Chapter Eight

The party finally started as they gathered at the living room, with a cake on the coffee table. They sang the usual birthday song to Junhyung. Junhyung was reluctant to blow the candles but Yoseob was forcing him. With a small sigh, he blew off the candles. However, before Junhyung could even start to cut the cake, Hyunseung who was at the dining table, partly shouted, telling them the beefs meat were cooked and ready to be eaten.

Since most of them were busy, they rarely got to eat any good food. So, they quickly gathered around the beef, anticipating it.

“Sit on the chair properly,” Hyunseung nagged, with a frown on his face.

Kikwang, Dongwoon, Junhyung and even Yoseob quickly obeyed as they sat on their respective chair. Hyunseung started by feeding one of the brownish meats into his mouth and the others picked their chopstick, feeding themselves with the high quality and juicy beefs.

Yoseob who was also excited started to feed himself with the beef too and Junhyung who was sitting right beside him, smiling, watching Yoseob’s smile while he chewed the beef meat.

“This is so good, hyung,” Yoseob excitedly munched, showing thumbs up to Junhyung.

Junhyung laughed at Yoseob chubby chipmunk-like cheeks and ruffled Yoseob’s hair. Junhyung was relieved that he told Beast about Yoseob. He knew that they did not really believe him, but at least he did not have to restrain himself from replying to Yoseob. At least, Yoseob would not feel lonely anymore. That little guy would not cry from loneliness anymore.

Junhyung smirked, knowing that was just excuses. He was lonelier than Yoseob. That cheerful guy would always received care from others while he, was always the lonely and cold wolf. He was using Yoseob’s loneliness as an excuse but actually, he was the one who could not stand from responding to the visual maknae because he would feel lost and stupid.

“Hyung, can Yoseob hyung eat?” Dongwoon asked excitedly with his full mouth, like a chubby hungry and excited child, stopping Junhyung from his thought.

Junhyung nodded, smiling, a sincere smile.

Dongwoon tilted his head, thinking it was weird for a ghost to be able to eat. However, that thought did not stick long in his mind as it was occupied with meat.

Doojoon who was still sitting at the sofa in the living room, stared at Junhyung action towards what he thought as Junhyung’s imaginary Yoseob, not sure about his own feeling as they were all mix up. He felt jealous, rage and at the same time he did feel bad toward Junhyung, knowing that Junhyung was still trapped in the past, having Yoseob as an illusion. However, even as illusion, Doojoon thought Junhyung was lucky to be able to see Yoseob, listen to that elf, responding to him.

Unintentionally, Doojoon rolled his finger, forming a fist, tightening it. If only he could see Yoseob too, even if it was for a while, even if it was just an imagination, he truly wanted to see that smile, those brown almond eyes, the gentle look that he always portrayed, the cheerful laugh that he always did. If only...

“Are you okay?” The voice saved Doojoon from trapped within his depressing thought.

Doojoon forced a smile, resulting a small weak smile, responding the doe-eyes guy with a small nod.

Hyunseung gave a small smile, opening Doojoon tight fist, holding it as he pulled Doojoon hand, making the older boy to stand up.

“Let’s eat,” Hyunseung offered, still Holding Doojoon hand. He did not wait for Doojoon reply as he turned around and pulled the leader to his seat at the dining table, joining the others. 

The silent house now filled with laughter. Dongwoon introduced his new pick-up lines and the others found it amusingly funny. Hyunseung sometimes did not understand the jokes and it leaded to large continuous laughter among them. Kikwang was the victim of teasing as now he was the smallest member in Beast. Yoseob was laughing loudly and Junhyung rubbed his painful cheek because he laughed too much. Doojoon was leading almost all of the teasing and jokes, but he also was bullied the most by the other members.

“Hyung, lets’ drink,” Dongwoon offered with a large smile, placing a box of beers on the dining table.

“Sure,” they answered unanimously, smiling, just like they used to, few years ago.

“I can’t drink much. I have schedule tomorrow morning,” that was what Doojoon said at the earlier but at the end he drank few cans of beers and was intoxicated by it.

Kikwang was happy enough to be drunk plus he had no schedule at the next morning and Dongwoon was too drunk that he slept on dining table, mumbling nonsense.

Yoseob who had the least tolerance with alcohol was now sitting on the floor, right beside Junhyung seat at the dining table, murmuring baby words. “Boo... bububu,”

Junhyung chuckled, amused on how cute and adorable a grown up man could be when he was drunk.

“What he was doing?” Hyunseung who sat opposite to Junhyung and was still sober, asked.

Junhyung smirked, still looking at Yoseob. “Doing what he usually does when he is drunk,” he replied with a smile.

“He drink?” Hyunseung was surprised. He did not truly believe that Yoseob was a ghost but he knew Junhyung was not lying too. Thus, his guess was Yoseob was Junhyung’s hallucination.

Junhyung nodded, now turned his sight to Hyunseung, sipping his can of beer.

Hyunseung chuckled. “How cute,” Hyunseung replied, remembering how Yoseob was when he was drunk. If he was in a bad mood, he would whine like a baby who lost his mom and if he was in a good mood, he would mumble baby words cheerfully that sometimes understandable. If only he had the chance to see that guy again.

However, Junhyung could. Hyunseung expression turned serious.

“Yoseob come to me, asking to help him grant his wish,”

The words from Junhyung rewound in his head. That statement leaded him to a question that only Junhyung could answer.

“Junhyung,” Hyunseung called the name in a serious tone yet soft enough.

“hmm?” Junhyung hummed, as the direction of his pupils changed from the beer to Hyunseung.

“What will happen if his wish granted?” Hyunseung asked, seriously, curiously.

Junhyung slowly turned his head to look at Yoseob, who was now giggling like a small child. “He...” Junhyung paused, trying to say the word with a smile. “will disappear,”

Hyunseung eyes widened, startled although he had a small expectation that of the answer. “I-I’m sorry,”

“No, don’t be,” Junhyung answered weakly. “I’m lucky enough to have this second chance,” he smiled sullenly. Second chance, an opportunity that he never thought he would have. He turned to Yoseob, smiling. Did I manage to make you happy now?  Junhyung thought.

Hyunseung smiled. “You are,” he took a glance towards Doojoon who was now sleeping soundly at the sofa in the living room. You are very lucky especially from that person point of view. Hyunseung thought.

“Should we stay here tonight?” Hyunseung offered, trying to lighten up the mood. “Since we can’t handle to bring all of them home, aren’t we?” Hyunseung said, looking around where Kikwang was lying on the floor, Dongwoon at the table and Doojoon at the sofa, sleeping.

Junhyung nodded. “And we are actually half-drunk,” he chuckled before he finished his last can of beer.

Hyunseung stood up, staggered to Kikwang clumsily, affected by the beer. He almost fell but managed to balance himself.

Junhyung who was watching that chuckled. “Are you okay?”

Hyunseung nodded. “It worse than I thought but...” he paused as he squatted, pulling Kikwang hands, wrapped them around his neck and lifted him on his back as he stood up. “I’m good,” Hyunseung smirked, proud when he successfully piggybacked Kikwang.

Junhyung smiled. “Good,” he stood up. “I’ll bring Yoseob to my room so...” he looked at Kikwang who was pouting in his sleep. “Kikwang can sleep with you,”

Hyunseung shook his head. “No, I’ll sleep with Doojoon since I need to wake him up tomorrow morning,” Hyunseung smiled before he brought Kikwang to Dongwoon and Yoseob shared room.

Junhyung replied with a knowing smile. That left them with no choice but to let Kikwang sleep with Dongwoon. He turned to Yoseob who was now sleeping on the floor. Junhyung carried him bridal style, walking to his room although he did stumble here and there along the way.

“Hyung,” the soft voice was heard.

Junhyung stopped his step, looking at Yoseob who was in his hold, now looking at him with his half-opened eyes.

“Thank you,” the adorable innocent visual maknae continued before he slowly closed his eyes, smiling.

Junhyung smiled, continued his steps to his room, carefully laid Yoseob in one of the beds and gently covered him with the blanket. He slowly sat on the floor, staring at the sleeping and smiling Yoseob. He pecked the younger forehead gently, smiling before he stood up and walked out of the room, to help Hyunseung to carry the others to their respective rooms.

Junhyung tightened his hold towards the other person on the bed although he was reluctant to open his eyes because it was so warm and comfortable to be under a blanket, in the morning with another person on the bed. He did not have this feeling since long ago, the feeling of cuddling with a person that he loved, on a bed, in the morning.

The other person who was facing Junhyung, slightly moved before he gently turned around, facing his back towards Junhyung.

Junhyung now could smell the lovely scent of the other person hair. He smiled. Yoseob always had this lovely scent no matter when.

Yoseob?

Junhyung quickly opened his eyes. “Yoseob?” he called unconsciously.

Junhyung quickly noticed the person who was in his hold. He pulled his lowered hand which was the pillow of the other person and used it to support his lifted head. Still, he could not see the face of the other person.

Junhyung who was desperate, turned the other person around, making him lied straight, facing the ceiling.

“Yoseob,” Junhyung excitedly said as he saw the sleeping face of his loved one.

“Hyung,” the main vocal of Beast replied in a soft voice with his eyes closed. “The birthday party...” Yoseob slowly opened his eyes as his pupils softly looked at Junhyung. “is not my wish,”

Junhyung frowned, unable to digest the words. “What?”

“Mianhe,” Yoseob apologized, turned away his pupil from looking at Junhyung, feeling guilty.

Junhyung instantly pulled Yoseob into his hold, turning that little guy, making his own head fell on the soft pillow. “Stupid,” Junhyung whispered as his lips were near Yoseob ear. “Don’t apologize,”

“I’m actually glad that you’re still here,” Junhyung softly said as he tightened his hold.

“Hyung,” Yoseob softly sobbed in the hold of Junhyung. “I’m so sorry,”

“Stop apologize, idiot,” Junhyung said strictly although his action was opposite as he gently Yoseob hair.

Yoseob nodded although he was still in tearing state, obeying Junhyung word.

Junhyung slowly released his hold, with a smile and a gentle look, as he softly brushed Yoseob’s fringe. “I’m sorry Seobie, for what I said yesterday, asking you to leave me,”

“Hyung,” Yoseob who was not fully recovered from his tears, muttered softly. His almond brown eyes looked at Junhyung with a tender expression, feeling touched and slightly happy.

“Stay by my side, Seobie,” Junhyung smiled, tried to hide his nervousness. Junhyung did not sure why his heart was beating crazily, most probably crazier than he first confessed to Yoseob.

Yoseob was startled at first but he let out a chuckled. “Stupid Junnie hyung, I’m always by your side,” Yoseob fingers started to move slowly to Junhyung face, palming that structured jaw as it went to the no longer chubby cheek.

“You should know more than anyone than I can’t leave you,” Yoseob eyes started to become teary again. Yoseob now remembered that he had promised Junhyung that he would never leave that rapper before but he broke that promise. He left the older guy, leaving everyone, leaving the world itself. No wonder he felt so guilty ever since he met Junhyung that night, at the studio. It was because he broke that promise, a promise to never leave each other side.

“I’m sorry, Junnie hyung,” Yoseob voice was trembling as he was crying.

“I told you to stop apologize,” Junhyung frowned, hating the expression showed by Yoseob.

“I break our promise,” Yoseob closed his eyes, avoiding eye-contact with Junhyung, as his tears kept flowing out.

Junhyung instantly pulled that smaller guy in his hold, making the guy to cry in his chest, wetting his shirt. “Stupid,” Junhyung smirked. “You come back, aren’t you? That’s enough,”

Yoseob’s sob became worse when he heard those words. He whined heartedly in Junhyung’s chest, crying his heart out as he mumbled out. “Hyung, I’m back,”

Junhyung closed his eyes, curved out a gentle smile as he tightened his hold, gently rubbed Yoseob’s back. “Welcome back, Yoseobie. I’ve been missing you,”

Junhyung eyes suddenly changed their expression while he kept holding Yoseob. His mind started to roam away, thinking of Yoseob previous statement.

“I break our promise,”

What if Yoseob was back because of that promise? But, why after five years? If it was because of that promise, how can it be granted? Shouldn’t it be granted by now? Did that mean Yoseob will stay with him forever?

Junhyung closed his eyes while frowning as he went deeper in his thought. No, Yoseob could not stay here forever. He did not belong to this world anymore. It was painful to have that thought but it was the truth. Junhyung knew he could not lie to himself forever. Yoseob was a ghost and he was a human. They were now lived in a two different world. Someday, just like that cold night, Yoseob would be gone again and this time it would be forever.

Junhyung and Yoseob walked out of the room after a while, when they noticed how long had they cuddled in the bed. The house was empty and silent. The living room and dining table had been cleaned out. Junhyung turned to the wall clock in the living room, noticing that it was afternoon. No wonder the house was so empty.

“Hyung, a note,” Yoseob called, as he stood at the fridge, pointing at a paper attached to it.

Junhyung walked to the fridge to the read the note.

Yoseob hyung, Junhyung hyung,

I left some food for breakfast in the fridge.
Make sure you eat it.

Son Nam Shin,

 Junhyung chuckled as he read the last word of the note. That maknae was still stuck with that nickname he gave himself.

“Let’s eat. Then, we will go to Cube.” Junhyung smiled. “And you have to help me,”

Yoseob nodded. He fully understood what Junhyung meant by he had to help that composer. He would provide the taller guy with his sudden and sometimes stupid ideas. He always thought those ideas or words would not be much help but Junhyung always asked for it and Yoseob was happy to be an aid to Junhyung even if it was not much. That was the least he could do to someone he loved.

Junhyung ruffled Yoseob hair, smiling joyfully. He was happy to know that Dongwoon cared enough to leave food for him and Yoseob. That also meant he took his words last night seriously when that maknae was asking about Yoseob could consume real food.  He had not had this feeling since years ago when they all lost Yoseob. The warm feeling, knowing someone else cared for you even if you were not related by blood. It was an invisible yet strong bond called friendship.

Yes, it was everyone lost but he was quite ignorant at that time, thinking only about his pain. He left the house, being selfish, never thought that he would destroy the bond. No, it was not destroyed. It was just weakened. Last night party proved that the bond was still there, that it could be fixed.

“Hyung,” the voice woke Junhyung from his deep thought.

Junhyung turned to the elfin adorable guy. “Yes?”

“What if I wish for everyone to live together again?”

Author’s note:

Is it too slow?
Anyway, thanks for the comments. ^_^

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