Chansoo One Shots I

The Ghost of You

Voices. So many voices. It is as if the world is burning.

Kyungsoo's shoes squeak against the ever glossy floor of the hospital as he runs down the hallway, half out of his mind. People jump out of his way, looking after him as he runs past them; they would've shouted profanities if they weren't so sure that he was crazy.

One nurse tries her luck to stop him but he pushes her away like a mad man fighting for his life. She falls on the floor, where she sits, nervous and frightened, until a man comes and helps her up and apologises for the sake of his friend. Then, he too, runs down the corridor after Kyungsoo.

When he turns the corner where Kyungsoo has disappeared, he sees that Junmyeon has caught him and now the two are sitting down in the middle of the corridor— Kyungsoo, howling like a tortured man and Junmyeon, consoling their friend.

Junmyeon looks up when he comes near them and gives him a nod. Minseok returns it and helps them up to their feet. Kyungsoo can barely stand and Minseok is quick to take his other side, helping Junmyeon sit Kyungsoo down on one of the chairs that lined the corridor.

"I have to see him," Kyungsoo whispers.

"Kyungsoo..." Minseok does not know what to say. He doesn't know how to put it into words.

"I NEED TO SEE HIM!" Kyungsoo yells, jumping off his chair.

Junmyeon pulls him back and hugs him tight to his chest. "He's in the OR, Kyungsoo." He sobs into Kyungsoo's hair, and Kyungsoo... he thrashes wildly in Junmyeon's arms and Minseok doesn't know what to do.

"He'll be fine," he hears himself says. He doesn't sound convinced.

"I have to see it for myself," Kyungsoo insists. Minseok wholeheartedly agrees.

"He'll be fine," he repeats, aching from how hollow the promise sounds. "There's nothing we can do."

Kyungsoo cries louder.

✥

Park Chanyeol was in a car crash. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but not fast enough. The doctor said the surgery has 40% chance of success. He said he'd do his best. The only thing left to do is hope.

Minseok isn't so hopeful.

✥

Kyungsoo disappears a week after.

They know where he is. In that little cottage he bought a month ago. Minseok thinks he should go and bring him back. The others agree. Except Junmyeon.

"He needs space," Junmyeon argues.

"He needs support," Baekhyun insists.

"He needs help," Jongin agrees.

"He needs time to heal."

They all look at Sehun. Sehun, who hasn't spoken much since the hospital. Since Kyungsoo disappeared. He's sitting on the couch under the windows overlooking the city, staring out the window. The overcast sky sets his face in gloom, or maybe it's just the atmosphere of the room.

"We all do," he continues. "Hyung will come back. Eventually. I know he will."

Everyone deflates. Not placated but tired. The fight leaves them drained. So they retreated back to their own rooms, dragging their feet behind them. Kyungsoo runs away but they know where he is; they can always go find him— but not now.

✥

Kyungsoo wakes up in cold sweat, in a room he isn't familiar with. There is something at the periphery of his consciousness, something he thinks he should know but he can't grasp it. He believes it is important, but he can't recall what it is and the headache pounding against his skull asks him to stop thinking and to get himself a painkiller.