thank you all for being patient and reading this story. this has to be one of the best stories i've written because of you all amazing and lovely people. small note: from now i will be actively editing the previous chapters which means im going to fix all the grammar mistakes and also add some stuff that are lacking in the chapter. if u want to read new and updated versions of the previous chapter check in every thursday for the good quality chapters. (the edited chapters are going to have a star -->* next to it so yeah)

Chapter 23: The End.

“It’s alright. You’re safe” – Jaebum heard Youngjae whisper as he stood on a tall building, a bit too scared to jump. Jaebum didn’t know why he was on top of a building nor did he know how he got there. He didn’t know how he could hear Youngjae’s smooth voice when Youngjae himself was nowhere to be seen.

“It’s okay to jump. You’re going to be fine, hyung” – Jaebum heard again. Jaebum didn’t get any of it. He didn’t get why he had to jump and why a creepy sounding Youngjae was telling him to jump. If you listened closely the voice didn’t even sound like Youngjae. It sounded like some weird dude was trying way too hard to sound like his precious cinnamon.

Jaebum looked down. He couldn’t see the ground or other buildings or people; it was way too foggy to see anything. It seemed more likely that Jaebum was actually standing on top of a cloud, rather than a giant hundred story building. As Jaebum looked down at the ground made of fog something inside him quietly whispered to him: “Jaebum-ah, jump.” The longer the starred and wondered about what was beneath him, the more it provoked the urge to jump inside him.

“What if I suddenly start to fly after this?” – Jaebum thought, looking down.

“Jaebum hyung, it is fine” – Youngjae or rather Youngjae’s plain old voice whispered. Now, as Jaebum slowly fell in love with the idea of him jumping off the building, this random Youngjae’s voice started seem less and less creepier and more and more comforting. Soon enough, it started to sound like music to Jaebum’s ears as it relaxed him and got him pumped and excited to ‘fly’.

“I promise you will be fine” – Youngjae whispered one last time and Jaebum jumped.

As Jaebum was ‘flying’, he saw Youngjae very clearly in front of him with his thin arms spread open, with the biggest and brightest smile on his face flying. Youngjae, with his eyes gently shut as if he was sleeping, was flying right next to Jaebum, enjoying each and every second of his flight. If Jaebum moved a little, he could practically connect his hands with Youngjae and they could fly together with their hands intertwined.

Jaebum tried to ‘scoot’ a little closer to his favorite member while waving his hands left and right, trying to do the best bird impression he could do. But he couldn’t, no matter how hard he tried, Youngjae was only floating more and more away from him. As only a few seconds have passed, Youngjae was already about ten kilometers away from him. Jaebum could barely see him with all the fog surrounding both of them. Suddenly Jaebum started to fall with such huge velocity that he couldn’t even figure out he was indeed falling for the first few seconds. But Jaebum started to realize his fast drop to the ground when Youngjae disappeared right before his eyes and wind started to pick up.

“Oh so, I wasn’t flying” – a sad assumption rose inside Jaebum’s head as he was dropping to the ground with the speed of light.

“I’m glad Youngjae was, though” – Jaebum thought with a sad smile on his face. Youngjae was flying and he was happy, that was enough for Jaebum.

“As long as Youngjae’s happy” – with that simple mind set of a fool in love Jaebum faced the ground. But as Jaebum fell into the solid cement, he didn’t feel any sort of pain after. Instead of the agonizing rush of pain, Jaebum felt a calming and therapeutic sensation running through his veins. Jaebum no longer felt the regret of jumping off the building, nor did he feel the small jealousy he felt when he became conscious of the fact that Youngjae was flying and he wasn’t. Jaebum was encircled with white clouds and nothing else. He was completely tranquil and nothing disturbed him. Although he was fast falling a few minutes ago, now he was a few meters above the ground serenely floating in a sea of soft cotton candy like clouds.

Jaebum was dying. Or he was already dead.

“Hyung, do you think statues get lonely at night?” – Youngjae asked Jaebum as they were in the studio late at night, trying to write a song for their new album together.

“Youngjae, are you sleep deprived?” – Jaebum worriedly asked about who was about to go insane because of all the sleep he wasn’t getting.

Jaebum regretted not going after Youngjae that day after he told Jaebum he didn’t want them to start everything over. He regretted not telling him he loved him and wanted to be by his side forever and always.

“Hyung, do you know the kids’ song ‘Row Your Boat’? It doesn’t make any sense. Why would there be an elephant hiding with jeans on? That’s stupid. Do they think we’re that stupid?” – Youngjae asked Jaebum. The two were sitting in the middle of the stage that was being decorated for the upcoming concert. Got7 has been travelling everywhere and every member was a little out of it as they’ve been lacking sleep for the past week.

“They’re for toddlers, Youngjae, not for twenty year olds, who are too old to be listening to nursery rhymes. Also it’s literally in the name ‘nursery rhymes’. They’re supposed to rhyme, not make sense.” – Jaebum answered, already used to Youngjae talking nonsense when tired.

Jaebum always thought he’d die as a ninety year old grandpa surrounded with his kids and grandchildren, happily. He never expected himself to die pointlessly and strangely like this. One second he was alive and eating the most delicious steak while hearing the saddest news, and then the other he’s suddenly in the sky, flying or rather falling to his death.

Jaebum wondered if Youngjae was also dead. Jaebum wondered if Youngjae flying next to him earlier meant he was dying. He wondered if Youngjae experienced the same thing as well. He wondered if Youngjae also flew above the world before falling to his death.

“Hyung, how would you rather die: suffocating to death or jumping off a cliff?” – Youngjae asked, as both of them were awake and were too terrified to sleep. It was the night before their debut stage. The two were so anxious they could die.

“Jumping off a cliff sounds pretty cool. Also when you imagine telling people how you died, jumping off a cliff sounds so bad and suffocating sounds so lame. It’s like: ‘yes, I was loser enough to forget how to breathe for a while’.” – Jaebum replied, as he was also a bit too exhausted for his brain to function normally.

Jaebum didn’t get why Youngjae and him couldn’t at least share the experience of dying together. Maybe Youngjae wasn’t dead, which could actually explain why Jaebum and him couldn’t fly together. But just in case Youngjae was dead, Jaebum made a mental note to find and meet him wherever dead people met.

“Hyung, can you promise me to come and find me even after we’re dead? Even in our next lives, no matter if we’re going to be two different races or ethnicities or even if we’re not human, you have to come and find me. I don’t think I can honestly survive without you in my life, hyung.” – Youngjae pulled out his pinky finger for Jaebum to make a pinky promise as if they were five year olds at their kindergarten. But in reality Youngjae and Jaebum were two guys in their early twenties at a radio station, preparing to be interviewed about their new album that they’ve losing sleep over for a few months already.

“Sure, why not?” – Jaebum, who was too spent to argue or point out the ridiculousness of Youngjae’s sudden wish, just agreed and intertwined both of their pinkies making a promise.

“Hyung, are you awake? You’re awake! Hyung, say something” – a really familiar voice called out, confusing Jaebum completely. Was he not dead? Was all of this a dream? Where was Youngjae?

“Youngjae…” – Jaebum tried to mutter and open his eyes. Even though he was trying to with all his might, Jaebum was no sound coming out of his mouth nor could he see anything.

“Jinyoung hyung, I think Jaebum hyung is awake, we should call the doctors” – Yugyeom or someone who sounded like him said.

“I’ll go call them” – someone else said.

“Jaebum hyung, can…” – someone started but Jaebum couldn’t hear anymore as he saw the same old green field in front of him. But this time it wasn’t empty. The field was filled with daisies, Youngjae’s favorite flowers.

“Daisies? Why do you like daisies? They’re the most simple and plain flowers.” – Jaebum didn’t but the same time did sort of believe Youngjae. Although Youngjae seemed like he wasn’t the type to like daisies or any type of flowers in general, he was a very simple man with a simple mind set.

“I like them because they’re simple and plain. Nothing too complicated and nothing too extra weird.” – Youngjae simply replied, buying a bouquet of daisies for one of his friends who were graduating high school.

Jaebum just started to roam around the daisy field with nothing else to do. He ran here and there humming a plain tune and collecting some daisies to make the flower crown that everyone was in to these days. Although Jaebum was really bored out of his mind at the moment, he still felt refreshed and free. He felt like he could literally sit down and take a and no one would do anything about it.

As he was running through the field, he realized that something was lying down on the ground. Jaebum cautiously got closer to the thing to find what exactly it was. Perhaps it was clue or a hint from god that would help him figure out whether Jaebum was dead or alive and if this was a dream or a reality. As Jaebum got closer it started to become clear that it was a human being on the ground. Jaebum now only had to find out who it was and he figured that his problems would be finally answered then. Maybe it was god himself lying on the ground in the sea of daisies. Who knew?

Jaebum got closer and saw someone’s face. Lying on the ground with his eyes shut tight Youngjae was either sleeping or dead. Youngjae’s pale face and his almost colorless lips indicated that Youngjae was no longer breathing.

Jaebum speculated countless times already that Youngjae might’ve already been dead; nonetheless he never expected to actually see him dead. Jaebum never saw Youngjae’s lifeless face and motionless body coming any time soon. If anything, he always thought Youngjae would be the last one in Got7 to die.

“Who do you think is going to die last in Got7?” – a sudden question came up from Jackson’s side. Got7 was currently inside Jaebum and Youngjae’s bedroom trying to finish up the presentation for the upcoming meeting to prepare for their new album.

“Bambam, probably, since he takes care of himself so much.” – Yugyeom said without even having to think about it.

“I think it’s going to be Mark hyung. He’s quiet but observant. He’ll live longer than everyone in the company.” – Youngjae added.

“I think it’s going to be Youngjae.” – Jaebum commented from his bed, where he was sitting alone, as he didn’t allow anyone on his bed.

“I think JYP PDnim is going to outlive all of us.” – Jackson joked, making everyone laugh.

Seeing Youngjae dead made Jaebum sick to the stomach.

“Youngjae, is this some type of sick prank you’re playing on me?” – Jaebum asked even though he perfectly understood that Youngjae wasn’t there anymore and there was just a lifeless body on the cold ground covered with pretty flowers and bright grass.

“Youngjae, can’t you stop now and just get up?” – Jaebum demanded. Youngjae wasn’t going to just get up from the ground smiling and Jaebum knew that but that however didn’t stop him from ordering Youngjae around.

“Okay, Youngjae, I am scared. Please get up?” – Jaebum started to break down but he couldn’t cry no matter how much he wanted to. No matter how sad and terrifying it was to see his favorite person on dirt lying around like Youngjae was, Jaebum couldn’t grief for Youngjae. It was as if Jaebum’s tears were nonexistent or Jaebum has lost his tear glands were magically gone. Maybe that’s what happened to dead people. Maybe dead people lose their ability to function as a human being.

“Wait, Jaebum hyung! Mark hyung! Call the doctors! Jaebum hyung is crying!” – Jinyoung’s voice was heard all through the big vast field. And with Jinyoung’s upset tone, clouds started to gather around the sky and soon it was heavily raining with a glimpse of thunder here and there.

“But I’m not, though” – Jaebum said out loud but of course no one ‘up there’ could hear him.

Jaebum didn’t get any of it and he wasn’t sure anymore that he wanted to ‘get’ whatever was happening to him and everyone around him.

***

The nightly news:

“Im Jae Bum and Choi Young Jae - two members of South Korea’s hottest boy bands were killed in a terrible car accident. Im Jae Bum was the group’s leader and main vocalist, as Choi Young Jae was the lead vocalist. Choi Young Jae was killed immediately after the car crush had happened, Im Jae Bum died after being in a coma for a few hours at the local hospital, where he was delivered to after Got7’s manager, who was also in the vehicle with the singers have miraculously survived the accident and called the ambulance. Tonight, the left five members have expressed their condolences at the two singers' funeral.”

Jinyoung was the first one to appear in front of the general public after the incident. Jinyoung was the most stable looking one as he held himself together in front of everyone. Everyone, including Got7’s members, relied on him to make everything okay. Everyone relied on Jinyoung to calm everyone down and make all of the tough to even hear announcements regarding the lost two members. People assumed he was fine, they thought Jaebum and Youngjae’s departure didn’t quite affect Jinyoung as it did for the rest of Got7. But no one knew that Jinyoung locked himself inside his bathroom, pretending to shower, and cried his heart out for a few hours all while Mark, Jackson, Bambam and Yugyeom were asleep. No one also knew that Jinyoung died a little inside every single time he spotted the red book titled “Anna Karenina” given to him by Youngjae on his birthday with the words: “This book for some reason reminded me of you as hyung seems like the type to be into nineteen seventy’s Russia’s drama. Enjoy! Make sure to read each and every page! Love you.”

Jinyoung was the first one to appear at the ‘faraway’ party for Youngjae and Jaebum as well as he was the first one to give speech regarding the sad news.

“Jaebum hyung was a great leader with a strong sense of responsibility and a great passion for his job. He never once said no to some extra hours of practice or vocal lessons as he always said that hard work always paid off. As for Youngjae, he was a true fighter. He was our group’s strongest member with such dedication for what he was doing. And he was never afraid to try and learn. Plus I believe he was one of the best vocalists in the modern kpop industry. But sadly, for some reason, god has decided that we humans simply weren’t good enough for these two angels.” – Jinyoung made an impactful statement and quickly exited the stage. People could see small drops of tears on his cheeks as he was leaving the stage.

Mark could be seen going from Got7’s dorm and the JYPE building back and forth. Mark would be wearing a black cap, a huge black hoodie and his face would be almost entirely covered with a black face mask. His ears would be plugged with a set of headphones he took from Youngjae’s drawer as Youngjae always had some extra just in case something happened.

Some could sometimes see Mark outside with Coco. He would have huge dark circles under his eyes and Coco wouldn’t stop whining.

“I know the other daddy’s gone. I know, Coco, I know you miss him. I miss him too.” – Mark would whisper, quietly crying while reminded of Youngjae once again.

Mark also missed one of his best friends – Jaebum. He missed how as trainees Jaebum and he would sneak out of the dorm, which was specially built for JYPE’s trainees, and visit the local convenience store to eat ramen together. He also missed Jaebum’s loud and annoying voice carrying out through the whole apartment just because Coco’s small poop in front of his room.

Sometimes when things got a little too much for Mark to handle, he would pay a visit to Jaebum and Youngjae’s room and lie down on Youngjae’s soft bed and peacefully fall asleep, while trying to pretend Youngjae was still there with them.

Mark appeared after Jinyoung with swollen eyes to deliver his speech in honor of the two members – Youngjae and Jaebum.

“I’m really going to miss our leader and our main vocalist. Without these two our band would be really plain and boring. I don’t know how even we’ll be able to start to be okay without Youngjae and Jaebum.”

Bambam had to fly to his homeland – Thailand the day right after the huge accident. Bambam swore to himself he wouldn’t cry and he wouldn’t show the thousands of people at the airport his weak side. Bambam has managed to control his emotions thus far, so he could probably stop himself from crying now.

Bambam was doing fine. He was smiling and waving to his loyal fans as usual. Bambam was totally okay but then his phone rang. Bambam’s mom called to tell him she would be waiting at the exit. That’s when Bambam started to loudly cry. He broke down in front of a public for the first time. His mom’s words ‘I’ll be waiting’ suddenly reminded him of some pointless conversation he had with Youngjae a long time ago. Quite a while ago when Bambam was leaving for Thailand for school and as he was about to board the plane Youngjae asked him out of nowhere: ‘Bambam-ah, do you think your parents are going to be there?’

Bambam couldn’t hold his any longer, as he was reminded of Youngjae’s soft eyes full of worry and his warm hands as he brought him his favorite sunglasses that Bambam forgot while he was in a rush. Bambam didn’t understand why good people had to leave and not the bad ones. There were burglars, murderers, rapists everywhere around the world but you don’t hear news about those awful people being in a tragic accident. Bambam didn’t understand why god or whoever was in charge of humans was so unfair to people.

Bambam, Got7’s famous fashionista, didn’t care about his looks anymore. He left the house in whatever was under his hands. He didn’t care if new Louis Vuitton boots were released a few days ago or if he received a new pair of Chanel sunglasses as a present. It didn’t make sense to him to wear fancy clothing when two of his favorite hyungs were gone forever.

Bambam quickly took Mark’s place on stage and quickly got out a small piece of paper, not once making eye contact with anyone in the audience.

“I still can’t exactly believe that two of the hyungs I most respected are now gone and will never come back. It’s quite hard to believe that this terrible thing has actually happened and we’re about to forever say goodbye to them. I just want to say I’m forever and always thankful for Jaebum hyung for listening to my whines about everything and Youngjae hyung for teaching me a lot of stuff I was lacking without being mean. I just can’t believe they’re gone.” – Bambam said as fast as he could. If he didn’t, people would once again see his tears that were already on the edge of Bambam’s eyes and were ready to roll down his thin cheeks.

For Jackson, everything reminded him of Youngjae and Jaebum. Even when he heard Yugyeom and Bambam call him hyung, he was reminded of Youngjae’s ringing voice calling him happily: ‘Jackson hyung!’ Jackson couldn’t get out of his room because the memories of Youngjae sitting on the living room couch making everyone listen to his new song would come up Jackson’s head. Jackson couldn’t go the practice rooms, the days with Jaebum on his side, dancing their hearts out still vivid in Jackson’s memory.

Jackson couldn’t stop crying even in public. His entire schedule including all of his variety shows were canceled for the next two months. Jackson often felt sick to the point where he couldn’t even properly stand up.

Jackson, crying, took the stage, sighing loudly.

“Jaebum hyung was one of the best leaders. He was always there to cover for us, to scold us and to improve us. Whenever we messed up and had to face the very angry PDnims, Jaebum hyung would just go and just listen to their ear splitting rants about us. I’m sorry, Jaebum hyung, for not being a good member and an even better friend. I’m sorry. And our Youngjae, who was truly the A vitamin of our dull group. He was always there to lift up the mood with his loud laughter. Plus he really had an angelic voice. I regret not telling him that while he was alive. I regret not hugging both of the members while they were still with us. I just can’t comprehend that from now on, there will be no one to drink gross tea and disgusting egg whites because they’re good for his throat or there won’t be anyone to tell Jinyoung and I off for bickering with each other way too often. I’m sorry it’s just, I don’t know, I don’t understand how these two can be gone just like that. I mean I didn’t even get to say goodbye. The last time I spoke to Youngjae was me shouting at him for being cheap and for not being able to chare one pair of black socks with me. I just can’t believe that something this awful can actually happen to people so pure and great. I mean Youngjae was such a kind soul.” – Jackson stepped off the stage with a small help from Jinyoung, who was hugging Jackson and telling him it was going to be okay.

Yugyeom was the biggest mess out of all the members. Youngjae was practically his sibling and he’d known Jaebum ever since he was a small child. Jaebum was always there to take care of Yugyeom, even once when Yugyeom was getting bullied by an older trainee, Jaebum fought with the trainee to defend Yugyeom. Jaebum would’ve been kicked out right then and there but JYP loved Jaebum way too much to let him to just like that.

Yugyeom had practically moved into Jaebum and Youngjae’s house. He slept on Youngjae’s bed and spent the whole day inside the small room, listening to Youngjae and Jaebum’s songs as both of them had a small player in the corner with their favorite CDs.

Yugyeom didn’t want to see anyone unless it was Jaebum and Youngjae who that have magically defeated death and became zombies or something. Yugyeom didn’t eat anything either. Yugyeom was only left with some skin and a pair of eyes. Even his hair started to fall out. Yugyeom didn’t care. All he cared about was the two of his real brothers dying and how really unfair it was for them to die.

“I’m sorry everyone, I will not be making a speech as I’m not exactly in the mood to talk about Youngjae and Jaebum hyungs’ departure.” – Yugyeom announced and quickly left the place as he was unable to compose a simple sentence about Jaebum or Youngjae.

***

9 years later at a random elementary school in Seoul.

“Hey! You! That guy with bangs” – a 7 year old called out the new kid who had just transferred from another school.

“Me?” – the kid with bangs answered timidly.

“Yes, you” – the 5 year old came up to the transfer student and smiled wildly.

“I don’t know why but as soon as you entered our classroom I knew we’d be good friends” – the 7 tear old continued to tell the new kid.

“Thank you?” – the new kid was confused. He didn’t exactly expect someone being this ‘friendly’ to him on his first day at his new school.

“Let’s be friends. I’m Lee Jae Hoon” – the bold and a bit too friendly 7 year old introduced himself.

“I’m Kim Min Jae” – the new kid introduced himself with his soft voice.

“Hey, we both have ‘jae’ in our names!” – Jae Hoon noticed, smiling.

“We do!” – Min Jae immediately brightened up and showed off his as bright as sun smile to his new friend.

“Min Jae, how old are you?”

“I’m 5. I entered school way too early because of my mommy” – Min Jae explained himself, still smiling like a sunshine.

“Then I’m your hyung!” – Jae Hoon beamed.

“Hyung, for some reason I feel really close to you. What does that mean?” – Min Jae, who was usually pretty shy around other people, opened up to his new hyung. Min Jae really liked his hyung, he liked everything about him. He liked Jae Hoon’s small eyes, bright smile and fun personality and for some reason Jae Hoon seemed like he was supposed to be a leader of something.

“I think that means we’re just meant to be the best of  friends!” – Jae Hoon said with his simple child like mind set. Jae Hoon really liked Min Jae. Although Jae Hoon didn’t get along with eighty percent of kids in his class, he got along with Min Jae right away.

“Let’s be friends forever then, hyung!”

“Okay, then we should make a promise to be friends with each other forever and ever! Even after we’re dead, we should still continue to be friends.”

The end.