It won't stop. This feeling. Donghae has that same thought in his head. All day. All night. All day again. All night again.

Don't leave me.

The third night... it happens.

Hyukjae leaves. He's gone in the middle of the night.

Donghae's shaking and crying. He calls the Parks. They tell him to stay. Because Hyukjae came back last time. They'll look for him.

It's torture. Donghae wanders around. Inside his place. Outside of it. He's just crying quietly. Praying. 

It's five in the morning.

----

Mr. Park's the one to bring Hyukjae. His jacket's around Hyukjae's thin body.

Hyukjae's trembling. His eyes are wide.

Donghae just pulls him into his arms. Silently begs him not to leave.

---

Hyukjae doesn't... the next day. Or the next after that. Donghae barely sleeps. He holds the other through the night.

By the fourth day... Donghae's too weak. Too tired. He passes out as soon as Hyukjae's in bed. Beside him.

He wakes up panicked.

But Hyukjae's still there.

"Oh, thank god. Thank god."

He hugs Hyukjae. Wants to kiss him. But he doesn't. Hyukjae gently tries to calm him down. He places soft kisses on Donghae's face. His lips. His forehead.

"I'm sorry. I love you," Hyukjae says. "I'm sorry."

Donghae loves him too.

----

Hyukjae says something. Late at night. His eyes are tired. Sad.

"I think... I'm very old..."

Donghae thinks so too.

----

The next week goes by. Donghae asks Leeteuk for additional locks. He adds them where he can. Including his bedroom.

It doesn't feel right. He shouldn't. But he's scared out of his mind.

Hyukjae doesn't say anything. He just watches. His eyes are tearful. The skin of his lips is broken. From all his anxious biting.

He's been quieter. Much quieter. His smiles are dim. His brightness is out. He tries though. Donghae can tell. So Donghae tries too. Because he doesn't want Hyukjae to feel worse.

Donghae needs to seem okay.

----

Hyukjae writes out more text for him. Donghae doesn't have to submit it soon. But he wants Hyukjae to do something. To think and feel that everything's the same. That he's helpful to Donghae.

So it could... maybe cheer him up. Make him feel better.

Leeteuk drops by many times. He's worried for Donghae. For Hyukjae. Neither can talk much during his visits.

"Hyukjae," Leeteuk says. Smiles. "Mom and dad said hi. I left Koongie with them. Hey, do you want to see my grandma today? She misses you."

Hyukjae looks devasted. He shakes his head.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, no, it's okay. It's fine. I just thought... if you want to and if it would make you happy..."

"I do. I do. It does m-makes me happy..." Hyukjae looks up at Donghae. He's close to tears. "I... I'm sorry. I can't."

Donghae immediately sits beside him.

"You don't have to now. Don't feel bad about it. No one will be upset if you can't. Right, Teukkie?"

"No way. No, that's not what I meant. It's okay, Hyukjae. We just want you to feel better."

"Okay..." Hyukjae whimpers. "I'm sorry. Thank you... I'm sorry."

Leeteuk smiles. Nods. Exchanges a look with Donghae. Who just shakes his head.

---

Donghae jolts awake. There's a rattling. He gasps. Gets to his feet.

Hyukjae's trying to get out of the bedroom.

"Hyukkie?"

Hyukjae just gets the locks opened. Pulls open the door--

Donghae grabs his arm.

"Hyukjae, don't. Don't. Please."

The other's eyes don't really see him. They're far away.

"Hyukjae..." Donghae holds his hands. "Hey. Can you hear me?"

"Why aren't they coming?" Hyukjae says.

"Sorry?"

Hyukjae turns. His eyes wander around the room. Then back to the door.

"Where are they?" he says.

"Hyukjae? Hyukkie, w-who are you talking about?"

"Did they put me here?"

"Hyukjae..." Donghae pulls him closer. Puts him on the bed. "P-Please go back to sleep. It's late, Hyukjae. No one is here. No one is coming."

"Why?" Hyukjae says. His eyes connect with his. They're round. Empty.

Donghae stares back at him.

"B-Because... everyone's asleep now. You must sleep too."

He gently pushes Hyukjae. Onto the bed. He covers him. Sits beside him. Clasps his arm.

Donghae watches him. Hyukjae slowly drifts to sleep.

---

Hyukjae wakes up as himself. He has no recollection again.

----

"Ba--Hyukjae..."

It's a few days later. Donghae hurts for the other. Aches to b