"You haven't heard from Jiyong, too?" Youngbae tilted his head with a permanent frown.

Seunghyun shrugs.

"What about you? Have you tried reaching him? Have you heard anything from him?" Youngbae asks already knowing the answer but still continues anyway.

"Sorry, Hyung," Daesung shook his head. "I think even Mr. Yang doesn't know his whereabouts."

Youngbae breathes out a sigh. "What gives? The hell is happening? Have he gone crazy? How could he just disappear like this?" he complained, throwing his back in on the leather couch. "At a time like this? We're not even halfway finished on the recording!"

Seunghyun just stared at his feet, wagging it back and forth as it rests on his other leg.

Daesung sits up and leans closer to Youngbae. "Should we.. maybe tell Mr. Yang?" he asked reluctantly. "Tell him Jiyong-hyung hasn't been showing up for days? You think that's a good idea?"

A deep wrinkle then formed on Youngbae's nosebridge. He turns his head towards Daesung, eyes looking utterly uncertain. "..Tell him?"

"Yeah.. Will that be for the best?" Daesung asked to which he gets no response from.

Then, silence. Only the sound of the aircondition's machine.

"Relax," Seunghyun finally speaks up. "No need to do that."

Youngbae, whose head facing downwards, chin leaning on his hands, suddenly lifts his posture. He turns to Seunghyun, eyes seemingly wanting more reassurance.

"No need to stress out," Seunghyun calmly said whilst staring at the recording area infront. "You guys know Jiyong. He won't do anything rash. I'm sure he just went through some minor things and will be back before we know it."

Youngbae blinks for a few seconds. As he stared blankly at him, slowly, his aura gradually lightens up. "..yeah" he uttered. "You're right."

Seunghyun smirks. "Yep."

"..Right, right." Daesung nods. "We're worrying too much. Hyung's probably right. I mean, Jiyong-hyung's not the type to get into any trouble, right?"

"Right," Youngbae nods eagerly as if trying too hard to convince himself. "Yeah, he just went through some trivial matters. He'll be back in no time."

Then, silence again.

They sat next to each other not uttering a word. Seunghyun continued rocking his feet, hands holding on to his knee. As Daesung fixed his eyes on the studio equipment, Youngbae takes out his phone. He taps onto it hastily, and Seunghyun takes a peek.

"Who you calling?" he asked.

"Seungri," Youngbae answered, phone placed on his ear. "I want to check on him."

Seunghyun stuck out his lower lip, nodding. 

"Why?" asked Daesung. "Don't you guys live in the same building? Aren't you visiting him every now and then?" 

"..Well.. that.." Youngbae uttered with difficulty. "Uh.. I don't."

Daesung raises an eyebrow. "What? How come? I thought you always come over to his unit?"

"Well.. that.." He grits his teeth. "Well, Jiyong's been visiting, right? He did so while he's at the hospital, so it's safe to assume that he visits his place, too, right?" 

Daesung pauses. He stared at the carpeted floor, lips pouted. "Yeah, maybe," he uttered quietly. "But why won't you visit him yourself? I mean, you're just a floor away from him. Why not visit him? Jiyong's been a no-show for quite some time. Maybe he doesn't get to take care of him lately? And what if Ri's just shy to ask for some help? What if he's having a hard time doing things for himself?" 

Still holding on to the phone, Youngbae remained on his position, eyes looking away. "Ehh.. Seungri's not answering," he complained.

Daesung rolled his eyes. "Avoiding the question, huh?" he muttered.

"Tsch," Seunghyun breathed out, chuckling. "A friend you call yourself, huh, Bae?" He nudges at him. 

Youngbae then puts down his phone. He turns to Seunghyun with menacing eyes. "Then what about you? What have you done for him, huh? Besides storming in to the hospital, throwing your tantrums at him? Have you even asked him once about his condition?" 

Seunghyun chuckles. "Unlike you, I live pretty far away from him. You're literally just a floor away from him, and you can come over anytime." He leans closer to Youngbae. "And yes, I have. I text him from time to time. I know his condition. Do you?" 

Like his voice has been taken away from him, Youngbae sat speechless. A defeated look on his face was painted all over. 

"You see?" Seunghyun grins. "What a useless 'friend',"

"Aish," Daesung breathed out. "Stop that, Hyung. I'm sure Youngbae-hyung has his reasons."

A sudden shift of position from Youngbae. With his eyes obviously striking out uncertainty, he opens his mouth; "Well.. But.." he stammered, eyes suddenly searching for any inanimate object. "..When I get home.. I'll come over."

"Yeah, you do that, 'friend'," Seunghyun chuckles. 

Youngbae lets out a sigh. "Shut up already, geez. If you want, I'll visit right at this moment. Just so you could stop harassing me." 

"Ehh.. No need to do that, Hyung!" said Daesung. He glances at Seunghyun, throwing in a glare. He mouthed to him; "Stop."

As Seunghyun grinned to his ear, almost as if his mouth's gonna tear off, Youngbae shots right up. He stood there, eyes beaming out a hostile look to the long-legged man. 

"Oh?" Seunghyun smiles. "What's up?"

"See ya," uttered Youngbae in a dry tone.

Just before Seunghyun could spit out another word, Youngbae storms out through the door.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

The moonlight gleamed through the broken bottle on the ground. A rat, running off from the manhole to the garbage can, made a screeching noise that echoed throughout the quiet area. The street lamps were not as reliable, so Youngbae took out his phone as a guide. It was better than the vague, flickering lightbulbs, he thought.

As he dragged his boots on the rough, dewy ground, he takes in a deep breath. 

"Geez," he muttered. "It's not like Seungri's dying or something. It's just a broken arm for goodness' sake."

Then, Youngbae suddenly halts; a caller ID showing up on his phone screen.

 

"Incoming call: Hyorin"

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

A knock on the door.

Jiyong turns his head for a moment. He puffed out a smoke as he leans away from the cold, metal railing. No movements from his feet, though. He just stood there staring at his door.

Another knock. This time, much louder and persistent.

Jiyong returns to his position, staring from afar as the freezing wind brushed against his pale skin. His cigarette was only inches away to its end, so picks out another one. As his door continued to clamor, he lights up the stick with his cat-figure lighter. He in the hot smoke, eyes luring on the stars.

The knocking stopped. This time, a beeping sound.

He turns around and sees Kiko, barging in with an ominous look on her face. Before throwing out his coffin nail, he puffs in one last time. 

"Ji," Kiko began, voice hostile. "What's with you? Why aren't you answering the door?" she asked, arms folded onto her chest.

Jiyong remained silent. He stood there, head facing downwards as he leaned his elbows on the barricade.

A frown then molded on Kiko's face. She stared at him, carefully reading out the obscured look on him. "..What's with you? W-What's the problem?"

Jiyong takes in a deep breath. Slowly, he lifts his head up to face her.

"I'm sorry," he uttered with sincerity.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Youngbae watched, smiling as Seungri poured the fizzy sparkling wine on his glass. 

"Here ya go," said Seungri as he lifts up the bottle. "Drink up!"

Youngbae takes a sip and Seungri pours some on his. Coldplay was playing in the background---Chris Martin's voice soothing the atmosphere, along with the nice, calm wind flowing in through the windows.

He takes another sip and stares at Seungri, wine lining up inside his throat, stinging. He couldn't help but notice the sadness in the boy's eyes. He wonders why is it so, but as much as he was yenning to ask, he couldn't for some unknown reason.

"..This wine tastes pretty good," he uttered.

Seungri nods. He lifts his glass up, staring at it with a slight smirk. It was only then Youngbae noticed the plaster on his hand. Was it there before? He asked himself as he squinted his eyes. 

"Uh, your hand," he began. "..Is it just me? Or that bandage wasn't there before?"

Seungri raises both eyebrows. "Oh, this?" he asked, looking at the dressing covering up the back of his hand.

"Yeah. It wasn't there before, right? What happened? You injured yourself again?" he asked, worry hinting in his voice.

"Oh.." Seungri muttered, and Youngbae could've sworn he saw the boy's eyes falter. "Well this.. it's nothing," Seungri continued. "You know how clumsy I am," he chuckles.

A slight frown twitches on his forehead. He didn't know why, but he chose not to word out his doubt. 

"You know, I'm a bit mad at you, Hyung."

Youngbae furrowed his eyebrows. For some reason, it sounded quite daunting. Or was it just him?

"Mad at me?" he asked, shifting on his sitting position.

A smile broke out on Seungri's lips; Youngbae felt relieved. 

"Yeah, I am. Why weren't you coming over here? You said you'll visit, but I haven't even smelled your scent until now. I'm kinda hurt!"

Youngbae chuckles. "Sorry," he said, gritting his teeth. "But I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Pft," he breathed out. "Yeah, right. You're kinda mean, Hyung. What if I hurt myself really bad, and you're not here to help? I could die here without anyone knowing, you know,"

Youngbae chortled a hefty laugh. "Don't be such a drama queen! You're perfectly okay. You can even pour some wine for me, see?" 

Seungri chuckled. "Right," he nodded. "But really, Hyung, why weren't you visiting? I mean, you used to come over a lot just to hang out."

Before answering, Youngbae finishes his glass. Along with the speakers playing the next song, he starts; "Well," he uttered. "You see, I've been quite busy lately. Not with our group's activities, though," he pauses, to which he receives a curious look from the silver-head. "Some personal matter."

"Personal matters?" Seungri asked, slightly leaning over to him. 

He nods. "Yeah. Actually Jiyong's the only one I told about this, so far. But.. I've been seeing someone for quite some time now," he uttered, eyes fixed on his glass.

"R-Really?" asked Seungri, eyes wide. "You do? You've been dating someone? Who?"

Youngbae couldn't help but giggle at the boy's reaction. As he puts down his glass, he continues; "But we're over now,"

"Huh? What, why?" Seungri sits up, placing his glass on the table. "How come?" 

"That's why I haven't been able to come here. Things has been getting hazy between us lately, and finally, she cut ties with me," he said with a glum smile. "Just earlier."

"Wha- That's- What a letdown," he stammered as he sat fixedly on the sofa. "Just when you finally dated, huh.." he said, looking at the floor, utterly upset.

Youngbae smiles. "Can't do nothing about it,"

Seungri lets out a sigh and tilts his head. "What a bummer," he muttered, to which receives a giggle from the older guy. "Wanna drink it up?" he suddenly blurts out with a devious smile.

"Want to forget?"

Youngbae laughs.

"Alright. That'd be nice,"

 

 

 

 

---

---

Shoutout to ekstaole if you're reading this! :D