[AN: Okay, just so you're not confused, about a year has passed since the first meeting... 9/2011 - 2/2013.]

Chapter 3

February 2013.

It was the month of Valentine's Day.

You hadn't come to visit us for over a month, not since Christmas.

Sungjong was in jack-in-the-box mode every day, waiting for you to show up, peeking out of the kitchen every time he heard the door open.

Sungyeol and Dongwoo kept mixing up drink orders.

Woohyun and Hoya weren't as cheerful as they used to be.

Our eldest brother, Sunggyu, refused to put up the "Help Wanted" sign, believing that you'd walk through those doors at any moment.

Even the sky seemed gloomy all the time.

Damn, _______...

You've really changed things up around here...

It was a cold February 9th when you finally showed up.

I could tell right away that something was wrong, the minute you walked in the door.

You don't just fall in love with someone and not be able to tell if they're hurting.

Your smile wasn't as bright as it used to, although it get pretty close when Sungjong rushed out of the kitchen and gave you a hug.

Your husband had been hitting you again.

I could tell from the pain in your face when the maknae squeezed you a little too tightly.

The others were excited to see you again, giving you hugs, patting your shoulders.

You must've been in pain, but you still smiled and accepted their happy greetings.

With a calm voice, you explained that your husband had gotten into the habit of gambling, and was now fired from his job.

Once again, you were the breadwinner of the little family, and still attending university.

Luckily for the two of you, you'd both decided to downgrade to a smaller apartment not too far from downtown, so you didn't have to travel so far for classes and work.

And the rent cost much less, so you didn't have to work so many hours to keep supporting yourself.

The recent move partially explained why you hadn't come to visit, but I could see that you were hiding something.

There was a slight discoloration over your eye, and another just below your cheekbone.

A passing glance wouldn't have caught it.

None of the boys even noticed, and they were surrounding you.

I saw it though, and I knew what it meant.

You couldn't see us until the mark on your face healed up, right?

You'd broken your promise, but I didn't mind so much.

Not when I had my own good-luck charm back.

With some of your former good cheer, you apologized profusely for not visiting for so long.

You even gave me a kiss on the cheek as an apology, and a hug on top of that.

Your scarf shifted when you hugged me, and I could see finger-shaped bruises on your throat.

My teeth gritted as I hugged you back, swaying from side to side.

Your light giggling made me smile, and I kissed you on the forehead.

Like I used to do.

Too soon, your visit was over.

With a sad expression, you told us that you probably wouldn't be able to work here, not immediately.

But you promised to be back on Valentine's Day, to give us chocolates or cookies.

We sent you off with plenty of cake and coffee, enough to last you for a week.

Another round of hugs and pats and kisses (from me), and you were out the door.

You waved at us through the window before and walking around the corner.

I could've sworn your footsteps were lighter than when you first came in.

Perhaps Sungjongie was right.

Maybe we really were your good luck charms.
 

AN: It's been a looonnnggg week... and I'm dead tired. Hence the short, odd chappie...