𝐂 𝐀 𝐌 𝐁 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍 | ᴀᴛᴇᴇᴢ [𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘴]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕

The sluggish, yellowish light that warmed the entire pub was concealing San's real complexion: the dark circles were evident under his eyes, his looked as if it was made of wax and it was covered by a thick layer of cold sweat, his lips were completely disappeared for how pale they were, and if it wasn't for tiny pieces of dead skin on the perimeter close to his teeth, his friends would have thought he had no mouth.

San hadn't felt well for weeks, already, and he couldn't understand what could've been the cause for his sickness. He boasted enviable health, which was what moved San to think of possible reasons as to why he began feeling weak all of a sudden. One of the feasible motives could've been the stress caused by his job, it wasn't easy to supervise an entire company on his own; the other probable motive was his relationship situation with Areum.

The couple had been living separated for a month, now, ever since Seonghwa appeared again after years. And ever since then, San had lost control of his health and was used to falling asleep on the desk of his office or feeling the need to sustain his body on a stand to avoid collapsing with his knees on the ground and recover his legs joints covered in dark purple bruises. He hadn't been himself, and even his friends noticed that weird and sudden change. 

Hongjoong, Mingi, Jongho, and Wooyoung had organised a night out between men to gossip like women. San had accepted because he was feeling a little better than the rest of the days, but eventually ended up regretting stepping outside of his comfort zone when he decided to drink, stupidly thinking it could help him, and the alcohol started kicking in. It didn't take long for him to feel dizzy after only one cocktail, and his malaise became recognisable in his friends' eyes. He appeared wasted and frowning, hit by a sudden headache that was stunning him on the side of his head and the lower part of his right eyebrow.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Had asked Mingi with a baby pout on his lips, genuinely apprehensive about his friend's health status. Mingi had immediately noticed San's weird behaviour but decided to wait to see if he would start feeling better and when he showed no signs of improvement he eventually intervened.

San looked at Mingi, surprised by the fact that someone glimpsed his disquiet, but ended up lying as he had been doing for the last month at work.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm just tired."

He has replied with a fake and forced tight-lipped smile. If there was a trait that no one supported about San's personality was his will in having to deal with everything on his own, without asking anyone for help. It could be a sign that demonstrated how strong a person could be when faced with problems, but sometimes it is better to confront and seek help, realising that you're not the inlet once feeling a certain way could be more beneficial than undertaking everything on their own. 

Somehow, the atmosphere at the table had drastically changed into a tense one as if the group was isolated and trapped in a bubble where the rest of the customers couldn't see, more hear what they were talking about and the clients' voices sounded padded, to the company's ears.