Wonpil walks unhurriedly, and stops before one of the rooms on the right. He knocks, announcing his entry before walking in. Perhaps it would be less intrusive if he waited for a response, but he did not. And so he witnesses Joon tackling Dowoon, causing the boy to laugh helplessly. His entrance attracts both of their attention, nonetheless.

“Oh, Wonpil,” says the drummer, embarrassed. “Need anything?”

The pianist smiles, sitting on the bed next to him.

“Mm, what if I say that I need both Joon and you with me tonight?” suggests Wonpil, leaning on his shoulder and grabbing the drummer into an impromptu hug.

“Then I’ll say no,” replies Dowoon hastily, wriggling out of his grasp. “But I’ll give you Joon. He’s full of cuddles.”

For a moment, Wonpil looks hurt but he breaks into an odd laugh.

“Of course,” says the pianist, carrying the dog in his arms. “You’ll remain stubborn to run away from being my unrelated younger brother. You’re cute that way, Do.”

Dowoon attempts to look indignant at the pronouncement of that nickname, but it does not work. Yet Wonpil leaves, and his smile crashes into despair when he is alone in his room with Joon. A look at the cell phone informs that his close friend Park Jinyoung from GOT7 did not respond to any call or text messages.

“He must be busy too, huh,” mumbles the pianist in a defeated manner. “Joon, I’ll talk to you okay? Try not to laugh.”

The Shiba Inu lies beside him, curling close.

“There’s this darkness that won’t go away,” he whispers quietly. “It hides when the others are around. Even a little when you are around, Joon. Yet once I’m alone… I just can’t, sometimes. That’s why I really wanted to stick close with Dowoon. He’s precious. And then this darkness wouldn’t feel so terrifying.”

He speaks of a few more things until he drifts into a slumber, with Joon resting faithfully beside him. All these secrets spilled to a man’s best friend when they have no one else.

[click here to continue]