A House Divided - Changbin Ending

Chapter Ten

Chapter 10

Arriving in Seoul, they were immediately thrown into demanding schedules and detailed routines. Due to their extended absence, appearances and photoshoots were at an all time high. There was no more time for art, video games, or long talks outside. With the web-series nearing its air date, the boys were required to do back to back press junkets and interviews. Any free moment they had was spent sleeping, whether it be due to exhaustion or grieving.

Their first night back in the dorm was surreal. All the familiarities of everyday life remained enshrined where they were left. After months away they were reunited with their clothing, personal items, and even their own beds. However, none of the things that once brought them comfort held that power anymore.

Gathered together in the bare, taupe-colored living area the boys huddled together jetlagged and consumed by sadness. Felix sat off by himself, staring out at the brightly lit city. All that separated him from the nightlife was a pane of glass. Since leaving Haus Impartit he had grown despondent and refused to speak. As the resident ray of sunshine, he was always the one to offer a word of encouragement or a warm hug. Seeing their friend like this was gut-wrenching. Chan and the others wished they could help, but they were all doing their best to process and recover.

Minho entered the room carrying a large tray. Gently placing the items on the floor between them, he passed out mugs full of green tea with honey. The warmth of the ceramic against their hands was the first bit of comfort they had felt all day.

"We don't even look like ourselves anymore." Jeongin stated, surveying the faces of those that surrounded him. So many watery, puffy eyes and sniffling noses to take in. Many of the others pitifully nodded with sentiments of agreement.

"I feel like a ghost." Hyunjin stared deep into his glass as if hoping it would predict his future.

"How so?" The youngest meekly responded.

"I feel like I was ripped from a life I loved only to wander undetected through the life of someone else."

Several of the members, including I.N were touched by his musing. Changbin, however, found it comical. He tried so hard to keep his amusement to himself, but it came spewing out inopportunely.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He wheezed. "That's just the most emo thing I've ever heard!" Barely finishing the statement, he exploded into full-blown convulsions. There was a comfort in the rapper's teasing, and even more assurance in the roar of his laughter. Even the prince found himself laughing along. Like a wildfire, the levity spread throughout the room. It only lasted for a moment, but to Felix, it was a sign that someday things would feel okay again.

Days turned to weeks and before they knew it four months had come and gone. They watched as winter gave way to spring with the promise of summer just around the corner. The first month of life without Mo was excruciating. While that ache never went away, Chris had found ways to distract himself from its unending sting. His willingness to bend over backwards and over-extend himself for HYP had been completely drained from his person. While his dedication to the boys and their friendship never faltered, he threw out the notion that the management had their best interest at heart.

With the premier of the web-series came an absolute media torrent. Most fans detested the show, claiming it was grossly manipulative and abuseful. Comment after comment had flooded in across social media condemning HYPE for its blatant disregard for all ten human beings involved. The band felt immensely thankful for those who were able to recognize their suffering. Others, however, villainized Mo and Elena wrongfully. The editing was derisive, leading viewers to see them in an unfavorable light. As a result of all of the backlash from LC's and critics alike, the show was removed from air only 2 months after its premier.