Junhui woke up to the soft sounds of stifled tears. He felt a shaking and he knew instantly through his sleepy haze that Minghao was crying. He grabbed his phone from under his pillow and checked the time. 3:47am.

“Hao?” he murmured and Minghao hid his face under the quilt. But there was nowhere to hide in the tiny bed they shared and Junhui pulled him close. “Don’t cry. It’s all going to be fine.” He didn’t know if he was trying to convince Minghao or himself but the words didn’t soothe Minghoa’s sobs.

“What if I get locked up?” he sniffed and Junhui rolled him over so they were facing. Their noses were an inch apart and Junhui’s eyes searched every inch of Minhghao’s features. His big brown eyes were puffy and red even in the dark room. His cheeks were damp and streaked with tears and his lips were trembling. “You’re not going to get locked up. Ok?” Junhui said quietly. He reached out with his hand and Minghao’s tears disappeared under his thumb. “What if my parents come and take me away?” he sniffed and Junhui did too.

That was the real threat. Eveyone knew Minghao’s parents had to be contacted. It was holding the group back and couldn’t be avoided any longer. Junhui took a deep breath before he spoke. He knew Minghao wouldn’t like to hear it but he had already decided. “If they take you away I’ll come with you.”

Minghao began to shake his head. “No Jun, no, you can’t even think of that….” But Junhui just pulled him close and soothed him with soft words. “It’ll be fine. I’ll go home to my parents, I’ll see you every day, and when you turn eighteen we can run away back here.” Junhui smiled softly as he ran his fingers through the thick mop of hair on the other boy’s head. “There’ll be other groups and other companies. We’ll get someone to take us.”

As much as Minghao couldn’t stand the thought of Junhui throwing his dreams away the idea that they would’t be separated soothed him more than anything and wrapped tight in Junhui’s arms sleep returned for a little while. Tied together by love and destiny and fate Minghao knew his future was Junhui’s and whatever path they had to take they would walk it forever.

Six hours later he stood neat and tidy in his new suit. His hair was combed conservatively and had tried to comply. Seungcheol stood on one side of him and Kim Mingyu stood on the other and he felt somewhat safe with these men by his side. But there was someone else he was looking for. He allowed himself to turn and briefly scan the scattering of people in the public viewing area and when his eyes caught the violet locks on the boy seated up the back he relaxed. In that moment he was filled with regret over his past life. Regret and sadness and shame washed over him and he looked at the people standing in his corner now. Seungcheol, so smart and responsible, so even tempered and caring. Kim Mingyu, so tall and charismatic and clever, and so warm and friendly. Soonyoung, a born leader overflowing with talent, a powerhouse of energy and joy.

And Junhui.