Fused harmony

18.

(Y/N) was in the final week before the launch of "Lucid Dreams". The build up had gotten tense as people in social media were starting to post countdowns. As the anticipation grew so did (Y/N)'s excitement. However, things have a funny way of working out. And the timing couldn't have been worse.

Incoming call: mother dearest❤️

Claire: Hello son...
Her voice trailed off, something was bothering her but (Y/N) couldn't figure out what it was.

Claire: Do you mind if I come over... I have some news and it's... important.
Something terrible was happening. Had Max gotten hurt? Was she sick? Thoughts ran rampant through his head as he tried to anchor himself, but the ship rocked as the rough sea in his head tried to drag it into the depths.

(Y/N: Of course, I'm on lunch. I'll meet you there.
He managed out a weak sentence. Struggling to compose himself as he slipped his headphones on. He didn't care for the music that played, only that it drowned out the thoughts he was fighting,

He quickly began to head for the door, unaware of the sad eyes that lingered on the back of his head as he exited, Rachel, looking solemn as she braced for impact, getting back to work as she awaited the call.

(Y/N) began his way home to his apartment, calling a driver who came to pick him up. After they arrived, he climbed in, still rattled but silent. The driver knew it wasn't like him, (Y/N) had garnered a reputation as a polite boy so it was clear he was troubled, but he knew better than to pry in the mind of teenage boys, he was a dad too after all.

After a while, they arrived home, coincidentally meeting his mum on the stairs, they walked up together in silence, both unable to find the words they wanted to convey. (Y/N) let her in and closed the door behind them both watching her carefully as she slowly placed herself on the couch. Her face said everything (Y/N) needed to know. Something was definitely wrong.

"(Y/N)... you know I love you right...?"
This caught the young man off guard. The question was sudden and the answer seemed obvious, why was she even asking? She knew the answer already.

"Of course mum... and I love you too..."
This made her smile, albeit a sad one. This made the news all the more heartbreaking to share with her son.

"You know I want what she best for you, and that I would never do something to intentionally put you at risk?"
Again, the answer was obvious. What was she getting at? (Y/N) had no idea. Even now the answer was hidden from him.

"Obviously."
She held her breath and closed her eyes as she started speaking, the words shattering his perception of his mother almost immediately.

"(Y/N) I have to go back to the UK."

"Huh...?"
Looking at (Y/N) was like looking at a blank slate from his mum's perspective. She couldn't get a read.

"My temporary contract with HYBE ends on the 1st of March. I'll be going home afterwards."
"Y/N)'s eyes squinted, trying to see if she was kidding, but it didn't take long to realise that she wasn't. She saw something inside him change.

"So let me get this straight. You brought me here. Under the pretence of us *both* living here. And now your leaving? Fuck that. I want to come home too."
Tears welled up in her eyes as he spoke, his voice growing more and more agitated, but before he had hit his limit she spoke.

"You can't... your contracted here. Doing so will breach your contract..."
This pushed (Y/N) over the edge.

"You let me sign it knowing what was going to happen."
His lip quivered as he spoke, his face flush with anger.