*

Baekhyun can't just stay put. He still keeps on thinking why all of a sudden Luhan decided to break up with Kyungsoo and Jongin.

He knows he shouldn't meddle into his friends' personal decisions, but he can't help feeling worried about their relationship being broken so drastically like this. He just can't accept the fact that Luhan doesn't love the two anymore; Luhan must have a valid reason why he did such thing, and Baekhyun is bound to find it out.

"Where are you going?" Chanyeol asks him as he glances from the book he is reading. He sees the short male jolting up all of a sudden.

"I uh, I lost my charger! So I'll just go to Luhan hyung to borrow his charger. He must be in his room," Baekhyun answers, then he quickly heads out of the door with his fists clenched by his sides.

Chanyeol lifts a confused eyebrow, seeing Baekhyun' phone charger scattered on top his study table.

Baekhyun arrives in front of the door of Luhan's room, finding it slightly agape. He peeks on the small opening and sees the older male sitting on his swiver chair and stretching up his arms. Curious, he leans closer and watches as Luhan holds a small booklet while he counts the money stacked properly on top of his table.

"Since when did he start saving up that amount of money," Baekhyun whispers. He accidentally shoves himself inside the room, making Luhan shocked of the sudden intrusion.

Luhan quicky hides what he was doing, keeping all the money and stuff inside his bag when he now spots Baekhyun standing in front of him.

"What are you doing here?"

Baekhyun is about to make a lame excuse but then he pauses, noticing Luhan's stuff now organized inside a box. There's also a luggage and a bag which Baekhyun already knows are containing his clothes. The room basically looks empty now and everything is just ready to be moved out.

"W-what's the meaning of this? Are you really moving out?"

"I thought you already knew about it. I'm leaving the next day."

"How would I know if you're not even telling us anything!? You didn't even tell us you were applying for a job in the first place, let alone you were looking for somewhere else to stay!"

Luhan refuses eye contact as he busies himself doing something, "I'm sorry, maybe it slipped my mind to tell you guys. I was just occupied these days."

Baekhyun makes a disappointed face hearing that. "How could you just say something like that? Don't we matter to you anymore?"

"Do I have to let you guys know every decision that I make? Do I have to always report every single thing that I do?"

"I didn't mean it that way! It's just, everything that is happening feels very sudden for me... Did you already tell this to Kyungsoo and Jongin? Do they know you're leaving?"

Luhan stands up and gathers his things while Baekhyun's eyes follow his movements,"I already ended things between us so I don't think it's still my responsibility to tell them what I'm about to do with my life."

Baekhyun grabs Luhan's elbow so that they are facing each other, "Why are you doing this? Why are you so selfish?"

The older male is taken aback, "What do you know? What right do you have to call me selfish?"

"Aren't you already showing it, though?" Baekhyun asks, and yes, he's outright mad at Luhan, "Now that you've got what you wanted from them, you're just gonna leave both Kyungsoo and Jongin behind. Is this what it's all about, Luhan?"

"What?"

"After Kyungsoo and Jongin took you in, dressed you up, loved you with all that they have, and accepted you for what you are, you're now just gonna throw them away? After all those years you three spent together, you're just gonna tell them you're done and you're sick of them? That you dont love them anymore? Isn't that the kind of bitchy attitude you are flaunting right now!?"

Luhan takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair, "What the fuck did you just say?"

Baekhyun glares at him.

"If there's a lowkey bitch in this house, that's not me. That would be you, Baekhyun." Luhan points at his chest, pushing him backwards.

"I'm not like you who doesn't even have to try hard to be liked by everyone. You just sit there prettily, do nothing at all, and still, Chanyeol, Sehun, Jongin and Kyungsoo and everybody else will effortlessly love you. So you dont have the right to criticize me when you know nothing about me."

Hurt is evident in Baekhyun's eyes as he stares at Luhan who's looking so indifferently at him as though he is a changed person.

"Is this... Is this how you really see me? I thought we were friends..."

"Well, not anymore, Baekhyun. Don't concern yourself over me," Luhan turns his back to hide his emotions, "I'm no longer that someone whom you can get close to."

"Luhan hyung. There must be a reason why you're doing this, right?" Baekhyun attempts to hold him but Luhan brushes him away, "You didn't mean everything you said to me, did you?"

"I mean every single thing that I said. Stop now. Get away from me."

Baekhyun doesn't listen to him, hugging Luhan really tight for the male not to escape, "Please tell me everything you feel... I will understand you... Just don't do this... Please!"

"Why the fuck are you so stubborn? I just told you I don't want to be friends with you anymore! Get off me!" Luhan yells, before he's harshly shoving Baekhyun away with too much force, that Baekhyun ends up losing his balance.

Luhan's eyes widen, seeing Baekhyun accidentally hitting his spine with the edge of the bed because of the impact. He is about to step closer towards the male when he finds Chanyeol already barging in to his room to get to Baekhyun and help him stand.

"Are you okay!?" Chanyeol asks Baekhyun, before he turns to Luhan, sending him an angry glare. "What the fuck is your problem!?"

Luhan stands there frozen on his spot.

"Chanyeol sunbae, I'm fine. Please don't yell at him," Baekhyun says as he clutches on Chanyeol's shirt, "It was an accident... He didn't push me."

"I saw everything and you're telling me he didn't do it!?"

Luhan clenches his fists, "Your annoying bitch wouldn't stop pestering me around so that's what he gets for being so nosy."

"What?"

"You should keep him on a leash so he won't get himself wandering around like a lost pet."

Not being able to keep his temper, Chanyeol walks towards him, "Take back what you said!"

He is about to closely land a hit on him, if not for Sehun coming in and grabbing Chanyeol's wrist to stop him.

"What the fuck are you doing!?" Sehun mutters, then he releases Chanyeol's wrist and hides Luhan behind him. "You're seriously gonna hit Luhan? Are you out of your mind?"

Baekhyun hastily runs towards in between them, getting a furious Chanyeol away from Sehun by hugging him, "Please don't fight... Let's just leave..."

Chanyeol doesn't forget to give the two a sharp look before he heads out of the room with Baekhyun worriedly following him behind.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone to him in the first place," Baekhyun apologizes, "Luhan hyung is not to blame, he must be just getting through things that is why he acted compulsive..."

Chanyeol holds his forehead and releases a heavy sigh, "Turn around."

"Why..."

"Just do what I tell you."

Then he lifts Baekhyun's shirt only to find a fresh bruise forming on his lower back. He touches the swell, making Baekhyun wince at the pain.

"Baekhyun, was this from the push?"

"No..."

"Stop lying, I didn't see this last night," Chanyeol says, tugging Baekhyun's wrist with him, "Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"You don't have to, I'm fine!"

Luhan slumps himself on the bed, sitting down with his face buried dejectedly on his hands. Sehun only watches the older breathe as though Luhan has a huge load carrying inside his chest.

"Until when are you gonna keep doing this?"

Luhan looks at him, "What are you talking about."

"Why are you pushing everybody away?" Sehun asks, "I know you're purposely making them hate you. But Luhan, is this what you really want?"

Luhan doesn't answer him.

"I want to be here for you and support you in everything you do, but seeing others and seeing you in pain makes me suffer as well."

Silence lingers between them, and it's not a minute when Luhan speaks, finding his answer.

"Then let's endure this together."

He stares right into Sehun.

"Even if it's painful and even if it's suffocating, you have to bear with everything just so you can be with me."

Sehun lets out a sigh and holds his temples, feeling very tired.

"Let's just talk later when you're done packing up."

*

"Baekhyun, come on! What's taking you so long!?" Chanyeol taps his foot impatiently as he glances at his watch, "We're gonna be late for our flight!"

The sound of hurried footsteps echoes within the mansion and Baekhyun is running down the stairs while pulling his bags and luggage with him. Chanyeol has to slap his forehead while watching Baekhyun struggle with his heavy stuff.

"I told you to just bring a backpack! You don't have to bring your whole room, my goodness."

Baekhyun just grins, "We're gonna have a long vacation abroad so I need to bring everything that I need! My clothes, my cosmetics, my computer, my toys!" He giggles, "I'm so excited because this is gonna be our first flight together!"

"Yeah. Me, too. But you don't have to bring a lot of stuff. I told you I'm just gonna buy them for you."

"I know you're rich, Chanyeol sunbae, but I don't want you to always buy things for me."

"Says the one who told me he wanted a new car as a graduation gift."

Baekhyun clears his throat and walks away, "You know what. Let's just go. We're gonna be late, right?"

Chanyeol just helplessly shakes his head and steals the bags and luggage from Baekhyun to carry them himself. "Give me that and open the door for me."

Finished putting them all inside the compartment of the car, Chanyeol closes the door with a thud before he dusts his palms together. He sees Jongin and Kyungsoo outside the house to see them off before they go to the airport.

"I'm going to miss you, Kyungsoo," Baekhyun mumbles as he hugs Kyungsoo tight, "I'll take home dried mangoes for you."

"Thanks. Have a safe flight," Kyungsoo answers, smiling at him a little.

"Jongin, look after the house for the meantime while we're gone." Chanyeol taps Jongin's shoulder. "I'll leave everything to you now. Let's see each other in two weeks."

Jongin nods, "Enjoy your vacation. Don't fuck on the plane, alright?"

Chanyeol flashes him his proud middle finger.

"Bye Kyungsoo! Bye Jongin!" Baekhyun hollers while waving at the couple as he watches them getting smaller on the side mirror of the car. While driving, Chanyeol smiles and sees Jongin slinging an arm around Kyungsoo's shoulder as they wave back at them to bid goodbye.

Baekhyun settles properly on the passenger's seat when they reach the highway, "Chanyeol sunbae, Jongin and Kyungsoo... They're gonna be fine, right?"

Chanyeol can trace a hint of worry in Baekhyun's eyes, and he can't help feeling worried as well. Not to make Baekhyun even sadder about the situation, he just keeps a good mood.

"Of course. They have each other anyway. I'm sure they're gonna have more time to themselves now that we gave them the whole house."

Baekhyun just smiles to convince himself too, "You're right."

*

The once lively and energetic atmosphere feels suddenly barren and lifeless now that there's only the two of them left at the mansion. Just simply wandering his eyes at the living room and the dining room brings flashbacks of happy memories the six of them shared together.

In his memory, Kyungsoo sees Luhan at the living lying on the couch eating chips with Jongin and Sehun bickering and playing video games on the TV. Going down the stairs, he also sees a just-woken up Chanyeol with Baekhyun chasing behind him who's jumping to get his phone Chanyeol is lifting in the air. At the kitchen, he finally sees himself preparing food on the table and calling the guys for dinner who immediately gather altogether to eat.

Kyungsoo blinks, and everything suddenly disappears, shifting back to the sad reality.

It is quiet and empty.

"Do you want to eat something?" Jongin asks carefully beside him as they both sit on the spacious couch that was once too cramped for all of them.

Kyungsoo doesn't reply. He only stares down at Jongin's hand loosely grasping his palm.

"Are you hungry?"

"No..."

"Just tell me if you're hungry then. Let's eat together."

The silence is too defeaning for the both of them. Everything feels so big and strange, as though they're living in a different house. It brings a melancholic feeling in Kyungsoo's heart although having Jongin next to him like this. He is just grateful that Jongin always stays next to him, never leaving his side ever since Chanyeol and Baekhyun left this afternoon.

And ever since Sehun and Luhan moved out of the house yesterday.

Jongin is still trying to accept the fact that Luhan didn't even say a proper goodbye when he moved out of the house. He just found Luhan's room completely empty when he woke up this morning, before receiving a text from Sehun that he's taking Luhan to the new apartment he's going to stay at.

Instead of getting mad at Luhan for leaving noncommitally and breaking up with them so suddenly, instead of hating him for hurting them and doing what he wants, and instead of calling Luhan ungrateful and selfish, Jongin just can't bring himself to feel any hatred towards the male whom he truly loves still until now, and still in the next one hundred years.

Maybe deep inside in his heart this break up hasn't sinked in yet, and probably he is still holding on to the very thin string of hope that this relationship still has a chance to get back to what it was before.

What a wishful thinking that he has, but he just can't bear give Luhan up that easy;

Not now. Not ever.

Suddenly, he senses Kyungsoo burying his face against his shoulder, before he feels the sleeve of his shirt getting soaked up with tears from his lover's eyes.

Kyungsoo is crying again for the third time this day and for the twentieth time this week. It is the most hurtful cry in the world--- the silent one--- and Jongin has learned it from Kyungsoo as he has only seen the male cry this hard twice.

First was that night he brought Luhan home.

Second is right now.

Right now when Luhan has already left home.

It extremely clenches his chest knowing that his own presence alone couldn't make up for the gap Luhan has left in Kyungsoo's heart, because he himself has lost Luhan as well. It's not just Kyungsoo, it's the both of them suffering the same heartbreak and pain.

No words nor any sound is heard; just Kyungsoo's trembling shoulders and the wetness of Jongin's shirt are the proof of Kyungsoo's torment.

Jongin has finally had the courage to hold Kyungsoo away and speak into him, holding his shoulders to stare into his red puffy eyes.

"We can do this, okay?" he says as he stifles back his tears, trying his hardest not to cry seeing Kyungsoo already sobbing in front of him, "At least, we still have each other, right? Y-you and I, we... We're still together... It's gonna hurt a lot, but we need to be strong... We can do that, right Kyungsoo?"

Shaking his head furiously, Kyungsoo sobs into Jongin's chest as he finally says these words as though he has no dignity and pride.

"Please, Jongin..."

"Kyungsoo..."

"Please bring Luhan back... I can't have him gone in our lives... I still keep on thinking about him and I badly miss him so much..." Kyungsoo mutters, "Can you please tell him to come home now? Tell him I'm sorry for everything and I'm not mad at him... Please tell him... that I want to see him again back home... here with us..."

Jongin grips Kyungsoo's arms to brace him close, and it indeed fucking hurts seeing him break down while he can't do anything but just stay.

*

Jongin won't still answer his calls.

It has been a week now that Sehun is trying to reach out to him yet he won't get anything from the male. He even tried going back to the mansion in attempt to see him, yet he will always find the house closed. He's sure Kyungsoo and Jongin are still staying there; Baekhyun and Chanyeol have left the country anyway, so maybe the couple are just avoiding him and he can't blame them for doing that.

Sehun sighs for the umpteeth time, scrolling through his long call history which Jongin only left unresponded every single day. His texts are only left read, so he can't help feeling worried of his whereabouts though he's thankful Jongin is seeing them.

Jongin, please call me when you have time.

Jongin, if you were wondering, Luhan has started working at the hotel since Monday.

Jongin, I'm making sure Luhan won't skip his meals so you should do the same.

Jongin, Luhan's place is small but it's comfortable. His landlady is very nice so you don't have to get worried.

Jongin, how are you and Kyungsoo? Can I come over tomorrow? I want to see you.

Jongin, I miss you like crazy....

Jongin, are you mad at me?

Jongin, answer my calls. I'm worried.

Jongin, please don't ignore me.

Jongin, I'm sorry...

"You're still texting Jongin."

"I haven't heard anything from him..."

"Then stop. He's not gonna call you back."

Luhan suddenly grabs Sehun's phone and turns it off himself. Opening the last drawer of his cabinet, he puts it there before lying on the bed next to Sehun.

Closing his eyes not to argue anymore, Sehun just brings a hand to cover his face while Luhan snuggles to his body closer.

He's staying the night at Luhan's apartment. Luhan called him again saying he wanted to fuck.

"Let's do it again?" Luhan smirks, and he's already clambering on top of the younger as he plants hard kisses on his neck which Sehun only ignores. "Sehun, hey, kiss me back..."

"Having sex with you is nice but this isn't what I want," Sehun mumbles and shakes his head, "I'm sorry..."

Luhan stops and moves away, sitting back on the edge of the bed. He gets his robe lying on the floor and wears it to cover himself. Sehun stays on his spot as Luhan feels him watching his back.

"Luhan, aren't you worried about Kyungsoo and Jongin back home?"

Luhan tenses. He doesn't make his feelings obvious but to no avail.

"In front of me, I know you're only acting that you're bold and strong. You're just pretending you're not affected and you don't care," Sehun says, "You're asking for sex to cover up your sadness when it fact, you're still as fragile and hurt deep inside."

Luhan gulps and pushes back his tears yet again. "What are you talking about."

"I saw you last night crying in the bathroom when you thought I already left," Sehun mutters while he recalls Luhan sobbing on his knees while calling Jongin and Kyungsoo's names, "You were crying so hard to the point that you fell unconscious on the bathroom floor. I had to carry you back on the bed."

Luhan keeps silent as he still refuses to look at the younger male directly.

So Sehun does the job to face him by getting out of the bed and positioning in front of him. He holds Luhan's hands dearly, feeling them still cold and trembling against his skin.

"Babe..."

Luhan's chest starts to waver, hearing that endearment from Sehun, just like how Jongin and Kyungsoo used to call him.

"I want you to honestly tell me everything. I will listen to you and understand you."

His heart clenching, Luhan finds himself nodding as tears one by one escape from his eyes.

"Did Kyungsoo tell you to break up with him?" Sehun kindly asks, "Did Jongin tell you you've been only a burden?"

Luhan shakes his head slowly. "No..."

"Do you remember me telling you I only wanted you for myself? Did I even say that?"

Luhan shakes his head again, "No, you didn't..."

"Did you hear Jongin and Kyungsoo tell you they were happy even without you?"

"No, I didn't..."

Luhan realizes that all of Sehun's questions are answerable with a No.

And he hates himself for being such a huge imbecile.

"Then why are you doing this?" Sehun says, "Why did you end things with Jongin and Kyungsoo when you're still deeply in love with them?"

"Because from the very first start..." Luhan finally sobs his whole heart out, "My whole existence is just a hindrance to the both of them... If only I hadn't existed, then they would be a normal couple who'd love each other for the rest of their lives... I sacrificed my happiness because I wanted to set things right."

"Right? So hurting someone you love is right for you? You think that if you broke up with Jongin and Kyungsoo... that if you chose to be with me instead just because this is what you view as right... Everything would be set in place? Is that what you were thinking?"

"Yes..."

"Then why aren't you happy? Why is Jongin suffering from sleepless nights back home? Why has Kyungsoo been crying he could get sick? Why are they now a mess after you left them like that?"

Guilt suddenly clouds into Luhan's chest as he stares at Sehun in surprise. He badly wants to question why has Kyungsoo been neglecting his health and why Jongin hasn't been sleeping well. He wants to ask him if Kyungsoo is still eating his meals properly, or if Jongin is still going to his class and to his part-time job.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it. What right does he have?

"If this is what is 'right' for you, then why am I also hurting like this?" Sehun asks as he pounds on his chest, "Why does it ache so much everytime I see you hide your tears when you thought no one else could see your pain?"

"Sehun, I..."

"Can I get upset at you right now? It's because of you that is why Jongin won't see me anymore... He must be feeling burdened just by talking to me and I don't want that to happen between us," Sehun mutters, "Do you remember? You said we were gonna share Jongin but you're just keeping me to yourself..."

"I'm so fucking pathetic, I know..." Luhan cries into his hands, "Are you going to leave me now? Just how I left Kyungsoo and Jongin?"

"No. I'm never gonna do that... I want you to go back to the old you," Sehun says as he wipes Luhan's tears, "This isn't the Luhan that I wanted to be with. This is not the real you."

"I'm sorry... I didn't know why I did such a horrible thing... I don't deserve to be forgiven..." Luhan weeps as he catches for his breath. Everything hurts right now to the point that he is close to passing out. He feels regretting every single thing that he did.

"I'm sorry for causing you pain... I'm so sorry for being selfish and being so narrow-minded.. I'm sorry for pushing everybody away... I'm such a fool... I only made the situation worst... I only hurt the people I love... I'm so sorry..."

"Who told you to sacrifice your happiness anyway? Who told you to break up with Kyungsoo and Jongin? Who told you I only wished the two of us to be together? Who told you Kyungsoo and Jongin are gonna be fine without you? Who told you?"

Luhan furiously shakes his head, "No one... but just myself."

"See? Nobody wants you gone in their lives. It was just in your mind..."

"I'm sorry... It's all my fault..."

"I've never wished to be in this kind of situation with you. All I want is to see you happy with the people you love. I want to love you too, just like how you love them. Do you understand how I feel?"

"Yes, I understand..."

"Kyungsoo and Jongin, they're just waiting for your return... So please get back together with them. You don't belong in this place."

Finally, Luhan starts listening to him as he nods his head silently.

"Okay..."

"Promise me that you're not gonna do this again."

"Yes, I promise," Luhan says while he nods quickly, rubbing his tear-filled eyes, "I want to go home now, Sehun... I miss Kyungsoo so much, I want to see Jongin so bad..."

"Thank you," Sehun embraces him tight while Luhan cries on his shoulder, "Thank you for being honest and for not hurting yourself more..."

Luhan falls asleep that night with tears drying on his cheeks. Sehun tucks him under the blanket, watching for any signs of crying aftershock before he decides to get out of bed.

Getting Luhan's phone, he finds hundreds of missed calls all coming from Jongin and Kyungsoo.

He presses call and waits.

Jongin quickly picks up on the first ring.

[Hello, Luhan!?]

"Jongin, it's me."

[Sehun...]

"Have you been well?"

[I'm so sorry for ignoring you...]

He looks at the sleeping male on the bed as he feels himself cry joyous tears hearing Jongin's voice again.

"It's okay... I understand," Sehun mutters, "Please come pick Luhan up... We're going home now."

[Really? Is that true!?]

"Yes, we're coming back for good..."

*

To be continued.