ÐARҞ SIÐE

9| ᴛʜᴇ sᴇᴀʀᴄʜ

"So he just ran out? Without saying anything about why?"

"He said he needed fresh air, but he seemed distressed, and he hasn't been back in a little more than half an hour. I'm starting to get worried..."

Jihyun's voice trailed off, his eyes practically stared holes into the door, it was obvious that he wanted to be out looking for his maknae with everyone else.

He felt a gentle hand lay on top of his, and finally let his gaze look away from the door to meet the eyes of the raven haired male sitting next to him.

Jihyun let the younger take his hand fully into his, and hold it.

"I'm sure they'll find Sorra. He can't have possibly gone far. Literally all of my group and the rest of yours is searching. I would be out there too, but I don't want you to be alone here." The ravenette smiled softly to try and comfort the weak leader.

Jihyun was silent in thought for a second or two.

"...Changbin."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think they're wondering why you of all people decided to stay here with me?"

"Hmm. Maybe? Why?"

"I was thinking..." Jihyun recalls the pleasant day he, Changbin, Sorra, and Chan had together when Sorra and Jihyun caught each other sneaking out.

He wants to have more days like that. Where he doesn't have to hide from the people he cares for the most.

Changbin's thumb soothingly rubbed across the older's hand to urge him to continue talking, and assure him it's okay.

"...that maybe we should tell the others about us already."

Changbin's eyebrows raised, though it was a little hard to tell through his thick bangs, but his eyes did widen a bit.

Jihyun was quick to explain, thinking that meant Changbin wasn't ready.

"I mean- I just don't really like keeping things from them...and the only reason we kept it a secret was because we didn't know how the others would react. Now that we know about Sorra and Chan though, and they know about us...I just feel it would be appropriate."

Changbin couldn't help but laugh a little at how slightly frizzled Jihyun got about that. He can tell the older has been thinking about this a lot.

"If you feel like it's about time, then I won't stand in your way. I think the rest of my group wouldn't freak out about it. Maybe it is about time."

Jihyun cracked a smile, his eyes glittering as he stared up at the younger. He was greatful for the reply he got, and greatful that Changbin is so sweet.

His smile wavered a bit after another thought came back to mind again.

"But I want to wait until we find Sorra first, and figure out what's wrong."

Changbin gripped the older's hand a bit tighter. "Of course."

____________________

"Did we check the cafeteria?"

"Yeah. We also checked down the hallways of all 5 floors, and the waiting room, AND Griffin and Hansik even drived all the way back to their dorm to check there too. No luck."

The blonde Aussie sighed deeply.

"How many times have we called him?"

"18 times on your phone, and at least 3 times on everyone else's phones. And too many text messages were sent from all phones to even count. No answers." Replied the Aussie's chipmunk-cheeked band mate.

"Alright. Thanks Jisung." The blonde's expression was sad and tired.

"Chan...we can't keep looking for much longer. Visiting hours end really soon." The cat-eyed ravenette next to Jisung.

"Shut up Minho! Don't make him feel worse!"

"No. He's right. They'll kick us out any minute now. We'll have no choice but to stop looking."

Jisung ans Minho went silent with how depressing Chan's tone was.

"We should meet back up at Jihyun's room to say goodbye before we have time go. Text the others that too." Chan instructed the two, to which they obeyed.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick before heading over there. I meet you guys soon."

They nodded before parting ways as Chan walked down the hall to the nearest restroom.

Chan pushed the door open, and the second he walked in he spotted a figure curled up in the corner on the floor.

The bathroom was otherwise empty, so he could clearly hear the light sobs.

Slowly, he stepped closer, then it became very clear- "Sorra?"

The boy's head popped up, and instantly he covered his face with his hands once he met eyes with Chan.

Chan's heart dropped, he quickly made his way over to the younger.

"You know the hospital bathroom floor is probably disgusting baby."

He got no reply, the boy just kept sobbing.

Chan sat down next to Sorra on the floor and tried his best to somehow wrap his arms around the younger, who was still curled in a little ball, then Chan rested his head on the sobbing boy's shoulder.

"Everyone has been on a journey to find you. I'm shocked to even have discovered you here."

The younger's sobbing died down, he leaned into Chan's hold, but still decided to say nothing.

"Hey. You don't have to tell me what's wrong if you really don't want to. I just want you to come back to the others with me, so they all know that you're okay." Chan kept his voice calm and quiet, even though he was actually really sad and hurt that Sorra didn't come to him in the first place.

Sorra's voice when he replied was quivery and each word was interrupted with a hic or a sob. "I- don't want to go back- they'll ask me questions....they can't know-" he cut himself with sobs, starting to cry more again.

"Woah woah woah- don't cry baby. I'll- i'll just text everyone that you're okay, and we'll go get you some ice cream. I think Dairy Queen is still open this late." Chan offered, trying to soothe the boy so his sobs would die down again.

"You promise you won't make me go back?" Was all Sorra could seem to get out clearly through his crying.

"I promise. We'll go straight to Dairy Queen, and I won't make you go back until you have everything worked out."

Sorra burried his face into Chan's side. The clean smell of his shirt and his genuine words were starting to calm the younger.

"Can we get off of the bathroom floor now love?" Chan tried to move his face to where he could look Sorra in the eyes.

The younger kept his gaze away from Chan, but nodded and started to stand up.

Chan quickly leaped to his feet before the younger, so he could take his hand and help him.

"Let's go. I'll call the others once we get out of the building."

Sorra nodded again. He tightly clinged onto Chan's arm as they walked, but he still wouldn't make eye contact with him the entire time.

Though Chan knows Sorra probably won't tell him what's up, the older still obviously couldn't help but deeply worry and wonder what could be so bad that he wouldn't even want to tell his bandmates, who are basically family.