~<*>~ Pain in me ~<*>~

Chapter 47

Dino smiles when he sees Kyle sitting down in front of him. He is glad that Mingyu woke up yesterday, so that he's not a wreck with Kyle.
"How are you?" Kyle asks with a smile and Dino sighs.
"I am doing okay, but it has been rough", he admits and Kyle nods understanding.
"Troubles?" he asks and Dino nods confirming.
"It may sound rude," Kyle asks, "but he didn't forget our promise, did he?" Dino is surprised about the fact that Kyle is suddenly really insecure, he only knows him as a wise, certain man.
"Who?" Dino asks careful.
"Scoups", Kyle whispers and Dino remembers the promise Scoups told him about.
"No, of course not," he assures the prisoner, "he's just really busy." Now that Mingyu has woken up, Scoups is back on track to find Woojin, so he's watching camera footage all day. Dino even starts to get worried a little, but he has to focus on Mingyu now. He has to be the friend that he misses.
"Good", Kyle exhales relieved. 
"How are you doing?" Dino asks and the prisoner ligths up. 
"I'm looking forward to the end of the month", Kyle answers with a big smile on his face. Dino smiles as well, knowing what day is coming.
"Scoups was really happy when he heard the news," Dino informs him, "and he is excited for you to be free." Kyle smiles thankful, Dino knows Scoups and him have a special bond.
"I do find it a little bit scary, though", Kyle admits and Dino grabs his hands to comfort him.
"Scoups and I will always be there to help you back on track. You can stay at our place until you find something, we will help you get work, it's all going to be okay", Dino assures him and Kyle's eyes seem to sparkle with joy.
"Really?" he asks softly. "Thank you." Dino nods to tell him that it's okay, that they're happy to help him.
"I hope we have cleared things out before that, though", Dino mumbles and Kyle tilts his head confused.
"You mean those troubles?" he asks and Dino nods sighing.
"It's that Woojin, isn't it?" Kyle asks careful and Dino looks him in the eye for a few seconds.
"We chased him away a while ago, but Scoups suddenly starts to doubt whether he is really gone or not. He won't rest until he found him", Dino explains and he realizes that they chased Woojin away almost a month ago. So much has happened since, maybe Woojin died already. 
"I hope that he's smart and stays away", Kyle states and Dino hums agreeing. It would save them a lot of trouble and Dino prays that all the bad things have passed, that maybe they can finally go back to normal. 
"Well, I think my time is almost up. It was nice seeing you again", Kyle says smiling and Dino doesn't hesitate to return that smile.
"Be safe," he tells him, "we'll come and get you in a few weeks." Kyle's smile grows even wider and he waves Dino goodbye before walking away with a guard.
"He's almost free," Dino mumbles to himself, "he's almost put out of his misery. And maybe by then we will all have our happy end." Dino knows it's wrong to say your hopes out loud, but he can't help it. He really hopes things will get better, that they all get their happy ending. There are already enough people who don't. And maybe if he says it out loud enough, it will become true.

When Dino arrives home, Scoups is still in his room. The brunette guesses his roommate hasn't left his room in hours, so he walks to the kitchen to make him some food and grab a glass of water. He doesn't understand why Scoups can't just work in normal hours, without being bad for his health. Dino sighs while he shakes his head in disbelief, until he sees a familiar pack of M&M's on the kitchen table. His eyes widen in shock and he walks over to them. Right next to the M&M's, there is a tiny note written by Mingyu.

Thanks for not giving up on me when I was ready to give up myself. -M

Dino smiles happily, he's glad Mingyu finally feels alive again. With a good mood, Dino starts preparing food and drinks for him, but mostly for Scoups. When he's done, he walks over with the plate and knocks on Scoups' door.
"Come in", he says and when Dino enters the room, his suspicions are confirmed, Scoups is indeed watching footage again and he looks terrible, as if he hasn't slept. The leader looks up and when he sees the food, his eyes get a hungry look.
"Oh thanks, I totally forgot to eat", he says as if this is normal. Dino stares at him in shock while he puts the plate down and watches Scoups hungrily eat the food. He wonders what has become of his roommate, it seems like he has turned into a beast. Dino realizes that he's watching the man he adores so much, but he's watching him with disgust. How can Scoups forget his own life so easily? How can he be so obsessed with something that's probably nothing? What if there's nothing to see on that footage? Will Scoups keep going until he dies? Dino quickly shakes his head and remembers Mingyu's note. He has to have faith in Scoups. He won't give up on him, just like he didn't give up on Mingyu. 
"Did you sleep well tonight?" he asks, trying to grab on something normal.
"I don't know", Scoups answers quickly without even looking at him. Dino feels his heart drop, this means Scoups didn't sleep at all. Dino exhales to calm himself down and clenches his fists.
"Is there something else?" Scoups asks and Dino blinks in disbelief. 
"I..., nothing", he says while he wants to walk out of the room. But just when he's about to close the door, he changes his mind.
"Actually," he says, "let's go out to eat tonight." Scoups finally looks up to look him in the eye, but his eyes don't look happy.
"Why?" he asks. "I can't do that, I have work to do." Now Dino is getting annoyed, why is Scoups putting his entire life aside for this?
"You are going, whether you want to or not", Dino continues.
"I told you I have work", Scoups objects and Dino slams his fist against the door frustrated.
"You also have a life! And a roommate who would really want to spent some time with you to prevent you from rotting away in your room!" he yells and Scoups stares at him in silence.
"Those few hours really won't make a difference", Dino whispers, almost begging. Scoups opens his mouth to object, but he changes his mind.
"Okay, I'll go", he gives in and Dino exhales relieved.
"Thank you", he says before closing the door behind him. 

~<*>~

When Scoups sits down in the restaurant, his eyes still hurt. He has been watching camera footage for a long time now and he only takes breaks to go and visit Mingyu from time to time. But it freaks him out that Woojin is absolutely nowhere to be found. Scoups almost doesn't know where to look anymore, he only has a few options left. It makes him think, what if he will never find Woojin? What will happen then? But now Scoups has to enjoy dinner with Dino, his roommate asked him to. It shocked him to see Dino like that, he didn't realize he felt this way. But Scoups has to admit that he doesn't feel really great right now.
"I cleaned Mingyu's apartment today", Dino says and Scoups looks at him surprised.
"Really? He will be happy if he comes home. Thanks", he says and Dino nods.
"Why didn't you ask me to help you?" Scoups asks and Dino shrugs unbothered.
"Would you have helped if I asked you? I thought you were too busy", he states, clearly blaming Scoups in the proces. The leader sighs frustrated, why won't Dino understand the importance of this?
"Look, this is really important, okay? I have to find Woojin to know where he is", Scoups tries to explain, but Dino rolls his eyes.
"And what if you don't find him?" he asks.
"That won't happen because I will find him. I have to", Scoups answers firmly.
"Scoups, you really don't have to be so obsessed about this. It's not that big of a deal", Dino mumbles softly, his voice sounds kind but firm.
"You don't understand, do you? Did you forget that he kidnapped you? That he almost killed us? He killed Jun! He tried to kill you and he would have succeeded if Joshua wasn't there to save you!" Scoups exclaims and Dino opens his mouth to say something, but changes his mind.
"He's dangerous, I can't let him hurt my team again", he whispers and Dino takes his hand.
"He probably fled, he's a coward, remember? He has been away for almost a month, why would he still come back? If he wanted to hurt us, wouldn't he have done it already?" Dino tries to change Scoups' mind, but he can't listen to him.
"The fact that he is away for so long is the thing that scares me the most," he admits, "the longer they are gone, the bigger their plans." Dino seems to realize that he can't change his mind, so he gives up and lets go of Scoups' hand. 
"Fine," he gives in, "but will you please take care of yourself? We can eat together and be normal." Scoups nods, he secretly wants to be normal again too, but this feeling disturbs him too much. 
"Thanks", Dino whispers and they order drinks before they continue the conversation.
"I saw Kyle today", Dino says and Scoups remembers Dino talking about it. He completely forgot, but he's excited to hear how his friend is doing.
"He's doing great", Dino says as if he can read Scoups' mind. "He's excited to be free again." Scoups smiles relieved, he's glad that Kyle finally can be himself again. He feels like his friend doesn't deserve the punishment he has right now, that he's misjudged. He will make sure to welcome him with open arms and guide him through his way back to the social life. The rest of the night goes really great, it feels like the old times, when everything was still normal, before Stray kids attacked. Scoups smiles happy when the food is served, until suddenly his phone buzzes.
"Should I take it?" he asks Dino before he even looks at who it is.
"Sure, go ahead", Dino says and Scoups picks up.
"Hello?" he asks and for a few seconds, there's only silence on the other side of the line.
"Hello?" Scoups repeats, starting to get suspicious.
"Ah, Scoups! Sorry, the connection isn't great here." Scoups exhales relieved when he hears Seungkwan's voice.
"Why are you calling?" he asks curious and he hears someone taking a deep breath.
"I think we need to have a chat", Vernon answers and Scoups immediatly fixes his posture, causing Dino to suspect that something is wrong.
"Is there something wrong?" Scoups asks worried. "Is it Mingyu?"
"No, no," Vernon assures him, "we just visited Mingyu and he was sleeping, but he was fine."
"Then what is it?" Scoups asks.
"We have thought a lot for a while, about the past few years and what has happened. And we feel like we're kind of done. There's nothing we can do anymore", Seungkwan says and Scoups frowns confused.
"What do you mean, you're done?" he asks, his heart beating faster.
"We're quitting the team, Scoups. We're done", Seungkwan says and Scoups feels his heart skip a beat.
"What?" he asks shocked, but neither Seungkwan or Vernon answers. Feeling desperate, Scoups hangs up and gets up from the chair, with a confused Dino looking at him.
"I have to go", Scoups mumbles and Dino watches in shock as he runs off.
"Scoups, wait!" he still hears Dino yell before he leaves the restaurant. He doesn't know if he should be furious or scared, if he should be happy or desperate. Why now? After all they've been through?