The Demon Next Door

16

When Kyungsoo was a little eighth grader, his health teacher gave his class a quiz on drugs and their negative effects. Most of the class didn't bother to study, and their averages were not so dandy.

Kyungsoo got a ten out of ten.

On the attached essay question, he was supposed to write about a drug of his choice. Coincidentally, he chose heroin. And got a fifteen out of fifteen on that portion of the quiz, too.

His perfect score was the first thing he remembered when he woke up.

He found himself staring at a white ceiling. Bright, florescent light fixtures blasted overhead, blindingly. For a moment, Kyungsoo was sure he was dead and 'seeing the light.'

It took him a second to hear a familiar voice breaking through the ringing in his ears. It was so very deep, and so very sensual. Kyungsoo struggled to turn his head to its owner, neck feeling stiff.

When he saw the person possessing the voice, Kyungsoo's face broke into a smile.

"Hey, Chanyeol."

The giant's lips curved into a crooked grin. The curls on his hair bounced as he suddenly reached out and took Kyungsoo's right hand in both of his own. He clasped it in between. Kyungsoo shivered as Chanyeol kissed any portion of his fingers visible in the warm confinement.

"Why are you here?" Kyungsoo asked. "Where am I?"

"In the hospital." Chanyeol's face grew serious. "Why'd you take heroin, Soo?"

Kyungsoo scrunched his face. "I don't know."

"Did Jongin give it to you?"

"No. Got it myself."

"But why?" Chanyeol pressured. "You never even thought of taking drugs until you met him."

He spat the last word out as if it tasted like dirt on his tongue. Kyungsoo let out a heavy sigh, lowering his gaze in shame.

"I really don't know, Yeol."

Their heads swerved towards the door when it suddenly flew open with a shrill creak. Kyungsoo's face lit up at the visitor, while Chanyeol scowled, upset that it wasn't the doctor.

"Glad to see you're awake." Jongin set the tray of food he'd gotten from the cafeteria down onto the bedside table. "Let go of his hand, retard."

Chanyeol did not abide the order. His grip on Kyungsoo's hand only visibly tightened, as if he were challenging Jongin to try and rip them apart. The younger frowned at the tighter proximity.

Jongin took a seat in the chair on the opposite side of the bed Chanyeol was sitting at. He took Kyungsoo's left hand and laced their fingers together. The bond was more intimate; everlasting. Something like a growl came up Chanyeol's throat.

Kyungsoo shuddered at the sound and stared at Jongin. "What happened?"

"You overdosed on that shit," Jongin explained. "I didn't want your parents to see you out because of a drug. I planned to get you out through the window, and called Chanyeol to help."

Kyungsoo's gaze flickered to Chanyeol. "Thank you."

"No problem." Chanyeol kissed the back of his hand. "Anything for you."

Jongin's frowned at Chanyeol. Any moron would have understood that his expression clearly read 'I'm going to murder you.' Chanyeol was way beyond help, though.

Kyungsoo looked back at Jongin. "I'm going to have to tell my parents. And my mother... I have to apologize, don't I?"

"Don't you?" Jongin countered. "I would, if I were you."