tw: this is set in the hospital but there’s barely anything hospital-related in the chapter; another flashback scene as it was cut from chapter 4

Several Super Junior members had just finished their schedules and were planning to go visit their maknae in the hospital. It’s been a couple of weeks since the accident and they each took their time to go check on him whenever they could.

Shindong squinted as he saw a familiar figure sitting at the distance. “Is that Heeyoung?”

The other members looked at the occupied seat in the hallway in front of Kyuhyun’s room. Yesung sighed. “Who else would it be?”

“She’s been visiting almost every day but she doesn’t go in.” Kangin shook his head. “What if we just carry her inside?”

Leeteuk lightly slapped Kangin’s arm at his words. “No. Remember what Kyuhyun-ie said? Leave her alone.”

“Also, I’m pretty sure you’ll go down in Heeyoung’s ranking of favorite members.” Ryeowook lightly added. “You want to risk that?”

Eunhyuk chuckled. “He doesn’t have much to risk. Kangin hyung got pushed down to 12th place recently.”

“Just because you’re in first place.” Kangin muttered with a roll of his eyes.

“Who’s first place?” Heeyoung asked when they were close enough. “In what?”

Ryeowook sat beside her for a second. “Eunhyuk hyung.” He answered. “In your ranking of favorite Super Junior members.”

Heeyoung laughed softly. “He’s not first place right now.”

“What?!” Eunhyuk exclaimed, hurriedly pulling Ryeowook out of the seat and taking his place. “Why not? Who is it then?!”

Heeyoung’s smile faded slightly. She didn’t say anything in response, but her silence and the way she just looked at the door was enough of an answer. The members all collectively felt a slight pain in their hearts at the youngest’s sad smile.

Leeteuk lightly patted her head, the way Heechul would also do sometimes. “We’ll go visit him for a while, okay?” He said softly before gesturing to the four other members to follow him to the door. 

Eunhyuk remained seated as the other members went through the door, except Yesung who took the seat on Heeyoung’s other side. Heeyoung smiled when she saw them both. “What? Are you both going to get mad you got demoted to second and third place?”

“It depends. Which one of us is second?” Eunhyuk asked playfully, making her laugh a bit.

Yesung only placed an arm around her shoulders, ignoring Eunhyuk’s attempts at teasing. “Are you still not going inside?” He asked, looking Heeyoung in the eye. She shook her head silently and the two members exchanged knowing glances.

“Okay, we’ll go inside for a while and then we’ll stay with you.” Eunhyuk concluded as he stood up.

“You don’t have to,” Heeyoung protested, but Eunhyuk just gestured for Yesung to stand up as well and ignore her.

Yesung was still seated, watching her while obviously trying not to smile. Heeyoung narrowed her eyes at him, feeling a bit suspicious. “What?”

“Heeyoung-ah,” he hummed as he leaned back on the seat. “Are you going to be willing to admit that you like Kyuhyun?” His question brought Eunhyuk to grin and take his seat again, expectantly looking at Heeyoung with wide eyes.

She blinked at them. “I do like Kyuhyun.”

Eunhyuk squealed excitedly and Yesung scrambled to sit up at her response. “You do?!”

She furrowed her eyebrows at their response. “Yeah. He’s my friend, of course I like him.”

The two Super Junior members seemingly deflated at her answer, all excitement seeping out of them. “Heeyoung-ah, that’s obviously not what we meant.” Eunhyuk whined.

She smiled at their pouting faces and let out a sigh. “Okay, yes. I do like him. In the sense that you’re both implying.” Heeyoung laughed lightly again at their expressions that were excited again. 

“Are you going to tell him? Finally?” Eunhyuk asked, his smile so wide as if he was the one getting a love confession.

“No,” Heeyoung answered with a laugh.

“What the ?” Yesung cursed, making her laugh harder.

Heeyoung shrugged. “It’s not up for debate. I don’t feel like doing anything about it at all. Not now, at least.” The two members saw her eyes go back to the door in front of them. “I can’t.”

“But—” Eunhyuk cut himself off when the older member shook his head.

“Alright, Heeyoung-ah.” Yesung smiled. “If that’s how you really feel. Take your time, okay? I just hope you’re making the right choice.”

“Thank you, oppa.” Heeyoung grinned at his words. “This is why you’re second place.”

“I’m third?!” Eunhyuk cried out as Yesung laughed and pulled him away. “Heeyoung-ah, you can’t put me down two spots??”

“She just did.” Yesung said plainly before smiling at Heeyoung again. “We’ll be back, okay?” And with a sad wave from Eunhyuk they went into Kyuhyun’s hospital room, leaving Heeyoung alone in the quiet hallway.

A/N: theres another member unrevealed who is usually in the top 5 spots theres a bit of a hint in the next epilogue which i am already uploading now as well ahahaha