I awoke the next morning when it was still dark with the sound of the soft alarm coming from Ryeowook's room. I was confused as to why I was in the hallway for a short while, but then I remembered what had happened the night before. I sat up against the wall across from Leeteuk's room and put my arms around my knees. I looked up to see that Leeteuk's door was still firmly closed.

I was just staring at Leeteuk's door when Ryeowook's door opened from the end of the hallway. I squinted as he flicked on the lights on the hallway. I turned my head to look at Ryeowook stumble through the hallway towards me with his eyes covered. When he finally saw me, he jumped.

"Wow, Kyuhyun, you scared me," said Ryeowook, his eyes wide open. "What are you doing out here?" asked Ryeowook.

I sighed. "Nothing, apparently," I said.

"How long were you sitting here?" asked Ryeowook, looking confused and worried at the same time.

"I - I just got here," I lied. The last thing I wanted was Ryeowook getting involved.

"What's going on? You look really - " said Ryeowook, then he paused. " - Pitiful."

I shook my head. "I'll tell you later if I get the chance," I said, burying my head in my arms again.

"Okay. Whenever you want to talk," said Ryeowook, and after a brief, comforting squeeze of my shoulder, he made his way to the kitchen to start breakfast. However, he was back in the hallway a few seconds later.

"Why are there ramen noodles in the sink? Do you know?" asked Ryeowook.

"Sorry," I said, looking up. "I should have taken care of it last night."

"Don't worry about it, I'll just clean it," said Ryeowook, and he turned around again. My chest expanded with gratitude - how would it be possible for anyone to be a better friend in times of need?

"Ryeowook - you're really the best," I said with a tired smile.

"I wish I could say the same about you," said Ryeowook turning his head to look me.

I was surprised at first, but then I looked down in shame. It really was true that Ryeowook had given his all, probably more than he should, to be a good friend for me while all I ever did was push him away. How could I deny that I was the most selfish, the most terrible friend?

"I'm sorry," I said, unable to meet his eyes. "I promise I'll do much, much better once things get easier." I felt my eyes well up with tears. "I'm so, so... so sorry. And - "

I hesitated. I had never expressed gratitude to anyone on the team before, but it was about time I did, especially for Ryeowook. I opened my mouth with difficulty. "And... thank you. I - I'm so lucky you're here."

"I - I was just joking," said Ryeowook, looking flustered. "I wasn't trying to imply - "

"No," I said, wiping my eyes furtively. "You're right. I - I don't deserve you as a friend. But... but I really need you. So please don't lose patience with me. I promise, I can do better. And I will do better," I said, burying my face in my arms again. "I'm so sorry."

"Why are you being so sensitive? This isn't like you. You're an emotional wreck right now," said Ryeowook. Then he sat down next to me against the wall.

I didn't say anything.

"You promised me you'd tell me everything you feel, and you still don't," said Ryeowook, putting his arm around my shoulders. "So why are you really sitting out here?"

I didn't even notice that I had moved, but I found my head resting on Ryeowook's shoulder, and my body leaning on his. The emotional support that Ryeowook was giving me had transferred to a physical one. "I just need to talk to Leeteuk sunbaenim," I said, then I closed my eyes. "He doesn't want to talk to me, but I really need to."

Ryeowook looked at me. "How long were you sitting out here again?"

"Since last night," I admitted.

"What?" yelled Ryeook rather loudly. I lifted my head off of his shoulder and covered his mouth with my hand.

"Ryeowook, everyone else is asleep," I said. Ryeowook pushed my hand away.

"You slept out here?" asked Ryeowook in an urgent whisper, his eyes as wide as a rabbit's.

"Yeah, but it's not a big deal," I said, looking at my fingers.

"What's so important that you have to talk to him so badly?" asked Ryeowook, shaking his head.

I thought for a second. "We need to iron some things out."

Ryeowook sighed. "I don't even know what to say to you."

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Maybe you should get started on breakfast," I said as I rested my chin on my knees.

"Yeah," said Ryeowook, and he got up and walked into the kitchen without saying anything else.

I sat still against the wall, listening to Ryeowook cooking in the kitchen for about half an hour. After he was finished, I sat there and watched as Ryeowook started waking up the other members.

"We don't really realize how important you are in the mornings," I said as Ryeowook came out of the last room.

"That's okay. I like cooking," said Ryeowook cheerfully, and he went back into the kitchen.

I turned my head after a small smile and looked back at Leeteuk's door. Ryeowook had left it open a tiny crack, but I waited for it to open fully. In another minute or so, the door finally opened, and a groggy Leeteuk stepped out of his room. He saw me sitting there and I saw his eyes widen slightly. I got to my feet and bowed.

"Sunbaenim, can we talk now?" I asked, looking at Leeteuk.

Leeteuk was silent for a long time as he just stared at me, then he finally spoke. "What time did you go back to your room last night?" he asked.

I looked straight into his eyes. "I didn't," I said. "That's how much I need this talk with you."

Leeteuk froze in place, and I saw him biting his lip and looking troubled.

"Hyung, please," I pleaded, taking his arm in my hands.

Leeteuk closed his eyes and didn't say anything for another few seconds, then reluctantly pulled his arm away. "I told you to stop pulling stunts like that," he said, his voice unsteady. "If you catch a cold and lose your voice, you're compromising the team. And I believe I've also spoken to you about addressing me as 'hyung'."

Dismayed at his response, I grasped his arm again. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'll never call you 'hyung' again, sunbaenim. Please. I'll do anything. I just need half an hour."

Leeteuk took a deep breath and put his hand on his forehead. Then after making a face as though he had made a difficult decision, he looked at me coldly like he always did. "Stop wasting your time," said Leeteuk, and he turned around and made to walk towards the kitchen. I held on tightly to his arm.

"Wait, sunbaenim, please," I begged, and then I got on my knees out of desperation. "Please." I saw Leeteuk exhale a long breath and close his eyes.

"I'm busy," said Leeteuk, avoiding my gaze. Then he pulled his arm free from my grip again and walked into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the hallway on my knees.