Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It has been barely a couple hours the boys went to sleep. The outside world painted black, moon about to fade giving birth to the next morning.

A pile of bodies, wrapped around each other, comfortable and warm. Few on the floor and few on the couch. Yes it’s uncomfortable, but they missed their night outs.

Felix, slowly twisted against Han to make his back feel more at ease. Sure the position he is will never be comfortable, his back against the couch, hugged by Han who is sandwiched between him and Lee know.

Felix suppressed a whine, failing to find a comfortable position, he stood up untangling himself from Han’s death grip without waking him up and slowly made his way to the bathroom.

Chugging a glass of water and two painkiller medicines, Felix got out of the bathroom and went straight ahead to Han’s room. He sluggishly got in his bed; his back supported by soft pillow. He felt the numbing pain refusing to leave yet, his eyes watered at the discomfort, suppressing a sob, he fell into a painful, restless sleep.

Han stirred missing the familiar warmth even in his sleep. He whined clinging to Lee know before opening his eyes disoriented. Lee know unconsciously patted Han, easing him back to sleep. Han did fall asleep for a second but woke up realizing Felix was indeed not there.

His first instincts was to check the bathroom, noticing there was no light emitting from the bathroom, he tried to untangle himself from Lee know to check where Felix was.

Lee know being the light sleeper woke up as soon as Han tried to untangle himself. He was at first confused but then saw the slight worry on Han’s features. He sat up and whispered to Han “Did you have nightmare Han-ah?” he asked, stroking Han’s cheek softly with his thumb. Han shook his head, dismissing his worry and pointed towards where Felix lay with slight panic, indicating that Felix was missing.

Lee know instantly blamed himself for not noticing that before. How did Felix slip without him noticing. Han and Lee know made their ways to all the room. There was relief when they found Chan asleep. Noting the time to be around 5 in the morning, they went straight to Han’s room for the final check.

Han was both surprised and worried when he found a whimpering Felix, clutching his back, tears rolling from closed eyes. It was clear that he was trying to suppress his sobs, making sure not to disturb anyone’s sleep.

Within a heartbeat Lee know and Han went to Felix, Lee know taking the place behind Felix supporting him to sit up and then rubbing soothing circles, behind his back while Han took the place near his legs trying to get Felix answer him.

After a couple of hours Seungmin woke up. With all the noise coming in, he checked the source. First shocked then understanding. Not wanting to crowd the couple who is talking Felix down, Seungmin informed Lee know he’ll be preparing the breakfast. After a quick nod from Lee know, Seungmin fleshed up and made his way to the kitchen. He decided to make something simple after handing a glass of milk and toasted bread to the couple so that they could feed Felix and then give him his back medicines.

One by one everyone filled the dining hall and their first instinct was to notice the missing trio. Seungmin took his time explaining the situation. They all agreed not to disturb the trio, though their worry was skyrocketing every time they heard Felix high-pitched scream.

Chan was the last one to wake up, surprisingly. He washed up pretty quickly, styled his messy, curly hair and entered the dining hall. The hall was not quiet but there was an invisible tension on everyone’s tense shoulders. Chan sat on the table across Hyunjin who was eating. He notice Changbin, Lee know, Han and Felix were absent in the hall. He knew Changbin went to the gym but where are the others? He wondered.

It was Seungmin who served Chan his breakfast, placing the two hot toasts, an egg and few strips sizzling beacon on the side. “Coffee or juice hyung?” Seungmin questioned. Chan considered coffee for a moment but realized he was wide awake for any intake of coffee “Juice please.” he replied deciding sugar would be enough for the day. They didn’t have much to do considering its their day off today.

Seungmin nodded, pouring a glassful of orange juice and placing beside the breakfast plate. “Enjoy your food old man.” Seungmin teased before walking away. Chan huffed out a sarcastic laugh at the menace puppy before focusing on the food.

When he spot Jeongin doing the dishes as usual, ‘it won’t hurt to ask’ considered Chan. “Innie where are the others?” questioned Chan tried to keep his tone as casual as possible. I.N tensing up added more fuel to his already burning worry. “Lixie hyung’s back is acting again. Han hyung and Lee know hyung are with him.” Jeongin answered hoping not to spill too much worry in his tone. “He woke up with a bad back.” He added.

If Chan had a good feeling about the morning earlier, he seriously questioned that. Leaving the leftovers on the table, Chan made his way towards Felix’s room. He paused at the door, taking a deep breathe before stepping inside the room.

It pained Chan each time to see anyone of the kids to be anywhere near uncomfortable, but now Chan could feel his heart shatter when he saw Felix crying his eyes holding his back with face morphed into what he called pain, Han sat near his legs comforting him and Lee know behind him rubbing soothing circles around Felix’s lower back. Felix's head tucked under Lee know's neck. Both were trying to distract Felix by talking to him but failing miserably.

Felix’s eyes were red indicating that he has been crying for a while now. Felix almost screamed when Lee know rubbed applying too much pressure, his face turned red and blotchy making the freckles more prominently. A thin layer of sweat covered his body making his clothes and hair stick to his clammy body.

Chan paced towards Felix and sat next to Han, crouching to look into his eyes. “Is it too much baby?” Chan question trying to get Felix say something so that he could decide if he is coherent enough. “I can’t. It’s too much Chris. I can’t.” Felix stuttered between his sobs. Chan looked at Lee know eyes browed together in worry for answers. “Woke up like this Chan-hyung. He drank some milk and had his painkillers but the pain stubbornly stayed.” Lee know countered. Chan nodded both understanding and thanking.

“I’m taking him to the hospital. Take care of the kids. I’ll update if there is any news. Han I need you to pack Felix’s hospital files.” Chan stated with no-negotiation tone leaving no room for argument. It was a blessing that Changbin went to the gym else he would be throwing a tantrum for accompanying Felix.

Chan stayed by Felix’s side till Han came back with the hospital files. In the meantime Lee know called Felix’s doctor and Chan made a mental note to thank him later for that. Chan slowly coaxed Felix on his legs, Felix yelped every now and then whenever he felt his back muscles protest against the activity.

Lee know quickly took the other side to provide extra support. I.N tossed the keys to Chan while they were on their door step, Hyunjin and Seungmin tieing Felix’s and Chan’s shoes. Chan thanked the youngers before supporting Felix to the car along Lee know.

Settling Felix in the passenger’s seat and adjusting the seat as flat as possible for their sunshine, Chan took the driver’s seat and waved Lee know reminding him about the promise before driving away.

Felix fell asleep through the way, Chan decided not to disturb the little peace he had, carried Felix inside the hospital upon arriving.

Dr.Ahn Minhyuk, took over from Felix from Chan the moment they arrived. Once the doctor noticed a sleeping Felix, a warm smile spread over him before instructing for a stretcher. He asked Chan to wait outside though, clearly not allowed to disturb the medical procedures.

Chan sat down in the waiting seat messaging Lee know about them reaching and a sleeping Felix escorted to the emergency ward. Once he received a thumbs up emoji, Chan closed his phone, sighing exhausted. He ran his hand through his curly, unbrushed hair, turning his gaze from the plain cold floor to the end of the corridor.

Chan breathe caught in his throat, when he saw the person at the end of the hallway. A vision he burned in his memory, a memory he wrote it in his bones and a past he would never forget even if it was a mere 10 minutes encounter.

“Yuna…” Chan whispered, not trusting the universe to bring them together again. He let out a shuddering breathe fisting his hands. He was too stunned, too overwhelmed to even acknowledge anything else in the world apart from the figure, glowing just like the past night, that fateful night the first sight of the mysterious girl.