Narrator POV:

It was the final schedule for the rest of the year. They were finally gonna have a break, five blissful months of relaxation.

Yet, it wasn't to be.

It would be the 5 months of hell for the band. A sudden bout of coughing came from Key.

"Are you okay?" The concerned eyes of his boyfriend nearly made him regret what he was about to do.

"Fine Jjong." Key answered fluidly as he hid his palm after wiping his lips. In the dark of the night, the blood looked black on his palm and he smiled bitterly.

'Just a bit more time!' He silently begged.

2 days later:

"Key~!" JongHyun called for his boyfriend.

Walking around the apartment, he heard the familiar voice of his lover and opened the door, unknowingly starting the ending of their relationship.

His eyes widened. His Key was definitely there, but in the arms of none other then Taemin.(I originally wanted Minho)

"Thank you." The almost inaudible whisper came from Key as he met the eyes of the Maknae. Then, in full view, passed him the silver ring JongHyun had gotten him for their third year anniversary.

"Key... What the hell?" Came Jonghyun's disbelieving voice. A smirk adorned Key's face as he turned to face his boyfriend.

"Sorry JongHyun~ I'm breaking up with you." Key's reply was blunt and straight to the point.

"W-what?" The strangled voice of JongHyun choked out.

"Did it ever cross your mind that I was just playing with you? Hmm~?" Key kept the playful tone in his voice to hide it's tremble.

It hurt him to see his JongHyun,-no, JongHyun was not his anymore- stare at him with such betrayal. He nearly stopped this whole act.

"What?" The strangled sound made Key wince.

"Hmm~? Didn't you hear me? You were just a toy. You meant nothing to me." Key continued to torture the mind of his boy-ex-boyfriend.

He knew that JongHyun would never forgive him. At least, when he died, JongHyun wouldn't fall into the depths of despair.

And JongHyun just looked at him with the big, brown, puppy-dog eyes he was famous for, wide with betrayal.

-0-
With the recent breakup, JongHyun, who still hadn't gotten over the love of his life, tried to ignore the obviously loving couple who were spreading love pheromones every time they were together. And he glared at them, a lot.

Key seemed indifferent, brushing off his glares like they were nothing. Keyword: Seemed.

Mentally, he was flinching everytime he felt glares drilling into his back. He knew he deserved it, yet... The brunet couldn't help the pain that shot his heart when said action occurred. Key promised himself that he would always love Jjong, even if said person killed him.

JongHyun the ring on his finger as he sat on the park bench. The ring that meant everything to him, now the bane of his existence.

But... He couldn't get rid of it.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Key, beautiful perfect Key, with the traitor- in his mind at least- looking as if they were having the time of their lives.
His heart clenched in jealousy, and he stomped the emotion down. He shouldn't feel this way for that-that guy!

See! He couldn't even bring himself to insult the Diva.

How pathetic.

He leaned back on the bench and covered his eyes. Tears slowly seeped through his arm and stained the ground. He never noticed the worried look Key gave him nor Taemin trying to comfort him.

Maybe, just maybe he might have been able to piece together what Key was doing.

-0-

The whole place smelled like liquor, and cigarettes and JongHyun was sitting at one of the tables downing alcohol like water.

He'd tried everything to forget Kibum, but one doesn't forget the person you loved with all your heart that easily.

Everyday, his heart hurt, as if living itself was painful. He turned to the barkeeper and ordered another drink.

Jonghyun was drunk and he knew it but he kept ordering more.
Maybe drinking more would help erase the pain and fill the void that Key left. He was vaguely aware of someone shaking him awake, but his eyelids felt too heavy to move.

In the end, with a sigh, he was hoisted onto someone's back. It smelled of strawberries.

'Just like Key...' He thought as he unconsciously snuggled into the warmth.

-0-

JongHyun noticed something. Every week, without fail, Key and Taemin would go out for one day, and every time they came back looking worse for wear.

JongHyun furrowed his eyebrows.
Even if they were going for a date, they should come back looking happy. Why did they look like they just learnt of someone's death?

Whatever, he didn't give a damn anymore anyway.

-0-

Key stood in front of the mirror in horror. He knew this would happen yet he couldn't bring himself to believe it. Irritated, he ran a hand through his hair and came out with tufts of it between his fingers. He silently glared at it. The other symptoms he could ignore, the sudden bouts of coughing and pain he could too. His hair dropping?

Damn, he had no more time.

-0-

Two months into vacation, JongHyun left the dorms to visit his family.

He was going to stay with his parents for another 2 months then go back to begin preparing for their comeback in July. What he didn't know, was that Key was scheduled to stay at the hospital the day after he left.

-0-

Key couldn't help but laugh at the
Band's- minus JongHyun- antics.
He knew that they did this just to keep his mind off things.

The operation was in 6 hours.
Kibum couldn't help but feel nervous. His parents had been nothing but supportive and had gone home after much persuasion by him. They would come back an hour before the operation.

Key sighed. He fervently wished that JongHyun was beside him now but he knew that he couldn't be. It was his fault anyway.

He didn't notice Minho at the door, staring at him sadly.

-0-

Minho walked away and into a lift. He fished his phone from his pocket and proceeded to dial a familiar number he had already memorized.

"Minho?" The voice at the other end answered.

"Deh Hyung. Look, I've got important news..."

-0-

JongHyun dropped the phone he was holding and proceeded to dash out of the house and ran to the nearest train station, ignoring his parents, giving them the usual "I'll be back!"

He ran, ran until his legs was on fire yet he didn't give up.
Ran until he nearly fainted from exhaustion yet didn't stop. A huge white building came into view and he checked the sign to make sure he was at the right place before dashing in.

He ran up the flight of stairs at a monstrous pace, slowing down when he got to the corridor.

He saw Taemin.

Looking into the dead eyes of the Maknae, he knew he was too late. In a daze, he stumbled forward and accidentally bumped into the the redhead. A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. Looking back in surprise, he came face to face with Taemin.

"Here. I'm sorry I lied. Key really loved you." He didn't notice what Taemin said, just stared at the band of silver in his palm.

Closing his hand slowly, he gripped it tight. Taemin, sensing that he needed some time alone, walked away.

When he was gone, JongHyun started to tremble, waves of grief hitting him again and again.

How could I have been so stupid?
Was the mantra in his mind.

Why Key? Why?

Why didn't you tell me?

JongHyun could literally feel his heart being torn from his chest.

The pain was unbearable.

He gripped his chest, as if it could help as he stumbled into the waiting room. Opening the door, he knew for sure.

It was too late.

-0-

JongHyun POV:

"Why didn't you tell me?! We could've worked it out! Why?! Why...?" I yelled my throat hoarse in the middle of the cemetery. Even though I'm blaming him for not telling me, I myself am also beating myself up for not noticing the signs.

I should've known better... Why didn't I ask him about it? Why did I merely brush it off as a mere sign of weakness that would soon pass?

Why?

I let the tears I've been holding back escape as I glared pathetically at the tombstone in front of me. I could never live if I filled my mind with those thoughts so I ran away and hid behind myself yet blamed him for not telling me.

I'm a coward, weak and pathetic.

Even now as I reprimand him for not telling me about himself when I myself should've have noticed.

"Hah! Hahahahahaaa... How the mighty have fallen..." I whisper and sobs rack my body once again.

I blamed myself, even when I knew there was nothing I could've have done...

-0-

I once again found myself in the cemetery. the bracelet, I smiled fondly down at the polished marble tombstone.

"Key... It's been 2 years... Our band is doing well and there's a new member. His name is MinKyung. He took your place in the band, to fill the empty hole. Onew is doing well although he breaks down occasionally when he sees something related to you."

I laughed, a dry bitter sound.

"Taemin graduated at the top of his year and we had a party to celebrate. He still gets nightmares every now and then but Minho took over your role and comforts him. I think they'll be a couple soon. Minho is doing okay, but keeps to himself more often. MinKyung is doing well... He was able to get back some of the fans we lost when you died. I think he's great and you know what? I think he's the exact opposite of you, shy and soft-spoken." I sat down and caressed the portrait of him.

"Lastly, I'm doing fine but... I still miss you. A lot. The time after you died was some of the worst for the band. Reporters would always hound after us and ask questions.  Most of the time, Taemin breaks down but Minho's there to support him. MinKyung doesn't know you too well but he said that he admired you. He nearly cried too. Onew cried lots of times but usually in private. He has to put up a strong front. Don't worry though, MinKyung is there to support him though. Heh, Taemin has Minho, Onew has MinKyung. What about me? Now that you're gone, what happened to JongKey? Will it change from forever alone Onew to Forever alone JongHyun?" I chuckled at my own joke.

"Key, I'm tired of being alone. I'm going to move on, maybe find another partner. I hope you'll understand me. Just remember this: I'll always love you." I whispered out the last part and settled down again.

Taking out a lighter, I lit up the note that kept me from moving on these 2 years. Watching the burning object, I lay down on the grass and stared up at the sky,

"Hey! What are you doing?!" A shout sounded behind me.

I turned towards the sound. A blur jumped me and I 'Oomph!'

"Don't burn paper here! It's possible that the flame will catch onto the grass and cause a forest fire!" He shouted at me. 

I don't know why but I'm attracted to this guy... Black hair, brown-black, catlike eyes and sharp features. He resembles...

"Yah! Are you listening to me?!" He yelled in my ear.

"Ouch! Yeah I'm listening princess~" I stifled a chuckle at his expression. A pout.

"What's your name by the way?" I asked, my curiosity burning.

He looked at me, brown eyes shining with an unknown emotion before replying, "Kibum. Kim Kibum."