[ cнapтer тнιrтy ➛ ѕтarт ]

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"Our anal ass-wiping wenis-fetishizing try-hard hoe asses graduated."

The Dreamies — except for Salami girl who was spending the day with her other friends — skipped out of the banquet, choosing instead to all go dye their hair.

Renjun, Donghyuck, and Jeno had variations of honey-brown, and Mark's previous brown was now raven. Perhaps the more prominent changes were for the youngest three boys, Jisung sporting a bright orange, Chenle a lime green, and Jaemin with bubblegum pink.

Following the changes, they drove to a nearby beach in Chenle's blue convertible. A stadium 'closed' for the day with basketball courts inside and out on the rooftop as well as lounging rooms that had brightly painted walls, a few random stores, and an open field surrounded the stretch of sand, the Dreamies having ventured on every area.

They shared grins and screeches while playing ball or having a water fight in the parking lot using sponges and hoses stolen from the stadium. Songs played from each of their phones as they kicked back in the random rooms of the stadium, stolen mini rockets blasting and blown bubbles floating in the space, the floor littered with basketballs and baseball bats and confetti.

Chasing each other on the field throwing up rockets or carrying a huge ass flag they found, lush grass whipping at their ankles. Laughing at each other's stupid poses and dance moves as sand was blown into their eyes and hair, the white from waves and clouds rolling and wisping against deep azures and aqua, cyans and cerulean. Smiling and taking pictures as the car rumbled along scenic streets, balancing dangerously on the seats with arms spread out and heads thrown back to allow billowing wind and golden sunshine alike cascade upon them.

The world slowly shifted from vivid day to warm sunset, tangerine, rose, peach, and gold hues flooding outdoor landscape. And the Dreamies beamed through it all, having the time of their lives.

But finally, night had come. The group retired to the room they thoroughly trashed, flopping on the couch or leaning against the wall, talking about how much things had changed.

"Hyuck, your ass is more Lucifer than hoe — stan SHINee," Jaemin stated, surprised at how he found himself enjoying Jeno's fingers ruffling through his hair. He was seated on the older's lap, comfortable and content. "Remember back when we had cute chewing gum and hoverboard kinks?"

"Or our cardboard go-karts," Jeno laughed, eyes crinkling into his iconic crescents, "and we fangirled over our hot Social teacher. Or was she Science?"

"Doesn't matter, her cheap car exposed that she has a deformed demonic child with her ugly, thotty husband," Donghyuck snorted. "Her loss, we're too young and hot and gay for her anyway."

Amused, the youngest boy snorted, when his phone rang. He stepped out for a moment to answer, and Chenle sighed, "I liked rafting in our fake ass smexy submarine. It was fucking summer and we could have used a legit beach and boat but--"

"We're uneducated," Donghyuck interrupted. "And we explored that sketchy jungle where I wanted to sell powdered Windex to innocent children."

"Going out in the city at Spring Break was bomb," Mark piped up, holding Donghyuck in his arms. "We went to rooftops and the subway and railway and ran to murder children and each other on the streets. Plus our iconic party at some random dude's place we snuck into."

"What a beautiful time," reminiscing along with his friends, Renjun slid down the wall he was standing against to sit in a more comfortable position. "Except the only drink he had in his house was radioactive jizz."

Jisung suddenly walked back in, scowling as he jammed his phone into his pocket.

"What's wrong, homie-g?" Chenle lifted his head up and stood up from the wall, observing the younger and frowning worriedly.

"My family," the blonde sighed, scrunching his nose. "Thought they got better. They were sober winter and spring break and weren't dysfunctional, but Jace called. Dad's been stoned for a week straight and Mom's shit-faced drunk." He scoffed and sat down right in front of the door, a certain sense of irate vigor to his actions. "So nothing's changed."

Jeno blinked. "Uh-- what?"

The group looked toward Jisung, not wanting to say anything if the younger wouldn't permit it.

He quickly explained, "I'm adopted and my family's shit. They can't take care of themselves or me, which honestly isn't much of a problem, I'm used to it, plus Jace is kinda cool even though he smells like pot. Around the time you came, they'd been getting better, but now they're back to it again." His Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped down his frustration. "I haven't told you guys yet, but I'm auditioning for an agency in a month and a half. If they accept me, I'll be like Mark and I'll be free from my shit parents. And if they don't, well..."

"We're the only family you need, to be honest, and you'll definitely get accepted, no doubts," the brunette nodded with absolute certainty, uplifting words spoken with an assertion. "I'm sorry your parents are like that. Remember, you've got us, and I won't allow you to get hurt. I'm like Anpanman but hotter."

"Thanks," Jisung snorted, cracking a small grin. "And it's g. Donghyuck--," he looked over at the said male who shrugged, allowing the youngest to proceed, "--also has abusive homophobic parents. I don't care anymore, though, stealing alcohol is what keeps me going."

Chenle walked over and wrapped the younger in a hug, ignoring his flustered cries of protest. "I got your back, bae. No one oofs my favorite demon."

Over on the couch, Mark kissed his boyfriend's hair and held the brunette closer. "Babe, stay strong while I'm gone, don't let anyone devirginize or un-demonize you."

"You literally fucked me last night," Donghyuck reminded. There was space, so Jeno kicked up his legs on the couch, arms tightening around Jaemin to keep him from falling off. "Ugh, I hate you, Mork, don't fucking remind me you're leaving, you're gonna break my bad bitch reputation. I needa stay strong. I need you right here."

"More riveting and inspirational than TED Talks, whoop whoop whoop whoop go shawty."

"We'll miss you ramen head, send n00ds while you're gone, you better have noodle hair."

"Don't cook eggs on live or you'll get slammed by Gay Fieri and Daddy Gordon."

"I'll be the best dad when you leave, hoes will be drippin' 127 times a millisecond for me."

"Jisung, you're five."

"Renjun, you're Asian."

"What--"

"Whiplash? Baby don't stop? Baby don't like it? Unliked, unfollowed, canceled. Unemployed, surviving off of pretzel-flavored lube and expired cum in your local abandoned sex shop."

"Choke on croissant-flavored lube, Mark, I'm gonna miss Jisung more if he has to leave."

"Awwh, bae~ I salami you too."

"Jeno, be a confident gay for once, use your fake big dick energy and swallow your wife Jaemin already."

"I'm the confident gay around here--"

"Sure Jaemin, and shut up Bimbo-bald-boner-hyuck-- ooh! Who wants to steal fireworks from that dealer near the store with me?!"

With that suggestion from Jeno, the melancholy, nostalgic atmosphere instantly brightened, all seven leaping up and racing to the store, shocked at how quickly dusk turned to night. Once they were all holding fireworks, they stood next to where Chenle's car was parked. Mark hollered, "Yoooo Dream! Dear Dream! I love you cock-shot cum dumpsters, don't be stupid gay hets when I leave! And don't forget, we are in touch."

"Hey, Mark, you crackwhore, too much cheesy crack is unhealthy for your capillaries. You wouldn't wanna disappoint fans with a weak noodle body now would you?"

"Shut up, I don't need your toxic uncultured opinion in my life, stream our album instead."

After that exchange, all seven boys chanted, "1, 2, 3!" as booms sounded, twinkling, crackling lights launched into the air, erupting with streams of color flashing in the dark sky, a haze left drifting behind.

The boys cheered, and with arms wrapped around each other's shoulders watched as the brightness faded to an emptiness, smiles painted on their faces.

Mark's departure and everyone having to leave for universities or agencies were only the starts. They knew, with time, their own brightness would fade too, colors of youth gone, their track on to the next stage.

What mattered was they'd always have each other, always support and lift up one another, always have beautiful memories imprinted in their minds. Moving on was hard, but nothing could beat their friendship. By the time death came, they'd be in hell, but for now, no matter what, they'd continue to rise and burst of color just like the rockets and fireworks they'd released that day.

They would always go up.

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[ cнapтer тнιrтy ➛ end ]

[a/n]: yes, this was the dreamies crying over Chewing Gum, My First And Last, We Young, Go and actually doing We Go Up. AND there are only s i x songs in the album like how there are only s i x members left woohoo

AND OKAY ik i never wrote specific scenes or mentioned it in the story, but when the dreamies are referencing their music videos, jeno was there w them for all of it BC:

chewing gum — a week during summer

my first and last — january (before renle broke jisung and jaemins hearts loL)

we young — right before spring break

go — spring break

we go up — rIgHt nOW

also, thank you so much for 45k and 24k on play date and 8k on alive, you babes are actual angels<3 i love you so much, never forget how beautiful and lovely and talented and appreciated you are, you deserve so much more than the world could even try to offer c: