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“Where’s Riki?” Sunghoon asked out of nowhere one evening. He just came out of the shower and when he went back to their shared room, he didn’t see their youngest. He thought that Ni-ki was just in the living room, lounging with the rest of his hyungs, but when Sunghoon went out, their youngest baby was still nowhere to be found.
“Huh? Isn’t he sleeping in the bedroom?” Heeseung answered, now sitting up straight from lazily camping on the bean bag in their living room area. “I’ve been here since we got home, I didn’t see him anywhere.”
“He’s not in our room, hyung.” Sunghoon gritted out. He quickly went to the kitchen in hopes of finding Ni-ki but all he saw was Jay with the rest of their maknaes.
“Have you seen Ki?” Sunghoon asked, panic now starting to bubble up his chest.
Jungwon, with his mouth still full from eatig whatever meal Jay prepared for them, answered. “He’s not here. Didn’t he go home with you?” the leader said, gulping down the rest of his food and brows furrowing immediately when he noticed the panic behind Sunghoon’s eyes. “Hyung? What’s going on?”
“I–” Sunghoon can’t think. “I don’t think we went home with him,” he answered in a haze. “He wasn’t in the car with us, so I thought he was with you guys.”
Jay abruptly stopped his cooking when he heard what Sunghoon just uttered. “He’s not home?” the older darkly asked, gripping the spatula at hand tightly.
“I-I don’t–”
Suddenly, the telltale sign of their apartment door being unlocked echoed around the area and it didn’t take Sunghoon even a second to go check if ti’s Ni-ki or not.
“Ki?!” he shouts in some sort of panic and relief.
“Nope, just me,” Jake answered, toeing his shoes off at the entrance. “I swung by the convenience store downstairs to buy some ice cream,” he explained. “Why are you looking for Ni-ki? Didn’t he stay behind to practice some more?” Jake added nonchalantly.
Sunghoon heaved a deep sigh at that, relieved to have known that their youngest is just at the company’s practice room getting his moves down. But then, when his eyes caught the clock at the top of their little cabinet by the hallway entrance, the glaring red that says 2:43 AM staring back at him, the panic that once died down in his stomach started building up again.
“Wait– when did he tell you that?” Sunghoon asked Jake who was now eating one of the ice creams that he bought.
“Around the time we got home, why?”
“Jake, we got home at 9PM.”
“Yeah, and?”
It took Jake approximately 5 seconds before he realized. His eyes widened in horror when he looked at the same clock that Sunghoon had been staring at for the past minute. “Fuck,” he cursed out loud, garnering the rest of the members’ attention.
“What’s going on?” Heeseung was the first to arrive at the scene since he was the closest. Followed immediately by Jay who already got their coats in his hands, quickly passing each one around.
“What’s this for, hyung?” Sunoo curiously asked, but still wore his coat nonetheless. “Are we going out?”
“Keys, Jay,” Sunghoon said in determination, not even bothering to wear his coat despite it being less than 0 degrees outside right now, and instead is just waiting for Jay to place the keys to their car in his waiting palm. “Now.”
“No,” Heeseung intercepted, snatching the keys away from Jay’s hand. “I’ll drive, let’s go,” the oldest ordered, now seeming to have caught up with the situation at hand. “I’m not letting you drive all rattled like this, Hoonie,” he softly whispered to the younger who’s close to breaking down when he found out that they left their baby all alone for 5 hours.
Heeseung reached for Sunghoon’s coat from Jay and wore it on the younger man himself. “Now let’s go look for our baby.”
—
While in the car, Jay and Jake filled Sunoo and Jungwon in on their current situation, and the two maknaes didn’t take it as well as Sunghoon did. Although, well, considering Sunghoon has been out of it since earlier, the phrase “he’s doing well” doesn’t really fit. But if compared to Jungwon and Sunoo crying on Jay and Jake’s shoulders, then yes, Sunghoon is doing a bit better than them.
Ni-ki has a habit of overworking himself. He knows it and his hyungs know it. He’s obsessed with perfecting every single move down to the last detail that it sometimes makes him forget about the time. One time, he was gone for more than 8 hours and his hyungs were miserable. They didn;t know that he sneaked out in the middle of the night just to practice and it was one of the worst mornings for the rest of them when they found out that their bed is missing one body.
Ni-ki is stubborn. He knows it and his hyungs know it. He would oftentimes get sick from exerting too much of his energy and not getting proper rests. What’s worse is that, he would not let it show and he would smile at everyone and tell them that he’s okay, it got everyone fooled. His boyfriends would never have caught that he was sporting a 42° fever if it weren’t for Jungwon accidentally touching his forehead to kiss him one day when they were preparing for a performance. He got scolded that day by his hyungs, but he knows that it’s just because they care about him and his well-being a lot.
Ni-ki is a lot of things, and his hyungs still love him despite his hard headedness. After all, Ni-ki loves them and all their flaws just as much.
Their maknae is their glue. The only person who could stay level-headed at the most worked up situations. That’s why when he’s missing, it takes a toll on all of them. This isn’t the first time that this has happened, but it never gets easier each time. Because for some reason, every single time that this kind of situation occurs, they would always find Ni-ki in a bad condition.
Sunghoon is not religious, but he prays to any God out there listening, that their baby is safe and well-rested. He prays that the only reason why Ni-ki isn’t answering his phone right now is because he’s too caught up with practicing and not because he’s got himself into some sort of accident.
Sunghoon is not religious but he just prayed the whole duration of the ride from their apartment to their company building.
—
The moment they arrived, they wasted no time in getting out of the car hastily, not even bothering to check if there were any paparazzis at this ungodly hour and just went straight inside.
Jake had always found their building’s security system fascinating, but right now as he tries to get his face scanned to enter, it’s pissing him off. They’re all in a hurry and the face ID system is delaying them, he almost wanted to punch it if it weren’t for Jungwon tightly holding on to his right hand.
Eventually, after some stress and string of curses, they all got in and immediately went to the floor where all the practice rooms are located. They all scattered around to check each one in hopes of finding their maknae doing his late night dances.
It was Heeseung who found him first, the room located at the far end of the hallway. “Here!” he announced, followed by the rush of footsteps nearing his location.
When he entered the room, the music was still loudly playing but Ni-ki wasn't dancing anymore, no. Instead of fluid movements made by the younger, what welcomed them was a figure lying completely still in the middle of the practice room.
This immediately set off the alarms in the members’ head. Did he pass out? Did he have a concussion? Does he have internal bleeding from passing out? All negative outcomes that you could think of, name it. They all thought of it.
So imagine their relief when they all crowded him and Heeseung softly nudged Ni-ki’s body to check him, they heard a soft whine coming out of the younger’s mouth.
“Hnng – hyung?” Ni-ki mumbled, voice rough with sleep. “What time is it?” he innocently asked.
The simultaneous sigh of relief that filled the four corners of the practice room is almost comical with how their shoulders sagged as all the tension slipped out of their body.
Ni-ki’s okay.
“Hey, little one,” Heeseung softly whispered, kneeling down beside Ni-ki’s head and gently carding his fingers through the younger’s hair. “You okay? Are you hurt anywhere?” Heeseung still asked, making sure.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Ni-ki answered, his wits now coming back to him and finally realizing that all his hyungs are here. He’s curious as to why, but he doesn’t question it. It’s nice to have them around.
“I was resting after doing a whole set, and then the next thing I remember was waking up to your handsome face,” Ni-ki jokes, smiling up at heeseung with his signature smile.
Heeseung just shook his head in endearment and placed a light kiss on the younger’s forehead. “I’m glad you’re safe, but you got someone worried sick about you,” Heeseung whispered, side-eyeing Sunghoon who’s close to his tears after finding out that Ni-ki is okay. “Good luck.”
When Ni-ki realized the situation that he’s in, he immediately sat up straight and looked at Sunghoon with wide eyes. “H-Hyung,” he stuttered out, nervous.
Out of all of them, Sunghoon’s the one always worried about Ni-ki’s health and he would constantly remind the maknae to take proper rests and eat his meals on time. Out of all of them, Sunghoon’s the one always worried about Ni-ki’s health and he would be the one to always stay by their baby’s side whenever he’s sick.
Out of all of them, Sunghoon’s the most worried when anyone is not feeling well, but mostly when it’s Ni-ki.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stay out this late. I’m sorry for worrying you,” the youngest starts, inching closer to Sunghoon who’s just staring at him, eyes brimming with tears. “I’m okay, see?” Ni-ki stood up on his feet and twirled around as if to make a point, but his iron deficiency caught up with him just as fast, he almost tripped in his step if it weren’t for Sunghoon right there to catch him.
“Ki–!” The whole room went into an uproar. Heeseung, Jay, and Jake moved on instinct when they saw Ni-ki go out of balance, but instantly relaxed when Sunghoon grabbed a hold of Ni-ki’s arm.
“Careful, oh my God, Ki,” Sunghoon scolded the younger who at least had the gall to look sheepish. “How many times do I have to tell you to take it easy?” Sunghoon added, making Ni-ki stand up properly so he can inspect the younger’s body for any sort of injury. “You gotta stop making us worry like that, baby.”
Ni-ki’s heart thumped loudly with the use of the pet name. They’ve been calling him that everyday but it never really gets better for him.
“I know, I’m sorry,” Ni-ki whispered, taking ahold of Sunghoon’s hand and intertwining it with his. “I really just fell asleep this time, I’m fine, hyung.”
Before Sunghoon could scold him further, Jay chimed in the conversation.
“Did you even at least eat? It’s almost 3 in the morning, Ki. You’ve been going at it for the past 5 hours, not to mention the practice that we also had prior to your solo,” Jay softly lectured. He lifted his hand and touched Ni-ki’s forehead using the back of his hand, just in case. Ni-ki’s known for lying about his sickness after all.
“Oh, I… No, I haven’t yet,” the maknae answered, looking down in embarrassment.
He half expected that Jay or Sunghoon or Heeseung, or anyone really, to scold him for neglecting his health again, but what met him was a warm hug instead which surprised him to no end.
“Hyung?” Ni-ki wondered aloud, hugging his Sunghoon hyung back even in his shock. When he felt Sunghoon’s shoulder tremble, he panicked. “Hyung, what’s wrong?”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Sunghoon answered, sniffing in between his words. “Even if you haven't eaten yet, I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Maybe the Gods listen after all.
It took a whole lot of convincing from Jay and Jake for Sunghoon to let go of Ni-ki so they can all go home and feed the youngest. They assured Sunghoon that Ni-ki’s okay and they would take better care of him in the comfort of their own homes rather than standing here in the middle of the practice room where the heat doesn’t even look like it’s working.
“You’ll get to hug him more later, come on. Give him to the babies,” Jake pries Sunghoon’s arms off of Ni-ki’s body and Jay took that opportunity to steal Ni-ki away from him, but not before Ni-ki could peck his Sunghoon hyung in the lips for assurance.
Sunoo and Jungwon were more than happy to take each of Ni-ki’s side and walked with him outside to their car. If the two older maknae scolded Ni-ki all throughout, then nobody needs to know. After all, Ni-ki kind of deserved it.
The words "You really never listen, Ki," from Sunoo echoed around the rather empty hallway. "He's the youngest after all," Jungwon butts in, rolling his eyes at Ni-ki, a stark contrast to how he's tightly holding the maknae's hand in his. "They're always stubborn."
But of course, they held Ni-ki close to them despite that. They’re not going to deny that they cried earlier after finding out that Ni-ki’s not home, so scolding the maknae was just their facade to make themselves feel better.
And somehow, someway, Ni-ki knew. So he just listened to them nag at him for being careless, his heart full of adoration.
The words "You really never listen, Ki," from Sunoo echoed around the rather empty hallway. "He's the youngest after all," Jungwon butts in, rolling his eyes at Ni-ki, a stark contrast to how he's tightly holding the maknae's hand in his. "They're always stubborn."
“Hey,” Heeseung softly uttered behind Sunghoon and hugged him. “You okay?” the older asked, clinging his chin on Sunghoon’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m okay now,” Sunghoon honestly answered. “I was just so scared earlier, hyung. How did I realize it that late that Ki wasn’t at home with us?”
“Hey, it’s not your fault,” Jay butts in, cupping Sunghoon’s cheek gently. “We were all dealing with our own things and we were all exhausted from practice. It was an honest mistake, Hoonie. Don’t beat yourself up over it, okay? What’s important is that he’s okay and he’s with us now.” Jay softly scolds his boyfriend.
“Okay,” Sunghoon quietly agrees, smiling at Jay and pouting his lips. “Kiss,” he demanded more than requested.
Jay couldn’t help but laugh at this and obliged the younger, leaning down to peck him on the lips, unsaid words of assurances exchanged with just a single kiss.
After that, Sunghoon turned to Heeseung and Jake, too, who was fast enough to understand what Sunghoon was asking for without needing to voice it out.
Their little exchange was interrupted by a voice from the door, though.
“Can you please maybe save the kisses later at home? Ki is dying in hunger over at the car, if you even care,” Jungwon coldly chided, but a hint of teasing can be heard in his tone.
Heeseung and Jay laughed at their leader’s cute attempt at scolding them so they’re the first ones to approach Jungwon, leaving Sunghoon at the care of Jake.
Heeseung swung his right arm over Jungwon’s shoulder while Jay snaked his left arm over the leader’s waist, perfectly caging him as they walked outside. “Aw, is someone jealous?” Heeseung teases, nuzzling his cheeks at Jungwon’s head to irritate him. “Whatever,” Jungwon replied, rolling his eyes at the older and was about to walk ahead but wasn’t able to because of the hold that the two oldest had on him.
“Not so fast, Wonie. If you want a kiss, you could just easily tell us,” Jay joined Heeseung in teasing Jungwon, making the younger red in irritation (lovingly).
Jake and Sunghoon, who were left inside the practice room, made sure that all the extensions were unplugged before following the rest of their boyfriends outside.
Jake intertwined his left hand with Sunghoon’s and swung it so exaggeratedly that it even reached the top of their heads, making Sunghoon laugh.
“Calm down,” Sunghoon said while laughing, his prior sad and crying state now all gone with just the redness of his eyes and nose the only proof that he even shed a tear.
“I can’t, I’m just so happy right now!” Jake exclaimed out loud like the Golden Retriever that he is. “When we get home, I’m going to eat all my ice cre– Oh my God!” Jake suddenly shouts, startling Sunghoon beside him and even Heeseung, Jay, and Jungwon in front of them.
“My ice cream!” Jake cried out, mourning for the dessert that he bought earlier which was left to thaw on their apartment entrance. They were all rushing and panicking to get to Ni-ki earlier, he totally forgot about it.
The hallway of their company building was filled with laughter because of Jake’s antics, but Sunghoon was quick to assure him that they’ll buy some more before going home when Jake started to get sulky.
“Promise?” Jake asked, face all pouty and pleading.
“Promise,” Sunghoon confirmed, a small smile on his face.
—
When they got home after stopping by the convenience store to buy some ice cream like Sunghoon promised Jake that they would, Jay and Sunghoon immediately went to work, pulling the three maknaes with them and making them sit on the dining table.
Sunghoon and Jay prepared their food, just a light one considering it’s already 3 in the morning, but just enough for them to feel full after a long tiring day.
Sunghoon even spoon-fed Ni-ki as if the youngest is incapable of doing so himself, but he didn’t complain. It’s always nice to be coddled. It may seem suffocating for others, but it’s never that for Ni-ki. Sunoo and Jungwon didn't even let go of his hand while they eat, even if it's hard for Sunoo to use the spoon with his left hand.
Heeseung and Jake took the liberty of fixing their shared room, pumping the pillows to their full fluffness so it’s all ready for later when they go to sleep.
After that, they all shared stories and laughter in the dining area while eating the store-bought ice creams up until around 4 in the morning. If it weren’t for Jungwon scolding all of them to go to sleep because they still have a schedule not even 4 hours from now, then they wouldn’t have gone and brush their teeths to get ready for bed.
Their bed set-up is different each day. Most of the time, it depends on who gets to lie down first so he could sleep on the spot that he wants, but today, they specifically agreed on making Ni-ki sleep in the middle, with Sunghoon on his right and Sunoo at his left.
Ni-ki still needs Sunoo near him to be able to sleep, as much as he would like to admit. Sunoo brings him a different type of comfort that none of his other boyfriends could bring, which they all understand.
So, that night (or morning), when Sunoo is fast asleep on Ni-ki’s chest and Sunghoon is spooning the maknae, Sunghoon expects Ni-ki to be asleep, too. Not until he spoke up.
“I’m sorry again, hyung. I can’t promise that it won’t happen again, but I’ll do my best to never let it happen again,” Ni-ki whispered in the quiet of the night. “I love you, I don’t like making you worry,” he added.
And for Sunghoon, that was more than enough.
“I know, Ki. I just need you to try for us, baby. That’s all that matters,” Sunghoon whispered back, the deep rumble of his chest vibrating to Ni-ki, making the youngest calmer than he already feels.
“I will, I promise,” Ni-ki replied, words slurring each second because of sleepiness.
“Okay, baby. Thank you for always trying,” Sunghoon kissed the back of Ni-ki’s neck lightly. “I’m proud of you.”
Before Ni-ki could surrender to the deep slumber nagging his system, he heard Sunghoon whisper “I love you” and that was what pushed him to succumb to sleep.
—
Sunghoon is not religious, but he thanked the Gods listening for keeping his baby safe and well-rested before they got to him earlier. He thanked them for a lot of things, but mostly for keeping him and his boyfriends away from harm’s way.
Sunghoon is not religious, but that night, he prayed hard that Ni-ki won’t ever get into a situation where he needs rescuing ever again– hoping that this time too, just like earlier, they would listen to him.
Sunghoon is not religious, but maybe, just maybe, he can rely on whoever God is listening to grant him his wishes to keep the loves of his life safe and happy all the time.