the seatbelt. 

————

"Turn on the TV will ya? Hotel De Luna ain't gonna watch itself." Minho griped at the member who sat closest to the remote, which was the poor maknae. But he did as Minho requested, flicking the TV on then tossing the remote so Minho could find the Channel himself.

"This just in on SKNews. A couple minutes ago we received word claiming that there has been a terrible car crash down in the outskirts of Seoul on Miroh Avenue,"

Minho paused to watch the News that he'd landed on, already feeling bad for any lives lost, or injuries gained from the accident. The other members, who had now joined him and Jeongin on the couch, seemed invested too. 

"This crash was indeed terrible. From the looks of it, one of the cars was going at serious speeds, crashing right into another moving vehicle, sending it up and over. Sadly the driver of the car that was crashed into did not survive, but upon inspecting the other vehicle, there were no passengers."

The room erupted in gasps. Then the news showed the scene, the hit car having a giant dent in its side, and presumably the dent that crushed its owner. Whilst the other car lay on the opposite side of the dent, but it's front end was pushed in along with it's sides. It looked horrible. 

"Though it is quite evident there were passengers at some point. While there is no sign of a driver, the backseat tells a story itself that we can only hope didn't lead to a dead end. More information will be gathered and we will update soon. No moving on to Some of the latest comebacks!-"

Minho changed the channel, not caring anymore seeing as what he was interested in was no longer the main topic. "Damn, that's like one of the worst crashes i've ever seen on the news..." Jisung mumbled from Minhos side, in which the older hummed in agreement.

"Do you think the passengers got out on their own to find help?" Felix had asked, his eyes a bit blown open by his own shock. Chan hummed in though, "Probably. Though it's obvious not for the help of everyone. Except I couldn't tell you what the driver might've done. But the passenger obviously escaped." he voiced. 

They talked about it for a little while longer, because as sad of a topic as it was, it was also a bit of a mystery thus made it quite fun to talk about. Again, despite the death. Suddenly the loud noise of a ringtone startled the group and Chan found himself apologizing with a small giggle as he fished out his phone. It was his manager.

"Hello?"

"Chan have you seen the News by chance?"

Chan looked at his group, puzzled by the sudden question that had no relation to any of them. Maybe their manager was just as much as a caring person as they were, calling to talk about how bad he felt for the life lost. 

 "Oh uh yeah, we all actually just watched it. It looked horrible and I feel for everyone involved."

"Good you feel that way Chan because you're really gonna want to do some more praying."

That wasn't at all what he expected his manager to say. Chan had put the phone on speaker at this point, allowing them all to hear the conversation that seemed to be going in a different direction, sending worried chills down Chan's spine. "What do you mean?"

"The car with missing passengers was the same car Hyunjin used today to get to Studio Choom and back."

The room froze. It felt like there was no air to breathe and it was suffocating them all. And to make matters worse, the image and things they were told of the crash were now replaying in their minds, except this time, they knew who the missing passenger was. They now knew who sat in the backseat that 'tells a story itself that we can only hope didn't lead to a dead end.' Oh god.

"W-What?"

"The licenses plates match, and check the time will you? Hyunjin's filming ended an hour and a half ago."

"S-So what does this mean?"

"This means we have no clue where Hyunjin is nor the true extent of his health."

Chan hated how the manager sounded so nonchalant about this. His team looked terrified and his manager just kept spilling like it was a normal thing. "Have you called the police then? Why are you wasting time telling me this if you haven't done what's most important right now?!"

"Chan please calm down, I called the police to give them Hyunjin's information the moment I found out."

There was no calming him down at this rate, Chan was furious. "Im Sorry, but there is no calming down. Hyunjin is out there somewhere and he may not even be al-" Chan had to take a deep breathe before he broke down. "I can't. Until I get anything positive on him I cannot calm down. This is a member of my family, my younger brother we are taking about."

"Ah I understand. I'm sorry Chan. I will keep you as updated as possible. Please, you and the others stay strong. We will do everything in our power to find him. That's a promise."

Chan let out another big sigh, one mixed with relief and stress. Relief to his managers words, but the uncontrollable stress that took over just by knowing Hyunjin was in danger. He couldn't even imagine any pain the younger could be going through. He didn't want to really, but knowing wild put ease on his mind when it came to life or death. 

He thanked his manager, and looked up to meet the eyes of his team. Almost all were filled with tears if not already passively crying into someone's shoulder. Chan's heart broke at the sight, but as if it wasn't broken already with the news they just gotten. Chan decided to finally join his team, allowing the tears to roll down his cheeks as his sobs turned more aggressive. No one had ever seen him cry like this except for his family back in Australia, so it was shocking. But not made fun of. It was totally acceptable, thus the group felt more comfortable to let their feelings out like Chan had.

The room was now full of nothing but loud sobs. It would've been better if they knew something, but they knew nothing. They didn't know where Hyunjin was, they didn't know his condition, was he happy? Safe? Had he crawled out himself and gotten to safety? Nothing. A Blank slate.

And it was gut wrenching.

Once Chan finally started to regain himself, he pulled the closest member into his embrace, which ended up being Changbin who's cheeks with now rosy and his eyes were puffy. Chan didn't know how much heartbreak he could take. But it only made him pull the boy closer as Changbin continued to cry. He watched Minho do the same with Jeongin, and the rest of the 00s try to comfort each other.

"H-Hyunjin will be okay r-right?" Jisung peeped, his voice unsteady as if he'd break down again at any given moment.

This was something Chan needed to be passive about, hardening his look as much as possible, "Yes, he has to be. Our Jinnie is strong, he'll get through whatever is thrown at him, i'm sure of it. And you should be too." 

Jisung nodded, trying to be strong himself but failing and curling more into Felix and Seungmin's embrace. It wasn't that he didn't think Hyunjin was strong, no he knew that. But he also knew that there were things that were physically stronger, and he feared if Hyunjin were to face them, would it be a knife in a gun fight. Would Hyunjin lose because he could never be as strong as something no one could be.

A sudden gasp from Felix drew the attention to the boy. "Hyunjin was live." Those words were enough to have Chan fishing his phone back out and pulling up the vlive app. And true to Felixs words, there was a Live. Though it had ended 25 minutes ago, it was there. Each boy was now crowded around Chan, desperate to see as their Hyung clicked play.

It had seemed like a normal live until Chan could see the worry in Hyunjin's eyes as he seemed to look forward, "Uh Sir you missed our Tur-"

It was hard to watch Hyunjin get told to be quite, it was hard to watch as it was clear the boy was becoming more and more terrified. Then it seemed Hyunjin realized just what was happening as his eyes softened ever so slightly as he stared at the screen.

"I love you Stay and I love Stray Kids. Always remember that."

And then the screen went black and Chan had to hold in a sob. Watching it actually go down made him feel even more useless. Yet at the same time ignited a flame even brighter than before.

————

Hyunjin thought he died. He had almost no recollection of anything before passing out, and maybe that's why his head hurt so bad. But upon waking up, he wished he could go back as pain appeared everywhere. He could feel his heartbeat everywhere there was pain, pulsing through his skin. It took him a good moment to fully become conscious, his eyes struggling to open with the overbearing headache he felt. It really was easy to say he felt like shit. 

He took in his surroundings, none of it looking familiar in any way. Where the hell am I? Hyunjin also realized he was sitting, and in an attempt to get up and explore, he realized he couldn't. Not only because the metal cuffs that bound him to the chair, but the expounding pain in his leg and well...everywhere. He had to hold in a scream, it was pain he'd never felt before. It shot up his leg and felt like he'd hit his funny bone the way it felt like it made him vibrate.

Hyunjin deflated back into the chair, tossing his head back with a groan. Bad move there too as his head continued to pound. So a couple things were already certain; he wasn't in a hospital even though his injuries screamed that he needed one, and that he was pretty sure he'd been taken from the crash, and not by his members unless this was some sick joke.

"I'm actually surprised you managed to get him." 

"Well it wasn't fucking easy that's for sure."

"Really? You sure did make it seem like it was, except for his current condition now."

"Hey, either you take it or leave it. I had to put Mathew under as a driver for months and even he didn't make it out without a couple bruises here and there."

"But isn't that what he's trained for? Isn't that what we are all trained for? Regardless, the beauty in there isn't trained for those things, nor did we want him so beaten up from the get go."

"We? Sounds like your questioning my capabilities as a leader."

"Sir you said it, not I. But i'm also not in any mood to argue with you. What's done is done and as long as we can get cash off him it's fine."

"Is that not what i've been saying?"

"Do we plan on aiding his injuries in any way to make him look presentable?"

"You're dodging because you know i'm right. No, I think if he looks worse, they'll actually be more desperate and will take more extreme measures in payment. So let him be, maybe let the others in there every once in a while to do some damage."

"But-"

"You are only allowed to treat any of his injuries if it comes down to life or death. We need this money and can't have him dying on us."

"I swear, this groups drug addictions should have us homeless."

"You can't deny the drugs give you what no one else can. Even if it puts us in debt, it too gets the job done yes?"

"We should check on him to see if he's awake."

"You're dodging again."

"I'm rather aware, and am currently aware our raffle prize has woken up."

Hyunjin, after eves dropping as the two bickered, finally took note of the glass wall right in front of him. Without a doubt it was to be thicker than anything, but only to keep what should remain inside, inside. He saw an older man, possibly in his mid forties', and another man, late twenties tops. Despite the age gap, they both looked tough.

You could see the tattoos that peeked out from their clothing, the scars that drew ridged lines in pale pinks, the random hair cuts that might've actually been knife swipes. Just looking at them screamed red flags, but it wasn't like Hyunjin was in any position to make a change.

"Good morning sunshine! Sleep well I hope?" The youngest toyed. Once spoken, Hyunjin realized he had a bit of a crazy act to him. The boys eyes seemed to be wider than normal, his eyebrows following in suit. It was like he was shocked all the time except the smile didn't really say he was shocked. 

He didn't respond, and that was probably expected. "Man, your definitely not the guy i'd go to to have a conversation. This is feeling really one sided." The younger man pouted, but the guy next to him didn't seem phased at all. In fact he looked used to it. Or maybe he was used to his victims being quite as Hyunjin was. He was used to his teammates useless antics.

There seemed to be a small ledge, one the older of the two leaned against, his gaze dead set on Hyunjin's now. He was serious, his eyes thinner and dull, his eyebrows flat against the top. 

"Let's cut to the chase here, you're our raffle prize. Once it's made known, a price will lay on your head, and if not paid by a certain time, like a raffle would, the prize won't be handed over." Hyunjin gulped, which the man seemed to notice as he smirked. He'd struck a fear nerve.

"Or in simple terms because maybe you kpop idols are too above all else, if your company doesn't pay the price we want, you aren't going anywhere. In fact, that room might as well be your grave." It really hadn't needed to be put into simpler terms, Hyunjin had watched his fair share of dramas. He just didn't think he himself would ever be in one. He also didn't see why they told him this. It wasn't like he could do anything.

"And why do I need to know this?" 

The older snickered, it wasn't very pleasant to the ears. "So you my dear can know the exact reason you use your puppy dog eyes when we call your good ol' leader, cause your gonna want to use them by that point." Hyunjin really didn't want to know why exactly the man seemed to be so cocky about the fact that Hyunjin would break so soon. Yet at the same time, knowing how cruel the worlds people could be, he knew. And knowing himself too, he feared he would break just as the man assumed.

Nothing had happened yet since the accident, which he was oddly calm about (it may be the head injuries he was certain he'd gained), but he was already terrified. Hyunjin tried his best not to show it, but he knew and he was sure they did too. 

The leaders 'wing man' laughed in Hyunjin's face, basically, Hyunjin knew he was trying to but the glass was in the way, before the two walked away. Thus Hyunjin was left alone in a destination he had no knowings of. But being alone left him to really take in the room he feared he may be in for a while. Besides the thick glass section in one of the walls, each wall was made of cement, the floors differing in no way. Some of the walls had rusted chains bolted to them, sagging on the floor with no use.

What was bad about concrete though was that it was easily stained. Easily stained with any substance that was dark enough and strong enough that water didn't wash it all away. Especially when it was given time to dry. 

In other words; Blood. And oh so much of it. Though it had more of a rusty brown color to it now, Hyunjin was certain it was blood. What more could it be when some of his own had already made its stains into it? His own blood was dripping off the metal that held down his arms and legs. He could feel the dried blood on his face, and no doubt his hair was bound to be matted with sections of maroon. 

His lip was split and he knew Changbin would pitch a fit over it. He could taste a tinge of copper every time he licked his lips to try and save them from the drought. And god was he tired. Which at this point Hyunjin didn't know if he was actually tired or dying. Dying would feel the same right? Taunting him into closing his eyes for a peaceful slumber? With that fear now in mind, he wouldn't close them in fear that they wouldn't open on his command again.

Two hours later, after Hyunjin had entertained himself by trying to found all the darkened spots in the concrete, blood or not, footsteps were heard the heavy metal door of his enclosure was swung open. It was the lunatic younger, yet this time with two other men Hyunjin had yet to see. Not that he wanted to in the first place.

"My friends here are gonna give you a bit of a glow up, ya know, for your little date with your leader." Hyunjin wanted to tell him he looked fine. He knew damn well the bastard didn't mean in actually looks, but rather his destruction of looks. Hyunjin was pretty sure Chan would flip already even if Hyunjin only had a tiny scratch on his cheek. Seeing Hyunjin already would send Chan into panic, there wasn't a need to inflict more.

Hyunjin of course didn't voice this, instead stared with Venom at all three males. This only had the youngest, he assumed, smiling and giving a cocky wave as he left his two 'friends' with Hyunjin. And they drew clear him, his strong resolve faltered and he watched them in fear. 

Let's just say Hyunjin's attempt to stay silent didn't work, and instead vocalized clearly how in pain he was. Yet it did nothing as another kick was sent to his already damaged leg and a knife was stabbed into his shoulder blade.

————

It's been a week. Chan was losing his shit, and the rest of the team was no different. They'd gone on a hiatus four days ago after having to tell the world that their friend was missing. If their hearts weren't already broken, seeing the replies and reactions from Stay did more damage than they were prepared for. At first they saw denial, which in a sense was just angry jokes and angry memes all over twitter. Then it was acceptance and fear, and that's where the breakdowns started. 

They watched accounts go inactive for a while because they couldn't bare the thought of posting about someone who may be dead. They couldn't bare the thought of being happy while there bias wasn't. It was like Stayville deflated, the best of it quickly depleting. It was the worst parts of Stayville they'd avoided when Hyunjin himself went on Hiatus. 

But this was worse than Hyunjin's hiatus. And that was well known in the group. Chan himself was constantly answering phone calls, texts and answering the door, each time his hope dwindling a bit when there was no helpful information. The 00line including Jeongin seemed to be lifeless and were thankful they'd been given time off. Minho and Changbin, though feeling down themselves, tried their best to cheer of the youngers and aid in Chan's desire to get something useful on Hyunjin. 

The two were actually currently in the kitchen, which may be a disaster duo, but they were still trying to make something sweet to cheer the others up. "Bin I don't think you just added the right amount of flour...."

"As it too little? That's okay we can just add more to get up to the amount needed!" Changbin exclaimed, reached in to get another scoop of flour. "No as in too much Bin...."

"Oh."

"Welp, I guess we are making a double batch then. Add 2/4s more flour." They we're trying to make a batch of double chocolate cookies, which was going well until Changbin added too much flour. Which really was an easy fix and meant they were getting double or their original intent.

Knock, Knock.

Minhos attention drew towards the door, Changbin seeing that Minho probably had it covered, continued to add the flour. And true to his thoughts, "Ill get it." Minho trotted his way to the door, opening it to find a man in a white blouse, his suit jacket in one hand and a brief case in the other. "Hello?"

The man stuck his hand out for Minho to shake, "Kim Chanwoo, Private Investigator and family friend of the Hwangs. I'm here to help." Minhos eyes widened and he shook the man's hand. "Minho—oh um, please, come in." He quickly stood to the side, making way for Chanwoo. 

"Minho who was it—oh. Hello." Changbin stood with flour all over his face, embarrassed at the sudden company as he stared at the investigator. "This is Kim Chanwoo, a private investigator." Changbins eyes, like Minhos, had widened at the boys words. A part of him was so desperate for hope, that this might have been it.

No more than five minutes later, all seven sat with Chanwoo in the living rooms with awaiting and hopeful faces. "So you were hired by-"

"Mr. And Mrs. Hwang yes, though we are such good friends, and have been for quite some time. So rather the moment I heard, I offered my ability to help. And god love the Hwangs but they have no useful information as to their son's disappearance, so I came here." 

Chanwoo chuckled once he was met with blank faces, "We don't know much either-"

"I didn't mean here, I meant the JYPE building, where I talked to not only your managers, but JYP himself." Chan looked worried, and Minho could feel the tenseness of said boy next to him. "No one was at this crash cite sir, so I really don't know how coming to them, or any of us will do you good." Chan voiced. 

Though this made Chanwoo smile, and it made Minho wonder if the investigator had already found plenty of information that would aid in their findings. "Wrong Mr. Bang. You see, if you watched the news that day, it did also say there was no driver? Nor evidence that the driver had gotten injured in the crash. Most likely meaning he'd escaped before the cars collided. Now, i've also visited the car itself after getting its license plate information from the manager. It was hard to gather much evidence from a beat up car, but it had given enough. For starters, I needed to look for a reason, or maybe a cause."

Chanwoo held his hand up in noticing Chan slowly open his mouth, "So I took a look at the gas pedal; which was jammed. The floor mat was jammed under the gas pedal, causing the car to accelerate regardless of a another force on the pedal."

"Sorry but how does that solve anything?" Jisung asked, they all faced Chanwoo for answers, and with his smirk still plastered, it was clear he had them. "This means it was a set up. It the driver jammed the floor mat under the gas pedal, it would make way for him to escape without the vehicle slowing. In other words, he could escape while the job still got done. So with that being said, the driver must've been hired either already with the intentions of doing this, or was dragged into it while working." It seemed to click then. And the group collectively hummed. 

"So I went to JYP to get the drivers resume and identification." He paused, pulling his brief case out and setting it on the table. Opening it up, he pulled out his computer, and some documents. "Which he then identified as Matthew Rogues, Age 27."

Oddly enough that name struck a bell in some of the boys beads, Chanwoo seemed to notice there confused and questioning faces. "Sounds oddly familiar doesn't it? Maybe because 3 years ago another incident like this happened. The driver had been identified as Matthew Rhodes, but had escaped before he could be taken into custody." Chanwoo stopped to hand Chan the files he'd gotten about both Matthew's. 

Jeongin and Minho leaned over to read them too, which they found the files were almost identical, with only a few differences. The birthday was different by one day, and the heights and weights were barely off one another. "Are they the same?" Minho questioned.

"Same person? I believe so. The faces are also basically identical except for different colored hair, more piercings, and colored contacts." Chanwoo added, pointing to features in the pictures that gave it away. Like the man's chipped eyebrow. 

"Okay, so we know the driver had bad intentions, where do we go with that?" Changbin asked, it was no good to seem to know everything about the driver if you couldn't find him in the first place.

Chanwoo continued to smile and pulled out another set of Documents. "You see, assuming that these Matthews are the same, Rhodes also has some experience with the group Forstrayer; a in-hiding mafia group that started in 2016. He also has some criminal records that are connected to some members of Forstrayer, so I have reason believe he is part of that group."

Chan had gasped, reaching for Minhos hand out of a search for comfort, "So you're saying that it's possible Hyunjin was taken by a fucking mafia?" That caused Chanwoo to frown, "I'm afraid I am."

"Then you better have more information that will help us find him." Changbin barked, getting frustrated with their intake. Sure they were learning so much information about who, what, how, and why, but where was the when and where.

"That I do have more of," As if the briefcase was endless, he pulled out a manila folder, "These are the identifications of each member of Forstrayer. With that, given they are criminals, there is a list of last seen locations for each member. I think it's possible to draw a circle around the area they are seen most, and investigate that area." 

It was like the whole mood of the room changed. Suddenly it felt like there really could be hope. That they just might find Hyunjin quicker than they feared. "So here, each of you grab a member and a map," 

Minho had grabbed Matthew Rogues, or Rhodes, file and then one of the paper maps Chanwoo had brought along. "Mark a dot for each location they were last seen on your map."

Seven-Eleven at 2:34 pm on Miroh Avenue

Dominos at 7:30 pm on Miroh Avenue

..........Miroh Avenue

......Miroh Avenue 

Miroh Avenue

"Patrick Davis seems to have been spotted a lot around Miroh Avenue." Seungmin mumbled. Minho was glad to see that Matthew didn't differ much in location. It also had Minho thinking though, "Chan Hyung do you remember where the crash was?" 

Chan picked his head up, eyebrows furrowing as he thought about it, "Oh yeah! Miroh-"

"Miroh Avenue?" Minho finished, flipping his map to show how all the dots for Matthew lined up on Miroh Avenue. "It would make sense wouldn't it?" Jeongin frowned from next to Minho, "What would make sense?"

Minho set his map down, noticing how on all the other maps, the dots locations didn't differ except for random rare sightings that weren't near Miroh Avenue. "Most of their spotting a have been on Miroh Avenue. So if they planned on taking Hyunjin, it would've been so easy to get him back to their base if they created the crash on Miroh Avenue."

Minho looked over to Chanwoo who had a impressed smile, but a smile that said he already knew that. "When can we start looking?!" Jisung jumped up, slamming his map onto the table. He was excited just as he was eager. He wanted to get out as soon as possible seeing as they'd already wasted away a week. The sooner they went out, the sooner they had a possibility of saving Hyunjin.

"I suggest tomorrow. As eager as we all may be, this is also something we must sleep on. Our eagerness will create bad decisions and that won't do us, nor Hyunjin any good." Chanwoo explained, picking up each file and map off the table and placing them on the table. "I also want to call the police tonight and inform them of our findings. That way we can get help and protection." Closing his briefcase, he sent the group a smile.

"Well, Im off-"

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

————

Finally they stopped hitting him, though he didn't think it mattered, the damage had already been done. They'd punched and kicked him countless of times, they'd used him as a piece of paper, using a knife to draw on his skin. They were only lines, but it didn't matter. They'd even take one to his eyebrow, claiming that 'if he escaped, he'd look so much cooler with an eyebrow slit.'

Hyunjin couldn't deny that, he'd often thought the fake bruises and cuts given to him by his makeup artist were cool. Just—he never wanted them to be real. 

Hyunjin had done so much wiggling in his attempts to especially that his wrists had gone raw under the metal cuff. There was even dried blood on not only his wrist, but the cuff and arm rest. It was weird seeing his own blood, and so much of it, because it wasn't like he was a girl who saw so much of her own blood monthly. So seeing his own was a bit unsettling, and it only brought knowledge to open cuts and gashes. 

There was definitely dried blood in his hair too, he couldn't reach back to feel it, but he could feel it regardless with how stiff his hair felt upon moving it. His grey shirt had turned and odd dark color in places that had soaked blood, such as both of his shoulders which he'd had knives stabbed into. His face was streaked with dried tears because he knows he's cried enough to create a river. 

Maybe Pre-debut Jisung would get his wish, "Cry me a river Hwang."

Hyunjin had never taken that serious because he really didn't think it was possible. But now, just maybe, he could actually do it.

Hyunjin flinched when the metal door swung open. Mainly because nothing good ever happened when it was opened, but also because he'd just gotten a beating two hours—he thinks—ago. Not saying that they weren't cruel enough to give him another go, but it would be a first. 

Instead of the two men that treated him like a punching bag, the two he'd met on day one walked in. The younger, who he'd come to learn was named Patrick, and the older, Damon. Patrick chuckled, as if it was something new, at the sight of Hyunjin. "Seems like you've had the time of your life! Love what you've decided to do with your eyebrow." 

Damon silenced the younger, and suddenly Hyunjin's own phone was pulled from the man's back pocket. It didn't look as nice as he last remembered it, but that was reasonable for what it had been through. Damon shoved it in his face, he guessed for face recognition to open it. Though he almost laughed when it didn't open, not even able to recognize its owners face anymore. 

"Damn, Axel and Amin really did a number on him if his phone can't even recognize him." Patrick exclaimed and he burst into laughter. How something so cruel was so funny made Hyunjin steam. Damon growled, "Shut it! Password." Glaring right into Hyunjin's soul, Hyunjin could do nothing but mumble the password.

"032518." 

Basic? Isn't it. But it meant the world to Hyunjin. Once his phone was opened, Patrick was leaning over the leaders shoulder, smirking at something, "How cute, Channie Hyung, your leader right? What a cute contact name~" If Hyunjin could've, Patrick would've received a nice slap. Maybe it'd knock some sense into him. 

And suddenly, he could hear the facetime tune, and panic settled in. "Wait-"

"Hyunjin?!? Is that You?!"

It was Chan. They'd called his leader, his Hyung. The Chan who Hyunjin wouldn't be able to live with himself if he saw His condition.

"Hello Bang Chan. I have a request, now listen carefully because if you don't meet this request, you might not like the outcome."

"You Fucker!! Let Hyunjin go right now!-"

"Quiet, or I won't even put the offer on the table. It's simple, 15 Million dollars paid to the link i've sent you by Sunday night at midnight, and you get Hyunjin back. Fail to do that, and he's as good as dead." Hyunjin could hear the gasps on the other line of the phone. He could hear Jeongin worriedly asking what was going on and who was one the phone because it obviously wasn't Hyunjin.

And $15 Million was a lot, sure JYP had it, but that didn't not make it a lot. He knew Chan was going to stress about this. He knew they all would, and it frustrated him that he couldn't do anything. 

"So, to help aid in you willingness to conceive, I have another message."

The door opened again and who Hyunjin assumed was Axel and Amin, walked in. They walked towards him like they did everyday, smirking and cracking their knuckles. Hyunjin always knew they use more than their knuckles, but that didn't mean it wasn't terrifying. Now all four stood in front of Hyunjin, and he wanted to curl in a ball.

"Smile Hyunjin~" And that's when Hyunjin knew the camera was flipped and was now on him. The disaster he currently was, the terror he currently showed, all on display for the people he never wanted to see him like this. 

And like he was an act in a circus, his show started with a fist to his already battered cheek. His face was tossed to the side as the copper built up in his mouth. 

"What the Hell!!? Don't touch him!!"

Another punch, forcing his head the other direction. 

"Stop!!"

Another punch, except this time was head on, sending his head back and his nose into a dripping red mess. He could control the cry that left his lips, if he couldn't control his cries in front of random men there was no way he could in front of his family. Next was a piercing pain all too familiar in his shoulder, And another sob left his lips. Could they really not let his shoulder heal? Who was he kidding, that was part of the torture. 

He could feel the blood drip and soak into his already soaked shirt. Then he was flinching backwards as a knife appeared right in front of his face. Axel, Amin, he didn't know, was smirking in his face, the knife nearing closer and closer to his throbbing cheek. Then it was pressing down, and Hyunjin could hear his skin break along with the whimper that left his lips.

"Beg."

Hyunjin knew what they meant by beg, and he couldn't do that to Chan who he knew was watching the whole thing, feeing completely at fault. But the knife was dragged down and he cried out in pain.  

"Beg!"

The tearing of skin on his face hadn't been enough, so the knife was moved to his neck and he choked on a breath. He knew what slices in the neck could do, he knew they could end your life in a split second. Hyunjin knew that if he didn't play their game, he was going to die. And now being aware of death, it was terrifying.

He felt the knife press down again and start to move. Fear was suddenly coursing as fast as adrenaline. The cuffs felt tighter, his throat felt restricted, the pain of each and every injury was striking his skin. And with the fear coursing through, he couldn't stop the words;

"Chan please save me!!!" With loud sobs escaping in panicked gasps as he felt the knife get moved away. The sobs were a mixture of relief, pain, and betrayal. He was so relieved the knife was gone from his neck, yet he could feel so much pain mentally and physically. 

And he gave in and begged. That was the worst part. He was so sure Chan looked horrified on the screen, he was so sure Chan's mind was a ticking bomb and this just set it off.

"You heard the boy. You have two days till Sunday night, I suggest you get to it." Damon sneered cockily, his tone making Hyunjin want to scream and shout, maybe even throw some punches in for ruining his family like he was.

But it was no use. He could hear the facetime end with shaken sobs from the dorm line. Thus Hyunjin himself couldn't stop the tears that slipped down his own face as the four men retreated out the room, laughing and shouting for their so called achievement. The drops of salt water rolled down his cheeks, falling onto his torn and trashed clothing, making no sense of appearance after the blood had done so already.

The metal door slammed shut, and he was stuck again in the majority darkness, nothing but the lights in the hallway that seeped through the large glass window.

————

After the call, the whole room was rushing around. Chanwoo was busy seeing if he could track the location of Hyunjin's phone, Minho was busy comforting all four of the youngers, and Changbin was trying to o stop Chan from pacing. 

"You heard him too right?!"

Changbin grabbed Chan's shoulders and forced him to stop, "Yes Hyung, I saw him too. But pacing will do nothing for him, stressing as you are will do nothing."

Chan let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders limping over and his head falling. Changbin's heart clenched, he hated seeing his Hyung like this. Chan had a way of holding his emotions together normally, so it must've been bad, he must've been beating himself up for them to really show.

"Damnit." Chan and Changbin turned to a stressed Chanwoo, who ended up slamming his computer closed. "I can't get a location off his phone. But that doesn't mean we have to lose hope, We still have an area we can search. I also still say we search tomorrow, but Chan, i'd advise telling JYP about this, because the money will be our last resort."

Chan knew Chanwoo was right, but did he trust the reliability of JYP? Did he trust that as much as JYP claimed he cared for his artists, would he pull through if needed with $15 million? Chan knew it was better to be safe than sorry. So they bid goodbye and thanked Chanwoo, not before setting a time when they'd meet and start their search. Chanwoo also reminded them that they'd most likely have police searching with them, and that it would be best to give any other details they learn of to the police.

Once Chanwoo had left, Chan grabbed his phone and made his way to the company building. He wasn't blind to the kids sad and pity faces as he told them where he was going. He wouldn't be surprised if they had felt the same was as he did towards the matter. But the more Chan thought about it, the more he realized how uninvolved JYP had been. Sure his managers had said they'd do as much as possible, but so far he'd heard nothing of his bosses help.

It only filled the worry that JYP wouldn't give up $15 million.

"Chan! How may I help you on this fine tonight?" JYP had welcomed him in so kindly, it almost seemed fake. "So uh, as you know Hyunjin is missing. And 45 minutes ago, we actually received a call asking for a ransom in return of Hyunjin."

"And how much are they asking for?" JYP cocked his eyebrow, and Chan really couldn't believe he was asking about how much he might have to pay when one of his brothers was on the line.

"$15 Million Sir."

JYP started to cackle, leaning forward as he slapped his knee, "Ah Chan, you aren't trying to run of with $15 million are you? I know you like to send money to your family-"

"I'm serious." Chan was glad he'd screen recorded as soon as he realized Hyunjin's phone was facetiming him. So as quick as he could, he whipped out the video and set it on his bosses desk.

"Watch it." JYP gave him a questioning look, as if to say and who are you to tell me what to do? But Chan gave him a stern look, in which JYP scoffed and pressed play. Chan watched as his bosses eyes grew wide, and Chan thought that for once he saw a bit of concern.

Once the video ended, and Chan had to stop himself from crying again just by hearing Hyunjin plea, JYP rubbed his forehead, heavily sighing by what he'd just watched. "This $15 Million is the last resort. Today we actually met a private investigator and we think we've found a good area to search."

JYP looked up, a hopeful look casted one his elderly face, "And when will you be doing that?"

"Tomorrow."

"And please tell me you have more help, I don't need more artists potentially dying because they chose to play hero." It sounded like JYP was begging, and Chan almost wished he could audio recording. He'd never hear JYP care this much ever again, but he was thankful enough to get it here and now.

"Yes, The police will be helping us with this search." JYP let out a sigh of relief, "Please let me know the moment, if, you don't find him. I'll make this payment as soon as you let me know I need to."

Chan's legs almost gave out in relief as his thanks came out in exasperated gasps. He was so happy, because maybe a part of this assured him they'd have Hyunjin back. He knew damn well he wouldn't like the conditions nor shape in which they'd get Hyunjin back, but he'd take an alive Hyunjin over dead ANY day. 

When Chan returned to the dorm he explained everything and for the first time in a week, he was smiling. With JYP saying he'd pay, regardless if they found Hyunjin or not, they'd be getting him back, and that assured them all. 

They'd slightly celebrated by watching a movie, all seven curled up on the couch. They'd ordered some pizza too, making sure to set a whole box aside for Hyunjin cause he'd be home soon and 'would be a whiny Hyung if we don't save him any.' Wise words of wisdom from the mouth of the maknae. 

What was sad though was they all knew, got forbid they wanted to know, but they knew Hyunjin wouldn't be coming home as easily as that. They'd seen his condition, and god knows how worse it would get. Part of it was denial. They'd accepted the fact that Hyunjin would come home, and that was it. They were denying the truth of it all because they wanted to be selfish.

Not in a bad way. Their hearts had been beaten and battered for the past week. All they wanted to feel was assurance, a follow through of hope.  Deep down they knew the process wouldn't be easy, but they wanted a breather. 

So when Jeongin fell asleep in Minhos arms, he tried to push past the nightmares he'd gained of Hyunjin, he tried to force a dream of giving him the biggest hug. And when Chan did a double take and counted the members before he fell asleep, he assured himself that soon it would be eight. When Jisung curled up next to Felix, he tried to think that the empty spot next to him would be warm soon, with arms wrapping around him as a head lay on his shoulder.

————

When Hyunjin stared into the barely lit room full of shadows and a foul stench, he tried to find a memory scent of home that he could replace the stench with. He tried to block out the silence with the loud shouts and laughter that seemed to be on repeat on a normal day. He tried to mask the loneliness with the seven boys he lived with. With the seven boys that gave him life.

Hyunjin tried to remind himself it would be over soon, whether that meant he took his last breath, or he was once again living with the seven boys that he considered his oxygen. 

Though it was a bit hard. It had seemed that as the deadline drew closer, the violence became more and more aggressive and grotesque. Axel and Amin seemed to suddenly be attracted to the leg they all knew damn well was broken, it's bones shattered in many places. But that hadn't seemed to be enough, and now instead, a piece of bone stick out from his knee.

God it made Hyunjin nauseous every time he saw it, even more when he'd see it move when his leg would twitch. In reality Hyunjin was living in between consciousness and unconscious. He always felt loopy and nauseous, yet he was awake. He could feel every single ounce of pain, yet he couldn't really move. He could see every cut, gash, bruise, pool of blood either soaked into his clothes or pooling around his chair, and even the knife left in his shoulder blade, yet that didn't mean it was all hazy. 

He was a living, breathing, walking (not really) fever dream. As for the times he did actually fall asleep, waking up didn't feel like waking up. It was hard to tell when your current consciousness state didn't really make you feel conscious. Maybe this was what death felt like, and he just didn't know it.

The next morning, Hyunjin was woken up by loud and angry shouts. They sounded more panicked than angry, but there was definitely still some anger in the rising volume.

"Say What!?!"

"T-There's been many p-police spotted in the area sir. It looks like a s-search party."

"Fuck, get everyone moving, round up supplies and such, we need to get out of here."

"What if the captive sir?"

"I don't care, do with him as you please, just be ready to go in less than 30 minutes!"

In his half awake half asleep state, Hyunjin could see the blurred figures rushing past his window, back and forth and back and forth. It was quite tiring watching them run around like a chicken with its head cut off. But to be honest, Hyunjin couldn't care less. From what he'd heard, there was a chance, a chance he'd be saved.

A chance he'd be back in the comfort of his dorm, the company of his brothers, and the comfort of being safe. So in a sense, he barely mustered out a giggle as he watched his kidnappers rush around in panic. It was their karma, and he could do nothing but laugh in their faces and say they deserved it.

"And what the fuck do you think your laughing at huh?" Hyunjin guessed he hadn't even registered the door open, nor the man that stepped in. It wasn't one he'd seen before, so the man was nameless. Nevertheless, he was scary because his eyes were narrow and full of venom, he looked pissed. 

He marched over and Hyunjin didn't even get a  chance to think before the man's hand was around his throat while the other was quickly opening the metal cuffs that bound him to the chair. "You think this is funny? Huh?! I bet it must be, watching your captors turn into babies just at the sight of police."

Once he'd opened up the cuffs, his hand still not loosening his grip on Hyunjin's throat, he'd taken his other hand and grabbed the collar of Hyunjin's shirt, lifting said boy. It was a dumb thought, but Hyunjin thought that maybe the man had an odd way of saving him and making it looked like he meant it.

"If you can laugh, it's only fair that I can too!!"

Wrong, as Hyunjin was thrown against the wall, his brain rattling at the harsh contact. Once he'd slid down onto the floor, he'd received a hard kid to his stomach, and Hyunjin swore his organs might come up. He was wrong, the hazy state he'd been in was nothing like death, rather, he was pretty sure what he was going through now was more like death. Excruciating pain in every place imaginable, and you can do nothing but feel it. Nothing but except it cause you too broken to fight it.

That sounded a bit more like death. Hyunjin just wished it wasn't as painful. 

The man continued to bat Hyunjin around like some rag doll, which he might've been at that point, while laughing like a maniac, a bright yet crooked smile plastered onto his face. Hyunjin had been kicked and punched in the face, the stomach, and really any place the man could land a hit. Hyunjin's nose was for sure broken as it streamed the red niagara falls at an odd and uncomfortable angle. He could barely see with the puffy skin surrounding his eyes.

But finally, the pain stopped. Only to return when his head was grabbed and slammed right into the bend of the man's knee. Hyunjin doesn't know what happened after that, but it was suddenly dark and painless. 

Hyunjin was pretty sure he was dead.

————

It hadn't been hard for Chan to wake everyone up that morning. In fact, he'd gotten them all up by ten. Thus by eleven they had already eaten breakfast, showered, gotten ready. He and Minho had then ushered their ducklings  down to the small cafe they planned on meeting Chanwoo at. 

The morning felt different though. Compared to his normal mornings of waking up with dread, Chan woke up feeling like his shoulders were lighter, his head wasn't so cloudy, he felt good. He could tell the others felt the same, because even if one was missing, breakfast almost felt normal.

"Good morning boys, we ready?" Chanwoo exclaimed happily. Last night after he'd left the Stray kids dorm, he'd went over to tell the Hwangs everything he'd gathered. He'd also told them that JYP was willing to pay $15 Million to get their son back if it came to be the only solution. The joy on their faces made his heart clench, in a good way.  

That morning he'd also woken up pretty early. He needed to get down to the police station and inform them what was going to happen, and now as he met with the boys in the cafe, four police cars and three SWAT vans sat outside waiting for the group to head out. To say the police were impressed by the headway they'd made was an understatement. Their shocked faces when Chanwoo claimed that Stray kids helped out too made him want to laugh.

After giving them all the information, the police had agreed seeing as Hyunjin missing was a current case and their evidence seemed valid enough. 

"Ready as ever." Jisung joked as he noticed the police vehicles outside. God he was so ready to get his best friend back. He knew he wouldn't like the sight of his best friend, he knew it would give him such a mix of emotions. But Jisung wanted to see Hyunjin so badly he almost didn't care.

Chanwoo smiled, "Perfect, let's get on it then." As the walked to their own cars, Chanwoo waved a signal to the police, letting them know they were ready to go. 

Miroh Avenue was a decently long street. But it was easy to cross off things like gas stations, restaurants, or stores. So they drove till they came to the more homey and abandoned area on Miroh Avenue. Each vehicle pulled to the side of the street to park, then they all spread out and searched. 

Jeongin went with Minho, seeing as he had become very clingy towards Minho over the past week and a half. A couple of police went with them, for safety measures they had said. Neither were complaining though, they'd never done this sort of thing. So they followed behind as their group went up to random houses, politely asking if they seen anyone suspicious, if they'd seen Hyunjin, or if they were housing anyone. 

Most of the time the house owners gave worried and shocked faces, quickly saying no to each question, but offering to search their house if it made the police feel better. They would shake their heads and thank the person, who then replied with a good luck along with wishing them well.

SKZ GC

Channie: Y'all found anything so far? Me and Felix haven't had any luck.

Binnie: Same with me Jisung and Seungmin. The people are so nice, just don't have anything we want.

Channie: I know! We've even stumbled across a couple fans and I felt so bad.

Minnie: Me and Jeongin haven't found anything either. After this is all over, we should definitely do something for the people that live in this area.

Binnie: Like what Hyung?

Minnie: Maybe like a free cookout? I dunno yet, but definitely something we would all take part in.

Channie: That sounds nice, i'm sure our managers would allow it.

Channie: But let's get us all together first.

Minho sighed as he stared at his phone. "No luck from the others?" Jeongin asked, the sadness laced in his words. Minho felt bad shaking his head, because he saw the small amount of hope fade from Jeongin's eyes. 

"We'll find him though, don't you worry." Minho reassured, ruffling Jeongin's hair. The younger smiled at his Hyungs antics, trusting his word.

They not only were nearing the end of the neighborhood, but the end of Miroh Avenue. The rest was just forest then continued from the dead end. They ended all back together as they checked the last couple houses, Chan trying to console the worried members who even though knew the money would get Hyunjin back, we're losing some hope.

Ding Dong

On the last house, A woman, probably in her early thirties answer quicker than expected. "Hello? Oh! How may I help you fine gentlemen?"

The officer smiled, "Hellos i'm Officer Park, and we have a couple questions to ask if you don't mind?" The quickly shook her head, surprised by the crowd that lured behind the police. "Not at all! Would you like to come inside? Maybe have a drink? You must've been at this for a while."

The officer looked behind, and when no one objected, "Sure, we'd love to."

The woman, Nataly, sat them at her couch while the rest stood around. "Who wants a water? There's quite a few so I will just be doing bottled water if that okay." A show of hands and she was off to collect the amount of water needed. She was back five minutes later and started handing them out.

Finally, she sat herself down. "Ask away."

The Officer Park cleared his throat, "Have you by chance heard the news of the missing boy named Hwang Hyunjin?"

She nodded, and her posture seemed to change, "Yes I have."

"We have reason to believe he was taken by a group named Forstrayer, and based off their spottings, we feel they are hiding out somewhere on Miroh Avenue. Have you seen any suspicious activity or know a location we should search?"

Nataly shifted her eyes to look somewhere else, changing her sitting position as she did. Fidgeting with her hands now, "Yes."

The whole room froze, it was perhaps the answer they'd been waiting for all day.

"Living at the end of Miroh I guess in this situation has its perks." And it was true, her house was oddly distanced from the rest. "I remember one day seeing a black van fly past my house and I wondered, what in the world could that van be headed to? It's a dead end! But it made sense not much later on."

She took a sip of her own water and it was clear she had been keeping a lot to herself. Whether it was out of fear or maybe just feeling as if she was jumping to conclusions, worried that if she said something, she be made a fool out of for being wrong.

"A day later I heard screams, and I had yet to see the black van come back this direction. So I guess I put two and two together and feared for my life."

"Is there anything in the woods that could possibly house people?" Officer Park asked, writing down notes as Nataly spoke. She hummed, "Thats why it had been so easy to put two and two together! There's like an old doctors office down there in the woods. Why it's back there I couldn't tell you. But I do remember hanging out in it as a teenager."

"Well, this information will be very helpful we hope, and I on behalf of everyone thank you for your time. But I must also ask if you could possibly give us a direction to this building?" Nataly had easily agreed, except she wouldn't dare enter the forest now knowing what was possibly in it.

So instead she hopped in one of the vehicles and rode with them until she had said to stop. Then they had all piled out and followed her to the edge of the woods. "It should just be straight through here. See," She pointed to an orange flag land marker, "This has always been here, I guess maybe someone had plans to tear it down but never did. But you won't miss it, it's got a bit of a clearing around it too."

Officer Park had quickly thanked her again, sending a police officer to escort her home. Chan and the rest had thanked her too, even with tears in their eyes. It made her emotional, and ended up hugging Chan before she departed.

Thankfully it was day, so the forest wasn't scary at all, well except for the fact there may be people wanting to beat you up hiding somewhere. But the boys felt better after Officer Park had made them the second priority, telling the other police to form a circle around them. 

Sure enough the doctors office came into view, and it really was just a big box of cement. It had very little windows on the outside, and gave more asylum vibes than a doctors office. Regardless, it wasn't in any actual medical use so it didn't matter. "Let's split up into the groups we had earlier so we can cover more ground. Everyone stay on guard."

Jeongin huddled himself back up to Minho, who pulled the boy closer, to assure himself and the other. Entering the building at first they needed to use flashlights, but the further they walked in, they found working power which already was a red flag. 

The walls were littered with graffiti and broken chunks of cement and the bars that ran through them for stabilization. The ground had broken glass, needles, random pieces of paper, torn clothing, it was a mess and gave every sign of 'abandoned.' Eventually they split up, and Jeongin and Minho followed their five police men to another hallway. 

"It really does look like someone was here...." Minho commented after spotting a couple guns, empty of course, on the floor. Not only that but there was plenty of trash, and a decently full, working, fridge. "I have to agree, they must've scattered though." a police officer replied, looking through one of the cabinets, finding a couple bottles of alcohol.

"Maybe they saw us coming?" Jeongin suggested, his hand twined with Minhos. "Most likely. But it looks like they been gone for at least 45 minutes." Another police officer added.

They excited the room and continued down the hallway. Minho spotted the random glass pane and guess the next room must've been important. Maybe like a testing or operating room? But upon walking past it, it was just empty with a single chair in the middle. 

"Minho-"

Jeongin didn't need to finish for Minho to notice. And before the police could say anything they were both rushing into the room and over to the body on the floor. Minho was the first to reach it, and he was suddenly regretting acting so quickly. His thoughts or emotions weren't registering properly.

Jeongin seemed to be doing better as he was able to flip the boy in front of them over. After he'd done that though, he was in no better condition as Minho. It was Hyunjin of course, just not a version they ever hoped, ever planned to see. The police had quickly filed in after them, but as soon as they too saw the condition, Minho heard the call for an ambulance through their speakers. 

Soon the rest came running down the hallway and Minho really hoped they weren't as eager as they clearly were. They weren't going to like the sight. "There's a pulse, but not as strong as normal." An officer announced after he'd been crouched next to Hyunjin, checking the body pulse.

"Officer we have an ambulance on its way, eta is two minutes."

When Minho saw Chan's expression he wanted to do so much for his Hyung. In fact, as soon as Chan had seen Hyunjin, he was walking back out and Minho could see him leaning against the wall through the window. "Changbin watch them for me okay?" Minho quietly asked before he went to help Chan. Changbin nodded and rounded up the others, pulling them away so the police could do what was needed.

"Hyung..." Minho slowly walked towards Chan, the older not even sparing him a look. As Minho drew nearer, he could hear the sniffles, as well as see Chan's shoulders bounce. Thus, Minho didn't hesitate to pull Chan into a hug, allowing his Hyung to hide away in his warmth.

"Shhhh Hyung, your okay." Minho swayed them back and forth, slowly turning to that if Chan looked up, he wouldn't be able to see Hyunjin through the window.

Chan's sobs only got worse as he now cling onto Minho. But still, Minho swayed them as he whispered encouraging and calming words. When his sobs died down a bit, Chan turned his head slightly to he could talk, but still be close to Minho. "H-He....He looked Horrible..."

And it was true. If it wasn't for the officer confirming a pulse, Minho would've thought it was a dead body. There were so many purple bruises, open gashes that had either dried or were continuing to bleed out ever so slowly. His lower pants legs had been ripped and Minho could see the odd bends and unnatural coloring. 

It was almost hard to tell just by his face that it was truly Hyunjin. The bruises around his eyes were so swollen his eyelids barely showed, his lips was busted in many spots and looked like rusted lip rings. There was a king cut on his cheek, the blood staining all the skin around it. His forehead had to have been the worst. There had been a giant bump right in the center with a small cut splitting it into two. There had been blood slowly seeping out as the skin color around it changed to purples and blues.

"But he's alive" Minho quietly mumbled, loud enough for Chan to hear.

"Is that what you call living Minho?" Chan was distressed and Minho could tell by his words. They were negative, lacked in hope. He sounded ready to fight anyone regardless of what they'd said.   

Chan heard Minho sigh and immediately felt bad for being so hard to the younger who was only trying to help. "Hyung I know there are multiple definitions of living, but in this situation, there's a pulse, a sign of a beating heart, a living person. And i'm sorry if you feel different, but i'll take it over something else."

"But just look at him-"

"You still must not understand. Hyung every fiber of my being wished I could have prevented the injuries he gained and the treatment he faced, but I can't turn back time. So as much as I hate it, i'd rather him be alive and hurt, than dead." Minhos words seemed to finally hit as Chan choked back a sob and hid his face again. 

But Minho did nothing but continue to comfort his Hyung as he knew how stressed he had been. Minho knew Chan just needed to comfort to be able to let go, and he was going to give his Hyung that break.

As Minho held Chan, he was able to see through the window. As the paramedics had rushed past he and Chan and immediately taken over the scene. He watched as they put towels on any bleeding wounds, as they checked his pulse again after each movement. How they'd put his neck in a neck brace due to not only the head injuries the poor boy was bound to have, but to keep his head stable to avoid causing any more injuries as well as the ones that may be hidden. 

And finally how they'd put him on a stretcher and Minho pulled Chan closer so that they could get by. "Does anyone want to ride in the ambulance?" 

Chan's head popped up at the paramedics question, quickly turning back to Minho, as if to ask for his approval. Minho smiled softly, "what's stopping you?" and with that Chan gave him a quick squeeze before following the paramedic out to the ambulance. Once Chan was out of his sight, he joined the others who Changbin was struggling to control. 

He couldn't imagine how they felt. Watching their best friend get taken care of by paramedics? Watch his pulse get checked multiple times in fear of losing him. Minho never wished upon them going through such experience. He hated seeing the tear streaks on each of their faces. Finding Hyunjin was supposed to be a happy moment—it so the scenario in their head was supposed to be. Minho knows, now that he truly thinks on it, that he himself was so caught up in knowing Hyunjin would come home, he majorly overlooked the emotions he would really face.

He overlooked how he would really react, how the others would really react, to seeing Hyunjin in such state.

"Come one, let's head to the hospital. Manager Hyung said he's outside waiting." Changbin informed, looking up from his phone where Minho assumed he'd been talking to their manager.

The youngest four said nothing, instead just followed, holding each other's hands like they'd lose each other too. Minho wished he could do more because each time he heard a sniffle, his heart shattered just a little more.

————

The ride up to the hospital was awkward, stressful and quiet, well except for the five minutes where the paramedics where asking Chan how Hyunjin had gotten in such shape. In which Chan felt horrible when he could only say that he didn't know. He'd explained how his friend had been taken for ransom and they'd only found him today, in the condition he now lay before them.

Satisfied in his words, the paramedics moved on to insert the IV into Hyunjin's skin. Chan could hide his wince. He hated needles himself, but could bare the thought of inserting a needle when the poor boy had had knives in his skin. Chan didn't say anything though, he knew Hyunjin needed the Iv regardless of the tiny needle.

Needless to say, they got to the hospital in record time, and once again Chan had to watch Hyunjin get whisked away on a stretcher. Standing alone in the waiting room, a Doctor came to grab Chan to he could be their for Hyunjin's examination. Mainly so that the doctor could inform him of the boys injuries as well as any procedures that may need to happen.

Being in the room as they examined Hyunjin's injuries was quite funny. As if Chan didn't know himself, the nurses and doctors would gawk and gasp, claiming how horrible his condition was. Each time Chan wanted to say 'I know it's bad, just fucking fix him.' But that wouldn't be proper for the idol image. Oddly enough he wanted to punch the doctor that stood there with a clipboard, slowly writing things down. Chan felt he was wasting time and just wanted to doctor to do what was needed.

Finally, said doctor pulled Chan out of the room when the examination was finished. Chan didn't like how the man seemed like he carried such pity. But maybe that was every doctor, how sad it was to always break the news. Any news, not a death because Chan knew Hyunjin wasn't dead.

"As you know Hyunjin sustained many injuries, which I will now list for you. Major concussion, meaning he will do a lot of sleeping. He won't be able to look at bright screens and lights so please dim any of those. He has many broken bones in his left leg which will take surgery only because some of the smaller bones have moved. The skin and muscles in both shoulders have been deeply torn but this will only call for stitches. He has three broken ribs—which thankfully none punctured his lungs. The healing for that will just be rest and breathing exercises seeing as they don't call for surgery. Both of his wrists are slightly fractured so thankfully these will only take braces. He has a broken nose, many bruises, gashes, and bones with bruises, which will just take some stitches, ice, and rest." He paused to look through the clipboard. 

"And that's about it. So-"

"How soon can all this be done?" Chan cut him off, ready to get his friend fixed as soon as possible. The doctor smiled, Chan didn't care for why, "As soon as today Sir."

"And how long will he stay in the Hospital for?" The doctor furrowed his eyebrows in thought, "Maybe a week if everything goes well. But that just means his rest will be moved to a different location. He will probably need to recover for a good month to two in general." Chan nodded. As much as he knew Hyunjin would hate not participating, he knew he would be super cuddly—a trait the others would gladly give in to just to make the boy happy. 

After trading JYPs contact information so that they could get the bills paid, the doctor excused himself to start getting Hyunjin's treatment together. Thus Chan was sent back to the waiting room where he considered staying or not. Sure he wanted to be there for Hyunjin but it was kind of useless when you couldn't even see him. It was a given that the procedures would take all day, maybe even flow into the next day.

Chan knew he had things to do, which he knows he should've easily casted aside when Hyunjin was in the freaking hospital. But then again, Hyunjin was stable, which Chan felt immensely grateful for. So Chan didn't feel as stressed—don't take that as he wasn't stressed at all because stress was part of his DNA at this point. Chan also knew that the other members would be arriving soon, and without a doubt would one want to stay. 

Now as for the moment Hyunjin was free of procedures, Chan wouldn't waste a second to get back to the hospital. 

20 Minutes alone in the waiting room when the automatic doors slid open, and in came the rest of the members along with their manager. Chan had never seen such a defeated group, walking in with their heads hung low like they'd lost. He was sure they were worried sick, after all, Chan refused to tell them the news until they'd gotten there. So it was quite possible they thought the worst.

He waved them over, in which they padded over like lost children. If Chan wasn't so worried about consoling them, he would've cooed at his cute bunch. Once he had them all around, and a bit calmer, he explained what the doctor had said. 

"So Hyung will be okay?" Chan wanted to squeeze Jeongin's cheeks. As much as their youngest liked to gag and joke about affection, Jeongin sure was a softy for Hyunjin. (As if they all weren't)

"Yes Innie, he'll be fine. This being said, i'm going to need everyone's help in helping and controlling him. Hyunjins a workaholic, he'll feel terrible that he'll have to take so much time off. So i'll need help assuring him that it's okay, i'll need help giving him all the cuddles and affection to show we still love him and aren't mad. He's a dummy and will think that we think he'd slacking." Jisung scoffed at Chan's words, obviously in a joking manner.

"You said he got a concussion Hyung?" Chan nodded, "Maybe it'll knock some sense into him. He's needs to learn to stop thinking sometimes." The others playfully gasped at Jisungs joke, Felix slapping his shoulder before letting out a low chuckle. Chan knew they were all probably being hypocrites, since just being an idol caused you to think more than you should. But he knew they just wanted the best for Hyunjin, and he did too. 

So he didn't say anything about the fact that Jisung had cried when he hadn't written a song when he was sick, claiming he thought Chan would think he'd been lazy and so he was an apologizing mess. He didn't say anything about finding their vocalists one time over working in the dance studio. He didn't say anything about Felix's fallen eyes when he felt he'd annoyed someone when he hadn't quite understood their korean. The list could go on, but he kept quiet.

As Chan expected, One of the members ended up staying the night at the hospital, Minho to be exact. The boy had said that even if Hyunjin was busy going through procedures, they never knew if they'd finish early, or would need someone of 'relation.' Chan didn't fight the boy on his stance, instead thanked him and said he'd take care of the kids for the rest of the day in exchange.

Not that Chan never took care of the kids, in fact it really confused Minho. But Minho figured Chan meant more on the cooking and really taking care of instead of cuddles and such. Which even then, Chan's still did all of the above.

Regardless, Chan also offered to bring the boy food and anything he'd want from the dorms to entertain himself. So by the end of the night, Chan had delivered Minhos favorite takeout order, a book Minho had currently been reading, an adult coloring book with some of the colored pencils Hyunjin never minded sharing, a phone charger, His airpods, a change of clothes, and Finally a blanket. 

Around 1 am Minho had texted Chan asking how it was going in the dorms, in which Chan replied that it was fine and well and that his motherly side could calm down. Minho of course reliance's with many emojis that would've been considered death threats, but Chan knew they were filled with love. Minho had also informed that apparently the manager spoke with the hospital staff, asking if there were any rooms that weren't in use that Minho could stay in. 

Of course they needed to pay a bit extra to do so, but the staff easily allowed it. Thus while Minho was texting Chan, he'd already had a nice warm shower and was now bundled in bed. Not to say hospital beds were necessarily comfy, but it was better than a chair. Chan was glad that Minho was able to get comfy like that, and felt even better knowing he wouldn't be sleeping out in a public waiting room. 

The next morning when Chan received a text from Minho it was around 9:30. The second eldest exclaimed that Hyunjin's procedures went exceedingly well, and that he was actually already in said boys room. He informed that Hyunjin wasn't awake yet and wasn't expected to be for another couple hours. But Minho was happy to see some normalcy in the boys skin tone. 

Chan informed the others over want breakfast that he'd made, which when the youngers loudly exclaimed that it was delicious, Chan felt his heart flutter. It also may have been the fact that they'd all gotten a good nights sleep and that the day started with amazing news, but Chan wouldn't push. They'd decided they'd head to the hospital around noon, giving them time to get ready and for Hyunjin to possibly wake up. 

Unlike last time, when they arrived at the hospital, Chan actually had to shush the members. He could tell they were excited though and he didn't want to fully deplete their happiness. They were given the room number, laughing at how ironic it was; 325. Then they made their way to it, a little pep in their step was something Chan couldn't deny.

When they opened the rooms door they were immediately shushed by a Minho who sat on the couch. The room was rather big and Chan assumed it had to do with their manager again. 

"He's still asleep and so help me if you wake him-"

"Chill Hyung, trust me, I don't want to be your temporary air drier replacement." Seungmin joked, and Jisung looked at him in awe. Seungmin always managed to pull out the best comebacks, and Jisung really wanted to know how he though if the so quickly. Minho sighed with a small chuckle. Chan, who was tired of standing in the doorway, took a seat next to Minho with a huff. 

"Did you have breakfast?" He asked Minho, while the others got comfy around the room, waiting for their best friend to wake. 

Minho nodded, "Yeah, they brought me food oddly enough. Though I can't say it was necessarily good, I mean we are taking about hospital food..." Chan smiled and patted the boys back, which then turned into a small massage. "This is true, but don't worry, there's leftover pancakes at home."

Minho gasped as his head whipped towards Chan, "You made fucking pancakes while I wasn't there?!" he whisper-shouted, though It was quite obvious he was joking. "Hence whys there extra." Chan added.

Minho side eyed him before the door was opened again and in walked a nurse. She seemed rather flustered that there was a crowd, and in her eyes, of very handsome men. So as she walked around she seemed very tense and tried to work fast. She changed the IV, getting a clean needle so there wouldn't be chance of infection. She took some notes, threw her gloves away, and walked out. It was quite awkward only because the room suddenly went quiet. But as soon as she left, the chatter started back up.

It had been at least an hour and a half since their arrival when Hyunjin stirred. It wasn't much movement, but it was the only movement so it had caught everyone's attention. Seconds later, his eyes slowly flustered open, and at that point everyone was now surrounding the bed eagerly. Hyunjin had winced at first, which was probably due to the sudden lighting that made his brain hurt. So Chan quickly dimmed the lights a bit before getting back to his friends side.

Once Hyunjin's eyes were fully open and he registered that he was awake, his eyes traveled the faces around him. They watched as his eyes got wider and wider at each face he recognized. And suddenly, his puffy (it was cutely puffy) face bared a small smile.

"Hi." he croaked, eyes partially widening again at the sound of his own voice. It was very hoarse and slightly hurt to talk. 

Smiles grew on the faces of his friends, and Hyunjin felt like the room was bright again even with the lights dimmed. "Hey buddy, how you feeling?" Chan asked, his hand reaching out to gently play with Hyunjin's hair.

How was he feeling? Well he'd just woken up, found out it hurt like crap to even move his eyes. Maybe it was that head injury he was so sure he had. But he'd just woken up and hadn't really registered feeling everywhere else. But now that he was thinking about it—

"Ouch—holy shit—yeah I feel like hell." His leg was never to be moved again, lesson learned. The others chuckled, glad he was feeling well enough to joke, which was quite shocking really, even to himself. Especially after Chan had informed him of all his injuries. 

Everything sort of just felt numb, and he was afraid that it was just pain medicine and when it would wear off he'd be in more pain than he thought he could handle.

The rest of the day was chill, the others trying to give Hyunjin enough room to be comfortable. Thus he slept a lot, ate small snacks here and there, and talked with the members about the most random things. Day two was different. He guessed his condition had been spread to the manager, so when the members walked in, so did a police officer and—Chanwoo? That must've been a part his parents had played.

"We came to ask you a couple questions if that's okay with you. And please, if you feel tired of anything we can always take a break." Chanwoo told him with a soft smile, the officer nodding in agreement next to him. 

"What exactly happened?" Chanwoo asked first, he'd he officer getting his pen ready to write what Hyunjin had to say. The members seemed pretty invested too, but Hyunjin couldn't blame them. 

"I was being taken home after filming my artist of the month when i realized we were going the wrong way, as well as the fact that the car was slowly speeding up. When i'd mentioned this the driver told me to be quite, and from there he ended up jumping out at some point, leaving me to collide into another car at high speeds." Hyunjin told them, messing with his fingers nervously. 

Oddly enough though it wasn't hard to talk about. He knew other aspects of himself would be different, but he had no trouble exposing the people that had hurt him. 

"And then?"

"Then I woke up somewhere completely different, and cuffed to a chair at that." 

"Did you by chance catch any names of the people you were around the most?" The officer asked, his hand busy writing as he did.

"I remember four names I believe; Axel and Amin, and then Patrick and Damon." Somehow Changbins hand found it's way intertwined with Hyunjin's. He figured Changbin saw him fidgeting with them, and easily put a stop to it.

"And why exactly do these names hold value? What did these people do?"

"Axel and Amin were like my torturers, they did most of the damage. Damon was for sure the leader, he did a lot of commanding. He was also the one who called Chan Hyung. Patrick was like a cocky sidekick really, he would just smirk and make it seem like they were on top of the world."

"You said that Axel and Amin did most of the damage, how else did you obtain damage?"

Hyunjin lightly chuckled, "The car accident for starters, and than a man I didn't know came in and beat me last second." Both the officer and Chanwoo hummed, seemingly satisfied by what they'd learned. They'd thanked Hyunjin and were about to head out when Hyunjin stopped them.

"Did you get them?"

Chanwoo gave him a frown, a face of disappointment. Chanwoo knew who he was taking about as well as they answer, but he'd rather not say. "No, no we didn't. They'd been king gone once we arrived." 

Hyunjin's face fell, "Ah okay..."

Chan hated that he registered a sense of fear within Hyunjin. 

————

True to the doctors words, Hyunjin was home within the next week. He was on an extreme bed rest though, Minho basically standing guard as for him to not leave the bed. He was brought food and cuddles though, and when needed, was helped to the bathroom. 

JYP still had the whole team on a hiatus, and didn't plan to change that for at least a couple

more weeks. Hyunjin didn't mind though. The whole story was out now and Stays were ever so understanding. Their hiatus also wasn't as strict as his. They were allowed to do vlives, talk to stays through bubble, and even post pre-recorded videos on their youtube. 

Hyunjin just enjoyed the constant attention and the constant presence of the others. It was rare to not find one of them tucked away with Hyunjin in his bed, or Hyunjin carefully maneuvered into one of theirs. Such as now, where Felix sat against the headboard of the bunk bed, Hyunjin's head in his lap as the boy lay with his eyes closed. Felix was currently playing with his hair, and that could knock him out in a swift second.

It wasn't as long anymore, such as where it reached his shoulders, but it was possibly still the longest, if not second. And seeing as when Hyunjin cut it, it got rid of the dead ends, the boys hair was silky smooth. So it was easy for Felix to run his hands through and braid little sections of hair. He still had got be careful of Hyunjin's head injuries, but seeing as Hyunjin hasn't done anything to represent feeling any pain, Felix figured he was doing good. 

To be completely honest, Felix was shocked at how well Hyunjin seemed to be recovering. Sure there had been a couple of times when Felix found him in his bed crying due to pain or a nightmare, but otherwise he seemed to be doing well.

He wasn't fond of knifes though, and that was easy for Felix to spot. One of their first dinners back together Minho had given Hyunjin a knife in case he could cut with the fork or chopsticks. Felix had watched the poor boy flinch and proceed to stare at the knife like it would come alive and attack him any minute if he looked away. Chan ended up noticing too and took the knife away, causing Minho to realize and spew out apologies.

There was another time when he'd flinched when someone threatened to hit him. It had only been a playful threat and Jisung would never actually hit him in his state. So when Hyunjin had flinched he felt horrible, and Hyunjin had to tell him over and over again that it wasn't Jisung's doing. He had to explain it almost felt natural but was never caused by Jisungs playful antics. It was almost like a knee jerk reaction, even though Hyunjin knew Jisung was playing, the raise of a fist sent memories spiraling and he just flinched.

Felix also noticed that even though loud noises were never the boys favorite, it seemed to have gotten worse. But he couldn't tell if it was the work of the concussion or the work of fear. Regardless, once he'd noticed, he secretly told the others to watch their volume around Hyunjin. 

"Felix?"

It had been so quite that the sudden small voice almost made him jump. And here he was thinking about how Hyunjin was scared of loud noises. "Hmm?"

"How did you find me?"

It was a question out of the blue, or rather, only weird because Felix thought it would've been asked already. Felix dreaded thinking of the day they first found out, how it had been such a simple conversation over a car crash only to find out your friend had been in the vehicle.

"Chanwoo really. He'd come out of no where with everything we needed." Hyunjin hummed at his answer, his eyes still softly shut. 

"Were you....scared?" 

Felix felt like Hyunjin's self consciousness was coming into play now. Why could the boy just think he was important enough? And how come no matter what they did it didn't seem to get through his skull? He was stubborn, and a part of Felix hated to think that. He knew there was a lot to cause Hyunjin's trust issues, he just hated that he felt like he could never help the boy heal.

"Hyunjin, I honestly had never felt so scared in my entire life." Hyunjin's eyes opened, looking up at Felix with pity. "It was terrifying."

"I'm sorry."

Felix felt appalled by Hyunjin's answer. He was kidding right? "Now what the hell are you sorry for?"

"I must've caused you guys so much pain-"

"I'm going to stop you their Hyunjin. None, absolutely none of this is your fault. Could you have predicted that you'd get taken?"

"No but-"

"Could you have stopped them from hurting you?"

"Possibly-"

"Did you have any idea how we felt to know what to do?"

"No."

"Exactly. Hyunjin you are a victim, a victim to a crime you should never have had to go through. If anyone sorry it's us. Maybe we should have seen some sort of sign." Hyunjin frowned as Felix turned the tables of blame. However Hyunjin had no raging fire towards any of the members. How could he when they didn't even play a part? What could they have done before hand? Nothing. They didn't even know to look for any signs and neither did Hyunjin.

"You're being a hypocrite."

Felix looked down and saw one of Hyunjin's iconic sassy looks and couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah I guess, I just don't want you blaming yourself."

"You think I want you blaming yourself?"

Felix scowled and playfully squeezed Hyunjin's nose in which Hyunjin returned with a slow swat at his hand. "Touché."

After dinner, Hyunjin and Felix ended up piled back into bed. After their conversation earlier they felt a bit more clingy then normal, felt like they understood each other better and thus felt it was okay to be clingy. Felix of course had helped Hyunjin into bed, and helped move him until he was comfortable, only to then bundle him in the warmest blankets seeing as it was getting cold. Once Felix was laying down, Hyunjin carefully moved to lay his head on the shorter boys chest. 

He was extremely comfy, and felt his eyelids droop the moment hands found their way into his tussle of hair. Moments later the empty space on his side seemed to sink, and there was another warm body on his side. He figured it was jisung, seeing as the little snicker sounded like him. Even with his eyes closed it felt darker, so Hyunjin opened his eyes. He was immediately faced with two doe eyes staring him down, a smirk plastered on the face as red dusted their cheeks.

"Man Jisung you woke him up."

"I beg to differ, he woke up too easily to have actually been asleep."

Hyunjin giggle and closed his eyes again. The warm was that seemed to trap him was soothing and comforting. I mean, anything was better that a cold room stuck in a metal chair. 

Regardless, as he felt himself fall further and further into the depths of comfortable sleep, Jisung shifted again. And despite everything feeling like a dream, Hyunjin knew the soft kiss on his cheek was real.