~<*>~ Music in me: seventeen fan-fiction ~<*>~

Chapter 33

A few days later, Dino decides to finally pick up his stuff from his old apartment and sell it. He doesn't want to have a place with such bad neighbors. The brunette still can't believe that it indeed is Minho who betrayed him, but picturing that dirty smirk again, Dino is sure. The purple-haired neighbor doesn't regret it one bit. It was all an act to get information and it worked. Dino would rather go to Minho again to tell him what he feels or to just slap the shit out of him, but the brunette knows that he can't. He can't do that if he wants to keep Scoups safe. So Dino silently walks past Minho's door, towards his own. When the brunette arrives, he lets out a sigh of relief, luckily, he didn't bump into Minho on his way here. The brunette starts to think about a lot of things while he looks around the room. What does Minho think right now? Does he believe that Dino is dead, or does he suspect something? Dino doesn't know and he has the feeling that he will never find out. He just has to grab his stuff and get out of here, before Minho knows that the brunette is still here. If he can make Minho believe that he's dead, than that's the best thing to do. Maybe Dino would be safe again, maybe all of this could end. Sighing, Dino walks over to his room and a flash of memories rush through his mind. Scoups, Wonwoo, his parents and even Jeonghan have been here. They had so much fun, not even noticing the evil right beside them. Dino sighs again and starts to pack his bags with all the shirts he can find. One hoodie is still Scoups', so Dino decides to take it with him as well. After an hour, the brunette looks back at his apartment, which is pretty empty right now, and grabs the two bags full of clothes and other stuff. Dino can't believe that he's really leaving this place, but his heart is numb. All those memories, all those good times, he's going to leave it all behind. But sometimes, that's the best option. Otherwise, you would just hang on tight to the past and you won't be able to focus on the future. Dino's smiles while thinking about his future laying down in bed right now, hopefully sleeping peacefully. The brunette grabs the doorknob and turns it around, closing the apartment forgood. How he'll miss this place, but how he'll enjoy his new one. Still in thought, he bumps into another guy.
"Oh, I'm sorry", Dino says, having major flashbacks to how he first met Scoups. But when the brunette looks up, it's clear that this person is not Scoups. Dino clenches his fists in anger, he was almost able to avoid this traitor.
"I didn't expect to see you here", Minho says calmly, but Dino knows he's trying to hide his surpriseness. The brunette smiles, he has found a way to trick Minho after all, although it was just for a few days.
"You can't get rid of me that easily", Dino says smirking. Minho laughs and it's clear that he is getting nervous.
"I have to admit that I thought Felix has succeeded. But you are still here, I have to compliment you on that one." Dino blinks in surprise. Did Minho just compliment him? The brunette shakes his head, he has to keep focussing.
"So his name is Felix? Too bad that he's gone", Dino says trying to keep his calm. He notices a glimpse of fear and disbelief in Minho's eyes, but the purple-haired male fixes himself immediatly.
"That's what you get when you act without thinking", Minho says calmly and Dino suspects that he's talking about more than only Felix' death. Dino is confused by the fact that Minho doesn't seem to care.
"Tell your stupid friends that we have took another down and that we're not scared to do that again", Dino grits through his teeth. To Dino's surprise, Minho only laughs.
"They're not my friends, I am a loner, you know. I just collaborated with them, nothing more. You have to admit that I was smart and good in my job, otherwise you wouldn't have given me so much information." Dino stays quiet. He doesn't know what to answer, his thoughts are racing, everything is falling apart. Minho isn't part of Stray kids? He just tricked Dino for money, only to go away right after? Does Minho still work with Stray kids or not? Is he even still a danger? Minho notices that Dino is quite confused by his answer and scoffs.
"So to answer on what you just said, go tell them yourself", Minho whispers and he walks into his apartment, leaving a shocked Dino behind. 

Dino has to admit that his way home was way longer than expected, but he had to clear his mind before he meets Scoups again. He can't give his leader more worries, he needs to rest right now. So Dino is just going to pretend that he didn't see Minho today and he still has to pretend that Minghao and DK are still alive. Luckily, Scoups has been too busy to even ask about them. With a little struggle, Dino is able to open the door. He closes the wood behind him only to drop his bags in disbelief. Scoups is standing in front of him, drinking a cup of coffee. Scoups is standing. With tears in his eyes from relief, Dino runs over to hug his friend, who almost drops his cup in surprise.
"You're standing up", Dino whispers, as if he has to say it to himself in order to believe it. Scoups giggles and puts his cup down on the counter.
"I'm feeling way better already, that doctor is really good", he says softly while wrapping his arms around the brunette. Dino feels like he can stay in this moment forever, just silently hugging Scoups, taking his scent and touch in. Only now, Dino realizes how hard it was to live without him. And now, Scoups is finally better. Dino will finally get his friend back and it makes him happier than ever. 
"Should I call the doctor to cancel her visit?" Dino suggests positively, but Scoups shakes his head.
"I'm still a bit dizzy whenever I'm standing up. So it's best to keep her visits. She came over today, by the way. But you weren't home and I thought that it was you, in need of help. So I put all of my strength together and magically, I was able to get up. With some struggle, I was able to make it to the door, but from the moment I opened it, I fell down to the ground", Scoups explains and Dino feels a hot tear run down his cheek. His friend is finally walking again, although it is with a little struggle.
"I'll support you", Dino whispers softly while he burries his head into Scoups' chest. The black-haired leader smiles and rubs Dino's back with his hands. Dino's mouth forms itself into a smile while the two males stay there for a moment. Although things go wrong and people die, Dino has Scoups to remind him that life is worth living. And hell will Dino live it all the way if it's right beside Scoups. 

~<*>~

Chan looks at Minho in disbelief.
"So Felix is really dead?" he asks and Minho nods sighing.
"You guys are just maniacs, when are you going to start thinking?" the purple-haired spy is clearly not afraid to speak to the leader. Chan sighs and massages his temples frustrated. Felix didn't listen and now they've lost another member. For the first time, Chan is doubting if they're even going to win. What if other members are going to be rebelious too? What if Chan ends up all alone, betrayed? The black-haired leader sighs deeply before answering Minho.
"I am thinking, I just have some people who refuse to listen", Chan states firmly while the rest of the team looks at him full of expectations. Chan knows that his whole team is thinking that Minho maybe killed Felix, he is a spy and independent after all, but Chan has a gutfeeling that the purple-haired boy didn't.
"Why didn't Felix inform me about his revenge-plan?" Chan asks, maybe he can make sure that Minho is at least telling the truth.
"He said that you wouldn't agree anyway, so he decided to do it all alone, except for my help", Minho answers calmly and Chan has to admit that Felix would do such things.
"What did he need your help for, huh?" Jisung asks, it's clear that he's not having a word that comes out of the purple-haired spy's mouth. Chan gives his member a dirty look before turning his head towards Minho again, waiting for his answer.
"I had to make sure that he could catch Dino, ofcourse. I'm his neighbor for a reason", Minho snaps, as if that is the most ordinairy thing in the world. Chan has to admit that it makes sense.
"Why weren't you with Felix on that bridge?" Changbin asks suspicious, the strong member luckily keeps his calm.
"Because he didn't need me anymore, duhh," Minho answers, "But I thought Felix succeeded and really killed Dino. I hadn't seen him until today. I believe that he's moved in somewhere else." Chan nods his head understanding, Felix does want to do the dirty stuff all by himself. The leader looks around the room, all of his members are sitting down at the table, most of them are confused and Chan knows that they're scared as well. Jeongin is silently crying, the youngest just lost his last friend. Hopefully, that won't cause stupid, impuslive actions. Chan has a feeling that Jeongin isn't only a psychopath like his friends, but also a clever guy. He will know that it's stupid to do something without thinking. Oddly, it relieves Chan to know that the people who are still left know what they're doing. He's surrounded by clever, strong and murderous people. Chan is suddenly more sure than ever that he will succeed in taking Scoups' group down because nothing can stop them now.

~<*>~

"Scoups! You're back!" Joshua yells excited from across the dancefloor. The black-haired male doesn't give any looks at Dino, which the brunette doens't mind because Scoups is right beside him. The leader has asked Dino to let the whole team meet again in the dance room. Besides, Dino is just proving Joshua that he is in fact capable to take care of Scoups. 
"How did you heal so fast?" Wonwoo asks surprised.
"I hired a good doctor, she saved him", Dino says while he's glancing at Joshua. 
"I'm glad you're back", Mingyu says smiling and Dino glances at Scoups. Although the leader is still leaning on Dino for support most of the time, his eyes sparkle again. Scoups is living again. The black-haired leader smiles and looks at his team thankful.
"Thanks, guys. I'm proud of you all, it must have been hard and I wasn't there", Scoups says and everyone nods in agreement. It was a hard time, but now Scoups is back.
"Do you want to sit down?" Dino asks his friend softly and Scoups nods. He looks a bit tired, but Dino notices that Scoups does not want to show it. Mingyu grabs a chair and soon enough, the black-haired leader sits down. 
"It's sad that I missed some losses, but that doesn't mean that I don't think about them", Scoups adds and Dino looks at him surprised. The brunette looks at his teammates and notices that they're looking at Scoups the same way. 
"What do you mean 'some losses'?" Jun asks carefully.
"Jeonghan, Minghao, DK. I feel bad for them that I wasn't there, but I believe that they will understand", Scoups answers calmly and Joshua gives Dino a dirty look.
"Did you tell him!?" He asks angrily. Dino shakes his head in denial.
"Ofcourse not!" the brunette defends himself.
"I found out a few days after I woke up. They never came to visit me, you guys never talked about them and Wonwoo and Mingyu suddenly moved. I know you long enough to see when you're lying", Scoups explains. Joshua wants to say something, but a knock catches their attention. Scoups wants to get up, but Dino pushes him down gently.
"I'll go", he says softly while he walks over to the door. Dino can hear the rain pourring down on the street while he opens the door, only to reveal a soaking wet brunette.
"Hey, Dino, can I talk to Scoups?" the brunette asks and Dino takes a step back startled. How does this man know his name? 
"Who are you?" Dino asks surprised. The brunette laughs shortly and runs his hand through his wet hair.
"I'm Seungmin."