Meori Apeuda

Chapter 28

A few hours later we assembled in the living room, ready to head out for the Karaoke bar. I had decided on dark blue jeans, a blood red tank top combined with my trusty leather jacket and my ankle boots. Around my neck was Chan's necklace and the bracelet jingled softly at my wrist.

Chan wore an all black outfit again, black jeans, black T-Shirt, black boots and a black cap. The only other colour was coming from his silver chain-necklace and his earrings.

When we arrived in the living room, holding hands, Felix pointed at Chan with both hands and then grabbed his head in despair. "Hyung! You look like a reaper! Why don't you ever let anyone come with you when you go shopping?"

Chan looked down at himself and shrugged. "What? I think I look okay?" I looked him up and down and shook my head, almost breaking character when I saw the insecurity in his eyes. "No. You don't look okay." I said, turned towards him and picked a tiny lint from his shirt. "You look amazing." I finished and kissed him shortly.

My heart stopped for a second, when he beamed at me, his eyes sparkly and bright. Then he gently wrapped his arms around me and stuck out his tongue towards Felix, like a toddler. Everybody laughed and Lix giggled: "K, you're a traitor. He has to wear other clothes too sometimes..."

"No he has not." I answered, my voice soft but determined. Lovingly stroking Chan's chest I looked at the blond Australian. "He only has to wear what's comfortable for him. And what makes him happy."

Chan kissed my temple and pressed me closer to his body. It was an innocent gesture, meant to be thankful, but like so often these last few days and hours my mind immediately wandered into the NSFW section. Cursing mentally I rubbed my forehead, trying to get rid of the pictures it was showing me, before it went too far.

"Where's Innie?" Hyunjin suddenly asked, sitting comfortably on the couch, his legs crossed. With like zero effort he looked like a runway model. But it wasn't just him, each of them looked absolutely stunning. I'd really have to watch my confidence around these guys.

Looking around I finally noticed that everyone was already there, besides the maknae. Me and Chan were the closest to the stairs and taking the chance to get a little distance between me and the handsome-as-hell man next to me I stepped out of his embrace. "I'll go and look for him. Where's his room?"

"First floor, left, the second door on your left." Han answered and looked back at his phone again. I nodded, smiled at Chan and then quickly ascended the stairs. I turned left and knocked on the door Han had described.

"I.N.? Are you in there? Are you ready?" I asked and only then remembered, that he may have a hard time understanding me. While still racking my brain, if I knew something else in Korean other than "Hello" and "Thank you" I suddenly heard it: Someone was sobbing.

My smile froze and I knocked again, reaching for the door knob. "Innie? Are you okay?" I asked and slowly opened the door, sticking my head into his room. The young vocalist sat with his knees up on the floor in front of his bed, his head resting on his lower arms.

His shoulders were trembling and when he lifted his head, I saw tears streaming down his face. Without further hesitation I stepped inside, closed the door behind me and practically ran to his side.

"Innie, baby, what's wrong?" I mumbled, laying my arms around his shoulders and he surprised me by immediately leaning into my embrace, sobbing at my shoulder. I kneeled down properly, stroked his hair and rocked him back and forth, just like Chan always did when he comforted me. It wasn't easy, as the maknae was about three inches taller than me, but I did my best.

"Shhh, it's okay...Everything will be okay..." I whispered and leaned my cheek against his head. His whole body was shaken by his sobs and my heart clenched. What the hell had happened?