I'm Also A We // Hyunlix

The Sum Of Eight or 2.8 50:43

NOW

F E L I X

They're barely awake when they hit the ground, the smooth landing shaking them softly awake. There's exhaustion deep in their bones, and it seems fitting that Seoul is welcoming them with dark skies, ready to burst into heavy rain.

Felix doesn't pay much attention to his members but then he doesn't have to, can feel them humming somewhere in the back of his head, six distinct notes about to make up a perfect song. If only one wasn't missing.

They're late by more than an hour. Their luggage took longer to arrive on the conveyor belts, and it's like this hour is what tips everyone over, makes them walk around half asleep with no energy left to keep their eyes open or heads upright. Jisung falls asleep with his head against Chan's shoulder while they're waiting. The only one awake seems to be Chunghee, who's on the phone with someone, pacing back and forth a bit away from the rest of the group.

Felix stays close to Hyunjin when they head out of the terminal. They naturally slip into formation, two by two, like kindergartners being told to pair up, and he watches Changbin hold Seungmin's hand in front of him, so Felix does the same, letting his own hand tangle against Hyunjin's before he slips his hand into his, and Hyunjin grasps it firmly.

Three vans are waiting for them, lined up in a different place than normal, and Felix is thankful that there's no press and no fans here, so he lets himself sag the way his body wants to, leaning against Hyunjin while they're waiting for the luggage to be loaded into the vans. Chan has his arms around Changbin, resting his chin on his shoulder, and Felix just dips a little into the warmth shared between them, reaching out just enough so he can breathe in that soft, calm love that they fought so hard for.

"Come on guys, get going," Chunghee disturbs their mellow calm with an impatient shout, and then he winces and sends Felix an apologetic smile.

Thunder explodes over their heads and now that Felix pays attention, the wind is picking up.

Chunghee laughs, clapping his hands. "I told you guys, get going. Gonna come down any second now."

He's barely finished the sentence when the first drops of rain fall, and then all at once, the heavens open as if a bucket of water is turned over. Shouts and squeals erupt between them all and with a spike of forgotten energy, they're all scrambling to get into the vans.

There's always an order to the vans, set up by dorm, but Felix doesn't remember which is which, can barely see through the rain where his dorm-mates jumped into the cars.

"Just— Yongbok-ah, Hyunjin-ah, get in." Chunghee holds the open door, motioning for them to jump in, and now the rain is really coming down.

Hyunjin gets in first and Felix follows, the other two vans are already taking off while Felix is still sitting down. He pulls the door shut, looking for the seatbelt that is stuck between the seats.

"Wait— what are you—?" Hyunjin says.

Felix's gaze shoots up. Something's wrong but he doesn't grasp what it is.

"No, no, what are you doing?" Hyunjin shouts, panicked, and Felix doesn't understand it, doesn't understand how there can be so much fear on Hyunjin's face when it's just them and Chunghee in the van.

Until he sees the syringe.

Hyunjin drops to the side before Felix can even comprehend what's happening.

"Hyunin-ah?" The seatbelt snaps back into its holder when Felix lets it go, leaning over Hyunjin, reaching for his face, but Hyunjin's eyes are closed and he doesn't react to any of Felix's touches.